Kristy Kelly: Why Can't You See the Kinston I See?
As I reflect on how I came to Kinston, it strikes me how perceptions determine the narrative of any town. Unfortunately for Kinston, the folks with the worst perceptions have the loudest voices. I’ve found a home in this quirky little community. If I’m being honest, I’m a little tired of people speaking so poorly about the place I call home.
I came to Kinston at a low point in my life. I discovered a place that welcomes a stranger, invites them in for supper, and always asks about your mom and them. While these are stereotypical behaviors of a small town, Kinston lives up to the fabled hospitality of the south.
It was Kinston that taught me I was an artist, instead of just a writer. Art here isn’t just expression, it's a conversation with the city itself. I’ve met other artists as a member of the Kinston Smart Artist Program, watched artists paint at Art 105, and discovered many classes at the Arts Council. Art has transformed the city of Kinston from murals on the exterior of buildings, crosswalk art on the streets, and paintings that line the windowfronts of various buildings.
I watched Queen Street transform from the worst road in the state to a beacon of downtown potential. It’s a glimpse of what we can achieve as a community. I have high hopes that one day Herritage Street will follow.
Our police force is second to none. For a city so deeply associated with crime, I’ve lived here drama free for the majority of my time here. From the police chief on down, the Kinston Police Department has made the city safer than the news narrative will lead you to believe.
I’ve met people in Kinston who are genuinely invested in its growth – in improving not just the aesthetics but the very essence of community life. However, it's not all a smooth sail. The infighting among some, using their influence more for personal vendettas than communal good, is a thorn in our side. It’s a reminder that even in small towns, power can be both a tool and a weapon.
The city government, often taking a reactive stance, does its best with what’s available. For a town with such a small tax base, it has a lot to offer. Kinston Lenoir County Parks and Recreation alone offer more for all ages than I’ve seen in most places with far bigger populations. I even learned how to play disc golf… though not very well.
I live here, I work here, and I’m planting roots in this town. Yet, I often find myself wondering, why can’t everyone see what I see in Kinston? The spirit, the potential, the warmth?
It’s disheartening when unnecessary discord clouds the town’s spirit. The infighting, the power plays – it’s like watching a family forget its strength in unity. So, why can’t everyone see Kinston as I do? This town, like any other, isn't without its flaws. But beneath the occasional turmoil lies a heart of gold, a community ready to support, uplift, and transform.
People like me. I live and work here. I will continue to root myself deeply in this community. This scrappy little town has shown me the power of resilience, the beauty of diversity, and the strength of unity. And for that, Kinston, I am eternally grateful.
Why can't you see what I see? Perhaps the question isn't for Kinston alone, but for all of us. In a world quick to judge and divide, Kinston offers a different narrative – one of hope, growth, and unity. It's here, in the heart of Eastern North Carolina, that I've found a place to call home, a community to cherish, and a future to believe in.
And that's the beauty of Kinston – a beauty I wish everyone could see.
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