I grew up and lived in North St. Louis County until I moved to New Orleans to go to graduate school in 1976.
From the time I was 2 years old until I was 19, my family lived on Kappel Drive in Dellwood, only 2 houses from West Florissant. During my freshman year of college at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, my family moved to Elizabeth Avenue in the heart of Ferguson, MO.
I am here. I arrived on Elizabeth Monday night to see every house on the street sporting "I Love Ferguson" signs. I am here to support my aging parents through some difficult times. I am here to substitute teach in the Ferguson-Florissant School District.
The Ferguson you see in the media is not the Ferguson I knew then. The Ferguson you see in the media is not the Ferguson I know now. My plans are to be here for four months, but that could change. There is much to be done. I'm not really even sure what that means, but I'm sure I'm going to find out.
If you read my blog regularly, I tend to write about where I am...I've written about Ferguson before, but it's usually been about New Orleans or France. You are going to get MORE Ferguson. I hope that you will see our Ferguson in a more accurate and balanced light.
This is personal. I'm reminded of the times after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Deluged with people from other parts of the country coming down to help with insurance, debris removal, rebuilding, and on and on; a man from the SBA turned to me and said: "We didn't know that people like you lived here." What a smack in the face of New Orleans. We are so much more than what could ever be portrayed in the media. I've felt similar smacks in the face of Ferguson. Here too, we are so much more than what is portrayed in the media.
The judging, labeling and damning of a whole city and people is unforgivable in the damage and havoc that results. The impact of those labels often means that the people who need help the most can't get it and the survival of those areas will be questionable.
Over the next few months, I hope to show you "Our Feguson". We are more than what you have been shown. We are more than what you may think you know.
--Corner of West Florissant and Kappel Drive-Dellwood, MO-As my brother said: "Grandma used to get off of the bus at that corner to come and visit us from south St. Louis."
Thanks, Theresa. Our CHARMS are many...it's easy for me to focus on the charms, sweetness, easy, and nice. I know the rest is there too, but for now-I need this. We need this. Great to see you and glad we'll be able to catch up more while I'm here. Love, Moi
Posted by: Laury Bourgeois | September 11, 2014 at 06:55 PM
I am so grateful that you are doing this while you are here in Ferguson, Missouri! We have our challenges and our CHARMS. Glad you are here!
Posted by: Theresa S. | September 11, 2014 at 05:07 AM