G
Gabriella84
Guest
Exchanging PMs with Mr. Dilloduck reminded me of a speech given by an aquaintance of my cousin Dahlia at the end of 2004. In one of the many minority-dominated enclaves of Los Angeles, state and county officials were holding a town meeting to decide what to do with a parcel of land that once contained a park. Like many inner city parks, there had been no maintenance or improvements for countless years. Rather than invest money for improvements, the government wanted to sell the land to developers. So, instead of benefitting the neighborhood kids, it would produce profits for the developers and revenue for the city.
To oppose the idea, a short speech was given. Which might apply to inner city projects that are being cut throughout the nation. Here is the basic gist.
"Let's examine the two options you have here.
One, you can invest money in rebuilding and revitalizing the park area. Poor children with little else to do will have a place to play and activities to hold their interests. They won't have to play in the street, get into bored fights with each other, or go looking for other trouble.
Two, you can sell the land. Along with the other parks and activity centers you have closed in the last decade. Kids will have no place to go and nothing constructive to do. They will get bored and angry. They will join gangs, produce or buy drugs, and come to your neighborhood to sell the drugs to your kids. They will notice the nice houses and schools you have, along with the nice parks and activity centers you have, but that you took away from them. This is going to make them angry. They are going to break into your house and take all your belongings. Perhaps they'll beat you up and rape your daughters. Sure, you might have a gun or two. You might kill one or two of them. But the others will kill you and the rest of your family, then set your house of fire. When they are finished, they will return to their neighborhood and get high on crack. Because there is nothing else to do.
The choice is yours."
To oppose the idea, a short speech was given. Which might apply to inner city projects that are being cut throughout the nation. Here is the basic gist.
"Let's examine the two options you have here.
One, you can invest money in rebuilding and revitalizing the park area. Poor children with little else to do will have a place to play and activities to hold their interests. They won't have to play in the street, get into bored fights with each other, or go looking for other trouble.
Two, you can sell the land. Along with the other parks and activity centers you have closed in the last decade. Kids will have no place to go and nothing constructive to do. They will get bored and angry. They will join gangs, produce or buy drugs, and come to your neighborhood to sell the drugs to your kids. They will notice the nice houses and schools you have, along with the nice parks and activity centers you have, but that you took away from them. This is going to make them angry. They are going to break into your house and take all your belongings. Perhaps they'll beat you up and rape your daughters. Sure, you might have a gun or two. You might kill one or two of them. But the others will kill you and the rest of your family, then set your house of fire. When they are finished, they will return to their neighborhood and get high on crack. Because there is nothing else to do.
The choice is yours."