The N Williams Ave project continues to inspire a robust discussion about race, bicycle infrastructure and gentrification in North Portland. If you are interested in how these topics intersect in Portland (or how they don’t), I recommend reading through the many thoughtful comments left on previous posts.
Early this morning, a comment came in from Donna Maxey that I felt was worth bringing to the Front Page. You’ll recall that Ms. Maxey was featured in my recap of the last meeting where she explained the context for the hurt and anger that she and others in the community feel around this project.
Maxey is not only a long-time Williams resident, she is also the co-creator of Race Talks, which is billed as an, “interactive panel presentation and dialogue on race.”
Donna Maxey
(Photo © J. Maus)
Since my name was mentioned so frequently, I thought I would weigh in on this topic in print. By the way, I, too, am a bike rider and an enthusiastic walker. Somehow the point I made initially about this meeting was lost in the fervor. Let me say at the onset, I am not a spokesperson for “the Black community” because it doesn’t exist as a monolithic entity anymore than the White community does.
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