The incidence of racial violence and bias crime has increased dramatically in New York City in recent years, the result of a volatile mix of social, political, and economic factors. Worsening racial tensions can be traced to "hypersegregation" and polarization, poverty, homelessness, family breakdown, and failure of the education system.…

The health of urban America, particularly that of minority citizens who live in urban America, is so poor in comparison to that of the rest of our nation's citizens that it constitutes a national disgrace and an embarrassment. (Author/MW)

Presents data on the problems of poor children and youth. Describes the efforts of the Children's Defense Fund to make preventive investment in children and families the cornerstone of domestic policy, and to make decent, affordable child care services available nationwide. (MW)

Blacks in cities remain segregated and economically disadvantaged. Differences between races are far more important than social stratification in Blacks' deteriorating economic condition. Because the spatial and political containment of Black populations has actually reduced their effect on cities' economic fortunes, political strategies for Black…

Examines the relationship between industrialization and the exclusion of southern Blacks from cities and occupations between 1865 and 1910, the era social historians call the "New South." The interaction of such factors as percentage of Blacks, percentage of Whites, and White racism forced Blacks to participate in a secondary labor…

Discusses the basic economic changes and previous conservative policies that have resulted in the increase of homelessness and the decrease in the supply of affordable housing. Argues that the solution to homelessness lies with federally funded, nonprofit housing in various forms. (FMW)

Describes the goals of Metro Catholic Parish School, in Cleveland, Ohio, where 69% of the attending families live below the poverty level. Discusses the importance of the urban setting to the total educational ministry of the church. Argues that urban education should be a more intentional focus of the church. (KP)

A major finding from interviews with 25 New York City (New York) poverty-area urban elementary school principals is that they cannot adequately educate children without services to deal with the emotional distress experienced by many students. Teachers need the help and support of trained professionals. (SLD)

Schools are trying to do too many good things simultaneously. To improve, they need to simplify, reduce the overload on students and staff, and concentrate on a small group of key ideas. Instituting magnet districts, each with a separate theme, might eliminate confusion in trying out new ideas. (SLD)

Controversy over attempts to establish a needle and syringe exchange scheme in New York City (1985 to 1991) as an Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) prevention measure are described. These efforts highlight several political and social pitfalls in AIDS prevention. (SLD)

This paper discusses how the health care needs of underserved children, particularly urban children, can be met through an ecological model of health care. Ecoprimary care, infant mortality, and the experiences of King/Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles (California), an example of maximization of resources, are described. (SLD)

Analyzes social theory as an antecedent to social policy, and social policy as an antecedent to social practice. The African-American family provides the basis for this examination. Social policy should be based on empirical observation as well as theory, and it should be population specific. (SLD)

Focuses on strengths of African-American families and how they function, relevant conceptual approaches, and trends and issues in studying African-American families that can facilitate understanding. A shift from studying dysfunctional families to more positive aspects can help African-American families meet societal challenges. (SLD)

Describes a class activity in which New York City high school environmental science students take a field trip to visit an active sewage treatment facility and landfill operation. (MDH)

If schools became true communities of learners they could spread community throughout alienated urban areas. Some major themes defining cooperative community are explored. Stages that schools should go through in building community are detailed. Providing outreach to other potential communities is a later step in the process. (SLD)