Palmer Events Center
Armchair Sociology
RECEIVED Mon., June 14, 2004
Dear Editor,
It could be argued that the defining moment of Austin's unique culture came some 30 years ago when a cowboy shared his beer with a hippie, who in turn passed his joint. Tada – Austin.
Alas, those days have dramatically changed. Once a refuge for bastardized Texas liberals, Austin has morphed into a metropolis with a conservative/liberal dichotomy that mirrors cities throughout the country, not to mention others in the state. A fascinating result of this sociological shift is that a new designation has been given to what was once Austin's sleepy downtown – "urban" core.
Urban is a term in wide use that lacks much definition. In today's society, the homogenous mass often uses this term as a subtle form of racism, a reference to poor black neighborhoods or inner-city social agendas. In contrast, the urbane define urban as a cultural movement, with hip-hop music and fashion standards as trademarks. Regardless if its use is derogatory or praiseworthy, the term urban means black in most parts of America.
When charting the demographic history of American cities, it is not difficult to see how urban became associated with African-American culture. Over the last 150 years, Civil War, Jim Crow laws, desegregation, and white flight shifted the population makeup of city centers. In 1860, urban culture was defined by Irish and Italian immigration patterns; a century later urban culture evolved with a new demographic in place.
Lack of acceptance in Anglo circles repressed this urban evolution. Black music, style, and culture remained an insular force until its explosion in the 1980s. Today, urban America is being refined once again with gay/lesbian and Hispanic immigration to city centers. Although a black urbana has only been realized for a mere two decades, forecasts show that its exit will be as quick as its entrance.
It could be argued that the defining moment of Austin's unique culture came some 30 years ago when a cowboy shared his beer with a hippie, who in turn passed his joint. Tada – Austin.
Alas, those days have dramatically changed. Once a refuge for bastardized Texas liberals, Austin has morphed into a metropolis with a conservative/liberal dichotomy that mirrors cities throughout the country, not to mention others in the state. A fascinating result of this sociological shift is that a new designation has been given to what was once Austin's sleepy downtown – "urban" core.
Urban is a term in wide use that lacks much definition. In today's society, the homogenous mass often uses this term as a subtle form of racism, a reference to poor black neighborhoods or inner-city social agendas. In contrast, the urbane define urban as a cultural movement, with hip-hop music and fashion standards as trademarks. Regardless if its use is derogatory or praiseworthy, the term urban means black in most parts of America.
When charting the demographic history of American cities, it is not difficult to see how urban became associated with African-American culture. Over the last 150 years, Civil War, Jim Crow laws, desegregation, and white flight shifted the population makeup of city centers. In 1860, urban culture was defined by Irish and Italian immigration patterns; a century later urban culture evolved with a new demographic in place.
Lack of acceptance in Anglo circles repressed this urban evolution. Black music, style, and culture remained an insular force until its explosion in the 1980s. Today, urban America is being refined once again with gay/lesbian and Hispanic immigration to city centers. Although a black urbana has only been realized for a mere two decades, forecasts show that its exit will be as quick as its entrance.
Rad Tollett