Why Detroit Residents Pushed Back Against Tree-Planting

[Gdjjr]

I'm on the side of the residents in this deal.

Detroiters were refusing city-sponsored “free trees.” A researcher found out the problem: She was the first person to ask them if they wanted them.

So typical of know-it-alls

A landmark report conducted by University of Michigan environmental sociologist Dorceta Taylor in 2014 warned of the “arrogance” of white environmentalists when they introduce green initiatives to black and brown communities. One black environmental professional Taylor interviewed for the report, Elliot Payne, described experiences where green groups “presumed to know what’s best” for communities of color without including them in the decision-making and planning processes.

 

[Gdjjr]

And yet more arrogance-

A major overhaul of a huge Houston park reveals disparities in what white, black, and Latino residents want—and need.

While this connectivity is the stated priority for this massive parks overhaul, not everyone in Houston is feeling it. In fact, connectivity seems to matter most only to Houston’s whiter and wealthier residents. When the city’s parks and recreation department conducted its Master Plan Parks Survey in 2014, the majority of respondents replied that they wanted their neighborhoods and parks linked to biking and walking paths. The problem with that survey is that about two-thirds of the respondents were white with household incomes over $75,000. This is clearly not a good starting point for Houston, one of the most racially diverse, (and heavily segregated) cities in the country.

Re the above "Master Plan"- see below.

To correct this misrepresentation, a group of researchers from Rice University, conducted another survey, with the parks and rec department’s blessing (and funding!). This one was targeted at African-American and Latino neighborhoods to find out what they wanted from the new park upgrades. Lo and behold, the priorities differed from those of the initial survey. As the researchers write in the report about the surveys, “More Inclusive Parks Planning: Park Quality and Preferences for Park Access and Amenities”:

 

[WillowTree]

So why don’t black people want trees?

 

[Muhammed]

So why don’t black people want trees?

Trees be wayciss.

 

[aaronleland]

So why don’t black people want trees?

In fairness, they all had ropes hanging from them.

 

[Gdjjr]

So why don’t black people want trees?

Read the story.

 

[WillowTree]

Scanned it. Not my problem. If they choose to be without trees ho hum.

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

So why don’t black people want trees?

They might have leopards in them.

 

[Wuwei]

The problem with that survey is that about two-thirds of the respondents were white with household incomes over $75,000. This is clearly not a good starting point for Houston, one of the most racially diverse, (and heavily segregated) cities in the country.

In Florida the government decides what is best for the people even though there have been very popular referendums that are twisted by the government to actually deny what the people voted for.