Adjusting to Your Environment

I was born in New York City. I grew up in Brooklynn, Mount Vernon, and the Bronx area. These places would be considered ghetto by most peoples standards. But the funny thing is is that being from that environment has made it normal for me to be around it.

I now live right outside the Detroit city area. Detroit is a major city in Michigan. This town is known for Motown Records, The Big Three motor vehicle companies, and crime. Detroit for the last few years has been in the top 5 for the highest murder rates in the country. They have high auto thefts, rapes, and burglary rates as well. If you filter in police corruption which is a major issue in Detroit, you come up with a place that's not so cool to raise a family in.

Most of my friends who have never lived in Detroit are so scared to go there. They make sure their doors stay locked through out their trips. They don't ask for directions and they try not to stay down there long. But me being from Detroit, I feel safe. I feel like I can go anywhere, chill with anybody. I guess it's all about being comfortable in your surrounding. I've been in situations that were tense and I never felt in danger. I'm wondering if I am too desensitized to real danger.

I remember one time I was in this party and someone started shooting. I wasn't scared at all. I ducked down a bit and tried to see who it was and who they were shooting at. Everybody started running and jumping out of windows. I stayed there until everybody cleared out. I walked out the party thinking oh well just another crazy night.

As I continue to grow as a person, I realize that I don't want to stay around these situations. And I'm at the age where I feel like I would be a good father and I don't want my kids around that climate. I'm praying that maybe I went through it so my kids wouldn't have to.