Check out Max Rameau's book Take Back The Land (he is on the right in the photo) and watch the 2 great videos. In the second video, taken by the Miami Herald, you can see some mean police officers. Check out our file with 8 posts on Umoja Village. This is from the press release:"On October 23, 2006, in response to one of the most severe epidemics of gentrification and low income housing in the United States, a small group of activists, members of Take Back The Land, seized control over public land, created the self-governed shantytown of Umoja Village, and started a movement.
Take Back the Land: Land Gentrification and the Umoja Village, the new book by Umoja Village organizer Max Rameau, is part political theory and part narrative, documenting the planning, development, struggles and triumphs endured by Take Back The Land activists and Umoja Village residents, and tackles the larger fundamental issues of land and power distribution in black communities.
In the wake of public housing vacancies, corrupt government officials and flawed federal programs, a community found the courage to fight back, offering a model for fighting against gentrification and for land."
6 comments:
Very powerful video. Thanks for making us aware of it
Do you believe in KARMA? The ordinance to eliminate the Umoja Village was prepared by city attorney, Fernandez, recently fired by the City of Miami for misconduct. Who will be next?
The Book is probably just as powerful first Anon!
Max Rameau has some nerve. After illegally organizing homeless crack addicts to take over public land he later gets mad when the City refuses to give him the land. When asked he if he had any experience developing multi-million dollar projects he sheepishly admitted his only experience was owning 50% of a $70,000 Liberty City home.
I did not "sheepishly" admit to anything. After visiting the land and initially voting FOR the deal, at the hearing for the second reading, Commissioner Sarnoff expressed his fake indignation.
He looked down on me and asked do I know what it is like to own property. I was confused by the question, but answered yes. Sarnoff, who obviously was told that Black people were not allowed to own property in Miami, asked again and I told him, in no sheepish terms that I did own- a proud 50%- a home. Sarnoff stuttered, shuffled through some papers and moved on to another set of questions.
I stated openly to Sarnoff that night and will do so again: I do not have- and do not want to have- any development experience at all, multi-million or otherwise. That is exactly why we partnered with NANA and Carrfour, both of whom have development experience. Carrfour is the largest supportive housing developer in the state of Florida, but that does not forward your agenda, so I am sure you will continue to ignore that fact.
I do have some nerve and am very proud of helping, along with others, organize a segment of the Black community that people like you look down on. I love them and look forward to the next series of takeovers (which are previewed in the book!).
Max -- don't get offended -- that had to be Ron Book...
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