Duquesne, PA - out of business? (Pittsburgh, McKeesport: house, neighborhood, place to live)

[Seeker654321]

Originally Posted by Ken E. Wood

Seeker, Thank you for your reply, but I'm unclear about your intended message. That is, why was your boyfriend laughing - I missed the point there. Also, why would I want to rent a car that was less equipped than my own, or rent any other car, for that matter, just to visit the area? His suggestion that I do so may have inadvertently contradicted what he intended when he said the neighborhoods were "so-called dangerous," and possessed of "no problems." He may have actually supported the points made by WoodTurnerMike.

Also, if you're interested in architecture, may I suggest you treat yourself to Shadyside and Oakland?

You, of course, may do as you wish, but I wouldn't let perceptions of terrible crime keep me from where I want to go.

I was in Johannesburg, South Africa last year -- a crime mecca if there ever was one -- and had no problem. When I travel in impoverished areas, be it Duquesne, Pa., or Johannesburg, South Africa, I dress exceptionally casually and I don't drive an expensive car.

Just last evening, my boyfriend and I went to dinner at a restaurant in Homewood, a majority black community. We were the only white diners in the entire restaurant, and we had NO problem.

And last week, I had pizza at Salvatore's in Wilkinsburg, where the seafood pizza is outstanding. Again, I was the only white person in the restaurant, and as is always the case, I had no problem.

Interestingly, I went to high school in the Shadyside/East Liberty area. I caught the bus in East Liberty. And I NEVER, in all four years, had a problem.

In conclusion...you're a big boy...you can decide for yourself what you want to do. Duquesne isn't Baltimore -- I wouldn't let stories of rampant crime in Duquesne keep me from somewhere I want to go.

[Ken E. Wood]

Seeker654321, I found your latest response to my inquiry to be even more intriguing than your first. You injected race into the conversation. I had not. Having not been back to Duquesne for decades, I had no idea of any demographic shift in the racial makeup of Duquesne. I am not aware of any particular race being especially involved with crime there. Apparently, you are aware, from what you have stated.

I, on the other hand, do not equate or associate any particular race or ethnicity with poverty or crime. In fact, it may interest you to know, that I have taught high school in a hard-core, inner-city neighborhood for 35 yrs. and found poverty and crime to be nondiscriminating - equally victimizing. Also, I always drove what you have referred to as "expensvie" cars and never had them damaged, car-jacked, or abused. I guess we've had diffferent experiences. At any rate,you have given me more to think about, indeed.

[Bazzwell]

Originally Posted by Ken E. Wood

....That crime is so bad and continual in Duquesne, via a particular race.....

from the post above....."You injected race into the conversation. I had not"

? I'm confused.

[Ken E. Wood]

Bazzwell, I stand corrected. What I wanted to know in my original inquiry was if what I had heard, concerning all aspects of any "changed" Duq. were true, whether it related to race or not. I found Seeker654321's response to make a strong connection between crime and race .

[jim man]

Originally Posted by Ken E. Wood

Having grown up in the greater Pittsburgh area (Duquesne & McKeesport) I have an ingrained affection for my hometown. However, as I plan for a nostalgic trip home (from NYC/NJ) , I have heard from several Duq. H.S. alumni that Duquesne has become a festering crime hell-hole,even dangerous in the daytime!. That is, I have been told the following: (1.) Don't drive my Beemer home as I may get car-jacked at a traffic light and find myself on the street. (2.) That crime is so bad and continual in Duquesne, via a particular race, that even the high school "went out of business." (3.) That simply visiting the graves of my famly in St. Joseph's Cemetary (across the border, in West Mifflin) would find me a victim of crime, being robbed as I mourned or attended to the upkeep of graves! (4.) Even Duq. City Hall is out of business, unable to deal with the huge crime running rampant.

My question, to all of you who can appreciate my candor, and who can afford themselves the right to be honest, do I dare make the trip home to visit my roots? (I grew up there in the 40's - 60's)

It's true, crime, crime and more crime. After the mills shut the doors it stared. Oh well, just keep the good memories in you heart and tell the kids of how it use to be.

[WoodturnerMike]

I found Seeker654321's response to make a strong connection between crime and race .

Ken,
I agree.
Mike

[Ken E. Wood]

Hi Jim Man, Thank you for your reply, and thanks again to all the other voices who added their perspectives to my original inquiry.

Not being able to "go home again" is a sentiment that originated, I believe, in Thomas Wolf's novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Not being able to return home, again, for many reasons, has certainly occured to more hearts than just mine.

As Bazzwell advised, I have visited my photographs, and even my h.s. yearbook, seeking a place of the heart that is, apparently, long gone. Now that I think of it, my concern wasn't so much about any possible crime presence, or even driving around Duquesne in the "right vehicle," as much as it was trying to find what might not have been lost due to time.

What am I searching for - the land of my parents and my youth - has apparently vanished. Yet, I'd like to know that some of the heart of all those wonderful, hard-working people is still there, somewhere. I suppose I am looking for what cannot be found ever again.

Through you, I sought an assurance, in your words here, that a place worth visiting - made nearly sacramental by the blood, work, and joy invested in it by those whom I knew in a Duquesne (and McKeesport) - once proud and standing tall, was still present and discernable.

You see, I had great fun growing up there, being a newspaper boy, a Kennywood Cafeteria boy, a common laborer in National Tube, and a Respiratory Therapist in Mckeesport Hospital. I have always felt the whole experience imbued me with the best morals and ethics, and a sense of courtesy and manners, which to me are esssential to living a productive, considerate life.

I will soon return, however, for an actual visit, and yes, I will do so in the Beemer, and I will hope for glimpses of that past, though I can understand that the heart of it all is gone. I have learned from your collective wisdom and perspectives that my hometown is gone. Yet, I will search.

Thank you all for your kind and gracious time in replying to me. You have taught me a great deal. Indeed, I cannot go home again, but I will try.

[ondreyb]

The city has gone down hill, but still brings back some qood memories. I still have family in the area so sometimes when I visit them I do take a drive through Duquesne. There is a book on Duquesne and some old post cards of the downtown area that often pops up on ebay when I search on Duquesne. Anyway thanks for the memories.

[mattjd]

All the river towns are dead....duquesne, mckeesport, elizabeth, glassport, clairton, etc. I certainly wouldn't be afraid to drive into these areas, although they can be very scary. I mean, driving through duquesne all you see is run-down bar after run-down bar. McKeesport is the same, but also with boarded up businesses, empty lots with weeds growing, tons of poor people on welfare with too much time on their hands. Alcoholism, drug use, and prostitution is a big problem in many of these river towns. However, I've never, ever had a problem driving my Denali through any of these places, and I think the stories of carjacking during the day are greatly exaggerated. Everytime I drive through these towns during the day it seems as through they are deserted.

[dugdogmaster]

Go. Visit.