Open Campus: The debate over the use of Howard's campus by neighbors

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 2 issues being co-mingled on this thread.

1) white people allowed on a "traditionally black" campus

and

2) dogs being allowed on said campus.

I have a big problem if white people are not allowed, but I have no problem whatsoever with them banning dogs. In fact, I wish they would. If more places banned dogs then maybe entitled dog owners would stop thinking they must have a right to take Fido with them everywhere by default.

I think there are some AA people posting who genuinely don't have a problem with white people/neighbors on campus as long as they don't bring their dogs. There seem to be others (or one other) posting saying that it's more than the dogs, it's that the white people still aren't really welcome for whatever reason because it's offensive given the history.

Given that white people can enroll in and teach at Howard, it's obviously not true that white people aren't allowed on campus. Come on. The issue is dogs.

Another separate issue might be if there's a big influx of residents not connected to Howard, who suddenly decide to start using the quad like a park (dog or no). That would probably be an issue regardless of their color; but the fact that they are likely to be white gentrifiers would add to the tension, for obvious reasons.

Then if the issue is dogs, why doesn't Howard ban dogs? (excepting service dogs of course).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread only highlights what completely selfish jerks most dog owners are. You people defending this are probably the same people who let your dogs relive themselves in the children’s park near me despite there being a dog park two blocks away. Just the absolute worst.

+2, my DD (age 2) accidentally stepped in dog poo in a grassy area of the playground. Dog owners can be some of the most entitled people. I’ve even seen people with little dogs in their bags on the metro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 2 issues being co-mingled on this thread.

1) white people allowed on a "traditionally black" campus

and

2) dogs being allowed on said campus.

I have a big problem if white people are not allowed, but I have no problem whatsoever with them banning dogs. In fact, I wish they would. If more places banned dogs then maybe entitled dog owners would stop thinking they must have a right to take Fido with them everywhere by default.

I think there are some AA people posting who genuinely don't have a problem with white people/neighbors on campus as long as they don't bring their dogs. There seem to be others (or one other) posting saying that it's more than the dogs, it's that the white people still aren't really welcome for whatever reason because it's offensive given the history.

Given that white people can enroll in and teach at Howard, it's obviously not true that white people aren't allowed on campus. Come on. The issue is dogs.

Another separate issue might be if there's a big influx of residents not connected to Howard, who suddenly decide to start using the quad like a park (dog or no). That would probably be an issue regardless of their color; but the fact that they are likely to be white gentrifiers would add to the tension, for obvious reasons.

Then if the issue is dogs, why doesn't Howard ban dogs? (excepting service dogs of course).

They probably will. The issue seems to be one of ignorance/abuse of the norms of public spaces. A few respectful dog walkers early in the morning, who don't let their dogs run unleashed or crap/pee everywhere - probably woud have been fine. But it seems like there was a influx of non-Howard associated residents who were quickly turning the quad into an all-hours dog park. Totally different situation. I see this in my local park too, so I can totally believe that the gentrifiers would decide that any green space = dog park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's sad to see white DC residents so culturally illiterate about Howard and HBCUs and black history. I admit that when I first moved to DC, I had the model of college campuses with a more open feeling (having grown up in land grant college towns). So yeah, the first time I jogged through the Howard campus, it felt different. But, it didn't take me long to learn about the history of the U st area, Howard, and HBCUs, as well as to grasp why being on the Howard campus as a white person meant I needed to go out of my way to be respectful.

If you are clutching your pearls and can't figure out why there would be tension surrounding an influx of disrespectful white dog walkers on the Howard campus, then you're pretty culturally ignorant.

+1 THIS.EXACTLY.SUMS.UP.MY.THOUGHTS

Why is it so hard for urban gentrifiers to understand that Black/AA people don’t want their cultural historic piece of property desecrated by animals? To continue in such a manner means that people are willing to put animal nature over human feelings. That thought process is both despicable and shows how far basic humanity principles have eroded.

DP What about all the other animals? Are they going to kick out the rats, possums, squirrels, chipmunks? All people should be allowed to walk their dogs full stop. If it is an open campus than they shouldn't yell at people either.

You are kidding right? How stupid can one be to even form such a sentence? Clearly, the listed animals are ones in nature. It’s a sad day when some white people embarass the rest of us who understand Howard’s viewpoint.

If the argument is they don't want to sit in pee than they should know they probably already are. That was my point. But, keep being SHOCKED! It is just pee and shouldn't be a big deal. What if 20 dog owners decided to walk their dogs on the campus at once? I wouldn't do it but, there might be people who decide that now they know this upsets students at Howard than they might.

[Anonymous]

PP, issued a statement on April 19, 2019

I’m not going to copy the entire statement but here is the portion that addresses the dog issue and also welcomes those in the community.

We are aware of the concerns regarding dog walking across campus. Howard is a private institution nestled in the heart of an urban city and we’ve shared a long-standing positive relationship with our evolving community for more than 150 years, which we look forward to continuing in the future.

We can relate to the Nation wanting to visit and witness the Howard mystique. The institution has a tradition of opening our doors for everyone to observe the best that Howard University has to offer. We’ve shared many symposiums, workshops and concerts with our neighbors. Our annual parade proudly wraps through the surrounding streets and our students walk safely through the neighborhood.




https://newsroom.howard.edu/newsroom/article/10291/update-howard-university-upper-quadrangle?fbclid=IwAR2RxxsYje3navGKK29MfzdiDrHC8AYv7qVaUhFZMifhAdo6nID-zGCOLxw

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's sad to see white DC residents so culturally illiterate about Howard and HBCUs and black history. I admit that when I first moved to DC, I had the model of college campuses with a more open feeling (having grown up in land grant college towns). So yeah, the first time I jogged through the Howard campus, it felt different. But, it didn't take me long to learn about the history of the U st area, Howard, and HBCUs, as well as to grasp why being on the Howard campus as a white person meant I needed to go out of my way to be respectful.

If you are clutching your pearls and can't figure out why there would be tension surrounding an influx of disrespectful white dog walkers on the Howard campus, then you're pretty culturally ignorant.

+1 THIS.EXACTLY.SUMS.UP.MY.THOUGHTS

Why is it so hard for urban gentrifiers to understand that Black/AA people don’t want their cultural historic piece of property desecrated by animals? To continue in such a manner means that people are willing to put animal nature over human feelings. That thought process is both despicable and shows how far basic humanity principles have eroded.

DP What about all the other animals? Are they going to kick out the rats, possums, squirrels, chipmunks? All people should be allowed to walk their dogs full stop. If it is an open campus than they shouldn't yell at people either.

You are kidding right? How stupid can one be to even form such a sentence? Clearly, the listed animals are ones in nature. It’s a sad day when some white people embarass the rest of us who understand Howard’s viewpoint.

If the argument is they don't want to sit in pee than they should know they probably already are. That was my point. But, keep being SHOCKED! It is just pee and shouldn't be a big deal. What if 20 dog owners decided to walk their dogs on the campus at once? I wouldn't do it but, there might be people who decide that now they know this upsets students at Howard than they might.

Well then those dog walkers might get heckled by students. Of course, they can’t complain or be upset if they are choosing to be disrespectful to the norms of the university campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, issued a statement on April 19, 2019

I’m not going to copy the entire statement but here is the portion that addresses the dog issue and also welcomes those in the community.

We are aware of the concerns regarding dog walking across campus. Howard is a private institution nestled in the heart of an urban city and we’ve shared a long-standing positive relationship with our evolving community for more than 150 years, which we look forward to continuing in the future.

We can relate to the Nation wanting to visit and witness the Howard mystique. The institution has a tradition of opening our doors for everyone to observe the best that Howard University has to offer. We’ve shared many symposiums, workshops and concerts with our neighbors. Our annual parade proudly wraps through the surrounding streets and our students walk safely through the neighborhood.




https://newsroom.howard.edu/newsroom/article/10291/update-howard-university-upper-quadrangle?fbclid=IwAR2RxxsYje3navGKK29MfzdiDrHC8AYv7qVaUhFZMifhAdo6nID-zGCOLxw

The most important portion of the statement lies here:

We recognize that service animals are a necessary aspect of modern-day life and we will accommodate them as needed. We appreciate pet owners respecting our campus by not bringing pets onto the private areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's sad to see white DC residents so culturally illiterate about Howard and HBCUs and black history. I admit that when I first moved to DC, I had the model of college campuses with a more open feeling (having grown up in land grant college towns). So yeah, the first time I jogged through the Howard campus, it felt different. But, it didn't take me long to learn about the history of the U st area, Howard, and HBCUs, as well as to grasp why being on the Howard campus as a white person meant I needed to go out of my way to be respectful.

If you are clutching your pearls and can't figure out why there would be tension surrounding an influx of disrespectful white dog walkers on the Howard campus, then you're pretty culturally ignorant.

+1 THIS.EXACTLY.SUMS.UP.MY.THOUGHTS

Why is it so hard for urban gentrifiers to understand that Black/AA people don’t want their cultural historic piece of property desecrated by animals? To continue in such a manner means that people are willing to put animal nature over human feelings. That thought process is both despicable and shows how far basic humanity principles have eroded.

DP What about all the other animals? Are they going to kick out the rats, possums, squirrels, chipmunks? All people should be allowed to walk their dogs full stop. If it is an open campus than they shouldn't yell at people either.

You are kidding right? How stupid can one be to even form such a sentence? Clearly, the listed animals are ones in nature. It’s a sad day when some white people embarass the rest of us who understand Howard’s viewpoint.

If the argument is they don't want to sit in pee than they should know they probably already are. That was my point. But, keep being SHOCKED! It is just pee and shouldn't be a big deal. What if 20 dog owners decided to walk their dogs on the campus at once? I wouldn't do it but, there might be people who decide that now they know this upsets students at Howard than they might.

Well then those dog walkers might get heckled by students. Of course, they can’t [b]complain or be upset if they are choosing to be disrespectful to the norms of the university campus.[/b]

Of course you can complain if you are being harassed. Sounds like when a girl is raped and others say well she shouldn't have been walking there or wearing that skirt. If there is no ban on dogs, than the students should leave the dog walkers alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, issued a statement on April 19, 2019

I’m not going to copy the entire statement but here is the portion that addresses the dog issue and also welcomes those in the community.

We are aware of the concerns regarding dog walking across campus. Howard is a private institution nestled in the heart of an urban city and we’ve shared a long-standing positive relationship with our evolving community for more than 150 years, which we look forward to continuing in the future.

We can relate to the Nation wanting to visit and witness the Howard mystique. The institution has a tradition of opening our doors for everyone to observe the best that Howard University has to offer. We’ve shared many symposiums, workshops and concerts with our neighbors. Our annual parade proudly wraps through the surrounding streets and our students walk safely through the neighborhood.




https://newsroom.howard.edu/newsroom/article/10291/update-howard-university-upper-quadrangle?fbclid=IwAR2RxxsYje3navGKK29MfzdiDrHC8AYv7qVaUhFZMifhAdo6nID-zGCOLxw

The most important portion of the statement lies here:

We recognize that service animals are a necessary aspect of modern-day life and we will accommodate them as needed. We appreciate pet owners respecting our campus by not bringing pets onto the private areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 2 issues being co-mingled on this thread.

1) white people allowed on a "traditionally black" campus

and

2) dogs being allowed on said campus.

I have a big problem if white people are not allowed, but I have no problem whatsoever with them banning dogs. In fact, I wish they would. If more places banned dogs then maybe entitled dog owners would stop thinking they must have a right to take Fido with them everywhere by default.

I think there are some AA people posting who genuinely don't have a problem with white people/neighbors on campus as long as they don't bring their dogs. There seem to be others (or one other) posting saying that it's more than the dogs, it's that the white people still aren't really welcome for whatever reason because it's offensive given the history.

Given that white people can enroll in and teach at Howard, it's obviously not true that white people aren't allowed on campus. Come on. The issue is dogs.

Another separate issue might be if there's a big influx of residents not connected to Howard, who suddenly decide to start using the quad like a park (dog or no). That would probably be an issue regardless of their color; but the fact that they are likely to be white gentrifiers would add to the tension, for obvious reasons.

If that were true then Howard students wouldn’t be tweeting “Dear White People...”. They’d be tweeting “Dear Asshat Dog Owners...” or “Dear POS Hipster that thinks the school should move...” But keep arguing it’s only about dogs...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 2 issues being co-mingled on this thread.

1) white people allowed on a "traditionally black" campus

and

2) dogs being allowed on said campus.

I have a big problem if white people are not allowed, but I have no problem whatsoever with them banning dogs. In fact, I wish they would. If more places banned dogs then maybe entitled dog owners would stop thinking they must have a right to take Fido with them everywhere by default.

I think there are some AA people posting who genuinely don't have a problem with white people/neighbors on campus as long as they don't bring their dogs. There seem to be others (or one other) posting saying that it's more than the dogs, it's that the white people still aren't really welcome for whatever reason because it's offensive given the history.

Given that white people can enroll in and teach at Howard, it's obviously not true that white people aren't allowed on campus. Come on. The issue is dogs.

Another separate issue might be if there's a big influx of residents not connected to Howard, who suddenly decide to start using the quad like a park (dog or no). That would probably be an issue regardless of their color; but the fact that they are likely to be white gentrifiers would add to the tension, for obvious reasons.

If that were true then Howard students wouldn’t be tweeting “Dear White People...”. They’d be tweeting “Dear Asshat Dog Owners...” or “Dear POS Hipster that thinks the school should move...” But keep arguing it’s only about dogs...

If the people committing these disrespectful behaviors against the university institution happen to be predominately white, why should the students mask their language?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's sad to see white DC residents so culturally illiterate about Howard and HBCUs and black history. I admit that when I first moved to DC, I had the model of college campuses with a more open feeling (having grown up in land grant college towns). So yeah, the first time I jogged through the Howard campus, it felt different. But, it didn't take me long to learn about the history of the U st area, Howard, and HBCUs, as well as to grasp why being on the Howard campus as a white person meant I needed to go out of my way to be respectful.

If you are clutching your pearls and can't figure out why there would be tension surrounding an influx of disrespectful white dog walkers on the Howard campus, then you're pretty culturally ignorant.

+1 THIS.EXACTLY.SUMS.UP.MY.THOUGHTS

Why is it so hard for urban gentrifiers to understand that Black/AA people don’t want their cultural historic piece of property desecrated by animals? To continue in such a manner means that people are willing to put animal nature over human feelings. That thought process is both despicable and shows how far basic humanity principles have eroded.

DP What about all the other animals? Are they going to kick out the rats, possums, squirrels, chipmunks? All people should be allowed to walk their dogs full stop. If it is an open campus than they shouldn't yell at people either.

You are kidding right? How stupid can one be to even form such a sentence? Clearly, the listed animals are ones in nature. It’s a sad day when some white people embarass the rest of us who understand Howard’s viewpoint.

If the argument is they don't want to sit in pee than they should know they probably already are. That was my point. But, keep being SHOCKED! It is just pee and shouldn't be a big deal. What if 20 dog owners decided to walk their dogs on the campus at once? I wouldn't do it but, there might be people who decide that now they know this upsets students at Howard than they might.

Well then those dog walkers might get heckled by students. Of course, they can’t [b]complain or be upset if they are choosing to be disrespectful to the norms of the university campus.[/b]

Of course you can complain if you are being harassed. Sounds like when a girl is raped and others say well she shouldn't have been walking there or wearing that skirt. If there is no ban on dogs, than the students should leave the dog walkers alone.

Of course the Metropolitan Police Department can choose to come and not make any arrests or complete a report. Many of those police officers are Howard Alumn so the joke would be on you previous poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 2 issues being co-mingled on this thread.

1) white people allowed on a "traditionally black" campus

and

2) dogs being allowed on said campus.

I have a big problem if white people are not allowed, but I have no problem whatsoever with them banning dogs. In fact, I wish they would. If more places banned dogs then maybe entitled dog owners would stop thinking they must have a right to take Fido with them everywhere by default.

I think there are some AA people posting who genuinely don't have a problem with white people/neighbors on campus as long as they don't bring their dogs. There seem to be others (or one other) posting saying that it's more than the dogs, it's that the white people still aren't really welcome for whatever reason because it's offensive given the history.

Given that white people can enroll in and teach at Howard, it's obviously not true that white people aren't allowed on campus. Come on. The issue is dogs.

Another separate issue might be if there's a big influx of residents not connected to Howard, who suddenly decide to start using the quad like a park (dog or no). That would probably be an issue regardless of their color; but the fact that they are likely to be white gentrifiers would add to the tension, for obvious reasons.

If that were true then Howard students wouldn’t be tweeting “Dear White People...”. They’d be tweeting “Dear Asshat Dog Owners...” or “Dear POS Hipster that thinks the school should move...” But keep arguing it’s only about dogs...

Ok, the issue is white people with dog. Look, I'm not a huge fan of the "Dear White People" genre, but don't pretend you don't understand that it's different. Or, just admit you want to rehash the whole "reverse discrimination is the same as discrimination" argument, and I'll know you're arguing in bad faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's sad to see white DC residents so culturally illiterate about Howard and HBCUs and black history. I admit that when I first moved to DC, I had the model of college campuses with a more open feeling (having grown up in land grant college towns). So yeah, the first time I jogged through the Howard campus, it felt different. But, it didn't take me long to learn about the history of the U st area, Howard, and HBCUs, as well as to grasp why being on the Howard campus as a white person meant I needed to go out of my way to be respectful.

If you are clutching your pearls and can't figure out why there would be tension surrounding an influx of disrespectful white dog walkers on the Howard campus, then you're pretty culturally ignorant.

+1 THIS.EXACTLY.SUMS.UP.MY.THOUGHTS

Why is it so hard for urban gentrifiers to understand that Black/AA people don’t want their cultural historic piece of property desecrated by animals? To continue in such a manner means that people are willing to put animal nature over human feelings. That thought process is both despicable and shows how far basic humanity principles have eroded.

DP What about all the other animals? Are they going to kick out the rats, possums, squirrels, chipmunks? All people should be allowed to walk their dogs full stop. If it is an open campus than they shouldn't yell at people either.

You are kidding right? How stupid can one be to even form such a sentence? Clearly, the listed animals are ones in nature. It’s a sad day when some white people embarass the rest of us who understand Howard’s viewpoint.

If the argument is they don't want to sit in pee than they should know they probably already are. That was my point. But, keep being SHOCKED! It is just pee and shouldn't be a big deal. What if 20 dog owners decided to walk their dogs on the campus at once? I wouldn't do it but, there might be people who decide that now they know this upsets students at Howard than they might.

Well then those dog walkers might get heckled by students. Of course, they can’t [b]complain or be upset if they are choosing to be disrespectful to the norms of the university campus.[/b]

Of course you can complain if you are being harassed. Sounds like when a girl is raped and others say well she shouldn't have been walking there or wearing that skirt. If there is no ban on dogs, than the students should leave the dog walkers alone.

Of course the Metropolitan Police Department can choose to come and not make any arrests or complete a report. Many of those police officers are Howard Alumn so the joke would be on you previous poster.

One should also add many judges, lawyers and politicians are Howard grads or legacy through a parent or grandparent. So good luck telling yourself that Howard students will be arrested on their campus for simply asking community residents (heckling as you want to use agggressive terms) to please leave the grounds with their pet. Howard has issued a statement and you can either choose to abide or not but what you sow that you shall also reap in this harvest of life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 2 issues being co-mingled on this thread.

1) white people allowed on a "traditionally black" campus

and

2) dogs being allowed on said campus.

I have a big problem if white people are not allowed, but I have no problem whatsoever with them banning dogs. In fact, I wish they would. If more places banned dogs then maybe entitled dog owners would stop thinking they must have a right to take Fido with them everywhere by default.

I think there are some AA people posting who genuinely don't have a problem with white people/neighbors on campus as long as they don't bring their dogs. There seem to be others (or one other) posting saying that it's more than the dogs, it's that the white people still aren't really welcome for whatever reason because it's offensive given the history.

Given that white people can enroll in and teach at Howard, it's obviously not true that white people aren't allowed on campus. Come on. The issue is dogs.

Another separate issue might be if there's a big influx of residents not connected to Howard, who suddenly decide to start using the quad like a park (dog or no). That would probably be an issue regardless of their color; but the fact that they are likely to be white gentrifiers would add to the tension, for obvious reasons.

If that were true then Howard students wouldn’t be tweeting “Dear White People...”. They’d be tweeting “Dear Asshat Dog Owners...” or “Dear POS Hipster that thinks the school should move...” But keep arguing it’s only about dogs...

Ok, the issue is white people with dog. Look, I'm not a huge fan of the "Dear White People" genre, but don't pretend you don't understand that it's different. Or, just admit you want to rehash the whole "reverse discrimination is the same as discrimination" argument, and I'll know you're arguing in bad faith.

I’m white and I think of it as just a Public Service Announcment. Why should I be offended? I’m a respectful dog owner. Only those who think the rules don’t apply to them would be offended.