I moved here in ‘99, well after the first and second waves of anti-gentrification work in the neighborhood. When I stopped hanging around la mission and finally moved in (2000, Woodward Alley btwn Duboce & 14th), I immediately recognized the neighborhood on the verge. I joined campaigns and tried to sabotage every element of bougeouisiness I saw. I recognized then, and still do, a strange privilege that comes from being a single working person with financial obligations only to myself. My friends and I often joke that if we saw ourselves walking down the street, we’d surely make snide hipster comments about ourselves (I know, it’s so post-post modern). But it’s so circumstantial. To me, the hipsters are the folks who actually don’t care about the fact that their landlord evicted someone else so that they could move in, or they’re the people who refuse to have conversations in which they might have to criticize themselves…

I’m looking forward to your interview!

http://missionmission.wordpress.com/2009/02/06/opinion-harness-this-energy-for-the-struggles-to-come/#more-2632
Opinion: Harness This Energy For The Struggles To Come

By Emily and Kendra (via email)

We also attended the hearing [yesterday] as Mission residents and are happy that the commission voted to disapprove American Apparel opening a shop on Valencia St. Unfortunately, some of the public comments about the project and characterizations of the Mission upset us enough to speak up about some racism and classism that we witnessed.

Specifically, we found references to crime and the evolution of the Mission from an unsafe and undesirable place to a thriving business corridor as particularly offensive. Some comments, mostly from young white residents and business owners, referenced the idea that “we” made the neighborhood good, implicitly distinguishing themselves from other residents and businesses in the neighborhood, including the large Latino community.

Actually, long term residents HAVE been and continue to organize for a safe, clean, and thriving neighborhood, long before these newer boutiques moved in. The Mission Economic Development Association, the Mission Anti Displacement Coalition, and other concerned residents have been engaged in struggles against displacement and for economic justice for years.

Additionally, many of the small businesses argued that if formula retail enters Valencia Street, it would change the flavor, culture, and vibe of the neighborhood. However, this stance fails to acknowledge the neighborhood change that has already occurred.Boutique owners share responsibility for displacing family businesses and replacing them with businesses that sell specialty products that are not affordable for neighborhood residents.

Some comments referenced that our neighborhood can and should be divided into Valencia St. and the other Mission streets. In our excitement to keep out American Apparel, we must work together to fight against these sentiments and the splicing of our community. We hope to keep seeing small business owners call out what’s right, not just on Valencia but in important battles to come on Mission St. and other places in the neighborhood.

We are writing this as newer residents in the Mission, who are working to be responsible allies to long-term residents by forming relationships with our neighbors and people who have been in this fight for decades. It is our responsibility to listen and learn the histories of the neighborhood in order to join the movement for safe communities. Let us not forget that the safety of which many people spoke of today was won at the hands of long-term residents who have fought to increase safety in the neighborhood for their families and children.

For those of you who weren’t able to stay until the end, we would highly recommend listening to the Commissioners comments, specifically Commissioners Borden and Olague, who called out some of these contradictions and spoke passionately against displacement and for the neighborhood.

The community turnout for this issue was unprecedented and we hope to continue to harness this energy for the struggles to come. In the meantime, let us reach out to business owners and residents in the Mission. The Wal-Marts and the American Apparels of the world don’t want us talking to each other. Our struggle for our neighborhood will be stronger if we know each other and our stories.

Y & I just noticed that Sushi Bistro the other day, and my reaction was “there goes the neighborhood,” though I know it’s been going for awhile now. But there’s something so ominous about a f’n’ sushi BISTRO. And what WAS there? Maybe nothing. There are plenty of empty store fronts left on 24th.

I struggle with my own variations of the white hipster/not-hipster trust fund gentri guilt. As an owner and a landlord, I am definitely that much closer to being The Man. But when I bought my place on Pot Hill, back in 1997, I specifically told the gay white realtor I worked with (who soon after happened to be part of the gay white gentrifications of Hayes Valley and Vallejo, oy) that I would not even consider a place that was occupied by a renting family. In the end, I evicted a young white lawyer couple! I figured (quite rightly) that they’d be fine. Anyway, I appreciate my potential as a landlord ally.

You are so right that everyone scapegoats the hipsters, yet no one would ever identify as such. Who are these elusive creatures? More importantly, how can we encourage cooperation without anyone having to admit that they’re a hipster?

The NE Portland OR neighborhood of Alberta has experienced a kinder, gentler gentrification in the last few years. At first, there was a real effort among the young white hipster/not-hipsters who bought homes and started arty boutiques and watering holes. But it just takes a few aggressive, non-caring developers to recognize a goldmine (like Williamsburg, for crying out loud) and completely transform it, eradicating the white working class hipsters along with the original families (who tend to be “of color”).

OK, enough preaching to the preacher, or I think this comment may outword your post. I just wanted to thank you for starting the new year off with a hearty serving of food for thought. Let’s make it a potluck, shall we?!