Race and the Politics of Deception : The Making of an American City

What is the relationship between race and space, and how do racial politics inform the organization and development of urban locales? In Race and the Politics of Deception, Christopher Mele unpacks America’s history of dealing with racial problems through the inequitable use of public space. Mele focuses on Chester, Pennsylvania—a small city comprised of primarily low-income, black residents, roughly twenty miles south of Philadelphia. Like many cities throughout the United States, Chester is experiencing post-industrial decline. A development plan touted as a way to “save” the city, proposes to turn one section into a desirable waterfront destination, while leaving the rest of the struggling residents in fractured communities. Dividing the city into spaces of tourism and consumption versus the everyday spaces of low-income residents, Mele argues, segregates the community by creating a racialized divide. While these development plans are described as socially inclusive and economically revitalizing, Mele asserts that political leaders and real estate developers intentionally exclude certain types of people—most often, low-income people of color. Race and the Politics of Deception provides a revealing look at how our ever-changing landscape is being strategically divided along lines of class and race.

What is the relationship between race and space, and how doracial politics inform the organization and development of urbanlocales? In Race and the Politics of Deception, Christopher Meleunpacks America's history of dealing with racial problems throughthe inequitable use of public space. Mele focuses on Chester,Pennsylvania-a small city comprised of primarily low-income, blackresidents, roughly twenty miles south of Philadelphia. Like manycities throughout the United States, Chester is experiencingpost-industrial decline. A development plan touted as a way to"save" the city, proposes to turn one section into a desirablewaterfront destination, while leaving the rest of the strugglingresidents in fractured communities. Dividing the city into spacesof tourism and consumption versus the everyday spaces of low-incomeresidents, Mele argues, segregates the community by creating aracialized divide. While these development plans are described associally inclusive and economically revitalizing, Mele asserts thatpolitical leaders and real estate developers intentionally excludecertain types of people-most often, low-income people of color.Race and the Politics of Deception provides a revealing look at howour ever-changing landscape is being strategically divided alonglines of class and race.

Unpacks America’s History Of Dealing With Racial Problems Through The Inequitable Use Of Public Space. Focuses On Chester, Pennsylvania—a Small City Comprised Of Primarily Low-income, Black Residents, Roughly Twenty Miles South Of Philadelphia. Like Many Cities Throughout The United States, Chester Is Experiencing Post-industrial Decline. A Development Plan Touted As A Way To “save” The City, Proposes To Turn One Section Into A Desirable Waterfront Destination, While Leaving The Rest Of The Struggling Residents In Fractured Communities. Dividing The City Into Spaces Of Tourism And Consumption Versus The Everyday Spaces Of Low-income Residents. While These Development Plans Are Described As Socially Inclusive And Economically Revitalizing, Mele Asserts That Political Leaders And Real Estate Developers Intentionally Exclude Certain Types Of People—most Often, Low-income People Of Color. Race Strategies And The Politics Of Urban Development -- The Racial Divide In The Making Of Chester -- How To Make A Ghetto -- The Birmingham Of The North -- Five Square Miles Of Hell -- Welcome To The Post-racial Black City. Christopher Mele. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.