What do you want?

By disgusted

January 28, 2009 9:45 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Furthermore, Barack Obama is not OUR answer to all the wrongs of the past. He is our President and I feel he will be fair and just. But he is not in office to atone for the sins of our forefathers both black AND white. We choose our own path. I certainly did. Before I spent a dime of tax payer money on anything in EW, I would first want it cleaned up both phyiscally and morally. Nothing says we have to live in eternal poverty. We choose to. We are so used to being on the goverment gravy train (not everyone I know but in general) that the will to better ourselves has been lost. It’s easier to rob a store for money than it is to WORK an honest job for and honest day’s pay. IF we get caught, then we’l be taken care of in prison. Meals, TV, clothing, medical care, education, it’s an all bills paid existance. I’m sorry, but it seems like until the citizens of EW can prove they will take care of it then I can’t blame the city for not spending any extra money on it. AS EW citizens we can take back our neighborhoods, be active in neighborhood watch programs, and show that we actually have some pride and desire to better our community instead of sitting back and blaming the Waco PD on the crime problem, our parents for our own shortcomings, and “the man” for keeping us down. We’re better than that. We need to grow up, take responsibilty, and prove that EW is worthy of a beautification effort that will last and make it a safe place, for all races, to visit and enjoy.

By Carol Dugat

January 31, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Disgusted, I am glad that you are not making the decisions for what happens in EW since you have judged the citizens of EW as physically and morally unworthy of the same rights enjoyed by Greater Waco. You have judged us as beggars, robbers and thieves who have somehow chosen to live in poverty. As a citizen of EW, with parents and friends who live there as well, I take great offense to your judgment of unworthiness and your sentence of disentitlement. We don’t want or need a hand-out. We are not looking to blame, shame or shift our responsibility to anyone else. What Do You Want is an opportunity to get clear about what we Do want for EW.

Tell me, where is this utopia where you reside where everyone chooses themselves out of poverty with no support from anyone else? I’d love to visit there.

By disgusted

January 31, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Carol,

I think you must have misunderstood my comments. When I said EW should be cleaned up physically and morally, I meant Houses painted, yards cleaned up, junk cars removed, etc. The moral aspect is to get churches more involved with the youth. To try and help them with decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. To make GOOD decisions and not take the easy path that leads to crime. Community intervention that helps the youth of EW stay off the streets and getting into trouble. I have not judged the citizens of EW as beggars, robbers, and thieves. If that was the impression I gave then I stand corrected. The fact of the matter is EW cannot facilitate this great rebirth of commerce with the current problems that plague it. The citizens of EW, and again I must state that I do not speak to individuals but in general, should “clean up” the neighborhoods so to speak to make people WANT to spend time there eating out, taking their children to the park, shopping, or attending a social function. But tell me why someone would want to do that with the current condition of the neighborhoods? I am not passing judgment. I am simply posing a question. In order for real change to take place, for the City of Waco to want to invest in EW, I feel there need to be fundamental changes made in the whole area. That is where those in the community band together and show Waco that their investment of tax dollars, the investment made by private companies and so forth wouldn’t be made in vain. I grew up in EW and it was a scary place then. When I return to Waco, it’s even scarier. Community involvement is paramount if any real change is to take place. Let me put it to you this way: Why would you choose to buy a brand new car for a child when that child has a history of not taking care of things? It would not make sense to spend the money and buy that child a new car KNOWING he will tear it up and not take care of it. Again, I’m talking in general. I KNOW not everyone in EW subscribes to this interpretation. If changes were made to the general impression of EW, then the city might be more inclined to spend money there. Private businesses would too. But the answer doesn’t come from the PD putting more cops on patrol. Sure that would help deter, but the decision to make EW a better place to live, work, socialize, etc. has got to come from a true desire by the community to change the perception of EW as a whole. As you know perception is 99% of reality. If people perceive EW to be a slum, then that will be their reality. There are VERY good people that live in EW. You are no doubt one of them. The youth of EW must be encouraged to take advantage of opportunities given to them to better themselves and not take the path of crime and destruction. Community involvement, parent and family involvement, and church involvement can help make the difference in these young person’s lives. But it has to start with the youth.

Again I apologize for your offense. I hope this has cleared things up.

By Carol Dugat

February 1, 2009 1:56 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Disgusted - apology accepted. You have clearly communicated your perception of EW and for you that is reality. My perception is different. I see good, hard working, tax paying citizens who have, if I may borrow from our president, the audacity of hope, in spite of the challenges of the day.

Granted, hope must have a plan and a plan must have willing participants to consciously carry it out. What if it was your perception that needed to be adjusted? The day I changed my perception of EW is the day I chose to be a supporter rather than a detractor. Now what do you really want for EW?

By Chris

February 4, 2009 11:45 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Carol, I don’t live in East Waco; in fact, I’ve only lived in Texas for about 8 months. But, driving into the city last June, the word that continually resonated in my head was potential. When I first drove in on Waco Drive through EW, headed to my new home, I started to question the move I was making. Though I am originally from a lower-income suburb of Washington, DC, the poverty I was observing in East Waco was worse than what I had known. Unfortunately, many folks stay at the place where their gut instinct is to run and hide from what is uncomfortable— what seems unsafe or scary or just plain unattractive. Few ever stop to see that potential behind the faded fascade. Few stop to dream of what can happen when people care to change…and then challenge people to actually commit to change from within. History is full of stories where this has happened. So, all of this is to say: Though I am only one Wacoan, I cannot ignore the potential of what can happen when we choose to care. I challenge us all to care enough as well, so that ALL of Waco will prosper, including East Waco. Carol, I think you are asking the right question, “What do you want?” I can only hope that EW cares enough to answer with passionate hearts and a willingness to pursue change.

By Carol Dugat

February 4, 2009 6:07 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Chris, keep talking - you’re playing my song.

By Chris

February 11, 2009 3:25 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Carol, I just returned to my office after attending the Next Big Idea Conference at Baylor, with the subtitle, “Transforming Ideas Into Action.” I believe I am being urged to do just that. It does scare me, I’ll admit, but I know God is big enough to fulfill any plan He inspires us with. If you have time, I’d love to chat with you further about your thoughts, dreams, observations, etc., regarding East Waco, and how I can get involved in the process. What do you think?

By Carol Dugat

February 11, 2009 9:25 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Chris, I am always interested in chatting with someone about EW. How can I get in touch with you?

By Dave

February 17, 2009 6:41 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

I hear a lot of talk about a greater vision for East Waco. I believe an important aspect of this transformation process is the “action” part of the “vision”. What are some great community service organizations that might be responding explicity to this call for a greater East Waco?