To the point of the article, which I believe is the efficacy of roadside memorials … “Scenic America” might be interested in knowing that they’ve been erected in Montana for many years by the American Legion.

http://www.visitmt.com/experiences/montana_extras/features/cross.htm

Not exactly a “clutter of signs” … just poignant reminders just where they should be.

“Scenic America” … get a clue … memorials are part of America.

If you include the two Streetfilms that were “interview based,” LA Streetsblog has done 18 interview pieces since our founding. Seven of them were of women, and 11 of males. Not included in that “seven” is that there were two women interviewed at the LACBC interview and three in the Midnight Ridazz interviews. I haven’t addressed the role of gender/race in the movement, but I think we’d need to do some brainstorming on the best way to do that.

I am so glad you asked that question! I think it might be the most constructive comment to come out of this post.

I have seen these kinds of discussions come up on NYC and SF Streetsblog several times before. They are sometimes heated, often disrespectful. And as far as I can tell, have done nothing to further our analysis or bring more women/underrepresented communities into the livable streets fold.

We’re dealing with a professional field that has been stockpiled with old white dudes for decades, so it makes perfect sense that these issues come up. The question is, how will the movement for sustainable transportation and livable streets choose to deal with social equity?

As you pointed out, there’s some amazing female leadership in transportation. SB should interview them and find out their opinions on sexism in the industry. Talk to the BRU about race, class and the livable streets movement. I think that would be super interesting.

And while SB doesn’t moderate comments, maybe its editors can decide what their position is, and stand by that when folks are getting feisty and negative.

What do you think?

But now that I look around not just this blog but a lot of the transportation ones in Los Angeles I’m seeing it a lot more…and not just here at Streetsblog.

So, the question I pose to all of you. Is there anything I can do about that, and if so what?

You can say whatever you want, but freedom of speech goes both ways. Say what you want, you have the right to say it, but I have the right to say I don’t like what you have said.

(The following has nothing to do with his blog, but the blogosphere in general.)

And people can make jokes and think it will go away, but I’m not going away I’ll continue to say what I think until I get banned like I have from quite a few other blogs just for saying that they were being racist and sexist.

From where I am, my freedom of speech has been way more limited by having my IP and name banned for calling people out on their crap. By people who take things from my blog, but won’t credit my blog, because I’m a jerk because I talk to much. That’s what I love about online. They’ll call you the PC police, freak the hell out if you infringe on THEIR right to be sexist, homophobic, racist jerks, but if you make a good argument why you don’t appreciate it they’ll ban you.

People like Spokker are free to do what they want online, but people like me, I’m the person that people ban, so much for freedom of speech.

I guess it only applies to people with penises who never show their picture online.

Browne

Part of that is we’ll have to learn that people say things from a different perspective than our own and that things that are high blasphemy to us mean something completely different to others. Flipping out and demanding that they change under threat of going back to hide in your hole with your fingers in your ears is one of the worst possible ways anyone can handle this, it’s unfortunate that so many feel this way.

http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/07/21/ny-and-sf-demonstrate-that-better-pedestrian-amenities-create-stronger-communities/comment-page-1/

“DJB,

Are you retarded or something?”

He then channeled a bully from a popular movie.

“It is FALSE. Did you even see the film? Cars are able to move more freely on less crowded streets. Hello? McFly?”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29981699/

In fact, retard is used somewhat frequently on this blog by commentators and yet I haven’t seen anyone take up arms and go after those who use the word.

Are we protecting all groups from derogatory words, or just certain groups we feel more sorry for, such as women? Don’t feel sorry for women, the majority of whom are more than capable of taking care of themselves.

When in Rome…

Spokker et al:
While gendered and derogatory words might mean nothing to you and your friends, they exemplify a dominant and aggressive tone in this public forum, which believe it or not, is not just intended for you and your friends. You are just the folks that are self-centered enough, and have enough free time, to sit around and pontificate about your view of the world. The only reason what you have to say even remotely matters is because you are getting in the way of others feeling comfortable here. Livable streets aren’t going to happen with leadership like yours, so get out of the way.

Spokker has a bit of a reputation, and as someone who rather likes the guy, it is well-earned on his part. His opinions on subjects are extremely unambiguous though, and there’s a value to that; I trust him more than I trust someone who is obviously trying to appeal to everyone and holding back their opinions. That kind of stuff is for closet racist NIMBYs. :)

Yes, 80% of Streetsblog writers are male.
Yes, 80% of the commenters are male.
Yes, 80% of people on bikes are male.

These issues need to be addressed and a blog is good way to start the conversation. But there is no accountability when you can post anonymously. Likewise, aggressive and derogatory comments do nothing to enlighten us. It’s just disrespectful and inflammatory.

Spokker et al., thanks for wasting ten minutes of my morning explaining to you why your words are insulting and sexist. Unless you’re talking about your own lack of vision, it is laughable when white people talk about being color blind and when men talk about being gender blind. It’s like giving yourself permission to be a bigot as long as you profess your belief that all people are equal.

Let’s move on to a discussion about making this movement more alluring and inviting to the masses.

And honestly, the only reason I get kinda frustrated with the sort of language that appeared above is because my work filters out websites based on “inappropriate content that might offend”. It takes a lot to offend me personally.

(tongue firmly in cheek. this is the internet after all…)

Get a grip, people. Yikes. People that get “offended” by this sort of thing as much a problem as those who say the “offensive” thing. Don’t whine about it. Nobody wants to hear it.

—————

Unfortunately, some phishware attacked my address book and sent a whole bunch of sales and marketing stuff underneath my name. This phishing is nasty. It’s like people who invent computer viruses. I keep thinking, “Don’t you have something better to do? Wouldn’t the world be a better place if these people actually used their technological know-how to build something up rather than tear something down”?

Please invest in a good virus/spyware protection software and be careful in them cyber-waters.

See? Equality at last.

I wouldn’t urge censorship… mainly I expect that this reflects badly on S***ker… but it would be great to see more respect… more discussion of the actual issues.