Peopling of NYC 2012

In Jackson Heights, Movers Respect Turf Rules

This article helped me understand Kasinitz’s idea about the people of Jackson Heights respecting their ethnic differences because it discussed movers and their different moving companies.  “The competition is friendly but fierce,” wrote Maslin.  This one line really encompasses the diverse people of Jackson Heights as a whole.  They do not necessarily love each other, but they can tolerate and live together in close proximity.  They do not blend, and the movers remain “on their turf.”  That is the nature of Jackson Heights.

Maslin, Sarah. “In Jackson Heights, Movers Respect Turf Rules.” New York Times 26 Mar. 2012, sec. A: 24. Print.

Brief Profile of the ethnic composition of Jackson Heights:

1990-2000: “India Casts Its Subtle Spell on Queens.” The New York Times. (August 19, 1994 , Friday, Late Edition – Final ): 1305 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date Accessed: 2012/04/04.

This article talks about the Indian enclave in Jackson Heights that we walked through on our walking tour. It describes the different things that can be found throughout the shopping areas such as food, Bollywood movies, and Indian wear. It also talks about how Indians from different parts of the country come to Jackson Heights to find the spices and other goods that come from India and are not found in other parts of the U.S.

2000-2010: “JACKSON HEIGHTS IS HEART OF MELTING POT Dreams fulfilled in city’s most diverse community.” Daily News (New York). (May 26, 2002 , Sunday ): 856 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date Accessed: 2012/04/04.

This article discusses how Jackson Heights is considered to be the most diverse community in the city. Seeing that Jackson Heights is comprised of people from more than 70 countries and speak over 40 languages, it is a place where immigrants find themselves at home. Because of this, many immigrants started their own businesses and bought homes in the area, thus adding to the melting pot.

2010-2012: “YOUR GUIDE TO JACKSON HEIGHTS.” Daily News (New York). (February 28, 2010 Sunday ): 643 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date Accessed: 2012/04/03.

The article gives an in depth guide to the many different things that can be found in the Indian enclave of Jackson Heights. It pretty much gives a walkthrough in which the locations of different stores and what goods they sell. Of course, it talks about the various foods as well as the colorful garments that can be bought in such a short range of streets..

One of the most interesting things in the history of Jackson Heights is that it is there that the game Scrabble got its start. A sign on Jackson Heights’ 35th Avenue paid tribute to this until 2008, when it was taken down without warning. Both the Landmarks Preservation Committee of Jackson Heights and the Transportation Department claimed to have had no official records of the sign’s being put up. But the community was not about to go down without a fight. After submitting a request for legislation authorizing the re-institution of the sign, Jackson Heights finally got permission to get back its sign and the pride attached to it.

1. Ember, Sydney. “For Bereft Street Corner in Queens, a Red-Letter Day.” New York Times 15 July 2011, sec. A: 16. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 3 Apr. 2012. .

The New York Times

July 21, 1991, Sunday, Late Edition – Final

Trade in Fake Documents Thrives In Neighborhoods of Immigrants

BYLINE: By MARVINE HOWE

SECTION: Section 1; Part 1; Page 25; Column 1; Metropolitan Desk

This article gives us insight into the document fraud that plagued multiple illegal immigrants residing in Jackson Heights back in the 1990. The problems range from receiving completely fraudulent or bogus documents to failing to receive documents paid for in advance (bogus agents ask for money upfront and, of course, never send the documents). The irony, though, is that the number of cases involving immigration fraud greatly increased with the passage of the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, “which made it illegal to hire undocumented workers”; this seems logical- since illegal immigrants found it more difficult to find work as of 1986, they would have to somehow obtain working papers, a situation that made many illegals easy prey for fraudulent schemes. The mayor had set up a program to fight against fraud, which would do so by educating the public on fraud and on how to report their cases. However, the problem persisted because many illegals feared that reporting fraud would reveal their status as illegal immigrants, which could possibly lead to deportation.

Daily News (New York)

May 26, 2002, Sunday

JACKSON HEIGHTS IS HEART OF MELTING POT Dreams fulfilled in city’s most diverse community

BYLINE: By WARREN WOODBERRY Jr. DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

SECTION: SUBURBAN; Pg. 6 SPOTLIGHT ON JACKSON HEIGHTS

This article stresses the advantages that Jackson Heights’ diverse community has to offer, from its openness to new immigrants and ideas, to its convenient location near the major hubs of activity in NYC, notably Manhattan The diversity (the “melting pot”) is the neighborhood’s selling point, with visitors and residents alike flocking to the various restaurants and businesses featuring food and products from multiple cultures, including Indian and Hispanic cultures. In addition, the article states that business thrives due to the neighborhood support for “mom-and-pop” shops.

The rest of the article focuses on the history of Jackson Heights, and on its importance as a major transportation hub. According to the information listed, before WWII, black and Jewish people were forbidden from living in Jackson Heights, a sharp contrast to the open nature of the community today. Jackson Height’s characterization as a transportation hub stems from the fact that it “used to be the first train stop from Manhattan”.

Daily News (New York)

March 23, 2011 Wednesday
SPORTS FINAL EDITION

SHE’S WALKED IN SHOES OF AT-RISK IMMIG YOUTH

BYLINE: BY ALBOR RUIZ

SECTION: SUBURBAN; Pg. 42
This article describes lawyer Mercedes Cano’s goal to help out the at-risk immigrant youth. As she was an illegal immigrant youth herself, she feels the drive to offer her services that much more strongly. The project, she says, will see whether any illegal immigrant youth can qualify for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS); if they do qualify, often because of family issues or tragic conditions in the home country, then they will have the ability to live as permanent residents. As many of these youth do not themselves take the chance to find out if they can live legally or not, the project will give them the chance to acquire legal residence status.

As a teenager, Cano ended up as a homeless, illegal youth, living on the streets. Despite the conditions, she still managed to work three jobs while working towards a college degree, eventually graduating cum laude in 1996. Now, Cano is continuously applying for grants and scholarships, but requires the public’s support in order to really get the project off the ground.

The rate of robberies and muggings in Jackson Heights was not particularly high in 1993, but drug rings proliferated rapidly. The drug ring operators kept them mostly low-profile, often with the help of local businesses like travel agencies. At the time, it was estimated that millions in laundered money were circulating around Jackson Heights. Police crackdowns led some of the drug rings to begin leaving for Long Island, but did not eradicate them completely.

1. Fisher, Ian. “Jackson Heights Streets Familiar to Drug Cartels.” New York Times 11 May 1993, sec. B: 2. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 3 Apr. 2012. .

Jackson Heights may have started out as an exceptionally exclusive community, but today, its population is the most varied of anywhere in New York City. The community attracts all kinds of people by combining convenience, including easy accessibility to Manhattan and Brooklyn and a wealth of shops throughout the area, with affordable prices. The community especially appeals to immigrants, particularly those from India and various parts of Latin America. Overall, immigrants who settle in Jackson Heights originate from 70 different countries and speak 40 different languages.

1. Woodbury, Jr., Warren. “Dreams Fulfilled in City’s Most Diverse Community.” New York Daily News 26 May 2002. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 3 Apr. 2012. .

(1990-2000)  Jackson Heights Streets Familiar to Drug Cartels

In this article, the author uses the death of Manuel de Dios Unanue to discuss the presence and problem of drug cartels in Jackson Heights.  Residents claim to have always believed that Mr. Unanue would be murdered by a cartel because he was so intricately involved in chronicling the underground life of the drug trade in Jackson Heights, one of the main drug hubs for the northeastern portion of the United States.  The involvement of illegal and legal business is so closely intertwined, but authorities are continuing to crack down on illegal activity.  The author writes that, although a concrete number is unknown, the “Drug Enforcement Administration estimates that 90 percent of its money laundering cases in the New York area trace back to Jackson Heights.”  This is only due to the cooperation of legal businesses with illegal cartel actions.

“Jackson Heights Streets Familiar to Drug Cartels.” The New York Times. (May 11, 1993 , Tuesday, Late Edition – Final ): 868 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date Accessed: 2012/04/04.

(2000-2010)  A Vibrant, Polyglot Hub

This article describes the abundance and diversity of East Asian culture present in Jackson Heights (which sounds similar to what we observed during our tour).  There is a high Indian population, but recently, immigrants from Tibet and Nepal have moved in, as well.  The author further demonstrates the culture of Jackson Heights by listing various sweet shops, restaurants, and other stores that sell traditional (and some newer) items for a very reasonable price.  In a sense, Jackson Heights is portrayed as a “home away from home” for East Asian immigrants.  The author also claims that this neighborhood may be “the most diverse neighborhood in the most diverse county in the country” and is one of the most accessible areas of Queens by public transportation.

LEE, By JENNIFER. “A Vibrant, Polyglot Hub.” The New York Times. (December 13, 2009 Sunday ): 671 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date Accessed: 2012/04/04.

(2010-2012)  Traffic Free Plaza Roils Little India in Queens

In this article, the author informs readers about the recent addition of a “pedestrian plaza” in Jackson Heights, between 73rd and 74th Streets.  Although Councilman Dromm says that he previously attempted to connect with them, business owners in this area are disgruntled by the lessened traffic caused by the creation of the new plaza.  As Jackson Heights is a popular destination to purchase authentic East Asian commodities, consumers of the associated ethnicities typically flood to the area.  However, now there are less parking spots available for consumers; and, therefore, the profits of business owners have gone down.  There is still a sense of stubborn hostility on both sides of the dilemma, but Councilman Dromm is determined to keep the plaza where it is.

NIR, By SARAH. “Traffic-Free Plaza Roils Little India in Queens.” The New York Times. (March 19, 2012 Monday ): 777 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date Accessed: 2012/04/03.