CPR Seminar Series: Justin Zimmerman, University at Albany

Justin Zimmerman, assistant professor of political science in the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany, will present “Narrow Avenues for Change: When and Why Black Chicagoans Work with Distrusted Institutions” as part of the CPR Seminar Series. 

Abstract: This paper examines what motivates Black Chicagoans to work with distrusted institutions (police, local politicians and nonprofits) and neighbors to remedy community violence and state violence.

Using a socioeconomic class comparison of three predominately Black neighborhoods in Chicago: Greater Englewood, Bronzeville, and Calumet Heights, I conducted focus groups, interviews, and community observations to gauge public opinion and political participation. I find that situational trust (Bell 2016) is used when a problem is deemed urgent enough to warrant cooperation. I introduce the Situational Trust Framework to explain this use.

I identify three factors that determine when a resident is willing to work with distrusted institutions and neighbors. Specifically, Black residents will use situational trust when they believe an institution/neighbor is needed to solve a problem, believe a positive result will come from working with distrusted institution, and when they believe no harm will come from working with the institution and neighbor.

The implication allows for a discussion of how and under what circumstances Black people are willing to work with the distrusted institutions/ neighbors and the role class plays in this engagement.