A Lesson in Community Effort
Hayward Review, Apr. 04, 1947
Full Text:
Russell City—the community that knows how!
That description may surprise many residents of the Hayward area who most frequently label "That place out by the dump" as the "slums" of the Hayward area. But in several of its enterprises, Russell City not only is proving it knows how, but is doing it under the severest of handicaps. Russell City provides a model which the entire area could adopt with profit. Take roads for instance.
DOCTORS
Russell City roads were just a series of chuckholes which trap the car of any unwary driver who attempted to negotiate them.
Appeals to the county board of supervisors failed. So the newly formed Russell City Improvement league went to work.
Delegates visited doctors in Hayward—who testified in writing that they declined to serve Russell City patients because the roads are so bad. Other delegates went to garbage collectors—who stated they refused to pick up garbage for the same reason. They went to the postoffice—which had declined to give service. They went to the school, where Mrs. Wilda C. Mette, principal, pointed out that after a single hard rain, the streets were so bad that attendance of the 342 pupils dropped to 252—a reduction of 90, because of the flood.
THE EVIDENCE
They went to the county school superintendent's office and had a member of his staff photograph the lake of rainwater which is Russell City after a shower.
With their proof in letters and in pictures, delegates again called on the board of supervisors and requested relief.
In the face of such evidence, the supervisors authorized road improvement. Not much, but some. A few of the main streets. But that was more than had ever been done before.
Russell City —a community which knows how!
In Russell City, the people hope that more will be done in the future, and are taking steps to see that it is done.
They were brushed off once by a supervisor who said, "You don't have enough votes. Show me votes, and you'll get your results." So the residents of Russell City—black, and brown, and white—are registering in unprecedented numbers to cast their ballots at the next election.
Russell City—a community which knows how!
Many of them, coming from areas where they were denied the right to vote, are going to the public library to ask for books on civic affairs and the rights of citizens.
INFORMATION
And the demand is also heavy for information on parliamentary law, as the Russell City Improvement club assumes an ever more active part in community affairs.
Meetings are conducted under handicaps, for such are the national and racial origins of the people of Russell City that many of them cannot understand each other. Interpreters restate questions to their individual groups, there is a buzz of conversation in different languages, and then the interpreters come back with the votes from their groups. There is no veto, as in United Nations councils, and no special jealousy.
Just the realization that there's a job to be done.
Russell City—a community which knows how!
CLEANUP
While the rest of the Hayward area only talked about cleaning up it's highways and roadsides, the people of Russell City were doing something about it. They organized a cleanup campaign, secured the donation of trucks, and gave their own services. True, there's more to be done, for they have far to go. But they are on the way.
After a disasterous fire, the people wanted fire protection, so they banded together to provide a fire truck. They couldn't afford taxes for a fire district, but they could give money and time. They pledged $1,350, which is a big sum for Russell City, and now are looking for the best equipment which that money will buy.
SCHOOLS
For Russell City is a poor district as far as wealth goes. The school district's richest farm land was taken away by the federal government when the airport was built.
As a result, school taxes from the district yield only $2,400 per year, or approximately $5 for each one of the 342 pupils. The act which equalized state aid so that assistance is given on the basis of average daily attendance will help Russell school pay the salaries of its principal and 12 teachers. But it won't help build more school rooms. If Russell City were bonded to its full limit, it could get only $13,000, which isn't enough for one new room.
There are only four classrooms and one converted storeroom at the school, so the swing system is in full force. The high first grade with 29 pupils is crowded into the building somehow, but one is rented in the community for 52 pupils in the two beginning first grades. There isn't much choice where to go—there is only one room in the whole community outside the school which could possibly serve.
HANDICAPS
To give some idea of the handicaps under which Russell City labors, consider this. A year ago the school conducted a survey of family reading habits. In the seventh and eighth grades, it was discovered, the families of only three children received any newspaper, magazine, or other paid periodical of any kind.
Only three families! The others couldn't read, couldn't read English, didn't care, or considered such information too expensive for the family budget.
Now with several of the roads improved, and with an aroused interest in reading, the Daily Review is delivering newspapers in Russell City. Fifty-six of them. For the people want information.
BOYS' CLUB
There is a Boys' Club now, to keep youngsters interested in healthy channels. There are doll shows and community dinners. And above all, the improvement club, where community problems are not only studied, but acted upon.
Here is the list of officers: Buster A. Brooks, chairman; Phil Day, vice-chairman; Demetrius Kimble, treasurer; Sam Barrett, secretary; William Quiruz, interpreter; George Feliciano, Rufino Perez, Edward Brown, and Dupree Pryor, Sr., executive board members Leona Alves, Evetta Brooks, Phil Day, and Carmen Martin, education and recreation. D. Kimble, Joe Melia, D. Pryor and Mr. Young, fire and road committee. Leona Alves, Mytice Brown. Jay Clyde Brown, and Dupree Pryor, Jr., entertainment. Miss Garnet Thomas, news reporter.
Yes, look at the list again. There is an official "interpreter." For Russell City believes in organizing ALL its people for worthwhile projects.
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