Holiday Best-Of: Work of Robert Moses; School Culture Wars; Why Loneliness
Dec 27, 2024
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Errol Louis, a political anchor and NY Magazine columnist, discusses Robert Moses' controversial legacy in NYC and the impact of his urban planning on marginalized communities. Mitchell Moss and Rachel Weinberger debate innovative remedies for the harmful effects of Moses' expressways. Jonathan Zimmerman dives into the history of school culture wars, from the Scopes trial to current issues like critical race theory. Lastly, the conversation touches on rising loneliness in America, exploring social connection strategies in today's tech-centric world.
Robert Moses's legacy in New York City highlights the complex relationship between urban planning achievements and the displacement of marginalized communities.
The critical examination of Moses's work raises important ethical questions concerning power dynamics and community involvement in urban development.
Recent advocacy aims to transform or dismantle highways that perpetuate historical injustices, emphasizing healthier and more connected urban environments.
Current discussions about friendship dynamics reveal a growing need for proactive social engagement to combat feelings of loneliness in modern society.
Deep dives
The History of Robert Moses
Robert Moses, an influential urban planner, significantly shaped New York City's infrastructure during the 20th century. Appointed to various positions by Governor Al Smith in the 1920s, he devised ambitious projects such as Jones Beach, demonstrating his vision and commitment to public works. Despite his achievements, Moses's legacy is controversial, as his approach often involved the displacement of communities, particularly those of lower socioeconomic status. His methodology raised critical discussions about power dynamics in urban planning and the consequences of large-scale infrastructure development.
Legacy of The Power Broker
The biography 'The Power Broker' by Robert Caro critically examines Robert Moses's life and impact on urban planning. Celebrated for his ability to build monumental projects, Moses’s time in power was marked by the harsh realities of his decisions, leading to chaos and displacement in New York City. Caro's work not only highlights Moses's accomplishments but also questions the ethics behind his overwhelming control and the detrimental effects of his projects, such as the Cross Bronx Expressway. This examination invites a wider conversation about accountability and the effects of unchecked power in city planning.
Infrastructure vs. Community Displacement
Moses's infrastructure achievements came with significant costs to marginalized communities, as noted in discussions surrounding the impacts of the Cross Bronx Expressway. His refusal to alter plans despite community outcry exemplified a troubling disregard for the lives affected by his projects. Critics argue that urban planning must balance development with community needs, acknowledging that effective infrastructure should not come at the expense of displacing residents. The ongoing conversations about Moses’s work reveal the importance of incorporating community voices into urban planning processes.
Cultural and Racial Dynamics in Urban Planning
The discussion surrounding Robert Moses cannot ignore the racial and cultural implications of his projects. Historical accounts indicate that planning decisions often reinforced racial segregation and limited access for poorer, primarily minority communities. For instance, the design of parkways excluded buses, which restricted access to certain beaches for low-income families. This raises pertinent questions about inclusivity and equity in urban development, stressing the need for appropriate representation in planning that reflects the diverse fabric of city life.
Current Movements to Reverse Negative Impacts
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to dismantle or reconfigure highways seen as detrimental to urban environments, particularly those built during Moses’s era. Communities are advocating for the removal of highways that have disconnected them from vital resources and have inflicted long-lasting harm on public health. The notion of capping or transforming sections of such highways into park spaces is being embraced as a way to rectify historical injustices and promote healthier urban living. These initiatives seek to revive community spaces and enhance access while mitigating the environmental impact of urban transportation.
Critiques of Current Transportation Policies
Current transportation policies often reflect a continuation of the practices established during Moses's tenure, raising concerns about modern infrastructure development. Critics argue that expanding highways rather than prioritizing community needs perpetuates the legacy of disconnection and disenfranchisement. There is a call for policies that support sustainable urban planning, considering the implications for public health, accessibility, and local economies. This perspective emphasizes that future infrastructural changes must prioritize people over vehicles, marking a shift toward community-centered planning.
Friendship, Community, and Engagement
The examination of friendship dynamics in contemporary society highlights the importance of social engagement and building community ties. Amid societal changes, people report feeling increasingly isolated despite having acquaintances, signifying a disparity between social connections and emotional fulfillment. Efforts to foster real friendships now often involve proactive scheduling and commitment to maintaining relationships, as evidenced by shared experiences during the pandemic. Recognizing the role of community engagement through various channels, such as book clubs or local gatherings, emerges as vital for reversing sentiments of loneliness and creating meaningful connections.
For this extended holiday, enjoy some of our favorite recent conversations:
For the centennial series "100 Years of 100 Things," Errol Louis, political anchor of Spectrum NY1 News, host of Inside City Hall and The Big Deal with Errol Louis, New York Magazine columnist and host of the podcast You Decide, talks about the past 100 years of the influence of Robert Moses on the New York area, which also coincides with the 50th anniversary of Robert Caro's exhaustive biography of Moses, The Power Broker
Mitchell Moss, professor of urban policy and planning at New York University's Wagner School, and Rachel Weinberger, Peter W. Herman chair for transportation at Regional Plan Association, talk about the ideas and proposals on how to undo the most harmful parts of Robert Moses' legacy, especially the expressways that have divided and polluted neighborhoods.
In another installment in the centennial series, Jonathan Zimmerman, professor of history of education at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of several books, including Whose America? Culture Wars in the Public Schools (University of Chicago Press, September 2022), traces the history of the so-called "culture wars" in public education, from the Scopes trial, to religion in schools, sex ed and the controversies of today over critical race theory, masks during COVID and more.
Olga Khazan, staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of Weird: The Power of Being an Outsider in an Insider World (Hachette Go, 2020) and the forthcoming Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change (S&S/Simon Element, 2025), talks about a study suggesting the current "loneliness epidemic" isn't because of a lack of friends, but a lack of time to spend with them.
These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity; the original web versions are available here:
