Local
Resistance as Performative and Political
The symbolic
accommodation of cultural differences as a theme for
the development of the East Village problematizes the
use of traditional repertoires of local resistance
— especially cultural expressions of discontent,
subversion, and radicalism which are quickly
assimilated into the corporate agenda. When images
and slogans related to local histories and pivotal
events such as riots are confiscated and reassembled
as place themes, consumption-oriented meanings of
such acts are superimposed atop intended or implied
political meanings. Middle-class newcomers, tourists,
theatergoers, film audiences, or web surfers "experience"
or consume mediated "bohemian" or "subversive"
identities of the East Village that are devoid of
political content and invoke few, if any, profound
references to the struggle over housing.
Images
(click
to enlarge)
Here is a
photograph of local
resistance by Robert McFarland.
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The book upon which this
web site is based,
Selling
the Lower East Side,
is available
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or order through 
Site design © 2000:
Kurt
Reymers and Dan
Webb.
(University at Buffalo, Department of
Sociology)
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