Latest revision as of 10:15, 11 March 2025

The Origins of the Urban Crisis by Thomas Sugrue

Sugrue's book remains required reading for anyone seeking to understand the complex dynamics that have reshaped Detroit and other American industrial cities. His analysis is particularly relevant to understanding how structural forces shaped the experiences of Detroit's elite and the city's transformation.

Sugrue argues that Detroit's urban crisis stemmed from a complex interplay of systemic forces. Throughout the 20th century, African Americans faced severely limited opportunities due to legalized and institutional racism that affected housing, employment, and social mobility. Black Detroiters were subjected to discriminatory housing practices that restricted where they could live, while also being relegated to the most unstable and low-paying positions in the industrial economy.

Contrary to popular belief, Sugrue demonstrates that deindustrialization—the flight of jobs and investment from Detroit—began as early as the 1950s, not the 1970s, as employers increasingly relocated to suburban areas and small towns. This process was accelerated by technological changes that introduced labor-saving innovations, reducing the need for industrial workers and fundamentally altering Detroit's economic landscape.

The Kerner Commission Report: A Detroit Perspective

The 1968 Kerner Commission Report, formally titled "Report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders," was created following the 1967 Detroit uprising and other urban rebellions across America. While over half a century old, this landmark document speaks directly to contemporary challenges facing our city.

The report famously warned that "Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal." Its unflinching examination of systemic racism, police-community tensions, housing discrimination, and economic inequality in Detroit provides crucial context for understanding the structural issues that continue to shape our city today.

We encourage you to examine this historical document alongside our contemporary investigations to see the through-lines of systemic failure that connect past and present—and to understand why addressing root causes rather than symptoms remains essential for Detroit's future.

The complete report is available below:

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+= The Origins of the Urban Crisis by Thomas Sugrue =
+{{#widget:Bookshop|style=|sku=9780691162553|affiliate=111716|id=my-book-1}}
+Sugrue's book remains required reading for anyone seeking to understand the complex dynamics that have reshaped Detroit and other American industrial cities. His analysis is particularly relevant to understanding how structural forces shaped the experiences of Detroit's elite and the city's transformation.
+Sugrue argues that Detroit's urban crisis stemmed from a complex interplay of systemic forces. Throughout the 20th century, African Americans faced severely limited opportunities due to legalized and institutional racism that affected housing, employment, and social mobility. Black Detroiters were subjected to discriminatory housing practices that restricted where they could live, while also being relegated to the most unstable and low-paying positions in the industrial economy.
+Contrary to popular belief, Sugrue demonstrates that deindustrialization—the flight of jobs and investment from Detroit—began as early as the 1950s, not the 1970s, as employers increasingly relocated to suburban areas and small towns. This process was accelerated by technological changes that introduced labor-saving innovations, reducing the need for industrial workers and fundamentally altering Detroit's economic landscape.
 = The Kerner Commission Report: A Detroit Perspective =