E. Anderson, The Cosmopolitan Canopy (Essay Sample)

Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course: Date: E. Anderson, the Cosmopolitan Canopy Cosmopolitan Canopy (CC) is a book written by Dr. Anderson in the United States and the book elaborates about the race relations experienced in an urban island where there is civility which contains suburbs, ghettos and ethnic dominates where separatism is the norm. Moreover, discrimination, racial injuries, and harm are also evidenced in these environments since white folks have not mingled appropriately with black friends (Western 66). Under The Cosmopolitan Canopy, different people merge and they, continue to handle their activities without much resistance. This book also outlines how members in Philadelphia City interact by ethnic, social borders and racial. Additionally, due to proximity canopies exist which later become cosmopolitan zone. Despite civility in these environments, various incidences may arise such as tensions which involve borders of gender, class, sexual preference and race. Once they are assisted by gloss the normal conditions prevails, and this enables city dwellers, cab drivers, and doorkeepers to co-exist in these urban environments. This state of promotes tolerance and mutual understanding. Dr. Anderson in this book describes how public spaces, for example, Reading Terminal Market, 30th Street Station, and Rittenhouse Square influence how the blacks and white associate and how certain parameters are defined in daily public life (Anderson 17). A clear image is developed from public spaces regarding eating, people watching undercover and shopping habits and this can ease any tension associated from racial. Under this observation of social insight, Anderson illustrates how the canopy and its morals promote civility in the growing diverse cities. As described by Anderson, there are some places where social evolution is not entirely achieved thereby not able to tolerate civility. Some areas "middle-class" black people can be perceived as normal or even ordinary, and this has brought social education. It is in relation to the different alienations that make it possible to create a better platform for the essence of knowing the position of the blacks in the society. The Cosmopolitan Canopy book outlines how Rittenhouse Square at times displays calmness where both white upper-middle-class and black working class interact freely. Then during the night time wariness develops among the pedestrians who use the streets and pathways, and this automatically replaces the lightness, trust, and levity that rules during the day time. Moreover, in upscale restaurants, it happens there are no black staffs. Now this books shows that the poor people are not able to play leadership roles and this has brought stigmatization to many families in the city (Logan 71). Another scenario experienced is where black professional men cannot invite a white in their home. Additionally, a black businessperson can be seen in the company of white whiles white people can even not come in black businessperson company. Different words have been used in this book to elaborate various meaning. Reading Terminal is an actual example of "cosmopolitan canopy." Moreover, The Gallery Mall shows the "ghetto downtown," and Rittenhouse Square illustrate the pattern of civility (Anderson 20). Other terms used include "ethnos" and "cosmos" which bring illumination. This indicates those people who evaluate themselves as people of a particular racial enclave, for example, the whites, blacks including others. Moreover, another group is those that surround themselves with individuals who are just like them. In this scenario, there are people who are multi-racial and comfortable with diversity. On the other hand, there are others who switches sensibilities, urban blacks who settle in black vicinities, fellowship in black churches and studied in black schools but work in white institutions. The interesting thing is how Anderson explains the aroused labor and drama of being "black middle class in public." Black friends could comfortably mingle well in white space but act differently in their homes and vicinities. The author demonstrated the social differences and how individuals view others in the social groups. Moreover, the author introduces the Reading Terminal and Rittenhouse Square which serves as an example of racial cosmopolitanism and civility. In using "the nigger moment," Anderson depicts those moments in social life when racial animosity is foregrounded. This tries to bring people together despite the challenges experienced in the past to build a society that is firm and ready to handle any setbacks. The author is optimistic and expects people to take responsibilities to bring cohesion and growth in the cities without necessarily bringing conflicts because of the racial or ethnic group (Western 69). It is, therefore, important to understand that our cultural differences should not discrimination or even conflict. Our interactional dynamics should bring support for one another and dispute racial differences. The hostess at Rouge, the security guards in the Center City office building and doorkeepers in Rittenhouse Square serve as an example of people who have embraced one another with job discrimination. Central Thesis The fundamental thesis of this book is absolute morality, apportioned economic relationship or a political system that embrace various nations where there is mutual respect. The cosmopolitan community needs to accept every individual despite their different locations and join into relationships that enhance mutual respect without been influenced by differing beliefs. Considering these aspects will surely eliminate any form of discrimination at the community level. Mutual respect means everyone is treated equally whether he is a black or a white person. This creates social confidence thereby empowering people of different classes of life to participate in affairs that seem to be of high profile. Rittenhouse Square This is a space where everyone could go for pleasure or any other activity since it was a common ground and also called "public mothering" activities took place. Both upper middle-class women and black working class could interact freely without any restriction. Moreover, there a...