if the ndp are going to start accusing people of racism, they need to make sure their arguments are grounded, otherwise it's going to backfire. it's one thing to accuse somebody of racism when they're being racist - that will resonate. it's another to accuse somebody of being racist when they're not being racist - that will backfire. we've all been in a room with the airhead activist that thinks everything is racist - that's an experience we can all draw on, and instantly identify with. horwath wants to strenuously avoid being typecast that way.

the empirical fact is that the jane & finch area is dangerous, and that it is reasonable to take precautions before entering it. we can have a discussion about root causes and whatnot, but it's just daft to live in denial of the reality of it - or to accuse the facts of being racist.

i've only been near there once, and i was assumed to be a prostitute and nearly assaulted while hitch-hiking up wilson, near jane. the reality is that i didn't know where i was. i didn't see any signs indicating i was on jane street, and i was off it before i realized it. but, had i known where i was, i would have immediately gotten away from the area - because i would have realized that it's not a safe place for a lightish-skinned trans girl to walk around by herself.

which is what i learned, quite quickly.