11 minute read
BARRY
segregation in the early 1960s did almost the same thing to Black Americans 60 years ago.
The Washington Post recently highlighted that history. A group of segregationists organized "Reverse Freedom Rides" in 1962 as retaliation for the Freedom Rides that carried civil rights activists throughout the South in 1961. According to The Post, "The plot was organized by white supremacist Citizens' Councils in Arkansas, who bought radio ads and made fliers advertising the ‘opportunity' to African Americans." One Arkansas woman and nine of her children were dropped off on Cape Cod near the Kennedy family's compound because she had been falsely told that Kennedy was going to greet them.
Sounds awfully familiar, doesn't it?
Last year, journalist Adam Serwer published a book called "The Cruelty is the Point: The Past, Present, and Future of Trump's America." Serwer has made the point that Trump is a symptom, not the cause, of a cruel streak in American politics. There is a long history of backlash against progress, going back to the post-Reconstruction period in which white supremacists used violence to reverse the enfranchisement of Black people.
DeSantis' scheme to deceive, manipulate, and harm vulnerable people seeking asylum in our country is evidence that the cruelty wielded by Trump and embraced by so many of his followers will continue to poison our politics if Trump or DeSantis or someone of their ilk is the Republican presidential nominee in 2024.
Recognizing this truth is important to understanding the work we have ahead of us. We must also recognize that the cruelty in our past and our present is not our whole story.
Our story also includes good people in Hyannis in the 1960s and in Martha's Vineyard this year who responded by mobilizing to welcome and support the arrivals. It includes the people of all colors and faiths who have repeatedly built movements to expand civil rights and promote human dignity, and who have given their time and treasure to elect political leaders who appeal to our national ideals rather than trash them.
We should be outraged at the cruelty displayed by some of our leaders. Let us also be motivated, and optimistic, that we can out-organize and overcome them.
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BARRY from Page 1
Ward 8 and the District overall.
“We are proud to be breaking ground on the first, on-site building in Barry Farm,” the mayor said. “Today is a win for former Barry Farm residents and the District of Columbia because we are delivering on a promise dating back to the [Anthony] Williams Administration.”
“We are committed to doing it in an equitable way, ensuring former Barry Farm residents benefit most from the redevelopment. In doing so, we honor the legacy of the founders of Barry Farm-Hillsdale and ensure our long-time residents have the opportunity to thrive in their beloved Barry Farm community,” Bowser said.
D.C. Councilmember Trayon White Sr. (D-Ward 8) said the groundbreaking represents “a new day in the great Ward 8.”
“This has been a long time coming,” White said. “Twelve years ago, we were having meetings at Birney Elementary School and Matthew Memorial Church because of talk about tearing down Barry Farm. Now the former residents can come back to Ward 8.”
THE HISTORY BEHIND BARRY FARM
Barry Farm, along with an adjoining neighborhood Hillsdale, got its start in 1867 when formerly-enslaved Blacks sought to own land and create an independent community in the District. Through the rest of the 19th century, Blacks founded schools, churches, community associations and stores and participated in the civic and political life of the District in Barry Farm.
In the 1940s, Barry Farm Dwellings became a public housing project for Blacks who had problems finding places to live due to the District’s racial segregation policies. In the 1960s and through the end of the 20th century, Barry Farm had a number of low-income residents who fought for such causes as welfare and tenants’ rights and economic parity.
Conversations by city officials and residents on redeveloping Barry Farm began in the mid-2000s, culminating in efforts to start redeveloping the neighborhood and its historic buildings in 2015. However, with the redevelopment having already begun, many residents had to move due to construction of the new buildings.
Activists with the Barry Farm Tenants Association, in conjunction with advocacy group Empower DC, have remained determined to make city officials to live up to their promise that former residents could return upon the development’s completion. In addition, the two organizations have collectively worked with city historians to preserve some of the buildings due to their historical significance.
WAIT BEGINS FOR MOVE IN DAY
Rodger Brown, the managing director for real estate development for project co-developer the Preservation of Affordable Housing Inc., said The Ashberry will take 24 months to build. Other buildings in the Barry Farm project will be rolled out in ninemonth phases.
Brown said The Ashberry, which will cost $10 million to construct, serves as an important part of the $43 million first phase of the Barry Farm redevelopment. The D.C. Housing Authority serves as the co-developer of Barry Farm with the Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc.
The Barry Farm revitalization will be completed in 2030. WI @JamesWrightJr10
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Contrast this with the recently disclosed news of former NFL quarterback Brett Favre, who has been verified as having received millions of dollars of funds earmarked for the benefit of low-income Mississippi families. It is understandable that Brett Favre, a favored son of Mississippi, famed collegiate and professional athlete, and businessman would be well-connected politically, in the business community, and in academic circles. For the streetwise, it is also understood that under-the-table deals are quite common in those circles.
The state of Mississippi is currently suing Favre alleging he misspent millions of dollars that had been allocated for welfare. 2017 text messages link Favre with former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant in a scheme to funnel money intended to help low-income families to him through a nonprofit. Favre used this money to help build a volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi, where his daughter was a member of the team.
While the indiscretion of Udoka has been recently disclosed, they fill the media. Mississippi filed suit against Favre in May yet related disclosures seem limited and sketchy at best. Udoka's "sins" may have affected his team and personal relationships, but Favre's "sins" impacted thousands of Mississippians who are helpless in their defense.
So what is the point of this observation on celebrity? Celebrity and forgiveness are part and parcel of the larger fabric of racism that is pervasive in this nation. They are lenses through which some must analyze the jaundice of their perceptions.
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JACKSON from Page 29
the message, the agenda and the strategy of what was an historic campaign.
In 2002, Frank moved to Washington, D.C., to become the communications director and press secretary of my son, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. He joined with Jesse to write "A More Perfect Union: Advancing New American Rights."
That book provides the best example of Frank's conceptual, political and strategic sense. He and my son traced the intertwined history of racial division and economic inequality. They then made the case for movements that would drive the call for new constitutional amendments grounded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, arguing that organizing around principles unleashed passion in a way that simple policy debates did not. A chapter was devoted to each of the basic rights — to quality health care, to housing, to education, to a clean environment, fair taxes, the right to a decent job, equality for women and the right to vote.
Steeped in the tradition of Martin Luther King, Frank was passionate about the importance of the right to vote — not only essential to any democracy, but also to any hope of building a more perfect union. He was astounded that the Constitution did not guarantee a right to vote — and that the states could control how legislators were chosen. Now, as Republicans echo Trump's big lie that the 2020 election was stolen and systematically seek to pass measures to make voting more difficult, and to give legislatures power to overturn the results of elections that they don't like, we all are coming to realize once more the importance of Frank's passion.
Growing up in St. Louis, Frank did not come from a family of radicals. His passion for justice, his deep sense of faith, his experience with the civil rights movement brought him to the indispensable roles he played. In the beginning, his parents had doubts about his course. Over time, however, Frank convinced them — as he did so many — about the justice of his cause and the importance of his commitment.
Frank was active, creative and engaged to the terrible day when a combination of COVID and pneumonia proved too much. His spirit remains with us all: his faith in Americans, his fierce dedication to fighting for justice, his love for his country. A true hero and a true friend, he will be terribly missed. WI
ALLEN from Page 29
ducing the FICO score requirements, expanding the DTI ratio and lowering the borrower minimum contribution from 3% of the loan to $500. For those who are homeowners and want to tap into their equity, we reduced the home equity loan minimum from $25,000 to $10,000.
In many urban areas there is an affordable housing crisis. Stagnant wages, building, and gentrification have made home ownership and affordable rental housing unattainable for many people, especially in diverse communities. The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that the housing costs burden, when an individual or family spends more than 30% of their earnings on housing expenses, applies to 26% of moderate earners and up to 80% of extremely low income earners for D.C. residents.
TD seeks to address this significant challenge by helping developers invest in affordable housing in D.C., including a renovation project underway along the H Street corridor, with half of the units reserved for those who make 80% or less of the area's median income. We also donate through TD Charitable Foundation's annual Housing for Everyone grant program to help organizations, including several recipients in the DMV area, build and renovate affordable housing units and mitigate housing needs.
Financial security and financial literacy in communities of color is another area of opportunity for TD, and we're embracing that mission. We regularly hold community financial education workshops on topics such as understanding credit and firsttime homebuying as well as sponsor nonprofit organizations' educational efforts. Additionally, TD is working with HBCUs to equip students with essential financial knowledge so they enter adulthood knowing how to successfully manage their money.
Finally, we continue to introduce new products and policies to help customers make informed financial choices and avoid fees. In August 2021, we launched TD Essential Banking, a low-cost, no-overdraft-fee deposit account to help customers establish a more secure, inclusive and sustainable financial future. We made several consumer friendly adjustments to our overdraft policies earlier this year, and plan to make additional overdraft policy changes this fall to assist even more customers avoid fees or insufficient fund penalties.
While TD has made strides, we acknowledge there's much more work to be done in serving communities of color and that seeing meaningful positive results from these changes and new offerings takes time. We look forward to continuing to serve our customers and communities. WI
