Skip to main content

A lawsuit from Oregon highlights the deterioration of Black neighborhoods.

Bobby Fouther grew up in a house that is now a parking lot. The two-story, shingle-sided house was demolished in the 1970s along with many other homes in Portland, Oregon's predominately Black neighborhood.

A lawsuit from Oregon highlights the deterioration of Black neighborhoods.

Growing up there was all about love, according to Fouther.

Fouther and his sister, Elizabeth Fouther-Branch, are among 26 Black people who either lived in the neighborhood or are descended from former residents. They are suing Legacy Emanuel Hospital, the city of Portland, and the city's economic and urban development agency, accusing them of razing the homes and forcibly displacing the residents in a "racist" manner.

The case, which was filed on Thursday in federal court in Portland, sheds light on how national highway development and urban improvement initiatives frequently come at the expense of communities that aren't predominately white.

In many instances, Black neighborhoods were purposefully built through by city and state planners in an effort to eliminate so-called slums and blighted regions, according to a 2020 analysis by the Pennsylvania-based charity Pew Charitable Trusts.

Due to legislation that upheld all-white neighborhoods and "redlining," where banks discriminate against applicants for house loans based on race, people who were members of racial minorities were frequently forced to live in those areas.

According to the lawsuit, Fouther and his sister frequently visited a home that Fouther's great-aunt and her husband purchased in the Albina section of Portland in 1934.

.net/YwotbKdP4sVunJGfdhmgww/e8f260a6-84bf-4222-a093-e1ef14e44c00/

However, after purchasing homes and establishing lives in Albina, many were compelled to relocate due to highway construction and so-called urban regeneration.

The construction of Interstate 5 and Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the initial home of the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, partially devastated and split up Albina in the 1950s and 1960s. Then, though, a hospital expansion was declared.

The Portland Development Commission destroyed approximately 188 houses between 1971 and 1973, 158 of which were residential and housed 88 families and 83 individuals. The lawsuit claims that a total of 32 businesses as well as four church or community organizations were destroyed. 74% of the households that were forcibly relocated were Black.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

These 5 Talents Will Give You a Disproportionate Advantage

More than 21 million job advertisements from around the world were evaluated by learning firm and training program supplier Pearson. It discovered five "power abilities" that are currently driving both the global economy and individual careers. The abilities included in Pearson's Skills Outlook are not technical. Instead, the skills that are most in demand are teamwork, leadership, customer focus, and communication. Pearson's predictive AI modeling engine predicts that some of these abilities will still be in demand in 2026. The findings show that teamwork and customer focus will still be in high demand. But other soft skills like self-learning, achievement focus, and cultural and social intelligence are joining them as well. "Swift investment is required, as both businesses and employees need a solid foundation of human capabilities to succeed. Non-technical skills, such as the capacity to learn and cultural and social intelligence, are becoming increasingly cru...

Oil prices have risen again in response to signs of increased fuel demand in the United States.

Oil prices rose slightly on Wednesday as data showed firm fuel demand in the United States, providing some relief after a 5% drop the previous day on fears of demand being harmed by increased China COVID-19 curbs and central bank interest rate hikes. A slightly weaker US dollar also supported the market, making oil cheaper for buyers holding other currencies. WTI crude CLc1 futures in the United States rose 90 cents, or 1%, to $92.54 per barrel at 0306 GMT, after falling $5.37 the previous session due to recession fears. Brent crude LCOc1 futures for October, which expire on Wednesday, rose 70 cents, or 0.7%, to $100.01 a barrel, reversing a $5.78 loss on Tuesday. LCOc2, the more active November contract, was up 96 cents, or 1%, at $98.80 per barrel Since the Ukraine conflict began six months ago, price swings have rattled hedge funds and speculators and thinned trading, causing the market to whipsaw even more, as seen on Tuesday. "I can't emphasize enough that the lack of liq...

Unlocking Financial Growth, Finance, and Inequality

In this comprehensive article, we explore the intricate relationship between economic growth, finance, and inequality. Our aim is to provide a deep understanding of these interconnected elements, enabling you to navigate the complexities of the global economic landscape. This article will serve as a valuable resource for individuals and businesses seeking insights and strategies to thrive in an ever-evolving financial world. Economic Growth: The Engine of Prosperity Economic growth is the cornerstone of a prosperous society. It represents the increase in a country's overall output of goods and services over time. This growth fuels job creation, boosts living standards, and promotes technological advancements, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for its citizens. Factors Driving Economic Growth Investment in Infrastructure: Adequate infrastructure, such as transportation networks, energy systems, and communication technologies, lays the foundation for sustained economic growth....