After reading Mary Schmich’s article on the Harris Family, I had so many opinions and feelings that I had to step back from the story to sort them all out. I appreciate the frustration that this family must feel, and I also understand the perspective the author was trying to get across. However, I generally disagree with the fundamentals of the argument. I believe this story is extremely one-sided (which is the typical basis for op-ed pieces) but it is made to read like a feature story. While reading, you only get a sense of perspective from the elderly couple, who own the home, yet by reading between the lines you start to get a more focused view of why this misfortune has come upon them, or at least I feel I did. I feel as though Schmich is only perpetuating the atrocity of racism to give the story more clout.
Racism is a very real problem in today’s society and it is more commonly occurring than ever should ever be allowed. This particular case, however, I feel is not an example of racism but an example whether individual rights are more important than the collective rights of the people. By adding the ethnical breakdown of the neighborhood into the story, the writer is trying to plant the seed of racism when in all actuality; this family had seemingly little regard for their own neighbors. Regardless of how many good, law abiding people reside in that home; it only takes one rotten apple to spoil the bunch. The Harris family may have had only the best intentions by trying to keep their family together but unfortunately it led to this disaster. By allowing their son, who has a history of felonies and his associates come and go as they please, they have opened themselves up to the negative affiliations that come along with that. Also, the writer attempted to downplay the fact that the raid revealed that a crime was being committed by the dog being malnourished and neglected, this is a fact I do not think can be ignored. Police raids must be very traumatizing for the victims of consequence, but the number of officers was definitely a necessary precaution. The police were only trying to protect themselves when they conducted this raid. Although there were no violent crimes being openly committed, the police had no way of knowing. When all they have are reports of drug use, gang affiliation, and cruelty to animals; it is their responsibility to protect themselves and the surrounding community.
It is extremely disheartening that this family feels as though they are being forced out of their home and the fact that their own neighbors cannot address any problems with them personally. The society we live in today is so impersonal, that the slow, southern mindset the Harris’ are accustomed to is only a distant memory. That, in my opinion, is the real tragedy of this story; neighbors aren’t very neighborly anymore. The Harris’ have worked their whole life and now they have nowhere to go because they can no longer afford to keep up with the lifestyle of the community. This is absolutely a sad story and has many messages attached to its telling, however, I do not think that race should be considered a factor in this story. This is simply a family who are victims of their own choices. This story shows me a perfect example of the idea that every right has an equally important responsibility and this can be associated with being a homeowner, a parent, a citizen and even a pet owner. It is also very clear that the very culture of this community has changed around them and because they sit on the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum than their neighbors, it is much more difficult for this family to continue to keep up with the Jones’, if you will.
This article was written very well and I think that the author definitely made her opinion very clear, yet it may be difficult for some to realize that is in fact only an opinion piece with one perspective and point of view being promoted. The misfortune that has fallen on this family is extremely regrettable but I do believe that justice has been served in order to do what is best for the community rather than cater to an individual family who has had trouble keeping the sanctions of the neighborhood in mind.
