Trip #384 McKees Lane, Perry South, Pittsburgh took place on December 22, 2019, and was published on January 8, 2020.
We’re all guilty of telling tiny excuses (too tired to exercise, too stressed to quit smoking, too hungry not to eat all those fries), but what about the big ones we often go along with? A family fails. “Well, they didn’t work hard enough.” A street fails. “You know, it’s a lawless community over there.” A neighborhood fails. “It’s too bad, but economic and societal forces are beyond our control.” Why do we perpetuate these stories? Is it because reality is frightening, and the line that separates us all uncomfortably thin? When I hear these excuses or, worse still, catch myself thinking them, I feel embarrassed. Ashamed. Troubled that I don’t know what else to do beyond writing these words.
Field Notes: I’ve been listening to the audiobook of “Evicted” by Matthew Desmond and there were so many elements happening on this street that brought to mind his story. The empty houses that people use for drugs, the condemned houses, the buildings that look poorly cared for. It made me wonder if the stories about living on this street are as sorrowful as the ones profiled in Desmond’s book.
Want to visit these stairs? You can locate them on the Pittsburgh City Steps Plan website!
See the Risograph print of this photo and story in the Mis.Steps Shop.
Be a good neighbor! Have you visited these stairs and found them in poor condition or that illegal dumping (large items like tires, old furniture, and construction debris) and trash were abundant in the area? There are two things you can do to take action and make our city steps cleaner and safer for everyone! First, grab a photo if you can, and submit a report to Pittsburgh 311. All problems, both broken stairs, and railings, as well as trash and dumping, should be reported to the city. You can easily do this online or by calling. If the location has an abundance of illegal dumping and trash, also contact Allegheny Cleanways, letting them know the location and the nature of the garbage. Thank you!!
