Working through Distrust: How Black Chicagoans Advocate against Violence

• In Event: All Public Health Is Local: Local Politics and the Dynamics of Public Health

Abstract

My research aims to understand how Black Chicagoans work with institutions and neighbors they distrust to pursue common policy goals – in this case, to remedy state and community violence. I conducted in-person and virtual semi-structured interviews and focus groups, as well as attended community events in Greater Englewood, Bronzeville, and Calumet Heights. I found that participants prioritized state and community violence differently according to class. Further, ending community violence is typically prioritized over ending state violence when residents work with traditionally distrusted institutions. Lastly, high-status residents who reported distrusting their impoverished neighbors were less likely to see state violence as a problem in the neighborhood.

Author

• Justin Zimmerman, University at Albany