Dear Brian Yes, I do. I saw the former owner working at the Home Depot on Columbus Blvd this past Spring. I understand your thoughts but how would you prevent this kind of thing from happening. I am afraid its the nature of capitolism and the good ole USA just like your revolver. The only revolver I have is made by the Beatles Good day Mark
-----Original Message----- From: Brian Siano <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Jul 12, 2004 11:15 AM To: University City List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [UC] Rediscovering the 'smart side' of the city [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >Good morning everyone. > >First out of the gate > >http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/9134072.htm > >Thoughts? > >"Now we want to celebrate the things we see that define our neighborhood: It's >international, diverse, progressive, funky, unique, intellectual, cultural," said >Eric T. Goldstein, the district's executive director. > > Which is amazing, because so many of the people taking credit for revitalizing the neighborhood have also been working to reduce the funkiness and diversity in the neighborhood, and who've struck me as being profoundly non-intellectual. (Anyone remember that bike store at 41st and Baltimore? Not there anymore-- apparently, a local community organization put some pressure on the landlord because of the "undesirable elements," so now it's a nice, friendly, realty storefront.) Now, there are a lot of interesting stores and restaurants in the area, and every person who runs one deserves credit for making this neighborhood a better place to live. But the people taking the credit aren't exactly boosters of diversity. Rather, they see this diversity as a marketable, but potentially unruly, commodity: it's nice that it attracts smart people, but there's always the "danger" that it might not stop at offering interesting consumables. Those of us who work with the Clark Park Festival have seen this first-hand-- many of the people trumpeting "diversity" are the ones most likely to support shutting down such events. I'm remembering a job interview I had a few years back. It was at a PR firm, and the place looked like a dot-com playground: big espresso bar on the premises, workers' bicycles hanging off the walls, general decor like a Xando coffeebar. The interiewer toured me through the network of cubicles, announcing that they "didn't believe in office walls" even as we passed the walled-in offices of the Executive Directors. Her first question in the interview; how did I feel about "managed chaos?" This was someone who actually thought in managerial buzzwords, and who was utterly incapable of noticing any contradictions between the words she used and what was actually practiced. This usually happens when people need to exercise nasty, arbitrary authority, but don't want to think of themselves as being controlling or powerful. That's what I see when the UCD or the SHCA talks about diversity, funkiness, or culture. It's enough to make me reach for my revolver. ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
