September 29, 2014
Assignment #3 Newspaper Reflection Journal
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The New York Times reported on an article titled “ ʻPoor Doorʼ in a New York
Tower Opens a Fight Over Affordable Housing” , which highlights the present day issues surrounding moderate and middle to income households in New York. Issues such as, the lack of affordable housing in New York City, who can and cannot afford to live in
NYC units, and the discriminatory actions that have been fueled by the segregation of wealthy condominium owners and low to middle class renters.
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The main social problem being addressed in this article is the issue of
discrimination and segregation of wealthy condominium owners and lower class unit renters. One main point that fuels this discrimination is the issue of having a separate entrance for both parties. In most high rise luxury condos, there are door men and security awaiting an owners arrival. In this case the lower income inhabitants, are met by what has been dubbed a ʻpoor doorʼ. This entrance is for all the people that do not make any more than $50,000 a year.
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The ideological perspective identified in this article was a Liberal perspective.
The article emphasizes that New Yorkers, whether wealthy or not should be able to afford a place to live, and the authorities in power should be responsible to make that happen, in a fair and just way. I believe this article reflects this perspective when the author quoted Alicia Glen the deputy mayor of housing and economic development saying, “Walking into a building should not be any different based on income status.”
This statement supports the liberal approach that it is unfair to have a segregated entrances and allowances to different classes of people.
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The views presented in this article emphasizes social control. Gary Barnett who
is the founder of the Extell Development Company, stated “ that having the affordable apartments incorporated into the