November 25, 2017
Honorable Mayor Allen Joines
Northward Councilwoman Denise Adams
101 N. Main St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Dear Mayor Joines,
As concerned citizens & neighbors, we welcome revitalization of the Boston-Thurmond community, but not at the cost of displacement of the city’s most vulnerable residents. Though the plan, claims to improve the neighborhood through “housing, education and wellness,” we believe that the plan is really a mirage designed to facilitate gentrification. The residents most impacted will largely be those hit the hardest by systemic ills as well as other variables, both past and present. These same residents are those whose voices are often silenced. If they are not silenced then their voices are null because they are heard in spheres in which they have no power.
As a result, we are asking that you issue an injunction to stop the demolition and/or takeover of the Plaza West Apartments. We ask that you stop this until an amicable resolution has been reached that does not merely involve having a few apartments that only a small minority may be able to afford, while the remainder of the residents shuffle to find affordable and habitable living quarters. We further ask that you, Mayor Joines, Councilwoman Adams as well as all private businesses and nonprofits such as Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods, Z.Smith Reynolds Foundation, and the Winston-Salem Foundation to meet with all parties to ensure a resolve that is in the best interest of the residents in The Plaza Apartments. Furthermore, we request that community activist and other leaders of community be invited to the table of decision making as it relates to the Plaza Apartments and its future. It is a moral imperative that we seek to stop or mitigate any transition that would impel any resident. Sir you and honorable Councilwoman Adams are servants of the people. Many of us have supported you, our elected representatives, now we need your support!
Lastly, many of us and our neighbors have deep roots in that neighborhood. We have family who live there and we work and socialize with people in that community. We stand with them. We will remain steadfast and undaunted. Thank you for your time.
Jeremiah Wilson
Nakida R. McDaniel
Sis. Tomika
Miranda Jones
Phillip Carter
26 Comments
We want community members to be part of all discussions PRIOR TO the city making changes. We also want any changes to increase the growth and strength of communities. Bring job opportunities, education opportunities, and health opportunities. Do not solely bring money and opportunities to contractors and the wealthy.
A community is the people Residing in it. Tearing down homes and rebuilding them is not the answer. If you really want to help instead of finding volunteers from 1,000s of miles away, ask the people of that area to get involved and teach them those home building skills, which will make everyone take even more pride in there own area.
It's not where you live..... it's how you living. Those who have moved away would love to see their old neighborhood revitalized, but NOT at the expense of displacement of vulnerable residents and those who are deep rooted within the community.
Everyone displaced by the WFU Boston-Thurmond Quarter must be reserved a home in the new development, at the same rents they are currently paying. Temporary housing must also be arranged. No displacements, no excuses. This must be put in writing or no deal. Gentrification is unacceptable.
This is a matter of racism. You would be intentionally evicting poor black families from their home in order to make more space, that's not needed, for a white middle-class young people. As a young white person who was college educated in the community I stand firmly against this and will continue to organize others to lift of the voices in the Boston / Thurman community.
Input from affected residents and resulting actions that align with that input is the right thing to do.
People should have the right to have input into decisions that affect their lives this profoundly.
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November 25, 2017
Honorable Mayor Allen Joines
Northward Councilwoman Denise Adams
101 N. Main St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Dear Mayor Joines,
As concerned citizens & neighbors, we welcome revitalization of the Boston-Thurmond community, but not at the cost of displacement of the city’s most vulnerable residents. Though the plan, claims to improve the neighborhood through “housing, education and wellness,” we believe that the plan is really a mirage designed to facilitate gentrification. The residents most impacted will largely be those hit the hardest by systemic ills as well as other variables, both past and present. These same residents are those whose voices are often silenced. If they are not silenced then their voices are null because they are heard in spheres in which they have no power.
As a result, we are asking that you issue an injunction to stop the demolition and/or takeover of the Plaza West Apartments. We ask that you stop this until an amicable resolution has been reached that does not merely involve having a few apartments that only a small minority may be able to afford, while the remainder of the residents shuffle to find affordable and habitable living quarters. We further ask that you, Mayor Joines, Councilwoman Adams as well as all private businesses and nonprofits such as Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods, Z.Smith Reynolds Foundation, and the Winston-Salem Foundation to meet with all parties to ensure a resolve that is in the best interest of the residents in The Plaza Apartments. Furthermore, we request that community activist and other leaders of community be invited to the table of decision making as it relates to the Plaza Apartments and its future. It is a moral imperative that we seek to stop or mitigate any transition that would impel any resident. Sir you and honorable Councilwoman Adams are servants of the people. Many of us have supported you, our elected representatives, now we need your support!
Lastly, many of us and our neighbors have deep roots in that neighborhood. We have family who live there and we work and socialize with people in that community. We stand with them. We will remain steadfast and undaunted. Thank you for your time.
Jeremiah Wilson
Nakida R. McDaniel
Sis. Tomika
Miranda Jones
Phillip Carter
26 Comments
Our intent is only to ensure that if there's revitalization its without victimization; to often those unaware, misinformed, are delegated to continued impoverishment. I believe and ask the petitioner to agree with me; we value people and not just brick and mortar. Please sign this petition if you care about the welfare of all people. Thanks on behalf of the residents of The Plaza Apartments, who are human too.
We want community members to be part of all discussions PRIOR TO the city making changes. We also want any changes to increase the growth and strength of communities. Bring job opportunities, education opportunities, and health opportunities. Do not solely bring money and opportunities to contractors and the wealthy.
A community is the people Residing in it. Tearing down homes and rebuilding them is not the answer. If you really want to help instead of finding volunteers from 1,000s of miles away, ask the people of that area to get involved and teach them those home building skills, which will make everyone take even more pride in there own area.
It's not where you live..... it's how you living. Those who have moved away would love to see their old neighborhood revitalized, but NOT at the expense of displacement of vulnerable residents and those who are deep rooted within the community.
Everyone displaced by the WFU Boston-Thurmond Quarter must be reserved a home in the new development, at the same rents they are currently paying. Temporary housing must also be arranged. No displacements, no excuses. This must be put in writing or no deal. Gentrification is unacceptable.
This is a matter of racism. You would be intentionally evicting poor black families from their home in order to make more space, that's not needed, for a white middle-class young people. As a young white person who was college educated in the community I stand firmly against this and will continue to organize others to lift of the voices in the Boston / Thurman community.
Input from affected residents and resulting actions that align with that input is the right thing to do.
People should have the right to have input into decisions that affect their lives this profoundly.
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Our intent is only to ensure that if there's revitalization its without victimization; to often those unaware, misinformed, are delegated to continued impoverishment. I believe and ask the petitioner to agree with me; we value people and not just brick and mortar. Please sign this petition if you care about the welfare of all people. Thanks on behalf of the residents of The Plaza Apartments, who are human too.