streetology informal

But I do know that this streetology person has served the community well."

"I am the prodigal son of the arts," he said to me, "with a hire-purchase degree in streetology.

As it turns out, streetology is not just a catchall word for Mr. Vincent's musings.

He explained that Mr. Vincent's display of shoe polish was indeed a perfect example of streetology because it invited negotiation.

He has business cards that say "director of streetology," and he can produce a faded sheet of paper from the 1960's spelling out the mission of the movement.

Inside, Timmie Vincent, youth advocate, basketball coach and former Harlem Globetrotter turned storefront philosopher, has file drawers and scrapbooks labeled "streetology."

When asked about an assortment of products stacked on a shelf in his office - white shoe polish, deodorant and paper clips - that appeared to be on sale, Mr. Vincent said, "It's streetology."

Mr. Vincent says he even conferred a "doctorate of streetology," on Mayor John V. Lindsay, who served from 1966 to 1973, because he "dealt with the streets and walked the streets of Harlem" during a time of major social upheaval.