{"product_id":"whitetown-u-s-a","title":"Whitetown  U. S. A.","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a study of a declining lower middle class white neighborhood  Kensington  in Philadelphia  a neighborhood of blue collar Poles  Italians  and Irish  and a prime example of the pathologies and the fierce pride  the grievances and prejudices  the true-blue Americanism and profound alienation to be found in the Whitetowns of urban America. After some historical background on Kensington and some sociological perspectives on various Whitetowns of today  the most substantial segment of the account deals with the stresses  strains  and shortcomings of Kensingtons schools (although the Philadelphia school system is predominantly black  the poorest reading and arithmetic scores are in Kensington) and the resistance of the residents to reform (reform is generally equated with racial inundation). Binzen  Urban Affairs Editor of the Philadelphia Bulletin  believes in first-hand investigation and first-person reportage. Not only did he interview and analyze Whitetowners  stroll around their streets and visit in their homes  he also took upon himself the formidable task of teaching fourth grade at old  obsolete Elkins Elementary School. Two days were enough for him to chuck that project  but his continued observation of teachers and principals  students and parents in action both in Whitetown and Blacktown  Philadelphia  form the basis for his perceptive commentary on the particular educational problems of Kensington in the context of recent developments in both public and parochial schools in Philadelphia and elsewhere. Binzens study goes far toward answering the complaint of a third-generation Polish-American Whitetowner: \"\"No one listens to us and our problems  no one cares about us or appreciates the contributions we have made to American life.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44954846167093,"sku":"ByrdShop_0394710770","price":91.39,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780394710778.jpg?v=1770286644","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/whitetown-u-s-a","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}