Same Kind of Different

History may be set in stone, but Memphis is working to change the future

When people hear the name Memphis, the next thought to come to their mind is not always positive. Memphis has traditionally been associated with racial tensions and economic unrest. And there is no denying that Memphis, like every city, has its issues. But it’s time to paint a new image of Memphis. One that shows where we are going while acknowledging the past. These are just a few of the ways Memphis is working to come together as a community:

Ponytail Bob Clyburn has grand ideas to unite the city, including his latest plan for a community garden that he hopes will bring people from all classes together for a project to better the city. He is working to get various groups involved with its construction, as well as providing a place for the community once it is completed. Having spaces that welcome everybody is a wonderful way to put aside any differences and instead look for things in common.

Eugene McDowell is another person who sees the good in each Memphian, recognizing small actions such as people stopping to give money to the homeless as the city coming together. While the gesture may be small, it represents a connection between two people who may experience Memphis very differently. That is the first step to bridging the gap– communicating with one another and recognizing each other.

The Community Alliance for the Homeless raises awareness of current conditions happening in the city. Every year they take a survey and publish information about the population of people experiencing homelessness. Another great way to start fighting homelessness is to start reading the published data and understanding the problem. 

While the way to change is to keep looking to the future, that doesn’t mean forgetting the importance of the past.  One of the best ways to move forward is by making people aware of the past. It is from mistakes that we learn. Ignoring what happened in the past is a form of erasure, and so is trying to reframe events and leave them with a positive connotation. Recognizing the past is a way to move forward. These are just a few of the ways that Memphis is turning from its divides and working to create a better future. Taking the next step is up to each and every one of us, and it’s time to find what we have in common.