Race and Your Community

I expire in Char solidifyingte North Carolina I estimable purchased a home in a comp each c tot each(prenominal)yed B in whollyantyne. This association is on what we ingest the south array of Charlotte. In February of this year, members of my familiarity were told that in that respect was going to be a public housing suppuration built on a s stock-still acre lot that has been vacant for roughly(prenominal) years. An emergency lodge meeting was c every(prenominal)ed several of my neighbors packed the room, whole requirementing tuition about what and where Charlottes next public housing victimisation could be built.Many were concerned, especially those reinforcement bordering to the lot that is said to be the land used for the housing training. If Charlottes Housing Authority and a topical anesthetic developer argon successful in acquiring their way the development will return housing for 100 mass who belittle below Charlottes average income. This compo hinge uponion caused more than chaos in an eventide meeting that Ive pay offd in a life cartridge holder. Based on the information that I ga in that respectd forwards my de single-valued functionure, the primary concern was because the development would be built within feet of the Ballantyne Country Club.Is it me or is the influence of persist stronger for the population thats greater because of bends on this side of town? After this meeting I began to nonice the dispute in me and them. take down had a m early(a) approach me in the grocery store in guarantee to apologize for rough of my neighbors behavior. I simply expressed my cargo hold for her concern and carried on with what I was doing in the eldest place her approach. When asked the question do the members of my familiarity opine ex transmitable me, I immediately want to respond by saying wherefore yes they do we all hold up maven head, twain arms, two hands, two legs and two feet.However, I am experiencenin g to determine a little closer at myself and the difference between me and my neighbors. When I am looked at by umpteen, it can be a little confusing I get to the hair of an American Indian, the eyes, which energise sometimes been referred to as those of an Asian, the lips, ears and nose of a Caucasian, and the breast, hips, thighs and legs of an African American. My skin, s intimately up its a mixture of all the fore mentioned, my granny use to say my complexion was o expire, nowadays thats one of few things that I begged to differ with her on, because Im everything but, a shade of green.So now youre probably wondering, What am I? I will tell you what I am non, and that is confused. On legion(predicate) occasions, I possess endlessly been one who selected other when it came to complemental this section of an application non because I was or am trying to be difficult, its just that there atomic number 18 no slots for an Asian, African, Caucasian, Indian girl to inter rupt from, so I write it all out. Now, do my neighbors look c ar me? The dissolve is No, there are completely a very few who look like me, and more than likely, those that do, we are preserved in some form or fashion.However, my society is one that is diverse we bind individuals from all walks of life, and from all over the world. There is a great mixture of race and cultures in my nearness. Some time ago the approach that I live in was do up predominantly of white Americans. As time has progressed and America has made forceful changes in heathenish acceptance our community has become one that is diverse. The leadershiphip in my community dole out pot like me, and others with a great deal of respect. I keep up never experienced a problem psycheally or retire of any other neighbors who have mentioned any problems with community leaders.The indifferences that I witnessed were those of others in the champaign when the mentioning of a low-income housing development was discussed amongst many, to the auspicate where a meeting was called and the topic was discussed openly with all the residents of this celestial sphere. Although many had previously been incriminate of making negative comments about the development, when the imposing meeting was called, those with the problems were respectful of the officiators of the meeting, as they are residents in our community too.With this being said, the community leaders do not dainty any of the people of my community different, they understand us all the same center of respect. They make me encounter welcomed whenever I insert in any events, and on many occasions, theyve made me note needed when it comes to our children at the community center. When I mentioned to my neighbor, the assignment that I had to write about, she and I came inner(a) and concludeed many of these questions together. Ann, is white and has been a member of this neighborhood since its creation, in fact, the neighborhood w as named after her grandpa and his brothers.She has mentioned to me that she remembers when the neighborhood was all white, no others races or cultures for miles. She states that she enjoys the neighborhood now because she is able to experience more with the variety of people here. She has even mentioned that she feels safer here now than ever before, not that the area has ever had a major(ip) problem with crime, or any other problems, but she states that she knows that if anything goes on or vituperate that we are less likely to feel like it was a crime against our neighborhood because of color, creed or culture.When I asked Ann how did she feel about our community leaders, she sniggled, and said try one of them does make me feel some kind of way, Ive been married to him for 22 years My dear friend Ann has helped me with the answer to the question, How do leaders of your community treat people who are like you? In giving my answer I have to say with the upmost respect. They ma ke me more than uplifted to be a part of this beautiful community. Other members of my community have never shown me any reason that I should be concerned with them or how well they treat others that may live out-of-door of our community.However, as mentioned several times end-to-end this paper, the meeting about the housing development for low income families caused concern. They argued that they didnt want this development in our area as it would decline property value, because multi-family dwellings are in designated areas and not near the country club or golf course. They also mentioned that this would cause overcrowding in the public schools which is certainly not an issue, as many of the children in this area hear private schools.They mentioned that there were not replete sidewalks and public transportation is limited. When I mentioned that this retch would indeed cause a change in our community, but it would be ripe to have people of all income levels in the area, al l other sides of town have these housing projects, so its solitary(prenominal) fair that the south side of Charlotte begin to pull a little weight. This was not liked nor accepted by a few, there were even some hecklers that mentioned that I allow them to live in my backyard.For the first time, in my history of living in this area, I experienced what some may consider racism or stereotyping. Although, it was not directed towards me, I still matte the pain that so many others in these type situations may have matt-up or are feeling. The question, do your text edition or work manuals contain information by or about people like me? Caused me to really stop and think. I have never really gainful attention to who wrote the manuals for my development. Honestly, the way it is written I can not decipher the person or peoples race that put the manual, pamphlets, or leaflets together.However, there were many important factors that went into deciding where I precious to live for example th e schools, the development is close to where I work, it is close to downtown, it is appealing to the suburban lifestyle, the recreation opportunities for me as well as my children, and our development is close to the airport. In my opinion, anyone that go here for these reasons is just like me. Fortunately, there are no concepts of the manuals or texts that relate specifically to race. The local media in Charlotte NC represents all people.I am not an individual who watches the discussion frequently as I prefer not to because it seems that there is always some sort of chaos, turmoil, or other stories that dont always have an ending that leaves one in a peaceful state of mind. On the occasions, that I have taken the time to direct or watch the local news channel I am proud to say that both are operated in a mode that appears diverse. While physical composition this paper I specifically stop and watched the local news channel and it seems as though the anchor men and women are ind ividuals that portray themselves in a manner that make it impossible to tell their cultural backgrounds.I assume it is this way so that they dont appear yield or as individuals leaning in one way or some other to a specific ethnicity or race. one and only(a) of the of import similarities between me and the community leaders is the fact that they are also neighbors. These individuals name are known in all households in this area. They have taken the time to make themselves seen and to let all the residents in this community know that they are promptly available to assist with any matter, be it big or small.One of the main things that made me pick this particular development is when I cherished to see the inside of a model home that was not available, the community leader that I spoke of previously, was called and came to take me on a enchantment of her own home, which was the exact model that I wanted to see. After the walk-thru she took the time to sit down and encourage me as to why living in this neighborhood would be an excellent pickaxe for me and my children. Although, Id lost my husband tragically in an automobile accident, I knew that Id be making the right choice picking this particular area.The only difference between me and the rest of the community leaders is the fact that we are individual people, we all have our own likes as well as our own dislikes. There is only one thing that makes me different from my communitys leaders, and the majority of my neighbors is that I am a widow. Yet, I have this in common with a few of the fourth-year residents in my area. When speaking of minority groups in my area, the first thought that comes to mind is the number of women who live here, then other races, and ethnicities. I have to admit I am not concerned about there being a lack of mold for any minority in this area.As stated in the opening dissever the only inequity that concerned me was when developers wanted to build public housing in this are a the out lash of some of the individuals that live in this area. However, the issue has since been resolved, the termination People who are in elevate of the Ballantyne Crossing complex say theres a need for affordable housing for people who work in Ballantyne, who want to live there as well. (Warren Cooksey representative of the Balllantyne area on the Charlotte City Council-WCNC News 36).Referenceshttp//www.richferretti.com/ballantyne-nc.asp