Gentrification is a major issue here in Richmond, and rents have risen dramatically over the last decade because of it. There’s a very powerful civic organization in my area that wields a great deal of influence over city council. Some of its principal members are “gay gentrifiers” of the kind you mention.

“Keep in mind, though, that the Nation of Islam is well-regarded in many black communities but is shooed away by many in the middle to upper class black populations. Guess what the NOI preaches and practices? Self reliance.”

That makes sense. The NOI is a genuine radical organization that advocates real self-determination. Persons of any color who want to climb the system’s ladder would naturally disassociate themselves from them. I’ve seen that among white liberals for years who fawn all over the NAACP but are horrified by that “black fascist” NOI.

Thanks for the link to the article. Really good stuff.

“(Blacks have been urban farming for DECADES…but out of necessity and the supermarket redlining, not really for environmental reasons)”

Notice that cultural left causes like environmentalism, feminism, gay rights, transexual rights, animal rights, etc. did not become popular in the West until a certain level of affluence for the middle classes and upper strata working class had been secured. Those kinds of things are a luxury that people struggling for basic survival in terms of food and shelter don’t have time to worry about.

“All the left wants from blacks is votes, money, and labor. Anything like property acquisition is stigmatized as “nationalist.” Whites on the free market left, however, seem to see my point of view, hence why I think an alliance between the free market left and black nationalists is not out-of-question.”

Yes! Economic issues of this type are a perfect way to forge alliance between black nationalists and left-libertarians/left-anarchists. I wish more left-wing anti-statists could understand that.

Brilliant piece on co-ops. That gives me some interesting ideas; particularly the role of “black capitalists.” In Alaska, we have for profit Alaskan Native Corporations (as opposed to a reservation system w/ a tribal government.) An ongoing problem has been getting these corporations to contribute directly to the economic well being of Alaskan Natives. Instead these corporations mostly log, mine and drill and then move on to greener pastures. The idea is for profits to be distributed to share holders (who are exclusively Alaskan Natives.) When this does happen, it’s not steady income, and the promised jobs in rural Alaska (where Alaskan Natives live) pack up and leave as soon as the natural resources have been plundered. The resort is crippling poverty in geographically isolated communities that pay up to a dollar per kilowatt hour for electricity and $10 for a gallon of milk.

The for profit organizational model is a poor one for developing local economic resilience in a community. Perhaps if Alaskan Native Corporations could take the role of the “black capitalists” in this piece then we’d be on to something.

For more go here:

http://tinyurl.com/2a2qf4n

Really? This information could’ve been provided the black neighborhoods in Columbus, OH who were getting gentrified by wealthy gays.

I, more or less, agree with your perspective completely. Keep in mind, though, that the Nation of Islam is well-regarded in many black communities but is shooed away by many in the middle to upper class black populations. Guess what the NOI preaches and practices? Self reliance. If you get a chance, please read this excellent piece by the gentleman who runs Muhammad Farms: http://www.muhammadfarms.com/cooperative_corporation_vs_the_l.htm

I highly doubt you will come across articles like that in cultural left publications unless they’re marveling at Will Allen… (Blacks have been urban farming for DECADES…but out of necessity and the supermarket redlining, not really for environmental reasons)

All the left wants from blacks is votes, money, and labor. Anything like property acquisition is stigmatized as “nationalist.” Whites on the free market left, however, seem to see my point of view, hence why I think an alliance between the free market left and black nationalists is not out-of-question.