In Charlotte, I have met people who completely blow the stereotype of a fundamentalist Southerner out of the water. In my immediate circle of friends and acquaintances are Christians, Athiests, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Bisexuals, Homosexuals, Heterosexuals, African Americans, Turks, Caucasians, Asians, and even a New Zealander. On the subject of Amendment One, it is only fair to point out that the county in which the city resides defeated the Amendment by a comfortable majority (albeit it was one of only eight counties to defeat the Amendment in the entire state). People who dismiss the city as "flavorless" and "monochromatic" either haven't visited Charlotte or don't know where to look.

One of my favorite areas of town is NoDa (North Davidson Street), where I often go with a group of friends to see bands or go to a gallery crawl. On one occasion, my English teacher was having his art displayed in a gallery, so my class and I went out to NoDa to support him.

Sure, Charlotte is no New York (or even San Francisco for that matter), but it is a slice of urban culture in a region that is so often bashed for being ignorant and "backward". Charlotte has treated me well, and I believe in giving her the respect and honor she deserves.