[URBANTH-L]Is Diversity Bad for Cities? (Lisa Maya Knauer)

[Angela Jancius]

From: Lisa Maya Knauer <lknauer at umassd.edu>

thanks, sam. a few more assorted thoughts (i have not read the book either):

1.    it seems to me that there needs to be some further examination of
contextual issues like segregation and the contexts within which
"diverse" communities come together. that is, it's entirely possible
that in a city with a lot of "diversity" (measured, perhaps, by the
number of languages spoken in the public schools), people from those
various ethnic/racial communities live largely separate lives.  an
increase in diversity does necessary indicate an increase in interaction.
2.    other contextual factors have to do with economic shifts such as
"restructuring" and gentrification. and antagonisms can be highly
specific, shaped by labor market and neighborhood issues as well as
class (working class members of group A are resentful of group B whom
they see as taking aware scarce jobs because group B is phenotypically
marked as "other"; however, group C is not a target of resentment even
though they are "taking" as many jobs because they are not as visible;
upper class members of group A aren't threatened in the same way).
this should make for some lively discussions.

regards,
lisa maya knauer