I’ve been meaning to put the finishing touches on this writing for a while. We San Franciscan’s have so much to be grateful for in our little progressive bubble. In the mist of a new progressive boom for America, maybe we should start to think more about all that is great about our city (as well as what’s wrong) and lead the march towards a better future for our entire country...
Many of my points are questionable, so take them with a grain of salt:
Most highly educated population center in the country.
So many of the people you meet here are involved in meaningful professions or all sorts!
Independent and experimental styles of music thrive here.
So many beautiful parks dotted across the entire city. Dolores Park and Golden Gate are amazing...
Tons of unique cafes all over the city, mostly independently owed, and each with their unique character. 6 within a 2-block radius of my house...
The city is composed mostly of mom and pop stores...with a extremely limited amount of corporate chains (aside from union square) due to strong government restrictions.
Universe healthcare for everyone employed in San Francisco.
A very strong funded social services system beyond any other U.S. city – disadvantaged populations are well taken care of.
Tons of groundbreaking nonprofits working on local causes…but also tons more working on national and international causes!
Strong rent control laws protecting renters.
Strong laws and infrastructure to support biking!
Medical Marijuana is legal and is available to virtually anyone interested. And decriminalized even if you’re not a “patient.”
Strong anti-discrimination laws supporting minority populations.
Homosexuality is widely accepted. Same-sex marriage is legalized by the city itself.
Sanctuary city – the city government refuses to work with federal immigration officers in seizing immigrants.
Freedom of assembly – event permits are given out relatively easily and events are rarely cancelled as a result of lame excuses made by most U.S. cities.
Anti-militarism ideals including no JRC in schools, strong opposition to the war.
Laws limiting billboards and public advertisements.
Employee rights are strong. More vacation time, short workdays and work weeks for many. Causal dress styles accepted. Very high minimum wage.
Political campaigns are very regulated and must adhere to fair practices.
Big business and special interests don’t dominant most elections…the people have a real voice here!
Beautiful hills with ocean and bay views all over the city.
Community gardens nestled throughout the city and legally protected from development interests.
Great outdoor recreation all around us for camping, hiking, biking, rafting, skiing…and much more!
A deep focus on the arts. Tons of galleries, artist spaces, publically funded projects, art festivals, and tons of great schools.
Many great museums.
Thriving theatre culture.
Home of a incredibly array of social movements that still greatly influence the area today – Beat Generation, Hippie Movement, Gay Rights movement, Silicone Valley pioneers, Green Movement, Electronic music culture.
Incredibly large spiritual community. Tons of spiritual/ religious traditions with lots of community centers for anyone to join in. Meditation centers, Yoga, retreat centers of all sorts...
City College - great teachers, diverse class selections, incredibly low tuition for all!
Amazing choice of college’s and graduation schools – both public and private.
Fire’s allowed on Ocean Beach.
Nudity allowed on Baker Beach. Really anywhere in the city...
Humane police force that actually serves the people instead of suppressing their interests and lifestyles.
Farmer rights. Strong laws preventing inhumane agricultural processes and
inhumane treatment of livestock.
Fair trade and local products available are easily accessible.
Tons of organic and sustainable food products available.
Electric and hybrid bus system.
Wide array of music collectives holding a amazingly diverse assortment of music gatherings!
A wide array of annual street fairs.
Home of Burning Man. Home of tons of groups who own sound systems and can’t contain their urges to throw parties throughout the entire year!
Home of so many incredible regional music festivals of all varieties.
Tons of free, independent publications including SF Guardian, The Onion, Common Ground, Open Exchange, SF Weekly, and many others representing a wide array of unique social scenes and activist agendas.
Home of the one of the most important web exchange sites ever created: Craigslist - which is particularly strong and effective here.
Dogs have it good here, laws in their favor.
Great restaurants with a wide range of cruise’s and creative dishes.
Rainbow food grocery!
More independent movie houses than mainstream movie theatres.
Anti-materialistic values are more predominant here than in any other U.S. city I know of, a lot of people are aware of the harms of rampant consumerism...
The residents officially voted to impeach George W. Bush and sent their proposal to the Federal government.
Diverse ethnic groups.
An incredible diverse array of active countercultures to this day.
Incredibly unique areas of town that all have such distinctive character: Haight-Ashbury, Mission district, North Beach, Union Square, Chinatown, Japantown, Presidio, Marina, and many more.
The technology capital of the world (Silicon Valley).
Home of Apple Computers.
Hookah bars.
Drum circles.
Workshops and educational seminars galore.
Why do I know so many people who don’t own TV’s in this city.. ☺
A 7X7 mile city…can easily bike, bus, or drive anywhere relatively easily!
Great public water.
Great air quality.
The wonderfully bizarre and progressive city of Berkeley is so close!
Mild winters – 40 degrees is about as cold as it ever gets (ok, the fog and ever-chilly climate can get annoying sometimes).
People are generally friendly, relaxed, and caring enough to indulge in conversation in public if you are able to somehow “break the ice.”
Diverse lifestyles! People have an incredible sense of freedom to conduct their lives in ways that are most appropriate for their unique personalities.
A very sexual population.
Freedom of expression is flexed widely.
Many women are conscious and independent enough to resist shaving unnecessary body parts ☺
Creative dress styles.
Gotta love the random array of yard/ corner sales that pop up around the city every weekend.
And the “leave your used items on the street and someone will come take them and use them” culture.
And many, many, many more reasons I failed to think of.......
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