Trader Joe's grocery store doesn't help black people?

Okay, after reading the OregonLive article and the PAALF letter, I can't say I much disagree with the OP's blog. I think the PAALF isn't doing their community any favors. The PDC probably shares some blame for not being more inclusive in its decision-making. But, PAALF is trying to wring a bunch of concessions out of essentially nothing -- their displeasure over a retail strip. In their letter, they're asking for suspension of development under a development fund, an audit, investment in affordable housing (over which they would have some governance), and municipal pressure on a hospital to give away land for free. If they want that much power, they should run for office. Aside from that, the letter implies PAALF's role as some legitimate representation of the community will, and then essentially accuses the mayor and the PDC of racism and oppression. You know nothing gets a dialogue going like the race card.

I'm not surprised at all that Trader Joe's would decide that the environment they'd be stepping into isn't worth the trouble of dealing with these people. Trader Joe's, come to Third Ward. My neighbors have all been pining for an upscale grocery store because they're sick of driving all the way to Kirby to go to Whole Foods. Surprised? Don't be -- everybody keeps talking about how they want a Whole Foods (which I doubt will happen). And, I know from experience that no one in Third Ward is organized enough to cause PR troubles over a little real estate development.

And maybe it's my confirmation bias (since I live in 3rd ward), but I don't believe the gentrification argument. Renters get displaced by higher rents, but renters move all the time anyway. Homeowners carry a higher real estate tax burden, but there's often exceptions in to soften the blow, and they benefit on the other side of the ledger from higher home valuations. And, studies suggest the economic and quality of life benefits outweigh the costs anyway (see this article for example: http://www.npr.org/2014/01/22/264528139/long-a-dirty-word-gentrification-may-be-losing-its-stigma) and displacement isn't as dire as you might think. I also find the whole gentrification argument inherently racist. I've lived in 3rd ward for over a decade now. Everyone on my street aside from me are renters (or vacant houses). Which one is really part of the community here? What about all those black people who want a Whole Foods in the neighborhood? Are they traitors to their fellow blacks because they have money enough to have nice things?

 

Spike Lee doesn't like gentrification.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/26/us/new-york-spike-lee-gentrification/

 

Yeah, fairly misguided and fundamentally damaging to urban blacks; but he's made a lot of white actors rich so he must not hate them that much.