Sometimes, a conversation with someone outside the 'industry' can put a fresh perspective on things. This week, I had one such encounter. In talking with some longtime clients, I had a discussion about the history of the Grand Rapids real estate market and one mans' experiences as one of the first minority agents in the area. It was fascinating and educational.
During the conversation, I remarked about how much I would have loved to talk with some of the pioneers of that era who were now gone. It struck me that this history might likely be lost forever, because it is largely oral history, consigned to the memories of those who were there at the time.
Having grown up in the African continent, I'm very familiar with oral history. This is the method by which the tradition of African culture has been passed down for hundreds of generations. And although oral history has its own richness and cadence, one of the challenges that oral historians face is that their stories are always in danger of dying with them if they are not embraced and retold by the next generation.
Written history does not come without its own issues, namely the tendency for it to be re-written and falsified, but it has proved to be more endearing. And although it might not be as interesting in the re-telling, written history has the advantage of being able to be cataloged and preserved.
Have you ever considered that those of us who are in the real estate and financial sector right now are bearing witness to significant events that have never occurred before? Never in the history of our nation has so much happened so quickly with such destructive force. Never before has so little been done with so much and so many acquiesced to avoid glaring realities with stubborn ignorance.
Will the bloggers of today be considered the written historians of tomorrow? In a sense, aren't we the ones who were there, documenting everyday life in everyday terms as the real life crisis unfolded? Have you considered the fact that through our blogs, we are piecing together a broad mosaic which details how the events of our times unfolded in our local areas? Kinda puts things in a different perspective doesn't it?
But our history will be so much richer in the telling. For in addition to computers, real estate agents are documenting the local market scene with pictures, videos and podcasts. The tools of analysis which are available today make it possible for us to give a detailed overview of different segments of our industry.
For the first time, at least on a wide scale, the public has the chance to gain perspective into the personal life and challenges that agents face everyday. This history will include professional connections and social connections as more professionals interact online.
That being the case, what would you want the next generation to know about what happened during our watch?
Up to this time, there has never been a forum in which information that was so specific to the real estate industry was being created and deciminated to the extent that it is today. Active Rain has been a big part of making this possible. Now, it's our job to make sure that we tell the stories as only those of us who are here today can!
Copyright 2009 Audu Real Estate All Rights Reserved
Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate. Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area. We've had the privilege of helping hundreds of clients succeed in their goals of purchasing and selling property including demonstrated success in the negotiation of Short Sale Transactions. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511.
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Lola - "Have you ever considered that those of us who are in the real estate and financial sector right now are bearing witness to significant events that have never occurred before?" You know what, you may be onto something here. When you really think about it, you probably are. There's a hefty perspective on these current times that we are wielding... I suppose it's time to keep on making sure we are doing our very best in documenting a remarkable time in the history of our crazy species:)