A confession

The ugly truth: I have a personal motivation for writing this blog. Last week, I moved to the CD. I have been anticipating this day since I moved away from the neighborhood three years ago. There are seven Ethiopian restaurants within blocks of my house. We have Sunday morning church traffic. The Greenlake "let's walk around the lake in a HUGE gaggle with our double strollers and dogs" posse is nowhere in sight. Sigh. It feels good to be back.

So now you know all my secrets. Another one: I enjoy trolling the internets. Recently, I stumbled upon a documentary about the CD that's in production.

From the website: "23rd & Union is docu-drama that weaves real interviews with fictional characters to investigate the 2008 murder of Degene Berecha in the popular Seattle restaurant “Philadelphia Cheese-Steak”. The director was a friend of the victim and shares mutual acquaintances with the convicted murderer. He completed interviews with a wide range of people familiar with each man to help interpret the circumstances that led to the shooting. The film is an ADAPTED story and is used as a vehicle to discuss gentrification and the tension between young African-American men, Ethiopian immigrants and gay couples in Seattle’s Central District."

You can see the trailer here The film will be released Summer 2011.

I am drawn to this docu-drama not only because it explores the issues of gentrification and African Americans in the CD, but also because it delves into dynamics with the gay and Ethiopian communities. These are two groups that I did not give much thought when I conceptualized this blog. Yet, their inclusion in this subject makes sense. Neighboring Capitol Hill is the historically gay area of Seattle. Not unlike the Central District, real estate has risen and prompted migration. The nearby and comparatively affordable CD presents a natural housing choice for the gay community.

Seattle has also been a center of resettlement for Ethiopian refugees and immigrants. The location of services has influenced families to live in the Central District. The coexistence of African Americans, homosexuals, and the Ethiopian community represents a heady mix of diversity. I'm hoping the film imparts us with a sense of hope.