Symbolic interactionist work on racial relations in public and private spaces. Complex yet clear analyses of black and white relations in urban America. Most notable are the author’s assessment on the way how public spaces, business establishments, and work organizations are racialized and class-based. Keen observations, insightful and intuitive explanations make this book worthwhile.

While the content is decent, I would’ve liked it more had it been more organized. Reads somewhat disjointed between the first half of the book, which elaborates the term cosmopolitan canopy, and the second, which examines a type of canopy - workplace - by way of Weberian analysis of the cosmos and ethnos. Racial relations from black middle class men perspective with an emphasis on class. No gender analysis is offered.

My first encounter with Elijah Anderson’s work. It’s interesting and useful enough that I want to check out his other contributions. Not sure if this is one of his better writings. ( )