Keith says: Yes I read the StarTribune Letter to the Editor, "Slumlord". The
accumulated frustrations of this neighborhood resident were made clear by her
letter. Her probable goal of solving neighborhood problems is weakened by
using the demagogic term "Slumlord". By employing a derogatory word for
property owner she forces all property owners to take cover. That hinders our
ability to come into the circle and partner with other reasonable folks to
solve problems.
At West Broadway/Irving all the drug sellers are black (though their
customers are diverse). Shall I say, "Look at how those (demagogic racial
term) sell drugs!" What does that imply (or shout) for the reasonable people
who are also black? And how will that demagoguery help solve a problem? If
you want to solve a problem, it is far better to involve, not exclude, all
parties in the matter. Good, bad and ugly.
Now from the Archive:
[Mpls] Re: City Zoning/and demagoguery
[EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Fri Mar 29 17:33:00 2002
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
In a message dated 3/29/02 10:58:32 AM Central Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
P.S. As for the use of the word slumlord I think it
is an appropriate description of a property owner who
flouts the law and uses threats and intimidation to
prevent people from reporting repair problems. We
should not tolerate owners who defer maintenance while
tenants and neighborhoods suffer.
>>Keith said:
In your proper use of the term "owners who defer maintenance" in your above
paragraph, you refute your own argument for the use of the inflammatory term
"slumlord". The term you apparently prefer to use. When you say, "We should
not tolerate owners who defer maintenance...", you make a compelling
argument. When and if you say "slumlord", you may exclude from discussions,
and participation, some reasonable and sincere property owners who wish to
work with all stakeholders in a neighborhood to solve common problems. Using
inflammatory language is demagoguery and does not maximize positive outcomes
for a neighborhood.
Keith Reitman, NearNorth
_______________________________________
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
