What do you think about this story and it's implications of gentrification, white privilege, and entitlement? For the
white members here, what was your gut reaction to this story, before you had a second to think? (No judgement. I am intrigued by how deep our country's history is imbedded in all of our subconscious attitudes.) [thehill.com]
1
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
7 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.
Mist legit dog parks require you to pick up after your dog & provide bags/containers to do so. To call a piece of wasteland a "dog park" does not make it one!
And everybody should pick up after their dogs, every time, everywhere! Oe else, here come the "No Dogs Allowed" signs, these slobs ruin it for everyone!
AnneWimsey
Level 9
Apr 20, 2019
0
I'm not sure I see how walking my dog on your lawn is disrespectful.... Okay so It's private property and so I guess you can bring out yer shot guns to protect yer land. Give me a break. The college is a community institution. I think the President of the college has it right when he said, it's an evolving community. So what If white people are moving in. That means that those white people don't mind living with black people. They choose to live next to a "black" college. If poop is a problem, higher somebody to patrol and give out citations to assholes who don't pick up after their dog. And BTW those are just inconsiderate jerks. And in my experience it's my people that usually don't pick up the pop (Mexican) not white. Neither side of this fence has the right to tell the others to move our get out. It's seems like a really petty issue that can easily be worked out.
Summer72
Level 7
Apr 20, 2019
1
Buxx:
For me, the disrespect stems from some of the responses to students' complaints. The suggestion that the 150 year old campus be moved to accommodate encroaching new residents is quite disrespectful. This leads me to questions about where this disrespect stems. And I cannot avoid this being a subconscious reflection of America's attitudes toward both race and class.
This again is subconscious, and it infects all of us. There are times when I walk down the street at night and see someone who looks like me; my first thought is about my safety. (Keep in mind, I'm 6 ft 4 in tall and 250 pounds.) This is not a conscious prejudice against myself. It's a reflection of our society.
So, I must again ask: if this was Georgetown University would this (on the surface, quite petty) issue even exist?
I think Howard Alumni should buy up the property around the University. I don't think the white neighbors give a poop whether the University is historically black or not. They are just inconsiderate about their dog poop. Not cleaning up dog poop is not a white privilege or entitlement issue. Being inconsiderate is universal. Rich people are generally inconsiderate of poorer people, it's not exclusive to caucasians.
Seminarian
Level 7
Apr 20, 2019
2
Buxx:
It may be more of a class issue than a race issue. I wonder if this was Georgetown University, would these people feel okay letting their dogs shit on the campus without cleaning it. What about Rutgers or just some local junior college?
I still think the underlying issue is these new residents are looking down on the "native" community. (Couldn't think of a better word than "native" 
) This is a major issue underlying many problems in our country right now.
@Buxx OK, I get that we are looking at this from different perspectives. Consider this however, If the neighborhood hadn't been gentrified, would the former Af. Am. community be any more considerate?I grew up and still live just outside Flint MI. I see no difference between people in the mixed neighborhood I live in and the Af.Am. neighborhood 2 blocks away as far as cleaning up after their dogs. The truth is most people are just too self absorbed to think about the effect their actions have on others. Now if you said that pick-up trucks adorned with confederate flags were driving to the university to let their dogs poop rather than letting them do it in their own trailer parks, well then ok, it's a race issue.
Buxx:
@Seminarian Good point. It is certainly worth asking if this was an issue prior. I would also ask how long have the Flint communities you mentioned existed? I assume they've been there for at least two generations.
I think this is a very subtle reflection of our attitude towards different populations. (Not necessarily different in terms of race.) The dog park thing is trivial and will be settled in no time. I don't think anyone involved is racist, but what triggered that response that Howard University should move its campus to accommodate the new residents?
Maybe the issue is just a few jerks and I'm wrong. Frankly, I hope I am wrong.
My first reaction is that it's a bit like when people move next to a pub and then put in noise complaints. The university was there first. Find somewhere else to walk your damned dog. And make sure you pick up it's shit, ya grot bag.
MrBeelzeebubbles
Level 7
Apr 20, 2019
0
...I don’t think it should be ‘he or he’ or ‘they or he,’” situation, he continued. “It’s our community and that’s how it should be.”
Fuck me. That's my instant reaction. My second reaction is that people are all the same, and if minority rolls were reversed itd be a traditionally white colledge having the same issues with gentrification.
Pretty much why I can't stand people, in general.
1of5
Level 8
Apr 20, 2019
0
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
Share this post
Categories
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.