Immigration is a Moral Barometer

February 16, 2012 in Economics, Homeless, Poverty, Society

Amnesty or deportation is the question for immigration reform. Are people right or wrong when they say illegal immigrants are imposing on our government support systems or contributing to the rise in poverty, homelessness, and unemployment?

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.

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Who Has Our Homeless’ Backs?

January 30, 2012 in Homeless, housing, Politics, Society, South Los Angeles

The homeless in our City of Angels should be on guard. There are no invisible force fields to protect them from harm when many walk past them as a mirage. One can only wonder who has their backs.

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.

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Political Bullying Striking Like A Locomotive

January 23, 2012 in Economics, Politics, Poverty, Society

You never know when the next assault against the middle class or those on fringes is lurking around the corner. The American people are on the playground; and a small group of people in power are using oppressive tactics to wreak misery on the masses.

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.

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Turn Apathy into Action

January 18, 2012 in Society

I am on a mission to encourage people to be less apathetic when it comes to politics. Our economic downturn and California budget crisis is attributed to people’s lack of engagement. We read about politics in the paper and express our comments through casual conversations. We involve ourselves in coffee discussions at coffee houses about politics. Some of us bring political discussions to work because our jobs are somehow associated. At what point do we move past discussion to action?

Here is a good example of apathy in motion. Vacant political seats are often decided before people are elected to them. Career politicians are running unopposed leaving us at a disadvantage of having our interests and needs met. I can speak to this well because I see it almost every election for City Council, California Senate and Assembly, and United States Congress in my area. It is the same people running for office with the platform of giving the constituents promises of change. I know as a constituent I am tired of hearing the same thing over and over again. I want to see and hear new ideas or approaches to handling problems that have long plagued our community.  More so, I want genuine follow through action on the promises.

I know it is hard not to succumb to cynical thoughts when it comes to politics.  You are bombarded by polls and other forms of measurements as it relates to those running for political office or a particular ballot initiative.  However, you can’t hold politicians accountable or be surprised by the outcome of ballot initiatives if you don’t get involved or better yet, show up and cast your vote.    

I refuse to be apathetic. I look into how my politicians perform for my benefit, such as their voting and attendance records. I make it a point to share information with others about important legislative matters and how it affects the community positively or negatively. I engage myself in these activities because I care. Plus, I don’t want to excuse myself from my fundamental right and obligation to impact government.

We need to wake up. Apathy is killing our communities. We’ve got to put a stop to apathy through community mobilization and the power of the vote. We can’t continue to be apathetic to the crisis our Country and great State of California is facing. Our leaders need to hear from us and feel that they are accountable for their actions.

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No Love Lost Over CA Supreme Court Redevelopment Agency Decision

January 12, 2012 in Economics, Education, housing, Poverty, South Los Angeles

Marginalized communities in Los Angeles aren’t concerned or bothered by the recent California Supreme Court decision to dissolve redevelopment agencies. They haven’t reaped the benefits of improving urban decay or spurring economic growth compared to other areas of influence. Like Governor Jerry Brown, there is no love lost over their closing. There is a new wave of support to welcome new money that will help education.

Redevelopment agencies in theory were designed to remove blight. They had power to use eminent domain to seize property, relocate people, designate areas for redevelopment, and select developers for projects to foster urban renewal. Although in theory this was supposed to happen, the reality is that urban renewal happened for some areas of the City of Los Angeles faster than it did for severely impoverished communities. The inequitable allocation of urban investment has left a bitter taste in the mouths of predominantly minority neighborhoods.

The 20 year anniversary of the 1992 Los Angeles Riots is nearing. This period brought great travesty to the City and South Los Angeles who saw buildings burn and people rebel against social and economic injustice. Since 1992, there have been promises to rebuild South Los Angeles and to target areas for business growth and job creation. Those promises have been modest at best or maybe even lip-service to appease community members.

Crenshaw Boulevard has seen growth with the new stores, the renovations of the Baldwin Crenshaw Mall, and new restaurants like Post and Beam and Buffalo Wild Wings. The USC area has had a total makeover because of its proximity to downtown. These areas because of their political influence and middle class residents have been able to wrangle in businesses and housing developments to position them for more growth in the future.

However, the most blighted communities are still struggling due to the remnants of the 1992 uprising and have been fighting for a piece of the redevelopment pie for years to rid themselves of high concentrations of liquor stores, smoke shops, or problem businesses that prohibit economic progress. No one is talking about how to get these areas booming besides telling the locals that the lots are too small or businesses are scared because it is not safe. One can understand why the loss of redevelopment agencies isn’t causing an uproar.

The light at the end of the tunnel is the opportunity to concentrate on ensuring that money gets into the State’s education pot. Solving the education crisis in California and in South Los Angeles is top priority. Schools are striving to meet high academic achievement objectives and need the resources to meet those goals. A repositioning of the $1.7 billion revenue due to the elimination of redevelopment agencies seems like a catalyst to refocus priorities to save our educational system.

A redevelopment agency isn’t the be-all end all of urban revival. Public-private partnerships can exist to reduce or eliminate urban decay, such as, new market tax credits, Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFI), and a host of private sector or philanthropic agencies. Moving these from “think tanks” to “do tanks” is necessary for revitalization efforts.

There have been studies that suggest over $5 billion dollars is spent outside of South Los Angeles in goods and services. That’s a whole lot of money and buying power within. Redevelopment’s departure is not a big loss. It’s a chance for companies, banks, and investors to be true partners in urban renewal in impoverished communities.

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Political Signal for the 59th Assembly Race

December 31, 2011 in Politics, South Los Angeles

The political radar is on in South LA. Eyes are directed toward the candidates who are seeking the vacant California 59th Assembly District seat- Greg Akili, Raul Claros, Daymond Johnson, and Reginald Jones-Sawyer. Residents are sending a message that they are saying bye-bye to ‛politics as usual’.

This election is going to be quite different than elections in the past. Residents are looking to be strategic with their vote and are empowering themselves through voter education sessions to make smart political decisions.

South LA has seen vacant political seats as give-away placeholders for any candidate who saw the area as an opportunity to move in and launch a political career. Candidates take up residency, develop a few relationships, seek key endorsements, and take a few pictures with prominent leaders to advertise in their solicitations.

The old political establishment for entry into office is gone. There is a paradigm shift to support candidates who truly represent and reflect the values of the community. “We have to vote for a candidate who speaks to our issues and addresses our concerns. We can’t vote for people who appear to have the best or most endorsements. We must vote for the one with character; and select a leader our community can be proud of,” Najee Ali of Project Islamic Hope points out.

Residents are looking for a candidate who can fight for them in Sacramento from the community’s perspective to stop cuts to education, housing, and senior services. “The 59th District has enormous needs and challenges such as a serious lack in quality jobs, health services and funding for our schools. The State Assembly plays a major role in these areas. It is vital that voters choose a candidate that has a demonstrated history with working with residents and other stakeholders to create solutions,” says Koyaki Kwa Jitahidi of MA’AT Institute for Community Change.

Like Jitihadi, residents think the same. Micheline Wilcoxen, a resident in the 59th District, shares “a representative of the 59th District should have an in-depth understanding of the unique challenges that are faced by its residents.”

The next person for the 59th District will likely possess the qualities of Congresswoman Karen Bass, the former Assembly Speaker who succeeded in winning the 47th Assembly District without support from prominent leaders in 2004. South LA residents are looking for a representative who has labored in the area, engaged in grassroots organizing, and fostered open public dialogue with them.

Jitahidi conveys, “We need a fighter who will demand resources and justice for the people, not another career politician type only concerned with their paycheck. That is the only way South LA residents will get the things they want and deserve from the State.”

The political shift has occurred and the signal is clear. South LA residents are looking to support a candidate from within.

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CalFresh: Inaccurately Labeled A Welfare Dependency Program

December 14, 2011 in Economics, Homeless, housing, Society

Promotions of the CalFresh program are causing debates over its tie to welfare dependency. Some are arguing that this program prohibits an individual’s or family’s ability to achieve self-sufficiency and is a band aid to promote unemployment. Despite what anyone thinks about the CalFresh program, its value is in giving households health and financial leverage.

CalFresh is not a highly subscribed program. Only 1 and 10 people in California receive the food benefit and about 50% of eligible people actually participate. According to reports, stigma, former eligibility restrictions, and office hour accessibility are the reasons for low enrollment.

CalFresh is not welfare as we know it. It is a gateway to health prosperity. The program gives struggling households healthier food options and improves health outcomes. Although there are pantries or food banks, the availability of fresh options are not always prevalent.

In communities of color, food pantry options are not nutrition rich. There isn’t an adequate supply of fresh fruits and vegetables or perishable goods for a healthy diet. Most of the food items are high in starches or sodium like canned goods, bread, rice, and pasta. In abundance, these contribute to diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.

CalFresh offers better food choices by giving people the ability to purchase quality food. This can be the difference between purchasing a sugar filled cereal or Cheerios. And, the starving student or family won’t have to settle for Top Ramen as a three course meal because they have a greater selection.

People are struggling to make ends meet. Sometimes, food is first on the list for skimping. CalFresh is a great household leverage. People have more money available to spend on others things to sustain themselves, such as housing, transportation, school, and utility expenses. This by itself is a springboard to achieve self-sufficiency at a faster rate than dealing with food insecurity. Without federal programs like CalFresh, research shows that hungry people perform poorly at work and school and increase healthcare and public safety costs.

The myth that CalFresh is a dependency program is inaccurate. Stigmatizing and shaming people for their life situations are heartless cowardly acts. Admittedly, there is fraud and abuse. However, this is relatively small and doesn’t speak to the overall benefits of CalFresh for people who need it or for the economy that is stimulated by it.

With 1.7 people at risk of hunger in Los Angeles, CalFresh is the saving grace for people on the verge of homelessness or catalyst to economic survival.

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Lynching of the Middle Class and Poor

December 7, 2011 in Economics, Politics, Poverty, Society

The stalemate in Congress and the dictation of uncompromising ideologies is hurting the middle class and the poor. Depending on the party and the politician, the game of economic warfare has reached a new epitome of cruelty.

Facebook had an interesting posting that read:

“Over the last 3 years, I have witnessed the return of lynchings-this time not by men in white sheets but men and women in suits-Congressional lynching. These lynchings are being orchestrated under the guise [of] reducing the [deficit] and less taxes, [when] in reality we are talking about economic discrimination. It’s time for the American people to put an end to the Republican Congress and its Congressional lynchings of the under and middle class American. What’s wrong with affordable health care, less taxes for the under and middle class and jobs.”

Posts like these are pointing out the discontent that Americans have with politicians in the Senate and House. More so, it points out feelings behind the income disparities that are prevalent and challenges the moral character of our nation.

Where is the political expediency or core conviction to help those who are struggling most in this economy? There is none because there is an unfathomable pledge not to raise taxes and political posturing.

Before Congress is the extension of the payroll tax cut that is set to expire at the end of this month. More than 160,000,000 Americans will lose out on pocketing $1,000 to $1,500 each year. The debate over the payroll tax is not so much about what is good for the economy or to build consumer confidence – it is about not increasing the payroll tax for people making over $1 million dollars. On face value, the motives to protect the wealthy are narcissistic and throw people on the fringes under the bus.

Middle class and poor Americans are being asked to take on a larger burden of building the economy than the rich. The politics of today is pushing for tax breaks for the top and no government intervention in the markets to bring balance. Who can embrace an inequitable America in the 21st Century when the middle class and poor pay and suffer more?

The political granding and stalling is hurting millions of Americans. There are over 50 million people without health insurance and even more not accessing healthcare services due to the weak job market. Finding affordable coverage is a needle in a haystack when you are trying to sustain your daily living. It costs more not to insure people than it is to insure them because hospitals and other healthcare outlets inflate their rates to cover expenses of the uninsured anyway.

Poverty has reached its peak. About 46.2 million Americans are living in poverty. This signifies a shift from those who were once part of the middle class to the under class since 60% of household saw their income dip last year alone. Looking deeper, income has gone to the top.

The lynching of the middle class and the poor is not about class warfare. It is about equity and fair contribution to fix the American economy. If the political status quo continues in Congress, who is next on the lynching table?

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Organizers Empower South LA Residents To Increase Civic Participation

December 4, 2011 in Politics, Society, South Los Angeles

Last week, South Los Angeles residents gathered for an intimate community dialogue about politics and South LA. Councilman Bernard Parks’ Chief of Staff, Bernard Parks Jr. and Central Area Deputy, Kenn Webb; and Greg Akili who is running for the 59th Assembly District attended and participated in the discussion.

This informational session was geared toward giving people knowledge of what is happening in the political arena and how communities of color may be impacted by population shifts, redistricting, and political focus.

Unlike many community forums where people come for information and then leave with material in hand, this meeting of the community focused on empowering people to learn the political landscape.

“The purpose of this dialogue is to educate residents in our community about coming changes in their political representatives, as well as laws that impact the quality of life of us all. However, the greater mission of our effort is to inspire our people to take back control of our neighborhoods,” said Koyaki Kwa Jitahidi of MA’AT Institute for Community Change, one of the organizers.

This forum is the beginning of such forums to be held before important 2012 and 2013 elections. Each will be informational and educational sessions to ignite and engage civic participation. The organizers have three goals: increase voter turnout, create better informed voters, and hold political representative accountable.

Jitahidi pointed out, “2012 will be full of elections and candidates making promises to get our vote. We can no longer sit by and accept the fact that only 10% generally shows up to vote for candidates we don’t know. We can no longer accept that candidates in areas like South LA receive over 90% of their campaign funding from outside interests.”

More mobilization efforts are underway. The organizers plan to have other candidate and legislative forums to keep the community engaged.

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AB 109 “Smart on Crime” May Not Be Community Aligned

November 27, 2011 in Economics, Poverty, Society

California is making the transition to become smart on crime. AB 109 that took effect in October of this year shifts the responsibility for newly convicted offenders who are deemed to be non-violent, non-serious, and non-sex offenders from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to local counties. Offenders can be placed in county jail or on probation instead of detention at a State Correctional facility.

This new “smart on crime” approach is intended to create innovative and effective responses to prison overcrowding and to decrease recidivism. Additionally, it falls in line with the Supreme Court Brown v. Plata decision that ordered the state to remedy the safety and health conditions caused by overcrowding.

Although AB 109 is good on paper and is poised to impact sentencing and prison reform, local communities are not yet aligned and are reassessing public safety on the ground level.

The biggest for communities is capacity. Some local communities are questioning the capacity of counties, like Los Angeles County, Sheriffs, and Probation to carry out this new measure. The state is allotting $112 million to Los Angeles County the first year for an estimated 9,000 inmates, but no commitments have been made for the future. These inmates represent a new load – an addition to the existing load in county jails or probation.

It’s hard to swallow that there will be reduced recidivism and better rehabilitation when the County Sheriffs is under scrutiny for poor management and abuse and the Department of Probations, under-staffed due to budget cuts. Respectively, most of the $112 million is going toward staffing than it is for community-based programs that are supposed to be partners in realignment.

Local communities can only speculate that there may be limited capacity to truly supervise those who are sentenced to probation; and a significant amount may not be seen by a probation officer resulting in a risk to the public.

Communication is lacking at best about who is likely to be considered for probation or for jail-time; and what notifications are required. It seems that this is a judgment call for whoever is designated the decision-maker. Moreover, there is a black-whole of information about supervision standards for those in alternative custody or home detention.

The timing for AB 109 is not aligned with the stars. With local communities worried about over concentration and the lack of resources to ensure public safety, it is hard to envision where the community stands with this criminal justice realignment. High unemployment and limited social services are limited for the necessary amount of community resource planning. For the City of Los Angeles, the Community Care Facilities Ordinance is more than likely to derail siting of halfway houses or other similar custody programs in low density areas or shut down existing ones causing some offenders to violate and others not be released.

The success of AB 109 truly hinges on partnerships and dialogue with the local community to make reentry of offenders and the formerly incarcerated a success. The community can only be aligned when information is transparent; and the community understands their role in realignment efforts.

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