'Scary' Gary

After a spring break filled to the brim with introductions, I've come to learn something. There are two things my hometown of Gary is known for: 1) It is the birthplace of Michael Jackson and 2) It's the "nation's murder capital." \nIn 2005, my hometown -- by default, I suppose -- booted flood-ravaged New Orleans from the No. 1 spot on our nation's murder capital list. For your information, the infamous list highlights cities with the greatest number of homicides per 100,000 people. \nIf you hadn't already heard, the dishonor is nothing new to my hometown. In fact, beginning in 1995, Gary couldn't shake the title for nine straight years.\nNobody cares that Gary was rated one of the nation's "top 10 most unhealthy places for women," by the way. But of course, folks choose not to stop here not because they're afraid of instantaneous obesity. \nPeople don't stop here because they're afraid they'll get shot. Maybe stabbed. \nOr as one post on www.43places.com states: "I truly thought I was going to get kidnapped in this town. I was left in a car by myself for a good 15 minutes, and I was near terrified."\nWhat most people fail to realize is that, while one crime is one too many, a not-so-terrifying, not really amazing 60 homicides were recorded last year. New York saw that many homicides plus three in the time that elapsed between New Year's and Valentine's Day this year.\nBut I guess "Scary Gary" is way catchier than "Scary New York." That's probably why I keep meeting out-of-town folks who've seen or own T-shirts that bear that phrase; much like the ones peddled on Chicago's Belmont Avenue.\nIt's also probably why nobody, except crazed Michael fans, will ever come to gaze, with their naked eyes, upon the unchanged marquee outside Palace Theater proclaiming "Jackson Five Tonight."\nIn fact, I know you'll probably never come to my hometown at all. \nYou'll never pick the sesame seeds off of a Vienna hot dog bun at the Village Shopping Center, never watch basketball amongst overdressed high schoolers during Gary's Holiday Tournament and never be able to say you visited the home of one of the nation's first black mayors.\nI'll probably never visit your town, either.\nBut if you still want to know the truth about Gary, then I'll tell you. The only truly scary thing about Gary is the effect economic depression has had on its people. As the steel mills declined, so did the city's condition. White flight, unemployment and crack spurred the current state of crime and poverty. \nToday, young folks who leave are encouraged not to return -- not necessarily because there's a whole lot of death, but because there isn't much opportunity.\nSeveral years ago, I read a billboard that said "Talk Good About Gary." I think of it whenever I introduce myself. Surely, I realize that along with its good, Gary has its bad and its ugly. I just hoped I could convey a bit more of its truth.