The Sentinel’s Doggie Tales

Doggie Tales is a cute title for a bold piece of journalism. The Sentinel's publisher and managing editor, Cornelius Swart, addresses an issue that I, and I'm sure many, are not aware even exists.

When you think of dogs in Portland, you think of one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country. Dogs are part of the family, treated like surrogate children—even dressed in doggie clothes.

Swart and Judith Mowry, one of the creators of the Gentrification Restorative Listening Project, have teamed up to address an issue for many African-Americans. It's the perception that as whites move into an area they believe isn't safe; they get a dog for protection.

African-Americans view dogs as a wedge issue. In getting the dog for protection, you view everyone as a suspect. The dog is being used as a barrier. The issue is partly a gentrification issue, but it also relates historically to how dogs were used by whites to intimidate African-Americans.

Swart has held a series of meetings to both address the issue and tell the story to a wider audience. This story was published in today's Sentinel. There's more background material at the Sentinel's website. Take the time to visit the Sentinel and read what Swart has learned and written.

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