When is a Grocery Store Not Just A Grocery Store?

So, we have had a few weeks of the new Shop & Save grocery store in the Hill and the convenience of being able to run out to get something for dinner has been great. Almost just as satisfying has been running into people and getting a chance to talk in a way that I have not experienced in my time in the Hill. So, in addition to the health, time and cost benefits the store offers, I truly hope it will prove itself to a revitalizer of community culture in its role as a gathering place. The store is beautifully laid out with indoor murals by artist Leslie Ansley and additional murals are coming to the outside of the store.  These murals will be supported in part by The Heinz Endowments (where I work as a Program Officer). Congrats to the Hill House Association and President/C.E.O. Cheryl Hall-Russell for arriving from Indianapolis and leading the way to getting this store up and running, all while navigating some pretty choppy economic & political waters. Nice way to stay in the pocket, sister.

However, sitting alongside the convenience, health, community building and psychological benefits of the store is another important idea: the paying on historical debt caused by our city's institutionalized white supremacy. The financial contributions to make this store possible, whether from philanthropy (The Endowments was among the foundations that made grants to get this store built) or the Penguins, were connected to a larger narrative acknowledging the complete abuse of governmental power and a collective back turning on the Hill District 50 years ago. So, the fact that the community through it's fits, starts, power struggles, varying values and ideologies was able to persevere needs a moment of recognition. We were able to use the handing of the 28 acres of the Lower Hill District to the Penguins as a platform to discuss the debt to the Hill District in this big picture, class action way and in that merits real attention and pride. Yes, its critical to note that the corporate and philanthropic contributions do not begin to approach the economic devastation caused by the urban removal policies of the URA, nor the incredible economic benefits that will accrue to Penguins and their ownership group led by Messrs. Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux. Yes, the managerial and political class of African Americans in the Hill District were not able to align their interests in an even self-serving way. Yes, more work needs to happen to pay more than minimum wage for workers. However, we still need to commemorate that because of the community mobilization, some significant benefits have come back to the Hill District, not the least of which is the grocery store. Without struggle there is surely no progress.

When there is a strong enough racial justice movement to change the public narrative that explains racial disparities from one of the inferiority of people of African descent to the unjustness of how our country has built itself on racial hierarchy. Then we could begin to seriously address the vast disparities we have between White Americans and ALANA people (African, Latino, Asian and Native American). as well the ever-increasing class divide that showed up in the "we are the 99% movement", because a racial justice movement historically has "lifted all boats". Maybe just as importantly,  and closer to home for me is that it would be part of a cultural movement that could strengthen the position of us professional class African Americans in Pittsburgh who have gotten and too often internalized the idea that our proper place is second place.   So, think about the grocery store for a second in the context of "reparations lite", but reparations in public spaces nonetheless.  At a time when this country is moving to undo any semblance in such critical areas as University admissions, this deserves note and attention.

So, Hill District folks are coming out and enjoying the grocery store for its fresh food, convenience and great service, but I am also seeing folks at the store and on Facebook coming out because of what it represents on a larger scale: a step towards racial justice in Pittsburgh. Onward and upward.

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