I just moved from one of the most recognizable neighborhoods in the world to the edge of the ghetto (I can see it from my window).
In my old neighborhood, Jerry Seinfeld lived around the corner. Keanu Reeves lived across the street, and tourist buses road by with visitors snapping pictures of my front porch. For all practical purposes, I had “made it.” Yet, I left not because I make less money or because something bad happened. I left because I figured it was easier to downgrade while I still have the ability. I left because I don’t see the great economic experiment lasting in its current state indefinitely.
My new neighborhood is a lot different and a lot better, and it reminds me that around the world people are people. I met about 30 people in the first 2 days who are overwhelmingly helpful, polite, and funny. They don’t have a lot of money, but they do have a lot of grace which is something I’ve been looking for. It reminds me that we don’t need status to be happy. I mean, does Jerry Seinfeld really need 46 Porsches?
Two days ago, I met Jose, Jose, and Frank sitting on a park bench drinking Puerto Rican rum and talking about baseball. They’re there everyday essentially breaking the law (I think it’s called “loitering”), so I loitered with them for some conversation and insight into the new neighborhood.
These are the people who are janitors at the Foot Locker and line cooks at Chinese restaurants. Nobody is taking pictures of our neighborhood. It took about 2 minutes to figure out that these guys are mostly concerned with friends and family, and concerned about how to make enough money to pay rent. This is a common thread to most Americans, but void of opportunities, these guys drink rum and talk about baseball instead of go to college or pursue “good” jobs.
Conspicuous consumption is gone. It just does not make any sense anymore in this era — not that it ever made much sense. I believe we are slowly returning to a character culture where people will ultimately be judged not by their earning potential but by their contribution to their community (something Dan calls “net future usefulness”). But, communities are not just people. The future includes sustainability because it has to.
Jose, Jose, and Frank are not my heroes and should get off their asses. They have more to offer than a low-grade buzz in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon. If they look around, there is opportunity that has nothing to do with money. There’s a vacant lot around the corner full of trash that would be perfect for a community garden. That’s where I’m headed now.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey, I don’t think it’s “loitering” if you’re on a park bench — isn’t that what the benches are there for?
I think it sounds like a cool neighborhood, much better than the rich white ghetto. Now you just have to inspire Jose, Jose and Frank. Maybe they would enjoy gardening?
When TSHTF, you will always be better off around people who already know how to be poor than those trying to defend their status.
Hey, leave Jose, Jose, and Frank alone. They sound like my neighbors. You didn’t move to Jersey City did you?
They’re not lazy, they just doing what they were taught to do, just as you are doing what you were taught to do. (Of course this is assumming that they are Mets fans. If they are Yankee fans, then fuck ‘em. They’re lazy bastards.)
As long as beer is the extent of their vices, if you inspire them (re-teach them,) they’ll be glad to grab a ho (garden tool.) Just make sure that you bring a radio with extra batteries that broadcasts the games and a six pack (other than your abs.)
This is like where I came from, the south side of Chicago, the land of beans, neck-bones, and chicken wings.
I never knew I was “poor” until I wasn’t. It’s been nice, but I’m anxious to get back because my grandkids are there. I need them more than they need me.
Kimberly: They need you more than they know. One of the problems with people our age is that we grew up in a world that was working hard to abandon anyone that wasn’t the perfect 20-30 something age for TV. Kids and grandparents became a ‘burden’ to society, rather than a feature (except when they are a marketing demographic). When you get back to Chicago, ‘vote early, vote often’.
Cagesafe,
Unless I really messed up around 45th St, I don’t believe I moved to Jersey. I mean, not that it’s not BEAUTIFUL there, ahem.
I sort of lucked out in that the proposed garden site is inches away from the oldest standing farmhouse in the region (1789), so I think there’s some cultural buy-in and traction.
There’s lots of labor in the area who I think would have a blast working on this type of project. I’ll bring the radio.