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Fall Arts Guide
The use of the word "woke" should not be taken lightly, especially when used by non-people of color, because it means you are about the movement and understand it [Fall Arts Guide: "You Can't Be What You Can't See," WW, Sept. 7, 2016].
There are definitely some great artists listed here who should be supported. However, if the arts in Portland were "woke," then the statement "You can't be what you can't see" would be a nonissue.
If you want the arts to get "woke" in Portland, then find grants or other funding to sponsor arts education, internships and scholarships.
—James Dixon
I'm saying this as a black male who thinks the issues faced by women and minorities are legitimate: You will never get anywhere by excluding white men on the premise there has been a systemic bias that needs to be changed.
This is an absurd, backlash-generating knee-jerk reaction, and it's harmful to all of us.
—"alienproxy"
New Courthouse's Restrooms
If this were about sharing restrooms with the public—including defendants, former defendants, witnesses and such—I would be with the judges, as a security issue ["Game of Thrones," WW, Sept. 7].
But it isn't that. These are restrooms in quarters, out of public reach, shared among themselves. I don't see why they can't do that. Just spin the little "Occupied" button as they go in.
Or bring chamber pots to work.
—"Soren456"
Wow, I guess I should have known that judges are a bunch of 1 percenters who are so whiny and entitled they can't even share a restroom with another judge.
Still, I'm impressed with their audacity to frame this as about them doing such "important work for the public." It must be nice to be able to demand whatever you want, all the time.
—"exileandcunning"
Airbnb Scofflaws in Portland
There are plenty of greedy landlords in Portland who are taking advantage of the lax enforcement of Airbnb rules ["Portland's 5 Astonishing Airbnb Listings," WW, Sept. 7, 2016]. It is also true that not every home that falls outside Portland's Airbnb permitting requirements could be rented out as a long-term rental.
There are a lot of Airbnb hosts who fall somewhere between "greedy landlord" and "perfect host," and the permitting process should take that into consideration. But because the city of Portland and Airbnb are making money on all of them, permitted or not, there's not a lot of incentive to do so.
—Renée Alexander
Many short-term Airbnb rentals operate responsibly. Others do not. And many guests have great experiences, without realizing that the experience for neighbors wasn't so great.
—"k15"
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Willamette Week