Something happened in San Francisco this past week-end. It was at Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi’s first art opening party. The Progressive community of San Francisco made a shift. It matured.
Last night a critical mass of intelligent, progressive problem solvers came together in what was more of a salon than a party.
The foundation for these get-togethers had been laid by four years of Matt Gonzalez’s art openings – wonderful gatherings of eclectic San Francisco.
Last night pragmatic ideas for San Francisco’s housing, transportation, taxation, jobs, health care, etc. were being discussed in Ross’ City Hall offices and out in the hallway by people with credible expertise in the various disciplines. This wasn’t chit chat over Chardonnay. We are at or close to legislation on several major issues.
One thing that they all had in common is a fundamental dedication to the principles of social, economic, and environmental justice.
I started to notice it the night before at Barry Hermanson’s “going out of business after 25 years” party. Old timers like Steve Hill were meeting relative newcomers like Dave Wilbur and learning about revolutionary revenue/taxation strategies that are both fair and realistic. Ideas that perhaps even a business organization like SPUR might be able to endorse.
It was quite an evening and I didn’t want to let it pass unnoticed.
Charles Kalish
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