Those of you who are familiar with the plaza district, know exactly what it's about. Those of you who don't- in the simplest of words- It's a
community of people who love Oklahoma City, restoration, & local artists and talent. People who love seeing these locals excel and further themselves. It's a place that was run down and hopeless, and quite frankly- scary, in my opinion. Now it's a place where everyone is welcome. A place that's become strong in community and family. A place people believe in. I just wanted to share a few words that Amanda Bradway of
DNA Galleries shared this afternoon on the subject of Gentrification, in response to the tagging of her beautiful shop, where she and her husband sell locally made clothes, jewelry and art from a variety of locals..including their own art.
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First off God bless the person who did this because I think it's time we had a conversation about the meaning of gentrification since it seems to be a constant elephant in the room and will continue to be as downtown progesses. Let me tell you what I believe "gentriFICATION" isnt. It isnt the desire to not want to see prostitutes and drug dealers doing their thing outside your door. Its not the deisire to want customers who appreciate art instead of having crack addicts and drunks come in asking you for change. It's not the desire to want your friends to be safe walking out your front door because one of them came up on one with a gun one time. I love my neighborhood with my whole heart. Not because it's a "cool" up and coming arts spot because it wasnt when we moved here 3 years ago. I remember sitting at endless Plaza District Association meetings going "What are we going to be?" "Who else is going to want to take a chance down here" while we watched many prospective tenants take a look and leave. What I love is that we get to meet people in the neighborhoods and elsewhere and show them what art in OK is and inspire the people that come in to keep doing what theyre doing and that they CAN make a living with their art. I love the tamale lady that comes in on Saturday, I love the friendly family at the corner store, I love the respect that Im shown by the staff at the dollar store if a guy makes comments when I walk in. There have been so many people who come into the store from the neighborhoods and those who have moved away who said they never came down here and in fact made it a point to avoid our area altogether. All of the businesses that were staples of the district, Guatemalan Imports, Dollar store (best in OKC), Mattress Factory (good friends of ours with an amazing family) and Friendly Foods are all still thriving and re vamping their own properties and purchasing more We bought a house down here to put our money where our mouth is and step outside the box of comfortable suburban living. (Not to mention we couldnt afford other areas :) ) I love conversations with our neighbors over the fences on all sides, beautifying our little corner with gardens and listening to the music from the families across the street every night when they come home from their soccer games. I love having neighbors who watch each others back and keep each other up to date on crime so we can have a safe and happy place to live. I love our Neighborhood association in Tenn Penn that I just joined and the fact that we are working to get signage, sidewalks, lighting to make our community safer and to fight language barriers to get the community together for cookouts and stuff. We still have a long way to go though. I would like to work in my yard without being mistaken for a prostitute, but even that has only happened once this year which is a dramatic change.... So anyway, if anyone would like to explain or elaborate I'd like to hear because gentrification is NOT something I would like to ever see in our area. And Thank you Lindsay Zodrow and Kristen Vails for trying to clean up the damage before we could see it. You are the most amazing neighbors and friends :)"
If nothing else, this shows you exactly what kind of a community we have here. I'm so proud to be (even if a very small) part of this neighborhood and the people who support them. God bless the gentle spirits and hope filled hearts of Oklahoma City. We'd be a black hole without you.
2011 LIVE on the Plaza from PlazaDistrict OKC on Vimeo.
