We were too frightened to see that, though. People who stayed, like Sharon Zurek, a close friend who I had not seen again until embarking on this project, were the fortunate ones. They kept what they had, separated themselves from the weakness of the people who left, and embraced a whole new life rich in experiences and culture that made them better people. I have often gone back to 89th and Luella, just to wonder at the beauty of that street. I was impressed at how well kept the neighborhood had remained all those years that I was gone.
Human nature is already arrogant, making one believe that they are crucial to success in any form.
The neighborhood, naturally, would fall apart. The fears we had that seemed so important 30 years ago about Black families moving in, never really materialized. Maybe leaving was the best thing many of the Whites who fled could have done for the area. Maybe, moving proved that the White families, and not the Black families who moved in, were the ones who really didn't care about the community. On a recent visit, I stood there looking down the street with its umbrella of huge Elm and Maple trees.