Dorothy R. Santos

As you can tell by the lengthy title, I wanted to touch upon the idea of regionalism (again). I’ll keep this short. Promise.

I’m an optimist. I’m a believer in appreciating art, artists, and art scenes wherever I am and being respectful. I’ve got a lot of places to go and art to see but one thing I want to say, and I’m talking to the couple that were standing behind me waiting in line to get into BAN6 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts last Friday. You two were standing there judging people and remarking how poorly dressed they were and complaining how San Francisco is so far behind in fashion and art in comparison to New York.

News for you people, San Francisco has got approximately 7.4 million people to New York’s 18.9 million people. Yessir, it’s bigger. Statistically, there’s more opportunity to get your hustle on. Los Angeles has got Hollywood. Paris has got the rich tasting food and the romantic language. London is, well, old and steeped in history.

My point: STOP picking on San Francisco! Oakland!! Berkeley!!! The Bay Area!!!!

Every place, whether a city, town, or village has got something rich and profound to offer. I really wish people would focus on being in this great city and stop saying “It’s not New York (or LA, or Paris, or London)”. I’ve been to New York and LA and London (not Paris – yet!) and they are amazing cities but San Francisco is NEVER going to be these places and guess what…they’re NEVER going to be San Francisco…thanks for letting me vent. 🙂