Written by Barbara Smith,
Blogger at Hamilton Wenham Liberals for Democracy
https://www.facebook.com/HWdemocrats/
I am sharing a video from a 11/6/21 Hamilton Wenham Human Rights Coalition Meeting where 3 speakers discuss how to promote affordable housing. While I am a proponent of affordable housing, I found some points rather confusing and disturbing. I put approximate video broadcast times in parentheses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIh9WgI8sIM&list=PLlLSSi9w45Up2eQ9_CMqdpLZr-fbE93zG&index=1&t=15s
I focus on comments by Anna Siedzik, speaker in the panel discussion , because she represents the voice of Hamilton as a resident and leader in the Hamilton Wenham Human Rights Coalition. The other 2 speakers are from Ipswich and Cambridge. Anna begins by declaring that Hamilton is disproportionately White and wealthy and that we (our society? who is “we”?) associate the value of someone in the community with how much money they have ( time 17:32).
That is quite a blanket statement! I value intelligence, talent, generosity, creativity, honesty and compassion and many other qualities. However, like many other suburban/rural communities outside of an expensive city such as Boston, housing is crazy unaffordable. That is not the fault of any Hamilton official, although Anna would prefer to frame it that way.
I’m a baby boomer and was extremely lucky to have chosen to move to the north shore over 35 years ago when prices were more affordable because at that time my husband and myself could not afford to buy a house in Cambridge. And yes, I love the ocean and the open space in Hamilton, although I was concerned about the lack of diversity in these small towns outside Boston. Since then the value of my house has tripled and that isn’t exactly the fault of myself, Hamilton or Hamilton officials. Why does Anna always have to point fingers and create an US VS THEM situation?
In the video, Anna explains that the reason there are so few non-White people in Hamilton is due to the systemic racism and classism and that is related to (time 38:34) the decisions made by the Zoning and Select boards . She claims that the problems are all due to resistance to new housing due to our intolerance to traffic, noise, congestion etc. and our refusal to end the legacy of classism and racism in these communities.
In my opinion, ALL segregation in America is a legacy of enslavement and laws that perpetuate inequities. This is not specific to Hamilton and Wenham. Anna states that bylaws must be changed to enable more housing. (time 16:23 ). The town voted on a related issue at the 2018 town meeting that I attended and it was turned down….
I believe that concern over traffic, noise, environmental impact and congestion is valid and needs to be addressed when developers propose large projects. I do not believe that we can chalk up lack of affordable housing simply to classism, racism and governmental leaders who look at a huge variety of factors when planning development both in town and in open spaces. I’m not knowledgeable about housing and development but I understand that protecting our water supply is a huge concern for all residents regardless of income. As we strive for a more equity society, specifically increasing diversity in our towns with affordable housing, I don’t think the words “classism” and “racism” should be weaponized against the people and leaders in our communities . However, education and creative community planning needs to address inequities without name calling or bullying.
In addition, many decisions are made at Town Meeting, by THE PEOPLE Voting and not by our elected officials. Thats why the Town Hall continues to crumble and be out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act- the people voted against spending to fix it so you can’t blame town officials for every issue….
I am familiar with the concept that affordable housing makes the most sense when located close to town and services. Anna states that it is an insult to low income people to assume that they do not have cars AND she states that if we build the housing for them – then the services that people need will develop around the housing creating a thriving community with diversity and culture like we see in Newburyport…. Does it really work this way? Does she want shops and cafes, barbers and banks next to the high school or near chebacco Road?
At the Hamilton town meeting in 2018, click on link below, Anna referred to the development that would be built (this was rejected for environmental and other reasons) on Longmeadow Way, near the high school.
This was the first time I had experienced Anna’s vitriole – and according to the above article Speaking at Town Meeting, Siedzik said the rhetoric around affordable housing had become tinged with classism, racism and “NIMBY-ism.”
As usual, when the Hamilton Wenham Human Rights Coalition, specifically Anna Siedzik does not get her way, she resorts to her rhetoric- everyone’s a racist if they don’t do what Anna wants…..
I’m no scientist and actually pretty ignorant on the topics of density, the environment, water, sewage, traffic etc. but I defer to the experts and these are real concerns. How do we have any type of discussion if people bully when they don’t get their way.
Personally, I WANT affordable housing and I miss the diversity I enjoyed in Cambridge. I prefer to have density in downtown Hamilton where there is already an infrastructure and yes services that would help low income people live comfortably. What’s wrong with that?
Finding Solutions
Rather than targeting local officials (who Anna calls “classist” and “racist”) I encourage the town officials to work with local elected leaders such as our state representative and senator and the state to find solutions that do not harm the character, health, safety and well being of the residents. I remember that former state representative Brad Hill was pretty good at studying and working with Hamilton town officials on working toward environmental solutions. Let’s bring back bipartisanship and civility.
Why would anyone volunteer to run for a position on the planning board, Select Board, zoning, any board if they can expect to be called a “racist” if they don’t do as Anna tells them. This is not Democratic and its downright scary!!!
Conclusion
All across America, lower income people are struggling to pay for housing, food and health care. The history of enslavement and hate continues to disproportionately impact marginalized populations including people color. Demonizing Hamilton officials and calling them “racists” is NOT the solution. I don’t have a solution, I’m an expert in a different field, but I support hiring or electing people who know more than myself and self-appointed or should I say annointed- members of the Hamilton Wenham Human Rights Coalition. Concerns about traffic, density, noise and over-development and most importantly protecting our water sources are real concerns that effect every resident. Let’s focus on solving these problems….
The real reason why people of color don’t live here is because of people like Anna. 23years ago, my daugher (now 24) was best friends with the only black girl in town. Her mother never allowed playdates but she allowed them with me. She moved out because she said “the white women wanting to justify their existence bombarded her with calls to drive her somewhere (she had no car and loved walking to Crosbie); giving her “hand-me-downs” thinking she couldnt afford to dress her kids, dropping food off. She said they were stumbling over themselves to “help” the poor black family out. she literally left because she felt suffocated and couldnt raise her family in peace and felt like she was in a snow glob. YUP that’s the truth.
Nancy,
Thank you for your thoughts. You have a very interesting perspective…