Capitalists map the city for the purposes of profit and authorities do so for control. Radicals, of course, have a different agenda.
This map is the first installment of a larger project dedicated to highlighting important sites of social struggle in New York City. The map presently only covers a small (albeit important) sliver of the city, and quite incompletely at that. I plan to expand, enrich, and refine it in near future. I welcome any suggestions or comments.
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That is one cool map! An excellent idea and project. FYI, the link for the squat video is broken.
Thanks! It’s only a start. I just fixed the link (glad you caught that).
I neglected to mention Bruce Kayton’s Radical Walking Tours of New York City. Although I didn’t use the book while preparing the map, it is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the radical geography of New York. It contains thirteen tours (or itineraries) through individual neighborhoods that highlight important landmarks in the history of local radicalism. Kayton’s commentary is always pithy, his facts accurate, and he included some fun photos too. He led these tours himself for a time, but I think he has discontinued them (I’m not sure).
You should make this a colloborative project, methinks. Even in the Village I think there’s too rich a history for one person to handle, not that I mean to deride your efforts in any way. I dig the project, though.
Sean
Hey Sean,
I’m definitely open to that. For sure. What would you recommend?
I encourage anyone with an interest in these types of maps and/or Los Angeles to check out Laura Pulido’s People’s Guide to Los Angeles. It’s very well done. She is the author of the recently published Black, Brown, Yellow and Left: Radical Activism in Los Angeles (University of California Press, 2006), which is really, really excellent. People should also dig into El Chavo’s awesome guides to LA. Even the information that is a little dated now is still well worth a read. Fortunately, he keeps his blog current (which is one of the best out there).
Thanks for the nice mention! I really should try and get that guide updated, maybe someday.
Saludos desde Los Angeles!
This map is great! I’m working on a somewhat similar project around Seward Park. Check it out at http://www.kickingoverthetraces.com. The project will mostly be in the neighborhood, but I want to have an online component as well. I love how you did your map. Could you tell me how you set it up? I’m still figuring out web design, so this might be too complicated, but any tips would be appreciated. And I’ll definitely provide a link to your site from mine.
Hey Sisters and Brothers,
Just discovered your site and glad I did. I will be sure to list it as a link on my own.
One suggestion—why not go up a bit further and list 235 W 23rd st–CPUSA headquarters for many years. And across the street is the Hotel Chelsea.
Also, closer to your Village locale, some of the revolutionary actions that occured in Union Sq Park!
Peace,
John