The Vulgar Block Party

Saturdays, little league, ice cream, block parties. As we walked to the ball field at Isaac Young, we passed a block party being held in the parking lot of the school. The kids were excited to see a fire engine and it’s crew, displays were lined up music playing. Did I say music? It might have been nice to partake in the festivities were it not for the music. What kid doesn’t like to climb aboard a fire truck and pretend, if only for a moment, they are the heroes of the day? Oh yeah, the music. As we walked towards the party, we were greeted by an onslaught of horrible perjoratives mostly of the “N” word type. “M$th%^er F#$%in Ni$%#er seemed to be a common phrase along with M#$%& F&*(% ho’s,and the graphic descriptions of the singers sexual prowess. Does this offend anyone anymore? Free speech is great, but within context. On the field next to the party were lacrosse games, baseball games with 5 to 10 year olds, a lot of them with their younger siblings. I’m not even comfortable writing the words, and I bet if I did somebody would take issue with it. This wasn’t a concert or private party, it was out in public where you had no choice except to leave. I pay the little league for my kids to play, I pay school taxes so these facilities can operate, and I’m left explaining to a 6 and 4 year old why adults allow this kind of behavior. Shame on them. It’s a sad commentary on what we have come to expect from people and how low we set the bar for what’s acceptable and I feel sad for those who think they don’t degrade themselves and those around them whenever those words are used. Raise the bar and turn down the volume.