Rebuilding Shattered Worlds & Saving College Hill

“Rebuilding Shattered Worlds,” by Smith and Eisenstein, was such an interesting read. I had no idea that this entire community existed right in Easton, or about the history behind this “urban renewal.” This tells the story of elderly people from Easton who regularly come together to remember and discuss “Syrian Town,” a neighborhood of Lebanese-, Italian, and African-Americans that was destroyed as part of an urban renewal project in the 60’s. The authors discuss the phenomenon of place loss, which is the removal from home or a homeland, and how in this instance, people’s homes were removed from them. All of the people in this group have recollections of racial harmony, peace, and home, and by coming together, create a  collective narrative of this place that no longer exists. They talk of the “fevered” destruction of good homes, during this urban renewal project, just for the sake of “progress” and redevelopment.

While reading this, I was so strongly reminded of Lafayette College and it’s attempts to expand–buying property on college hill, creeping its tentacles down the hill to build more and more. Right now, there’s an anti-Lafayette Expansion protest going on with many College Hill and Easton Residents, who are displaying signs saying “Keep it in your…Campus” and “Save College Hill.”

The Save College Hill group’s Facebook page describes themselves as “an organization of Easton, PA residents and friends dedicated to preserving the character of the College Hill neighborhood. We especially value the historic buildings that have been home to individuals and families for many generations.”

I really admire what these people are trying to do. While Lafayette has a very important place in Easton, providing jobs, education, and revenue to the city, it is unnecessary for Lafayette to expand more than it already has. Buying up college hill for the sake of “progress” or “renewal” will eventually be forcing people out of their homes and destroying the beautiful, historical, quiet neighborhood that surrounds the Lafayette campus. The current administration’s insatiable quest for expanding Lafayette is at the cost of current student’s and Easton citizens’ happiness and well-being.