Sugrue: To Understand Race and Economics in America, Study Detroit

NYU historian Professor Thomas Sugrue, addressing the Institute’s conference on race and economics, makes the case that in Detroit’s history scholars will find the story of many of America’s industrial cities.

Credits: Matthew Kulvicki, Nick Alpha

[brianarbenz]

Excellent analysis, and a solid refutation of the common myths of poor and black people "lacking wherewithal" or failing to try. White households gained huge and lasting monetary advantages from the _real_ quota system, that unspoken one of publicly supported segregation. This video reminds us that memes, social media posts and political campaign ads won't talk deeply enough about a topic to refute the many popular lies.

[bird]

he never refuted that the car industry failed to innovate

[jamesbunch]

Fun fact though: The Joe Louis fist points away from Detroit and toward Canada. But I guess Sugrue is talking about the Joe Louis fist of the white imaginary...

[johnroberts]

Interesting talk. Would be 19 minutes long if he stopped saying "ahhh" every 5th word.