Kensington: Conflicting Feelings on Progress in Latino Neighborhood

https://vimeo.com/18391394]

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Terrific is how Marcelino Esgailin describes Philadelphia’s Kensington community when he moved into that area in 1955 from Puerto Rico — a Caribbean island that many forget is a part of the United States.

“It used to be good, but now it’s getting too much involved with drug dealers and things like that,” Esgailin observed.

“Neighbors don’t cooperate. You used to be able to sleep with the doors open. Now, they’ll come in, they’ll take your socks and they’ll take your shoes.”

This section of Kensington surrounding Norris Square Park has transformed, but even its own residents hold conflicting views about the direction their blocks are headed.

“I’ve been here since I was 13 and back then it was good, no drugs, no nothing,” says Sarah Afanador, 25.

“This place got its ups and downs. It could be better,” said Saleem White, 27.

White recounts memories of basketball games in the park and shooting dice with his cousins, who also live in the immediate area. All positives, he says, of a community that especially comes alive in the summers.

The area seems to struggle between two aesthetics. On one hand, there is an overflow of cultural vibrancy, seen through the blocks of proud Hispanic-owned businesses, active houses of worship, colorful murals and thriving gardens.  Yet it faces a slew of obstacles. Drugs have deeply affected the streets where nearly 24 percent of families live below the poverty line.

On a recent afternoon, the melting snow had finally freed up Norris Square Park for area residents. Enjoying the sun and space was a wide range of people, whose activity echoes off the Square’s surrounding buildings.

But it hasn’t always been inviting. Residents recall how the park had fallen into a dilapidated state. A group partnership between Norris Square Neighborhood Project, Norris Square Civic Association and Philadelphia Green turned the place around through the help of volunteers.

Now, a modern, colorful playground and a well-maintained basketball court anchor the park. Bilingual signs remind park users to keep the area clean and safe. A covered table area is used in the warmer months for barbecues, parties and a meeting spot.

Yesenia Rosario, 36, has lived in the area since she was eight and says her block has improved.

“Gangs used to own the corners. There were lots of homeless, lots of crackheads,” says Rosario.

Rosario attributes the neighborhood turnaround to efforts of the community groups, especially the Norris Square Neighborhood Project.

“It’s targeting a lot of kids between the ages of, maybe, fifth grade and high school, which I think personally need more attention. They are the ones who are in the street the most. And there’s a lot of programs for them right now to get them off the streets,” says Rosario.

The park is still not perfect. Many residents remain wary about safety and illegal activities that continue to happen.

“There’s a lot of dangerous things here. Dangerous people come to the park and dangerous things happen,” says Khiyyan Mills, 17.

But residents seem to be trying to keep the place warm and inviting. Life from the Square emanates down the surrounding residential blocks where bright flags overhead decorate streets of pastel row homes that look like sets of

Easter eggs. The houses match big round planters that pepper the sidewalks.

Pride in the neighborhood’s Latino heritage can be found all around. Many small businesses are owned by, and cater to, the residents.

“There’s corner stores on every block, we sell everything,” says Sarah Afanador, who works at Arturo Rojas Multiservice Store herself.

“I love Spanish food, it’s so much better around here than those local Chinese stores. Here, there’s a bodega on every corner. I love it,” says White.

Most large walls are adorned with vibrant murals, often depicting Latino themes of tradition, heritage and culture. Puerto Rican and Dominican flags fly in tandem with American stars and stripes.

One thing notably absent from residents’ perspective is ethnic tension. The area is highly multicultural now, with a mixture of white, Latino and black residents.

“It’s a little more Latino than other parts of a city, but it’s not a problem. There’s no problems like that around here. All we got is a whole bunch of mixed children running around,” says Saleem White, an African American.

Despite racial harmony and noticeable efforts by community groups to promote ownership and pride in the area, longtime residents are still disappointed with the way the neighborhood has gone.

“I think people move away because they don’t want to see what’s going on here. [Robbers] could take the battery from your car by the time you get to the front door, it’s gone. They lived here for many years but now you got to walk around here with four eyes,” says Esgailin.

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