Quoted on racism in public space

I was quoted in Quartz magazine (online) regarding a recent spike of white people calling the cops on Black people in public spaces. (BTW, it’s the reporting that is new, not the bad behavior of white Americans.)

“Calling the police in these instances is about having “the power to say you don’t belong here,” says Naomi Adiv, a professor of urban studies and planning at Portland State University, whose research explores power dynamics in public spaces. Adiv says that the issue of who is feared, and who is seen as having a “right” to be in a certain space, is deeply intertwined with race and the US history of segregation.”

In which I get to speak about my research to students! (Or, this is one of the best parts of my job.)

The Institute for Sustainable Solutions (ISS) Student fellows invited Dr. Jola Ajibade and I to speak to them at their monthly event.

What a wonderful and smart group of students! I say this without exaggeration — they were so engaged and thoughtful. Here are some photos of the event (credit: Maria Sipin).

Gotham center post by yours truly

The Gotham Center for New York City history published a bloggy version of some of my favorite research: a story about the conflict over whether or not it was ok to swim in New York City’s rivers, which went on for over six decades! Take a look here. Thanks, Gotham Blog!