I agree.
I am just saying that this case needs to be laid out no matter what to the people of STL and America by the media.
I am just saying that this case needs to be laid out no matter what to the people of STL and America by the media.
What if UrbanSTL (and possibly NextSTL) and other groups throughout the metro area come together in a pride and unity rally... let's say under the arch or downtown somewhere... stage a large rally that will bring people together during this time to change the face of race and living in unity in STL.
I am being serious. We could achieve this and get national spotlight for it. Put press releases out (radio / TV), put out a grass-roots campaign and maximize it on FaceBook/Twitter and other social media.
STLians as a city / region and at large are feeling this grief and STLians as a city/region and at large LOVE our city. We need to unite us and show the world that STL is ready for change and ready to stand together.
I would be willing to work and spend some of my corporate dollars to jumpstart a campaign to be done as quickly as we can to organize a date soon (while the topic is hot and in the national media). I would just need the help of others to push the "rally" or event.
If we could just fill the arch grounds or a downtown landmark or area with people on a specific date and time. A Saturday and just lasting for a short time. We don't need music, we don't need blow horns, we just need people to come and interact with each other. Just build a campaign with the date/time and "be there". We come together in peace and unity and show our city in pride. All races All ages.
We cannot leave our reputation up to our city leaders.
Any ideas?
I am being serious. We could achieve this and get national spotlight for it. Put press releases out (radio / TV), put out a grass-roots campaign and maximize it on FaceBook/Twitter and other social media.
STLians as a city / region and at large are feeling this grief and STLians as a city/region and at large LOVE our city. We need to unite us and show the world that STL is ready for change and ready to stand together.
I would be willing to work and spend some of my corporate dollars to jumpstart a campaign to be done as quickly as we can to organize a date soon (while the topic is hot and in the national media). I would just need the help of others to push the "rally" or event.
If we could just fill the arch grounds or a downtown landmark or area with people on a specific date and time. A Saturday and just lasting for a short time. We don't need music, we don't need blow horns, we just need people to come and interact with each other. Just build a campaign with the date/time and "be there". We come together in peace and unity and show our city in pride. All races All ages.
We cannot leave our reputation up to our city leaders.
Any ideas?
- 597
I don't think St. Louis needs to spotlight itself until real reform is done. Or at the very least in motion. Nobody's trying to hear "it's really not that bad guys, really!"
We're past the point of trying to save face with a rally. No offense. I just want to see something more constructive done here.
St. Louis just had a chance to shape its national and global image and it screwed the pooch.
We're past the point of trying to save face with a rally. No offense. I just want to see something more constructive done here.
St. Louis just had a chance to shape its national and global image and it screwed the pooch.
This isn't about "saving face". This is about uniting a city's population that has been fractured by the system. The "walls" and "lines" were drawn a long time ago and they are been held in place by the people in power.
If we are going to see "constructive" change - it isn't going to happen with those in power in many of these communities.
When I read that only 2 or 3% of black residents in Ferguson - a community with nearly 70% black residents voted in the past years - whether is be because they don't trust the system or just don't feel connected/united to change the system - that is unacceptable. Unacceptable anywhere in STL.
This will not change until we as a one community, one city, one metro - feel united and empowered together for change. The governments in many of these communities are NOT going to change until the people feel empowered and united... and that is NOT going to happen until we, as residents of one great metro area stand up and unite, empower and create the change.
When you say "reform", you don't get "reform" until you empower those as a community and say enough is enough - we are all ONE.
That is a tall task to take, but I look at my friends, business affiliates, neighbors etc... and I see they are all just pissed about no unity in this city. SO LET'S unite to show that we are sick of it and we are ready for ONE CITY UNITED.
Black, White, Red, Green, Purple - no matter your ethnicity, sexuality and above all race - we are all neighbors and we all need to break down those physical and mental "walls" that were created so long ago by our city forefathers. Enough is Enough.
Crime ridden neighborhoods remain that way without unity and empowerment.
This is our chance as a community, city, metro to stand up. St. Louisans by far are upset - pissed - mad as hell that our great city is getting the black eye right now... now is the time to stand up and ONE UNITED CITY.
Not a "rally", "demonstration" or "protest" per se' ... people from all communities to step up and stand together in the same spot - like under our beloved Gateway Arch...the symbol of our city - to meet, greet, say hello and FEEL the power as ONE. This is what we need as a community to see - VOTE and STAND as ONE for UNITY.
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If we are going to see "constructive" change - it isn't going to happen with those in power in many of these communities.
When I read that only 2 or 3% of black residents in Ferguson - a community with nearly 70% black residents voted in the past years - whether is be because they don't trust the system or just don't feel connected/united to change the system - that is unacceptable. Unacceptable anywhere in STL.
This will not change until we as a one community, one city, one metro - feel united and empowered together for change. The governments in many of these communities are NOT going to change until the people feel empowered and united... and that is NOT going to happen until we, as residents of one great metro area stand up and unite, empower and create the change.
When you say "reform", you don't get "reform" until you empower those as a community and say enough is enough - we are all ONE.
That is a tall task to take, but I look at my friends, business affiliates, neighbors etc... and I see they are all just pissed about no unity in this city. SO LET'S unite to show that we are sick of it and we are ready for ONE CITY UNITED.
Black, White, Red, Green, Purple - no matter your ethnicity, sexuality and above all race - we are all neighbors and we all need to break down those physical and mental "walls" that were created so long ago by our city forefathers. Enough is Enough.
Crime ridden neighborhoods remain that way without unity and empowerment.
This is our chance as a community, city, metro to stand up. St. Louisans by far are upset - pissed - mad as hell that our great city is getting the black eye right now... now is the time to stand up and ONE UNITED CITY.
Not a "rally", "demonstration" or "protest" per se' ... people from all communities to step up and stand together in the same spot - like under our beloved Gateway Arch...the symbol of our city - to meet, greet, say hello and FEEL the power as ONE. This is what we need as a community to see - VOTE and STAND as ONE for UNITY.
- 284
I honestly don't think this has screwed Saint.Louis's image by any means & i really believe this has gotten more people to show interest in STL in a more positive effect than negative. Yes theres going to be the ones who are always negative & unhappy however thats anywhere. I completely feel like all this will change all of Saint.Louis for the better not just policing but leadership neighborhoods etc.
I've talked to many people who just moved here & who are thinking about moving here & they feel very strongly that this wouldn't of changed their minds about moving here or rethink about moving here.
Saint.Louis is on the verge of something special & this is probably the fire that was needed to wake all of us up. "Sadly the loss of a life"
Although i could fall flat on my face & look pathetic about being so hyped about STL.
I feel people here do want good positive change & to feel acknowledged respected & loved...
I've talked to many people who just moved here & who are thinking about moving here & they feel very strongly that this wouldn't of changed their minds about moving here or rethink about moving here.
Saint.Louis is on the verge of something special & this is probably the fire that was needed to wake all of us up. "Sadly the loss of a life"
Although i could fall flat on my face & look pathetic about being so hyped about STL.
I feel people here do want good positive change & to feel acknowledged respected & loved...
I would be up for joining in a gathering. I think it's a great idea as a healing for the community, and also showing that we in fact, do love our city and region. As far as national negativity I don't see much of it at all. As others have mentioned most people say "hey it could have happened in my city". Most negativity I've seen is from the burbs.
I say lets do this gathering under the arch!
I say lets do this gathering under the arch!
- 8,155
Same thing here as with the crime thread, would it be good to have a specific thread(s) that relate specifically to Ferguson?
Seems that there are going to be a ton of comments on
-- the shooting & judicial process
-- how do we respond as a community moving forward
-- perhaps other distinct areas
Not sure what the best solution is on threads but I think it might be helpful to get some sort of dedicated thread(s). Any thoughts?
Seems that there are going to be a ton of comments on
-- the shooting & judicial process
-- how do we respond as a community moving forward
-- perhaps other distinct areas
Not sure what the best solution is on threads but I think it might be helpful to get some sort of dedicated thread(s). Any thoughts?
Washington Post takes a look at the Delmar Divide:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/ ... story.html
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I really think the Near North neighborhoods west of Grand are a key to moving Saint Louis City forward as they indeed are the "front lines" of our divide.... they've got some really good housing stock remaining and I'd really love to see in the not-too-distant future nabes like Academy and VIsitation Park become more stable and integrated... breaking that 80/20 barrier... yet remain affordable and serve somewhat as an anchor for middle income black families. The good news is that some investments are already happening and I just hope things proceed in a way that builds community and not simply move one group of people in and another group out.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/ ... story.html
I really think the Near North neighborhoods west of Grand are a key to moving Saint Louis City forward as they indeed are the "front lines" of our divide.... they've got some really good housing stock remaining and I'd really love to see in the not-too-distant future nabes like Academy and VIsitation Park become more stable and integrated... breaking that 80/20 barrier... yet remain affordable and serve somewhat as an anchor for middle income black families. The good news is that some investments are already happening and I just hope things proceed in a way that builds community and not simply move one group of people in and another group out.
^ St. Louis is in big trouble, this fiasco is really going to tarnish an already shaky image. Unfortunately, our leadership and much of our citizenry has their heads firmly in the sand. People are running into their bunkers and I feel that regional race relations will be exacerbated by the handling of this tragedy. I'm almost ready to say this region is done. We have A LOT of work to do, but I'm skeptical if the haters in this region are up for it.
WSJ - Ferguson's Experience Offers Lessons on Integration
http://online.wsj.com/articles/ferguson ... 8?mod=e2fb
http://online.wsj.com/articles/ferguson ... 8?mod=e2fb
That WaPo article is spot on. I've long thought that going north on Euclid provides the most revealing experience of "how the other half lives," so to speak. Which isn't to say the CWE/Fountain Park are representative of white/black St. Louis, just that that's where the disparity is most striking.
My questions have always been: how many people know--and care--about the divide? what can realistically be done to remedy it? do enough people care to do anything about it?
Is the onus all on the poverty-stricken communities to lift themselves out of their predicament, as the commenters would have it? That doesn't make sense to me, but neither does this idea that it has to be white rich people who lead the way and revitalize these neighborhoods. What are the solutions?
My questions have always been: how many people know--and care--about the divide? what can realistically be done to remedy it? do enough people care to do anything about it?
Is the onus all on the poverty-stricken communities to lift themselves out of their predicament, as the commenters would have it? That doesn't make sense to me, but neither does this idea that it has to be white rich people who lead the way and revitalize these neighborhoods. What are the solutions?
- 109
Being an African-American and a St. Louisan, I can not believe this is my city in the news. The National Media is cutting the racial climate of this city to the bone. The area police departments have been in rare form poring gasoline on the fire at every turn.
St. Louis will have to change in order to remove its infamy after this. I hope this will help St. Louis City and County merger as one city. People foreign to the area don't care about city/county, Ferguson is in St. Louis as far as the rest of country is concerned.
St. Louis will have to change in order to remove its infamy after this. I hope this will help St. Louis City and County merger as one city. People foreign to the area don't care about city/county, Ferguson is in St. Louis as far as the rest of country is concerned.
The past three weeks all I can think is this town is a time warp. We aren't 10 years behind, or even 20. It's still 1965 here and it shows. I think this is the kind of thing that can scare away a lot of investment and really slow down all the progress that's been made in resurrecting the city. There is obviously a nationwide trend reflected in the story, of poverty moving to the suburbs, but the local response has been so totally tone deaf to the point of being incendiary, that I agree with the previous poster that this will have some, perhaps significant, repercussions on the region's ability to attract investment and talent. The question now is figuring out if it's a temporary setback, or a lasting blow, and acting accordingly.
At this point, if St. Louis isn't talking about major consolidation and government reform....its over! Unfortunately, you have a lot of hate filled people that want nothing more than the status quo. What I fear the most is young progressive people leaving the region at an even faster rate than they already have been. People who think this is just a Ferguson issue are stupid, the whole area, businesses, institutions, and other neighborhoods will feel that negative effects of this utterly embarrassing event. If we don't act soon and make real structural changes we will not survive as a region. I hope leadership doesn't just try to sweep this under the rug. The saddest part about this event is that it is not over. Word on the street is this could get even uglier if this cop isn't convicted, meaning riots will be felt in a much larger area. Maybe even fires being set to areas that have been gentrifying, setting those areas back indefinitely. I really don't think many suburbanites realize the full implications of this trial and how ugly this thing will get. All we can do at this point is pray for St. Louis, because this thing is far from over and we will really need to HealSTL after the smoke settles. Not to mention, nobody is talking about the millions of lawsuits that will likely bankrupt this area.
Metro St. Louis' economy is a major part of the problem - for both black and white.
The region didn't retool fast enough after losing jobs to globalization, NAFTA, de-industrialization and the recession.
St. Louis has always been full of racist pigs, but people were able to coexist and tolerate the bullsh*t because they were gainfully employed with decent jobs. Now, metro St. Louis is not expected to recover all of those job losses until 2017.
I don't think the economic problem is just related to crime either. Detroit is perceived to be just as crime ridden and racially-polarized, but it has a faster growing economy than St. Louis.
The inability to grow jobs, in my opinion, is related to a poor, apathetic, pathetic, divisive and inept leadership - mostly - which has been on display for all the world to see.
Unrest in Ferguson has exposed local cities, county, regional and State governments for poor, dysfunctional leadership.
Kansas City is only doing well overall because of its Kansas-side.
In essence, Missouri is a dump.
And if St. Louis dies economically - and socially - so does Missouri.
The region didn't retool fast enough after losing jobs to globalization, NAFTA, de-industrialization and the recession.
St. Louis has always been full of racist pigs, but people were able to coexist and tolerate the bullsh*t because they were gainfully employed with decent jobs. Now, metro St. Louis is not expected to recover all of those job losses until 2017.
I don't think the economic problem is just related to crime either. Detroit is perceived to be just as crime ridden and racially-polarized, but it has a faster growing economy than St. Louis.
The inability to grow jobs, in my opinion, is related to a poor, apathetic, pathetic, divisive and inept leadership - mostly - which has been on display for all the world to see.
Unrest in Ferguson has exposed local cities, county, regional and State governments for poor, dysfunctional leadership.
Kansas City is only doing well overall because of its Kansas-side.
In essence, Missouri is a dump.
And if St. Louis dies economically - and socially - so does Missouri.
I'll be honest here - if I didn't have family here, I would be seriously considering GTFO. I didn't create these problems, my family didn't create them, and I feel zero responsibility in the matter. I try to boost the city, and spend money in city limits whenever possible. But if the locals aren't going to do anything to move the region forward and if they aren't going to elect competent leaders or get over their white flight/urban sprawl mentality - and I'm talking about both whites and blacks here, because everyone looks like jackasses in this Ferguson matter - then why bother? This place is *****. I guess I assumed when I moved here that it would still be 2012 on the other end of the trip. Evidently that isn't true, and that makes me sad. My home is not what I thought it was.
- 3,762
says everybody, which is why the region is going to sh*t. well, what's stopping you? if you don't care, leave.onecity wrote:I didn't create these problems, my family didn't create them, and I feel zero responsibility in the matter.
To me, this post illustrates everything that is wrong with STL.I'll be honest here - if I didn't have family here, I would be seriously considering GTFO. I didn't create these problems, my family didn't create them, and I feel zero responsibility in the matter. I try to boost the city, and spend money in city limits whenever possible. But if the locals aren't going to do anything to move the region forward and if they aren't going to elect competent leaders or get over their white flight/urban sprawl mentality - and I'm talking about both whites and blacks here, because everyone looks like jackasses in this Ferguson matter - then why bother? This place is f***ed. I guess I assumed when I moved here that it would still be 2012 on the other end of the trip. Evidently that isn't true, and that makes me sad. My home is not what I thought it was.
We don't fix our problems, we whine about them and move away from them.
I understand the frustration and feelings of hopelessness, but I'm so over hearing about what's wrong with STL and how crappy it is. I'm hoping the energy being expended by so many to make the world see how sh*tty STL is will soon be redirected and we can start the process of changing things for the better for all of our citizens in the metro. I don't have on my rose colored glasses, we have serious problems. But I also don't think this is a crappy place to live either. Maybe I'm stupid.
The time for whining and complaining is over. It's time to grow up and set about making a difference, even if only in your own bubble of life. A lot of little changes can make big things happen. Wishful thinking? I guess time will tell.
Or, you can move away. I, for one, choose to be a part of the fight & solution.
- 91
I don't think the region is going to sh*t. St. Louis region is going through a transnational phase just like most of the country with less industrial jobs and the tech, bio and health industries are not large enough to off set the losses at least yet. We need a regional plan on how to address the issues during the transformation and make the region more urban, better public transit and better schools. Huston and other Sunbelt cities with fast growing economies are just as segregate as St. Louis except the growth helps keep the population happy with the statues quo. I am also hearing Chicago and Detroit are both time bombs ready to go off too. For better or worse St. Louis would not be judged for the riot but would be judged on what we do after.
I'm also tired of people bad talking St. Louis and how racially segregated and racist it is and then move to the WHITEST cities in the country: Nashville, Denver, Austin, Seattle, Portland, etc. also, look at a racial map of Chicago, it's arguably more segregated than St. Louis. As a nation, the "hot cities" lists need to start including cities with people of color. Also, when companies are looking to relocate or expand, perhaps it's time they focus on cities like, Cleveland, Baltimore, Detroit, St. Louis, Cincinnati, etc. help be a part of the solution of racial inequality, etc.
People move away from the psychosis, not the race statistic, in my opinion. Great Migration cities have unexorcised demons and expensive poverty problems that make it very hard to focus on the amenity level stuff that employers seeking top talent need to attract employees. It's Maslow's hierarchy in action. You may not like it or think it's fair, but I don't think that is going to change until those cities become expensive enough that cities like STL begin to serve as a relief valve of sorts. Being around that psychosis and seeing all the wasted potential in place, in people, in instititutions, is such a bummer, when you see so little evidence that there will be any meaningful reflection among the natives, or willingness to take the steps necessary to change the situation. I am interested in the outcomes of Ferguson, but also realistic in anticipating that those outcomes, based on the stickiness of culture and history, are at least as apt to bad as they are to be good. The prospect of this really bums me out. Sorry if I posted in a moment of frustration.
BINGO!I'm also tired of people bad talking St. Louis and how racially segregated and racist it is and then move to the WHITEST cities in the country: Nashville, Denver, Austin, Seattle, Portland, etc. also, look at a racial map of Chicago, it's arguably more segregated than St. Louis. As a nation, the "hot cities" lists need to start including cities with people of color. Also, when companies are looking to relocate or expand, perhaps it's time they focus on cities like, Cleveland, Baltimore, Detroit, St. Louis, Cincinnati, etc. help be a part of the solution of racial inequality, etc.
Again, STL City's size makes it just that. If you look at other cities (like above mentioned) you will find the same exact thing...
Look at Chicago: http://rustwire.com/2010/09/20/mapping- ... ethnicity/
Look at Cleveland: http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-hea ... ial-divide
Look at Nashville: http://www.nashvillescene.com/pitw/arch ... y-in-color
Look at KC: http://www.pitch.com/FastPitch/archives ... rue-colors
One of my favorites (ATLANTA - holy crap is it segregated!):
Minneapolis: https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4128/5010 ... a12f_z.jpg
Better not look at the segregation in DC: https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5172/5559 ... 3e13_z.jpg
- 3,762
nobody said it was, but you're the one talking about leaving.onecity wrote:You may not like it or think it's fair...
onecity wrote:I didn't create these problems, my family didn't create them, and I feel zero responsibility in the matter.
just sayin'.one city wrote:…when you see so little…willingness to take the steps necessary to change the situation.
i realize that sticking it out in St. Louis isn't for everyone, so by all means if you're unhappy and unwilling to put any effort into fixing things then leave. i'm just sick of hearing about it (lately in particular, and not just from you).
Two rallies, one racial divide over Ferguson shooting
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns- ... story.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns- ... story.html