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The ‘ B lack M etropolis' in the A merican Urban System of the Early Twentieth Century: H arlem, B ronzeville and Beyond
Author(s) -
Boyd Robert l.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of urban and regional research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1468-2427
pISSN - 0309-1317
DOI - 10.1111/1468-2427.12048
Subject(s) - government (linguistics) , politics , entertainment , capital (architecture) , sociology , political science , geography , law , philosophy , linguistics , archaeology
By defining and measuring a dimension of the B lack M etropolis in terms of occupational representation, this study advances research on the urban black communities of the early twentieth‐century U nited S tates. Census data show that: (1) B ronzeville ( C hicago) was the premier B lack M etropolis overall and the black communities of urban‐industrial centers in the M idwest had locational advantages that rivaled those of H arlem ( N ew Y ork) with respect to the rise of the black professional and entrepreneurial classes; (2) The standing of H arlem as a preeminent B lack M etropolis was due mainly to opportunities generated by unique features of N ew Y ork that aided blacks' entry into an extensive array of artistic, entertainment and mass media occupations; (3) The black community of W ashington, DC , was the only substantial B lack M etropolis below the M ason‐ D ixon L ine because of advantages that derived from the city's location above areas of the lower S outh and from its status as the capital of the US federal government; (4) In general, the northern B lack M etropolis was characterized more by opportunities for blacks to participate in politics and public life and to create vital cultural institutions than by opportunities for blacks to economically gain through professions or businesses.