Dear Editor,
Re: “Businesses protest shelter,” News, Sept 20.
This just in: Homeless person breaks into children’s gymnastics facility and steals a ... pommel horse? Uneven bars? A 12-year-old’s rhythmic gymnast’s routine?
No, Ying Wang, owner of Wayland Sports, Rob Reeleder and Cam Russell, owner of “businesses nearby,” the only thing being stolen here is valuable front page space for your prejudiced complaint.
You should feel embarrassed for saying you are “frightened” to think about problems that might arise with your new neighbours. You have no right to demand who can and cannot live next to you, even if you make propaganda to garner support.
To that end, Mr. Wang, despite your incredibly offensive sign (what exactly are you implying here, anyways — that all homeless people are, what, child predators?), being homeless does not equal being a criminal. They are human beings who have just as much right to live and exist in Richmond as you do. Having a shelter is a basic need, and who are you to say otherwise?
Perhaps you should be more concerned about things that are legitimately hurting our community: the seven homicides in Richmond this year, the stabbing in an illegal casino run out of a multi-million dollar mansion, the lack of affordable housing that is driving away young families, and the degradation of our farmland from land speculation (just to name a few).
None of these truly ‘frightening’ things were perpetrated by homeless people.
R. Kirkham
Richmond
