It's a sad but unsurprising coincidence that at the same time South Milwaukee wants to tear down apartments that house many minority and low-income residents we are learning that Waukesha has torn out basketball hoops frequently used by African-American kids.
South Milwaukee, losing a long and expensive case in Federal Court, has offered a compromise: tear down only one of two buildings.
In Waukesha, the solution is to install some hoops in a yet-to-be completed nearby park on a former landfill.
What are the messages sent by those 'solutions?'
I don't think suburban leaders appreciate or care how damagingly negative these episodes resonate in the City of Milwaukee, where most of the region and state's African-American residents live.
Or in diverse households where people of good will flinch at racism so thinly disguised.
We are constantly told that Southeastern Wisconsin is in a competition with other midwestern regions, and others far away, for jobs, talent and other markers of growth.
But these ugly stories undermine the region's appeal, as well as the quality of life for everyone who lives around here, regardless of race.
The political leadership in South Milwaukee and in Waukesha need to openly and forcefully condemn the obvious appearances and implications in the events in their cities that are making the news.
This status quo is completely unacceptable, embarrassing and shameful.
[Housing update: a New York area housing discrimination solution, court-imposed, offers a regional roadmap in the Milwaukee area.]
I live down the street from the park, that removed the hoops. I actually called my Alderman regarding the courts, for a few years. I have been to the park and the only people playing basktball are much older men, playing a very aggressive sport within feet of children. Swearing, pushing and "friendly" violence taking place in front of them. I'm all for a place to play basketball, just not within feet of infants. The park was poorly designed, the swings were set up just a few arms length of the courts. I play volleyball and would not want small children playing in a sandbox next to me while I play, for fear the ball could hit them or inappropriate words might come out of me or other players mouths.
ReplyDeleteSide Note: My neighbor went to the park with his daughter and a fight broke out on the "court" (playground) and he had to grab her and leave. So I'm sorry if the courts being removed offends people but I can say I have never seen any young kids (under 20) playing on them, only grown men.
I would like to think that the children should be the best interst of the parks.
Waukesha is joining the ranks of every other suburb that has gotten rid of basketball hoops for the same reason (bad language, bad behavior, litter). See Whitefish Bay, Wauwatosa, Brown Deer, West Milwaukee. As a basketball player, it's disappointing, as a property owner, it's necessary.
ReplyDeleteI often see a common thread in some of these decisions made by county and city governments and by property owners throughout the Milwaukee Metro and surrounding communities. They may (or may not) try to provide something to allow parks/housing for people to recreate and/or live in, and the people who move in either conduct themselves very poorly (swearing, fighting, disrespect for neighbors property) or just plain destroy things and make a neighborhood a blighted area. From time to time we get people who move from the inner city to our neighborhood, and next thing you know we have horns blowing at all hours of the night (please ring the doorbell??), kids playing on the grass so much that it all wears away, trash on the streets and yards in front of our houses, loud music, loud talking outside till wee hours of the morning., (I know they aren't deaf) etc. I am not biased, my family is multi-racial. I am selective in wanting neighbors who care about themselves, their neighbors, and the places they live and play. For all the others, please find another place to play or live, and please don't call me a bigot for wanting a nice neighborhood. For those who constantly play the race card as an excuse for bad behaviour? Good bye. Please.
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