Acknowledge Quote by Sufjan Stevens
“I felt that there's an obligation when writing a piece about an urban expressway made in the 50s to acknowledge the context, and Robert Moses is sort of an iconic figure in New York, and he influenced the shape of the city more than anyone else before or after him. He was one of the most powerful and influential civic architects in the world, because of how much he transformed the city. He built multiple bridges and highways and parks and recreational spaces, beaches - in the course of a few decades, he completely changed the city”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing Urban Expressways, 2023
The author feels a duty to contextualize 1950s urban expressways, highlighting Robert Moses' massive influence on New York's shape.
In simple terms: A writer must acknowledge historical context and Moses' impact.
Include historical context when describing urban infrastructure.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- city planning reports
- academic essays
- documentary scripts
- heritage tours
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does acknowledging history affect your narrative?
- What responsibilities do creators have to historical figures?
Moses' legacy is contested; not all view his changes positively.