Category: Policy

Why Los Angeles Residents Who Want to Return to Their Homes Must Wait for a Toxic Material Search

Why Los Angeles Residents Who Want to Return to Their Homes Must Wait for a Toxic Material Search

01/15/25

“Why do Los Angeles residents who want to return to their homes must wait for a toxic materials search?”

Many Los Angeles residents want to return home as soon as possible. However, hazardous materials may be present in the home, so Los Angeles County has declared that anyone who wishes to return must be assessed and removed by EPA. This is Why Los Angeles Residents Who Want to Return to Their Homes Must Wait for a Toxic Material Search.

Why The State of California Should Prioritize the Rebuilding of Altadena

Why The State of California Should Prioritize the Rebuilding of Altadena

01/12/25

“Why should the State of California prioritize the rebuilding of Altadena?”

The wildfires sweeping Los Angeles have decimated humungous swaths of the metropolitan area. Altadena, a town in the San Gabriel Valley region, is one of the most affected places. Altadena is a diverse, dynamic community that’s long served as a cornerstone of the region’s Black American population. Altadena was one of the few places in Los Angeles County where Black Americans could receive a home mortgage during the redlining era, allowing it to hold a multigenerational Black American community. On January 7th, 2025 around 6:30 pm Pacific time, the Eaton fire started in Altadena, and spread over the city. Over 7,000 structures have been destroyed and the entirety of the town was evacuated. Given Altadena’s significance as a home for these communities fleeing racist state abuse, California should be obligated to rebuild Altadena. This is Why The State of California Should Prioritize the Rebuilding of Altadena.

If you need help or would like to provide help Black Altadena/Pasadena families hurt because of the LA fires, please check out the Displaced Black Families Altadena & Pasadena Mutual Aid Directory for resources

Image credit: Nextdoor

Why Los Angeles Rents Will Likely Increase Because of the January 2025 Fires

Why Los Angeles Rents Will Likely Increase Because of the January 2025 Fires

01/10/25

“Why will Los Angeles rents likely increase because of the January 2025 fires?”

Los Angeles is experiencing some of its most devastating fires ever. Up to tens of thousands of people have faced displacement. Not only are many of these peoples’ homes destroyed, but they will need to find a new place to live. Since many evacuees may have to wait a few years before their homes are rebuilt, they’ll have to obtain rental housing in Los Angeles. This will decrease the available rental stock and increase demand, leading to higher prices. This is Why Los Angeles Rents Will Likely Increase Because of the January 2025 Fires.

If you need help or would like to provide help because of the LA fires, please check out the Mutual Aid LA Network for resources

Pod Mapping for Disaster Mutual Aid

Pod Mapping for Disaster Mutual Aid

01/08/25

“How can we visualize who we can rely on for mutual aid?”

When disaster strikes, whether it’s wildfires in Los Angeles or genocidal invasions in Gaza/Ukraine, people will need mutual aid. However, organizing whom you can rely on can be quite daunting. This is where Pod Mapping for Disaster Mutual Aid comes in. Pod mapping starts with drawing a circle representing yourself. Around this circle will be more circles representing people you trust you can rely on for essential services. You will then communicate with these people what services you can provide and how you will all work together. From here, you will make plans and draw out more potential contacts and larger mutual aid groups you can rely on.

For more information regarding pod mapping, you can visit Rebel Sidney Black’s guide here.

Image credit: blogger.googleusercontent.com

Why American Gerontocracy is Statistically Intertwined With White Supremacy

Why American Gerontocracy is Statistically Intertwined With White Supremacy

12/28/24

“Why is American gerontocracy statistically intertwined with white supremacy?”

The US is commonly described as a gerontocracy, a political system structured to privilege people older than the median age over those who are younger. While the median age in the US is 39, only 6% of congress members (as of writing) are under 40, and the incoming President is 78 years old. The housing system is set up to benefit old-time homeowners who bought property when prices were low at the expense of young, first-time homeowners who are locked out of purchasing any properties viable for a strong quality of life. Meanwhile, younger generations are much more diverse than their older counterparts, with non-white people composing over half of Gen Z but only around a quarter of senior citizens. Given these privileging factors, it’s clear to see Why American Gerontocracy is Statistically Intertwined With White Supremacy.

Appropriate Technology

Appropriate Technology

12/26/24

“How do we create technology that’s appropriate for a local society and environment?”

When people talk about modern technology, many picture items using the latest advances in electronics and sensors. However, that may not be appropriate for communities that live in remote areas or don’t have access to consistent electricity or high-tech supply chains. People may need access to Appropriate Technologies built with the local community and environment in mind. An example of appropriate technology is a machine that washes clothes without electricity using locally repairable parts for off-grid, remote communities.

Image credit: https://lifewater.org/

Ex Situ Bioremediation

Ex Situ Bioremediation

11/24/24

“How can we evacuate contaminated areas to a bioremediation treatment facility?”

Bioremediation is a powerful way to decontaminate pollution on the planet. While bioremediation techniques can be directly applied to the contaminated area, they can also be removed to a controlled environment for treatment. These are called Ex Situ Bioremediation techniques.

Citizen Advisory Committees

Citizen Advisory Committees

11/21/24

“How can governments work with committees of residents?”

Governments may want to work with their residents on hot-button topics. One way to accomplish this is to form a Citizen Advisory Committee to take in recommendations from community members and local experts on key issues.

Activist Mediation

Activist Mediation

11/20/24

“How can mediators address a power imbalance between parties?”

Most mediation training strives for mediators to be “neutral” between parties. This neutrality can exacerbate any power differentials between two sides since there’s already not a level playing field. Professionals can use Activist Mediation techniques that strive to correct the power imbalance. This creates a non-neutral setting, which may be necessary to arrive at a more equitable outcome.