The following is a repost from the Facebook page of Barisha Spriggs, a California (un)Incorporated colleague who lives in unincorporated Ashland in Alameda County who has given her permisison for this post. The film she references tells the story of the County's removal 60-some years ago of a unincorporated community of poor people - most of them being people of color - in order to create an industrial area. In June 2023 the Alameda County Board of Supervisors formally apologized for the seizure and destruction of the community and the harm done to the people.

Today I had the powerful experience of watching The Apology at the Alameda County Housing and Community Development Department as part of Affordable Housing Month. This feature-length, locally produced documentary by Mimi Chakarova investigates the heartbreaking story of Russell "City"—a once-thriving unincorporated community that was dismantled in the 1960s by the (all white) Alameda County Board of Supervisors. Over 1,400 residents were pushed out of their homes and off their land so the area could be turned into a City of Hayward industrial park.

It was especially meaningful to see my friend of 20 years, Aisha Knowles, who also lives in my unincorporated community of Ashland. Aisha was the catalyst for this documentary. Her paternal grandparents owned a home in Russell "City", and her father lived there as a young child. I had the honor of meeting him at the event—and of giving Aisha a big hug. I'm so proud of her for helping bring this important story to light.

Russell "City's" story deeply resonates with me because it mirrors so much of what I see in Ashland. Like Russell "City," Ashland is a primarily Black and Brown unincorporated community that has been overlooked by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, special districts, and other elected officials for most of the 30 years I’ve lived here. Both communities have been overpoliced by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office—while basic human needs like housing, healthcare, education, and infrastructure have been severely underresourced.

For those who don’t know, unincorporated literally means not part of any city. We are not included in a city charter and have no city-level government or services. Unincorporated communities like Ashland depend entirely on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and County departments to serve as our local government—and far too often, we’re left behind.

We must continue to uplift and tell these stories—because history informs justice.

                                                          ------   Barisha Spriggs, Ashland resident