Deference, Rent, City Council, and the Sociology of Work
I just taught a Sociology of Work and Occupations course where we discussed readings on DEFERENCE. I planned to show parts of the Springfield City Council Meeting last night, but we didn't even get past the discussion on 2025-470. Students had already read empirical studies on the Social Psychology of Race at Work, so we had an excellent time analyzing only about 10 minutes in last night's discussion.
We got to the part where Hanauer asked about how much the landlord registry would cost and if the proponents had done a financial analysis. I stopped the recording there and let students know that, #1, I am biased. #2, it seems to me that in the past two years that I've been watching city council, almost EVERY TIME that a subject comes up that will either benefit the Black, poor, and exploited, or hold exploiters accountable, Hanauer starts talking about cost. I ask students to remember that the ordinance is ONLY about seeing whether the CITIZENS of Springfield want this registry. But since we are talking about deference, I ask students to look at a map of Springfield, find where Ward 10 is, find the demographics, and then guess to whom Hanauer gives deference - not respect, but deference, like an almost blind obedience.
We listen to Williams explain AGAIN that this is just an ordinance to put it on the ballad. The mayor gives the floor back to Hanauer, and he reiterates that some cost study must be done and asks if the mayor was aware of one. Then the MAYOR, states that the resolution did not include a fiscal review form. Ward 3 Alderman Roy Williams, Jr. states AGAIN that cost is not the issue right now because it costs NOTHING to ask the citizens what they want. Then Mayor Misty Buscher said TWO TIMES in 10 seconds that Ward 3 Alderman Roy Williams, Jr. did not discuss this with her before bringing it to the floor. NOW is the time when I remind the students that the MAYOR is the one who brought this ordinance out of committee and onto the floor. Now my students talk about deference again. Why is the Mayor making such a strict point about the fact that the Alderman did not discuss this with HER before writing the ordinance? I tell the students that the recordings reveal several times when the Mayor acted like nothing could be brought to the floor without her advance notice, even though there is not codified rule or law stating this. I explain that this is how the Mayor shows that she expects DEFERENCE, not respect, not discussion. Because if she wanted HONEST discussion without retaliation, then she would not act like things should go through her first. AND, past council discussions also reveal suspicions that the Mayor (a Republican) has gone behind closed doors to shut certain Democratic ordinances down before they came to the floor.
Now, what has any of this to do with the Sociology of Work and Occupations? Data from the Sangamon/Springfield Regional Planning Commission reveals that Springfield has not grown at the rates expected, and that, in fact, the population has declined. That means fewer workers contributing to the local economy, either those moving here to work, or those living here to find work, including those who are un- or under-employed. Now, if many of the un and underemployed make less than $27,000/year, but spend more that 1/3 of their earnings on rent, then they are already in a bad place. BUT, if they spend that much or more on rent, and the roof leaks, the water is brown, or the washer/dryer doesn't work and they have to spend up to $35/week to wash clothes, bed linens, towels, and rugs., PLUS they have to buy tires because the roads aren't paved, and their kids are sick because of the standing water around their homes. Then you have a serious case of residential segregation on your hands. And what is more, Wards 1 (Cox) 7 (Carlson), 9 (Donelyn) and 10 (Hanauer) must have constituents that want to KEEP it that way. So any new teachers that District 186 hires from out of town will need to live on the West side of town even if they want to be near the schools they teach in, which may be on the East side. And, with the level of racial profiling and discrimination that goes on in this town, District 186 still can't keep above 6% Black teachers, with a Federal Consent Decree from 1976 that required them to have 20% Black teachers.
So the Economy, Government, Education, Family and Religious institutions all affect one another. Why religion, you ask? Well, let's not forget that the main coalition that stands behind this resolution is the FAITH Coalition for the Common Good. Because they families that are affected and oppressed by this whole thing are members or supporters of CHURCHES in this area. " 'Cause when nothing turns out like you planned, you just STAND." (inside joke for the christians.)
We listen to Ald. Shawn Gregory explain that, even if the citizens vote yes, the Council can still not do it. He mentions the fact that the citizens voted to have a residency requirement for city workers and the City Council decided to ignore the citizens before, so they could do it again! But when I explained that to my students, they were like, "Whooaaa!"
Yep. This is Springfield, Home of Abraham Lincoln, and the capital city of Illinois!
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