Sociology 90W Senior Seminar

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Introduction
Historically, urban sociologists research on “urbanization” has included the study of invasion and cultural Ethnicity. Immigrants have continued to come to America and moved into urban communities. Notwithstanding, the operational boundaries that I have researched is not sociologically excluded. As we all know class struggle has always been a significant sociological determining factor that dictates ones position in society.
Nevertheless, within a status position including immigrants that invade a community they must set themselves sociologically in a comfort zone that allows immigrants to maintain many cultural ethnicity variables such as music, culture, art, dance and food.
Therefore, this research examines invasion and the need to maintain ones’ diet as a form of cultural identity. This research is important to sociology for several reasons. First, this represents how a group of people are living within the framework of education, income, race and economic position. Secondly, the infrastructure of where the invaders reside are designed a certain way. Thirdly, cultural identity is a significant symbolic cultural ethnicity (i.e. the opening of food establishments that cater to a Carribean diet from back home).
This research provides the field of sociology a different understanding of invasion and cultural identity. The visual ethnography I chose is based on my empirical observations over a period of time before I started this research project. I wanted to see and test my observations as a sociologist. My findings and contribution are statistically supported, which makes my arguments and research valid. The field of sociology can benefit from this research as stepping stone for further research on this topic.
Literature
Ross(1984) explains that the interactions of societies forces actions and reactions. This theoretical theory helps give an overall framework on immigrants when they invade and come in contact with others in a community. This is extremely important significant because it relates to how society’s thru out history never escape this phenomenon to co-exist in this world. Social change is inevitable Ross(1984). Cultural ethnicity and identity can not escape this sociological component. This is why this theory of Ross(1984) strengthens my research and makes it worthy in the field of sociology.
Park(1971) states that “the need for comfortable familiarly, the need for shared experience and the equal participation in a common life”is a Theoretical theory that goes to the core of cultural ethnicity. Immigrants share this universal sociological trend no matter where they decide to reside. This helps explain why immigrants that invade a urban community set up food establishments to assist in maintaining ones’ cultural identity. Park(1971) defines there has to be bond that helps maintain a given community, which is an necessary sociological component.
Demerath(1947) literature is dated , however it is significant in my research because it examines where the invasion of immigrants are residing. Another words, we can not escape the institution “city planning” when we discuss invasion. There has to be an attraction to flourish to urban communities (i.e. housing, transportation and job availability). As Demerath(1947) points out there are two types of city planning. 1.Progressive planning which entails a processual systematic step by step planning over a comparatively long time and in keeping with a comprehensive long range plan for a suitable area. 2. Comprehensive planning that includes the upkeep of a specific urban area (streets, blight, protection, modernization and housing). According to Demerath(1947) City planners are looking to social scientist for help when it comes to invasion.
Another dated, however significant literature in my research comes from Manheim(1960) urban cities have traditionally played a transitional destination for immigrants. The city offers residential mobility, available choices of a partner, a job and leisure pursuits. Manheim(1960) adds the city was for the masses ( and still is) of rural and transatlantic migrants the port of entry into a world society that was able to absorb the newcomer regardless of his previous culture and nation. This theoretical theory is important to my research because urban communities can accommodate the influx of immigrants which in return they have access to maintain their cultural identity.
Hudson (1988) theoretical theory examines the nature of invasion such as invasion can only be supported by organized groups that help support, maintain and help influence change that benefits immigrants ( Carribean) for my research. This is significant in my research because it examines the importance of immigrants maintaining an organized support system to form a political sociological voice to preserve immigrants co-existence and assimilation within their new and existing communities. As we all know in sociology organization must exist for a group to flourish.
Another paradigm, is a structural theory that is significant comes from Alonso(1964) he looks and examines the causes and effects that have a sociological bearing on invasion of immigrants. Does income and education create urban areas to become open to immigrants or does invasion causes flight? My research would not be complete for this topic without considering the causes and effect that may and can be a factor for invasion. It is important to take a look on how certain variables either cause or are the effect of other variables.
Wilk (1999) theoretical theory argues that when invasion occurs a transnational sociological pattern takes place, cultural identity foods never become sacrificed. According to Wilk(1999) food and cooking can be an avenue toward understanding complex issues of cultural change and transnational cultural flows. This review supports my research, being that immigrants cultural identity is preserved thru foods no matter what.
Bennett(1943) mentions that food is a prominent ingredient in the prestige and status structure, in a complex urban culture food getting achieves deeper integration within symbol and value systems. However dated, this theoretical theory still exists today. This theory by Bennett(1943) is not only helpful in my research, it demonstrates a universal sociological norm about cultural identity and food.
Cusack(2000) states that cultural ethnicity’s food represents the dominant culture of a giving urban culture. Foods with the various ingredients when combined and cooked are an important element of a national cultural identity. This theoretical theory supports this research by the influx of Carribean based food establishments springing up within my research area.
Zukin(1980) states urban sociology and how sociologists have researched urban culture offer complex theories. However , in my research I chose universal sociological trends that break out of the complex theories approach, I focused on theories that are not only evident in my research operational boundaries, but would be evident in most urban communities. Which is extremely significant and helps affirm and validate my research of invasion and the need to maintain ones’ cultural identity, which are interrelated.
Bibliography
Alonso, William(1964) “The Historic and the Structural Theories of Urban Form: Their implications for urban Renewal”. Land Economics, Vol.48, pp.227-231.
Bennett, John (1943) “ Food and Social Status in a Rural Society”. American Sociological Review, Vol. 8, pp.561-569.
Cusack, Igor(2000) “ African Cuisines: Recipes for Nation Building”. African Cultural Studies, Vol. 13, pp. 207-225.
Demerath, N. J.(1947) “ Framework for City Planning”. Social Forces, Vol.26,pp.62-67.
Hudson, James(1988). “Organized Groups Land use Decisions and Ecological Theory”. Sociological Perspectives, Vol. 31, pp. 122-141.
Manheim, Ernest(1960) “ Theoretical Prospects of Urban Sociology in a Urbanized Society”. American Journal Of Sociology, Vol. 66, pp. 226-229.
Park, Robert(1971) “ City and Community The Urban Theory of Park Dixon Goist”. American Quarterly, Vol. 23, pp. 46-59.
Ross, Edward(1984) “Moot Points in Sociology, The Factors of Social Change”. American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 10, pp. 189-207.
Wilk, Richard(1999) “ Real Belizean Food : Building local Identity in the Transnational Carribean”. American Anthropologist, Vol. 101, pp. 244-255.
Zukin, Sharon(1980) “Decade of the New Urban Sociology”. Theory and Society, Vol. 9, pp. 575-601.

Synthesis
There are several main themes in the literature review, presenting a sociological core that contributes to the research I have performed. The dynamics of immigrants invasion and the need to keep ones’ cultural identity (food) are presented in a manner that is influenced by survival of a people and ones. Ancestral cultural identity.
The first theme I will address in the synthesis is the theoretical theory of Ross(1984) the interactions of societies forces actions and reactions contributes to the sociological nature of co-existing within a given operational boundary. This theme goes beyond the invasion and cultural identity within my research area. Nevertheless it is evident within my operational boundaries. Invasion and the need to maintain cultural identity.
Another theme, is the theoretical theory that Park(1971) addresses, the need for comfortable familiarity, the need for shared experience and the equal participation in common life is similar to Manheim(1960) theoretical theory that the city offers residential mobility, available choices of a partner, a job and leisure pursuits. These practices stabilizes immigrants and their cultural identity. It gives immigrants that invade an urban community the opportunity for a social network that is necessary for transatlantic migrants from the Carribean (i.e. Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, Haiti etc.)
The next theme addresses the maintenance of cultural identity (food), that is extremely significant within an immigrants culture. Culture ethnicity helps define a group of people whether from the Carribean, Africa, Europe, Asia or Mexico, the need to not completely assimilate to an American standard of living is evident in all nationalities. As Wilk(1999) mentions cultural identity foods never become sacrificed. A similar theoretical perspective comes from Bennett(1943) that food is a prominent ingredient in the prestige and status structure. Bennett(1943) points out that in complex urban settings food getting has a tremendous and deep rooted symmetrization within representation and importance. In addition, another comparative theoretical theory concerning cultural identity is from Cusack(2000) he states food represents the prevalent culture of a giving urban culture. Cusack(2000) recognizes that foods with the variety of ingredients when combined and cooked are prominent substances of a natural cultural identity.
The main themes mentioned relate to my ethnography due to the fact that within my operational boundaries I demonstrate the housing that is available to the “invaders” that are moving into my community that I reside. Additionally, I demonstrate in my ethnography the Carribean food establishments that are opening up to maintain the Carribean cultural identity within my operational boundaries.
Demographics
The neighborhood of research is located within the Williams Bridge section of the North East Bronx. This Urban community is ethnically dominated by immigrants from the various Afro-Carribean Islands. My study area is mostly a residential area, with many multi-family residential houses and a limited amount of commercial stores.
My operational boundaries to the North is East 222nd Street, the Southern boundary is 216th street, The Western boundary is Laconia Avenue with Boston Road securing the Eastern boundary.
One significant important fact in this mostly Carribean dominated community is the strong presence of families holding on to their cultural identity.
The population of this Bronx neighborhood is in the Bronx community District 11.The census tract is 486.(N.Y.C. community District census 2000). Within this census tract 54% of the population are Carribean born(foreign born).(N.Y.C. community District census 2000). This 54% Carribean born will correlate to first Carribean born generations that will be born in America. Notwithstanding, the populations other 46%, 40% are of Afro-Centric ancestry(N.Y.C. community District census 2000).
In this predominately Afro Carribean working class community the median family income is $36,696.(N.Y.C. community District census 2000). The population over 25 years of age with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 10%(N.Y.C. community District census 2000).
The physical environment offers a variety of multi dwelling residential homes, within the North boundary East222nd Street to the South boundary East 216th street and the West boundary Laconia Avenue, there are only new and old residential multi family homes. However , the East boundary Boston road offers all of this census tract commercial establishments. The Post Office, the bank, the barbershop, the beauty salon, the pharmacy, the meat market and the Carribean food establishments.
U.S. Census 2000, data from nyc.gov, http://www.nyc.gov
Method
The method that I used was simply walking and taking photos that I felt was insightful and supportive of my research. I used a Kodak disposable camera that I developed on film and on disc. I took photos of old and new family homes that I felt would project the area in the most enlightening way. In addition, I took photos of the cultural ethnicity Carribean food establishments that are available to show the desire to maintain their Carribean cultural identity. I took more photos of these Carribean food establishments Unfortunately most of them did not come out. I’m not sure if it was due to my negligence or camera error. However, the very few that did develop is sufficient for my research.
Interpretation
Due to my residential homes occupying the majority of my operational boundaries, I think it would be best to present my interpretation just showing the housing that’s available to the Carribean immigrants that have become the dominant ethnicity in this census tract.
Photo 14A. Is a photo that represents the older mufti family homes that Carribean families are setting up residence.
Photo 17A. Is a photo that represents a newly constructed multi family home that Carribean families are setting up residence
Please note: 54% of the community is Carribean born and in ths urban area these are the homes and apartments that are available to them.
Photo 16A.Gives the opportunity to witness an old and new set of multi family homes.
Photo 18A. Shows another set of new multi family homes.
Photo20A. Shows another set of old multi family homes
Please note : The rest of the photos of the homes is continue to show the mixture of old and new homes.
Photo’s 15A, 19A, 21A, 24A, 25A, 13A. And 12A.
The following three photos (the only ones that came out ) have to do with the cultural identity (food) of the Carribean immigrant’s.
Photo 8A. Is a photo showing the development of a Carribean bakery opening soon. This photo is unique because this awning displays the Jamaican flag which signifies Jamaican food is their specialty regardless of the Carribean food slogan on the awning. Anyhow the need to maintain their Cultural identity in the neighborhood is evident.
Photo 5A.Also is a display within the community of the cultural identity that resides in the area. Photo 10A is another food establishment that specializes in Wet Indian food that they advertise on their awning.
Discussion
In Answering my research question, Invasion and the need to maintain one’s cultural identity (food), I believe the ethnography and my research answers my topic. I am sure in my research for the following reason. My research reveals a sociological universal behavior within a culture that immigrates into urban communities.
However, what I initially wanted to do, but due to the operational boundaries, I could not. I wanted to explore a wider boundary so that I could take photo’s of an Haitian food establishment, an Trinidadian food establishment, A Guyanese food establishment and other Afro- Carribean food establishments located right outside my operational boundaries. This would have allowed me to demonstrate the influx of Carribean Cultural ethnicity’s and the maintenance of their cultural identity (food). So my process was extremely limited however, there is sufficient evidence in my research to answer my research question.
What I would have done differently in hindsight would be to take photo’s of the Carribean ingredients available in my operational community markets. However, this would have required permission from the market managers.
My contribution affirms theoretical theory’s that are dated nevertheless, these theory’s have transcended time and speak of a sociological nature that is evident in my research and will hold steadfast far into the future. This will allow other researchers and I the opportunity to do follow up work, however it may be extremely beneficial to widen the boundaries.