Im not entirely sure what is compelling me to write this particular article. Come on lets face it, its an article not a "blog" A blog is collection of holiday snaps and droolings about what happened to me in the week. I may not be writing for the Guardian newspaper or anything but its an article none the less. "Aim high" as i was always told.
Anyway, back to my article. I live in a humble area called Lewisham in South East London. Granted its not the nicest of areas. Crime does happen and its pallet of grey on grey architecture has a lot to be desired. But i am a little bit fed up with peoples perceptions of Lewisham. People have this ignorant notion that because there are a high number of black people living there, that the crime rate is somehow a lot higher. Because of this outsiders feel unsafe there and some people i have met will literally go out of their way to take an alternative route and drive around it completely to avaoid having their car "jacked" by a tanked up on crack devient.
One thing people need to understand is that if you live in Lewisham you generally have a slightly different opinion on things. I have waited for a bus in Lewisham at 1 O clock in the morning and i can honestly say that while i was waiting for said bus (that never seems to come...you know the one. everyone has one) i didn't feel any particular fear that i was going to get stabbed in the head.
I have a love hate relationship with Lewisham. In a way i do hate it. I hate how it looks. I hate the busses. I hate the fact that there is nothing within it but one shopping centre that doesn't even have a place to buy CDs. But i have lived there my whole life (minus 2 or 3 months) and i suppose i have a strange sense of Lewisham patriotism. Hell, il say it: Lewisham Pride! I have even been to Lewisham peoples day, the yearly festival. Obviously its terrible...but its the principle! I like my community, and yet i cant wait to leave. I know what your thinking though. "well your obviously just very lucky. you havent been mugged yet so your opinion on the area is unfounded" Well for your information i have had my fair share of dealings. Within Lewisham there is a little place called Grove Park. It was in lovely Grove Park that i was headbutted by what looked like a 20 year old. Did it taint my perception of Lewisham? For about 10 minutes yes. But once the blood was cleaned off my shirt i realised it wasnt Lewisham i should hate...more just that cretinous fiend.
In relation to people fearing Lewisham because black people happen to live there...well that is just rediculous. The people i know who have this warped opinion live in places called Eltham or Sidcup. Predominently white areas that guess what...have shit loads of crime. I have had more trouble from groups of hooded , white, pre pubesant lebotomy patients than black people in Lewisham.
Lewisham aint so bad...Just stay out of Grove park
