Turf Wars [electronic resource] : Discourse, Diversity, and the Politics of Place

Turf Wars: Discourse, Diversity, and the Politics of Place is the fascinating story of an urban neighborhood undergoing rapid gentrification. Explores how members of a multi-ethnic, multi-class Washington, DC, community deploy language to legitimize themselves as community members while discrediting others. Discusses such issues as public toilets and public urination, the "e;morality"e; of co-ops and condos, and characterizations of "e;good"e; girls and "e;bad"e; boys. Draws on linguistic anthropology and discourse analysis to provide insight into the ways that local activity shapes larger urban social processes. Draws also on cultural geography and urban anthropology.