Blue in Concord, NH?

Let’s face it, the election of 2020 showed us many people in Concord (and the whole of NH) are seeking a way of life that differs, at least politically, from what has historically defined this beautiful state.  Nonetheless, the bottom line is that we’re all hoping to ‘Live Free,’ which generally means the same thing for all of us individually and collectively.  

I am a Black woman, a Gen-Xer, a Midwestern big city native, among many other interesting things.  I’ve spent the last 11 years living in Central NH, much to my surprise. In short, I did not imagine myself being a long-time resident of this state.  Ultimately, I’m glad that I have been.  I remember always being the only person of color shopping for groceries, trapsing in-an-around Concord by the days turned weeks.  In what seemed like the blink of an eye, I saw very clearly one day that I was one of many people of color most places that I went in Concord on any given day.  Over the past decade, Concord has become more racially diverse and I have grown to feel much more welcomed and at home here than I did a decade ago.  I am confident in stating that more efforts need to be made to be more welcoming and inclusive to people of color.  I am confident in stating that more will be made.  Although my experience could be considered one of many anecdotal ones, I have seen the energy generated by some to embrace and welcome diverse newcomers to the city.  

 I am also confident in saying that some folks here are indifferent to those newcomers seeking to move here to live and thrive.  After all, people are ‘free’ to do as they please.  And while that’s respectful and respectable, it doesn’t show love to thy neighbor.  It doesn’t make people feel welcome.  It doesn’t really give people to opportunity to know and respect YOU if you are one who is indifferent.  It’s not about being a nosey neighbor, it’s not about politics, it’s not about coming to an understanding that, regardless as to the specific reasons why a newcomer has moved into your neighborhood, the simple reality is that she did that because she wants the best for herself and that she wants to make the most of herself and that she ended up in Concord because she believes that Concord is where she will be able to do that.  I daresay that her reasons are no different than yours.  I daresay her reasons for choosing to come here are then the same reasons why you’ve chosen to stay here.  If we can push the needle on the indifference of how we feel about (and ultimately treat) people who have newly chosen to call Concord home, we can see ourselves within them.

I’ve experienced Concord as not being entirely indifferent to the value of caring – Concord is a constantly emerging city with a spirit that celebrates its unique appeal in a way that leaves room to share that spirit with newcomers.  Concord seems to be trying to usher in a more modern concept of living free that is as lovely as a clear blue sky on a day of hiking its trails or as calming as the blue waves in the Merrimack River.

As newcomers arrive in any space, we inherently see what those who’ve been there for a while do not and that is a good thing.Over the past eleven years, Concord has become more blue as its reflection of its natural beauty and I’m feeling less blue about my choice to live here as a person of color.

By Keisha Sheedy, an artist by passion and a project manager by trade.

I’ve experienced Concord as not being entirely indifferent to the value of caring – Concord is a constantly emerging city with a spirit that celebrates its unique appeal in a way that leaves room to share that spirit with newcomers.  Concord seems to be trying to usher in a more modern concept of living free that is as lovely as a clear blue sky on a day of hiking its trails or as calming as the blue waves in the Merrimack River.