I'm so glad Glenn's taken the occasion of a woman's rape to remind us that the real evil is "upscale."
On 9/14/11, Glenn <[email protected]> wrote: > We must somehow figure out how to make our schools and our streets safe > so our young people can flourish. I don't have the answers. > > Jo Ann, > > There is extreme chronic fear and for good reason. Many people, from > cradle to grave, are denied basic security in their lives. When you > have no hope for your health care, education, food, etc; anyone can > easily become a primal animal capable of torture, lies, and violence. > Aren't those the values we represent around the world? I know that > without my study of Buddhism, I would be capable of very intelligent > violence! > > Why would we expect young people, who do not have middle class > securities, to ignore that all forms of violence and power are the way > of life? It's not cute that we guarantee this message to hopeless young > people. But that is what we do with corporate megalomania. > > The answers aren't so far away. We choose to turn our backs on our > neighbors because we beg and worship extreme power. I'm not being > disrespectful or glib about any violent crimes happening now! But if we > don't recognize the cleaner safer lies of our upscale paradise, how are > we going to get past this addiction stage called DENIAL? > > Schools are underfunded and sabotaged. Teachers and parents are > vilified in fake "research" The poor are blamed as evil sub-human > creatures. > > As I said to Joe, I'm surprised there is not more violence. The middle > class answer has long been to abuse the poor and minority populations > more, so that the power of the parasite rulers is increased! Let's stop > throwing in the towel, and start standing for truth and humanity!!!!!! > > On 9/14/2011 9:45 PM, Jo Ann Fishburn wrote: >> Joe, I agree with all that you said. To add to that, over the years I >> realized that so much of young people's behavior in school and in the >> neighborhoods is in reaction to fear. Some neighborhoods, and >> unfortunately often schools, are so dangerous that a top priority of >> growing up is developing some way to cope with constant fear. Many >> believe, perhaps correctly, that they must project a tough, strong >> image to stay safe. Unfortunately, some extend that to victimizing and >> terrorizing others to maintain that appearance. We must somehow figure >> out how to make our schools and our streets safe so our young people >> can flourish. I don't have the answers. >> >> Jo Ann Fishburn >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> *From:* Joe Clarke <[email protected]> >> *To:* Glenn <[email protected]> >> *Cc:* Summer Still <[email protected]>; [email protected]; >> [email protected] >> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 14, 2011 8:11 PM >> *Subject:* Re: [UC] Rape at Gunpoint, 900 block of 48th St., 10 pm >> Tuesday night >> >> Glenn, I hear you. It's like the argument for not putting seat belts >> in cars: they might make the customer feel that driving is unsafe. >> Many in the neighborhood are long-time, resident home-owners, and need >> to do something immediately to protect their homes and families. >> There is a difference between treating the symptom and curing the >> disease. The surge in personal crime may be caused by inequality, but >> the immediate and often life-threatening symptom needs to be dealt >> with immediately. >> Most of the young men and women involved in these crimes are >> extremely dangerous; partly, because they have no sense of what the >> consequences are for their actions. I don't think it's just >> economics: I think that there is a glorification of the gun/gangster >> culture that has been commod-ified by the entertainment industry and >> patronized by liberal society as being "cool". Having worked with >> young homeless people, the biggest challenge is the attitude that >> prevails among them, and is largely nihilistic. At a graduation in >> the shelter, many of the graduates were asked to select a favorite >> saying or slogan to live by. Most chose: "It is what it is!". No >> sense of future, goals. We in the social services thought it was >> cute. What seems cute to me - with a work history and two degrees - >> is disastrous for someone who has neither. >> The crime needs to be dealt with swiftly and forcefully; the larger >> issue needs to be worked on as well, but it is a complex situation >> that has many facets - gun control, failing schools, no jobs, >> addiction, no parenting and the marketing of violent nihilism as a >> life style - set us all up for a long haul to change these destructive >> patterns. >> >> Joe C. >> >> >> On Wed, Sep 14, 2011 at 5:05 PM, Glenn <[email protected] >> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >> >> >> >> On 9/14/2011 11:24 AM, Joe Clarke wrote: >> >> It may be time again to organize a town watch for the >> neighborhood(s), since town watch works the best when it is >> localized in specific areas. >> >> Joe Clarke >> >> >> Joe, >> >> I recall conversations with former town watch participants, when I >> was first blowing the whistle about the real purposes of UCD and >> the gentrification. As I recall, supports were withdrawn from >> town watch because high income consumers would be made cleaner and >> safer through the gentrification. If residents became dependent >> on and obedient to the new saviors, there was supposedly no reason >> for town watch anymore than the great culture that we created >> ourselves. >> >> Crime is correlated to income inequality and not a simple lack of >> material possessions. I'm sure that increases in chronic stress, >> desperation, and powerlessness would also predict increased crime. >> The gentrification solutions that have been shoved down our >> throats are not only fake, but actually increase the likelihood of >> violent senseless crime. Frankly, I'm surprised that there is not >> more crime, but we've known for a long time that learned >> helplessness defines the lives of most people in third world >> America. But violent crime shouldn't be surprising anyone in our >> violent immoral society. >> >> >> Joe, the work you are doing with a youth chess club is wonderful, >> and is one small example of projects that make society a safer >> place. (I've taught chess before to gifted kids and I would love >> to help you if I were in Philadelphia consistently). I would make >> chess part of the junior high curriculum for all kids. >> >> When we had a strong UNDIVIDED community, we had a great culture >> and were much safer. The police state does not make any of us >> safer, while we lose our souls and freedom. The University of >> Plutocracy and their corporate cronies should be forced to pay >> their fare share of taxes or payments for services in lieu of >> taxes. Then, we could support town watch, community driven >> culture, and the compassionate/empowering interventions that will >> help crime be reduced to a minimum. (Boston University pays five >> million a year to the city of Boston) >> >> Glenn >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> I think what weakens people most is fear of wasting their strength. >> Etty Hillesum >> <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/e/ettyhilles124704.html> >> >> >> >> >> >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >> Version: 9.0.914 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3897 - Release Date: 09/14/11 >> 14:34:00 >> > ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
