I've been reading over the Roanoke Times' messageboard today (new page is partly finished.. having trouble with the program crashing, might be a day) and I have to say, the lack of actual discourse is troubling.
The only real opinions on such weighty topics as Victory Stadium, Roanoke being ranked 2nd most dangerous in Virginia, et. al.. are provided by ex-Roanokers who left.
Whassup wit dat?
Like when the Star City Bloggers Alliance had its meeting, not one of us was a Roanoke native. Just recently we have added our first Roanoke-born and raised Blogger. Yet everyone I talk to has opinions on just about everything, and most of them are native. So why not go public with them? If you have a better idea, a better plan, or a different thought - whats holding you back from speaking your mind?
I don't get this fear..
Fear of what is the big question.. Someone recently told me "reprisal from the City." Well, if your not employed by the city.. why fear reprisals? They apparently don't bother much with regular citizens, we still have at least 3 scumbag landlords living the life here.
Fear of discourse? Maybe you are afraid someone will disagree? Is this a popularity contest? Don't rock the boat kinda thing?
Someone also recently said "Roanoke fears competition." Well, partially I can agree on that. But few places do, honestly like competition. But on a personal level, maybe people are afraid of having to justify their opinions. Why, I'm not really sure of... but its possible.
Why is it the city has to "contract-out" its celebrations? The St. Pat's day parade, Festival in the Park, and just about every other event the city could possibly have. It's my belief that the City is pulling a CYA scam.. letting some "front organization" take the hit should something go wrong, lawsuits would be aimed at EventZone and not the city itself.
Another level removed from the citizens, just like we remove ourselves from eachother. Know your neighbors? How well...
Ever organize a block party? Maybe get together with the neighbors up and down the street to talk about life on the block? For those of you in apartments, ever think to ask your fellow residents about maybe getting together and cleaning the common areas once in a while? It would improve life for you and them, and you might get to know them.
Or do you just nod your head as you pass them?
Again, is it fear, or just the 21st century way of life?
Whats going on here Roanoke? Or have you not even noticed....
4 comments:
"Or do you just nod your head as you pass them?"
I think we have somehow developed an inherent distrust in our fellow man. I know that my first impressions of people can often be wrong, yet alot of us ( myself included ) base how we interact with someone ON that first impression. I don't know if that's more prevalent here in Roanoke than it is anywhere else, though. It does seem as if the area seems perfectly content to live in the past and seems almost fearful of major change. Again, an inherently human flaw/trait.
It's not so much that its more prevalent here, it's that most cities have a system for dealing with it AND progressing. And I don't fully think the city is content to live in the past... among the younger population, theres a growing tide of unrest about the future of the city.
I think the best example would be: Where are the hippies? I mean the young, politically active, socially active and aware people... Most, if not all cities of Roanoke's size have a diverse youth group; from the politically active to the polite and helpful.
even the counter cultures are tame. the punks, goths, and outcasts I used to hang with were only sanitized, roanoked versions of what you'd expect.
that bit of youth does exist, just its small and hides a lot.
I believe that most of these issues with the youth and young adults are a direct correlation to the fact that we do not have a college. Maybe that is what they should start building or give the tax breaks to.
Post a Comment