LAWLESS AUTHENTICITY
KCMO / 816
Living in the 1990s'
The Real City Street: A Look Back on Life in My Youth

 

Growing up, I lived on the streets that were unlike any other. It was a place where people from all walks of life came together, each with their own unique story and struggles. It was a far cry from the sanitized, gentrified neighborhoods of today, where everything is curated and commercialized.

 The street was home to a diverse group of characters, each with their own personalities and lifestyles. There were strippers working hard to make ends meet and support their families. There were dealers trying to survive in a dangerous and competitive market.

There were addicts, struggling with their demons and trying to find a way out. There were writers using their experiences on the street as inspiration for their art. There were skateboarders living a counter-culture lifestyle and trying to make a difference in the world. There were punk and music rebelling against the establishment and fighting for freedom.

There were maniacs, causing chaos and stirring up trouble. And there were freaks, just being themselves and not giving a damn what anyone else thought.


A Place Where Everyone Was Accepted

Our streets were where everyone was accepted for who they were, regardless of their background or circumstances. It was a place where people could be themselves without fear of judgment or persecution. It was a place where the strong supported the weak and where a community was built on mutual respect and understanding.


A Gritty and Raw Environment

However, the street was not for the faint of heart. It was a gritty, raw, and often dangerous place. There were moments of violence, fear, and the constant threat of poverty and homelessness. But through it all, the people of this street stood strong, supporting each other and fighting for survival. It was this sense of community and resilience that made this street so special. It was a place where people came together to support each other, regardless of their differences. It was a place where people were not judged by their appearance or their lifestyle but by their character and their actions.

 The Power of Community and Resilience

A Unique and Special Place

As I look back on my youth on this street, I realize that it was a truly unique and special place. It was a place where people could be themselves without fear of judgment or persecution. It was a place where a community was built on mutual respect and understanding and where people came together to support each other in the face of adversity. And although the street has changed, and many people have moved on, the memories of my youth on this street will always stay with me.

 

In a world where everything seems to be sanitized and commercialized, it's important to remember the real city streets of the past.

These were places where people from all walks of life came together, each with their own unique story and struggles. Despite the challenges they faced, the people of these streets stood strong, supporting each other and building communities based on mutual respect and understanding.

These were truly unique and special places, and their memories will always stay with us.

-- The Street Artist of Wanton