This is basically what San Franciscans are saying to the African American population of the city that once was a haven for jazz musicans, navy workers and families whose lineage stretched back to the migration of the California Gold Rush. Check out Sarah Phelan's article "Black Exodus Emergency" in today's Guardian newspaper and you will see what my eyes have already confirmed: the African American population has declined by 40.8 percent since 1990.
Despite the Mayor's Fillmore Street historic restoration plan blacks are leaving because of increasing rents and cost of living, lack of affordable housing, no creative new jobs and loss of support from friends and families that have already moved.
What should be done to prevent more and more African Americans from leaving their homes and heritage in San Franciso and other increasinly gentrified cities? I propose a lot more than we are currently doing! There needs to be community involvement and cross communication. We all need to speak up for more affordable housing for everyone and to stop the development of luxury condos unless it benefits the people that have lived in these communities their whole lives.
Friday, August 15, 2008
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