Audio File
Transcript
Monique Olivis. I was born in July 1967. I work in the Hill District. Now, I do have some family that once- well I still have family I see that live on the Hill and friends, so I’m in the Hill community at times. You know, always have been throughout my life, but I’m currently I’m there because of employment. I do some part time work there on the Hill. So that’s why I’m on the Hill. My childhood was very fun. You pretty much- your parents didn’t have to know exactly where you were at every moment because they knew you were somewhere within the community and that everyone would look out for you, everybody. You know, you can go from street to street, and you kind of knew everyone, and everything was fun. At that time, children were mainly seen, not heard. You know what that means? Yes… pretty much walked to school. We had a Community Center, which a lot of people met up there. The neighborhood I grew up in was… there was this close knit community at that time. Everybody looked out for each other’s children and for each other, and it was like one big family. Basically, the community was like one big family. You know, I see a lot of the new housing. I’ve seen all, you know, the new businesses, but I also feel it’s kinda sad seeing some of the things that was milestones. I mean, you know, really things that were major store places that not being there anymore like the old Civic Arena, the Hill House, I mean I know they still call it the Hill House, but it’s not like the Hill house that we remember back in the day. But you know, I think they’ll keep something old, or keep something old and bring something new. But also, you know, hoping that through the new growth, and the new housing, that the people that have been there forever is not left behind. Hopefully they’re enjoying all the new things that are coming to the community. My favorite aspect of the Hill is the camraderie. You know, most people who know people from a certain area where they grew up know, you know, can remember people by name from years ago. Even though, if they don’t see them for years and they do see them, you know, they remember them, if not their name, somebody in their family. You know, people being proud of where they grew up at and where they were from, that’s what I like, and even the people who are still there, you know, trying to hold on to that and keep some of that history there. That would be my favorite thing about the Hill. Least favorite thing? I don’t know if I should have a least favorite thing, but if I was to think about it, I guess maybe the lack of public transportation for people who need it. Because I believe a lot of, like, people in different parts of the Hill may not have that access like others do. Like it’s been split apart like it back in the back of the cut parts, they might not have access to public transportation like people who live closer to the main roads. You know there’s a lot of hidden treasures in the Hill. I want you guys that have access to the Hill and live on the Hill, make sure you are exploring those little gems. Like sometimes when you get a chance, you guys should walk up and down. Maybe even Centre Ave. and see what all the unique stores and some of the buildings that you may not know, that you haven’t been in lately. Just sometimes go window shopping. Go inside the building to see what’s new, both teachers or African American stores. That’s inside there might be bookstores or mom and pop shops, like near where the Old Hill house was. So you guys should take the time to maybe just take a walk with your friends and see in there and maybe try to support them.