Shootings (Washington: malls, safest, budget)

[MissShona]

Originally Posted by Pitts10yrs

Legalizing drugs is not the answer....but I do believe their are too many bars in black communities. Many are the bars are just places to go to get drugs. Addictions are way too high in the black community, which quickly destroy families.

Funny...all the current drug addicts and most of the ex-drug addicts I know are White...

I'm Black, and only one person in my sizable family (like 75+) has ever had a drug or drinking problem; and she's been clean for 15 years...

All the bars around here (Clairton) except for one...which is not open all the time even...White people outnumber Black people 2 to 1. And this is considered a "Black" community.

[creepsinc]

And most drug users aren't addicts, just like most people who drink alcohol aren't alcoholics. People confuse the words "use" and "abuse".

[By~Tor]

Originally Posted by Pitts10yrs

Murder and shootings (what this thread is about) should not be taken so lightly. But, yet that is the attitude of many of this threads contributors. And to further that, that is the attitude of much of the african-american community, as another murder makes the news this morning in Sheraden. When a pattern that is present is so obvious and then there is so much apathy (oh, another fluke) what else is there to do but just go somewhere else? I'm I really suppose to take this so lightly, such as all you do, just shrug off all the gun-play, and many smaller crimes that come with it as just "life in the city". The city affords many pleasures, but do I always have to weigh that against crime & violence, worry about my family & children when they go outside?

I would offer that, unless and until leaders INSIDE the black and other poorer communities take REAL "leadership" roles and "thug life" stops being "cool" to these kids, then yes, you will always have to worry about crimes against innocents.

I've long held that, regardless of past history, any answer to community issues has to come from within the community, itself... anything else that we as outsiders do is nothing more than a band-aid over a huge, gaping wound... throwing money at it won't make it go away... providing manufacturing jobs will only decrease it by a small percentage... the real driving force HAS to be an overall perception by the young, that this kind of lifestyle is neither cool nor profitable, in the long run. Once they internalize that there is nothing to gain from criminal behaviour, then MAYBE---MAYBE there's a chance for the problem to simply go away, and then we can focus on the other things that should be done to bring races, and cities as a whole, closer together in common interests.

[By~Tor]

...and so. . . . with no replies further. . . . .I'd say I've solved the problem; thread done, eh???

LOL!!!.....

[aveojohn]

Originally Posted by creepsinc

And most drug users aren't addicts, just like most people who drink alcohol aren't alcoholics. People confuse the words "use" and "abuse".

Today there called, recreational drug users.I don't know why but this term makes me laugh.

[aveojohn]

Originally Posted by By~Tor

I would offer that, unless and until leaders INSIDE the black and other poorer communities take REAL "leadership" roles and "thug life" stops being "cool" to these kids, then yes, you will always have to worry about crimes against innocents.

I've long held that, regardless of past history, any answer to community issues has to come from within the community, itself... anything else that we as outsiders do is nothing more than a band-aid over a huge, gaping wound... throwing money at it won't make it go away... providing manufacturing jobs will only decrease it by a small percentage... the real driving force HAS to be an overall perception by the young, that this kind of lifestyle is neither cool nor profitable, in the long run. Once they internalize that there is nothing to gain from criminal behaviour, then MAYBE---MAYBE there's a chance for the problem to simply go away, and then we can focus on the other things that should be done to bring races, and cities as a whole, closer together in common interests.

I couldn't have said it better,but try to convey this to the black community and they will cry "RACISM".This is why a lot of white folks have given up trying to help.

[Pitts10yrs]

Of course Whites outnumber Blacks in the bars, because simply there are more Whites in Pittsburgh than Blacks. Also, more Whites go out to bars, and you dont have to go to a bar to drink. Try spending some time at an addiction clinic, or inpatient unit. Blacks far out number whites, and yet they are a small minority.

Again, this is a problem, you can deny its existence but again its like denying the nose on your face. I am in no position or have the clout to address this with the Black community, mainly because I am White, but to say its not a problem is just crazy.

And Yes, its also a problem in the White community, but there is greater access, support, and compliance there.

[Safeblueprints]

I've been to PGH and lots of other places. Met lots of different people, been involved and lived in different cultures than my own and enjoyed all of it because I know that I can learn something from everyone. There seems to be just a few problems out there.

Let me tell you something - when your life depends on the person next to you being Asian, Black, or White - IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER, now does it? It's about being human and caring about other humans. (I personally don't really care much for cats)

Think about it.

[Safeblueprints]

Originally Posted by desibhar

Although black communities have a lot of issues, there are a whole lot of welfare queens who are white trash, and can't speak proper english. This is not a problem that is due to one race, it is the lack of guidance from the home and marginalization of education mixed with people idolizing sports and hollywood figures.

All the people who have made it are deemed sellouts from the poor among both black and white races. Other communities (for example, asians) don't ridicule people who have made it, and try to bring them down.

You hit that right on target. People (ALL PEOPLE) need to pull their head out of their *** and start THINKING TOGETHER.

Signed - just a no class, middle aged white guy trying to get along like everyone else.

[mr.davon24]

man I agree I just lost a old time friend yesterday. This **** is getting worse. These guys out here are complete morons how are trying to make a name for themselves. I am just wondering what goes through these tough guys heads when they take another mans life. I won't go out there and say that the two people killed last night where saints but, to take another man's life is heartless.