How has your understanding of neighborhood identities in Cincinnati been expanded, reaffirmed, or changed this semester? What sense of identity do you think exists in Walnut Hills, based on your prior experiences and/or on the readings for this week?
I grew up in Cincinnati and have lived here my entire life. I lived in Kenwood until the age of five, and then I moved to Amberley Village. While growing up I had many experiences traveling to the different areas of Cincinnati including OTR, East, West, and Lower Price Hill, Hyde Park, etc. Since most of my relatives live on the "West Side" of Cincinnati, I visit there quite often as well. Growing up, my parents influenced me with their views of the various areas of Cincinnati. For instance, I was always taught that Over the Rhine was a place full of crime, drugs, and gangs and that it should be avoided. My past visits to the area reinforced this idea.
Before taking Exploring Community Engagement, I thought I knew Cincinnati like the back of my hand. I was closed-minded about learning anything new regarding the city since I figured I probably already knew all there was to know. After our first true field experience to Elementz, I realized I was wrong. My previous vision of Over the Rhine was much different from the environment I saw. I could tell that Over the Rhine was changing, but I did not believe the area was safe until exploring it on my own. After seeing Washington Park, Elementz, and various other attractions in Over the Rhine, I can now say that I identify the area as being reasonably safe and undergoing a lot of redevelopment. The way I view Price Hill changed in a similar way after visiting Roberts Academy.
Growing up in Amberley Village as a teenager, if my parents had not sent me to Summit Country Day School, I would have attended Walnut Hills High School. Although Summit is an amazing school from an academic standpoint, Walnut Hills High School is one of the top academic public high schools in the U.S. As a result of having potentially gone to school there, I explored the Walnut Hills area and know it pretty well. I can say that there is a strong sense of community in the area. After reading a few of the articles on http://www.walnuthillsrf.org/, I realized that Walnut Hills has been under reconstruction and have developed a strong sense of community through the various events and public spaces available in the area. Events include the Street Food Festival and biking. Public spaces include the convergence of the Five Point Biergarten. I look forward to traveling to Walnut Hills this week.
I grew up in Cincinnati and have lived here my entire life. I lived in Kenwood until the age of five, and then I moved to Amberley Village. While growing up I had many experiences traveling to the different areas of Cincinnati including OTR, East, West, and Lower Price Hill, Hyde Park, etc. Since most of my relatives live on the "West Side" of Cincinnati, I visit there quite often as well. Growing up, my parents influenced me with their views of the various areas of Cincinnati. For instance, I was always taught that Over the Rhine was a place full of crime, drugs, and gangs and that it should be avoided. My past visits to the area reinforced this idea.
Before taking Exploring Community Engagement, I thought I knew Cincinnati like the back of my hand. I was closed-minded about learning anything new regarding the city since I figured I probably already knew all there was to know. After our first true field experience to Elementz, I realized I was wrong. My previous vision of Over the Rhine was much different from the environment I saw. I could tell that Over the Rhine was changing, but I did not believe the area was safe until exploring it on my own. After seeing Washington Park, Elementz, and various other attractions in Over the Rhine, I can now say that I identify the area as being reasonably safe and undergoing a lot of redevelopment. The way I view Price Hill changed in a similar way after visiting Roberts Academy.
Growing up in Amberley Village as a teenager, if my parents had not sent me to Summit Country Day School, I would have attended Walnut Hills High School. Although Summit is an amazing school from an academic standpoint, Walnut Hills High School is one of the top academic public high schools in the U.S. As a result of having potentially gone to school there, I explored the Walnut Hills area and know it pretty well. I can say that there is a strong sense of community in the area. After reading a few of the articles on http://www.walnuthillsrf.org/, I realized that Walnut Hills has been under reconstruction and have developed a strong sense of community through the various events and public spaces available in the area. Events include the Street Food Festival and biking. Public spaces include the convergence of the Five Point Biergarten. I look forward to traveling to Walnut Hills this week.