tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post8377479554204796776..comments2009-02-12T07:43:39.913-08:00LeLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073317400749817075noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-79083935505700961852009-02-12T07:43:00.000-08:002009-02-12T07:43:00.000-08:00Wow Anonymous! Who knew someone from the Rhode Island Network For Educ. Technology had such an axe to grind when googling "Portland+very white" and lands upon this blogpost and voila! Leaves the freaky comment that you did. Don't let the door hit ya on the way out.LeLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073317400749817075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-9248258371645002482009-02-12T07:23:00.000-08:002009-02-12T07:23:00.000-08:00The author of this piece is just a leftist crypto-fascist mini-dictator, obsessed with micromanaging and re-engineering everything around her to suit her own personal fetishes.<BR/><BR/>If people don't like the way things are in a place, they are free to move somewhere else, where things are more to your liking.<BR/><BR/>Is there something preventing the author of this piece from moving to LA, Cincinatti, Washington DC, or another country on Earth?<BR/><BR/>But that would interfere with her innate need to exert control and manipulation onto the people and environment around her. <BR/><BR/>She's a mini dictator and racial engineer, but instead of coming from the right, she's coming from the left.<BR/><BR/>A Hitler analogue if you will.<BR/><BR/>Silly crypto-fascist leftist liberals and their phony self-righteousness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-54685991232270486292008-04-29T16:35:00.000-07:002008-04-29T16:35:00.000-07:00Good for you -- I agree with you and the commenter who noted that they didn't check in with any poor people or provide really hard-core tips. <BR/><BR/>Also, I've noticed that even thought I've been increasingly applying frugal shopping strategies, the grocery bill is still high. I'm not stretching my dollar as far, even with the hard-core techniques. Those of us already shopping toward the bottom aren't going to have much further to go soon.kathleenmcdadehttp://kathleenmcdade.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-12065297821960821952008-04-18T16:39:00.000-07:002008-04-18T16:39:00.000-07:00Hi Lelo,<BR/><BR/>I like reading your blog. I'm over here in NE Portland.<BR/><BR/>About The Oregonian article in FoodDay, I think it's great that you took the time to write, and a well written point at that. <BR/><BR/>I read The Oregonian every day and have written my share of feedback letters. I think the reporters/columnists generally appreciate the feedback on their work. So I hope they get back to you.<BR/><BR/>The fact that you blog about this stuff does raise awareness of issues of all kinds. Freedom of the press belongs to those who own one. Thank goodness for the blogosphere for delivering more points of view to my laptop.<BR/><BR/>My own personal pet peeve (well, just last week's) was when The Oregonian put a front page pic of the men's NCAA tournament winner, but the women's tournament was relegated to the sports page (below the fold). I thought about writing a letter, but didn't (have written them before about the bias in women's sports coverage).<BR/><BR/>In closing, carry on with your wonderful blog and telling your truth to the world.<BR/><BR/>A fan in NE Portland<BR/>sbott.blogspot.comSarah Botthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716507767224848716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-52269036088327605262008-04-17T12:10:00.000-07:002008-04-17T12:10:00.000-07:00The Oregonian in general is such a vapid publication that when they announced they were going to send me thirteen weeks for free, all I could think of was how much paper was going to waste. <BR/>Except for the daily Sudoku. I looove Sudoku.Known Alias: Ingrid Tuesdayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11321511691741800222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-18459115795314417872008-04-17T08:55:00.000-07:002008-04-17T08:55:00.000-07:00Thank you for all of the great thoughts, comments and feedback (well, most of them.) A few things....I think it's really great that different people see different issues in the story: whether what is most aggregious to you is the aspect they were all white, or heterosexual, or with kids, or obviously upper or middle class: the reality is, the paper had an opportunity to select a swath of families and instead of reflecting a diversity of different kinds of Portlanders, they chose 4 families that were all very much alike. By doing that, they alienated quite a few. <BR/><BR/>I could see this happening in a glossy lifestyle magazine, that's geared towards a specific demographic, but when it comes to the state's largest daily newspaper, I'd like to think they would be more in touch with the general population of Oregon, and Portland. <BR/><BR/>One of the things the article was specifically geared towards, was identifying "foodies" for examples. Are foodies only those that look like the examples used? <BR/><BR/>Someone commented, well, if you don't like it LeLo, go elsewhere for your news, or create it yourself. And you know, I do, consistently. All the time. But it's one thing to have this kind of conversation within the confines of people who think just like me, and another to be the one who brings it up in daily life, in little ways, in places just like FoodDay, where the majority are, and where people like my family silently read and continue to not see ourselves. <BR/><BR/>And for those that are checking back to see how The Oregonian has responded to my letter and e mail, the answer is nothing. NOTHING. There has been no response or reply. Which is yet another complete lost opportunity.LeLo in NoPohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073317400749817075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-32724566900853711092008-04-16T11:32:00.000-07:002008-04-16T11:32:00.000-07:00Your letter was well-written: non-accusatory, tactful and conducive to discussion, which is the first step to learning and understanding. Nicely done!<BR/><BR/>I attended 2 lectures by the same speaker at Seattle's flower show in February. In both talks, he made a point of mentioning that one garden was owned by a gay couple. It stood out for me because he didn't say one word about who owned any of the other gardens. In this case, I think omission would have been less bigoted than mentioning who owned the garden. I mean, why bring it up at all? What point was he trying to make? I couldn't help but think of the line from Shakespeare's Hamlet, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."bemusedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142188109324139216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-84960285113047904272008-04-16T10:45:00.000-07:002008-04-16T10:45:00.000-07:00Have you ever noticed how it's always a gay male couple whenever they feature a house remodel or interior design? Nice stereotypes, BIG O.Alan Blueholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00683196759001581768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-11102933686978504992008-04-16T10:41:00.000-07:002008-04-16T10:41:00.000-07:00Congrats, Lelo! Well written, and something that needed to be said, and said so well I might add. THANKS.Mark Hhttp://scuffproductions.com/scuffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-22130399812693915642008-04-16T10:13:00.000-07:002008-04-16T10:13:00.000-07:00LeLo:<BR/><BR/>A giant smile spread across my face after reading your post (but that usually happens after reading your posts); however, this time it was due to the fact that you tackled a subject that has bothered me, deeply, since moving to Portland, two years ago.<BR/><BR/>I moved to Portland from the East and while I knew that it was going to be a "white" city; I did not know the pervasiveness that the "whiteness" of this city runs deep in politics, culture, and everything else.<BR/><BR/>Hands down, Portland is the most racist city that I've ever encountered. From not wanting to talk about gentrification ramifications of the N. Portland neighborhoods of Alberta, Mississippi, St. Johns, et al to just a general barrier between interacting with anyone who isn't reflecting of your own skin tone. <BR/>(For the record, I'm a Caucasian).<BR/><BR/>This is such a GREAT city in many other ways (liberal thinking, sustainability "mecca", great food, etc.) that I find it appalling that people don't even want to acknowledge that there is a conversation that needs to take place in this city...NOW about race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.<BR/><BR/>Because all it is going to take is a series of ugly incidents for it to boil over.<BR/><BR/>Please continue to use your blog as the great communication medium that it is in getting attention to these very important issues.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17085667387999261479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-2498350329777706982008-04-16T10:09:00.000-07:002008-04-16T10:09:00.000-07:00I'm so glad you wrote that letter. I read that article and was just struck by how amazingly white bread and middle-class it was. The tips were not helpful! It just reflects the Oregonian's need to reflect their dreamworld of white upper-middle-class perfect het couples (and the occ. gay male couple) onto the world. <BR/><BR/>I agree with Roey -- you have a lovely tone there. Will you be my mentor??vj_pdxhttp://claimid.com/vj_pdxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-40104336546078752702008-04-16T09:21:00.000-07:002008-04-16T09:21:00.000-07:00Yes, the Oregonian does suck--it sucks so much I won't even read it.<BR/><BR/>I appreciate your letter.<BR/><BR/>I think it is representative of a culture that sees itself as supreme (western culture).Living in a country that has the three foundational pillars of Genocide, slavery and land theft i am constantly besieged by this kind of stuff everyday.<BR/><BR/>Stuff can just go straight to your subconscious if you are NOT aware of it.<BR/><BR/>I would like to see a national dialogue on the genocide perpertrated in this land, the land theft, and slavery as well as "race relations (Race relations almost sounds pretty--don't it?)"<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the killer post and letter yo!MexicaMaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793680019483683005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-67871192836252461852008-04-16T09:19:00.000-07:002008-04-16T09:19:00.000-07:00This artical makes me feel "icky" This is not reflective of Portland AT ALL!!! Good for you Lelo in Nopo..Please post the responce.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077551589409528369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-74472892415675650212008-04-16T08:44:00.000-07:002008-04-16T08:44:00.000-07:00I wonder this a lot: If I don't have kids are we a family? Not according to the Oregonian apparently. And if I don't shop at the Farmers Market I guess I don't eat food, either...<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I wanted to compliment your letter and the way you presented the article and then your reaction to it. I wish everything I read in the Food Day (I rarely read TheO) was as well written as your letter to them!versohttp://verso.myvidoop.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-9356199641548018162008-04-16T07:13:00.000-07:002008-04-16T07:13:00.000-07:00Sounds like it was yet another all-around crappy article from The Oregonian. I'm glad you wrote to them--they needed to hear that.Nevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05999831618249137613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-11785008904587221192008-04-16T06:42:00.000-07:002008-04-16T06:42:00.000-07:00I was going to say something about the the A commenters' <B>rage</B> ... "ramming down our throats", etc. but, I think you've <I>covered</I> that ground nicely.<BR/><BR/>Interesting article and interesting POV which in turn elicted interesting comments. <BR/><BR/>Fun stuff. Peace.the only daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334580430376973159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-33098460933454202042008-04-15T22:58:00.000-07:002008-04-15T22:58:00.000-07:00Oh how i love it when anonymous commenters make my points for them themselves. Classic. <BR/><BR/>Lots of great points coming up in the other comments though: thanks for commenting!LeLo in NoPohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073317400749817075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-43446604293704005452008-04-15T22:54:00.000-07:002008-04-15T22:54:00.000-07:00Look around. Do you really think any of the groups you feel were not represented add up to 25% of the local population? I'd say that single parents would make up the largest portion, just a guess, and it might even come close, but does every damned article have to go out of its way to be to be totally inclusive? Honestly, I think to many people are looking for stuff that they can take offense to. <BR/><BR/>And how is it any different for a lesbian couple to save money on groceries, or a black, or hispanic family? The article was trying to help people, and, regardless of race, blah, blah, blah, it does give some good ideas that do just that.<BR/><BR/>You are an excellent writer, and very perceptive. You just need to pick a subject that hasn't been forced down our throats for the last ten years. I mean no offense to anyone gay, or of color, or with freckles, or red hair, or...oh, hell with it anyone can find a way to be offended with it, and if that is how they want to live it's their choice. I am done apologizing.<BR/><BR/>Sorry for all the grammatical and spelling errors, it's late.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-74486855686331677312008-04-15T21:15:00.000-07:002008-04-15T21:15:00.000-07:00Lelo, I read the article too and came away with another - and, frankly, I think, larger - point.<BR/><BR/>Did you see the tips on stretching the family food budget? They were almost completely pointed at a certain demographic of Portlanders, from the recommendation to look past boneless skinless chicken breasts to the suggestion that one has one's food delivered. About 1/3 of the whole thing was about getting a better deal on organics, for Christ's sake.<BR/><BR/>Not a word about dollar stores, about dented cans, about day-old bread or bulk peanut butter or The Millionth Use For Spaghetti or which expiration dates on food are firm and which ones can be fudged.<BR/><BR/>I get your point about variety in subjects...as someone without kids, I had the same thought: can the O write one damn story about a family where "family" doesn't automatically mean "kids"? A middle-aged couple living with an aged mother, for instance?<BR/><BR/>But I think gay/straight and racial issues both pale in comparison to the real problem, and that's the inability of the Oregonian to include poor folks as "average Portlanders" in any story unless it has something directly involving poverty. Hell, in this case, it DID, and they still couldn't see the obvious point of the story when it was right under their collective snub nose.Kevin Allmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816304949142113895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-45537994661806755672008-04-15T20:20:00.000-07:002008-04-15T20:20:00.000-07:00Call the whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaambulance. Many of us weren't represented in the article. Many of us aren't represented in much of what's published or aired. Personally, I'm sick to death of media dealing with the choices people who aren't like me make. It's interesting for a bit, but it loses pertinence after a few years. My solution? Rather than whine that a media outlet that really isn't structured to represent me isn't representing me, I find another that is, or create my own. I realize that most media is comprised of people trying to grab the attention of the majority. I'm not part of the majority, so they're not always going to try to talk to me... And I like it that way. To put it another way, it doesn't bother me in the least that I cannot go to McDonald's and get a great steak and a nice bottle of wine. I'd rather enjoy that experience with people who love it as much as I do.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure if I bothered to read more of your blog I might find we agree on far more issues than we disagree but if your life is so lacking in substance that a perceived slight by "Food Day" represents a real problem for you then I doubt it would be worth the time. I'm not saying I've written anything worthy of serious consideration but c'mon... Food Day? If you're going to complain about not being represented, at least complain about a publication that matters in some way.<BR/><BR/>There's plenty of media out there for you no matter what type of life style you lead. Find it. Read it. Contribute to it. By demanding that everyone include you in their party, you're just as "fascist" as the people you complain about.<BR/><BR/>tl;dr - Dude, seriously... Food Day?John Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02751917536955943183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-47591133879197022162008-04-15T20:17:00.000-07:002008-04-15T20:17:00.000-07:00You're not wrong in being upset, but I guess I was surprised... I thought the article was kind of funny. <BR/><BR/>As someone who spent several years selling plasma to afford groceries, I didn't need to read an article to figure out that I should buy things on sale and give up the daily $7 coffee drink. I'd bet that single parent families and people of color are over-represented among those who have these habits out of necessity- not because of a newspaper challenge and not because the latest economic downturn is forcing soccer moms to cut corners. <BR/><BR/>So maybe that's how the Oregonian is making other families invisible; by ignoring the fact that they depend on these skills every day.<BR/><BR/>I took the article as a way to teach white middle-class heterosexual couples with kids how to do what so many other people learned long ago. And the only thing I could do was laugh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-38581589591769061892008-04-15T19:32:00.000-07:002008-04-15T19:32:00.000-07:00If you don't feed trolls they will die.The Recovering Straight Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03729142248190674175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-87741105843438838392008-04-15T19:09:00.000-07:002008-04-15T19:09:00.000-07:00You can all relax! Portland isn't full of white heterosexual couples with two kids. Good God. Look all around. All I see in Portland is black americans either on the street and poor and if their lucky they actually have a home. And also people who are gay. Give me a break!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-72002622869962178192008-04-15T18:58:00.000-07:002008-04-15T18:58:00.000-07:00Atrollsayswhat?Alan Blueholehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00683196759001581768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10949041.post-18402990565177125972008-04-15T17:57:00.000-07:002008-04-15T17:57:00.000-07:00I read the article and thought nothing of race. This article isn't about race. Sorry the article struck a cord with you but get over it. It was all about saving tips on groceries and they had some pretty good ones. It's just a sample and you shouldn't be bugged just because you weren't chosen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com