Inner City "Culture"
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approxinfinity said:
I’m not a Christian but I believe you should love your neighbor. I believe that having common positive culture matters. Our culture is more fragmented than ever, our lives more in a bubble. Our media tailored to our needs and tailored to manipulate us more effectively at the same time.
I was actually having a discussion about more or less exactly this on another forum recently-ish. The fragmentation and hyper targeted media is not good.
I don’t think the internet is helping either. I’ll share some of that discussion here.
"Once the promise of a sci-fi future, now a dystopian chaos that’s turning against us by making the transmission of stress, worries, resentment etc all over the world much more viral, faster and in a larger scale than even the old press and TV ever managed to. It’s keeping billions of people around the world in an unhealthy constant state of fear, even if there are legit reasons to worry, the weight, the ‘bandwidth’ of daily shitstorm probably passes the threshold of what we as individuals and groups of population can endure. So it’s disabling part of our intelligence and wisdom, of self-control, ability to get along and to find solutions to our problems.
TL;DR, I suspect the internet - just being there - is the main cause for many modern economical and social issues, and works as a potent amplifier at the same time. It kills jobs, and makes us angrier…‘stupider’. Maybe in the future historians will call that period the Great Internet Disruption or something like that, after realizing it was much bigger deeper than we realize now."
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@BShark I don’t think the internet is ever going away. It’s fused with our identity. It may fuel the rise of authoritarianism because the threat of death is a powerful motivator to willingly abandon the internet. Dictators are like strict nannies when freewill isn’t working out.
I would like to see more resorts and public spaces advertise as deliberately “no devices”. Turn in your connected devices at the door.
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@BShark if you like epic world building sci fi novels check out Fall of Hyperion. It’s a brilliant book (and reads as a standalone, does not require reading Hyperion first). The plot is very pertinent here.
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Mass shooting in New Orleans. First link. Did those just arrested make national news? Second link. If this was a park in a suburb Democratic candidates would be screaming for guns and Republicans would be asking for prayers.
We have to take this carnage seriously.
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And here’s the suspect arrested for the mass shooting of 13 in Chicago. National outrage or just another night in the inner city?
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approxinfinity said:
@BShark I don’t think the internet is ever going away. It’s fused with our identity. It may fuel the rise of authoritarianism because the threat of death is a powerful motivator to willingly abandon the internet. Dictators are like strict nannies when freewill isn’t working out.
I would like to see more resorts and public spaces advertise as deliberately “no devices”. Turn in your connected devices at the door.
We are having an “unplugged” wedding. No phones allowed, at least not within our site lol. We have a photographer and a Photobooth and a videographer and a DJ and an open bar. You do not need to be on your phone for any reason.
When I was abroad for a semester, I didn’t have a phone. Best time of my life. Met more people, made closer friends, had more fun. The internet is an amazing invention but it has made us far less personable.
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HighEliteMajor said:
Mass shooting in New Orleans. First link. Did those just arrested make national news? Second link. If this was a park in a suburb Democratic candidates would be screaming for guns and Republicans would be asking for prayers.
We have to take this carnage seriously.
Aren’t we at a bit of an impasse here Politically? Guns are supposed to fend off violence. At least one side says that.
The other says they create violence.
What is your solution for taking the carnage seriously? If you can’t take guns away, what is the solution? More policing hasn’t proven to be more effective after a certain point.
What’s your big idea to take it more seriously?
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@approxinfinity You are right on point.
See what Rahm Emanuel said and faced when he spoke the truth -
And then the next mayor blames the police -
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@Kcmatt7 At the core, this starts with acknowledging the problem. That’s the impasse. Until the problem is ID’d and acknowledged, you can’t attack it. The fact is it is an inner city culture of violence. Changing culture takes a long time.
First identify “inner city safety zones.”
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Public steps to involve the churches and faiths. Get people to church in these zones. The church is a huge factor in turning this around.
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Public steps to encourage and foster marriage. Inner city safety zones that reward folks for marriage and self sufficiency. But more, public efforts to discuss and call out the “baby mama” culture. This is the real enemy. 75% single mother births among blacks. Worse among inner city blacks. Much higher than other races or cultures.
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The president has to take the lead. I felt Obama missed an historic opportunity. Trump obviously can’t do it. We need another president to make this job one. The first domestic priority. The one where the most lives are lost/destroyed.
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Have special inner city safety zone courts that expedite prosecutions, warrants, and labeling of threats.
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We have hate crime legislation that leads to outrageous results. Use that logic. Huge sentences for crimes in inner city zones were the real violence is occurring. Drive by and shoot a little black child on a porch, life in prison regardless of whether there is a death. Wear a mask in a crime, 5 more years. Robbery, any kind, 40 years. Develop a ridiculously strict sentencing structure for inner city safety zones.
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Inner city gang affiliation prosecuted as RICO crimes. Increase sentences for inner city safety zones. You go to jail for being in a criminal gang. Just for affiliation.
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Stop and frisk permitted in inner city zones of all males. Horrible? Discriminatory? Yes on both counts. Too bad. Males are 95% of the problem.
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If you have a felony conviction for anything violent, or you are an ID’d gang member by the safety zone courts, inner city zone warrants automatically issued for random searches of home and auto. Inner city courts can order drug treatment without a trial. 90 day commitments.
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In inner city safety zones, curfews strictly enforced. Cars pulled over after 10:00. People off the streets. Only to and from work and a few other exceptions. Businesses close at 9:00.
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Posting of army style officers that walk a beat in these areas. In pairs. No female cops in these areas. No male cops under 200 pounds. Much higher pay. Elite training. Federal involvement in supporting/training.
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Air surveillance, like a war zone.
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Massive use of food kitchens. Free meals in all inner city safety zones. No one starves. No one steals for food. Involvement of churches is a must.
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Partnership program for schools with suburban districts. Vouchers (money) for “tuition” and transport. Partnership programs include working families so inner city kids can live with suburban families during the week and attend school there. Work with the suburban private schools too.
These are tax dollars I’m willing to pay.
Of course, this is all discriminatory. I want to discriminate IN FAVOR of protecting good inner city folks. I noticed that over 70% of Baltimore residents were in favor of police air surveillance while the ACLU says it’s discriminatory. That should tell everyone something. The majority of inner city folks aren’t part of the culture. They want safety, security, and the ability to succeed.
These thugs are the enemy. Try to change their hearts and minds, but attack the criminals is they won’t change. Culture change takes time.
This isn’t perfect. It’s a discussion point. I am just sickened by the violence and the loss of lives that no one values.
Just off the top of my head. I know, impossible. But you asked.
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@HighEliteMajor did you ever watch The Wire? If you haven’t you absolutely must. No excuses. It frames the inner city violence / drug epidemic in Baltimore from all sides. 1 season focuses on drug dealing in the projects and the police trying to crack down. 1 season focuses on foreign trafficking through the ports. 1 on the politics. 1 on the schools in the inner city. 1 on the media’s relationship. Everyone on set saw it as their duty to portray the situation as realistically as possible. Almost 100% of the cast were not trained actors. It stands alone.
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@approxinfinity I haven’t but I heard it’s great. I’ll have to make sure to do that. Have you seen the Shield? Michael Chicklis is a dirty LA detective with a squad that works with him. Really intense. Well worth the time if you can find it.
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HighEliteMajor said:
And here’s the suspect arrested for the mass shooting of 13 in Chicago. National outrage or just another night in the inner city?
I have no way of verifying this, but when I lived in Houston from 1979 - 1987, there was one hospital there (Ben Taub Hospital) that reported treating an average of 50 gunshot victims - per day. That number could be skewed from 30+ years having gone by, but it was an incredible number. Although, at the time the Metro Houston population was around 4,000,000 - so I guess that only comes out to .0000125 %. Still a lot of shooting goin on. Even for Texas.
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approxinfinity said:
@HighEliteMajor did you ever watch The Wire? If you haven’t you absolutely must. No excuses. It frames the inner city violence / drug epidemic in Baltimore from all sides. 1 season focuses on drug dealing in the projects and the police trying to crack down. 1 season focuses on foreign trafficking through the ports. 1 on the politics. 1 on the schools in the inner city. 1 on the media’s relationship. Everyone on set saw it as their duty to portray the situation as realistically as possible. Almost 100% of the cast were not trained actors. It stands alone.
Easily a top 5 tv show of all time.
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@HighEliteMajor yup! Watched all 8 (I think) seasons of The Shield. Good stuff.
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@HighEliteMajor if you watch The Wire, if you want company, let me know and I’ll watch it at the same time (for the 3rd time). Would love to discuss. So good!
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@approxinfinity ok I will.
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@HighEliteMajor I just read your list of changes you are willing to pay tax dollars for. The last few days have been chaotic so I needed a moment of down time.
I like where your heart is at. I think there are some obstacles that would be very difficult to overcome here.
Here’s a supplemental list of thoughts:
- Public perception of these things needs to change first.
- Like you said, reaching out to the Churches is key. But I’d also like to see non-denominational outreach organizations receive tax dollars to expand their outreach For example, I saw an interview with a lady who I think runs a drum and dance corps for kids that meets up before school and practices in the streets in Chicago (I think). She was awesome. Cared deeply.
- Outreach requires marketing, and I’d like to see an organized modern marketing campaign unifying these outreach programs.
- having children participate in sports is crucial as well to understand healthy competition, teamwork and sportsmanship and i would love see sports more accessible to all kids. If the public facilities and equipment to host a larger volume sports is not available it should be invested in. Participation fees and equipment costs may need to be supplemented.
- I once dreamed of buying up old buildings in the projects and converting them into a “church of music” where people congregate to play music with one another. Equipment, and room provided, in some case lessons. Meetup with other musicians playing other instruments and jam. Day or night. I think something like this could be amazing. Also recording time and possibly production and selling of music. This could be really massive.
I guess I find the case for providing compelling alternatives to gang participation and violence the most important thing. Protect, fund, and market for the right people. Good meaningful work is created too. Lift the inner city culture up from within.
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@HighEliteMajor @approxinfinity very good points. I’ve lived in two places in my life, the inner city and in the middle of nowhere. First thing I’d do is close the liquor stores that are around every corner. These folks don’t need the temptation of spending money there. Secondly we need to stop putting people in jail for non violent crimes. The system is a joke and no one gets rehabilitated, the prisons want them back to make money. Nearly 80% of inner city kids live off of single parent income. That’s a major issue itself. Jobs, lots of jobs, think if LeBron James or one of these celebs that claim they care lobbied for NIKE or someone to put a plant there instead supporting oppression in China. There will always be some people living below the poverty line unfortunately but when the stuff we brought at the store was made in this country it paid dividends. Be the change you want to see in the world.
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Conceal Carry stops shooting by thug - https://www.google.com/amp/s/abc7chicago.com/amp/lansing-hooters-shooting-causes-panic/5791432/
Conceal carry stops robbery by thug - https://abc7chicago.com/video-woman-with-concealed-carry-license-fatally-shoots-would-be-robber-in-fernwood/5034294/
Leftists don’t want us to be able to defend ourselves with our guns.
Why vote for Trump? Why can I vote for a guy that personally turns my stomach? One of the reasons - Because he won’t do that. Warren, Bernie, et. al. - they will.
Policy over personality.
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38 shot last weekend in Chicago. No crimes committed by legal gun owners.
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Outrageous. Felon. Should be in prison.
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You know, someone else’s fault
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Weird. Black rappers always seem to be in the middle of this stuff. And shot by their bruthas. Hard to fathom. Rock and rollers? Not so much.
Sick, perverted culture of violence. No morals. No parents. No faith to guide them.
New Orleans - https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nola.com/news/crime_police/article_62d8ce16-28ee-11ea-b2bb-e35fb688c6b9.amp.html
Toronto - https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/25/americas/bvlly-christmas-eve-death-trnd/index.html
Jacksonville - https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/19/us/rapper-xxxtentacion-killed-indictment/index.html
LA- https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/31/us/nipsey-hussle-los-angeles-shooting/index.html
Detroit - https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.detroitnews.com/amp/2079234001
New York -
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2019/12/18/nyregion/tekashi-69-sentenced.amp.html
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Good folks that want this to stop. Will anyone focus on the culture that melds this disrespect for life?
“Too many young people are losing and have lost their lives,” said Rayon Dansberry, a spokesperson for Hearts Of A Safe House, the organization that sponsored Friday’s march. “We are tired of seeing young black men and women lying dead in the streets of East St. Louis, Washington Park, Cahokia and surrounding communities.”
This quote can apply to every major inner city.
“We have to talk to the young people and we have to listen to what they have to say,” he said. “We have to show them love and teach them the importance of loving each other even though they are not birth brothers and sisters.”
Uh, culture change. Value life.
Odd, but the white kids in poor areas aren’t shooting each other at alarming rates. No roving white gangs.
Does anyone really care about these black deaths? Dems only use it to attack gun ownership. Republicans ignore it. Aren’t these lives equal to those in white suburbia?
It’s sickening.
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This one made me particularly mad … amoral thug.
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@HighEliteMajor the 38 people shot by unlawful gun owners is part of the reason I’m against gun control. We need to find out how to keep them outta the hands of some people but if the try to disarm everyone, only criminals will have them. The police ain’t gonna go to east St. Louis, Compton, South Chicago or Detroit to get these guns because they don’t have anywhere near the fire power. I live and graduated high school in a small town, most of guys had guns in our trucks during school to go bird hunting afterward. I’d say upwards of 90% of folks in this area own fire arms but shootings are pretty much non existent. Teaching kids not only the value of life but fire arm safety is needed.
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Lovely St. Louis - a sampling highlighted today. Now I suppose there could be rogue suburban invaders that perpetrated these crimes. I’m kind of guessing not -
https://www.google.com/amp/s/fox2now.com/2019/12/22/man-critically-injured-in-jennings-shooting/amp/
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Look at the list above. Is this a “mass shooting”? This is horrific. Yet a gunman shooting 7, killing 3 at an art festival would get the national attention.
