As you all are looking at this title you may be thinking, who uses public bathrooms. I do, especially when it's an emergency. A few weeks back , I was working my side hustle and that morning I got up and drank my 8 ounces of water, then proceeded to have my small cup of coffee and finished it off with a homemade ginger lemon tea. I drank all of those drinks on an empty stomach. As I was getting ready to work, about an hour before it was time for me to leave, I made sure to use the bathroom, so I wouldn't have to while on the road. I couldn't believe it, just 20 minutes into my drive, my bladder was talking to me, and she said, "girl you better pull over because I need to be emptied!". I told my bladder to shut up and continued to drive. As I neared my exit, I could hear her screaming louder! "Pull over, I need to be emptied!" This time she wasn't playing, and I wasn't about to mess with her. I pulled into a gas station in South Park with the intention of buying something but also to use their bathroom. The clerk took one look at me and said I don't know where I put the keys to the bathroom. I said sir, you can see I am in my uniform and heading to work, I REALLY need to use the bathroom. Can you believe this joker told me to go to the restaurant next door! He said, “Unfortunately it doesn't open for another 30 minutes”. Really dude! So, I hopped back in my car and proceeded to my pickup. As I entered White Center, I pulled into another gas station, only for the clerk to tell me, there was no public restroom. I said out loud, "you have got to be kidding me." I had 15 minutes left to make it to my pickup, but I really had to go. I drove a couple blocks looking for a fast-food place and there was nothing but a lot of boarded up and run down buildings. I was just about to pull over and find a bush when I saw a grocery store that I know is open 24 hours, at least in my city it is. I walked inside really fast and found a clerk walking down the aisle. I asked him for a bathroom and his immediate response was we don't have a public restroom. I said sir, this is the 3rd place I have stopped, and I really need to use the bathroom before I have an accident, please. He looked at me, looked around and said, come on, just this one time and led me to the bathroom. Safe to say that was the longest, most uncomfortable 15-minute drive for me.
It's pretty sad that these cities are so run down and full of crime that these places can't even allow the public to use their restrooms. According to an article on AreasVibes.com the crime rates in South Park are 336% higher than the national average and in White Center the crime rates are 95% higher. Where are our city officials who are in charge of these cities? Why aren't we doing something about the conditions of the communities? As I was driving through South Park, so many boarded up houses. Why are these houses allowed to sit vacant and a clear eye sore when there are so many people who are houseless that want homes? So many questions that I do not have answers to. All I can say is please get involved with your local elections. If you are over 18 and not registered to vote, get registered so you can participate in this upcoming election. It is so important who we elect to positions of governor, mayor, or any other city official! We have to hold these people accountable and pay attention to what is happening in our communities. If you have time, attend the city council meetings in your city. I know in my city; we can attend virtually if we can't make it in person. We can force the city officials to make changes, but we have to be seen and heard and let them know we are not playing, (just like my bladder wasn't playing, insert laugh here).
Sending you love, light and positive vibes,
Cassie K.
"Always remember to LIVE life to the fullest, to LAUGH at everything and to LOVE unconditionally!"
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