THE TROUBLE WITH DIVERSITY

there's a man at the albina press (the one on albina) reading a book by that title. i've confirmed that the book isn't so rabidly xenophobic as it might have been (it's about how america's celebration of "differences" too often ignores socioeconomic inequalities), but the title itself could very well mean something bizarrely orwellian in a coffee shop in the white-left paradise of portland, oregon, "the city that works," and that works because it's not that difficult to make things work when everyone wants the same things.

but we stay and drink the coffee anyway -- at least until we turn thirty-five, when we'll be evicted unless we've had children or purchased property or are maintaining a committed relationship with a tattoo artist -- so for the time being, even if we've now confirmed through biased and unscientific testing that the coffee is better in, say, san francisco.

that was more or less the spirit of the introduction i gave to the envoys from vancouver that stopped here after a brief visit to seattle and before kicking off their good will tour of the oregon and washington coasts between nehalem and victoria. after the bloc cascadian planning committee staff meeting (to have been held this month between peak's pub in port angeles, washington and the bar at the empress hotel in victoria) was canceled due to the incapacitation or forced overseas asylum of key committee members, it was the least i could do to express portland's own good will and dedication to the cause by entertaining the two mcgill trained cultural theorists and the albertan cowgirl, now all residents of british columbia.

the envoys were gracious beyond their responsibility and greeted me warmly even after i failed to make clear that albina turned into mississippi south of prescott, which confused my instructions to meet me along the former as i walked toward where they took dinner on wednesday evening near the intersection of albina and alberta. when we did finally find each other (none of us with a gps equipped device but the ever gracious and intrepid vancouverites having easily gotten directions from a passing local), there were smiling introductions for the unacquainted (embraces for the rest), which kicked off a pleasant walk through the coolness of the twilight to the sushi and fried chicken place on between shaver and failing (really, people, portland is burning).

the beginning of the good will tour was scheduled for early the next morning, so we had neither sushi nor chicken -- anyway the envoys had just eaten -- but we did drink, northwest microbrews for all of us but the one of the researchers with the gluten intolerance. we raised glasses to seattle with a round of jasmine ipa from elysian brewing, which made for an easy segue into our necessary conversation on microroasted coffee, the best of that in vancouver being, as it is, available from elysian (unaffiliated with the seattle brewery). i remarked at the attractiveness of one of the baristas at the cafe on broadway and ash and then confessed that i'd suggested we try the sushi and fried chicken place in hopes that we'd get to order from a certain bartender who doesn't come around the albina press anymore. yes, we are. so precious! not to worry, i was reassured; it would have been nice had there been a table open outside, but the general ambiance of the avenue and the calmness of the evening seemed to suit my guests, and their apparent satisfaction greased the wheels of our discussions.

i knew it already, but it was nonetheless surprising to be reminded in so many words that portland may not have many brown people, but there were more than in vancouver. of course, they have more asian residents and a large population of first nations people. and what to do about gentrification? that word that is inherently double spoken whenever it's voiced by most of the people who got to stick around long enough to see its effects, especially those latecomers so conscious of our gentrifying neighborhoods' lack of diversity. and on that, myself and all of the envoys from vancouver could agree. our work was done. and during our brief meeting we even had time to touch on poetry and television. praise be the cultural omnivores! white people, you're killing yourselves! at least the end of the world will be uniquely catered.