Listening to the City

Abstract

People talk in generalities about Newark, New Jersey, as an immigrant city, a dangerous city, a city on the verge of a renaissance. People talk about Newark’s Historic James Street Commons Neighborhood as unique, diverse, and even privileged. The current mayor proclaims that Newark’s revival will shock the world. The authors ask what kind of revival and in whose interests? Drawing upon the legacy of theatre and social critique, the authors create a dramatic mosaic format to illuminate a community research project that explores, confronts, and challenges these generalities from the particular perspectives of 27 residents of the neighborhood. With the assistance of 12 Rutgers University doctoral students, the authors invite you to respectfully listen to this city.