Something To Chew On

August 13-19, 2018

By Becca Bona

becca@dailydata.com

Grading the Rock

Perched at the high top lined window at Nexus Coffee & Creative on a Tuesday afternoon, I sit, iced black tea in hand. I’m people watching.

The fact that the interview I’ve scheduled for this very moment and which has obviously fallen through is less important than the fact that this column is (or rather, was, if you’re reading this in print) late per my own editorial deadline.

I suppose I can’t get too mad at my freelancers for missing a deadline, when I myself do it every now and then. It happens.

And, sitting at the window, watching the foot traffic on President Clinton Avenue is far more interesting than working on my beckoning editorial calendar.

Everyone walks with a purpose at 2:30 p.m. in the sweltering afternoon heat-laced-humidity characteristic of August. From briefcase to backpack, upon first look, everyone’s late for their own meetings – (although, for the record, I still haven’t spotted my interviewee).

I remember when I was 15 and my Mom wouldn’t let me anywhere near the River Market. Too bad that I wanted to go to Battle of the Bands – it was dangerous– and I was to avoid it.

I’m from Little Rock, born-and-raised. I never had plans of staying here, as often is the dream of a young, idealistic twenty-something.  Of course, I hadn’t realized upon graduating college that being broke is a large part of being a young idealistic, twenty-something.

Like it or not, in the Rock I remained.

It’s tough for a young creative in this city. I was lucky to get a job with the Daily Record, right out of college. And while I have learned and excelled here, at 22, I wasn’t sure what my life path should be.

So, I reached out.

I started second-shooting weddings. I picked up some freelance design work. I began to write for anybody and everybody who would have me. In short, I was a workaholic, trying to get something to stick.

Eventually I learned that my favorite thing to do in this town is to talk to people. People who are movers and shakers. People who are passionate business owners. People who are honest, and even people who have their agendas.

All of them – I relish listening to, if they’ve got something to share.

It’s getting close to time for local elections. And while I’m not going to sit here (with less tea than when I set out to write this column) and indoctrinate you about the importance of voting, I invite you to take the time to grade this city.

This isn’t the first time I’ve asked this question. I turned to Facebook a month or so ago with my concerns. Issues like the school system or lack of inclusivity and racial divisions were mentioned as negative factors, often resulting in a grade of C or less.

I could tell by the caliber of responses, tone included, that most people are fed-up with this place. I get it.

But, there are positives, too. Funnily enough, most of my transplant friends are quicker to give the city a B or higher. The proximity to nature, the budding art scene, the myriad of local businesses, and affordability cropped up more than once.  

There’s not enough space in this column to unpack all the valid points that were tossed toward me in my query. Time and time again, though, the remarks focused on “being more open to change.” My favorite, big-little town is faltering. It’s “stagnant.”

Well, my enquiring mind wants to know. What do you think we need to take it to the top of the class?

I’m also willing to listen. If you’ve made it this far, congratulations – no one reads past 300 words. Send me your thoughts this week. I really want to know: becca@dailydata.com.