A Road Less Never Travelled
***Disclaimer***
As you all know, I can be controversial. Today is no different. I am tackling a very sensitive issue, that of Racism. If you are easily offended, don’t read on.
***End Disclaimer***
rac•ism [rey-siz-uhm] –noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
Recently the Halifax Regional Municipality created a detour while construction was being done on the Ernst Mill Bridge in the Lake Major Road area of Dartmouth. Engineers deemed that it was not feasible to partially close the bridge, so they closed the entire bridge, and created a detour. The detour required residents from North Preston to travel an additional 7.6 km and 10 individuals from the Lake Major Area to travel 11 km. To assist those who had to travel 11 km, the city approached a private land owner to allow access to a logging road, which the city would pay to make passable, for these 10 people. They were granted keys, and a shorter route home. It shortened their route to 5.6 km
So just to make sure you are up to speed, North Preston has to travel 7.6 km and Lake Major 5.6 km. Got it so far?
So it seems that North Preston residents took exception to this. Why? The city was being racist of course! Those who cried foul stated that they should have been granted access as well, and those who were granted access no longer have to drive through Preston. The paper on Tuesday had a picture of a man holding a sign, that stated “ Black or White we can all go around”. I wonder if that guy would feel the same if he had to drive those extra km every day? Without the detour on the private land, the Lake Major residents had to drive 3.5 km more than the North Preston residents. Over an average work week that is 17.5 km more than the NP people. With the proposed new route NP residents have to drive 10km more than Lake Major Residents.
There is nothing racist about this. The city was helping those that were the most inconvenienced by this construction. It was not their fault that the only road that could help these people was private, and that it ultimately made the route shorter for lake major residents. But the naysayers would not be quiet. So the solution that they came up with was to protest.
Now, forgive for ranting, but this is an age old story, that is really getting old. If we don’t get what we want, of we feel slighted in anyway, let’s scream racism. Why?
Because it gets the job done. Racism is one of those over used words that make people cringe. You can call people an asshole, you can call them almost anything, but don’t call them racist. It immediately attaches a negative stigma that is hard to wash off. It also makes people extremely reactive, and suggestible to do anything to prove they are not racist. Case in point, the HRM.
Within a day of being called racist, they removed the detour from the 10 that were to use it. Now only the land owners that the road belongs to, and emergency vehicles are permitted. They called it a “Compromise”. I call it a cowardly flop.
Now here is a question. If the city denies a detour because one ethnic group says it is racist, and that ethnic group has the shorter drive home now, isn’t that racist against those 10 who now have the longer drive home? Didn’t the NP people start this protest for the EXACT Same reason? So if these 10 were to protest now, what would happen?
NOTHING. Because the WANTS of the MANY outweigh the NEEDS of the FEW.
The real problem here is
jeal•ous•y
[jel-uh-see]–noun
1. jealous resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, etc., or against another's success or advantage itself.
Far be it for you neighbor to have anything better than you.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing, Jealousy wearing a racism sweater, call it what you will.
There is no racism here. Just people who don’t seem to know the difference.
Enjoy your win North Preston. You have succeeded, But I can tell you, you likely have 10 less friends now.
As you all know, I can be controversial. Today is no different. I am tackling a very sensitive issue, that of Racism. If you are easily offended, don’t read on.
***End Disclaimer***
rac•ism [rey-siz-uhm] –noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
Recently the Halifax Regional Municipality created a detour while construction was being done on the Ernst Mill Bridge in the Lake Major Road area of Dartmouth. Engineers deemed that it was not feasible to partially close the bridge, so they closed the entire bridge, and created a detour. The detour required residents from North Preston to travel an additional 7.6 km and 10 individuals from the Lake Major Area to travel 11 km. To assist those who had to travel 11 km, the city approached a private land owner to allow access to a logging road, which the city would pay to make passable, for these 10 people. They were granted keys, and a shorter route home. It shortened their route to 5.6 km
So just to make sure you are up to speed, North Preston has to travel 7.6 km and Lake Major 5.6 km. Got it so far?
So it seems that North Preston residents took exception to this. Why? The city was being racist of course! Those who cried foul stated that they should have been granted access as well, and those who were granted access no longer have to drive through Preston. The paper on Tuesday had a picture of a man holding a sign, that stated “ Black or White we can all go around”. I wonder if that guy would feel the same if he had to drive those extra km every day? Without the detour on the private land, the Lake Major residents had to drive 3.5 km more than the North Preston residents. Over an average work week that is 17.5 km more than the NP people. With the proposed new route NP residents have to drive 10km more than Lake Major Residents.
There is nothing racist about this. The city was helping those that were the most inconvenienced by this construction. It was not their fault that the only road that could help these people was private, and that it ultimately made the route shorter for lake major residents. But the naysayers would not be quiet. So the solution that they came up with was to protest.
Now, forgive for ranting, but this is an age old story, that is really getting old. If we don’t get what we want, of we feel slighted in anyway, let’s scream racism. Why?
Because it gets the job done. Racism is one of those over used words that make people cringe. You can call people an asshole, you can call them almost anything, but don’t call them racist. It immediately attaches a negative stigma that is hard to wash off. It also makes people extremely reactive, and suggestible to do anything to prove they are not racist. Case in point, the HRM.
Within a day of being called racist, they removed the detour from the 10 that were to use it. Now only the land owners that the road belongs to, and emergency vehicles are permitted. They called it a “Compromise”. I call it a cowardly flop.
Now here is a question. If the city denies a detour because one ethnic group says it is racist, and that ethnic group has the shorter drive home now, isn’t that racist against those 10 who now have the longer drive home? Didn’t the NP people start this protest for the EXACT Same reason? So if these 10 were to protest now, what would happen?
NOTHING. Because the WANTS of the MANY outweigh the NEEDS of the FEW.
The real problem here is
jeal•ous•y
[jel-uh-see]–noun
1. jealous resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, etc., or against another's success or advantage itself.
Far be it for you neighbor to have anything better than you.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing, Jealousy wearing a racism sweater, call it what you will.
There is no racism here. Just people who don’t seem to know the difference.
Enjoy your win North Preston. You have succeeded, But I can tell you, you likely have 10 less friends now.
Comments
- Elaine
I agree that there are many things that black folk can do and say that white folk cannot, however, there are many things white folk can do and say that black folk cannot still today. Is it fair? Of course not, but it is what it is and if you want answers you need only look in the mirror...to your left...to your right...it's everywhere...subtle but ever present. What sometimes gets lost in the controversay is that all those groups of people are guilty of racism...whites...blacks...muslim..christian...judgement after judgement....overt or covert...it's out there. Things are much better than they were and hopefully we continue moving forward to a place where everyone is on a level playing field...that won't happen in my time on this rock, but maybe one day....
AJ