Black History and the Emancipation of the Black Arts Movement Business District

 

We are joyful the Oakland City Council has declared the Black Arts Movement Business District along the 14th Street corridor, but just as African people were freed from the American Slave System in 1863, the declaration of the BAMBD is so far a hollow exercise. We need land placed in a trust for the people and their heirs so BAMBD space and properties are secure now and into the future, not subject to gentrification and developers as has happened in cultural and economic districts from the Bay Area to Harlem, New York. Although the Race and Equity Committee has declared its intention to stop displacement, people are being displaced as we write, not only in the BAMBD, e.g., The Oakland Post News Group is being forced out, along with the Betti Ono Gallery, with other evictions throughout the downtown area and across the City.

We have called for the display of our National flag throughout the BAMBD, a symbolic gesture but necessary so people can see an immediate sign they have a sacred space in the downtown area, similar to that of Euro-Americans, Korean Americans, Chinese and Latino/Latina Americans. We say the Red, Black and Green should be displayed immediately, especially before banners are decided in a contest that may take some time.

There should be an immediate moratorium on rent hikes and evictions in the BAMBD corridor. Otherwise, there shall be no land or buildings available for the BAMBD. At the present rate of acquisitions by developers, along with the shrinking vacancy rate of City owned properties that should be available to BAMBD, there will be scarce space in the immediate future. Does the business community care about some or all of the citizens? Obviously, those who gentrify our neighborhoods only care about occupying space, much like those who came to usurp the Native Americans. Yes, they came with smiles and forked tongues, but after that first Thanksgiving, it wasn't long before genocide was full blown. Gentrification has been described as genocide, the destruction of a people.

What else can we call the situation we are now facing, displaced and virtual refugees, seeking shelter under freeway overpasses and towns far away in the Central Valley.

Shall we call for five properties and a mule? For sure, upon emancipation, there was land available but we are yet to receive the five acres and a mule! We heard there was discussion in the downtown area that the North American Africans wanted reparations. We're not calling for reparations, but what's wrong with reparations? Do you want 100% of everything? We don't want everything, just equity!

Former San Francisco Mayor Joe Alioto publicly apologized for destroying the economic and cultural vitality of the Fillmore District. No one has apologized for dismantling West Oakland. But we need more than apology. We are in a space emergency not only in the BAMBD but throughout Oakland. In Oakland's "hot" property market, the BAMBD needs equity or the district will be in name only. Like Piranhas, the high tech firms and globalists are devouring potential BAMBD land and properties. Perhaps we need to re-gentrify the BAMBD corridor. This is the reason we're calling for a billion dollar trust fund so we can acquire and secure the necessary land and properties for the BAMBD, even if we must offer property owners deals they can't refuse so we can reclaim the spaces. .

Presently there are few Black owned businesses in the district although at the Oakland Downtown Plan meeting at the Malonga Center, people were directed to the Small Business Department for loans. 

As in other cultural and economic districts such as Chinatown, housing is a critical element. The BAMBD must have housing not only for artists but workers, elderly and the marginalized. Those SRO hotels in the downtown area should be acquired with BAMBD residents given the Life Estate that would end homelessness overnight.

We urge the City to immediately permit members of the BAMBD to vend along the corridor as a sign of entrepreneurship and economic vitality. Again, let the people know something is happening to signal hope in a time of hopelessness and despair among the North American African population. Joblessness and homelessness has caused great mental stress throughout the community. BAMBD can, should and must reverse this feeling of dread. We want our people to be inspired and motivated to secure their fair share of the American dream! 

--Marvin X

2/4/16

BAMBD Planner

Black artists gather at Frank Ogawa/Oscar Grant Plaza in front of Oakland City Hall, prior to City Council vote that established the Black Arts Movement Business District, January 12, 2016.

Front: Khalid Waajid; Amir Aziz, Duane Deterville, Judy Juanita, Eric Arnold, Tureada Mikell, Marvin X, Tarika Lewis, DeMar-con Gipson, Blystk Kmba, Crsna Cox, Jaenal Peterson, Jahaninh Omi Bahari, Janeah Taylor, Yancie Taylor, Tracy Mitchell, Ron Linzie, Dennis X, Wanda Ravernell
photo Adam Turner

Hello all:

I want to appreciate all of the culture keepers for supporting this effort and expanding upon this concept.  I cannot tell you how gratified I am that what I once believed to be a personal idea was actually me tapping into the wellspring of passion and love for this concept that long predates my arrival on the council.  I am humbled.  Spirit is all-knowing and all-wise and I am truly honored to be in a position to help fulfill - or at least facilitate - the fulfillment of this community desire.

While I appreciate everyone's contributions, I want to extend a very special note of thanks to Joyce Gordon (an absolute gem), Duane Deterville (whose cogent presentation helped me see the importance and power of linking this effort to historic and global movements), Paul Cobb (whose deep knowledge of people and place fully expanded my appreciation of the corridor) and Marvin X, who, without doubt, has been the most vocal proponent for the celebration of the Black Arts movement and the claiming of a space to honor the contributions of Black artists.  I also want to thank the business owners Craig, Geoffrey, Oscar, Corey and Veronica and city staff for their insight and support.

This is just the first step.  We have a lot more work to do.  Looking forward to expanding the team and finding ways to fund the vision.

With deep Oakland-love, Lynette


Council President Lynette McElhaney, Marvin X, Duane Deterville; Middle row: Gerry Garzon (Oakland Public Library), Tureeda Mikell, Jaenal Peterson, Aries Jordan, David McKelvey, Eric Murphy (Joyce Gordon Gallery); Back row: Eric Arnold, Kwesi Wilkerson, Charles Johnson, Alicia Parker (Oakland Planning Department), Shomari Carter (Supervisor Keith Carson's Office). Far right: Elder Paul Cobb, Publisher, Oakland Post News Group.