Like many people in this class, I hail from the Empire State, specifically, New York City. Having spent 18 years of my upbringing in one of the most eclectic, complex, and captivating cities in the world has undoubtedly shaped me into the person I am today. From the immense cultural diversity and rich history to the unyielding hustle and bustle, it’s almost impossible not to fall in love with the city's dynamic. In my eyes, what makes the city what it is are the people; the energy of the people fuels New York.
There’s a false notion that all New Yorkers are rude, impatient, and uptight, and I can admit some of these stereotypes are rooted in truth. Nevertheless, there’s an undeniable interconnectedness between the city’s citizens under the surface. The most recent example that I can think of is March 2020: the start of the pandemic. Within less than 96 hours, the city was wholly unrecognizable, a shell of its former self. The once incessant commotion that I oftentimes loathed was something that I then longed for. But what got me, and many others through this trying time, was my community. Even though I spent most of that spring cut off from the outside, wondering if the world would go back to normalcy, knowing that I could look to those around me for support gave me comfort. Knowing we were in this together, that there was a light at the end of the tunnel, helped ground me to persevere through a life-changing year.
Coming of age in the world-renowned “melting pot,” I have been exposed to a wide variety of people, cultures, and neighborhoods. But with this expansive upbringing, I became more cognizant of the vast disparities that seemingly ran unchecked within the city I called home. For example, why is it that in New York City, a city that has a higher GDP than most countries, there is such a stark contrast between the “haves” and the ‘have nots”? One would think that with an economic output of over $1.7 trillion, there wouldn't be food deserts where people are lined up outside of pantries desperately trying to secure their next unpromised meal. This is the unfortunate reality of New York and many other big cities throughout America.
At the beginning of my college search, I was more interested in Architecture, but with further research, I felt more of an affinity towards Urban Planning. Through the Urban & Regional Studies major, I see myself learning about the complexities of cities, how and why systemic policies further disadvantage disenfranchised groups, and the importance of planning accessible and sustainable cities in an ever-changing economic and racial climate. The economic and racial disparities that I witness on a day-to-day basis only further motivate me to dissolve them, with the first steps being creating more fair and equitable cities.
Comments