AFS Cinema
Austin's Unlikable Hippy Nostalgia
RECEIVED Sat., Dec. 22, 2007
Dear Editor,
I have to say, I was disgusted and horrified by the letter written by Donald Dodson ("Life in Austin Used to Be Better") [“Postmarks,” Dec. 7]. I was astounded that in a mere 250 words or so, one man could encapsulate everything I dislike about Austin's nostalgia for the hippy days gone by.
First of all, Mr. Dodson, your mentality reeks of selfishness. You've carved out a place that makes you happy, that has amenities you enjoy, and then are hell-bent on making sure that nobody else gets to enjoy said amenities. If anything, Austin's numerous infrastructure problems can be blamed on the city's consistent plan and prepare for inevitable growth and build new infrastructure to alleviate traffic problems and pollution – this because of the unwillingness of people like yourself to admit that people who weren't born here (and I suppose I should add "weren't alive in the '70s") have just as much right to enjoy all that Austin has to offer as those who were. "Maybe if we don't build it," goes the thinking, "they won't come." And now we have an impassable I-35, no trains, barely functional public transportation, and urban sprawl as far as the eye can see. We can see how all that worked out.
Besides that, though, I have to say that I disagree with you on your fundamental premise. I didn't move here because of how cool Austin used to be – I moved here (from the East Coast, where stagnation is a way of life) because Austin seemed to me to be a place that had an extremely bright future. It was growing, changing, becoming more important, and filled with an excitement and energy that you can't really find in other cities. I came here because Austin has a future – for the most part, I could give a shit about its past.
I have to say, I was disgusted and horrified by the letter written by Donald Dodson ("Life in Austin Used to Be Better") [“Postmarks,” Dec. 7]. I was astounded that in a mere 250 words or so, one man could encapsulate everything I dislike about Austin's nostalgia for the hippy days gone by.
First of all, Mr. Dodson, your mentality reeks of selfishness. You've carved out a place that makes you happy, that has amenities you enjoy, and then are hell-bent on making sure that nobody else gets to enjoy said amenities. If anything, Austin's numerous infrastructure problems can be blamed on the city's consistent plan and prepare for inevitable growth and build new infrastructure to alleviate traffic problems and pollution – this because of the unwillingness of people like yourself to admit that people who weren't born here (and I suppose I should add "weren't alive in the '70s") have just as much right to enjoy all that Austin has to offer as those who were. "Maybe if we don't build it," goes the thinking, "they won't come." And now we have an impassable I-35, no trains, barely functional public transportation, and urban sprawl as far as the eye can see. We can see how all that worked out.
Besides that, though, I have to say that I disagree with you on your fundamental premise. I didn't move here because of how cool Austin used to be – I moved here (from the East Coast, where stagnation is a way of life) because Austin seemed to me to be a place that had an extremely bright future. It was growing, changing, becoming more important, and filled with an excitement and energy that you can't really find in other cities. I came here because Austin has a future – for the most part, I could give a shit about its past.
Thank you,
Marshall Escamilla
Marshall Escamilla