Community Corner

Letter to the Editor: Brien McMahon Junior Proud to Live in South Norwalk

"Driving into South Norwalk still shouldn't strike fear in the hearts of its visitors."

The following letter was submitted to Norwalk Patch from Raven R. Haddock, a Junior in the Brien McMahon Global Studies Program

To My Fellow Citizens of Norwalk,

Recently it has come to my attention that there is an invisible line that divides East and West Norwalk from South Norwalk.  The Eastwest side embodies the good life.  However, the South side is characterized quite the opposite.  As a resident of South Norwalk, I beg to differ.  I do not believe that South Norwalk is shameful at all, in fact, my view is quite the contrary. 

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There are many restaurants, festivals and boutiques that are located in historical South Norwalk that many Nutmeggers have visited.  Perhaps before bad-mouthing the so called horrible South Norwalk, residents should take a look in the mirror and see that they themselves have frequented the area on several occasions.  South Norwalk is an outstanding close knit community with many lively places to eat, shop or just hang out.

Even still, East Norwalk, holds the title of the “good” part of town, affluent neighborhoods, the upper middle-class, white picket fences, and 2.5 kids. But when you enter South Norwalk, suddenly it’s the “bad” part of town, projects, poor people, robberies and seven siblings in one family. Why does this happen so abruptly?  You can actually see when you’ve crossed the invisible line.  

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Although South Norwalk’s reputation whispers of a place not to attend after dark, driving into South Norwalk still shouldn’t strike fear in the hearts of its visitors.  But if it really gives you chills and causes you to look away, that means that you are ignorant to the hard working, family-oriented people that live here. To the residents of East and West Norwalk, of course you’re allowed to feel uncomfortable, as you are out of your comfort zone in terms of the different faces, places and various locations.   

I can almost guarantee that not ALL of South Norwalk is a danger zone.  It’s just like any other place where a few bad apples have spoiled the bunch.  

Yes, I admit there are some areas of South Norwalk that one should not enter into with a blind eye, but this area of South Norwalk is also a part of Norwalk as a whole.  Besides, why would you of all people ever think such vile thoughts of the same town that you, yourself live in, residents of Norwalk?  I mean, it’s not as though the “bad” part of town is only five minutes away from where you live.   It’s not as though some of you haven’t come to South Norwalk to receive state assistance from programs such as NEON or Care for Kids, while the job market has declined.  It’s not as though reports of domestic violence and the more expensive drugs such as cocaine or crystal meth are ever reported from your side of town.  In fact, it’s not even as though we’re all a part of the same city.  No, of course not, but I will say this.  Norwalk is just a single town and if there is something in South Norwalk that offends you, then I suggest you take a closer look at the people who live there. It is a common faux pas to believe that we are NOT all just decent people trying to live our lives one day at a time.  If you happen to be one of the people who believe that South Norwalk is no good then I challenge you to go there and give of yourself in the community shelters, library, or churches.   

I challenge you to look past what others may say about its reputation and explore its splendor without prejudice and bias. Surely, there are different parts of Norwalk, but we will be forever entwined as two sides of the same coin.  My name is Raven R. Haddock, and I proudly live in South Norwalk.  


Raven R. Haddock
Brien McMahon Global Studies
AP World Literature


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