Black Activists opposed grocery store opening in "non-diverse" neighborhood.

[Scout26]

and their high paying jobs also.  G-d forbid people should be able to rise up out of poverty and improve their lives.


http://benswann.com/black-activitists-and-politicians-force-trader-joes-grocery-out-claim-it-would-attract-too-many-whites/



 

[Boomhauer]

and their high paying jobs also.  G-d forbid people should be able to rise up out of poverty and improve their lives.

That would be "acting white". Just like a black kid wanting to do well in school is ostracized and bullied because wanting to better yourself is "acting white". And how if you are a black politician or community leader and you want to end the poverty/welfare cycle or try to work closer with whites then you are an Uncle Tom race traitor.

[HankB]

And then Michelle Obama will blame racist white society for the "food desert" that results . . . 

My own opinion: some of the community organizers wanted their palms greased under the table, and the racists at Trader Joe's didn't oblige.

[grampster]

Sometimes the eternal victims display the fact they are their own worst enemy.

[dogmush]

Behold the bare face of racism in America today.

[RocketMan]

It is Portland.  I am, unfortunately, not surprised.  And to think, it used to be such a great town.

[Hawkmoon]

The Portland African American Leadership Forum, along with the Mayor Charlie Hales, sent letters to Portland Development Commission citing that they were “contributing to the destructive impact of gentrification and displacement of the African American community.” They also said that they would remain opposed to all development of the land that doesn’t solely benefit African Americans.

Translation: "You can't be racist but we can, and we are, and we like our stinking ghetto so keep your color-blind mitts off it."

[MillCreek]

Trader Joe's is high on the list of Stuff White People Like, so maybe there's your problem.

[grampster]

I just read a blurb on the 'net that said the residents were keen for the idea and wanted the store.  It was the commie pinko "community organizers" who screwed the pooch.

[RevDisk]

Only logical answer is someone wanted a bribe and it wasn't paid. Otherwise, it makes about zero sense.

[RoadKingLarry]

For years and years the minority activists in Tulsa whined and cried about a lack of grocery stores in North Tulsa. North Tulsa is known mostly for it's minority heavy population.  A fair sized chain grocery store opened on the North side of Tulsa a few years ago. 

It got robbed the first night it was open.

[roo_ster]

Only logical answer is someone wanted a bribe and it wasn't paid. Otherwise, it makes about zero sense.

Ayup.

In Dallas County, the High Priest of Political Payoff is John Wiley Price.  He is currently being investigated for deep-sixing a logistics depot in the (heavily black) south of the county because the developers would not give him and his cronies a 15% share for doing nothing.  A couple thousand middle class jobs went "poof" up in a puff of smoke.

[Tallpine]

I can understand ... you let one white family move in and there goes the neighborhood 

[Balog]

http://ricochet.com/main-feed/Community-Organizers-Chase-Trader-Joe-s-Out-of-Portlandia

Hours after Trader Joe’s pulled out, PAALF leaders arrived at a previously scheduled press conference trying to process what just happened. The group re-issued demands that the now-cancelled development include affordable housing, mandated jobs based on race, and a small-business slush fund. Instead, the only demand being met is two fallow acres and a lot of anger from the people who actually live nearby.

“All of my neighbors were excited to have Trader Joe’s come here and replace a lot that has always been empty,” said Nghi Tran. “It’s good quality for poor men.” Like many residents, Tran pins the blame on PAALF. “They don’t come to the neighborhood cleanups,” he said. “They don’t live here anymore.”

[MillCreek]

^^^ From the article, I see that the area is 25% African-American.  Hmmm.  Seattle is pretty similar to Portland, and a lot of the historically-black areas are now predominantly made up of Asians and Hispanics, when they are not being gentrified.

[RevDisk]

Can I ask an honest but apparently naive question? What's wrong with gentrification? I thought it was when a neighborhood got cleaned up, and made to look nice? If I understand correctly, they WANT neighborhoods to not be nice places?

[Brad Johnson]

Why does this story bring to mind Conspiracy Brother from Undercover Brother?

Brad

[MillCreek]

^^^The explanation that I typically hear is that gentrification tends to raise housing rents and purchase prices such that the original residents and businesses are priced out of the area.  Next all you have is hipsters living in lofts and stores that just sell artisanal mayonnaise (http://www.wnyc.org/story/217551-artisanal-mayonnaise/).

[roo_ster]

Can I ask an honest but apparently naive question? What's wrong with gentrification? I thought it was when a neighborhood got cleaned up, and made to look nice? If I understand correctly, they WANT neighborhoods to not be nice places?

Gentrification not only brings in new, paler folk to fix up run-down property, it pushes out the existing darker population.

It is not only a pricing deal like MillCreek wrote, but gentrifiers (especially second wave) organize and insist on better "public services."  That is gentrifier-speak for "more cops arresting criminals."  That also pushes the previous inhabitants out in large numbers as previously tolerated criminality is no longer tolerated.

So, local "community organizers" seek to head that mess off at the pass.  Because their sort has ended up without much of a community to organize after a decade of gentrification.

[Boomhauer]

If I understand correctly, they WANT neighborhoods to not be nice places?

YES

A better neighborhood means less power for the "community leaders"

The ghetto is the modern plantation, and the "community leaders" are the overseers.

It's a stunning mentality that makes you shake your head...

[Perd Hapley]

Instead, the only demand being met is two fallow acres and a lot of anger from the people who actually live nearby.

“All of my neighbors were excited to have Trader Joe’s come here and replace a lot that has always been empty,” said Nghi Tran. “It’s good quality for poor men.” Like many residents, Tran pins the blame on PAALF. “They don’t come to the neighborhood cleanups,” he said. “They don’t live here anymore.”

I came across these articles today, and was going to start another thread, but they seem appropriate here.

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/2312:black-chicago-divided

http://www.dailypaul.com/311308/chicago-grassroots-activist-mark-carter-black-americans-would-be-better-off-if-obama-just-quit


And this, tangentially-related article, just because it's fun to read about the humbling of the One. 
http://reason.com/archives/2014/02/05/obamas-progressive-mirage-has-faded

[Perd Hapley]

Moar:

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/12/21/Al-Sharpton-s-Chicago-Town-Hall-Erupts-into-Revolt-against-Machine-Politics

[Viking]

It is like they want people to be poor, lazy, ignorant and uneducated, for the purpose of representing them and reaping profits and reputation as Someone Who Does Something Good. It's like they are nothing but cattle, to be milked for votes and numbers to back them up and lend credibility...

[RevDisk]

Gentrification not only brings in new, paler folk to fix up run-down property, it pushes out the existing darker population.

It is not only a pricing deal like MillCreek wrote, but gentrifiers (especially second wave) organize and insist on better "public services."  That is gentrifier-speak for "more cops arresting criminals."  That also pushes the previous inhabitants out in large numbers as previously tolerated criminality is no longer tolerated.

So, local "community organizers" seek to head that mess off at the pass.  Because their sort has ended up without much of a community to organize after a decade of gentrification.

Ah, I could see that being an issue if the indigenous population rents rather than owns. Otherwise, they'd make hand over fist from gentrification. I'd gather there'd be two crowds. One that would appreciate the nicer, safer neighborhood with more jobs and whatnot. And another that would be displeased with higher costs and actual police enforcement.


Also, who or what is a community organizer? I've heard the term, but have no idea what it actually means. I gather it's self-appointed, and assume it's someone that started a non-profit.

[lupinus]

Ah, I could see that being an issue if the indigenous population rents rather than owns. Otherwise, they'd make hand over fist from gentrification. I'd gather there'd be two crowds. One that would appreciate the nicer, safer neighborhood with more jobs and whatnot. And another that would be displeased with higher costs and actual police enforcement.


Also, who or what is a community organizer? I've heard the term, but have no idea what it actually means. I gather it's self-appointed, and assume it's someone that started a non-profit.

Perhaps the property owners make out better, but they aren't the ones developing or doing serious remodels. They're being paid just enough by a developer or property management group to sell and gtfo. They are making some off the deal, but by and large not reaping most of the benefits.

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