Day of the Dead

One can live in San Francisco for over 15 years and never fully experience the diversity and richness of this amazing city.  I admit, I’ve taken this city for granted, often choosing to stay home and watch television instead of going out and exploring the vibrant music, art and cultural scene.  Realizing I was becoming increasingly antisocial and boring in my “old age”, I decided to drag my ass off the couch and engage in a new meaningful experience that only a unique place like San Francisco can offer.

I’ve heard about the Day of the Dead or Dia De Los Muertos Procession in the Mission District for years, but have never gotten around to attending the festivities until now.  This annual Meso-American holiday, held on November 2,  is dedicated to celebrating deceased ancestors, while honoring the cycle of life and death.  The event started off at Garfield Park where motivated individuals set up elaborate altars to honor friends and family who have moved on.  I was touched by the commitment of so many people to keep the memory of loved ones alive. As the evening progressed, thousands of adults and young children descended upon the crowded streets of the Mission, wearing elaborate lace and embroidered Mexican costumes.  While many danced joyfully behind an Afro-Brazilian drumming group, the majority of people walked contemplatively with their lit candles, in remembrance of loved ones.  Everywhere I turned, grim skeletal faces, painted black and white to mimic the deceased, looked back at me, and I was struck by the beauty of these anonymous participants.

 

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Occupying Oakland

I scanned the news this morning and was incredibly disappointed with the coverage of Occupy Oakland, which had taken place on November 2nd.  Images of vandalism, rioting, violence and police brutality once again dominated the news, despite the celebratory and peaceful event I had experienced yesterday.  Friends who weren’t from the Bay Area texted me all morning, concerned that I had been caught up in the mayhem.  Sadly, the rest of the world was viewing Oakland with a critical eye, distorted by the media’s focus on the anarchists actions of the few.

I spoke to my friend, Jessica, whom I attended Occupy Oakland with yesterday, expressing my disappointment, because I felt the riots that ensued that night undermined what I felt was incredible demonstration of grassroots action against corporate interests.  She reminded me that over 50,000 participated peacefully in the event, and that the actions of the 60 or so anarchists should not deflect from yesterday’s achievements.  The extreme actions of the few do not represent the noble intentions of the larger movement to highlight inequality and promote economic justice for 99% of Americans.

I decided to post my images from Occupy Oakland to remind folks that this movement is  about “real people” coming together to shift the status quo in a nonviolent way.  Please, don’t let the media hype distort your perception of what is really happening in Oakland.   

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