Radical Noesis - Thinking outside the box

First, is that this is a totally white film. Even though the video goes into the creation of the suburbs in detail, they totally leave out the exclusion of racial minorities from participation. Suburbia was created as white enclaves and has become largely synonymous with the image of "whiteness." Likewise, the urban core is associated primarily with African Americans, Latinos, and poverty. The unspoken white theme is continued with the various experts and others who discuss the problem.

Having left people of color out of the construction of suburbia, it is therefore no surprise when they can suggest the "New Urbanism" as a solution. Move the white folks back to a restructured urban core with more of a "community" feel and pedestrian oriented. The face of most of the new urbanism is taking the form of gentrification, and displacing the working class and poor (and a lot of racial minorities). They don't even mention this issue of displacement, not the conflict it may ultimately cause.

They also totally avoid the rural U.S. and the issues that peak oil raises there. This is unfortunate since what domestic food supply we have is located there.

Not including a broader and more inclusive view of the United States is damaging in a film which in many ways provides such an excellent introduction to the issue of peak oil and its effects in the United States. This is likely to be a highly influential film. It is likely to stimulate many into thinking (and hopefully) pressing for a response. Unfortunately, it is likely to only reach a highly selective audience. The plans this audience is likely to push for is likewise not going to include significant portions of our society. That, is more than inappropriate - it could prove disastrous for everyone.

I guess I shouldn't be too surprised about the "oversight." It is also not an issue that is included in hardly any of the books or articles I have read on either peak oil or its social implications. Likewise, the "environmental movement" has tended to focus on (and appeal to) whites rather than to the cross section of the population. This is also not just "unfortunate."

The End of Suburbia is an excellent film. There is a lot of encouragement and organization to get it broadly viewed. I urge people to reach beyond the white middle class community, and in those presentations to address these broader issues of race. Peak oil is not just a "white" problem, and the consequences of it are not going to solely impact White America.