Word Up welcomes historian Stuart Schrader to discuss his new book Blue Power: How Police Organized to Protect and Serve Themselves (out April 14, 2026), a history of police unions that reveals how American law enforcement built a political movement that made cops untouchable. In conversation with Schrader will be Philip V. McHarris, author of Beyond Policing.
“Stuart Schrader’s sweeping history of the political mobilization of the police makes clear just how historically distinctive the role of the police in our society is today. Blue Power chronicles the rise of the police as a political force, and the lobbying strategies, rhetorical campaigns, and legal gambits police unions and associations have deployed to protect the power and autonomy of their members. This has indelibly shaped not only American cities and criminal justice policies, but our society and politics as a whole. The book is a remarkable achievement.”—Kim Phillips-Fein, author of Fear City
Is your mom best represented by “To My Mother” by Edgar Allan Poe, “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan, or “The Runaway Bunny” by Margaret Wise Brown—or perhaps something more contemporary like “Remember” by Joy Harjo or “Good Bones” by Maggie Smith?
Join us Monday, May 11, for a special post–Mother’s Day Muse dedicated to honoring the mothers and caregivers who shape and nurture our lives. Guests are invited to share out loud a short poem, story, or passage (1–3 minutes) in gratitude or remembrance, in a warm and family-friendly setting. Bring your favorite text or one you penned yourself. Led by Niria Leyva-Gutiérrez, this heartfelt evening will celebrate love, memory, and connection—complete with sweet treats, just like mom used to make.
Doors open at 6:30pm. The Muse begins at 7:00pm.
To celebrate almost fifty years of Star Wars, we will be showing the original trilogy of Star Wars films all day long, in order of release. Featuring Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Return of the Jedi (1983). There will be breaks in between films but no intermissions.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a flower walk in the beautiful Heather Garden! Explore the blossoms and learn about the flowers and the history of this little gem. At 3 acres large, this garden is the largest public garden with unrestricted access in New York City and is home to over 500 varieties of plants!
The Cornerstone Chorale explores our nation’s existence through music of some of the communities that lived in or came to this land throughout its history. The Chorale celebrates some of the many peoples who now live together: from many, one. We draw inspiration and hope for our future from the strength of our plurality and our unity, guided by our country’s founding principles and our common experience. Our concert will include music of Copland, Bob Dylan, Undine Smith Moore, Hairston, Rosephayne Powell, Ponds, López-Gavilán, Blackhorse, and others. the concert will be conducted by Music Director Richard Stout.
