Nicole E. Trujillo-Pagán, "Detroit Never Left: Black Space, White Borders, Latino Crossings" (NYU Press, 2025)

Nicole E. Trujillo-Pagán, "Detroit Never Left: Black Space, White Borders, Latino Crossings" (NYU Press, 2025)

Author: New Books Network March 3, 2026 Duration: 39:28
Detroit seemed to experience an explosive rebirth following its bankruptcy, the largest in US municipal history. It was as if the slate had been wiped clean and the color line erased in the nation’s largest Black city. Detroit Never Left explains the relation between racism and space by analyzing the ways opportunities changed in the years leading up to and following bankruptcy.Based on a variety of data, including in-depth interviews with people who identify as “Latina/o/x” in their early 20s, ethnographic observation, and media coverage, in Detroit Never Left: Black Space, White Borders, Latino Crossings (NYU Press, 2026), Dr. Nicole E. Trujillo-Pagán shows how a dialectic between empty and concrete abstractions created new opportunities for outside investment, often at the expense of residents' fortunes. She reveals space is much more than a neutral backdrop; It is continually produced through abstractions that act like bordering and crossing practices to control resources and opportunities. With broad implications for analyses of space and opportunity, Detroit Never Left tackles important contradictions in the post-bankruptcy city. For example, urban youth do not want to be moved out or isolated in their barrio. Similarly, many Detroiters feel spatial changes happen “to,” instead of “for” them. Ultimately, residents’ concerns underscored broader tensions between democratic inclusion and racialized capitalism. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda’s interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/african-american-studies

Dive into the vibrant and complex world of Black thought, history, and culture with New Books in African American Studies. This podcast, part of the wider New Books Network, functions as a serious but accessible audio library where ideas are explored in depth. Each conversation is a direct line to the latest scholarship, featuring authors in detailed discussion about their recently published books with knowledgeable interviewers. You’ll hear about groundbreaking research that spans centuries and disciplines, from sociology and politics to literature, music, and art, all grounded in the African American experience. The dialogue moves beyond simple summaries, delving into the authors' inspirations, their research processes, and the broader implications of their work for understanding society today. It’s like attending a compelling academic lecture or an insightful conference panel, but from wherever you choose to listen. This channel specifically offers a focused, curated space within the larger network's vast archive, dedicated entirely to these vital conversations. For anyone looking to move past headlines and engage with the substantive ideas shaping contemporary discourse, this podcast provides an invaluable resource. The tone is collegial and engaging, designed to make sophisticated scholarship approachable for students, educators, and lifelong learners alike. Tune in to discover the books and thinkers currently defining the field.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

New Books in African American Studies
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