[sudo-discuss] Oakland gentrification is very well planned & executed

Sun May 11 15:59:12 PDT 2014

And as you pointed out, Ryan, it's important for such a dialog to be based
on data at least as much as on ideology, imo.

On Sun, May 11, 2014 at 3:39 PM, Ryan Bethencourt <
ryan.bethencourt at gmail.com> wrote:

> Good points Sam and I agree that any improvements in neighborhoods should
> be inclusive to ensure that a broad range of residents (not just middle to
> high income) can continue to be part of the community, it's after all the
> diversity that enriches our community both racially, artistically and
> creatively. A big part of that is ensuring that a broad range of housing is
> available for all budgets (which cities like SF have failed to deliver on,
> which appears to be due to strong anti-growth mentalities which prices
> those who can least afford it out).
>
> Saying that, I'm just not a fan of how the term gentrification is being
> used, it seems divisive to me, them and us, if we're a community space,
> surely we should embrace all of those who wish to add to the community and
> share their skill sets (regardless of race, income, creed or gender
> preferences and hold to non-discrimination). Google engineers are being
> vilified and yet I think it's a failure of governmental institutions to
> develop adequate policies to ensure a full range of housing and services
> are available for those who need it most and not engineers who are just
> looking for a decent place to live at a reasonable price.
>
> I'd definitely embrace a balanced dialog and on the pros and cons and how
> we can insure a more inclusive Oakland for everyone :)
>
> All the best,
> Ryan
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, May 11, 2014 at 3:16 PM, Sam Tepper <sam.tepper at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>  Thanks for the link, Ryan.  I don't think people doubt that
>> gentrification has its upsides - that's why it's so sought after for so
>> many people - but there are two main downsides, I'd say, that are against
>> the values we generally try to hold at Sudo Room.
>>
>> 1.  Gentrification and its benefits target white middle-class families.
>> Even if many or most original residents who stay are financially better
>> off, those who are left are far less diverse, and racism plays a
>> fundamental role in the gentrification process.
>>
>> 2.  Gentrified neighborhoods are generally home to fewer artists,
>> immigrants, and even aspiring hackers because these people can frequently
>> be poor to the point of destitution, even when their skill level is high.
>>
>> We do need to address the positives in order to have a dialog, to educate
>> and address the problems behind most gentrification efforts, and try to
>> increase financial health and stability in more positive, socially
>> responsible ways.
>>
>> -Sam
>>
>>
>> On 05/11/2014 02:38 PM, Ryan Bethencourt wrote:
>>
>> I'm intrigued by this discussion, what's seemed odd to me for a while is
>> that the conversation seems to be very one sided, i.e. all gentrification
>> is bad, yet what about if it isn't? What if a rising tide lifts all boats?
>>
>> I came across an article a while back that was published on NPR (not
>> known for being biased one way or the other) which discussed the data which
>> actually tended to support the positive aspects of gentrification for
>> residents of poorer neighborhoods. It's worth a read:
>>
>>  "We're finding that the financial health of original residents in
>> gentrifying neighborhoods seems to be increasing, as compared to original
>> residents in nongentrifying, low-priced neighborhoods," says Daniel
>> Hartley, a research economist with the bank."
>>
>> http://www.npr.org/2014/01/22/264528139/long-a-dirty-word-gentrification-may-be-losing-its-stigma
>>  I would also make the argument that spaces like Sudo Room, Public
>> Schools, LOL space, Counter Culture labs and etc actually make a net
>> positive impact for the entire community and yet do have a gentrifying
>> effect. We have much work yet to do but communal spaces, open education
>> and the maker movement have the potential to empower many communities and I
>> say that as someone that hopes to do more to help lift others up, I think
>> most of us are of the same mindset?
>>
>> Upwards and Onwards!
>> Ryan
>>
>>    Sonja Trauss <sonja.trauss at gmail.com>
>>  May 11, 2014 at 10:43 AM
>>  Quick point - you guys know that it was the housing market crash
>> (sudden DECREASE in home values) that set off waves of foreclosures, right?
>>
>>  In other words, suppose you're in one of these loans. You realized what
>> is about to happen to you ("FUCK! I can't afford the mortgage after reset!)
>> let's look at two scenereos:
>>
>>  Scenereo one: the value of your house has increased since you purchased
>> it two years ago. The house is worth more than you owe on it, and there are
>> many buyers interested in buying homes like yours in your area.
>>
>>  Scenereo two: the value of your home has decreased since you purchased
>> it two years ago. The house is worth less than you owe on it, and there are
>> very few people interested in buying homes like yours in your area.
>>
>>  Which scenero is better for you? What do you do in each scenereo?
>>
>>
>> On Sunday, May 11, 2014, Autonomous <autonomous666 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>  _______________________________________________
>> sudo-discuss mailing list
>> sudo-discuss at lists.sudoroom.org
>> https://lists.sudoroom.org/listinfo/sudo-discuss
>>    Autonomous <autonomous666 at gmail.com>
>>  May 11, 2014 at 9:56 AM
>>   >Oakland gentrification is very well planned & executed
>>
>>  Indeed. It is particularly reprehensible that specific neighborhoods in
>> Oakland were targeted for predatory loans and fraudulent foreclosures. The
>> attached image shows foreclosures in Oakland represented by small dots
>> which is overlaid onto demographic data showing non-white neighborhoods in
>> red and white neighborhoods in blue. See a pattern here? This is a form of
>> economic warfare targeted against people of color who have lost a massive
>> amount of wealth while investors have moved in to profit from the resulting
>> increase in real estate values.
>>
>>  The scam involves a loan with very low interest for a period of two
>> years followed by a dramatic increase in interest. When people ask for a
>> loan modification, they are told they need to miss a payment in order to
>> qualify - it's in the servicing contract. Then, upon missing one payment,
>> the bank refuses to accept any more payments by giving the run-around and
>> the home is subsequently foreclosed upon. If that wasn't enough, people are
>> forcibly removed from their homes by illegal eviction proceedings.
>> Typically the unfortunate former homeowner only learns about the eviction
>> when the police show up to kick them out on the street along with all their
>> possessions. This is because they aren't served properly and have no idea a
>> court action even existed. This pattern was repeated over and over in
>> Oakland, as you can see in the attached image.
>>
>> [image: Inline image 2]
>>
>>
>>
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>>    Patrik D'haeseleer <patrikd at gmail.com>
>>  May 10, 2014 at 7:33 PM
>>    On Sat, May 10, 2014 at 7:29 PM, <batkid at gmx.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Don't worry, Oakland won't become the East Hamptons anytime soon
>>>
>>>
>>> http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_25737160/oakland-man-shot-driving-truck-near-courthouse
>>>
>>> http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_25732368/jurors-convict-man-murdering-two-west-oakland-neighborhood
>>>
>>> http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_25731273/oakland-man-dies-from-injuries-from-downtown-fight
>>
>>
>>  Oh good - I was getting worried about having too many museum shows and
>> cat video festivals in the neighborhood...
>>
>>  Patrik
>>
>>  -----Original message-----
>>> Sent: Saturday, 10 May 2014 at 21:30:39
>>> From: "Romy Snowyla" <romy at snowyla.com>
>>> To: "Sudo Room Discussion List" <sudo-discuss at lists.sudoroom.org>
>>> Subject: [sudo-discuss] Oakland gentrification is very well planned &
>>> executed
>>> The museum shows, the cat festival.. I guess we are all part of the
>>> master plan : P
>>>  _______________________________________________
>>> sudo-discuss mailing list
>>> sudo-discuss at lists.sudoroom.org
>>> https://lists.sudoroom.org/listinfo/sudo-discuss
>>>
>>
>>  _______________________________________________
>> sudo-discuss mailing listsudo-discuss at lists.sudoroom.orghttps://lists.sudoroom.org/listinfo/sudo-discuss
>>
>>    batkid at gmx.com
>>  May 10, 2014 at 7:29 PM
>>   Don't worry, Oakland won't become the East Hamptons anytime soon
>>
>>
>> http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_25737160/oakland-man-shot-driving-truck-near-courthouse
>>
>> http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_25732368/jurors-convict-man-murdering-two-west-oakland-neighborhood
>>
>> http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_25731273/oakland-man-dies-from-injuries-from-downtown-fight
>>
>> -----Original message-----
>> Sent: Saturday, 10 May 2014 at 21:30:39
>> From: "Romy Snowyla" <romy at snowyla.com> <romy at snowyla.com>
>> To: "Sudo Room Discussion List" <sudo-discuss at lists.sudoroom.org><sudo-discuss at lists.sudoroom.org>
>> Subject: [sudo-discuss] Oakland gentrification is very well planned &
>> executed
>> The museum shows, the cat festival.. I guess we are all part of the
>> master plan : P
>> _______________________________________________
>> sudo-discuss mailing list
>> sudo-discuss at lists.sudoroom.org
>> https://lists.sudoroom.org/listinfo/sudo-discuss
>>
>>
>> --
>>  --
>>  Ryan Bethencourt
>>
>> Tel: (415) 825 2705
>> ryan.bethencourt at gmail.com
>>  @ryanbethencourt
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> sudo-discuss mailing listsudo-discuss at lists.sudoroom.orghttps://lists.sudoroom.org/listinfo/sudo-discuss
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Ryan Bethencourt
>
> Tel: (415) 825 2705
> Conf Call: (650) 741 5013
> ryan.bethencourt at gmail.com
>
> http://www.litmususa.com/
> http://berkeleybiolabs.com/
>
> www.bamh1.com
> www.linkedin.com/in/bethencourt
> www.logos-press.com/books/biotechnology_business_development.php
>
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-- 
Tony Barreca
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tonybarreca
Skype: tonybarreca
Twitter: tbarreca
Mobile: (510) 710-5864
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