A Walk on the Wild Side (Liberty, Highland Park: housing, middle-class, investment)

[Drover]

Originally Posted by the206

No reason you shouldn't. Look, I'm am FAR from being PC, but saying that one is "thankful" to not have to deal with, as you put it, "human misery" every day, but would like to just get a peek at it is not equivalent to just stating one is glad to not have to live there. Let's imagine asking someone, "Hey, I'm glad I don't live in your neighborhood but could I maybe do a sleepover, because I'm just curious what it might be like?" Does that possibly sound like it may come off just a tad insensitive?

First of all, he didn't ask anyone to host him for a sleepover, so let's stop being ridiculous. Second, I see nothing insensitive about what he said. In fact I regard it as potentially more insensitive to say unflattering things about a place if you've never been there to see and verify for yourself. That's not to say that doing so is necessarily indicative of insensitivity, but it does force you to rely on second-hand knowledge. For example, as a city dweller, nothing irks me more than to hear people lob pot shots at my city -- the whole city -- from the cozy comfort of their suburban home some 50 miles away, without them ever coming to see what the city is actually like. Sometimes common perceptions about a place are wrong and it takes first-hand experience to find that out. (See: countless first-time visitors to Pittsburgh who are surprised at how nice it is.)

But even if the reality of a certain area fits the unflattering perception, its worthwhile to go see those places for yourself. High concentrations of poverty and crime is one of the most vexing social phenomena of our time and one of the most disruptive to our national social fabric. If you've never seen it up close or had personal contact with it, it's too easy to not take it seriously and to speak on the issue in a detached, abstract manner. I think people should see first-hand how "the other half" lives. It's an eye-opener, and it adds some much-needed context and perspective to one of the most important discussions of our time.

[PApisces]

Originally Posted by zip95

I can understand your anger. Its severity is at times "troubling", but nevertheless, I can understand where it comes from...It truly must be a burden to feel so helpless. I don't know your personal situation, but in generally, a person usually has to feel pretty powerless and stuck in order to blame naturaly disaster victims.

These are the times in your life where you have to dig deep, and I encourage you to do so. You have to stop blaming the Gov't and take control of your own poor situation. The Gov't is not going to send all the immigrants back to Mexico, nor will they send the natural disaster victims back to Orleans. Get a handle on your own life and your own affairs...get out there and be somebody...change your own circumstances!!!

PS

I forgive you for saying my wife and children would be better off if I got hit by a bus.

I haven't sought your forgiveness, nor do I want it. You have already insulted myself and the rest of the Gay community quite enough, thank you. Kind of sad for a person of color to feel the need to try and find someone they view as "less than" or "perverted" just to make themselves feel less discriminated against.

I stand by my former statements to you: You are a bigot and it's simply not possible for me to care less than I already do about what you have to say about anything.

PS: In case you were wondering: A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own.

[zip95]

Originally Posted by PApisces

I haven't sought your forgiveness, nor do I want it. You have already insulted myself and the rest of the Gay community quite enough, thank you. Kind of sad for a person of color to feel the need to try and find someone they view as "less than" or "perverted" just to make themselves feel less discriminated against.

I stand by my former statements to you: You are a bigot and it's simply not possible for me to care less than I already do about what you have to say about anything.

PS: In case you were wondering: A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own.

I'm sorry you feel that way...

[la_torquemada]

I have to say I find this thread pretty funny. I have lived here many years and maybe I'm just inured to "bad" neighborhoods, but I have rarely been anywhere in Pittsburgh, even at night, where I felt unsafe in my car. The only places that come to mind are Braddock and some back streets on the South Side slopes a few years back. While I am sure there are back streets and projects one probably ought to steer clear of at night, I would drive down any major road in the area without fear.

[kristynjosh]

Originally Posted by kiggis13

I've driven through other "shady" areas of Pittsburgh (East Lib., parts of the Hill, Garfield on Penn. Ave), but none of them made me feel as threatened the way I did in Homewood.

So East Liberty is a bad neighborhood to be in? I ask because it was suggested as one of the neighborhoods that my husband and I might think about opening a vegetarian restaurant/cafe in.

How "shady" is it?

[boardmanite]

I believe that East Liberty was once quite shady, but now there has been significant investment in the area and now it is seen as more of an "up-and-coming" area than a "shady" one. But I don't live in Pittsburgh, so you'll have to get the input of a local...

[Drover]

The southern portion of East Liberty has seen a lot of investment. That's where a veggie joint might do well, because your market would mostly be Shadyside and Friendship residents. The portion of East Liberty north of Penn Circle still had a ways to go last I laid eyes on it just over a year ago. Maybe things have changed since then, but I doubt it has changed significantly in that time.

[PApisces]

Originally Posted by kristynjosh

So East Liberty is a bad neighborhood to be in? I ask because it was suggested as one of the neighborhoods that my husband and I might think about opening a vegetarian restaurant/cafe in.

How "shady" is it?

I would not consider opening a restaurant there. Even if it were indeed safe, the majority of Pittsburghers are not likely to venture there to eat, especially at night.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by PApisces

I would not consider opening a restaurant there. Even if it were indeed safe, the majority of Pittsburghers are not likely to venture there to eat, especially at night.

You don't need a majority of them, just enough to do good business. And I wonder if you've been to East Liberty lately. There is a vibrant and growing nightlife in southern East Liberty. Sharp Edge has been there seemingly forever; Shadow Lounge (local indie/rap/soul/R&B/funk venue); Kelly's Lounge; Red Room Cafe; Royal Carribean restaurant, etc. And as the development goes forward, there are only going to be more such places.

[PApisces]

Originally Posted by Drover

You don't need a majority of them, just enough to do good business. And I wonder if you've been to East Liberty lately. There is a vibrant and growing nightlife in southern East Liberty. Sharp Edge has been there seemingly forever; Shadow Lounge (local indie/rap/soul/R&B/funk venue); Kelly's Lounge; Red Room Cafe; Royal Carribean restaurant, etc. And as the development goes forward, there are only going to be more such places.

I have not. That is wonderful news to hear, however. Even the "bad" parts had some very architecturally beautiful buildings. I imagine that there are whole new areas to explore when I get home!