A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Urban Continuities, Urban Challenges: Comparing the Ajumma and African-Americans
The ajumma and African-Americans may appear at first glance to inhabit different worlds, but these two urban groups have a lot in common. A comparison of their life conditions indicates similar contexts of unequal opportunity and unequal outcomes that are rooted in the structural social conditions of Korea and the United States. In this paper, I argue that majoritarian understandings of family, work, and politics are reflected in the institutions and policies of both countries in ways that perpetuate contexts of hardship for the ajumma and for African-Americans. Through a process of scapegoating, forms of inequality by race, gender, and class are manifested in social norms and policies. Though intended to remedy the situation, these norms and policies may resituate and even deepen the antecedent problems. The paper first develops a picture of social life for the ajumma and African-Americans, noting important continuities. It then offers an explanation for their similarity with the theory of scapegoating and negative policy feedback. Finally, an alternative model for cities is presented, one that postulates relational injong, or empathy, and an ethics of care between individuals as the basis for 21st century urban policy.
Urban Continuities, Urban Challenges: Comparing the Ajumma and African-Americans
The ajumma and African-Americans may appear at first glance to inhabit different worlds, but these two urban groups have a lot in common. A comparison of their life conditions indicates similar contexts of unequal opportunity and unequal outcomes that are rooted in the structural social conditions of Korea and the United States. In this paper, I argue that majoritarian understandings of family, work, and politics are reflected in the institutions and policies of both countries in ways that perpetuate contexts of hardship for the ajumma and for African-Americans. Through a process of scapegoating, forms of inequality by race, gender, and class are manifested in social norms and policies. Though intended to remedy the situation, these norms and policies may resituate and even deepen the antecedent problems. The paper first develops a picture of social life for the ajumma and African-Americans, noting important continuities. It then offers an explanation for their similarity with the theory of scapegoating and negative policy feedback. Finally, an alternative model for cities is presented, one that postulates relational injong, or empathy, and an ethics of care between individuals as the basis for 21st century urban policy.
Urban Continuities, Urban Challenges: Comparing the Ajumma and African-Americans
Rowan, Bernard (author)
International Journal of Urban Sciences ; 4 ; 226-246
2000-10-01
21 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
Unknown
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