I am amazed at people. Why? Well… the ignorance.
Let me clarify what I’m talking about. I live in Baltimore County, Maryland. I haven’t always lived here. I grew up in the area, but I grew up in Anne Arundel County. People are not nice here. They aren’t. I don’t mean that they are simply not friendly. I mean that they are downright rude.
I have no idea what it is about this area but I have a few ideas. When I lived in NYC, I laughed whenever anyone who wasn’t from the city would come and comment on how rude New Yorkers were. I had to explain to them that it only seems like they are rude but they really aren’t. It’s the language they speak. New Yorkers understand each other even if outsiders don’t.
But I don’t know how to explain Baltimorons. I’m not an outsider here. But I find myself increasingly frustrated by ignorant people.
Speaking of ignorant, let me tell you what I think the real problem is. I’m sure I’ll get blasted and labelled. That’s just the way people are when the truth hits home. No one likes to be called out.
I never had this problem living in Anne Arundel county. The demographics are a mostly white, middle-to-upper class people group. In western Baltimore County, quite frankly, it’s low-income and black. But it’s not that it’s black as much as a stigma in this portion of the black community. The mentality of this region is that of victimization. All you have to do is go into your local gas station, as I did yesterday, and hear it in the voices. The government is taking from me because I’m black. The white man sucks. Etc. If you ask any of these folks, they are not racist. But if you look, they are. They are racist toward the white man in the most obvious sense of the word. But they are racist towards themselves proclaiming in how they speak to each other that they will never amount to anything because of the color of their skin.
What ends up happening? You end up with a community of self-preservationists. They don’t care about anyone except themself because in society, they feel they have to cover their own asses at the expense of anyone else that might be in their way. They become more concerned with getting their booty than they are about raising children to behave right and be respectful of others.
And this isn’t just an white man ranting an opinion, folks. The empirical evidence demonstrates what I am talking about.
- In 2002, the average SAT score in Maryland for Black students was 848 (source). Folks that doesn’t even get you near college. Maybe community college. Forget University of Maryland.
- Here’s a factsheet document that is sure to leave your head spinning. 20% Of Baltimore’s population functions at the lowest literacy rate.
- One statistic I heard last year (unfortunately cannot find documented at this time) reports that 50% of Baltimore’s workforce cannot read!
Okay so why am I citing these statistics. It’s really simple. People need to stop blaming the white man (and likewise, the white man needs to stop blaming the government) for the situation they have created for themselves.
The reason why “you” are so “oppressed” is not because I want to keep you down or put your back against the wall. The reason why I am in the position I am, having money, having things, having a career, having a family, is because I applied myself and made myself who I am. I don’t have a college degree. But I have worked hard to teach myself new things. I have scratched and fought to get ahead so I could be where I am today. You, my friend, have not. You decided to hit the streets when you should have been hitting the books. You decided to knock that girl up and now you are paying child support to a woman you don’t care about and a kid you wish you didn’t have. It ain’t the governments fault, man. It’s not “The Man”. You did it to yourself. Stop being a victim. Be a man. Suck it up. Make yourself into something. You’re not written off by society so make the most of your opportunities. Don’t expect me to do it for you, though. You need to mature a little bit and do it yourself, but I have faith in you.
This region I live in is a region that is dominated by victims. Not real victims. Self-made victims. And I’m tired of having to deal with them. I think I’ll move back to Anne Arundel county where, yes the demographics are white, but they work for their money, they work for their boats, they get up and go to the pipe making warehouse and put in their 12 hours. They get up every morning and haul ass to Washington so they can make the money that allows them to live comfortable lives in neighborhoods mostly absent of crime and where their 8 year old kid can safely play outside. That sounds like the kind of place I want to live.
These places are only 20 minutes apart. And a whole demographic away. Call me racist. I’m not. I’m a realist. And I refuse to be politically correct so as not to offend someone.
Think about it!
{ 54 comments }
Sara 07.24.05 at 8:13 pm
I know what you’re saying and you see it in all races. You can hear the same feelings from any “group.” People need to start taking responsibility for their lives and the position they are currently in. Blaming others for your position is not going to get you anywhere (even if your position IS bad due to someone else). Quit b**ching about it and DO something. You don’t like your life — CHANGE IT. Quit passing the buck.
I’ve had my share of “woe is me” moments and I had to get over myself and change. There aren’t any other options. Don’t wait for tomorrow to make the move.. tomorrow may be worse. rnrnanyway - nice post.
Jerald Sheets 07.24.05 at 8:44 pm
Word, bro. Well put and well observed.
Multiply it by 30 or 40, and you have the beginningsofan idea of what it is like in the South.
Sara 07.24.05 at 9:13 pm
I know what you’re saying and you see it in all races. You can hear the same feelings from any “group.” People need to start taking responsibility for their lives and the position they are currently in. Blaming others for your position is not going to get you anywhere (even if your position IS bad due to someone else). Quit b**ching about it and DO something. You don’t like your life — CHANGE IT. Quit passing the buck.
I’ve had my share of “woe is me” moments and I had to get over myself and change. There aren’t any other options. Don’t wait for tomorrow to make the move.. tomorrow may be worse. rnrnanyway - nice post.
Sara 07.24.05 at 9:13 pm
I know what you’re saying and you see it in all races. You can hear the same feelings from any “group.” People need to start taking responsibility for their lives and the position they are currently in. Blaming others for your position is not going to get you anywhere (even if your position IS bad due to someone else). Quit b**ching about it and DO something. You don’t like your life — CHANGE IT. Quit passing the buck.
I’ve had my share of “woe is me” moments and I had to get over myself and change. There aren’t any other options. Don’t wait for tomorrow to make the move.. tomorrow may be worse. rnrnanyway - nice post.
Jerald Sheets 07.24.05 at 9:44 pm
Word, bro. Well put and well observed.
Multiply it by 30 or 40, and you have the beginningsofan idea of what it is like in the South.
Jerald Sheets 07.24.05 at 9:44 pm
Word, bro. Well put and well observed.
Multiply it by 30 or 40, and you have the beginningsofan idea of what it is like in the South.
Marc 07.25.05 at 1:35 am
Amen, Aaron, amen. When minorities cry racism, it’s usually reverse racisim on their part. Too many people find it easy to accept a poor quality of life and never work hard, apply themselves, and realize that the only people holding them down are themselves and their surroundings.
Marc 07.25.05 at 2:35 am
Amen, Aaron, amen. When minorities cry racism, it’s usually reverse racisim on their part. Too many people find it easy to accept a poor quality of life and never work hard, apply themselves, and realize that the only people holding them down are themselves and their surroundings.
Marc 07.25.05 at 2:35 am
Amen, Aaron, amen. When minorities cry racism, it’s usually reverse racisim on their part. Too many people find it easy to accept a poor quality of life and never work hard, apply themselves, and realize that the only people holding them down are themselves and their surroundings.
Mike 07.25.05 at 9:47 am
Whoa… Where’d this come from? I do agree with you though… Everyone is to blame, but they are not responsible for anything… As long as the government continues to support them why do anything for themselves…
Mike 07.25.05 at 10:47 am
Whoa… Where’d this come from? I do agree with you though… Everyone is to blame, but they are not responsible for anything… As long as the government continues to support them why do anything for themselves…
Mike 07.25.05 at 10:47 am
Whoa… Where’d this come from? I do agree with you though… Everyone is to blame, but they are not responsible for anything… As long as the government continues to support them why do anything for themselves…
Maureen 07.25.05 at 12:29 pm
I COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY AGREE WITH EVERY SINGLE THING YOU SAID! but i don’t know about living in baltimore - i think it’s just in general… there are plenty of times i could buck the system being a double minority but i prefer to work and succeed. i don’t like handouts! ain’t no such thing as a free lunch cuz you might have to pay with your pride!!!!!
Aaron Brazell 07.25.05 at 1:09 pm
I definitely don’t want this to become a bloodfest. The truth is that it is not a race issue but because that is what I am exposed to, I can draw certain conclusions based on what I see. The reality is it is more likely an economic issue. I just can’t seem to nail down what the real problem is.
It’s strange. When I went down to Virginia Beach a few weeks ago, I stopped at a McDonald’s in Northern Virginia to grab a bite to eat. The woman at the drive-thru was as nice as could be and I admit having a little bit of culture shock over the thing. It was the same way when I went down to Larry’s a few weeks ago. People were actually nice at the Burger King in Prince Frederick. So different than my area.
I go to one of these places in Baltimore county and I feel like I’m such an inconvenience to people. Do they not realize that me buying a chocolate milkshake is providing their paychecks? Is that really that foreign of a concept. They don’t want to be bothered.
As I look at the situations and I drill down to the bottom of the matter, the only conclusions I can draw has to do with upbringing, which speaks to the culture they are in, which speaks to the choices made and the actions taken. I heard the word “character” once defined as the combination of every choice you have made in your life. We have a serious charachter problem and no, it’s not everywhere. It’s in these pockets of society that I’ve spoken of.
I can only draw conclusions from the evidence presented.
Maureen 07.25.05 at 1:21 pm
i retract the double-minority statement cuz you are right - it’s not a race thing - i’ve seen black, white, hispanic, asian, purple polka dotted people with that “poor me i’m such a victim that i can’t get ahead” attitude. and i have to ask, why oh why go into the service industry if you couldn’t care to whits about another person??
Aaron Brazell 07.25.05 at 1:26 pm
Because it’s a way to have cash. It goes back to what I said about self-preservation. When individuals do nothing but look to themselves and are in the game for only themselves, they don’t see the big picture such as customer comes in and orders food. Customer pays money. Money goes into corporate assets. Corporate assets include overhead. Overhead includes salary. Salary means paychecks.
They see. Customer comes and orders food. Customer is an inconvenience because they’d rather talk to the girl they are working with. They want paycheck on Friday afternoon.
There’s a disconnect there. It also plays to the way they are raised in that they have been told that they don’t and will never amount to anything. Money is only for “The Man” and they keep it to themselves with the exception of a few Uncle Toms. So when these kids and young adults go to their menial job they don’t see their job as meaning anything in the big picture.
Maureen 07.25.05 at 1:27 pm
i’m agreeing with you farrrrr too much today aaron! this is a really bad sign!!
Maureen 07.25.05 at 1:29 pm
ummmm aaraon - it was a rhetorical question! LOL what i meant was PLEASE don’t go into the service industry if you couldn’t give two whits about another person!
Maureen 07.25.05 at 1:29 pm
I COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY AGREE WITH EVERY SINGLE THING YOU SAID! but i don’t know about living in baltimore - i think it’s just in general… there are plenty of times i could buck the system being a double minority but i prefer to work and succeed. i don’t like handouts! ain’t no such thing as a free lunch cuz you might have to pay with your pride!!!!!
Maureen 07.25.05 at 1:29 pm
I COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY AGREE WITH EVERY SINGLE THING YOU SAID! but i don’t know about living in baltimore - i think it’s just in general… there are plenty of times i could buck the system being a double minority but i prefer to work and succeed. i don’t like handouts! ain’t no such thing as a free lunch cuz you might have to pay with your pride!!!!!
Aaron Brazell 07.25.05 at 2:09 pm
I definitely don’t want this to become a bloodfest. The truth is that it is not a race issue but because that is what I am exposed to, I can draw certain conclusions based on what I see. The reality is it is more likely an economic issue. I just can’t seem to nail down what the real problem is.
It’s strange. When I went down to Virginia Beach a few weeks ago, I stopped at a McDonald’s in Northern Virginia to grab a bite to eat. The woman at the drive-thru was as nice as could be and I admit having a little bit of culture shock over the thing. It was the same way when I went down to Larry’s a few weeks ago. People were actually nice at the Burger King in Prince Frederick. So different than my area.
I go to one of these places in Baltimore county and I feel like I’m such an inconvenience to people. Do they not realize that me buying a chocolate milkshake is providing their paychecks? Is that really that foreign of a concept. They don’t want to be bothered.
As I look at the situations and I drill down to the bottom of the matter, the only conclusions I can draw has to do with upbringing, which speaks to the culture they are in, which speaks to the choices made and the actions taken. I heard the word “character” once defined as the combination of every choice you have made in your life. We have a serious charachter problem and no, it’s not everywhere. It’s in these pockets of society that I’ve spoken of.
I can only draw conclusions from the evidence presented.
Aaron Brazell 07.25.05 at 2:09 pm
I definitely don’t want this to become a bloodfest. The truth is that it is not a race issue but because that is what I am exposed to, I can draw certain conclusions based on what I see. The reality is it is more likely an economic issue. I just can’t seem to nail down what the real problem is.
It’s strange. When I went down to Virginia Beach a few weeks ago, I stopped at a McDonald’s in Northern Virginia to grab a bite to eat. The woman at the drive-thru was as nice as could be and I admit having a little bit of culture shock over the thing. It was the same way when I went down to Larry’s a few weeks ago. People were actually nice at the Burger King in Prince Frederick. So different than my area.
I go to one of these places in Baltimore county and I feel like I’m such an inconvenience to people. Do they not realize that me buying a chocolate milkshake is providing their paychecks? Is that really that foreign of a concept. They don’t want to be bothered.
As I look at the situations and I drill down to the bottom of the matter, the only conclusions I can draw has to do with upbringing, which speaks to the culture they are in, which speaks to the choices made and the actions taken. I heard the word “character” once defined as the combination of every choice you have made in your life. We have a serious charachter problem and no, it’s not everywhere. It’s in these pockets of society that I’ve spoken of.
I can only draw conclusions from the evidence presented.
Maureen 07.25.05 at 2:21 pm
i retract the double-minority statement cuz you are right - it’s not a race thing - i’ve seen black, white, hispanic, asian, purple polka dotted people with that “poor me i’m such a victim that i can’t get ahead” attitude. and i have to ask, why oh why go into the service industry if you couldn’t care to whits about another person??
Maureen 07.25.05 at 2:21 pm
i retract the double-minority statement cuz you are right - it’s not a race thing - i’ve seen black, white, hispanic, asian, purple polka dotted people with that “poor me i’m such a victim that i can’t get ahead” attitude. and i have to ask, why oh why go into the service industry if you couldn’t care to whits about another person??
Aaron Brazell 07.25.05 at 2:26 pm
Because it’s a way to have cash. It goes back to what I said about self-preservation. When individuals do nothing but look to themselves and are in the game for only themselves, they don’t see the big picture such as customer comes in and orders food. Customer pays money. Money goes into corporate assets. Corporate assets include overhead. Overhead includes salary. Salary means paychecks.
They see. Customer comes and orders food. Customer is an inconvenience because they’d rather talk to the girl they are working with. They want paycheck on Friday afternoon.
There’s a disconnect there. It also plays to the way they are raised in that they have been told that they don’t and will never amount to anything. Money is only for “The Man” and they keep it to themselves with the exception of a few Uncle Toms. So when these kids and young adults go to their menial job they don’t see their job as meaning anything in the big picture.
Aaron Brazell 07.25.05 at 2:26 pm
Because it’s a way to have cash. It goes back to what I said about self-preservation. When individuals do nothing but look to themselves and are in the game for only themselves, they don’t see the big picture such as customer comes in and orders food. Customer pays money. Money goes into corporate assets. Corporate assets include overhead. Overhead includes salary. Salary means paychecks.
They see. Customer comes and orders food. Customer is an inconvenience because they’d rather talk to the girl they are working with. They want paycheck on Friday afternoon.
There’s a disconnect there. It also plays to the way they are raised in that they have been told that they don’t and will never amount to anything. Money is only for “The Man” and they keep it to themselves with the exception of a few Uncle Toms. So when these kids and young adults go to their menial job they don’t see their job as meaning anything in the big picture.
Maureen 07.25.05 at 2:27 pm
i’m agreeing with you farrrrr too much today aaron! this is a really bad sign!!
Maureen 07.25.05 at 2:27 pm
i’m agreeing with you farrrrr too much today aaron! this is a really bad sign!!
Maureen 07.25.05 at 2:29 pm
ummmm aaraon - it was a rhetorical question! LOL what i meant was PLEASE don’t go into the service industry if you couldn’t give two whits about another person!
Maureen 07.25.05 at 2:29 pm
ummmm aaraon - it was a rhetorical question! LOL what i meant was PLEASE don’t go into the service industry if you couldn’t give two whits about another person!
Mike 07.26.05 at 9:08 am
Here we go… Here’s a way the complainers can get what is owed them and have a better life…rnrnCash joins symbolism as penance for slavery!
http://www.ajc.com/tuesday/content/epaper/editions/tuesday/news_245e4ea9f5aa522800cb.html
Yeah, I want my tax money to be given to Blacks in this country to pay for something I, nor anyone in my family had anything to do with… Here it is the BIG handout… You know they’re drooling over this… Cash handouts to any Black individual in this country over something that happened close to 200 years ago and no one living today was responsible for…
The push for reparations is getting stronger and stronger… Another reason for not taking responsibility for improving your life…
Aaron Brazell 07.26.05 at 9:31 am
Mike…. that’s a completely different issue altogether, mate.
Mike 07.26.05 at 10:08 am
Here we go… Here’s a way the complainers can get what is owed them and have a better life…rnrnCash joins symbolism as penance for slavery!
<a href=”http://www.ajc.com/tuesday/content/epaper/editions/tuesday/news_245e4ea9f5aa522800cb.html
http://www.ajc.com/tuesday/content/epaper/editi... />
Yeah, I want my tax money to be given to Blacks in this country to pay for something I, nor anyone in my family had anything to do with… Here it is the BIG handout… You know they’re drooling over this… Cash handouts to any Black individual in this country over something that happened close to 200 years ago and no one living today was responsible for…
The push for reparations is getting stronger and stronger… Another reason for not taking responsibility for improving your life…
Mike 07.26.05 at 10:08 am
Here we go… Here’s a way the complainers can get what is owed them and have a better life…rnrnCash joins symbolism as penance for slavery!
<a href=”http://www.ajc.com/tuesday/content/epaper/editions/tuesday/news_245e4ea9f5aa522800cb.html
http://www.ajc.com/tuesday/content/epaper/editi... />
Yeah, I want my tax money to be given to Blacks in this country to pay for something I, nor anyone in my family had anything to do with… Here it is the BIG handout… You know they’re drooling over this… Cash handouts to any Black individual in this country over something that happened close to 200 years ago and no one living today was responsible for…
The push for reparations is getting stronger and stronger… Another reason for not taking responsibility for improving your life…
Aaron Brazell 07.26.05 at 10:31 am
Mike…. that’s a completely different issue altogether, mate.
Aaron Brazell 07.26.05 at 10:31 am
Mike…. that’s a completely different issue altogether, mate.
Mike 07.26.05 at 12:21 pm
Same mentality… The “Man” caused all their problems and now they feel they are owed payment for their lack of accomplishment in their lives… You know, blame someone else…
Mike 07.26.05 at 1:21 pm
Same mentality… The “Man” caused all their problems and now they feel they are owed payment for their lack of accomplishment in their lives… You know, blame someone else…
Mike 07.26.05 at 1:21 pm
Same mentality… The “Man” caused all their problems and now they feel they are owed payment for their lack of accomplishment in their lives… You know, blame someone else…
Sean M. Crawford Sr. 07.26.05 at 7:34 pm
As a black man I can agree with all that you written. There was a time I did blame the WHITE man for my own shortcomings and situations. But I will be the first to say I have more white friends and few black associates.rnrnI too am sick and tired of my race wasting time blaming instead of doing. For the few white people who thought that I may have been blaming them for a shortcoming I can say you are wrong.rnrnI am proud to be black but I am so embarrased by my race. Even I get cursed and called an Uncle Tom because I gave up the street life to do something legitimate and better. And believe me when I say I FIGHTS ERDAY for the survival of my family.rnrnAaron I applaud you for that. And if you get any heat I got your back because you are my family.
Sean M. Crawford Sr. 07.26.05 at 8:34 pm
As a black man I can agree with all that you written. There was a time I did blame the WHITE man for my own shortcomings and situations. But I will be the first to say I have more white friends and few black associates.rnrnI too am sick and tired of my race wasting time blaming instead of doing. For the few white people who thought that I may have been blaming them for a shortcoming I can say you are wrong.rnrnI am proud to be black but I am so embarrased by my race. Even I get cursed and called an Uncle Tom because I gave up the street life to do something legitimate and better. And believe me when I say I FIGHTS ERDAY for the survival of my family.rnrnAaron I applaud you for that. And if you get any heat I got your back because you are my family.
Sean M. Crawford Sr. 07.26.05 at 8:34 pm
As a black man I can agree with all that you written. There was a time I did blame the WHITE man for my own shortcomings and situations. But I will be the first to say I have more white friends and few black associates.rnrnI too am sick and tired of my race wasting time blaming instead of doing. For the few white people who thought that I may have been blaming them for a shortcoming I can say you are wrong.rnrnI am proud to be black but I am so embarrased by my race. Even I get cursed and called an Uncle Tom because I gave up the street life to do something legitimate and better. And believe me when I say I FIGHTS ERDAY for the survival of my family.rnrnAaron I applaud you for that. And if you get any heat I got your back because you are my family.
Oriole Fan (Aaron, you know who I am) 07.29.05 at 8:59 am
Aaron, te posr was an insightful read. Being that this is my first comment via your blog, give me a slack here. I usually glance Technosailor every once in a blue moon, and this time I felt compelled to give my two, or in this case, it might be ten cents. Aaron, your mentality does not reek of racism, as many of my friends and even myself have thought about the issue you are having in Baltimore County. I, for example, don’t care to drive into Randallstown to stop for gas when driving home from State College, Pa.
The issue is more than just lazy black people in Baltimore County, it’s a socio-economic problem and the forces in place that should be helping people to improve their lives in matter which may be acceptable to us have failed.
Being an American History and English major, I have studied American culture time in and time out and I do agree in the most with what you have written. Being a African-American from the completely different side of the tracks, I can certainly understand and more than relate to your side of things.
Being the devil’s advocate, I’d like to bring another part of the equation into place. Like you, I’d not want to live in Baltimore County, well, because it’s Baltimore County. However, it is kind of difficult to tell people who don’t know any better, lack parental guidance, never had a father or mentor, or have it seethed into their head that they are inferior to suddenly improve themselves. Keep in mind, a lot of these kids to go to school in places that you’d never want you kids to go and a lot of the families in that area don’t have the typical nuclear family in place.
Keep in mind as well, a lot of the people in that area are GOOD-MEANING people, just that alot of them cannot afford to move, just because they don’t make enough to do so. Add to that good kids who get caught up in the element, and bam, we have the ingredients for the conversation we have here.
Like I tell my youngest brother, if young people favor following 50 Cent rather than the prinicples and ideology of Martin Luther King in the encylopedia, we have a deep problem. This example is a very small issue among many in the black community.
Yes, all the obstacles and thoughts of inferiority are surmountable, but it is much, much harder to overcome and not as easy as saying, “yeah, get a job or go to school”, when many of these people don’t have the means to do so.
This problem is so complex, historical & so deep rooted, that a blog cannot answer it.
Aaron Brazell 07.29.05 at 9:07 am
Excellent! I always appreciate another voice which does fill out the holes in my own argument. Thanks, O’s fan…
Oriole Fan (Aaron, you know wh 07.29.05 at 9:59 am
Aaron, te posr was an insightful read. Being that this is my first comment via your blog, give me a slack here. I usually glance Technosailor every once in a blue moon, and this time I felt compelled to give my two, or in this case, it might be ten cents. Aaron, your mentality does not reek of racism, as many of my friends and even myself have thought about the issue you are having in Baltimore County. I, for example, don’t care to drive into Randallstown to stop for gas when driving home from State College, Pa.
The issue is more than just lazy black people in Baltimore County, it’s a socio-economic problem and the forces in place that should be helping people to improve their lives in matter which may be acceptable to us have failed.
Being an American History and English major, I have studied American culture time in and time out and I do agree in the most with what you have written. Being a African-American from the completely different side of the tracks, I can certainly understand and more than relate to your side of things.
Being the devil’s advocate, I’d like to bring another part of the equation into place. Like you, I’d not want to live in Baltimore County, well, because it’s Baltimore County. However, it is kind of difficult to tell people who don’t know any better, lack parental guidance, never had a father or mentor, or have it seethed into their head that they are inferior to suddenly improve themselves. Keep in mind, a lot of these kids to go to school in places that you’d never want you kids to go and a lot of the families in that area don’t have the typical nuclear family in place.
Keep in mind as well, a lot of the people in that area are GOOD-MEANING people, just that alot of them cannot afford to move, just because they don’t make enough to do so. Add to that good kids who get caught up in the element, and bam, we have the ingredients for the conversation we have here.
Like I tell my youngest brother, if young people favor following 50 Cent rather than the prinicples and ideology of Martin Luther King in the encylopedia, we have a deep problem. This example is a very small issue among many in the black community.
Yes, all the obstacles and thoughts of inferiority are surmountable, but it is much, much harder to overcome and not as easy as saying, “yeah, get a job or go to school”, when many of these people don’t have the means to do so.
This problem is so complex, historical & so deep rooted, that a blog cannot answer it.
Oriole Fan (Aaron, you know wh 07.29.05 at 9:59 am
Aaron, te posr was an insightful read. Being that this is my first comment via your blog, give me a slack here. I usually glance Technosailor every once in a blue moon, and this time I felt compelled to give my two, or in this case, it might be ten cents. Aaron, your mentality does not reek of racism, as many of my friends and even myself have thought about the issue you are having in Baltimore County. I, for example, don’t care to drive into Randallstown to stop for gas when driving home from State College, Pa.
The issue is more than just lazy black people in Baltimore County, it’s a socio-economic problem and the forces in place that should be helping people to improve their lives in matter which may be acceptable to us have failed.
Being an American History and English major, I have studied American culture time in and time out and I do agree in the most with what you have written. Being a African-American from the completely different side of the tracks, I can certainly understand and more than relate to your side of things.
Being the devil’s advocate, I’d like to bring another part of the equation into place. Like you, I’d not want to live in Baltimore County, well, because it’s Baltimore County. However, it is kind of difficult to tell people who don’t know any better, lack parental guidance, never had a father or mentor, or have it seethed into their head that they are inferior to suddenly improve themselves. Keep in mind, a lot of these kids to go to school in places that you’d never want you kids to go and a lot of the families in that area don’t have the typical nuclear family in place.
Keep in mind as well, a lot of the people in that area are GOOD-MEANING people, just that alot of them cannot afford to move, just because they don’t make enough to do so. Add to that good kids who get caught up in the element, and bam, we have the ingredients for the conversation we have here.
Like I tell my youngest brother, if young people favor following 50 Cent rather than the prinicples and ideology of Martin Luther King in the encylopedia, we have a deep problem. This example is a very small issue among many in the black community.
Yes, all the obstacles and thoughts of inferiority are surmountable, but it is much, much harder to overcome and not as easy as saying, “yeah, get a job or go to school”, when many of these people don’t have the means to do so.
This problem is so complex, historical & so deep rooted, that a blog cannot answer it.
Aaron Brazell 07.29.05 at 10:07 am
Excellent! I always appreciate another voice which does fill out the holes in my own argument. Thanks, O’s fan…
Aaron Brazell 07.29.05 at 10:07 am
Excellent! I always appreciate another voice which does fill out the holes in my own argument. Thanks, O’s fan…
Stacie 08.08.05 at 12:04 pm
This post very much impressed me - it mirrors many of the feelings that my friends and I have. I’d like to put a different spin on this. I have lived in Baltimore County all of my life and wanted to move to Columbia where living seemed to be a bit more upper class. What a joke - people making well below average want above average housing and get it. So, you have the family making over 100k who has the money to upkeep their home and the family making 30k who can barely support their children. But living in the same home. Please answer this - why is it so difficult to clean up your yard? Mow the grass? Plant flowers. There is a reason certain neighborhoods are not increasing in price - if you want a home, then please take care of it!
Anyway, I use to stereotype people by color and living conditions, but now I have a different term - ghetto mentality. It consists of white, black, asian, etc. people who just don’t care, feel that others are holding them back, or want a free handout. It consist of black people who blame the white man for slavery (history note: all races have been slaves in some form or another) or white trash who can’t take care of their lawn. It includes women who suck dry the welfare system or lazy people living off disability from SSA (did you know that SSA will continue to support people who can work but don’t want to because they will make less than their disability checks?). Newsflash - you have no one to blame but yourselves. And bravo to those who take responsibilities for themselves for good/bad.
As for Baltimore vs. Arundel vs. Howard counties - I’ve seen it everywhere. WTF ever happened to good service. You get paid to smile and help me, just like I get paid to do my job. I am so sorry that you have to stop your personal call and filing your nails to help me, but deal with it. It’s called job responsibilities.
Good post!
Stacie 08.08.05 at 1:04 pm
This post very much impressed me - it mirrors many of the feelings that my friends and I have. I’d like to put a different spin on this. I have lived in Baltimore County all of my life and wanted to move to Columbia where living seemed to be a bit more upper class. What a joke - people making well below average want above average housing and get it. So, you have the family making over 100k who has the money to upkeep their home and the family making 30k who can barely support their children. But living in the same home. Please answer this - why is it so difficult to clean up your yard? Mow the grass? Plant flowers. There is a reason certain neighborhoods are not increasing in price - if you want a home, then please take care of it!
Anyway, I use to stereotype people by color and living conditions, but now I have a different term - ghetto mentality. It consists of white, black, asian, etc. people who just don’t care, feel that others are holding them back, or want a free handout. It consist of black people who blame the white man for slavery (history note: all races have been slaves in some form or another) or white trash who can’t take care of their lawn. It includes women who suck dry the welfare system or lazy people living off disability from SSA (did you know that SSA will continue to support people who can work but don’t want to because they will make less than their disability checks?). Newsflash - you have no one to blame but yourselves. And bravo to those who take responsibilities for themselves for good/bad.
As for Baltimore vs. Arundel vs. Howard counties - I’ve seen it everywhere. WTF ever happened to good service. You get paid to smile and help me, just like I get paid to do my job. I am so sorry that you have to stop your personal call and filing your nails to help me, but deal with it. It’s called job responsibilities.
Good post!
Stacie 08.08.05 at 1:04 pm
This post very much impressed me - it mirrors many of the feelings that my friends and I have. I’d like to put a different spin on this. I have lived in Baltimore County all of my life and wanted to move to Columbia where living seemed to be a bit more upper class. What a joke - people making well below average want above average housing and get it. So, you have the family making over 100k who has the money to upkeep their home and the family making 30k who can barely support their children. But living in the same home. Please answer this - why is it so difficult to clean up your yard? Mow the grass? Plant flowers. There is a reason certain neighborhoods are not increasing in price - if you want a home, then please take care of it!
Anyway, I use to stereotype people by color and living conditions, but now I have a different term - ghetto mentality. It consists of white, black, asian, etc. people who just don’t care, feel that others are holding them back, or want a free handout. It consist of black people who blame the white man for slavery (history note: all races have been slaves in some form or another) or white trash who can’t take care of their lawn. It includes women who suck dry the welfare system or lazy people living off disability from SSA (did you know that SSA will continue to support people who can work but don’t want to because they will make less than their disability checks?). Newsflash - you have no one to blame but yourselves. And bravo to those who take responsibilities for themselves for good/bad.
As for Baltimore vs. Arundel vs. Howard counties - I’ve seen it everywhere. WTF ever happened to good service. You get paid to smile and help me, just like I get paid to do my job. I am so sorry that you have to stop your personal call and filing your nails to help me, but deal with it. It’s called job responsibilities.
Good post!
Aaron Brazell 08.08.05 at 1:49 pm
Alright, Stacie! You filled in quite a few gaps there that I didn’t hit on, but you’re absolutely right about.
Aaron Brazell 08.08.05 at 2:49 pm
Alright, Stacie! You filled in quite a few gaps there that I didn’t hit on, but you’re absolutely right about.
Aaron Brazell 08.08.05 at 2:49 pm
Alright, Stacie! You filled in quite a few gaps there that I didn’t hit on, but you’re absolutely right about.
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