Right Now Downtown

In Search of a City: To Your Social Health

toronto-street-scene

I just returned from a trip to Toronto.  Toronto offers a great public realm.  Public transit, parks, free-standing stores on public sidewalks, and other public amenities make this city civilized and livable.  Toronto prides itself on being the most ethnically mixed city in the world, yet I saw no racial tension.  Sharing communal space seems to improve its social health.

The trip made me think of a Columbus experience I had several years ago when I took my kids to the Ohio State Fair on COTA.  COTA’s #8 line had a reputation for being its “baddest” bus.  As I boarded with my three kids, one of whom was in a stroller, the two older kids ran to the back of the bus.  I followed.

On the back bench were five black teenage boys.  They wore baggy pants and slouched on their seats.  I immediately braced myself for profanity and trouble.

After the bus traveled a couple of blocks, I noticed my toddler making funny faces.  I followed her eyes to the back bench.  There, the boys were playing peek-a-boo.  I felt ashamed.  I’ll never forget that ride on COTA.

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