June 29, 2006
Expert: Celebrate religion during Gary's 100th anniversary
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"Gary was labeled that 20 years ago, and the message has been so pervasive that it has been difficult to change some people's minds," says Sandra Barnes, an associate professor of sociology and African American studies.
Barnes, who is from Gary, has studied the city's working poor, as well as the effects of the city's changing landscape. Gary, formerly a center of America's steel industry, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in July.
"The assumption that Gary is crime-ridden is influenced by a combination of race and class differences that contribute to such stereotypes," Barnes says. "There is a divide in Gary from the rest of the state — Gary is primarily black and Democratic. Most other cities in Indiana are predominantly white and Republican."
Barnes challenges people to learn more about Gary and to take an interest in the city's revitalization. When the city experienced an economic downturn after much of the steel industry left in the 1970s and 1980s, many retail businesses and medical services also moved away from the city. Now, an increased number of residents rely on churches to help with child care, education, health services and social events, Barnes says. Some churches sponsor credit unions and offer community programs to mentor youth.
"It's a strong religious community, but that is not talked about," Barnes says. "People would be surprised by the number of churches and what the congregations are doing to maintain the religious, social and cultural fabric of the city. Churches provide a sense of community."
Barnes also can discuss tourism, casinos, urbanization issues, demographics and race issues in Gary. She is author of "The Cost of Being Poor: A Comparative Study of Life in Poor Urban Neighborhoods in Gary, Indiana."
Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, (765) 494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu
Source: Sandra Barnes, barness@cla.purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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