Hearts, Minds and Homes-gentrification in Portland and surrounding communities
An evening of thoughtful insight into the mind of my co-creator, my mother and an interview that caught me by surprise! This amazing woman sat across from me while we plank ourselves at the kitchenette. Her body language spoke of wisdom, comfortably answering each question with amusement and class. I am not stating these because she is my mother but from the vary content that painted the picture of gentrification from an Asian immigrant living in a 97% all white state. The clothing attire was a sarong (what typical Asian culture wear all the time in a relaxed environment) with one leg crossed gently. Not only did the body language speak with volume but so did her facial expression to some of the questions. As I opened up the dialog between the two of us. Her face at one point described a moment in time where the walls of her home were made of leaves, branches and twigs off trees that were in the forest. A distant home as they (my mother, father and brother) were running from the Khmer-Rouge to find home in a refugee camp they called home for several years.
Throughout the interview, each question given was matched with a surreal answer and it was truly amazing. The history of this lady will be known and her strength are shared with answers such as, "I am happy being home when I do not have to work!" "Spending time with the grandkids is what is all about." Some of the best, key take-away, came from the last couple of questions. The question asked, "if you had a magic wand, what is one way you would use it to address gentrification?" The response was epic, "I would hope that everyone treats everyone the same and at the end, its just like the poor asking for help so why not feed them for a day instead." I later asked her to elaborate off air. It was stated that its like the next question because those two questions to me are related. If you are homeless and have no home, don't expect to live in Portland either if you don't make enough money. The last question of the night was a what "if" type of question. If she knew that everyone in the world had a safe and affordable housing, how would her life be different from today?" A brief pause, her thoughts rolling deep in her mind and projected out like this. Knowing that everyone is find today, I would save my money and stow is away for my grandkids and their future family. I asked why do that knowing everyone is all set with a home. She stated that it is only now and this is temporary for others after what we call "NOW." It is just incase that their world is different and they may need the money. I want them to be rich with happiness and not have to worry about home.
At the end of this interview, it hit home to an overall experience that said many things but the finer points in life is not about wealth but about happiness. You can come from the ruins of hell and prosper with happiness if you allow yourself to enjoy what is around you! My mother came from a warzone that killed over 2 million Cambodians in a very short span. As you may have heard or read about, perhaps one time in your life, a movie titled, "the Killing Fields of Cambodia." The gentrification happening around us has occurred over many decades and has affected many lives, family and community. The stories we gather today, will help ensure a better fighting angle for future generations to come, no matter their social status! Why does their social status not matter? As a wise woman once said, "tomorrow is not as certain as today."
In conclusion, my mother reflected on her days of being homeless between countries, being hungry and never finding enough food to suffice for the day. The rich as it appears are unapproachable because of the materialistic items they flaunt. As many (the poor) would agree, we keep to ourselves and leave the rich alone because they are not here to help us. It could perhaps be an intimidation factor that the social status illustrates. If only the rich could feed the hungry for a day, it would make the world better, as it shows us compassion. Gentrification is all around us. It is not how we see it but how we approach the situation.
No comments:
Post a Comment