gentrification - you jerk is not....

The definition of gen·tri·fi·ca·tion (jĕn'trə-fĭ-kā'shən)
is - The restoration and upgrading of deteriorated urban property by middle-class or affluent people, often resulting in displacement of lower-income people.

It is not - new low-income/modest housing - rental and others
- community based small business
- libraries, community schools and recreation centres
- community based organizations

To the middle class white boy, who had probably only a half a year of intro sociology, stop defacing our community with your damn graffiti - you don't know what you are talking/writing about or you would know better than to trash these places.
Poor people like nice things too, they want to be able to shop and access services in their community, take their kids to clean community spaces, you are not speaking or standing up for us....so knock it off

Hey so I haven't written in awhile.....

The truth is it has been grim, I was sad when HCAP ended and there felt for me no focus in my Anti-Poverty work. I did not fit in with the middle class do gooders, but was also getting a little too old for overtly radical action. Not nimble enough any longer to risk a tussle with the cops at a demo, not fast enough to get away. I have instead been focusing on generating political dialogue, changing opinions through active debate, challenging stereotypes, debunking poverty myths and sharing advocacy strategies. We will see where this takes me, now that I will have a new work schedule and more time to write, I am hoping to get out something at least a reaction piece to the federal budget.....now there should be a good fairytale

UPDATE 1-Bank bailout tax plan splits G20 | Reuters

Have I stepped into the looking glass? Canada, the land of the social left, free health care, education, publically funded social programs has now become more right winged that the US?  We now do not want the banks to pay their fair share? As the number of  people who fall into poverty increases, we will step up and  bailout banks because… why – they are struggling with their billion dollar profits? 

Our banks rode this last financial crisis well, it is time they step up and pay their fair share…..fair defined as equitable and just share not just a percentage.  The tax burden of this country has shifted from those who can afford to pay on their wealth and profit to a fragile consumer based tax system levied against an increasingly poorer nation…this is unsustainable and will put everything we as Canadians hold dear at risk………….think about it

UPDATE 1-Bank bailout tax plan splits G20 | Reuters

People’s Kitchen feeds G20 protesters - thestar.com

So this is probably one of the most terrifying acts committed by the protestors, feeding people for free.  I seemed to remember that it is when our group would have the most trouble, give someone a tofu sandwich and the police are all over you.  All jokes aside this is really an act of community solidarity and its not just about feeding people, but is about developing a shared community space and a chance to share political ideas, and for this government that is terrifying.

The government has worked so hard over the last couple of months to paint those who demonstrate as irrational thugs who are only out to destroy.  In reality the people who are out there on the streets are there because they want to make a difference, they know the decisions these so called “leaders” will be making will have dramatic and significant impact on our world and how we treat our people and resources. Given the past track record of most of those leaders seated around the table we have the right to be afraid that the decisions made there will exclude us and negatively impact all of us. As well as Canada has shown already in their excess and need to show off will waste the precious resources we have left and set oppression instead of liberation as its underlying agenda.

 

 

People’s Kitchen feeds G20 protesters - thestar.com

CTV Toronto - Police ride herd as G20 protesters march the streets - CTV News

Security is way over the top, anti-poverty activists OCAP and crew first to take the streets in what seems to be one of many protests planned for the upcoming week.  A water cannon has now been added to the arsenal of weapons to be used against protestors.  What are they so afraid of, Canada security forces are going to the extreme, it is like using an Uzi to kill a house fly.  Not that the protestors efforts are in vain, it is just the magnitude of force and resources being used to silence dissent is out of control.  This bullying tactic is not the “Canadian Way” – where is this coming from? Have we veered so far right we have forgotten who we are as a nation?  We are more paranoid than the Americans and that is saying something.  I know…..all the Bush advisors headed north and Harper hired them all…..argh! Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Stephen Harper HAS GOT TO GO….Toews too!

CTV Toronto - Police ride herd as G20 protesters march the streets - CTV News

The Goldilocks effect

So what has been happening in Halicentral? It has been pretty quiet on the activist front at least from what I can see. There have been some structured events but no real taking it to the streets or radical action. Groups out there seemed to be quietly plugging away at their own individual anti-poverty and or oppression mandates none really overlapping or intersecting with each other.

We seem so content with the status quo and yet there is a lot of stuff to address, like we need a new tenancy act, one that does not favour landlords, we need more social and public housing that is affordable and accessible. The department of community services is planning to revamp their system again, we haven't got a clue what they are planning but if their recent behaviour is any indication then I do not believe it will be good. This whole focus on the worker, the shift to the American model, time limits, harder to qualify, harder for those who are not ready or able to work or train at this time. Benefit levels not enough leaving those in need struggling for essentials,community agencies and group struggling to meet the ever growing need ....yikes! (I know there are groups and people plugging away out there at that stuff)

It feels like a certain malaise has settled upon us, maybe it is just me...I have been searching for a group that is connected across the province doing anti-poverty work and really I have come up lacking. The groups I have come across are either too focused on one population or too academic or too radical or not radical enough...damn I sound like goldilocks maybe there isn't a just right. I want to do political action, look at poverty critically but not remove it from the individual, have solid discussions that include a variety of points of view respectfully and have a little fun in the process....is that possible? Is it out there?

Lowly but highly skilled anti-poverty activist seeks anti-poverty activist group willing to work hard all that is asked in returned is solidarity, inclusion and respect..... email me, I am serious

so are we done?

Well thanks to money troubles and activist burnout HCAP no longer has an office....are we done yet? Are people still interested in doing the type of anti-poverty organizing, advocacy and direct action we were doing in the past? or is something different needed...............something more creative?....less radical? more radical? more grassroots? political? I am still available to take on individual cases and will wrap up what is left...............but really what is next?