I grew up in Harlem throughout all my life. I live in a tenement. I live on the third floor of my building. I live with both my parents and two siblings. My neighborhoods consist of mostly African Americans. Throughout the years it has slowly evolved and become more commercialized. Also it has become more diverse. Back in the twentieth century what became really popular was the Harlem Renaissance movement. People started to express themselves through theater, art, music, etc. Throughout the century, Harlem started to become more gentrified socially and economically. Throughout these years it has become predominantly black and at one point in history, Harlem was the largest black community and in my opinion it is still predominantly black.
Throughout the years of living in Harlem I do recognize that the majority of people are African American but I’ve gotten use to it. Although sometimes it bothers me that I don’t have much friends around my neighborhood because the majority live in Spanish Harlem or in some other borough. I would like to have my neighborhood more diverse because it’s good to learn from other cultures and their traditions. Also I think I would feel more safe.
Throughout the years of living in Harlem I do recognize that the majority of people are African American but I’ve gotten use to it. Although sometimes it bothers me that I don’t have much friends around my neighborhood because the majority live in Spanish Harlem or in some other borough. I would like to have my neighborhood more diverse because it’s good to learn from other cultures and their traditions. Also I think I would feel more safe.
Many people view Harlem as a very dangerous and unsafe place. Well throughout my experience living in Harlem it is dangerous but I feel like I got use to it. What I don't like about my neighborhood is the kid that live around my area. They are very ghetto and ALWAYS loiter in front of my building. Other then that there is always pros and cons to everyones neighborhood. About a year ago someone was murdered in a project thats across the street from where I live. After this incident they installed cameras and with this camera they caught about 40 criminals in one month.
I don’t feel safe in my neighborhood even before this incident happened. It’s very dangerous especially when it starts become dark outside. That why my parents are really strict on me coming back home late. With the installment of the cameras I do feel somewhat safe but its only installed in one sections of the block. I would feel more safe if it was installed on every block but obviously that is not going to happen. The police also don’t have roam around my neighborhood which I think thats why so much crime happens.
My topic is about diversity. The statement of our group is that although our communities is diverse it is very segregated. For example in Harlem there are different areas that aren’t predominantly black. Once you go walking pass 135th street and broadway there is a lot of Latinos. This area is known as Spanish Harlem. Another noticeable area with a lot of hispanics is East Harlem which is also known as “El Barrio.” This area has a lot of Mexicans, Dominicans, and Puerto Ricans. The picture below was taken on 135th. The picture shows that the people here are mostly hispanics.
Almost every weekend I go to Riverbank and when I go there it seems to be very diverse. For example in the park there are basketball courts, playgrounds, soccer field, football field, pools, and a track. When I go I see people of all types of ethnicity in the park. Yet when I roam around the streets it seems to be more segregated, like theres a lot more latinos than other ethnicities in the neighborhood.
Every now and then family and I go to 116th street (on the east side) to eat some Mexican food. Where we go is very segregated. Now I know why it’s called “El Barrio”, because there is so many latinos. Over there we see so many spanish stores. I feel like there’s more Mexicans living there than other latino race. Like on one block there is a unisex barbershop called “Azteca Mexico Barbershop” and so many Mexican stores.
I don’t feel safe in my neighborhood even before this incident happened. It’s very dangerous especially when it starts become dark outside. That why my parents are really strict on me coming back home late. With the installment of the cameras I do feel somewhat safe but its only installed in one sections of the block. I would feel more safe if it was installed on every block but obviously that is not going to happen. The police also don’t have roam around my neighborhood which I think thats why so much crime happens.
My topic is about diversity. The statement of our group is that although our communities is diverse it is very segregated. For example in Harlem there are different areas that aren’t predominantly black. Once you go walking pass 135th street and broadway there is a lot of Latinos. This area is known as Spanish Harlem. Another noticeable area with a lot of hispanics is East Harlem which is also known as “El Barrio.” This area has a lot of Mexicans, Dominicans, and Puerto Ricans. The picture below was taken on 135th. The picture shows that the people here are mostly hispanics.
Almost every weekend I go to Riverbank and when I go there it seems to be very diverse. For example in the park there are basketball courts, playgrounds, soccer field, football field, pools, and a track. When I go I see people of all types of ethnicity in the park. Yet when I roam around the streets it seems to be more segregated, like theres a lot more latinos than other ethnicities in the neighborhood.
Every now and then family and I go to 116th street (on the east side) to eat some Mexican food. Where we go is very segregated. Now I know why it’s called “El Barrio”, because there is so many latinos. Over there we see so many spanish stores. I feel like there’s more Mexicans living there than other latino race. Like on one block there is a unisex barbershop called “Azteca Mexico Barbershop” and so many Mexican stores.
In my neighborhood I feel like its mostly African Americans who live there. I live on the west side of Harlem. This is where most of the Harlem Renaissance took place. There are a lot of antique places here such as the Apollo and The Cotton Club. The pictures below show different areas in my neighborhood to show that it is predominantly African American.
Another part of my neighborhood that is segregated is 125th and Morningside. This part I feel like it’s mostly Caucasians that live there. My sister goes to school in this area and everyday when I pick her up the area is usually isolated and if I see anyone outside is usually someone white. When I go pick up my sister the people that go pick up kids are mostly babysitters and the kids they pick up is white. My sister school is made up of mostly caucasian and African American kids. There are hispanics but not so many and I barely see any asian kids.
A long time ago this area use to be predominantly African American but after time they started renovating buildings and the rent was too high for many of them to afford. So after time more white people started to rent and now it is known to be a very quiet and safe place.
A long time ago this area use to be predominantly African American but after time they started renovating buildings and the rent was too high for many of them to afford. So after time more white people started to rent and now it is known to be a very quiet and safe place.