Book excerpt: Patti Ross lived in Baltimore, Maryland from 2010 to 2013, just one block south of North Avenue on St. Paul Street. She found herself in a neighborhood somewhat blighted, slighted by its own city. The chess moves of gentrification were becoming more evident and in a short time, Maryland Institute College of Art would move in to change the face of North Avenue between Howard and St. Paul Street forever. Those from the neighborhood saw their displacement coming. They preached about it to whoever would listen and often Patti did. St. Paul Street Provocations gives proclamations to her friends' stories and their lives in a city given the nickname of "Charm City." As an advocate for the poor and marginalized, she wanted to share the stories and illuminate the voices of those forced to live with daily pauperism. While walking her dog often through the neighborhood she met several homeless and drug abuse individuals many of whom others walked past or scoffed at regularly. Patti stopped to listen to their stories, some believable, some not, but she listened each time they wanted to share. And wrote it down.