The Holy City

An analysis of Charleston, SC by Lauren Young.

Aww, catchy title. I have been antsy in Charleston for awhile. I love "most" of my neighbors, my family of friends, the Aquarium, and the food. The rest of it I have great dislike for. Yet, traffic is bad everywhere else, government is government, and people will still look down their nose at me. Which leads to understanding why Charleston has made me ill at ease and why I want so badly to move.

Today it hit me. Well, actually I almost hit it (her).

I was driving down King Street and was at the intersection of Grove and King when a women high on drugs/beer/god starting walking down the middle of my lane of traffic. No warning, no worry, and no sense of wrong. I slam on my brakes and honk, knowing fully well she saw me and I saw her. She starts carrying-on and swings (but misses) at my car. I am not interested in a pointless altercation and am definitely not interested in hurting her, so I back up slightly and head another way.

Charleston is a small area where socioeconomic status is not separated by land and walls. Rich lives near poor often. This brings and interesting dichotomy to play. In Charleston you see people not alive, yet not dead (no I do not mean zombies or vampires). You see those who have lost any amount of hope or decency and merely don't care.

This translates at all levels, all races, and all genders. It is a dilapidated status quo where no one cares the outcome and no one fears their humanity.

It saddens and disgusts me.