My Reflection As An Artist

While contemplating how to put together my essay, I pondered many options, but a story seemed most fitting. It seemed so because that is how I felt when I was there. I entered the neighborhood frightened and weary and left neither. The events of photographing, interviewing, and then photographing again was not at all planned. I did so because I was not sure what I was to photograph exactly. But, it worked out for the best. I feel it is because of that, I have gotten the most out of this midterm project. At the start, I took photos that I thought best conveyed the neighborhood. I took photos of littered lots, people hanging out by liquor stores, the sort of things you see in movies. I wandered around for some time and decided to go into a church, which turned out to be Our Next Generation, where I spoke to Cody from O.N.G. and obtained immeasurable information. She told me about the neighborhood which helped me gain a sort of respect for the place. After I left the building, I began to photograph things that portrayed a more positive view. I took pictures of cleaned up lots, buildings that were home to important businesses, and more personal pictures of homes. It was this transition that I wanted to convey in my essay; that first impressions are extremely deceiving.

In the time I spent gathering information, I learned so much more than my pictures could ever convey. The things I saw and heard amazed me. Although a visually impoverish area, people seemed unaffected. They seemed to make the best of their situation. On one occasion, it was a very brisk day and I watched a mother and her, say seven year-old, daughter waiting for the bus. Although bundled and cold, they were joking and having a grand time standing in the cold. This is where my transformation began. It was then that I interviewed Cody from Our Next Generation. She ultimately helped me complete my transformation. I asked her things about daily life, history of the neighborhood, needs and resources of the neighborhood, and special things about it. She told me that as far as history goes, it was a very poor and crime riddled neighborhood, with only a small percentage of people graduating high school. In the past 16 years, since Cody joined O.N.G., crime has dramatically decreased and graduates increased exceptionally. Besides the crime, she said that people had a strong sense of pride for their neighborhood. She said that people were very welcoming and kind, contrary to popular belief. She also told me that they are very strong as a community, doing such things a cleaning up vacant lots so kids have a safe place to play. One thing she told me reinforced her point. She told me of a white couple who own Amarith Bakery, right in the middle of a very African-American neighborhood. They purposely chose that location because they love the neighborhood. After my interview, I began with a better intent to obtain images that portray their sense of community and belonging. I wanted to shift from bad to good, but I transitioned them better than I expected. After visiting and reflecting on my experience, I feel like I have achieved something greater than material for an assignment. I feel as though I gained the wisdom of becoming a member of this society. I no longer look at areas and assume that because it’s a big city that people will commit crime. It is this that I would define as the demise of my racism.

First Impressrions are Truly Deceptive

As I approached 35th and Lisbon, I was, to be honest, scared. Being from a medium sized town, this shady look for a neighborhood was the stereotype for a bad one. I began my adventure taking a few pictures of the neighborhood; some of vacant lots and people doing their everyday routine. I entered what I thought was a church, but happened to be Our Next Generation, I noticed this was one of many “churches” in the area. I spoke to a very kind, white, woman once inside (I note she was white considering she is probably one of the few that are actually there). She explains that the neighborhood has had some high crime rates and a bad reputation but it is strongly improving. After my discussion, I felt as though the neighborhood transformed in my mind.

As I exited the building, nothing had physically changed, but I felt better about my presence. I saw vacant lots as a project for the community to bond rather than a space where a building used to be. My views completely flipped; people walking or sitting weren’t scary anymore, but just a person, as you and I, going about their day. I also began to notice other organizations, like the YMCA and churches rather than liquor stores. I felt ashamed and happy at the same time; that I had these prejudices but that I was able to see this place for what it was – an American neighborhood