"Oakland's hills are but a few miles from the flatlands of West Oakland, but the landscaped front yards up the hill and the unforgiving streets of the flatlands are culturally a world away from each other." ~ Chip Johnson, S.F. Gate.com
"For whatever reason they were drawn in the first place, Oakland’s Council districts have evolved to represent a certain theory of government: that to a greater or lesser degree, each district represents a cross-section of Oakland’s diverse socio-economic population. ...
But what if you wanted to elect a different type of Councilmembers—those who represent neighborhoods that have a stronger common socio-economic interest—say an upper income district only, or a middle income district only, or a working class/lower income district only. Would it be possible to redraw the district lines to reflect that type of representation?
Yes, it’s possible, and easily done. ...
Instead of fiddling with maps and neighborhood lines in the beginning, we should first have a discussion of whether we want socio-economically diverse Council districts (as we have now), or if we want those districts to be divided in such a way that the citizens within them have more similar socio-economic interests. It’s an important discussion, and would decide the future way government operates in the city."Read the rest of J. Douglas Allen-Taylor's article here.
What is your reaction to the article?
Median Household Income in Oakland by Census Tract
Here's how districts might look if reconfigured more along socioeconomic lines. (Click on maps to enlarge).
Median Household Income in Oakland by Census Tract
Here's how districts might look if reconfigured more along socioeconomic lines. (Click on maps to enlarge).
I am trying really hard to understand the benefits & drawbacks of socioeconomic redistricting but don't understand why we would promote segregating by income.
ReplyDeleteAny know research or cities where it works?
I've lived 1/2 my life on each side of the equation & cannot see why we would set up city government as the rich against the poor and/or the poor against the rich. Oakland City Gov is already so divided, most often along cultural lines - is it a good idea to divide it into a class system as well? What are the benefits/drawbacks of this system. We really need to understand what is being proposed and what it would mean for our children, for our representation in city government and our communities. Will we end up with a city divided not only in city hall. Don't we want great schools, employment opportunities and safe streets for everyone?
Have we any more information that would help us understand this better?
thanks
The only resources I've found so far are these.
Can you recommend others ?????
Median income [darker areas = greater income] http://www.engageoakland.com/council-redistricting/shared-socioeconomic-status-as-a-community-of-interest
Counter Points: Occasional Dispatches from the Deep East of the Far West from an African-American Progressive Traditionalist by J.Douglas Allen-Taylor http://www.safero.org/counterpoints/counterpoints021.html
Socio-Economic District Remap Plans For Oakland City Council &Oakland School Board
http://www.oaklandvotes.org/socio-economic-district-remap-plans-for-oakland-city-council-and-the-oakland-school-board/