Why I like this city....
Ypsilanti is my home. It hasn't always been so. The small hamlet of Manchester, MI. Has to be considered my original hometown; and youthful, happy memories from my past there will always bring a smile to my face. Yet, I've never been able to resist the siren song of a big town, and Ypsi, or Ann Arbor, for that matter seemed to fit the bill when I was a restless teenager. In the late '70's Manchester calm, idyllic country charm was rather boring to the more energetic 'me' of that time. That restless energy is still there-- but more as a quietly smoldering ember I must admit. In fact, if I didn't feel somewhat tied to my Ann Arbor based job, I'd have no problem joining in the rebirth of downtown Detroit, as some friends of mine are currently doing. This former country-born mouse has become quite urban over the years.
The thing that I think I like most about Ypsilanti is it's people-- This small city is so diverse, so many people of color, ethnicity and foreign birth live here, I find that it a personal joy to bump up against these different people and cultures at various public functions and whatnot, that it's truly amazing. I even think this humble town is even more diverse than the 'international' city to our west; I mean take away the diversity centered around the UofM and ol' A-squared loses a lot of color and flavor-- I truly believe that.
The recently adopted city motto of Pride, Diversity, Heritage-- gets it in a nutshell. Take pride, for instance-- Ypsilantians are fiercely proud of their town, and gladly fire back at all perceived attacks or insults heaped upon them. Some might say this is born of an inferiority complex, but I disagree. The citizens here know the problems-- the blight, the poverty, etc... It's more a case of look to your own house before you sling mud on mine.
Now, what of that last bit? Heritage. This is an old town. Yes, Ann Arbor, even older than you-- at least going by early white settlement. The armchair architect inside me thrills at all the lovely turn-of-the-last century buildings that crowd into this small city, and laments the condition of some of them, yet I'll put up our row of Victorian-Italinate 'bling' on Huron street against any like stretch in Ann Arbor...... This goes back to that 'pride' thing, :)
Lastly, I turn back to the people around here. As I mentioned in my previous and all to brief posting the pride I have in our citizens, most recently best manifested in Ypsi~dixit's and the "Keep Ypsi Rollin' " save-the-buss campaign-- grass roots stuff at it's best. Their efforts are another reason/part of why I like this city of mine.
The thing that I think I like most about Ypsilanti is it's people-- This small city is so diverse, so many people of color, ethnicity and foreign birth live here, I find that it a personal joy to bump up against these different people and cultures at various public functions and whatnot, that it's truly amazing. I even think this humble town is even more diverse than the 'international' city to our west; I mean take away the diversity centered around the UofM and ol' A-squared loses a lot of color and flavor-- I truly believe that.
The recently adopted city motto of Pride, Diversity, Heritage-- gets it in a nutshell. Take pride, for instance-- Ypsilantians are fiercely proud of their town, and gladly fire back at all perceived attacks or insults heaped upon them. Some might say this is born of an inferiority complex, but I disagree. The citizens here know the problems-- the blight, the poverty, etc... It's more a case of look to your own house before you sling mud on mine.
Now, what of that last bit? Heritage. This is an old town. Yes, Ann Arbor, even older than you-- at least going by early white settlement. The armchair architect inside me thrills at all the lovely turn-of-the-last century buildings that crowd into this small city, and laments the condition of some of them, yet I'll put up our row of Victorian-Italinate 'bling' on Huron street against any like stretch in Ann Arbor...... This goes back to that 'pride' thing, :)
Lastly, I turn back to the people around here. As I mentioned in my previous and all to brief posting the pride I have in our citizens, most recently best manifested in Ypsi~dixit's and the "Keep Ypsi Rollin' " save-the-buss campaign-- grass roots stuff at it's best. Their efforts are another reason/part of why I like this city of mine.
posted by Rob at 8:29 PM
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