A few days ago I replied to a similar posting encouraging community participation. That is wonderful. Yesterday, my children and I watched ?“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington?”, a great movie directed by an Italian immigrant who embraced American culture and the principles of integrity which are the hallmark of western Christian history - and I don?’t mean cowboy or vaquero! At age 15 and 11, there is no one in our neighborhood possessing the character which I will trust as friends for my children and with the upcoming 4th and the recent defeat of the social welfare, criminal defense bill parading as immigration legislation I thought Mr. Smith would have something to say.
Well, I?’ll tell you that when I look at the typical young AMERICAN- I?‘m a high school teacher - I don?’t see the promising young people of years ago. I see the street urchin of today?’s hip-hop generation with no more a sense of history, independence, or character than a parasite. Talent, an aesthetic, or a knowledge of right and wrong is dead! Call me a cynic but when profanity blasts from car stereos of East FW, I know we have idly allowed the ignorant, base, and dangerous aspects of human nature the opportunity to masquerade as style or culture. This is folly!
What do we do? Your general welfare and way of life is in dire jeopardy. In ten years, I have seen drug houses mostly coming rather than going. Gang-bangers just keep increasing in number. Theft is on the rise and fewer people report crime because of the futility of such action. Children walk about behaving as they please with no concern for propriety. Thugs walk about the streets in gang wear and pit-bull on chain as if this was the bearing of a man. Do you want it to stop? Then speak out. You have voices don?’t you? Can you access a phone or email account?
I humbly suggest that you 40, 50. 60, and even 70 somethings still possessing a sense of decency and discernment get involved. Take your blinders off, turn off the tv, and look about. You 30 somethings who actually were blessed with responsible parents providing responsible direction, you had better wake up also. Dial 911 whenever you see anything suspicious! Report code violations on the lowest-common denominator homeowners, renters and their scum-bag landlords. Have you ever heard of a slumlord, drug-dealer, or other ne?’er-do-well welcome a police or code-officer visit, violation, ticket, or fine? You must resist the fear of offending someone and speak out and act for what is proper. I have reported fifty + code violations in the past month and now problematic rental properties are empty and landlords face fines. Young criminals with records are incarcerated after I have reported their behavior to police and probation officers. Where do I find the info? Online. Who do I call? Anyone who will listen. Neighborhood Associations are opportunities for nice people to get together but there is danger where the wild things are and that may only be as far as a block in any direction. The third Monday of the month is not enough.
It will be great to bring in new businesses along Lancaster and see civic pride displayed when public works change the face of the eastside. Sad to say this won?’t happen until you make an effort to make your neighborhood a desirable place for responsible citizens and families to live. Acknowledge the cancer which eats away at our cities and neighborhoods and speak boldly, often, and to what ever parties may listen!
Well, I?’ll tell you that when I look at the typical young AMERICAN- I?‘m a high school teacher - I don?’t see the promising young people of years ago. I see the street urchin of today?’s hip-hop generation with no more a sense of history, independence, or character than a parasite. Talent, an aesthetic, or a knowledge of right and wrong is dead! Call me a cynic but when profanity blasts from car stereos of East FW, I know we have idly allowed the ignorant, base, and dangerous aspects of human nature the opportunity to masquerade as style or culture. This is folly!
What do we do? Your general welfare and way of life is in dire jeopardy. In ten years, I have seen drug houses mostly coming rather than going. Gang-bangers just keep increasing in number. Theft is on the rise and fewer people report crime because of the futility of such action. Children walk about behaving as they please with no concern for propriety. Thugs walk about the streets in gang wear and pit-bull on chain as if this was the bearing of a man. Do you want it to stop? Then speak out. You have voices don?’t you? Can you access a phone or email account?
I humbly suggest that you 40, 50. 60, and even 70 somethings still possessing a sense of decency and discernment get involved. Take your blinders off, turn off the tv, and look about. You 30 somethings who actually were blessed with responsible parents providing responsible direction, you had better wake up also. Dial 911 whenever you see anything suspicious! Report code violations on the lowest-common denominator homeowners, renters and their scum-bag landlords. Have you ever heard of a slumlord, drug-dealer, or other ne?’er-do-well welcome a police or code-officer visit, violation, ticket, or fine? You must resist the fear of offending someone and speak out and act for what is proper. I have reported fifty + code violations in the past month and now problematic rental properties are empty and landlords face fines. Young criminals with records are incarcerated after I have reported their behavior to police and probation officers. Where do I find the info? Online. Who do I call? Anyone who will listen. Neighborhood Associations are opportunities for nice people to get together but there is danger where the wild things are and that may only be as far as a block in any direction. The third Monday of the month is not enough.
It will be great to bring in new businesses along Lancaster and see civic pride displayed when public works change the face of the eastside. Sad to say this won?’t happen until you make an effort to make your neighborhood a desirable place for responsible citizens and families to live. Acknowledge the cancer which eats away at our cities and neighborhoods and speak boldly, often, and to what ever parties may listen!
