Comments on: Loving Neighbors http://www.polimom.com/2005/11/30/loving-neighbors/ I used to be in the middle, but they keep moving the line! Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:34:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Schroeder http://www.polimom.com/2005/11/30/loving-neighbors/#comment-542 Thu, 01 Dec 2005 07:43:00 +0000 http://www.polimom.com/2005/11/30/loving-neighbors/#comment-542 Okay, I'm finished. This too is a valid perspective: http://suspect-device.blogspot.com/2005/11/preach-it-brother.html Okay, I’m finished. This too is a valid perspective:

http://suspect-device.blogspot.com/2005/11/preach-it-brother.html

]]> by: Schroeder http://www.polimom.com/2005/11/30/loving-neighbors/#comment-541 Thu, 01 Dec 2005 07:34:00 +0000 http://www.polimom.com/2005/11/30/loving-neighbors/#comment-541 I know -- it's a fine line between pre-judging, and trusting your gut based on past experience. I can tell you, I've been prejudged by some pretty hostile black people, and I've never worried about being held up by a white person in New Orleans. Hmm ... Come to think of it, I was robbed by two black teenagers in Pensacola when I evacuated. So ... what should I think the next time I see a couple of baggy pants black teenagers walking toward me? I think the African American community has some very serious issues they need to take responsibility for, and to confront head on -- which is not to exonerate whites from their own responsibility for their problems, and the problems they/we inflict upon others. I know — it’s a fine line between pre-judging, and trusting your gut based on past experience. I can tell you, I’ve been prejudged by some pretty hostile black people, and I’ve never worried about being held up by a white person in New Orleans. Hmm … Come to think of it, I was robbed by two black teenagers in Pensacola when I evacuated. So … what should I think the next time I see a couple of baggy pants black teenagers walking toward me?

I think the African American community has some very serious issues they need to take responsibility for, and to confront head on — which is not to exonerate whites from their own responsibility for their problems, and the problems they/we inflict upon others.

]]> by: Polimom http://www.polimom.com/2005/11/30/loving-neighbors/#comment-540 Wed, 30 Nov 2005 14:58:00 +0000 http://www.polimom.com/2005/11/30/loving-neighbors/#comment-540 Schroeder - you're absolutely correct in that people have the right to safety and security... and had there been any evidence whatsoever that specific problem-persons were about to be housed in those trailer parks, I would be less harsh here. I've posted any number of times, in fact, about the criminal element in NOLA. For instance: <a HREF="http://polimom.blogspot.com/2005/09/communities-held-hostage.html" rel="nofollow">Communities Held Hostage</A> It's the assumptions - the "pre-judging" - that gets under my skin. It further infuriates me because the folks quoted in that article influence how <I>all</I> New Orleaneans are judged. Schroeder - you’re absolutely correct in that people have the right to safety and security… and had there been any evidence whatsoever that specific problem-persons were about to be housed in those trailer parks, I would be less harsh here.

I’ve posted any number of times, in fact, about the criminal element in NOLA. For instance:
Communities Held Hostage

It’s the assumptions - the “pre-judging” - that gets under my skin. It further infuriates me because the folks quoted in that article influence how all New Orleaneans are judged.

]]> by: Schroeder http://www.polimom.com/2005/11/30/loving-neighbors/#comment-539 Wed, 30 Nov 2005 14:43:00 +0000 http://www.polimom.com/2005/11/30/loving-neighbors/#comment-539 Ah, I should say, I positively concede that a lot of those complaints are founded in a deeply-ingrained racism -- a racism which I, as a yankee, had never seen before. It's a hatred that seeths just below the surface, and erupts in a fury that is offending -- a racism that may be stronger than their evangelical faith. I paint in broad strokes, of course, but I don't think I'm mistaken, just as they aren't mistaken that some of the people who might be allowed in that mix will be, legitimately, undesireable criminals. Ah, I should say, I positively concede that a lot of those complaints are founded in a deeply-ingrained racism — a racism which I, as a yankee, had never seen before. It’s a hatred that seeths just below the surface, and erupts in a fury that is offending — a racism that may be stronger than their evangelical faith. I paint in broad strokes, of course, but I don’t think I’m mistaken, just as they aren’t mistaken that some of the people who might be allowed in that mix will be, legitimately, undesireable criminals.

]]> by: Schroeder http://www.polimom.com/2005/11/30/loving-neighbors/#comment-538 Wed, 30 Nov 2005 14:32:00 +0000 http://www.polimom.com/2005/11/30/loving-neighbors/#comment-538 I agree with you, yes I do, really -- but, someone really should address those fears. I would bet that law-abiding residents -- black as well as white -- really have a right to demand that drug dealers and gang bangers not be set up in their neighborhoods. Many people I talked to in the Lower Ninth said one of the most horrible things I've heard: That Katrina's flooding, even though it destroyed their homes, at least it got rid of the drug dealers and criminals, and they hope it stays that way. I agree with you, yes I do, really — but, someone really should address those fears. I would bet that law-abiding residents — black as well as white — really have a right to demand that drug dealers and gang bangers not be set up in their neighborhoods. Many people I talked to in the Lower Ninth said one of the most horrible things I’ve heard: That Katrina’s flooding, even though it destroyed their homes, at least it got rid of the drug dealers and criminals, and they hope it stays that way.

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