Kimm,
I understand everything you say, and not a word rings false to my ear.
Social tensions between renters and owners are an intractable social
problem that is very particular to University City -- for reasons of
simple mathematical fact.
I have always lived on a block on which renters are the large majority.
I like living alongside renters and I like the challenge of tempting
them into involvement with the non-renting community. As block captain,
I was long the one who tried to get them to turn out for block cleanups
and block parties, which are fun for all.
At the same time I, like you, have brightened as I watched the handful
of deconversions on my block that brought in new owner-occupants. I can
remember when only 4 houses out of 15 had them. Now it's 7, I think.
This is a better balance, I think. All one way or all another doesn't
suit me.
On the other hand, I have to say renters have the same obligation to
read and to learn that owners do. If legal distinctions are made between
renters and owners, both sides should be aware of them. I hope there are
both renters and owners who are curious about the facts of their
community as well as about its passions. Here again, I like a certain
balance.
Back to work,
-- Tony West
<sigh>
What does all of this have to do with anything? I’m not sure, except
that it’s not unreasonable that renters/tenants might feel
marginalized/offended/etc. by your post. It’s not an entirely
unreasonable objection. Why does it matter? I can see a student vs.
non student distinction. Students mostly view themselves as here
temporarily, they aren’t invested and don’t venture very far west.
But, even here, not all renters are students. Some just live here.
Kimm
----
You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
<http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
