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This and That
Trailer parks aren’t filled with trash
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006 |
I recently met some of the nicest people you could ever find.
They live in a run-down trailer park and were beside themselves because the land their homes are parked on might be sold for redevelopment.
It was run-down only because the landowner stopped providing basic maintenance on the property in anticipation that it would be plowed under to make way for expensive condos and stores.
“We’re not white trailer trash you know,” one woman told me.
And, of course, they’re not.
Most are hard working, honorable people who just happen to be poor.
They’re the ones who cut your lawn, work behind convenience store counters, bag groceries at the supermarket and serve your food in restaurants.
They also have a lot of pride.
Most cringe when the words “trailer trash” are mouthed by Jerry Springer, Jay Leno or the guy down the street.
Being poor doesn’t mean being bad, dirty, lazy or worthless.
It just means that you’re among scads of Americans who just happen to live in a trailer park.
OK, so there are some that fit the description of trailer trash. But those kind also can be found in subdivisions, apartment houses and condos.
There are people who live in expensive homes, drive luxury cars and enjoy exotic vacations.
But a lot of them can’t afford their lifestyle and never will escape debt as long as they keep trying to impress others with their so-called wealth. They have maxed out credit cards, second and third mortgages on their homes, and then have the audacity to look down at their low-income neighbors.
People live in trailer parks for many reasons. The units provide low cost comfortable housing. The parks generally are convenient to stores, and neighbors provide a sense of camaraderie and security.
There is a popular notion that trailer park residents can’t afford anything better.
That’s not entirely true. Some just like the lifestyle of trailer living.
Trailer parks, by virtue of population density, make residents a close knit bunch. The parks are not unlike small towns where everyone knows their neighbors.
Trailer people are not lazy, unstable, violent or unruly.
There is no more crime in trailer parks than in housing subdivisions or apartment complexes.
People who live in mobile homes consider them just that, homes. Many moved to Florida, decades ago in some cases, to escape high taxes and cold winters. Now, they know no other life style.
One man I met was once a bank manager in New Jersey.
A woman had lived on a 100-acre farm in Kentucky before she moved to a trailer park.
Another lady is a retired registered nurse from Chicago.
So, not all people who live in trailer parks are uneducated or work at menial jobs.
They are human, just like you and I. They have goals, ideals and thoughts.
They work hard at their jobs, pay their bills, go to church on Sundays and raise their kids to become honest members of society.
So, don’t call them trailer trash.
Because they’re not.
Until next time . . .
Thomas Michalski is the staff writer for Pinellas Park Beacon.
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Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006
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