(e:matthew) and I got in a big fight about Main Street. I have a hard time discussing things with him because he yells and then I yell and then we start hating.
So here is my problem. I am scared of Main Street at night time (sometimes even in the day), should I pretend I am not? Should I pretend that when I go to the Utica subway stop that I am not harassed and that I don't freak out reading the emails I get about Canisius Students and Roswell workers getting robbed in broad daylight.
I feel like I should be interested in it's revival it but on the other hand I don't feel like it is my responsibility. I feel like I didn't create the problem, I have no degree in Urban Planning or Sociology and I am a middle class, athiest, white gay man. I seriously doubt that anyone who lives across Main Street even wants my opinion on the issue.
I really believe the only way neighborhoods can change is from the inside. Something that I feel religious groups and large scale investors (jobs, etc) can help with. However, outside of economic and spiritual investment in a community, both of which I am not able to offer as an individual - outisde change seem so forced to me.
If I go to someone else's neighborhood and start cleaning trash off the street, what am I saying about the people that live there. Maybe they want trash on their streets, maybe their live suck enough where trash isn't even really an issue. If it was me I would be offended. I mean how would you like it if someone just want to your neighborhood and changed it to conform to their standards.
I feel like the situation is out of my control. Everyone talks about the divide and that it exists. And everyone aggrees that it is wrong but what is the answer? At least I am buying a house in the city and contributing $5000 in taxes each year to the city instead of to some gated suburb.
What is the answer? Thinking about it all angers me so much. I guess that is why people move to the suburbs, lol.
Someday entire cities will be built around this new form of transportation! ...or something
holy shit. I played with one at the Segway store in Chicago. They are nothing short of fucking cool.
800 my ass maybe for the kickstand.