In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Sorry to disappoint you Sally, but as soon as I saw the report was about the area of Naples called Scampia, I didn't read any further - simply because whatever has been written and is damning - will probably be 99% TRUE.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I read it all, and it wasn't at all sensationalist, just predictably depressing and predictably lacking in any suggestions of how to change anything.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Oh God!
Pigro's post made me feel guilty, so I read the report - now I feel as if I should post something - but what?
I cant defend any of it, nor attack the report as sensationlist - I cant even explain that much - it's far too complicated - it goes back generations. So what to do? Is anyone out there even interested enough to open up a can of worms like this?
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Having just read all seven pages, I can honestly say what a good article. It sounds fascinating, im going to hunt down this Gommora film or book i think.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
haven't seen the whole film yet, but the trailer made me sit back in my seat ... very, very violent but shot (groan! sorry) with great style.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
That's a bit of a coincidence. Just this morning, I was reading Wikipedia on the 'anni di piombo' and the Bologna Station massacre and Florence/Rome train bombing, both perpetrated by a neo-fascist terrorist organisation, but with help from the Camorra. There was a reference to the film Gomorra somewhere.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I'm as bold as brass, but my sense of adventure stops dead in it's tracks at the borders of this area. Scampia is basically a massive "social housing development" - just like the famous "Projects" in places like Chicago. The main blocks (called Vele (sails)) are a no mans land - a concrete jungle, where the good are trapped and the bad run amok.
The area was developed in the 1980s, with massive, high rise residential blocks. After the 1980 earthquake the construction in Scampia was seen as the saviour for displaced and overcrowded Neapolitans. Huge complexes were built, but without commercial or shopping areas and no thought given to providing entertainment or relaxation areas. It didn't take long for the whole area to become infested with "sfaccimm' raa' gente" (scum of the earth - for the want of a better translation) as the area had no stable or historic social infrastructure, extremely high unemployment and cheap rents - it became a dumping ground for those either unfortunate enough not to have other options or, those who choose to live there due to the rampant criminal activity and a liking for the adrenalin filled lifestyle.
Ironically, the apartments internally are very nice, extremely spacious, well built (by Neapolitan standards at least) and the vast majority have balconies and/or terraces, but the high rise and long bleak concrete corridors and walkways, along with the badly planned dead ends, blind corners and a feeling of "living in a box" sealed their fate. People became depressed, disinterested in their area, graffiti took hold, rubbish lay uncollected for months (nothing to do with the recent (and historic) Neapolitan rubbish problems we all know about) and the people and therefore the area became "intrappolato in un circolo vizioso". Don't let the sunshine fool you, you would feel depressed if you lived in Scampia. There are pockets of hope, but overall it's a desparate place, you can often see it on the faces of the people who live there. There is a "hardness" about them.
As the area declined, the rent/value of property fell even further and more and more "sfaccimma" moved in. Unemployed and bored, the younger ones were soon recruited by the local (small time) "Capo" and became "piccoli cammuristi" and ran the rackets - like selling the contraband cigarettes for a few extra lire here and there - running errands for the big boys. The "good" ones who showed loyalty to the sistemma were then hand picked and then moved "up" through the ranks to controlling local prostitution and small time drug dealing. It's a tier system - similar to the "pyramid selling" concept and once entangled in it - there is little chance of escape until jail or death takes control. The void left at the bottom of the pyramid is soon filled with the next generation - foot soldiers.
Some of these people moved up to the top levels over time, they married, had kids and remained "living over the shop" even though they could afford to move out with their ill gotten gains. They had to remain to "protect and control" what they now considered theirs. Their kids grew up with all this around them - they are almost defeated before they begin - the lifestyle is "normal" for them - they follow in Dads footsteps and so, the whole circolo vizioso continues to run rings around the authorities and those folk with a sense of decency. The massive amounts of money involved these days ensure that anyone who steps out of line is "dealt with". The barbaric lessons taught to those who try to play the big time without "respect" to the ones higher than them are intentionally made public so as to keep others in paura and compliant. "Temi quelli che non hanno niente da perdere" translates as "Fear those with nothing to lose" and this is true - what is there to lose if all you have is a long stretch in the clink or death to look forward to?
The authorities (is there such a thing in areas like this?) are overwhelmed, the police are defeated and often scared (rightly so) and I'm sure a few of them will be "on the take", but the whole thing survives because without it, almost everything in this area would fail. It has to survive - because the people have to survive. Each and every part depends on each and every other part. Perhaps it's now so deeply ingrained into the psyche that there is little hope of curing the disease - only hope to try and control the spread of this virus.
Jeez, I've just read what I've written - it's awful - it's brutal - it's true - and if you don't believe me - take a look.
[ame=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rbRM-UT547I&feature=related]YouTube - Scampia Camorra Napoli Ground Zero[/ame]
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=craigandleigh;100029]Having just read all seven pages, I can honestly say what a good article. It sounds fascinating, im going to hunt down this Gommora film or book i think.[/quote]
I received some plants from England wrapped in the Times and read this....
[url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article4907972.ece]Gomorrah, shot in the name of the godfathers - Times Online[/url]
There is also a rave review of the film, (awarded 5 stars) Times same date 9 Oct. entitled A Neapolitan nightmare.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
We'll bypass it pretty smartly next year, anyone with a recommendation for agriturismo with swimming pool near Avellino or thereabouts?
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
You're way off topic, but this place at Pietrastornina is great if you have kids. :smile:
[url=http://www.carpinetoagriturismo.it/eng_default.asp]Agriturismo Carpineto in Campania, Avellino, Pietrastornina, prodotti biologici, Italia[/url]
Goodness seven page article and another "sensationalist" story that I'm sure will be seized upon shortly Noble. I look forward to that.