"The visual character of the places where we spend out lives gives us the patterns by which we see." - "Landscape is a Point of View" by Gregory Conniff
I am a Chicago suburbanite. I am accustomed to the sight of concrete, strip malls, cookie-cutter subdivisions, and manicured lawns. I lived in Vernon Hills, Illinois for over twelve years. Even though I was only a short distance from the city, it is the suburbs that have shaped my perspective.
From a young age, the American Dream has been explained to me as being able to return to the nice, quiet suburbs to raise a family of my own. Also, I have been shown that success can be measured in material wealth. SUV's, clothing, and the size of your house all indicate that you really are living out the "American Dream".
I came to Saint Olaf to escape that narrow mindset, because I know that there is more to the "American Dream" than success in the subrubs.
(Below are pictures of my hometown and Chicago. I got a bit nostalgic, so there are quiet a few.)
No comments:
Post a Comment