Knowledge and experience...

I don't claim to ever be a genius (and if I did you would soon realize that it was a false claim).  I know what I know based on what I remember from public school and life experiences.  I am just a regular person who gets up and lives life to the best of my ability.  I try to improve the parts of myself I feel need change.  I try to keep an open mind.  Please note the word TRY.  I don't always succeed and I accept that.  I make a decent living but poor choices, mistakes and lessons have prevented me from moving ahead at the speed I would like - but I accept accountability in these decisions.  At the end of the day I can look in the mirror and know that I am truly a decent human being who uses too much profanity, owes too much money, is blessed with an abundance of wonderful friends, family and 2 amazing kids.

I attended a Meet and Greet yesterday for an upcoming Board Election for my building and left with this horrible sense of powerlessness in my voice.  It is actually frightening to see how many different visions of life and reality people have.  This is not to say the my vision is right and correct - just that it is different and based on my reality.

Someone mentioned a comment one of the Board Members made regarding maintenance increases...please know that this is hearsay, I wasn't there to confirm but the gist of the statement seemed to be: Do you know what I paid for my apartment?  If people can't afford to live here they should leave.

This was extremely disturbing to me as: 1. I live there; 2. I struggle with my finances; 3. I like where I live; 4. I belong here - this is MY home.

I live in the Lower East Side of New York.  Have all my life.  MY grandfather worked maintenance in the buildings I live in.  I made my Holy Communion in St. Mary's where my parents married and my children Baptized.  I went to all the "zoned" schools because back then there wasn't a choice.  This neighborhood  use to be so full of diversity and culture.  Like most areas it is changing.  Gone are the stores that offered Cuchifritos; a slice & soda; or knish - that you could also buy "Skippys" (think bootleg Keds).

The days when your neighbor Lily owned the liquor store and Tony the shoe repair.  How much longer before they remove Zafi's diner that has existed since I was in kindergarten? Still can't beat their Lime-Rickey.

I Googled the Board Member who had apparently made the comment and came across and article in the New York Village Voice.  Here is a blurb I copied with remarks made from him and his partner.
 
"The older community has more wealth because they have the equity. [Jennifer] They don't seem to know it. [Michael] They're starting to grasp it. We make more money but they don't have the mortgage. The lady that had this apartment paid $3,400 30 years ago. She wore taps on her shoes. [ Jennifer] So her shoes would last longer. [Michael] She was Section 8. Here's this woman with all this equity in the apartment and our federal tax dollars were paying a significant portion of her maintenance. I almost think she should have to pay that back. I worked for a company that used to audit HUD. The closing was very bizarre. She now has a huge chunk of change that her children are salivating over. She has five kids. The neighbors were glad we moved in because at times she had 15 people in the apartment. We're young professionals who keep a clean apartment. When I came in, there were cockroaches all over. I called Jen. I was crying—maybe we made a mistake. We renovated. We spent about $50,000. Now this is a gem. I used only local people. I wanted to do everything to support the community. We put a French door in between the bedroom and the living room. We wanted to see the Empire State Building. We paid $425,000, which was under market. I think today this place would go for $600,000. She didn't use a real estate broker. I did all the research—I benefited. I don't understand her decision, but it was a good one for us."

I can only say this:

You don't know someone based on where they live or how they dress.

Do you think because I make less, live off of Section 8 that I haven't earned my keep in society; or because my home isn't as clean as yours I am undeserving to live on the same block or apartment floor you do?  If I sold my apartment would my kids be salivating over the money or could they possibly be concerned to where we would be living the following week? I am always amazed on how long it takes to save $1000 as opposed to spending it. How far does a dollar go these days? What happens when I am too old to work and social security doesn't exist?

You don't know me.  My reality and yours are very different and while you think you know all about the "type of person" I am you can't possibly because you have never cared to ask. Keep an open mind.  You may one day find yourself looking back on some of the things you have said and realize you were far from accurate.  Everyone has a story.  We are a culture of flawed and vastly unique individuals.  I can't balance a check book and don't cook every night but I have love in my heart for people, places and things that are near and dear to me.  Your life experiences have put you where you are as mine have me.  Maybe your life got a better hand or maybe you just knew how play it to your advantage but life is funny and often changes the rules of the game.