Responding to the second ghetto: Chicago's Joe Smith and Sin Corner

Area of Science:

• Urban Sociology
• African American Studies
• Post-War American History

Background:

• The post-World War Two era witnessed an intensified Great Migration of African Americans to Northern cities.
• This demographic shift significantly reshaped Chicago's urban landscape, particularly on the West and South Sides.
• The expansion led to the reformulation and growth of existing Black ghettos.

Observation:

• The study examines the African American community's response to the newly formed "Second Ghetto" in Chicago.
• White political, cultural, and business elites maintained significant control over urban development and neighborhood boundaries.
• The case of "Joe Smith and Sin Corner" in the 1950s offers insight into Black agency during this period.

Findings:

• The African American middle class utilized available resources to combat racial injustice.
• These resources were often tied to class privileges not universally shared within the broader Black community.
• Despite external control, instances of Black agency and self-protection emerged.

Implications:

• Understanding the "Second Ghetto" is crucial for analyzing mid-20th century urban Black experiences.
• The findings highlight the complex interplay of race, class, and power in shaping urban environments.
• This research sheds light on the diverse strategies employed by African Americans to navigate systemic racial inequities.