Introduction
The book reveals how Blacks in Philadelphia have impacted positively on urban renewal in the country. It focuses on different issues Blacks have faced in the city, and how these issues affected their socio-economic status in the country.
It looks at settlement patterns in the city and how they were affected by racist policies of previous city administrations.
Hunter argues that the post war period has led to a renewed sense of pride, which has made many Blacks living in America participate positively in all spheres of public life (52).
The book reveals how blacks have been able to shape their own destiny because of the active role they played in the city’s renewal. This has enabled them sustain strong relations with other communities living there, a factor that has contributed positively to their progress.
The book focuses on social changes in Philadelphia after the post war period and how they contributed to the city’s progress.
Hunter reveals that Blacks have a strong political voice, which has made more political leaders to pay attention to their concerns (79). He shows how urban voting trends are driven by issues, which affect Blacks and other minority groups in the country.
Socio-economic issues such as housing, employment and healthcare, also affect people from other racial and ethnic groups in the country. The book reveals that all these struggles are faced by Blacks and other minority communities in the country.
The book delves into the association between black political groups and what made them establish close links with the Democratic party in the country. The book captures different social issues in urban areas, which affect the Black community and other racial groups living nearby.
The book highlights the historical context of different social issues that affect Blacks in Philadelphia and how they have shaped their political leanings. The book also highlights the racial divide in politics and how it shapes public opinion on different issues.
Urban Politics
He reveals how urban politics have been shaped by issues related to racial equality, housing and employment. Poverty and low standards of living in urban areas have always influenced political debates in the country.
However, this has not affected social interactions blacks in the US have with other racial groups. They have managed to live in close proximity with Whites and other Americans in Philadelphia’s suburbs.
Hunter shows that Blacks are developing strong social ties with other racial and ethnic communities, which influences their perceptions on different issues (61).
Minority groups have continued to shape urban politics, and they are having a large impact on voting patterns in times of elections. The book reveals how minorities have bore the brunt of urban expansion in the country, since the beginning of the 20th century, which led to their displacement.
The book takes note of the early 20th century, when many blacks settled in the city. They were later evicted from their settlements to pave way for the upgrade of the city’s infrastructure.
The collapse of tenements in the city, highlights problems they faced, which resulted loss of property for many black families. Blacks mainly resided in low income neighborhoods and they did not enjoy rights accorded white property owners.
Tenement collapses made many Blacks realize the importance of participating in politics. They compelled the mayor to take more time to consider the plight of low income residents before initiating any major changes to the city’s infrastructure (Hunter 72).
These difficult times made blacks more conscious of their rights, which lay a strong foundation for Civil Rights Movement, that took place in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Housing Issues
Philadelphia black residents forced the mayor to carry out changes to the city’s flawed housing policies. Working class black political groups sprung into action and put pressure on the mayor and other politicians to improve the welfare of low income earners.
Future city plans had to take note of slum dwellings, which were improved to ensure the welfare of low income earners was catered for. Changes in official city policies benefited all residents, irrespective of their racial or ethnic extraction.
They benefited from a better living environment, where basic amenities and infrastructure, were provided by city authorities (Hunter 89).
The book shows that the the conscious awareness of blacks resulted in positive changes, which made future generations of Philadelphia residents live a better life. This encouraged strong interracial bonds to be formed in the community, giving rise to a multi-cultural society.
Housing issues have dominated urban politics in the US and they determine how various political candidates running for office perform in elections.
The book shows how Black political groups in Philadelphia found a voice through the Democratic party, which allowed them to challenge the status quo.
In essence, they were able to influence political leaders in the city and the rest of the country to take issues, which many urban residents face seriously. As a result, housing has become one of the key political agendas for successive governments in the country (Hunter 90).
Many politicians give more attention to needs of urban residents, which has changed the country’s politics. It highlights the way banks serving mainly black clients collapsed, making many black residents face a period of uncertainty.
Different factors led these banks to collapse yet they provided financial services to many African Americans, who were shunned by mainstream financial institutions.
Rise of Black Politicians
The collapse of these banks happened around the same time the Great Depression, brought the country’s economy to its knees. The writer argues that even though black banks had a great vision, they operated in a financial environment that was not conducive for their survival.
The Black Seventh Ward in Philadelphia is used as a symbol of black consciousness in the city, which has influenced many political, social and economic ideals (Hunter 103). This has transformed the racial and political environment in the city, giving all residents a common voice.
It has also led to a rise in the number of Black politicians running for office in the city. The book shows how these changes have contributed to more political consciousness among Black residents living in the city.
The book shows how Black Seventh Ward in Philadelphia changed perspectives of Black urban residents, who settled in other multi-racial residential areas.
This consciousness has made more Blacks to be elected as mayors of several cities across the country, because they are judged based on their ability to deliver and not according to the color of their skin.
Working class minority communities in urban areas are more influential and they demand more accountability from their political leaders, than ever before.
The Black Seventh Ward as portrayed in the book is a perfect environment that allows Blacks to become more involved in affairs of their own city.
Works Cited
Hunter, Marcus Anthony. Black Citymakers: How The Philadelphia Negro Changed Urban America. New York: Oxfod University Press, 2013. Print.