Letter to the Editor: 'Unacceptable Behavior' from Students Using Boathouses
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The following letter was submitted to Georgetown Patch on Saturday. Links and photo added by Patch.
Well, I think we need to talk.
Yesterday at about 3:30pm, hordes of students were left off by bus on 27th Street and Virginia Avenue, NW.
I live in the neighborhood and was taking an afternoon walk in the marvelous weather. The sidewalk is quite narrow on that stretch of Virginia Avenue and difficult to allow more than two persons walking side by side.
The students, however, bunched and walked in a line of four to six on their way to the Potomac boathouse...unable to let anyone by. Nor did they make any effort to do so.
Since I was going in the other direction, I waited for them to see me and then leave me room to pass. They refused to yield and as a result I was knocked against a wall. I said "Please" to a tall red head-who said "Oh gee I am sorry" and moved a bit. I just was about to pass them when a nice looking African American boy with short cropped hair yelled to me, "You are an old lady and shouldn't be walking here."
WAS I MAD? You bet I was.
And as a result I send this multiple email to ask those of you in charge of these schools to get to the students as well as their parents. This is unacceptable behavior; you know it as do I.
Since the incident, I have been told by three other neighbors that they have experienced the same behavior at other times.
Written by resident, Kerry Stowell.
EOnegin
5:15 pm on Saturday, March 17, 2012
Well, this incident serves as another reminder that anyone that is considering getting older may wish to think carefully before doing so in our era of youthful entitlement and impertinence. Personally, after considerable reflection, I have made the decsion to grow younger instead of advancing on in years, much to the consternation of my more seasoned friends and family.
Yes, yes, I know that I may be foregoing some wisdom in the process; but frankly, I don't think our idle youth are in a position to pay for the entitlements due to me in my retirement anyhow, so I figure, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
I look forward to someday being a part of the student hoards that are now cavorting carelessly and disrespectfully to and fro. Perhaps too, when I arrive at that insouciant age, the District will have created designated drop-off areas and wider paths to allow us students better access to an athletic facility largely designed for our use, ostensibly. Hope springs eternal.
Steve Dingledine
1:12 pm on Sunday, March 18, 2012
Kerry, I hear you. My 5th grade class has been made well aware of their responsibility to act respectfully when we are on the D2 or when we are in public. Still, it is an upstream struggle. Not sure how it changes other than parents, teachers, coaches, and police taking a stand by 1) leading by example and 2) getting tougher on inappropriate behavior.
Louise Brodnitz
4:20 pm on Sunday, March 18, 2012
That is also true en route to Hyde elementary from Wisconsin Ave, youngsters crowd the sidewalk making it difficult to pass.
By the way, Patch please edit to correct obvious misspellings. Hoards means something different entirely than hordes.
Shaun Courtney
9:24 pm on Sunday, March 18, 2012
Good point, Louise. Correction made.
Aaron Kassraie
4:35 pm on Sunday, March 18, 2012
It's always much easier to put the blame on young people. Most adults seem to have forgotten their youth. Yet on the other hand I find this just as inconsiderate as many of the professionals who find themselves so entitled to everything they touch.
James
1:33 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
This is absolutely not an appropriate response to an incident of this magnitude. Kerry, have you considered writing your Congressman? This seems like a clear case for reinstating the death penalty. We could call it "Kerry's Law" and make sure the nation - nay, the world - knows you have been so violently aggrieved.
Or have I offended you by calling you by your first name, madam?
If so - oh, gee, I am sorry.