So-called "conspiracy" in North Minneapolis

This article, written by a city councilman, appeared in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. My commentary is inserted in blue.

We need a conspiracy to create Black prosperity in North Mpls
by Don Samuels
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 3/20/2008

The foreclosure crisis has cut deep into the developing economic muscle of North Minneapolis. This latest assault seems to justify the conspiracy theory you have probably heard:

The ravaging of our community is being allowed so that prices will become depressed, properties neglected and chaos intolerably pervasive. The government and investors will then come through, bulldoze the whole thing and build new high-priced homes for the wealthy and the White, five minutes from downtown.

(I have never before heard this conspiracy theory. Furthermore, I search Google under "conspiracy" and "north Minneapolis," and the only mentions of such a conspiracy I turn up happens to be THIS ARTICLE. So who is supposedly promulgating the theory? In my observation, it appears the author of the article is the only one promulgating the theory)

I propose an alternative, African American conspiracy theory. It goes something like this:

The Black working-, middle- and upper-middle classes seize the timely opportunity to recreate a new, economically diverse and culturally supportive community. They buy up hundreds of beautiful, spacious and temporarily under-priced houses in North Minneapolis. They return to make it a vibrant African American community, supporting the arts and a thriving Northside economy.

In addition, African American Timberwolves, Twins and Vikings become inspired by the example set by former Vikings Tim Baylor, Oscar Reed and Carl Eller. They build or buy spectacular homes along the river and throughout Jordan, Near North Willard Hay and Harrison. They add their wealth to the community, and kids beam proudly to see them walk by each day [.] My period inserted here.

Black pastors, entrepreneurs, professionals from 3M, Wells Fargo and other corporations return to become our neighbors and our community leaders. They join with those who never left to spur a rise in Black pride and the realignment of Black identity. Together, across class and race, we effectively advocate for living-wage jobs, schools that graduate all our kids, ex-offender rehabilitation, and the upgrading of urban culture.

("Ex-offender rehab?" This vision of urban utopia involves all kinds of ex-offenders, just being productive citizens and blending right in? OK, well, I'd like to see more specifics about THAT aspect of the vision)

Black entrepreneurs, encouraged by the social renewal, open businesses on West Broadway, Glenwood and Plymouth, creating vibrant economic corridors that dwarf the old Rondo in St. Paul and Seventh Street in Minneapolis.

You can hear jazz at the Capri on many weekends and R&B at local clubs every weekend. You can bask in the urban ambience at any of the five plazas planned for Broadway. You may visit Juxtaposition Arts, Northside Arts Collective, Hollywood School of Dance, the Capri, Le Petit Joliet, Lundstrum School for Performing Arts and others, still unknown, in a powerful revival of Black esthetics.

(That should be "aesthetics." But I like most aspects of the vision he is laying out. How realistic it is, that's another question. Right now, so many people see North Minneapolis as a place to ESCAPE FROM. And until the "open air drug markets" are removed, and until the horrifying and chaotic violence which has become the freaking social norm goes away, I don't think this vision is remotely possible.

If the author of this article wants to see such a vision, he should back up three or four steps and talk about the very necessary all-out security crackdown on the violent lawlessness running rampant on the North Side.)

The full spectrum of Black music and programming will emanate from KMOJ at the impeccably restored Delise’s building. And, visitors from all over the country will consider a stroll down West Broadway, Plymouth or Glenwood, essential to the national Black experience.

(During the daytime, perhaps. When I hear "West Broadway" I picture the gigantic liquor store at West Broadway and Lyndale Ave. North, and the rather unsavory crowds that gather on the street corners there)

Barber and beauty shops have upgraded to become state-of-the-art in amenities with crisp, professional service. A winsome “May I help you?” and exemplary customer service are standard fare up and down the avenue. There is a bookstore for African American children and sit-down restaurants offering Southern soul food, African and Caribbean cuisine.

(I have yet to experience this. In my experience, as outlined in an opinion piece I wrote, discussed earlier in this blog, the customer service on the North Side ranges from surly to downright paranoid. In fact, I went to a coffee shop on the North Side and the person behind the counter was actually WEARING A HOODIE. I've never seen that before, in any establishment, anywhere I've ever been. Ever.

And the owner was right there. In fact, the person behind the counter wearing the hoodie was apparently a relative.

However, I was treated with detached courtesy at Taco Bell, and the folks at the ReStore building supply place were super friendly)

Children have lots to do at the refurbished Broadway YMCA, or the whole family can visit the therapeutic YMCA coming to Penn and Plymouth inside the $90 million facility. You might even see them frolicking at the water park through the large picture windows of the $50 million, 24-hour YWCA coming to Broadway and Bryant.

(First I've heard of this, and cheerful news indeed.)

In addition to all of this, several Hispanic, Hmong and Middle Eastern eateries and shops also speckle the community, creating a rich diversity of tastes, sounds and sights.

(I'm surprised to see the characterization of these groups merely "speckling" the North Minneapolis community. When I looked at a house on Penn Avenue North, the nearest decent place to buy groceries was Asian. The gas station was being run by Asians, too. Over near 6th Street, at the home where I just threw down money, the grocery store on the corner is Thai but appears to have a lot of Hmong groceries.

Am I just running into some "speckles?" It is my impression the North Side has a lot more Asian businesses than a few "speckles.")

Some African Americans have already initiated the conspiracy, rehabbing fine homes throughout the neighborhoods and building new ones in places like Heritage Park with excellent views of the cityscape. They can now drive five minutes to downtown jobs and entertainment.

(How I wish a city councilman could...gee...maybe put in a plug for mass transit?)

It is time to rebuild our community with the kind of capacity that held us together before the suburban dream inadvertently robbed us of our most successful half. Together again, we have the resources to make a vibrant, diverse and self-sustaining community.

Note: If your home is threatened by foreclosure, act now. Call 311 for advice and referral.

(More useful info in the last line, even if it makes no difference to me. Though I might take issue with some of the stuff in this article, it is hugely informative.

Now here's MY little conspiracy theory. First of all, there is no evidence that (as the author puts it) the "wealthy and the White" want to take over the North Side and build luxury high rises. If that were true, wealthy white people would be snapping up all the low-priced housing as valuable real estate.

But that's not happening. Show me the evidence it is. Houses are not being snapped up as tomorrow's "luxury" property. So the conspiracy theory holds no water. My jury is still out if hard evidence is put in front of me, but I haven't seen it yet.

It seems more likely that if housing is torn down, and high rises go up, the high rises will be like Riverside Plaza--filled with (to put forth the analogous phrase) "the poor and the Black" who will provide an affordable labor force "five minutes from downtown."

Nobody is all excited about that "five minutes from downtown" thing. If the rich wanted a high rise "five minutes from downtown," they'd buy out Riverside Plaza (note how wonderfully close it is to the University, click name for link) and convert it to condos, and give it a much better paint job than what it has left over from the 1970s.

Don Samuels is the Minneapolis Fifth Ward City Council Member. He welcomes reader responses to Don.Samuels@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.