Thread by @Rasheed_Shabazz

‘Real Alamedans’: Nativism, Homeowner Politics and Evolution of Whiteness in Alameda #realistshitineverwrote

Last night I attended the Alameda Citizens Taskforce meeting to discuss forming a PAC to influence the upcoming City Council elections.
Pick your Press Release for background
alamedasun.com/tags/alameda-c…
eastbaytimes.com/2018/06/14/in-…

About 50-60 people packed the offices of REMAX on Santa Clara east of Park St. Most attendees were white, and older. I saw two API women. I represented the colored delegation. More on this later. #alamtg

The stated aims were to create independent expenditure campaign for new Council majority, not beholden to "firefighters union" or "developers".

Blogger Robert Sullwold advanced, promoted, and summarized most of the positions stated at the meeting. alamedamgr.wordpress.com/2018/06/18/rea…

As of last night, there was no slate, no PAC, and no governing board, according to the main speaker, Paul Foreman. "We are the REAL 'Alamedans United," referring to another PAC active in the previous election. #alamtg

On the PAC's operations, Foreman explained, "This is not going to be a democracy." The small governing board would make decisions. "Can't have too many cooks in the kitchen." In his opinion, their focus would be vetting candidates and not take other positions. #alamtg

One attendee wanted the group to take a definitive position on rent control, to head off the perception that the PAC was a "secret group" truly worried about rent control. #alamtg #CostaHawkins #L1M1 #alameda

The group wanted independent councilmembers to make "intelligent decisions for citizens of this community." He cited current Alameda Mayor Trish Spencer as an example of independence. #alamtg

ACT member and former AUSD Trustee Janet Gibson said elections have changed in Alameda over the past decade from "small town politics" to "politicians dominated by outside groups," but she still believed, "Alameda has a chance to beat 'big bucks'" through outreach. #alamtg

On the track record of candidates, Gibson said, "We have so many new people in Alameda. They don't know the history." #alamtg

After her, the woman in the back of the meeting (Margie?) called on the group to address rent control. "The issue of rent control will be used against us." #alamtg

When one resident said, "I want a person who doesn't have further (political) aspirations," the room erupted in applause.

As i mentioned earlier, the room was REALLY white. Besides me, a Filipina woman whose nephew i used to mention, and the bricks and the hardwood floors, it was like a new millennial White Citizens Council up in there. #alamtg

So...

I asked, "How will this majority white group include the perspective of the rest of Alameda, if its intention is for the 'public good' of 'the ENTIRE community."? #alamtg

After a brief fracas with random people answering (all essentially saying Rasheed would need to do their outreach for them), Foreman responded.
"I noticed we have very few dark skin faces" in the room, "Do we need to plant them"? he said, sarcastically. #alamtg

Sorry, so much whiteness make whistle vivaldi. *mentor, not mention. He was active with Filipinos for Affirmative Action, if that means something to y'all. #alamtg #pinoy

Next some guy shared, "I personally turned 300 @MarieLGilmore voters," by taking 3-page document to homes of those with her lawn signs. Gilmore lost last election by less than 200 votes, he noted. #alamtg

He turned his ire towards @RobBonta @jhoddie777, and his greatest vitriol for @Malia_Vella

"If you hear her supporters, she's a saint," he said. "She's a Union Whore!"
Some nodded their heads.
A few looked shocked.
No one said anything.
#alamtg

At this point, I'm a little worried about when the pitchforks and tiki torches would come out next, but ...

i remembered: I'm from Buena Vista.

At any rate ...

The final questions were about transparency. First, one white guy asked if "there's some secret platform" since that woman kept talking about rent control. Then a woman that moved to Alameda 4 years ago asked about transparency. She was told to "put it in an email to us." #alamtg

ACT then distributed index cards and asks for "non-binding pledges" of money. Folks would contribute once slate of candidates was announced by the yet to be formed governing board. The total pledges were $7,000, double what their initial goal was. #alamtg