I’m excited  to be dropping this interview.  A lot of respect for this young man and his family. He surprised me with a message asking if he could use a couple of my photos for his book cover.  I was flattered by the request and impressed by the fact that he is now an author.  “Black People is Oregon?” is an interesting take on something that impacts black communities across the globe.

Take a second and get acquainted with Prxscott.

503tv: For those that may be unfamiliar with you, can you give a little background on yourself?

Prxscott: My name is Marlon “Prxscott” Abah. I grew up in Northeast Portland. My last name is pretty well known. I’ve been writing music since 2003 and recently dived into other writing ventures.

503tv: What made you want to tackle the topic of gentrification in Portland? Why now?

Prxscott: I decided to write about gentrification because I no longer live in Portland. When I come home to visit Portland it doesn’t feel like home and it doesn’t look like home. Recently I got off the freeway exit near Emmanuel Hospital and I saw all these high rise condos. I thought to myself like why wasn’t this area redeveloped while it was predominately black? I also decided to speak about gentrification from driving around the neighborhood seeing Black Lives Matters signs while black residents were being displaced.

503tv: While doing your research/interviews for the book did you receive any push back?

Prxscott: Interesting question. I actually did receive some push back. People felt I was being divisive, but I felt I was giving an honest assessment from my point of view. I feel like I’m the voice that needed to be heard. Portland is known and viewed as a progressive place where everyone is treated equally. I decided to pull the curtain back.

503tv: Who is your target audience and what would you like them to learn from your work?

Prxscott: Target audience would have to be people in cities like Washington Dc, or Brooklyn, Nyc. Other cities that are being heavily gentrified. I know they are going through the same struggle as us. They can look to my book as like a blueprint or signs to look out for. I also want the children to read my book. I need the kids to know Oregon’s history and not just about Lewis and Clark or the Oregon Trail.

503tv: What can we expect from you next?

Prxscott: Im dropping the Alberta Trap District. That’s gonna essentially be a soundtrack to “Black People In Oregon?” Im also featured on Tedd Lokc’s new album.