A Brownsville Story

In this episode of The Brian Lehrer Show, host Brian Lehrer welcomes author Abigail Savage Liu to discuss her debut novel, *Livonia Chowmaine*, a multigenerational story set in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The novel weaves together the histories of a Chinese-American family, a Black community organizer, and a mixed-race journalist, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and historical trauma. Through vivid scenes—like children being paid to set tenements on fire in 1978—the book confronts the systemic disinvestment and arson epidemic that devastated neighborhoods like Brownsville and the Bronx in the 1970s and 80s. Liu draws from her own family history, including her grandmother’s experience as a 'paper son' under the Chinese Exclusion Acts, and her work as a housing reporter, to craft a narrative that blends personal memory with broader social history. The episode features powerful listener calls that echo the novel’s themes, with individuals sharing stories of immigration, displacement, and intergenerational resilience. The conversation ultimately centers on the importance of remembering history—not just to honor ancestors, but to confront unresolved trauma and build solidarity across communities.