Young Knowledge
Fort Lauderdale, FL

As many other city dwellers have noted, cities can provide as much of a “village” feel as many small towns, with their walkable shops and restaurants, farmers markets, cafes … plus, they have the diversity that most villages lack. Sure, cities have their problems, but to imply that the values of cities are somehow “less than” those of small towns is divisive and simply untrue. Where would our country be without its cities?

Now I live in Oakland, another wonderful city that is generally overlooked due to its proximity to lovely San Francisco. I think living in Philadelphia all those years gave me a deeper appreciation for “underdog cities” like Oakland. Philadelphia also had its more glamorous neighbor city, New York. Living in Oakland, I enjoy the city life and the sunshine. I enjoy the year-round farmer’s markets all throughout Oakland. I enjoy walking to the video store, cafe and movie theater, as well as the 10-minute drive to the beach or a redwood grove in the city’s hills. Although I now need a car to easily access the wonders of the Bay Area beyond my walkable Oakland neighborhood, I still take pride in doing my small part to do my part for the greater good. And my heart is warmed by all of the wonderful people of Oakland who do their part as well, whether it’s through recycling, composting, volunteering, driving less or simply smiling and saying hello when they walk down the street. That’s my favorite big-city value.

Blair D
Oakland, CA

Living in a city like this has given me more a sense of community and belonging than anywhere where I lived as a kid. And before some of you may jump to any conclusions, I was not ostracized as a child by the rural community in which I grew up. Straight, white guys are not really picked on in small towns, or at least they weren’t when I was young. They get slightly more abused in the city, but it’s all in good fun. The truth is there was not much in the way of community where I grew up.

Philadelphia is 45% white and 43% black. For every person of one race who is not at ease with someone from the other race I can guarantee you there are at least five people every day in this city who experience the artificial social barriers of “race” or “sexual persuasion” falling down. We’re all in it together here. We use the same sidewalks every day. We take the same trolleys, buses and trains. We see the same tired looks on each other’s faces as we slog to work in the morning under the unflattering subway car lights. And most of us regardless of race, sex and creed (not me) act like fools every fall for a team called the Eagles. It’s not Utopia. We have crime and poverty, but they had that where I grew up too. What they did not have where I grew up was an Art Museum, a world re-renowned symphony orchestra, an endless stream of local rock and hip hop musicians, more non-chain restaurants than chain ones, more diversity of opinions and beliefs, more excitement, more daily interaction with humanity, more tolerance, more new ideas, more history, more tragedy and more comedy. More of a chance to get involved. More of a chance to really imagine walking in someone else’s shoes. More of a chance to be anonymous. More of a chance to share a joke with a stranger or to complain about the smell.

And yes, living in a Big City means less of some things. Most important to me it means less need of a car. I have the carbon footprint of a seagull and I don’t have to make any effort at doing so. And before anyone calls me an elitist, I think anyone who watches our infamous sports fans here or is familiar with Rocky knows that we Philadelphians are far from being “East Coast Liberal Elitists.” Elitists don’t have so many food stains. And don’t let Rudy Giuliani fool you into thinking he is not as Cosmopolitan as Barack Obama. If he’s anything like the New Yorkers I know he can’t stand the idea of living in a small town.

My girlfriend and I plan on settling down here in Philadelphia and maybe even raising a family. My dad who was born and raised here still sees this place as the same littered place he grew up in, but I see it as a place to grow as a person. My old friends who I grew up with would think that every day I am putting myself in mortal danger living here because they mistake the sensationalized local TV news coverage for reality. They think it’s fires, murders, rapes, fires, children killed in cross fires, weather, sports and the occasional fluff story like a restaurant that also serves dogs. But just like every small town in America is not like Northern Exposure, Green Acres or Wasilla Alaska, cities are not what popular culture and the media paint them as.

But this is all missing the big point about big cities and small towns in America. The truth is neither of us is a threat to each other’s way of life no matter what any political group says. We shouldn’t see each other as enemies. It’s called Divide and Conquer. Look it up. Most politicians pay us the same amount of lip service while most government policies neglect cities and rural communities equally.

If anything our common enemy is the Suburbs. Everyday more and more of our small towns and big cities from sea to sea have the same Starbucks, Olive Gardens, Bed Bath & Beyonds, the same 8 Hollywood blockbusters playing, the same houses and the same cars. The Inauthenticity of the American Suburban Way of Life threatens to turn us into consumers of the same shallow popular culture. The truth is Big Cities and small towns are two sides of the same coin. We are both what makes America unique. We are both the source of American romanticism and neither of us should seek to denigrate each other’s way of life.

Brendan M
Philadeldelphia, PA

Mel
Philadelphia, PA

I have lived in big cities both inside and outside the U.S. I have also lived in small cities and towns much more quintessential than even politicians can paint in words. The same town I lived in Tennessee was both a place of great friendships and also hurtful experiences. I have a typical American story: a first-generation-American-dweller practicing a faith not native to this country (Islam). The first typical American small town I moved to upon arrival was a place where I learned most dramatically how diversity can sometimes be too close to home for some people. A place where 9/11 meant that expressing Anti-War sentiment or just being Arab or Muslim was unpatriotic and irresponsible, because it might mean losing your job or a scholarship, receiving a threat on the phone, having your hijab torn off on the street or being called a “terrorist” by a high-school schoolmate (all of these things happened to me or other Muslims in my town). It was a place where some of my local public school teachers and administrators felt comfortable using their power for racist aims (against me as the only person of my ethnicity, or black students, or others). I’m not claiming that these things do not happen in big cities, or that small towns don’t offer acceptance too. But I do know from personal experience that while living in Philadelphia and New York, I felt more comfortable praying in a mosque, speaking in Arabic, expressing my political views and breathing easy being someone who although is not unique for U.S., is often considered too “foreign” for small town America. I still visit my town, and enjoy spending time there, but I always remain guarded.

Lena Z
Moving from Philadelphia to NYC but currently in Atlanta, PA, NY, GA

Where but in a big city can we make buying local vs. buying big box an attainable reality?

Who but a big city dweller can lessen their eco-footprint without sacrificing innovation and technology?

Big cities give us access to information, culture, art, and different points of view.

Big cities have great food.

Keep It Movin
Philadelphia, PA

NamelessGenXer
GenXforObama.com
Exit 100, NJ

We have a Community Garden on our block and non-gardeners from the neighborhood bring their kitchen scraps to compost there. I often share surplus produce or sauce I make from garden tomatoes with my neighbors. If I ever need anything (duct tape, food containers, tools, etc.) I can usually find someone in the neighborhood who will let me borrow it.

I love that my neighborhood is not homogeneous, my kid will grow up being around all kinds of people. The people in my neighborhood don’t feel the need to hide who they are in order to get along, even the Republicans.

Our daughter walking in our community garden

Big Cities are Awesome!

Tracy L

Philadelphia, PA

I love taking my daughter on public transportation, knowing that there will be all different types of people all doing the same thing – going somewhere.

I love that we know every person on our block. That we throw spontaneous block parties with ping pong in the street and Rock Band projected on the wall of a neighbors house.

I love that yesterday we rode our bikes to visit the Philadelphia Magic Garden and the Green Festival, all in our community. I love that these things are important to Philadelphia and people have organized to make them exist.

Mia L
Philadelphia, PA