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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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Words for the Struggle
To the editor: I am writing in response to the article “Creative Class Struggle”(July 14, 2004). Thank you for voicing something I have never found the words to say about where I grew up and where I still live. When I was a teen-ager and spent most of my time soul-searching about who I was and my place in this vast universe, I was very much influenced by the atmosphere I lived in, even though I didn’t realize it at the time. I grew up in the middle of various “classes” as they struggled for space. I saw people being victimized for being different. It was disturbing to me to see the worlds of poverty and of the upper middle-class try to get along. These were the only two social classes I encountered, and I felt this must be what the entire world was like. I grew up feeling awkward because what I valued did not seemed to be valued by the city I called home. I never found a place where I could listen to local bands, or a stretch of lawn where I could sit to paint the scenery.
Fortunately for me, my many travels across the United States and in South America have introduced me to other “class struggles” and made me realize I was not alone in wanting a more encouraging atmosphere where I can paint, listen to music, or simply sit somewhere and people-watch. I feel more comfortable now, many years later, because I have discovered small places where I can do that in Fort Worth. The Weekly has been a great promoter of small hole-in-the-wall restaurants with original, delicious good food and of special events for the artistically minded. I do not feel as socially awkward today as I once did.
The article really made me reflect on the fact that all my childhood friends have already left town and that I, too, may one day leave for more greener pastures. I am in debt to the Weekly for introducing me to the things available here at home, but for someone who wants to be able to express herself in a different environment, I do not envision staying here much longer. Even my 79-year-old grandmother, who has lived for over 20 years in one of the most populated cities in the world, has described Fort Worth as “a great place to come to die.” I am an educated, artistically minded citizen who needs a little more from the place I live in, and Fort Worth is barely providing it for me.
Cindy Vasquez
Fort Worth
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