Aside from tensions and racism that exists, I believe the idea of two enclaves, which are described as beneficial systems for immigrants to use for upward mobility and assimilation to mainstream culture, living in one area could assist such mobility even further. I enjoyed reading about Sunset Park because it was nice to focus solely on one place, as opposed to say the Miyares article that was trying to make an overall point about the changing structures of Latino communities over NYC and discussing a handful of neighborhoods. It was interesting to read about the two enclaves in one geographical area, the Latino (majority Puerto Ricans) and the Asian population that causes some to call Sunset Park the “new” or “satellite” Chinatown. As someone else wrote on their blog, sometimes enclaves can do the exact opposite and cause a group of people to stay sheltered away from the rest of the city. Instead, living near another ethnic group could help immigrants understand other cultures and want to expand their horizons in a city and country that has so much diversity to offer.
The descriptions of the cultural neighborhoods in the Miyares article made me really appreciate this city, the way people in enclaves should in order to expand their horizons past their small group. The way that some neighborhoods have colorful signs of national flags and business signs in different languages in such a close proximity is quite remarkable. I found it intriguing however, that in some city areas with large apartments and housing units, this is harder to do, as you cannot decorate your street in the same way.
The idea that this city is ever changing also struck me. In the Miyares article, she speaks about almost a constant shift and migration of Latinos in the city. The original reason for immigration has to do with political and economic standings in the home country, like after the reign of a dictator in the Dominican Republic. But when they get here, some areas would be evacuated by previous immigrant groups, due to economic conditions, making way for new ethnic groups in need of a place to stay. This has been called “Invasion and Succession”. This occurred in Sunset Park, when the economy was down and white ethnic groups fled to suburbs leaving a vacancy to be filled by Puerto Ricans. In light of this example, I would say I have to agree with the idea of an enclave being a stepping stone if one wanted it to be, as once you leave you most likely better your situation and leave room for the next people to come in and do the same. Lastly, the idea, which others have commented on, that some groups feel threatened by the appearance of other groups (like Puerto Ricans and Mexicans in El Barrio) is understandable, but should be recognized as inevitable in a constantly changing city that belongs to truly no one.
