(no subject)

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

Somerville Mayor Joe Curatone Ward 1 Alderman William Roche recently rejected a bid to have a carnival in Assembly Square, citing the potential for gang violence as a major reason for his decision. He then commented*, "The location is on the Orange Line, so you're not just getting people from Somerville. You're getting different people of different backgrounds." Am I alone in finding that comment not only offensively classist and disrespectful, but downright cringe-worthy coming from a leader in one of our area's most gentrified and well-to-do communities in what is already known as one of the most racially homogenous areas in the country?

*Link to source article

Comments

Re: 'fraid I might just agree

[bombardiette.livejournal.com]

I'm with you. A friend of mine (was) a detective in that area and the stress he went through every night made him decide to go back to patrol, in spite of the pay / prestige cut. The recent shooting at Good Times by two rival Asian gangs probably had something to do with this decision...as well as the recent appearances of gang graffiti in Sligo Pub, The Joshua Tree and a few other spots in the square itself.

I tend to blame the yuppies too. After all, yuppies moving in means prices go up means working class and poor get pushed out into more derelict and cramped areas which just fosters anger and hate. It's quite a phenomena, really...