the rix mix

I think some young gangbangers have taken up residence in the smaller apt building around the corner.  They've infested that place before. This particular corner is rough around the edges, but it hasn't hosted  a regular gangbanger crew since the bar down the block closed for good four or five years ago, & this isn't a crew. The young gangbangers don't know how to be discreet. They think they're still in the projects, or the really tough streets on the other side of town. But this is  a working class neighborhood, becomes solidly middle class a couple of blocks away. It's also very Hispanic. So actually, a small group of late-adolescent, African-American punks with no roots here will feel isolated, definitely in the minority, discover nobody knows who the hell they are or cares what gang they belong to. They mill around in front of their building, maybe doing a little single-serve dealing, people just walk past them, through them, around them, pushing strollers, carrying groceries, taking little white dogs out for a poop.  Whoa, some respect, please. Then there's the Saturday night backyard parties, large extended families, all that loud Latino music,  the smoky smells of good food while they eat dried out wings from 7-Eleven & Burger King value menu. If it makes me envious it must drive the boyz to madness. At least I don't mind the music. Beats the plodding, thumping crap they listen to.  The more you try to be bigshots,  guys, the more this place will feel like your exile. What's a new beginning, a step up for many of your neighbors is the end of the line for you. Beyond here, you have to keep walking. Congregate  in one spot too long, nobody knows you,   folks  call the police, & the cops respond. Not a race thing. It's what people who own their houses do.