I agree that the quote Praveena took from Sharman’s book sums up this week’s readings pretty well. I think it shows how urban renewal can have such a huge impact on the feeling of ethnic identity and the identity of someone’s past. As we have seen in several readings, the inhabitants of the ethnic neighborhood developed such a strong bond with the area and those who live within it. Its appearance may of not been so appealing but people still saw this as their neighborhood and a critical part of their lives. For example, Piri Thomas, who did not live a rich lifestyle, still enjoyed Spanish Harlem and had memories that he was able to record several years later. Immigrants did not have everything but they all made the most of what they had and these groups still had such a strong sense of community. So I agree with Praveena, that despite the conditions of the neighborhoods, a connection to the area was still inevitable because of the community each ethnicity had with their own common race. Sure reality was tough, but in the end it was the neighborhood and community that helped immigrants escape the discomfort of the tough reality they had to face.
After realizing how significant the neighborhood was for immigrants, I realize how strong of an impact the theme of urban renewal has on former inhabitants. The quote that Praveena mentioned in the Sharman section is perfect because it defines just how significant urban renewal is. Sharman described Lucille’s neighborhood as her whole world and that alone shows how important the neighborhood was to her. It was her world and it meant everything to her and having it being replaced by different housing shook up her world. Her memories were shattered and her identity with the past was completely shaken. That is how great of an impact urban renewal and gentrification has on a community. Buildings are brought down and sometimes replaced by better buildings that can be only occupied for a higher elite’s personal gain.
Lastly like Alex said, I agree that Italians and African Americans had increased tension due to Italians being associated with their skin color. Seeing how people just grouped completely separate races together is truly unfair. By doing this, each race’s ethnic identity was just thrown out the window by nativists who could care less what race they were. To natvists, Italians, Puerto Ricans, and blacks were viewed as some kind of other and just grouped them all together. Yet Italians saw themselves as different from other races and not like the “dark-skinned other”. In terms of urban renewal, Italians wanted to leave the neighborhood they were in after being associated with a race different from their own. In this example, race conflicts led to Italians leaving their neighborhood and community in order to avoid similarities to the “dark-skinned other”. Some left the place which was their world just like Lucille because of racial issues being so deeply embedded in our society.
