We want to make sure that everyone has the chance to express themselves and that everyone else has the opportunity to listen. Sometimes you might not have something to say during class, but you'll be inspired later in the day. Tell us your thoughts on the community visit.
I only drove through multiple areas, and wealth differences were very apparent. The first area I drove through was around Northwood Elementary in Parchment, where I am completing my last practicum. I knew this was a low income area because teacher and principle warnings, as many of the students that attend are from the immediate area. I noticed a lot of broken fences, broken or unused cars in laws and driveways, and a lot of chipping paint. Roads were terrible and riddled with potholes, and driveways were dirt or gravel that spilled into their lawns. I didn't see any people outside, but I saw a lot of dogs on chains and cats on porches. Grass was in patches and no bushes were trimmed. This was a drastic change from the wealthier area I drove around in by K College. While roads were narrow, they were much better taken care of. No dogs or cats or people were visible, but there were also no cars were left in driveways and definitely not in their small but extremely manicured lawns. This is also because all of the houses, as far as I could see, had garages with the doors shut. I had seen garages in the low income area, but many were open and full of random crap, as far as I could tell. One of the biggest differences I could tell between the high and low income areas is privacy. The wealthy neighborhood had high privacy fences or hedges, blinds pulled down, and storm doors shut tight. In the low income area, glass doors were the only one closed, no blinds shielded views into their livingrooms, and the only fences were there to keep the dogs in the yard.
ReplyDeleteOn Friday my friend and I went to two different apartments and the two apartments I went to were Gull Run Apartments and Country Meadow Apartments.
ReplyDeleteGull Run Apartment had very nice atmosphere. It was warm, friendly, clean, well maintained and appealing to the eye. We were received well with smiles and great information. The area was well lit and it seems to be safe (I felt safe), not a big crime or party scene. The scenery was calm and relaxing with the ducks and the geese by the fountain ponds. From where I am from, the apartments at this status level run from $700 to $1,000 or more for a one bedroom whereas these large one bedroom apartments are $600 and less.
On the other hand, Country Meadow Apartments had a friendly environment, but the overall perception and vibe was much different. The receptionist was informative, but smelt of heavy smoke. I’m not against others smoking, but for this particular job I feel that this was unprofessional. The buildings themselves were poorly maintained. Things looked dirty, the fencing was falling apart, the siding need new paint and one building had siding coming off. There was also trash in the yards. Even though the apartments themselves looked decent inside, overall appearance means everything and the outside didn’t reflect what was on the inside which disappointed my overall opinion on the apartment themselves even though they were cheaper than Gull Run, but not my much.
One thing that I have concluded from this activity is that appearance makes a big statement and well maintained areas are much more appealing and inviting. What is interesting is that they were close in price, but because of the appearance of Country Meadow, it changed my opinion. From this experience, I realized that location and appearance is what some people judge as low income verses upscale. If well maintained, apartment communities like Country Meadow could be perceived as decent, affordable apartments.
wow...I have to say that I am a little shocked as far as I know country Meadows apartments were only built maybe 5 years ago. I may be misinformed but I also thought that these apartments were subsidized, but also rent to people who can pay the "full" rent. I always thought that country meadows was a decent place to live...maybe I need to do a drive through. Interesting that they have gone down in such of a short period of time. Moving to a safer, more upscale neighborhood myself (within the last year) the environment is so different I can actually hear the birds chirping something I hadnt experience since childhood, at least in my neighborhood. When I recently visited my former residence i.e James St on the south side in the three years since I lived there things are worse now than when I lived there and many of the same people are on the block..I just find it terribly sad that the working poor seem to be stuck in this cycle of poverty, bad neighborhood, bad schools and a whole lot of criminal activity..Three years later it still shocks me that I saw and experienced some of the things I did..an eye-opener for sure but I would never wish that type of environment on anyone especially children!!!
ReplyDeleteHave any of you guys driven around Short and Long Streets? They are just below Oakland Drive and above the Vine Street neighborhood. Wow. You can see some real mansions, right near the student ghetto and some more working class homes.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCL6pgnlHSQ
ReplyDeleteI didn't get a chance to drive around or visit, but I can say from what little experience I have living at home and on my own some of the differences I've seen.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was living with my parents, I lived in a nice little suburb, Bridgeview, on the south side of Chicago. I, or any one else, never seemed to fear walking around the neighborhood, or playing near the street. The houses were all in fine condition, each with their own nice landscapes, my parents' house included. But just across Harlem Avenue, a mere 3 blocks away was another part of Bridgeview, called Bridgeview Gardens, which sounds like it'd be a nicer place, but it truly wasn't. The streets were crummier, the houses too, the park there was filthy. I remember at one time asking my parents what town that was across the way when I was a young boy, and my mom telling me that it was part of Bridgeview, but even Bridgeview didn't want to claim it.
When I moved to Michigan, the first thing I noticed was the lack of curbs on many streets in Michigan. I remember this seeming strange to me then. Anyways, simply from the suburb of Bridgeview to Lawrence I saw many changes. The vehicles seemed older, the houses smaller, less pride taken in the landscaping, the way people dressed, and the kinds of people roaming the neighborhood. On more than one occasion I was asked by someone where they could redeem their bag of cans for cash, and I really don't go out that much either.
The ‘poor’/’rich divide I looked at was farmers vs. farm workers. I was driving down to Indiana and there are a ton of wine vineyards. These struck me a very different from normal farms I see; vineyards are labor intensive and I do not think they have machines that can pick the grapes. So basically I saw a fairly to very nice houses on these farms. I never thought about how much farmers make but it can’t be too bad, even if there houses are in the middle of no where. I didn’t get a chance to see the workers homes; I imagine a lot of these people are just migrant workers who come in for the harvest season then leave when it’s over.
ReplyDeleteI have lived on both sides of campus. after freshman year i lived on kendell in a very nice townhouse, the two years after that i live on locust st. right in the "student gehtto." They are two opposites as far as social class, not necessarily the student population though.
ReplyDeleteAllen-
ReplyDeleteyes this is kinda funny but my dad used to live on long rd as a child so I definitely know the neighborhood. I remember as a kid my sister and I always wanted to walk to the dairy queen at the bottom of the hill and we were never allowed to. I always found it strange that it was such a short distance between the rich/poor. Talk about disparity between the classes. I always had a problem with the neighbors trying to keep people out instead of trying to improve the neighborhood which was literally blocks away. still blows my mind, as these folks could definitely afford to improve the neighborhood..I guess they didnt care as long as it didnt affect them...it didnt bother them
I was with one of my friends the other day who lives in the student ghetto on Merill. We went to the Harding's near her that's on Westnedge and Howard, where as I, living on Kendall, more often than not, go to the Harding's on West Main and Drake. It was so interesting to me to see the extreme differences in the two. Even the signs and outsides of the building showed a difference in their maintenance and quality. The one on Westnedge had huge potholes in and surrounding the parking lot. There was even a dramatic difference in types of cars parked outside, and the "types" of people you saw in the store. It was amazing to me how different the same store in the same city could be just in two different locations a few miles apart. They were both very reflective upon the neighborhood and surrounding area.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get a chance to mention this in class when we were talking about the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, but I have been volunteering all semester in their thrift store. I have met some very interesting people, poeple that I probably wouldn't have approached on the street solely judging them by their appearance. It's really important to get to know someone beyond what they look like upon first impressions. I agree with Laura, that you would not believe the people that are seeking assistance from the Mission. I have learned a lot about myself and others just from being there 6 hours a week. I was very uncomfortable the first few times that I went to volunteer, but after I got to know more about everyone that I met, I made a lot of great relationships.
ReplyDeleteI also had a chance to visit an appartment building different from my own, and I will admit, a little scarier than my own. My friend asked me to feed her fish while she was on vacation this past weekend. She just moved in, so I hadn't had a chance to see the place yet. When I arrived, I was a little skeptical about getting out of my car because there was a group of people standing in the entry way, drinking, smoking, and talking very loudly and heatedly in spanish. I politely said excuse me, they all stopped, moved aside and watched as I made my way to the correct door. After feeding the fish I waited for a long while before I left, and thankfully they were gone when I came out. I don't know what to make of this experience, except that I will go back and feed the fish early in the morning next time, hopefull the hallways will be clear.