Everyday at about 8:00 pm, the street lights turn on, the neighborhood kids abandon the chalk littered sidewalks, and parents attempt to get them settled down for their approaching bedtimes. It seems almost picturesque, with the litter free streets and meticulously manicured lawns. However, just one block over, there is a lively avenue filled with 24-hour delis, a New York City subway station, liquor store, and nightclub all within a block of each other. This among other things, are the reasons as to why I feel my neighborhood would be the best choice for me to discuss this semester.

I have lived on the same street in the Bronx, Morris Park area since I was about 6 years old. So, within these 15 years, I’ve seen the demographic change from the majority being Italian, to the present day majority being no majority at all, just a mix of everything imaginable. I wouldn’t say that it is a neighborhood, where everyone knows everyone, but most of the people seem cordial, especially with their immediate neighbors. People who have been familiar faces to the neighborhood for years run the nearest stores.

Although, I have lived here pretty much my whole life, I have never really taken the opportunity to get involved in any community service within my area. From time to time, you’ll see postings for local garage sales, missing dog reports, and council meetings. In all, my hope is to become more in tune with my own neighborhood; so as to acquire the talent to tell the stories no one knew existed.