From one extreme to another!
By: Michael Dominguez
Have you ever drove from one side of Syracuse to the other and it felt like you went through completely different cities? That is how it is in the City of Syracuse, NY some parts of town are luxurious and urban like those of more major cities nearby such as Buffalo more specifically the downtown area of Buffalo. Other parts of Syracuse are not quite as glorified as down town is. In many parts of Syracuse there is abandoned houses and buildings. If you ever asked yourself why, as have many, the answer is because Syracuse was once a big time industrial city. Once companies realized that it was more affordable to have their factories in other countries and pay lower salaries they moved many of these factories out of Upstate New York. The city is very spread out architecturally but also economically as most of the families here are in poverty.
Reportedly, half of the Syracuse's hispanic population is living in poverty. Poverty is defined as a family of four living on an annual income of less than $24,230. About 29 percent of the population in Syracuse are of Black or African American, Hispanics make up about 8 percent and Asians are 5 percent. These statistics do not include Natives or people of mixed background, without those being added up minorities still make up about 42 percent of the population in this Central New York town, this information was obtained from the website suburbanstats. Syracuse though has much upside according to statistics from Syracuse.ny.us, there are upwards of 140 minority or woman ran businesses in Syracuse. Also, Mayor Stephanie Miner released a statement declaring “Syracuse is a sanctuary city and that it will remain one for immigrants”. A Sanctuary city is a city that choose not to enforce immigration laws and do not agree with the laws set forth.
Besides these points Syracuse is home to one of the top schools on the east coast is, Syracuse University. Syracuse is one of the most well-known schools in New York State. Aside from Syracuse University there is also Lemoyne College a business Oriented school and Onondaga Community College home to the Onondaga Lazers, Syracuse’s 11-time state champions in lacrosse. Many of these universities help promote education in the community by offering free tuition to young adults that attended a public high school in the City of Syracuse. This is done through the Say Yes to Education organization that helps low income students attend college in state.
Photography by: Michael Dominguez