Welcome to the world of the "worthy poor"; i.e. seniors commonly
considered to be harmless or even beneficial by non-seniors seeking to
insulate themselves from needless aggravation. Also welcome to the
common practice of objectifying persons who vary from the norm.
It was for this latter reason that I wrote in as a hypothetical Lydia
House resident, giving the mpls-issues list at least a modest chance to
walk in the shoes of and experience the neighborhood of such a potential
resident.
I meant this prosaic example as rebuttal to the flamboyant charges about
fictional creatures presumed not to be humani generis by those opposing
the Lydia House project. This inflated rhetoric is all too common, used
to justify exclusionary zoning, refusal of services, really the
dehumanization of persons presumed to be less fortunate.
Too often government accepts these highly prejudicial opinions as worthy
argument - sans evidence or systematic study or testimony from these
putative unfortunates (who may well not consider themselves as any
different sui generis than the lot who would not have them as neighbors)
- for want of articulate champions to the contrary. That's one reason we
have elections every so often, giving everyone the chance to pick
someone who will see past the rhodomontade and look to the best purposes
of the public weal.
Fred Markus Horn Terrace Ward Ten
_______________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy
Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:
http://e-democracy.org/mpls
