I have to say that I'm very pleased to see the University Heights finally in the spotlight. This neighborhood hasn't lived up to its potential in years past, and I feel confident that we are approaching a transitional period. I want to believe that the attention the Heights is receiving will generate a positive response. However, as of right now, this isn't going to happen.
The main problem I see is press coverage. While I appreciate the Spectrum's call for action, I cannot help but think Khoury's article, "The Heights of Fear," has done more harm then good. Before I explain myself further, I wish to express that I do not discredit any of the issues facing the University Heights. I do not wish to downplay the violence, thefts and the deteriorating housing stock. These are real problems, that if continue to go unaddressed, will have a negative impact on the school, as well as the city as a whole.
The issue I had with "The Heights of Fear" is fairly straightforward: it did not examine the Heights from both sides of the story. If you are a newcomer to the area, or you are simply not familiar with the neighborhood, the article will not accurately portray the situation. None of the points presented by Khoury are wrong on their own. But the article fails to mention the positive strides this neighborhood is taking. To me, this reduces these points down to partial truths. And I'm not so sure partial truths mean a whole lot.
When a piece of journalism is fear-driven, a few things are bound to happen. First off, an accurate portrayal of any subject will not be possible. I firmly believe this is the case with the University Heights. Based on this article, you are likely to get shot just driving down Main Street. Second, you are going to scare people away. Of course reader approval should not be of much concern when trying to get the facts out there. However, this article reads like a call to action. Right now I feel like the article is intimidating much of the student body. Thirdly, because of this fear, the Heights won't be a talking point for much longer. Students will see it as an issue they cannot address on their own, and put it out of their minds. Let me elaborate a little on this last point.
To me, "The Heights of Fear" is trying to expose the lack of effort the school has put into the neighborhood. The whole article is appealing to the administration. The sad reality is, that none of the problems highlighted by the piece (burglaries, landlord issues, violence) is news to the administration. They are well aware of the problems facing the Heights. It is redundant to direct an entire investigative piece to just the institution.
What I would like to know is where do we come in? Where do the students of this university play a role in any of this? That is what is lacking from this article. Wouldn't it have been more effective to direct "The Heights of Fear" at the students, so we in turn could put pressure on the administration? It seems like a more efficient idea, to rile the students up rather than the administration.
Take for example the last sentence of the Khoury's article: "So long as the university continues to insist living in the Heights is a choice, students may have to choose a life of fear." From a student's perspective - from my perspective - this article doesn't leave us many options. Basically, if UB does not step in, the helpless and na??ve students will be haplessly victimized. I am so happy to report this is not the case.
Leaving the students out of the conversation creates a bit of a dilemma. I strongly believe that "The Heights of Fear" is a great piece on the grounds that it exposed the neighborhood to a lot of newcomers. Some of my friends have been discussing the Heights, a place they never knew existed just a few short days ago. But the detrimental error of not involving the students, forces the article to take two steps back. Portraying the typical UB student as a defenseless victim doesn't empower anyone. It doesn't inspire hope and it doesn't inspire action. Yes, everything mentioned in the article did happen. Crimes are committed against students on a regular basis, but we don't have to stand around. And we don't have to wait for the administration to throw us a life preserver. I know the point of the article was to reveal that the University Heights is major issue, but not providing a positive talking piece takes power away from the student body.
So how do we the students, get that power back? I will now attempt to include some information I believe that "The Heights of Fear" should have added. Most importantly, the University Heights has many active residents that genuinely care about the safety and integrity of their community. This isn't the toxic wasteland crawling with crime lords that thrives in Khoury's article. This is a Buffalo community, separate from the university. Like all promising neighborhoods that have fallen on hard times, there is a core group of residents that want to change things.
Great examples of these people are the members of the University Heights Collaborative. I encourage you to check out their site for more information: www.ourheights.org. The vision posted on their website reads, "A University Heights neighborhood that is safe and has a vibrant business district utilizing and revitalizing walkability, diversity, affordable housing stock, and green space where people desire to live." Yes, there are people out there who care. No, it is not a forsaken underworld that only the UB police force can save.
Another great group is the University Heights Tool Library. This is an excellent resource to students and permanent residents alike. For a low yearly fee, a member can check out almost every kind of tool required for a home improvement job. Students with tight budgets are incredibly lucky to have this organization. It can empower them to work past difficult landlords and complete some home repairs on their own.
Neighborhood events such as farmers markets and garden walks can provide invaluable relaxation time for students on the weekends. The sterile, North Campus apartment complexes can never replicate this type of community feel. Building a strong community is the first step toward improved safety.
The University at Buffalo is involved in the Heights in a variety of ways. I take a Civic Engagement course through the Academies that allows me to work in the Heights. I have witnessed firsthand the dedication that residents have for their community. My class is working in conjunction with the Tool Library and UHC to apply for a grant to improve the deteriorating commercial corridors. Main Street and Bailey Avenue will be directly impacted by this grant, which will in turn have an affect on student life.
The Tool Library is also working with the UB Undergraduate Consulting Club on a project called PULL. PULL stands for Popup Living Laboratories. What PULL does is provide a storefront for local entrepreneurs to set up shop for two to three months. In this stable environment, Heights residents will get the opportunity to start a small business and test different models. After their time is up in the temporary environment, PULL will assist that business in finding a permanent home in the Heights. These incredible community programs can only mean one thing. The University Heights is alive and kicking. Dedicated minds are here for the long haul. Instead of scaring students away with dramatic front-page headlines, let's talk a little about what we can do to help.
As for UB's involvement in the Heights, I do not disagree with Khoury. Everyone would like to see the university invest some big dollars in neighborhood. However it is unfair to ask them to bear the entire responsibility. It just doesn't make sense for them to manage a whole neighborhood way out of their jurisdiction. In order for them to loosen their purse strings, they need to know that there are students out there who aren't running away from the Heights.
I urge The Spectrum and its staff to continue its coverage on the University Heights. However, we need to draw attention to some key players in the community. It's a tough time for the South Campus neighborhood and we aren't going to get anywhere by beating the same facts into the ground. It's time to focus on the progress being made so that the students can join in. It's time to become a community and look out for one another in the streets. The safest neighborhoods aren't the ones heavily policed. It's the ones that know each other. It's the neighborhoods that work together, the neighborhoods that have vigilant eyes.
This is how we decrease violence and crime in the Heights. This is how we hold landlords accountable. This is how we rid the neighborhood of that negative fa?\0xA4ade. The students have to participate collectively. Join some of the movements happening already, attend a UHC meeting, care about where you live. Because if the situation is as bad as "The Heights of Fear" suggest, we don't have much time to lose.
Mario Ayoub
Freshman media study major
