Yesterday Mr. Robert Sandler took his New York City history class to visit the IFC Center to watch Drop Dead City, a compelling documentary that delves into the city’s 1975 fiscal crisis. The film skillfully unpacks the complex financial turmoil that nearly led to New York’s bankruptcy, highlighting the intricate interplay between municipal bonds, labor unions, and political leadership.
Students were particularly struck by the vivid archival footage depicting the city’s challenges during that era—mountains of uncollected garbage, rampant arson, and widespread layoffs of essential workers like police officers, firefighters, and teachers. The documentary also shed light on the pivotal roles played by figures such as Mayor Abe Beame, Governor Hugh Carey, union leader Victor Gotbaum, and investment banker Felix Rohatyn in navigating the city through its darkest hours.
Following the screening, they held an informal roundtable discussion outside the theater. Students engaged in thoughtful conversations about the socioeconomic factors that contributed to the crisis, including the impact of white flight, the city’s ambitious social programs, and the political dynamics of the time. Many expressed a newfound appreciation for the complexities of urban governance and the importance of fiscal responsibility.
Mr. Sandler expresses that it was deeply gratifying for his students to see such powerful footage from the 1970s and to connect with the lived reality of New Yorkers during that time—especially around class issues, union power, mayoral leadership, and the fragile balance of economic and social priorities.
