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hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

A city of less than 350,000 people. 10 separate shootings in four hours.

Here's an article about last Saturday night in St. Louis.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/9A6CE907B3B0878986257344000D8FC8?OpenDocument

Here's a couple of other articles citing a recent finding that St. Louis is the most dangerous city in the U.S.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/154

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2614945

Check it out. It's no joke-J.

sojourner1 · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 3:50 am Post subject:

I speak harshly about the stark clearly evident racism in St. Louis, because it's the truth which is something many try to turn a blind eye to and just lie to themselves about which causes for many uneducated downtrodden black people to get the gun out or at least go verbally threaten people. The fear of drive by shootings always lingered in my head as these sorts of things happen randomly to strangers just about everyday due to some going mental about their money problems. Yes, it has much to do with the culture in that St. Louis was traditionally a city rich in good jobs and economic prosperity and now is a big fat dump due to socioeconomics centering around race, exodus of people and jobs, and declining industries. St. Louis today is kinda like Detroit in many ways. You still have big money floating around mostly in old people's hands who had good careers who have since moved to the suburbs, but good paying jobs for younger people not in rich families just don't exist outside of nursing and truck driving today. Many white 20 and 30 something year olds are inheriting money and gentrifying the downtown loft district to be the classy place it once was 100 years ago, but social tensions are rising between the poor blacks and the rich whites. Even if you're white and educated, but without nepotist connections or inheritance, the job market only yields opportunities like $9/hour no benefits cubicle call center or sales floor positions working mostly with the unhappy downtrodden black people. They really respected me though seeing me willing to work with them and understand their situation with compassion. There are great opportunities in nursing which is a salvation for many of the black population such as at BJC hospital in the Central West End right next to the Metrolink train stop.

You have economic racism with sentiments deeply rooted where black people are still forced to do all the low skilled work like janitor, cook, and dishwasher who are forced to ride city buses for many hours a day due to not being able to afford cars. If you're a clean cut white educated looking person, they assume you're a rich man and demand money right and left even though you're riding the bus too due to being low income. It's a very intimidating place to use public transportation and walk around due to the risk of getting capped off. Many people blame the black race as being violent illegitimates, but that's simply not true, it's the unfair conditions they are forced to live under which makes them one pissed off people. I know, I lived there for 4 years going to college at the University of Missouri, but made it out in one piece and most of my friends were black people trying to do good things for the community and helping themselves.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

#2 Detroit, Michigan
#3 Flint, Michigan
#4 Compton, California

My home state of Michigan is still competing strong in this field. Uggh.

mehmeh · Joined: 23 May 2007 Location: South, South Korea

Downtrodden my a**. My neighbors on Utah St. seemed just happy sitting on their front porch 24 hours a day.

Don't get me wrong, I had a good relationship with most of them but I want to challenge some of your assumptions.

First, not having a car didn't seem like it was a problem. Most working age "downtrodden" folk did have a car or access to ready access to one when they needed. I was the putz they stared at standing at the bus stop in the rain. The idea that they have to stay at work for 8 hours straight was what kept them out of the job. Why work like a chump when you can just sit in your front yard selling dope, your body or your neighbors $1500.00 Canondale road bike.

Second, I agree with you're point about the dismal wages. However, I'll never forget when I worked at a restaurant downtown and got "Peanut" the pastry chef's paycheck...$13.00! The man was working over 40 hours a week and taking home a $13.00 check. Why? Over ten different child support claims. My boss agreed to just pay him primarily in cash but still, there is no getting out of that type of situation and I don't think you can blame whitey for him sticking his dick in those women without a rag.

You're right, the economic situation in that city is outrageous. I turned my back on St. Louis after graduation and can't stomach the thought of a prolonged return. The poor race relations are part economic and part history but after my experience living amongst the poorest of the poor (I also lived on 14th St. by Crown Candy), it's my opinion that blacks have to take responsibility for improving their lot. Take off those f--king "Stop Snitching" shirts, go to bed before 2:30am, put down the gun, bottle, crack pipe and try to make the best with what you got schoolwise.

tex1982 · Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Location: ROK

I agree with a lot of what sojourner 1 said. A couple of my best friends are from St. Louis (metro area) and live in VERY well-off suburbs. I've spent a lot of time there and lived in that area for a little while. I DO think things tend to get mixed up when people talk about these statistics. The OP mentioned that St. Louis is only 350,000 people, BUT the metro area is nearly 3 million.

Yes, there are some stark differences between the city itself and its wealthy, especially western, suburbs. Many people who live in the 'burbs avoid the city altogether if they can. Some only work or attend sporting events downtown and then promptly hurry back to perceived safety several miles away. I know in recent years there have been some initiatives to try and 'revive' downtown, and certain areas are getting quite 'yuppie-ized' with lofts, etc, from what I understand.

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

i went to college in st. louis. I can't say I went to the northern parts of the city whatsoever. I stuck to the area around forest park, the central west end, and the southern end of town. I don't think it was any more dangerous than my hometown (oakland). Then again, where did I live? Clayton. Laughing

canuckistan · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:41 pm Post subject:

I've blown through St Louis a few times.

Always regretted not buying that "I ran into Tammy Fay" T-shirt with her cartoonish face of smeared makeup.

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

Tex-
St. Louis County and the greater St. Louis Area is around three million. That includes hundreds, of satellites cities like fairview Heights Illinois, Collinsville, and St. Charles Missouri among others. Metro St. Louis is about 348,000 people. Look it up.

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

metro st. louis includes county. tex is more accurate than you are.

and i looked it up. go me.

Metro St. Louis- wikipedia

Source #2

And another source, compliments of the American statistical association

tex1982 · Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Location: ROK

hagwonnewbie,
A metropolitan area is a city, plus its suburbs. The St. Louis metro is close to 3 million. The CITY of St. Louis is only 350,000. There are WAY more people in the St. Louis metro area than 350,000. Look it up.

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

OK I stand corrected in regards to the word metropolitan, but I originally stated:

A city of less than 350,000 people. 10 separate shootings in four hours.

This was accurate. The city is in fact under 350,000. That's where the shootings took place. Last Saturday at least 2 more people where shot dead in separate incidents. My point is still that it is a very dangerous place to live and work.