"The White City"
Interesting article I came across on a blog about urban planning and similar issues.
Do other progressivs find this as well?
Here's an excerpt:
"This raises troubling questions about these cities. Why is it that progressivism in smaller metros is so often associated with low numbers of African Americans? Can you have a progressive city properly so-called with only a disproportionate handful of African Americans in it? In addition, why has no one called these cities on it?
As the college educated flock to these progressive El Dorados, many factors are cited as reasons: transit systems, density, bike lanes, walkable communities, robust art and cultural scenes. But another way to look at it is simply as White Flight writ large. Why move to the suburbs of your stodgy Midwest city to escape African Americans and get criticized for it when you can move to Portland and actually be praised as progressive, urban and hip?"
Oops. Forgot the link.
here it is: http://www.newgeography.com/content/001110-the-white-city
Funny that could be taken several ways, perhaps it could be infering that other demographics, are not interested in the majority in environmental concerns, as Portland walks the talk, it is not empty rhetoric.
On any level.
The author.
I couldn't help but notice no one thought it important to find out from African Americans why they don't live in Portland. Let's just all speculate.
I do not care why they don't, they don't, it is their choice. Not even going to speculate why not.
But I believe the author was, about many things.
The premise of the article is pure speculation. It is all speculation. It is an article by a while guy about other white people and where they live. What's the implication?
That Porland is bad for being environmentally friendly? ;)
"This raises troubling questions about these cities. Why is it that progressivism in smaller metros is so often associated with low numbers of African Americans? Can you have a progressive city properly so-called with only a disproportionate handful of African Americans in it? In addition, why has no one called these cities on it?
Seymour Martin Lipset helps explain it in a broader way in considering why socialism as a political movement didn't take root in the United States in the way it did elsewhere. This happened in part because of the ethnic heterogeneity of the American working class. It's harder to develop feelings of solidarity with people that aren't like yourself.
Most progessive minded people actually have little in common with the people they like to think they are in solidarity with - the working class, poc, immigrants, ect.
obviously this a generalization and i only base it on my personal experience and observations but I still feel it is very true.
Most progessive minded people actually have little in common with the people they like to think they are in solidarity with - the working class, poc, immigrants, ect.
obviously this a generalization and i only base it on my personal experience and observations but I still feel it is very true.
I think you're right...
Most progessive minded people actually have little in common with the people they like to think they are in solidarity with - the working class, poc, immigrants, ect.
I found this to be true for the most part. Obviously its a generalization, but I don't really think most progressive minded people really want to or know how to be in solidarity with poc, immigrants or the working class. Some people carry around the label progressiveness as a self serving tool. I am often disappointed at progressively minded organization, I think they often pay lip services to diversity in their workplaces.