Last night I was at the Planning Commission. I got to play the role of egghead. The other neighborhood residents who spoke really spoke to my heart. Some of them:

One. Yes, it is true that Geisha in Japan has a very different meaning than geisha in the US, Western and European context. We are talking about the US context, not in Japan. Our experience as Asian American women growing up was that the impact of the stereotype has on young women's self-image, confidence and well-being is all about how a lot of the rest of the world views her as a sexual object. We are talking about young girls: 11, 12, 13. It becomes life-long sexual harassment and violence - intimate, public, etc.

Two. The geisha stereotype is the same as if we were to call it "Black Buck" or "Mandingo." Nuff said.

Three. SW closed with an amazing poem-performance. It is specifically the relationship of lived experiences of war to the words on the street and the structures of society.

Four. Those of us who work with young girls know the psychological toll of sexual harassment on them from a very young age. This *is* a public health issue, and directly related to themental health and safety of that community.

Five. A local DJ says, I'd love a new venue, but not one that is reinforcing racist and sexist stereotypes.

Afterwards, homegirl MR confronted the issue at hand: the owner is using the name and stereotype to make money. Period.

The best part? The business owner and the partner both identify as Asian. "I feel your pain." -- but not enough to change the name?! Just to change the name.

Reflection: Does the Planning Commission know that their role is to protect the public health and safety, and that stuff that appears in the academic and public health literature consists of legal evidence should such questions ever appear in court?

Actually, other highlights:

Women of color get it. 1 abstain and 1 no.

Two Black men on the Commission. A name that inflames all your neighbors may not be good for business. (e.g. let the market decide. but the anger and pain is real that you may wish to take pause). There used to be places called "sambo" as well. Now there aren't.

Two white men on the Commission: not in the jurisdiction of the Planning Commission cuz it's not related to the job. a funny crack about how you wouldn't market a new drink and call it e.coli.