Sponsored link
Saturday, August 8, 2026

Sponsored link

Cans not condos – the war on very poor people

By tiny aka Lisa Gray-Garcia

My hands caressed the edges of the Coors can – it was softer than the 211 can, almost like velvet.  And unlike the Coke, Pepsi, or Sprite cans, they were always empty when I found them. Tonight as I sorted my cans and bottles, one of the many ways this po’ displaced mama has survived through harder times, I prayed for all my brothers and sister poverty workers/ recyclers on the racist, classist streets.

“Cans not Condos, Cans NOT Condos!!! Cans Not Condo

-Bill Gandy, Community Housing Partnership organizer

The most recent attack on the already broken and trying to mend backs of us po’ folks in what I am now affectionately calling GentriFUKation City is Safeway’s move to close all of its recycling centers that have been housed in their giant parking lots for years, providing a dire service to elder and disability worker-recyclers and mama, youth, and daddy recyclers just trying to bring in a few extra dollars to survive. (more after the jump)

 

Marke B.
Marke B.
Marke Bieschke is the publisher and arts and culture editor of 48 Hills. He co-owns the Stud bar in SoMa. Reach him at marke (at) 48hills.org, follow @supermarke on Twitter.

48 Hills welcomes comments in the form of letters to the editor, which you can submit here. We also invite you to join the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Sponsored link

Sponsored link
Sponsored link

Latest

Cannabis cafes are coming to SF—and it’s about damn time

A bill finally passed by the city last month allows cannabis retailers to serve food and beverages. Will SF become a new Amsterdam?

Subversive spirit matches Victorian romantic intrigue in Ayelet Waldman’s latest

Berkeley author knocked off from award-winning TV work to finish 'a failed novel I tried to write a decade ago.'

Under the Stars: Midsummer music notables, from gallant rock to Jilly from Philly

Plus: Black Marble plucks college radio strings, Twin Bloom bronzes out, The Koreatown Oddity raps it all up, more great listens

Live Shots: Valkyries flew high in return to Ballhalla

WNBA home team filled Chase Center with wild community spirit and plenty of winning shots.

You might also likeRELATED