Like a sequel to the prescient warnings of urbanist Jane Jacobs; Dr. Mindy Thompson Fullilove reveals the disturbing outcome of decades of urban renewal projects to communities of color. For those whose homes and neighborhoods were bulldozed; the urban modernization projects that swept America starting in 1949 were nothing short of an assault. Vibrant city blocks—places rich in culture—were torn apart by freeways and other invasive development; blatantly devastating the lives of poor residents.Fullilove passionately describes the profound traumatic stress—the “root shockâ€Â—that results when a neighborhood is demolished. She estimates that federal and state urban renewal programs; spearheaded by business and real estate interests; destroyed 1;600 African American districts in cities across the United States. But urban renewal didn’t just disrupt black communities: the anger it caused led to riots that sent whites fleeing for the suburbs; stripping them of their sense of place as well. It also left big gashes in the centers of cities that are only now slowly being repaired.Focusing on the Hill District of Pittsburgh; the Central Ward in Newark; and the small Virginia city of Roanoke; Dr. Fullilove argues powerfully against policies of displacement. Understanding the damage caused by root shock is crucial to coping with its human toll and helping cities become whole.Mindy Thompson Fullilove; MD; is a research psychiatrist at New York State Psychiatric Institute and professor of clinical psychiatry and public health at Columbia University. She is the author of five books.
#1253522 in Books 2013-03-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.00 x 1.00 x 7.00l; 1.45 #File Name: 1611860660325 pages
Review
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Nice Companion Piece....By Michael NestlehutMany books dealing with Detroit's pre-and-post riot racial issues either fall between too much information and over analysis or not enough and deal in generalities and social studies speak. This book falls into the latter category.Similar books: "The Origins of the Urban Crisis" by Thomas Sugrue and "Violence in the Model City;" by Sidney Fine are more developed and realized books but their finite publication date prevents them from reaching past the Mayor Cavanagh years; leaving out post riot analysis on: the 70s; STRESS; Chaldeans/African American relations; Vincent Chin's murder and Mayors Young; Archer and Kilpatrick's efforts at improving Detroit's image and racial bridge building. Darden and Thomas do a fine job addressing the above mentioned issues as well as shining a light on the lesser known influences of Focus/Hope.However; the tone and lack of any substantial resolutions and the reliance of graphs and charts gives this book a textbook tone; including a "conclusion" paragraph at the end of each chapter.This book would make and excellent companion piece to the beforementioned books; but lacks the insight as a stand alone piece.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. yes; it IS a textbookBy Michigan ReviewerPrevious reviewer claimed this is a textbook. He/she is correct. It is a textbook; but a very well written one. In this day and age when as what some clever wonks have described as "Detroit ruins porn" sells beaucoup books; it is nice to actually read a book that is not salacious and really does try to explain exactly why Big D is in the trouble it is in. It is a sociological study; as well as an historical tome. It is fantastic. I had forgotten about Malice Green. Nevers and Budzen; too. All three of them got a whole lot of air play on NPR quite a few years ago. Same goes for Vincent Chin. I was somewhat unaware of the friction between Chaldean store owners and Black people in Detroit. Akin; I guess; to the misunderstandings between Korean shopkeepers and African American customers on the West Coast. Police/civilian relationships are highlighted. Schisms between radical and moderate Black organizations and leaders are also investigated. Plenty of statistics to back up the theories that these two grand writers share. If you want to get beyond the dog and pony show Detroit ruins porn level of the challenges facing Detroit; this book may be of interest to you.0 of 9 people found the following review helpful. it is a text bookBy kurtisthought it would be more. It is a textbook with subnotes. Could be alot more with this information.. Have to produce more words for
