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Note to Toronto media: Stop stereotyping Scarborough.
The shooting on Danzig Street is a terrible tragedy. Our thoughts go out to the families and friends of Shyanne Charles and Joshua Yasay and all the other victims of this senseless violence. For those of us who happily live and work in Scarborough, however, there’s another layer to this story.
Thank-you Ms.Korbee for a well written article on how the media across Toronto shows bias towards our area in “Toronto”….your articulate voice is much appreciated.
Thanks Lisa. There are so many people in Scarborough who are exasperated by this, including many of our neighbours, that I felt it just needed to be said.
The unfortunate reality is that in some areas of Scarborough violence is more prevalent. The area of Scarborough I live in is a safe middle class area one intersection from the former city of Toronto. Having lived in East York, Old Toronto and North York as well as owning homes in Scarborough, experience has shown me a remarkable difference in the quality of services afforded Scarborough.
We have fewer community centres with less amenities, fewer transit options, fewer parks with scheduled activities and our streets are less walkable because we don’t have traffic calming in our school zones or on residential streets unlike the rest of the city. Zoning and planning models are dated and inferior.
Scarborugh Community Council has not been receptive to change or very effective advocates for our communities. People in Scarborough seem resigned to indifferent Scarborough Councillors and constantly being over looked and underserviced.
I have no problem with the media naming our Community when a violent senseless crime is committed in its borders. Years of neglect and apathy created the problem. Lets be brave enough to examine its origins and smart enough to address the issues.
We need brighter braver Councillors and a more engaged community willing to insist we be treated with the same respect and service as the rest of the City.