Take Back the Land: Land, Gentrification, and the Umoja Village Shantytown

In October 2006 a group of housing activists called Take Back The Land seized control of a plot in Miami and built an encampment called the Umoja Village Shantytown: a living reminder of the lack of affordable housing in the city and a public protest against gentrification. Though the encampment only lasted a few months, it inspired activists and observers around the country. This is their story, which addresses the issues of self-determination and homelessness in the Black community. Rameau also outlines the larger strategy behind the Take Back the Land movement.

Review :
"Take Back the Land is an activist's impassioned cri de coeur for fairness and justice for those who have been denied even the illusion of the ever intangible 'American Dream.' Max Rameau not only offers much needed insight on the movement that seeks to make housing a human right, but shows us the ways that we can all be part of it. This book rose from the ashes of a continuing American tragedy, and you will be wiser and even more human after reading it." -Edwidge Danticat "Take Back the Land lays out, in detail, the successes and challenges, the victories and betrayals, of an absolutely critical campaign for housing justice. Max Rameau is a visionary; his words and actions have inspired a movement, and created a new framework for struggle. If you want to know a way forward in the current economic and political crisis we are in, read this book." -Jordan Flaherty, author of Floodlines "For people seeking sharp analysis of our current political era, Take Back The Land is the most important book you could read. It lays out in detail the successes and challenges, the victories and betrayals, of an absolutely critical campaign for housing justice. Max Rameau is a visionary, and his words and actions have inspired a movement. His work has created a new framework for struggle. If you want to know a way forward in the current economic and political crisis we are in, read this book."-Jordan Flaherty, author of FLOODLINES "TAKE BACK THE LAND is an activist's impassioned cri de coeur for fairness and justice for those who have been denied even the illusion of the ever intangible 'American Dream.' Max Rameau not only offers much needed insight on the movement that seeks to make housing a human right but shows us ways in which we can all be part of it. Though it exists no more, the Umoja Village shantytown remains a beacon and an inspiration for how communities can be built and rebuilt against all odds and we are fortunate to have an intelligent and passionate witness as Mr. Rameau to return that community, among others to us. Out of the ashes of a continuing American tragedy rose this book and you will be wiser and even more human after reading it." -Edwidge Danticat