A Funny Thing Happened To Me Downtown Last Friday….

Change doesn't occur overnight - takes time. Don't give up hope.

I totally agree Kaze. But holding events like Blocktoberfest (and Jacktoberfest) will eventually get people to realize that hey, this really isn't so bad at all.

Look. The fact that Jacksonians (and the outskirts) actively refuse to attend Downtown functions must be addressed.

To many organizers, both civic and creative, have gotten frustrated and left this town because there is some revulsion in our citizens against the act of community.

There are a lot of reasons people give for not attending things. Some are real and justified. Heck, as a parent, i try to grant the benefit of the doubt to everyone. i know life is hard and fast and it prevents you from participating.

But there is a line. Willfully being cynical about your city starves those who would provide an inspirational landscape.

This message is a bit reactionary - but, underneath, i'm just frustrated with the pace of our evolution. Most of my experience with progress has come about because people willfully created connections in the community. There are times when it seems to be more effective to confront peoples ignorance rather than patiently waiting for them to realize they are mistaken about the reality of the situation.

..."There are times when it seems to be more effective to confront peoples ignorance rather than patiently waiting for them to realize they are mistaken about the reality of the situation."

My sentiments exactly Daniel! Time to start calling people to task and making them suppor their jaded perceptions. time to start embarassing some folks who should seemingly be more intelligent.

Whats even sadder is that citizens are apparently dont even feel safe WITH police presence!

I run a towing company, and many nights I have had to drive a tow truck and meet a JPD officer to pick up a vehicle because the driver had been arrested or abandoned the vehicle after a chase. I have personally witnessed with my own eyes the fear of some JPD officers to remain in certain neighborhoods in Jackson. I have had them try to leave me on the scene alone to finish hooking to the impounded vehicle. I know this doesn't speak to the point you are making about the safety of Downtown. But why would citizens feel safe when the police don't?

That being said, I have been in almost every neighborhood in Jackson at all hours of the day and night and never had any problems with anyone. I am usually armed but I have never even felt threatened. So I do believe it's a perception more than reality.

There IS a strong perception that downtown Jackson
is a frightfully dangerous place. I'm white and 57. I play Blues at Peaches' on Farish St.
most Wednesdays during lunch hour. I bring my wife along. Neither of us have had any trouble from anyone. I have been warned (by locals) that Farish street is the 'worst place to be at night'

One day in July 2008 I met a guy pushing a shopping cart southbound on Farish street. We chatted for several minutes. He said his name was
"Buggy" because he pushed his 'home' along in a McDade's shopping buggy. I asked "Buggy" if he ever had any trouble downtown as he is "out there" every day and night. He said "No". Then I asked this same black fellow if he felt safe as he slept outside at night in downtown. He said "No" again. He did not feel 'safe'. He went on to tell me not to visit Farish street at night
because they'll "take your money". My personal experience on Farish St. in broad daylight has been great. But my local friend "Buggy" does not himself feel safe and warns about being down there
'after dark'. His words as an African American were "the niggers have ruined Farish St."

SO...what is someone to think when local 'street people' warn you and even the JPD seemingly is scared too?