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AALBC.com's Thumper's Corner Discussion Board » Culture, Race & Economy - Archive 2006 » "...what, he think he live in a white neighborhood or sumptin?!" « Previous Next »

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Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy

Post Number: 392
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 04:20 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

"...what, he think he live in a white neighborhood or sumptin?!"

I'll never understand, why people feel it is okay to litter. I can go outside, right now and watch an adult finish a beer and throw the bottle in the street or leave in on the sidewalk. Mind you, there are garbage cans on every single corner and many homeowners provide receptacles outside of their home for such purposes.

On may way in or out of the house I have to pick up rubbish which usually includes beverage bottles and cans, potato chip bags, cigarette butts, chicken bones, those miniature ziplock crack bags, and the occasional soiled condom, or even tobacco discarded from a hollowed out Philly Blunt. (Once I got a $130 ticket for trash in front of my house. The trash was placed in front of my house after I left for work and before I returned home. I know one home owner in the area who got 3 of these tickets in two month period, under similar conditions).

On one particular evening I bent down in front of my building to pick up some rubbish and I heard a woman sitting on the stoop (not her stoop) next to me say to her friend, also on a stoop hat was not her own say;" ...picking up that trash... what, he think he live in a white neighborhood or sumptin?!"

I thought about saying something in response. But I knew my initial reaction would have offended her and while she may, indeed, needed to have been offended I choose not to bother -- hoping my actions, alone, would speak for itself.

A week earlier the same woman was sitting on my stoop (as strangers do from time to time). However I don't allow people to sit on my stoop and I always ask them to leave. Usually people comply without word. Once in a while someone will ask, as this woman did (and it is always a woman), "Why?" This is one of those questions, if asked, that you know will take a long time to explain. However on this occasion I said; "If you really want to know, I'll tell you". She immediately replied, as she left; "I know, 'cause we'll leave soda cans and chickens bones all over your stoop"'.

See this woman understands perfectly, but just does not care enough to respect that right until challenged.

Once a couple of guys were walking down the street and one threw a paper bag on the ground, while I was picking up in front of the house. I was like "YO!, COME, ON MAN!" Normally I would not yell at stranger but he caught me off guard. The guy picked up the paper bag almost as if he'd dropped it by mistake and kept on going.

I noticed virtually everyone understands that littering is bad and spoils the neighborhood; but when did not littering become a white thing?


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Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption

Post Number: 337
Registered: 10-2005

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Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 05:47 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

"I'll never understand, why people feel it is okay to litter. I can go outside, right now and watch an adult finish a beer and throw the bottle in the street........... many homeowners provide receptacles outside of their home for such purposes.

I agree. It bothers me to no end. I detest it as much as I hate graffiti. There is no excuse for it under any circumstances. It ghettoizes the neighborhood. I've seen it happen so many times.

"I noticed virtually everyone understands that littering is bad and spoils the neighborhood; but when did not littering become a white thing?"

It has nothing to do with race. It's a guttered class mindset that accepts substandard conditions and a visibly trashed environment that is clearly the result of wanton ignorance, indifference and stupidity. E'nuff said...

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Va_sis
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Va_sis

Post Number: 84
Registered: 02-2004

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Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 08:16 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Troy,

Though I understand your reasoning for not challenging that woman, I would have loved to hear her explain why she feels that blacks should not be obliged to keep their street or neighborhood litter free.

Ntfs is right about the guttered mindset. When I moved into my neighborhood some 10 years ago, the families & children were on the same page- pick up your trash, be in the house by 9:30pm.

Now, I don't know where these new kids are coming from and why their parents don't teach them the same values. Not only to they spray paint dumb shit on the streets and on wooden fences, and throw trash in the streets, they hang out until the wee hours of the morning on the corner next to my house.

It's like the seasoned gutter minds are bringing up a new breed.
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Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption

Post Number: 342
Registered: 10-2005

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Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 09:04 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

"It's like the seasoned gutter minds are bringing up a new breed."

I think that's the answer right there.
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Femrenoir
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Username: Femrenoir

Post Number: 74
Registered: 05-2006

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Posted on Sunday, July 09, 2006 - 02:24 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

There uesed to be laws against littering.
I know with all of the more serious 'issues' - like homocide; it seems absurd to consider fining someone for littering, but. . . somehow we need to start teaching our young people about 'simple abundance'. They need to learn that real 'bling' begins with cleanliness and order.
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Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy

Post Number: 396
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 01:57 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

It's a guttered class mindset that accepts substandard conditions and a visibly trashed environment that is clearly the result of wanton ignorance, indifference and stupidity

I agree, but what really irks me is that these same people will always embrace the idea that it is that the white man is responsible.

I know because 100% of the crap on the street, in Harlem, is because we put it there.

Sanitation comes down my street 3 times a week to collect trash and 4 times a week to sweep the street and they can keep up.

Va_sis, I did not respond because I would have exploded at that instant.

Femrenoir, it is clear "cleanliness and order" for most of us HAS to be enforced.




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Moonsigns
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Moonsigns

Post Number: 1239
Registered: 07-2004

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Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 03:49 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I can't stand when people litter! We live in a very nice suburban community, and many of the children here just throw trash on the ground. But I think they do it because they've always been used to someone else picking up after them--or their parents are "new money" who aren't used to living in a nicer community where people care about their property value. Regardless, it's shameful!

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