General Observation and FDR Economic Bill of Rights

Recently I have taken noticed of a change in the diversity of some of our neighborhoods here in the City of Ft. Worth TX. Now normally when I would say this people would think I am being negative and despairing on how blacks or Hispanic or moving into traditional white neighborhoods, but far from it. In fact it is the other away around.

Historically certain parts of East and central FW and were primarily black as certain parts were historically Hispanic in North FW. But times are a changing for these areas usually were economically depressed meaning cheaper homes for rent but the new economic reality of today whites usually found in the suburbs are moving into these areas as their economic fortunes have changed.

Now the working class whites who lived in the suburbs are moving into these areas as they loose their homes or job changes that have them making less money forcing them to look for cheaper housing. Hence the white infiltration of black and Hispanic neighborhoods. What is disturbing to me about this is the method of forced diversity of these neighborhoods. Forced by economic realities.

I have always been offended by the ideal of I could not live in certain neighborhoods because of my skin coloration. Particularly since my maternal grandmother and mother were native American or Indian. Because of their skin coloration they were discriminated against. Now if you are one of those millions who proudly point out their Indian heritage of 1/16th well I am happy for you. But for the bulk of the Indians who live in states with a reservations often find their selves discriminated against much as the deep south was at one time. By the way my birth certificate says Father white and mother Indian. Which just shows you what Docs know. My father was registered with the Cherokee Nation and my mother was never registered with the Choctaw Nations her grandfather did not trust the BIA.

The only reason I mention my heritage is show I understand discrimination and white flight back into the "hoods" has nothing to do with prejudice on my part but merely noting the economic changes and the lack of affordable housing. This is what is forcing people back into economically depressed neighborhoods, the lack of affordable housing. Instead of blacks and Hispanics fleeing into the suburb's as their economic situation improved now it is the other way around putting a strain on what is out there.

The other thing that I have observed is the age of the whites that are moving back to these areas. Of course you have young folks but their is a significant number of older folks who in the recent past were able to stick it out with their homes paid for or stable incomes. But no longer is this a reality for older workers. Unfortunately the older workers have been some of the most impacted. If you are over the age of 45 don't be surprised if in a wave of layoffs your group take the most hits. Consequently the age group of 45 to 65 will find it takes longer to find a job and then that job will most likely pay half of what you used to make. Hence the increased number of older folks moving into the depressed neighborhoods looking for affordable housing.

The funny ha ha things is it is a myth. Economic depressed neighborhoods pay significantly high rents for the level of housing they receive. Just that the slum lords tend to have less stringent renting policies and they make up the higher turnover with higher rent. That is the reason you will often find multiple generations living in one household so as to be able to afford to pay the rent.

So now you are thinking about why folks don't move into the housing project for low income. Basically because years ago the powers to be started selling off these projects and issuing vouchers for section 8 housing. These lucrative properties were sold for a song to developers. For example here in FT Worth one such that was in downtown FW was closed down and sold to Radio Shack another one in Dallas was closed down and sold to Presbyterian hospital and Dental school.for parking. The people who lived in these projects worked in the downtown of FW and the Presbyterian Hospital. Now they live farther away with longer commutes because the almighty dollar was more important than housing that was affordable for the disadvantage.

So now we have more folks competing for the few homes that are considered affordable. It is not uncommon for homes to rent to folks at a rate greater than traditional 25% of gross income and now tend to be 30% to 45% of gross income. This means less money for essentials such as health care, clothing, and food.

The problem is for a lot of these folks this is a new reality that they have never had to deal with. Fortunately for my wife and I we have been there. We were both raised in homes with empty pantries, homes where the power was not always on and water hauled in from a neighbor.  Homes whee the breakfast consisted of bowl of beans left over from last night supper. Christmas and birthday presents that didn't materialize for there just wasn't any money for them. That was why I went to work when I was 11 years old first just for the $1 a day for labor or 10 cents a row of corn hoed. The thing is we both knew we were only two paychecks from homelessness.  Something a lot of people don't realize until it happens.

With the selling off of our jobs overseas for the sake of increased profit through the use of Free Trade Agreements, destruction of unions, and general layoffs for further profitability the working class both blue and white collar are pretty well screwed.

Why have I stated the above? Because I believe in the answer to be in what Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed in 1944 just before he decided that a second bill of rights be initiated as a "Economic Bill of Rights." If you don't know what this is take time to learn. Start talking about it for it is a viable workable concept. Here is a link that you will find useful.
http://www.fdrheritage.org/bill_of_rights.htm


Over the next few blogs I would like to examine these few ideals that FDR proposed and has laid stagnant since his death.  Well enough of this.


Projects- books-movies

I have decided that the bookcase/TV.entertainment shelves will be out of dimensional lumber i.e. 1X12 for sides and shelves and 1/4inch plywood for the back. and will start to put the material together this week.

Books - Finished reading "Cliff Walk" by Bruce DeSilva and it was again wow. The ending like his first mystery left you wondering about justice and how it is applied. I have started a book by Philip Depoy called the "Devils' Hearth". glancing at briefly I have a feeling that it will be a book that I will back up several times to catch passages of it.

Movies - watched "Safe" another of Strahtam movie that was a thrill ride.from beginning to end. Also watched for our 39th anniversary the movie "The Words" my wife didn't care for it since it did not have a satisfactory ending at least one for her.

Until later take care.