ETHNIC DISPLACEMENT IN THE INTERSTITIAL COMMUNITY: THE EAST HARLEM (NEW YORK CITY) EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Frederick M. Thrasher's definition of a so-called interstitial community is typical of the sociological thinking of the 1920's, a thinking strongly influenced by the University of Chicago school headed by Park and Burgess. Thrasher, loyal to the concentric circle theory of cities, maintained that an interstitial area, one that would be-called today a ghetto, is typified by deterioration, shifting population and by cultural isolation. The work of William F. Whyte and Herbert J. Gans points out that such areas not necessarily disorganized socially and are2not deteriorating in terms of social organization and integration. However, the term deterioration is too crude and value ridden for serious sociological purposes. Yet, Thrasher was correct in stating that the slum is plagued by shifting population and that it is essentially isolated from the rest of society. In these two respects, East Harlem is an interstitial area, or a slum. Both terms mean the same thing within Thrasher's concept.