This week’s readings focused on refugees. There is hysteria in the world that there is currently a “refugee crisis”. In reality, there have always been large populations of people displaced by war, natural disasters, and other hardships. What I have noticed that has changed over time is American politics over how many people are allowed to…[Read more]

I enjoyed how relevant this week’s conversation on immigration was. I appreciate this class for creating the space for people to feel comfortable enough to share their personal stories. The readings contextualized the creation of citizenship, the reasoning behind some immigration sentiments, and policies. However, the discussions we have in class…[Read more]

This week’s reading highlighted a common urban development issue: gentrification. In theory this is supposed to be a positive instance where new businesses emerge in a neighborhood, beautification offers, and property values rise. How it has played out in reality is the degradation of historic neighborhoods of color, the displacement of people,…[Read more]

For this week’s reading the focus was on segregation. Although I never believed we lived in a post racial society, but I had always thought segregation was a thing of the past. I thought this country was moving forward with much progression. What these readings made me realize is this country has actively tried to counteract any progress that we…[Read more]

As a collective this week’s readings identified how cities can be characterized. Together they give a city life in a new context. Typically, I think of cities as a place where people with character live, but not in how a space itself can have a personality. However, these readings did confirm that those with power define, influence, and l…[Read more]