Inbox

[November 14th, 2007]

Time of the Gypsies

Although it appears just a harmless commentary on local commerce, Adrian Chen’s “Shifting Fortunes” [WW , Nov. 7] failed to address the real reasons why fortune tellers were arrested in previous eras: racism and exclusion policies. It is no mistake that the two mugshots from the ‘50s are of brown women, as Roma women in particular have always been targeted for “fortune telling” as a way for dominant white society (whether in Europe or the States) to displace any business the Roma community might participate in. But then, the author probably doesn’t even know that “Gypsies” are an actual ethnic group, does he?

WW would do better to investigate the actual history behind subtle exclusion tactics like this—of which Portland’s history is brimming with—against various ethnic minorities. There is no comparison between a white woman setting up shop reading tea leaves in 2007 and women of color being arrested over 50 years ago for engaging in similar work—that is, unless the racial issue is addressed and acknowledged.

K. Parker
Via wweek.com

I see $$$ in Your Future

Thank you for Adrian Chen’s article “Shifting Fortunes.” I am glad that Portland has no laws against fortune telling. Fortune telling and psychic powers may or may not exist, and they may or may not be accurate, but even if they don’t exist or consistently fail it does no good to outlaw what is wrong. People must be free to try new things, including things that might fail at their cost.

The psychics in your paper might be happy to learn that an easy one million dollars is theirs for the taking if they can demonstrate their powers to the James Randi Educational Foundation (www.randi.org). There are any number of charitable organizations who are in need of this money should the psychics in question not be in it for the money.

Trevor Blake
Via wweek.com

StarF*cked

Regarding “Starbucked” [Nov. 7]: For the past three years the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW. Yes, THAT IWW) has been organizing Starbucks, shop by shop. The National Labor Relations Board in New York found the company guilty of 37 violations of the law in one case alone, and the union has won some important victories over this behemoth. So far, there are IWW shops in New York, Chicago, Seattle, the San Francisco Bay area and Los Angeles. Additionally, organizing drives are on in other cities, and the British branch has organized Starbucks baristas in London and Glasgow so far. At their convention in Paris last summer, the National Confederation of Labor of both Spain and France voted to organize Starbucks in their countries as well in solidarity with the IWW.

Starbucks has been actively engaged in union busting and shows itself as the exploiter it is. Read about the baristas’ struggle for a living wage, affordable benefits, consistent scheduling, and dignity at starbucksunion.org

“Cosh”
Via wweek.com

WW has the Straight Cupcakes

Regarding “City Settles Wrongful-Death Lawsuit for Police Shooting” [WWire at wweek.com, Nov. 8]: That’s straight cupcakes, yo. These peppers be getting buck wild on the rilla. For real, though, ain’t no amount a brownies going to put the mack down on this pimpjuice. Peckerwood better not act saddidy when I be holler’n on my celli. Them corn-squabblers get they pocket checked, how they be burbalating. Ghetto birds get checked with my street sweeper.

“A-Money”
Via wweek.com