The View from Amtrak #718

Leaving the train in Emeryville, CA, the train feels like it will not only be pleasant, but, provide the opportunity to read, take a nap, listen to music, eat something--and see life along the backside of Hwy. 99-- stopping in Richmond, Martinez, Antioch, Stockton, Modesto, Merced, Madera, then into Fresno. The train moves slowly most of the time, but, not slow enough to really examine the landscape, to see signs or buildings or landmarks closely. What you do see is lots of houses--rows and rows of developments, and you see the backyards of these houses. First, the architecture is nothing to brag about--it's stucco and wood in it's worst light. Since most of the houses that abut to the train tracks are on the lower end of the income scale, then, what the traveler gets to see is really some of the worst effects of bad planning, bad economic policy, bad architecture, bad landscaping, and generally a rather "bad" way to live your life. I lost count of the number of homes that were boarded up--with lawns un-mowed, weeds grown up against the houses. Pools left to breed mosquitoes and drownings, and houses that looked welcoming to crackwhores and dealers.
I thought about "environmental justice." What justice is there for the people who live near the train tracks? Is it the last resort of affordable housing? Since I am within easy ear-shot of the trains, including the train I'm on--then,is there a way to think about the houses near train tracks that illuminates any social significance? Which came first, the trains or the poverty? Did the neighborhoods once have hope before the train tracks (and freeways) were built? Did wealthier, more educated people band together to keep the tracks far from their homes and neighborhoods, or, did it just happen this way? I have no memory of train tracks in my neighborhood growing up, nor in any neighborhood I've lived in since--until Fresno, where it seems that train tracks and trains are unavoidable.
Looking out from my upper window--I could see kids playing in the grassless yards-- swinging on WalMart swing sets, making kid play noises against the rattle and hum of the train-- and I saw them smile and laugh when the train whistle blew. We were Thomas, and we were the Engine that could. On the train were people who were refugees from gas prices, savvy travelers, and we were families going to see grandmothers and sailors leaving for the Gulf.
We rode THROUGH the lives of these train-track denizens--and, I thought about the conversations that the parents in these houses have with their kids. "Don't play chicken with the train." "Get away from the tracks." "Don't leave anything ON the tracks." I thought of the times I've placed my ear to a train track in SC, and how I"ve walked on the tracks in SC, GA, TX and CA.
I know the sound of trains--from my bedroom, I can tell if the train is going north of south. I know the difference in a train whistle, being freight or Amtrak. I dream of taking long, cross country train rides and waking in posh sleeping cars to coffee in china cups. I have boarded trains in China, France, Papua New Guinea, Germany, Holland, Australia and Ireland. I like the pace and the view of the train. I like to hear the porter call "all aboard." I like the connection that the tracks make with the dirt.
All this: but, still I have never had my heart broken for the people who must live near the tracks--or those who did live near the tracks, who lost their home to the bank, or Countrywide, or some unsrupulous lender who tricked them into easy home-ownership.
This train will take me home, so, as I look out my train window, I wonder where those people will go, when they can no longer call these track-tract homes--home.

Photos--favorite places, favorite people

Fermata in the Winter-(thanks for the sofa, Whites--and for the photo, Skivvy!)

Every Now and Then You Have to Make a List...

1. Nonprofit, no matter what Microsoft Word spell check says, does NOT have a hyphen in it. You may want to check with Yale University, Program on NONPROFIT Organizations, or University of San Francisco, Masters in Nonprofit Organizational Management, or on the hundreds of textbooks that spell it correctly--without the hy-phen. When I read a newsletter or an article from a nonprofit organization, and they spell nonprofit with the dreaded hyphen, it immediately tells me that the leader most likely does not possess a formal education in nonprofit organizational management. Elitist? Yes. Ab-so-lute-ly.
2. When an organization (or a church) has done it's work, and the brightest spots are in the rear-view mirror, then, that organization should say a graceful goodbye. There are far too many organizations (particularly faith-based) who try to recreate their glory days with some romantic notion that they can again do great things. They can't. Have a going-away party, and allow those with fresh ideas, clear vision, and sustainable plans and intelligent management to take your place in the nonprofit landscape of the community. It does a disservice to all nonprofits and churches for one ineffective (formerly semi-effective) organization to zap the good will, philanthropy and creative energy from the other organizations that are striving to do the right thing. Close shop, let your programs find new homes with healthy organizations (or go on their own) and find work in one of the other sectors. You're not bad people, you are just trying to lead a poorly executed idea without widespread community support. IF the community wants you, the community will find a way to keep you alive and healthy (i.e., Community Food Bank, Girl Scouts, Red Cross, Children's Hospitals, Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer Center) if not, please leave the playground.
3. A good idea is not enough to get philanthropic funding. A GREAT idea with measurable impact and sustainable prospects is what it takes, and those are few and far between.
4. If you are going to make your living talking about being a civic-minded, neighborly, transformational agent, you have to stay at home more often.
Your neighbors will be the first to tell you--you travel too much, and if you are not present, you can't really do much good. The first step to community transformation is NOT good ideas, it's actual physical presence. (Especially if you're going to be a relocator--you really have to LOCATE and shine locally.)
5. Racism can rear it's ugly head in the most unlikely places.
6. There really isn't a great candidate for Mayor of Fresno who will bring real change to this city--even the female candidate has a list of the "old boy's club" that makes me shutter. If I wanted Alan Autry in a pantsuit, he may have probably done it himself.
7. There are parts of Fresno that people who work for the City would rather forget, and they do.
8. Screaming and being shrill will get you noticed, but it may not bring about significant change.
9. The 9 year old boy next door will always tell you the truth about your life. He watches it more carefully than you do.
10. If the church was really the CHURCH, would be need as many?
11. The greenest buildings are the ones already built. Preserving and restoring old buildings is not just good sense economically, it's morally necessary.
12. Days of Service and big splashy days of service can sometimes do more damage than help--it's like the circus comes to town, and the poor people don't have the good tickets, so they watch from the sidelines while the middle-class white people "help."
13. Most nonprofits and churches undervalue and underestimate volunteers.
14. If I was ever held responsible for what my childhood pastor said, I would be in serious do-do.
15. My mother gets smarter as we both grow older, and both of our stories get longer.
16. Living alone for most of my life has left some serious marks on me.
17. Mexican women are beautiful when they are angry.
18. I have enough.
19. Maintaining a loving relationship is the hardest work in the world.
20. There is no such thing as "too many flowers in your yard."
21. Never underestimate the power of the porch swing.
22. 22 items on a list is plenty. Stop.