The Youth Narcotic Problem - Dr. Rhonda Williams, Associate Professor of History, Case Western Reserve University Professor Rhonda Y. Williams comes to us today by way of Case Western Reserve University, where she is associate professor of history, women studies and ethnic studies. Her scholarship explores the dynamic manner in which gender, class and race converge in the United States. Her first book, The Politics of Public Housing: Black Women’s Struggles Against Urban Inequality, is a historical narrative about Baltimore’s public housing development from its inception under the New Deal through much of the last decade of the 20th century. At that point, Baltimore City decided to raze public housing, displacing thousands of Blacks all over Baltimore County and points beyond. This helped spark political activism amongst those effected tenants, who loudly protested the insensitive ways of urban political bureaucracy. Given that most of these households were headed by women, the resulting community uproar essentially became the story about Black women struggling with inequity – be it in education, health, economics or politics - and the grim reality they faced at the hands of classical American racism. In reviewing her book, the Journal of American History cited that, “[Professor] Williams has exquisitely and mercifully corrected the deeply etched image of public housing as an utter failure. Her carefully researched, well-written and critically balanced study of public housing forces housers, historians, political scientists, and sociologists alike to reconsider the pall of negativism that at least since 1957 has beclouded all conversation about public housing and about the enduring need for government support for decent, low-income housing.” Professor Williams received her Bachelor of Science in journalism - summa cum laude – phi beta kappa – from the University of Maryland -College Park , and went on to complete her history PhD at the University of Pennsylvania. Today, she will address the problem of our youth using narcotics, no doubt as it sprung up in the deteriorating conditions of public housing. (Javascript is required to view Mediasite content)