International Express: New Yorkers on the 7 Train

The 7 subway line in Queens, nicknamed the International Express, is a microcosm of a New York City experience, where individuals from various cultures and social classes interact. Stéphane Tonnelat and William Kornblum's study on the 7 train reveals a set of shared subway competences leading to practical cosmopolitanism among riders, including immigrants and their children. However, riding the subway can be problematic for women and teenagers. Their portrait of integrated mass transit is valuable for social scientists and urban planners to enhance the cooperative experience of city living for immigrants and ease the process of cultural transition.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 06 April 2021
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The New York City Transit Authority's 7 subway line, known as the International Express, traverses a diverse array of ethnic and immigrant communities in Queens. People from various regions, including Andean South America, Central America, China, India, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, and Vietnam, as well as residents from gentrifying blue-collar and industrial neighborhoods, populate the bustling streets surrounding the stations. The 7 train serves as a microcosm of the unique urban experience in New York City, where individuals from diverse cultures and social backgrounds come into contact and learn to coexist. For newcomers to the city, mastering the intricacies of subway life is a crucial step towards assimilation into their new home.

In their book, International Express, the French ethnographer Stéphane Tonnelat and his collaborator William Kornblum, a native New Yorker, embark on a journey aboard the 7 subway line to explore the complexities of this phenomenon. They also gather the experiences of a group of students with immigrant backgrounds by asking them to keep diaries of their daily rides on the 7 train. Over time, they observe the emergence of a set of shared subway competences among riders, including immigrants and their children, which leads to a practical cosmopolitanism that shapes their personal values and attitudes toward others in subtle yet significant ways. This growing civility contributes to newcomers' sense of belonging in an unfamiliar city, fostering the development of what the authors term a situational community in transit.

However, riding the subway is not without its challenges, particularly for women and teenagers. Tonnelat and Kornblum pay close attention to gender and age relations on the 7 train, shedding light on the experiences and perspectives of these groups within the transit system. Their comprehensive portrait of integrated mass transit, encompassing discussions on urban density and diversity, offers valuable insights for social scientists and urban planners seeking to understand the dynamics of urban communities better.

Overall, International Express provides a captivating exploration of the 7 subway line's role in shaping the urban experience and fostering cosmopolitanism among riders, including immigrants and their children. Through their meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, Tonnelat and Kornblum offer valuable insights into the complexities of urban life and the potential for positive social change within the transit system.

Weight: 394g
Dimension: 221 x 143 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231181495