I moved here, back to my home town, five years ago, believing the hype from the YSU alumni magazine about a resurgence. At first, it looked real. I found a lovely integrated neighborhood in Mill Creek Park with friendly neighbors. Gradually I discovered the truth. The Mahoning Valley lives in a state of negativity, blame, and denial. TV news broadcasts not news but false optimism. Crime is not addressed. Union attitudes from the '50s prevail among a ruling class of still neanderthal men. Where is this hard-working middle-class you all claim? Most people I've met aim toward claiming disability. That seems to be the goal. And it's not racial. It's primarily white people. Intimidation, if you can pull it off, is the prime method of transacting business and city government. If people don't win an argument, they shut down and walk off. Other cities barter, they negotiate, they listen while Youngstown dies. Youngstown has a viable university and unbelievable Mill Creek Park! You're all starving in the midst of a banquet! All you have to do is open your eyes, consider therapy for Pete's sake, and CHANGE.
It amazes me that references are still made about being afraid to drive in Youngstown. I moved back here five years ago, have driven South Avenue, Market Street, and Glenwood regularly and haven't been shot or stabbed or held up once. Imagine that. Am I lucky? Or is there something truly stupid about this long-term, crazed fear that runs through every Youngstown suburb?
Those of you who believe and spread this fear are tearing down the center and historical anchor of this area. Do you really think you can make it without Youngstown? Where would the new center be? Yes, Youngstown neighborhoods are in trouble, crime is a problem as in any former industrial city, but if this us vs. them attitude doesn't shift to include your core, your history, your gorgeous city park and scenic downtown, you too will fade away - or have to drive 60 miles for employment.
I don't even like to talk with suburbanites here because the fear and hatred of Youngstown is so endemic. It's the fear of small, timid, ignorant people who live by rumor instead of truth, people who would rather defend their lie than access reality, people who blame without knowing, people who go to church every Sunday and congratulate themselves on being Christian, but are willfully hateful inside. I'm so sick of this absolutely unwarranted divide.
If you want to know real danger, go to South Central LA or the Bronx. Don't fear Youngstown because it doesn't have a terrible crime problem yet. But if all you suburbs persist long enough, if you try really hard, you can create a place where only criminals can live. You can destroy this city, but you'll also be destroying yourselves.
So glad to hear other optimists have moved back here, realizing how vital it is to reclaim the city. Having lived in Southern California for a long time, I know how the San Fernando Valley tries consistently to secede from Los Angeles. It consistently fails, thank God, because suburbs need to support cities. City/suburbs need a core. And usually that core is pre-determined by history. The core of Youngstown is the downtown, YSU, Stambaugh, Powers, with our incomparable Mill Creek Park running along.
Some of the ideas proposed in these comments are really worth developing. Given Youngstown's highly competitive nature, the idea of a summer coaches' camp sounds very winning. Already, we have some of the best theater at YSU and The Playhouse, and the best music this side of New York. Last week's Dana Symphony performance of Shostakovich was breathtaking - and affordable - in a lovely new hall.
Jay Williams is trying to persuade people to see the city in its new, better light. More of us should support him, and it.
Hopeful? You bet! And after 20 years (since Reagan) of being afraid that Republican crazy-making spin was brainwashing most Americans - turning them from ethical, brother's-keeper citizens into cynics who fear absolutely everything and allow greed-based corporations to rule our world.
Yes, by all means, return me to the days of hope and promise. Obama represents the America I want our grandchildren to see - a caring, smart America.
Adams said it to Jefferson, When the wise don't lead, others will. Eight years is enough of this proud-to-be-stupid leadership. I'm one old lady for a wise man - for a change.
Finally! This three-pronged method is proven. It has worked in small cities like Indianapolis and large ones like New York. The secret is cooperation among the groups involved, and, most important, time spent. Time improving the self-worth aspect of the criminals, so they don't gain all their power from negative attention.
Obama keeps stressing this kind of turn-around in his message to reach really young children, to educate them in a direction other than crime and prison. But crime now can be turned around, too - with consistent, dedicated involvement. And something Youngstown and its suburbs are short on - optimism.
I've recently moved back to Youngstown to retire. Not exactly a rose-colored optimist, I do see the city's undeniable gentrification potential around areas like Mill Creek Park and the Northside's historic homes surrounding Wick Park and up Fifth Avenue. This is still a lovely city. But it seems to be suffering the same inadequate improvement as Germany after WWII.
The Germans had a woeful reputation to reconstruct after the war -- a close-minded racist belief system that, it turns out, was reprehensibly wrong. Instead of attending to that racism with psychological restructuring, they concentrated on their cities. Too embarrassed to rebuild their psyches, they rebuilt buildings instead. That, it appears, is where Youngstown is at today.
Driving through the downtown is physically impressive. The beautiful courthouse building, the new Chevrolet Center, DeYor. It looks good. But the racism here is the real issue that very few talk about. It's the albatross that really drags this place down. And unless you've lived in integrated cities where people do "just get along," you probably imagine your beliefs here - about blacks - are accurate. But they're not.
There is not an underclass that lives in the city. There are just poor inner-city schools, generations of poverty-thinking, and and an unbelievably ineffectual police department - finally proved by the recent censure of the officers who left their shifts early and another who refused to respond to a 9-1-1 call. Yes, the Southside has become dangerous. Properties in surprising disrepair. But that's what police are for - to deal with the danger, to protect and serve. Not to get paid to run away. The majority of Southsiders are just families who are even more afraid of the criminals than the police are. They need, deserve, and pay for protection.
Everyone in the Mahoning Valley can contribute to Youngstown's resurgence - especially if given opportunity on a level playing field. The problem of severely inadequate opportunity needs to be addressed.
Germany, in the millenium, is finally recognizing its errant Aryan belief system, its errant history, with films like Goodbye Lenin, The Marriage of Maria Braun, Nasty Girl. It's time for Youngstown to realize the same. No, the white race is not better. No, it's not life-threatening to drive down Glenwood or Market Street. Yes, it is possible to attend an evening event in downtown without being stabbed.
To solve a problem, the problem must be named. Let's call it racism - antiquated, stupid, wrong. And let's work on it.
Brother and sister shot Saturday on South Side
I moved here, back to my home town, five years ago, believing the hype from the YSU alumni magazine about a resurgence. At first, it looked real. I found a lovely integrated neighborhood in Mill Creek Park with friendly neighbors. Gradually I discovered the truth. The Mahoning Valley lives in a state of negativity, blame, and denial. TV news broadcasts not news but false optimism. Crime is not addressed. Union attitudes from the '50s prevail among a ruling class of still neanderthal men. Where is this hard-working middle-class you all claim? Most people I've met aim toward claiming disability. That seems to be the goal. And it's not racial. It's primarily white people. Intimidation, if you can pull it off, is the prime method of transacting business and city government. If people don't win an argument, they shut down and walk off. Other cities barter, they negotiate, they listen while Youngstown dies. Youngstown has a viable university and unbelievable Mill Creek Park! You're all starving in the midst of a banquet! All you have to do is open your eyes, consider therapy for Pete's sake, and CHANGE.
July 21, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Shooting deaths in Poland tonight
It amazes me that references are still made about being afraid to drive in Youngstown. I moved back here five years ago, have driven South Avenue, Market Street, and Glenwood regularly and haven't been shot or stabbed or held up once. Imagine that. Am I lucky? Or is there something truly stupid about this long-term, crazed fear that runs through every Youngstown suburb?
Those of you who believe and spread this fear are tearing down the center and historical anchor of this area. Do you really think you can make it without Youngstown? Where would the new center be? Yes, Youngstown neighborhoods are in trouble, crime is a problem as in any former industrial city, but if this us vs. them attitude doesn't shift to include your core, your history, your gorgeous city park and scenic downtown, you too will fade away - or have to drive 60 miles for employment.
I don't even like to talk with suburbanites here because the fear and hatred of Youngstown is so endemic. It's the fear of small, timid, ignorant people who live by rumor instead of truth, people who would rather defend their lie than access reality, people who blame without knowing, people who go to church every Sunday and congratulate themselves on being Christian, but are willfully hateful inside. I'm so sick of this absolutely unwarranted divide.
If you want to know real danger, go to South Central LA or the Bronx. Don't fear Youngstown because it doesn't have a terrible crime problem yet. But if all you suburbs persist long enough, if you try really hard, you can create a place where only criminals can live. You can destroy this city, but you'll also be destroying yourselves.
May 7, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. permalink suggest removal
New name brings more to children’s museum
Oops, senior moment there - Suzanne.
March 27, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. permalink suggest removal
New name brings more to children’s museum
Fabulous ideas! Welcome, Barbara, you're exactly what the museum and Youngstown need. All greatest luck to you.
March 27, 2009 at 9:24 a.m. permalink suggest removal
‘Tis the Season to Bash Youngstown
So glad to hear other optimists have moved back here, realizing how vital it is to reclaim the city. Having lived in Southern California for a long time, I know how the San Fernando Valley tries consistently to secede from Los Angeles. It consistently fails, thank God, because suburbs need to support cities. City/suburbs need a core. And usually that core is pre-determined by history. The core of Youngstown is the downtown, YSU, Stambaugh, Powers, with our incomparable Mill Creek Park running along.
Some of the ideas proposed in these comments are really worth developing. Given Youngstown's highly competitive nature, the idea of a summer coaches' camp sounds very winning. Already, we have some of the best theater at YSU and The Playhouse, and the best music this side of New York. Last week's Dana Symphony performance of Shostakovich was breathtaking - and affordable - in a lovely new hall.
Jay Williams is trying to persuade people to see the city in its new, better light. More of us should support him, and it.
November 3, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Obama still a "tough sell" in Valley
Hopeful? You bet! And after 20 years (since Reagan) of being afraid that Republican crazy-making spin was brainwashing most Americans - turning them from ethical, brother's-keeper citizens into cynics who fear absolutely everything and allow greed-based corporations to rule our world.
Yes, by all means, return me to the days of hope and promise. Obama represents the America I want our grandchildren to see - a caring, smart America.
Adams said it to Jefferson, When the wise don't lead, others will. Eight years is enough of this proud-to-be-stupid leadership. I'm one old lady for a wise man - for a change.
November 1, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Seminar shows new way to fight crime
Finally! This three-pronged method is proven. It has worked in small cities like Indianapolis and large ones like New York. The secret is cooperation among the groups involved, and, most important, time spent. Time improving the self-worth aspect of the criminals, so they don't gain all their power from negative attention.
Obama keeps stressing this kind of turn-around in his message to reach really young children, to educate them in a direction other than crime and prison. But crime now can be turned around, too - with consistent, dedicated involvement. And something Youngstown and its suburbs are short on - optimism.
November 1, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Mayor decries Youngstown on dying cities list
I've recently moved back to Youngstown to retire. Not exactly a rose-colored optimist, I do see the city's undeniable gentrification potential around areas like Mill Creek Park and the Northside's historic homes surrounding Wick Park and up Fifth Avenue. This is still a lovely city. But it seems to be suffering the same inadequate improvement as Germany after WWII.
The Germans had a woeful reputation to reconstruct after the war -- a close-minded racist belief system that, it turns out, was reprehensibly wrong. Instead of attending to that racism with psychological restructuring, they concentrated on their cities. Too embarrassed to rebuild their psyches, they rebuilt buildings instead. That, it appears, is where Youngstown is at today.
Driving through the downtown is physically impressive. The beautiful courthouse building, the new Chevrolet Center, DeYor. It looks good. But the racism here is the real issue that very few talk about. It's the albatross that really drags this place down. And unless you've lived in integrated cities where people do "just get along," you probably imagine your beliefs here - about blacks - are accurate. But they're not.
There is not an underclass that lives in the city. There are just poor inner-city schools, generations of poverty-thinking, and and an unbelievably ineffectual police department - finally proved by the recent censure of the officers who left their shifts early and another who refused to respond to a 9-1-1 call. Yes, the Southside has become dangerous. Properties in surprising disrepair. But that's what police are for - to deal with the danger, to protect and serve. Not to get paid to run away. The majority of Southsiders are just families who are even more afraid of the criminals than the police are. They need, deserve, and pay for protection.
Everyone in the Mahoning Valley can contribute to Youngstown's resurgence - especially if given opportunity on a level playing field. The problem of severely inadequate opportunity needs to be addressed.
Germany, in the millenium, is finally recognizing its errant Aryan belief system, its errant history, with films like Goodbye Lenin, The Marriage of Maria Braun, Nasty Girl. It's time for Youngstown to realize the same. No, the white race is not better. No, it's not life-threatening to drive down Glenwood or Market Street. Yes, it is possible to attend an evening event in downtown without being stabbed.
To solve a problem, the problem must be named. Let's call it racism - antiquated, stupid, wrong. And let's work on it.
August 9, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. permalink suggest removal