“I need to move and explore some culture, it is so boring.”
“Shreveport? What’s there to do?”
“I should definitely go to settle down in Dallas or something.”
These sound familiar? It hits me hard when I pass through conversations of people who are quick to say that they need to move away, that Shreveport is boring, that they can’t find anything to do, or who have a host of reasons to blame. I am from the most happening and one of the largest metropolitan cities – Hyderabad, India – and through the eyes of many immigrants like me, Shreveport is affordable, calm, soothing, and life-changing.
As I landed at the moderate Shreveport Regional Airport two years ago, I did not realize that I was in for a valuable lesson. It is not about where you get to; it is rather how you get through it. I looked around wondering how I would adjust in a city deprived of the hustle I was used to. The restrained resonance of silence all the way through my drive from the airport to my apartment raised questions of my future existence. Invisible taxis, lack of towering heights, and the overall calmness dampened my approach. Never did it occur to me that the “big-city” girl would find it endearing to experience life here.
Oftentimes, large cities lack a centralized connection to the society as a whole due to factors such as rent expenses, heavy traffic, finances, large spaces, population, etc. According to the Forbes 2014 ranking of the most expensive cities in the USA, New York and Boston lead the list.
Shreveport-Bossier is the perfect reasonable size, for it can accommodate the recent influx of many foreigners. The multicultural center of the south does a great job in organizing events to provide more awareness as public places have grown into a place of exchange and discussion. With ample optimism, this city is a place for rapid development and attraction.
“I like how the community is constantly building new interests to reflect the diversity of the Shreveport population,” said Shadi Darzeidan, a graphic designer of Middle East descent. “There’s the bicycling community, and PACE, and SRAC with its art exhibitions that reflect changing times. And changing art periods? I understand how some parts of progress still meet recurring challenges, but the idea that they are still being worked on and brought up speaks wonders for how much the city’s interests are flourishing. I guess with the smaller population, you get more opportunities to experience all of our cultural aspects within smaller city limits.”
I discovered the commercial area of Shreveport only to be amazed by the growing economic prowess of innumerable start-ups, the Caddo Parish schools with their par excellence academic standard, the theatres’ entertaining plays, backlot galas, the universities, SBC Bike Social (check out the previous issue), and, of course, the downtown, which is the nervous system of the city.
“Smart innovative people [regardless of race, nationality, or background] always flock to the place with the most opportunity and right now Shreveport – Bossier is that place,” said Justin Martin, Co-founder of Digital Lion. “Places like the Caddo Career & Technology Center and the Bossier Parish Technical School are bootstrapping students who can then use places like Cohab or another affordable office space as a launching pad for their ideas. What’s amazing is that it doesn’t stop there anymore; there are programs like the weekly 1 Million Cups startup story series, the annual Bossier Art Council DigiPitch/G60 idea pitch contests, and the annual Bossier Arts Council DigiFest technology conference to help you gain exposure and knowledge. I think the question at this point isn’t ‘Why Shreveport,’ but rather ‘Why not Shreveport.’You’d be bonkers not to seize these opportunities.”
It is not until I recognized the inherent love and sincerity of people here that I learned what a blessed entity it is. It is au`natural. Be it the maintenance staff at the apartments, prompt postal service, gleaming grandmas in floral prints, chivalrous door-holding, or the ever smiling blue clad crew at Kroger; there is a sense of warmth and welcome among everybody. People within the community like interaction and encourage it.
“At Kroger, everyday people from all different backgrounds come through the line,” said Courtesy Clerk Justin McDearmont. “An older Indian couple, a Latino family, Brits in futbol jerseys. Each one of them I greet with a ‘How is your day going?’ From there the conversations take many different turns, talking about the latest goal scored, how grandchildren are doing, how happy children are to be out of school. The grocery store is the new community well, where all come for nourishment, news, for commerce and conversation. As a member of the community who works at the well, I can identify with all these people as Shreveporters.”
My admiration for southern hospitality knew no bounds when I experienced it in action. For all you know, you never know what the other person is going through and when everything is totally new – it is a frightful combustion.A simple “Hi, how are you” from a stranger can make your day, especially when you are an alien. People are happy to help, talk and make you feel at home often restoring the long dissipated faith in humanity. It is one beautiful country-side hallmark movie. The calm soothing effect of the whole area is wonderful in itself and for people from very disturbed countries; Shreveport is a place of opportunity with healing powers.
“Upon stepping on the soil of Shreveport, I encountered a society extremely welcoming to all the nationalities; a showcase of different cultures living in a peaceful co-existence in a land that Lincoln called the ‘Last Best Hope on Earth,’” said Shahab Ghobadi from Kurdistan, Iran. “Each day of my life here has been a learning opportunity to discover that Americans are far different from what people back in my homeland believe. My overriding impression is of the warmth and hospitality of Americans. Then comes their pride in their heritage and identity, not to mention how they leave you impressed when talking about their government. In my homeland people are often veiled with malice toward Americans, but I am happy to be privileged to get first-hand experience of a genuinely civilized nation.”
Think of what you can contribute; there is something for everybody. Isn’t it beautiful when new Shreveporters are happy and excited to be here? Of course, it is hard for people not from around here to navigate or synthesize at first, but everything falls into place as soon as you embrace it and take the initiative to get involved. Dusting off presumptions offers the real perspective. As we collectively grow together creating a distinct identity while retaining roots of our pristine charm, the city holds a promising future.
So, the next time you want to speak of SBC, stop and choose your words wisely, because here in the South when life hands us lemons, we put a slice in our sweet tea. Whom will you share your tea with today?
-Malvya Chintakindi