STRUGGLING FOR SPACE, CREATING LATINO URBAN CULTURES

ARIELIS

http://www.dailypainters.com/paintings?search=barrio

Barrios!

Poorly kept and overcrowded housing--Too many people, no hot water, no good heating system, unsanitary living-- is what people think of when people speak about the minority groups. Do you think people ever think about the positive side of the barrios? Because there is, the barrio is where culture and heritage are preserved. This picture says it all. Even though these houses seem to be overcrowded they are not sad houses, they are colorful, which is one of the best cultural aspects of Hispanic people. Hispanics love colors; it can be green, orange, and even pink. Not many people can color their houses these colors.

When speaking about barrios people think of the struggle for space. I see as the struggle for “Power.” People complain about not having their own territory for their Hispanic community, due to the limited space they have the privilege of having everything close by. I have lived in the Latino community for as long as I can think of. Every time I wanted to buy something, I would have no trouble because everything was really close. When you walk into a place like Washington Heights and Dyckman in Manhattan, NY all you see is culture. They may not have tenements anymore but the Hispanic community is still alive. They have bodegas, which are basically in every corner. The Latino community have what’s known as the Alianza Dominicana and many more cultural places that provide aid for those in need.

This is why when I think of struggles for space, I really see the struggle for power. Everyone tells you when growing up you have to be someone to represent the Spanish community, they don’t tell you, you need to buy more houses or stores. They want us young adults to go to college and have a career, their overall goal in my opinion is for us the minority to become a group with more power over the country. However, the main aspect they want us to follow when actually proceeding with these goals is to never lose our pride and culture, don’t forget where we all came from.

As I said before they want an education for their children, an education that includes their culture. As stated in The 13 point program and platform by the young lords party, number six; we want a true education of our creole culture and Spanish language. So tell me now do you see barrios the same? 

STRUGGLING FOR SPACE, CREATING LATINO URBAN CULTURES

BY NESAULY
Puerto Ricans were constantly struggling for a place to belong when they migrated to New York City. Not only did they have to adapt to a new culture and environment they also had to find a place to live where they felt comfortable. It was not that easy for them, there were various factors they had to consider before they could find an accommodating space. Some of these factors were the cost of living, the surrounding environment, and the risk of continual relocation. Even if some could pay for larger housing in residential neighborhoods, suburbs were not always welcoming environments for minorities. Low income Puerto Ricans also had to take into consideration that they were not included in the new economy (Aponte-Pares 10). Not being included in the new economy caused a lot of Puerto Ricans to lose their jobs. What is the Puerto Rican cultural response to displacement during 20^th century?

During the late 20^th century the living situation in New York City’s minority areas was very unstable. The effects of displacement was loss of culture, poverty, “detachment of …their memories” and uncomfortable living conditions (Aponte-Pares 12). The new economy made it nearly impossible for minorities to succeed. When they were displaced from their jobs and living spaces they had to relocate to an area in which they were able to be themselves. This caused more concentration of Puerto Ricans in certain areas like East Harlem (El Barrio). They had to be wise about the location they chose to build on, because if it were a location that might attract the wealthy sooner or later they would be asked to relocate again. Building a community where you can be yourself was essential to Puerto Ricans because they already had to deal with the transition from Puerto Rico to New York.    

Puerto Ricans wanted a place where they could celebrate, build community bonds, and express their Puerto Rican identity. They built the casita and these casitas provided them with a place to have their festivities. As Luis Aponte-Pares states, “Like the many memorable events, their casita itself is a source of pride and memory it articulates and validates their Puerto Rican identity in space (Aponte-Pares 1).” Puerto Ricans built these casitas so they can have something of their own and a place to build new memories. Even to this day the casita gets attention from the media. I agree with what Mr. Gonzalez said in “In Bronx, Little Houses that Evoke Puerto Rico” in 2009 the New York Times, “ It brings a light to what culture is to a community, why people came together and why they stayed where they were.” These casitas were the product of Puerto Ricans being displaced and now they have something to go back to, call their own and defend if any one ever attempts to take it away from them.

STRUGGLING FOR SPACE, CREATING LATINO URBAN CULTURES

BY MELISSA

I grew up in Washington Heights, which many assume is the heart of Hispanic NYC. This is true except for a snippet of “ The Heights,” Fort Washington Ave., which is dominantly Jewish and white. This is where I grew up and my family still lives. In this area of Washington Heights mostly everything revolves around the Jewish community. Since I was a child I have witnessed the struggle Hispanics have had to overcome for a small amount of space they can call their own. Growing up my family was one of ten families that lived in my building. By the time I turned 17 and moved out there were only two Hispanic families left.            

            The way the community is set up contributes to how welcomed Hispanics feel in their neighborhood. Simple things include not having Spanish or Hispanic products in the supermarkets and having to walk a few extra blocks for some sazon to cook the way they do, or the fact that the prices are slightly higher since Spanish products are in lower demand. For example in the supermarket on Fort Washington you can find 3 plantains for 1 dollar as opposed to the local market 3 blocks away on Amsterdam Ave. where they are 5 for 1 dollar. Another cause that adds to the uncomfortable environment is that Hispanics can’t express their culture the way they are used to. For example, Hispanics love to play loud music and have festivities to just celebrate life. Communities with few Hispanics sometimes do not understand this cultural expression and call the police or repeatedly ask for the noise to stop. What is in the community also contributes to how comfortable Hispanics feel in the space they are living. On Fort Washington Ave. where I used to live the only type of religious building there was, was a synagogue. For my family and I, to go to Sunday mass we had to walk a long way.   

            From the 13 Point Program the Young Lords put together, point 6 states: “We want a true education of our Creole culture and Spanish language. We must learn our history of fighting against cultural, as well as economic genocide by the yanqui. Revolutionary culture, culture of our people, is the only true teaching.” This means that Hispanics came to the United States and it was almost like all their sense of culture and pride was trying to be erased. But Hispanics fought to be better educated and to keep their spirit alive in all the generations. They made sure that the younger generations knew where they came from and still took pride in being a Latino/a. The picture below is an average bedroom 50-40 years ago. The typical Hispanic family has 5 people or more. This made living arrangements in places they could afford uncomfortable. Many families would have to divide the living room to make some sleeping space or have people share rooms or even go live with other relatives. Up until I was 17 years old my sister and I shared a room because there was not enough space. Hispanics have been struggling for space since they entered the United States but they continue to succeed and try and make their voice and spirit alive slowly.