Urbanization Essays - Urban Decay, Segregation, Ethnic Enclave

Urbanization The urban metropolis and its function in society cannot be understood without studying its composition as a city of immigrants, their newcomer families and friends and the ties that bind them. By overlooking the ethnic culture and networks of the city's immigrants, the study of the urban centre is at best a futile effort. Ethnic tendencies and particularly ethnic residential segregation, are areas of examination than cannot be neglected if we are to understand the individual and group experiences that ultimately influence urban growth. It is therefore important to carefully explore these areas so that insight into the underpinnings of the urban metropolis is achieved. Looking at Canadian urban centres from 1850-1920, specifically the city of Toronto, I will examine the issue of ethnic residential segregation and its significance to the urban centre. I will attempt to prove that this phenomenon is a consequence of ethnic concentration in particular industries resulting from ethnic networks and socio-economic inequalities present within society. Furthermore, the existence of these vibrant yet segregated ethnic communities does not imply that assimilation is failing to occur. Consequently, standard assimilation frameworks, which assume that proximity to the majority group increases with socio-economic gains, must be re-evaluated. Urban and historical geographers have become increasingly interested in studying residential segregation through the context of changes in the industrial workplace (Scott, 1986). A number of industries like clothing, textile, iron and steel have employed large proportions of immigrant workers (Leiberson, 1933). Toronto is no exception. Early immigrant settlers came to North America in search of a 'better' life and increased economic opportunities (Lindstrom-Best, 1979) and Toronto's economic ambience appealed to them. 1850's Toronto saw increased prosperity with expanding enterprises, jobs and especially railway building. By the 1860's, when this first rail construction boom had faded, the city blossomed into a regionally dominant railway centre with track access throughout the province, into adjoining Montreal, Detroit and New York. More importantly though, steam and iron transport expansion unravelled the way for industrialization (Harney, 1985). Toronto's harbourfront thrived with rail traffic, entailing machine and engine works, coal-yards, moulding and forging plants and steam-driven factories (Globe, 1866). The new gas works, the Grand Trunk Railway workshops, the Toronto Rolling Mills, and the Gooderham and Worts distillery exemplified this flourishing industrialization. Moreover, other processing operations, such as wood or hardware manufactories, tanneries and meat-packing houses accompanied industrial growth. All in all, by the 1860's, working opportunities in the city could readily urge on its settlement, which consequently began to accelerate rapidly (Harney, 1985). In light of these increased working opportunities distinct Torontonian neighbourhoods developed. St. John's Ward bounded by Henderson, Yonge, Front and University and the Italian neighbourhoods bounded by Henderson, Manning, Dundas and Ossington are just two of the distinct communities that resulted. By the 1900's, the 'Ward' as it was popularly know, primarily consisted of East Europeans of Jewish descent. They initially settled in the Ward because they had little choice. Upon their arrival, they were in immediate need of cheap accommodation near steady employment (Harney, 1985). St. John's Ward, adjacent to the commercial centre of the city, provided them this opportunity. They had relatively few skills and no credit although their affinity for the garment industry proved valuable (Speisman, 1979). Suffice it is to say, the Ward was in close proximity to this industry. During the early twentieth century, the notable clothing firms, the Lowndes Co., Johnson Brothers and others were located on Front Street, Wellington Street, Church and Bay. By 1910, the T. Eaton company had erected an enormous manufacturing firm bounded by Bay, Albert, Louisa and James. This company would eventually grow to be the largest sole employer of Jews in the Ward (Harney, 1985). Factory employees elected to reside near their places of employment (Harney, 1985). Working long hours, they wished to minimize travelling time thus choosing to live close to the companies that employed them. In addition, as proximity to major clothing firms increased, so too did employment opportunities. The Ward, similar to many other areas throughout North America, thus evolved into an immigrant haven adjacent to the central business district. Despite the fact that not all Jews made their livelihoods in clothing factories, it was the factories' presence and proximity to affordable housing that attracted Jewish immigrants to the area (Rischin, 1964) and created a vibrant ethnic neighbourhood. Similar ethnic neighbourhood appeared as divergent immigrant occupational skills emerged. The first Finnish inhabitant of Toronto, a tailor named James Lindala, ventured to the city upon hearing of the high demand for skilled tailors (Lindstrom-Best, 1979). Settling in the south-central part of Toronto, near the railroad and tailoring

Corazon Aquino, First Female Philippines President

Corazon Aquino, First Female Philippines President Corazon Aquino (January 25, 1933–August 1, 2009) was the first female president of the Philippines, serving from 1986–1992. She was the wife of Filipino opposition leader Benigno Ninoy Aquino and began her political career in 1983 after dictator Ferdinand Marcos had her husband assassinated. Fast Facts: Corazon Aquino Known For: Leader of People Power movement and the 11th president of the PhilippinesAlso Known As: Maria Corazon  Cory  Cojuangco AquinBorn: January 25, 1933 in Paniqui, Tarlac, PhilippinesParents: Jose Chichioco Cojuangco and Demetria Metring SumulongDied: August 1, 2009 in Makati,  Metro Manila, PhilippinesEducation: Ravenhill Academy and Notre Dame Convent School in New York, College of Mount St. Vincent  in New York City, law school at the Far Eastern University in ManilaAwards and Honors:  J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding, chosen by  Time  Magazine  as one of the 20 Most Influential Asians of the 20th century and one of 65 great Asian HeroesSpouse: Ninoy AquinoChildren: Maria Elena, Aurora Corazon, Benigno III Noynoy, Victoria Elisa, and Kristina BernadetteNotable Quote: I  would rather die  a  meaningful death than  to  live  a  meaningless life. Early Life   Maria Corazon Sumulong Conjuangco was born on January 25, 1933, in Paniqui, Tarlac, located in central Luzon, Philippines, north of Manila. Her parents were Jose Chichioco Cojuangco and Demetria Metring Sumulong, and the family was of mixed Chinese, Filipino, and Spanish descent. The family surname is a Spanish version of the Chinese name Koo Kuan Goo. The Cojuangcos owned a sugar plantation covering 15,000 acres  and were among the wealthiest families in the province. Cory was the couples sixth child of eight. Education in the U.S. and the Philippines As a young girl, Corazon Aquino was studious and shy. She also showed a devout commitment to the Catholic Church from an early age. Corazon went to expensive private schools in Manila through age 13, when her parents sent her to the United States for high school. Corazon went first to Philadelphias Ravenhill Academy and then the Notre Dame Convent School in New York, graduating in 1949. As an undergraduate at the College of Mount St. Vincent in New York City, Corazon Aquino majored in French. She also was fluent in Tagalog, Kapampangan, and English. After her 1953 graduation from college, Corazon moved back to Manila to attend law school at the Far Eastern University. There, she met a young man from one of the Philippines other wealthy families, a fellow student named Benigno Aquino, Jr. Marriage and Life as a Housewife Corazon Aquino left law school after just one year to marry Ninoy Aquino, a journalist with political aspirations. Ninoy soon became the youngest governor ever elected in the Philippines, and then was elected as the youngest ever member of the Senate in 1967. Corazon concentrated on raising their five children: Maria Elena (b. 1955), Aurora Corazon (1957), Benigno III Noynoy (1960), Victoria Elisa (1961), and Kristina Bernadette (1971). As Ninoys career progressed, Corazon served as a gracious hostess and supported him. However, she was too shy to join him on stage during his campaign speeches, preferring to stand at the back of the crowd and watch. In the early 1970s, money was tight and Corazon moved the family to a smaller home and even sold part of the land she had inherited in order to fund his campaign. Ninoy had become an outspoken critic of Ferdinand Marcoss regime  and was expected to win the 1973 presidential elections  since Marcos was term-limited and could not run according to the Constitution. However, Marcos declared martial law on September 21, 1972, and abolished the Constitution, refusing to relinquish power. Ninoy was arrested and sentenced to death, leaving Corazon to raise the children alone for the next seven years. Exile for the Aquinos In 1978, Ferdinand Marcos decided to hold parliamentary elections, the first since his imposition of martial law, in order to add a veneer of democracy to his rule. He fully expected to win, but the public overwhelmingly supported the opposition, led in absentia by the jailed Ninoy Aquino. Corazon did not approve of Ninoys decision to campaign for parliament from prison, but she dutifully delivered campaign speeches for him. This was a key turning point in her life, moving the shy housewife into the political spotlight for the first time. Marcos rigged the election results, however, claiming more than 70 percent of the parliamentary seats in a clearly fraudulent result. Meanwhile, Ninoys health was suffering from his long imprisonment. U.S. President Jimmy Carter personally intervened, asking Marcos to allow the Aquino family to go into medical exile in the States. In 1980, the regime allowed the family to move to Boston. Corazon spent some of the best years of her life there, reunited with Ninoy, surrounded by her family, and out of the scrum of politics. Ninoy, on the other hand, felt obligated to renew his challenge to the Marcos dictatorship once he had recovered his health. He began to plan a return to the Philippines. Corazon and the children stayed in America while Ninoy took a circuitous route back to Manila. Marcos knew he was coming, though, and had Ninoy assassinated as he got off the plane on August 21, 1983. Corazon Aquino was a widow at the age of 50. Corazon Aquino in Politics Millions of Filipinos poured into the streets of Manila for Ninoys funeral. Corazon led the procession with quiet grief and dignity  and went on to lead protests and political demonstrations as well. Her calm strength under horrific conditions made her the center of anti-Marcos politics in the Philippines- a movement known as People Power. Concerned by the massive street demonstrations against his regime that continued for years, and perhaps deluded into believing that he had more public support than he actually did, Ferdinand Marcos called new presidential elections in February of 1986. His opponent was Corazon Aquino. Aging and ill, Marcos did not take the challenge from Corazon Aquino very seriously. He noted that she was just a woman, and said that her proper place was in the bedroom. Despite massive turnout by Corazons People Power supporters, the Marcos-allied parliament declared him the winner. Protestors poured into the Manila streets once more and top military leaders defected to Corazons camp. Finally, after four chaotic days, Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda were forced to flee into exile in the United States. President Corazon Aquino On February 25, 1986, as a result of the People Power Revolution, Corazon Aquino became the first female president of the Philippines. She restored democracy to the country, promulgated a new constitution, and served until 1992. President Aquinos tenure was not entirely smooth, however. She pledged agrarian reform and land redistribution, but her background as a member of the landed classes made this a difficult promise to keep. Corazon Aquino also convinced the U.S. to withdraw its military from remaining bases in the Philippines- with help from Mt. Pinatubo, which erupted in June 1991 and buried several military installations. Marcos supporters in the Philippines staged a half dozen coup attempts against Corazon Aquino during her term in office, but she survived them all in her low-key yet stubborn political style. Although her own allies urged her to run for a second term in 1992, she adamantly refused. The new 1987 Constitution forbade second terms, but her supporters argued that she was elected before the constitution came into effect and did not apply to her. Retirement Years and Death Corazon Aquino supported her Defense Secretary Fidel Ramos in his candidacy to replace her as president. Ramos won the 1992 presidential election in a crowded field, although he was far short of a majority of the vote. In retirement, former President Aquino frequently spoke out on political and social issues. She was particularly vocal in opposing later presidents attempts to amend the constitution to allow themselves extra terms in office. She also worked to reduce violence and homelessness in the Philippines. In 2007, Corazon Aquino publicly campaigned for her son Noynoy when he ran for the Senate. In March 2008, Aquino announced she had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Despite aggressive treatment, she passed away on August 1, 2009, at the age of 76. She did not get to see her son Noynoy elected president; he took power on June 30, 2010. Legacy Corazon Aquino had a tremendous impact on her nation and on the worlds perception of women in power. She has been described as both the mother of Philippine democracy and as the housewife who led a revolution. Aquino has been honored, both during and after her lifetime, with major international awards including the United Nations Silver Medal, the Eleanor Roosevelt  Human Rights Award, and the Womens International Center International Leadership Living Legacy Award. Sources â€Å"Corazon C. Aquino.†Ã‚  Presidential Museum and Library.Editors of the Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica. Corazon Aquino.  Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica.  Maria Corazon Cojuangco Aquino.  National Historical Commission of the Philippines.