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What is this?
Selma native recalls disappointing visit
Published Friday, July 10, 2009
Dear Editor
I made a depressing visit over the 4th of July
weekend to this historical town of Selma Alabama a place I once called home as a little girl 14 years ago. What has happened to this town that so many great people during the civil rights movement fought for. it was a disgrace to visit. There were so many abandon homes it appeared lifeless, thug infested and trashy.
This is not the Selma that I and so many people remembered. It appeared as if it was the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I cant believe the city has allowed the human destruction to take over.
Once great childhood memories are now just that. Businesses ,homes and entire neighborhoods covered with knee high grass and boarded up windows.I saw the signs along the highways saying, "Don't Litter Keep Alabama Beautiful" and I laughed to myself sayingt hey apparently they haven't seen Selma lately.And people up north often say southerners are so nice and was proven a lie by the workers at the many restaurants we visited. workers were often rude to my many family members and what was up with the Sonics worker that had the orange hair rollers in her hair? I'm not in anyway trying to diss anyone; I'm just trying to make someone realize the how unsightful and disappointing of a visit this was for my family that after moving away from a place we used to still call home.
This trip was a huge eye opener to all of us that we will never forget where we come from that's way we will never go back. Selma holds a lot of memories for a lot of our ancestors and to just be trashed on and forgotten is heart wrenching to me.
Selma has to get it together. Stop allowing the people to tear it down because that's all I noticed happening.
Monica Hains
Coshocton, Ohio
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Comments
Posted by selmian (anonymous) on July 10, 2009 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe you could come and make it a better place....
Posted by saveselma (anonymous) on July 10, 2009 at 11:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now I feel gypped.....I never get the girl at Sonic with the rollers in her hair! Man!!!
Posted by SelmaKid05 (anonymous) on July 11, 2009 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I actually agree. I left Selma 2 years ago to go to college, and when I went back, I was really disappointed, more so than I was when I left.
There's just nothing going on to try and keep the town alive. What the author said in her opinion column is not out of the ordinary.
I mean, what happened to Selma being the historical relic that it is, yet it's getting neglected day by day?
Posted by TigerFan36701 (anonymous) on July 11, 2009 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So there was not one single positive experience from your visit to Selma? What you wrote is a slap in the face to those who reside here and MAKE a difference rather than point out the bad.
By the way, did that old man get his wallet back there in Coshocton, OH? Seems like you guys have a little crime of your own, little kettle....
Posted by jarvisdean (anonymous) on July 11, 2009 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There IS a lot of work that needs to be done in Selma. I'm also here on a visit, and the entire city looks like a "bad neighborhood". I left Selma initially almost 19 years ago, but I've made several visits during that timeframe and this is the worst I've seen it. In order for Selma to move forward, the people that reside here must make a difference. If you sit back and wait for someone else to do your dirty work, nothing here will ever change. Also, if you don't see anything wrong with this place, then that's another issue. Selma needs to be a place people look forward to visiting. Right now, (Selma) Alabama is NOT the beautiful!!
J. Dean
San Diego, CA
Posted by selmian (anonymous) on July 11, 2009 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Have you ever heard of a recession??? Either way, people work tirelessly day in and day out and you all fly in and fly out make snap judgments. Please don't keep kicking us while we are "down." Help! Give money to the chamber of commerce to help bring in new business. Find some way to make a contribution no matter where you live. I guess California is a great place even though it is bankrupt. Just don't get people living in glass houses throwing stones.....
Posted by bamafan (anonymous) on July 11, 2009 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's called, a lack of class, and pride, it's called sitting on the porch waiting on a check or waiting on the date of the month the ebt card will be replenished, it's called generations of families living off of the tax payers, because it has been driven in their heads that they are owed this, lack of pride and respect for others as well as themselves, this is for all races living in Selma, and if this offends you, get over it, if you are not one of the above, then it shouldn't!
selmian, you are correct in saying the people in California have no right to say anything about us Alabamians, if you don't like us, then do us a favor, and stay in California!
Posted by saveselma (anonymous) on July 11, 2009 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bamafan, I agree! I would live in "broke down" Selma before I would live in California!!
Posted by OldTownie (anonymous) on July 13, 2009 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Monica Hains, SelmaKid05, J. Dean,
Next time you need to take a crap, do it in your own sandbox!
Posted by mhains (anonymous) on July 13, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The intention wasn't to crap on Selma. I was trying to open the eyes of the government and the people of how my hometown has been neglected. Does the truth hurt? Noone likes the fact that Selma has come to be the place that it is. I haven't resided there in 14yrs why try to make it seem my fault. What i saw saw what I commented on. Yes, I enjoyed the time with my relatives just not the enviroment. The recession didn't cause this mess. stop pointing the finger. Ignorance to the situation will get you nowhere!!Turn off your computers and take a walk around the place.
Posted by chewbacca (anonymous) on July 13, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll tell you exactly what's wrong: you have people blogging about it, talking about it, and *%ssing people off about it instead of doing anything about it. Then you have some so-called leaders who would rather Selma be like a war zone than to work with anyone for fear that it won't be THEIR project. If they can't pull the wagon, they'll tear it up and scatter it around and leave it there! Just hide and watch. You have certain leaders that think one or two should control everything. Then you have the ones already mentioned -- who fuss, fuss, fuss, and that's all. They should be helping with opportunities that some of the people are trying to get started.
Posted by 4change09 (anonymous) on July 13, 2009 at 10:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I too visited Selma during the Fourth of July holiday and if half the money that is spent on CARS & RIMS was spent on the community, Selma wouldn't look like ruins. I was ashamed and embarrassed to show my children where their mother was born. I love Selma, I really do. Its just the mentality of some of the people there is shameful because of what Selma is, or have we forgotten it's the Civil Rights Capital.
Posted by 4change09 (anonymous) on July 13, 2009 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh yeah, I think its illegal to use another companies trademark on your car. KFC, Hawaiian Punch & Dr.Pepper. Ridiculous!!!!!!
Posted by mhains (anonymous) on July 14, 2009 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
couldn't have said it better myself Squirk!!AMEN AMEN!
Posted by bamafan (anonymous) on July 14, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
4change09, I wish you has seen that stupid "skittles" car too!!
I'm guessing this may a hidden message of some kind??
Posted by code13 (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i have been saying this all along and it takes an outsider to come here and see how this town has went down. People aint no since in getting mad when the truth is being told, aint nothing in selma attractive but the hotels and walmart,and all the flea markets that are popping up around here. i have said it before and i will say it again the reason why this town is like it is, is because there is no tax base here the mall is filled with mom and pop stores and if you want something to eat grab a burger or some chicken. Your city council got more important things to work on like fussing and fighting,they are not concerned about the tax base because they probably shop in Montgomery or Birmingham so why does it matter to them. Just do the same thing and lets keep Prattville , Montgomery, and Birmingham growing.
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