African-American population centers African-American culture

the fifth ward, african-american neighborhood in houston, texas

african-american neighborhoods types of ethnic enclaves found in many cities in united states. formation of african-american neighborhoods closely linked history of segregation in united states, either through formal laws, or product of social norms. despite this, african-american neighborhoods have played important role in development of aspects of both african-american culture , broader american culture.

wealthy african-american communities

many affluent african-american communities exist today, including following: woodmore, maryland; hillcrest, rockland county, new york; redan , cascade heights, georgia; mitchellville, maryland; desoto, texas; quinby, south carolina; forest park, oklahoma; mount airy, philadelphia, pennsylvania.

ghettos

due segregated conditions , widespread poverty african-american neighborhoods in united states have been called ghettos . use of term controversial and, depending on context, potentially offensive. despite mainstream america s use of term ghetto signify poor urban area populated ethnic minorities, living in area used signify positive. african-american ghettos did not contain dilapidated houses , deteriorating projects, nor of residents poverty-stricken. many african americans, ghetto home , place representing authentic blackness , feeling, passion, or emotion derived rising above struggle , suffering of being of african descent in america.

langston hughes relays in negro ghetto (1931) , heart of harlem (1945): buildings in harlem brick , stone/and streets long , wide,/but harlem s more these alone,/harlem s inside. playwright august wilson used term ghetto in ma rainey s black bottom (1984) , fences (1987), both of draw upon author s experience growing in hill district of pittsburgh, african-american ghetto.

although african-american neighborhoods may suffer civic disinvestment, lower-quality schools, less-effective policing , fire protection, there institutions such churches , museums , political organizations improve physical , social capital of african-american neighborhoods. in african-american neighborhoods churches may important sources of social cohesion. african americans, kind spirituality learned through these churches works protective factor against corrosive forces of racism. museums devoted african-american history found in many african-american neighborhoods.

many african-american neighborhoods located in inner cities, , these residential neighborhoods located closest central business district. built environment row houses or brownstones, mixed older single-family homes may converted multi-family homes. in areas there larger apartment buildings. shotgun houses important part of built environment of southern african-american neighborhoods. houses consist of 3 5 rooms in row no hallways. african-american house design found in both rural , urban southern areas, in african-american communities , neighborhoods.

in black rednecks , white liberals, thomas sowell suggested modern urban black ghetto culture rooted in white cracker culture of north britons , scots-irish migrated lawless border regions of britain american south, formed redneck culture common both blacks , whites in antebellum south. according sowell, characteristics of culture included lively music , dance, violence, unbridled emotions, flamboyant imagery, illegitimacy, religious oratory marked strident rhetoric, , lack of emphasis on education , intellectual interests. because redneck culture proved counterproductive, culture long ago died out ... among both white , black southerners, while still surviving today in poorest , worst of urban black ghettos , sowell described being characterized brawling, braggadocio, self-indulgence, [and] disregard of future , , belligerence considered being manly , crudity considered cool, while being civilized regarded acting white . sowell asserts white liberal americans have perpetuated counterproductive , self-destructive lifestyle among black americans living in urban ghettos through welfare state, , look-the-other-way policing, , smiling @ gangsta rap .