Read comments for:

A Socially Irresponsible Stroll Through My Neighborhood

Sometimes convenience trumps political correctness.

By Robin Dutton-Cookston

As a hippie kid who grew up in S.F. - a fifth generation San Franciscan, your story makes me sad. Sad for my city. Sad that you call yourself "socailly irresponsible" for avoiding the things you mention. Why? Why feel guilty for avoiding people who have no problem inconveniencing you or your child?

The city you speak of sounds very different than the one I grew up in. It once was A city where I as an 8-year-old had freedom to take the muni all through the Avenues and explore Golden Gate park into the twilight. It was where my working class family could afford to live on one income. It was a wonderful place for children.

While all these people - the over-zealous dog owners, the political petitioners, the homeless - are in your face, you seem to feel more anger at the man with the sign with the differing opinion.

Sorry, I don't get it.

Posted by: Michele | Mar 19, 2007 18:35

I'd like to clarify something - I think your writing is wonderful, and I do understand your point. What I don't get is how you - and others - who just go about your lives are made to feel guilty. The people (including the city govt) who are inconveniencing you don't seem to feel any guilt at all.

And the fact that you've written about the city I grew up in, just makes me all the more sad. From your piece and others I've read, about some of the city's issues, I can't imagine an 8-year-old today running parentless through Golden Gate park and the rest of the city like I once did. Of course, I had extreme amounts of freedom I wouldn't let my kid have anyway.

Just wanted to clear that up.

Posted by: Michele | Mar 19, 2007 21:20

Leave a comment: