tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109416582784692412.post5992609857401112210..comments2023-11-05T04:27:23.208-08:00Comments on The Weekly Gumboot: Angry Rich PeopleJohn Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17378112498726702561noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109416582784692412.post-3659448369659108472009-06-22T16:02:32.021-07:002009-06-22T16:02:32.021-07:00Is it really "outta sight, outta mind"? ...Is it really "outta sight, outta mind"? I mean, the real problem here is the way that residents are dealing with an in-sight problem. They see it and they know about it because homelessness and drug abuse and prostitution are staples of every major city. And they're unfortunately prominent in Vancouver. So, people know about it.<br /><br />The lack of connection between people with problems in shelters and their place in the community is a huge issue. Or maybe just with people who are different from the majority's view in a neighbourhood. For example, when I wear a suit on Commercial Drive (where I live; my community) I am occasionally called a "douchebag." Stephanie Mango, who has been interviewed on CBC and has contentiously called the visitors of Grandview Park "riff-raff" and "rough around the edges" has been threatened by people on The Drive. But she'd fit in just fine in Yale Town. <br /><br />Whatever the case, dismissing people as "in search of a country club" or seeking to put issues "out of sight, out of mind" is just as bad as what they're doing. Because it's raising our beliefs above theirs and not engaging in any kind of meaningful dialogue.<br /><br />When I get called a douchebag for wearing a suit, I ask said-caller-of-the-douchebag why he made such a comment. When well-spoken shelter-goers approach the Yale Town community with a thoughtful rebuttle to a NIMBY-argument, well, that's the first step of a meaningful discussion.<br /><br />But that's just one douchebag's opinion...<br /><br />- JCHJohn Hornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17378112498726702561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109416582784692412.post-16667097270906968662009-06-22T11:45:59.355-07:002009-06-22T11:45:59.355-07:00Yeah, I agree Chris. Definitely pretty frustrating...Yeah, I agree Chris. Definitely pretty frustrating that people seem readily accept "out of sight is out of mind" so readily.Kurt Heinrichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14380494501878676758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109416582784692412.post-79081409294011873822009-06-22T11:10:27.954-07:002009-06-22T11:10:27.954-07:00This kind of stuff is endemic in Vancouver politic...This kind of stuff is endemic in Vancouver politics. A lot of Vancouverites seem to see the role of government as providing them with a country club-like atmosphere, rather than providing justice and protection for the people.Chrishttp://www.tenmagnet.comnoreply@blogger.com