Music Downtown Eastside draws on two decades of research in one of North America's poorest urban areas to illustrate how human rights can be promoted through music. Harrison's examination of how gentrification, grant funding, and community organizations affect the success or failure of human rights-focused musical initiatives offers insights into the complex relationship between culture, poverty, and human rights that have global implications and applicability. The book takes the reader into popular music jams and music therapy sessions offered to the poor in churches, community centers and health organizations. Harrison analyzes the capabilities music-making develops, and musical moments where human rights are respected, promoted, threatened, or violated. The book offers insights on the relationship between music and poverty, a social deprivation that diminishes capabilities and rights. It contributes to the human rights literature by examining critically how human rights can be strengthened in cultural practices and policy.

The ideas presented in the guide are based on an extensive review of community documents, participation in the Community Directions process, interviews and focus groups with Community Directions members, and the writer's personal experience in community development in Downtown Eastside Strathcona. [...] At the same time, many people who are not part of the community have knowledge and resources that can be very valuable to us in achieving our vision for the community This guide will describe some of the things resident and community organizations know about our community with the hopes of fostering meaningful dialogue and stronger relationships between all people and organizations who share our v [...] Community Directions was formed in the summer of 1999 through a lengthy community process and is supported by the City of Vancouver (The City), the National Crime Prevention Centre, Heritage Canada, and the National Action Committee on the Status of Women. [...] In the formation process, Community Directions worked with the City to achieve agreement on the principles that guide the process and to develop a work plan to support the work. [...] While the best way to gain that understanding is by living and working in the community, an overview of key aspects of the community is useful for appreciating the role of community-based development in Downtown Eastside Strathcona.