The Importance of Cooper Square in the Housing Movement

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Low income Americans face an acute housing shortage. But our guests have a victory to share. “Rabble Rousers: Frances Goldin and the Fight for Cooper Square" is a newly-released documentary telling the story of how a diverse group of New Yorkers, led by housing organizer Frances Goldin, fought a 50-year struggle against abandonment, white flight, violence, drugs and "Power Broker" Robert Moses to save a 12-block section of lower Manhattan from being destroyed. They created the first urban Community Land Trust (CLT), and thousands of homes and businesses were saved from speculation. The CLT established permanent low-income housing for Cooper Square residents. The film, which is out now from New Day Films, was directed and produced by our guests Kelly Anderson and Ryan Joseph, with Kathryn Barnier. Anderson and Joseph, along with historian Johanna Fernández join Laura to discuss the significance of Goldin, rabble rousing and the Cooper Square story for today. Plus, a commentary from Laura on “lost causes” that aren’t. 

“The housing situation is only getting worse…We need policy solutions to address problems that were created through racist and classist policies to begin with.” - Kelly Anderson

“What [Frances Goldin] creates is a model for others to follow. And that is the notion that public lands should be connected to the idea of the public good, meaning that they can never be sold at a profit in the future by people who live there.” - Johanna Fernández

“[Frances Goldin] wanted to make sure that the movement was integrated from the start. And in doing so, she formed coalitions quickly between Blacks, Browns, Jews, Puerto Ricans . . . She was able to take the movement to City Hall because she had people in numbers.” - Ryan Joseph

Guests:

Kelly Anderson: Producer/Director, “Rabble Rousers: Frances Goldin and the Fight for Cooper Square”

Johanna Fernández: Professor, 20th Century US History & the History of Social Movements at Baruch College & the Graduate Center CUNY

Ryan Joseph: Producer/Director, “Rabble Rousers: Frances Goldin and the Fight for Cooper Square”

Full Show Notes are located HERE.  They include related episodes, articles, and more to dive deeper.

Music In the Middle:  “Place Delight” featuring Patti Austen, from the Home Ground project produced by Stephen Hemmer.

Chapters Summary:

(0:00:03) - The Fight for Cooper Square

(0:10:35) - The Legacy of Cooper Square

(0:18:52) - Advocating for Affordable Housing

(0:28:32) - A Collective Effort

Chapter Summaries:

(0:00:03) - The Fight for Cooper Square (11 Minutes)

In this episode, we explore the inspiring story of Frances Goldin and the Cooper Square Committee's fifty-year fight to save a twelve-block stretch of lower Manhattan from abandonment, white flight, and the powerful developer Robert Moses. The documentary film 'Rabble Rousers: Frances Goldin and the Fight for Cooper Square' highlights this David vs Goliath battle, where a diverse group of New Yorkers came together to save thousands of homes and businesses from destruction. In 1970, they won approval for their alternate development plan, and today, a community land trust and mutual housing association are in place, providing affordable homes in the area.

(0:10:35) - The Legacy of Cooper Square (8 Minutes)

We delve into the factors that set the Cooper Square neighborhood apart from other communities threatened by Robert Moses' bulldozers, and how the 50-year battle for its survival succeeded. Key contributors to this success included collaborating with urban planner Walter Thabit to develop a vision for the community and securing control over the land. Additionally, the neighborhood's rich history of working-class politics and values, as well as its diverse and creative community, played a significant role in the victory. Today, the area is home to a diverse population and a range of minority-owned and woman-owned businesses, fostering a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem.

(0:18:52) - Advocating for Affordable Housing (10 Minutes)

We discuss the concept of community land trusts, which involve communal land that cannot be sold for profit and should be connected to the public good. The conversation touches on the housing crisis, the role of land speculation, and potential remedies such as reparations for African Americans. Various ongoing initiatives in New York City are mentioned, including efforts to keep public land public and increase community control over land. The importance of collective action and persistence in housing struggles is highlighted, emphasizing the need for a movement organized around the public good. The legacy of Frances Goldin serves as an inspiring example of successful organizing and advocacy for housing rights.'

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