Articles from Xavi

Humboldt Park & Gentrification

author: Xavi : Chicago, IL
Monday, July 2nd, 2007

Humboldt Park & Gentrification

author: Xavi : Chicago, IL

The displacement of Puerto Ricans from Humboldt Park, as in many other Latina/o and black communities is called gentrification, which can be defined as “the buying and renovation of houses and stores in deteriorated urban neighborhoods by upper- or middle-income families or individuals, thus improving property values but often displacing low-income families and small businesses (dictionary.com)." Throughout our history in Chicago, Puerto Ricans, like other communities of color, have been systematically displaced from many residential areas. For the past 50 years, Humboldt Park, especially along Division Street, has served as the epicenter of Puerto Rican cultural production and affirmation. With...