Chasing the American Dream:
New Perspectives on Affordable Homeownership
Edited by William M. Rohe & Harry L. Watson
HD7287.96 .U6 C43 2007
New Book Island, 2nd floor
Should you rent or should you buy? The topic is definitely at the forefront of today’s headlines, with the US housing bubble deflating and the subprime lending market tanking. This book seeks to tackle the age-old question from a variety of perspectives, economic, architectural, social to name a few. Contributors from the nation’s leading institutions outline the history and origins of the ‘American Dream’ and recommendations to improve the situation for all actors in the mix, focusing mainly on low-income homebuyers. In short, this book presents a well-rounded view of this current debate.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor:
Race, Class & Residence in Los Angeles
Camille Zubrinsky Charles
HD7288.76 .U5 C43 2006
New Book Island, 2nd floor
The author, associate professor of sociology at the University of Pennsylvania, explores how race affects residential decision-making in urban areas, using Los Angeles for her study. She argues that where you live determines so much for individuals, such as access to jobs, social networks and education. Pulling data from an in-depth survey, she draws some interesting conclusions. For instance, she finds that caucasians are the most desirable neighbors, whereas African-Americans are the least desirable, even to minority groups with little exposure to American race relations. This book provides a thought-provoking read for those interested in the current state of race relations in the United States. By the way, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? really is a reference to Mister Rogers, not just a coincidence.
