New York City would not be New York City without its people and the people of New York City would not be who they are without the city. It is beautiful to see how a city and the people living in it can complement each other so well. The city’s energy finds its place in people’s hearts and the people adjust themselves to fit in the city’s heart. This perfect balance makes the city so special. Let’s see how the city and the people work together to keep in harmony.
If E. B. White, the author of “Here Is New York,” had to answer this essay’s question, he would say that all the three types of New Yorkers bring life to the city by working hard and being unique and the city gives life to people by encouraging them to dream, achieve goals, and providing resources.
If Akiko Busch, the author of “Kickflipping New York,” had to answer the same question, she would say that the New Yorkers have different points of view which give the city life and different stories. The city gives its people back by being itself and letting people absorb its energy which gives people life and change. I think that New Yorkers give New York City a charm; without it, it will be dull. And the same goes the other way the city gives its people a special spark from the inside and without it people will become dull. This connection makes the city so magical.
The people of New York City actively keep their city in motion at all times. Without them, the city would not be able to flow its energy properly. Their beautiful energy, passion, and hard work make the city so appealing. White states, “Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness; natives give it solidity and continuity; but the settlers give it passion” (2). The author tries to tell us how these three types of people who make up the city keep it stabilized by adding some type of character to it. Everyone who is in the city adds something to it no matter what. It can be countless tourists filling up Time Square admiring it deeply or even the workers there in cartoon character costumes hustling and providing joy.
New York City’s energy itself without the people is very strong. Whenever you are in the city you always encounter something that boosts or lifts your mood up. You are always surrounded by great energy at all times when in the city. White writes, “It carries on its lapel the unexpungeable odor of the long past, so that no matter where you sit in New York you feel the vibrations of great times and tall deeds, of queer people and events and undertakings”(1). The author tries to explain that no matter where you are you will feel the city’s significant energy. It can be outside anywhere in the city or in your home, the energy will be there.
The city’s dynamics always make you feel like you are a part of something. The gigantic buildings make you feel tiny, the pretty parks give you relaxation, the skyline by the water gives you a wave of bliss, and the people keep you in check and connected.
Everyone who is in the city transforms it according to their needs. They all have different purposes. Which makes the city and the people in it so unique. Busch states, “Or rather, with a teenage tenacity, they are insisting the city accommodate them; they have transformed it into a kind of urban gym”(3). The author tells us that her sons use the city as their skateboard park which really shows that people work the city around them based on their desires. It can be someone using the city as an escape to relax, someone using it to reach their dreams, someone using it for ideas for their project, or someone even using it as their playground. It can be anything you need and the city will work with you to achieve that.
In the end, to have this dynamic city stay as beautiful as it is we need both the elements, the energy of the city itself, and the people in it who enhance that. New York City’s energy would not be the same without the people and the people would not be the same without the city’s energy. They both go hand in hand. It would be interesting to see if things were different around here. What Would New York City be like if the environment was different or the people were different?
