Hey there everyone.

So, as you may have guessed I'm out here for a very specific reason. With the recent events I've had quite a lot of people make a comment about how the streets may suffer due to the death of Signore Gato and Signore Oakheart. I find the notion crazy to be honest, but I can understand why people may think that way.

In recent times these two fine gents were credited with the upturn in the amount of people coming out here to voice their opinion, which its very true they played a great part in; however they weren't the only reason that people were doing so. There has been a level of trust restored that allows people to voice an opinion without fear of death and that trust in my opinion hasn't gone with the passing of the aforementioned people.

Those of us left in leadership position wont automatically change our view point on these streets simply because those at the top are dead, so I hope to still see plenty of people out here offering their views on events, provided they do so in a respectful manner.

I know there will come a time very soon where someone will speak about the events that took place, that wont be me as i played no part in it and have very little knowledge of it all, I expect that some may have a bitter opinion on the death of a loved one and thats not uncommon and perhaps these people if they go too far they might meet their maker; that doesn't render what I've said before as incorrect as again people must approach their comments with a level of respect.

Anyway, I just thought I'd come out here with my own view on how these streets wont change moving forward, but I'd love to hear from others if they indeed feel differently and hope that they may offer a view as to why they feel that way.

I dont think streets will die, they will continue to live but surely in a different manner.

The fallen two leaders you mentioned were killed yesterday and it is still too recent for us to even imagine the future.

But I can assure you and this without disrespect for Rob or Gato, that business in our cities will go on, we will not forget them but we will keep doing our stuff because we all need to go behond what happened.

Yes, it may be different, yes some people may be scared to express themselves in streets like they use to do but the remaining leaders know that and Im sure they already have a clear mind on it.

If you take away this liberty, this right to let people express themselves, you create an atmosphere of fear and fear leads to anger and anger to hate (Im sure you've heard that before) and then you can expect conspiracies and that, Im sure no leader want to face one or at least they will do anything they can to avoid it.

We appear to be on exactly the same wave length, Amaranthine. Thanks for coming out and expressing your thoughts!

I'm of the mind that none of the current leadership would be inclined to stifle anyone's ability to make their voice heard, so it's pleasing to see the first person comment is also in a leadership role. I'm intrigued to see if anyone does feel though that the current status quo in regards to the streets needs to change at all.

It wasn't so long ago we did hear voices mention that an element of respect had been lost as Godfathers allowed lower ranks to challenge their comments out here in public, I still maintain there was nothing wrong with that then and there still isn't now. I guess we'll have to see how things pan out. 

Kurgan made his way to the streets there was a few reasons he was here but he had to address Slash as well.

We have seen an influx of street activity along with the relaxing of the rules i would like to see the streets remain active as the leadership knows the events last night was not over power or because we thought GodFathers Gato and Oakheart where doing a crappy job. But i will discuss that later on on another street corner. I know people loved what they where doing so why stop? Wouldnt it be better to honour there memory there vision and keep the streets alive continue to do this and the streets will survive the business districts will thrive and the memory of 2 very respected GodFathers will live on.

Slash I will comment the second part of your post.

I don't see why giving low ranks the right to speak their mind in streets would be a lack of respect to the GodFathers or anyone else.

I think a GodFather or any crew leader should know what people think, even the lowest members of our families. 

Why ? Because we all started at low ranks and we made our way up, we earned respect from our families and leaders and that is why we are where we are today. I don't think someone can reach higher ranks if he is never listened or taken in consideration.

Giving his word in streets can be good for a low rank, he can be seen and noticed by important people and he could also tell relevant stuff.

I never judge someone by his rank, I judge him by his words and actions. A GF can hurt you with his gun but a Gangster could hurt anybody with his words.

In brief, no matter the rank you have, you always need to chose your words wisely in streets. If a problem occur, like disrespect, his crew leader would have to take the required actions.

Streets are made for everybody, no matter your rank, sex, country or color.

So I agree with you on it, there is nothing wrong with it.

Listening to others speak before making a speech herself

The vision that was seen by Rob and Gato is still a beautiful scenery. I believe the activity in the streets is a great overcome from how things were previously.  I truly look forward to seeing our community grow as a whole and the changes that had already became before yesterdays events. With respect being mentioned in the air i also feel a thin line does exist. Words can be seen different in many eyes, but i am sure for the most part we can picture where that line is drawn. I for one do not want anyone to be scared to bring their voice to the streets as i am always curious to know the thoughts of a better future. 

Will the streets change? Yes. We are probably going to be looking at a bit of a struggling period to adjust.

Last night we lost three people that openly were for the streets. They pushed and encouraged questions and ideas. They openly wanted to see the streets flourish.

Now we are down to Godfathers whom we know very little about that are running things. That is going to cause some worry and some panic. Hell even I panicked and I love the streets. I sought out permission. That's right, the Queen of the Streets sought out permission to have her say. I worried. Is that wrong of me? Perhaps.

I think that Deces and Kurgan coming out here helps but I think it is going to be a struggle. If I panicked how many others are panicking and worried? We'll need time to adjust as a community and work towards the streets once more. I am willing to do that.

I think panicking or worrying about having an opinion is a little unnecessary. I would be very surprised if we were ushering in an age of "shutup and sit down" leadership and your words are hardly controversial, so I don't think you need to be overly concerned.

As to the topic itself, I don't think the streets will die and I think people are a little too quick to jump to conclusions when someone catches a bullet for something they've said. It happens. Hell, even in this perceived golden era for "free speech" within our thing, there was a very recent example of one of the aforementioned Godfathers ordering a hit on someone for something they said. 

At the moment I don't think there is anything yet to be too spooked about; just likely to see less active participation from those at the top than we saw from RobOakheart. 

I like to think we can all go about the streets the same way. I do agree that we should remember the fallen leader's goals regarding street presence. They went out of their way to inspire a community to pursue their dreams, to give second chances and to be vocal in all endeavors. It is a revitalization that we should continue and it's up to us all to continue to pursue this. Just because the leaders of the movement are fallen doesn't mean the idea and goals should be forgotten. There is nothing to gain from abandoning the mission to make the streets a place where we can communicate debate and dream. 

The stories of those who are looking to make it will never die, yet the elegant tone of the late Gato and Rob will be surely missed and remembered which i'm sure each state/free city can agree to. Yet these are still interesting times, with new faces and new conversations that still needs to be had - if the mouth dies within these sacred streets - so does the community that we as a collective have created.

Sophia walks up hearing a conversation going on in the streets, she stands on the outskirts listening until everyone has finished. When things began to quiet down she stepped up to say a couple of words.

Now I can understand how and why people may think the streets will suffer. The late Godfathers, may they rest in peace, were very vocal. They brought a sense of merit to the streets again and it was quite nice to see how what they accomplished. That being said though just because they are gone doesn't mean the streets will die, that is just insane to say. It is the community as a whole that brings the streets together.

People shouldn't fear for speaking their minds. As long as it is done in a respectful manner everyone should have a say in what they feel. A society that lives in fear for expressing their opinions on a topic, isn't one I would call a stable one.

Yes there will be a slight adjustment period but that is nothing uncommon.

In the end though the street are what we all make of it.

I would just like to thank Slash for starting this Discussion and for the other high ranking personal for their thoughts and input.

As a newer member of this community, I was at first very nervous about joining in here. I also know that other people felt the same way. Due to encouragement of my 'Family' though and the positive responses (or lack of negative responses) from the community. I personally have slowly started to gain confidence and join in a number of debates, stories and visit some business's.

So after the recent tragic events, I was glad to read this discussion and responses as I'm sure others will be too. Knowing that we will all still be encouraged to participate in the community is welcome news. Of course as long as we show the proper decorum and respect.

Many Thanks  

I am thankful for the remaining leaders and remaining former leaders who have started and continued this discussion.  I believe the Streets will change somewhat, but cannot say if it is for the better or worse.  We shall see.

There was so much pressure from the leaders and former leaders to be active on the streets, many struggled to find a way to put their thoughts into words, thinking they just had to say something.  This led to a lot of redundancy as well as empty words being offered up. Others simply did not care to be heard because of the denigration and ridicule so many others ahead of them were forced to withstand.  And even others were more focused on working hard and supporting their families, finding little time left over in their busy, busy lives.  Not everyone has the many hours each day to spend creating missives to be pondered and conjectured upon. 

That being said, I still strongly encourage anyone who has something to say, questions to ask, or suggestion to make, to bring them to the streets where a wide range of people from all families can provide their input.  I can only hope the input is provided with respect rather than ridicule, moderation rather than mockery and decency rather than denigration.

I totally agree with Geena_Giovanni , streets are an open place where each of us should speak freely and be able to discuss or ask anything, in the limit of respect of course.

I also understand not many people have time or just enough skills to make very long and detailed speech, in the end I think it just need to be clear and written in a good english that anyone can understand, no need for a 3 pages thread of empty words.

On the other hand, it is always nice to see skilled people post nice stories even if it takes ages to read ^^

This should help:

Respect

Noun: respect

A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities or achievements.  ie: “The director had a lot of respect for his talent.”

Synonyms:  esteem, regard, high opinion, admiration, reverence, deference, honor

Verb: respect

The act of admiration, reverence, or deference as a result of their abilities, qualities or achievements.  ie: “she was respected by everyone she worked with.”

While reading the latest newspaper Striphe took a drink of some orange juice from a crystal glass. He was sitting at top of Striphe Towers in Chicago and he took a deep breath of the cold crisp morning air

The streets will not die as although we lost some big momentum with the latest deaths, in really comes down to the energy and work of the small guys doing all of it. It doesn't matter if a Godfather states they want to change the whole world twenty times, if he does not have the soldiers to help with that change. 

We have a lot of dedicated individuals still walking these streets, along with Green doing boxing in Las Vegas and as the children rise up more will emerge.

So no the streets will not die just because a few influential people died. God rest their souls but the streets are more than a few people.

He threw his crystal glass over the side of the building and watched as it fell down nearly a mile and shatter on the sidewalk below

Respect is different in many eyes, but a difference is seen when heard by a crowd listening. A conversation for debate can go so many ways, but it takes a crowd to reach that point. A statement can be seen as stating facts or ones beliefs, but even that can be opinionated. A good debate is always needed if we reach a point where we do not know, "Have we went too far, what more can i say and be looked over?". Is it possible that a nerve can be hit saying it one way, but many it totally different.

These thoughts ran through my head as i hear a discussion coming along. Wonder where this line can be drawn at without anyone feeling less equal to the cause. Any suggestions? I was once asked a question not too long ago on what could be done for me to be seen in these streets more often. With those words i would like to ask the crowd the exact same? These streets will change, but it will be the community to decide if its better or for worse.