Discussion Questions – Origins of the Urban Crisis

History Questions:
1.What is Sugre’s definition of race? Keep in mind that Sugre argues that concepts of whiteness and blackness (race) assumed a material dimension that was not affected solely by culture. (234) In turn, how does this definition shape the narrative? (i.e. housing, employment, education)

2.According to Sugre, in what ways was the ghetto not just a physical construct, but an ideological one? (229)

Historiography Questions:
1.What is the value of looking at workers and not consumers as an analytical lens for urban centers? (Cohen v. Sugre) Remember that both also show that one of the biggest points of contention between whites and blacks is the location of the physical home.

2.Is it possible to write a history of a Rust Belt city without making it solely a narrative of decline? Should historians go out of their way to find token positives or is it a necessary part of the profession to show “partial successes”? (i.e. Detroit’s Urban League fighting for black “firsts” in jobs as described on page 167)

3.Why are historians discouraged from making action plans to remedy issues (i.e. poverty and discrimination)? Sugre does offer a few subtle ideas such as the system of seniority which may have helped blacks retain their jobs on page 103, but does not make a concerted push for a plan to remedy this. Is it enough to analyze the situation and draw connections to the present or should historians go further – again, how does one address urban decline and enact meaningful change?

Random Thoughts:
Like Cohen’s book from the previous week, I found the countless examples of racism which demonstrated that the northern U.S. was not immune to acts of discrimination to be especially poignant. What I really liked from Sugre’s analysis was how he showed the stratification of Detroit not only by race, but through class. For example, the placement of blacks within the different sections of the city (due to wealth, status, employment, etc.) and the varying levels “support” for civil rights among the different classes of white society highlighted the various factors shaping people’s perceptions. Lastly, how does this history differ from that of Buffalo? Or is it similar?