Behind the Prestige

Following Mayor Norris' visit to our class, I have really been thinking about UVA in a new light. It is easy to get caught up in the hype of UVA: the new people, classes and parties. Although UVA has a stigma of being a wealthy and snobby community, there is more to UVA and the Charlottesville Community than just Polo Ralph Lauren, Sperry's and pearls. During a Friday night stroll through the Corner, I witnessed a glimpse of the Charlottesville poverty Mayor Norris was talking about. There was a striking middle-aged man with stringy white hair, black tights, a cut-off black t-shirt, and high heeled boots roaming the corner. His presence was alarming. He was ranting derogatory names toward a police officer who said he needed a light for his bike. The reason I felt so astonished by the man was because it was out of normal UVA culture. I had somehow forgotten that Charlottesville has a diverse culture full of poverty aside from its prestige. Now that we are residents of the Charlottesville community, it is important that we engage ourselves in the issues that Charlottesville faces. The Madison House would be a great venue to make a difference in the lives of Charlottesville residents who are plagued by poverty. - Mina Asghari