There are no upcoming events right now.
Why not post one?
Recent Articles
- Justice for Indigenous Peoples is Long Overdueby Ryan McGreal, published June 30, 2021 in Commentary
(0 comments)
- Third-Party Election Advertising Ban About Silencing Workersby Chantal Mancini, published June 29, 2021 in Politics
(0 comments)
- Did Doug Ford Test the 'Great Barrington Declaration' on Ontarians?by Ryan McGreal, published June 29, 2021 in Special Report: COVID-19
(1 comment)
- An Update on Raise the Hammerby Ryan McGreal, published June 28, 2021 in Site Notes
(0 comments)
- Nestlé Selling North American Water Bottling to an Private Equity Firmby Doreen Nicoll, published February 23, 2021 in Healing Gaia
(0 comments)
- Jolley Old Sam Lawrenceby Sean Burak, published February 19, 2021 in Special Report: Cycling
(0 comments)
- Right-Wing Extremism is a Driving Force in Modern Conservatismby Ryan McGreal, published February 18, 2021 in Special Report: Extremism
(0 comments)
- Municipalities Need to Unite against Ford's Firehose of Land Use Changesby Michelle Silverton, published February 16, 2021 in Special Report
(0 comments)
- Challenging Doug Ford's Pandemic Narrativeby Ryan McGreal, published January 25, 2021 in Special Report: COVID-19
(1 comment)
- The Year 2020 Has Been a Wakeup Callby Michael Nabert, published December 31, 2020 in Special Report: COVID-19
(0 comments)
- The COVID-19 Marshmallow Experimentby Ryan McGreal, published December 22, 2020 in Special Report: COVID-19
(0 comments)
- All I Want for Christmas, 2020by Kevin Somers, published December 21, 2020 in Entertainment and Sports
(1 comment)
- Hamilton Shelters Remarkably COVID-19 Free Thanks to Innovative Testing Programby Jason Allen, published December 21, 2020 in Special Report: COVID-19
(0 comments)
- Province Rams Through Glass Factory in Stratfordby Doreen Nicoll, published December 21, 2020 in Healing Gaia
(0 comments)
- We Can Prevent Traffic Deaths if We Make Safety a Real Priorityby Ryan McGreal, published December 08, 2020 in Special Report: Walkable Streets
(5 comments)
- These Aren't 'Accidents', These Are Resultsby Tom Flood, published December 04, 2020 in Special Report: Walkable Streets
(1 comment)
- Conservation Conundrumby Paul Weinberg, published December 04, 2020 in Special Report
(0 comments)
- Defund Police Protest Threatens Fragile Ruling Classby Cameron Kroetsch, published December 03, 2020 in Special Report: Anti-Racism
(2 comments)
- Measuring the Potential of Biogas to Reduce GHG Emissionsby John Loukidelis and Thomas Cassidy, published November 23, 2020 in Special Report: Climate Change
(0 comments)
- Ontario Squanders Early Pandemic Sacrificeby Ryan McGreal, published November 18, 2020 in Special Report: COVID-19
(0 comments)
Article Archives
Blog Archives
Site Tools
Feeds
By geoff's two cents (anonymous) | Posted October 03, 2008 at 13:56:56
It's funny you should point out that discrepancy; I had a similar thought when I read the article.
Having said that (and I'm addressing JH's comment here), I myself have been a little put off the Gore in the past by the occasional visible drug use, and/or loud, boisterous activity in the Gore. Nor do I think is the prejudice you mention entirely class or race-based; there's a somewhat justifiable concern for personal safety out there. My girlfriend, for instance, was propositioned by a pimp and three of his friends in Jackson Square only a few feet from me while I was turned around and taking money out from an ATM. The fellow was dressed expensively enough that I don't think his survival was at stake in the encounter. Needless to say, when we are together and there are large groups of similarly dressed people about in the Gore or elsewhere, we tend to steer clear. It's instinct.
In my view, it's not so much that there are people loitering at Gore, but rather that the place is usually avoided almost entirely by non-"underclass" types. In an ideal world, the businesses that surround the Gore and the general ambiance will do something to attract a greater diversity of people there to enjoy it - whether it's business people, youth, the working class, or whatever.
I would hope that the addition of vendors to the Gore does not mean they'd kick people out who don't want to spend money - At least, this is how it works at beaches and other parks with vendors, where anybody who likes to can enjoy the public realm.
Maybe this is just my rebellious side, but I've spent lots of time in parks with vendors in my day without spending a dime (or wearing a suit).
I imagine the "less loitering" part of the spec article is something of an editorial oversight. Obviously, the more people, and different types of people "loitering" in the Gore, the better.
Permalink | Context