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10.16.2014

We Are to Blame and Responsible Pt2 BAD2014




In Part1-Inequality Alive and Well circa 2014 I touched on how I feel the St.Louis and Missouri Education System has failed to fulfill its duties in preparing the younger generation to meet the challenges needed to live a harmonious life.





Tags: #BAD2014, #blogactionday, #Education, #Ferguson, #Inequality 

 While I was tweeting with  I realized that there was more to the story inside me that needed to come out especially when she pointed out:
 Your article keeps going thru my mind esp the part about the kids not able to read a tape measure and their hopeless looks 
This comment was in response to this part of the BAD2014 post:
"...from my experience-performing construction work in the hood.  I've noticed that many times the people that will stop by a construction job site and inquire about "Work"-are unable to read a tape measure..."If the St.Louis regional area cannot even teach the next generation these basic education principles-then we are to blame and utterly responsible for failing to provide and give the youth a fighting chance to make it in the World.""

The hopeless looks 

                         I got when I asked the jobsite walkons about their skills and abilities still haunt me today.   I'm not a mind reader but I can read people and the downtrodden feeling these job applicants had when I told them that. "I only hired skilled helpers with a background in construction."
            They didn't understand that for my small business to keep its doors open I had to turn a profit and complete peoples projects in the designated time period.  
             If I brought unskilled helpers into the project it would require me to do more on the job training that would make the project take longer, which would cut into my earnings and possibly bankrupt me.


Early in my construction career 


                        It was normal to walk onto a construction site- inquire about a job, have an impromptu job interview with the Job Superintendent running the show and more times than not I was hired on the spot-I then grabbed my tool bag and went to work, grateful for the opportunity to earn a paycheck and building America.
I am forever grateful for the opportunities and journeyman level hands on training that my past construction employers have given me  (little did they know they helped to shape my career in the Construction Industry which in turn has jump-started my desire to build Sustainable Buildings).

Progressive thinking Construction Companies

         
          who both live and work in the St.Louis region were present at the Construction Forum St.Louis event held in the St.Louis Moto Museum.  The event Boots on Ground was started by Tom Finan-Executive Director at Construction Forum STL-
ConstructForSTL
Construction Forum STL is a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the “big issues” facing the St. Louis construction industry. We believe that when the construction community comes together to network, discuss ideas, and share information we are all better for it. This website is a dynamic, collective repository for knowledge, information, news, research, and ideas that can make our industry stronger.
Mr Finan and other progressive leaders understand that for our city to operate as a fully functioning town- changes are needed and have stepped up to the Plate to meet the challenge.

 They are single handedly and jointly working to include more minority hiring of both St.Louis Local Contractors and Workers into the workforce of St.Louis.

I originally attended the event

Scouting for employment opportunities to do my part in Building a Green St.Louis and came away with a better understanding that I needed to do more.
I pride myself and run my little construction company with the basic ingrained mindset of:          Leading by Example.

And I came away from the Boots on the Ground program with the understanding that-
 I needed to do more.  I cannot rely on others to lead in this.
I have to do more 
and I must do a better job of hiring both minorities and giving other small businesses a fighting chance.

I mentioned above leading by example and I'm putting these actions into words on an upcoming project where I will be building a functional and energy efficient rooms in a basement remodel for the Client.

 I will be utilizing and hiring Minority Owned: Electrician Contractor as well as a Plumbing Contractor for the project in South City, St.Louis.

 I also plan to stop by the neighborhood SLATE Office to inquire about possibly hiring a minority helper and laborer for my project.  I've heard and followed the twitter links about how they are assisting and training young adults the skills needed to gain entry into the Construction Field.

St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment

SLATE is City of St. Louis' workforce department offering businesses and job seekers of all ages and socioeconomic background no-cost employment and job training services

 Just like my early employers did with me when they gave me a chance and helped my construction career.  I will give others a chance- to help me: Build A Green St.Louis!

 Long ago- when I owned and operated 2 Apartment Buildings with 21 individual apartments; I realized that having a Minority on my staff helped my business.  

 What it did was to show my future tenants that I was not prejudicial and gave everyone an opportunity.  I may have lost a few future caucasian tenants who were haters.  But the feeling I had inside of: Doing the Right Thing- was immeasurable in Dollars and Cents.

 My Goal is to prevent the Minority Fault Line from further damage.
I challenge all American Businesses to give people a chance.



 Here are some of the Tweets from my Twitter Feed in re:





  1.  Sep 8
    You've followed me I'd like to know about the contracting you do? And about your likes an dislikes. Fishing,hunting,music ect.?

  2.  Sep 8
    I'm a country boy in a city. Raised on 4000 acre Cattle Ranch in N Missouri, all the country activities included in my upbringing

  3.  Sep 8
    I'm a city boy,with rural underpinnings. Live in a small Mississippi river village Grant county Wi surrounded by corn an beans.

  4.  Sep 8
    most of the Union Jobs I've ever worked on the workers seem to go very slow-all told me to slow down and stop making them look bad

  5.  Sep 8
    Told me others would stand with tools waiting to take their job. These men still worked scared, never straitened their back.

  6.  Sep 8
    in StL you have to "Know" somebody to get in a Union for sponsorship. They're not exactly a friendly bunch-protecting their own.

  7.  Sep 8
    Looking for people in Madison i'm told. You need more knowledge than just how to swing a hammer. Apprenticeship best.

  8.  Sep 9
    overheard others talking about in your neck of the woods today.

  9.  Sep 9
    I hope it was good talk.

  10.  Sep 9
    inre2 , Unions effort to bring Diversity into the workforce. Packed House- Too short of meeting

  11.  Sep 9
    Jurisdictional disputes upset contractors What is meant by diversity?

  12.  Sep 9
    Diversity=The racial divide-"Good OleBoy" Union Network w/a Few Progressive Union Cont & Individuals telling how they are changing





Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference. Build a Green StLouis Green Building Tips and Resources from Scotty-St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog -->
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Inequality Alive and Well circa BAD2014

Treatment of Ferguson and St.Louis Residents is a perfect example of 






Inequality alive and well circa 2014.


 Webster Dictionary Defines Inequality as:

  "an unfair situation in which some people have more rights or better opportunities than other people"
Blog Action Day Inequality The treatment of my fellow St.Louisans is the perfect example of Inequality Scotty
The treatment of my fellow St.Louisans is the perfect example of Inequality Scotty  
#BAD2014, #blogactionday, #Education, #Ferguson, #Inequality 

 Even CBS news broadcasted and touched on the inequalities the Residents of Ferguson have been forced to endure.


Published on Oct 13, 2014

Vladimir Duthiers looks at what's changed -- and what hasn't -- since the fatal police shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. last July.

           I feel after living a few years in the civilly deprived and racially divided  North City region of StLouis.

              I have a basic understanding of what has lead up to the ongoing conflict between the Ferguson Residents and the Ferguson County Police Department.
              The overall cause of the attitudes of my St.Louis Neighbors is basically a feeling of being 
alienated by society that controls a system which is rigged against the little man.  

     Just like a Gambler knows:

"The House always holds the winning hand...

      The disenfranchised youth feel the Deck is always stacked against them.  And its the
 ...Ferguson Court House who holds the Winning hand."    
  
    NPR
  • distrust of police that has fueled protests in Ferguson, Mo., consider this: In 2013, the municipal court in Ferguson — a city of 21,135 people — issued 32,975 arrest warrants for nonviolent offenses
    NPR
  • The ArchCity Defenders report argues that this resentment is justified. Last year, Ferguson collected $2.6 million in court fines and fees...second-biggest source of income of the $20 million it collected.  
  • NYT-The unrest served to highlight longstanding complaints by a predominantly black community that they were being harassed by the police. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/09/us/ferguson-council-looks-to-improve-community-relations-with-police.html
            
             It is abundantly clear, the Ferguson Court System levies out: harsh penalties and fines for non-violent offenses which starts the perpetual revolving jail-door of interaction and incarceration within the court system and its jails.


St.Louis PD Adds Fuel to the fire



         The killings of unarmed black kids has continued to spread in the St.Louis Region- the latest incident happened in the Shaw Neighborhood when an unarmed black youth- Myers was shot numerous times by an moonlighting St.Louis Police Officer.


                One thing I've observed while living in regions of St.Louis in various socalled hoods by the locals is the number of unemployed people trying just to get by in todays society.
"47 percent of the metro area’s African-American men between ages 16 and 24 are unemployed." Washington Post



               If I can point my finger at the one issue that is causing the high unemployment  rate among minorities: the lack of education has to rank pretty high on my list for the number one area needed for improvement.  

               The above statement comes from my experience-performing construction work in the hood.  I've noticed that many times the people that will stop by a construction job site and inquire about "Work"-are unable to read a tape measure.  (Which is a must have skill needed to work on 90% of the construction jobs I perform for my St.Louis Neighbors.)

                I don't exactly remember when I learned how to read a ruler.  But I do know I learned it in School.  
     "If the St.Louis regional area cannot even teach the next generation these basic education principles-then we are to blame and utterly responsible for failing to provide and give the youth a fighting chance to make it in the World."


           I believe it was Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens Linebacker and future Pro Bowl Inductee who coined the phrase:
  
"We must Fix this House"

The house the people of St.Louis should put on the top of the list to Fix is the School House.

           Its painfully obvious the Foundation of the Schoolhouse is cracked  and unless repairs are made. The St.Louis region could come tumbling down-just like what happens to the abandoned and neglected homes that are scattered around the city!

            Education is like the Mortar in the Rock Foundation of a St.Louis Brick Home.  When its missing like in the first photo 
Photo of missing Mortar-Stone Foundation




or when discord is allowed to grow like this tree root second and third photos
Tree Growing in Brick Wall



Getting to the Root of the Problem



You are in immediate danger of your entire home collapsing onto itself just like this home in North City
Photo Courtesy of Vanishing STL http://vanishingstl.blogspot.com
Photo Courtesy of Vanishing STL 


Just like a Rock Foundation in a home can be repaired.  So can too the failing education system in St.Louis.  I envision a 3 step process to repair the St.Louis failing education system. 
Step 1: Repair Mortar in Education System
Step 1
                  Just like I replaced the Mortar in the above picture is representative of how educational resources  can fill in the voids lacking in the current failing education system. 
Step 2: Apply Water Proofing-Skills that Education Represent
 Step 2
                  The waterproofing on this Stone Foundation Repair represents the skills that education gives to the youth of St.Louis.  (Waterproofing slows and eliminates leaks and water damage.) The same principles that a quality education will give the youth.  Stopping and Eliminating the Leaks that an under-educated life will bring.
Step 3: Show Your Foundations New Strengths to the World!

Step 3
          Just as the foundation repair project in the above brick home will continue to support the St.Louis Brick Building for the next 200 years.  

 Is exactly what a quality education will give to the Youth of St.Louis- 
Providing them a fighting chance that all the youth deserve and are desperately needed for a fully functioning society...this will also provide the younger generations the tools needed to live in harmony with todays society.  

     An Education is the Foundation that a Successful Life is Built upon.
October 2014, Scotty   



Russell Brand in the interview below in the Oct 13, 2014 Interview on David Letterman has a unique way of bringing his message to the viewers.  Mr Brand touches on the #Inequality of the poor vs wealthy and the revolving door of our Political system and the ties of Wall Street vs Mainstream America-

  • skip to the 6:28 spot to listen to this part of the interview- 
  • the first 6 minutes are spent discussing how he overcame his addictions to alcohol and drugs.





The End Part 1 on Inequality in America

Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference.





Interesting TidBits on the Ferguson Region

  • Black alone - 13,753 (64.9%)
  • White alone - 6,494 (30.6%)
  • Two or more races - 437 (2.1%)
  • Asian alone - 263 (1.2%)
  • Hispanic - 156 (0.7%)
  • American Indian alone - 34 (0.2%)
  • Other race alone - 45 (0.2%)
  • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone - 23 (0.1%)
Ferguson races chart
http://www.city-data.com/city/Ferguson-Missouri.html
Web Links from Wiki Links on Inequality: 
In healthcare:
In economics:
In the social sciences:

Also From Webster:
 in·equal·i·ty
 noun \ËŒi-ni-ˈkwä-lÉ™-tÄ“\





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