Worthless Reflections: Berlin, Connecticut
This community means about as much to me,
as a festering bowl of dog snot..
- R.J. Fletcher "U.H.F."
If you have ever lived in Berlin, you will know exactly what I mean when I describe it. Keep in mind that I am telling it how it is from just about everybody's point of view; not just my own. I can assure you that my personal view of Berlin is a lot less pretty than the following.
Anyway, Berlin has a population of about 17-18 thousand, many of which are wealthy and modern. Our town is almost like a secret society. It has been said by many immigrants that Berlin is the worst town to move into. It is a town where everybody knows what everybody else did, is doing, or will do in the future. The community is very self-centered and non diverse. There is a very, very limited amount of African American, Puerto Rican or other non-white families living here, unlike all neighbouring towns and cities where that is the major concentration, beside white. If ever you were to be in the presence of a "Berlinite" and they were to see a black person walk down the street, their first reaction would be that they must live in one of the neighbouring cities.
Now, what is a Berlinite?..
This term is what many persons who dwell in this town, call themselves.. Many deny it as well, but once they have joined in a public response to someone who has accented the second syllable in the town's name (as in Ber-`lin, Germany) rather than the first, they have fallen captive to the loathed label. For those of you who can't imagine, it is very annoying to be in a crowd of other Berlin townspeople, and having a guest speaker from elsewhere pronounce 'Berlin' and be subject to listen to the whole group point out his trivial mistake in unison, as if it were some crime, punishable only by death..
I have been told by several people who have relocated into Berlin, how hard it is to adjust..rather, be accepted into the community. As a lifelong dweller in this town, I imagine I have aquired some strong Berlinite qualities. See.. we can tell when someone is not from around here. It's as if the person is wearing a neon sign above their head, and for the most part when you are recognized as an outsider, you will be treated as one; without respect or courtesy.. I admit freely, that I will most likely do the same, but I rarely respect those who Don't carry the invisible sign either (unless they deserve it)..
Another oddity about the "Berlinite" label, is that it is the only label I have ever heard of in the area.. Never have I heard of a "Newingtonite", a "New Britainer", or a "Rocky Hillian"..
Before I mentioned that the town is very secretive.. Little escapes the internal gossip.. Only those in Berlin know the whole story, yet they are sure to deny it.. Berlin is basically a hideous place shrouded in a shell, the colour of purity.. Some things just can't be hidden though.. Berlin has it's reputation which it will never lose.. One of Racism, Experimentation with Deadly Drugs, Dangerously Inhumane Traditions, and the Ever-Present Football Player/Rapists.. These things not only were headlines of state newspapers for weeks on end.. but also national headlines..But don't let anyone know I told you, because I could lose my head for relaying such arcane secrets, this is, of course, if the cultureless citizens aren't too afraid to touch me..
Offended Berlinites please may flame me at:
4amity@iconn.net
or if you know of me, don't hesitate to call my house..
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