Group Aristists die in "Oakland's Ghost Ship" Fire- Leah Lara

   A more than 36 people have died in an unexpected tragedy. A group of artists that lived together in a 2-story warehouse  known as "Oakland's Ghost Ship" died on Friday due in a fire. Apparently the building was not structurally sound and was filled with cramped spaces, vast clutter, and an infinite of fire hazards. A blaze broke out in amidst a regular Friday night party in the building. Due to cramped, wooden single staircase in the building, many people were unable to escape. Many people in the Oakland community know someone, or have traveled through the "Ghost Ship" themselves. Struggling artists often live their because of the lack of affordable living spaces for young artists. "People are desperate for places," she said. "It's one of those things where you don't want to report something you see because you know how hard it is for people to find spaces,"said Josette Melchor, executive director of Gray Area Foundation for the Arts 



     This is one of the most horrible tragedies to happen in Oakland's history. This situation is a horrible example about how artists continue to struggle, often putting their lives in danger in pursuit of their dreams. These types of living situations exist all over the world, and real lives are at steak. Pursuing a career in the arts shouldn't mean that you must sacrifice basic needs. Hopefully this tragedy will bring to life the daily struggles that today's artists are going through, and there will be some intervention. Artists should be valued in this society, at least to the point that they can afford or even be offered decent and safe living spaces.  


http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/05/us/california-oakland-fire-ghost-ship-warehouse/index.html