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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t there there should be any areas of this country where white people are made to feel unwelcome, regardless of the history.

And I don’t think there should be areas of this country where black people should be made to feel unwelcome.

However, taking your dog to an educational campus you don’t attend, and then letting that dog either pee or poop in any area where a person may sit or lay - regardless of whether you “clean it up” - is so obnoxious that I can’t even get my head around it.

Agreed. I don't want dogs in my yard. If I did, I would have bought one myself. Totally support people who don't want to sit in your dog's mess or have the dog approach them when they are hanging out.

[Anonymous]

I'm white and my husband graduated from Howard. I have always been welcome at Howard when I am walking with him or without him. I've attended Homecomings, funerals and many events at Howard and everyone is respectful and educated.

When I mentioned this thread to him he said that would of never happened nor would they of allowed it to happen when he was attending (many years ago). And for the guy who thought HU should move- its been there since 1867.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So are white people unwelcome at Howard?

Only if they have dogs on the grounds of the university property. Take away the dogs and all are welcome.

Good. Then Howard should post the campus for no dogs and security personnel should enforce it.

[Anonymous]

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.

I think younger white gentrifiers might feel particularly confused when they realize that some institutions are black MC/UMC, and not just "ghetto" things they can either be scared of or find cool and edgy or quaint. To feel themselves in a majority black space where black people have power ... that's scary to them. Same thing with black churches in DC.

“...space where black people have power...”

That’s a rather strange way to look at a university.

[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.

I think younger white gentrifiers might feel particularly confused when they realize that some institutions are black MC/UMC, and not just "ghetto" things they can either be scared of or find cool and edgy or quaint. To feel themselves in a majority black space where black people have power ... that's scary to them. Same thing with black churches in DC.

“...space where black people have power...”

That’s a rather strange way to look at a university.

Do you know what an HBCU is? BTW if you think it is bad or scary for black people to control an institution, I suggest you reflect on what that means.

[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.

I think younger white gentrifiers might feel particularly confused when they realize that some institutions are black MC/UMC, and not just "ghetto" things they can either be scared of or find cool and edgy or quaint. To feel themselves in a majority black space where black people have power ... that's scary to them. Same thing with black churches in DC.

“...space where black people have power...”

That’s a rather strange way to look at a university.

Do you know what an HBCU is? BTW if you think it is bad or scary for black people to control an institution, I suggest you reflect on what that means.

So should we think of Harvard as a “space where white people have power”? Should black people have to understand and respect the history of Puritan thought before they may set foot in Jarvard Yard?!

[Anonymous]

Typo: Harvard Yard

[Anonymous]

It seems that Howard students are just peeved that Washington, DC is no longer Chocolate City.

[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.

I think younger white gentrifiers might feel particularly confused when they realize that some institutions are black MC/UMC, and not just "ghetto" things they can either be scared of or find cool and edgy or quaint. To feel themselves in a majority black space where black people have power ... that's scary to them. Same thing with black churches in DC.

“...space where black people have power...”

That’s a rather strange way to look at a university.

Do you know what an HBCU is? BTW if you think it is bad or scary for black people to control an institution, I suggest you reflect on what that means.

So should we think of Harvard as a “space where white people have power”? Should black people have to understand and respect the history of Puritan thought before they may set foot in Jarvard Yard?!

Um yes, obviously Harvard (and almost every single other US instsitution) is a place where white people have most of the power. HBCUs were literally created BECAUSE white people wanted to retain the power over their educational institutions through segregation. BTW saying that black people have power/control over a particular institution does not mean "no whites allowed." Nor does the existence of HBCUs justify discrimination against black people seeking to gain equality in historically white institutions. Obviously. As a PP said, if you don't understand the difference, you're not arguing in good faith.

BTW, there's no race requirement to enroll in an HBCU. I know several white attorneys who went to Howard. And there's no race restrictions for who walks on campus either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So are white people unwelcome at Howard?

Only if they have dogs on the grounds of the university property. Take away the dogs and all are welcome.

Good. Then Howard should post the campus for no dogs and security personnel should enforce it.

Well I really do not think non HU students should be picnicking on the yard. It’s a college campus. I went to an urban school with a quad. I could not image the neighbors walking their dogs or setting up a picnic on it. It’s not a public park. It’s an active and integral part of the university. Just because it’s an open spaces does not mean it’s free to use as you see fit.

[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.

I think younger white gentrifiers might feel particularly confused when they realize that some institutions are black MC/UMC, and not just "ghetto" things they can either be scared of or find cool and edgy or quaint. To feel themselves in a majority black space where black people have power ... that's scary to them. Same thing with black churches in DC.

“...space where black people have power...”

That’s a rather strange way to look at a university.

Do you know what an HBCU is? BTW if you think it is bad or scary for black people to control an institution, I suggest you reflect on what that means.

So should we think of Harvard as a “space where white people have power”? Should black people have to understand and respect the history of Puritan thought before they may set foot in Jarvard Yard?!

Sure, as long as we are acknowledging that Harvard would not be where it is today without the economic industry of slaves. For it was from the blood, sweat and tears of slaves which Harvard drew its establishment. Google can lead you to reputable sources should you question this statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So are white people unwelcome at Howard?

Only if they have dogs on the grounds of the university property. Take away the dogs and all are welcome.

Good. Then Howard should post the campus for no dogs and security personnel should enforce it.

Well I really do not think non HU students should be picnicking on the yard. It’s a college campus. I went to an urban school with a quad. I could not image the neighbors walking their dogs or setting up a picnic on it. It’s not a public park. It’s an active and integral part of the university. Just because it’s an open spaces does not mean it’s free to use as you see fit.

I'm another one who went to Columbia University. People from the neighborhood were always entering the campus. Because it's an urban campus. No one checked IDs. Security guards were present and as long as people were being pleasant, it was no big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems that Howard students are just peeved that Washington, DC is no longer Chocolate City.

Howard will continue and always be a source of influence in D.C., you needn’t fear for your life nor spark illusions of fear a la David Duke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So are white people unwelcome at Howard?

Only if they have dogs on the grounds of the university property. Take away the dogs and all are welcome.

Good. Then Howard should post the campus for no dogs and security personnel should enforce it.

Well I really do not think non HU students should be picnicking on the yard. It’s a college campus. I went to an urban school with a quad. I could not image the neighbors walking their dogs or setting up a picnic on it. It’s not a public park. It’s an active and integral part of the university. Just because it’s an open spaces does not mean it’s free to use as you see fit.

I'm another one who went to Columbia University. People from the neighborhood were always entering the campus. Because it's an urban campus. No one checked IDs. Security guards were present and as long as people were being pleasant, it was no big deal.

You seem to be misinformed about the situation. Howard students and the university welcome those who are new and/or old to the surrounding areas around Howard. People are welcome to walk through the university campus WITHOUT animals. The quad area is significant to the Howard University community because students picnic on the grassy areas, students study on the grass, university events take place on the grass. It is for this reason Howard issued a statement (posted earlier in this thread) asking the community to be respectful of the campus and its norms. I’m not sure why people think it’s okay for them to enter onto the property of someone’s “home” and enforce their own rules of what they perceive Howard should be doing. Howard has always had the norm of no animals on campus. Longtime D.C. residents understand this norm. It’s only recent transplants who want to change the norms of what’s been in place instead of respectfully understanding the university desires.

Again, Howard is open to anyone on the campus passing through the campus as long as your pet is not on the campus grounds. It is not okay for Fido to going about his/her nature on campus grounds when there are 4 places around the university perimeter where residents of the community can walk their pets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So are white people unwelcome at Howard?

Only if they have dogs on the grounds of the university property. Take away the dogs and all are welcome.

Good. Then Howard should post the campus for no dogs and security personnel should enforce it.

Well I really do not think non HU students should be picnicking on the yard. It’s a college campus. I went to an urban school with a quad. I could not image the neighbors walking their dogs or setting up a picnic on it. It’s not a public park. It’s an active and integral part of the university. Just because it’s an open spaces does not mean it’s free to use as you see fit.

I'm another one who went to Columbia University. People from the neighborhood were always entering the campus. Because it's an urban campus. No one checked IDs. Security guards were present and as long as people were being pleasant, it was no big deal.

You seem to be misinformed about the situation. Howard students and the university welcome those who are new and/or old to the surrounding areas around Howard. People are welcome to walk through the university campus WITHOUT animals. The quad area is significant to the Howard University community because students picnic on the grassy areas, students study on the grass, university events take place on the grass. It is for this reason Howard issued a statement (posted earlier in this thread) asking the community to be respectful of the campus and its norms. I’m not sure why people think it’s okay for them to enter onto the property of someone’s “home” and enforce their own rules of what they perceive Howard should be doing. Howard has always had the norm of no animals on campus. Longtime D.C. residents understand this norm. It’s only recent transplants who want to change the norms of what’s been in place instead of respectfully understanding the university desires.

Again, Howard is open to anyone on the campus passing through the campus as long as your pet is not on the campus grounds. It is not okay for Fido to going about his/her nature on campus grounds when there are 4 places around the university perimeter where residents of the community can walk their pets.

Then they should post a "NO PETS" sign and that should solve the problem.