Creating Community in Northampton

My friend Jada is a force of nature. Originally from Texas and now a long-time resident of Northampton, Massachusetts, she brings a fierce commitment to justice, community, and healing—even in the face of personal and institutional adversity. Jada does all this despite her frustrations with the management and the other members of the housing authority board. She often feels diminished and disrespected, unable to make herself heard, and denied her rights and justice. Nevertheless, she lives a creative and productive life, helping to build and maintain a supportive, caring community.

We Are The People

EDITORIAL We are rich in experience, though poor in wealth. We are the poor, the elderly, the disabled, the single parents, and the veterans, people of color and of many religions, we are all persons who live in public and subsidized housing. There we have learned on a daily basis how to survive and overcome bullying, mobbing, and harassment. When a ruler seeks to trample our rights and deprive us of food, health, and free speech, we have the ability to protect ourselves; it is our right.

Transparent advocacy for the rights of tenants

This post will show how we work with our legislative partners, there is nothing to hide and the more people understand the process, the stronger our movement as we demonstrate how we do democracy. Beacon Hill is often criticized for a lack of transparency. Legislators are seen as under the influence of powerful forces that are never seen in the light of day. We of the Stop Bullying Coalition do advocate on policies and legislation, and we do so out in the open, transparently.

Report: Meeting with Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities

As leaders of the Stop Bullying Coalition advocating for the rights of tenants living in public and subsidized housing we have the honor of meeting and collaborating on policy with our legislators and high state officials in the Office of the Attorney General and with the new Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC).

Reflections on Advocacy

Politics is the art of the possible. Advocacy is the art of changing the possible.

After a decade of advocacy for the right of tenants to be free of bullying and harassment, we ask: Why has it taken so long? When will we get relief? Is it worth continuing our efforts?

It’s taken so long because the task is so challenging. We will get relief if all of us continue showing up and keep telling Beacon Hill our demand: We want our rights! When do we want them? Now!

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