(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By Jeffrey  Shwom

In the past 6 months of covering our city through the newspaper, my smile has grown wider and my faith in our city has grown stronger. People care here. People want and build community here. People stand up for what they believe in here. Even if standing up amplifies the differences, big and small, between us.

It’s important to acknowledge that some people are staying inside these days because of fear. Fear of being themselves, fear of being from where they are from, and fear of the unknown and uncertainty. The thing that I hang my hat on is that, together, Somerville is a stronger city than any other. Our four square miles may be the toughest, most resilient mileage in the country. Because deep down, we care about each other, we care about the world, and we care about humanity. And we do it all in a very Somervillen way.

From Rev. Jordan’s work in East Somerville at Connexion to the many Somerville businesses I’ve interviewed that are owned by Somerville residents. From the city programs that feed people and nurture community to the mayor’s recent lawsuit against the Federal government. For Padres Latinos advocating on behalf of families to Jimmy Del Ponte’s Life in the Ville articles. And from the feeling you get when you walk into the Burren and get that blast of a fiddle or guitar or chatter from the bar… something strong lives here.

For those who are more liberal than conservative, the new paradigm and norms that seem to be being set from Washington and social media feel like an affront to who we are. For those who are more fiscally conservative, this may seem like the greatest chance to reduce fraud and waste and change the past for the better. Differences aside, it feels like a different time here in town than before. Maybe because this city is filled with survivors of a pandemic. Filled with folks who remember Slumerville or are annoyed by that moniker. Some of us are filled with the memories of the restaurants and places that we’ve known and loved that have closed or have moved upward. Whatever way we experience life here, we are a city of older and recent immigrants, we are a city of understanding, and it’s my belief that we are a city of love.

I still feel so encouraged to experience life in a very Somerville way.

While I have lived through, as a musician and resident, the closure of many creative institutions in town (Johnny D’s, Bull McCabe’s, Thunder Road Music Club), I recently enjoyed the packed crowd at Sally O’Brien’s on a Thursday night with musicians who had played at those closed venues. With the closing of Buddy’s Diner or Joshua Tree, I see a strong Brazilian-influenced Oliveira’s Steak House, an expanding La Posada and Dave’s Fresh Pasta, and women-owned Vinal Bakery. Ball Square Bowling closed (thanks for the memories, Butch) and now we have a train station. Walgreen’s and Star Market shutter in Winter Hill and the community gathered to talk about real change for its future (not without compromise, for sure). With the need for new schools in Winter Hill and Ball Square, I see advocacy, discussions (sometimes tough), and a willingness to move forward together for the betterment of our children.

I see an ever-changing world in an ever-changing landscape. The one thing that stays constant is Somerville. It’s a place for artists, students, retail workers and regular paycheck folks. It’s a place for advocacy, a sanctuary, a home away from home (wherever home may be).  I see it when kids run around Lexington Park, when Porchfest pops up on an always cloudy-to-start, sunny-to-finish afternoon, and when folks use HONK! as a platform to speak up. We need, more than ever, to use our voices, our togetherness, our intention for taking care of each other to make our city stronger and to make it what it is, an ever-growing and evolving American experiment.