Title
My Blue Heaven: Life and Politics in the WorkingClass Suburbs of Los Angeles, 19201965 (Historical Studies of Urban America),Used
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In the 1920s, thousands of white migrants settled in the Los Angeles suburb of South Gate. Six miles from downtown and adjacent to Watts, South Gate and its neighboring communities served as L.A.'s Detroit, an industrial belt for mass production of cars, tires, steel, and other durable goods. Bluecollar workers built the suburb literally from the ground up, using sweat equity rather than cash to construct their own homes.As Becky M. Nicolaides shows in My Blue Heaven, this ethic of selfreliance and homeownership formed the core of South Gate's identity. With postWorld War II economic prosperity, the community's emphasis shifted from building homes to protecting them as residents tried to maintain their standard of living against outside threatsincluding the growing civil rights movementthrough grassroots conservative politics based on an ideal of white homeowner rights. As the citizens of South Gate struggled to defend their segregated American Dream of suburban community, they fanned the flames of racial inequality that erupted in the 1965 Watts riots.
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- Q: What is the main topic of 'My Blue Heaven'? A: 'My Blue Heaven' explores the life and politics of working-class suburbs in Los Angeles between 1920 and 1965, focusing on the community of South Gate and its development.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'My Blue Heaven' is Becky M. Nicolaides.
- Q: What are the key themes discussed in the book? A: Key themes include self-reliance, homeownership, the impact of economic prosperity, grassroots politics, and the struggle against racial inequality.
- Q: How many pages does 'My Blue Heaven' have? A: 'My Blue Heaven' contains a total of 430 pages.
- Q: What type of binding does the book have? A: 'My Blue Heaven' is available in paperback binding.
- Q: When was 'My Blue Heaven' published? A: 'My Blue Heaven' was published on May 2, 2002.
- Q: Is this book suitable for academic study? A: Yes, 'My Blue Heaven' is suitable for academic study, particularly in fields related to urban studies, history, and sociology.
- Q: What can readers learn from 'My Blue Heaven'? A: Readers can learn about the historical development of suburban communities in Los Angeles and the socio-political dynamics affecting working-class families during the 20th century.
- Q: Does the book discuss the impact of the civil rights movement? A: Yes, the book discusses how the civil rights movement influenced the community dynamics and politics in South Gate.
- Q: Is 'My Blue Heaven' available in other formats? A: Currently, 'My Blue Heaven' is available in paperback format; check with the publisher for any additional formats like eBook or hardcover.