True Pine Bluff 2009
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2/18/2009
I grew up in Pine Bluff - moved here when I was 4 - graduated from PB high school in themid 80's. I have 4 younger siblings - youngest 3 all born here. My parents still live here. Sadly... PB is fading and in dire economic trouble. The tax base of this city has all moved away - retired and moved to Hot Springs or out of state. This has truly hurt the city. Most 'family owned' businesses have folded. the mall (built in 88 I think) is about 50% vacant b/c stores are shuttered. This city is also very segregated. It is a 'southern' thing but I have never seen such a division anywhere else from both sides of the racial spectrum. Blacks hang with blacks, whites hang with whites. The public school system is about 89% black. All whites send thier children to private schools or to LR schools (and some black families do the same if the want thier kids to get a good education and can afford it or get a scholarship). Whites do it whether than can afford it or not - I know some families that are driving 15 yr. old cars so they can send thier child to a better school. PBHS had about 2000 students when I was there (10, 11 and 12th grades) today there is less than 900 students total. That is very telling. My own parents will not leave PB now b/c they could never sell thier home for what it is worth... and they can't afford to just pick up and start over. It is very sad to see the demise of this city. I want more for my neices & nephews. The mayor of PB (Carl Redus) does not have a realistic idea of how to help this city. He just wants hand-outs from the government rather than getting to the root of the problem which very multi-layered... and I am not a politician so I really don't have an easy answer either but more 'bail-outs' or government funded programs will just perpetuate the current laziness and not encourage growth. If you have lots of money and can do something to revitalize this town then move here! If you do not - then I would not rec. it to anyone.
ES | Pine Bluff, AR