Friday 28 September 2012

[WardFive] Re: [ward5] Re: Hypocrites and Crypto Racism

That's Right.  Information is the key.  If it happens on this listserv or any community that we are involved in, we should not let it go unidentified and pretend that the disrespect doesn't exist. Unless addressed, lies become truth and attitudes calcify!! 
 
While folks might be uncomfortable about the conversation because of the topic, it must be addressed so that it does not continue to occur and further separate communities.  This is TRUE DIVERSITY!!!  Kind of like "Think and Grow Rich" - The Black Choice by Dennis Kimbro.  This is the new World Perspective.
 
What these "Imperial" Whites need to see is about 100+ positive, educated Blacks at every event like in Malcolm X when he signaled his supporters to head to the police precinct - just to show that we are present.  It is time to bust through this false propaganda that allows this much disrespect to raise its head. 
 
I am glad that Mr. Peloquin is a White Man so they just can't say that he is just another "angry" Black Man venting and fabricating false reality!!
 
I am really tired of the double standard and ignorance!!
 
Rob 
 
 
On Fri, Sep 28, 2012 at 5:33 PM, <khenderson029@aol.com> wrote:
 

Jerry,

I appreciate your candor and willingness to begin this important discussion. There is an opportunity here to make our ward stronger by empowering every resident. I hope others will accept your challenge and add their thoughts to this discussion.



Kathy Henderson
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2012 15:38:28 -0400
Subject: Re: [ward5] Re: Hypocrites and Crypto Racism

 

Luke ... I take your point.  However, I must respectfully disagree.  Your argument is rational surely.  Your argument is also subjective ( as is mine)  I guess it depends upon ones perspective on what is happening here. .  When, as an average white man, I read the comments on this list serve I see a pervasive and pernicious subtle and not so subtle racism.  I see this same pattern in newly formed civic organizations.  Older, more established groups are being by passed by. The new groups are largely made up on the newly arrived.  There seems little interest in the "integration," of an existing organization. The issue is most obvious in the recent Rhode Island avenue social and economic structures.
 
Yes, the  tone on this list serve has become pointed on numerous occasions.  That is because some of us choose not to be quiet and accept the status quo.  Some of us choose to speak our minds on the issues.    This is still a democracy of sorts ... many people fear controversy, many people would rather be quiet than speak out, many people will walk away and prefer to be bystanders.  Many read and never comment.  Many are simply timid.  Thankfully there are a few who will not be cowed by admonitions of sshhhhh.    I welcome your comments Luke but do not presume that I will be intimidated into some form of false civility.  The issues are too important for that.
 
I say let there be light.  Let all sides be heard.  This is America.
 
Jerry in Affirmation
 
 
----- Original message -----
Subject: [ward5] Re: Hypocrites and Crypto Racism
Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:34:14 -0000
 
 

1) Not all of these "newcomers" are white. I live in the EYA Chancellor's Row development (adjacent to St. Paul's) and there are many black families who live there. We also have white families with children and even white people who have moved into the affordable workforce homes. I've spoken to most of my Chancellor's Row neighbors and have yet to meet a single one who is opposed to the Monroe Street Market.

2) Many wealthy black professionals have opted to move into the suburbs rather than live in historically black neighborhoods in DC. There are black homeowners who are selling their homes at a healthy profit and leaving for the quiet suburban life. Not everyone who is leaving DC is pushed out by gentrification. Many people leaving the city are exercising their right to live in a community that they believe is most suitable for their families and they should be able to do so without being labeled "sellouts" or "Uncle Toms."

3) For years, the lack of development in Ward 5 was decried as a form of racial discrimination. That development is finally here. When we have mixed use developments, an arts district, a more diverse socio-economic mix, more shopping and dining, it will be harder to make Ward 5 the dumping ground for DC's undesirable or experimental projects, such as medical marijuana.

I support Monroe Street Market and believe that it will enhance the quality of life for our neighborhood. Instead of the ugly concrete dorms and litter strewn vacant lots that existed before construction, we will have shopping, dining, and a vibrant arts community. I am hopeful that the enhanced lighting and public presence will serve to decrease violent crimes in the area.

As for McMillan, the priority needs to be resolving the flooding in Bloomingdale and making certain that the congestion on North Capital is addressed.

4) The "racism" label is bandied about much too freely by some in our community. I have no idea who Allison Stewart is and what her motive was in asking her question, which seemed innocuous enough. But I can tell you that some people are reluctant to even engage on this listserv because they will be harassed and harangued and called names. We will not be able to have a productive conversation when every slight, real or perceived, is taken as a sign of racism, crypto-racism, self-hatred or whatever. Let's pull back on the name calling and focus on the issues.

--- In ward5@yahoogroups.com, jeromepeloquin@... wrote:
>
> Citizen's of Ward Five
>
> It is my belief that this Yahoo Group needs to perform a deep and
> comprehensive examination of conscience (A uniquely Catholic concept).
> We should look into our collective hearts and ask ourselves, are we
> part of the solution or part of the problem? We need to consider the
> entire Ward 5 community and not just Edgewood, or Brookland or,
> whatever! We need to realize accept and yes, celebrate the cultural
> and social differences that are the basis of a plural culture such as
> we are blessed to have here in Washington DC. We need to come together
> ... not pull apart. People in Brookland need to be concerned about
> the people in close proximity to McMillan and the McMillan folks need
> to care for what happens to the resident adjacent to 901 Monroe.
>
> The last few years have been fraught with strife and conflict. Many of
> us opted for development at any cost. Anyone who used the term, "Smart
> Development," was branded a reactionary. As a result the developers
> and the large land owners (CUA, The Paulists) have been able to
> abrogate almost every agreement made in their one-sided, takeover of
> the center of Brookland. CUA was allowed to "warehouse," and tear down
> decent housing and sit on it for years waiting for this moment to "cash
> in." All of the religious orders who were given property here in
> Brookland are now getting ready to follow their lead. The result will
> most likely be devastating to this community.
>
> The divide between the long time largely African American community and
> the new, largely white, upward mobile young marrieds and others is
> growing and becoming very uncomfortable. This is especially evident in
> some of the rhetoric used on this List serve here in Ward 5. I am
> speaking specifially about the comments made about the nascent farmer's
> market being developed. Hazel Thoma is working diligently to create a
> farmers market, This is not an easy task. It took the Brookland
> Market a long time to get it together. I know because I used to play
> drums there when it was at Col Brooks Mansion. Only in the last year
> or so has it really taken off. Persistence is a key and Hazel has that
> for sure. Instead of supporting her, Allison Stewart asked a
> rhetorical and pointedly snide question, implying that Hazel's new
> farmers' market was too small and lacking resources!
>
> I don't know about you folks but I think that is an obvious insult to
> Hazel and to this community in general ... there will no doubt be loud
> cries of ... Oh, no, I just wanted to know who would be there this
> week! Ms. Stewart's comment is an obvious and obnoxious attempt at
> sarcasm, an attempt to belittle the efforts a long time community
> activist and exemplary citizen who is trying to improve the quality of
> life in this community! AND ...it ain't right!
>
> I'm signing off for now, but I'm not done!
>
> I'll be back!
>
> Jerry in Indignation
>
 

 

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