What should I do?

Question

Or what could I do?
A few years ago when I was 13, my friend's dog bit my arm open and my friends parents refused to contact their homeowners insurance to help pay for the hospital bill so my mom took them to court and their insurance ended up paying for the trouble. Mind you, that's what the homeowners insurance is for. Now they didn't loose any money from their pocket, we didn't even sue them, we never took it to trial. I'm 18 now and for years they've been spreading lies about me and my family around the neighborhood. My initial thought was to retaliate with violence, however, I have little kids in my house a lot and I don't want other people to get hurt so I keep letting things slide. Since I was a kid, people have been prejudice and steriotypical of me like I'm just a problem. So many lies about me have been told, I feel like Michael Jackson. Why do they want to single me out just because i run the neighborhood? What can I do besides use gun violence?

I'm not violent at all but I could be just as easily. Could it be that it's me against the world because i'm Christian?
Or because i'm black-Italian so it's a race thing?What can I do, I haven't enough money to move and with all that's going on with the murder rate in philadelphia, I don't want to be part of the violence. I'm a peaceful man that seems like a thug because the way I dress. What's wrong with me that I can't get a job because I look like a mobster.
Why don't white people trust me?

I can't just move and leave my family behind in this crumy neighborhood, besides, nobody is gonna run me out of my hood. Am I wrong for maintaining the peace?

Answer 1

Please don't do anything violent. You will hurt yourself and those you love in the long run. Others will be hurt too. Please think about this.

Answer 2

Well first of all it is good that you realize that physical violence is not the answer here. It is such a shame and also wrong that these people are acting such as they are and still holding onto unhealthy grudges. You need to just keep letting it slide. I mean if you go off and try to do something about this in a negative manner, then all the rumors they are spreading about you could make someone think they are true. I know you must be quite frustrated at this whole ordeal. I mean come on, I would be to if something similar to your case happened to me and was going on for so long.

I do not know if there is a law where you live that leans toward slander. By this I mean you can actually sue someone for pasting awful rumors about you. If this goes on any further, I would research about these sorts of laws in your area.

I feel for you darlin, I really do.....
There is not much I can tell you other than that...
Kimmie

Answer 3

You should never allow outside people affect the way you see yourself on the inside. Only you know who you truely are. If they can't see you for who you are on the inside and all your good qualities, then it is their loss. Just think, all this time they could have been living next to a neighbour who is a really nice guy. But instead, because of the way society is (in some areas) or either upbringing, they are stuck in a world where they judge people by appearances and grapevine knowledge (hardly good judgement of character!).

You should feel lucky that you that you DO stand out from the rest. You WILL move away from there one day, and you will probably become quite successful! And maybe then you'll see that what I am saying is true, because every time you go to visit, you will see all the same people, still doing all the same things, stuck in thier boring lives without anything else to but pick on the new kid and spreading rumours about them (because when you leave, one day, they'll have to find someone new to replace you!).

I know that at ~18 years you're at that age where you're too old to be bogged down at home, but too young to go it alone just yet, and it's really frustrating! But trust me, it doesn't last forever, it'll be over sooner than you think. Just stay true to yourself and know that you are destined for bigger and better things beyond that neighbourhood.

I'd recommend when you go for a job interview, dress like you want the job, play the game and give them what they are looking for (appearance & speach wise). At one point I had dreadlocks, I used to tie them up very tightly into a bun every time I went to work or an interview. Also, I have a nose-ring too, so I'd take that out also. It's perfectly ok to keep your individual look for just outside of work hours, you're not complementing who you are in any way. Maybe look at it as "tricking the system"? During the day you play the game and be as sweet as pie, and at night and on weekends you're the 'real you' all homey style? I've done it before, I've played the game, and you become a better person for it (smarter, more intelligent in the ways of the real world, giving people what they want but solely for your own benefit!).

It sounds like you already know that gun violence is not the answer. But I'm assumming you feel like the only way you can retaliate in an equally effective manner is to make them feel as helpless and powerless as you do right now? Seriously, the best piece of advice I've ever got, and it really works - is laugh at them, not only on the inside, but have a quiet little giggle on the outside too (Michael Jackson style). Smile at them even if you have to gritt through your teeth and say "Good Morning Mrs. (blank), lovely morning isn't it?" and then be on your way. It'll hit them for six and confuse the crap out of them! Then laugh some more.

You've just gotta laugh at how pathetic their lives are, you can't really help but feel sorry for them that they don't have anything better to do with their lives. I hope this all helps.

Answer 4

Wow. That is quite a load on your shoulders. However, first and foremest, gun violence will not solve your problem. If anything it will only escalate the level of gossip, prejudice, and violence within your neighborhood. Keep in mind the children and yourself. You are still innocent just like them. You need to keep it that way.

You cannot stop people from talking, however. Nor can you reason with unreasonable people. The only thing you can do affectively it would seem would be to come to terms with yourself that you are above the situation and someday rid yourself since you are now eighteen.

Answer 5

if you really want to get even, live a good life , love lots of people and be loved by lots of people, go to college get a degree, become wealthy leave those bastards far behind you. let them say what they want who cares life is too short to get hung up on the small stuff, as I sit here quietly smoking my cheeba in the dark looking out across my pond( yes I said pond i live in the country and there is a huge pond in my fron yard0 I remember a family that a poor drunk family that would bully everyone in the town around and to get back at them I live a good life, I'm happy, just be happy

Answer 6

You're 18, so you can move out of the neighborhood and make your own life. That's what I would do. Don't do anything violent. These people are not worth going to jail over.

Answer 7

don't resort to violence, get some insurance which covers people visiting your home (shouldn't be too expensive) and then when you see your friend and his parents be especially polite, that'll get them wondering if they are in the wrong for spreading rumours about you.

good luck :)

Answer 8

listen, violence is never the answer. Who knows you better than "YOU"! Don't listen to that mess. Just simply ignore it, ok.At the end of the day you know you are the Hero you have to be, remember the kids love you!

Answer 9

Move to a new neighborhood.

Answer 10

just be yourself.as long as your not doing anything wrong.dont mind those crazy people telling lies about you.their worthless.cheer up!