Riverwest Documentary Missed the Boat

I have some concerns about the Riverwest documentary (aired on Channel 10, MPTV, Thursday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 26). I enjoyed much of the program and saw many people I recognized or know. I was proud of the neighborhood and of many good things that have happened over the 13 years I’ve lived here.

I was, however, quite dismayed that although everyone spoke of the great diversity and how that makes the neighborhood what it is, I saw none of it in the documentary. I may have missed something but the only person of color I remember that they spoke to was Marie Broussard, one of my neighbors, and no Hispanics at all. Some of my neighbors commented that it seemed like a film made by and for white folks to sell living in the neighborhood to them.
A number of restaurants/bars were highlighted but no mention of any of the small stores that also sell food, many of which are Hispanic owned and run. No mention of Lena’s which has added a considerable amount to our neighborhood and is also owned by African-Americans

The only churches highlighted were Catholic and made no mention of the many store-fronts which are places of worship for people from many backgrounds and faiths (pentecostal/non-denomination) or St Philips Lutheran on Holton which also has a very active school and multicultural worship.

Ann Van Dunk