Targeted businesses

Regarding “Secret deals in Oakland criticized” ( June 20): As an engaged Oaklander, I am deeply troubled by the institutional racism in the civil grand jury report and recent media coverage of Oakland’s backroom dealings. Before elaborating, I believe that any process for leveraging public land for public good requires government practices that create predictability for stakeholders and provide transparency and tangible community benefits for the public. Oakland’s public land disposition process can surely improve! However, the only projects subject to the grand jury’s investigation for Brown Act violations and public backroom deals were those led by black-owned businesses: Strategic Urban Development Alliance and Urban Core.

The fact that white-owned businesses make up the lion’s share of the players in Oakland’s real estate scene and only black-led transactions were investigated for impropriety or favoritism isn’t just odd. Furthermore, The Chronicle conveniently provided additional evidence of impropriety with parting shots at two nonprofit organizations: Youth Uprising and Oakland and the World Enterprises, critical Oakland organizations led by dynamic and unapologetic black women. This targeting perpetuates racism and should raise a red flag for everyone. If serious about protecting diversity and equity in Oakland, please be much more mindful when covering (lashing?) black professionals’ hard work.

Heather Hood, Oakland