Positive Sociology

Canadians like to apologize a lot.   I’ve noticed that many Canadians are mindful of their personal space and the space of others.   Although my students and some colleagues have warned me not to be charmed by what they call the “underhanded apology,” I’ve found this to be a very pleasant part of living North of the border.   Take, for example, a mundane encounter last night during the Pride block parties.   A group of women were walking backwards in the middle of a crowded street full of intoxicated revelers hopped up on everything from booze to molly.   It was a slow and grinding procession.   Most of the outdoor parties were shutting down for the night and people were sort of roaming the streets, looking to keep the party going.   In the midst of it all, I spotted a group of women that looked especially wasted.   They were screaming loudly and dancing (more like flailing!) about…until BAM!   They ran into someone.   The guilty ...

The New York Times reported today that homicides in Chicago are down .  Data shows that year-to-date homicides have declined by 34%.  This is the kind of crime drop that has public officials, police, and news reporters cheering.  Statistically speaking, Chicago and other major cities are "safer" places than they were a year ago. But, stats don't easily map onto the lived experiences of community members in these "hot spots" of crime.  People living in areas with long histories of gun violence don't suddenly "feel safe" because politicians, police, and newspapers say so.  Many are haunted by memories of family members, friends, and random acquaintances who have been gunned down in their backyards, on their stoops, and on corners in their neighborhoods.  These memories aren't easily washed away by larger statistical trends in violence.  They linger on in the minds of community members.  They become key events that shape how community members ...