Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 3-4-16 Edition

Letter To The Editor
SAVE OUR VILLAGE:
Gentrification – A Sin Or Violation Of Civil/Human Rights?
Gentrification, as stated by Merriam-Web- ster, the process of re- newal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents. Usually, in inner cities, these areas or neighborhoods are oc- cupied by people of color.
The City of Tampa, or- chestrated by the Commu- nity Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board, City Council, and Mayor Bob Buckhorn have obtained a CRA for the redevelop- ment of West Tampa.
This entire process is managed and directed by a CRA Board and ap- proved by the City Coun- cil. There is a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) made up of repre- sentatives from the com- munity that meets monthly to submit sugges- tions to the CRA Board.
Though it is a contro- versial topic, the term “gentrification” is always eluded by government of- ficials. I have yet to hear a City Councilperson ver- bally say or use the term. Perhaps, it is because of the negative connotations and feelings invoked in the people it effects, “Our Village.”
In a letter submitted at a City Council meeting on May 23, 2015 (Public
Record), I equated the processes of gentrifica- tion to be synonymous with Genocide or Apartheid (in a rebuttal). GENOCIDE is defined, the deliberate ostracizing of a large group of people, es- pecially those of a particu- lar ethnic group or nation. The displacement of low income and middle class families, predominately African American (who are not nomadic by na- ture) is the same as anni- hilating them. Yes, this means the African-Ameri- can community is being obliterated in more ways than one. To this I say, “Black Lives Matter”!
To reiterate, what was said during the public comments period of the CRA Board meeting on June 11, 2015, by a Tampa Heights CRA resident to the CRA Board, “You Need To Repent!” He was followed by another Tampa Heights CRA resi- dent who concurred. With both of the young men being Caucasian this gave me a feeling of relief and appreciation, sustain- ing that what the African- American community has been saying Is True.
Now, with all that has been said, one could say, from Exodus 20:17 – “Thou shall not covet any- thing that is thy neigh- bor’s!”
Furthermore, with us living in a capitalistic soci- ety in America, money is involved. Money is the primary deterrent in our society; it affects us so- cially and economically.
Displacement in the context of gentrification is defined in The Gentrifica- tion Reader as "forced disenfranchisement of poor and working class people from the spaces and places in which they have legitimate social and historical claims."
This disenfranchise- ment combined with gen- trification takes on a greater meaning than the revocation of the right to vote when it is combined with the other ramifica- tions or obstacles such as: mass incarcerations, eco- nomic deprivation, poor or lack of education to our children (“pipeline from school to prison”), etc.
It is sad to say that this socio-economic depriva- tion that is occurring Na- tionwide has been strategically planned. The news coverage by Bay News 9, “The Invisible Central Avenue” is one of the biggest slaps in the face to the African Ameri- can community. And, the attempt to pacify us by re- placing our culture and history, which was so- cially and economically sound, with pictures or
monuments, is an insult. As far as the West Tampa CRA, as most of the native Tampanians of African American ethnic- ity has been saying, the deterioration of West Tampa, caused by the po- litical and economic influ- ences was intentional. Over the past four years, very few funds were spent on West Tampa, though funds were allotted in the
budget.
As African-Americans,
during the Civil Rights Movement, we weren’t asking for integration, we were asking for Equal Rights. Now, we are still asking for Equal Rights! Economically, one of our leaders in the African-
American community coined a phrase, “All We Want Is A Piece Of The Pie” (Bob Gilder). Now, true and fair Economics.
This can be supported by saying, from I Timothy 6:10 – “Money Is the Root of All Evil!”
Now, the answer to the Byline, “Gentrification – A Sin or Violation of Civil Rights?” The answer is BOTH!
With all being said, it is imperative that we stand up, speak out and show up to confront these atroci- ties. We can no longer just sit at home and just complain. We must voice our opinions in unison!
BY JOHN A. BOWDEN, SR.
PAGE 4-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016