An Insight to the Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge can be perceived in many different perspectives. Like the first chapter of “The Colossus of New York”, City Limits, Colson Whitehead talks about how those who are not from New York City may not be able to see the “changes” that the city itself has made, however, those who were born and raised in the city may have been able to see the progress in the city’s changes. The Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York City’s prominent monuments in which it attracts tourists from all over the place. Those who are traveling to and from Brooklyn to Manhattan would use this bridge. Being a “true” New Yorker, born and raised,  I have been able to witnessed the changes that have been made to the bridge itself throughout the years. The bridge is known to be able to see the Manhattan skyline and that is why it may attract tourists. Moreover, since I have lived here all my life, I have been able to truly understanding its history and what the bridge means to those who have lived in the city all their life.
Those who are visitors to the area may be clueless to know of any information about the bridge. They may see the bridge as simply just a “bridge.” Many tourists take pictures on the bridge and would just look at the view of the skyline of the city; or they may only think of it as something that is used for transportation. However, those who were born and raised here may know things about the bridge that others don’t. For example, those who are considered as “true” New Yorkers may know how long it takes to cross the bridge or when it would be the best time
to cross the bridge for a great view, no traffic, or simply just to take pictures of the view. Another example could be that they know what time the bridge is busiest or the attractions they hold at the end of each side of the bridge.
In contrast to a “true” New Yorkers perspective, those who are visiting, tourists, perceive the bridge differently. Tourists usually take pictures and they enjoy the skyline. Tourists may not know the history of the Brooklyn Bridge however those who were born in New York. The Brooklyn Bridge is a popular tourist attraction and destination. Those that are visiting may not know where to explore and look for popular attractions online, thus the Brooklyn bridge being on the list of top 10 popular attractions in New York.
From my experience as a New Yorker, the Brooklyn Bridge was a great experience because I used to walk on the bridge, take pictures, and have a lot memories there with my family. A lot of buildings around the Brooklyn Bridge were in construction and one of those buildings was a coffee shop. The coffee shop was unfortunately torn down for an office building where high corporates took over the property. The coffee shop was completely demolished and it was something that was special to me. What I’m trying to get at here is that to those who are visiting, the buildings and popular attractions really has no meaning to them; where as the coffee shop made an impact on my life.
Our city is constantly changing with its buildings, sightseeing attractions, demographics, and economic status. Tourists are blind of how they see New York’s change in development because they’re only here for the attractions and the aesthetics of the city itself for about a week or two. However, a New Yorker who has lived here all of his/ her life sees the changes New York has made. Another interesting experience of mine is when I was an amateur photographer in the summer on Brooklyn Bridge. It was very interesting because New Yorkers and tourists would ask me to shoot a photo with them on the Brooklyn Bridge. When I’m with a tourist, their reactions of seeing the bridge are different from that of a New Yorker’s because it was their first time seeing the skyline and exploring the Bridge. For me, the view didn’t excite me because I’ve been there a countless number of times. Another interesting contrast of my experience was when I was taking photos with a different tourist and he told me that the bridge was a very long walk. It was important to me because a New Yorker in the city would have to walk long distances and it seems like they don’t know how long they’ve walked for a day in the city.
Throughout this essay, I’ve explained the perspective of how a New Yorker may perceive the Brooklyn Bridge and the perspective of how a tourist may perceive the bridge. New Yorkers grew up here and are aware of the history behind the prominent monuments, such as the Brooklyn bridge. Where as in tourists only come to New York City because they enjoy the aesthetics of the city and/ or because it is very eventful.
Citations
- “Walking the Brooklyn Bridge | A Visitor Guide.” Free Tours by Foot, 6 Dec. 2017, www.freetoursbyfoot.com/walking-the-brooklyn-bridge/.
