Community Revitalization in Post-Katrina New Orleans: A Critical Analysis of Social Capital in an African American Neighborhood |
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Authors: | Loretta Pyles Tonya Cross |
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Institution: | 1. Community and Public Service Program and School of Social Welfare , University at Albany , SUNYlpyles@uamail.albany.edu;3. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center , |
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Abstract: | ABSTRACT This research explored the role of social capital, particularly civic engagement and social trust, in community revitalization efforts in a primarily African American post-Katrina neighborhood (n?=?153). Findings reveal high levels of participation in neighborhood and political activities but low levels of social trust. Eighty-four percent of this primarily African American sample reported that they do not trust people of other races as compared to 23 to 32% of African American respondents in the national study. Drawing from critical theoretical perspectives, we offer a critique of the limits of social capital theory as well as a discussion of the importance of building social and racial trust as central components of community development practice. Implications include emphasizing organizational capacity-building activities, community organizing training, and racial reconciliation efforts in post-disaster environments. |
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Keywords: | Social capital race community development Hurricane Katrina disaster critical theory |
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