The Entrapment of Self-Pity

After showing a tremendous trend between black and white communities and their rates of poverty, crime and receiving welfare, Sampson poses the question of how do we break the gap? Analyzing the shocking correlations that certain communities have between poverty and crime, We come the realization that some communities have dug themselves into a rut. I believe that this rut is caused by what I call "wallowing in self pity." Citizens of these neighborhoods have been going through a cycle of slow growth that is then destroyed by a rapid freak event that causes them to plummet back into a state of poverty and distress. However, as discussed in chapter 5, some communities have managed to retreat from poverty and find financial stability. These communities have defied the odds and escaped from the rut of self pity.

In contrast, J,R. Flemming shows that activists do not sit around and research to find solutions. The researcher that only searches for solutions but never implements a plan to arouse action is a worthless scumbag that does not deserve his or her education! I would also say the same applies to leaders such as mayors. In fact, Rahm Emanuel, the current mayor of Chicago states that the suggestion of a gulf between downtown and the South and West Sides is a “false dichotomy." Sampson and Flemming would both agree that an gulf would be an understatement. what actually exists is an almost unbreakable barrier comparable to the Berlin wall! Only through putting boots on the street and prying with all of ones might would one be able to escape the rut, climb over the wall and establish a new life.

While studying these two articles I discovered three types of people. The ignorant who ignores the truth, the researcher that wants to help but is too skeptical of the method and the go-getter that actually helps by going to the few, and in this case reconstructing the homes and putting people in them. I want to be the go-getter!

If I were a leader I would make a plant to obtain the general opinion of the public regarding different steps I would take to rebuild the city. After learning the attitude of communities, I would make a personalized plan for each of the 77 communities in Chicago. After the plan had been established, I would inform the citizens of the plan I had in store for them. Even it it took months of going to schools, public events and social gathering, I would instill a vision of what was about to happen to the city or that specific community and how that vision would benefit each individual. As the plan was implemented, I would hire public officials with the purpose to keep morale and enthusiasm high among the communities. Photos of progress would be made public, Students would come home to tell their families of the miracles that were happening and families would begin to follow the leader's vision and pull themselves out of the mire of self pity.

Eventually Chicago would be a thriving metropolitan of industry, education, medical research and self supporting!!!

As stated in my previous blog, I have seen this happen in Italy. after a devastating earthquake, many were homeless and foodless. their community lay in rubble. However, they pulled together to establish a haven among themselves where they took what little they had to rebuild. it took time and much energy, but the mission was accomplished and they greatly improved their circumstances.

In conclusion. who will you chose to be? Only determination and hard work will do the job.