Culture clash

I recently spent a lovely evening with a friend at a community-based micro-finance type event. The project presentations of note were for a local neighborhood-based history museum, a high school community-building art project, and a dog park.There was also a 5th-6th grade group returning to give an update on the project they had received funding for last spring.

The dog park group wanted to build a shelter at the park and a rain collection system if they received the funding that night.

A student from the 5th-6th grade group asked how "they would get food at the shelter".

The dog park presenter went on and on for what seemed like forever, but was likely 30 seconds, about dog treats, and the dog owners bringing food if they want to, and how great it would be for people to share treats because dogs love treats.

I cringed. I hope it was inside. My friend noticed the same disconnect between an inner-city elementary school student's understanding of the word "shelter" and the dog park presenter's understanding. Don't get me wrong - a dog park would be a great way to attract people to move into a city that has fallen on tough times. The people who have stuck out those tough times need some recognition though.

I voted for the high school group that was competing. Dog park users probably have enough money to build that shelter if they pool their resources.