In Open Letter, City Planning Agencies Acknowledge Their Racist History and Pledge to Do Better

Eleanor Sharpe recently started using a metaphor when talking about racial justice with her students at Temple University, where she is an adjunct professor for planning and community development. It’s not a metaphor she came up with herself, but it resonated with her.

“I told my students it’s like somebody built a house and did not follow any of the [Americans with Disabilities Act] requirements, so people with disabilities don’t feel welcome,” Sharpe says. “We’ve inherited the house, and now we’re here, so how do we fix it to ensure that all are welcome?”