I love the People's Republic!
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5/7/2008
While it ain't perfect here, there seem to be more than a token few in Berkeley who appreciate and embrace this community's diversity - a diversity beyond the Bay Area-norm [well, mostly] of ethnic diversity. Think big-city urbanism in a small-city package: a big university (that expanded to many other campuses up & down the state); a distinct architectural style (thank you, Bernard Maybeck & your peers); a tradition of fighting for people's rights (and not just for free speech or disabled access), and even a different way with food - the same town with the Gourmet Ghetto (& all the foodie lore that started there) has a history of helping out with the coffee-chaining of America/world.
Old hippies, young Goths. Campus Greeks, gaming geeks. Pink ribbons & green fabrics. Saris & Crocs. Picket lines & drumming circles. Electric cars, biodiesel garbage trucks, & cyclists of every stripe. I don't necessarily love 'em all, but I love the fabric of the community they strengthen by their presence here!
Richard | Berkeley, CA