Humbodlt Park: Don't Leave but Make It Better

jack: 7th Dec 2005 - 16:13 GMT

maybe thats true but think, if i had stayed in brooklyn in the coney island area would it be better today. perhaps we have to educate the parents of these children to stay home and watch what these kids are doing. if parents dont stay on top of their children and participate in their lives and teach them right from wrong then decent people will pack up and leave the hood. if the parents dont teach their children, then the police will. children must be shown love, LOVE, constantly, each day. aw shucks, there i go again.

Peter: 7th Dec 2005 - 16:14 GMT

whyd you leave coney, jack?

jack: 9th Dec 2005 - 00:39 GMT

got married and had 4 kids. coney no place to raise little children

anon (external47-162.cps.k12.il.us): 20th Dec 2005 - 18:39 GMT

what do you think about the MLDZ and LATINKINGS gang war going on right now

jack: 20th Dec 2005 - 21:15 GMT

they are stupid kids out to kill or be killed. they have no future, no vision, no desire, no GOD> they are death waiting to happen. and they vote!

michelle: 8th Mar 2006 - 19:27 GMT

What comes around goes around. It didn't stay Polish, Italian and German. It won't stay Puerto Rican either.

Humboldt Park community was incorporated into the City of Chicago in 1869, the same year that saw the creation of the 207 acre park named after Alexander Von Humboldt. The area was settled largely by immigrants of Polish, Italian and German descent. During the mid seventies and eighties the demographics of the Humboldt Park neighborhood changed to become largely Latino and African American, as it remains today.

Diaz: 25th Sep 2006 - 08:22 GMT

Humboldt Park will pass through the hands of the hispanics as it has passed through many cultures. Buildings will be renovated and new homes will be built as the more well off people return to the city. White flight is being undone as they realize they no longer have to commute to the city when they can move into the some of the cheaper areas and push out the hispanics and blacks with rising property taxes. The minorities pushed the whites out with violence and drugs and now the whites will end up pushing them out with high priced rents and expensive goods. Look around at the lofts, condos, and starbucks that seem to come out of nowhere, they are built and financed by those "yuppies" that don't want the burbs anymore. I predict minorities will begin to relocate on the outskirts such as Riis park and beyond.

And you can't save everyone. There are some people who know they will never amount to anything and are fine with that. But good on you for trying. I know I grew up there.

Davalos: 3rd Oct 2006 - 14:31 GMT

I'm Mexican and looking to buy a condo on Armitage and Sawyer. The biggest concern is how safe is that area for me and my wife. I'm moving back in from the suburbs. Thanks.

JNJ: 8th Oct 2006 - 19:45 GMT

Everybody is missing the point here and underlying factor. I grew up in Humboldt Park. I lived there for 32 years. Yes, it was stressful. However, I had allot of fun too and had good friends. As a kid, I didn't know about, "White fight". I would take the bus to Lincoln Park zoo where the rich people lived. I couldn't go into any of those yuppie stores or restaurants, nor did I want to, because I would be made to feel unwelcome. It's a class thing. Getting educated was expensive and being the first person to go to college, I had to figure everything out myself. Nobody told me you have to go to school and get educated if want to live comfortably. Now, at 33, I am realizing that and doing the school thing. Will I be better then others? No, because true education doesn't mean anything in a capitalist economy. Most of what I learned, I learned on the street and I know it sounds repetitive, but it's true. Just because you see an old man on the corner speaking spanish and drinking a beer, doesn't mean he doesn't have a wealth of knowledge to share. Yuppies, and some white people, want everyone to be like them, to ask them for the answers, to study their rules, to use their services, to read their books, and to pay to see their movies. Latin culture is different from Anglo culture and I don't feel I have to change to accommodate the, "Great White Way of Living". What you have in Humbodlt Park is one generation, or two, of Puerto Rican people vs, How many generation of Germans, Polish, or Italians? We didn't come here voluntarily, to search for a better life, we where forced to come here to search for a better life because the U.S. imposed it's imperialism on Puerto Rico after their Spanish had to destroy the inhabitants of the island of Puerto Rico. This resulted in people of, "mixed race"(anglo word), who don't fit in a society which is separated by black and white social boundaries. So, we had our own community, we did live in peace, just like the Tainos did before the Caribs and Spanish invaded. Yes we had violence but we didn't get a chance to make our community work. Was it that we weren't trusted to because of our darker skin? The Germans, Jews, and Irish where given many generations to establish themselves. Now, rich yuppie developers, and graduate professionals from the surrounding states are going to move in and ignore our struggles as a people? I don't think so. Yea, you may be able to to crush us with economic might but throughout history, societies such as this one always had a revolution. Keep up the good work yuppies and keep the phone numbers of your police buddies handy because, "us ghetto people", are stronger and smarter then you think and when and if the revolution comes, we know who the truly good people are, and who the racist, greedy, devils are. Whatever country, or culture, you come from, you can be with us, or against us and be, "The Devil". Pick your sides. My side had been already picked for me. Thanks, and to all, "Mi Gente", KEEP THE FIGHT!!!, they never stopped theirs.

S: 12th Oct 2006 - 21:34 GMT

That was a pretty antagonistic and incoherent post JMJ, and I find it to be consistent with other white racist feelings that I some times experienced from some residents of Humboldt Park.

I was running in Humboldt Park the other day, as I have for a few years, when 2 Puerto Rican 17ish year olds rammed their bicycles into me. I stepped to them, as it were, and I asked why they had done it. They answered it was "because I was white". "You are in Puerto Rican Town", they told me. When I tried to talk to them to dig a little bit deeper, they couldn't really articulate what it was that drove them to do it. Ultimatley, they rode away calling me a redneck.

I think that you might be experiencing the same thing JMJ.

Does your anger stem from hatred of white people? If so, you are a racist. If not then I think that you lack historical perspective of this city and the cycles that neighborhoods go through.

I think that the most reveling comment that you made during your post was "Just because you see an old man on the corner speaking spanish and drinking a beer, doesn't mean he doesn't have a wealth of knowledge to share". Do you honestly think that the average city dwelling white person doesn't know that?

I believe that your anger stems from an inferiority complex that PR's have felt since the time of Spanish invasion. Being taken from the controlling hands of the Spanish to those of the US in 1898 to then the mass emmigration to the United States in the 1950s, it has been hard to establish a modern identity in the US. I would feel a little pissed too.

But by appealing to your people to "keep the fight" is not the way to go about it. I think that PR's need a positive non confrontational leader, and the racist Billy Ocasio is not the man for the job.

I think that your feeling of ownership of the neighbor is a little unfounded and lacks perspective. Because my German ancestors built the park and most of the turn of the century homes around it, does that mean that I have more right to it than you? Because they lived there before the Puerto Ricans were in the US give me claim? I don't think so. I don't think that you should feel that persons of certain color of skin have more of a right to something than others. It's the definition of racism, and we tried to over come that in the US 50 years ago.

The truth is that the neighborhood won't be the same in 10 years if Chicago as a whole continues to develop as much as it has over the last 10.

Viva la melting pot!

JNJ: 22nd Oct 2006 - 21:40 GMT

"I was running in Humboldt Park the other day, as I have for a few years, when 2 Puerto Rican 17ish year olds rammed their bicycles into me. I stepped to them, as it were, and I asked why they had done it. They answered it was "because I was white". "You are in Puerto Rican Town", they told me. When I tried to talk to them to dig a little bit deeper, they couldn't really articulate what it was that drove them to do it. Ultimatley, they rode away calling me a redneck."

That was wrong. I don't condone any unprovoked violence especially when it's unwarranted. Those kids where ignorant yes, but they are are result of that same system that capitalizes on their ignorance. Example: I currently has 3 friends that are facing jail time for only yelling at a, "yuppie". He tried to run them over with his BMW and when they got angry, like any normal human would, he called the cops and they accused them of being gang members. They are NOT gang members. However, being a white yuppie is NOT the problem, it's the privilege that goes along with it. I, myself, can be perceived as being caucasian at times, especially when I shave. I can look greek or middle eastern(yes, they are considered caucasian). I personally know that it can give me an advantage at times. Anyway, people who are called, "rednecks", face the same racism the other economically challenged people do. I doubt you are a "redneck" but a yuppie? Yea, it sounds like it.

"I believe that your anger stems from an inferiority complex that PR's have felt since the time of Spanish invasion. Being taken from the controlling hands of the Spanish to those of the US in 1898 to then the mass emmigration to the United States in the 1950s, it has been hard to establish a modern identity in the US. I would feel a little pissed too."

I know my history. I don't need you to point it out. How could you know more about my history and what I have been through then I do. Not only do I know my history but I know enough about yours. It's been taught to me since I was born through school and the media. If you look more European, you are considered smarter, more attractive, and trustworthy. If your Black or Latino, you have to prove yourself. I don't don't have to prove myself to anyone, especially a racist system that favors commerce over culture and identity. Latin America is a mess because of this and at this point would benefit from a socialist overhaul. Am I angry, hell yea!!! But, not at white people. There are some people I don't like personally from all nationalities and cultures even my own at times. I am angry and fighting against the the system that was created that benefits the global north over the global south. Humbodlt Park represents not ownership of some piece of land but the ability of the economically elite to push another culture out of existence. Now what do you know about that?

"But by appealing to your people to "keep the fight" is not the way to go about it. I think that PR's need a positive non confrontational leader, and the racist Billy Ocasio is not the man for the job"

Who are you to say he is not the right man for the job. He may not be but he was elected just like Bush was. When I say, "keep the fight", I mean keep the intellectual fight first and that is what he is doing. Obviously you think that all of us Puerto Ricans are violent. That is a racist generalization to me. Oh and, "my people", are God's people.

"I think that the most reveling comment that you made during your post was "Just because you see an old man on the corner speaking spanish and drinking a beer, doesn't mean he doesn't have a wealth of knowledge to share". Do you honestly think that the average city dwelling white person doesn't know that?"

Judging by the condescending nature and arrogant racism I have experienced and have perceived, it sure seems like it some times. But most, "people of color", know that racism against us is not gone. I mean it was only about 40 years ago that people fought for civil rights and before that, racism was so overt that I wouldn't even be able to walk outside and be harassed. What happened to you is nothing, at least you didn't get lynched like blacks did in the south. I got jumped many times by my own people. I had to face danger daily and the cops never did shit. Again, I don't condone any violence, only self-defense. Those kids feel threatened by a powerful system and Puerto Ricans are a small population relative to American born Europeans. Puerto Ricans have faced racism since we came to this country to work. Don't f?cking ask me to accept it. If fighting with words isn't enough, then we have to find other means for defense. How many troops from Puerto Rico are fighting in Iraq now for the rights of these yuppies, who always want more money and power over others. These, and all troops, make it possible for all of us, who can afford it, to go to school, drink their coffee, and live there lavish lives. Would these same yuppies invite this guy on the corner, drinking a beer, for some coffee? Probably not.

"I think that your feeling of ownership of the neighbor is a little unfounded and lacks perspective. Because my German ancestors built the park and most of the turn of the century homes around it, does that mean that I have more right to it than you? Because they lived there before the Puerto Ricans were in the US give me claim? I don't think so. I don't think that you should feel that persons of certain color of skin have more of a right to something than others. It's the definition of racism, and we tried to over come that in the US 50 years ago."

Yea, right, right, your superior German ancestors built the park, yea, I know(sarcasm). What are you going to say next that Nietzsche is responsible for me thinking this way? I am so tired of hearing that Germans built this, or Jews lived here too. It's old and tired. Again, we can't claim ownership to the neighborhood because we never had one to begin with. Get off your high horse and realize that this is a bigger problem for us then others may realize. It's a problem because of globalization. It's a problem because we never really had a country. It's a problem because currently, the U.S. is still going into other countries for wealth and power and aids other leaders in manipulation and abuse of the people they are supposed to govern. This problem is REAL! I don't expect you to understand or even give a f?ck. However, you chose to engage in this battle and be around this problem. There are so many other neighborhoods you could have moved into that accepted gentrification but you chose this one. Why? Maybe you want to work downtown, start a business, or make money. Why can't we make the same money? Why can't we have professional jobs and have the ability to network with others? Why? Because the playing field isn't equal. Will it be? I hope so but it will be because we will continue to fight for out rights as a people and as nation. You can have Humbodlt Park if you want it so bad and if it reminds you of your German heritage. I would rather have Little Puerto Rico. A place where no one is criticized for being too black or too white. WE ARE THE MELTING POT! We have to struggle to not be influenced by the racist ways of old AmeriKKKa. In Puerto Rico, we generally accept everyone regardless of culture, genetics, or religion. That is probably something, these exclusive yuppies usually fail to understand. FIGHT THE POWER!!!

vv: 26th Oct 2006 - 21:08 GMT

I grew up in the HP neighborhood and saw many things from gang fights to death right in front of me at the age of 9. I come from a poor Puerto Rican family of six. My siblings and I all did very good in school. My sister just graduated with a Bachelors in education. I just graduated college also with a A.A in business and pursuing a career as a police officer. I never left my neighborhood and true enough alot of my friends became gang members, but I also know that most of them didn't have the education that begins at home. My parents were strict with us and at times I would become very angry at them, but now I thank them because my peers that were always in the hood are ALL dead or in jail. I'm here thanks to my God first then my parents for raising me to know the difference and consequences of ones actions.

Vanessa: 6th Nov 2006 - 19:21 GMT

I live in Humboldt Park. It isn't as bad as people say it is. I get really tired Of people putting puerto ricans down. I an in a family of 5 and my grandmother to my mom lived in this neighborhood. My family is based on H.P. I love this neighborhood no matter what. People (whites) just need to lay off and stop talking about how bad the Humbolt Park area is, How bad Puerto Ricans are bad, And stop trying to take over everything.!!

Interested: 8th Nov 2006 - 23:17 GMT

Hi JNJ,

Your reflections are very impassioned and provide a perspective that I could never understand as a caucasian and an outsider to the neighborhood. I guess what I still don't understand is why, I would be an automatic enemy to Puerto Ricans in the Humboldt Park neighborhood because I am white, and probably fit the description of a yuppie.

I recently moved into Logan Square and LOVE taking walks down Huboldt blvd. to the park. I love looking at the architecture and meeting the diverse groups of people as I walk. My husband and I are both college educated and have good jobs, but neither of us were rasied that way. I grew up in Rogers' Park and had very little money growing up. I was smart and got scholarships and ended up with a great education.

With my resources, I have chosed to live in a this area because it has a lot of great things to offer...a real community for example.
Anyway, the point is, that I come to the neighborhood not to push anyone out, but rather to be a part of it. I want to get to know all my neighbors, old, young, "yuppie", Hispanic, homeless, gay, whatever! I don't discriminate against anyone, yet I feel very descriminated against. Furthermore, I actually feel like a target.

Can you shed any light?

JNJ: 12th Nov 2006 - 21:51 GMT

Your reflections are very impassioned and provide a perspective that I could never understand as a caucasian and an outsider to the neighborhood. I guess what I still don't understand is why, I would be an automatic enemy to Puerto Ricans in the Humboldt Park neighborhood because I am white, and probably fit the description of a yuppie.

When you say, "a perspective that I could never understand as a caucasian". Do you mean you can't understand or don't want to understand? Most people fall into the latter category. Anyway, if that is the case then that is exactly the problem. No one is asking you to accept anyone with open arms, that wouldn't be safe. What you do have to work on is understanding the underlying causes which I stated in my other posts. First off, do you know what caucasian means as well as yuppie (Young urban professional)? Do you know that Arabs and Indians of Asia are caucasian too? You have to understand who YOU are and YOUR history before you understand others. You are NOT an automatic enemy but if you put that vibe out there you will be! Acting ignorant of the problem is not going to help you learn. If you do, then you will only add fuel to the fire of racism, oppression, and exploitation of natural resources that has always been burning because of the economic dominance that people of the Global North have over the Global South. It's indeed a global thing. In the United States, it is the Anglo culture that has spread and imposed it's dominance over others. First it was done through hatred, exploitation, and murder of African slaves, Natives peoples, Latin Americans, and even Asians. Thanks to the people and groups that have fought for human rights, like Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Mohandas Gandhi, Pedro Albizu Campos, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, The Black Panthers, The Young Lords, and The Nation of Islam. Also a special thanks to entertainment community that fought against this same exploitation it the music industry and in Hollywood like The Zulu Nation, real Hip-Hop revolutionaries like KRS-ONE and Public Enemy, and even Bruce Lee, yes Bruce Lee! He fought as an actor against prejudice from white actors, hollywood, and even in his own Chinese culture. In addition, to be totally fair and accurate, COUNTLESS whites have fought and died for civil rights in this country and the world in general. Will you?

I recently moved into Logan Square and LOVE taking walks down Huboldt blvd. to the park. I love looking at the architecture and meeting the diverse groups of people as I walk. My husband and I are both college educated and have good jobs, but neither of us were rasied that way. I grew up in Rogers' Park and had very little money growing up. I was smart and got scholarships and ended up with a great education.

Yea. You can take walks because the cops would protect you regardless. If I was walking down the street and needed help they would throw me in jail, harass, or let me get killed. You are the economic bread and butter of the city by being college educated, and having a good job, as you say. You pay their checks so of course you can walk anywhere you want. You are what this city wants. A city of of mostly white, but also black, gay, latin, and Asian urban professionals. It capitalism at it's best and YOU are the catalyst by which this country imposes it's police and military might on not only it's people but on the world. For example, our Palestinian, Arab brothers are going through the same thing with the economically elite Jewish right. They move into there neighborhoods and vilify them in the process. What kind of shit is that? When we fight back we are killed or put in a position where will will never gain the same economic freedom that you enjoy. Jail time is society's way of separating the have and the have-nots. I don't condone senseless killing of ANY one person, group, or population but throwing someone in jail just because they where tying to steal some pampers and formula for there child or arresting someone for having a drug problem is wrong!!! Again, I would love peace and try to live by it but unfortunately most countries and societies don't understand peace only war and the biggest perpetrators of war and violence over people for capital gain and economic dominance has historically come from countries like the U.S., England, and Japan. If you don't realize and aren't aware of this then you should probably get your money back for your education because you and your husband where robbed by the system.

With my resources, I have chosed to live in a this area because it has a lot of great things to offer... real community for example.
Anyway, the point is, that I come to the neighborhood not to push anyone out, but rather to be a part of it. I want to get to know all my neighbors, old, young, "yuppie", Hispanic, homeless, gay, whatever! I don't discriminate against anyone, yet I feel very descriminated against. Furthermore, I actually feel like a target.

Get real. You are living there to same money and make MORE money in the process by saving on cheap real estate. It's simple economics. If you feel descriminated against then congratulations! Now you know how, "people of color" feel. The sooner you get over it and accept that you are part of the problem instead of acting like a victim, then the sooner you can begin to understand the horrific racism and social isolation that Puerto Ricans and other economically challenged groups have felt. I mean do you honestly believe that people should feel bad for you when you have the ability to make choices from having a "good job and college"? Well poor you. I can even afford medication! You want money, a good neighborhood, and now you expect people to welcome you with open arms when they are struggling just to buy a gallon of milk? If you live like that then this county is more fucked up then I thought. Most "whites" feel that they are entitled to everything just because they have a little education and have been here for a couple of generations. Why don't native Americans feel the same? Because they where colonized and stripped of there culture. Sound familiar? The media, government, and educational systems support this idea of white superiority. Everyone must conform to Anglo, German, and conservative Jewish thinking, culture, and western philosophy. Give be a break. Most ideas, education, spirituality, and knowledge came for people of color of the Global South. Mayans, Arabs, and Chinese, paved the way for computers and engineering by originating mathematics but until a "white person" discovers it, it is not considered a contribution to humanity. For example, Native peoples knew way more about the environment then modern environmental scientists did. So why don't we give them credit and allow them to make money by writing books and making movies? Because they don't have the capital. Maybe they can in some instances, but you need money to make money. Humboldt Park is becoming a symbol of the problems associated with gentrification, neo colonialism, and globalism. It is going to make society deal with a multicultural country like Puerto Rico, the racism that keeps it's people from progressing, and effects of an imposed racist Anglo culture on that island through neocolonialism. Yea, I said country... PUERTO RICO LIBRE! The Spanish where just as bad but at least an Indigenous person or African slave can become a citizen in those times. I honestly hope these, "yuppies", are able to understand that their selfishness, materialism, and superficiality are EXACTLY the problems. However, I am not holding my breath because most of them are followers and NOT thinkers. In addition, until Euro centric Americans get over their feeling of superiority and entitlement, we are always going to have the same problems with race and economics over and over again in society. Also, grouping gays, hispanics, homeless, yuppies is very ignorant as well. Yes we are the same genetically but NOT socially and economically as a whole. Like it or not, this, "modern" society was established on the idea that one race is superior and another is inferior. This has caused not only the destruction of whole populations of human beings, but of countless species of animals that surpasses any previous extinction rate. Do people really think that we are NOT products of our environment? WAKE UP HUMANITY! FIGHT THE POWERS AND POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!

Interested: 15th Nov 2006 - 04:44 GMT

So, JNJ, I appreciate the time you took to craft your response and feel that some of what you have said has shed some light on the situation for me. However, you do a whole lot of generalizing in your statements that I don't always think is fair. I have to address the point that you make about me being "part of the problem". I am sorry you feel that way. When I am not at work I spend my free time advocating for those who don't have a voice as a member of several community preservation committees. I also volunteer with a very reputable agency that works with the homeless and those without healthcare in Humboldt Park. In addition, I donate much of the money that I have been fortunate enough to make to our church, community, educational institutions, and the poor. I like to think I am part of the good in this city and someone who does care. To categorize me as a problem just because I am white is about as racist as any of the greivances you list in depth above.

And, contrary to your ASSUMPTION, I did not buy here just to "make money". Yes, the real estate was affordable, but to make money, I would have to sell and move to another more affordable community. That is not my intention. We carefully selected a neighborhood to settle in that fit all of our criteria. Being able to afford a home was a big part of that criteria as it is for most people. I do understand how frustrating it must be however, to feel that you can no longer afford to buy a home in the neighborhood that you grew up in. My father felt the same way having grown up in Lincoln Park when it was a total dump.

Anyway, these conversations are always good to raise awareness on all sides and I appreciate the dialogue.

Take care.

JNJ: 17th Nov 2006 - 05:34 GMT

Again. The problem isn't your, "whiteness". Human phenotypes don't necessarily always reflect the genotypes. "White", just like Black, Brown, Red, Yellow, is just a generic term used to separate people for the process of categorizing and in this case, marginalizing and dehumanizing certain groups because their appearance is different from the dominate group. People with light skin and/or of European decent can be found in every continent so why is it such an issue in the United States and the world over? It's because of the perception and privilege that comes along with being part of that group. Most notably, the economically elite of the world are male and of European decent, or "white". Their are allot of Puerto Ricans who consider themselves, "white", and obviously have classic European features however, the Majority are a mix of Taino(Arawak), African, and European(Mostly Spanish and Portuguese) in various unions. Even Arabs, Jews, and Chinese came, and continue to come, to Puerto Rico. This usually minimizes the fear of racism in P.R. but the Anglo culture of the United States heavily influenced racist tendencies and made a conscience effort to, "whiten", the island. They did this by getting rid of the poor and by making women infertile (Their is a video of this called, "La Operacion"). So you see "Interested" and "S", the Puerto Rican cannot be racist when we are obviously responding to the racist ways of the traditional United States that have shaped and influenced our lives so negatively. We are still poor, we are still in prison, we are still dying, we are still uneducated about our past, we still don't have healthcare, and we still have to deal with this system of exploitation that manifests itself as gentrification and globalization. Thank God, some of us are still educating ourselves about our situation and NOT relying on the government and it's traditional racist policies. If you cannot see that, "white", privilege and power are the forces keeping people from getting along and living fair and equal lives, then you are ignoring the imperialism that has taken place since the trans atlantic slave trade, until the present war on Iraq where not only soldiers are being killed but defenseless children and women. I have met many yuppies that think this is a natural process and should take place. Why? Because they want to protect their selfish, materialistic, and superficial ways. The acquisition of wealth and power through the slavery, subjugation, and the murder of people, mostly of color, but all people are at it's mercy, is the at the core of, "white power". This is what people like me are fighting against. We don't fight against those who are pro human and truly recognize what racism does to economic and social samples of human populations. I know countless, "white people", who do not refute what I say and admit that this is a REAL problem. They would stand and fight at the drop of a dime. Again, saying that all people of European decent subscribe to white power is ignorant but when they use and display their economic and social dominance in moving into any neighborhood while methodically displacing people who don't have that luxury, then it is classic neo colonial racism. Let me ask you this? What if the tables where turned and someone moved into your neighborhood who represents the destruction of your identity and your ability to progress because of economic powerlessness? I personally will not sit down and ask those who sees me as a second class citizen for help. As God as my witness, I am going to fight for all of my rights to be free and to live, love, and be happy. I ask my Puerto Rican people to love yourselves regardless. ALL of YOU are the future. Don't let this racist society bring you down. Boriqua men, please love and respect your women and Boriqua woman, don't subscribe to the materialistic and superficial ways of this consumer based society. Don't drink, don't do drugs, don't give the devil an excuse for locking you up like an animal. We are GODS and we have to stay free. Take care of your children. They are the future and teach them the traditions and customs that make us a great people. Always have a superior mind and body and love your brother and sister, and those that help you in your struggle whether they are white, black, or red. We are all the colors of nature. We are all shades of brown! It is obvious that yuppies don't give two shits about learning why we are frustrated as a people and that's OK. I honestly don't expect them to. So, this is my last post. I won't waste my time trying to educate those who have blinders on to the issues of this society. I will leave you with the definition of racism so everyone can see that I, as an educated, positive, and strong Puerto Rican can never be a racist. I invite everyone to do research on the subject. The truth can NEVER be argued against by the ignorant. Truly, PEACE!!!

Link to more on gentrification and globalization affecting Puerto Ricans.

---The Humboldt Park Participatory Democracy Project---
http://www.prcc-chgo.org/prcc_confronting_gentrification.htm

---Racism - Concise Encyclopedia Article---
Any action, practice, or belief that reflects the racial worldview—the ideology that humans are divided into separate and exclusive biological entities called “races,” that there is a causal link between inherited physical traits and traits of personality, intellect, morality, and other cultural behavioral features, and that some “races” are innately superior to others.

Racism was at the heart of North American slavery and the overseas colonization and empire-building activities of some western Europeans, especially in the 18th century. The idea of race was invented to magnify the differences between people of European origin in the U.S. and those of African descent whose ancestors had been brought against their will to function as slaves in the American South. By viewing Africans and their descendants as lesser human beings, the proponents of slavery attempted to justify and maintain this system of exploitation while at the same time portraying the U.S. as a bastion and champion of human freedom, with human rights, democratic institutions, unlimited opportunities, and equality. The contradiction between slavery and the ideology of human equality, accompanying a philosophy of human freedom and dignity, seemed to demand the dehumanization of those enslaved. By the 19th century racism had matured and the idea spread around the world. Racism differs from ethnocentrism in that it is linked to physical and therefore immutable differences among people. Ethnic identity is acquired, and ethnic features are learned forms of behaviour. Race, on the other hand, is a form of identity that is perceived as innate and unalterable. In the last half of the 20th century several conflicts around the world were interpreted in racial terms even though their origins were in the ethnic hostilities that have long characterized many human societies (e.g., Arabs and Jews, English and Irish). Racism reflects an acceptance of the deepest forms and degrees of divisiveness and carries the implication that differences among groups are so great that they cannot be transcended. See also ethnic group; sociocultural evolution.

http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article-9376359

JNJ: 17th Nov 2006 - 05:54 GMT

One last thing. Keep your heads up and your fists high!

GP: 20th Jun 2007 - 17:45 GMT

Deep, deep, deep. Thank You for schooling these cats........If you pay attention even more to detail from beginning to now you will see how insignificant we really are. All of Humbodlt, the westside, Chicago, and all lands belong to God. Every instruction and rule was written beforehand regarding everything. Everything means all(total). So if someone wants to do our people dirty - have faith and let The Lord take care of His business. Just make sure you take care of God and He knows you. Everything else will work itself out.

Staci: 20th Jun 2007 - 18:14 GMT

INTERESTED:

What community preservation committees are you on? Can you give me names and telephone numbers? Can you also give me the name of the agency that you volunteer for helping the homeless and those without healthcare in HP? I too live in HP and I am VERY interested in getting involved with the community and seeing that it retains its distinct culture and community. Rather than ranting and raving, perhaps actually DOING something and interacting about the negativities we ALL hold inside we could begin to make a difference in eachothers lives, our communities and the world as a whole. Kudos to you INTERESTED.

Passerby: 16th May 2008 - 19:29 GMT

I live in HP and you can label me as a yuppie, or whatever stereotype you want. I can tell you this: I don't like the litter all over my lawn. I don't enjoy the dealers on my street and the filth they attract. I don't like the neglect renters and owners of run down buildings live with. What I have noticed these types of people (whatever color or race) ususally have in common is a low income level. And if an area is gentrified and cleaned up, I have a hard time seeing that as a bad thing.

Humboldt1: 22nd Sep 2008 - 17:14 GMT

I have been in Humboldt Park for the last 3 years. I have seen some slight improvements but admit the area has a long way to go.