In my last installment and teaser to this installment....
I had talked about the need for Vision....and re-visioning who Granite City is. It cannot aspire to something that it cannot be, but it can still aspire to greatness in its own way.
I further mentioned that a comparable vision of Granite City could be parts of South St. Louis. South City is not without its problems...and not every single inch of south city is the safest place to be all the time.
I realize there are pitfalls - and South City is much larger..and much more diverse.....by more than a little bit.
----- But there are places in South City, people go to south city just to visit. There is the iconic Ted Drewes -- there is The Hill --- and all kinds of local neighborhood restaurants and bars.
There are a few chain retailers on the South Side, but it is not a Brentwood with its galleria - it's not a Clayton or Ladue. It's not even South County with its mall and large retailers down that way.
South City's pride comes from its neighborhoods. There are shops and restaurants and bars both on the main drag and some off the main drag.
There is a fierce sense of pride in those neighborhoods - and a desire to preserve all this is good about neighborhood life.
Another part of this - is that while I am sure there are racists everywhere --- diversity has been the strength of the South Side.
The Bosnian Community has brought a stability to many blocks that may have begun to be blighted over time. Their businesses and restaurants and the such have proven to be assets in the community.
They have created in these days, what the Italians created on the Hill. I can only hope that more communities can tell of future success stories.
Racism is killing Granite City. It killed North St. Louis, East St. Louis .... and will kill Alton, Granite, and Belleville --- and many Missouri suburbs as well.....unless people change their habits.
The racists that have money (elitists) have left Granite City. The ones that don't - are still in Granite City.....and most live with their black and hispanic counterparts -- mostly begrudgingly. Many people can make a great case that's not so....but most who deny it are damn liars.
The Mexicans have created a business community in Fairmont City... it may not be a juggernaut...but it has something going for it.
IF Granite City had the crazy idea of embracing a refugee community or even becoming more friendly with new immigrants.... you will find a community of people willing to work hard and eventually will create jobs by starting businesses of their own.
I am pessimistic this will work in Granite City....and that's too bad...because it's a vision of people creating jobs by starting local businesses in the community. So what if a guy wants to sell hallal with burger and fries.... or serve tortillas with roasted chicken...
We fear what we don't know...and instead of being humble enough to admit what we don't know ... we bolster our fear with macho talk and arming up.
Diversity will help Granite City and encourage invigorating some of the neighborhoods and could even enhance the retail offerings...and increase local business commerce.
Racism -- will keep us envious of Edwardsville...and will keep us focused on keeping as many white people from leaving....and being bitter when one-by-one families move away and divest their interest in the community...Business aren't stupic...they follow the trend... Hell, some of them moved to Edwardsville or purposely built branches there so they can resume taking Granite money where Granite money is being exchanged.
I guarantee you -- racism is only a small part of what hinders Granite City..... but if it wants to reverse the trend of blight....and turn itself around....and beat Alton and Belleville to the punch..... look at how the Bosnians have added to the landscape of South City.
Again --- that's only one piece of the pie -- but an achilles heel that will hinder Granite City, until people start changing their mentality. Old habits die hard in a town with a racist history complete with 'sundown' laws.
Still --- Granite City needs a vision of what it can be.
It won't ever be Edwardsville and shouldn't try. Thank God it will never be Edwardsville....so let's try to stop hating them...even when they act like they're smelling $#!+ in the town that made them everything they think they are today.
What Granite City can be -- is a place that is sure of who it is and proud of it. It is a humble and hard-working city of neighborhoods - and within those neighborhoods, there is life.
Idealism----unbridled by practicality...I know....
But without some kind of ideal...or any kind of vision..... it languishes without purpose.....until there is near total divestment in the community....save the government...
on April 12, 2017, 11:10 pm, in reply to "