I have been in New Orleans for two and a half months now, and I have been meeting a lot of interesting people, even if just for a few moments. Every time I tell people here that I work in Central City, (mind you is also considered the murder capital of the country), I hear this statement, "God Bless you working in such a rough neighborhood, is it hard working with people who live in the Ghetto?" Every time I hear this kind of a statement, my first reaction is to laugh and think "I didn't even realize that I work in a ghetto." I am not blind in seeing all of the blight and drunkeness in the neighborhood that I work, but every person I have come across has a steady job, or is retired from a long time steady job, they have a large family, and are the kindest people I have ever known. Every time I hear those statements about how I am an angel for working in such harsh conditions or that I am a saint for volunteering in the ghetto of New Orleans, I want to ask those who make these statements, "have you ever taken the time to walk through Central City, and talk to some of the people there?" Because if they did they would probably notice that these people who they talk down about as if they are poor or homeless, are actually a lot like them, only happier.
When I first started hearing these statements about my being an angel or saint, I immediately thought about how that is what people said and those were questions asked when my mom taught in the Erie City School District. The way my mom got through all of the mistaken identities of those she was teaching, was to treat them like kids, which is what they wanted to be treated like. When I go to work and meet with people in Central City, I don't talk down to them, I talk to them like my equals. I give them the respect, that I would want from them. When I was first introduced to the people of my neighborhood, all of them told me I was welcome to come over and have coffee or dinner any time. When I worked with them on my second event on Halloween, I made so many friends with the residents of the neighborhood working with them giving out candy to kids. I have seen nothing but open arms and happy faces every time I have meetings with my residents in the neighborhood.
Working down here in New Orleans has also given me some insight about what Erie would look like if every one would stop looking at those on State Street with the respect that we would want for ourselves. Really I have to stop and think about what the world would look like if we all stopped talking to each other with a privileged filter, but rather just talked to each other with respect and dignity. This may sound like a late revelation, but I feel like I have found out something that I was supposed to find out a long time ago. I think that I have spent so much of my time down here trying to convince myself that I am helping those less fortunate, really I am down here just giving my time to those who need some help. They are asking that I help them do something, and take action, giving their neighborhood some dignity in the city, giving Central City a new view.
I am going to challenge myself from now on, and I am going to challenge one bit further, I challenge anyone reading my blog. My challenge is this, anyone that you talk to throughout your days, or lives, anyone, take down the walls of privilege, and talk to them like they are your friend. Give them the respect you would want when you are being talked to. I am going to do that from this day forward, I am not going to be a privileged white kid anymore, I am going to only talk to people with the respect that I would give myself. If you care to try, I would love to hear about your experiences with this. It is not an experiment, just a change of lifestyle.
I think we will be surprised at how many people will be nicer and more welcoming to us in return, just by giving them respect, and not acting like we are better then them.
Well until next time.
Peace, and God Bless. ☮
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