I'm Clicking off ClickonDetroit.com

I consider myself a news junkie. I am constantly looking at different news sites and getting RSS feeds to my computer and phone for recent updates. I even still read the newspaper. I love the feel of paper in my hands, the ink turning my hands black and the detail they can put into print, that often doesn't make it to TV or web.

However, one news site has been angering me for a very long time. I like to stay current on local news, so I often turn to the Detroit ABC, Fox and NBC affiliates. I also go to their websites for breaking news. But some of the comments that are placed on the NBC (www.ClickOnDetroit.com) website truly angers me.

Many people already know that Metro-Detroit is one of the most segregated areas in the country. But by reading the posts, I often see nothing but racism and hatred. Though these type of comments are often left on other sites, only ClickOnDetroit.com puts them right under the story. Most other news affiliates, print and television, makes you click on a link to see the comments, so they can easily be avoided, if you choose not read that type of stuff. Also their moderators seem to be better about controlling negative comments.

It is hard however to avoid the clickondetroit comments, as you have to scroll past them to get to links of other stories at the bottom of the page. I've seen blacks referred to as monkeys, maggots and any other derogatory thing they can say. They talk about how terrible the city is and how "it should just be burned down with the people in it." (Actual quote!)

This comment has been posted over 16 hours already about two men that actually surrendered themselves to the police after being suspected of a crime.

Momma and "daddy suspect" #1 have convinced dey baby to turn hizself in, and now he's in jail. It will be a negro homecoming turned family reunion when he meets "daddy suspects" #3, 4, and 5 in the prison yard.

A couple of months ago I sent an email to the web staff at clickondetroit. I heard nothing back. I let a few weeks go by and sent emails to every other person and reporter that I could on their site. Devin Scillian (one of their busiest reporters, and one of my favorites) was the only one that responded. He said that he also felt that many of the comments were offensive and that he would share my comments with higher level management.

Since then I haven't heard anything back. But the more I looked at the site, I realized that most of the comments are made from some of the same people. I myself have reported many of their comments. And sometimes the comments are removed. What upsets me however, is that the website is not doing anything to prevent these posters. I figured that they may get blocked and perhaps create new profiles. But the most offensive offenders have over 3,000 comments. It seems as if they are never being blocked.

So now I am officially clicking of ClickOnDetroit. I believe that they are giving these racist people a forum for the public to see these terrible comments. The web staff is doing nothing to stop them and keeping them on the main page of the story for everyone to see. What is worse, is people see the ignorance that Metro-Detroit still has when we are linked to national news sites, or listed in Yahoo or Google news. Even other NBC affiliate sites don't allow comments right on the story page.

Apartment Living

I've lived in my apartment for almost three years. And have been having several problems with my neighbor. He mainly just does the weirdest things.

• He likes to keep his door open, with a fan in the doorway to blow the hot air from the hall into his apartment (but doesn't this make the air cool?).
• He smokes in the hallway
• Keeps flammable things in the basement, which is only under my apartment
• Stands on the porch at all times of night, creeping me out after a night on the town
• He was actually using an electric saw in the basement a couple weeks ago, what do you need to saw in an apartment?
• He gets pots of hot water from the utility sink in the basement
• He picks through garbage around town, so brings home the weirdest things. And one time mice!

I had complained, in person, to management several times, but nothing really seemed to be done. New management came in a few months ago and told them about the problems. They spoke to him and it stopped for a little while, but it started back up again.

Yesterday I wrote an email to management and the parent company that owns the complex. I once again listed my grievances and also the fire hazards he was creating. I told them I would leave at the end of my lease if something was not done. By 8:30 am the next morning they were speaking to him. They called to give me an update. However, that same afternoon, I walk in to see his dirty, smoke smelling apartment door open and fan on. I sent another email right away.

Within 15 minutes I could hear management talking to him and saying he was going to be evicted if they received one more complaint. All of his stuff also needed to be removed from the basement and he needed to keep his apartment door closed.

I'm just glad I brought this to their attention and didn't give up. Only because I was this close to moving out of this place, and I really like my apartment. I finally got all my pictures hung and would hate to move now.

Why Don't We Talk About Mental Illness?

Mental illness affects so many people, and usually with varying degrees. Sure everyone has heard of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or depression. But mental illness also includes substance abuse, dementia, autism, ADHD and many others.

Nearly everyone has had a family member or friend that has suffered from one of these disorders. However, we always seem embarrassed to talk about it. I think the lack of talking about some of the disorders leads people to be undiagnosed or their problems ignored.

There are many places to find help or support groups for mental illnesses. There are groups that are for both the consumers and caregivers. My advice is to not be afraid to talk about some of these diseases. Often friends or family members do not recognize some of the symptoms unless you tell them about your experiences. And I’ve found this true for bipolar disorder, autism and depression.

In 2010, let’s not be afraid of mental illnesses, they affect 1 in 3 people. Nearly 33% of people have or have had experienced a mental illness. Our dysfunctional mental illness system is the reason that there are so many homeless and jails are over crowded.

One site I’ve found helpful is www.NAMI.org. National Alliance on Mental Illness.

There is information on just about every type of mental health problem, resources for your state, and online support groups for consumers, caregivers and others. I encourage anyone to go to the site just to learn about how mental illness affects the whole community.