Sociology Colloquium - Municipal Trouble: Punitive Finance, White Flight and the New Chocolate City

In recent decades, suburbs have become increasingly black, and the black population more suburban. Yet, in many ways, suburban municipalities remain politically and economically inhospitable to communities of color. This talk explores the racial politics and implications of the municipal form, highlighting a range of challenges that racial minorities face in suburban spaces. Altogether, these challenges provide a telling window into the enduring tension between blackness and suburbia, which persists despite vast demographic and geographic changes.

John N. Robinson III hails from the Washington, DC metropolitan area. He received his BA from Hampton University, his MA from George Mason University, and his PhD from Northwestern University. Currently, he is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Princeton University and his work lies at the intersection of urban sociology, economic sociology, and the sociology of race and racism, with a focus on housing and public finance. He is a faculty affiliate with the Race & Capitalism project (at University of Chicago) and serves on the Board of Directors for the Social Science Advisory Board for the Poverty & Race Research Action Council.

This is a hybrid event, taking place online and in-person in the Sociology Student Lounge (room 6112) at the CUNY Graduate Center.

COVID-19/Building Entry Policy

CUNY attendees must show proof of vaccination by presenting a valid CUNY Access Pass through the CLEARED4 health validation platform upon entry. Non-CUNY visitors must register in advance and must show proof of vaccination or negative test. See the full Building Entry Policy for more information.