Hmm, muslim only and perhaps leasing to illegal day care program

Submitted by bt, Oct 8, 2016 at 15:48

So, fine. I think the tenets of Islam are great. I have friends who are real followers of Islam, i.e., not followers of Nation of Islam. I told them about NoI and they started screaming "heretics!" So, hmm. Just don't know whether Kenny Gamble is a "real" Muslim or a follower of NoI, i.e. a heretic. That's one thing.

No. 2: When they advertise their housing developments, I usually see human figures in their renderings: the women are wearing hijab. Ok, also fine. Nice to show diversity and inclusion. I worked for a developer in a part of North Philadelphia (african-american and latino). Their architectural renderings showed happy white, blonde people jogging through the neighborhood. Told them this was ridiculous. So, I'm aware of stereotyping and ethnocentrism: Hey, how about some black people here--and, no, there will never be any blonde white people jogging through here.

Anyway, I have many foster kids (black and latino). Sent one of them, his wife actually, to apply for housing in a Universal Homes development. She was rejected, despite (to me as a low-income housing developer person) perfect credentials. I told her to go back and wear a head scarf. She did, and got on waiting list. She didn't go back because she didn't want to live in a place that had that kind of discrimination.

So, probably yes, trying to develop a Muslim enclave. Not that there didn't used to be (and probably still are) Italian, Jewish, and Catholic enclaves, but they are not supported by federal funding (e.g., federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, among others, and possibly PHDC, and other Philadelphia agencies).

Gosh, I've lost my thread of thought. Oh, also included "operating illegal day care program." Not exactly accurate. Actually leasing to a white person of privilege who operates Mighty Writers in one of Kenny's properties. I am sure Kenny has no idea that this program is illegal. Ah, how to count the ways: 1) They are using the second floor of a building called 1501 Christian Street (it actually has another number in the Philadelphia property data bank). This building has only one exit from the second floor. That's a serious building violation if you have children on that floor. Got to say, Kenny probably doesn't know his tenant is using building illegally and would change it if he knew. But, how come, he didn't notice this for at least four years? To give hime credit, he's probably charging below market rent for the space.

What's number 2?: Um, Oh, this program probably (and I would emphasize "probably" if my browser allowed it) should be licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. They not. Again, Kenny is not responsible for this. He probably thinks he's doing a good thing for the community.

What I usually say to people who operate illegal after school programs is: Okay, so you say you're going to save one kid from a bullet. That's nice. How about if your program kills 20 kids because they are in an unlicensed space that doesn't meet fire code regulations.

That's my rant. Sorry. Also, anything I said does not imply any endorsement of this website

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