A People's Atlas of Detroit

by Linda Campbell (Editor), Andrew Newman (Editor), Sara Safransky (Editor)

Detroit is widely known as the Motor City, but it has also given rise to some of the world's most important urban social movements. Edited by Linda Campbell, Andrew Newman, Sara Safransky, and Tim Stallmann, A People’s Atlas of Detroit narrates the lived experiences of people engaged in political battles central to Detroit's future and that of urban America. This interdisciplinary volume features contributions by over fifty figures from movement-building efforts in Detroit, including activists, farmers, students, educators, scholars, not-for-profit and city government workers, and members of neighborhood block clubs. Developed from a community-based participatory project, the book speaks to the challenges of fighting for land and housing justice, food sovereignty, economic democracy, accountable governance, and the right to the city. A People’s Atlas of Detroit weaves together maps, poetry, interviews, photographs, essays, and stories to critique status quo urban governance while elucidating radical visions for change.

By drawing upon the collective analyses of Detroiters engaged in the front lines of struggle, A People’s Atlas of Detroit argues that it is only by confronting racial injustice and capitalism head-on that communities can overcome the depths of economic and ecological crises afflicting cities today. This innovative collection builds bridges between multiple areas of social activism as well as current scholarship in geography, anthropology, history, and urban studies to inspire communities in Detroit and other cities towards transformative change.

Genres: History, Politics

352 pages, Paperback

Published February 19, 2020

About the author

Linda Campbell is a Detroit resident and director of Building Movement Project, Detroit and Detroit People's Platform.

Reviews

[Sean Kottke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm torn between giving this as a gift or keeping it with me at all times as a big fat answer to the constant question of "what do you mean by social justice?" that comes up in every State Board of Education presentation I give. I suppose I'll have to do both :) This is a great complement to Black Bottom Saints, as that book dealt largely with the eminent people of Detroit, while this privileges the voice of the everyday citizen and worker. Like Zinn, the authors trace an alternative history to the headlines about Detroit, pulling in the stories of so many peoples who have made Detroit what it is. My only quibble is the surprisingly skimpy amount of data visualization and maps. There are some stirring ones, for sure, but I would pay twice as much for a larger book that keeps all of the voices of the people and layers in 3-5 times the maps and graphics.

[selen · Rating 4 out of 5]

typo on page 25 btw