The real issue seems to be that black community leadership has crazy assholes making the most noise, doesn't it? It is more telling that Tahir-Garrett hasn't already been ostracized for his opinions and behavior.

Intensive?

Fishing for clicks? Intensive? There is nothing racist about his statement. It is simply the truth. That was a failed corner in 2010. Where was this "community" when it was a shit hole? Why weren't they out there painting and planting flowers and holding community events?

Charles, that corner wasn't boarded up because of racist policies (and I think Seattle racism did and continues to run rampant), it's because the last three owners of the restaurant there were murdered in what appears to be African American gang related violence.

Why is 432 Park a "1% tower" while the WTC, Chrysler Building - or the Columbia Tower for that matter - not?

Wasn't the CD a primarily Jewish neighborhood prior the redlining which resulted in it becoming a large black community? And Eisenberg's family has been in the area since then, so is Charles being insensitive to the history of the area?

It seems like Charles thinks he's stirring a pot that's brimming with fraught, equally-culpable elements, but in reality there's just one big crazy rock rattling around in the bottom, with a few pebbles trailing after it. Put it to bed, people.

@5,

My take, FWIW, would be that those other places were built at a time when the housing situation wasn't quite at the crisis level that it is today. And so Charles was pointing out that it's rather depressing to build something so large and capable of addressing a crisis that does little to nothing toward actually doing so.

Spurious accusations of racism are a form a racism.

From the picture it looks like he's flipping the bird to the ghost bike memorial.

I have a difficult time calling Eisenburg's statement racist. Also, if I'm not mistaken, the CD was a jewish neighborhood long before it was the PNW's largest AA community.

This is silly. One can be perfectly aware of racist history of underdevelopment, and still find protests of current businesses depressing, because they're so badly and obviously and pointlessly misdirected. This is one of the persistent flaws of anti-gentrification; a fixation on things that symbolize or remind them of past wrongs, rather than the actual sources of past and present wrongs. *That* is a very depressing pattern.

Then you need to give RECENT examples of what neighborhoods in Seattle have gone to shit instead of saying "Because I said so." That's just fake news if no one questions it.

Uncle Ike's stands where it stands because the original language of I-502 prohibited MJ businesses from operating within a 1000' radius of schools, parks, and other places where children gather.

And - what a coincidence - the corner of 23rd & Union is one of the few high-traffic crossroads in this city which, for some straaaaange reason, family-oriented public works and investment never got within 1000 feet of.

Go figure, eh?

@6: There is this odd thing we do as a society where once a neighborhood becomes a "black" neighborhood, we forget all prior history, decide it has always been a black neighborhood, and must be protected as a black neighborhood for all time.

We do not seem to do this with any other demographic or racial group. Perfectly strange, yet perfectly predictable.

I am going to be as careful with my wording as possible because I know how posts that critique black anti-racist activists are quickly deleted.
Never in my entire life, not once, when a black person has gotten caught saying something racist or partaking in racial violence, not once, have black leftists not made excuses for it and attempted to turn it around and proclaim the perp was reacting and provoked. And found a way to slur the victim was a racist. Not once exception to this pattern. It works like clockwork.
OTOH, every single time a black person is on the receiving end of racial hostility or violence these same people never victim blame. Never do they claim that blacks did anything to create the racial hostility or violence when it is directed towards them.
.
It's about time the systemic and institutional racism in the black anti-racist community be called out. This is despicable and I'm amazed that black activist don't realize this pattern is noticed by many and has lessened the sympathy many have when accusations of anti-black racism are made.

It is a big stretch to say that Eisenburg is racially insensitive for referencing a Stranger article. If anything, it was Dominic Holden who was at fault. He was the one that used the phrase "Urban Decay" (in the headline no less), not Eisenburg. Eisenburg simply pointed out that the area was boarded up but now has new signs of "life and vitality". You could say the same thing about various white neighborhoods around town. Sometimes places get boarded up, and it takes a while before they put in something else. For example, if and when they finally develop the area close to Roosevelt, it is possible they will put in big apartment buildings that will piss off the overly sensitive neighbors. At that point, the owner will of course reference what it used to look like, and that it has new signs of life and vitality now.

Of course, Eisenburg may be a dick and a racially insensitive dick at that. I think he could have handled this a lot better, but maybe he doesn't want to. Now he is engaged in a pissing match with a lunatic. That only makes him look better, but more importantly, gets his name in the news. If I'm in the area and want cheap weed, I don't even have to look it up. I know that place is at 23rd and Union. That is damn good free advertising and I'm sure he is in no hurry to throw that away.

Name one time a black person got caught being racist (either words or violence) that black leftists like Charles didn't attempt to victim blame and turn it into a lecture about black suffering.
My sympathy for blacks and their suffering decreases significantly ever time I see this crap.
Victim blaming never allowed over violence towards women, gays, Muslims, illegal immigrants, or blacks. But victim blaming a must when the violence is by blacks or Muslims.
I noticed that Stranger columnist Ijeoma Oluo posted something on facebook condemning it, then proclaiming Eisenberg provoked it. Eisenberg has been saying for years Garrett has said "Go back to Nazi Germany" and when it's finally caught on tape black activists proclaim he provoked it. Has he been provoking it all the years its been happening? Did those two Asians Garrett abused in a similar way also provoke it? Any reason why I never hear these same people ever claim that hostility towards blacks or Muslims is provoked? God you people are fools. You should be ashamed. And the Stranger is disgusting for proclaiming Eisenberg said something racist when the statement in questions isn't even slightly racist. What's the real motive for slurring him? To justify the abuse. Like always when the demographics of those involved goes a certain way. Never when the abuse is directed towards the lefts favored groups though.

racism isn't a moral defect, its a logical fallacy.

What white people brought to that corner is not superior moral qualities, but access to capital that your typical black american could never dream of.

If someone is a Racially Insensitive Dick (in someone's view) because they "don't recognize the old racial make up of the CD". Then, is someone a Racially Insensitive Dick if they don't recognize the new racial make up of the CD? When was the last year that the CD was an AA majority neighborhood population wise? When was the last year the CD was an AA majority owned in Land and Homes? The AA History of the CD should be Remembered and Honored. But, it's a new place now. With new people who want to make their own history there. They should be allowed to do that.

@22 Good points.
To go further, Mudede claims Eisenberg is a racist for not acknowledging black suffering in that neighborhood.
So why didn't Mudede call out the black activists who for years have forwarded a narrative about the CD that has omitted the Native American and Japanese suffering in that neighborhood and the significant cultural contributions of Jews, Poles? They are guilty of erasure more than Eisenberg. If you listened to these black activists you'd think that neighborhood was 99% black for it's entire history until recently.
@16 said it very well also.
The Natives and Japanese were the only groups forcibly displaced. If Africatown is so big on giving voice to the oppressed why do they tout the CD as "black" without acknowledging how it became so? It became black when the Japanese were hauled off to internment camps and the government sold the land very cheaply to blacks. These same blacks got close to a million dollars for the homes they were practically given. Homes that were stolen from the Japanese. I have not heard a word from Mudede or these activists condemning blacks willingness to profit off of Japanese suffering. It has been wiped out of history as black leftists do about any part of history that doesn't make them look good.
Africatown's goal was to create a black nationalist homeland filled with black supremacy ideology. Their narrative of the history of that neighborhood betrays open racism and history revisionism. I wonder where Mudede's article condemning that is?

Charles, care to explain the giant Uncle Ike's banner ad that appears at the top of your screed? Just wondering how you justify promoting the interests of someone you believe is racially insensitive.

So one thing I'm confused on and i think is being overlooked but is important, whats Ian's history with the cd? People are mentioning that he has family ties, but dis he grow up there/live there for long periods of time?

@Janice123 you weren't very careful at all in your wording. You're "Not Once" rhetoric only serves to show how limited your knowledge of the "black leftis[m]" is.

A racist article attracts racists comments. Same as it ever was.

Click bait, thy name is Mudede.

Charles should be directed his ire at all the anti-racist activists and groups who have either failed to denounce this or worse been an apologist for it. There are many.
Eisenberg's statement was not racist or racially insensitive.
The victim blaming statement by Africatown and an anti-gentrification group (which has silence been deleted) is both. Ditto for those who come out of the woodwork for any incident of racial insensitivity towards blacks but have been silent for this. I remember Rich Smith writing about an incident at the Rep where a white actor enquired if a word that had been omitted was "the n word". He said the word and a black actor overheard. What transpired was a demand he get fired, a million apologies from the rep, a million demands for black centered plays, a commitment to hire more blacks, and racial sensitivity courses. Where are these same people demanding Garrett, Africantown, ,and the enormous amount of insensitive activists have some consequences and make some serious changes in their outlook. This isn't a one time incident and neither is the crappy response from those so obsessed with anti-racist activism.

*typo- (which has SINCE been deleted)

Eisenberg may be a smart ass and a shrewd business man.
He also chose to open shop in a historically problematic and not-so-business-friendly location. The Greek food joint where his glass shop stands nowadays was burned down. It was a steak house before and over the years two of the owners were shot, though at least in one case it wasn’t business related.
Add this to the lesson learned by business owners in south LA some 25 years ago, after the Rodney King riots, to put things in perspective.

Breathe easy, intolerant residents of the CD. It could be worse: it could be a gay bar.

Charles lazy race-baiting is allowed because Seattle is too timid to call the spade that is black racism.

historically problematic

So based on your examples, it was (but is less so now) a high crime location. Your proposed principle here is that once a location has some historical associated with crime, no one should ever open a business there? WTF?

not-so-business-friendly location.

I'm not sure what you're basing this assessment on--he seems to be doing a pretty good amount of business from what I can gather. But if you're right about this the problem will eventually correct itself--no reason for anyone else to get up in arms about it.

I'll start taking these criticisms of Uncle Ike's here in The Stranger, Brought to you by Cheap Weed at Uncle Ike's, seriously just as soon as I can see past the Uncle Ike's advertisements.

The lamest excuse I've heard for those refraining from strong criticism of Garrett is that he's an elder. Ironic that those same people had no problem applauding when two young black women attacked an elderly Jew named Bernie Sanders. I wonder when the time will come when black activists realize their openly abusive behavior and rhetoric backfired in a big way.

I think Charles would be less racist if he just excercised a little. It's good for your mind G.

david jw @ 35
I'm saying that Eisenberg chose to open his business where he did despite the difficulties and risks his predecessor encountered.

Charles, still waiting for an explanation for the Uncle Ike's ads. You planning on jumping in here?

I guess not. Perhaps you have already moved on on the next manifesto (which will, of course, be sponsored by Uncle Ike's).

You can't have it both ways, by the way. You can't rail against gentrification while living off of ad revenue from the gentrifiers. Sorry about that, but we've got to draw the line somewhere.

@39: What is the relevance of that observation?

"In the past, this was a location with a lot of crime, so if you open here you should expect community outrage" makes no sense. The "problems" Eisenberg aren't of the same ilk at all.

If I build my house on a floodplain and it gets flooded, I suppose you're entitled to say "well, that's what you get for building on a floodplain." If I build my house on a floodplain and am subsequently struck by lightning, "that's what you get for building in a floodplain" doesn't make any sense.

I interviewed Ian Eisenberg on April 6th. hear him in his own words as he comments on his run-in with Omari, check it out here:
https://soundcloud.com/anxietyclubpodcas…
Anxiety Club Podcast #23 - How to Make Enemies with Ian "Uncle Ike" Eisenberg

The CD was 100% African American up to the 80s and 75% or so in the 90s. Because of White people with more money moving in, generally speaking, they are being driven out especially by well monied developers. Black people came north from the south looking for jobs for survival and to escape poverty, lynchings etc. Due to racism they could not move to north Seattle or elsewhere and because of discrimination but were forced to live in a ghetto which has been their home for sometime. The Black Panthers struggled with the poverty there and the constant police brutality. They created educational opportunities, medical clinics, a breakfast program for children who were hungry, cultural media, while being targeted by the FBI and all law enforcement authorities. I witnessed the fact that the Panthers had to protect their office with sandbags and with militant activists who risked their lives. Many Black Panthers were murdered. Seattle has a history of murdering Black people and abuse of all poor people. It was because of the activists of the time that people were able to gain some dignity and control over their own communities. Denial of this abuse is denial of the reality of this system. Being told constantly one is inferior because one is poor, person of color, gay, jew, female, etc. gets in ones head. Playing one group against another works in the hands of those who profit from this human misery and damaged american psyche.

#3 How do you know people weren’t working on community meetings and improvements for that corner while they had to dodge police harassment. By the way Ike’s pot shop is located right next to a church which is offensive to many. Families with children use that church. Would that be done in wealthy areas?