J QuestThe author grew up in Long Island's Nassau County, just over the Queens border. He developed a familiarity with the classic boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens through visiting relatives and moving around the area. While employed driving a yellow medallin taxi, he travelled throughout Manhattan and all the boroughs, witnessing the city's unique multicultural character. However, gentrification and displacement of the original neighborhood residents has eroded the city's original character rendering many areas unrecognizable, especially in Manhattan. This long-term exposure to the area, and interaction with its residents led the author to conclude that no matter where you come from, we all have more in common than our differences. Read More Read Less