My last article, in which I questioned if Sam Allard of Scene magazine was engaging in yellow journalism by stating only one side of the case regarding the sale of land by the Dunham Tavern Museum to the Cleveland Foundation, has generated more controversy and commentary than anything I’ve penned in recent memory. Good. A robust debate is always healthy, especially when it’s one I can’t possibly lose. Yeah, that’s a smarmy comment, but I’m on the side of the angels here, as I will seek to demonstrate.
My first point of argument is, if Allard wanted to be fair and unbiased in his reportage he would have reached out to someone, anyone, at the Cleveland Foundation to get their side of the story. But he studiously avoided doing that. Why? Was his conclusion already foregone, cast in stone?
However, the above is actually my second point, my first point is this: I’m damn tired of “journalistic colonialism” where someone from outside of a community seeks to swoop in and frame the conversation regarding a community of color, as if we black folk have no opinion, or if we do, we don’t know how to express it. In point of fact, I do have an opinion since the parcel of land in question sits a mere six houses from where my wife and I built our home 20 years ago. And yes, I do sorta, kinda, know how to utilize the King’s English in expressing said opinion — a fact even my fiercest critic would stipulate, no?
My third point: My proximity to the proposed project gives me standing, doesn’t it? The only folks who would deny this obvious truth are those that are of the opinion that what persons of color think and feel is of no consequence since we often don’t have the wherewithal to have our voices heard. Now, dear reader, I think you’re beginning to understand why I selected journalism as my profession: I’m an opinionated son-of-a-bitch, and in the words of abolitionist Horace Greeley, “I WILL BE HEARD.”
My next point is this: A magazine that has never had a writer of color — except for a brief month 15 years ago before running him out of its offices by way of “in your face” racism — really should avoid writing about issues of concern to persons of color, no matter how vaulted the reputation of the writer. Again, I will stipulate that Sam Allard is a pretty good dude, but him writing about my community (which he knows very little about that he has not read somewhere in a book) is another form of paternalist, journalistic colonialism. If Allard knew his subject matter he would have known that I live six houses away, and — I’m making an assumption here — respecting my intelligence and involvement with my community, he would have reached out to me like I reached out to him to facilitate our going to lunch over a year ago.
Now, let’s get down to the real nitty-gritty. There is such a thing in the neighborhood/community development world known as “highest and best use” for a parcel(s) of land. Allard’s argument — as well as that of lawyer Peter Patakkos — is that the “highest and best” use of the land in question is for green space, when the adjacent community (again, which I am a part of) has bigger aspirations for it, such as improving the fortunes of the folks who actually reside in the area in question.
For over a dozen years now I’ve served on a committee that has sought to capitalize on the fame of nearby League Park (located on E. 66thStreet two blocks north of the land in question) — the legendary baseball park that was built in 1891 and is the oldest remaining shrine to where America’s Pastime is played. Indeed, Babe Ruth hit his famous 500th home run out of this park, and it’s where baseball fanatics from around the country still come in droves to worship and pay homage. I’ve seen more than one old codger kneel down and kiss home plate. Really.
The goal, the desire of the community, has always been to create a thriving, walkable corridor for visitors that runs from another historic site, Dunham Tavern, two blocks south on 66thStreet to League Park. And yes, the vineyard and winery our nonprofit manages, Château Hough, sits midway between these two iconic facilities. So I do indeed have a dog in this race. And now you understand — even if you refuse to stipulate — why the parcel of land the Cleveland Foundation purchased from Dunham Tavern Museum constitutes the “highest and best” use since their presence will assist in jumpstarting the development of this important portion of Cleveland.
See for yourself the grand plans — these are not the first iteration, but the second — that have been in the works for years, and then maybe, just maybe, you’ll understand why I’m so passionate about this issue. Enough for now; but rest assured that I will have more to say later.
One Response to “MANSFIELD: More on “Scene” Magazine”
Drew
Great piece – thanks for writing