“We Are Here” Stories (List View)

Palm Beach County residents were asked:

Please tell us about an important moment in your life that would help someone understand what it’s like living in your neighborhood.

The stories and micro-narratives they submitted (as part of the We Are Here SenseMaker project) are listed below. Click ZOOM IN to learn more about the community member and how they interpreted their submission. NOTE: Some stories were partially transcribed by volunteers who shortened the narratives and referred to the storytellers in the third person (e.g., “her experience was” instead of “my experience was”).


Feb 20, 2019

My life (Story #571)

Gunshots in the middle of the day preventing you from leaving your home
Mar 4, 2019

Great out of the bad

graduating from the university of Florida and wining also the employee of the year and being raised up around the farming and family tight knit community.
Feb 21, 2019

The Trump Effect

I live in boca raton a seemingly quiet city with a diverse community. Upon the election back in 2016, everything changed. People started to act rude, disrespectful, obnoxious and violent to anyone who didn’t look like them. The celebration was openly vicious and humiliating. A simple thing like crossing the street or walking in the mall make you feel uncomfortable and that you did not belong. Politics has taken over even the young children have changed their behaviors toward anyone who does not agree with their parents thought process on this election. It has been two years and I silently watch as we return to our normal routines however there is still the feeling of fear and chaos, silently watching and saying extra prayers so that I do not get stopped by law enforcement….It is the most intense feeling living in a place were you can no longer trust the people around you not even the people who are to protect you…….
Sep 19, 2018

Fatherless

Living in my neighborhood is tough. It wasn’t easy for me at all. I have been a single mother of two since they was born. Not to many black males take care of their children around here.
Aug 30, 2018

Don’t be one

Well boynton wasn’t the same in 1967 there were street gangs street violence drug lords and kids dying
Mar 4, 2019

One good makes the world around.

I always user to help my neighbor. I use to pick stuff up for her, and go to the store. She was disabled.