--- Begin Forwarded Message --- Date: 2 Feb 2001 10:12:00 CST From: Denise Coles <[log in to unmask]> Subject: "Disappearing" neighborhoods Sender: Denise Coles <[log in to unmask]> There is an interesting article in the Houston Chronicle today (it has to happen once or twice a year) about how a newcomer's guide map created by the city's biggest economic development organization just happens to leave out the city's minority neighborhoods. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/metropolitan/812784 The map is at: http://www.houston.org/newcomersguide/neighborhoods.html The president of the group that created the map is quoted as saying "We have a wide spectrum of opportunity for anyone who is looking for a house." Apparently his idea of "anyone" is a bit limited. It is clear which kinds of "newcomer" they prefer to encourage. I'd wonder if this map would even have been brought to anyone's attention if it had not been on the Internet, since they based it on other booklets they have distributed the last few years. It could be argued that they are just going after their target demographic, but who decides what that is, especially when city funds are used to support this organization? Does the Internet make a difference as now their product is available to a much larger audience? Are we to assume by looking at the map that these are all the "good" areas and all the rest are places to avoid? Personally I think it is great that someone is holding this group accountable for their biases and it probably should have happened much earlier than this. It would be interesting to know how widespread this kind type of social editing of maps is. Denise ____________________________________________________________________ Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1 --- End Forwarded Message ---