NU Borders and Identities Collaborative

What are the varying realities defined by Street X as the border between City A and City B?

How does this shape one’s sense of belonging?

As the border between two cities, Street X is often overlooked and used as a means to get to the other side, especially as the endpoint of public transit.

For years the street has been described as crime-ridden, dangerous, dirty, and stagnant. Both cities, city officials, and community members have had long contested what to do with the areas with the creation of businesses alliances and development programs.

Looking closer, the street shares two cities but also reflects the greatest inequalities both cities have been grappling with for centuries.

It represents two completely different school systems, housing markets, immigration histories, and neighborhood values.

Filmed and photographed community members and business owners, as well as the space itself

Visited Local Historical Society and History Center

Talked to commuters at and near the transit station about their experiences and perspectives on City A and City B, as well as City A’s and City B’s business owners. We also talked to our family and friends who are local residents of Cities A and B.

Used GIS maps and data to visualize City A and City B’s census demographics.

Using video and photography in and around Street X, we observed differences between City A and City B.

Streets were busier in City B and traffic decreased as we went deeper into City A.
City B had more local businesses.
On Street X, infrastructure was newer, “nicer,” or better kept up on the City B’s side.
Visible police presence down Street X.
There were also restaurants and businesses in Spanish or serving Latinx-centered food.
More noticeable murals in City A and more multilingual signs.

Restaurant in City A

Throughout this interview, the owner stressed how he feels supported by the community because people always come back, but does not feel supported by the City because of increasing taxes. The restaurant opened in the 1950s and has been a staple in the community since.

Resident

Stressed the lack of accessibility of information, programs, and resources, particularly for those who are homeless and or lower-income in City A. Said businesses already present are of a lower quality than those in the suburbs and the newer businesses coming in do not cater to and outprice the community.

Grocery Store in City A

The store has been around for decades because the community is constantly supporting the store. Grocery Store works to serve the community in-store and out. The owner has watched his neighborhood change throughout the years to reflect different waves of immigration. Since Grocery Store sells a lot of different ethnic food, people from all backgrounds come in.

Restaurant in City B

The owner explained the difficulties of opening up a business in City B due to all of the laws and regulations. The mission of the business is to showcase Latinx culture, from the name of the restaurant to the name of the food, forcing non-Spanish speakers to speak Spanish. And they play music only in Spanish. They believe that City B is less open to diverse businesses in comparison to City B. Being a Latino business, it can be hard to find opportunities.

Grocery Store in City A

They opened in the 1970s because of ethnic diversity in the area. It caters to everyone, but mostly it caters to the African and Caribbean community (Nigerian, Ghanaian, etc.). The owner says he feels supported by the Alderman, but not by the city itself and mayor because they keep raising taxes which makes it more difficult every day for small businesses to run.

At the Historical Society

• It was easier to find information on City A during the early 1900s when it was predominantly ethnic whites. The archivist at the Historical Society didn’t have any information about the current ethnic (African and Caribbean) makeup.
• Pictures of Local High School serving white communities
• City A during the 1800 – early/mid 1900s serving predominantly rich and white communities. They fled City A for the suburbs; shift in perceptions in the 70s.
• Coded language surrounding Street X: “jungle”, “slum”, “littered with watermelon rinds”, “inner city”, “run down”, “diversity can be a virtue”, “decay” (Newspaper article, 1985)

Our notes from the Historical Society

The inaccessibility of archival information was apparent. The historical societies we went to were only open 3 – 4 days a week for about 3 hours at a time.
The archivists barely know anything…

Community verus City

Support of businesses are more visible from the community than from the city.
When businesses have been in an area for a while, the amount of community support increases.
Generational support: people have a familial history in the neighborhood, return to the same businesses, shops, etc. as their parents and grandparents did.
If the community feels supported by a particular businesses, they will return the favor–many business owners spoke about engaging in philanthropy with community organizations and foundations. The relationship is reciprocal.

Reduction of Community Safety to a Community’s Perceived Wealth

Image of Street X, specifically City A, as dangerous.
We were repeatedly told by a number of interviewees to “be careful” around the area; mentions of shootings and violence.
Perception of City B as a wealthy area erases lower income communities that also live in City B; it seems wealth = safety to people.

A Resident’s Permanence to a City Affects their Perception of the City

Looks like people who are more easily able to move across / navigate this border, Street X, tend to see no real difference between either side of the street.
A difference in neighborhood perception between those who consider City A home, and have lived there for a long time, and more recent newcomers who are only there temporarily (for work, school, etc.).

The way that City A is described as diverse/the city as multicultural contrasted to the suburbs.
Reason to move there/starting a business in City A is because it’s diverse, and businesses stay there because of the diversity.