Real Hartford

About

This blog, Real Hartford, is part of the CT Local Politics network. The name “Hartford Local Politics” was already taken by someone who had signed up, and then abandoned the blog without ever posting, from what I remember. I chose the name “Real Hartford” because I don’t think that what we see published/aired by the mainstream/commercial media reflects Hartford for real. There is tons of sensational coverage, focusing on the most dramatic, negative stories; yet, for those of us who live here, we know that the most common problems are not always those involving guns or drugs (though, of course, those problems must be dealt with too). I want to provide a diversity of stories to maybe show another side of Hartford.

Being just one person–who works full time in another field–there is no way that I can cover everything going on in Hartford. I make an effort to share political news, but also to share the day-to-day happenings here. Hartford is rich in cultural and ethnic diversity, and for a city of its size, has vibrant arts and entertainment. For as many scandalous politicians and violent crimes, there are as many residents who are hard-working, devoted to their families, and working to improve the city. In addition to looking at these aspects of Hartford, I will be posting media watch items when I believe the media (particularly local) have erred or acted in opposition of the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics.

To learn more about Hartford, I would suggest the following:
1. Spend time here. Go to places like the Mark Twain House, Old State House, Wadsworth Atheneum, and Real Art Ways, but then go into the parks. The nightclubs downtown might be a fine starting place, but move out of there. See what’s happening in the neighborhoods.

2. Read what other bloggers have to say. I’ve linked to several in my blogroll, but here are a few that provide both first-person and journalistic accounts: Urban Compass, IonHartford, Mira Hartford, In the Neighborhood, Undercurrents, and Live in Hartford. These are all what I would consider to be reputable sources, and the first-person narration reminds us that Hartford residents are living, breathing creatures…not just specimens to be studied by outsiders.

3. Read the local papers. The Greater Hartford News and The West Indian American are two such free papers that can be found around the city. The free independent papers are better sources because they are more likely to be driven by commitment to news and the community, rather than by any profit motive.

4. Attend informational events, such as those sponsored by the Hartford Public Library and the Connecticut Historical Society. Trinity College offers classes related to Hartford. The Old State House has a Hartford exhibit. Go to it!

5. Talk to the people who live here. Of all the places I’ve lived, I find Hartford to have the friendliest residents. Despite what you might have read about Hartford people as being cold, heartless, uncaring, and basically evil, I find the opposite to be true, with a few exceptions. Recent local media coverage of a few events got noticed by national media, and now Hartford is dealing with a bad reputation that is not wholly deserved.

About me: I live and work in Hartford. I live in one of the city’s neighborhoods (as opposed to downtown), often walk or bike, and am a professor by trade. I can usually be found standing in line for coffee somewhere. I have done some blogging for the Hartford Independent Media Center, as well as for CT News Junkie. If you must know, I’m registered as a Democrat, but that’s neither here nor there, as I don’t vote along the party line, and anyway, the Democrats are usually too centrist for my liking. My top suggestions for improving Hartford involve– public and active transportation improvements, greener legislation/policies, strengthening public education, and reforming the face of local politics (city council, etc, should not be a rubber stamp for the mayor).