 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Columbia University and the Gentrification of Harlem
By Keisha Saul
Columbia University s plan to expand its historic Morningside campus by an additional seventeen acres has met with widespread opposition. So when does the battle for education meet public resistance When a universitys goal of providing the physical space needed to continue to pursue its mission means the immediate gentrification of a historic, Black neighborhood, and the displacement of residents who currently live in three properties along these seventeen acres in order to accommodate the Universitys demands. The residents of West Harlem have long fought a battle for community perseverance
 its continuous competition for affordable housing comes three fold as West Harlems many attractions now become known and desired. One of the many attractions is the easy commute to central Manhattan, a priceless amenity included with each of the many renovated apartments now for rent in the area.
In the West Harlem court of public opinion, aversion to Columbias proposal for the universitys expansion into West Harlem is menacingly untamed. Passionate about their space and the use of land in their community, the residents of this Harlem neighborhood are not the only ones involved in the opposition. In fact, at a recent Committee hearing addressing the 197-a community plan, residents from all over Harlem turned out in mass at the Manhattanville Community Center. Columbias plan, on paper, is to build a new urban academic environment, acculturated to welcome and further the elevation of its surrounding community. The universitys plan is to expand gradually over the next quarter century,
dislocating residents and entrepreneurs appropriating the blocks between 129th and 133rd streets as part of this expansion.
These local  economic opportunities that Columbias pretense speaks of would require further disruption
to the way of life these residents have been accustomed to for decades. Their community has gone from housing a garage and a fleet of Laundromats on each block to numerous Japanese sushi restaurants and expensive bread made in high class bakeries. As developers compete for their share of the wealth, Columbia heads on the forefront, owning the majority of properties along the border of Morningside Heights and Manhattanville, also known as West Harlem. Very few properties are available to outsiders. So how does Columbia plan on selling their pretentious expansion proposal to the public Part of their expectation is in the assumed ignorance of the West Harlem community. Ironically, Columbia promises to build in a process that is woven into the fabric
of the surrounding community when part of the plan is bulldozing already statuesque architectural symbols of West Harlems culture.
As if the writing of the proposal itself wasnt already a backhand slap in the face, Columbia has enlisted Bill Lynch and Associates as their remedy to market support for the expansion from the public an outrageously unlawful move in New York State. As the New York State Lobbying Act describes: the term client shall mean every person or organization who retains, employs or designates any person or organization to carry on lobbying activities on behalf of such client. In a smart move on Columbias part,
Bill Lynchs firm is referred to as a consulting firm, despite its obvious lobbying efforts. Looks like the universitys multimillion dollar, high powered attorneys advised them well the Act clearly states that the term lobbying shall not include persons engaged in drafting, advising clients on or rendering opinions on proposed legislation, rules, regulations or rates, municipal ordinances and resolutions, executive orders,
procurement contracts, or tribalstate compacts, memoranda of understanding. And there it is Columbias hiring of Bill Lynch and Associates is now legal because Bill Lynch is there to consult, render an opinion, and advise Columbia  the client on how to secure a positive vote for the expansion. Way to go Columbia. To add a sweet, sweet strawberry icing to the cake, Lynch stands as one of the Vice Chairs of the Democratic National Committee. Significance Lynch stipulates the budget for the campaigns of local Democratic politicians, some of whom will cast
their vote on Columbias expansion.
Not every community leader has weighed money against morals. Tom Kappner has stood with West Harlem in their struggle for land perseverance.
As the founder of the Coalition to Preserve Community
www.stopcolumbia.org, Kappner has very specific views concerning Columbia and its expansion proposal.
The coalitions strategy has been to mobilize the community behind its own 197a, the communitys plan for development which promotes a development that meets the communitys needs for housing, jobs, social services, and the preservation of its historical and architectural integrity, instead of the bulldozing destruction and ethnic cleansing of the community that Columbia wants to pursue.
As Columbias plan gets underway and more information is uncovered, the community remains outraged at Columbias efforts to further gentrify West Harlem. Harlem is united in its opposition, even those who will not immediately be affected by the expansion, proving Kappners end note to be exceptionally true an injury to one is an injury to all.
|
|
 |
Quintessential White Supremacist Justice
By A Peter Bailey
When first hearing about the then 17year old black male teenager being sentenced to 10 years in prison for a nonforced sexual encounter with a 15year old girl, my first reaction was that the girl must be white. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to know that there is no way that a Georgia court would give someone that kind of time for nonforced sex with a 15year old black girl.
Dont get me wrong, I have a 15year old granddaughter and would be extremely angry at a 17year old male having nonforced sex with her but it would be near criminal for me to push for a tenyear prison sentence for the teenager. The lesson to be learned from this is that we black folks had better wake up and smell the collard greens and come out of the delusional trance that too many of us have been operating under during the past 35 plus years. Old schoolers had better warn young black men who thought they could have their interracial flings in major metropolitan areas with some degree of safety that they put their lives in jeopardy when they have these flings in small cities and towns, especially in the South. Meanwhile whatever is necessary must be gone to get that now 20year old young man released from jail immediately.
Over 25,000 librarians poured into Washington D.C. for the annual convention of The American Library Association. It was enlightening to see several black book publishers and one black distributor displaying their books in the huge Exhibit Hall of the D.C. Convention Center. These included Brand Nu Words www.brandnuwords.com, Slights Productions eric@sightsproductions.com, Solar Publishing LLC www.solarpub.com, Africa World Press
www.africaworldpressbooks.com, Book Subscribers booksubscrib@hotmail.com, and Third World Press http://thirdworldpressinc.com. The later is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year. Their books cover a wide variety of subjects of importance and interest. They need our support. Dont be like the NAACP which, according to columnist James Clingman,
contracted a nonblack publisher to manage the Authors Pavilion at its 2007 Conference in Detroit. When asked why, says Clingman, a NAACP representative responded with an equally outrageous excuse that they were not aware of black bookstores, distributors or publishers in Detroit... No wonder that organization is having a serious relevancy problem.
Those of us coming out of the Malcolm X wing of the civil rights movement of the 1960s always had a problem with the premise of Brown v. Board of Education that allblack schools are inherently inferior. We regard that as psychologically damaging. Allblack schools were/are inferior because of deliberate malign neglect by public officials and too much apathy from too many black folks. We believe strongly that neighborhood schools, readily accessible to concerned parents, guardians and activists then and now can provide the quality education needed by our children if we are unified in making that happen. Think about it. What vested interest do believers in white supremacy have in educating black children so they can successfully compete with their children
We are the only ones who have a vested interest in providing our children with a quality education. And we can do that if we are serious.
After reading and listening to recent statements by Vice President Dick Cheney, all I can say is that if he were in robust health, the country would be in even deeper world of trouble.
|
|
|
 |
Corporate America  In Too Deep
By Kelly Harrison
Step 1 I have officially been welcomed into corporate America. I have obtained a position at a major insurance company and am now a part of a rather rigid structure. It is hard for me to believe that this will not stifle my creativity. There are so many things I want to do that have absolutely nothing to do with insurance, and I cant help but wonder if it will be as easy as I think it will be to leave this job where I receive a steady biweekly income for one of financial uncertainty. I have a number of friends who are on their way to professional schools because it is what is supposed to be next after college and also because they hate working. They have made numerous attempts to recruit me too into higher education,
but I feel that you have to really want something you are willing to invest sixty thousand dollars in, and I frankly dont want it that much.
As a fledgling entrepreneur in the works, I have trouble believing that I should spend money I do not have to allow people who have never been involved in business, teach me how to do business; I may as well buy a few books. Common sense to me, foolishness to many but unless I am able to get a benefactor for my education whose name is not Sallie Mae I will enroll in the school of the hard knocks and make my own way.
Step two After three wonderful months of training, free lunches, generous per diem checks, hotel stays, and frequent flier miles, I have plunged into the real world with a real job with real eight hour days. When you are involved with a company which is willing to spend so much money on its employees, it becomes harder to ditch them. There was a time when I could get a job and quit three months later because I simply wasnt feeling it but with tens of thousands of dollars invested in me, I am beginning to wonder if I am
going to be able to be the love them and leave them employee I once was. I feel that I am at the failure age, not meaning that I do not want to thrive in everything I try, but that I should be free to try new, risky things that I am not afraid to be unsuccessful in. Corporate America is somewhat of a trap that reels you farther in every day with promises of promotions and the almighty management position. Now I have to work hard daily to maintain my individuality and not fall in too deep ending up as the president of the company wearing, Armani suits and Jimmy Choos every day driving a car that costs more than my parents house. Or not.
|
|
|
 |
Coming Back From A Catastrophic Illness Financially
By Terry A. Ferguson
Having a catastrophic illness can happen to anyone unexpectedly, whether young or old. But when you are the sole financial supporter of your household and you lose your income, the consequences can be devastating. In 2005, I became very ill, and my doctors discovered that I had been stricken with Rheumatoid Arthritis. This disease not only affected my joints and limbs, but also my heart causing fluid buildup called Pericardial Effusion. I had to be hospitalized for this condition and guess what My near death experience cost $20,000 for a fourday stay in Intensive Care.
Just prior to being hospitalized, I had lost my health care coverage with HIP because I could no longer afford the  200 monthly premium.
I am not going to tell you that I bounced back quickly and that everything was okay. It was not okay for me, mentally and physically.
As a result of this life altering experience, I had to learn how to adapt to my new life as a person with a chronic illness. Despite all of these changes, I am here to tell you that as long as there is life, there is hope, no pun intended.
Here are seven useful tips to help you get back on track physically and financially after an illness:
1. Healthcare Without healthcare, you have written a death sentence.
You need your health to produce wealth, and I am not trying to rhyme like Rev. Jesse Jackson. Until you can get a stable health plan that is affordable, research whether your local hospital has a feeforservices plan based on your income. A fee based plan will allow you to see the doctor for as little as $10.00 to $20.00 per visit as well as provide low cost medication at $10.00 per prescription. Using this service will allow you seek out other sources of healthcare such as managed healthcare programs offered by city or state government agencies. I mentioned that my hospital bill was $20,000. I was able to pay $1200.00 of that bill based on financial hardship.
If you are selfemployed or a consultant, look into obtaining health insurance through a group plan for selfemployed or independent consultants, if you can afford it.
2. Other Sources of Income I cannot stress the importance of saving money. For no reason whatsoever should you touch your pension because you will be taxed and issued a penalty for taking money out before the age of retirement designated by your pension plan. Instead, prepare for the worst. Try to save at least three to six months worth of living expenses, specifically your rent and other bills.
For four months, I had no income and I almost took money from a pension that I had established years prior. I had saved some money, which I thought was going to be for vacation. Instead, I paid my rent and other expenses when I became ill.
In addition, I was able to find some additional income by applying for unemployment. If youve been working, look into whether you can collect unemployment benefits. If your medical condition can be classified as a disability, see a counselor regarding applying for Social Security disability benefits. You may be eligible to receive additional income whether you have worked or not. It may take some time to receive this assistance, but at least you can get this process going to prepare for the future
3. Going Back To Work and Other Opportunities If you are interested in going back to work or school or opening a business, go see an independent living counselor to assist you with your goal. Because I was unable to continue to work full time, I met with a counselor from Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities
VESID helped me to adjust to a parttime schedule. VESID helped me to rethink my employment situation as well as taught me to adjust to making less money. Being counseled about how to relive your life is great for anyone, whether you are divorced, disabled or displaced in life.
4. Reassess Your Finances Get rid of credit card debt. This has to be done slowly. Renegotiate with credit card companies for a lower APR or 0% APR. This will allow you to pay off more of the principal. See if you can consolidate your debt as well. Take another look at your savings and your expenses. See if there are any expenses that you can to get rid of.
5. Pay Cash For Everything SelfExplanatory
6. Surround Yourself With A Network Of People The right network of people can help you financially, spiritually, physically, and mentally. Most of all, they will be positive and supportive of your goals.
7. Find Low Cost Ways To Enjoy Yourself Look for discounts on everything from food, clothes, entertainment, fitness, and travel. Just because your life has changed, doesnt mean you cant enjoy yourself.
The only person who can rewrite your life is you, but you have to do this one day at a time at your own pace. What I discovered is that there is help out there if youre looking for it. Just be persistent, have a positive attitude, and thank God above for giving you another chance at life. To get a list of resources to assist you with getting back on your feet financially after a catastrophic illness, click here.
Terry A. Ferguson, is the host of A Bowl of Soul a classic soul and r&b radio show on WPNT, The Beat of Hunts Point. She is also a 17 year veteran of the information technology industry.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
|
[an error occurred while processing this directive]