Today I got bit by a dog. It was kind of my fault. The sign said Beware of Dog but all I saw were small terrier looking things so I reached out my hand like I do when I introduce myself to a new dog and one of them bit me. It bled a little, just enough to break the skin but no big deal. The problem was I was in Globeville. Out of my neighborhood and unfamiliar with the people who were now staring at me.
Eliza who reads this blog said I need to get out of the more gentrified parts of Northwest Denver and meet Globeville. It is a small area sandwiched in between interstate and industry. It has some lovely churches but lots of people won’t go there because it is one of those inner city neighborhoods. It is largely Hispanic and working class. I went anyway and the dog bit me.
But here’s the thing. The people there were so nice. After some initial awkwardness… did the dog have it’s shots? did I have my shots? can I have a bandaid? why was I here taking pictures in the first place?… the people came out and cared for me. They doctored me and spoke to me, like neighbors do. They let me take photos of their friends sitting under a catalpa tree.
Bucket List Community Café was started to create fellowship in Northwest Denver. There are lots of Facebook sites devoted to different areas. Sunnyside, Berkeley, Jefferson Park , Highland, Globeville, etc. but I wanted something that would include all of us. I wanted to create a space that brings together gentrified neighborhoods with established Denver neighborhoods. I wanted us to relish the diversity of this very special area of the city and engage with one another. And to do that, as Eliza reminded me, I needed to get out in it. But next time I’ll be more careful approaching little terrier looking dogs.
