Ugh. 

“If you feel so strongly that Camden has been wronged why don’t you plan you next vacation visiting the great safe city. Does not matter what the ranking is it is still a very dangerous place that you should avoid at all costs.”

Comment sections are often the lowest form of public discourse (one of the reasons I’m so grateful for the intelligent discourse you guys occasionally have in the comments section here), and this recent article from Philly Mag questioning the numbers used to calculate “America’s Most Dangerous City” was no exception. But this tweet from Joseph Russell got me thinking: 

@SteveDanley I feel like pervasive negativity from people who never visit the city is far more damaging than any "most dangerous" list.

— Joseph Russell (@thegreengrass) February 5, 2015

What is the damage done by unchecked negativity about Camden? Not nuanced discussion that puts the city’s struggles into historical and regional context, but Camden bashing in the “comments section” style. The, “you should avoid at all costs,” narrative.

It reminded me of the wider discussion happening now about P.C. culture, and triggers, and when people should be called out in public for damaging statements. I see first-hand the results of this constant barrage of negativity on those who live here. My students from Camden are so sick of unnuanced, and often uncaring, dismissal of the life they live everyday. Now trust me, no one knows more about the downsides of Camden then its residents, but they also experience negative results of uniform bashing that goes unchecked. Like seeing eyes glaze over at a job interview because it’s hard for a suburban office worker to imagine a good worker could come out of Camden. There are few things more discriminatory than assuming an entire city is a cesspool or some other vile comparison.

But, something neat happened here. Joseph responded: 

I’m sorry, but that caustic, degrading attitude is part of what keeps Camden down. It’s more damaging to the city than any “most dangerous list”. Congratulations.

I don’t have to plan a vacation there, I live next door and visit the city all the time. There are many good people doing many great things in the city, and there are tons of great many small businesses I choose to support to counteract the negative affects of people with opinions like yours.

This first-hand account ended the negativity because it was so obvious that Joseph knew more about Camden than the first poster. So, kudos. It’s one of the reasons I incorporate social media into my classes, so that those learning about the city (and from it) can engage in constructive dialogue about it. Sometimes that means critiquing, but very rarely will it mean generalizing. 

In my class I often watch as slowly, interactions with Camden students, activists and the broader city force our mostly suburban student base to rethink their views of the city. It happened just yesterday, when this exchange actually took place during class between two students: 

 I think this is healthy. If you are going to discuss a place, those living and experiencing the place should have the opportunity to respond, correct, and defend. So thanks to Jozie, thanks to Joseph, and thanks to others who take the time to help others understand Camden City is more fully.