“I think that I may safely call Shreveport a sink of pollution and wickedness,” wrote Samuel Wear McCorkle in his journal in 1850. “…Oh, the fuel that Satan will get in Eternity from Shreveport alone! The occupations of the majority of the citizens are: stealing, gambling, swearing, lying, drinking…”
Some still view our city in the same way Sam did – as a place that needs to be brought into a modern world. It took almost 60 years from its founding before Shreveport was regarded (by meager standards) as a clean, safe, and respectable city.
Since we are unhappy in Shreveport, perhaps we decide to visit a place that is mostly fantastic. Let’s call that place the “Fantastic Planet (FP).” The people of the FP seem smarter, funnier, and happier than the people who live in Shreveport, so let’s call Shreveport “Charred.” Being filled with the sense of wonderment that extraordinary places imbue and then coming back to our point of origin is a huge letdown. The amazing world of the FP points out the obvious shortcomings of Charred.
Being inspired by our marvelous journey, we make a decision to invest time and energy into making Charred like the FP.
FP has a mass transit system so efficient that one does not need a car, and its citizens can easily navigate the pedestrian-friendly streets. Charred has no trains or monorails; its mass transit system is composed of buses. Venturing out onto the streets of Charred, we are determined to experience again the awe we felt on FP - and what better way than to ride a bus? The lack of sidewalks leading to the bus stop areas presents us with a problem, but we cut across mud and water with swift resolve. Once at the stop we take note that there is no cover. The lack of cover will only present a problem in the heat, cold and rain. We find out that one can wait for up to 25- 30 minutes, which is plenty of time to get soaked in a drizzle, catch pneumonia or pass out in the heat. Once on the bus, we realize that there are no clear guides to the stops, which is only a problem if one is going in a specific direction and needs to be there at a certain time. Lastly, Charred buses are not operated 24 hours, and that’s a problem only if one needs to be somewhere after dark. We return to our domicile grateful we have a car, but reflecting on those who do not.
We search the internet, smart phone apps, phone books, and local papers for local vegetarian restaurants or Whole Foods-type establishments, but there are none. The only things that come close are Indian restaurants and an overpriced, poorly stocked health food store. It is clear that a vegan is going to starve on Charred, not that anyone actually cares. Not to be deterred by what we have found thus far, we decide to ride our bikes to the local coffee shop to alleviate our stress.
On the way there we are almost run down by a redneck, a blue-haired woman and a hippie who all seem to think we ought to be riding our bikes on the poorly constructed sidewalk system.
Surviving the bike ordeal, we feel the need to experience the local arts. Art and music is great on Charred; it’s the same art and music we had yesterday and the day before that. Gone are the innovative days of the “Louisiana Hayride" radio program, departed is the glory of the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. There is a feeling of defeat as we pass yet another new strip mall. We are amazed that the only element that city planners seem to consider is the short term financial gain of the few, and wonder if it is truly a reflection of Charred citizens.
Back at our home we stretch out in a man-sized chair and fade into a mindless TV program. The light of dusk breaks across the back of a book that lay in our lap and the blur of a TV's low hum fills the air. Our last thought before we drift into dreams is….
