Comments on: On Racism & the Charrette http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/ Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:46:25 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: chris http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1796 chris Fri, 30 May 2008 15:07:55 +0000 http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1796 I apologize for dismissing your argument too quickly. I think you make a valid point there that the initial committee was perhaps fundamentally flawed, which could have had an impact on the language/approach used. I think we both could likely agree that there is a fundamental problem due to a divided society for which it would be difficult to lay blame on the individuals involved. The committee members chose language that was most appropriate to them. I do not believe that this was a malicious decision to even subconsciously exclude the less educated. I also believe that focusing on the language used misses the root of the problem. That's what I was saying baloney to. Plus I'm not often able to be so funny (kidding, of course. I'm always hilarious). Sorry I didn't expand on my thoughts initially. You're right that I was too dismissive. Whether we like it or not, the people who are currently in decision-making positions are better-educated which unfortunately implies some socioeconomic homogeneity. These people are charged with the task of uniting diverse groups, and in most cases I think they truly want to, but there is no manual for how to do this. A little grace from each side would go a long way to building trust. I apologize for dismissing your argument too quickly. I think you make a valid point there that the initial committee was perhaps fundamentally flawed, which could have had an impact on the language/approach used.

I think we both could likely agree that there is a fundamental problem due to a divided society for which it would be difficult to lay blame on the individuals involved. The committee members chose language that was most appropriate to them. I do not believe that this was a malicious decision to even subconsciously exclude the less educated. I also believe that focusing on the language used misses the root of the problem. That’s what I was saying baloney to. Plus I’m not often able to be so funny (kidding, of course. I’m always hilarious). Sorry I didn’t expand on my thoughts initially. You’re right that I was too dismissive.

Whether we like it or not, the people who are currently in decision-making positions are better-educated which unfortunately implies some socioeconomic homogeneity. These people are charged with the task of uniting diverse groups, and in most cases I think they truly want to, but there is no manual for how to do this. A little grace from each side would go a long way to building trust.

]]> By: richmondpics http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1795 richmondpics Fri, 30 May 2008 02:30:44 +0000 http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1795 Charrette is a very common word in the urban/neighborhood design world. Google the word Charrette. These links explain why the use of the term had more to do with what was actually being done than some sly attempt to exclude certain segments of the population: http://www.charretteinstitute.org/charrette.html http://louisville.edu/org/sun/planning/char.html As I mentioned previously, the charrette was but one aspect of the Downtown master plan process. Anonymous, did "public meetings" also target white, wealthy people in an attempt to discourage minority or low income participation? Because there were many, many, many other opportunities (aka public meetings) for anyone to express their opinions. Did making copies of the draft plan available at all city libraries and City Hall, as well as online in multiple places also discriminate against minorities/low-income residents? Was it also elitist to advertise the process heavily in local media such as the RTD, RFP, news stations, online media, etc? The downtown master plan process over a decade ago had almost zero public participation and was controlled by a very small group of folks, often behind closed doors. In contrast, the current process has stressed the importance of community input. Charrette is a very common word in the urban/neighborhood design world. Google the word Charrette. These links explain why the use of the term had more to do with what was actually being done than some sly attempt to exclude certain segments of the population:
http://www.charretteinstitute.org/charrette.html
http://louisville.edu/org/sun/planning/char.html

As I mentioned previously, the charrette was but one aspect of the Downtown master plan process. Anonymous, did “public meetings” also target white, wealthy people in an attempt to discourage minority or low income participation? Because there were many, many, many other opportunities (aka public meetings) for anyone to express their opinions. Did making copies of the draft plan available at all city libraries and City Hall, as well as online in multiple places also discriminate against minorities/low-income residents? Was it also elitist to advertise the process heavily in local media such as the RTD, RFP, news stations, online media, etc?

The downtown master plan process over a decade ago had almost zero public participation and was controlled by a very small group of folks, often behind closed doors. In contrast, the current process has stressed the importance of community input.

]]> By: Anonymous http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1794 Anonymous Thu, 29 May 2008 19:07:30 +0000 http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1794 My last comments on this... Dirt swept under the rug doesn't go away. Effective communicators know their audiences and choose the appropriate mode of communication. Chris, how can people trust a particular civil process & engage themselves when the welcome mat implies that they are not the target guests? If you want to mutual respect then start by including a diverse group of people to the original planning committees (I can guess the makeup...racial, economic, etc....of this committee). Charette would not have made it out of committee if a diverse group of people were involved. I'm new to this blog also. I really like to get to the heart of problems in Richmond...but it's hard when - just as you get to the beef - people cry bologna/baloney and sweep things under the rug. Nothing gets resolved. Now...sweep me out of sight. But trust me, this master plan is not likely to win the hearts of minority Richmond region residents. They will be disenfranchised and not participate in helping the region move forward. My last comments on this…
Dirt swept under the rug doesn’t go away.
Effective communicators know their audiences and choose the appropriate mode of communication.
Chris, how can people trust a particular civil process & engage themselves when the welcome mat implies that they are not the target guests?
If you want to mutual respect then start by including a diverse group of people to the original planning committees (I can guess the makeup…racial, economic, etc….of this committee). Charette would not have made it out of committee if a diverse group of people were involved.
I’m new to this blog also. I really like to get to the heart of problems in Richmond…but it’s hard when – just as you get to the beef – people cry bologna/baloney and sweep things under the rug.
Nothing gets resolved.
Now…sweep me out of sight. But trust me, this master plan is not likely to win the hearts of minority Richmond region residents. They will be disenfranchised and not participate in helping the region move forward.

]]> By: richmondpics http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1792 richmondpics Thu, 29 May 2008 00:25:56 +0000 http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1792 Unfortunately for the Charrette is too big of a word argument, the charrette was but one element of the Downtown Master Plan process. There were maybe 10 "public meetings" over the past several months regarding the Plan. The word charrette wasn't relevant to the format of these meetings so it wasn't used. Surely public meetings/hearings aren't considered inclusive or non-minority, or elitist. Those who couldn't attend meetings were strongly encouraged to share their thoughts via, e-mail, phone, letter, etc. Unfortunately for the Charrette is too big of a word argument, the charrette was but one element of the Downtown Master Plan process. There were maybe 10 “public meetings” over the past several months regarding the Plan. The word charrette wasn’t relevant to the format of these meetings so it wasn’t used. Surely public meetings/hearings aren’t considered inclusive or non-minority, or elitist. Those who couldn’t attend meetings were strongly encouraged to share their thoughts via, e-mail, phone, letter, etc.

]]> By: chris http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1791 chris Wed, 28 May 2008 21:42:40 +0000 http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1791 I don't use words like charette because I'd never heard that word before this conversation. But I don't think that has the effect that you propose of scaring away any particular demographic (except perhaps those that prefer Freedom Toast). A more likely issue, if any, in my mind, is the one posited by others here, that perhaps many of these individuals have historically had little reason to trust any civil process and so have simply become detached. I do not know the solution to this, but I do think that a strong step would be to approach those in marginalized communities and talk to them as adults. Vocabulary doesn't decide inclusiveness so much as mutual respect. I hope that my difference of opinion from yours does not truly make me closed minded. By the way, this is my first time commenting on this blog and I feel like I should say thanks to the author for a great read. I've only recently found your blog, but I'll be back for sure. I don’t use words like charette because I’d never heard that word before this conversation. But I don’t think that has the effect that you propose of scaring away any particular demographic (except perhaps those that prefer Freedom Toast).

A more likely issue, if any, in my mind, is the one posited by others here, that perhaps many of these individuals have historically had little reason to trust any civil process and so have simply become detached. I do not know the solution to this, but I do think that a strong step would be to approach those in marginalized communities and talk to them as adults.

Vocabulary doesn’t decide inclusiveness so much as mutual respect.

I hope that my difference of opinion from yours does not truly make me closed minded.

By the way, this is my first time commenting on this blog and I feel like I should say thanks to the author for a great read. I’ve only recently found your blog, but I’ll be back for sure.

]]> By: Anonymous http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1790 Anonymous Wed, 28 May 2008 20:25:04 +0000 http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1790 Err, if you don't want an answer. Err, don't ask a question. Don't be sorry. Your mind is just closed. You know what you know and don't want to know or accept anything otherwise. Using words like "charette" you'll never get inclusiveness. If "charette" were such a well known word/concept the news media would not have needed to define it. Err. Err, if you don’t want an answer. Err, don’t ask a question. Don’t be sorry. Your mind is just closed. You know what you know and don’t want to know or accept anything otherwise.
Using words like “charette” you’ll never get inclusiveness.
If “charette” were such a well known word/concept the news media would not have needed to define it. Err.

]]> By: chris http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1789 chris Wed, 28 May 2008 17:58:26 +0000 http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1789 That's balogna. Errr, sorry. Baloney. That’s balogna. Errr, sorry. Baloney.

]]> By: Anonymous http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1787 Anonymous Fri, 23 May 2008 13:17:44 +0000 http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1787 No joke, richmondpics. The question was asked & an answer was given. Maybe you and the organizers should investigate how extensively well known the word "charette" is. Every time I heard it advertised on local television the anchors had to define the term "charette". So, no joke! Also, what do you think the connotations are of using such "highfalutin" (I love that word) language? If I were Hispanic I might use an obscure Hispanic term to advertise an event...if I intended to only attract Hispanics. If I were a tech geek I might use some tech jargon. If I were an attorney I might use legalese. The term "charette" is not a term commonly known in the mid to lower income and minority communities (probably not extensively known in many White communities). Don't take my word for it. Investigate it. As a matter of fact, Microsoft Word's and Lotus Note's spell checks do not even include it. I am by no means claiming that this was the sole reason for a lack of minority participation. But I do think it contributed. "Charette" implies to me to "stay away, snobbish, upper income people not interested in REAL people's input". And, based on the results of the focus group, I would say that my assumptions were not far off. No joke, richmondpics.
The question was asked & an answer was given.
Maybe you and the organizers should investigate how extensively well known the word “charette” is. Every time I heard it advertised on local television the anchors had to define the term “charette”.
So, no joke!
Also, what do you think the connotations are of using such “highfalutin” (I love that word) language?
If I were Hispanic I might use an obscure Hispanic term to advertise an event…if I intended to only attract Hispanics.
If I were a tech geek I might use some tech jargon.
If I were an attorney I might use legalese.
The term “charette” is not a term commonly known in the mid to lower income and minority communities (probably not extensively known in many White communities).
Don’t take my word for it. Investigate it.
As a matter of fact, Microsoft Word’s and Lotus Note’s spell checks do not even include it.
I am by no means claiming that this was the sole reason for a lack of minority participation. But I do think it contributed.
“Charette” implies to me to “stay away, snobbish, upper income people not interested in REAL people’s input”.
And, based on the results of the focus group, I would say that my assumptions were not far off.

]]> By: richmondpics http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1785 richmondpics Fri, 23 May 2008 01:29:29 +0000 http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1785 Is that a joke? Is someone really arguing that people, because of their race or income level, don't have the capacity to know what the word charrette means? It's a term used often for the discussion of economic development items in a proactive, hands on community forum based setting. It was a one-day intensive effort to get the ball rolling on a new downtown plan. Even if the Charrette itself was not adequately advertised as some argue, the following months were full of countless opportunities for people of any demographic to participate. The Plan Draft was available online, at all city libraries, and at City Hall. Forums were held throughout the downtown neighborhoods where additional input was sought. Anyone with a telephone or change for a pay phone could have called to speak to Brooke Hardin in the City Dept of Community Development. Emailed input was taken into consideration. Press release after news report after RTD article after Free Press article put the word out for the vast downtown master plan process. In the context of urban design/planning and architecture (which is what this charrette was all about) the term charrette was very relevant: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charrette Is that a joke? Is someone really arguing that people, because of their race or income level, don’t have the capacity to know what the word charrette means? It’s a term used often for the discussion of economic development items in a proactive, hands on community forum based setting. It was a one-day intensive effort to get the ball rolling on a new downtown plan. Even if the Charrette itself was not adequately advertised as some argue, the following months were full of countless opportunities for people of any demographic to participate. The Plan Draft was available online, at all city libraries, and at City Hall. Forums were held throughout the downtown neighborhoods where additional input was sought. Anyone with a telephone or change for a pay phone could have called to speak to Brooke Hardin in the City Dept of Community Development. Emailed input was taken into consideration. Press release after news report after RTD article after Free Press article put the word out for the vast downtown master plan process.

In the context of urban design/planning and architecture (which is what this charrette was all about) the term charrette was very relevant: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charrette

]]> By: Anonymous http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1784 Anonymous Thu, 22 May 2008 13:04:57 +0000 http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/on-racism-the-charrette/#comment-1784 Charette. What kind of signal does that send to minorities and mid to lower income Richmond citizens. We are not on the border with Canada. I'm a college graduate & I did not know what in the world this whole "charette" thing was all about. How can the organizers of this "forum" or "focus group" expect the average citizens (whose participation they claim to want) to get a signal of inclusiveness from such highfalutin language. The signal/code of the "charette" term was to note upper income, white, exclusive. This contributed, in a way, to sending the wrong signal to some citizens. NOT SO CONCERNED IF YOU PUBLISH MY COMMENTS OR NOT. JUST TRYING TO HELP PINPOINT A FLAW (AND YOU CLAIMED TO WANT TO KNOW REASONS WHY MINORITIES DID NOT PARTICIPATE). Charette.
What kind of signal does that send to minorities and mid to lower income Richmond citizens.
We are not on the border with Canada.
I’m a college graduate & I did not know what in the world this whole “charette” thing was all about. How can the organizers of this “forum” or “focus group” expect the average citizens (whose participation they claim to want) to get a signal of inclusiveness from such highfalutin language.
The signal/code of the “charette” term was to note upper income, white, exclusive.
This contributed, in a way, to sending the wrong signal to some citizens.
NOT SO CONCERNED IF YOU PUBLISH MY COMMENTS OR NOT. JUST TRYING TO HELP PINPOINT A FLAW (AND YOU CLAIMED TO WANT TO KNOW REASONS WHY MINORITIES DID NOT PARTICIPATE).

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