goqnotes.comAo/views Views
editor's note
by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com
As Charlotte grows, will popular neighborhoods
change for worse or better?
THEBESTTHINGABOinTKESENEWBUIlDINGSINCHIUIlOTniS
I've been thinking a lot about change re
cently. It's nearly impossible not to. We're seeing
tremendous changes in the political sphere as
we move full-steam ahead into this year's local
elections and next year's presidential picks.
y There are immense changes in our movement
for equality, as we stare down a future "after
marriage." There are changes in our economy
, in the media, in conversations over race and
inclusion and relations between police and local
communities, particularly those of color.
But here at home, as I look around my
daily environment. I'm seeing lots of changes,
too. Population estimates recently topped
out Mecklenburg County at over one million
residents. When I moved here in 2007, the
story, or so I vaguely remember, was that
upwards of 90,000 people were moving into the
city each year. Newcomers are flocking to the
city again. To keep up with the growth, new
apartment buildings are springing up across
Charlotte. Recent news reports say that 10,000
new apartment units are currently under
construction with another 10,000 in store. The
massive complexes are popping up every
where, including in neighborhoods like Plaza
Midwood and Noda, communities traditionally
home to low-income people, people of color
and LGBT people.
I'm reminded of this change everyday when
I go to work. Next to my office, a new 250-unit
complex is currently rising out of the flattened
ground at the corner of Central and Louise
Aves., where an event venue and other offices
once stood. Just as we were going to press
with this issue, that very same building became
the butt of jokes on Facebook, where a meme
defiantly declared, "The best thing about these
new buildings in Charlotte is how seamlessly
they fit into the neighborhoods."
Questions of neighborhood architectural
integrity aside, I do often wonder just how
"seamlessly" these new complexes full of new
residents, many, perhaps, brand new to the
neighborhoods to which they're moving, will
mesh with the pre-existing culture and climate.
In short, it's a matter of gentrification.
How will these new residents — and their
HOW SEBMiESSLY THEY FIT INTO THE MEIBHBOBHOODS
A recent Facebook meme from Facebook user "Charlotte Absorber."
new ideas, new needs for services and new
desires for amenities — affect the surround
ing neighborhoods?
Plaza Midwood and NoDa are
two of my favorite neighborhoods
in Charlotte. They find themselves anchoring
the 28205 ZIP code, where the most recent
see Editors Note on 13
spiritual reflections
by Isai Efuru :: guest contributor
Stand Still
Life has a way of stopping you in your
tracks long enough for you to see that you're
headed off of the trail. If we are wise, we pause
and take in the danger long enough to turn
things around. Circumstances placed us in the
driver's seat and then throw a curve at us to
see if we know how to pay attention.
I spent most of 2014 struggling with health
issues. Reports from my doctors were dismal,
yet I still tried to live out my "superwoman"
persona. My desire to commit and "show up"
outweighed my rationale for rest and better
health. I said yes when my body and soul cried
no, and would find myself exhausted at the end
of the evening, set to do it all again the next day.
In the latter part of the year, I found myself
exhausted, weak, irritable and stressed. On a
fateful Wednesday afternoon in November, my
body began to shut down slowly with numbness
end the loss of mobility in my right arm. Two
days later, I arrived at work, sluggish, drained
and slightly incoherent By noon, 1 would be
admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with a
stroke. I was mortified; I'd been walking around
for months unaware of the symptoms.
My poor health forced me to assess how I
used my energy and to make my health a priority.
I had to slow down, sit down and say no. Forcing
myself to move instead of standing still almost
yielded me a death certificate that I was not
ready for. Thankfully, God intervened and blessed
me with a steady recovery and minimal neive
damage. I was fortunate to walk away with not
only a testimony, but a well-earned lesson. Life is
not a race to the finish, but a walk through grace.
If we slow down enough to inhale the awe
some presence of gratitude, vve are naturally
inclined to better care for ourselves and the
time on earth that we are given to prosper.
We can then stand still, let the music of life
serenade us, and saunter along joyously within
all that God has to offer.;:
guest commentary
by The Hon. LaWana Mayfield :: guest contributor
Equality requires commitment, diverse focus on needs
In March, Charlotte had the opportunity
to prove we are the Big City we claim to be
opposed to the Big Town we often appear
to be. It is so easy to show up in front of
the African- American, Women and LGBT
community to smile and take pictures and
receive donations and support, but when it
is time to show your true support through
votes some fall short. The business commu
nity in large part has learned this lesson, so
as a community we all have to take a stand,
stop spending our dollars where they are
not wanted, and, as a collective, show the
power of our votes.
I have been saying for many years that
people that only show up when it's time for
votes are not acceptable nor have they proven
thatthey are worthy of support. Ittooka hard
lesson at our Council meeting on March 2 to
learn that everyone that claims support is really
a supporter of full equality.
I am saddened by the results of add
ing protections for all of our citizens, but •
unfortunately not surprised. The only bright
star is knowing that as a community we have
a chance to build stronger relationships with
those that are different from us. We 'must
create opportunities for new and transpar
ent dialogue. We must learn how to disagree
respectfully. We must vote in candidates
that get the importance of equality. What do
I consider equality? Access to jobs to those
formerly incarcerated, housing our poor,
protecting and supporting our veterans, safe
communities, the freedom to li^e our lives
and stopping the bullying of LGBT citizens.
#blacklivesmatter#LGBTQIivesmatter#latinol-
ivesmatter/ALLLIVESMAHER.::
— LaWana Mayfield represents Districts on
Charlotte City Council. She was first elected
in 2011 and is the first openly LGBT elected
official in Charlotte.
The only cleaners that gives you
airline miies or cash back.
Earn miies for your next trip!
Join our rewards program on your next visit.
Serving your community since 1964.
3221 Monroe Rd. • Charlotte, NC
704-332-5638
m UN
Asi an C u I Sine
'Indo inese usi'on -
Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday - 11:30am - 10:00pm
Friday - 11:30am - 10:30pm
Saturday - 12:00pm - 10:30pm
> , Sunday - 12:00pm - 10:00pm
5301-F E. Independence Blvd.
704-568-8877
Wix.com/FulinAsianCuisine/Fulin-asian-cuisine
May 8-21.2015 qnotes 5