Noahs Second Trip

On my second trip to Walnut Way and Cross Lutheran Drew and I interviewed both Pastor Ken Wheeler and Marilyn Miller of the Lutheran Human Relations Association (LHRA). Both Pastor Ken and Marilyn Miller told us what they how Walnut Way has grown and improved and also what they see in Walnut Ways future. Pastor Wheeler first got involved helping with Walnut Way when members of his church approached him with the idea of working with the community, and he has now been working with them for about five or six months. Pastor Wheeler goes on to tell how he has seen vast improvements in the neighborhood like a decrease in crime and an increase in the friendliness between people in the community. The Pastor specifically mentions the improvements in the area of Seventeenth Street. I most defiantly agree with the Pastor when he talks about the beauty of that area, I had a chance to drive through and see that area first hand and the homes of that area really stand out. Another aspect of the interview I found interesting was when asked if there were any negatives to the rebirth of the area I was surprised to hear that there was. Pastor Wheeler said that as new homes are built and the neighborhood improves the property values rise and makes it difficult for longtime members of the community to afford to stay. I never really thought about this aspect of the rebuilding process and the more I thought about it the more I realized that this is a difficult problem to solve. If the members of the community can no longer afford to live there, what can they do? They would have to move out of the neighborhood or find a new job, both of which are not something a longtime community member is going to want or be able to do.
We also interviewed Marilyn Miller of the Lutheran Human Relations Association. I leaned a lot listening during this interview, especially when asked is race relations are still improving today. Marilyn said that with every good thing that happens a not-so-good thing happens as well, race relations have been two steps forward one step back situation. She said that in order for things to continue improving there must be constant communication and engagement between people in the community. I very much agree with what Marilyn said, if people are able to communicate what they need and how to improve the neighborhood good things will happen.