Cohousing-L Mailing List: Seniority-Much Ado About Nothing

[lilbert (lilbert]

There is a theory that we have here at Southdside Park Cohousing: that the
less important an issue is, the more it gets discussed. I think that is the
case here. I think there is nearly a consensus that seniority is the best
way to choose houses, and there doesn't seem to be a strong case against.

There are so many issues that get brought up that nobody ever replies to. I
know that not all are topics that people can have a ready reply for, but I
would be gratified if some of the people who have developed cohousing would
answer some of the tougher questions sometimes, rather than every so often
there being this flurry of easy-to-swallow sound-bite posts. I know I piss
people off when I complain, but I'm asking each of you to consider what use
this list really is, if we sit around talking about what we agree on all day
long?

I think it has become a place where people go to pat themselves on the back
for being so fabulously progressive, while in fact, it is an enclave for the
rich and guilty. They come here to feel better because they have made such a
conscientious choice about housing. But have you? Does your community have
any permanently low or moderate income help for buyers? Do you prevent urban
sprawl? Do you use green building methods? Do you give a shit if this
movement becomes just another way for the privileged to isolate themselves
from the gritty realities of daily life? I don't think so. If most of you
were honest with yourselves, you'd realize that all the lofty ideals you
think you have go by the wayside in the name of "getting it built", and
quickly.

What does it say about a popular movement when nearly all of those with
moderate incomes are excluded? When a 720 square foot unit sells for a
quarter of a million dollars, it says to me that it ain't no popular
movement. It's a fashion trend. As much as I love my community, I think we
are nearly alone in our commitment to something besides our own pocketbooks.
Cohousing has become an excellent investment strategy, but it's not what I
had hoped it would be by now. I had hoped that once it was more accepted in
mainstream society, it would be easier for people to follow their ideals,
but it has simply become faster to build, at the expense of everything else
worthy about the idea.

Hit me with your best shots, self-congratulating wannabe lefty hipsters. I
await your treatises of denial. At least it won't put me to sleep like the
rest of this drivel.

--
Liz Stevenson
Southside Park Cohousing
Sacramento, California