seems cold and neighborly.
even if the guy is crazy it just seems like people could be a bit more helpful.

blaming race or gentrification is plain ignorant though.

Now you have decided to question my ability to be realist in my characterization of my own brother. So are you now trying to assume that I might have a mental diablity as my brother has been characterized with? Are you an expert in mental disorders? Having a bad temper does not mean that a person is mentally unstable. A bad temper, if utilized correctly, can be a plus if the it is handled in a positive manner. It was anger that started the Civil Rights movement. It was done properly and in good fashion. I do not dispute the fact that he needs to use his anger in a more positive fashion to get his point across. Screaming and threatening people does not solve any issue that I can agree.

Most of you commenters (and Miss Trock) come across as racist, self-righteous monsters to the casual reader. And publicly declaring someone mentally ill because he makes *you* uncomfortable. Because you’re afraid of this guy. You moved into his neighborhood! You expect someone to pay up 3k, you live in the same building, and you resort to sending letters instead of talking to the guy? Y’all should be ashamed; I’m ashamed just reading the article and the comments here. Surely you can find something better within yourselves.

Dealing with people outright and not getting legalistic is another way of saying, “joining the condo board.” That’s where people talk about things. Refusing to talk to your neighbors at board meetings and refusing to read letters they send you is the opposite of “dealing with people out right” and “reaching out.” Add to that an explosive temper and making statements about “thrashing” his neighbors and causing not one but two management companies to drop his building’s account, and any reasonable person would be hesitant to approach him directly. So, as sympathic as I am, and I am a little bit, your characterization of your brother’s behavior is clearly not rooted in reality.

Also, based his statement that he believed his neighbors had a larger stake in the building (and apparently he had no stake whatsoever, or that is what he implied by not joining the board) I maintain that there is a least some tenant mentality at work here.

But he’s a decent guy with a good heart.

I hope that he can find a way to work it all out.

And neighborhood spats like this is one of the reasons I moved to Montgomery County. Everyone keeps to themselves. You go into your own house…and you don’t see anybody else unless their house – or yours — is on fire…and everyone comes out to watch it burn.

He had a tough life as a black male coming up in the 70’s. One case I’d like to point out that could make him a little leery of people in “so called” authority positions. He was a teenager in Northern Virginia when he was walking down the street. Police officers stating he fit the description of a male black who robbed someone at gunpoint detained him. After the true offender was apprehended, it was noted that the appearances of neither men matched. The offender was indeed male black; however, he was of a darker complexion, height and body composition, which was put out during the APB. My brother is and has always been so fair in his complexion; you could mistake him for any other type of race or nationality. I do not say these things to excuse his behavior for being indignant in his communicating. I say this only to shed some light on what could be part of his reasoning for not trusting those in certain positions. He is a wonderful person who would stand up quickly for the underdog. He has even put his life on the line to protect others.

Another point I’d like to bring out, he is not acting as if he is working with landlords and not acting as part owner. It is easier to deal with people out right rather than to get legalistic in some instances. He was reaching out to people he considered neighbors that he could work out an issue with. For one, that does cut down on an unneeded expense if everyone could talk to each other instead of bringing in a third party to govern how they could and should deal with the building they call home.

Before trying to pass judgment and trying to diagnose someone with any mental disorder, you should truly get to know that person. He, like I had, has a bad and explosive temper in certain instances. Unlike him, I have a deep belief in Jesus Christ as my savior. If it were not for that change in my life, one might think I had a mental disorder based on how I would immediately become boisterous and confrontational when I felt challenged or wronged in any capacity. Moreover, before anyone says anything to discolor my comments, my brother does not believe in God, so in the event someone would think to come back with he should be converted is not an option. I love my brother and though he does not have the type of faith I have, I know that my prayers and unshakeable faith in MY GOD can work all wonders. So those of you, who believe in the power of prayer, pray with me for him to be able to deal with these issues at hand and for an equitable resolution for all.