City Crasher: Dilemmas and Anger

Unfortunately, I can’t write about the fantastic week I’ve had. It’s been a good week—local concerts, lecture series, coffee shops, walks in the park. I’ve had friends come from out of town, and watched the sunrise. All things seem to pale in comparison to what has been going on in our neighborhood. I’m sure your mothers and sisters and friends and TV reporters have told you, but we have what appears to be a serial rapist about. Rape isn’t new to Buffalo. Sorry folks.

My anger this time around, or at least the degree, is. I’m upset that the reports are skirting the word “rape.” I understand, but I like to think we come from a time where we don’t need to be coddled. I also resent that the only information/advice given out to the women of Buffalo is to stay home. Don’t walk alone. They make it seem like we’re idiots for doing otherwise, that those women who were raped were stupid for walking alone. I want to walk alone. I want to go to the store, walk my dog, run the trash out. I need to have my independence and freedom. One man shouldn’t stop us.

I’m afraid for our neighborhoods. I think that violence has its source in society. I think this rapist has had some serious wrong done to him and is attacking. Compassion should be our first action - but that compassion should have been given freely to him a long time ago, before he committed these disgusting acts.

Maybe it’s a tiring chant from protests long ago, but whose streets? OUR streets. Now, I try to be an optimistic person, and what I do see is that the people of the Elmwood area are still going about their day. I still see people walking their pets, enjoying times with their friends. I don’t think I’m wrong in saying that we feel safe in our neighborhood. Problem is, mentally, we are also all afraid and very much aware of the danger.

I’m angry that he hasn’t been caught. I support the Buffalo Police Department, and I hope they are putting every effort out there to patrol and apprehend this man. Perhaps, we as a community can also become more aware of our surroundings. Maybe befriend your neighbors, watch their backs? Let’s have a real neighborhood watch. This is about protecting our community. 

I am so tired of being warned that the world outside of my door is dangerous. I’m sick of people looking down on certain areas in Buffalo, claiming that they are too dangerous, and judging the people there. Yes, it is dangerous. There is a threat out there who is attacking women. I believe we can stop him. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be careful. I’m not saying that we should ignore the advice of the police officers. I am saying that I am angry at the situation. I feel for the seven women attacked. I want us to support them, and also support the community. We are all affected when a person is attacked in our neighborhood, our home, our turf.

Fast facts:
A news article on the rapes.

Crisis Services
2969 Main St, Buffalo
(716) 834-3131

Image courtesy Channel 2/WGRZ.

Posted by on 10/01 at 01:53 PM