Grande Mesa

Background: A New York Times article about gentrification in Portland, Ore., and the recent idea there to develop question-and-answer sessions that bring those negatively affected by gentrification and those who are gentrifying together. Basically, they’re meetings to ease the consciences of the people who are coming in and pricing people out of their own neighborhoods.

“They take all you’ve got. They take your land. Now they want your stories.” - Norma Trimble, Native American, on why the question and answer sessions are insulting.
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“I’ve learned two things about all you guys already — why the houses aren’t fixed up and why you guys are riding around in all these big flashy cars,” - Joan Laufer, 55, a gentrifier, who got up to express her “gratitude” to a black minister for his thoughts. She was serious when she said this.