Page 243 - From the Outhouse 4 -21

243 | P A T R I C I A R A E M E R R I T T W H A T L E Y

The first day that I went into Tajiri’s new home, I introduced myself to the neighbors next door. This two-story
apartment building was known to be full of so-called “undesirables” such as drug addicts, prostitutes, etc. One

thing I learned from both of my parents was to never look down on anybody because the people that you meet

going up the ladder will be the same people you meet coming down. The scripture in Romans 12:3 says
(paraphrased), “not to think more highly of yourself than you ought” and another scripture says God does not

like a boastful, haughty spirit. I believe and I adhere to these teachings from the Bible.

When I drove up to the property, some of the apartment building neighbors were sitting in the front yard. They

were laughing, drinking, and smoking weed (ask me how I know). I decided to introduce myself in a grassroots

manner because this was not the time for a Master’s degree persona or proper English. I said, “Hey y’all, how y’all
doing? I’m your new neighbor. My name is Pat Whatley. I will be working with some chil’rens and I wan’ y’all to

help me out! Please do not throw your beer cans and wine bottles in the yard. Try not to do loud cussin’ when
you see the chil’rens, and please keep y’all’s eyes on the place at all times since I do not live in the area. Keep folks

from breaking in the building or going in the large side yard. Can y’all help me out? We are trying to help dese

chil’ren who come to ‘dis place called Tajiri.” That conversation worked because not one time did Tajiri get
broken into during our 20 years of community service. Power is in Partnership with Your Community!

At the Tajiri Arts Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on October 6, 1996, a record-breaking crowd came

to visit our facility from all over the state. My neighbors from the next-door apartment building “came a calling.”

They were not dressed in their Sunday Best, and they were not wearing any cologne. When I answered the door,
I said with enthusiasm (as my other guests listened), “These are my neighbors! Come on in! This is my

Neighborhood Watch Team!” I went on talking in my down-home style and told them, “Follow me so you can

get sum-then ta eat. Thank y’all for stopping by!”