City As Text Reflection
The brakes of the Route 11 CATS bus began to let out an ear-piercing screech. This was my cue, the final warning to grab something- whether it be one of the metal bars that stretched across the roof of the bus or a strong arm of a fellow UHP student- and hold on for dear life to avoid propelling towards the front of the bus when it finally made a complete stop. I, along with the other thirty or so UHP students who were left to stand the entire trip to Uptown Charlotte, completed this process roughly ten times throughout the forty minute bus ride. Although I had lived in the Charlotte area for over ten years, this was my first experience with public transportation and I was enjoying every moment of it. How could I not? The sight was almost comical. A bus that was packed full of tired college students, many of whom looked like deer in headlights when they first learned they had to take a city bus into Charlotte, and being driven by a friendly bus driver who enjoyed sharing his restaurant critiques. I wasn’t overly excited nor was I dreading the City as Text experience upon first learning about the project in my Honors Colloquium class, but the bus ride alone was enough to lift my spirits. If nothing else, I knew the day would be an adventure and I was looking forward to exploring Charlotte like I never had before.
The entire group gathered at the Levine Museum of the New South for brief instructions and a few pictures before we divided into groups and set off to explore our designated wards. My group was assigned to first ward, which is composed of a few inner city business buildings as well as residential areas. As I said, I have lived in Charlotte for ten years and have gone Uptown for concerts, dinner, or to visit my dad at work dozens of times, but I never before experienced the diverse parts of Charlotte as I did while walking the streets of first ward. In an effort to meet the project’s requirement of talking with people in the city to gain their insight on Charlotte, my group spoke with many different individuals. From businessmen, to security guards, to a street worker, to tourists, Group 8 received diverse perspectives. Throughout the day, in addition to asking other questions on the list, my group asked each individual we spoke to “how did they define Charlotte”. We found that the answers to our question depended greatly on where the individuals we spoke to where from. For example, the first group of people we interviewed was a group of college students that attended CPCC and who had all previously lived in New York City. Compared to their beloved New York, these students considered Charlotte to be a “boring” city that had “no definition”. Yet, a group of women from Arizona who were in town for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer couldn’t get over the beauty of Charlotte. They loved how friendly people were and were amazed in the immense growth the city has experienced in recent years. For a security guard who is from Albemarle, North Carolina, Charlotte was becoming too crowded and the dreaded traffic she faced coming into work every day was a hassle. However, a woman from Cleveland, Ohio loved the quaint feel of Charlotte. We spoke to some individuals who found Charlotte and its residents to meet the typical southern city stereotype of being “happy” and “hospitable” while other people were distraught over the rudeness of Charlotte residents.
From these responses, the one thing I took away from this experience is that Charlotte is many different things to many different people. According to Forbes Magazine, Charlotte is the fifth fastest growing city in the United States. Individuals from across the country and around the world are flocking to Charlotte for the warm weather and job opportunities, just as the City as Text Pre-Reading Article predicted. With such a diverse group of individuals moving to Charlotte and the surrounding areas, there are bound to be different opinions. Some people detest Charlotte and long to return to their home cities or towns while others, like me, are in love with the Queen City and all it has to offer.
City as Text is an experience that I will remember forever. I am so grateful for this opportunity to have explored the city I am blessed to call home and learn more about what makes Charlotte so unique. Something that was very impacting to my experience was the amount of homeless people in Charlotte. I never realized what a serious issue homelessness was in Charlotte, but after witnessing its effects first hand, I am motivated to make a difference and work towards seeing a change. I have already contacted and volunteered at the Center of Hope, which is a women and children’s shelter, and hope to continue to do so. Apart from not being in the group that got to meet Carolina Panther player Luke Kuechly, I have no complaints about my City as Text experience and would highly recommend that the event be continued next year!
City As Text Pre- Activity Reading
1. Describe the resources and services you think are essential to a city like Charlotte and explain why you think they are essential. In order to fully answer this question, you need to think about the people that live and/or work in Charlotte. For example, you might describe transportation as an essential service and consider the various types of transportation available in Charlotte.
A wide variety of resources and services are essential to the functioning of a city like Charlotte such as healthcare, transportation, a city government, schools, opportunities for citizens to earn a living, a force that ensures the safety of all residents, and entertainment venues. Healthcare is a necessity for any area, big or small, as the health and well-being of citizens is extremely important. Charlotte is home to 3 major hospitals and countless secondary health offices. Transportation is also key, as individuals must have a means to travel from place to place. In addition to driving, walking, and bicycling, Charlotte residents have several public transportation options to choose from such as the CATS Bus System, trolleys, taxis, and a Monorail system. A city government is necessary to ensure that local laws are enforced. Like any city, Charlotte has a mayor and many other political offices that are occupied by individuals who serve as influential leaders in the community. A school system is necessary so that individuals of all ages can continue to increase their knowledge. The Charlotte Mecklenburg school system and multiple private schools allow for primary and secondary education needs to be met while UNC Charlotte, Queens University, and CPCC’s Charlotte campus allow higher education needs to be fulfilled. In order for people to stay in a city, they must have adequate means to make a living. Charlotte is home to a prominent banking and business industry. In addition, health care jobs are available as are jobs in the tourism industry. The safety of citizens must also be met especially since cities traditionally have a higher crime rate. In Charlotte, police officers, fire fighters, and other emergency responders fulfill this requirement. Lastly, sources of entertainment are essential to a city in order to keep citizens happy and tourists interested in visiting the city. Charlotte offers several professional sports teams, the Epi-Center, concert venues, various museums, and much more for residents and tourists alike.
2. After reading the recent history of Charlotte’s growth in the assigned reading, how successful do you think the city is in in filling the needs of its citizens? Your answer should consider all of the resources and services we need for daily life. Also, make sure you define what “success” means.
I feel Charlotte does a phenomenal job in meeting the needs of its citizens as evident in the way Charlotte fulfills each of the necessary components to any city as discussed in my answer to the previous question. Charlotte has adapted to the needs of its growing and diverse population over the past few decades and has transformed from being what many considered a boring city where there “was no there” to a unique and special city many are proud to call home. To me, that is the definition of success: Overcoming an obstacle in order to make yourself the best you can be, just as Charlotte has transformed itself into being the best city it can be.
3.As David Goldfield discusses the history of Charlotte, he describes some of the major additions to the city such as the Blumenthal Center for the Performing Arts, an NFL team, the Museum of the New South, NASCAR, etc. What sorts of services/resources were necessary to attract and grow these additions?
Obviously monetary needs are essential to market these new additions and increase their popularity in the Charlotte community. In the case of the Blumenthal Center for Performing Arts, talented actors and actresses are needed so that people will want to watch the performances. Winning seasons and good athletes would benefit all of the sport teams and high quality exhibits would certainly benefit the Museum of the New South. Each of these attractions needs individuals who are passionate and knowledgeable about the attraction for the attractions to grow in Charlotte.
4. In the reading, Goldfield contends: “Charlotte continues to be ‘a place to come to,’ with most of its population hailing from someplace else, primarily because of the job demands of the knowledge economy that has supplanted though not entirely replaced the old industrial economy. The workers accrued their skills and education elsewhere, and there are enough educational alternatives in the region for their children to receive a fine education.” What do you think of this statement? Explain your answer.
I strongly agree with the statement “Charlotte continues to be a place to come to.” I moved to Charlotte ten years ago from Ohio. My family and I always joke that how when we meet a new family who has just moved to the area, it is extremely likely for them to say they are from Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or another northern state. In addition, families are starting to migrate to Charlotte from various areas in the United States and around the world, as they are attracted to Charlotte’s “up and coming” city environment that offers many jobs, a lovely climate, and entertainment. In addition to these things, people are attracted to the educational opportunities, both primary and higher, that Charlotte offers. The Charlotte Mecklenburg school system and multiple private schools allow for primary education needs to be met while UNC Charlotte, Queens University, and CPCC’s Charlotte campus allow higher education needs to be fulfilled.
5. Provide at least one interesting fact about Charlotte that you did not know prior to reading this chapter.
I found the information the article offered about UNC Charlotte to be the most interesting since I am a student here. I did not know the university was originally a 2-year transitional university associated with Chapel Hill or the extensive work Bonnie Cone did to make the Charlotte an independent four-year university in 1949. Hence 49ers?
The brakes of the Route 11 CATS bus began to let out an ear-piercing screech. This was my cue, the final warning to grab something- whether it be one of the metal bars that stretched across the roof of the bus or a strong arm of a fellow UHP student- and hold on for dear life to avoid propelling towards the front of the bus when it finally made a complete stop. I, along with the other thirty or so UHP students who were left to stand the entire trip to Uptown Charlotte, completed this process roughly ten times throughout the forty minute bus ride. Although I had lived in the Charlotte area for over ten years, this was my first experience with public transportation and I was enjoying every moment of it. How could I not? The sight was almost comical. A bus that was packed full of tired college students, many of whom looked like deer in headlights when they first learned they had to take a city bus into Charlotte, and being driven by a friendly bus driver who enjoyed sharing his restaurant critiques. I wasn’t overly excited nor was I dreading the City as Text experience upon first learning about the project in my Honors Colloquium class, but the bus ride alone was enough to lift my spirits. If nothing else, I knew the day would be an adventure and I was looking forward to exploring Charlotte like I never had before.
The entire group gathered at the Levine Museum of the New South for brief instructions and a few pictures before we divided into groups and set off to explore our designated wards. My group was assigned to first ward, which is composed of a few inner city business buildings as well as residential areas. As I said, I have lived in Charlotte for ten years and have gone Uptown for concerts, dinner, or to visit my dad at work dozens of times, but I never before experienced the diverse parts of Charlotte as I did while walking the streets of first ward. In an effort to meet the project’s requirement of talking with people in the city to gain their insight on Charlotte, my group spoke with many different individuals. From businessmen, to security guards, to a street worker, to tourists, Group 8 received diverse perspectives. Throughout the day, in addition to asking other questions on the list, my group asked each individual we spoke to “how did they define Charlotte”. We found that the answers to our question depended greatly on where the individuals we spoke to where from. For example, the first group of people we interviewed was a group of college students that attended CPCC and who had all previously lived in New York City. Compared to their beloved New York, these students considered Charlotte to be a “boring” city that had “no definition”. Yet, a group of women from Arizona who were in town for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer couldn’t get over the beauty of Charlotte. They loved how friendly people were and were amazed in the immense growth the city has experienced in recent years. For a security guard who is from Albemarle, North Carolina, Charlotte was becoming too crowded and the dreaded traffic she faced coming into work every day was a hassle. However, a woman from Cleveland, Ohio loved the quaint feel of Charlotte. We spoke to some individuals who found Charlotte and its residents to meet the typical southern city stereotype of being “happy” and “hospitable” while other people were distraught over the rudeness of Charlotte residents.
From these responses, the one thing I took away from this experience is that Charlotte is many different things to many different people. According to Forbes Magazine, Charlotte is the fifth fastest growing city in the United States. Individuals from across the country and around the world are flocking to Charlotte for the warm weather and job opportunities, just as the City as Text Pre-Reading Article predicted. With such a diverse group of individuals moving to Charlotte and the surrounding areas, there are bound to be different opinions. Some people detest Charlotte and long to return to their home cities or towns while others, like me, are in love with the Queen City and all it has to offer.
City as Text is an experience that I will remember forever. I am so grateful for this opportunity to have explored the city I am blessed to call home and learn more about what makes Charlotte so unique. Something that was very impacting to my experience was the amount of homeless people in Charlotte. I never realized what a serious issue homelessness was in Charlotte, but after witnessing its effects first hand, I am motivated to make a difference and work towards seeing a change. I have already contacted and volunteered at the Center of Hope, which is a women and children’s shelter, and hope to continue to do so. Apart from not being in the group that got to meet Carolina Panther player Luke Kuechly, I have no complaints about my City as Text experience and would highly recommend that the event be continued next year!
City As Text Pre- Activity Reading
1. Describe the resources and services you think are essential to a city like Charlotte and explain why you think they are essential. In order to fully answer this question, you need to think about the people that live and/or work in Charlotte. For example, you might describe transportation as an essential service and consider the various types of transportation available in Charlotte.
A wide variety of resources and services are essential to the functioning of a city like Charlotte such as healthcare, transportation, a city government, schools, opportunities for citizens to earn a living, a force that ensures the safety of all residents, and entertainment venues. Healthcare is a necessity for any area, big or small, as the health and well-being of citizens is extremely important. Charlotte is home to 3 major hospitals and countless secondary health offices. Transportation is also key, as individuals must have a means to travel from place to place. In addition to driving, walking, and bicycling, Charlotte residents have several public transportation options to choose from such as the CATS Bus System, trolleys, taxis, and a Monorail system. A city government is necessary to ensure that local laws are enforced. Like any city, Charlotte has a mayor and many other political offices that are occupied by individuals who serve as influential leaders in the community. A school system is necessary so that individuals of all ages can continue to increase their knowledge. The Charlotte Mecklenburg school system and multiple private schools allow for primary and secondary education needs to be met while UNC Charlotte, Queens University, and CPCC’s Charlotte campus allow higher education needs to be fulfilled. In order for people to stay in a city, they must have adequate means to make a living. Charlotte is home to a prominent banking and business industry. In addition, health care jobs are available as are jobs in the tourism industry. The safety of citizens must also be met especially since cities traditionally have a higher crime rate. In Charlotte, police officers, fire fighters, and other emergency responders fulfill this requirement. Lastly, sources of entertainment are essential to a city in order to keep citizens happy and tourists interested in visiting the city. Charlotte offers several professional sports teams, the Epi-Center, concert venues, various museums, and much more for residents and tourists alike.
2. After reading the recent history of Charlotte’s growth in the assigned reading, how successful do you think the city is in in filling the needs of its citizens? Your answer should consider all of the resources and services we need for daily life. Also, make sure you define what “success” means.
I feel Charlotte does a phenomenal job in meeting the needs of its citizens as evident in the way Charlotte fulfills each of the necessary components to any city as discussed in my answer to the previous question. Charlotte has adapted to the needs of its growing and diverse population over the past few decades and has transformed from being what many considered a boring city where there “was no there” to a unique and special city many are proud to call home. To me, that is the definition of success: Overcoming an obstacle in order to make yourself the best you can be, just as Charlotte has transformed itself into being the best city it can be.
3.As David Goldfield discusses the history of Charlotte, he describes some of the major additions to the city such as the Blumenthal Center for the Performing Arts, an NFL team, the Museum of the New South, NASCAR, etc. What sorts of services/resources were necessary to attract and grow these additions?
Obviously monetary needs are essential to market these new additions and increase their popularity in the Charlotte community. In the case of the Blumenthal Center for Performing Arts, talented actors and actresses are needed so that people will want to watch the performances. Winning seasons and good athletes would benefit all of the sport teams and high quality exhibits would certainly benefit the Museum of the New South. Each of these attractions needs individuals who are passionate and knowledgeable about the attraction for the attractions to grow in Charlotte.
4. In the reading, Goldfield contends: “Charlotte continues to be ‘a place to come to,’ with most of its population hailing from someplace else, primarily because of the job demands of the knowledge economy that has supplanted though not entirely replaced the old industrial economy. The workers accrued their skills and education elsewhere, and there are enough educational alternatives in the region for their children to receive a fine education.” What do you think of this statement? Explain your answer.
I strongly agree with the statement “Charlotte continues to be a place to come to.” I moved to Charlotte ten years ago from Ohio. My family and I always joke that how when we meet a new family who has just moved to the area, it is extremely likely for them to say they are from Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or another northern state. In addition, families are starting to migrate to Charlotte from various areas in the United States and around the world, as they are attracted to Charlotte’s “up and coming” city environment that offers many jobs, a lovely climate, and entertainment. In addition to these things, people are attracted to the educational opportunities, both primary and higher, that Charlotte offers. The Charlotte Mecklenburg school system and multiple private schools allow for primary education needs to be met while UNC Charlotte, Queens University, and CPCC’s Charlotte campus allow higher education needs to be fulfilled.
5. Provide at least one interesting fact about Charlotte that you did not know prior to reading this chapter.
I found the information the article offered about UNC Charlotte to be the most interesting since I am a student here. I did not know the university was originally a 2-year transitional university associated with Chapel Hill or the extensive work Bonnie Cone did to make the Charlotte an independent four-year university in 1949. Hence 49ers?