Making the Second Ghetto

Making the Second Ghetto examines racial segregation and housing policy in Chicago from 1940-1960. Hirsch analyzes how public and private forces worked to maintain racial boundaries during a period of rapid demographic change. The book documents the roles of government institutions, real estate interests, neighborhood organizations, and political figures in shaping Chicago's housing patterns. Through extensive research and archived materials, Hirsch reconstructs the complex web of policies and practices that reinforced residential segregation in mid-century Chicago. Urban renewal programs, public housing projects, and shifting neighborhood demographics serve as focal points for examining systemic racism in housing. The study pays particular attention to specific neighborhoods and developments where racial transitions and conflicts occurred. The work stands as an influential analysis of how institutional racism operates through seemingly neutral policies and bureaucratic processes. This detailed case study of Chicago provides insights into broader patterns of segregation and inequality in American cities.

Readers note the book's detailed documentation of how Chicago's government, businesses, and white residents worked together to segregate Black communities in the mid-20th century. Many appreciate Hirsch's use of primary sources and specific examples that demonstrate deliberate policy decisions. Readers highlight: - Clear explanations of complex housing policies - Connection between riots and institutional racism - Documentation of community organization efforts Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Heavy focus on policy details over human stories - Limited coverage of time periods before 1940 Ratings: Goodreads: 4.25/5 (173 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (31 ratings) "Changed my understanding of how segregation was maintained after the Great Migration," noted one Goodreads reviewer. Several Amazon reviewers mentioned using it for academic research. A common thread in reviews is that while the writing requires concentration, the thoroughness of research makes it valuable for understanding urban segregation's roots.

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🏘️ The term "second ghetto" refers to the transformation of Chicago's Black neighborhoods from 1940-1960, distinct from the "first ghetto" that formed during the Great Migration of 1916-1930. 🏛️ Arnold R. Hirsch was a pioneering urban historian at the University of New Orleans who passed away in 2018. His groundbreaking research on Chicago's housing segregation influenced generations of scholars. 💥 The book documents how "white riots" occurred in Chicago nearly 50 times between 1945 and 1950 when Black families attempted to move into white neighborhoods. 📋 The Chicago Housing Authority initially planned to create integrated public housing after World War II but faced fierce resistance from local politicians and neighborhood organizations. 🏆 Making the Second Ghetto won the Allan Nevins Prize from the Society of American Historians when it was first published in 1983 and remains a foundational text in urban studies.