Neighborhood Narrative
“Where you invest your love, you invest your life.”
Practice
Observation. Begin by identifying your neighborhood’s boundaries, demographics, and unique characteristics.
Excavation. Listen and learn from the history, culture, and diverse perspectives of your neighbors.
Examination. Consider your neighborhood’s assets and liabilities, challenges and opportunities, and what is worth celebrating.
“There was a desire to hold more of a responsibility to where I live instead of a transient casualness about the place,” Sydney said vulnerably. “I spend most of my time here, so I should really know more about it.” Sydney Dobbs participated in a Neighborhood Cohort with Sacred Place this year. One of the practices to help cultivate love for her neighbors and neighborhood was developing a Neighborhood Narrative.
Sydney shared with her signature enthusiasm about her experience creating a Neighborhood Narrative, “I live in Cheesman Park, which I would have formerly said was Cap Hill; but no, no, we are a separate neighborhood! The boundaries of my neighborhood are Downing, Colfax, York, and 8th Ave. They form a big rectangle around Cheesman Park, which is the most notable landmark.” This is where creating a Neighborhood Narrative begins. What are the boundaries, landmarks, and name of your neighborhood?
The Neighborhood Narrative is a simple two-page workbook created to guide you through the story of the place you live. It begins with surface observation, moves to historical and cultural examination, and ultimately leads to the work of assessment and evaluation. It is a tool to look closer and ask more meaningful questions about your neighborhood: “Why do people move here?”, “Why do people stay here?”, and “What do I see as the assets and liabilities of my neighborhood?”
The process and practice encouraged Sydney not only to become more curious about her neighborhood, but also to become more curious about her neighbors’ perspectives on their neighborhood. “I’m thinking it would be so sweet for everyone in my apartment building to do this together; to take time to be curious about what they see as pain points and points to celebrate.” A Neighborhood Narrative provides space for various perspectives based on lived experience. It creates a frame for conversations that could otherwise be seen as combative. It invites neighbors with differing opinions on what should be celebrated or needs to be corrected into conversation.
Sydney’s humility and honesty are evident in the way she talks about creating a Neighborhood Narrative: “I'm being deeply formed by where I live and, in some ways, I had no idea where I live!” This is a practice of cultural excavation and collective examination. A Neighborhood Narrative is intentionally listening longer and looking deeper into the story of the people and place where you live. It is a practice of investing your love and life into your neighbors and neighborhood.
Thank you to Sydney Dobbs for her contribution to this article, her participation in the Neighborhood Cohort this year, and her ongoing care for her neighbors and neighborhood of Cheesman Park.
