Palms, Palms, Palms for the Poor
We were reading the Chron this morning and read up on their story about the planting of palm trees throughout the city. Let's just say right off we like palm trees. And let's just say that while we often find it kind of funny that we are planting palm trees in a city known for having tropical kind of days maybe once or twice a year, we still like the thought behind it. In fact, we think it's in a way, very San Francisco in that it shows our belief in being something reality says we're not but who cares?
Anyways, while the story was mainly about the history of the trees and our determination to plant more of them, we couldn't happen to notice that there was some criticism of the trees mentioned in the story. One person brings up the fact that from an environmental standpoint, palm trees aren't exactly the best trees in that regards, or at least there are infinitely more trees that could do better. But it was this statement by Randy Shaw of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic that caught our attention. Randy complains that the trees are "are associated with upscale places like Miami Beach" and that the planting of them on 6th street, where many poor can be found, "sends the wrong message."
We think that's a good point, actually. This being San Francisco, it definitely means that not only do the trees we plant should send a message, but a tolerant message, one that supports the plight of the poor and the oppressed. But what tree would that be?
So we began to think about it. What tree would not only send a more positive message to the poor, but also be in the spirit of this city?
First we thought about what would make a good tree for poor people and we thought, what kind of tree symbolizes poverty? Unfortunately, we couldn't come up with anything because we usually don't associate poor people with trees. Mainly because most poor people don't live in places where trees are usually found. Because they’re poor.
So then we thought where would one find a lot of poor people, especially in woodsy type climes. We could come up with only one thing-- Golden Gate Park. Other than that, we couldn't come up with anything else, as we couldn't really think of many groups of poor people living in fjords. In fact, most poor people (in a macro sense-- we fully realize there are plenty of poor people to be found anywhere and everywhere) can be found in warmer climes, mainly around the equator. Most of themlive in deserts or arid areas (again, because they're poor) but when we think about those areas, we came upon the type of trees one associates with warmer climes-- palm trees.
Nevermind.
So then we thought about Jesus. Jesus, after all, was (is) one of the most influential and passionate speakers on the poor. So, then, What Would Jesus Plant? So we did some research (popped in our dusty tape cassette of "Jesus Christ Superstar") and discovered that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, he was welcomed by people waving palm branches. Thus giving us the "Palm" in "Palm Sunday" (there is, however, no record of the apostles responding to the mayhem by singing"what's the buzz? Tell me what's-happenin'"
There goes that idea.
So if maybe palm trees and the poor do kind of work in some weird sort of way, what about other messages to send? Like maybe we should plant trees that are associated with peace? Is there an anti-war tree?
Well, Jesus was often called "The Prince of Peace" and he's usually associated with...oh wait.
We then did a search on Google for "peace tree" and found out that there's some big thing in Toronto this summer about the planting of a "Peace Tree" and the hopes that from there, it could grow into some Christmas-like celebration where every summer, we hang up little multicultural baubles to end war. We have to say we eagerly await the day Bill O'Reilly declares that there's a War Against the Peace Tree. Anyways, there is no mention of what type of tree the Peace Tree is, although according to the Buddhists, all trees symbolize peace. That, obviously, includes palm trees.
Finally, we went looking to see if we could find a tree that symbolizes the diversity we find in this city, mainly one with just enough ambiguous sexuality to represent all of us. After all, we wouldn't want to plant trees that are distinctly heterosexual. So we did a search for "palm trees sex" and, well, whoo-hee, we discovered a whole bunch of things, none of which had anything to do with palm tree reproduction per se, but made us really want to go on a vacation to Thailand. Finally, we did discover that natural palm reproduction does involve a mommy and daddy as it were, which means, sadly, that palm trees are pretty straight. They can, however, be created through artificial means. That does kind of work, in a way.
So, we think what we're saying is that yes, actually, palm trees do work in San Francisco. The more the better, in fact. Because who doesn't love palm trees? As for what kind of message it sends to poor people, we're pretty sure they have more things to worry about then the vegetation in the streets they live.