#94. REDEFINING “EXPRESSIVE”

#94. REDEFINING “EXPRESSIVE” 

Since the pandemic hit New York, it’s rare to see Park Rangers in the Park enforcing rules. But today two did. A man and a woman are about to enter the Park near the Arch, wheeling two racks of clothes. They want to set up near the Fountain with other vendors. A New York Parks Department sergeant stands back but directs the rangers to stop the clothiers. And a half hour argument ensues. I can’t hear it, but I sidle up to the sergeant: 

                 “So, who can sell in the Park and who can’t?” 

                “Well, you can only sell expressive merchandise.” 

                “Expressive? Clothes are not expressive?” 

                 “We don’t think so. We warn them first, but we could confiscate the clothes and fine                     them $375.” 

I am confused. So, I stroll around the Fountain to check out what “expressive” merch is on sale. I find paintings, drawings, photographs, hand-made jewelry, a poetry writer, a candlemaker, a novelist hawking his book. OK. Expressive. 

But what about the sellers of cannabis, from raw buds to rolled blunts to edibles. I tell a vendor what the sergeant said. He chuckles. 

                “Expressive? Oh yeah, we’re expressive. 

                And if you buy our product, it’ll make YOU expressive!” 

 The clothiers finally agree to move to the other side of the street across from the Park. 

At least for today.