World cities analyzed
(Continued from page 3) taboos and customs.
The metropolis means people as well as money. The two ingredients mixed together cannot create a new breed of money, but they can create a new breed of people.
The "new breed,"—those men who, by either cunning or convenient politics suddenly find themselves in positions and wealth, have proved to be more of a detriment than asset to the newly independent or economically developing nation.
Inviably, this new avant-garde (businessmen are as acceptable as politicians) will band together in the capital city, living lavishly at the expense of either the national budget or the peasant. Competition to see who can out-westernize or socialize who becomes fierce.
Taxpayers unaware
This feasting off the poor and foreign aid can go on indefinitely or until a revolution occurs. Taxpayers of contributing nations are usually quite unaware of the adventures of their taxed and contributed dollars and pounds until an ambitious politician at home gets ahold of government files. Their reaction can have a profound influence on those developing countries with responsible leadership.
Nkrumah of Ghana and Sukarno of Indonesia have to go down in history as two of the most proficient personal spenders.
In countries where the transition from rural to urban life is a sharp one (no middle class, no suburbs), as Latin America and Africa, the migrant finds himself living a more ambitious, therefore harried, life. He no longer struggles to only survive but to advance up the economic and social ladders.
Migrant's attitude changes
The languid, nonchalant attitude the migrant enjoyed in the country fades gradually into a more ambitious mood. There is a great deal of pride involved
Jn.10 1969 KANSAN 5
after becoming a city man. Respect for former country friends, parents, and their way of life is quickly lost after the personal promotion. He becomes critical of everything, particularly politicians.
In Latin America, the increased criticism is aimed at the individual, not the system. In Asia, government discipline is strong enough for the system to be the target. In Africa it is hard to say, protest against any man or establishment is easy . . . or hard to arouse.
Panther
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police—something a white person won't understand unless he was at the Chicago Convention last August harassment.)
When the KCBBP began, both Panthers and visitors were under constant police surveillance and harassment. After visiting Panther headquarters at 2221 Lydia, both whites and blacks were stopped by policemen, who checked their license and car registration. Some were asked what they were doing at the Panther office. Most were followed for 20 or 30 minutes and some were escorted out of the area.
Harrassment of visitors stopped after public pressure occurred. Harassment of Panthers still occurs, however.
Whitfield said he has been arrested as many as 16 times in one day for offenses ranging from improper backing and improper turns to carrying an unloaded rifle in his car. He said Panthers have posted more than $55,000 worth of bonds in recent months.
According to the Rev. Vann Anderson, a member of the Methodist Metropolitan Planning Commission in Kansas City, the
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Strangely enough, outside of the United States and Western Europe, there is little evidence that the organized religions lose any of their influence after the rural migrant arrives in the city. In some instances it would seem as though the influence increases inside the city, especially with the poor. For example, Roman Catholicism in Latin America, Shintoism in Japan, and Hyinyana Buddhism in Southeast Asia.
Tolerant attitudes
Religious and political minorities also find their strength in the world's cities. This is accounted for by the much more tolerant attitude toward innovations and even radicalism than are found in the country.
In recently independent cities where one would expect quick acceptance for anything new or western by the poor, just the opposite is prevalent. A pronounced upsurge in popularity for traditional culture and history is an offspring of supernational pride inspired by fanatical leadership. This new emphasis on the "old way" already has proved economically disastrous for several of the new nations of Africa, after their capitals are turned into inefficient economic monuments to the national culture
"Epub" or "Bol" <gap/>
Urban sociologists and American sociologists in particular, have been waging their precarious professional prides for the past several years over an argument centering on "The Push vs. Pull Theory."
Is it man's own selfish desires that build the world's cities and slums ("push"), or is he "pulled" into the metropolis to seek protection or a job he must unwillingly trade for his traditional country life?
The cities of South Vietnam are bulging today as thousands flock in to them to escape the Viet Cong and Allied air strikes in the country.
The average citizen need not leave his rural village to be influenced by the city. Advancements in communications and transportation technology almost guarantee the rural resident that the food he eats was packaged, processed, distributed, and advertised in the city. The radio he listens to and the newspaper he reads, if he is able, can virtually dictate his life. Both are based in the city. The result is an increasingly standardized life.
People create and are the essence of the city. It seems, however, that after a remarkably short time, the city can virtually create people, and the economic servant is becoming the master.