[Rise Up]

Rise Up, a play on words: the high rises and ongoing development (a physical manifestation of gentrification/settler environmentalism) vs the resilience of a community rising up against structures of racism and white supremacy. Because of the pandemic(s) of 2020s - viral and racial - the usually bustling streets of Oakland Chinatown (CA) were not as busy, offering many more photo opportunities of the unique and historical architectural structures (as well as the new). While it was exciting to be able to capture images with ease, understanding the context as to why I was able to do so filled me with a sense of grief and humility.