The Ghetto and the Suburb (but mainly the Ghetto)

[Shina]

The ghettos. Everyone has an opinion on them. Not the suburbs where rules exist, but the ghettos. Where the inhabitants of the place run wild, start fights, or just get together with old friends. Some enjoy their time in there, but others find the place to be in shambles.

Why is it in shambles? Why is it the way it is? Is it the fault of the new generation, who don’t care about the City, furthering in power?

They are called n00bs. They’re called scum of the City. But truly, what are n00bs? They are simply uneducated, and more likely than not, they have not had the chance to learn. Instead, they are looked down upon, and they are, for lack of a better phrase, bitched out if they dare socialize with their other new-generation friends.

Sure, they can be annoying. Sure, some of them want to start fights. And sure, some just refuse to learn. But weren’t most all of us like that at one point? As Rayne recently wrote in her article, “Don’t forget where you came from.”

Are the ghettos in ruins because of the older generation? The newly turned do not know much, and therefore do not act the way the older vampires do. The older are more educated and therefore have more manners, are better spoken and have better thoughts. It is not anyone’s responsibility to teach them, but why blame them if no one is going to take initiative and help the younger instead of putting them down?

I myself wish to move past my times in the ghettos, like most who have ‘moved on’ from their ghetto days when they were young. Yet I find myself going back there time and time again to meet up with friends and socialize with people I can later consider friends.

Most of the friends I have I met in the ghettos. My first sire became my sire because of the ghettos. I met the most important ‘pires of my unlife in there. In my opinion, I love the ghettos because of all of the friends I made from it. But again, that is only my opinion and I know many that would rather stick to the more relaxed suburbs, or stay out of both regions completely.

What is your opinion? How do you feel about the ghettos and suburbs? Are they in ruins? Are they fine the way they are? Or do you dare not venture in either?

[rel]

As one turned prior to the ghettos or at least without any knowledge of their existence until much later, I have to say that they give me a headache. Like a deep pulsing pain behind my eyes that starts to throb and I have to scream or kill things.

It's not for the reasons you said, either. I can see that there are many who come together for the first time after they've been turned and don't really know where to go within the city. They may know their sire, they may not, but they certainly don't know much about how the city works. Sure, I can see the value in weeding through to find ones path and either move beyond the ghetto'd walls into a clan or bloodline, or begin your own. I can also see the value of just getting together with a lot of old friends who have each already found their paths and want an evening of fun.

I ventured there the first time after finding out that another had been impersonating me for a few months. It was eye opening, to say the least, to find that not only were they a horrible imitation, but that they'd even had the ability to do such a thing. So, I began to go, and I began to watch.

Here's what's I've ascertained in my brief encounters within the ghettos.

If there ARE those who have either the patience or the fortitude to plant seeds that there is more to our city than where they are currently residing, that can give a newly turned vampire or nOOb that spark to want to truly experience all this city has to offer, that's one thing. That's great.

It IS a great place for what it is. I can clearly see many having a grand time with each other, and finding a community within our city is essential.

My issue is when they mix. Issue is too strong a word, um...my concern is when those who have absolutely no understanding for the city and what the rules of the land are begin to feel as if they do based on their time within the ghettos. I don't find me stating this as elitist in the least. I find that if you haven't even gotten your first power, and you're professing strength beyond comprehension, or if you have no care for protocol, no clarity how to use any ghoul or thrall you've turned, no understanding of what having a sire, bloodline, clan means, then there is a lot of unnecessary friction.

I think half the reason there are so many bindings, sirings, severances, clan jumping, etc is because of the fact that the base came from living in the ghettos.

Do many move beyond it? Absolutely. But, there's always a lot of battling going on that we all read about in papers or hear about in gossip that stems back to that g-d forsaken place.

So you have a schism between those who were turned and immediately brought within a clan; turned by a sire who gave them a home immediately, who instilled what that meant and to have pride for that, and those who have no idea what in the world the rest of us are talking about. Who get zero'd by elders because of their mouth and don't know why. Who get pissed off because they think a clan leader is just being elitist.

Do they have a place? Yes. But, the result is just the realization of what a place like that brings forth. Ain't horribly bad, certainly ain't good but I don't seeing it as changing any time soon...

*curtseys*

[Blade]

Personally, I don't think the ghettoes are all that bad.

When some people say they're "bad", it seems to me that they're jumping a bandwagon that they may or may not have any knowledge about. I've met the most important people I know in the ghettoes, seeing as I'm young enough to have found Ravenblack when they were already around. Yes, some of the people in there are simply idiotic sacs of liquefied brain matter, but some have potential and just don't know how to use it. And when they see the older pires that they should look up to act like totally douche bags to them, it's a big turnoff to even learning in the first place.

The ghettoes will always be filled with people who will never learn the ways of the city and that may push a few people away. But there are still tons others that know how the city works and pires that are willing to learn. Everyone was at a point where they were fragile and seeing older pires being rude and hateful may make it so they never want to learn. If you want people to stop trying to pick fights with you, why don't you fix your balls set the example for once?

I agree with a lot of what rel said. I just think a lot of people focus on the negatives and completely shield their eyes from the positive.

Just my .02, I guess.

[Boomerangele]

You nailed it, rel.

By the way, the ghetto and suburbs were formed December 1, 2004 so you were already here, as was I. In fact, I was planning my binding just about then. Wow, do I feel old... and sorta nostalgic...

Now, to annoy those of you who want to say, "Remember where you came from" as if it applies to either rel or me, the answer is a resounding, 'Sorry, you're wrong." Neither of us be ghetto, to use my best Ebonics. Noobs, n00bs, newly-turned, fledglings, or whatever word you wish to use, often wandered without assistance until they found a clan or a hall to join. Yes, they were powerless and they knew it, which is a far different mindset from the one exhibited in the ghetto.

You see, before the advent of the ghettos, most people interacted in the halls and were quickly taught social decorum whether they liked it or not. Come in to a hall with no powers and try to proclaim yourself powerful would get you killed, quickly and efficiently, and mocked. Many of so-called bon mots of dialog that exist in the ghetto would get you slapped back hard. The hall monitors would make sure you didn't try to foolishly mess with someone without their permission and were known to remove or censure those that couldn't play by the hall's rules. You learned the rules; you learned how to interact or you were left in the cold. This is the simple history of the time before the ghetto as most of you were not here then.

Am I under any obligation to fix the ghetto? No. If I don't like it, I don't have to go there. I choose to go to the ghetto occasionally for amusement but I have no expectation that I am going to right the social ills of the City, teach anyone anything, or save someone from themselves. I go purely for entertainment, which usually lasts for say.. ten minutes.

[rel]

Ahhhh yes, thank you. I knew I had no recollection of a place that held nothing for me until I was being paraded under the guise of some really pathetic imitation. Yes, I was sired by one within SC dojo, therefore after I searched for the entrance and was allowed admittance I became SC dojo. If I even spoke within the public establishments without permission I would have found myself back out in the cold in a second, let alone if I ran my mouth. You learned, you paid attention, and you found your voice.

You said it about the owners of those establishments! You learned pretty quickly what was accepted behavior...which is not to say there weren't many with attitude, some who took in any and all information for intel, those who could make you laugh just by having them around, or many proud warriors who didn't take shit from anyone...it was just an air of elevation. Your wit and your grace earned you notice. You held yourself at a standard to which our kind strive to evolve above the human race. Embrace your blood thirst, remove your human boundaries, and experience all this city has to offer. Some have it, and some just don't. I leave it to others to deem which has what...

Is it gone? No. Does that sometimes occur in the suburbs or ghettos? Sure. Yet the preference for me would always be having the former be the standard.

Wow, they've been around that long eh? I was bound already? SHIT! No idea.

[CG Dragonfly]

I was in a clan within days of finding RBB hall. Then again, I started with good manners and knowing I shouldn't behave like an idiot around those that could kill me in about 5 seconds if they felt like it. ;D

By the time the ghettos/suburbs were developed, I was thriving and mostly powered. Getting to know those within the VKoH alliance at the time.

I feel old now.

[Louvain]

I consider myself amazingly lucky. I was sired under Lyric very soon after having found the place. She is the reason that I am here, that I am a D'dary, and the reason this place exists. To say that no good can come from the ghetto is narrow thinking, but to say it's a good place is probably a little inaccurate.

Fledglings will occasionally ask for help though, and I love helping them. I think the well versed of us that do frequent the place could really help better the city if we just took more time to guide the younglings, rather than only taking the time to abuse them. I think it only widens the rift, and I'm only recently coming to this conclusion.

Just my bit. ;D

[◞◯◟]

I have always tried to stay out of the ghettos. I will go perhaps once a year at most, just to see what is going on. Usually I walk away in exasperation at the stupidity displayed there.

Still, the ghettos can be either bad or good for some. It all depends on the vampire....

[Lyric]

Jul 1, 2008 18:11:53 GMT -8 Louvain said:

I consider myself amazingly lucky. I was sired under Lyric very soon after having found the place. She is the reason that I am here, that I am a D'dary, and the reason this place exists. To say that no good can come from the ghetto is narrow thinking, but to say it's a good place is probably a little inaccurate.

I love you, but you're still not getting that pony you asked for. No matter how much you try to make me blush.

That being said, I like to think Legion and the rest have a good point. As abrasive and trying as the ghettos and suburbs may be on one's nerves, there are still the rare diamonds in the rough to be found. All it takes is a little determination and an extreme patience.

Granted, the majority of folk that pass through those halls don't really take the City and its goings on seriously, but you never know who you'll meet on a good day. I found myself an amazing childe there. He's grown and has become so much more beyond the lost vampire I first met. Without him, I wouldn't be who I am today. Though...to go into that relationship would be a bit more on topic in the "Siring" article else where.

But I digress...

In my personal belief, that if you can guide just one new comer, lost soul, wayward traveler, what have you...you've made a difference. A few of those younglings in the ghettos just need direction. How else is our beloved City supposed to thrive and carry on without new and fresh blood? (If you'll pardon the pun.)

[Irk]

I remember when I first came upon the ghettos. I'd wanted some guidance and the like but couldn't find the right ones to ask. It seems the ones to ask where the all rather obnoxious and off putting. That's just how I saw it seeing as how I've never been the sort of person that will just approach anyone. The obnoxious behaviour was never directed at me as I would rarely speak and truthfully that's not changed all that much. I formed these opinions through watching. It's already been said that it's a turn off to learning which I suppose would be true for some.
So in my opinion it would be a good idea to hold back on 'some' of the petty insults and abuse. I admit there are those that deserve it.
I don't have a problem with the ghettos though, there are some great people there.

[Rykoth]

Firstly, I do believe -no good- can come from the ghettos.

However... -some- of the crap can be salvaged and turned into something mediocre, and something mediocre can be refined and become good - even great.

Things change, it is the nature of the beast - which is why the crappy can be come the good. The respected can become a laughing stock and vice versa. Things change.

That said the ghettos haven't. Sometimes I peek in because at times it is amusing, and unfortunately some people choose to spend all of their time there instead of a more classy place like the RBC Hall. No matter how many "good people" return to the ghettos to hang out, the majority of the dwellers there are one of five types.

1. Thralls
2. Overly whoreish "sex slaves" offering their services
3. Newly turned vampires that somehow think they are powerful
4. Plain old "sluts"
5. Those who seem to have an interest in the city, but the above four drive them away

Those in category 5 can be salvaged in my opinion.

That said, like rel and Boomer - I never started with the ghettos. They weren't in existence at the time.

[Blade]

Jul 2, 2008 1:02:32 GMT -8 Lyric said:

In my personal belief, that if you can guide just one new comer, lost soul, wayward traveler, what have you...you've made a difference. A few of those younglings in the ghettos just need direction. How else is our beloved City supposed to thrive and carry on without new and fresh blood? (If you'll pardon the pun.)

I dragged Daly out of the ghettoes, and now look where he is! I'VE CREATED A MONSTER! *rraaawrrr*

Kidding! I love you Daly.

[Lestat de Lioncourt]

Jul 2, 2008 4:58:39 GMT -8 Blade said:

Jul 2, 2008 1:02:32 GMT -8 Lyric said:

In my personal belief, that if you can guide just one new comer, lost soul, wayward traveler, what have you...you've made a difference. A few of those younglings in the ghettos just need direction. How else is our beloved City supposed to thrive and carry on without new and fresh blood? (If you'll pardon the pun.)

I dragged Daly out of the ghettoes, and now look where he is!

Still there?

[yankeessuck]

I... re-awoke to the ghettos, actually. Though I don't go there anymore, I'm still very glad I went there the few days that I did. I blame my excellent luck that I found my "diamond in the rough" as Lyric put it, so quickly.

It has it's problems, pipes constantly bursting with noob blood and flooding the place, fox/angel/furrys running rampant, etc. But, you can't put all at fault for the stupidity of the majority.

[Frozen Nova]

Personally, I only stay in the ghettos for two main reasons:

One, for my future childe since her cell phone doesn't work as well, and the other will remain disclosed. But you, Shina, may know what that is.

I was surprised when I found two very unlikely vampires have potential, (I know I am very young myself, but that doesn't mean I can't say others are younger.) the two under any other circumstancesm I would not have given a second glance.

The ghettos to me was a sanctuary, my "safe place." I could say whatever I wanted. The thrill of death via Holy Water was exciting and, well, terrifying. --I think my first threat of them was Avenging Neko, actually.. .: mumbles for a moment before turning back :.

Anyway, the only thing I'd say about the ghettos is I wish more of my generation would find themselves within the city walls, listen and learn to make themselves better vampires. .: nods :.

I've said my piece.