Wildings in Pittsburgh: New Trend or Isolated Incident? (Philadelphia, Darby: condo, house)

[youngabe]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

Indeed. I wonder how Target is feeling after having their brand new store vandalized for no reason at all.

I'm sure Target has stores in much worse parts of the country than East Liberty.

It will be interesting to see how things progress in East Liberty. This kind of absolute non-sense is disgusting. I think punishments should be MUCH stricter, which would enforce a belief of, "Hey, I better not do this again..." but I digress. I was very impressed at the overall development around the new Target, but let's hope this kind of low-life trash doesn't ruin it for everyone.

[gg]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

I don't see any indicator that this riot was "racially motivated" in and of itself. However, there have been several mob mentality incidents around the country that have.

We all have to be prepared for possible trends. I don't think there is a trend around here in Pittsburgh, but all it takes is a couple of situations like that for one to start. I hope we are prepared. I think we will be if not already. A situation at a church gathering is one heck of a surprise attack though. I don't think anyone would have thought that would happen, but now people may be more prepared.

[SteelCityRising]

For the record, h_curtis, I do NOT think you're a "racist". I just don't personally agree that if blacks wanted to target whites they'd do so by targeting businesses that their fellow blacks also frequently patronize. Perhaps I could have phrased things a bit better, so I do apologize for the confusion. As I said in the Target thread the majority of the employees there seem to be black. Why jeopardize the livelihoods of their fellow counterparts who are trying to be responsible and support themselves and/or their families if they want to make a statement that would empower their race?

I have met quite a few blacks in my lifetime who blame their race for why they couldn't advance anywhere in life professionally, and I feel as if that's just a convenient "cop-out" for people who are lazy and don't really care about applying themselves. I'm now working two jobs, and I had ZERO difficulty in landing either position. I highly doubt I would have it any harder if I was black. If anything I feel like I'm having a difficult time getting back into my field because of Affirmative Action, as every employer wants me to answer questions regarding my race, ethnicity, etc.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

It would be a tiny percentage. Don't let the hype fool you. MOST churches do amazing things for many people. Look at what East Liberty Presbyterian Church does feeding so many for example. Don't let the few bad churches make you think all are bad. It is the opposite.

^ This. My colleagues and I are actually volunteering in late-September to help feed and socialize with some of those whom the East End Cooperative Ministry (via support from the East Liberty Presbyterian Church) welcomes. I'm looking forward to it. We regularly donate some of our inventory to the food pantry there.

[irishvan]

"A group of juveniles ran into Target and, according to an employee, they caused a mess in the toy aisle"

This sounds terrifying. I do think at an any type of gathering with that many people invovled there should be some kind of security required. Gathering a group of three thousand people of any color in any area could cause some sort of "mob mentality."

[raubre]

Originally Posted by fancyfeast

"A group of juveniles ran into Target and, according to an employee, they caused a mess in the toy aisle"

This sounds terrifying.

I know if I were a Barbie Doll or a teddy bear I would be scared sheetless.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

It would be a tiny percentage. Don't let the hype fool you. MOST churches do amazing things for many people. Look at what East Liberty Presbyterian Church does feeding so many for example. Don't let the few bad churches make you think all are bad. It is the opposite.

Good point--I agree.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by raubre

I know if I were a Barbie Doll or a teddy bear I would be scared sheetless.

LOL. So... does anyone know if the Target building got damaged or if they just made a mess in the toy aisle?

[gg]

Originally Posted by fancyfeast

"A group of juveniles ran into Target and, according to an employee, they caused a mess in the toy aisle"

This sounds terrifying. I do think at an any type of gathering with that many people invovled there should be some kind of security required. Gathering a group of three thousand people of any color in any area could cause some sort of "mob mentality."

I can't say I have heard of a church group of any size causing such a mess and terrifying people. Sure maybe they were just throwing stuff all over the place, but you never know how much things can escalate. That is the fear part. How crazed will they become? Start shooting? Stabbing people? Who knows, and I am glad I didn't have to live through it. I am sure it was not very fun.

[wpipkins]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Well if you are correct in your generalized assumption that black youths in Pittsburgh are rioting because they're mad at whites for being more successful than they are then God help this entire nation. Most blacks (not all) limit THEMSELVES professionally because they'd rather just sit and stew about how unfair life is instead of working to make a positive difference. I always relate the tale of an African-American former colleague of mine who grew up struggling in the slums of Newark, NJ only to fight her way through college (while raising a child on her own), landing a Federal position, and who is now pursuing both her Master's Degree and CPA. If SHE could elevate herself out of the 'hood by working hard instead of just being mad and "blaming whitey", as you implied, then why can't others?

My parents were dirt poor when they first married. They raised my sister until the age of six in an aging mobile home in a trailer park and then finally coughed up the money for an older home in need of renovations nearby when I was born because they needed more space. They worked hard---VERY HARD---their entire lives and now live in an upscale suburb of Scranton, drive new vehicles, and can afford to go to a restaurant, to the outlet mall, to the casino, etc. whenever they'd like. If this is about race, h_curtis, then why couldn't an African-American family have done the same instead of teaching their children to blame whites for the conditions they live in?

MOST black people do not limit themselves professionally by sitting and stewing around. You are sadly illinformed when it comes to the black community in the US. 50% of all blacks in the US were middle class up until the economic downfall of the past few years. (80% of all whites in the US are at least middle class) Most black people live in the suburbs(believe it or not). You are not educated enough to say the MOST black people sit and stew. I am black and I live in the city and I only associate with black people like myself (black, middle class, upwardly mobile).

Mount Arrott Baptist church has held this event for the past 20 years without incident. Of the 3000 attendees, 100 or so were out of control teenagers who probably were NOT associated with the church. Black churches are at crossroads. Most black churches are in inner city neighborhoods. Most of the church attendees are from the suburbs(black middle class professional) The black church is now totally disconnected from the HOOD. Over the past few years Black churches (Mount Arrott, Ebeneezer Baptist) are considering building new multi million dollar mega churches in the suburbs in order to be closer to their base (black middle class suburban) This is a very hot issue right now in Pittsburgh and probably across the US. Gone are the days when the pastor and most of the church lived in the community.

When large events are held at Mellon Park, parking is allowed on Penn Avenue( parking permit through the city parking authority). If these attendees were illegally parked, the city would have simply towed them.