Wake Up Black America! The Future Is Being Written Without You—Unless You Speak Up Now

Wake Up

Inspired by the work of Grassroots organizer Brother James Shabazz

Right now, in cities across America, decisions are being made about where you’ll live, what you’ll pay, and who gets to stay. These decisions are being made quietly, behind closed doors, in language most people don’t read—and if you’re Black, working-class, or living on the margins, chances are you’re not part of the plan.

Brother James Shabazz delivers a powerful and urgent message in his writing “Wake Up, D.C.”—but make no mistake, this isn’t just about Washington, D.C. This is about every Black neighborhood in the country that’s watching new buildings go up while longtime residents get pushed out. It’s about gentrification that has moved beyond coffee shops and condos into something more deliberate, something Shabazz calls strategic removal.

In D.C., the 2025–2045 Comprehensive Plan is being written right now. Not with the people, but for the benefit of wealthy investors, developers, and political insiders. The Federal City Council, tech billionaires, real estate speculators, and other powerful entities are crafting a vision of the city that excludes anyone making less than $250,000 a year. That’s not planning for the people—that’s clearing the way for a different class altogether.

And here’s the part that should shake us: they aren’t just pushing people out through rising rents and property taxes. They’re writing Black communities out of the future altogether. Brother Shabazz warns that unless we act, we won't just be priced out—we’ll be erased from the city’s vision entirely.

That’s why this moment matters. It’s time to stop just observing what’s happening and start participating in shaping it. We can’t wait until the buildings are up and the papers are signed. By then, the damage is done. With local elections approaching, we have a rare opportunity to speak directly to those who make these decisions and tell them what matters to us.

We must understand the legislation being proposed. That means going to your city’s planning website and reading the plans—not just the summaries, but the fine print. Look at zoning laws. Income requirements. Infrastructure changes. These things are coded messages about who is welcome and who is not. We need to visit planning offices, ask for public records, and demand real answers from local officials. This isn’t just about being angry—it’s about being informed.

Once we understand the game, we can change the rules. Talk to your Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners. They work for your ward. If they’re not holding meetings about the development plans in your community, ask why. Then ask them to start. And keep asking.

Most importantly, start thinking bigger. Brother Shabazz reminds us that citizens have the legal right to draft their own Neighborhood Development Plans. That’s real power—but only if we organize and demand our voices be heard.

And don’t stop with D.C. Every city in America has a long-term development plan. Every city is at risk of losing the culture, families, and history that built it. Don’t wait until your neighborhood becomes unrecognizable. Study your local plans. Ask questions. Get your community together.

This is about ownership—of space, of vision, of the future. The truth is, we’ve been kept out of too many rooms for too long. But now that we know, we can’t stay quiet. We must become the architects of our own destiny. Let’s not just react to change—we must lead it.

References:

Brother James Shabazz, . Wake Up, D.C. – The 2025–2045 Comprehensive Plan Is Not Being Written With You In Mind.

D.C. Office of Planning – Comprehensive Plan Page: https://planning.dc.gov/page/comprehensive-plan

📣 If your community needs help organizing a meeting or reviewing your city’s development plan, start talking with neighbors today. Real power begins with real conversations.