R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Sunday I attended the Alexandria Mardi Gras parade with a good group of friends and some of their friends. We all gathered at a friend’s fabulously decorated house ate and hung out until we made our way to our spot on the parade route. Our group ranged in age from 1 year olds to 82 year olds, hey we like diversity and to make sure everyone is included! As time drew near for the parade to pass our spot on Texas Avenue we slowly began to be overtaken by another group. (This is not a blog about “spots” at parades, just bear with me.) I don’t mind the mingling of groups, I mean its going to happen, that’s what parades and being in the public is all about however, what I do mind is the lack of respect that seems to have overtaken our society by storm.
As I was standing in the back of a pick up truck with my girls and their kids, enjoying the sights and sounds of the parade, my dear friend broke and started running towards the crowd. This group of unruly, disrespectful drunken teenagers had literally overtaken our group and knocked two of our elderly ladies down without so much of an apology or a hand to help them up. Yes, you read correctly. This was a group of 50-75 teenagers who were sloppy drunk: Throwing up, stumbling all over themselves and others, and let me not forget to mention the obvious fornication that was taking place in the truck behind ours!! These kids were underage and drinking vodka and any kind of rum you can think of straight from the bottle and chasing those gulps with their bud light.
When my friend and her off duty cop husband reached “the scene” the two punks who knocked these dear ladies down, denied such actions and wanted to fight. (REALLY!?!) They were so drunk I am sure my girlfriend had a hangover just from their breath! Here’s the kicker, there were two adults standing on the outside of this drunken mob who were just a smiling and dancing and laughing at the scene. When confronted if they were affiliated with these teenagers their response was “Our son is just in the back taking pictures.” When told they needed to take some responsibility for these out of control drunken and disrespectful TEENAGERS or get the owner of the house they all came from, they denied responsibility and acted ignorant to any of this. Before I go any further, let me just tell you that they led the way for the drunken teenagers to all go back to the party house! (which belongs to a person who is pretty well known in the area)These adults actions disgust me just as much if not more than these teenagers actions.
After the parade ended and after most of the crowd has dispersed, these teenagers beer cans, empty bottles and cups were left all over this elderly couples yard. Some in our group stayed behind and cleaned up after these teenagers.
I am just appalled at the lack of respect teenagers have, not to mention the problem of underage drinking and the over age dressing of these teenagers. I know that not all teens are like this but this was the epitome of disrespect from the adults on down to the kids. I am outraged and horrified that these kids are the future of America who are being “brought up“ by people who turn a blind eye to reality. Do everyone a favor and teach your kids some respect and how to take responsibility. The best way to teach these important yet dying lessons is to live them. Be respectful and mindful of other regardless of age, race, gender or class. I could keep going on a rant about the underage drinking, the public fornication and the age appropriate dress; however I think that if values and RESPECT are taught in the home then these other issues will fall into place. I may not be a parent but I was raised by two of the best and pardon my language but I’ll be damned if I was EVER allowed to act like that be it in public or at home. I am thankful that my parents raised me with values and taught me to respect others. I did not know that the generations after me would not be as fortunate.
As I was standing in the back of a pick up truck with my girls and their kids, enjoying the sights and sounds of the parade, my dear friend broke and started running towards the crowd. This group of unruly, disrespectful drunken teenagers had literally overtaken our group and knocked two of our elderly ladies down without so much of an apology or a hand to help them up. Yes, you read correctly. This was a group of 50-75 teenagers who were sloppy drunk: Throwing up, stumbling all over themselves and others, and let me not forget to mention the obvious fornication that was taking place in the truck behind ours!! These kids were underage and drinking vodka and any kind of rum you can think of straight from the bottle and chasing those gulps with their bud light.
When my friend and her off duty cop husband reached “the scene” the two punks who knocked these dear ladies down, denied such actions and wanted to fight. (REALLY!?!) They were so drunk I am sure my girlfriend had a hangover just from their breath! Here’s the kicker, there were two adults standing on the outside of this drunken mob who were just a smiling and dancing and laughing at the scene. When confronted if they were affiliated with these teenagers their response was “Our son is just in the back taking pictures.” When told they needed to take some responsibility for these out of control drunken and disrespectful TEENAGERS or get the owner of the house they all came from, they denied responsibility and acted ignorant to any of this. Before I go any further, let me just tell you that they led the way for the drunken teenagers to all go back to the party house! (which belongs to a person who is pretty well known in the area)These adults actions disgust me just as much if not more than these teenagers actions.
After the parade ended and after most of the crowd has dispersed, these teenagers beer cans, empty bottles and cups were left all over this elderly couples yard. Some in our group stayed behind and cleaned up after these teenagers.
I am just appalled at the lack of respect teenagers have, not to mention the problem of underage drinking and the over age dressing of these teenagers. I know that not all teens are like this but this was the epitome of disrespect from the adults on down to the kids. I am outraged and horrified that these kids are the future of America who are being “brought up“ by people who turn a blind eye to reality. Do everyone a favor and teach your kids some respect and how to take responsibility. The best way to teach these important yet dying lessons is to live them. Be respectful and mindful of other regardless of age, race, gender or class. I could keep going on a rant about the underage drinking, the public fornication and the age appropriate dress; however I think that if values and RESPECT are taught in the home then these other issues will fall into place. I may not be a parent but I was raised by two of the best and pardon my language but I’ll be damned if I was EVER allowed to act like that be it in public or at home. I am thankful that my parents raised me with values and taught me to respect others. I did not know that the generations after me would not be as fortunate.
Comments
I agree with Tracy - submit this to the Town Talk. You'd probably be amazed at how many people agree with you but are just part of the silent majority.