Written by Debbie Panell
Usually, this column is about kids and mishaps and similar topics, but today, I’m going for something different. Because any day you’re called a bigot and an idiot, makes for good writing fodder. Let me give you some background...
I have lived in the Raleigh, NC area for most of my life. Generally speaking, I love it here, and really can't imagine living anywhere else. Sure, we have bugs the size of sub compact cars, miserable summers and the occasional hurricane comes through, but overall, I wouldn't change much. Well, rain would be nice…
Apparently others think the same, because people migrate from all over the country to live here. We won't go into the school overcrowding and Wake County reassignments, or the drought and Meeker’s plan to conserve water (which amounts to making more money for the water department), or the traffic - which really isn't that bad compared to many parts of the country.
What I will address, however, are newcomers who have lived here a couple of years and think they know everything about the area. Now, this statement could be from any local, of any town in the country - it’s not necessarily specific to “MY” area.
On a message board, I made the comment on how I would not live in Durham. Now, that's a fact, straight and simple. Many people like it, but it’s not for me. Durham has the highest crime and dropout rates in the area, and I have issues with that. Durham has very wealthy areas, and many low-income areas- with a small percentage of in-between.
I made the comment that I value my safety and my children's education, so I would not live there (look up the statistics comparing Raleigh, Cary and Durham crime rates - I am not incorrect).
So, in this newcomer’s eyes, I am automatically a bigot, though the term was not used, I can read in-between the lines. Also coming from someone who knows NOTHING about me. I don't want to have to lock my car doors at night, or my house. I don't remember the last time I locked my house OR my car (well, car when I'm out shopping, but not at home). I don't want half of my daughter’s 9th grade class to have dropped out by the time graduation day comes. Half might be an exaggeration, but you get my point... As for being a bigot- sure – that explains why my husband is Japanese, my best friend from high school is black, and my husband’s best friend from elementary school is black. Did I mention I’m whiter than Casper?
I guess if safety and education are of no concern, Durham is a fine place to live. Obviously people think so, as they live there- and great for them. There ARE nice areas – usually pretty pricey, but they are there. And northern Durham is beautiful with farmlands and rolling hills, but its not for me. You want to live there, go right ahead... many people like it.
Since I refuse to get into a head to head argument on a message board - I have better things to do with my time, and prefer to let people’s ignorance show for itself. But, this person 'had' to have the last word - which was “well, that tells me all i need to know about you” (or something very similar).
OK. Whatever. So I want to be safe and have good schools. Yup. I'm evil. -------------------------
Debbie Panell is a full time freelance writer who lives near Raleigh, North Carolina with her two children, German Shepherd and multiple cats. |
