Pulse of the Community

Question of the Week: “Are people who live next to each other as neighborly toward each other as they were 25 to 35 years ago? Why or why not?”

Photos and question by Yvonne Kemp

Adesolu Moore-Omokunde: “In the past 25 years it has changed. You can live in a neighborhood and not know their neighbors. You knew everyone you played with and you had block parties and went over each other’s homes. It was more like a family.”

Azeeza Islam: “I have learned that people are not as friendly or neighborly towards one another. There is no trust and this seems to be getting worse every year; even with home owners–new and old. The need to know people era has been lost and needs to be regained to help the community heal.”

Willie McGee: “No, everyone usually stays to themselves today, especially in certain neighborhoods. It was very nice back in the day. People looked out for each other back then.”

Charlesetta Thompson: “As a rule they are not. But in my block, neighbors shovel and blow the snow for the elderly. Because of our block watch we know each other’s names. It would be nice if it was that way again.”