Hello Jon,

I asssume you are asking me. The 'Gentrification' is in the title of an event that I neither organized or really know much about.

You ask two difficult questions. "Where are you from" is a wonderful question, and amazingly polarizing and difficult to answer.

I really try to register to vote, as soon as I relocate, and thenceforth consider myself from my domicile. I *always* like asking the question "What city where you born in." After my more persnickety new aquaintences pester me for ending a sentence with a preposition, they ususally go on to hem and haw about how 'well, I was born in Duck Fart, Missouri but really I am from West Palm Beach." (Even though, their present domicile is in Oakland).

Thinking, acting, accepting, and living as if one is 'from' the place where they wake up in the morning is healthy for our politics, our community, our world. This notion of mine, unfortunately, is merely quaint, and something to scoff at. (I am from the freeway 80 west, however my family and community resides in the earpiece of my cell phone).

I currently live in West Oakland, and therefore "I am from West Oakland." However, occassionally with some bit of misguided self-consciousness I'll say the "Bay Area". I was born in Cali as were my parents, and have spent approximately 80% of my life in this Golden State.

Now gentrification, that is something much more complex, political, nuanced, and difficult, then the question "Where are you from."

Where are you from?

--Chris

Why is gentrification a one-sided topic? gentrification =
the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces earlier usually poorer residents (Merriam Webster)

Who are the earlier and poorer residents? I know I'm not affluent. Business and growth are great, when they support the community instead of chasing out original residents, i.e. working class black folks in West Oakland's case. Artists are often the harbingers of gentrification, but we are basically used, and then pushed out of our spaces that we built ourselves when richer people move in. I think it's time to stop that. We should work with the community, not against it. That is why I am concerned. That's my 2 cents on gentrification, a topic I think is very important when discussed and properly, concientously, and with understanding of what it really means.

that is postings, oops

Oh, I see the Tree Planting now.

I think I am going to attempt my first 'tribe' event.
If it works, ya'll should see a listing here soon.

--Chris

As will I, just need a day or two notice

Too bad, hope to see you at the party on sat.

Jon