International controversy and fear recently focused on a Kansas City metro suburb that's now struggling to shake off the negative perception and establish an identity in the aftermath of alleged hate killing.
Here's a typical headline from local news that acknowledges the problem:
Olathe city address overshadowed by shooting
While some newsies report the "racially charged Austins shooting draws eyes to evolving Olathe . . ." The reality is that this part of the metro isn't "growing increasingly diverse" . . . It's simply growing and confronting real world problems along with tragically negative perceptions . . .
To wit . . .
IS OLATHE DOOMED TO BE THE "METH TOWN" OF JOHNSON COUNTY OR CAN THE ENCLAVE REDEEM ITSELF???
All of the typical problems of the fading middle-class confront this community as more and more Americans are forced to confront an identity in the aftermath of consumerism, steady incomes and/or good public schools . . . But that's not to say that a new vision of the suburbs isn't possible.
A rebrand for Olathe is about more than a few horrible public service or tourism ads . . . A genuine attempt at rebranding and redemption must involve a real effort to find a vision for a community beyond the lowest rent suburb among otherwise rising home prices in JoCo.
You decide . . .
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