[Public housing projects] are not lacking in natural…
![“[Public housing projects] are not lacking in natural leaders,' [Ellen Lurie, a social worker in East Harlem] says. 'They contain people with real ability, wonderful people many of them, but the typical sequence is that in the course of organization leaders have found each other, gotten all…” quote by Jane Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/f6c/jane-jacobs-1991_cities_public-housing-projects-are-not-lacking_2422878.png)
““[Public housing projects] are not lacking in natural leaders,' [Ellen Lurie, a social worker in East Harlem] says. 'They contain people with real ability, wonderful people many of them, but the typical sequence is that in the course of organization leaders have found each other, gotten all involved in each others' social lives, and have ended up talking to nobody but each other. They have not found their followers. Everything tends to degenerate into ineffective cliques, as a natural course. There is no normal public life. Just the mechanics of people learning what s going on is so difficult. It all makes the simplest social gain extra hard for these people.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Community leaders often form tight groups, neglecting broader public engagement, leading to ineffective cliques.
In simple terms: Leaders can become isolated cliques.
Key Takeaway
Foster inclusive participation beyond close circles.
Themes
community
leadership
social dynamics
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- neighborhood meetings
- public forums
- community projects
Key Concepts
urban sociology
group behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you reach beyond existing networks?
- What structures encourage wider involvement?
A Different Perspective
Overcoming entrenched social hierarchies is challenging.