It's Election Day Hood get out and VOTE

It's Election Day and the Hood we have one job today and vote. This is a local election and in PA that means we are mostly voting for Judges. We need to make our voices heard loud and clear. We can protest all we want the only voice Politicians hear is the protest at the polls. Yes your vote counts. Yes your vote can change things. Yes your vote is the most powerful voice you have.

The Local elections are the most important vote because most of your problems deal with the issues that affect your life. Garbage pick up, the police, and local and county taxes, and any problems that any city or town has.

When the hood votes we cause fear in the people who want to take our vote away when we vote we send them our message loud and clear that we will not be played and used by Political Parties.

This blog doesn't take sides because I do not tell people how to vote or who to vote for. I will tell you this election will not have any effect on the President but your more important than he is because this election determines what will effect your personal life.

Don't just vote in elections with candidates you like or support. Vote in every election.

I'm going to cast my vote this afternoon on my way to the store. I hope to see you there.

Facing Homelessness and a high priced political event in one crazy mixed up week

Gisele Fetterman and I 

A common statement in the hood is "It bes like dat in the hood sometimes." A face book memory yesterday because I posted it a year ago yesterday. The status said Only I have one day of facing homelessness and attending a fancy Political Function in the same week.  Yet that is what happened. On September 15, 2016 I was facing homelessness due to problems with a slum lord. On September 19th I was invited to a political event at the Fetterman loft for Josh Shaprio, a candidate for PA Attorney General. Despite what was going on in my own life I wanted to hear what he was going to do for my people.

Candidate Josh Shapiro

I had never been to any political function before and I was nervous possible but I left work and headed home to change. I had no water then so needed to wash up from a jug and heat from the microwave. I got dressed and walked down the street to the next block to the loft.

I was full of self doubt after all I was just a girl from the hood not some rich or middle class woman from the Burbs.

They served Prime Rib I remember thinking that rich people didn't salt their food. It was very nice though and I got to ask the candidate where he stood on the high murder rate in the inner cities. I respected that he didn't lie to me.

Josh Shapiro and Fetterman

I officially became homeless on December 1, 2016.

You live in Braddock? I'm afraid of Braddock its full of Crime.

All my life I have heard this statement all my life.
"You live in Braddock?" They would say with a shocked look on their face. " I'm afraid of Braddock because of the crime rate." They will then clutch their purse like I'm going to steal it. I'm not a criminal despite where I live.

First of all I love where I live its the only Zip Code I remember. I am one of those people who think we should make 15104 a better place by staying here and doing our part.

Most of the people who live in Braddock aren't criminals. The crimes are generally committed by addiction. A stint in Rehab will cure that. The majority of people are hard working poor people. We are also well known for changing the World. We sued the Commonwealth of PA and HUD we won both. We stood up to the Federal Government under that scrondral George Washington who wanted to tax whiskey. You know that as the Whiskey Rebellion. George Washington was here in 1755 as a Colonol in the British army. They lost the Battle and General Edward Braddock was shot here.

AWe have played a big part of history in the United States; we would not be the Super power we are if Andrew Cargnie hadn't of built his first Steel mill in Braddock along side the Monaghelia River. It soon became the Richest Bourough in Allegheny County.  Although, we had a large population of the Wealthy we also had a lot of impoverished and middle class people. Andrew Carnegie insisted that his employees live in 15104.

I grew up in the 70s when the decline began. I do not remember the movie theatres but I remembers the grocery stores and the Bakery. I loved growing up where the adults looked after all the children.  You couldn't misbehave in Braddock without your parents knowing. Unlike today, if an adult told on you parents believed you.

Now the Fettermans have come and has gotten attention and showed a love for our town. They are building it back up but a lot of people are still afraid to come here because of the crime rate. Despite the decrease in violent crime and even non violent crime Braddock still cannot overcome our reputation. That's your loss. Braddock is a wonderful place with good people.

15104 Till I Die

I have lived in the same zip code for most of my life. I do not remember living anywhere else and I don't want to either. I am 15104 till I die which means I will always live in one of three Boroughs; North Braddock, Braddock, and Rankin.  Right now I live in North Braddock having just moved from Braddock.

Braddock was the place where Andrew Carnegie built his first steel mill that is still operating today. The Edgar Thompson plant was built in 1875 and continues to this day. This plant and others in the Pittsburgh Area helped turned the United States into the Superpower it is today.

The Steel Industry began to decline in the 70s and by the 80s the area was turning into a ghetto. The businesses began leaving in droves and now all we have is a butcher shop, a variety store, and a Family Dollar. We also have a wonderful Mayor and his beautiful wife. Who are working hard to rebuild the once great town.

The Streets were starting to get bad when I was a child. Drugs had moved in and the school district was poorly funded and not able to offer a good education. This has shown up recently because I have been thinking of going back to school to get my degree and I do not know how to do basic stuff like Research papers and essays. I am learning how to do this for myself now although I have a great support system that includes my best friend who has a Ph.d. I had to put that in there because I love to brag about my bestie..

I joined a gang at the age of 11 it was just a local street gang with no bells or whistles. In 1986 the CRIPS came to town and we became CRIPS. I began selling drugs at the age of 14 and sold drugs for years. Again with the help of my Bestie I stopped selling drugs.

I will go into that life in a later post because I want to get in the details of this zip code. The Community that the New York Times called "Hell". I'm still salty about that.

The Mayor of Braddock was not born here nor is he poor. His Wife was born in Brazil and she came here illegally as a child. She runs The Free Store where everything is free from donated items. She is another good friend of mine who is a kind caring person. Her husband ran for US Senator and came in third place although he did better than anyone expected. He is a leader and The State Democratic party will recognize what a star they have.

I have included a picture of John Fetterman that shows his tattooed arms. On one arm has the dates of everyone murdered in the town of Braddock since he became Mayor. He has done wonders lowering the homicide rate and not by locking everyone up but by helping the young people get jobs. When young people work they are less likely to be tempted into selling drugs or committing violent crime.  To bad people who are the so called experts never talk to him or even to the people who used to gang bang I'm one of those people.