presence matters

next to this image were the words "golden state warrior".

helicopters buzz over head. storefronts and apartment buildings are boarded up--even though they are in use. the day care center down the street that is usually buzzing at 4 pm stood silent this afternoon with a sign: either pick up your child no later than 3 pm or do not bring them today.

the sign worked. the art worked.

last night, johannes mehserle was arrested and charged with homicide--unusual when a police officer commits a violent crime.

another protest was planned for 4 pm today, with plenty of police presence and civil control planned as well. i had to be in san francisco this afternoon, during that time... but walked to 14th and broadway to take the BART at the very time it was scheduled to start. didn't see much. did pass the artwork above and a cnn truck. lots of posters with oscar grant's face, demanding justice and promoting the protest. no foot traffic that seemed different than a normal afternoon. not even a cop presence, despite warnings that 14th street would be shut down all day long.

on my way home, i could not get off at two of my three BART stations because they were shut down. the station i did use was again quiet, with the exception of the news helicopters above. the macdonald's that a week ago was under assult via trash cans was dark, with its customary drive through line all the way to the street.

still, at last count, about there were fifteen broken windows and thrity damaged cars this evening.

all of the details make a community. these small things create the atmosphere in which i live. andi have been pondering, how do the presence of these details impact what happens?

what if, instead of boarding up windows, we asked customers to come hang out in the store for the duration of the evening?... make a party of it. what if instead of shutting down streets, we invited neighbors to look after each others cars? what if instead of telling parents to stay away, we asked for more presence from friends, neighbors and parents to ensure that our children always have safe place to received love and care while their parents work?

presence matters. we jump for the negative presence when we are afraid and forget what a positive presence can do. how powerful would it be for the city to warmly and lovingly stand by its neighbors to protect our community? it would be a much better memorial to oscar grant than boarded up windows, damaged cars, and inaccessible transit. he deserves better.