In 2006, The Village Voice called HUD "New York City's worst landlord" and "the #1 worst in the United States." The criticism is based upon decrepit conditions of buildings and questionable eviction practices.
We've been debating on my Occupy HUD facebook page: HUD. Specifically, their mission:
'... To create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business.
So, we debate that, versus how much they really help.
When they evict a 101-year-old woman at Christmas, promise to rehab her home for her return, then change their minds and disallow her from returning, that goes in the 'not helping' category.
When they break-up families with threats of trespassing orders should they allow them to visit their homes because of their real or perceived criminal records.... That also goes into the 'not helping' category.
When they house women and children in crime-ridden neighborhoods and leave them to fend for themselves, that would also go into the 'not helping' category.
When they allow their employees to randomly enforce their rules at will and for their convenience - that would probably go into the 'not helping' category.
When they evict a tenant and her young child in Winter - then refuse to allow the mother to gather appropriate clothing for that child - definitely NOT HELPING.
When they displace people at will for their own selfish, monetary gain - like chattel - once again - NOT HELPING.
When they house people in deficient homes rife with mold, rodents and other housing code violations.... not helping.
When they allow HA staff to illegally steal federal funding with no repercussions, to the detriment of residents - NOT HELPING.
Let's see..... I can personally attest that myself and my family have NOT been helped by this landlord - to the contrary - we've only been hurt; And that yes - as the Village Voice said: ".....(HUD is) - the #1 worst landlord in the United States." Because they hurt.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
WHO?
For those of you who don't remember the old Abbott and Costello comedy sketch "Whose on First?" Ya gotta Google it. They go round and round for about 15 minutes talking about whose on first? and what's on second? and i-don't-know's on third.... It's hilarious. Pure genius.
It's funny, until it becomes real life, and the jokes on you. Sleight of hand... Don't look over here... Look over there.... I'm saying one thing, but meaning another... And, it's up to you to figure out what I REALLY mean..... Go ahead... Try.
There's also a saying: "... I can't define discrimination, but I know it when I see it....."
My son and I were talking about discrimination this past weekend, and I told him that I had (finally) filed a formal complaint against my landlord, but expect an uphill battle trying to prove it. And, he asked a perfectly legitimate question: "Why?"
WHY. Because it's 2012, and though we have a plethora of anti-discrimination laws in place, discrimination still exists. People don't want to believe that (myself included), because we'd like to think - that after all the HELL this nation has been through - we've eradicated this particular nasty problem. But, let me pose the following scenarios to you:
A wheelchair bound woman wants to attend the University of Maryland (this is purely hypothetical), but the building is not wheelchair accessible in many ways. Ways that impede her ability to get an education at that institution. So, she writes a letter to the Dean, asking for 'reasonable accommodations', such as a widening of the doors, automatic door openers, wheelchair accessible bathroom facilities.... But, the Dean responds: "Sorry, no can do... You're asking us to expend 'X' amount of money - which we deem too much, so - we STRONGLY SUGGEST you transfer to another facility - maybe the University of Delaware? I hear they're wheelchair accessible...." Do you think this is an appropriate response? No, because it's NOT. That's discrimination, and it's illegal.
Another case in point: This one is NOT a hypothetical, it's an actual, real-life situation: A child (6-yrs-old) has been diagnosed as a violent, unpredictable, suicidal schizophrenic. Her parents tried to have her attend their local elementary school, where one day she proceeded to slam her body into doors and through windows. The Police had to be called, to take her away - and commit her to UCLA's inpatient mental health department for two weeks. However, upon her release, her parents still desired that she attend that particular school. It was agreed that she might not be able to attend a full day (like the other children), and as well, that she couldn't be trusted around the other children (for their safety); But, rather than outright tell the parents that she couldn't attend the school, the School Board accommodated (there's that word again) them by paying teachers overtime, thereby allowing the child to attend the school after hours. THAT'S an appropriate, legal, anti-discriminatory response.
Now, consider what happened to me: I live in a house rife with toxic mold, inform my landlord, have independent tests done to prove my assertions; ask them to remediate the mold, get laughed out of the office summarily, and threatened with eviction on a particular day should I not comply with their desire to have me move to a more deficient property. Does that sound logical or legal? No, because it's NOT. So, they're providing housing, but it's deficient housing... Which brings me back to my original question: Whose on First?!
It's funny, until it becomes real life, and the jokes on you. Sleight of hand... Don't look over here... Look over there.... I'm saying one thing, but meaning another... And, it's up to you to figure out what I REALLY mean..... Go ahead... Try.
There's also a saying: "... I can't define discrimination, but I know it when I see it....."
My son and I were talking about discrimination this past weekend, and I told him that I had (finally) filed a formal complaint against my landlord, but expect an uphill battle trying to prove it. And, he asked a perfectly legitimate question: "Why?"
WHY. Because it's 2012, and though we have a plethora of anti-discrimination laws in place, discrimination still exists. People don't want to believe that (myself included), because we'd like to think - that after all the HELL this nation has been through - we've eradicated this particular nasty problem. But, let me pose the following scenarios to you:
A wheelchair bound woman wants to attend the University of Maryland (this is purely hypothetical), but the building is not wheelchair accessible in many ways. Ways that impede her ability to get an education at that institution. So, she writes a letter to the Dean, asking for 'reasonable accommodations', such as a widening of the doors, automatic door openers, wheelchair accessible bathroom facilities.... But, the Dean responds: "Sorry, no can do... You're asking us to expend 'X' amount of money - which we deem too much, so - we STRONGLY SUGGEST you transfer to another facility - maybe the University of Delaware? I hear they're wheelchair accessible...." Do you think this is an appropriate response? No, because it's NOT. That's discrimination, and it's illegal.
Another case in point: This one is NOT a hypothetical, it's an actual, real-life situation: A child (6-yrs-old) has been diagnosed as a violent, unpredictable, suicidal schizophrenic. Her parents tried to have her attend their local elementary school, where one day she proceeded to slam her body into doors and through windows. The Police had to be called, to take her away - and commit her to UCLA's inpatient mental health department for two weeks. However, upon her release, her parents still desired that she attend that particular school. It was agreed that she might not be able to attend a full day (like the other children), and as well, that she couldn't be trusted around the other children (for their safety); But, rather than outright tell the parents that she couldn't attend the school, the School Board accommodated (there's that word again) them by paying teachers overtime, thereby allowing the child to attend the school after hours. THAT'S an appropriate, legal, anti-discriminatory response.
Now, consider what happened to me: I live in a house rife with toxic mold, inform my landlord, have independent tests done to prove my assertions; ask them to remediate the mold, get laughed out of the office summarily, and threatened with eviction on a particular day should I not comply with their desire to have me move to a more deficient property. Does that sound logical or legal? No, because it's NOT. So, they're providing housing, but it's deficient housing... Which brings me back to my original question: Whose on First?!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
SHADY
We have a saying, here in the 'hood. It's called: 'shady', meaning anyone or anything which is not totally honest, and/or a situation which seems suspicious. That's 'shady'.
I myself don't like dealing with shady people, and try to avoid shady situations at all costs. That's part of the reason I stopped going to RHE Board Meetings, and Resident Council meetings. I always felt like I had to take really hot showers afterwards....
What am I talking about?
Well, let's begin at the beginning.....: The first home I rented through RHE was in a complex due for demolition within two years after my moving there. The justification to HUD that RHE was making for the demolition was that the property was in distress, old and unlivable - yet - they continued to house us there, and profit from our rents.... As well, they continued to hire unlicensed contractors to make cosmetic upgrades. Shady.
Anyway, they get a pot of gold from the City to help "relocate" us (that's what they called it), with promises to reimburse us for moving costs, as well as miscellaneous charges we might incur due to our relocation. I didn't get any of that money, and nobody I know did either. So, where did the money go?? Shady.
During this whole time, they needed to prove that there was an active resident council - in order that everything appear 'politically correct'. So, I join - like a dummy. My position? Treasurer. When I heard whispers that there was an account specifically set aside for resident expenditures, and I asked how much was in the account, and how we could access it - I was told that information was 'confidential'. That was the end of my tenure as Treasurer. Shady.
So, I take solace that we will be given first option to buy back through a creative mortgage/Section 8 Certificate program where our monthly payments would go towards ownership of the new homes, as promised. Didn't happen; Because - all of a sudden - the money set aside for this program magically disappeared. Shady.
Whatever.... At least I know that they're responsible custodians of my escrow account, right? You guessed it - my money mysteriously disappeared. Again. Shady.
No matter - I'll just sign an extension of the same contract (what the hell was I thinking???!!!), and benefit after another two years. Right??!! WRONG. Not only did the money disappear this time, but the contract itself disappeared from my RHE file as well. Luckily, I still have my copy. But, that's SHADY, right ?!
How about when my landlord puts a letter on my door that workers are coming to my home today, and no one shows up?? Once again - SHADY.
My grandmother was a very wise woman. She said: "If a man lies, he'll cheat. If a man lies and cheats, he'll steal.... " Yeah. Shady.
I myself don't like dealing with shady people, and try to avoid shady situations at all costs. That's part of the reason I stopped going to RHE Board Meetings, and Resident Council meetings. I always felt like I had to take really hot showers afterwards....
What am I talking about?
Well, let's begin at the beginning.....: The first home I rented through RHE was in a complex due for demolition within two years after my moving there. The justification to HUD that RHE was making for the demolition was that the property was in distress, old and unlivable - yet - they continued to house us there, and profit from our rents.... As well, they continued to hire unlicensed contractors to make cosmetic upgrades. Shady.
Anyway, they get a pot of gold from the City to help "relocate" us (that's what they called it), with promises to reimburse us for moving costs, as well as miscellaneous charges we might incur due to our relocation. I didn't get any of that money, and nobody I know did either. So, where did the money go?? Shady.
During this whole time, they needed to prove that there was an active resident council - in order that everything appear 'politically correct'. So, I join - like a dummy. My position? Treasurer. When I heard whispers that there was an account specifically set aside for resident expenditures, and I asked how much was in the account, and how we could access it - I was told that information was 'confidential'. That was the end of my tenure as Treasurer. Shady.
So, I take solace that we will be given first option to buy back through a creative mortgage/Section 8 Certificate program where our monthly payments would go towards ownership of the new homes, as promised. Didn't happen; Because - all of a sudden - the money set aside for this program magically disappeared. Shady.
Whatever.... At least I know that they're responsible custodians of my escrow account, right? You guessed it - my money mysteriously disappeared. Again. Shady.
No matter - I'll just sign an extension of the same contract (what the hell was I thinking???!!!), and benefit after another two years. Right??!! WRONG. Not only did the money disappear this time, but the contract itself disappeared from my RHE file as well. Luckily, I still have my copy. But, that's SHADY, right ?!
How about when my landlord puts a letter on my door that workers are coming to my home today, and no one shows up?? Once again - SHADY.
My grandmother was a very wise woman. She said: "If a man lies, he'll cheat. If a man lies and cheats, he'll steal.... " Yeah. Shady.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
CEASELESS HARASSMENT
ha·rass·ment:
[huh-ras-muh
nt, har-uhs-muhnt] 
Show IPA
noun: The act or an instance of harassing, or disturbing, pestering, or troubling repeatedly; persecution.
I know the meaning of this word intimately, unfortunately :-(
And, I know it because I've been with this particular landlord (RHE/HUD) for ten years. I've watched staff turnover more times then I care to count. I've seen the professional ones, the lazy ones, the dumb ones, the ones who were only there to get a paycheck. I've witnessed the sneaky ones, the racist ones, the cool ones, the quiet ones, the nosy ones.....
I've known staff who were cooperative, and staff who couldn't be less cooperative. That's the kind we have right now. The ones who play dumb when you ask them questions, and who go out of their way to make your life HARD.
But, back to my favorite subject: ME. I've come to the sad conclusion that I had a mini nervous breakdown last month; Maybe even over the last several months. This is because my landlord - specifically Stacy Brooks - and her lawyer - Mr. Kenneth Tecler have been suing me every month since August. Coincidentally, right around the time I began complaining about THE MOAT.
So, the routine goes something like this: I gather my few little pennies, pay the bare necessities - try to save enough money to pay rent - which hardly ever happens before the 10th of the month. But, I pay what I can, when I can, which is not soon enough for them - because they run to the courthouse to file suit against me. I go to court, the case gets dismissed.
Then, next month - I gather my few little pennies, pay the bare necessities - try to save enough money to pay rent - which hardly ever happens before the 10th of the month. But, I pay what I can, when I can, which is not soon enough for them - because they run to the courthouse to file suit against me. I go to court, the case gets dismissed.
Next month: I gather my few little pennies, pay the bare necessities - try to save enough money to pay rent - which hardly ever happens before the 10th of the month. But, I pay what I can, when I can, which is not soon enough for them - because they run to the courthouse to file suit against me. I go to court, the case gets dismissed.
Starting to get the picture? They became so infuriated that I continued to be able to come up with rent (although I'm not working), that they started fraudulently padding my account, adding frivolous - erroneous, trumped up charges - hoping I wouldn't question them, or be able to pay them - so they could justify my eviction; Which they've filed for three times in the last six months as well.
Sound like nice people to you? NOT !
Friday, January 20, 2012
BANGING
I awoke this morning to banging on my front door. Half asleep, and not expecting any visitors, I just thought it had something to do with the construction on the unit next door; Therefore, I didn't respond immediately.
I drifted back to sleep.... But, a few minutes later - there it was again. Banging. Louder. This time, there was no doubt that it was my door. Banging, like "OPEN UP ! IT'S THE POLICE !!" type banging. So, being curious - I went downstairs and looked through the window. Sure enough - there was a strange man banging at my front door. When he realized that wasn't working, he tried the doorknob, then began tapping on the window, insistently.
Now, I should back up and say that I have a checkered past with my landlord, and maintenance crew. Despite my repeated requests for them to give me advanced notice when they send strange men / subcontractors to my house - they repeatedly ignore me, and send them anyway.
I didn't make that request lightly. 15 years ago, while living here in Rockville, at Fireside Park Apartments, I had attended a pool party, where I was drugged by a maintenance man, and later raped by him. The way it happened was - I got sick at the pool party - suddenly feeling very dizzy, and excused myself to return to my apartment to rest. Less than a half-hour later, he knocked on my door. Looking through my peephole, I recognized him as the maintenance man, and saw that he was holding a CD in his hand, one that I had apparently left at the party. Thinking he was just simply returning it, I opened the door. He handed me the CD, and then forced himself into my apartment. You can kinda figure out the rest from there....
Though it's painful to relive this memory, and somewhat shameful to have to repeat it as justification for my request to my current landlord - as I said - they've consistently ignored me, and disregarded my fears.
They routinely send strange men to my house - un-escorted subcontractors who probably harbor no ill-will at all. But, I'm unwilling to take that chance, anymore. According to my lease - I'm entitled to receive - in writing - 24-hour advance notice of any workers or other people my landlord deems necessary to work in my unit. After they do that, I'm supposed to allow them access to my unit. And, for the most part - I've been totally compliant in that regard over the years....:
In the past, I've reluctantly allowed painters, landscapers, HVAC cleaners, electricians, plumbers, cabinet makers, exterminators, tile workers, roofers.... etc... into my home un-escorted by maintenance, and with little or no prior notice (trying to be cooperative). One of the workers even admitted to me he was a convicted felon. Yet, the parade of strange men continues, unabated. It's like this isn't even MY house, and I have NO rights....
To me, this illustrates how inconsiderate, rude, disrespectful and mean my landlord and maintenance crew are - to be so insensitive as to continually traumatize me despite my repeated requests for them to STOP. But, there's also a clause in my lease which says they can evict me if I DON'T allow their sub-contractors into "my" home, so it's a catch-22.
I guess that's why today - workers from Rockville Window and Door Co. continued to bang on my door from 9:00am to 1:00 pm - until I finally put a note up on my window telling them that if they continued to bang on my door, I was going to call the Police. That stopped them.
Why my landlord continues to treat me with such total and utter lack of respect, I don't know. Maybe they get some kind of cheap, sadistic thrill from it.. ?? Someone once said: 'You can only give the level of respect you have for yourself'; Maybe they have no respect for themselves... ?? Maybe they've never been raped. I hate to wish ill-will on someone else, but.......
I drifted back to sleep.... But, a few minutes later - there it was again. Banging. Louder. This time, there was no doubt that it was my door. Banging, like "OPEN UP ! IT'S THE POLICE !!" type banging. So, being curious - I went downstairs and looked through the window. Sure enough - there was a strange man banging at my front door. When he realized that wasn't working, he tried the doorknob, then began tapping on the window, insistently.
Now, I should back up and say that I have a checkered past with my landlord, and maintenance crew. Despite my repeated requests for them to give me advanced notice when they send strange men / subcontractors to my house - they repeatedly ignore me, and send them anyway.
I didn't make that request lightly. 15 years ago, while living here in Rockville, at Fireside Park Apartments, I had attended a pool party, where I was drugged by a maintenance man, and later raped by him. The way it happened was - I got sick at the pool party - suddenly feeling very dizzy, and excused myself to return to my apartment to rest. Less than a half-hour later, he knocked on my door. Looking through my peephole, I recognized him as the maintenance man, and saw that he was holding a CD in his hand, one that I had apparently left at the party. Thinking he was just simply returning it, I opened the door. He handed me the CD, and then forced himself into my apartment. You can kinda figure out the rest from there....
Though it's painful to relive this memory, and somewhat shameful to have to repeat it as justification for my request to my current landlord - as I said - they've consistently ignored me, and disregarded my fears.
They routinely send strange men to my house - un-escorted subcontractors who probably harbor no ill-will at all. But, I'm unwilling to take that chance, anymore. According to my lease - I'm entitled to receive - in writing - 24-hour advance notice of any workers or other people my landlord deems necessary to work in my unit. After they do that, I'm supposed to allow them access to my unit. And, for the most part - I've been totally compliant in that regard over the years....:
In the past, I've reluctantly allowed painters, landscapers, HVAC cleaners, electricians, plumbers, cabinet makers, exterminators, tile workers, roofers.... etc... into my home un-escorted by maintenance, and with little or no prior notice (trying to be cooperative). One of the workers even admitted to me he was a convicted felon. Yet, the parade of strange men continues, unabated. It's like this isn't even MY house, and I have NO rights....
To me, this illustrates how inconsiderate, rude, disrespectful and mean my landlord and maintenance crew are - to be so insensitive as to continually traumatize me despite my repeated requests for them to STOP. But, there's also a clause in my lease which says they can evict me if I DON'T allow their sub-contractors into "my" home, so it's a catch-22.
I guess that's why today - workers from Rockville Window and Door Co. continued to bang on my door from 9:00am to 1:00 pm - until I finally put a note up on my window telling them that if they continued to bang on my door, I was going to call the Police. That stopped them.
Why my landlord continues to treat me with such total and utter lack of respect, I don't know. Maybe they get some kind of cheap, sadistic thrill from it.. ?? Someone once said: 'You can only give the level of respect you have for yourself'; Maybe they have no respect for themselves... ?? Maybe they've never been raped. I hate to wish ill-will on someone else, but.......
Sunday, January 15, 2012
PETA
My son and I have been complaining about rats and mice in our home for over six (6) months. We primarily see them in our livingroom, and kitchen areas. Last week, I waited till 1:00pm to go downstairs to eat, because I was so scared.
Although Orkin Extermination Services are contracted by my Housing Authority, they've 'missed' coming to my home for the last three months, for whatever reason.....
And we still have the mice / rats. Just tonight, my son came running upstairs in a panic, after seeing another one. But, no - let me rewind 72 hours....
Last Thursday night I was in the livingroom on the computer, and I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. I looked, and sure enough - I caught the back end of the rat/mouse. It had a long tail. Of course - me being a girl - I screamed. LOUD. Woke my son up.... Poor thing.....
He had been saying that he was seeing them all along, but - because I hadn't actually seen one myself, I had only half believed him.... I thought he was just grossing his mom out for the fun factor.
But, yep - there it was... big, fat, slow and grey.... DEFINATELY NOT a tenant you want in your house.
First thing Friday morning I'm on the phone to my landlord. The Housing Authority Manager says that he can't (or won't) get Orkin out to my house until Tuesday, but that he would leave little sticky things (traps) at my door.
Leave little sticky things at my door. Little sticky things.... At. my. door.
Needless to say - that was unacceptable. So, I call the HUD Field Office, and tell them that I have rodents, and that my landlord won't do anything about it. Well, it was true to MY understanding. I don't count 'leaving little sticky things at my door' an appropriate response.
The HUD Field Office lady calls me - says: "Well, they SAID they were gonna help you on Tuesday". I said: "Lookee here - lady, if YOU had a RAT in YOUR house - would YOU wanna wait till Tuesday????!!!!" (I really did say that).
So, needless to say - she got my manager / landlord out that same day, where he pretended to be REALLY concerned about them... HHHhhhhhhmmmmnnnn.......
When I asked if we could get a cat, since nothing else seems to have worked these last six months; He replied: "Well, first you would need to provide a $300.00 deposit, and Orkin can't put an invisible shield of powder or other chemical along the fenceline because PETA might object....."
I pay rent here, but god forbid PETA might object.... HHhhhhhhhmmmmmnnn.......
This is the insanity and illogical rationale I have to live with daily. THEY can poison US, but WE can't poison the rats... Makes no damn sense. NONE. We can be traumatized and suffer - just so long as THEY profit, and PETA's happy.
Welcome to my life.
Although Orkin Extermination Services are contracted by my Housing Authority, they've 'missed' coming to my home for the last three months, for whatever reason.....
And we still have the mice / rats. Just tonight, my son came running upstairs in a panic, after seeing another one. But, no - let me rewind 72 hours....
Last Thursday night I was in the livingroom on the computer, and I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. I looked, and sure enough - I caught the back end of the rat/mouse. It had a long tail. Of course - me being a girl - I screamed. LOUD. Woke my son up.... Poor thing.....
He had been saying that he was seeing them all along, but - because I hadn't actually seen one myself, I had only half believed him.... I thought he was just grossing his mom out for the fun factor.
But, yep - there it was... big, fat, slow and grey.... DEFINATELY NOT a tenant you want in your house.
First thing Friday morning I'm on the phone to my landlord. The Housing Authority Manager says that he can't (or won't) get Orkin out to my house until Tuesday, but that he would leave little sticky things (traps) at my door.
Leave little sticky things at my door. Little sticky things.... At. my. door.
Needless to say - that was unacceptable. So, I call the HUD Field Office, and tell them that I have rodents, and that my landlord won't do anything about it. Well, it was true to MY understanding. I don't count 'leaving little sticky things at my door' an appropriate response.
The HUD Field Office lady calls me - says: "Well, they SAID they were gonna help you on Tuesday". I said: "Lookee here - lady, if YOU had a RAT in YOUR house - would YOU wanna wait till Tuesday????!!!!" (I really did say that).
So, needless to say - she got my manager / landlord out that same day, where he pretended to be REALLY concerned about them... HHHhhhhhhmmmmnnnn.......
When I asked if we could get a cat, since nothing else seems to have worked these last six months; He replied: "Well, first you would need to provide a $300.00 deposit, and Orkin can't put an invisible shield of powder or other chemical along the fenceline because PETA might object....."
I pay rent here, but god forbid PETA might object.... HHhhhhhhhmmmmmnnn.......
This is the insanity and illogical rationale I have to live with daily. THEY can poison US, but WE can't poison the rats... Makes no damn sense. NONE. We can be traumatized and suffer - just so long as THEY profit, and PETA's happy.
Welcome to my life.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
SING SING
Per Wikipedia: Sing Sing Correctional Facility is a maximum security prison[2] operated by the New York State Department of Correctional Services in the town of Ossining, New York. It is located about 30 miles north of New York City on the bank of the Hudson River.
I lied. In an earlier blog, I painted my life as being (one reader observed) "Rockwellian" in nature. And, for the most part - it was. But, for whatever reason, my parents couldn't wait to ship me off to my Aunts every weekend, to Ossining N.Y.
Though it was only ten miles away, it may as well have been on another planet. My Aunts' house was right on the bank of the Hudson River, actually a tributary to it - and across from Sing Sing Prison. It was the epitome of the word: 'Ghetto'. Though omnipresent, we rarely talked about the prison itself. It was like the proverbial elephant in the room; We were taught that if we heard the siren sound, it was signaling that an inmate had escaped, and we were to drop whatever we were doing, and run home - only to remain in the house, under lock and key, until the prisoner (s) were caught. As a child, I didn't know how to feel about that. I guess I was supposed to think it was normal, like the garbage everyone dumped behind her house. Like the stench which permeated her property because of what people poured in the 'river' behind her home. Like how we could never go to the store alone, we always had to travel in groups (preferably with boy escorts, and not to flirt with, either).
I guess I know this is wrong (my current living conditions), because I've already endured it - in an earlier life. And, I remember how much I dreaded going to my Aunts house, and how grateful I was to return home Sunday night - no matter how dysfunctional it was.
The funny thing is, now Ossining has been gentrified somewhat, enough for my (white) step-sister to feel comfortable living there, and raising her kids there. Life is funny. 30 years ago, you couldn't have paid her to visit Ossining, yet now she lives there. That's hilarious to me.
Ask her - and of course she'll say it doesn't matter, nothing matters. She makes enough money to insulate her from the horrors of Sing Sing, and the stench and fear it evokes. I guess it also helps that there are plans being finalized as I write this - to convert the prison into a museum. Aaaaahhhhhh..... Capitalism at it's best......
And so, yes - we've come full circle to money, and the fact that if you have enough of it - you can see things you want to see, and you can afford NOT to see the things you don't. That's what I want - the luxury of having the choice NOT to live next to a swamp, or across from a landfill - or down the street from a prison - if I don't want to. That's what I want.
I lied. In an earlier blog, I painted my life as being (one reader observed) "Rockwellian" in nature. And, for the most part - it was. But, for whatever reason, my parents couldn't wait to ship me off to my Aunts every weekend, to Ossining N.Y.
Though it was only ten miles away, it may as well have been on another planet. My Aunts' house was right on the bank of the Hudson River, actually a tributary to it - and across from Sing Sing Prison. It was the epitome of the word: 'Ghetto'. Though omnipresent, we rarely talked about the prison itself. It was like the proverbial elephant in the room; We were taught that if we heard the siren sound, it was signaling that an inmate had escaped, and we were to drop whatever we were doing, and run home - only to remain in the house, under lock and key, until the prisoner (s) were caught. As a child, I didn't know how to feel about that. I guess I was supposed to think it was normal, like the garbage everyone dumped behind her house. Like the stench which permeated her property because of what people poured in the 'river' behind her home. Like how we could never go to the store alone, we always had to travel in groups (preferably with boy escorts, and not to flirt with, either).
I guess I know this is wrong (my current living conditions), because I've already endured it - in an earlier life. And, I remember how much I dreaded going to my Aunts house, and how grateful I was to return home Sunday night - no matter how dysfunctional it was.
The funny thing is, now Ossining has been gentrified somewhat, enough for my (white) step-sister to feel comfortable living there, and raising her kids there. Life is funny. 30 years ago, you couldn't have paid her to visit Ossining, yet now she lives there. That's hilarious to me.
Ask her - and of course she'll say it doesn't matter, nothing matters. She makes enough money to insulate her from the horrors of Sing Sing, and the stench and fear it evokes. I guess it also helps that there are plans being finalized as I write this - to convert the prison into a museum. Aaaaahhhhhh..... Capitalism at it's best......
And so, yes - we've come full circle to money, and the fact that if you have enough of it - you can see things you want to see, and you can afford NOT to see the things you don't. That's what I want - the luxury of having the choice NOT to live next to a swamp, or across from a landfill - or down the street from a prison - if I don't want to. That's what I want.
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