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

Forum Index » Metropolitan DC Local Politics

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

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I am alternately fascinated and appalled by this discussion. I am a white relative newcomer to DC who also is a dog owner (though I have never set foot on Howard's campus). I guess the easy fix is one that the university has already undertaken: have a formal position against dogs on campus. I would argue that they should next post signage to that effect. But the bigger issue, to me, is the interplay between existing black institutions and (mostly though not only) white newcomers. Sounds like most long-time neighbors kept away from the campus unless they studied, worked or were otherwise there for a particular reason. The new neighbors assumed that standards from other parts of the city/country regarding use of campus grounds would apply to Howard. I get that there is privilege embedded in that position -- the idea that the norms I've encountered elsewhere would play well in this new arena. I personally appreciate this debate as a way for me to understand not only that Howard is a special place for the black community but that the physical grounds are treated with reverence and that dogs continue to have a negative association for some. Other than encouraging dialogue, including this kind of forum, I'm not sure how else to address this. It feels completely unrealistic to expect the newcomers to "research" and "respect" their new environments in the way that has been suggested. I've lived in several states and a couple of foreign countries. While I try to be friendly and follow social norms, I'm sure I've missed the boat on those norms many, many times. In short: demographic change is happening in DC, like it or not. Figuring out a way to cope with that change would behoove both sides of the debate.[/quote]

Sorry, no. It doesn't take some kind of secret knowledge to understand that you don't let your dog pee and poop on what is obviously a well-maintained piece of turf at the center of a small private college campus.  [/quote]

I think the PP is speaking more broadly with respect to gentrification and the impact on the campus. [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics