Stepping out of the airport cab in Oakland last week, my brow relaxed, I felt relief and anticipation. I didn't grow up in California, but in many ways, it feels more like home than Vancouver. The climate is moderate and sunny, and vegans eat well. Without any example of how this is the case, I feel more accepted. Adding nostalgia to the picture, clouds roll into the Bay area like they did in my pacific northwest childhood.
I was in town with a few colleagues, who happen to be close friends, for a national conference. We all needed the time away, and California would be just the thing. Like most conferences, this one hosted much hollow theorizing, but one panel, featuring superstars Chandra Mohanty and Linda Carty, installed enough inspiration to support the rest of my academic year. Their take-home was "know yourself and be principled." How simple.
I bonded with my friends over hip hop beats and vegan soul food the rest of the weekend. Now my heart is happy at a cafe in SF as I plan my escape from cold, old Ottawa to some pleasant city along this coast. bell hooks writes on home as a sense of belonging. You can move away from your roots and plant new roots through genuine involvement with a community. This late morning, I plan to head down to the Pier and smile at people. Gotta start somewhere.
