STUDENT
New York City is one of many cities that have been Latinized in the U.S. Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and more Latinized all around the U.S. But in New York there was a mix of all the Latinx population.I believe that migration from all these different countries have made New York City what it is now. Today many cities have been gentrified by Latinx community. Many families came to work in factories just so that they can provide for their families. My family shares that experience. By the 1950’s Puerto Ricans were migrating and Williamsburg, Brooklyn was becoming a home too many. Numerous countries have been migrating to the United States, especially to New York City. Harlem, Bedford Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, and Greenpoint are becoming gentrified but Williamsburg has been the face of gentrification. Now that I have seen everything that’s new in my neighborhood, Williamsburg Brooklyn,I have realized that Williamsburg has been the most gentrified area in Brooklyn, especially when it comes to demographics and it shows. Different ethnicities have been brought together in this community to share where we all come from. How does gentrification in a neighborhood where Latinx have migrated affect the Latinx community?
My family came to the states in the 1980’s, they were lucky enough to reside in a neighborhood where many Latinx have been settling for a while now. As Dominicans started to settle in Williamsburg, Brooklyn they realized how much culture a neighborhood was starting to multiply. When I was growing up, I saw culture everywhere in my neighborhood. From block parties to celebrating our motherland’s Independence Day with everyone in the community even if they weren’t Latinx, they still had a good time with us. As I grew older, I started to see change in my neighborhood, from seeing plenty of construction being done, down to seeing new faces on my block. Rent was affordable for the low-income families who were living in Williamsburg, which is why we always had a good time together. There was even times when my family had to attend protests so that developers wouldn’t buy out all the buildings in the neighborhood. The gentrification happened rapidly. It was a scary moment and still is today. We first saw it in bodegas, where owners had to leave because it was getting too expensive for them to continue offering low prices. Not only was the rent increasing but our local markets were getting shut down because big super markets were coming to the neighborhood. Usually people migrate for a fitter lifestyle, but people started coming to Williamsburg because they saw it was cheaper. The more people started coming the prices accelerated. Small businesses managed by Latinx had to move because they couldn’t afford what the newcomers were bringing. Majority of the Latinx in Williamsburg are low-income families, that must move because prices are increasing. The new buildings are coming in and are condos that cost millions, the developers have no sympathy for the people who have been here for years.
Many Latinx could relate to what the Young Lords have said in the past and what is still missing from many Latinx communities. Latinx having control of the communities they basically created when they arrived to the states. The Young Lords stand for Latinx having community control, housing plays a big role in this part. If Latinx had control, we wouldn’t have to move out of our first neighborhood because we can put our foot down and tell them why we deserve to stay. For that to take place today would be difficult and sometimes even a waste of time because the majority like to ignore the low-income families. Developers don’t think once about who use to live in the neighborhood they are now destroying. Not only is the Latinx community losing homes but their culture. These cities that are being gentrified have no memory of the culture that was once there and living. Culture that comes from a country they left to live the American Dream and to make their family who are back in those countries content.
Readings
WOW, this was really interesting to read. Your first hand experience with gentrification is eye opening. It's very true and unfortunate that minorities are still not given the control over the communities that they deserve. Today, society's leaders (businesses, politicians, etc.) are focused on the next dollar that can be made. This results in the loss of culture you were talking about. It's a shame that this is the case. I personally believe that stripping the streets of culture is only harming society.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed your blog post, you experience the effects of gentrification first hand that sounds like an interesting experience. You really showed the importance of space through your own personal experiences. A lot of people who come and gentrify locations come to experience the culture of areas but also tend to unfortunately strip the areas of their culture as well. I believe to fight back the Latino/a/x community has to come together just like the Young Lords once did.
ReplyDeleteThe point of Blogs are to talk about a topic and also share your own experience and opinions which I think you did THAT! I also can attest to the gentrification happening in Brooklyn. I am not from Williamsburg, but Im from Leffert Gardens which is now getting gentrified as well since we are close to Prospect Park, Botanic Garden and the Brooklyn Museum. I wasn't aware that Williamsburg before becoming gentrified had so much Latinx presence so thank you for highlighting that. I strongly believe that the Barclays Center has been one of the main reasons if not THE REASON, for most of the gentrification in Downtown Brooklyn which to be honest, affects every neighborhood in our Borough.
ReplyDeleteIt was very interesting to hear your experience with gentrification. I agree with you that the ones in power don’t care about the communities in place and want to break it apart just for money. It is very upsetting to see all these neighborhoods lose and forget all the culture that existed there.
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