What is the point in protecting something that has little to no value in society? I asked that question while watching the news on Wednesday morning. What I saw on my TV screen that morning made no sense. Around 70 people were protesting the demolition of the buildings of the Duranguito neighborhood. I looked closely at the buildings as they came into view of the camera, and I saw the sorry state they were in.

I saw no life in buildings, and it looked as if no living being had set foot in them for years. And yet, these people are doing everything they can to protect it. Locking arms, chanting, whatever they could think of. I watched this display on the TV, and I found it a bit funny. These people, the residents of Duranguito, did nothing to improve the condition of these buildings and left it to slowly loose it’s value. I highly doubt that they had money to do so in the first place, but why do they care to speak their voice now?

El Paso is trying to grow, and there is no reason why the buildings in Duranguito should stay. It’s taking up space for a future performing arts center, and yet these people are trying to hinder the process.

Hypothetically speaking, let’s say that the buildings would stay up, and the demolition is canceled. The inspector would say that the buildings were safe to be in, and the protestors celebrate with glee. What would happen next?

I would like to imagine that the residents would stick together and help restore the buildings, but that is highly unlikely. The worst and most probable scenario is that the buildings would continue to be uninhabitable. The buildings would still be up to satisfy the people, but the area of Duranguito would slowly and inevitably turn into place where the ghetto inhabit. Just like what happened to Detroit.

That is the future I concur if the inspector rules that buildings as “safe.” A bit harsh, but if a change does not come, then I do not know another solution, or possibility.

I do not know the exact reason why the protesters are so adamant about stopping the demolition. Is it because these people have close memories towards the buildings? Or is it because they wanted to do something constructive with the buildings, and simply did not announce it in public? Nonetheless, tearing down these buildings is meant for the good of the people. This demolition was not meant to hurt people, or disrupt people’s lives. Me and my sixteen-year-old mind could understand that. Another thing that I could comprehend was that what the protesters are doing is a waste of time and effort.

I have not heard anything from the protesters on what they were going to do if they succeeded, and frankly I couldn’t care less if it has nothing to do with restoring the buildings to their original state. The protesters are making an excuse to keep these buildings that have little to no value or purpose in their neighborhood.

“Make the right decision!” they often said, but they are not getting the bigger picture of the whole thing.

Either way it goes, whether the buildings would be taken down or not, I do believe that these people will learn a valuable lesson through this. If the buildings do get taken down, then they must unwillingly understand that El Paso is changing for the better, and to accept it. Yet, if the buildings somehow remain, then the people would have to realize that having these buildings in their neighborhood is not benefiting them. Sure, it gives them a false since of pride, but it would slowly wither away, just like the battered buildings they are desperately trying to save.