Dallas,TX

One of the fascinating things about Dallas is its cultural diversity. Even more fascinating if you have lived here for many years. It was not always so diverse in its culture. When I was in high school Dallas was a very large small town that qualified to be a city. Yet it was beginning to change even then as was the rest of the country. Making it hard to adjust for those who begin to see familiar surroundings change - over the years, drastically.

Several of the older families in Highland Park still feel that north Dallas ends at Northwest Hwy. (Loop 12). During junior high (now middle school) and high school, LBJ Freeway was being finished and it was considered the outer border of north Dallas. Now the communities north of LBJ are in far north Dallas. But then again - like I say - it depends on who you ask. Some people adjust to change by refusing to adjust to change.

Some strip shopping centers that experienced their hey day before malls and super centers are now flourishing as markets and shops from other cultures. If you watch a cooking show on TV and get a recipe you think sounds new, unique, and out of the ordinary, you stand a good chance of being able to get the ingredients - even if you have to drive a distance to find it. Quality ingredients if you shop right. That is one of the interesting things about being cultural diverse.

Another enjoyable benefit is being able to go to fairs and special gatherings and experience those other cultures with which we communicate briefly in shopping transactions. At the same time it is unsettling for a long time resident. As I said earlier it is change - not a case of better or worse, bad or good - just simply change. Everyone deals with change in a different way. I do not think there is anyone who is not affected by change.

Cultural diversity brings with it its own unique types of problems. As does a large increase in population and other factors affecting a large city which is still growing. In this Dallas Observations category, I will look at some news and current events. Along the way I hope to add my personal insights and what I have observed as a member of the community. Check back for further posts - in this category and others.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.