Celebrating diversity on the Fourth of July at Meridian Centre Park in Brighton

Posted by [email protected] | Sep 27, 2015 | Cultural Life, Events of the Day, Social Issues | 0 |

July 10, 2015

As a member of the Unite Rochester blog, I know well of the “Two Rochesters.” By that, I think of our too segregated community in which different racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups too often live separated lives. At least for one night, however, last Saturday on July 4^th in Meridian Centre Park in Brighton, I had a vision of another Rochester.

Over the last few years, the fireworks display at Meridian is arguably the most popular in Monroe County, drawing crowds between 10 – 15 thousand. While many people are from Brighton, the evening attracts from all over. Meridian is relatively centrally located, parking is ample, traffic flow is good, and the SkyCoasters are a hit. (Although, old time Brightonians do wax nostalgic for the days when the 4^th was held at the High School where — because you were that close to the pyrotechnics — ash sometimes fell from the sky onto your hair!)

Walking around the Park, I happily encountered diversity of all stripes. People from all backgrounds, mingling, playing carnival games, drinking a little, and dancing next to the American flag as the SkyCoasters entertained. I saw two students I know from the Frederick Douglass schools, always surprised that teachers exist outside the classroom.

This week, I had the chance to talk with Brighton Town Supervisor Bill Moehle. As we reflected upon the 4^that Meridian, we both agreed the event mirrored how, over the last decade or so, Brighton is increasingly becoming the most diverse town in Monroe County. And that’s a good thing.

Brighton High School 10th graders

As Moehle rightly points out, “diversity” can be hard to define. Demographically, Henrietta and Gates have a higher percentage of African-American residents. At the same time, Brighton is home to many from the Indian, Asian, West African, Muslim (there is a mosque on Westfall Road) and LGBT communities. And, historically, Brighton has had a large Jewish population, including many immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Go watch soccer games any evening at Buckland Park and you will hear a cacophony of languages.

Skycoasters

Perhaps as importantly, Brighton is diverse socio-economically. Starter and smaller homes can be found in most neighborhoods. Multi-family apartments line Westfall Road, Elmwood and parts of Monroe Avenues. As Moehle say, Brighton is not a town of mansions, nor wants to be.

Fundamentally, Moehle — and myself — see Brighton as a positive example of how diversity works and can generate more diversity. As with every town, Brighton has its challenges, including poverty. Brighton food pantries serve many in distress.

But if the “Two Rochesters” are a problem, the “new” Brighton can be part of the solution.

SEE ALSO

Celebrating the Fourth of July at the Game at the Corners. And much more.

About The Author

[email protected]

Welcome to Talker of the Town! My name is David Kramer. I have a Ph.D in English and teach at Keuka College. I am a former and still active Fellow at the Nazareth College Center for Public History and a Storyteller in Residence at the SmallMatters Institute. Over the years, I have taught at Monroe Community College, the Rochester Institute of Technology and St. John Fisher College. I have published numerous Guest Essays, Letters, Book Reviews and Opinion pieces in The New York Times, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, the Buffalo News, the Rochester Patriot, the Providence Journal, the Providence Business News, the Brown Alumni Magazine, the New London Day, the Boston Herald, the Messenger Post Newspapers, the Wedge, the Empty Closet, the CITY, Lake Affect Magazine and Brighton Connections. My poetry appears in The Criterion: An International Journal in English and Rundenalia and my academic writing in War, Literature and the Arts and Twentieth Century Literary Criticism. Starting in February 2013, I wrote for three Democratic and Chronicle blogs, "Make City Schools Better," "Unite Rochester," and the "Editorial Board." When my tenure at the D & C ended, I wanted to continue conversations first begun there. And start new ones. So we created this new space, Talker of the Town, where all are invited to join. I don’t like to say these posts are “mine.” Very few of them are the sole product of my sometimes overheated imagination. Instead, I call them partnerships and collaborations. Or as they say in education, “peer group work.” Talker of the Town might better be Talkers of the Town. The blog won’t thrive without your leads, text, pictures, ideas, facebook shares, tweets, comments and criticisms.