As reported in this week’s Southern Voice, the Midtown Ponce Security Alliance claims that the black gays and lesbians who converge on Piedmont Park on Sunday evenings are “a menace to society.”
As stated by the MPSA in the article:
"The black gay men and lesbians who have long gathered in Piedmont Park on Sunday evenings are probably the most dangerous ongoing situation we have encountered so far.”
And...
“The problem continues to escalate weekly, and we fear that if some concrete solutions are not found, someone will be seriously injured or even killed,” the MPSA newsletter states. “Needless to say, most regular park visitors are afraid to use this area of the park on Sunday evenings.”
As someone who has enjoyed several Sunday evenings in Piedmont Park, I am appalled. Rarely, if ever, have I witnessed any unruly or suspicious behavior. I cannot believe a group would be so bold as to say a public park, financed and maintained by public funds, should not allow or restrict people based on the color of their skin.
In Atlanta, white people are happy to have us at the table as long as we only comprise the customary 10% of the group. We are an acceptable token, but can never be allowed to be the majority. The people of the Midtown Ponce Alliance would clearly not even want to see us present.
Read the article and let me know what you think at http://www.sovo.com/2007/7-20/news/localnews/7239.cfm !
6 comments:
What are those that go to the park going to do about this? Anything? Or will things like this just scare them away form the park all together?
Interesting that the letter of complaint about those black gay folk gathering in the park was written by a gay man who by all accounts seems to be "white." And this Midtown resident Angel Luis Poventud, a "brotha," is being polite.
I hope they know that most of those who attend the "family reunion" every Sunday don't read their paper, don't care, and aint leavin.
I hope this doesn't escalate any unnecessary racial tension in Atlanta. When I was there, I always thought it was so nice how the park had such diversity. It was the first time I'd seen anything like it.
Hmmm...Interesting story.
Please keep us posted.
this is the first i have seen of this (which is kinda sad since i know the writer)... it is sad that people come to brash decisions before really exploring the problem
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