Regarding my post on Monday, about the shooting across the street from my house (the second in three months), LiLu commented that every place has its "something" that would make one not want to live there, and that everyone had to choose what that something was for them. She's totally right, and for a lot of people someone getting killed in a drive-by while they were minding their own business across the street, is that "something". As a single girl, who is home alone a lot of the time, it should be that "something" for me, too.
Part of me wonders if I'm in shock. It's not every day that a girl from a solidly middle class town moves to a neighborhood where she finds herself ducking behind furniture every so-often to avoid stray bullets, right? In a way, I'm embarrassed by my audacity. Who the hell do I think I am, moving into a neighborhood like this by CHOICE???
Along those lines, I feel a good amount of guilt about the fact that I can break my lease and up and move-out in a months time, while my neighbors, the ones who are equally innocent bystanders, are stuck where they are due to their shitty lot in life. My adoration of the grittiness of East Los Angeles over its suburban counterparts is quaint, but I'd imagine it's pretty insulting to those who would happily amputate a limb for the chance to live anywhere else. To be fair, though, this move (and yes, I am planning on breaking my lease and moving out) isn't going to be easy for me, monetarily speaking.
Despite the shitty catalyst which brought me to this decision, I think the outcome will be a good one. I've started looking for studio apartments and one bedrooms, as I think it's about time I gave living alone a genuine try. Anyway, I don't think it's shock that's causing me to be so calm about this situation. I've always been somewhat preoccupied with death, and I'm well-aware that moving out of my neighborhood isn't going to protect me from being shot...it's as simple as that. But I'd at least like to narrow the odds a little in my favor.
8 comments:
I wonder about this too. I live in Shaw, DC (i.e. SKETCHY) and nothing I see shocks me. Walking through one of the metro stations the other day, we walked by a woman running around and screaming her head off at a homeless man. We neatly sidestepped the situation and didn't even think about it until I said to B, "Um, is it weird that that doesn't even phase us?" We've been desensitized.
Can you please look into the North Vermont area in Los Feliz? I used to live in a place for $850-a-month on that stretch(north of Franklin), and it was not that long ago. I live by myself so, safety stands above all for me. I adore your blog, your way of writing about small pleasures of life and in a selfish way I want you to be happy with your environment so I can poke my head into your world sometimes and remember how being young, smart, and lovely felt like. Good luck, Georgia! and I really hope you find a safe nest for yourself.
Hey, I think you're closer to Echo Park, but there was a crazy shooting tonight in Silver Lake. I'm hoping everything's OK where you are.
i just heard gunshots down the street, and now screams. shitty!!! the reality of it brings out so many different emotions... it's kind of indescribable, huh.
I had the same thing happen a few months back, there was a murder just two blocks from me and I thought I was in a really good neighborhood. After the shock went away, I them realized that I am and something like that could happen anywhere. But like you, I want to move anyway to another place out of this state of Denver to be exact lol.
Take care and have a wonderful Sunday.
I'm sure dad want's to say something but bites his tongue but (when you move) try not to talk TOO much about about exactly WHERE you live alone as a single gal in LA, ok? xo, sis.
A few thoughts:
1. Send your two postings to the L.A. Times, it's the type of story they love (especially the stuff about the neighborhood kids and the difference where you grew up). One of their local writers has been focusing his column on the need to improve neighborhoods like yours and bring an end to the gang shootings. I believe you're in the M13 gang territory and perhaps another gang is trying to take over. You can check with the local police gang taskforce.
2. It seems to me that you've been around more shootings in the last few months of living in that area then the three years I lived in Israel (and I carried an uzi in the Negev not far from Gaza).
Perhaps the universe is trying to tell you something ... I don't know ...
like ... maybe ... KEEP MOVING WEST!!!!!
3. Yes, Lee, I'm biting my lip but glad you spoke up!
Just read about your multiple-recent-shootings experiences, Hope you are alright and not too shaken (but also shaken enough to get the hell outta there!)
I know at a cerebral level that "a high level of gun crime" means, "people get shot" but you forget the visceral reality of it for the people who are actually there
Post a Comment