The Community Speaks with the Candidates

by Lindsay Robinson/POOR Magazine Poverty and Media Justice Intern

The open forum was offered to provide a media and community dialogue for the District 10 candidates and their constituents. The forum was lead by POOR Magazine poverty scholars who live, work, struggle and resist in District 10. The framework for this dialogue was centered around questions from the poverty scholars regarding issues of redevelopment, youth empowerment, police brutality and the daily struggles of life in District 10; Potrero Hill, Bayview-Hunters Point, Visitacion Valley, Portola/Silver Terrace, Dogpatch, and Little Hollywood and Portola neighborhoods. As a nonprofit organization POOR cannot endorse a specific candidate for office but can provide the space for and encourage an open conversation so community voices can be heard.

All of the candidates were invited - and all of them came, except two, Sophie Maxwell and Rodney Hampton Jr. The candidates present were Charlie Walker, an African American businessman from Bayview-Hunters Point. Espanola Jackson, a community activist since 1966 who has been fighting for Welfare Rights, affordable housing and education in District 10. Dwayne Jusino, a working class family man and a 23 year resident of District 10, who is committed to safe neighborhoods, quality schools, community revitalization and local businesses. Marie Harrison, a long time community advocate who is working against Eminent Domain and towards bringing peace and prosperity back to the community and Sala-Haquekyah Chandelier, a parent and advocate for youth empowerment. The community forum was conducted as a series of questions posed to the candidates and a chance for all of them to respond.

The Community Newsroom at POOR was tightly packed this past Tuesday night as the forum began. Everyone present had been asked to create a few questions to pose to the candidates so the forum could move along quickly. Byron Gafford a poet and Poverty scholar at POOR Magazine was the first to ask the question that was on so many people's minds, "What will the candidates do to stop redevelopment in the Bayview?" As each candidate responded, the room listened intently. There was a general consent among them that redevelopment needed to be stopped.

Charlie Walker and Sala-Haquekyah Chandelier both referred to the petition for a referendum to stop redevelopment that was signed by 33,000 people but was thrown out due to a lack of an additional document. Mr. Walker spoke of the situation as "pure racism at its highest form."

Espanola Jackson responded by remembering how this was not the first time redevelopment has come to the Bayview, she stressed how it must go to the courts to be decided.

Mr. Jusino began by saying that it needed to be brought back to the people. "Where is Sophie Maxwell?" he asked. Then, paused and answered his own question, "She�s in bed with the developers.�

The next question was posed by Vonder Alston, a community member, "What will be your number one priority if elected?"

Charlie walker responded with a commanding voice. He stressed the need to stop redevelopment and clean up the mess that is already there from companies like Sunset Scavengers and stated how the Southeast side of San Francisco is the most neglected in the city.

Marie Harrison agreed and added that "redevelopment is like a bull in a china shop.� She stated that she is not afraid to confront redevelopers.

Simiarly, Ms. Jackson said there is a need to stop the three combustible turbine engines that are spewing more toxins into the area than PG&E did. She wants the old shipyard, which is a superfund site, to be cleaned using the $2 billion that would be spent if the Olympics came to town.

Sala-Haquekyah Chandelier responded by stressing the need for unity and youth empowerment.

"There is a crisis of leadership and a strong need for a community advocate for the people" stated Dwayne Jusino.

Marlon Crump a Poverty scholar at POOR and a SRO resident in the Mission brought another extremely important question to the floor, one that was very real for many of the folks present last Tuesday. "What do the candidates intend to do about police brutality?"

Mr. Walker responded by addressing the lack of leadership in the SFPD. He blamed the police for increasing the violence in his neighborhood. He wants to see a more effectual police dept.

Marie Harrison made the connection between untrained officers and an already tense situation, creating, as she called it, a recipe for an explosion.

Espanola Jackson urged for drug testing of the police and states that there are serious drug problems on the force.

Ms. Chandelier stated, "The community should be involved in the interview process with perspective police and play an interactive role in who gets hired."

Mr. Jusino sees a fractured political community and feels that more police accountability will help repair that rift.

Leroy Moore, a Poverty scholar and writer at POOR, discussed the large population of Bayview-Hunters Point residents that have disabilities and how the community lacks adequate mental health services and transportation. He asked what the candidates plan to do about this issue if elected.

Marie Harrison was the first to respond as if the subject had already been on her mind. She said she has been working on a proposal that is awaiting funding, which would provide transportation from public housing to clinics or other health facilities and back home again.

Dwayne Jusino said he feels this is a basic concern for the community and "action needs to be taken to provide resources for our most vulnerable and dependent residents". The community has a responsibility to its entire people, he said.

Espanola Jackson emphasized the need for money to be allocated for the care of Bayview residents who have the highest rates of asthma and cancer in the region.

Ms. Chandelier said she sees a need for a stronger relationship with the seniors in our community and that the youths need to be engaged.

As Charlie Walker began to speak, a hush fell over the room. He pointed out an obvious trend in the candidates� responses.

"All of our answers are the same; these issues are all deeply rooted in racism. No white community would tolerate their people being treated this way," he boldly stated. He said He believes that very little has been done for the District 10 community in the last 40 years.

The group listened intently as the candidates shared their views. Ingrid DeLeon, a Poverty scholar at POOR and PoorNewsNetwork immigrant reporter, was the next to share her question with the help of her translator. "Que Ustedes hacer acerca salud de pobre gente (what are you going to do about health care for poor people?")

Marie Harrison said she believes the issue lies with educating the community about the current health risks in their neighborhood, she refers to the power plant and the many health issues associated with it and pointed out that she has served on the Restoration Advisory Board for the shipyard for 14 years.

Mr. Jusino began by reflecting on his own heritage as coming from Puerto Rican dissent. He wants fully funded health care and wants to see politics taken out of the way of adequate health care for everyone.

Charlie Walker said he is prepared to make the request that the Center for Disease Control be dispatched to District 10 to do research on the high rates of asthma and cancer.

Espanola Jackson has been working for Welfare rights for many years and said this was an important issue for her.

"Why should we trust you," asked Marvin Crutchfield, Poverty scholar, Bayview resident and POOR Press Author asked.

Dwayne Jusino stated clearly, "You shouldn't". The air in the room shifted as many folks could relate to the difficulty of trusting our politicians. Mr. Jusino continued on by stressing the need for the community to come together in forums like this one to size up and judge the candidates ourselves. "Let everyone's record show and let the community decide," he said.

Marie Harrison agreed whole hearted with Mr. Jusino, "The community needs to push us to do what we say we are going to do and create accountability."

Ms. Chandelier began by saying that she has been a community activist for 22 years, is a former welfare recipient and understands the struggles of her community. "I am unbossed an unbought and will never sell out," she exclaimed.

Charlie Walker cited his record as an activist who has fought and been jailed many times for fighting for Black rights.

Jewnbug, a Poverty scholar at POOR, Welfare Queen and co-founder of the Family Project at POOR began her question by stressing the need for more opportunities for our youth. "How are you going to create and support new opportunities for our children, and not just the type of dead-end trainings that never lead to a real job?

Sala-Haquekyah Chandelier shook her head in agreement. "Creativity has the ability to fill our children's lives with possibilities." The room reacted to her strong words.

Ms. Harrison agreed that dead-end trainings are not the answer. The youth need to be engaged and paid well when they work, she said. In addition, she stressed the importance of putting San Franciscans first as the key to bringing jobs to the area.

Espanola Jackson also believes in putting San Franciscans first and proposes that the CEO's of large companies come and work with the youth, engaging them in part-time summer jobs.

Mr. Jusino sees the situation as extremely bad for the people of his community. "The education system has a real disconnect to the real world" he pointed out. "We need to link it to the business world and our community," he said.

Mr. Walker stated that it is real hard to deal with youth unemployment when so many children�s parents are also out of work. There is no real difference between the youth and elders, he said. "When the major contractors come in and take money out of our community how can we benefit?" he asked.

Dharma, a Po' Poet and Poverty scholar at POOR was the next to ask a question. "What will you do to stop the Redlining of Black Business in District 10?"

Mr. Walker was eager to respond. He said he believes there is a crisis in the African American community. He cited Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citibank for openly not lending money to African Americans.

Marie Harrison sees a need for more reinvestment in our community. "These are our dollars" she stated.

"Redevelopers claimed that 80% of our taxes would be reinvested in our community, but they lied" said Espanola Jackson.

"They are taking this money away from us like thieves in the night and Sophie Maxwell's prints are all over it" Mr. Jusino boldly added when the mic came his way.

Sala-Haquekyah stressed the need for community members to stand up and take back their power.

Leroy Moore was ready with the final question of the forum. "We have seen the activist board of supervisors turn their back on their community during the dot.com boom. There are many organizations that have the answers and understand the problems, why won't the supervisors listen?"

"There is a lack of leadership and the supervisor doesn't listen. The people need to force the supervisor to listen and be accountable," stated Marie Harrison.

"The city is making money from people being homeless and there are so many boarded up houses in the Bayview, it makes no sense," said Espanola Jackson. Community members nodded in agreement.

Charlie Walker stressed the fact that all of these problems are rooted in slavery and said that he sees a real disconnect in the way our disabled brothers and sisters are cared for.

Sala-Haquekyah Chandelier turned to face Leroy and assured him by saying, "You are being heard."

Dwayne Jusino finished by saying that he agreed with Ms. Jackson and said that "it is nothing but a dog and pony show, nothing gets done, it's time for action."

As the question and answer period concluded, the candidates lingered to connect one on one with community members. The space for this type of forum is rare in our community and helped provide those present with a chance to get answers from the people who wish to represent them in District 10.