Divided City: The Dark Underbelly of Urban Renewal

Housing-1

Everyone’s talking about how nice this city has become. But has it? Sure, going to a show and grabbing some greasy takeout food no longer means gathering 5 friends and watching each others’ backs each step of the way, but in neighborhoods where I once had to keep my distance from hard-asses throwing death stares my way, I‘m now subjected to yuppies keeping their distance from me when they see my multi-colored hair, ratty black clothes, and uncouth demeanor, with a look on their faces that says, “I thought we got rid of those people![Read more]

Is This For Real?

Gil Scott Heroncanvas

Years ago, spoken word artist and visionary poet, the late Gil Scott-Heron, wrote a song called ‘B Movie’.  Perhaps it is because he recently passed away in May of this year or maybe it’s because I’ve been thinking about the idea that history repeats itself that Mr. Scott-Heron has crossed my mind so often lately.

I can’t do him any justice; watch this 9-minute clip for yourself and decide whether or not you think much has changed:


In ‘B Movie’ he said during the poetry refrain*:

This ain’t really your life,Ain’t really your life,Ain’t really ain’t nothing but a movie.”


To many people, outside of the persistent hardships they’re facing, not much feels real lately.  … [Read more]

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