INTERVIEW WITH MY NEIGHBOR, SHARAE GAURDNER
by Rondell

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I've lived in Northeast Bed-Stuy for three years, but I grew up in East New York. To find out a little more about my neighborhood, I interviewed my next door neighbor, Sharae Gaurdner, who has lived here for five years.
   -- Rondell


Rondell: What is your definition of a neighborhood?
Sharae: An area where a group of people live.

Rondell: How would you describe our area?
Sharae: Dangerous sometimes, and quiet sometimes.

Rondell: How would you describe the type of people here?
Sharae: Mostly Black people around the ages of 9 to 35.

Rondell: What kinds of businesses are around here?
Sharae: Mainly Chinese, sea food restaurants and a lot of pizza shops.

Rondell: Does your neighborhood provide for all of your living necessities?
Sharae: Not really.

Rondell: Do you consider it safe?
Sharae: Not at all.

Rondell: What is your favorite place i?
Sharae: My house!

Rondell: What is the best thing about Bed-Stuy?
Sharae: It has a lot of good places to eat out at.

Rondell: What do you think your neighborhood is missing?
Sharae: A community center.

Rondell: Do you like it better now or when you first moved in?
Sharae: I liked it before because it was very peaceful at first.

Rondell: What originally motivated you to move here?
Sharae: At first, the block was very quiet. That's one of the reasons. The other reason is that I like my house, because it's just the right size for me.

Rondell: What makes your neighborhood important to you?
Sharae: My friends and my block. Somehow I grew into them and I don't want to let go.

Rondell: If you had to describe your neighborhood in one word, what would it be?
Sharae: Dangerous.

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