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The Homewood diaspora
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Fellow biz writer Bill Toland has a piece this morning about people in Pittsburgh working to connect more strongly with people from Pittsburgh who are now somewhere else. The people in Pittsburgh who are developing a "Manifesto for a New Pittsburgh." The entire thing, point by point, sounds like Homewood to me. In all of the months of doing this journal, I have been amazed by the reach, not merely of the Pittsburgh diaspora, but of the Homewood diaspora. There are so many people from Homewood in so many places, who still care about Homewood...
It just struck me that most people in Homewood probably don't know about the Homewood diaspora. They know about their own family members or friends who have gotten out of "the 'Hood," but they probably don't have any idea how many of you there are out there, a couple of generations' worth by now, who are watching and waiting for the restoration of Homewood.
They don't that know you could do more than watch and wait - that you could help. The money in my wallet right now says that some of you folks would gladly share expertise, access to relationships, and yes perhaps even money, if someone here would show you a plan you can believe in and offer you the opportunity to participate.
But that's just my guess. What do you say?
Here's what you've said in the past few days:
i'm a native of pittsburgh however i grew up in homewood known as the wood...i will like to say that i seen the drastic change in homewood however its throughout all communities there, i now reside in maryland and i still have family there and visit every so often however it has come to a point that i didnt want to come back to my neck of the woods because change is good, lots of people are afraid to explore the other possibilities of the world...
yes i read your article about moving away from homewood and not giving back....i have to rebuttal because it takes a village to raise the kids of the community and now adays the adults are afraid to discipline the kids because alot the kids are carrying guns and running the homes because the parents arent there for various reasons but the most common one in homewood is broken homes and drugs...
parents raise your children embrace them and love them like theres no tomorrow because you will miss them if they become consumed to the streets, the public officials of the city need to create and take more pride in the communities but put more emphasis on programs to help families in need there and we need to get out and vote, also another reason for the deprive poverty stricken mess in the wood is that the people in the community dont care all ages....i know that pastor clay tried back in the day to bring homewood up opening a supermarket in which created jobs but what happened they stoled and robbed the market until it was nothing left to do...
rite aid was there and it was robbed and stolen from to have no profit, dairy queen and the people could hardly afford it sadly to say,woodside barbque was another asset to the community but it could survive however KFC is hanging in there although they run out of chicken but thanks for them hanging around...the most i can say is that i'm glad to have gotten my children away from the hood to offer them another side of the world exposure is good and diversity is better and there is limited diversity in the wood...yes there is no place like home as the saying goes however i found a new home away from home...i can leave all parents and adults whether you have children or not embrace our youth and help them to many are dying young and not understanding the value of life, how sweet and precious it is...even in the struggle you can overcome and survive look at mr. fuqua just to mention his name heck and me i made it out the hood and i lived around lots of foolishness
i just prayed many nights and promised myself that i will not raise my family in a mess which i have 4 beautiful children 2 girls and 2 boys around the foolishness however if i had to i would keep them involved in activities and keep my foot on their neck if need be as well as stay involved and concern and most importantly embrace and love them and educate them about god and trying to live according to his will although we all walk with sin or have.. noone is perfect.......please embrace the youngins and help those in need the reward is tremendous....help bring the wood back and nevertheless all the communities i want to ride through and feel like its home again thats been lost for a long time...a concerned parent,homewood native and pittsburgher for life... -- Yulon, Pittsburgh
I see many billboards,in Homewood, where loved ones use this avenue of communication to inform the passer by to remember an individual that has been gunned down. What a way to communicate such sad information. Yet, it is a profound and quick way to do so.
My Husband is an Actor. He had to move to New York in order to find work in his field. We have been apart now for four month. (The girls and I only see him once a month, maybe for a day or two.) This is one of the roughest times he and I have endured during all of our 9 years being married. But we both know the sacrifice will pay off.
When he lands that pivotal part and his career takes off. I am going to buy the largest billboard space we can afford. Stating, "SUCCESS ONLY COMES AFTER SACRIFICE!"
My husband's beautiful face will fill that billboard and another caption, next to his photo, will proudly informing folks ( Especially the youth. ) that this is an Actor that is presently a resident of "Homewood". That day is coming. SOON! -- Emily, Pittsburgh
I was born & raised in pgh...in fact went to Belmar, which was a neighborhood grade school..also attended Westinghouse hs until the 9th grade...used to walk at least 10 blocks to the library on hamilton ave to take out books...attended the methodist church right above hamilton ave & homewood ave...remembering grocery shopping at the A&P on Homewood ave & it was either kelly ave or bennett st...used to go up to brushton to watch fireworks at 4th of july...walking all the way up & back....those were good times -- Mldred Leone, Homewood
Comments:
I believe the only way our communities will ever be the way they where if us as parents stick together and get the volience out. What bothers me is everyone wants a change but is not willing to do what needs to be done. (ex.if you see a crime dont be scared to tell cause bottom line is what if it was your child)Im tried of all the excuses what you want from your community be an example do what right. Some may not agree but if but if your a single parent buy you a gun,learn kickboxing,buy a bat,but whatever you decide its only to protect what you love the most,and that you. It takes more then a parent/parents to raise a child it take a community. If you cant trust your neighbors then who do you trust. My neighbor are pretty good to me as am I to them.We understand the importance of our children not only being safe but also respectful to all adults. We also no the importance of safety,love, and must of all commutication. Once this is done cant no one come to our community and tell us nothing. Take back our streets and make it not only safe for us but safe for everyone whoever wants to come and visit us. Lets let the bad guys know you cant have our neighborhood we leave here its ours not there. --
Natacha Richards, East Hills
Don't forget about Tamara Tunie, who is the medical specialist on the TV series Law and Order. She also stars in movies and plays. Her father is owner of Tunie's funeral home in Homestead. -- Wendy Betts, Winter Springs, Fla.
Nate Smith!!!!! Can someone tell me how in the *&&^%%$## Nate Smith was attacked. What in the @@#$#$%%^%^%^^^^are you all doing up there. Who in HOMEWOOD don't know Nate Smith. WHAT ARE YOU WOMEN NOT DOING. NATE SMITH GOT YOUR DADDY'S A JOB. This is unreal. Who's ever child did this unspeakiable crime needs to pay. Nate is no saint but, HE has been in the HOMEWOOD community for ever and he has help so many family. Let's look at the word Family.
Is there any families in Homewood now? Family has a meaning that can not be change. Ask yourself what in your family made you hurt anyone. Ladies your kids are killing us. And all that our FAMILY worked for. HOMEWOOD IS OURS. Make your Children respect HOMEWOOD. My 8 year old son BRANDON is so happy that I am writing this letter to you. Help take your HOMEWOOD BACK. -- Lillian E. & Brandon Campbell ( His is 8), Jonesboro Ga.
Ms. Campbell is referring to the outrageous mugging of Mr. Smith earlier this month.
First Published July 27, 2007 12:14 pm
