TALES FROM THE GHETTO
I have been spending some of my free time the last couple of months in the shittiest parts of Chicago. .
And when I say “shitty” I don’t mean just kinda shitty. .
I mean, THE WORST neighborhoods you have ever seen in your life. When they call Chicago- “CHIRAQ” in reference to all the gun violence, this is the part of town I have been hanging out in.
No, I have not been buying crack or heroin.
No, I have not decided to lose my mind and join a gang.
No, I haven’t been looking for cheap hookers to blow me for $5. .
I’m a member of various different charities.
This particular one focuses on inner city.
Now, I’m not going do a 10000 word post “how to save the world” because quite frankly I think the problems run pretty deep and there are a lot of factors involved. I will provide my first hand observations over the last couple of months in areas that could be labeled ghetto, jungle, or war-zone. If you have never spent time in a place like this then I honestly think it’s important you give it a try sometime. Your perspective on life will definitely change. . Most likely you will experience greater empathy and gratitude. There will be periods of confusion and anger as well because the things you will witness are so disgusting your faith in humanity will be tested.
I can probably talk all day about this but rather I will keep it brief and provide some bullet points for discussion:
-Liquor stores and convenience stores are super busy because they are a hangout and all funds get spent on alcohol, chips/Cheetos,lottery tickets, and cigars for smoking weed.(BTW, the alcohol,chips, and cigars are bought with food stamps. Yes, store owners work the system)
Grown men talk to their 2 year old kids like adults. “Let’s go before I beat the fuck out of you” is what I heard on more than 1 occasion
Stealing $8 from a woman with her 1 year old daughter is something that happens. Yes, witnessed with my own eyes
Walking down the middle of a city street on the center line with no shirt on, screaming, and wearing no shoes is apparently a thing. No one even honked their horn at this guy. Almost like it was normal
No cars have regular license plates. All temp plates on brand new cars. I say “brand new” lightly because though they are 2015 or newer, they tend to all have considerable damage
65 year old grandmas carry pipes and guns in their trunk. Yes, I witnessed a grandma whip out a pipe and gun and chase someone down the street
Morals, values, or any sense of decency seem to be non-existent. I feel like this is due to people’s lives being so shitty, they have nothing to live for. Self respect, dignity, and self esteem are replaced with anger and violence. This can be seen in their eyes.
The English language is so butchered that it is tough to understand. Not kidding on this one. I have trouble understanding what is being said
These are just a few of my first hand observations in the couple of months I have been spending doing what I can to help out.
Quite honestly I don’t know what to think. . .
I wish I had the answers to solve these problems.
But then again, are they really my problems to solve?
Here is a video for you. . . This is the area Rawdawg been hanging in. . .
this is sad
Yes, real fuckin sad
Did you do the video? or someone else? Lol back to the ghetto you go Rawdawg.
Nah, I didn’t do the video. Sounds like a black dude. I’m a white guy. It was just a good example.
Do those people you are trying to help really want help? This is the main question. And by "help" i mean long term, life changing help?
I know nothing about Chiraq or life in ghetto, but where i live (Lithuania) there is a huge problem with poor old people, who get small pensions and can't sustain themselves on them. But the thing is that a big part of those poor old people live in huge apartments (or big homes) in the 3 biggest cities in Lithuania. You could sell that real estate and move to smaller towns and have freed up cash worth at least 5 to 8 years of their pension size. But no one of those fuckers are doing that shit. They are just complaining that they can't pay their heating, electric, water and other bills. Maybe if you moved out of the 650 sq. ft. apartment you could?..
Why people can't move? I understand that you can't move if you are a child and the main focus should be how to help them. But if you are at least 15-16 years old, you can get out.
And also - those dudes in the video are gangsters? Or i misunderstood? If yes, wtf? My farmer pals would fuck em up with their shovels while they're lying on the ground after tripping over their pants while running to grab that AK47...
Those dudes should start urban farm on that plot, while dealing drugs. Someone have to tell them that you can get sweat vegan pussy if you grow carrots and lettuce :)
The area they live in is literally a war zone. Most of Chicago is pretty cool, but certain areas are lower than low. Look it up on google. Englewood Chicago
I've driven through parts of Philadelphia that are just the same. Ironically they are only a few blocks away from the sports complex. It's strange two completely different worlds reside so close to one another.
It's a sad situation. The kids growing up there have pretty much zero chance of living a normal life with the way they are raised and the usually terrible schools. We only know what we observe and are taught. It becomes a vicious cycle.
Yea man, terrible cycle and nobody has the answer.