Campus Walls

All the discussion about physical versus invisible barriers can definitely be applied to Northeastern University's campus. Forces of neighborhood penetration and gentrification are relevant issues that the Roxbury community face. Though there is not a physical barrier separating the two, there may as well should be. The juxtaposition of the two establishments appears to not even be of the same neighborhood, never mind just across the street from one another. The high-rise, modern-looking dormitory building overlooks your average public housing complex. There is a stark divide between the well-to-do college student, and the inner-city residents of the Whittier Street Apartments. According to the article referenced, the university started construction without community approval and without regard to the direct effects it would have on the livelihood of the Roxbury community. Though technically nonexistent the barrier between Northeastern and Lower Roxbury are a very real situation.

Invisible Walls

View of International Village from the Whitter Street Apartments.

View of the Whittier Street Apartments from International Village.

Invisible Barriers

When discussing the actual physical barriers such as gates, walls and fences it's rather easy to understand the restriction placed upon entering a certain place, after all this sentiment is demarcated by a physical structure. But what about invisible barriers that exist? Those barriers that you can't see, but can feel? I became aware of such boundaries while on co-op last semester. I worked in a non-profit community organization in Roxbury, where there were clear distinctions to community members where one could and could not go. Though there was no wall, fence, or gate, certain areas were understood as not okay to travel. The reason being, is that there is a presence of violence in the area, and fear is a major deterrent. I worked as a Program Coordinator for urban youth and would co-facilitate youth group with the goal of uniting the community and lessening the presence of violence in the neighborhood. One of our team goals was to provide safe spaces for people that live in conflicting communities to come together and break down those barriers. One day in particular, I was leading group alone because my partner had jury duty. The plan for this day was to instruct the group to do outreach for fall hiring throughout the neighborhood. Before group, I divided people into teams and assigned 2-3 people per housing co-op, and would give them about two-hours to walk through the community handing out flyers. Because I am not from Roxbury and not aware of the invisible barriers placed upon people that live in differing co-ops, I did not take this into consideration. Thus, when I gave everyone their assigned location, there was a huge outburst of anger towards me. People were claiming that if they walk through a certain area, they would get shot or be a victim to all sorts of violence. This proved to me the reality of life these youth dealt with on a daily basis. There may as well have been physical barriers sectioning off the different neighborhoods, because it was understood by all the youth that lived in the community. This does a nice job of tying in the use of ambience as a feeling that could either encourage or inhibit how people interact in the setting (Allen 2005:45). In sum, feelings can be just as strong as physical barriers in establishing where one can or cannot travel.