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It doesn't take a long time getting to know me before the words,
"Schenectady, New York" skip out of my mouth with a certain amount of
unyielding and unapologetic pride. I've always considered
Schenectady a great place to be from, with numerous crazy links
throughout history and a rich history all its own in a melting pot of
ethnic groups and the waxy nostalgia of what good ethnic living probably
was in America 60-100 years ago. Now the city is in near complete
disrepair, its old neighborhoods stripped of their identity and charm,
the exodus of General Electric caused an exodus of jobs, and eventually
people, and has left the city hanging in the balance. Of course,
that perhaps intrigues me about the city more, and draws me in more and
more. My interest in urban living goes hand in hand with urban
plight, and Schenectady has both going for it, even if its heavy on the
plight.
Growing up with a barely pronounceable last name from a city that is
equally challenging to spell, I linked the two and thought people had
names spelled like the city they hailed from. Sadly, this didn't
turn out to be the case, but I developed a fond appreciation for odd
names anyway.
Schenectady hasn't changed much in recent years, like most cities,
its tried to revitalize its downtown, and in the process, allowed a lot
of cool buildings throughout the city get demolished for a fiberglass
Rite Aid on every street corner. Beyond the cool and well
kept Stockade area, there isn't too much left to see or do in town, as
most of the city is waiting for the next big rebound. My
grandmother was a firm believer it was always just around the bend, and
like my faith in
Kansas City turning around its downtown, I'm not giving up on it
yet.
The big old 'GE meatball' that hangs on the skyline and gave the city
its nickname is a haunting scene. Established in the city and
hiring almost everyone who lived there - most of my family and
Kurt Vonnegut, General Electric
polluted the Hudson, closed plants, and all but left town, with its
glowing sign still illuminating the polluted corpse in its wake.
It's naive to think a new renaissance would take place and revitalize
the city and return it to its past glory, Akron, Flint, and dozens of
other old manufacturing towns are praying for the same thing, but
Schenectady is very personal to me, I just hope I don't become a
fat, liberal,
self important and pandering slob with a video camera and
memorialize the city that I care about for my own ends.
I just believe there's a whole lot of beauty, soul and history in
each and every one of those buildings. Every time one is torn down
and some fiberglass uber mart is opened in its place, we all lose
something. And if you don't know what we're losing, than perhaps
its time to start opening your eyes a bit more and pay attention to the
things that matter a little bit more.
Continue on to Scotia, New York |
