Palmer Events Center
Austin vs. Everybody
RECEIVED Tue., March 3, 2015
Dear Editor,
Newly incoming residents from all over the country are invading Austin using covert tactics to destroy Austin’s culture [“Gentrification Refugees,” News, Feb. 27]. The destruction of the Jumpolin piñata store is symbolic of the new Austin. It is now a place that encourages arrogant individuals to replace hard-working people. Sadly, the festivals I loved have made Austin a superficial, exclusive VIP scene similar to Los Angeles, which is why I left there to return to Austin, my hometown. Sadly, upon my return I found the same type of privileged new residents and many people had become sellouts. The true celebration behind ACL and SXSW was bringing together music lovers from all over the world – not the destruction of culture.
However, the bulldozing of my friends’ store, Jumpolin, should sound an alarm to awaken every Austinite’s soul that our way of inclusivity and diversity is rapidly fading. Several Austin residents have been harassed by the state comptroller’s office, Austin firefighters, and bribed permit reviewers. So I call on everyone residing in Austin to stop allowing new residents to destroy existing ones. Please write about corrupt public servants and expose the greedy invaders. A simpler solution is to visit Jumpolin at 4926 E. Cesar Chavez and ask its owners to make you a red, dollar-sign piñata to destroy. It made me feel better.
My piñata queen’s small palace filled with beautiful princesses, heroic knights, and seven-pointed stars has been destroyed. Each point on the heptagram-shaped piñata represents the seven deadly sins and the bat-wielding participant is seen as a force in defying evil. Hopefully we don’t just act as observers of destruction.
The day I visited Monica [Lejarazu], I burst into tears, but she hugged me, saying “Don’t worry, justice prevails in America; it’s not like Mexico’s corruption.” I smiled politely and resisted telling her corruption in Austin exists in the worst form – it’s insidious. Goodbye to my old authentic Austin and hello to the new one being created by affluent strangers.
Newly incoming residents from all over the country are invading Austin using covert tactics to destroy Austin’s culture [“Gentrification Refugees,” News, Feb. 27]. The destruction of the Jumpolin piñata store is symbolic of the new Austin. It is now a place that encourages arrogant individuals to replace hard-working people. Sadly, the festivals I loved have made Austin a superficial, exclusive VIP scene similar to Los Angeles, which is why I left there to return to Austin, my hometown. Sadly, upon my return I found the same type of privileged new residents and many people had become sellouts. The true celebration behind ACL and SXSW was bringing together music lovers from all over the world – not the destruction of culture.
However, the bulldozing of my friends’ store, Jumpolin, should sound an alarm to awaken every Austinite’s soul that our way of inclusivity and diversity is rapidly fading. Several Austin residents have been harassed by the state comptroller’s office, Austin firefighters, and bribed permit reviewers. So I call on everyone residing in Austin to stop allowing new residents to destroy existing ones. Please write about corrupt public servants and expose the greedy invaders. A simpler solution is to visit Jumpolin at 4926 E. Cesar Chavez and ask its owners to make you a red, dollar-sign piñata to destroy. It made me feel better.
My piñata queen’s small palace filled with beautiful princesses, heroic knights, and seven-pointed stars has been destroyed. Each point on the heptagram-shaped piñata represents the seven deadly sins and the bat-wielding participant is seen as a force in defying evil. Hopefully we don’t just act as observers of destruction.
The day I visited Monica [Lejarazu], I burst into tears, but she hugged me, saying “Don’t worry, justice prevails in America; it’s not like Mexico’s corruption.” I smiled politely and resisted telling her corruption in Austin exists in the worst form – it’s insidious. Goodbye to my old authentic Austin and hello to the new one being created by affluent strangers.
Jennifer Whiddon