Displacement is the problem of the 21st Century
Twenty years ago, in her book Root Shock, Dr. Mindy Thompson Fullilove prophesied that displacement would be the problem the 21st century must solve. Because of the situation we’re in now – with complex intersecting problems, such as conflict, climate change, financialization of housing, post-pandemic adjustment, and migration crises – we are, indeed, seeing displacement all around us. As Dr. Fullilove showed in her book, displacement leaves people stressed, angry, depressed, frightened, confused, and concerned. This is what she called “root shock,” the traumatic stress reaction to the loss of all or part of one’s emotional ecosystem. We believe that, because of the scale of the intersecting problems, massive upheaval is causing WORLDWIDE root shock. On the 20th anniversary of its publication, we want to revisit the book and the story it tells of 1950s urban renewal that bulldozed African American neighborhoods in hundreds of US cities. It’s a poorly understood story, but Fullilove’s analysis holds lessons for this precarious moment in world history.
In honor of the 20th anniversary of the publication of Root Shock we are hosting observances online and in Orange, NJ:
Friday, June 7th:
Root Shock Twenty Years On: Displacement – its Harms and Remedies Virtual Symposium, 10am-noon ET on Zoom
Join us to launch our special issue of Built Environment with the theme Root Shock 20. We will hear from scholars, activists, artists and researchers from the US and Ireland. View the full program here.
Exhibit Opening at the Orange Public Library, 2pm-4pm, 348 Main Street, Orange NJ
Dr. Mindy Fullilove’s students from the New School University have installed an exhibit in the Orange Public Library. Join us at the library to view the exhibit and hear Dr. Fullilove read from her book.
Saturday, June 8th:
Root Shock Twenty Years On: Carrying the Message, 12pm-5pm at The HUUB, 35 Cleveland St, Orange NJ
Join us for an afternoon of readings, reflections, films, live music and great local food at the HUUB!
Register here to join us for these events.
Thank you our sponsors:
Learn more about Root Shock and buy a copy of the book here.