Oakland

This weekend was one of stark contrast.  It is hard to balance the great news of the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Oakland fire.  On one hand, a triumph of long extending magnitude, and on the other a tragedy of life lost too soon.  The Oakland fire is no doubt a national tragedy, but this one hits a little different.  

I have spent much of my life flirting with subcultures, choosing to reside in inspiration rather than imitation.  Spending much of my youth as a suburban punk, going to shows in basements, bowling allies and legion halls.  This time as for many adolescences is a period of growth, and I was seeking a safe space.  A space to be me, a place that it was ok to be angry. 

Flash forward almost a lifetime later.  Living in LA, just out of a long-term relationship, and absolutely heartbroken. I was in need of another period of growth, and the underground found me. I spent much of my life avoiding dancing, letting go, or risking judgment.  One LA night, I let that go.  I fell hard.  I fell in love with a new safe space for friends who only wanted to share a moment together.  

I jumped in head first, and the underground caught me.  I share such fond moments of late night friendships and smiles with strangers.  All bonding over a tribal love to move our feet at a peculiarly similar rate to our hearts.  This was where I wanted to be, with friends who seem to have forgotten about the sunrise, hoping to milk every last moment shared together. 

That is why the Oakland fire hit so hard.  I did not directly know anyone there that night, but it feels like I did. That could have been any of us. Any single one us looking for a safe space to share our art, our ideas, and our love. Many of them young with so many more thoughts to share. 

I am sorry for the families, I understand the anger, but I also wholeheartedly understand why those people were there that night. This is something that we as a community must never forget.  Promoters need to understand the weight of providing that safe space for people to share art.  We as a mainstream society also need to embrace the artistic undercurrent of the young instead of pushing it deeper into the shadows. 

We must always cherish the moments we have together.  

We must dance for those who no longer can.  

PS