Syracuse Symposium: Historical Conventions – How We Got Where We Are

In conjunction with “The Most Beautiful Home…Maybe” — a devised theatrical performance that brings together artists with local residents, community development corporations and government officials to undo some of the policies that keep our most vulnerable on the margins — Syracuse Symposium will offer four free special events examining housing insecurity in Central New York.

Part one will be a discussion that explores how historical conventions have brought Syracuse to its current housing issues. Presenters will guide participants through the history of how individuals living in Syracuse’s 15th Ward have been impacted by redlining, federal policies on “urban renewal” and unwritten rules on housing discrimination. Balancing first-person accounts with expert historical and legal background, this discussion will share the stories of Syracuse neighborhoods thriving in spite of implicit segregation, resistance to their destruction in the name of economic development and the dispersal of community homes to make way for I-81.

Presented include: Deka Dancil, president, Urban Jobs Task Force and Bias Response and Education Manager for Syracuse University; Dana Olesch, Ph.D candidate in SU’s Department of Anthropology, and Maggie Sardino, research assistant with City Scripts and SU student.

This session will be held both in person and virtually. All patrons must provide proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test prior to entry for the in-person event. Masks must be worn properly at all times.