Michigan Specter Is the Official Publication of the Young Democratic So- Specter Cialists of America (YDSA) at the University of Michigan

Contents Issue No. 4 Michigan Jan. 28, 2021 Michigan Specter is the official publication of the Young Democratic So- Specter cialists of America (YDSA) at the University of Michigan. If you are inter- ested in contributing to future issues, contact [email protected]. For a life worth living

1We Need More Justin Yuan

3 Challenging Neoliberal Complacency: The Future of Leftist Organizing Mahnoor Imran

5 The False Narratives Around Rent Control Ashvin Pai

9 Gig Companies Buy Immunity From Labor Protections Bri Jackson

10 Interview with BYP100

Contributors

Writing

Justin Yuan Mahnoor Imran Ashvin Pai Bri Jackson

Editing

Elias Khoury

Art and Layout

Amy Lucas Cal Abbo 1 2 For example, in July 2016, police like 8 Can’t Wait appear well-meaning in cial welfare programs. officers brutally attacked and arrested their focus on police killings and how to While there is no single, con- Shase Howse, who was looking for his reduce them, the oppression of poor and crete path to abolition, there are clear keys in front of his home, after he replied marginalized communities does not be- next-steps that abolitionists have em- “Yes, what the fuck?” when asked if he gin or end with a single statistic. 8 Can’t phasized for years — ones that would lived in the building. Ludicrously charged Wait is hampered by statistics that lack actually challenge the power of police, We need more with multiple felony counts, Howse law- geographic, political, and historical nu- shrink the carceral system, and put an yered up and the charges were dropped. ance and, instead, tries to simplify the end to state-sanctioned violence, incar- By Justin Yuan If, like me, you wondered how systemic issue of policing down to specif- ceration, and suffering. In fact, as a result Howse’s attackers got away with physical- ic, personal, lethal encounters. of the infuriatingly shallow demands of “You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the ly assaulting an innocent man then lying Any successful attempt at beat- 8 Can’t Wait, abolitionists from across about what happened, it’ll probably make ing back the tide of police killings must the country have come together to form world. And you have to do it all the time.” — Angela Davis you as angry as I was to learn that police reckon with the whole of the issue, which 8 to Abolition, a campaign focused on lying not only in their post-incident pa- means recognizing and challenging po- prison and police abolition that eschews At this point, I’m sure everyone early June in response to the killing of Campaign Zero confirmed both Tucson perwork but in court and in affidavits is lice militarization, the prison-industrial the nitpicking incrementalism of 8 Can’t reading this is well aware of the uprisings George Floyd and quickly gained steam and San Francisco have all eight policies so common that cops themselves have a complex, and our cruel, predatory crim- Wait, calling the project “dangerous and that took place across the country and on social media and in the news. Fawning in place. While claiming to reduce police word for it — “testilying.” In fact, it’s so inal (in)justice system. In other words, irresponsible” for “offering a slate of re- around the world following the deaths think pieces and op-eds everywhere from killings by 72% certainly grabs attention, ridiculously bad that even the quintes- abolition is the only sustainable, truly ef- forms that have already been tried and of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. I’m Vox to Rolling Stone to GQ to Variety ac- in reality, many cities would only see a sential conservative (and fucking creepy- fective way forward. Applied to the realm failed, that mislead a public newly invig- sure you’ve all seen your social media companied glowing endorsements from fraction of that reduction, and that’s as- ass weirdo) himself, Alan Dershowitz, of police killing, the abolitionist theory of orated to the possibilities of police and feeds filled with a slew of heartfelt procla- high-profile political and cultural figures suming that 8 Can’t Wait’s analysis of the has said that “Almost all police lie about change demonstrates that the only way prison abolition, and that do not reflect mations that Black Lives Matter, personal such as Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, data is reliable. Chicago, a hotbed of po- whether they violated the Constitution in to permanently end the violence at the the needs of criminalized communities.” stories of discrimination and loss, as well Ariana Grande, and others, lauding the lice brutality, witnessed 76 police killings order to convict guilty defendants” and hands of police is to dismantle the entire Their demands are: as ways to move forward from these trag- project’s “succinct and clear message” and over the past 7 years, 56 of them black. that “All prosecutors, defense lawyers, rotten system such that police officers edies, enact change, and achieve some potential to save lives. At the core of the The city also already has seven of the and judges are aware of [that].” As bad as and departments don’t have the tools or - Defund police measure of justice for those murdered by effort are eight “data-driven” reforms that eight reforms listed by 8 Can’t Wait, so all that sounds, don’t worry. It gets worse. ability to deal out death and suffering. - Demilitarize communities police. Chief among the many campaigns Campaign Zero claims would decrease the people of Chicago will have to look Justifiably upset at what hap- The tepid reforms Campaign Zero puts - Remove police from schools that have been circulating is 8 Can’t Wait, police killings by an almost unimaginable elsewhere for jaw-dropping reductions of pened to him, Howse tried to sue the of- forth with 8 Can’t Wait do nothing to - Free people from jails and prisons a project by Campaign Zero. 72%. At first glance, the reforms look police killings. ficers in federal court for excessive force. shift power away from police, and their - Repeal laws that criminalize survival Since COVID-19 threw a wrench promising: Unfortunately, Campaign Zero’s He lost. As it turned out, those officers are failure to address the near-complete lack - Invest in community self-governance in my summer plans, I spent break com- supposedly “data-driven” policies aren’t protected by qualified immunity, a legal of accountability and oversight that po- - Provide safe housing for everyone miserating with friends and comrades, - Ban Chokeholds and Strangleholds exactly as clear-cut as they claim. In their doctrine affirmed by the Supreme Court lice departments across the country en- - Invest in care, not cops watching police beat and arrest protest- - Require De-escalation own study, they allege that the average that protects government officials from joy seriously compromises the potential ers, and endlessly doomscrolling through - Require Warning before Shooting police department, out of the 91 that they civil liability unless they violate a “clear- effectiveness of the already-limited poli- A commitment to abolition in Twitter. But in the weeks and months - Exhaust all other means before Shoot- analyzed, already had three of their eight ly established” right. In essence, Howse, cies that 8 Can’t Wait is pushing. line with the demands set forth by the ac- after the grisly video of cops slowly killing recommended reforms. Right off the bat, along with every other individual in the The frustrating thing about in- tivists behind 8 to Abolition is absolutely ing George Floyd was released, I noticed - Duty to Intervene that finding throws their fantastical 72% country, has no clearly established right crementalist reform projects like 8 Can’t imperative. The ultimate, guiding vision more and more posts across social media - Ban Shooting at Moving Vehicles reduction of police killings out the win- to not be assaulted on his porch. Quali- Wait is that there’s no need to wave of the resurgent socialist Left must be one from friends, family, and strangers alike - Require Use of Force Continuum dow for the majority of cities, and those fied immunity is just the tip of the iceberg around in the darkness searching desper- of abolition. The moral gravity of having a all repeating the same phrase: “8 Can’t - Require Comprehensive Reporting with only one or two policies aren’t guar- when it comes to the astronomical num- ately for any way forward. The abolitionist system of unaccountable arbiters of death Wait.” Tentatively hopeful, I dug in. anteed anything close to a three-quarter ber of “get out of jail free” cards that cops movement has been around for decades, and violence, enforcing a racist legal code Was an abolitionist project finally break- Think of all the deadly encoun- reduction in police killings. The afore- have. So you can rest easy knowing that created and led by black scholars and ac- of class oppression, throwing people in ing through to the wider public? Was ters that could be avoided if police were mentioned 2016 study that Campaign cops can do basically whatever they want, tivists, such as the black queer women of pens to be the slave labor of the modern Angela Davis involved? These were my required to de-escalate. Or the lives that Zero conducted and based 8 Can’t Wait especially if you’re poor and a minority, the Combahee River Collective. From the capitalist economy makes the cause of ab- initial thoughts, but as I dug further and could be saved if chokeholds and stran- on contains methodological issues that and get off either scot-free or with a slap modern carceral state to American polic- olition a necessary one. The fascist Right learned more about this social media gleholds were banned across the country. seriously undermine the bold claims that on the wrist. ing’s origins in slave patrols and explicitly sees the role that the police and carceral phenomenon, my hopes shattered re- However, the assertion that widespread it’s being used to support. It compiles The issue that liberals like those discriminatory night watches, abolition- state play in the perpetuation of white su- placed only with the same numbness I implementation of these eight policies data from just 91 police departments over behind 8 Can’t Wait are either unable ists such as Angela Davis, Mariame Kaba, premacy and bourgeois class domination. felt freshman year when my roommate would result in anything close to a 72% only an 18-month period. or unwilling to grasp — and that aboli- and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor have spent They think it’s great. The liberal Right told me, without a hint of irony, that if drop in police killings is misleading at It’s well documented that police tionists have been calling attention to years illuminating the fundamental cru- throws its hands up in exaggerated shock, every police officer were made to watch best. Countless cities, townships, and departments and officers get away with for decades — is that police brutality is elty of police and prisons as an institution tosses a pack of Band-Aids to the dead the Green Book — starring Mahershala states across the country have already en- heinous violations of human rights and a matter of power. So long as police are and, more importantly, blazing a path to- and dying, and calls it a day. It is up to Ali and Viggo Mortensen — police vio- acted many of the reforms 8 Can’t Wait civil liberties all the damn time. As things empowered to impose their will violently ward an alternative future where our re- the working-class movement of the Left lence would plummet. Now I hope I shat- prescribes. Many large cities like New currently stand, police, as individuals and on the very people they claim to protect, sponse to crime is not to incarcerate and to fight like hell because, until all of us are ter your hopes as well. York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia al- as an institution, enjoy nearly limitless le- injustice and suffering will continue, and punish but to rehabilitate, strive for resti- free, none of us are. 8 Can’t Wait was launched in ready have at least half of them. In fact, gal protections. no amount of pinky swears or promises tution, and address the underlying causes will curtail that power. While projects of crime, such as poverty and a lack of so- 3 4 ket are capable of producing equity and ing the police. reelections and will be joined by pro- sustainability. It fuels a for-profit health- Unfortunately, both Biden and gressive insurgents Jamaal Bowman and care system that burdens people with Harris have spent a considerable amount Cori Bush. Every single swing-seat House thousands of dollars in medical debt. It of energy contemptuously distancing Democrat who endorsed Medicare for maintains an egregious carceral system themselves from progressivism and de- All won their race and 99% of Green New Challenging neoliberal complacency: that disproportionately harms and kills nouncing socialism. Although the word Deal co-sponsors won their races in this black, indigenous, Hispanic, immigrant, “socialist” is used pejoratively by Repub- cycle. mentally ill, and disabled communities. It licans to lambaste any Democrat with a Although Biden’s win has un- deceives us into believing that individual pulse, the more that Democrats try to doubtedly exacerbated neoliberal com- The future of leftist organizing hard work is the key to amassing wealth distance themselves from progressivism placency, this is a critical moment to push and achieving the American Dream. It and socialism as if they were inherently for an unapologetic agenda that promotes generates cult-like infatuations with bil- bad, the more it legitimizes GOP fram- justice, challenges structural racism, lionaires who would be nothing without ing. combats climate change, increases politi- By Mahnoor Imran government subsidies and the workers Instead of waiting out an inter- cal accountability, dismantles institutions whom they underpay and exploit. regnum in our political history, we must of oppression, and radically redistrib- When governments abandon continue to fight for progressive policies utes wealth. We can continue to organize their obligation to transform socioeco- that are actually popular among rural, ur- by supporting indigenous sovereignty, The lesser evil has prevailed. to these things, many resistance liberals ganizers, many of whom were people of nomic outcomes for the better, political ban, and suburban voters. The future for fighting for police and prison abolition, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice Pres- have conveniently forgotten about him color, were the ones who helped secure efficacy diminishes. This points to the leftist organizing and movement building developing ecosocialist frameworks for ident-elect Kamala Harris have defeat- leading support for the Iraq War, the Biden’s win in swing states. Black com- inextricable link between neoliberalism is far from bleak. In fact, 67% of Amer- promoting environmental justice, and ed the demagogic megalomaniac in the Obama-Biden administration carrying munities, indigenous communities, and and the triumph of Trumpism. In four icans support increasing the minimum creating mutual aid networks. When we White House otherwise known as Don- out mass deportations that ripped fam- Hispanic communities did the heavy lift- years, we may have hard-right candidates wage to $15, 69% support Medicare for build community power and cultivate ald Trump. However, in the middle of ilies apart, his inappropriate displays of ing for a democracy that never worked in try to take the presidency again. In that All, and 63% support free public college. solidarity, we can rise above the forces a mismanaged pandemic that has cost unwanted affection toward women, and their favor. Representative Rashida Tlaib, terrifying prospect, the pullback might Furthermore, 26 out of 30 of the of oppression, marginalization, and vitu- hundreds of thousands of lives, nation- credible sexual assault allegations against who represents one of the most impov- be stronger than the push forward. The Democratic Socialists of America’s na- peration that threaten to destroy us. The wide protests against the epidemic of po- him. As Attorney General of California, erished districts in the country, recently only way to prevent this is for the Dem- tionally endorsed candidates won their horizon of a liberated future is within our lice brutality, and the looming threat of Harris fought hard to keep the wrongful- told Politico that “If [voters] can walk ocratic Party to muster the moral and races. All four members of “The Squad” line of sight. We just have to keep moving climate change, Biden’s insipid promise ly convicted in prison, withheld evidence past blighted homes and school closures political courage to get behind popular — Representatives Alexandria Oca- forward and pushing left. of returning to some semblance of nor- that would have freed incarcerated peo- and pollution to vote for Biden-Harris, movements and policies like the Green sio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pres- malcy feels uninspiring. A return to the ple, criminalized and imprisoned parents when they feel like they don’t have any- New Deal, Medicare for All, and defund- ley, and Ilhan Omar — have won their pre-Trump status quo will not actively because their children were truant, and thing else, they deserve to be heard.” In- transform the material conditions of the received criticism from the transgender stead of paying lip service to social issues working class, and a massive shift in the community for denying gender-affirming and defaulting to vague bromides about political paradigm is desperately needed. healthcare and banning forums that sex unity, the incoming Biden administration Although their win has prompt- workers use to protect themselves. owes these communities more than just a ed celebration, there is something to be In the next four years, the nod of thanks. They deserve a bold vision said about the failure of establishment Biden-Harris administration will con- for the future of America. Democrats to provide compelling narra- tinue to champion neoliberal governance The reality is that our na- tives that take on Wall Street, insurance and imperialist interests. Their transition tion’s current modality of political and companies, and the fossil fuel industry. team is filled with wealthy corporate ex- economic operation is committed to Though progressives and leftists are fre- ecutives and lobbyists from companies half-hearted incrementalism and as- quently vilified for expressing concerns like Uber and Amazon who are entirely sumes that anything other than that is about the incoming Biden-Harris ad- disconnected from the struggles of the impossible. This concession to pragma- ministration, both Biden and Harris have working class. The team also comprises tism inhibits real progress. The pursu- problematic records that warrant criti- Obama administration alumni like Cecil- ance of middle-ground politics paves the cism about their vision for the future. ia Muñoz, President Obama’s top immi- way for excessive globalization at the ex- Last year, Biden assured his gration advisor who continually justified pense of developing countries, corporate wealthy donors that “nothing would fun- harsh immigration enforcement policies tax breaks paid for through austerity, and damentally change” if he were elected, and rationalized the separation of parents rhetoric about civility at the expense of once more reminding us that elite cen- from their children. communities of color. trists will always prioritize the interests of Though centrism may have won Neoliberalism is degenerative. It the ruling class. Despite having an atro- at the top of the ticket, it proved to be allows for oligarchs to dictate our political cious record of racist tough-on-crime electorally shaky. In fact, many moder- agenda and influence our political pro- policies, Biden operated his campaign ates lost their seats or came dangerous- cess. It launches wars based on lies and under the assumption that people of col- ly close to losing their seats. Although makes billions in profits by selling arms or were obligated to vote for him simply Democrats tried to blame the Left for to repressive regimes. It tries to convince because he was not Trump. In addition their own shortcomings, progressive or- us that the levers of the capitalist mar- Photo: Katie Schuering via NYC-DSA 5 6 terioration. They say that the beginning is the rent decontrol, tenants of previously Several empirical rebuttals of most important part of the work. Thus, it controlled units saw a sharp increase in The False Narratives Around rent control exist as well. The majority of only seems natural that a criticism starts rents. This was accompanied by a signif- these center around the effects of rent de- there as well. Enter Friedman’s Roofs or icant increase in residential turnover, the regulation in Cambridge, Massachusetts Ceilings? While Friedman’s theoretical number of transactions on the housing in the 1990s. The most widely cited may rebuttal of rent control may prove con- market, as people were no longer able to be David Autor’s 2014 study, which em- vincing to some, the truth of the matter afford to live in their homes. Rent Control pirically found that the removal of rent remains there is little empirical evidence It wouldn’t be unreasonable to control caused a property appreciation to back up his conclusions. Consider, for say that these transactions were hap- By Ashvin Pai of $2.0 billion between 1994 and 2004 in example, Friedman’s claim that rent con- pening primarily between poor indi- the Cambridge housing market. Henry trol policies cause a slump in housing viduals and large real estate speculators Pollakowski’s 2003 study of Cambridge’s construction. as housing investment in decontrolled The landlord-tenant dynamic is that must be adopted. blocking rent control policies is easy deregulation found to a similar effect that Much evidence suggests that this units more than doubled on an annual one of the most complex and interesting A cursory search of rent control enough. Using a technical analysis to a significant amount of post-deregulation is simply not the case. In a report on the basis — a far greater injection of capital social frameworks of modern capitalism. in the news reveals the critical nature of point at specific points where these ar- investment 一 16 to 24%, in fact 一 would effects of rent control from 1978 to 1994, than individual purchases could possi- It is arguably the most divisive and in- current conversations around the poli- guments go wrong is a little more diffi- not have occurred without deregulation. Berkeley, California’s planning and devel- bly contribute. So in Cambridge, at least, flammatory economic relationship pres- cy. Many mainstream news outlets have cult. The fact of the matter is that oppo- Pollakowski even claims that rent de- opment department found “no evidence rent deregulation did not result in a more ent today. One can virtually guarantee published pieces actively arguing against sition to rent control has a long-standing regulation helps the poor as housing that rent control had any effect on con- equitable housing market that helped the that every renter has had a landlord they the policy when it gains popular support economic tradition, with many famous investment is not relegated to high-in- struction of new housing.” More broad- common person — the outcome Fried- hated and conversely, every landlord, a in communities. For example, in 2019, economists from Milton Friedman to come neighborhoods, but instead equally ly, data indicates that, between 2007 and man was supposedly advocating for. tenant they despised. when London mayor Sadiq Khan called Assar Lindbeck coming out against it. It spread across all socioeconomic bound- 2014, the cities in California’s Bay Area However, for some odd reason, In purely monetary terms, the for progressive housing policies, the BBC is upon this perceived economic consen- aries. with rent control “produced more hous- proponents of rent deregulation ignore rental housing market is one of the larg- released a fact-check article claiming sus which rent control opposition stands. For some time, studies of de- ing units per capita than cities without this and continue to dogmatically equate est in the United States, netting in well “standard economic theory is that rent Reading the articles mentioned above, it regulation in Cambridge were the only rent control.” increased housing investment with eco- over $100 billion in 2020, with most of control does not work” and cited a Stan- becomes clear that while they offer some empirical analyses of rent control and These results carry over to the nomic success. Referring back to Autor this value managed by giant real estate ford study in a claim that “[rent] controls specific arguments against rent con- oppositional economists found that they East Coast as well. John Gilderbloom’s and Pollakowski’s praise for deregulation, companies (Ann Arbor’s own McKinley helped accelerate gentrification.” trol, the real message they are pushing were relying too heavily on theoretical 30-year survey of over 70 New Jersey cit- one finds that they are built on this exact manages a $4.6 billion portfolio with over In the United States, when sev- is essentially the same: economists have arguments. This call for more empirical ies with rent control found that, in the premise, treating housing investment as 34,000 apartments). It is in this backdrop, eral rent control laws seemed poised to found the answer for rent control — it research led to Rebecca Diamond’s 2019 period between 1990 and 2000, moderate the foremost metric to be concerned with with these stakes, that the policy of rent pass in New York and California, The doesn’t work. analysis of rent control in San Francisco, rent controls had no significant impact on rather than equitable housing or long- control is being judged for its worthiness. Washington Post published an op-ed in This begs the question, Where arguably the study most widely cited in new constructions in the rental market. term housing security — the actual prob- It should come as no surprise, then, with which author Megan McArdle argued can one find this economic consensus? the modern rent control discourse (ref- Conveniently, Gilderbloom also refutes lems that common people in the housing so much capital threatened by affordable that “every economist agrees that rent There is certainly some truth to this claim erenced in both the BBC and ‘No On Olsen’s analysis that rent control results market face. That such a blatant false housing policies, that rent control has controls are bad.” In a similar vein, the re- as economic papers, studies, and essays 21’ campaign articles mentioned above). in faster-than-optimal housing deterio- equivocation is so unscrupulously made been the target of a relentless smear cam- cent ‘No on 21’ campaign, in opposition against rent control policies date back One of the biggest conclusions of the ration. In the same New Jersey study, it (most notably when Pollakowski cites paign. to California’s Prop 21 housing amend- almost 75 years. Many people cite Fried- study was that “rent control contributed was found that there was no significant equally distributed housing investment Rent control, a robust package ment, garnered the endorsement of 28 man and George Stigler’s 1946 Roofs or to the gentrification of San Francisco’’ by relationship between rent controls and as evidence that deregulation helps the of policies aimed at increasing housing local newspapers including the Pasadena Ceilings? as the original work that kicked incentivizing landlords to convert exist- the percentage of housing with working poor) is incredibly concerning and raises stability for the poor — including things Star-News, Orange County Register, and off rent control opposition. Through the ing rental properties into condominiums. plumbing — widely accepted as a reason- questions about the supposed good-faith such as restrictions on condo conversions Los Angeles Daily News, whose editori- lens of free market analysis, Friedman Many saw this as the final nail in the cof- able indicator for rental housing quality. standing of these studies, especially when and caps on rent increases — has histor- al boards all published the same opinion and Stigler make a theoretical argument fin for rent control, whose advocates of- In Roofs or Ceilings? Friedman their ultimate denunciations of rent con- ically enjoyed massive support among that rent control reduces homebuilding against rent ceilings, concluding that ten tout it as a policy to keep gentrifica- claims that his arguments against rent trol are made with no hesitation. urban renters. However, for almost 75 and land values, and forces properties off rent ceilings allocate space haphazardly, tion at bay. control are hedged in the interest of alle- Similar inaccuracies extend into years, status-quo economists have en- of the rental market. use that space inefficiently, retard new Fortunately, despite these stud- viating the housing crisis. In his view, the the aforementioned Diamond study of thusiastically maintained the stance The San Francisco Chronicle went even construction, and cause future depres- ies, political support for rent control is removal of rent controls would help the rent control in San Francisco. That this that rent control is a failed policy. These further, saying that rent control was sion in residential building. The next still alive and well. Perhaps even more housing market perform more efficient- study in particular contains said inac- views have proliferated so widely into “overwhelmingly rejected by experts and big study, Edgar Olsen’s 1972 ‘An Econo- importantly, that this political support ly, in turn, helping the individual find the curacies is especially important as it has the public opinion that current conver- refuted by research.” The ‘No on 21’ cam- metric Analysis of Rent Control’ contin- remains IS justified. This is because, upon housing they desired. Thus, one could become one of the most widely cited in sations around rent control, liberal and paign itself, which ultimately received ues in a similar vein, developing a more closer inspection, there exist several is- reasonably assume that if rent deregula- recent years by advocates of rent dereg- conservative alike, treat it as an issue on a cease and desist letter for misleading complex mathematical model to derive sues with the conclusions that the studies tion did not help the poor find affordable ulation. One of the biggest claims Dia- which economics has reached a universal voters, was funded by real estate giants several inefficiencies surrounding rent mentioned above have reached. That the housing, Friedman would be against it. mond makes is that rent control fueled consensus. However, to put it mildly, the Blackstone, Essex, and Equity Residential control. Most notably, Olsen asserts that conclusions of these studies have glaring So what actually happens when gentrification in San Francisco by incen- premise of this discourse — that econom- among others. Unsurprisingly, Prop 21 rent-controlled housing deteriorates sub- issues is no light matter; these are some rent controls are removed? One only has tivizing landlords to “[convert] existing ics has “proven rent control wrong” — is was rejected by California voters in the optimally; that is, rent-controlled hous- of the most widely cited pieces in the to return to the example of Cambridge, rental properties to higher-end, own- wildly inaccurate. Indeed, rent control, as 2020 election. ing deteriorates faster than in the absence modern policy discourse surrounding Massachusetts to see the stark effects of er-occupied condominium housing.” a policy to promote housing stability for Understanding that there is a of controls and that only a free housing rent control, and are authored by highly ending rent controls on housing stabili- However, this critique ignores the poor, is an effective and efficient one large corporate and political interest in market can attain the optimal path of de- respected economists. ty for the poor. Immediately following the fact that, historically, constructing 7 8 new low-income housing without gov- es. residence. In other words, even this in- sary to ensure rent control’s efficacy in a benefits to middle- and upper-class rent- means that rent control is significantly ernment subsidies is a largely unprof- Notwithstanding, even if rent credibly popular study, which presents gentrifying market.” Even today, many ers. cheaper than other affordable housing itable venture. In other words, with or controls act as an incentive for landlords itself as a critique of rent control, conclu- rent control advocates don’t even focus Rent control also effectively pro- policies. For example, Berkeley’s rent without rent controls, landlords have no to convert to condominiums, this obser- sively found the policy accomplished its on absolute rents, rather placing more tects against forced mobility. A literature control program was able to stabilize incentives to provide affordable housing vation is still not a valid critique of rent main task of increasing housing stability emphasis on controlling rent increases. review done by Manuel Pastor, Vanes- 19,000 units for just $4 million dollars. when they could be making much higher control laws. This is because rent control for poor renters. Thus, an analysis of rent control as a sim- sa Carter, and Maya Abood found that In comparison, it would have taken $20 profits catering to wealthier demograph- advocates have always proposed restric- Another theme present among ple price ceiling is a pointless exercise. home mobility driven by factors of force million to provide housing vouchers for ics. Thus, claiming that rent controls are tions on condominium conversions as a critics of rent control, academics and (Somewhat ironically, rent control is of- can be countered through rent stabiliza- a little over 2,000 units, and $220 million somehow an incentive for condo con- feature of their policies. Thus, Diamond’s news outlets alike, is that they misunder- ten used as the default price ceiling exam- tion measures. Of course, some econo- to build or rehabilitate 2,000 units. This versions makes absolutely no sense as, findings only suggest that there exists stand what the purpose of rent control is ple in introductory economics classes.) mists, such as Friedman, have seen low type of data makes it unrealistic that a in a deregulated market, these landlords a political climate around rent control and what specific policies it entails. His- Furthermore, even with all these levels of mobility among renters as an in- lack of government funds is a reason to would skip straight to condos anyway. which allows for landlords to game the torically, rent control has not been pro- policies, rent control’s main aim is not efficient allocation of housing. This view not implement rent controls. The impli- The deeper insinuation that rent control system through loopholes such as con- posed as a simple price ceiling on rents, to create affordable housing or improve ignores the numerous external benefits cations of this argument are quite stark; contributes to gentrification is demon- do conversion — a political climate that as Friedman critiqued it. A 1988 article housing quality for the poor, the grounds of housing stability. Housing stability has in the eyes of policymakers, allowing the strably false as well. Indeed, it seems the studies such as hers feed into. Indeed, the in the Harvard Law Review defined rent upon which Olsen, Autor, and Pollakow- wide ranging beneficial effects on com- housing crisis to go on is seen as justifi- opposite may be the case; when Boston hard data of the study itself shows that control as “a regulatory scheme combin- ski took the most issue. Rather, rent con- munities; much research has been done able and even desirable because it results neighborhoods repealed their rent con- “beneficiaries of rent control are between ing rent [regulation], a warranty of hab- trol advocates envision it as a policy to en- linking evictions with higher levels of in less government spending. trol laws in the mid-1990s, they saw a 10 and 20% more likely to remain at their itability, eviction restrictions, a morato- sure housing stability and protect people anxiety, depression, and trouble making As the housing crisis grows multitude of socioeconomic changes that [home address],” and that rent controls rium on condominium conversion, and from being forced out of their homes by social ties. worse, the need for policies such as rent signified gentrification, including a sig- helped protect populations from person- residential zoning restrictions,” empha- price increases. In his testimonial to the What’s worse is that already control becomes more immediate. How- nificant increase of rents and home pric- al shocks that required them to change sizing that “the full scheme [was] neces- Jersey City Council, J.W. Mason, assistant marginalized communities experience ever, with this urgency, one can expect a economic professor at the City University these types of evictions at higher rates; greater oppositional narrative and an in- of New York, said exactly this, advocat- in Milwaukee, black women account for creased effort to execute the smear cam- ing for rent controls on the grounds that only 9.6% of the population but make up paign against affordable housing. The renters “have a reasonable expectation of 30% of evictions. The curbing of forced current perception of economic consen- remaining in their homes in terms sim- evictions through rent control policies sus around rent control as ineffective is ilar to the ones they experienced in the clearly has the potential of greatly im- flawed at best and intellectually dishonest p a s t .” proving mental health and alleviating at worst. Much of the traditional litera- By no means does this mean that financial stresses for already struggling ture all the way from Friedman to Dia- rent control ignores housing creation or communities. Additionally, housing sta- mond misunderstands the aims of rent housing quality. It may well be that with bility has many effects on the academic control, makes false equivocations which increased housing stability, renters will success of children, with findings sug- result in flawed conclusions, and isn’t gain more political power against land- gesting a significant negative relation- backed by empirical data. lords and real estate companies. This ship between residential moves and high Despite this, the message that increased political oomph could very school completion. Conversely, housing rent control is a failed policy is being well be the catalyst for higher ambitions stability has a significant positive cor- continually pushed out to the public in of more affordable and quality housing. relation to increased school attendance the language of these studies and essays. However, because these aren’t the main for children. With these facts in mind, it Economists such as Mason, Levine, and goals of rent control, critiques of the pol- quickly becomes apparent that the effects Gilderbloom, among others, are thrown icy along these lines are fundamentally of housing stability lie beyond solely the by the wayside in the desperate appeal to flawed. monetary realm, creating cascading ef- authority that decontrol advocates invari- When judged on its own terms, fects which results in healthier and more ably resort to. It is dangerous to pretend it becomes clear that the data on rent vibrant communities. that there are no political motivations to control is overwhelmingly in its favor. In These effects don’t take much these decontrol studies when they have terms of benefiting its intended constitu- time to manifest themselves either. Be- such clear flaws. ency, rent control is generally successful. cause rent control targets the private It is dangerous to pretend that A study of rent control in Santa Monica housing market, it can take effect on a the free-market economics criticizing found that lower-income tenants expe- large amount of housing with very little rent control aren’t ultimately biased to- rienced a significant reduction in shelter cost in very little time. Furthermore, it is ward what is best for giant real estate cor- costs, gaining proportionately more from extremely cost-efficient for governments porations. With the large successes that the rent control law than their higher-in- to implement; both Berkeley and Santa rent control has had in creating housing come counterparts. Additionally, there Monica’s rent boards do not rely on gen- stability, it is important that the false nar- was no significant evidence supporting an eral city funds and as little as 26 full-time ratives around the policy be challenged argument that rent control had unintend- staff are able to oversee over 25,000 units. whenever they are brought up. The data ed effects of providing disproportionate This low-cost implementation is clear: rent control works. Credit: Caelie Frampton via Flickr 9 10 Gig Companies Buy Immunity Interview with BYP100

From Labor Protections Black Lives Matter is the largest protest movement in American history. Indeed, the fight for racial justice has united countless groups and mobilized them behind a single noble cause. One of those groups is Black Youth Project 100 (BYP100).

By Bri Jackson BYP100 was founded in 2013 following the murder of Trayvon Martin. They are a member-based collective of young black activists fighting for freedom and libera- tion. Starting in Chicago, BYP100 has since expanded considerably with chapters While the whole country was over how they work, they must be free was the result of a ceaseless campaign by from California’s Bay Area to Washington DC. wrapped up in a contentious presiden- to seek work elsewhere, and their labor gig companies to manipulate voters and tial election, gig companies in Califor- cannot be central to the company’s busi- convince workers that the measure would Last month, Elias Khoury and Taylor-Raye Council got a chance to speak with nia were biding their time. Corporations ness. A major win for workers and labor benefit them. During the campaign, Uber BYP100’s national Comms Associate Kwynn Riley. What follows is a transcript of like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, and unions, the bill helped to categorize gig and Lyft maintained that, under the pro- that conversation, edited for clarity and length. Postmates spent $200 million advertising workers as employees entitled to the posal, they would be providing their in favor of the highly damaging Califor- same benefits as other workers. workers with a minimum wage and a nia ballot measure known as Proposition As expected, AB 5 was promptly healthcare stipend to offset the cost of 22, which would categorize gig workers vilified by gig companies who immedi- having to buy their own health insur- as independent contractors. The classi- ately began searching for a way to over- ance. Yet again, the gig companies have fication exempts these corporate behe- turn the legislation that was hurting their intentionally misrepresented the realities EK | Give us a brief summary of BYP100. Who are you (as an resources toward education and mental health services for black moths from giving their workers the ben- bottom line. Uber and Lyft argued that of enacting the proposal. Prop 22 avoids organization), what do you do, and why do you do it? and brown folks. efits entitled to company employees such one of the main benefits of working for guaranteeing independent contractors a as a minimum wage, health insurance, them was drivers’ flexibility to make their minimum wage by modifying the activ- KR | BYP100 is a member-based organization of young black And then, of course, we have our “She Safe, We Safe” campaign and sick pay. own schedule, but that AB 5 would force ities that count as “worked” time, lower- activists ages 18 to 35. We are a nationwide organization. We that helps with combating gender-based violence. We started The proposition spits in the face the companies to schedule drivers and ing actual wages from $12 an hour to an currently have 10 chapters and a large digital following. We are the campaign in recognition of the fact that black trans and gen- of hard-won labor protections that have reduce their total workforce to remain estimated $5.64. In addition, the health- also in the process of building up a new chapter in South Flor- der nonconforming folks really need our support, and in hopes existed in the United States for decades. profitable. The ride-sharing companies care stipend is estimated to be a paltry ida. of redefining what safety looks like within that community. In fact, the California Supreme Court had also claimed that workers have signifi- $30 per pay-period — hardly a drop in previously upheld Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5), cant control over how they work because the bucket. Our mission is freedom for black people — all black people. We EK | How is BYP100 set up from an organizational perspective? enacted on January 1st of this year, which of the scheduling flexibility. But, as is the All of these negative effects on understand the world through a black-queer-feminist lens. This Is decision-making typically done on a democratic basis? What sought to protect gig workers and clas- case with so many of their claims, it is a workers are made worse in the current means that we focus on black trans and gender nonconforming does that look like? sify them as full employees. Despite the farce. In fact, Uber sets drivers’ base fares, moment during the full throes of the folks. Because, when they are free, we all will be. overwhelming harm to California work- assigns drivers specific routes, and fires COVID-19 pandemic. As ride demand KR | So, we are a 501(c)3 and a 501(c)4. We are a member-based ers if the legislation were reversed, voters drivers by “deactivating” their accounts goes down due to safety restrictions, gig EK | At a national level, Y/DSA endorses a social democratic organization. So we do have a lot of all-membership meetings passed Proposition 22 with a strong ma- for inactivity or for receiving low pas- workers are offered no protections to help policy set that includes things like the Green New Deal, tui- where members can give their input and recommendations. jority of 58%. With the passage of Prop senger ratings. In reality, it seems drivers them navigate the hardships caused by tion-free public college, and universal healthcare. What policies This is how we stay responsive to membership. 22, corporate greed has bought out the have little control over what they charge loss of income. In addition to this, people or ideological currents run through the whole of BYP100, and opinions, and votes, of Californians and as well as when and where they work. of color, who are already the most socially to what extent do you consider your organization “big-tent”? A majority of national staff — myself included — are members stripped rights from workers who des- In response to AB 5, Uber and vulnerable group during this pandemic, of BYP100. I’m from the Chicago chapter; our national director perately need them. Lyft immediately took to advertising constitute a majority of drivers. The re- KR | Right now, we have a few campaigns that we are prior- is from Durham. That speaks for itself. We have organizers get- If you’re asking “Why??” and for a counter-legislation through ballot sult of Prop 22 in such an unprecedented itizing. We readily embrace any policies compatible with the ting paid to organize. slapping your forehead, you are not proposal. And, thus, Prop 22 was born. moment is to make vulnerable workers aforementioned black-queer-feminist lens. For example, we are alone. Let’s quickly examine the history In spite of the obvious consequences of significantly more vulnerable in a time of working alongside The People’s Coalition to fight back against Decision-making in BYP100 is community-based. Of course, of gig legislation this year in California not providing basic labor protections to desperate need. Despite the companies’ the harmful effects of the 1994 crime bill. with all big organizations, you are going to have some hierarchy. to understand. AB 5 protected workers workers, voters went to the polls and cast claims of wanting to help workers, their But, at the same time, everyone who wants a say will have one. by instituting a three-point framework their ballots to counter the basic rights of actions speak louder than their words. We also are a part of the Movement 4 Black Lives, which created to classify any worker as an independent their fellow Californians anyway. the BREATHE Act: a comprehensive document that mainly fo- EK | During the Democratic primary, members of BYP100 and contractor: the worker must have control The passage of Proposition 22 cuses on federal divestment from policing, and allocating those the Sunrise Movement joined forces to protest a Joe Biden rally 11 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Is this sort of collaboration common? sure schoolchildren are learning about transformative justice. If so, who else have you worked with in the past and on what Counseling services are too often underfunded, so we want to issues? make sure money goes to that as well. Police funds could also be put toward making necessities like housing and healthcare KR | This sort of collaboration is very common. I mentioned more affordable. previously the Movement 4 Black Lives and The People’s Coa- lition. You brought up Sunrise. We also work with Black Lives We know that police are insufficient to solve the problem of Matter, and other similar grassroots organizations. gender-based violence. Just look at Chicago. With how policed it is, and how big the police budget is, you would think that we We love joining in these coalitions because we know that, when are the safest city in the world. But we are not. we collaborate, we actually get more work done. Groups often reach out to BYP100 asking us to participate in their actions. TRC | The #SayHerName movement has typically been about And we are happy to give them more bodies to put on the front- black women and girls. But not for BYP100. You have taken lines. special care to also raise awareness about the harm faced by EK | How do you foresee your activism changing under a Biden femmes and the gender nonconforming. Why is this sort of in- administration compared to the last four years under Trump, if clusivity so important? at all? KR | It is important because these are the people who have been KR | I foresee our activism becoming stronger. Because of the kept out. They have been marginalized and oppressed. We are in pandemic, we have a lot more folks charged-up and wanting to the year 2020, and it is still happening. make a change. As you know, with organizing, we do get burnt- out; we do get discouraged; and we do get tired. So it is nice Freedom starts from ground-up — not from the top-down. And that we can give members a chance to rest and pass the torch we know that when black trans, femmes, and gender noncon- to younger, newer members who are more energized to hold forming people are free, all of us are truly free. It is inclusivity, Biden accountable and challenge Kamala on issues of policing. but it is also fighting against discrimination which should have We have a lot of people eager to help set black people free. been dealt with a long time ago. BYP100 wants to highlight and illuminate the struggles of heteronormativity’s biggest victims. TRC | Being that racial injustice and economic injustice go We have to admit the harm that has been done. hand-in-hand, what is BYP100 doing to help more people understand that capitalism has a negative effect on the black com- TRC | In a video on your website, BYP100 refers to itself as the munity? “black-queer-feminist organization of this time.” How fond are you of the term “intersectionality,” and in what ways does it in- KR | That is a really good question. I specifically think of the form your activism? Chicago chapter. Whenever we have events, we make sure that everything is free. BYP100 tries to decommodify our organiza- KR | The black-queer-feminist lens and praxis inspires every- tion as much as possible. For example, we give groceries away. thing that we do. It is something of a mandate on our activism. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have also been giving BYP100 is fond of the term “intersectionality” because we rec- away hygiene products, condoms, and other things that society ognize the different layers of oppression. We also recognize that chooses to hold on to — almost as a bargaining tool. now, more than ever, is the time to uplift the voices of diverse and disparate communities. We also fight hard against prison labor. In general, BYP100 just tries to be sensitive to members’ socioeconomic status. We do As far as integrating intersectionality into our activism, BYP100 what we can to provide members as much as possible free of tries to stay up-to-date with legislation and policies that af- charge. fect marginalized peoples. We also make sure that we have black trans and gender nonconforming folks in our leadership. TRC | Under your “She Safe, We Safe” campaign, you mention BYP100 also tries to partner with different black trans-led or- “Reallocating funding from the police to community-deter- ganizations. The Transgender Day of Rememberance is coming mined programs that address gender-based violence in Black up, and we are working with them to plan how we will honor communities.” What particular services do you have in mind, the victims of transphobia. and why do you think the police are insufficient to reduce gender-based violence? BYP100 does not use intersectionality to belabor our differenc- es. Rather, we use it to show the overwhelming power that we KR | We are referring to schools, which help break cycles of vi- have when we truly come together. All marginalized people, olence because education dissipates fear. We also want to divert fighting as one, are unstoppable. We built all of this, and we can police funds toward transformative justice initiatives, and make tear it down too.