Sonia Reed: A San Leandro Story of Racism & Resilience

 

Sonia Reed found her first home ever in the hills of San Leandro. After winning a lottery through a local program to support first-time homebuyers, she couldn't believe her luck in finding a place in the Bay Area's competitive housing market. As someone who was formerly homeless, she was very excited to then become a first-time homeowner.  As a peer support and recovery specialist and Narcotics Anonymous volunteer for Alameda County, she is used to helping others. In fact, after struggling against hardship most of her life, Sonia has dedicated her career to fighting for others, including serving as a member of Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless Commission and a program manager at Bonita House. But now she's the one in need of help.

Upon coming to visit her new home in the unincorporated Hillcrest Knolls neighborhood, she was immediately met with racist slurs and hate from a couple of her neighbors. Insults were hurled about her race and her body. The contractor's tools to renovate her house were stolen from her property. Threats were issued against her, from dogs to bullets. After these incidents, she then found graffiti spray painted with "NO BLACKS" on her front fence. The very same fence that she was hoping to paint as her quintessential "white picket fence." It was supposed to be a welcoming sight for her new home, not the canvas for a message of hate.

Now, she does not feel safe or welcome in the neighborhood, especially living there as a single Woman of Color with two grandchildren. Unfortunately, does not want to stay in her new home. She's not interested in being a martyr or risking her personal peace.

But it took everything she had to buy this home and fix it up so she could move in. It'll be a costly process for her to turn around and sell the home that she had planned to move into.

The Big Tent has started a fundraiser in Sonia's name and with her permission. She shouldn't have to go into debt by having to find another home just because of the terrible situation she's endured. Everyone deserves the chance to follow their dream and live in peace. Sonia will be moving on to find a new home where she and her grandchildren can live and be free of prejudice and hate. You can donate by going to her GoFundMe page.

The Big Tent also completed the painting of her fence with messages of peace, love, and light, to stand against the violence, hatred, and darkness that blanketed her neighborhood. The Big Tent will be hosting a rally to support Sonia on Saturday, February 22, at Hillcrest Knolls Park. More details are available here.

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As some of you may know, San Leandro has a long history as a sundown town. There were the Suburban Wall years of the 60's and 70's, followed by the Invisible Wall years of the 80's. In fact, the last recorded cross-burning from the city's local KKK chapter was as recently as 1989! Throughout that time, San Leandro perpetuated redlining against Black and Brown people. A classic history of this can be seen in the works of notable residents like Brian Copeland.

But what's less well-known or accepted is how that history of racism has continued up through the present day. As presented on this very blog, it has happened time and again. From SLPD against innocent people to SLPD against itself. From symbols of White Supremacy flown from household masts to unapologetic assaults against neighbors to bigoted graffiti in local parks.

Sonia's story of racism and resilience has become all too common here in San Leandro. It's a tale as old as America itself. But what's past need not repeat itself. Our present is not the prologue to a future of forever waging the same battles against bigotry and hate.

The only question is whether we have the strength and wisdom to make a better choice.

Take note and take care.