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The Poetry Fix News

VOL. II, ISSUE 20

August 13 , 2004

First we cried.

I guess that’s all you can do when you see ten years of dreams and stuff sitting on the sidewalk. On Tuesday, August 3, 2004, the Marshals arrived at Sisterspace and Books to execute the long standing writ of possession. I got the call at 9:40 am. Faye and Cassandra were frantically calling everyone to spread the word on this “surprise” situation (the previous week a financial backer had come forward with a substantial amount of money that would enable them to bid on the building and move them closer to ownership). By the time I got to the store - twenty minutes later – everything they owned was stretched between 15th and 16th U Street. Supporters, media, and onlookers crowded around the place once known as Sisterspace. Someone added insult to injury by scraping the low key signage off the storefront and draping brown paper over the windows to block the view of what was once an oasis in this ever changing city. This all seemed to happen in slow motion, like we were all in a collective bad dream. In reality, the marshals were able to clear out the store in less than two hours and moved on to their next “appointment” just a few blocks away on 14th Street (a black owned antique shop would be put out later in the day).

Then we prayed.

Once the marshals left – we held hands and prayed. We prayed not to be bitter. We prayed that this was only a momentary situation that we would triumph. We prayed that our prayers would be answered and we would be able to see the answer when it arrived. I don’t remember the name of the pastor who led us in prayer but her words were a balm to our breaking hearts. There was not a dry eye on that little patch of street.

Faith has kept Faye and Cassandra focused, fighting what seems like an impossible and unforgiving nemesis. My own faith, throughout this confusing and painful ordeal, has gone through many changes. There are times when I believe that prayer is not strong enough to defeat this wave of gentrification, which is washing over the city. But then I spend just a little while in Faye and Cassandra’s presence. They have been so completely steadfast and they make it easier for me to believe.

Then we moved.

As much as I wanted to stand perfectly still and wish this bad day away there was no time for that. Every able body was put to use. Folks 6 to 65 picked something up. Lee’s Flower Shop (located on 10th and U) was the first on the scene with one of their delivery trucks, to help with the move. There have been times when I have lamented about the silence, from some portions of the community, around saving Sisterspace, but on that steamy Tuesday morning my fears were put to rest. The media coverage (radio and television) had spread the word all over the city. Folks honked their horns in support and men on their lunch breaks changed into t-shirts and helped to move what they could before they returned to work. Those who could not lift anything stood guard so that Faye and Cassandra’s belongings would not “walk off”. Of course, a day like this brings out the ugly and negative in some folks (I think they can’t help themselves) and they made their presence known. From the guy who pulled up with his pick up truck, freely loading chairs in the back as if this was a yard sale (yes, I had to threaten him with bodily harm if he didn’t put our shit back.) to the cluster of women on their coffee break who provided “colored” commentary like “now, why didn’t they just find another space? They know they can’t fight white people when they want what you got.” Thank you for that enslaved mentality.

In about three hours everything was loaded and stored. In many ways it was like they were never there. Surprisingly, later that evening, Faye went onto fulfill a book signing for Charles J. Ogletree, the author of All Deliberate Speed. As I drove her over to the location of the signing, I questioned why she pushed on. No one would blame her for canceling on a day like today. She said that she always kept her promises and people were depending on her. Faye and Cassandra fulfilled all of their outside book signings for the remainder of the week.

Where do we go from here?

I am not sure what will happen to the entity known as Sisterspace and Books. Right now, Faye and Cassandra are taking some time to rest and adjust to the “root shock” of losing their place on U Street.

I have driven by the store a few times since the eviction. As crazy as it sounds, I find myself startled every time I see the remnants of what use to be. It is mind boggling that DC has lost their only black woman’s bookstore and everyone is walking around as if nothing has changed! I remember feeling this way when I lost my sister to leukemia. As we sat at her funeral, I could see out the windows that life was continuing on. I wanted to scream at the cars and people passing by that Lisa Marjorie James was no longer among the living and they owed it to her to stand still for just a second. I feel the same way as folks walk by 1515 U Street, seemingly unaware that a DC institution has been ripped from our collective bosoms. I am not sure why there is not marching in the streets or people like Councilman Brazil and Mayor Williams not being held accountable for the rape of the “Chocolate City”. Could apathy have such a tight grip on the District or is everyone running scared? I believe in change, but at what cost? I went to a community meeting the Saturday after the eviction and learned that Sisterspace and Books was not the only landmark struggling to stay on the U Street corridor. Campbell Heights Senior Apartments face an uncertain future as their landlord decides whether he will continue to provide moderate priced housing to these elders or join in on the high priced condo craze that has taken over the city. The mothers and children in the Section 8 housing development, right behind Campbell Heights, face the same uncertain fate. Other storeowners are receiving notices from their landlords that they intend to sell, and it will be up to the new owners if their businesses will be allowed to remain. As I left the meeting, I felt dejected and hopeless. What could be done? It seems that the haves are fully in control of the future of the have-nots. Before someone emails me back and reminds me that if these folks owned their buildings they would not be in this predicament – know that the folks who do own their homes are being endangered and affected by gentrification as well. It seems that those who have fulfilled one of the requirements of the American Dream (owning their home outright) cannot keep up with the ever increasing land taxes. As half a million dollar condos squeeze up next to $150,000 homes, the tax table is being adjusted to reflect the sky-high real estate market. Who can survive under these conditions? Who do we see about this? I suggest that we hold our elected officials to task. In every city. In every state. It is not good enough that hard working people, who are scraping out a living or trying to make a difference in their communities, continue to be trampled under the boot of those who don’t seem to give a damn. And for those who are unaware of the impact your presence is having - take off your blinders. You are complicit by your inaction and ignorance.

Enough is Enough!

michelleinbold@aol.com

Venues of the Month

POETRY N MOTION
Sunday, August 29th
7pm doors, show starts at 8.30
Motion Bar
(Adjacent Embankment tube)

London
5.00 before 10pm / 10.00 thereafter
(with ticket)
Call 07968-714915 or 07958-499602 for more details
www.so-reckless.com
or www.ukfridays.com

_____________

"ON EDGE"

written & performed by Hazelle Goodman
directed by Vernice Miller

NOW through August 28, 2004
HERE Arts Center
145 6th Avenue ~
New York City
(between Spring & Broome)

Thursday - Saturday @ 7:30 pm
Tickets at $20

for tickets & info, please visitwww.HERE.org or call 212.868.4444
for group sales, call 718.919.5553

_____Hazelle Goodman brings her provocative new one-woman show, ON EDGE,
to HERE Arts Center after an acclaimed run at Harlem's Aaron Davis Hall
in March. Goodman explores the chaos and uncertainty of post-September 11th American life by embodying 12 different characters, ordinary people trying
to create meaningful lives in a nation "on edge."
_______
Sistah Cypher

Women Empowerment Through Spoken Word!

Washington, DC Miami, FL Norfolk, VA Chicago, IL

Sistah Cypher is the coming together of the wickedest sisters around the country (and the brothers & boiz who support them) united for social change and women empowerment, metamorphosized into spoken word!

Sistah Cypher is kicking off in Washington DC

on September 18th

Don’t Let The Movement Pass you By!

This and Every Second Saturday

Location: Between Friends

1115 U Street Northwest # A, Washington, DC 20009

Hosted by The Original Woman and Queen Sheba

Time: Doors open at 6:30pm

Open Mic and Features from 7-11pm

Afterparty til’ 2am

Suggested Donation (everything goes to the movement) $10

No one turned away!