Things were looking up all across the American underworld. The seeds of the new era were beginning to bear fruit: old families returning to the shores, activity levels across all six major crime cities surging, a conscious awareness of the effect leadership could and should have on the world as a whole. NathanExplosion was excited to be taking part in these unprecedented times, and yet one thing had been yet to make it's return. Discussions on the streets. This far, the dusty old soapbox Herbert had left behind was vastly underutilized. The streets were bustling for sure, but almost exclusively with people going about their business with their own cohorts and colleagues. Nathan was hoping to see more in the line of debates, discussions, and opinions in these inquisitive times. Perhaps the public just needed a little spark?

He made his way out into the streets to try and tackle the subject himself, in the hopes that what little he could say that had never been said would be enough to coax those with the desire for debate to come back out and play.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if I could just have a short moment of your time? Much of what I have to say today will be cyclical and perhaps rhetorical in the sense that it will revolve around me asking people to ask questions. I hope that this fact does not bore you out of staying to listen to me drone, because I believe what I have to say is important to our way of life. Most of what I say today will probably have been said before, but it is integral to us begining anew that we revisit discussions and topics that may have been broached previously by other men and women.

I want to talk about discussions out here in the streets. Recently, attempts were made to bring back these types of debates. However it became clear quite quickly that they had little interest in the debates themselves and were more trying to provoke people and push buttons in hopes of reaction. I believe this, along with our most recent regime leaders penchant for killing anyone with a brain, combined to scare people away from both asking for opinions on subjects and responding to any attempts at lighting a debate fire in the streets. I'd like to return to a healthy balance in the streets, where people can feel entitled to express their opinions without fear of retribution from their leaders.

That being said, debates as a whole have been in decline for quite some time, and bringing them back to prominence is not an overnight task, and not one to be taken on by just one man. So I come here before you tonight, asking several questions.

First off, with all the change and talk of change going on, what topics do you wish to see brought forth? Perhaps airing them out here will spur someone to make a speech on the matter. Maybe you're too shy to make a speech on it, but have an opinion to give. Maybe I'll be the one to drone on about it in the streets. I've seen people bring up things in passing: shot reports, leadership standards, toxicity etc, in the coffee shops, but not so much in the streets. 

But that brings me to my next question, are debates even plausible at this point? I can stand up here and drone on for hours about something, but if there is no interest from others in discussing in general what is the point? Is it too late to return to some semblance of balance between discussions and stories?

Hopefully, I will get some feedback and some like minded souls who would like to see the same types of discussions return to the streets. People should be free to voice their mind without fear, and hopefully we can return to a place where that is the way it is, rather than the way it should be."

It was a chilly November day, but the sun was shining and the birds were chirping. A perfect fall day for Delicate and @Mazikeen to take a walk through the park. They strolled, they gossiped, and then they were rudely interrupted by a sound...

"Ladies and Gentlemen..."

The voice boomed through the park from afar. The two women looked at each other and spoke.

"Oh No" said Mazikeen and at the same time Delicate said "Who gave him a soapbox"

They linked their arms and wandered to the street corner where NathanExplosion's voice was coming from. Both ladies listened as Don Explosion addressed the community. When he finished and only crickets were heard, Delicate stepped to the front of the crowd to ask the Don an innocent question.

Trying to fill the shoes of the great and esteemed debaters of the Kuku lineage? 

NathanExplosion glared at delicate. How dare she.

"And here I thought you loved me. I would never use debates as an excuse to attack someone personally, or as an opportunity to get them killed. And I will certainly never make up a rape fantasy about someone for "the lols." I could never stoop as low as that lineage. However, his ideals were good in thought, but poor in practice. But please refrain from mentioning us in the same breath."

Delicate grinned and brought a gloved hand to her mouth in case the chuckle she felt was planning to escape. She didn't want to wound him any more than she seemed to already have.

As you know, I've been out of the country more than I have been home. I've missed a lot and I definitely have not had the chance to catch up with the coffee shop drama. Even touching on the subject bores me and I'll probably skip it altogether. 

She gave Nathan a smile and fluttered her lashes.

Other avenues of communication may be easier to discuss certain matters, but street corners with their soapboxes will never fade away. Yes, its popularity may come in and go, but people will always use it. Coffee shops may become busy and words and voices are easily lost. The streets give a voice to everyone at the same volume. 
 

Really interesting speech

In my opinion discourse should ALWAYS be necessary in this life of ours.  Without dialogue and communication we're nothing more than rabble, infighting over a tiny bit of turf.

There has always been strength in unity, even if there are disagreements in how things are done, business needs continuity and a lack of discourse disturbs this.

Kates listened to the don on the soapbox. She wasn't one to make many speeches, but she nodded as the man finished his discussion. The ideas he discussed seemed to reflect an essential part of society in ages past.

"I think this is a worthy effort, NathanExplosion, and an important topic. You certainly have my support. Based on my understanding of history, I'd suggest three elements that are essential, or at least worthy of attention, if you want to bring debates back to the streets."

"First, norms should be established about respecting healthy debates and criticism. This was already mentioned recently in the Codes of Conduct - Aspirations for the Future discussion, where it was said "Respectful views, ideas and criticism in the streets or through mail are welcome and should be taken on board by leaders and discussed." That's a great first step. In my opinion, however, many people need to see actual criticism that doesn't result in bullets before they feel comfortable testing the waters themselves. 1-2 brave souls who have big picture issues or criticism (rather than personal gripes, which would obviously be inappropriate) may need to lead the way here. Even when this has been clearly stated, I think it takes time and examples for people to realize that this is not just allowed, but encouraged."

"Second, it is difficult to pull many people into a discussion of an abstract idea; discussions need to deal with actual events and people. Speakers need to be willing enough to discuss actual events, just as leaders and other major figures must be willing to be discussed. (Refer back to #1.) Many bloodlines have listened to countless debates about the abstract ideas of honor, loyalty, and omerta. These discussions are still valuable to have- you never know when a young gangster is hearing them for the first time. However, most people just ignore a topic their bloodline has already considered to death when it's discussed in the abstract, rather than the concrete. Ask about a hypothetical situation of loyalty, you'll get a few responses. Ask if Don Example down in New Orleans was right or wrong to shoot their CL? Now people are talking."

"Third, I think leaders need to get involved with debates. This is perhaps the most essential element- and the hardest to fix. Early on in my bloodline, my ancestors initially cared about participating in debates because their leader cared and was out there already. In fact, most leaders were. And if you wanted to get a crew of your own? Well, you generally needed to get out on the streets to make a name for yourself, or at least show you were capable of a bare minimum. Now, silently running a crew is practically the expectation. So I think leaders need to lead by example: leaders and upper structure members should get involved in debates to show that expectation to their crew. If active streets are the goal, then public presence should also be considered as a factor when authing a new CL. 

To be clear, I know of many good leaders who can run a crew very well without making public appearances. Some people enjoy speaking in the streets- others do not. I'm not here to tell people how to live their lives- but if I'm answering Don Explosion's question honestly, I think we have to ask questions like "What is the motivation for going to the streets?" and "If my boss doesn't care, why should I care?"

Thanks for the interesting question, Don Explosion. There's my two cents, for what it's worth. 

Gunther was walking the streets after a long bender when he overheard a thunderous voice crackle over the norm of static that usually encompassed the daily conversations of passers by. He stopped and turned to watch as NathanExplosion spoke. He nodded in agreement with what was being said. This place needed better, for so long it made due, but now was a time for growth. Before he could offer any insight to the discussion though, another voice broke out.

He turned to spot a woman, Kates, adding further to the discussion. By God, it was well said. Not only this, but Gunther felt as though it covered anything he intended on adding to the discussion. He agree wholeheartedly with her views. Now, there was one thing that he did feel could be added. He stepped forward and spoke.

"Good day folks. I can tell that this is something many hope to see performed the right way. My wish is for such discussion, and debate, to create stronger relationships within the community. I feel that this should be the goal no matter what is said, who agrees or disagrees, the endgame should be to become closer as a whole. For as long as I can remember such activities have only served to further divides and polarize topics."

He scratched his head.

"Now there's really no clear cut way to guarantee that such terrible outcomes don't come forth, but I think a simple first step would be to ensure in some way, through the leadership in place, to agree that thoughts shared, opinions defended, and words spoken don't quickly lead to physical harm. Now, granted there will always be a line that should not be crossed, but my hopes are that emotions fueled by such debates don't immediately lead to the physical harm of a speaker."

He grinned realizing his statements are just elaborations of Kates' first point.

"I'm sure what I'm stating is obvious, and I can't see the current leadership acting brash or reckless, but nonetheless it should be a point that no one should fear reprisals for having the bravery to step into the streets and allow their voice to be heard."

Perking up, Barb decided that giving this ‘new’ structure a chance to prove itself, maybe, might be worth risking a bullet. Maybe... 
Lifting a hand, she spoke up softly, “Y’know, maybe I’m the only bloke that thinks so. And maybe I’m wrong for it. But, given that so many of our kin were recently and historically run outta town for speakin’ anything BUT ‘debates’, I gotta say, I’m in no hurry to see ‘em make a comeback. Personally, I ain’t even sure that these streets is the best place to be havin’ those kindsa discussions anymore. I know that’s how it’s always been done, and that back in those days it worked okay... never great, but okay. But these aren’t those times. And I jus gotta wonder if, maybe, the upper structures doin’ all this talkin’ and promisin’ wouldn’t be able to find a more appropriate meetin’ place to centralize and protect those voices that need to speak up as well as organize the considerations of those voices, and their own announcements and what not. We all got HQs. Why hasn’t anyone put up ideas - at a minimum - a communal HQ for this of ours to help keep the streets and the steps of city hall BOTH cleaner and friendlier? Just my two cents.” 

NathanExplosion smiled pleasantly and listened closely as Kates, Gunther, and Barbara_Braganza all said their pieces. He could feel an exciting feeling boiling in his belly: this was a true in depth discussion, and the seeds were being planted by these brave men and women who came forward so genuinely.

"Firstly, I'd like to thank you three for coming out today and sharing your thoughts and opinions with me. Your insight has been invaluable to me and I think some serious progress is being made. 

One recurring theme I am seeing - ensuring that when discussions become heated, it does not result in violence on one hand or the other. Be that violence from the parties themselves, or a leader of one of those parties inserting their bullets into the argument. This is a worthwhile concern, especially given recent history where anyone with an opinion that conflicted the state approved narrative found themselves taking a dirt nap. 

As Kates mentioned, efforts have been made by the current leadership to get ahead of this - and as a witness to the writing of those statements and subsequent review and approval by ALL crew leaders- I can assure you that this will not happen except in cases of extreme disrespect on a personal level. There is a line between heated debate and toxicity, and we as leaders must monitor that line and use thorough, reasoned judgement when we are involved. 

​​​​​But the burden can not be placed on leaders alone - it must be a collective effort. Leaders are not babysitters, and they can't always be present at every conversation. The people doing the debating must make it a priority to keep things as civilized as possible when things become hot. State your mind and be true to yourself - but not at the expense of someone else's respect.

Barbara, your suggestion about splitting the streets into two separate areas is not a new one, and perhaps it is time we really do revisit it in full. It is not my wish to see only debates, or for every other form of the streets to cease. Nor do I think any stable person would want that, and yet, there have been people recently who desired such things, making your statement absolutely necessary. Sad, but true."

To an extent, I believe certain discussions — or patterns — will always repeat themselves, whether out there in the wider world or within the confines of these picturesque streets with their businesses, soapboxes and the occasional murder. The ancient Greeks believed that time — history — was cyclical; events and patterns recurred. Periods of tranquility and crises alternated and switched place. Order and chaos were seen as being quite natural states of being. In a way, I think this must be true of this things of ours as well. Regimes rise and fall. Once vacant businesses are left dormant, until the kin of the previous owner, or an ambitious entrepreneur takes over the premises to begin anew. So it goes with the streets and its many discussions. What we do here is, most of all, an ever-continuing and recurring conversation with the past. With past regimes, our ancestors, how they handled business and conducted themselves in public. The importance we place upon certain traditions and values — honour, loyalty, public speaking, etc. — is rooted in a long history of regimes and its underlings paving the way for us. As time moves on and people move, live, make money and die, we continually re-engage with the themes and trials of the past and seek to compare our current age towards the past. The appeal in this is obvious. When the current crop of Leaders came to power, they were quick to point towards the traditional values and sentiments attached to 'honour' and 'family', contrasting this proud tradition with recent excesses (purging etc.).

In doing so, they wedded themselves to some sort of nostalgia or appreciation of the 'good old days'. I think that, to an extent, this is true of the streets as well. Add to this the fact that, in reality, there is only so much to talk about before we repeat ourselves or our ancestors, then the streets may become rather dreadfully unoriginal and boring. But yet, here we are. Soapboxes are stood upon, and people are talking. Time moves on, money changes hands, blood gets spilled, and the streets yet live.

I certainly think there's a certain role that a select number of Leaders can fulfill. I don't think it's fair or realistic to expect that all Leaders should make their presence known here; or at least, I have no expectation of them being the most prominent or eloquent speakers. Perhaps that isn't exactly their purpose either; or at least, I don't think it's their first and foremost priority. I believe that the streets are (and have perhaps always been) the place for those lower on the pecking order to speak their mind, bring forth ideas and grievances, and spark discussion.