This year, I decided to go out of my comfort zone and try to make a difference in our neighborhood when the students came back. On Move-In Weekend I delivered a letter with a smile, a big apple pie and a "Welcome to the neighborhood" to each student house on our block or very near to our block. A small act of kindness will maybe make a difference? I think it totaled 12.
To me, the bottom line is I expect from students the same thing I expected from my kids. If they're walking and see trash in the alley or street, it isn't rocket science to bend over and pick it up. Doesn't everyone function better walking or driving through a well-kept neighborhood?
My overwhelming thought so often when there are complaints about rental homes, or any home for that matter, not being kept up is, "Fix it." How in the world can there be peace if we can't solve problems like these in Duluth?
There will always be the exceptions, but I choose to believe most people care; some may need to be reminded they care now and then. If there is garbage all over the alley, I figure I have three choices: Look at it and wonder if who lives there will pick it up, go knock on the door and let them know they have a mess or go get a garbage bag, put on my rubber gloves and just take care of it. I've done all three.
As for the outlook of our neighborhood, I believe the neighbors and landlords hold the power to have it shine or have it look like no one gives a darn. I feel if everyone does their part there is no reason a neighborhood with many rentals can't shine as bright as one with no rentals.
ADVERTISEMENT
I'm still a believer that most people will step up and do the right thing.
As I read Leslie Karpen's Sept. 26 "Student's view" commentary ("Failure to communicate causes problems"), I couldn't help but think she and her views represent the majority of students. There will always be those goof balls that bounce through life, but even they at some point may get it with a little kindness.
As you can tell I choose to be optimistic. I also choose to continue to promote the golden rule; life doesn't have to be so hard if we can only follow those simple words: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Dianna Erickson lives in one of Duluth's campus neighborhoods.
