The 44 Percent: 7th Avenue activist, Brittney Griner & HBCU-inspired Ralph Lauren apparel
I’ve always been fascinated by how history can shape the present.
Take the 1980 Arthur McDuffie riots, for example.
Without the uproar over McDuffie’s killing — as well as that of Trayvon Martin — it’s tough to imagine Northwest 7th Avenue becoming this enclave of activism. I detailed the connection in a recent piece for the Herald, which I’ll talk more about later.
As Liberty City continues to become gentrified, it’ll be interesting to see what happens to these organizations. For now, each is intent on both serving and fighting for Black Miami.
INSIDE THE 305
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From ashes to activism: Liberty City’s 7th Ave’s transformation to hub for social change:
As I mentioned, the area around Northwest 54th Street and 7th Avenue has become its own little activist ecosystem. Six organizations — Dade County Street Response, Black Men Build, Village Free(dge), Roots Collective, Miami Workers Center and Power U — all sit within one block of one another.
What’s especially riveting is that each organization works in concert with the others. As Dr. Armen Henderson said, “No one person is going to lead all the work. It’s stressful but we all lean on one another to get the things that we need done. There’s power in us being in coalition.”
‘Basically an eviction.’ At Miami rent rally stories of $750 increase and grim choices:
It’s no secret that Miami’s cost of living is expensive.
At Tuesday’s rally, renters made sure their voices were heard just as Miami-Dade commissioners passed a new rule that required a 60-day notice for rent increases more than 5%.
Daniella Pierre, 40, told the crowd that housing prices are driving out middle-class professionals such as teachers. She said there’s no option if she ever loses her spot in an affordable building.
“I’ve looked all over the county,” said Pierre, president of the Miami-Dade NAACP. “I can’t go anywhere.”
OUTSIDE THE 305
Senate gives final approval to restrictions on teaching about race in school, at work:
Although this bill passed the Florida Senate last week, it’s still important to note considering this will be law in the near future.
For those in need of a refresher, HB 7 essentially bans any school instruction or workplace training that would cause any member of a particular race to feel guilty.
The bill itself has been a point of contention since the beginning of the legislative session, with Florida Democrats arguing that it’s an attempt to whitewash history while Republicans see it as a way to prevent politics from entering the classroom or workplace.
“The bill is all about trying to blot out history. It’s also about fear. Not fear of someone feeling guilt, but fear of our young people coming together to tear down walls of division that some people want to keep up,” Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, said.
WNBA star Brittney Griner’s Russian detention extended:
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner had her Russian detention extended to May 19, according to multiple outlets.
Griner has been detained since Feb. 17 when Russian Federal Customs Service officials found cannabis vape cartridges in her luggage.
As the Miami Herald’s Greg Cote wrote, Griner’s detention is an issue that hits on multiple fronts — geopolitics, unequal wages and LGBTQ+ rights. The piece is definitely worth your time.
HIGH CULTURE
Where does “The 44 Percent” name come from? Click here to find out how Miami history influenced the newsletter’s title.
