Racism Lawsuit

[sharon kinsella]

Jimmy, my goddess, I never said anything about them making racist comments. They're not going to. Toe, to toe dude, you really want to do that?


You're on. It's not what they say, it's what they do. You and I have both often been the only white person in the room. Sometimes it's wonderful. Back in the 60's and 70's, being a white girl that weighed 90 pounds, it was sometimes scary until I found I was actually very safe in those rooms. Much more so than in rooms filled with a bunch of white men, frankly.

It's not what someone says, talk's cheap, like that bigotted hetero crap that was on here a couple of days ago.

It's what people do. The proof is in the pudding.

When you're out over at Tri-C, talk to folks about Lakewood, see what you get told, one on one with folks. Keep your ears open and opinions to yourself. See what you hear. Of course you're a big ol white dude, I don't know how much you'll get told,, but try it.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jimmy, my goddess, I never said anything about them making racist comments. They're not going to. Toe, to toe dude, you really want to do that?

Sharon

If that is the role I am not cast into, so be it.

You're on. It's not what they say, it's what they do. You and I have both often been the only white person in the room. Sometimes it's wonderful. Back in the 60's and 70's, being a white girl that weighed 90 pounds, it was sometimes scary until I found I was actually very safe in those rooms. Much more so than in rooms filled with a bunch of white men, frankly.

Sharon

A room full of white men? So I am guilty because I am white? So all of my Irish brothers are
guilty and bad because we are white? I too have spent many days in rooms of various colors.
Working with Russell Mean on Church St. Working for Bobbie Palmer and Winston Willis at E105
and Euclid, or 123rd and Kinsman. Working with Lee Chen in Asia Town before it was "cool"
I cannot say I ever felt safer or less safe in any of them based on color, or $$$$ or background.
Some were very good people, some were very evil. Not based on color but their deeds. I know
you feel the same so it is odd to me that "white men" are singled out.

It's what people do. The proof is in the pudding.

When you're out over at Tri-C, talk to folks about Lakewood, see what you get told, one on one with folks. Keep your ears open and opinions to yourself. See what you hear. Of course you're a big ol white dude, I don't know how much you'll get told,, but try it.

Sharon

As I walk the streets of 55th and Central Ave, Quincy, the streets of East Cleveland, Hough, Glenville,
Buckeye, Fairfax I hear the rumors. I know the perceptions. But everyone seems to be light on
facts and deep is fictitious history.

This year Mike Davis helped me learn and understand, that the volunteers of LakewoodAlive are
not bad people simply because their leaders refuse to talk about their funding. Heidi, Steve, Steve,
and others are not bad because they live North of the WSL. But it is what is in their heart and soul,
or what is vacant in their heart and soul. As you point out, deeds, not perception is how everyone
deserves to be judged. And that is true for each and every police officer, politician, or public servant. The broad brush while good for fast discussions, is very harmful in the long run.

As for the stuff posted here over the past week. I am thankful to all that are willing to post their
point of view, questions and comments. Through that overt public action we are all better equipped
to work together or not, and to move ourselves and maybe this city forward.

But hey, I am a hopeless romantic and liberal.

peace.

[sharon kinsella]

Didn't say you were bad because you are a white dude, Irish like me and all that.

But Black men never physically assaulted me, white men did. So there it is.

[Jim O'Bryan]

But Black men never physically assaulted me, white men did. So there it is.

There is what?

When I had hot dog carts downtown held up three times, never by a "white man."

When I worked on Kinsman, two guns to my head, never by a "white man."

But I know that these were bad people, not bad races.

FWIW


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[dl meckes]

Sorry, I didn't realize I was glossing over anything. "Re-entry programs run by the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries" means that these are people who need a lot of help to get from wherever they were to a more stable place.

Usually this means former offenders, but includes people who have been homeless, who have been addicts, who have been in the foster system or the juvenile justice system, etc.

This housing initiative did not slip into the Hidden Village building in the middle of the night, unbeknownst by anyone.

That was my point.

Sharon

For the record, Mayor FitzGerald was NEVER mentioned in the lawsuit. Major Tom George
was, Ed Favre was, building department was, police department was, the CITY WAS. All
because a landlord who is white, who lives in Beechwood, or works out of Beechwood, did not like the fact that the city, where he broke laws, was asking him to fix property and
make it safe for the tenants.

Mayor FitzGerald worked with the federal task force on this, and they rarely do not find
some amount of guilt. When Ed was waiting for deliberating he even called and said to me,
I am not sure how it will happen, but this department nearly always finds some form of
discrimination. They found none.

AT NO POINT did the city hassle black, brown, green, blue people. Over what they are
being sued for. This is a person being served citation for violations and calling rape, errr
racist. In my book, there is a special place in hell for those people.

Go to Parma, here is a city 15 years later after being declared racist that is still dealing with the stigma. Those residents that were, are now way over the top with their hatred because the government came in and MADE THEM... No organics. Meanwhile the city is so tied up they are just getting back to functioning normally.

When a person is branded "racist" it take on crazy dimensions. But when a city is branded
racist in court, it is a nightmare this city does not need, nor do we deserve.

This is exactly why I never brought this lawsuit up.

DL

No but the building department nor planning or the mayor new about it from what they
have said.

From what I have been told we can pretty much ignore your first three reasons for where
these young adults come from


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You know this gets into a whole different older discussion.

Morally, what does this city owe the county and the region?

Some of us have been watching various charity groups fill some of the rentals around here
with case studies for years. Why does this city have to be the dumping ground?

.

I'm very surprised that nobody knew anything about the Lutheran Ministries and Hidden Village. I'm actually amazed.

If you next tell me that Nickie Antonio never heard of the Lutheran Ministries program for Hidden Village, I'm going to go down to City Hall and get some of whatever they're drinking. I'm guessing the Rev. Paula Maeder Connor never heard anything about it , either.

I am not arguing that this lawsuit has any merit, because I don't believe it does.

[Jim O'Bryan]

So yesterday at the Lakewood Arts Festival I had the chance to speak with many, many people
but whenever I had the chance I asked about Lakewood, and the perceptions surrounding it.

When I found this great couple from Lansing Michigan.



They were in Cleveland visiting family and were headed back to Lansing when their family
suggested to check out Lakewood's Arts Festival, so they did. They loved the event,
the people, and shopped, ate and bought. Leaving with a real great view of Lakewood.

Scientific, no, but speaks volumes on this issue.

I also added his shirt to The T-Shirt Museum at http://tshirtmuseum.com
Isn't it time you added your favorite T-Shirt to this international effort to track
art and messages on cotton?

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[sharon kinsella]

Gee, you found a black couple at the Art Festival and they were from Lansing. Speaks volumes to the issue.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Gee, you found a black couple at the Art Festival and they were from Lansing. Speaks volumes to the issue.

No Sharon, I found one verifiable story, of a couple whose family is in Cleveland.
Their family suggested they stop in Lakewood. The conversation was longer and much
better than that. I was speaking with many, lets say minorities, no lets say diverse,
minority is such a demeaning term. To see what the perception is, to document.
Plus the shirt was spectacular.

It was not one black family. It was one of many diverse people and families. I have no
problem remembering Lakewood of the 60s. But I really do not see it anywhere near as
much now, nor at city hall.

Don't get me wrong, bad people do not like the police or city hall, but generally the
overall feeling I am getting is not one of tension. Grab a cone at Sugar Bears some hot
evening and let Lakewood was over you by sharing the bench with everyone that comes up.

I am not saying there are not bigots in this town.

I really do not see it in the public sector.

But what do I know.

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