The Haight: Our Own Arizona

A striking similarity was brought to mind when discussing the passage of Arizona’s new legislation (I’m pretty sure we’ve all heard about it by now) and the recent controversial law here in San Francisco, Sit/Lie.

“What happened in Arizona is … un-American,” the mayor said. “The idea that people, based on their race or ethnicity, can be pulled over or stopped and someone asks for their papers reminds me of something I read … happening overseas.” Mayor Newsom is reported saying to The Chronicle.

However disturbing and “un-American” the Arizona law is, somehow the same sentiment is not translated to discrimination based on income, housing status or mental health.  In fact, San Franciscans are fighting against something quite similar in our own backyard.

The proposed and hotly debated Sit/Lie law would make it illegal to sit or lie on the sidewalk and give police officers the authority and discretion to enforce the law as they see fit.  Sound familiar?

I live in the Haight and  I find it very unlikely that officers will cite the German tourists sitting and enjoying their Ben & Jerry’s, or the teenagers visiting from Walnut Creek who plop down to enjoy their slice of pizza or play with new skateboard parts.

So what is it then that is the deciding factor of whose posterior gets the privilege of sitting on San Francisco streets?

Whether it is by ethnic group, income class, housing status or other means, discrimination is something this country, and this city specifically have fought against for decades.  Perhaps we need to collectively turn our eyes back to our own glass house, and stand up with those who cannot sit down.