Reply to White supremacist, neo-nazi Richard Spencer moves to King St, Old Town Alexandria

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I have great sympathy for the chocolate shop on the first floor, if this is located where I think it is. As a real estate lawyer, I hope the shop, as a tenant, has a nuisance clause in their lease.  I am curious as to how his presence plays out in that neighborhood.  Will people protest outside?  Will there be threats against him and his "think tank" that he runs out of that location?  Will his presence, being the upstairs tenant, create a nuisance to the chocolate shop (in the form of protests, harassment, loss of business and security risks for the tenant on the first floor, aka the chocolate shop)?

Many of the small local businesses of OT have already started a campaign against Spencer with signs they are posting in their windows (they say [b]NO HATE[/b], tolerant ALX or something similar).  But i doubt that will be the end of it, considering how liberal and diverse the City of Alexandria is.  If people start to protest outside, then the chocolate store may have the right to exercise a nuisance clause (which if written correctly protects the tenant in such a situation and can force the landlord to intervene, protect said tenant, pay damages to the tenant and even let them out of their lease).

I suspect the landlord did not know who Richard Spencer was when the space was rented to him, I also bet Spencer used an entity as the tenant as opposed to himself as an individual, further masking his identity. Why he would pick Alexandria is curious, it is a very liberal city and OT is a very liberal neighborhood.  Considering he is also living in that space, he will have to interact with Alexandrians at the grocery store, CVS, gas station, etc.  People probably will start to recognize him.  It suggests to me he relishes in conflict and confrontation.  [/quote]

Except this guy. It's ok to hate this guy.

Seriously though, Alexandria is not the bastion of liberalness people who live there want to believe it is. I live there. Mostly I find that my wealthy white rich neighbors like having the poors and "diverse" as learning lessons for their children and/or a way to feel good about themselves. It's rare to find those who really are looking to truly have an inclusive neighborhood or school or environment.  In fact during the discussions on redistricting, I heard one of the moms in the George Mason neighborhood refer to the kids who are bussed over to the school as "nachos".  She just didn't think anyone else was going to over hear her.  [/quote]

1.  Its okay to have troubles with someone because of their political beliefs and actions, which is not the same as having issues with someone because of their race, religion, etc.  I would hope that is clear (BTW, I hate Stalin. Sorry about that)

2.  FYI, most people in the City of Alexandria do not live in Old Town.  Where I live "wealthy rich neighbors" (?) of any race are scare on the ground. The building (for shame, I live in a "building") I live in is about a third african american, at least 10% middle eastern, a few asians, nobody rich, and we all get along together.   If you are tired of Old Town moms, you should come out here once in a while.

3. As for Old Town, based on voting patterns, both local and national elections, its about the most GOP leaning section of the City, though still majority Dem.  
As for wanting poor people as learning lessons, if that results in them supporting housing in Old Town for poor people, I see nothing wrong with that.  Sounds like they do want an inclusive neighborhood, just not for reasons you approve of.  As for that mom who said nachos, she is repulsive, but are you really generalizing to everyone in OT based on her? [/quote]

I don't live in Old Town.

I, too, live in a building.  It is right near very expensive single family homes.

You need to get out and realize that Alexandria is not just Old Town and the place you live.  There is plenty in between and a big portion of it is very expensive single family homes (think $700K+)

Density has increased in Old Town over the past few years and will continue to do so with the redevelopment of several neighborhoods.

I am glad your neighbors "get along" but don't delude yourself into believing that means that they are absolutely accepting of everyone's beliefs, race, ethnicity, culture, etc.  Also realize that many of your neighbors are your neighbors because they simply can't afford to live anywhere else.  They are not purposefully picking to live there for some great diversity experience, many times its just basic economics.  Rents/mortages are cheaper and there are more bedrooms; therefore, we are live here - end of story.   Get to know your neighbors beyond the basic "hi" and "bye" and you will find out the prejudice is real and occurs across all races, culture and ethnicity. That's what I did and it was a really eye opening experience. [/quote]

1. I know pretty much all parts of the City, from Del Ray to Landmark, from Seminary Valley to Arlandria.

2.A 700k house in this area is hardly the one percent.   You do realize that, right?  Garden variety two income upper middle class.

3. "Absolutely accepting" is a high bar - we are all human.  But we do get along pretty well, and the folks I have gotten to know more than hi and bye are pretty accepting of each other's lifestyles.  And no, this hirise is far from the cheapest place in the City, or the region.   Few may be choosing it specifically for the diversity (though for me its been a plus, especially the last few weeks) but most could find less diversity easily enough if they chose.

4. I am glad density is increasing in Old Town - the City needs the tax revenue, and I think there are other benefits to adding density in a walkable transit oriented area.

I am sorry that the City of Alexandria does not meet standards for absolute acceptance and harmony. I don't know anywhere in the region you would be happy on those grounds.  I think its pretty damn good on on diversity and tolerance though, certainly quite enough to justify the idea that Richard Spencer does not fit the values of our City.  Maybe some of the muslims in my building quietly disapprove of the folds who drink beer while using the grills on a summer day, and maybe some of the white christians disapprove of the use of hookah, and maybe the older black folks are bemused by both the immigrants and the young whites, but that is a far cry from calls for racial cleansing and racial notions of superiority.

Please stop justifying evil by quibbling about the imperfections of the basically good. [/quote]

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