CR 1 DEAR LUCKY MILLER

Dear Lucky Miller,

 

            I too felt the same way as you did growing up on the South side of Chicago. There was a connection between neighbors and community. Why today do things seem so impersonal? As I kid I would ride my bike from sunrise to sunset everyday. I would start my day stopping at my neighbor's Marks first. He was constantly working on his car in his driveway. I would stand there and ask him 20 questions about what he was doing to the car or what he had planned for the day for a good half hour or more. He would always tell me jokes or ask me to hand him a 9/16 wrench and hand it to him while he was under the car. Not once do I remember him ignoring me or asking me to go away. From there I would head to the corner drug store. I knew the store clerk there that worked behind the counter. I always asked him when the new Silver Surfer comic book would be coming out or I asking him to help me find items off a list  my mother had given me or handing him a note authorizing me permission to pick up smokes for my father. I can not remember his name but he always asked me, “What’s it gonna be today Donny?”

            When I got older Mark the neighbor moved away and the new neighbors kept to themselves. When I went to the same drug store as a teenager things had changed quite a bit. The store was under new management. No longer was the friendly face behind the counter. The new owners would only let one teenager in the store at a time and starred with contempt at every teenager that came in as if they were going to try and steal something. What had happened over the years to change the friendly attitude of the community? It’s hard to put a finger on.

            In my early twenties I moved to Rogers Park on the North side of the city. I consider myself a friendly person and when walking down the sidewalk I would offer a hello or a head nod in recognition of the person walking toward me. Rarely did I ever receive a hello in return or even eye contact.  The only time people would stop would be if they needed a hand out in the form of cash or change. They would also stop if they noticed me smoking. They would of course ask me for a cigarette. Over time I stopped trying to connect with people because I would feel guilty because I couldn’t help out my fellow citizen and why should I have to feel guilty just because I was trying to make a friendly gesture.  I feel most people take advantage of friendliness and see it as something to take advantage of. If someone is willing to be friendly they must have enough to give. I think that is why people today stay to themselves. If you keep to yourself no one will ask you for anything and you don't have to feel guilty about saying no if they do.  I think this city has taken on that same identity. I agree with you on many levels and that this city has gotten impersonal. What we can do to change it? I’m not so sure.

 

 

Signed,

            Not so Lucky        

Don Gausselin