Unlike previous posts I've written over the past year, the title has everything to do with this post.
Everyone has heard the term "bad neighborhood," as it relates to a certain section of a town riddled in crime. Generally those crimes range anywhere from petty theft to murder. Not exactly the best one-to-ten scale anyone wants to be a part of. Thus, the point of this post...
I think we need to completely obliterate the term "bad neighborhood" from our language. This term both condemns and condescends a large group of people.
Everyone is so busy talking about how hard it is for less fortunate people--because generally these proclaimed "bad neighborhoods" are owned by the impoverished--to find jobs, but no one wants to talk about the route cause. We, as a society, facilitate bigotry. Sometimes we don't even know we're doing it. I know that I've used this phrase a gazillion times in my life, but I started to take a closer look at what this kind of phrase means to people who might live in these neighborhoods but having nothing to do with the crime. It's as though they are guilty by association.
So, while we're talking about the minimum wage being increased, completelty getting rid of racism, and the like, let's make sure we are removing other ignorant phrases from our language so that real progress takes form.
Food for thought.
- PatInTheHat
Stereotypes pepper our culture nowadays, and it's a sad reality. I too, hope for a day when all bigotry is set aside and we all can live in peace. It's not bad to dream of such a world, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteDaniel Roberson @ Mark Bentley PA
I know it's way easier said than done, but sometimes the solution to an overwhelming problem is right under our noses.
DeleteThe solution to this issue? Easy: Be more positive.
Perhaps that's also easier said than done in a cynical world, but it's the easiest step to take. Like planting a seed of kindness to grow a forest of consideration.
Thanks for your response.
- PatInTheHat