I have lost confidence in the fair political process of Los Angeles. The LA Redistricting process and maps have proven to constituents of Council District 8 (CD 8 ) that political and economic injustices continue to persist in our City; and that our voices have been diminished to quiet whispers.

Our CD 8 community overwhelming opposed the LA Redistricting maps. Despite our vast opposition, the maps do not reflect the hundreds of public testimonies and over 250 signatures on petitions to keep CD 8 as it is – whole and intact. Unjustly, the LA Redistricting Commission and City Council decided to ignore our input and catapult us into distress.

There was no reason to slice and dice CD 8. It had no population to lose or gain; and it had a growing local economy coupled with job growth. All of which, our residents have been contributors by supporting these new developments and purchasing locally.

The maps redline CD 8 from economic assets and engines – making us a poverty pocket with one of the lowest area median incomes in the City. As you and I know, money is influence. Without a competitive area median income, CD 8 will have a difficult time attracting more businesses in a dense residential district because economic data may indicate we are not a good market.

The approved maps take away CD 8’s return on investment in the USC and Marlton Square areas. Stripping us from these economic opportunities is akin to stealing from an investor portfolio and not paying dividends on an appreciating investment. We are the largest market base for these two areas. We won’t have the ability to see our dollars recycle back into our community because the new maps redistribute money out of our district. Essentially, we won’t reap any of the benefits of the improvements we originally initiated.

I think about the feelings of disenfranchisement and the disappointment that CD 8 members like me share. The 13-2 vote to approve the maps clearly demonstrates the ongoing mistreatment and disrespect of South LA constituents. Furthermore, the unfairness of redistricting and alleged political dealings make me wonder if we are part of a conspiracy theory to keep us socially and economically challenged.

Mayor, please don’t be a guillotine and decapitate CD 8! Our community can’t be dealt another blow and loss by taking away our valuable community assets.

When I voted for you back in 2005, I believed you were going to be a great Mayor and change agent our City needed to mend regional disparity and to help build a better South Los Angeles. That was your campaign promise. And, I still hold the same senitments about you today.

Back then you had a quote that resonated with me that I would like to remind you of, “What good is having power, if you can’t use it to help lift up the poor?” I’d like to replace “poor” with South LA and CD 8. “What good is power, if you can’t use it to help lift up South LA and CD8?”

I strongly urge you to have the political courage to veto the redistricting maps. You have the power to do it because our 10-year destiny is in your hands.

Sincerely,

Janet Denise Kelly
Concerned CD 8 Resident Opposed to LA Redistricting Maps

I won’t go into detail about what it is because much has been written about it and a simple Google of this key word will yield its history and current disposition.

This ordinance is more than addressing what some have argued as a “few bad apples” or poorly run congregate style living homes in R1 and R2 zones. It’s about survival and an oppressive housing environment that will not allow alternative options for those who need it.

Much hasn’t changed since the Civil Rights Act of 1968 or the Fair Housing Act Amendment of 1988. Disparities in housing and who gets housed still persist. This ordinance will clearly show who’s in and who’s out by categorizing groups who will be suggested to fall under it or who will receive more restrictions. For example, college students and seniors in multiple leases in R1 and R2 zones for affordability versus former substance abusers, homeless, veterans, and parolees. The granting of reprieves under this ordinance will clearly demonstrate how discriminatory it is.

The time and money put into this ordinance is shameful and wasteful. The shameful is the deceiving label “Community Care Facilities” because it is being used as a catch all for housing that does not fall under licensing or codes for the State of California. Tagging it as such subliminally paints a negative picture to foster acceptance by the public. Most importantly, it chokes every effort to house LA’s most vulnerable.

The wasteful are the sunk and prospective costs for an ordinance that’s not needed when nuisance abatement laws are on the books. This local law will put the City’s federal housing funds in jeopardy. The lawsuits waiting in the wings, if there is a decision in favor, will cost the City millions of dollars in litigation and City staff time.

If the City can’t administer its nuisance laws through the City Attorney’s office, how can it implement or impose the Community Care Facilities Ordinance through planning and land use? Sorry, this doesn’t cut the mustard of making any sense. Like the Winston Salem witch trials in the 1600s, the ordinance will force congregate living witch hunts by people or neighborhoods who just don’t want congregate living in their communities.

Here is how I see it. Nix this ordinance now and enforce the nuisance laws already on the books. Put the money that is being spent on consultants, attorneys, or whoever in the City Attorney’s pot. Restore the Neighborhood Prosecutor Program to go after or resolve quality of life neighborhood abatement issues for problem congregate living homes.

Everyone in this City deserves a housing option that suits their social and economic needs. Instituting road blocks to housing choice is not good for Los Angeles. If this ordinance passes City Council, you won’t have to worry about who’s in your backyard. You will have to worry about who’s at your front door.

The timing of a strong South LA Coalition is at a crucial time. The unemployment rate in the area exceeds others across the country. Emergency and interim housing stock isn’t available for the number of individuals and families who have become victims of foreclosures and evictions. Community and economic development are in limbo due to dismantling of the Community Redevelopment Agency and slow private investment. Poor performing schools have community stakeholders at odds with charter school takeover and better strategies to increase school funding to support academic improvements. And, the demographics are changing.

What’s phenomenal about all the jewels and challenges of South LA is the movement that is historic and epic. This movement is about not acquiescing to political and social struggles that plague the community, but strategic political actions that will solidify their voice and muscle.

It’s not a violent rebellion or uprising of 20 years ago, it’s an empowerment demonstration – The South Los Angeles Power Coalition.

The South LA Power Coalition is an independent group of local stakeholders and leaders who have organized to change the social, economic, and political landscape of the area.

The Coalition’s most important action is the 2nd Annual South Los Angeles People’s Convention that will be held May 12 at the Maya Angelou Community School located at 300 E. 53rd Street from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. The convention is expected to bring over 300 people to discuss the state of South LA compared to 20 years ago, demand political accountability, and inform on upcoming elections. Besides having elected officials present, renowned columnist and author, Dr. Anthony Samad, will be facilitating a candidate’s forum for LA City Council, District Attorney, and California State Senate and Assembly.

Jose Lara, Social Justice Educator with Union del Barrio, sees this convention as a way of merging interests, “For far too long the Black and Latino Communities have been seen as two separate communities in South LA. However, the South LA People’s Convention bridges the common interests of housing, education, immigration and political representation and accountability among all in South Los Angeles.”

Alberto Retana, Executive Vice President of Community Coalition, a community organizing and advocacy nonprofit founded by Congresswoman Karen Bass, believes this coalescing of South LA will result in solutions and change, “The People’s Convention is about coming together to not only identify problems in our community, but to be a part of the solution. When we unite as a community we are powerful, and the wheels of change are inevitable.”

South LA is moving past the stigma of what some consider a deficit position and is on a course correction that will embody them to take hold and devise their own community solutions. Importantly, coalition-building will solidify their power transformation efforts and destiny.

For more information on the South LA People’s Convention, call 424-240-8510 or register free online at www.southlapower.org.

Najee Ali, Director of Project Islamic Hope feels that there has been tremendous progress and more to be done around the disparities in South Los Angeles. He explains, “In terms of rebuilding, we have a few developments to be proud of. We have Chesterfield Square, Vermont and Slauson, and the Figueroa Corridor. We are still not where we need to be in terms of employment. Employment is high compared to other parts of the country. We need job creation, economic development, and more small business creation.”

Ali reminds us that the LA Civil Unrest was not about South Los Angeles and the Rodney King verdict. He points out, “Poverty was the cause of the unrest. There was a lot of despair and anger that caused people to participate in looting and destruction of property. We forget that the situation crossed color lines as poor Blacks, Whites, Latinos, and Asians were trying to leap out of their conditions. Poverty knows no color. If we don’t address the lack of employment, rise in homelessness, barriers to healthcare, we are bound to repeat the same uprising and have a man-made Katrina that we can’t dig ourselves out of. We hope to never see this happen again in our city.”

Public perceptions of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) are better due to its leadership. The overall feeling about LAPD is very positive. Many residents credit former Chief of Police, William Bratton for bringing transparency, changing LAPD’s culture, and instilling community partnership. In the same respect of former Chief Bratton, across the board there is high admiration for Chief Charles Beck and his open-door policy with the community to have their voices heard. Ali emphasizes, “This level of engagement with the police did not exist with Chief Darryl Gates.”

Other Los Angeles residents like Ali recognize significant improvements, especially in the areas of community engagement and two-way interactions with political officials and police. Christopher Story, lifelong resident of Los Angeles agrees, “The events that we witnessed and/or participated on during those dark days of civil unrest gave all of us in the greatest city around, Los Angeles, the reason to evaluate how we lived in our city and eventually led us to understanding that we were not doing things the right way. We began to understand that we needed to work with law enforcement and our elected officials, rather than always viewing them as the enemy. Law enforcement and elected officials came to the understanding that they needed to treat the residents of Los Angeles with respect, rather than automatically treating those citizens as criminals. More than anything, we learned that all of us, regardless of race, gender, age, and/or economic status, are much more closely connected than what we might have imagined. We’re all in this together.”

In balance with the view of the good progress made, there is still a fight for equitable social, economic, and environmental justice. The LA Redistricting process was a reminder of how politics trumped community input. The 13-2 City Council vote to approve the maps sent a message of alienation and disenfranchisement to the South LA community who overwhelming came out in opposition to the redlining of their neighborhoods from economic engines and assets. In lieu of uprising, South LA residents are holding out in support of Mayoral and other elected candidates and encouraging their faith institutions to quarantine their pulpits from candidates to use as a platform.

With the Crenshaw line, locals are wondering why they are working harder than other communities to get a station at Leimert Park, the African American Cultural center of Los Angeles, and 0.9 miles of underground tunneling in Park Mesa to prevent traffic and pedestrian catastrophes and traffic congestion. With history repeating itself 20 years later, decision-makers are showcasing the differences in transportation and transit-oriented planning in predominantly ethnic communities.

Some of the buildings and communities burned and destroyed during the unrest remain dormant of economic vitality. The neighborhood are looking for investment partners to generate high levels of urban renewal that will decrease unemployment numbers and offer a variety of shopping choices to increase local spending.

As the day of unrest approaches, Trayvon Martin is in the minds of all who see his murder as a tragic application of injustice. The resolution of the Martin case will determine the civic response and test our justice system.

Dr. Ronald Simmons, Executive Director of Free N One, and Elder at West Angeles Church of God in Christ cautions, “Because our hope was contingent on a flawed system, we witnessed the civil unrest when the system let us down. Today as the “system” is put on trial again in the aftermath of Trayvon Martin, our trust must be in God. No matter which way the verdict comes back. In many ways, we have come a long way, but in many areas we have a long way to go.”

Twenty years later, our dialogue is different, but the issues are same. Pat ourselves on the back for making progress and slap our hands on matters of unfairness and inequity.

Although South LA is prepared for the usual classic personal appearances at religious institutions, drop-ins at influential neighborhood block clubs, or political posturing at neighborhood council meetings, it is also prepared to strategically use some grassroots political muscle.

Rhetoric today from mayoral candidates won’t mean much to their constituents. The usual we see the candidates now and not four years after the election is done; and name politics is in the trash. Community stakeholders are questioning what these candidates have done for them lately; and if they can point to change, a new project, or cabinet representation on matters important to them locally. Also, the community is honing in on the street connection game and something more significant than participating in the Martin Luther King parade.

Many of their African American stakeholders are urging its residents to hold out on supporting any candidate until the later part of the race and to use their votes for leverage.

African American influence is in the math according to Koyaki Kwa Jitahidi of MA’AT Institute for Community Change and political consultant. “Given the lack of connection many of the major mayoral candidates have with African Americans in South Los Angeles – with the possible exception of Jan Perry – our community is positioned to play a major role in determining the outcome of the 2013 Mayor’s Race. Everyone remembers that Mayor Villaraigosa’s victory in 2005 hinged on taking African American support from James Hahn. In one area of South Los Angeles, Villaraigosa went from 38% support in 2001 to 66% in 2005.”

Jitahidi explains, “Wendy Gruel, Eric Garcetti and perhaps Zev Yaroslavsky will split White liberals. Conservatives will likely choose between Austin Beutner, Rick Caruso, Gruel or even Perry. Latinos will go with Garcetti or Gruel, if Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa endorses either. In this scenario, African Americans become a key swing vote because of our relative high turnout compared to Latinos and strong ties to the Democratic Party.”

Councilwoman Perry is not an automatic frontrunner for African Americans says Jitahidi, “Contrary to popular sentiment, Perry is not assured the Black vote. While she has been a leader on the City Council, many African Americans see her more as an advocate for downtown interest. This will embolden Gruel and Garcetti, in particular, to make strong attempts to gain African American support.”

For South LA, testing the waters and holding out translates into reforming bait and switch politics and igniting community engagement. With voter education and a higher voter turnout, they can defy mathematical statistics by increasing their political power base.

South Los Angeles neighborhood councils, community leaders, advocacy organizations, and residents have rejected the new city council district maps citing that the proposed maps redlines Council Districts 8 and 9 from economic opportunities and development, will increase poverty and blight within the heart of the African American community, and represent an abuse of power.

The maps to City Council moves the communities of Leimert Park, Baldwin Hills, Baldwin Village and the Crenshaw Baldwin Hills Mall out of District 8 and into District 10, which includes neighborhoods north of the 10 Freeway and replaces them with a portion of Westchester. Additionally, the maps move USC out of the 8th and into the 9th.

For District 9, the maps move the district’s northern border down to Washington Blvd and moves Little Tokyo, Skid Row and the surrounding Financial Districts into Council District 14.

The redlining of South LA from critical economic assets gravely impacts the influence and economic rights of residents who have the potential of losing the few businesses that have been economic engines and catalyst for jobs and services to the area. Crenshaw Baldwin Hills Mall and Marlton Square are key retail centers that are pivotal to economic development opportunities and receive its largest market base from those residents east of Crenshaw Boulevard. Furthermore, the separation of USC from the surrounding areas threatens their voice in concerns related to the university’s expansion and involvement in economic opportunities.

Members of the South Los Angeles Alliance of Neighborhood Councils are preparing resolutions and community impact statements opposing the maps and are urging the council to put USC, the Crenshaw Baldwin Hills Mall, and their surrounding neighborhoods back in District 8 and put the downtown financial district, historical districts, and Skid Row back in District 9.

In an effort to demonstrate the community’s outcry, coalition leaders are consulting with civil rights attorneys, gathering petition signatures from local residents to present to City Council, and have plans to hold a press conference (date to be determined) to announce specific plans to prevent City Council from taking action.

The outcry doesn’t stop there. The coalition has vowed to engage residents to take their displeasure to the polls come election time. And, they are giving those seeking their vote notice that this issue will affect their decision-making and future support.

For the group, the redlining of South LA is not about Councilman Bernard Parks, Councilwoman Jan Perry, or Councilman Herb Wesson; it’s about the future destiny of the stakeholders in the South LA community who have once again been slighted as the 20th anniversary of the LA Civil Unrest approaches.

The politicians in each district are striving for gold in this Olympic race. Some are on the 100 meter dash to gain allies, economic, and future political capital to change their sphere of influence. Others are on the 10K using their resilience and stamina to vie for equal representation.

Are Wesson and Huizar the gold medal winners? No one really knows. The speculations of inside dealing and pre-decision making are conspiracies at best. Finger pointing and accusations only bring more controversy to a race where this is no photo finish.

The City Council’s review and adoption of the redistricting boundaries has taken on a 200 meter sprint. The shortened timeframe seems unanticipated since the City Charter directs the City Council to deliberate and adopt new boundaries by June 30th. What’s the rush? Will communities affected by the maps have enough time to develop a strategy to contest the competition for a monumental victory? Let’s wait and see.

To flip the script, LA Districting isn’t exhibiting the City as a melting pot. It’s a salad bowl that is picking what additions, garnishes, and dressing will best suit a savory experience. And, race is the center of attention.

Who knew there was a “Black Westchester”; and that they would be an appropriate fit for CD 8 as a consolation prize? More than likely, they are insulted by the revelation and new found designation.

Who can forget James Becks’ comments, a member of Koreatown, in reference to keeping the Korean community whole and political power? “Our community will no longer sit idly and be pimped out like a two-dollar whore.”

The race cliff hanger doesn’t stop there. It continues with race and class rearing its head. “Economic apartheid” is not a fashionable statement, but a strong belief that have constituents in Councilman Bernard Parks’ and Councilwoman Jan Perry’s districts crying foul. Now, these proposed districts are labeled as predominantly minority and poor with no economic engine to balance some of its stressed communities. The association with apartheid resonates as mental picture of what’s to come and who will benefit more by the new lines.

The arena is full of spectators figuring out what meaning of race fits LA Redistricting. Is it the black and white checkered flag at the finish line or voter representation? No matter what race it is, it’s all politics.

Several of years ago, I did a workshop with a fellow colleague on undocumented homeless people. I must say it was a difficult topic for which we had to prepare and facilitate. There wasn’t much information on the issue, except for a few model programs out of Canada. Instead of doing a presentation, we facilitated a discussion on the problems associated with serving homeless illegals.

We didn’t find new information from the discussion. Most expressed their frustrations with their ability to aid them because of funding restrictions, securing identification, referring to other services, or finding under the table employment. With limited financial resources, most were considering what to do best with their unrestricted dollars when the outcomes resulted in a revolving door of homelessness and poverty.

About a third of the way into the workshop, we shifted the topic to discuss our moral obligation to help everyone. If homelessness and poverty is an economic injustice to every American citizen, then it is an economic injustice to homeless illegals immigrant. Some agreed and some disagreed. For the audience who disagreed, the premise for their opinion was that usurping resources from citizens or people legitimately in our country was wrong. If we were creating a revolving door, we shouldn’t contribute to it by wasting the monetary investment of donors to a predicted negative outcome. The workshop ended with many in a quandary about what to do or if resources should be allocated toward the illegal homeless population.

It is not surprising that sentiments about illegal immigrants continue to fester as unemployment and the economy accomplish small gains. Recent inability to fill jobs vacated by illegal immigrants in other parts of the United States have refuted studies out of Chicago and Texas that illegal immigrants have impacted employment of low-skilled workers. Unfortunately reports indicate that American workers aren’t taking those jobs citing they are difficult to fill “undesirable” , dirty, and labor intensive work.

It seems the compensation value is the trigger for the illegal immigrant debate. The reasons offered is that illegal immigrants are compensated at a lesser rate (below minimum wage) to help businesses meet their bottom line or profit objectives while pushing the American marginally skilled to unemployment. Because of this, immigration laws must be enforced to penalize companies who hire illegal immigrants and contribute to American unemployment.

It is easy to be on either sides of the coin on this issue. Illegal immigration has been a problem since 1492; and is inescapable. There are so many purported facts that are spewed and skewed that it is hard to discern the real truth about illegal immigration’s impacts on government support systems and unemployment. At the end of day, the real question is where this fits within your moral barometer.

The four murders of homeless people allegedly by Izcoatl Ocampo in Orange County signaled a humanity deficit. The serial killer story swayed from stressing the perils of homeless street life and casualties of seeded hate and focused more on capturing an armed and dangerous suspect.

The untold story behind the serial killings is the tragic loss of life and constant threat of violence on the streets. The homeless victims suffered from vicious stabbings, cried for helped, wallowed in their blood, were alone, and succumbed to the place that they considered home.

The all-points bulletin should have read “societal outcasts targeted for hate crimes.” That would have been a catchy title for attention because the street homeless have been put into a vagrant sub-category.

We forget about the sensational stories of homeless victimization so quickly. The most memorable one, John McGraham, was doused with gasoline and set on fire in Koreatown in 2008. Fortunately, his assailant, Ben Martin got the death penalty.

We lose sight of important legislation to protect the homeless. Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal introduced AB312, a bill that would have granted homeless people the right to raise hate crimes protection under the existing law. Governor Jerry Brown vetoed the bill claiming that California already had strong civil and criminal laws to provide for protection of homeless victims; and increased court costs.

We criminalize the homeless because we can’t balance quality of life with care and compassion. In South Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department is ticketing homeless people for quality of life crimes. Locals don’t want loitering, panhandling, and public drunkenness on their streets. On the flip side, homeless members who are simply pushing a cart, getting by off recycling, and don’t have a permanent place to stay are caught in sweep enforcements because they have no place to go.

There is no first responder to homeless issues, except the police. Homeless people are being cited for their homeless condition. Inevitably, these citations will inhibit a person coming off the streets from getting employment, housing, and benefits for entities that require background checks.

We cut off housing supply. The Community Care Facilities Ordinance is destined to reduce the supply of homeless beds and alternative shared housing opportunities for those on fixed incomes. In Los Angeles alone, there is an estimated 53,000 homeless any given night. And, the demand for housing far exceeds the supply.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority affirmed in their January 27, 2012 opposition letter to the Mayor and City Council that the ordinance would increase homelessness and reduce available affordable housing options. Homeless people, particularly people of color, face extreme barriers to housing due to race, social, and economic factors.

We cause recidivism. If a homeless person can’t get a job or secure housing, the street is the final option. To survive on the street, some are tempted into high risk behaviors that affect public health and safety.

One in five people who leave prison becomes homeless upon release or soon thereafter. AB 109 is poised to put the public at risk if no housing resources are made available. Its success hinges on preventing homelessness and housing the newly released. Some have been discharged to the streets and are among the general public already without a connection to their parole or probation officer.

If no one is interested in the redeeming qualities of a person, the minimum that can be done is to allow housing that can be identified and watched by the local community.

We have a moral obligation to care for our homeless and not treat them as invisible people. We have homes with no people in them. We have a housing crisis mislabeled as a homeless crisis. We have homeless people victims of violence and mean obstructions to prevent them from housing. It doesn’t take a State of the Union message by President Barack Obama to know that we need to have our homeless’ back.

It’s easy to come to the conclusion that the American people are suffering from political bullying. The majority class is vilified for their need for social support or government intervention for protection. And, the bullies are orchestrating an economic and political imbalance to put the majority in its place.

Our democratic principles aren’t aligning with the moral character of our country. The aggression and attacks by the political bullies have created an atmosphere of despair.

Politics unusual is under a new pedagogy of striking like a locomotive. Unemployment benefit extensions and payroll tax cuts are back to the Senate and House for deliberation. On the negotiation table is an exemption for millionaires from the payroll tax cut, eliminating unfilled federal jobs, tax breaks for energy companies, payment cuts to doctors under Medicare, and funding social security.

Don’t assume that there is going to be a civil compromise. Expect a dog and cat fight since the focus won’t be on the American people more than the upcoming presidential election. Depending on the political party, there has been a declaration of civil war. Those with the purse power and platform to dismantle government, as we have experienced it, are strategically seeking to bulldoze over the middle and working class by any means necessary.

Anticipate a political impasse after President Barack Obama’s State of the Union and over the next course of weeks as important decisions are up for discussion and vote. The pork barrel hounding, like the Keystone Pipeline, will be on the table to detour the major issues at hand – bringing relief to the American people.

Although many of us are biting our nails wondering what’s next, we need to remind ourselves that it has taken political movements and social activism to change the political environment.Let’s throw up our dukes and occupy the phone lines, email, and legislative offices of the bullies.

Put on the armor of faith and courage to stand against political intimidation by using our most powerful arsenal, our voice.