We aren't organized, We organize ourselves

In AS class this week we talked about how the different area's of our community and cities are divided. Whether it be because of a railroad, a river, or a highway, there are divisions everywhere. Did people plan it to be that way? I know that in Wilmette, there are certain barriers that separate people such as the railroad. When I was little my elementary school was determined by which side of green bay road I lived on. When everyone was combined into middle school we all knew which area of Wilmette people lived in based on which school they came from. They were minor but barriers nonetheless.

The barriers are not specific to any region, they're everywhere. I visited Peru this summer and while I was in Lima, there was a clear line of where it was unsafe to go. We were in the city center which was right along a river. The bridge across the river had militia on our side, the side that wasn't covered in graffiti and smeared with dirt and trash. Why was it that 100 ft across the river was an area where no tourist could ever step foot when it was squeaky clean and 10 times safer where we were standing?

This is a photo of the militia by the bridge.

In class we discussed city planners being somewhat responsible. Personally I think that they have some part but that it mostly comes from people themselves. I feel like people make a connection to a place and bring their friends with them. That's why there's "segregation" in the different parts of Chicago. Like China town, for example. People move themselves with people they know and then it doesn't change. The children of the original people that moved to Chinatown didn't have to stay there. Other Chinese didn't either. That is when the barriers begin getting built, even though subconsciously. People start living in the same location. When there is a break in the normal pattern of streets and roads that sits near the edge of that location, the barrier is made and people stay within the same area,

In my math class, at first we were assigned seats but last week we were able to choose. Where did I go and sit? Right in the same desk as before. A lot of the girls came and sat in the same area, the boys in back, and the sophomores in there own little corner. Now everyday each person sits in the same seat. But can't we sit wherever we want? Yes. But would I now go and move to the other side of the classroom? Probably not. I've placed myself in "my" area and I wouldn't want to move even though I have all the right to. I've barricaded myself into sitting in that desk day after day after day....