Young Involved Philadelphia’s Reading Group: Code of the Street

Posted by on October 6, 2006

Young Involved Philadelphia’s Reading Group

Reading Group: Elijah Anderson’s Code of the Street
Monday, October 23rd, 6:15 to 8:00 p.m.
Seiss Community Center, 2111 Sansom Street

As Philadelphia’s murder toll grew during the summer months, Elijah Anderson became a familiar name on the radio and in print. A Penn Sociology professor, Dr. Anderson has been the scholar of record as rattled locals have tried to understand what is behind the latest spate of violence. Focusing on the underlying problems of race relations and urban inequality, Code of the Street: Decency, Violence, and the Moral Life of the Inner City explores Philadelphia neighborhoods in an attempt to identify the rules that govern the use of public space, the violation of which can sometimes lead to violence.

We will also be viewing “Down Germantown Avenue,” a short video introduction to the book created by Rutgers-Camden students and Professor Robert Wood.

Joseph Fox Booksellers, 1724 Sansom Street, and A House of Our Own Bookstore, 3920 Spruce Street, will be offering a 10% discount to YIP members on Code of the Street. We recommend that YIP members call to confirm that the book is in stock, as it is high demand.

Discussion will focus on the following chapters:

* Introduction: Down Germantown Avenue
* Chapter 2: Campaigning for Respect
* Chapter 3: Drugs, Violence, and Street Crime

Interested in attending? RSVP to jbaylorh@excite.com.

Future YIP Reading Group Selections:

* December: Robert Wright’s The First Wall Street
* January: Robert Bruegmann’s Sprawl: A Compact History

About

“Philadelphia and Its Future” is YIP’s monthly reading and discussion group for members. The group allows us to further educate ourselves about our city and its history, and to debate issues of key relevance to Philadelphia’s future. Readings draw from classic works on cities and urban planning, analysis of current economic development trends, and case studies of policies and initiatives successful here and elsewhere, as well as other sources. Chosen two months in advance, texts should be readily available in local bookstores or on the Internet.

Past readings:

* The Working Poor: Invisible in America by David Shipler
* The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
* The Price is Wrong: Getting the Market Right for Working Families in Philadelphia, Brookings Institution
* The Rise of the Creative Class by Richard Florida
* A Prayer for the City by Buzz Bissinger

For more information on YIP’s Reading Group, email Niel McDowell at niel.mcdowell@gmail.com.