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Title: NAACP has a hissy over Microsoft's "Avoid the Ghetto" app
Source:
CBS Dallas
URL Source: http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2012/01/17/ ... me-areas-proves-controversial/
Published: Jan 19, 2012
Author: Sharrie Williams
Post Date: 2012-01-19 08:41:02 by Happy Quanzaa
Keywords: NAACP, avoid ghetto, Microsoft
Views: 1452
Comments: 3
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – An in-development Microsoft smart phone app designed to help drivers and pedestrians avoid unsafe neighborhoods is proving controversial among some minority rights groups that find the software potentially discriminatory. The as-of-yet unnamed product is being referred to as the “Avoid The Ghetto” app by those who are concerned with where it will guide users. “I’m going to be up in arms about it if it happens,” said Dallas NAACP President Juanita Wallace. Wallace spent her afternoon at a rally on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and said she felt safe there, but fears the app may project otherwise. “Can you imagine me not being able to go to MLK Blvd. because my GPS says that’s a dangerous crime area? I can’t even imagine that,” she said. Microsoft says the app will use crime statistics to determine what parts of town are to be avoided. But it’s unclear where the data will come from and how it will be interpreted. Microsoft has filed a patent for the app, but the actual product is unnamed and not available yet. Opponents like Wallace fear it could hurt minority communities. “It’s almost like gerrymandering,” she said. “It’s stereotyping for sure and without a doubt; I can’t emphasize enough, it’s discriminatory.” Michael McNally, who was visiting Dallas Tuesday, said an app shouldn’t have enough power to label a community. “It may have a high crime problem but have some great cultural, social things you can do there,” McNally said. Dallas resident Chris Hurst said it sounds like a good safety tool. “I’d be all for it because you can never be too safe,” he said. Tommy Jones, who works downtown, said an app like Microsoft’s could hurt a city’s economy. “From a business standpoint, it could be devastating,” he said. “Especially in the area of tourism.” Economic development is a major initiative that Mayor Mike Rawlings is pushing in parts of the city that the app may suggest against visiting. Wallace is concerned this type of technology would continue to perpetuate stereotypes in Dallas and beyond. “What happens in North Dallas certainly ought to be no different than what happens in South Dallas, so we can’t keep on doing this,” she said. “This type of technology is certainly going to pronounce and heighten it to some degree.” Microsoft declined to comment, issuing a statement that said the company “does not comment on filed or awarded patents.”
App That Would Guide Users Away From
High-Crime Areas Proves Controversial
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#1. To: Happy Quanzaa (#0)
The law of the jungle !
If you ... don't use exclamation points --- you should't be typeing ! Commas - semicolons - question marks are for girlie boys !
Will there be an Avoid the Barrio plug-in for Lost Angeles?
Obama's watch stopped on 24 May 2008, but he's been too busy smoking crack to notice.
And who can blame the ghetto rats for being upset over this. After all,they may have to drive to their jobs of mugging and robbing tourists if this ad on becomes popular. What's a thug brutha to do if he doesn't have a car? What kind of self-respecting pimp is gonna ride a bus to "work"? Wallace spent her afternoon at a rally on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and said she felt safe there, She is also black,was there during daylight hours,and was surrounded by dozens of men AND the police department. Somebody needs to ask her if she would walk through there alone after dark. Opponents like Wallace fear it could hurt minority communities. That's true. Robbing white people passing through is a big part of the local economy. She's just looking out for her peeps. Michael McNally, who was visiting Dallas Tuesday, said an app shouldn’t have enough power to label a community. “It may have a high crime problem but have some great cultural, social things you can do there,” McNally said. That's true. Thinks like Kwansa,selling weed,pimping,robbery,beatin the ho because she won't beat hersef,drive by shootings,etc,etc,etc. Tommy Jones, who works downtown, said an app like Microsoft’s could hurt a city’s economy. “From a business standpoint, it could be devastating,” he said. “Especially in the area of tourism.” See? "The community" NEEDS tourists to rob because local whites know better than to drive through there. How can the bruthas afford to buy the simple neccessities of life like chrome teef,25 inch spinner rims,and 40 ouncers when the baby mamma welfare money just won't cover them?
"It is impossible to talk reason with those who can only parrot Party Slogans." sneakypete Sept 2011 Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs Steve Jobs,life-long Dim,and major Barry Soetoro supporter.
“It’s almost like gerrymandering,” she said. “It’s stereotyping for sure and without a doubt; I can’t emphasize enough, it’s discriminatory.”
#2. To: Happy Quanzaa, *Border Invasion* (#0)
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
#3. To: Happy Quanzaa (#0)
(Edited)
“I’m going to be up in arms about it if it happens,” said Dallas NAACP President Juanita Wallace.
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