In The Shadow Of Slavery Analysis

New York’s financial institutions and places of employment have been battlegrounds were native-born Americans and immigrant groups have developed an identity for themselves, their communities, and other groups. Understanding people’s perceptions of identity is important because the way people recognize themselves and other social categories can influence their position on society. Leslie Harris in her book, In The Shadow Of Slavery: African Americans In New York City, 1626-1863, chapter 4, opened the floor for a debate concerning the value between “honest” goods and intangible deliverables. White workers, part of the new wave of republicanism, were proud of working with their hands and providing products for consumers, not unlike the bankers or federalist …show more content…
(768). Despite Irish’s’ effort for an active financial life, native-born still did not respect them as a group because they were considered too drunk and loud, disregarding their effort to save money (768). Jaffe and Lautin in Capital of Capital go even a step further by arguing the intimate connection between financial institutions and immigrant communities as a way of preserving their identity while embracing the economic ways of their new home. For them, banks were run by those of their original country and provided services beyond than just offering credit. They argue that with the help of institutions like New York’s Emigrant Savings Bank or Banca Stabila, immigrants were supported as they adjusted to live in New York (110). From helping them get travel tickets to getting a job, these banks offered a community and support system that was familiar to these immigrants. They were the connection between their origins and their new