Would you live in Compton, Watts, or North Long Beach? (Orange: fit in, home)
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... I feel like I am starting to get a bit defensive about this. There are so many good & wonderful people who live in these areas & call it "home". We don't have to be harsh or crude in our desire to live elsewhere - just seems so very unkind & disrespectful to those who are making these areas their homes & raising their families there. Plenty of good folks working through the challenges these areas face.
I don't think anyone will deny there's plenty of good people the the ghetto. Its all the shady ones you gotta watch out for and the ghetto's got a higher percentage than some place like Palos Verdes.
I've paid my dues in areas that are developing & challenged. I don't want to do it again.
But you didn't pay your dues HERE!! You come here, you get to do it all again!!
There is no rule that says you get to pay your dues in Omaha Nebraska then move to the finer parts of California, are there? If there were, everybody would be wanting to pay their dues in Omaha or Kansas City or Miami or somewhere better than Compton or Watts....
I'd like to say that I paid my dues in Burbank and now I deserve to move to Beverly Hills -- but life just doesn't work that way!!
Location: East Coast Personality. West Coast Flaire. Planted in Minneapolis / “MN Niceland"
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UB50
But you didn't pay your dues HERE!! You come here, you get to do it all again!!
There is no rule that says you get to pay your dues in Omaha Nebraska then move to the finer parts of California, are there? If there were, everybody would be wanting to pay their dues in Omaha or Kansas City or Miami or somewhere better than Compton or Watts....
I'd like to say that I paid my dues in Burbank and now I deserve to move to Beverly Hills -- but life just doesn't work that way!!
Well, I've paid my dues in areas where a man was shot dead in my back yard & my son (3rd grade at the time) was offered a crackpipe by a group of other kids because "everyone is doing it". In the areas as tough as the twin cities can get - I've lived there. I experienced the bad with the good.
I'm not certain what you point was exactly - as I point out my own double standard - believing that good solid citizens have to be willing to live in more challenged areas to help provide balance & stability for those trying to pull themselves up. I'm not proud of my contradictory feelings - but, I have been there. I have lived in the midst of the never ending stress & blight of poverty & hopelessness coming from every direction. That isn't to say there wasn't wonderful times there.
I was poor myself back then - but, when I no longer was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel & feared my son would grow to believe "this was as good as is gets" - that human beings being slaughtered in the backyard, every time a car backfires or any sound similar we fell to the ground, that drug lingo, dilapidated homes, momma's spending all the money to feed their drug habits, extension cords running secretly from one home to another cause folks can't pay their own electric bills - I could go on - I never dreamed of that for myself nor for my son.
I was a fortunate one - I had the wherewithal to get the hell out - by any means necessary! (I don't mean something illegal or immoral - just that I had the internal fortitude & resourcefulness to make a way) I got the HECK out. I'm a community activist sort - I worked for the neighborhood association when I lived in those two neighborhoods. I was in it to make an impact. I did all I knew how to do at the time.
Now, I have serious health issues & I have come a very long way since then. I'm a dreamer & an idealist in many ways. I HAVE PAID MY DUES in more ways than I can count or care to recount. I cannot think of a situation or circumstance, at this point in my life, that would bring me to live in an area facing such great challenges. Emotionally, spiritually, & physically (healthwise) - I just can't - won't - do it at this point.
This "paying of dues" is about life. I was poor in Minnesota many years ago - does that mean I have to move to LA & become that poor again to understand what poor is? Of course not. I have the perspective, insight, intelligence to know that "poverty" Minnesota style is far different than "poverty" in Watts, the projects of Chicago, or NYC. I also know that the "poverty" of all those areas combined does not begin to touch the level of "poverty" in many areas worldwide.
As a disabled adult who was once a thriving professional working my way through / towards all my careers goals & aspirations - I now face a whole new area of "struggle" that I never imagined before. Paying my dues, for me, is about living a life of full-spectrum reality. In my heart & mind - I'm done with that aspect of the spectrum & I won't apologize for it - I'm just not "the one". Not any more.
According to the last "crime survey," there are only three cities worse than Compton in the whole USA.
I really believe someone from Compton should be allowed to "move up" before they start allowing someone from out of state to move to better section 8 housing, don't you? I mean, if you lived for years in the 4th worst town in the USA, don't you think you would deserve to move up?
Just like a lot of other poor areas, there are a lot of good people living in Compton. I believe we should do for those who are already in the state before we try to accommodate those from outside the state. I think any state would say that.
On the LA Times homocide blog last month, there was a 17-year old kid killed on the streets of Watts. He was a cute kid. He wanted to be a veterinarian and was going to graduate from high school this year. No gang connection. It really bugged me when I read his story because it appears his only crime was that he was poor.
He really paid his dues on those streets. He DIED on those streets.
Why should everyone bend over for someone coming from out of state when we have our own needy who already live here? This is the question I'm asking. So far you tell me you paid your dues, etc. etc. etc. And I say "So what?" Why does that make you more deserving than someone who is already living in the bad parts of LA? A lot of them having compelling stories too. A lot of them have kids that have been MURDERED on the streets, not merely offered drugs. They had people killed in their backyards, frontyards, sidewalks, and everything else. Some of those people have been their parents, kids and spouses.
Why is your story so special? I think a lot of people have been honest with you in saying that you need to think twice before thinking that you are going to move out here. No one is going to offer you a rose-covered cottage in any of the best parts of town. You seem like a very nice person, but you are an activist in a place far away from here. There are very nice activist women in this town now who are still living in the worst parts of town.
Anyway, as much as it hurts to say it, I think you would be much better off staying where you are and possibly trying to establish some relationships with people in California before you even attempt to try and find section 8 housing in the better parts of town. Probably 95% of the people living in LA would like to live in Culver City or Santa Monica or anywhere west of the 405 freeway. What you are asking for is kind of like asking for someone to let you win the lottery.
Location: East Coast Personality. West Coast Flaire. Planted in Minneapolis / “MN Niceland"
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UB50
According to the last "crime survey," there are only three cities worse than Compton in the whole USA.
I really believe someone from Compton should be allowed to "move up" before they start allowing someone from out of state to move to better section 8 housing, don't you? I mean, if you lived for years in the 4th worst town in the USA, don't you think you would deserve to move up?
Just like a lot of other poor areas, there are a lot of good people living in Compton. I believe we should do for those who are already in the state before we try to accommodate those from outside the state. I think any state would say that.
I see now. This is personal. Last I checked - California & Minnesota were still a part of the same country - The UNITED States of America. No, I don't agree with you. At all. Why would you think I would?
I believe ALL people have the right to try to better their station in life. I fully support anyone in Watts, Compton, or anywhere else to do whatever possible to make their lives more fruitful. Perhaps that would be to move out of those areas or perhaps it would be simply to do what it took to help better the area they are already in. Whatever, I think it is wonderful.
My desire to live in California takes nothing away from someone already there attempting to live their highest aspirations. I have health issues that will make California better for me. I have dreams & aspirations to one day be in a better place AGAIN than I am right now - California is part of that.
Someone in one of the aforementioned neighborhoods may want to move to Uptown Minneapolis as part of their vision for their lives - they may even have Section 8 housing - I would not only support their goals - but likely have several great suggestions for them.
Trust me on this - whatever Section 8 housing I find in California is NOT going to be better than what I can find here. As for those folks in those areas deserving to move up & wanting to move up - GREAT - again, I am all for it. When living in some of my previous mentioned places here in the Twin Cities - I lived amongst many many people who wanted better but often were not willing to DO better for themselves - simply because of the "place" they were in, within their own lives at the time. Those who wanted better/different & were capable or willing to put the work in to make it happen - they did so for themselves.
As for "doing for those within the state before doing for those from other states" - hogwash. If you don't like the laws / regulations as they are - then get to work to try & change them. In the meantime, I have every right to pursue my greater good wherever it leads - in this case - California. The Federal Government does not agree - or it's policies would not allow for the transfer of Section 8 from one state to another.
Like it or not - HERE I COME!!! (I'll assume that will be with no help or constructive advice from you on the matter!)
Location: East Coast Personality. West Coast Flaire. Planted in Minneapolis / “MN Niceland"
1,164 posts, read 1,320,671 times
Reputation: 1711
Quote:
Originally Posted by UB50
On the LA Times homocide blog last month, there was a 17-year old kid killed on the streets of Watts. He was a cute kid. He wanted to be a veterinarian and was going to graduate from high school this year. No gang connection. It really bugged me when I read his story because it appears his only crime was that he was poor.
He really paid his dues on those streets. He DIED on those streets.
Why should everyone bend over for someone coming from out of state when we have our own needy who already live here? This is the question I'm asking. So far you tell me you paid your dues, etc. etc. etc. And I say "So what?" Why does that make you more deserving than someone who is already living in the bad parts of LA? A lot of them having compelling stories too. A lot of them have kids that have been MURDERED on the streets, not merely offered drugs. They had people killed in their backyards, frontyards, sidewalks, and everything else. Some of those people have been their parents, kids and spouses.
Why is your story so special? I think a lot of people have been honest with you in saying that you need to think twice before thinking that you are going to move out here. No one is going to offer you a rose-covered cottage in any of the best parts of town. You seem like a very nice person, but you are an activist in a place far away from here. There are very nice activist women in this town now who are still living in the worst parts of town.
Anyway, as much as it hurts to say it, I think you would be much better off staying where you are and possibly trying to establish some relationships with people in California before you even attempt to try and find section 8 housing in the better parts of town. Probably 95% of the people living in LA would like to live in Culver City or Santa Monica or anywhere west of the 405 freeway. What you are asking for is kind of like asking for someone to let you win the lottery.
Number One: You are WAY off topic & this will be my last response to you in this regard on this thread - if you want to DM me or create your own thread complaining to me. FINE
You are being blinded by your own prejudices within your heart, mind, spirit on this matter - clearly - because you have transfered "stuff' from other threads & carried it over in a negative manner to this one - having NOTHING to do with what you are saying. PERIOD
You don't like what I want to do with my life? FINE, move along then. I am not asking for your approval - in fact, disapproval duly noted. Enough already. It's as if you enjoy kicking someone while she is down. I heard your "advice".
I am not asking ANYONE to bend over backwards for me - that's within your own imagination. Life is tough for many of us in many ways. That's life. We could likely combined entire cities worth of hard knocks & compare them to "third world" areas & not even scratch the surface of their pain or struggle - why is ours worse or more important than theirs? IT ISN'T!
I have consistently been a person on these boards who is respectful & who has never claimed to have the greatest sorrows, pains, ills, struggles - WHATEVER of anyone. My story is my own & it is just as valid & real as that of the kid who was tragically killed due to no fault of his own. His pain & that of his family is no greater or less important or real than that I have suffered. Nor have I ever, in any way, shape, form or fashion - claimed it to be.
I remember years ago having people constantly tell me I needed to be realistic about getting out of that area or getting off of government assistance & being able to fully support myself & my son - I heard what they had to say - but I followed my own internal drive & determination. I MADE IT! I built a beautiful life for myself & my son - I defied all the odds. I built an incredible career for myself - again, despite the odds & the nay sayers.
I hear those of you who wish to discourage me - whether it's for my "own good" or for whatever reason. I hear you. But, my life is my own & I will, in the end, do as I SEE FIT.
Asking for input & advice does not give you or anyone the right to barrage me with criticism or ridicule. In fact, shame on you for being so harsh & mean-spirited. You surely could have sent a DM & left it at that. But, instead, you attempt, continually, to publically demean & humiliate me.
Leave me alone. You're comments to me are not helpful or welcomed. It's one thing to offer advice - but then you do not have the right to keep beating a person with it.
I am putting this out here in this thread because this is where you put it - any further comments you have for me should be kept on topic of the thread specifically & I would appreciate your not commenting on any threads any longer, where I ask for input or advice about my move to LA - as they would be redundant & wholly unhelpful at this point.
UB50 and think.reciprocity, if you two wish to continue this conversation, please do so in DM (direct message).
Back on topic, I wouldn't live in any of those places if someone paid me to. I respect that there are people who live in each of those cities who are trying to get out, or improve their circumstances by fixing the inner city problems, etc. However, that won't be me. I live in a so-so building in a good area, which is far better than living in a good building in a bad area (if there is such a thing; it sounds like an oxymoron!).
Location: East Coast Personality. West Coast Flaire. Planted in Minneapolis / “MN Niceland"
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SandyCo
UB50 and think.reciprocity, if you two wish to continue this conversation, please do so in DM (direct message).
Back on topic, I wouldn't live in any of those places if someone paid me to. I respect that there are people who live in each of those cities who are trying to get out, or improve their circumstances by fixing the inner city problems, etc. However, that won't be me. I live in a so-so building in a good area, which is far better than living in a good building in a bad area (if there is such a thing; it sounds like an oxymoron!).
Thanx SandyCo...
I agree with your sentiment, I'll take the tiniest apt in an area with far less challenges rather than to have to step out my door into complete chaos every day of my life. Years ago, as I was still struggling to establish myself, I was young & naive & dreamy - I moved into a VERY challenged neighborhood wanting to do good - but also because the duplex was FABULOUS - Absolutely FABULOUS (actually, to date, one of the nicest places I have lived in).
BUT, what I had to go through to get into the high security system of my own unit was a nightmare! It was tough tough living - and then, I had all the world before me - my health included. Now, I can't have all those extra stressors on a daily basis.
So, I'll be looking for the most modest of modest place - elsewhere in the Los Angeles area.
Think, whatcha doing here? Get outta here and come back to CD city where everyone loves ya!!!
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