Cruising

Until I read this article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, I had no idea it was strictly black youth who were doing all the disputed cruising. I suppose it should have occurred to me since Alderman Michael McGee was so adamant about allowing these kids to "cruise". I guess my mind just doesn't think in "black and white".

McGee also said "cruiser" has become a code word for "black youth."

I don't think it matters what color the "cruisers" are, it really is a matter of safety when they turn public streets into a parking lot party. We "cruised" the Shoney's in Hampton, VA on Wednesdays and Saturdays way back when. Mostly, we had to, because there weren't any parking places. But traffic kept moving, there was no alcohol involved (well, not much) and drugs weren't a big part of that "cruising" crowd. Ok, so we were in the "preppie" category. Occasionally, there was a fist fight, when some guy "hit on" someone else's girlfriend, but that was a rare occurrence. Do kids just not have enough to keep them entertained these days? With the price of a gallon of gas, you'd think they find some other outlet to have fun. We had dances with LIVE bands every Friday and Saturday night at the Peninsula Auditorium, and on Sunday afternoon at the American Legion. Yes, I know, times have changed, but kids are still kids, and they need something to keep them busy. Generational differences aside.