COMMUNITY ACTIVISM IN OAK PARK: COMPETING AGENDAS ...

and spent their time trying to recruit more members whom were sympathetic to their
political “cause.” The labor association felt that certain projects and initiatives to help
the poor could only be used as a “stepping stone” for some poor residents. They felt the
very poor, many of whom lacked citizenship, reading and writing skills, and established
family networks, would not be able to benefit from many of the revitalization projects
that were taking place to improve the quality of life for residents in Oak Park.
The Labor Association opposed campaigns for “urban renewal” and in an article
written for their October 2004 Sacramento Valley Edition newspaper, titled The Low-
Income Worker 23
they are quoted as stating that, “urban renewal campaigns always
means urban removal for local businesses and residents, who find their shops and homes
bought out from under them or priced out of reach.” From their perspective, they felt
redevelopment projects would negatively affect the poor residents and local community
businesses. Revitalization projects were often talked about with doubt and criticism by
members and they felt that those projects would only benefit the middle-class and
corporate interests. The manager of the Labor Association stated she had become a
victim of the revitalization movements in the community.
One Saturday afternoon, while volunteering, I was eating lunch with Margaret,
the office manager. I fixed myself a chicken spread sandwich and sat down at the office
kitchen table to eat. Margaret handed me the Sacramento Bee and I started to read it
quietly. Feeling that this was a good time to talk to Margaret about the community of
Oak Park, in general, I asked her if she thought that Oak Park was becoming gentrified.
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