Brown University Providence, rban tudies Newsletter Spring 2019 UEdited and designed by Colin Kent-Daggett S

“Rehabiliation, reentry, and restoration” SNEAK PEAK From Maxcy Hall to Brown’s campus to the City of Providence, the Urban Studies newsletter has it all:

The Mystery of Half-Staff

INSIDE THE logistics and symbol- SOURCE: Wikimedia Commons ism of everyday semaphore. A New Hope in Washington State » continued, PG. 4 By Sydney Anderson A nationwide and bipartisan push the convictions of people who would single day. This doesn’t even account towards criminal justice reform, have had to check the box. for those no longer on probation who generally focused on assisting past The brainchild of Representative still deal with the daily impacts of offenders in reintegrating, has been Drew Hansen (D) and Seattle Police having a criminal record. While gaining ground in recent years. Officer and Representative Morgan Black people make up 4 percent of Between 2017 and 2019, 20 states Irwin (R), the bill was originally Washington’s total population, they expanded or added laws to make it proposed in the 2017-18 legislature, are vastly overrepresented in the easier for people to move on from but faced misconceptions and was prison and jail population – at 18 per- their criminal records, usually mis- proposed too late in the session to cent of the prison population. Like- demeanors. go anywhere. It was put back on the wise, whites are underrepresented, In Washington state, a law called table for the 2019-2020 legislature as and make up 73 percent of the total Human Rights The New Hope Act has been quietly House Bill 1041. population, and only 60 percent of making its way through congress. HB 1041 is being hailed as one way the incarcerated population. and the City The bipartisan sponsored New Hope to reduce the far-reaching impacts The “brief description” of House Act will reduce requirements for of racist policies and practices that Bill 1041 says that the bill is “promot- AN URBAN Studies concentrator obtaining a criminal conviction vaca- have long oppressed communities of ing successful reentry by modifying attends a conference at Northwestern. tion for those convicted of both mis- color, and especially work to undo the process or obtaining certificates demeanors and felonies. The bill is the restrictive and violent impacts of of discharge and vacating conviction » continued, PG. 5 highly necessary in a country where the war on drugs and three strikes records.” The bill essentially has two the unemployment rate of those for- laws. Laws such as these are partially parts – it eases the requirements for merly incarcerated is almost seven to blame for the disproportionately obtaining a certificate of discharge times the national average, and in a high rates at which African Ameri- for those who have completed sen- state where between 8 and 10 percent cans, Latinos, and Native Americans tencing conditions for felony convic- of those exiting prison are released are incarcerated in comparison to tions, and subsequently allows these directly into homelessness. Instead of their white counterparts. folks to apply to have their felony the common refrain in criminal jus- In Washington, around 37,000 conviction vacated, which means the tice reform efforts imploring compa- people are incarcerated on any given nies to “ban the box,” this law vacates day, and another 88,000 are on pro- bation, meaning around 125,000 are directly involved with and restricted by the criminal justice system every » HOPE continued, PG. 2 CONTENTS Rhode Island HOPE ACT...... 1 STUDY ABROAD...... 5 LETTER FROM EDITOR ...... 2 PAWSOX...... 6 Mourns PawSox BRAIN DRAIN...... 3 LITTLE ROADY...... 6 THE AAA baseball team is headed BUS TOUR...... 3 CONTINUED ...... 7 HOPE HAC...... 4 ETCETERA ...... 8 to Wocester after this season. HALF-STAFF...... 4 CROSSWORD ...... 8 JONES’19...... 5 » continued, PG. 6 BAMUWAMYE’19...... 5 2 URBN NEWS May 2019 May 2019 URBN NEWS 3 FEATURES FEATURES tioning are no longer tied to date of Hope Cont. COD and rather are tied to sentencing date, release of confinement, or from Washington New Hope Act RI Weighs Options Amid ‘Brain Drain’ offense no longer appears on their community custody (whichever came By Harry August — Originally published in the College Hill Independent on 2/8/2019 criminal record. latest), decreasing the wait period. - Streamlines the process for getting a Certificate Currently, when a convicted person The New Hope Act also eases the Rhode Island is worried about its increase, while other are not from here and never intended lennial RI is entering its fifth year of has met all legal financial obliga- process of having misdemeanors of Discharge, which restores all civil rights size, and for good reason. Absent a states, Vermont and Connecticut, to stay here,” Arthur told the Indy. recruiting and representing the inter- tions (LFOs), the sentencing court is vacated and allows an unlimited mass migration to the Ocean State were two of the four states with So, while the idea of fleeing grads ests of the oft-mocked generation. required to provide them with a cer- number of misdemeanor convic- - Aligns the rules of misdemeanors and felonies before the 2020 census, Rhode Island slower growth than Rhode Island. has perhaps been over-hyped, the Now, Millennial RI has over 200 tificate of discharge (COD), restoring tions to be vacated, as opposed to will lose one of its two seats in the This is in part due to a nation-wide need for attracting a young and edu- dues-paying members (out of the all civil rights, except the right to vote the current limit of one. HB 1041 – currently an unlimited number of felonies can US House of Representatives, plac- trend of fast population growth in the cated workforce to Rhode Island to 30,000 or so millennials in the state), (which is restored immediately upon expands eligibility and allows those ing it in the company of the Dakotas, Southwest of the US, but many also combat the consequences of an aging Escobar told the Indy, that can attend release). Meeting LFOs with a felony with a Failure to Register conviction be vacated, but past offenders can only have one Alaska, Wyoming and three other blame the so-called “brain drain”: and stagnant population remains. As the groups events (like “Adulting 101: conviction can be nearly impossible, to have their conviction vacated and states with one lone statewide repre- college students fleeing to other states Arthur’s report makes clear, beyond Uncovering the Cover Letter”) and get where the average person convicted allows anyone to apply as long as it misdemeanor vacated sentative. (It didn’t help that former after they graduate. just losing half our congressional discounts at places like Seven Stars in Washington Superior Court owes has been three years since any new Governor Lincoln Chafee announced Travis Escobar, a Rhode Island representation, Rhode Island’s abil- Bakery (but only on Mondays.) And $2,540 per case, and LFOs accrue misdemeanor convictions. - Makes offenses like robbery and assault his plans to move to Wyoming last native who works on policy for United ity to recruit educated workers puts on March 28, the organization will be interest while a person is imprisoned, Bills like this one often require week, even if he was just dodging Way RI and was recently appointed to the state’s prosperity at stake. For hosting its fifth-annual “#ChooseRI and the ability to get a job and stable the cooperation of the entire crimi- eligible for vacation estate taxes.) the Providence School Board, helped this reason, both the Governor’s free Celebration,” the group’s “largest net- housing is severely restricted with nal justice system to be effective in This means that state lawmakers, found an organization—“Millennial community college initiative and working event of the year.” any sort of criminal conviction. A their implementation. Similar laws - Expedites the vacation process and opens up an worried not only about federal rep- RI”— to tackle this drain. “Our groups like Millennial RI are trying, The Millennial RI website walks a failure to pay these court costs can in Indiana and California have only resentation but a stagnant tax base, population is old,” Escobar told in their own distinct ways, to plug the fine line between parody and sincer- even land someone back in prison. found success as a result of support- increased number of felonies to be vacated are desperate to convince current the Indy, “We are constantly losing proverbial drain. ity, with a series of drone shots of House Bill 1041 modifies the con- ive prosecutors and the hard work of residents to stay and new ones to young people.” Escobar is backed up Escobar, now the president of Mil- the statehouse and the Gano Street ditions for obtaining a COD. The on the ground community organiza- move in. State Representative Carlos by numerous sources, from Provi- lennial RI’s board, stays true to his bridge on its homepage and five dif- modified requirements only stipulate tions to get the word out and provide Tobon of Pawtucket made headlines dence Monthly to the Providence generation’s archetype: he’s worried ferent appearances of the “#Choos- that the person (whether convicted of the resources to assist people in their in Seattle, namely the Northwest amount of time, dependent upon the (and drew criticism) last March for Journal, decrying the flight of young about branding. “Rhode Island is just eRI” hashtag on the first page alone. a felony or a misdemeanor) is only applications. A collaborative, state- Community Bail Fund. The King conviction, which can be extremely pushing a bill, the “Qualified Family people. In fact, one recent study from undervalued,” Escobar told the Indy. Their most recent event was entitled required to pay the restitution portion wide effort is necessary to effectively County Prosecutor and co-chair of difficult to do given the high rates Migration to Rhode Island Act,” the Brookings Institution found that (Equally stereotypical: Escobar did “Doughnuts and Debt,” and all of of the LFOs to obtain a COD. implement laws such as the New the Governor’s Statewide Reen- of recidivism (around 30 percent in that would give out-of-state families Providence keeps only 36.5% of its not respond to multiple voicemails the board member’s headshots are Once someone obtains a COD, Hope Act. try Council (created in 2016), Dan 2011) in Washington as a result of the $10,000 in tax breaks just to move college graduates in the state, the on his work landline but immediately awkward selfies of them in suits. they may apply to have a conviction Luckily, the time for criminal jus- Satterberg, says that the passage of lack of supports for folks who have here for a year. “People think we are second lowest rate of any metropoli- responded to a Twitter direct mes- But behind these hyper-professional vacated, so this greatly reduces the tice reform is ripe in Washington, HB 10401 is the Council’s number been released from incarceration. The just losing a seat [in the US House tan area in the nation. sage). “People here always say, ‘I graphics is the very real apprehen- financial requirements that limit rein- where this bill is being pushed in the one recommendation for this year’s five to 10 years between incarcera- of Representatives],” Tobon told the But whether Rhode Island actu- can’t wait to leave,’ but growing up sion that millennials face some of the tegration rates. The Bill modifies the state legislature, and a former police Legislature, emphasizing the impact tion and potential conviction vacation College Hill Independent, “but we ally suffers from this problem is here, I just never believed that.” worst job prospects of any recent gen- criteria for vacating felony convic- chief running on a platform of crimi- of the “collateral consequences” of can be extremely difficult as employ- have a lot to lose. There is going to far from certain, said Rhode Island “We kept seeing negative articles eration. “College graduates,” Escobar tions, allowing for second and third- nal justice and broad police reform interacting with the criminal justice ers and potential landlords regularly be money [from congressional appro- College Professor Mikaila Arthur, about millenials and the brain drain,” said, “probably have high student degree assault to be vacated, as long is a top contender for a Seattle City system on a person’s life, long after discriminate (legally) against those priations] lost and influence lost, and who studied the trajectories of the Escobar said. When the Providence loan debt and stagnant wages. These as they were not committed against a Council position. Several members having served their time. with criminal records. A serious that’s going to turn into lost oppor- school’s graduates. Arthur told the Journal published a piece entitled are issues that impact our entire gen- law enforcement or peace officer, and of the Seattle Seahawks are engaging It’s also important to recognize the effort needs to be made at assisting tunities.” Indy that “it’s totally not founded,” “Middle Class Squeeze: Millennials eration—it’s harder and harder to live makes second degree robbery eligible in a push for criminal justice reform, severe limitations of a bill such as those in this in between stage to not Rhode Island has one of the worst to assume that college graduates are seeking jobs find better prospects the American dream.” for vacation. Wait periods for peti- and working with bail reform groups the New Hope Act, which relies com- re-offend and provide them with the rates of population growth in the fleeing the state more so than they outside RI,” Escobar and other young With this in mind, Escobar is quick pletely on both community efforts to resources necessary to not be caught country: between 2010 and 2018, are other regions. Instead, Rhode professionals felt moved to action. to point out that their mission (“We get the word out and make vacations in a cycle of petty offenses related to Rhode Island was 46th in the nation Island’s small size and high number After proposing the idea of a millen- want you to keep your dreams here happen, but also on the discretion of poverty. with only a 0.42 percent increase of students from out-of-state mean nial professional group in a Provi- in Rhode Island”) is not just about Tara Simmons a judge. The process of getting a con- Still, the New Hope Act could be in population. on that “the issue is not that students are dence Journal op-ed, and calling for viction vacated is discretionary and an important step in demonstrating the other hand saw a 5.41 percent leaving Rhode Island, it’s that many those interested to get on board, Mil- » DRAIN continued, PG. 7 Having a misdemeanor or felony conviction severely limits requires petitioner to make their case the importance of allowing folks to opportunities not just related to employment and housing, and to a judge after meeting a series of reintegrate, both for the formerly greatly impacts the families and loved ones of the formerly stringent requirements. An individual incarcerated and for local economies. incarcerated. Tarra Simmons, one person who would be affected by could complete all of the stipulations Some states, after implementing simi- Public Art Bus Tour Draws Students, Locals the bill, testified at the hearing in support, describing how after 20 required to petition a judge for a con- lar laws have reduced limits for when By Colin Kent-Daggett months in prison and the completion of a drug treatment program viction vacation only to be denied by vacation applications have been filed the Washington State Bar voted against her admission after she the judge with no recourse. A system from five to three years. Given the On a brisk afternoon this April, a sculpture titled “Cosmic Flower” by $100,000 in annual art tourism). and Westminster St. near Mathew- graduated from law school. Simmons left prison with $7,600 in should be developed to monitor a bipartisan support for criminal justice undergraduates, graduate students, Brower Hatcher and Marley Rogers Throughout the tour Lawrence reiter- son St. Next, Lawrence spoke about fines ($1,000 more than she went to jail with as a result of interest judge’s discretion and to provide reform across the United States, it and Rhode Island locals alike filed of Mid-Ocean Studio. The sculp- ated The Avenue Concept’s commit- another mural, this time “Misty accrued while inside), the inability to get a job because of her record a process for those who have been would be wise to capitalize on this, into the Urban Studies charter bus ture, according to Lawrence, speaks ment to supporting local artists, art- Blue” by Andrew Hem on Orange and a foreclosed home, and was forced to file bankruptcy. With denied a vacation to try again. Judges and make even modest efforts at for one of the program’s acclaimed to geometric complexity through its ists of color and from marginalized St., near the Jewelry District. As massive debt, a criminal vacation was far out of sight. Simmons got are given a tremendous amount of reform in order to continue the fight bus tours. Though the crowd was ini- use of the Fibonacci sequence and communities, and to working quickly described on The Avenue Concept’s lucky and was able to pay off her debt after speaking at a conference power in these situations, power that to restore full human rights and elimi- tially met with bad news—Yarrow is even more stunning at night (with and proactively with landlords and website, “Misty Blue” is a dream-like after a charitable donation from a judge who heard her speaking can often be informed by implicit nate stigmatization of those who have Thorne, the founder and director of flash) when its reflective coating is city officials alike in order to ease interpretation of a photo of a young about court debt at a conference. Still, due to her record she still biases and could make it much more been incarcerated. ■ the Providence-based arts organiza- more apparent. Across the street is the logistical burden on artists— “we Cambodian girl who Hem met while hasn’t even been able to volunteer in her son’s classes or chaperone difficult for people of color to get tion The Avenue Concept, would be “Column 6” by Gabriel Warren, an want the artists to simply come and traveling. his field trips. With the shortened waiting period and ability to convictions vacated. unavailable to lead the tour of Provi- interpretation of an ice core sample paint,” Lawrence explained. Finally, Lawrence led the tour group vacate more convictions, more people like Simmons will have a The New Hope Act also requires dence public art—the group was still that, like “Cosmic Flower” explores The tour continued through Downc- to “Still Here” by Gaia, a vibrant individuals to “stay out” of the in good hands between Urban Studies the symbiosis between art and sci- ity with “Free Fall III” on the corner and stunningly photo-realistic mural criminal justice system for a certain director Dietrich Neumann and Ed ence. of Empire St. and Foundry St. This overlooking the Providence River on Lawrence, a board member for The Between stops Lawrence spoke at striking metallic sculpture by Bulgar- Custom House St. Created in coop- Avenue Concept. length about The Avenue Concept’s ian artist Rado Kirov showcases an eration with the Tomaquag Museum The tour began in Kennedy Plaza, mission and method. The Avenue original technique that produces an in Exeter, RI, “Still Here” shows a where Lawrence discussed the Concept has operated in Providence engrossing, mercury-like effect. The young woman holding a black-and- From the Editor The Urban Studies Newsletter is a publication of the Brown impact of public art. “40,000 people since 2015 and boasts over 170 public tour continued with the mural “Party white photo of Princess Red Wing, go through Kennedy Plaza on a daily art installations throughout the city, Shark” by Sam White, who was a a Narragansett and Wampanoag Urban Studies has been one of few and commencement ceremony this University Urban Studies Program. Special thanks to Diet- basis, and they don’t go expecting including 2D (mural) and 3D (sculp- resident artist at The Avenue Concept elder adn founder of the Tomaquag constants during my time at Brown; May would be much more nostalgic art,” Lawrence explained. “There’s ture) projects. Though Lawrence said in 2018. The Avenue Concept funds a Museum who passed away in 1987. though my friendships, extracurricu- affairs. I feel greatly indebted to the rich Neumann and Meredith Paine for their guidance, super- such a different dynamic than going The Avenue Concept had previously residency program in order to better While leading the group through lar interests, and general tempera- professors who shared their wealth to a museum to see works of art,” he operated fairly anonymously, as the support local artists and to provide interpretations of the mural and ment have all ridden the waves of my of knowledge and experience, the vision, and editing; to Lance Gloss for his previous work as continued, citing the sense of public organization continues to bring art- even more infrastructure for visiting Gaia’s techniques from different van- emergence into (semi-)adulthood, staff who helped me navigate Brown propriety gained by sharing works ists from across the world to Provi- artists—the organization will clean tage points, Lawrence spoke about graduating with a degree in Urban bureaucracy, and my classmates who an editor; and to Harry August, Ruth Bamuwamye, Jesse with the community and trusting col- dence it has drawn more scrutiny and brushes, provide paint, and move the value of such empowering repre- Studies is perhaps the only thing helped create a real community of lective safekeeping. When pressed by has increased public accountability— more quickly than a traditional city sentation of Rhode Island’s original First Year Colin accurately predicted enthusiastic and empathetic students Barber, Sydney Anderson, Anna Messer, Garrett Robinson, a member of the tour about the poten- a development that aligns with the government-led project. inhabitants in such a prominent space about Senior Colin. Luckily, I still amid a broader atmosphere about tial for vandalism, Lawrence pointed organization’s mission to promote The tour then explored two of Prov- in the city. The students and locals have one more semester to bask in which I could not always say the Daniel Plaisance, Emily Jones, Rachel Rood-Ojalvo, John to The Avenue Concept’s intentional truly public art. The Avenue Concept idence’s most recognizable murals— left the tour thoroughly impressed the interdisciplinary glory of Urban same. ■ inclusion and recognition of graffiti sees itself as an important partici- “Adventure Time,” by Natalia Rak, with Lawrence and The Avenue Studies—were it not for my some- Beck, Jennah Gosiack, and Ella Comberg, for their partici- artists in its program as a more sus- pant in the creation of public space and “She Never Came,” by BETZ, Concept, but not before returning to what ill-advised mid-college inter- tainable method of preventing van- and dialogue and a contributor to the which face each other on two enor- Maxcy Hall for coffee and cookies. ■ mission, the Urban Studies barbecue pation despite the repeated nagging of the editorial staff. dalism. Just behind Kennedy Plaza is ‘Creative Capital’ (and its estimated mous walls between Washington St. » PHOTOS on, PG. 8 4 URBN NEWS May 2019 May 2019 URBN NEWS 5 NEWS FROM CAMPUS IN THE DEPARTMENT U. Proudly Flies Flag—But Height Varies HOPE Jones ‘19 Attends Chicago Conference Undergrads By Jesse Barber — Originally published in the College Hill Independent on 12/7/2018 By Emily Jones Announces Each January, the North- surement for neighborhoods Return from western University Center than could be provided with for Human Rights hosts a housing prices alone. Housing conference for undergradu- We also heard from Gabe Study Abroad ate students, and this year’s Klein, the Commissioner of conference focused on the the Chicago Department of By Calvin Thompson, Yasmin Toney, Assistance intersection of human rights Transportation from 2011 to and Sydney Anderson and the city. Previous years’ 2013, who was involved in the topics have included decon- conversion of the 606 from THOMPSON: For my spring 2018 Collaborative structing memory and human former industrial line to linear semester, I studied abroad in an SIT: rights, protest and propaganda park. The 606 had come up IHP Climate Change program span- By Nathaniel Pettit and human rights, and human previously in one panel as an ning four continents and 22 cities, rights in the digital age. The example of a rushed develop- including Vietnam, Morocco, and This year, Housing Opportuni- conference is run entirely by Source: instagram/nuhumanrights/ ment project that fueled rising Bolivia. The trip provided an excep- ties for People Everywhere (HOPE) Northwestern students and in adjacent property values and tional opportunity to understand teamed up with local case managers 2019 brought in over 30 undergradu- nizing around public transportation, displacing residents. The 2.7-mile the immediacy and scale of climate and public-interest attorneys to begin ates from all over the US, including and urban resilience. Moderating trail took just four years to construct, change’s impacts in the developing an exciting new initiative, the Hous- three students from Brown. the transportation panel was Emily and Klein praised the project’s short world-- Vietnam’s 3000km long coast ing Assistance Collaborative (HAC). The opening keynote speaker was Orenstein, one of the founders of the concept to completion timeline. vulnerable to sea-rise, Morocco’s Source: Wikimedia Commons In its fifteen year history, HOPE, Vishaan Chakrabarti, author of A popular New Urbanist Memes for The conference closed with a dangerous water scarcity, and politi- the President for doing so because of trates that a bottom-up approach to Brown’s student-led housing organi- Country of Cities: A Manifesto for Transit-Oriented Teens (Numtots) talk and documentary screening by cal conflict over Bolivia’s mining Mark Barnes, Chief Property Man- his political disagreements with the public monuments and collective zation, has paired direct service for an Urban America and founder of the group on facebook. Andreas Dalsgaard, a filmmaker resources as standout examples-- as ager of the Rhode Island Capitol Senator. memory is vital to commemorating people experiencing homelessness architecture firm Practice for Archi- One panelist was Jacky Grimshaw, from Denmark. After hearing several well as fascinating cultural experi- Campus, might get the email from The second scenario is—and here is representative histories of places in the Providence metro area with tecture and Urbanism, which stresses the vice president of government previous presenters speak about the ences, like a Moroccan “naming cer- the Governor’s Office at 3:00 in the where it gets interesting—that “in the and people, and thus creating inclu- systems-change advocacy work. The a concern for public urban life in affairs at the Center for Neighbor- problems with trying to “Copenha- emony,” that I would never otherwise afternoon or when he arrives between event of the death of other officials or sive and democratic spaces for all. organization’s leadership is tremen- their approach to architecture and hood Technology (CNT) in Chicago gen-ize” the world – or indeed the have had. Through home-stays in each 6:00 and 6:30 in the morning. Mark foreign dignitaries,” half-staff is at To uphold a collective history and dously excited about the potential of city planning. In 2016 his firm came (which is just one of the many roles problems with exporting any design country, students have ample time to promptly directs his employee Ed the President’s discretion as long as establish pride in one’s community, HAC in helping to lower the barriers up with a proposal for the renova- she has occupied related to commu- idea to different contexts without broaden their understanding of how Butler to lower the flags to half-staff. it is “in accordance with recognized it is important for that community for marginally-housed individuals to tion of Penn Station which included nity advocacy and equitable transit considerations for the local particu- regular people around the world live Ed retrieves the key to the roof of customs or practices not inconsis- to have agency over the stories they access affordable housing. a repurposing of the Madison Square oriented development). CNT has cre- larities of those contexts – parts of and work. The trip included rigorous the Rhode Island State House and tent with law.” If that clause seems tell and the people, places, or things Through the Collaborative, HOPE Garden building that stands directly ated multiple research and analytical Dalsgaard’s talk on how to emulate travel and constant adjustment, but lowers the US and Rhode Island flags oddly vague—it is. In short, the flag they decide to remember. By the students staff 10 clinics at sites above the station to create a more tools to help communities and cities Copenhagen’s urban design felt out for any person interested in adven- to half-staff. The matter of who and can be ordered to half-staff when- nature of its top-down procedure, throughout Providence, East Provi- accessible, open, and enjoyable advocate for more sustainable and of step with the rest of the confer- ture during their undergraduate lives, what the ritual honors is not in the ever the President wants. In practice, half-staff determines who is deserv- dence, and Pawtucket. Their work public transport hub. equitable development. Their Hous- ence. Despite the off-key closing there may be no better opportunity purview of Mark and Ed. They do the flag is generally flown at half- ing of remembrance without regard falls into three main buckets. First, The conference was grounded ing + Transportation Affordability note, the conference was informative than a trip like this one. not make the policy; they execute it. staff for three reasons; the death of a to the communities that it supposedly students help marginally-housed mainly in Chicago as a case study Index combines housing and trans- and well-coordinated, and not even Half-staff is the tradition of dis- prominent figure (other than the cases attempts to serve. In doing so, it fails individuals apply to subsidized hous- city and had panels focused on hous- portation costs to provide a more that snowy by Chicago standards. ■ TONEY: My program was through playing a flag at half the height of its already included in the explicit code), to contribute to an authentic collec- ing developments. Second, with the ing development and advocacy, orga- comprehensive cost of living mea- SIT (The School of International flag pole in commemoration of the a fatal tragedy, or a national day of tive memory or meaningful process help of the team’s attorneys - which Training) and specifically I embarked death of a significant person or a trag- remembrance—think Memorial Day of mourning. Similar to other forms include staff of the Rhode Island on the IHP:People Planning & edy. It attempts to establish a national or Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. of national remembrance or public Center for Justice, Rhode Island Politics track in the fall of 2017. I ritual of community mourning. Yet its In 2018 so far, The US flag has been symbolism—in the form of statues, Legal Services, and SouthCoast Fair Bamuwamye ‘19 Explores Dance, Justice traveled to three cities: Sao Paulo, conception of community and who is at half-staff on 11 separate occasions, plaques, murals, street names, or Housing - the students help individu- Brazil, Cape Town South Africa, and “deserving” of remembrance invali- totaling 40 days. Five of the 2018 memorials—flag-lowering rituals are als appeal denied housing applica- Ahmedabad, India for a global com- dates its project altogether. Half-staff occasions have been to honor the forms of national remembrance that tions. Finally, the HOPE students in “Rainbow Round My Shoulder” parative analysis study on my topic: and its authoritarian, top-down way victims of mass shootings, four have celebrate white men and their glori- assist individuals in retrieving vital By Ruth Bamuwamye contentious forces in both the infor- of remembering people champions been for public figures, and two have fied accomplishments. Monuments documents, like State IDs and birth mal and formal labor market. Aside the lives of the political elite and been days of national remembrance. to radical popular movements and certificates, all of which are critical contrasted the oppressive nature of from my own independent research, law enforcement while ignoring the However, many half-staff directions subversive political action, especially in housing processes. Many would argue that the hall- their unpaid labor. almost distracting in its raw emotion. I took international courses studying remembrance of almost everyone are up to the judgement of the Presi- that which is carried out by margin- HAC, in many ways, represents the mark of Brown is the freedom and Chain gangs in the United States In being a new dancer, I can get lost contemporary urban issues, sustain- else. In its unwillingness to mourn dent or Governor. On March 2, the alized people, are blaringly absent massive impact that student-led direct adventure that its open curriculum are yet another legacy of slavery and in the seemingly endless combina- able development, and city planning. those outside of state power struc- President directed flags to half-staff because so often they stand in direct service can have. Through the Collab- affords. As an urban studies senior, a foundational image of the prison tions, turns, and cues. The essence Traveling so frequently was not the tures, half-staff loses its supposed in memory of Billy Graham, neither opposition to the power structures orative’s short history over the past it’s been crucial to use that very industrial complex. Yet, they also of the piece however, is found not easiest, and by no means did those significance and becomes a hollow a public official or national tragedy. that get to decide who is commemo- two semesters, students have played a freedom to explore the city from yet carry with them the notion that all in the movement itself but in each 16 weeks come without any chal- tradition. The code also explains that the Gov- rated. Furthermore, because of its critical role in getting many commu- another perspective: through dance. public space is political. In the Jim dancer’s exhaustion and enslavement lenges. My favorite part though, were According to The United States Flag ernor of each state can direct all US reliance on the flag as a symbol, half- nity members housed. For instance, In TAPS1340, a reparatory-based Crow south, where chain gangs were to the piece. actually the people in my program. code 4 USC § 7(m)(1), the logistics flags in the given state to half-staff staff requires a belief in an American just weeks ago, a team of students modern dance class, I discovered a ubiquitous, the image of incarcerated It’s in this imagery that I was able to I was so fortunate to have a team of of half-staff, referred to as half-mast for the death of current or former identity in order for individuals to successfully assisted a 70-year-old new world of artistic expression and young men performing road mainte- intellectualize the embodied knowl- predominantly students of color and for flags at sea, are the following: government official, the death of a participate. The question of flying a neighbor appeal a denied applica- political dissent. The class revolves nance or repairing buildings striped edge in the piece, dancing for perfor- Black women comprising the largest “The flag, when flown at half-staff, member of the Armed Forces native flag at half-mast becomes not about tion, helping this neighbor explain around learning short etudes (con- jumpsuits was an urban reality until mance will never be a perfect transla- portion of students. I am still close should be first hoisted to the peak to that state who dies while serving community mourning or collective her housing history to the develop- densed pieces of choreography for recent history. North Carolina did not tion of oppression to those privileged with many of them and we have for an instant and then lowered to the on active duty, or the death of a first history, but rather an arbitrary value ment’s managers. Low-income indi- study and performance) of iconic outlaw the use of chain gangs until to have never experienced it. It can, meetups about every 2 months. They half-staff position. The flag should responder who dies in the line of judgment of the President or Gover- viduals seeking affordable houng are 20th century dancers and choreog- the 1970s. however, be a crucial step to better contributed to my learning in ways be again raised to the peak before it duty. nor prescribed upon the people for faced by a barrage of barriers. HAC raphers, while also contextualizing McKayle used the physicality of understanding the emotional toll beyond my imagination and overall is lowered for the day.” US flags are As most of the people honored by whom it supposedly serves. volunteers serve as committed peer the lives and historical events that this image to communicate the strug- of an oppressive historic structure, I am so grateful for the experience. directed to half-staff by proclamation half-staff are political figures or first Both locally and nationally, half- mentors who are willing and able to informed the pieces. gle of racism, and the persistence of whose effect is still evident today. of the President or Governor of the responders, it serves as a means for staff proclamations idolize law walk alongside individuals through The Rainbow Etude, a piece of mid- hope, in the midst of the early days of The Rainbow Etude is one of the ANDERSON: Last semester I state in question. commemorating agents of the state. enforcement officers who have died these tremendously bureaucratic pro- century modern lyrical dance, struck the civil rights movement. The cho- repertory etudes taught by Julie studied abroad in Prague. The pro- There are two scenarios in which Other than occasions of mass kill- in the line of duty. It is customary for ceedings while also tapping into the me as a crucial piece of urban politi- reography highlights the humanity of Strandberg and her team of TAs gram was history-focused, and I took the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff ings, a majority of half-staff procla- US flags to be lowered to half-staff expertise of HOPE’s unique array of cal art. The Rainbow Etude is a distil- labor, the tragedy of emotional abuse, who are supported by the American classes in Czech history and art and nationwide. First, certain occasions mations honor military or police holi- in a locality for such an occasion. community partners. ■ lation of Rainbow Round My Shoul- and the reality of police brutality on Dance Legacy Initiative (ADLI). The architecture. I used the opportunity oblige the President to direct flags days (like Police Officers Memorial By drawing the distinction between der, a larger piece choreographed and the black form. McKayle himself initiative is based out of providence to study the Czech “panelak dum,” to half-staff for specific periods of Day and Patriot Day) and political the death of first-responders and the performed by Donald McKayle and said in an interview that while the and offers dance instruction of folks or panel house, pre-fabricated build- time. For example, if a sitting or leaders like George H.W. Bush or death of civilians, half-staff priori- his company in 1959. The imagery phrase “Black lives matter” wasn’t of all levels and abilities in order to ings created en masse throughout the former President dies, the flag must Nancy Reagan. As such, the tradi- tizes the lives of first responders—a of a ‘rainbow’ around one’s shoul- used when he made the work, “it was promote the legacy and accessibil- country. Over 80,000 of these build- fly at half-staff for 30 days (this was tion’s attempt to constitute collective sentiment that is often weaponized der is a direct nod to the image of in everything I did in that dance.” ity of the American dance tradition. ings were built from the 50s through called into effect just a few days ago mourning is nullified by its prescrip- to justify police violence. The death Interested in chain gangs who performed grueling The challenge of learning the dis- Strandberg, a distinguished Professor the 80s throughout the country. The for George H.W. Bush); 10 days for tive and unrepresentative nature. of civilians is only commemorated public works projects throughout the tilled version of his piece has been of Theater and Performance Studies, Socialist planning that influenced the death for the Vice President and The tradition of half-staff is a in the case of gruesome and publi- volunteering for American south during McKayle’s embodying the contextual informa- founded the initiative in 1993 with the beginnings of these communities other senior officials on Capitol Hill. public memorial, much like a monu- cized tragedies like the mass shoot- childhood. The physical swinging tion, and the modern relevance of her sister with the goal of fostering was sound and comparable to today’s Notably, President Trump was criti- ment or a day of remembrance. ings in Pittsburgh, PA or Thousand HOPE? of hammers creates the illusion of a such a narrative. The voice of Leon explorations of personal and cultural New Urbanism, but as the production cized for prematurely restoring flags Urban Historian Dolores Hayden, in Oaks, CA. According to the Officer rainbow around an inmate’s shoul- Bibb, the legendary folk singer and identity through promoting a dance increased, quality worsened. Since to full height following the death of her book The Power of Place: Urban » FLAGS continued, PG. 7 Email [email protected] der, a symbol of hope or freedom that civil rights activist whose echoing literate public. ■ » ABROAD continued, PG. 7 Senator John McCain. Many accused Landscapes as Public History, illus- baritone completes the piece, can be 6 URBN NEWS May 2019 May 2019 URBN NEWS 7 NEWS FROM RHODY CONTINUED even ordered down for tragedies in explicitly targeting those already Pawtucket Mourns Loss of Baseball Team WANTED: Flags Cont. Paris and Brussels; however rarely, if Drain Cont. educated—those who might attend ever, does it honor tragedies outside a Millennial RI networking event— By Daniel Plaisance from the Pawtucket Redevelopment stadium construction as an engine of Down Memorial Page, a non-profit of the US or Western Europe. How singing the state’s praises. (RI’s culi- could miss the broader problems spe- Authority to enable the team to build urban economic development. Pro- Backseat organization that memorializes law many civilians must die to be remem- nary scene and coastline get special cific to Rhode Island. In August, the beloved Pawtucket an $83 million stadium near Slater ponents point to construction jobs, enforcement officers, there have bered with half-staff? In what manner shoutouts on the website, in addition To Professor Arthur, the funda- Red Sox announced that they will Mill in downtown Pawtucket. Under jobs in the stadium, and consumer been 134 officers who have died in must they die? Who must die? When to Providence’s “cradle for creativ- mental issue is that Rhode Islanders move out of Rhode Island to Worces- this agreement, only state and local spending on tickets, refreshments, Drivers the line of duty in 2018, a smaller it comes down to it, the tradition of ity and risk taking.”) In addition to are not graduating in the first place. ter, Massachusetts in 2021. The move tax revenue generated from the sta- and merchandise as positive devel- By Julia Bianchi proportion of whom died in a non- half-staff is not only unrepresenta- rebranding, Escobar understands the “The reality is people are struggling comes after years of negotiations dium itself or ensuing nearby devel- opments for local economies and accident. A Washington Post article tive, but also utterly arbitrary. importance of addressing the struc- to get through college—it’s because between the team and state and local opment could be used to pay down residents. However, most thorough reports that 876 civilians have been While the supposed purpose of half- tural problems that drive millennials they have trouble getting degrees in governments, which spurred months the bond, theoretically ensuring that economic analyses find that new sta- shot and killed by the police this year. staff is to honor figures and histories to “leave and hit the reset button.” the first place. They don’t have the of fierce public debate. the project did not drain money from diums rarely create enough economic On Thanksgiving night, a Black man important to the public, ironically, it Escobar and Millenial RI have pri- resources they need.” The Gover- The PawSox, who have been a the broader public coffers. activity to justify the sizeable public named Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford generally excludes the public from oritized various advocacy issues nor’s recently launched initiative to mainstay in the state since 1973, The PawSox were ultimately won subsidies cities offer to the teams. Jr. was shot and killed by police at a the decision making process and of over the past few years, focusing on offer free tuition at the Community had been looking to move out of the over by a coordinated effort on the Worcester is counting on the stadium shopping mall in Hoover, Alabama. being commemorated themselves. It topics important to their members, College of Rhode Island will help aging McCoy Stadium since the team part of Worcester’s city officials, to attract additional investment in a He was an Army is a tradition that fails to contribute like protecting net neutrality and address this, Arthur told the Indy, changed ownership in 2015. Later business community, and baseball struggling part of the city, hoping that Veteran; he was not honored pub- to a meaningful ritual of community expanding affordable housing. Hous- and should be expanded to include that year, the team’s owners lobbied fans. The city’s financing package, the increased activity will draw busi- licly. To commemorate him would mourning. ing is especially important in Rhode Rhode Island College as well. As for $120 million in subsidies to build which included a $100 million bond nesses, restaurants, and other sources be to acknowledge the state violence If the tradition of half-staff largely Island, where a recent US Census her research found, “more than two- a stadium on a waterfront parcel in and a commitment to upgrade infra- of economic opportunity to the area. Source: RIDOT that is primarily carried out against fails to fulfill its purpose and remains study found that it has the one of the thirds of students graduating from the former I-195 corridor, which structure and redevelop the neighbor- Beyond the impact on a city’s people of color, despite his veteran unnoticed by the majority of people, highest rates of 18-34 year olds living Rhode Island College are still in advocates argued would provide hood surrounding the stadium, was economy, sports teams can have When the conAf- status. So, instead of commemorat- why does it endure? Half staff’s at home: 37 percent. Furthermore, Rhode Island a year after graduation, much needed development on the profoundly more generous than what an unquantifiable impact on civic ter successfully integrating JUMP ing Emantic Bradford Jr., the flag purpose is to uphold its own his- according to a 2015 HousingWorks and the majority either stay in Rhode land and bring the team to the center Pawtucket had put on the table. The pride and community cohesion. The bikes and dockless scooters this past was just directed to half staff for 30 tory—tradition for tradition’s sake. RI study, only 28 percent of Rhode Island for their entire careers or leave of Providence’s civic life. This plan brand new Polar Park--named after PawSox were a central part of Paw- summer and fall respectively, Provi- days for the death of former president It attempts to galvanize a nationalis- Island millennials are “heading for a time and return.” And perhaps was abandoned after opposition from Worcester’s native seltzer company- tucket’s identity for several decades, dence is not losing any momentum George H.W. Bush. tic remembrance, telling the public households,” down from 41 percent most importantly, the Rhode Island residents and city officials; Brown -will seat 10,000 fans and host a vari- and the loss of the team was seen as as an autonomous shuttle program Even among civilian tragedies, who is important and who it should in 2000. The group is ramping up Promise gives Rhode Islanders “that University also demanded $15 mil- ety of community events, fundraisers, a betrayal in the community. In the rolls out this spring. A collaboration half-staff is reserved for specific remember. It contributes to an ethic this advocacy element in the coming feeling that the state has invested in lion for a part of the parcel the Uni- and concerts in addition to baseball wake of the decision, House Speaker between RIDOT, the City of Provi- cases. Natural disasters—in the past that governmental service is the high- months, Escobar told the Indy, and them and cares about their future,” versity owns, which was far more games. The city will repay the bond Nicholas Mattiello lamented, “It is dence, RIPTA, and May Mobility, the several years—have not warranted est honor and contributes to the era- will be releasing a policy agenda in thus reinforcing their desire to stay, than the team was willing to pay. with a new taxation district, which disheartening the PawSox did not Little Roady Pilot Project promises to half-staff directives. Yet, if a first sure of victims of state violence. Still, late February: “Jobs, education, and Arthur told Indy. More recently, Governor Gina Rai- is designed to safeguard taxpayers show the same loyalty to the City of bring a small fleet of six self-driving responder dies in the rescue, locali- the nation’s flags will fly at half-staff housing are the big three.” These kinds of statistics show that mondo’s staff had worked closely in a similar manner to the Pawtucket Pawtucket and the State of Rhode shuttles to Providence, introducing ties may lower their flags in com- for the next few weeks commemorat- While it is an easy problem to as much as people love to envision a with the PawSox to broker a deal plan. Other developments in the Island as the taxpayers and fans have new technologies and bringing in memoration of them. What is the dis- ing the 41st President of the United laugh about, there is little doubt that constant exodus of millennials, many between the team and the City of area will include parking, residential shown to them for many decades.” ■ new business interests. tinction between mass deaths during States. Much of the country, other attracting millenials is an important Rhode Islanders educated in-state Pawtucket, seeking to devise a units, restaurants, and infrastructure May Mobility, based in Ann Arbor, natural disasters and other tragedies than Mark, Ed, and countless others policy objective for most mayors and do, in fact, stick around. Still, both financing strategy that would meet improvements largely financed by the Michigan, was chosen last fall after like mass killings? The US flag who are obliged to carry out the labor governors nationwide. As a result, Arthur and Escobar reinforced that the owners’ demands while allowing State of Massachusetts. an open call for proposals. The start- recently was called to half-staff for of this tradition, will not give it a especially before census years, local the inclination to disparage Rhode Rhode Island to retain one of its sig- The debate that played out in Paw- up currently runs similar autonomous the heartbreaking mass killings at the second thought. ■ governments have tried all sorts of Island—jokingly or otherwise—is nature sports franchises. In June, the tucket and Rhode Island illustrated vehicle programs out of Detroit, MI Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, measures to keep their populations strongest among those born in-state. state assembly agreed to take on $38 lingering disagreements over the and Columbus, OH, bring a solid PA and Thousand Oaks, CA. It was in-state. Recently ousted Massachu- “There are a lot of people here who million in “special revenue bonds” viability of sports franchises and background to the Little Roady Proj- setts representative Mike Capuano, just have not seen what Rhode Island ect. Funding for Little Roady is pro- for example, once told WBUR that can offer compared to other places,” vided by a public-private partnership, with May Mobility for an additional increasing air conditioner use in the Arthur said, while she and other with RIDOT committed to contribut- Roady Cont. 2 years. state “would keep our population in transplants usually just think, “How ing $800,000 for the first year of the While the Little Roady project Massachusetts.” Other towns, such as did I get lucky enough to live here?” program. A large portion of that sum, businesses and apartment buildings. certainly offers transportation ben- one in Iowa and one in Nebraska—in It is perhaps for this reason that just $500,000, comes from a grant given Currently, several buses service efits, the greater opportunity lies in a kind of twenty-first century reitera- this past Wednesday, CNN Travel to the R.I General Attorney’s Office Olneyville, including the 17, 19, 27, the chance to research the effects of tion of the Homestead Act—will give published an article, “Is Providence after the 2015 Volkswagen settle- and 28. However, most of the routes autonomous vehicles within the city. free parcels of land to anyone willing the USA’s Most Underrated City?” ment in 2015, in regards to installing are anchored by Kennedy Plaza, forc- As Providence and many other cities to move there and build a home. Escobar and Arthur would probably devices in their automobiles in order ing commuters to the Boston area to experienced, e-scooters descended Here in Rhode Island, Governor Gina say yes. ■ to falsify true emission rates. complete the trip on foot across sev- overnight and left city planners Raimondo is trying her best to do From Spring 2019 to Spring 2020, eral major intersections. The shuttle scrambling to update laws con- the same, with two policies specif- the shuttles will offer free rides route, on the other hand, bypasses cerning the use of the right-of-way, ic to helping recent graduates stay between Providence Station and Kennedy Plaza, depositing riders on bike lanes, and the greater roadway in Rhode Island. One of them, the Olneyville Square 7 days a week. Gaspee Street across from the State system. As the possibility of sharing “Ocean State Grad Grant,” pays up The vehicles themselves are fully Capitol. the road with driverless cars becomes to $7,000 of recent college gradu- electric and can accommodate up to In the past several months, indi- more of a reality, the pilot program ates down pay- Below: Brain drain 5 passengers, in addition to a safety viduals have been interviewed for will give the city the chance to pre- ments on their first operator who can take command of the safety operator positions and pare legislation and safety measures homes. And the the vehicle at any moment. Each the shuttles have been tested at the based on how the shuttle fleet pre- other, the “Wave- shuttle is equipped with cameras Quonset Business Park in nearby forms. RIPTA also stands to benefit maker Fellowship,” and sensors that inform the vehicle North Kingstown, RI. Throughout from research gathered through the gives a refundable BELOW: WORCESTER STADIUM RENDERING (BOSTON.COM) ABOVE: MCCOY STADIUM (STADIUM JOURNEY) when to halt for stop signs, red lights, February, Little Roady performed program, as data on ridership as well tax credit of up to pedestrians, and jaywalkers along the test runs along the planned route and as the necessity of the route will be $6,000 a year for planned route. is slated to begin carrying passengers assessed throughout the coming year. graduates working The pilot program strives to pro- this spring. If successful, there is the Providence needs to seize this STEM jobs to cover vide service and connection along possibility of extending the contract opportunity to get ahead of the curve- their student loans. the Woonasquatucket River, a route - a rare occurrence in the age of rap- These policies, by not currently serviced by RIPTA. The idly evolving technology. ■ 5-mile route will run between Provi- dence Station and Olneyville Square, with stops along the way at locations the regime and understood the panel —the end of the such as the Providence Place Mall Abroad Cont. housing to be a symbol of that time. Communist regime and multiple converted industrial My program also allowed me to the government and parks. The converted industrial build- the end of the Communist regime the take classes at the international film community mem- ings along the route, including the government and community mem- school nearby, FAMU, where I took bers have focused American Locomotive Company bers have focused on improving the four classes in writing and produc- on improving the (ALCO), U.S. Rubber, Rising Sun quality of living in the buildings and tion with students from countries all quality of living in Mill, and the Plant, offer a mix of the surrounding communities, as they over the world. Through these classes the buildings and office, commercial, and living space still hold a lot of potential in terms I was able to travel throughout the the surrounding Above: URBN students go abroad to residents and visitors. Including of walkability and having the space Czech Republic and make many communities, as they still hold a these locations in the shuttle route to add amenities. It was exciting to international friends. We took trans- lot of potential in terms of walk- whom had lived through the regime will hopefully bolster established study this under Czech professors, portation everywhere we went — it’s ability and having the space to add and understood the panel housing to many of whom had lived through the best way to get to know a city amenities. It was exciting to study be a symbol of that time. ■ » ROADY continued, PG. 7 as every urban studies major knows! this under Czech professors, many of 8 URBN NEWS May 2019 ETCETERA

Clockwise, starting top left: “She Never Came” by BETZ; “Still Here” by Gaia; “Misty Blue” by Andrew Hem, “Party Shark” by Sam White. For more information see BUS TOUR, PG. 3. Photos by Colin Kent-Daggett.

“See You on the Green” By Colin Kent-Daggett