The band: The Spice Girls

The label: Virgin


Spice Girls - Wannabe by starboymcfly

Demanding action: Group of concerned residents say, "Try this! Right stat now!"

Power Blog, Andre Fleites

by Bram Reichbaum

A letter of demands is being pointedly and precociously circulated throughout Pittsburgh in reaction to the Zimmerman acquittal, viewed by many as a fresh and chilling demonstration of racial inequality. Such comprehensive disparities have long been roiling on the City's front-burner.

Let's take a gander at this fresh playbook. What could go wrong?

1. We demand an official public step forward against injustice denouncing:

• the now state-sanctioned murder of Trayvon Martin,
• the initial lack of response by the police,
• the inequitably enforced laws and judicial system that allowed George Zimmerman to be found NOT GUILTY of all charges.

That's a proclamation. One with which I do not have much of an objection. It may be problematic for public officials to solemnly declare that a citizen who has been acquitted by our system is a "murderer," but language is a wonderful thing.

2. We demand the City of Pittsburgh to denounce Pennsylvania’s version of the Stand Your Ground law.

The Castle Doctrine? That's another proclamation, and another one that seems fine. There is already a right to self-defense. It's dangerous to have additional extraneous laws floating around suggesting to random non-legal scholars that it's increasingly okay to shoot people when they bother you.

3. We demand the Pittsburgh legal system begin in-depth investigation of its own verdicts and systemic criminalization, abduction, abuse and murder of Black people, demonstrated by countless cases of injustice including Jordan Miles, Avis Lee and Terrell Johnson.

This one may be the most problematic of the fourteen. Government attorneys naturally and understandably recoil from admitting institutional fault, and from publicly investigating the possibility of fault without overwhelming necessity for doing so. And government leaders are very prone to heed the strenuous counsel of their attorneys.

Grimes, Iowa

There is also a manpower concern. Who would be suitable to work on this (the District Attorney's office?) and what tasks would these specially skilled individuals be dropping in favor of this project?

Problematic though it may be, it's still a good idea. Surely someone could wrangle a Blue Ribbon Commission of some sort. I would be curious to see how it proceeds - and unlike these proclamations, it would focus and educate the public mind over time.

4. We demand continuous commitment to allocating the resources necessary to support the self-determination of Black communities particularly insuring the safety and freedom of movement for all residents.

This one I understand least upon reading it. But if we're talking about doling out the City's standard allotment of economic development petty cash to support self-determination, that sounds a bit in line with the community-based grassroots small-business incubating bottom-up flip-the-paradigm damn-the-torpedoes redevelopment policies promised at length by candidate Peduto.

"Safety and freedom of movement," within the context of resources, sounds a bit like complete streets or public transportation? Or possibly policing guidelines? We shall have to learn more, but at any rate, no red flags here. We like self-determination and freedom.

5.  We demand continuous commitment to allocating the resources necessary to support Black communities’ self-determination in regards to property and land use, including but not limited to vacant properties and abandoned school buildings. We demand the halt to any development in historically Black neighborhoods that does not include community consensus or benefit as determined by the Black and senior residents themselves. We demand the financial and technical support necessary for community-directed development.

See my reaction to #4.

It bears acknowledging that many in the audience will now be sighing, "Resources, resources! They want money, money, money. It's a shakedown, they want a nanny, cradle-to-grave."

What may not be as widely understood, is that there already is ample provision in law and funding from state and federal government to provide resources flexibly to poor communities. Community Development Block Grants (CDBG funds) are only the single clearest example, as these are issued according to how many poverty-stricken census tracts exist in an area. The only policy difference is, these protesters are proposing that we use these funds as actually intended - gasp! - and with greater innovation and sensitivity.

6. We demand all development in Black neighborhoods directly benefit that community and be decided upon with meaningful neighborhood consent, participation and leadership.

Charles LeClair, US Presswire

Would this Larimer redevelopment plan qualify or not? Probably not to these particular protesters' standards of participation and leadership - but I suppose there is time for debate.

Again, this proposal strikes a similar chord to that which elected the City's next leader. Moving forward on this should be non-problematic, though forging that community consent in ways that satisfy most everyone's appetites for jobs and development will be an ongoing challenge / opportunity.

7.  We demand the City of Pittsburgh actively support the creation of Black economic initiatives through policy, funding and other resources.

Is this in other words ensuring these issues become a structurally ongoing priority? As in starting, funding and appropriately utilizing a new Office of Urban Affairs? This too we have already been assured is on the way.

Another demand to file under "non-problematic" (this is getting routine).

8.  We demand the elimination of food deserts within the City of Pittsburgh and access to fresh and healthy food for all

A specific and appropriate policy goal. I don't remember if it was Ruth Ann Daily or Heather Heidelbaugh, but one of those conservative pundits said during a round table years ago about grocery stores in poor communities, "This is what government subsidies should actually be for." We are not a geographically large City and the costs of helping to underwrite grocer needs, relative to many other things, is not "nominal" but it's acceptable.

Besides which there are models like community gardens and farmers' markets, which are all the rage. Now that they've gotten specific in their demands, they could have chosen worse than "Make it easy on families to eat good."

9. We demand a coalition of medical and wellness professionals, provider organizations, agencies and community activists to address the extreme disparities in the physical well-being of Black people as compared to whites in Pittsburgh which is demonstrated in part by the current Black infant mortality rate and the abysmal life expectancy of Black women.

That sounds ambitious, but we have enough academics and non-profits in the region who probably would love to work on this, were it organized and funded. It's a longer-term goal, but with continued advocacy I can see this easily taking care of itself. Perhaps I should hasten to note that if medical and wellness professionals are organized and present in a Black community, they probably won't kick White people out the door.

10. We demand Pittsburgh institutions attend organizational anti-racist training, conduct an examination of white supremacist tendencies and demonstrate equitable internal and external dynamics and distribution of power.

11. We demand all employees of government and service institutions attend anti-racist training and are held accountable for demonstrations of white privilege and supremacy.

Let me tell you, a lot of people do not like hearing or seeing the words "white privilege" or "white supremacy," to the point of lashing back or switching off. I'm not sure why. Clearly in this country, white persons enjoy more routine social privilege and are culturally and socially supreme, and at least a part of that is due to self-reinforcing cycles.

Rick Stewart, Getty Images

I am skeptical that "anti-racist training" is very effective, or that it can be conducted with motivated and properly educated professionalism on a large scale. But on the flip side, I honestly don't mind throwing the words "white privilege" and "white supremacy" in front of public representatives, making them engage with it, encouraging them to argue about it, and having somebody present who is accustomed to fielding the emotional objections and interactively illustrating what is meant by it. It's not about making white people feel bad or guilty, it's about coaxing them into examining their own routine experiences versus those of others.

12. We demand culturally-relevant emotional support for Black communities in response to trauma.

To me this emphasizes, "the things going on in our communities, they can be traumatic. And given our other problems, trauma is dangerous." Putting some thought into how to address traumatized groups of residents seems fine and of minimal expense.

13. We demand the City of Pittsburgh create a Human Rights Bill as an active demonstration of the inalienable right for all to be, the immeasurable value of the lives, bodies and minds of all oppressed people and a commitment to true physical and emotional justice for oppressed people within the City of Pittsburgh.

Sounds like an ambitious and worthy project, though not one that is conceptually far-along yet. Rather than yet another quick-and-dirty proclamation, I wonder if the City could even pass a Human Rights Bill guaranteeing actionable rights and meaningful despite State and Federal law. This one seems a bit like a dream, but determined dreamers interested in framing such a bill can surely do so, as City leaders periodically meet with them to provide an awareness of prevailing senses of practicality, and to get inspired themselves.

14. Finally, we demand the City of Pittsburgh hold the tragic death of Trayvon Martin as a wake up call to the culture of white supremacy that produces, protects and inflicts emotional, institutional, legal, economic violence on Black lives and bodies.

In progress.

They make a bonus demand:

We demand Pittsburgh renounce “America’s Most Livable City” title until these demands are met.

Smashing!!!

Pittsburgh has so much going for it nowadays, we can do without one particular and dusty marketing slogan - one which rings increasingly dissonant internally (by which I mean, within the City, as well as in the mouth). City salespeople can dream up a fresher, more strategically advantageous bumper sticker - and meanwhile the City can make a momentous, unusual statement acknowledging challenges. I think a lot of people would be surprised by it and appreciate it. Spun correctly, we might even get another round of good press - as we remind everyone how Livable others find us, and demonstrate just how earnest and thoughtful we are these days.

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In short, this is impressive work for residents gathered in the middle of a street and at a slumber party in City Hall.

Besides, why not confront the City's single biggest, toughest challenge head-on with proportionate intentionality and concentration?

This Pittsburgher has yet to see a better blueprint for making civic headway, so until further notice, let's all just work off of this. The recently initiated Pittsburgh Black Political Convention also just provided some great material in its Agenda. Ideally the two should merge at some point, but we recommend working that which is unique to the PBPC agenda into this new outline, because we're rude that way.

I am not Trayvon Martin

MiketheFanboy (Bram)

by Helen Gerhardt

When I sat in the street next to a black friend protesting the death of Trayvon Martin, I knew there was little I could say or to do that could fix even a fraction of what she faced every day.

I knew that my friend's rage and grief were justified. I knew that my action or inaction there at Freedom Corner would make almost no difference to changing the course of the flood of racism, exploitation and violence that have wrecked the lives of so many men and women and children for centuries in this country. I knew and respected several of the older black men and women who urged the women to stop blocking traffic, understood their arguments for more pragmatic planning for more effective mass action. I knew that I really didn't want to get arrested. I knew I would be really relieved if my friend got up.

I knew mostly that I wanted to stay by my friend's side.

I think most "-isms" are based in not knowing the people we attach them to. My friend was much younger than me, but many times over many months she'd been my leader in maturity, self-respecting kindness, hard work, humor, thoughtful courage.

I'm not Trayvon Martin. And I'm not my friend who decided to sit in the street. I haven't been condemned to horribly unfair struggle for life because of the color of my body. But because I know my friend, my own white body wanted to stay sitting down next to hers.

For other blog posts on this subject, click on the links below.

The Pittsburgh Paradox: OTOH, Some Great News

by Vannevar Bush

I've recently written about my personal Pittsburgh paradox: namely, what I love most about Pittsburgh is Burgh Culture, but the two things that chafe at me about Pittsburgh are also culturally determined.

My two major disappointments with Pittsburgh are the acceptance of police violence (and police entitlement) and the acceptance of bicycle violence.

Police violence is generally against black citizens and if you want a specific model you wouldn't have to look any further than Jordan Miles. Police entitlement is demonstrated by the sense that we're here to submit to the police, rather than the police are here to serve and protect the citizens.

The great majority of Pittsburgh Police are good, virtuous, brave, honorable public servants who are besmirched by the bad apples among them. Just like a lot of populations, the police don't willingly give up any of their own, and they suffer for it. That's a universal.

This last week saw multiple examples of tremendous progress, both in terms of advocacy, organisational intelligence and leadership. I refer to

• the reassignment of Jonathan Gromek,
• the withdrawal of charges against teacher Dennis Henderson,
• the assignment of Commander Rashall Bracknay to the Trayvon Martin protests, and
• Bracknay's advance work and handling of the situation.

It's so good to see that much good news, and my compliments to all involved - especially the folks behind the scenes, who carried the bulk of the load and remain unnamed.

Wednesday: The Glide

MHGA

by Bram Reicbhaum

In the race for City Council District 7, Deb Gross has a growing posse including Chelsa Wagner & featuring Bill Peduto, and the Ceoffe camp et al is well-organized for Tony Ceoffe Jr.'s second run.

(And a belated welcome to the 'burghosphere to Citizen Yinz!)

In Salt Lake City, not only did they make public transit plans for 30 years out, but voters approved an increase in the sales tax to hasten it forward 15 years. Now it's ludicrously fantastic. Wonder what if anything else is making the difference, making transit investments palatable out there in conservative Utah.

The Allegheny Institute is on board with fracking the airport in order to help one day make it a big-boy Airport again.

We have a Democratic party candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania who came out if favor of fully legalizing marijuana by 2017. Just in time soar past Pittsburgh's debt cliff and take off from under state financial oversight!

Post-Zimmerman Acquittal: While being "radical", work the system.

by Bram Reichbaum

There is a lot of organizing and discourse going on out there. We lead off this Monday with a quick refresher on why it is still quite worthwhile to register to vote and to support Democratic majorities in the halls of power until further notice.


Congresswoman Barbara Jordan 1976 pt. 2 (h/t Councilwoman Rudiak)

Some of you will need more convincing, so watch pt 1.

I'm just saying.

Bill Vidonic at the Tribune-Review gamely covers yesterday's major local airings of grievances about the criminal justice system in the wake of the Trayvon Martin verdict. Now is as good a time as any to report that Trib Total Media now also is accepting comments via Facebook Connect. Welcome to the conversation!

Lexi Belfucine at The Post-Gazette writes a fine article, and there is a nifty as always video by Nate Guidry, but so far One of America's Finest has opted against hosting Internet comments on this spicy occasion. Oh well. More opportunities for R-Scai & B-Rei.

'Burgh blog Diary of a First time Mom published an open letter to Trayvon Martin's mother.

Other coverage is out there. You know how to find information and views. Recommend something.

Whereas Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Commander RaShall Brackney did all that is being reported and more, with patience, wisdom and discernment, Now therefore be it resolved that Wednesday July 17th is RaShall Brackney Day at the Comet and all throughout Pittsburghtown.

Whereas one speaker at Freedom Corner, holding a baby and minding a toddler, delivered one magnificent soliloquy among many yesterday touching on the issue of "What now?", Now therefore be it resolved that Thursday July 18th is Angry 'Burgh Mother Day at the Comet and all throughout Pittsburghtown.

Some of us Europeans don't discomfort so easy. Not this Hebrew.

OTHER QUICK STATE & LOCAL ITEMS:

A "conservative" wing of the State House led by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-infamous for other reasons) is causing Excedrin headaches for Governor Tom Corbett and Senate Republicans in regards to his unwillingness to raise revenue to maintain vital state assets. (Trib, Brad Bumsted; see also Barry Scoch, P-G)

I wish I had two CMU robot snakes, because that would make me like the Beastmaster. (Trib, Debra Erdley)

Mustaches are the new cupcakes. If they hold exhibitions of mustached Americans eating cupcakes, that's end game. (P-G, Gary Rotstein)

The University of Pittsburgh's Center on Race and Social Problems is organizing, too. (P-G, Mary Neiderberger)