Humboldt Park

A twelve year old boy named Miguel was shot dead in the street by a stray bullet from some gang crap. It happened in broad daylight on our corner. We are forced to turn down that way each time we leave our house because of the arrangement of one-way streets. That day, we couldn't turn because of the several cop cars and screaming people that occupied the block.

We wondered what happened but pretty much went about our day unaffected because of the inherent desensitivity to such sights one inevitably acquires when living in the city. It wasn't until later that we learned what had really happened there; the terrible event made apparent by a makeshift memorial that had been erected by Miguel's family and friends at the tragic scene.

Aparently his father owns the small grocery store down the block and one of its brick walls is now dedicated to preserving the memory of Miguel and forcing onlookers to know what happened to him there. There are short yearbook-like blurbs and messages scrawled across it by other neighborhood kids saying things like "we'll always love our little papito." There is a little wooden table overflowing with candles and flowers below a huge picture of Miguel himself, alive and smiling, in football playing garb.

The day after Miguel was shot, the event made national news and was of course particularly emphasized here in Chicago. Everywhere we went people were talking about it. There was even a huge parade down our street of 'awareness raisers', mostly white people I had never seen before in my life.

Despite the attention people are attempting to give this tragedy, I almost resent the way some people are wearing it on their sleeve that they care. All I can think about is the people who knew and loved this boy for twelve years and have now lost him because of complete and utter stupidity, the likes of which I don't see ever coming to an end. Don't worry, I am not going to start talking about the semantics of poverty and gang activity here. I think that crap goes without saying at this point.

I consciously avoided walking up to the memorial for two days, not wanting to get in the way of the grieving family or deal with the cops who were constanly 'guarding' the scene. Finally, my friend Mark and I smoked a J on my front stoop and strolled around the corner in the middle of the night to pay our respects. We were all alone; it was really late. The cop on duty was asleep in his car. We stood there reading the countless dedications on the wall and just cried for a boy we had never met and who no one will ever meet again.

tim: 1st Jul 2002 - 16:03 GMT

i lived 3 - 4 blocks from where this event took place on the corner of rockwell and armitage. I was one of those "white people" that you have never seen, though a large group of us that were present that day are often out and about the neighborhood. As for the majority of the others who were there really did care because they most likely were members of the church(Armitage Baptist) that miguel's older brother, juan, is a member of. if you truly paid attention to the news I'm sure you heard his quotes. be careful how you judge people and there motives when you don't have a clue. I mentored miguel delarosa for 2 years and considered him a friend and my heart grieves today for his family. please think before you speak.

jennifer rodriguez: 30th Sep 2003 - 17:07 GMT

this really moves me, and my heart goes out to his family.i am a single mother who grew up in humbolt park. i am 27 years old now and moved me and my 3 kids to tennessee, where i currently reside because of tragedies like this. i do not want to raise in a dangerous place like this and i dont want to have to wake up every morning worrying if my children will be the next victim.it's sad because i miss home like crazy, but ignorant people who dont care about life are out there and they dont care who they might kill. all i'm saying is i'm sorry to hear about this unfortunate tragedy, i guess it's such a sad yet common way of life there in humboldt park. a way of life that forced me and my kida to move out...

Raul Rodriguez: 20th Feb 2004 - 16:10 GMT

I grew up in Humboldt Park. I found a dead body at 8 years of age. I witnessed a homicide at nine years of age.
My first friend was gunned down next to me when we were both eleven. He was eating a vanilla ice cream cone.
His hair was strewn with melting vanilla ice cream, brain matter and blood.
Desensitivity comingles with fatalism. Sometimes, this is all we know.
Welcome to Chicago...well, at least the bad part.

ANNETTE: 26th Feb 2004 - 21:03 GMT

I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN THE HUMBOLT PARK AREA YEA IT WAS A LITTLE DANGEROUS BUT US PUERTO RICANS REALLY LOVE LIVING THERE WE BEEN THROUGH GOOD TIMES AND BAD TIMES BUT LOOK AT IT NOW YUPIES TOOK OVER AND ARE TRYING TO TAKE AWAY OUR BEAUTIFUL PALCE AND FILL IT UP WITH CONDOMIMNIUMS WE WANT OUR PALCE TO STAY TEH WAY WE LIKE IT

asshole: 27th Feb 2004 - 15:02 GMT

i was born and raised to know better than to write comments in all caps!

Peter Eguia: 1st Mar 2004 - 20:41 GMT

shut up and stop crying like a big baby, if you don't like the area, then just move!!!!

Pebbles: 18th Mar 2004 - 03:40 GMT

I was also born and raised in Humboldt Park. Yo soy una Puertoriquena y Cubana. Grew up on North Avenue and Maplewood. Seen a bunch of things go on but everyone knows the one rule about HP "I aint see nothin' so I dunno nothin'" No matter what I'll always have love for the people there. Much love to everyone in HP.

I do remember what happened to the 8 year old boy called "Papito" (May God Bless his soul) who was shot and killed by my friend's house. I pray for his family and hope that his soul lives in peace and harmony with God. Que dios lo bendiga a la familia. I've lost cousins to gang violence and I believe everyone in this part of the 'hood has witnessed a homicide/murder/someone getting killed. Back in the day we just learned to expect it. Its never easy to lose someone from something like that and it never will be. There isn't much we could do except move..depending where you'd move to..pray and also look out for one another.

By the way, for those of you haters...pay attention...If you don't like the area MOVE THE HELL OUT!

Angel: 19th Apr 2004 - 14:33 GMT

I am puerto rican male who raised in Uptown. I am researching humboldt park for a group project. I don't understand why people are using this website to criticize each other. That is one of the reasons why we are constantly at each others throats. Our culture has this stigma of "not taking crap from anyone" that is one of the reasons why there is always aggresion. And for that girl pebbles talking about "much love" you need to let that ghetto mentality go, you to stop watching those music videos. Ignorant people like you make our culture look like gang bangers. We should be educating ourselves so that many doors can open for us. Not "stick to the game" forget the game all thats going to do is diminish your inner strengths and cause you to run off your emotions. Think, bendeha

Peter: 19th Apr 2004 - 17:08 GMT

Angel: so youre not criticizing anyone when you say "ignorant people like you...", etc?

I agree with what youre trying to say, for the most part, but I got a laugh out of the duality of you criticizing people for criticizing people. funny.

Do you have some photos of Humboldt Park you could share with us who have never seen it?

ColdChillin': 2nd May 2004 - 06:06 GMT

I'm reserching gangs for my school project and I read a book called My Bloody Life: The Making of a Latin King which took place mostly in Humboldt Park, Chicago. So I ran across this site and it's a damn shame what happens in this neighborhood and in a whole lot of other neighborhoods all around the country. I am from New York and has many neighborhoods with the same problums. My heart goes out to all the people who have become another statistic of gang violence.

Peace.

Peter: 3rd May 2004 - 15:33 GMT

I live in NYC. I rarely tro ever see gang-related drama. maybe im just lucky!

Pebbles: 4th May 2004 - 04:28 GMT

First off, I say "much luv" to EVERYONE in HP because we all grew up in the same area. Not everyone in HP are gangbangers so why in the hell would you think I am saying "much luv" to them? What they do is THEIR business not mine or yours so keep it that way. The only reason why people are at each other's throats is because of misunderstandings such as this one. You critize me and contradicted yourself by making assumptions. Also, learn how to spell nene...its 'Pendeja' not 'bendeha' You're being highly critical without knowing who I am. As for the education, I am well educated and enrolled in a University downtown so do not talk about my education. One such as yourself shouldn't critize a person without knowing the facts. Read the book before judging by its cover. As a matter of a fact, who gives a damn about what you think? I sure as hell don't. Who the hell are you to critize me? Especially since you were raised in Uptown and NOT in the Humboldt Park area. You do not know me and obviously misunderstood me. I appreciate the critizism though, because your contradiction doesn't phase me.

~creAtor~: 4th May 2004 - 17:38 GMT

i have no idea what humbolt park is. id love to see more flix of it tho.

corsakti: 4th May 2004 - 19:07 GMT

i have a million more pics but i kind of fell off from posting to this site for some reason. i moved away a long time ago and it wasn't because of the violence, it was becuase it was far away from where we liked toh ang, and also there were straight up too many kids constnatly invading our house/lives. we were friends with all the kids on our block but they would come over all the time and after a while we wanted space from kids. i know taht soudns weird but believe me. anyway after humboldt, i moved back to my old hood (ashland & chicago ave area) for a few years.

also, "peter eguia" if your comment was directed at me than you are retarded i wasn't crying like a big baby i was writing a story about an event that impacted me about my old hood so stfu.

in other news, i live in LA now and have tons of pics i should post here one of these days. i miss chicago though.

cor: 4th May 2004 - 19:10 GMT

anyway reading some more of these comments....i wans't trying to blanket dis all of humboldt park in any way, for the record.

geez, this is kind of funny, all the HPers representing as if they need to defend, or something. more power to you all, i wasn't a yuppie trying to steal shit from anyone i was trying to live in a cheap house its not like i never hung out there before i moved there anyway. its not like humboldt is all that far from any other hood i've lived in either. i used to ride my bike around the park with my dog all the damn time. everyone needs to chill. hehe

Peter: 4th May 2004 - 19:14 GMT

[i think the naysayers are dissing each other, not you...] :)

Lance Corporal Diaz: 17th Jul 2004 - 18:41 GMT

i sit here in iraq and a tear comes to my eye after reading some of the things people had to say. i was born and rasied in humboldt park and it taught me many things. i don't know why people are talkin about that park like they have to defend it. yes it was my home and it was great when things were peaceful. but the reality is that people here die. i lived on francisco and wabansia and i knew miguel because he was around just like i was. i saw the wall and i saw the people, but i saw the people mostly when the lights were flashing. why is it that we have to see people die before we can do something about it? all i ask is that someone can walk away with something from that event. i come back to chicago sometimes and the last time i walked by the wall was blank grey. i stood there looking at it and wondering if the people of humboldt park have forgot about this, because i can't.

karma: 19th Jul 2004 - 13:53 GMT

i liked this entry- i missed it the first time around somehow. what a sad place to live.

Peter: 19th Jul 2004 - 14:11 GMT

yeah, this post has elicited more profound comments than your average post on citynoise... it also gets alot of hits from people arriving from search engines... its real.

Papo: 23rd Nov 2004 - 01:48 GMT

Im mexican and puerto rican a.k.a poor oricans. I grew up in Humboldt Park, but Im most defenitely more proud of being mexican than rican. I mean c'mon lets get realistic here. All you ppl talking here saying u so proud and shit but c'mon u are all on welfare. If it wasnt thanks to my dad my mexican side we would be living in poverty with food stamps like all of you people on here. Sure mexicans work in landscaping and shit like that but we rolling on dubs and we got mad money, What do ricans have?? MIELDA!!!! You guys be rolling on lil guaguas!!! C'mon now thats a disgrace. Get a life. And if ur so proud be to be rican be something big then u can show off but if u aint shit than keep ur mouths shut!!!!!!! Im most defenitely not proud of being puerto rican. U guys are lames!!!!!! HOLLA!!!!!!!

englebert: 20th Dec 2004 - 16:53 GMT

this is what i love about citynoise. this discussion has lasted over a year and a half. amazing. props to corsakti

Peter: 21st Dec 2004 - 18:11 GMT

i get so many referrals to this article every day... alot of searches come into this site looking for "cabrini green" and "humboldt park", both past corsakti focii.

watcher: 2nd Jan 2005 - 02:00 GMT

O.k I know there is alot of killings in H.P but are you aware of the sex offenders that are living in your neighborhood?

Vanessa Pagan : 19th Jan 2005 - 20:44 GMT

when i was 12 i lived in humboldt park i lived on the streets of mozart and cortland my brother javi was killed at the age 16 turning 17 he was in the wrong place at the wrong time despite that he was conceving a child the following month it was a tragety cuz he was young and it was not his fault he was on his way to go get some food his girl friend was craving and he left and never came back now i am 17 and my brother would have been 21 its hard and i now have a boy friend and i pray every day nothing happens 2 him cuz it be hard to raise my kid dats now on the way....

yvonne: 21st Jan 2005 - 21:31 GMT

i injoy living in the humboldt park area it's not really quite

King Green Eyes: 24th Jan 2005 - 02:31 GMT

yo alls the fuck i gots to say is fuck anybody tryn to take over The Mother land the fuckn polacos that is and any one talkn shit about my peoples place Homboldt park is a place of turmoil but so what thats how we like fake a Flake False Flaga and any mutha fuckn Folk aight AMOR DE REY 360 degrees Long Live King Gino fuck a d DK AMOR DE REY

Chicago Dan: 24th Jan 2005 - 04:15 GMT

I was driving near Beach and Spalding on a hot summer day around late afternoon trying to score some flame Bud, Years back When I used to party and had 2 other white boys from the bubs with me. They had never been near the Park before. I told them it's ruff around here so be on look out for cops. When got near the spot and there was a gangbanger on a 10 speed bike with his hat turned to the left. When I passed bye the gangbanger was yelling some gang shit and thew up some gang signs at some car. The car went full speed at him and hit him of the bike and ran him over. The 2 guys that were with me started yelling holy shit did you see that guy just got ran over. I turned down the next street and scored some weed and could here sirens coming. I made a left off of beach on to Le moyne got to the corner and seen the guy dead and blood draing into the sewer. The guys I were with I think they both shit there pants being from the burbs and all. (True Story)

JOE: 28th Jan 2005 - 19:01 GMT

hEY PAPO YOU SHOUDNT TALK BROTHER FIRST OF ALL YOU MEXUCAN COME TO THIS COUNTRY IN TRUCKS AND LIVE LIKE BUNCH OF FUCKING DOGS TO BAD YOUR MOTHER HAD TO BREAK THE RACE BECAUSE IF YOU LIKE IT OR NOT YOUR DUMB AZZZ HAVE RICAN BLOOD FACE BITCH U STILL RICAN.You talk about the ricans then why your dad didnt marry a fucking mexican women
because he like that rican flavor sapoYea u mexicans be driving nice rides just like we do we have are nice rides and cribes at least my people didnt come in this country
living with 20 other mother fucking people
so eep your fucking mouth shut pendigo and remember u got that rican blood in ya and that is a shame that the blood is flooring in your dumbazzzzz.oH AND ONE THING YEA YOUR DRIVING IN NICE RIDES CAUSE YOU AZZZ IS LIVING IN HUMBOLDT PARK WHERE THE RENT IS CHEAP THATS WHY U DRIVING THEM CARS OR ARE U ONE OF THEM DUMB AZZ THAT RENT CARS FRON ENTERPRISE LOL DUMB FUCK.

Papo: 28th Jan 2005 - 19:37 GMT

hey joe, did your people come to this country to learn proper grammar and spelling? no? well, it sure shows in your comment, papi.

ElViejoDeArriba: 30th Jan 2005 - 04:12 GMT

"Papo: 28/01/2005 - 11:37 [top]
hey joe, did your people come to this country to learn proper grammar and spelling? no? well, it sure shows in your comment, papi."

nice. im not taking sides, but speaking of grammar and spelling...who here can spell correctly, in spanish or in english? as far as im concerned, aside from the language factor, you guys, for the most part, are americans. listen:

i'd like to begin by saying that this is not an attack on any of you, so dont give me shit for it, thanks. from what i've seen, few if any of you know spanish. judging from (i speak only objectively, NOT to poke fun at any of you) your SWEAR words even...my friend...señorsito Papo..."MIELDA?" what's mielda? mieRda? thats only an example of the point i will soon exhibit. "bendeha?"

anyway...its not only the language barrier that makes it so that you guys (some of you) are american. as far as im concerned, your high cheeck bones, darker hair and dark complexion do not make you a latino.

culture is the key. saggy pants, tilted hats, and spanglish do not make for a latino. theyre cultural, sociological, and ultimately stupid generalizations of YOUR race, or at least your genetics. for example, JOE's message is one an american would send-- mentality is part of a culture as well. and i recognize that all cultures have violence, but the verbal violence you exhibit is, i suppose, brought about by your upbringing in humboldt park. humbolt park, chicago, illinois, UNITED STATES-- pendigo! (??) what the fuck is pendigo?! humbolt park spanglish? well, its american too.

latino by genetics, not by culture. culture's the key.

isnt puerto rico in the united states?

whats wrong with being american?
well nothing...

KING CYCO: 2nd Feb 2005 - 16:14 GMT

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING AMERICAN BUT THEY CAN'T FUCK WITH THE LATINOS AND LATINAS. PLUS,THEY GET TOO COCKY!

ALMIGHTY LATIN KING AND QUEEN NATION

AMOR DE REY

KING CYCO: 2nd Feb 2005 - 16:21 GMT

AMERICANS THINK THAT THEY ARE THE SHIT. THEY ARE THE IGNORANT ONES, NOT US. THEY CAN'T FUCK WITH THE LATINOS AND LATINAS. FOR ALL MY LATINOS AND LATINAS OUT THERE KEEP YA HEAD UP AND JUST SAY FUCK WHAT THESE AMERICANS SAY. THEY AINT SHIT! WE WILL UNITE ONE DAY.........ONE DAY!

ALMIGHTY LATIN KING AND QUEEN NATION

AMOR DE REY

Critic: 2nd Feb 2005 - 16:35 GMT

wow, writing in all-caps sure is hard to read.

i dont buy this bullshit about americans or anyone else being ignorant. what about latino/a americans? hmm?

Marcella32: 2nd Feb 2005 - 16:46 GMT

This thread here on this post reminds me of this thread a wee bit. I suppose sometimes this sort of conflict is inevitable, aye?

ElViejoDeArriba: 2nd Feb 2005 - 23:12 GMT

kind king cyco,

me malentendiste. in another language, you misunderstood me. you can't generalize that americans are ignorant. it shows your ignorance.

secondly, you misunderstood me. yes, again. by what you say, you fall directly into the category of americans that i previously described. please re-read.
you, i suppose, are latino, but only by genetics. american by culture. you are a hybrid american by culture- i've never heard of a true latino, a TRUE latino by culture, say "almight latin kind and queen nation." and you say americans are ignorant. and you got too cocky.

no te quiero ofender, amigo, pero no podes atacar a la gente así. "seamos realistas, exijamos lo imposible." tratemos de entender. bien ahí, amigo.

- el viejo de arriba, q sabe vivir. no dejen q pinten tus cielos de gris.

BigDawg: 4th Feb 2005 - 00:45 GMT

Papo, stfu you mexican. At least we don't have to suck dick in order to get into this country. Green card having ass' bitch. Ain't no way your half rican, you wish you were thats all. *Laughs* Go eat a taco cracker.

lil trigger: 11th Feb 2005 - 01:00 GMT

king luv and fuck all you fucking puerto ricans viva mexico putos king love DRAKE 24
LATIN KINGS

king luv: 11th Feb 2005 - 22:42 GMT

well u just said it too and i bet you live in america. so what?

King Demon MPst.: 16th Feb 2005 - 21:51 GMT

Amor to all brothers and sisters of the almighty nation.Black,White,Hispanic or any other nationality...One love...A.L.K.Q.N

Flacko "D": 25th Feb 2005 - 17:58 GMT

Hey you guys take it easy with all the direspecting. One love to all my puerto ricans livin and breathing the same air as everyone else. Amor. MLDN

King Killer : 28th Feb 2005 - 10:42 GMT

King Killer ... I hope all of y'all DIE SLOW LIKE KING TONE ( NYC BITCHES AND Y"ALL ALKQN ) FUCK U ALL . Aight ! FUCK U MOTHER FUCKER >>> ALL OF Y'ALL . LET HAVE PEACE . NO GANGS > NO CRIMES ( WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE ) > AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF U IGNORANT PEOPLE OUT THERE > PEACE ! ~ oX ~
Represent GOD, PEACE, & LOVE

Peter: 28th Feb 2005 - 14:47 GMT

wait, so is it "die slow" and "fuck u" or "lets have peace" and "god bless"?

i am confused.

arizona king nation : 8th Mar 2005 - 19:36 GMT

wat up yall nuttin but king luv fuck anny body disrespecting da crown !

gangbuster: 19th Apr 2005 - 18:30 GMT

Re: Humboldt Park
I just put a down payment on my new huboldt park condo!! Just a matter of time before starbucks moves in. Ain't a bullet that can stop it.

Anonymous (d142-59-238-19.abhsia.telus.net): 30th Apr 2005 - 01:09 GMT

u guys r fucked

LoKa: 30th Apr 2005 - 23:29 GMT

I'am a puerto rican from the north side and i personally think its fucked up that know and days we cant fucken walk out side and trust the people that live around us I'm a queen and honstly i dont give two shits what the fuck you guys think about us, the meaning of the latin king has changed tremendesly and it doesnt mean what it used too but that doesnt mean all you dumn ass folks could talk shit, some of us still represent what the latin kings are we help the hispanic community though you might think we dont but if only you knew we help all you dumn fucks that just talk shit about us. Look I'm not writing here just to represent the latin kings am here to show my respects and to try to get some sence on the peoples head that just disrespect us dont get me wrong theirs a few kings and queens that gotissues but just look at it this way thiers also people taht arent in gangs that commit worst things in our community. What we have to do is stop talking shit and be proud of our heritage and if you dont like it then get of ur fucken lazy ass and do something about it.

boricuasoy: 2nd May 2005 - 00:19 GMT

instead of trying to brag about people gettin killed in hp lets focus on the good times we had and how rich our cultural is in hp.instead of us boricuas killin each other lets start workin against the white muther fuckers that are trying to take over

Peter: 2nd May 2005 - 14:19 GMT

whether boricua, black, white, whatever... do you think that "working against" anyone, as long as theyre people who respect the place, is good for humboldt park? exclusion is exclusion, whether its discrimination or reverse discrimination.

Shady Girl: 3rd May 2005 - 05:01 GMT

I'm a sixteen year old mexican that has lived all her life in Humbolt Park. I've seen and lived the violence of gangs and all that crap, but not everything in Humbolt Park is violence. Living here has really made me appreciate every moment I live and has maked ne dream of better things. I really don't find a point to gangs, but I don't judge people that are in it cuz most of the time their in there because everyone just judges with out knowing why the hell their in there. I fell in love with an MLD from RC and things weren't easy every night I prayed to God to keep him safe but that didn't make me give up on him. I remember how everyone use to tell me that he was a bad boy that had no good feelings in him bs that wasn't true he was just another misunderstood guy who seeked understanding in the wrong place. To bad no one else saw that. He's no longer with me but I learned a lot from him and I just pray to God that he keeps him safe and maybe some one else will see the same thing I saw.

ON DA G !((7))!..../|\: 4th May 2005 - 04:38 GMT

AMOR DE GANGSTA IG'S WORLD HUMBOLT PARK AIGN NI66AS CUM GET SUM LKK MLDNK ISCK AHGNK AMOR TO ALL MY NI66AS KRANKKS DONT WANT DRAMA

PRPoet: 6th May 2005 - 14:43 GMT

It's funny to me that I've checked out this site for a while and a lot of peole overlook what this spot is about. I grew up in Humboldt Park and saw things that no one should have to or even want to. When a little kid dies its not an excuse to celebrate your heritage, it's not a reason to call out props to your boys or your set or your gang. All it should do is make you realize the dumb shit that goes on. I'm proud to be a PR and I fly my flag high; now I'm in the military and I fight para mi isla and my country. I come back to this site to remind me that I could have been a Miguel, King, Cobra whatever. But I didn't want to be a statistic or a victim. I come back here to remind me to be more because that's what Miguel deserves from all of us. If you read what was written obout that little boy and you dismiss it, any comment you write shows your own ignorance. Celebrate his life, mourn his death and keep it in your heart as a reminder why, if you truly love Humblodt Park, all the bullshit has to stop.

XklusivRicaNmAmi: 7th May 2005 - 19:30 GMT

This is a sad story nd mah luv goes 2 all mah ricans keep ya headz up high and go on with life as best you can. Unfortuantely things like this happen everday, but thats life. Nd I also wanted to mention 2 Papo: thats great that your proud to be mexican but you know theres no shame in puerto rican at all, its people like you that set examples of disgrace. Race has nothing to do with one's financial status.Your stereotyping your own nationality;>>" puerto ricans live off welfare" are you proud of that too?

2 lil trigger: 7th May 2005 - 19:39 GMT

King lUv right? read the fuking book My Bloody Life pendejo and maybe you'll see who the fuck started the King Nation! ~1~

Josuf an upcoming rapper that reports city misery: 10th May 2005 - 21:43 GMT

Hey whats up hey to go to a great loving place you must greatly love. Great love meaning to love even the worst people such as gangsters. Love gangsters but hate the sin they commit. Be perfect in behavior for God is perfect. Perfect meaning pure in heart.(no critisizing, be forgiving,be poor in spirit,love those who hate you) Do this and you will see the Kingdom of God. Do you know what Tupac's life meant? It is this- that to see God you must love even gangsters. Tupac wasn't a gangster he represented them to advertise the life of them. Read the Bible!

lalo: 11th May 2005 - 14:02 GMT

i lived my entire life in humboldt park. i'v been through tuff time and good time in the park. let me say this though, humboldt park isn't as bad as every1 says it is. i mean u could still get jump or killed for sum stupid shit, but its not as bad as before.

jo-jo: 12th May 2005 - 03:25 GMT

I think all this gang shit is so stupid.That shit to me is getting to old.I can't belive the women who even get on here to talk shit or gangbang there making a fool out of themself's.They should be rasing there kids in a better envi.Showing them this is not the way to be in life.But i guess they want to act hard. For what? For who?

Fei: 12th May 2005 - 21:31 GMT

True.. Really.. its stupid. If it wasnt for those who study and keep their heads up the world, it would be like a life in the ocean. the same shit everyday lives being taken and new ones rising only to survive but really.. for what? they should dedicate themselves to getting further in life. This gang shit is the same everyday. Just sittin out chillin doing nothing wasting time. Hell.. If people didnt study there wouldnt be important people out there such as doctors.. and then what? every mother fucker dies.

lalo: 13th May 2005 - 13:30 GMT

i don't know about all of you people but i didn't get anything this guy just sead.

RLK FOLKILLA: 15th May 2005 - 18:46 GMT

fkucK F.ear O.f L.atin k.in9z

AMOR DE REY MUTHA FUCKA5 5 ALIVE 6K DKIDK DKIE
IGK TSK GDK LCK VLK CVLK CK 13K 6K ALMIGHTY DKONT LIKE NOBODKY

AMOR DE REY KINGZ WURLDK!|!

MIGHTYRIKAN:: 18th May 2005 - 18:55 GMT

Bueno all i can sayy is daaaaaaaamm. i grew up in humboldt park right by the PR FLAGS yeah i saw a lot of shit that whent down, we all had goood and bad times there but that don't give the write for anyone to talk shit only GOD can guge. much love for my rican poeple that r trying to maintain and for the ones that haved moved on up keep doing yo thing,now for these mexican ass holes u guys talk a lot of shit us tedes tienen un cuntry enorme i'll give u that y nosotros tenemos un isla chikita pero lo que mas lo hode a ustedes es que nuestra isla chikita le da mucho mas que competancia a ustedes en todo la musica nuestro deportistas boxiadores Y nuestra mujeres pero lo que mas los hoden a us tedes is that we can come and go from puerto rico yall can't do that. i was reading an article in this page frome some asshole talking about viva kings and fuck all puerto ricans. know u can tell this is a dumb ass mexican who formed that latin kings (THE PUERTO RICAN'S) WERE WAS IT FORMED (IN A PUERTO RICAN BARIO) IN CHICAGO AND WATS THE BARRIOS NAME (HUMBOLDT PARK) SO FOR A'LL YA STUPID ASS MEXICANS DON'T TALK SHIT IF U DON'T KNOW SHIT, Y AUNQUE NUESTRA ISLA ES PEQUEN YA PERO ES GRANDE EN CORASON

ITCHY: 19th May 2005 - 22:02 GMT

FOLKZ STAY ON DEY BACK LIKE HOEZ KC LATIN KINGZ WORLDK HUMBOLDT PARK LATIN KINGZ

Otero_a_m: 21st May 2005 - 21:23 GMT

I would like to start off by saying that my Heart, Respect and Condolenses go out to the family. it's really unfortunate that the kids are usually the ones to pay for our mistakes.
"A wise man once said that smart men learn from their mistakes but Wise men learn from the mistakes of others."
i too grew up in Humboldt Park. I attended Lafayette elementary school and attended Roberto Clemente High School. I was shot, my mother was shot and my best friend was murdered at the age of 15. this all happened in a 3 block radius.
it's really bad for innocent people to get murdered but what's really a shock is that when we look at the big picture we are the ones doing the harm to our own.
Isn't it bad enough that others want us irradicated??? why do we do the favor for them???
my heart goes out to all that die at the hands of anyone for reasons that just don't make sence.
weather it's due to gangbanging, rivalry, revenge, position in rank, or just plain selfishness abd attention. there are so many ways we can put our creativity and positive tactics to use than wiping each other out.
that's all for now. much luv!!!

lalo: 31st May 2005 - 13:40 GMT

that shit was kinda funny, but i'll let that shit ride. it needed to be said, but for those of u wanting to make fun of puerto ricans and ur mexican, don't make me go there cuz i could say a lot of shit about mexicans. i gave u fare warning.

some white guy: 3rd Jun 2005 - 21:35 GMT

Why don't all you two-bit thugs get back on the block and make some money instead of wasting your time talking shit on the internet or if your such a hard ass, go pull a mission and go to County for your People(or Folks for that matter). That's the life you chose, so at least be good at it. Talkin' shit in a chat room is as wack as it gets. For those so-called "Latinos" who love to shit talk about fellow Hispanics, most white people can't tell the difference between a Mexicano and Boriquien. All they seem to care about is how much money you have(or don't have). If you think that white people push minorities out of neighborhoods because they're trying to destroy you, then stop selling your houses and land. The neighborhood isn't being taken over it's being sold to anyone who's willing to buy it. Hard working(Puerto Ricans,Mexicans,Polish,Ukranians and others)with families are sick of finding drug needles in the playground and so they move out. More people die in car related deaths than gun related deaths but it doesn't have as much shock value.

some white guy: 3rd Jun 2005 - 22:12 GMT

Humboldt Park used to be a white Lutheran/Jewish neighborhood. If you don't believe me go look at Roser's bakery and the statue of Lief Ericson with the inscription "Discovered America". Only a cocky white person would write that kind of nonsense. If gangs were stupid they would not survive. Gangs are a reality of city life. Some of the gangs in Humboldt have been around for fifty years. Thier leaders use young men and woman with no direction to gain power or money. It's a sub-culture with it's own police and politics. Anyone who lives in the suburbs and comes here to buy drugs is dumb-fuck. Buy some elotes instead.

......and finally anyone refering to Humboldt Park as HP should go back to watching the O.C.

Anonymous (c-67-175-7-154.hsd1.il.comcast.net): 7th Jun 2005 - 20:33 GMT

you all are probbibly born and raised in america and the only ignorant people are the gang bangers who cant defend them self and need there boys or weapons to back their asses up

Blackaricanmami_05: 12th Jun 2005 - 17:55 GMT

Humboldt park is a good azz neighboorhood i lived there all my life and i still live there .The puerto Rican Parade is coming up,I cant wait.I am puerto rican and black and i speak spanish and english.

dahumboldtmami: 12th Jun 2005 - 18:00 GMT

i've lived in humboldt park all my life and all i can say is dat i've been through good and bad times over here and that i've seen deaths and more. We need 2 end da violence cuz we want da kids 2 grow up and make this place a place where we can live withot being scared 2 walk outside

PRPoet: 13th Jun 2005 - 13:19 GMT

You want to talk about respecting each other and taking care of the nation; why don't you kick the gang shit to the curb?! Want to do some good? Be a role model to the shorties and teach them why being in a gang is bad. The problem with gangs is that it feeds on kids that don't know any better and are lost, for the most part. You want to do some good and follow the teachings of your literature? Then kick the drug shit and stop creating victims and prisoners in your own hood. I come from Humboldt Park and I've seen both sides of the story. I've seen kids that were lost and turned to gangs because they didn't have any other outlets, and guess what? There all dead, locked up or in jail. You want to make it seem like your nation is doing something good but all you do is enslave your own. People are prisoners in their own homes cause of the shit you all do. If you take the time to look around and see what's going on then maybe you'll realize that. And I'm not directing this at one gang specificaly, but to all gangs. Ya'll need to wise up for real. The shame about all of this is that all I'm gonna back is someone's supposed justification on why I'm wrong and the "nation" is really doing good for everyone. You all need to wake up!

king encendio 360: 14th Jun 2005 - 04:48 GMT

yo wats good im a latin king in new york city bronx i have never seen a king from chicago thoose are the ones that i think are the real kings 5 alive we dont die we multiply i knoe a lot of kings that dropped the flag and picked up a red or blue one fuk all of them 1 inca tribe peace in black in gold.

Nino: 14th Jun 2005 - 18:31 GMT

Reggaeton Mundial! keep the peace no sufrir ... Tego Calderon..

Not important: 15th Jun 2005 - 16:41 GMT

A house divided against itself, cannot stand.

CynLaLinda: 22nd Jun 2005 - 22:00 GMT

Soy Puertoriquena y Houndurena,I lived in humbolt park on and off all my life and even though things are bad i still miss it ive seen alot of shit and learned alot of shit from the hood and the people it's sad to hear when any innocent bystandard has been killed or a homie,let alone a loved one its always a sad story but even though we still have to go about our so called ordinary lives we still remember never for get those whom weve lost wether it was by gangs,terrorist,or a phsyco.As for ol girl that hates it so much being Puerto Rican let me leave you with this dont be hateful of your blood i see how you might raise your kids in being little hateful, prejudice, racist bastards your probably ugly as hell with no ass and if you do have an ass its thanks to your mother so dont be a pendeja you ungrateful female you should be happy that your momma kept you in her belly for 9 mnths even though your daddy is mexican.I bet you wont be talking all that smake in a RICANS face any way.The hood is where you get your street smarts from and that does go a long way in life no matter if you stay where you at or move away.I've moved to tulsa oklahoma and shit over here is weak but people know where i was brought up at and im BORIQUA so that right there lets them know im not one to be fucked with.Big ups to all The Folks on F/A AMOR MISS YALL....Every Puerto Rican Should Know Our Anthem...La tierra de Borinquén
Donde he nacido yo,
Es un jardín florido
de mágico fulgor
Un cielo siempre nítido
le sirve de dosel
y dan arrullos plácidos
las olas a sus pies.
Cuando sus playas llegó Colón;
Exclamó lleno de admiración;
"Oh!, oh!, oh!,
Esta es la linda
tierra que busco yo"
Es Borinquén la hija,
la hija del mar y el sol,
del mar y el sol,
del mar y el sol,
del mar y el sol,
del mar y el sol.

Fredrik-Sweden: 23rd Jun 2005 - 13:21 GMT

I´m from Sweden, i.e Scandinavia. When I read this I might be missing something, but all you guys claiming that Humboldt park is great and that you´re proud PR/gangstas etc, read this first: Humboldt belongs to sweden and germany, so shut the fuck up and pay attention to the REAL message upstairs, who can be proud of living in a neighbourhood where kids get killed and shoot randomly? The white people you fight against is us swedes taking back whats ours, take it or leave it, but I guess you´ll leave it... Duh! (Please, this can also be read as a joke, or...)

"By the annexation of Jefferson Township in 1889, all of Humboldt Park came into the city limits. Throughout the 1880s and 1890s, Germans and Scandinavians continued to settle in the area. By 1920, the neighborhood held some 65,000 people, of which twenty-eight percent were foreign-born, chiefly German and Norwegian."

Peter: 23rd Jun 2005 - 13:51 GMT

wow, thats certainly an interesting new perspective...

Fredrik-Sweden: 23rd Jun 2005 - 15:10 GMT

Haha, I guess there are certain points of views that must be strightened out, right!? Anyway, even over here in Sweden we have problems when it comes to gang rivalty (do you spell it like that?) and I´m so tired about people blaming it on some kind of cultural behaviour connected to where people are from. Im certain these people are americans, but as in Sweden, alienated inhabitants. Little Peurto Rico might be Humboldt park, what do I know?! I know for certain that I´ve been there, last september as I spend some nights in Chicago, sadly I have to say it´s like all other surburbs in the world but still I guess the people are proud of their neighbourhood! But, the message was, as I read it: Stop the random killing of children! and also: Stop for a second and remember those who are dead and left behind, I mean, how can we change the prespective and future for those young and lost kids still alive??? You cannot be serious about getting armed and starting some kind of civil war, thats a joke, and the whole gang culture is also a joke in some ways...

Peter: 23rd Jun 2005 - 15:13 GMT

i agree re: the gang culture.

one thing to remember is that many of the opinions stated in this thread are from random people who surfed in via google, and simply left their argumentative two-cents without really being aware of the points being made in the entry.

kinglight55@aol.com: 27th Jun 2005 - 01:46 GMT

AMOR DE REY:

My brothers and sisters i hope you all find yourself in good health when you read this... I am here to ask all of you to please try and help out as much as you can around your community, and reach out to the youth. the reason i am saying this, is because i see alot of kids out there who have there own idea of what the almighty latin king/queen nation is. and its all wrong. and as kings /queens it is our duty to bring these kids in to the light, and show them what we are really about. half these kids out there that have so called "Beef" with our nation feel like this toward us because they dont know what we are really about. if we just take time to talk to them you will see a diffrence. and it doesn't matter what group they belong to, crips, folk, blood,ect.. we are all human, we are all gods children, we are all one race "the human race"!!! the more we ignore them, the more they will never understand the struggle, OUR struggle. america is trying to split us up by tribalism. black, hispanic, asian,ect.. puting us in diffrent palces, sections, so we wont have the chance to get to know each other , learn from each other.. "UNITE".. we must all be one big nation, one big wave, and attack the real opprsssor. only by understanding each others cultures, and learning from one another is the only way we will see a change. we cannot make a change on our own, we must do it together, as a NATION!!! all united under one sun. this is what are nation is about. to relieve the pain that are people are going through, and to educate them on the truth. what is the truth? GOD!!! find him, and have faith in him and he shall lead you to the light, for he is the foundation of our nation... A latin king/queen should always be looking for a way to uplift our people, through education, writing, reading,ect... and by our people i mean everyone, we shall show no discrimination towards no one, we are all equal. and we have no enemies, instead we call them confused brothers and sisters who have not found the light. and yes we will try our best to lead them to that light. if they refuse they will soon find it!!!

SO i ask you my brothers and sisters for all of us to come together despite our diffrences in race, religion, and color. i tell you this is the only way we will defeat our oppressors...

amor de rey mi familia, your brother kinglight55@aol.com

Queen Sapphire: 28th Jun 2005 - 21:52 GMT

First off I want to say Amor De Reina to all my brothers & sisters no matter where you are from. There is so much ignorance plastered on this board that it is sad to read. I finally had to just scan through it. We are all latin no matter if you are from PR, Mexico, Cuba, etc. This corrupt gov't likes to refer to us as the minority when WE make up the majority. If we think small we will be small we must open up our minds. Embrace the ignorance learn to tolerate it for it will make us stronger. It will make us the Rey's & Reina's we are supposed to be. OOoooOOOooooOOO & for the "brother" using the book "MY BLOODY LIFE" as reference to our great and wonderful NATION.... I question that fact that you would use that book to refer to anything about the nation. Maybe you haven't read it all if you did you need to read it again. Just because someone WAS down for the cause for a little while does not make them a good bro.... for where are they now oooo thats right still getting fat pockets off of his trials and tribulations of the nation why don't you go pick up his other book THE UNMAKING OF A LATIN KING hmmm...... doesn't sound like someone I would ever use as a reference to MY GOLDEN LIFE..... AMOR DE REINA!

Stef: 29th Jun 2005 - 03:22 GMT

I Dont know why some people keep complaining about Hombouldt Park if you got a problem with it get up and stop complaining to us go to the vity of chicago and complain their half these cops dont do shit. Then to those who keep talking bad about the Almighty Latin King/Queen Nation got's problems we mean alot more than most people think go ask a true King or Queen what we truely mean you'll feel stupid for even douting us, but I do admit know and days shorties be doing the total oppisite of our true meaning.Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Columbian, ect we are all Latinos and have to stick 2gether before our fellow white man controls us. know to that stupid Sweden chick shut the fuck up.And to all my Almighty Latin Kings/Queens Amor my brothers and sisters 1-4-18.....

J: 1st Jul 2005 - 23:43 GMT

I was born and raised in Humbolt Park people need to stop complaining about the Gangs cause the cops (pigs) are as fucked up as we are if not worst and all my peeps repin Humbolt Park get yall spellin right yall make us look bad we need to step up and stop fightin each other open are eyes and see these PIGS are trying to get these rich suburb mother fuckas in Humbolt Park so they can be closer to their jobs in Down Town and as Puerto Ricans we need to make sure we keep those 2 Puerto Rican flags going across them streets and everybody know spanish & blacks together run Chi-town and for my peeps its HUMBOLT PARK we need to have the biggest Puerto Rican parades Chicago always been little Puerto Rico Fuck new york but we need to make them parades more peaceful

J : 2nd Jul 2005 - 01:04 GMT

I know yall heard about Kevin he was trying to change hes life and the cops killed him this is prof that these cops aint no different
they also plant drugs on people (Gangstas) So if some one wants to complain about getting gangs off the streets then complain about these dirty PIGS as well and if u got a thorn in ur eye dont try to take the thorn out some one elses gangs aint the only ones bring problems to the Chi the niggas I run wit only do what we have too and thats real if some one comes these way they get delt wit

sophia: 4th Jul 2005 - 02:48 GMT

I'm a white girl.I love my home and i appreciate the diversity of Humboldt Park. I understand wanting to preserve Puerto Rican heritage in Humboldt Park it's importance. Gang violance wherever it amy exsist causes a domino effect of pain and adversity for so many people. But his will make Latinos mad, but according to the US census you don't even have your own race latino or hispanic is not even considered a race but an ethnicity your are either a non-white hispanic or white hispanic

SadStateOfAffairs: 11th Jul 2005 - 17:18 GMT

Very sad but enlightening to read all of the threads. I too live in Humboldt Park and have seen the good and the bad. The first night in our new home, a girl got shot, once in the arm and once in the leg. It was at 3 a.m. - nothing good happens after 10:00 p.m.in the neighborhood. She is lucky to be alive. The funny thing was she was walking around the next day proud as a peacock. That sounds to me like time to reassess your life and thank God that somebody was a bad shot.

I read about the pride but I don't see it. I see violence, hatred and people who love to throw trash around. The park is beautiful but everyone is doing their best to see that fixing it up was a bad idea. There is garbage everywhere. Where is the pride in that?

The thing I don't understand is the Latino family structure being so strong and meeting folks from great families and then see a different child or father away from the family out gang banging like they didn't have a family that loved them or needed them. Very sad and sadder to know that the answers are long in coming. I realize the solidarity and the adrenaline rush from banging are hard to find in a 9 to 5 job but is it really worth it if you end it all at the age of 19? Life is hard, work is not fun, becoming an adult is a challeng, raising a family is hard but that is what living is.

The gangs are a substitute for family but....Everyone is so tired of the violence I guess the answer is just to put up flashing blue lights at every corner then everyone will be happy except the mayor who has to pay to monitor the cameras.

Call me naive but I know there is a better way than to put people in four buckets and go at it - (PR, Mexicanas, Blacks and Yuppies).

Education and hard work are the only ways out. The schools are failing in this part of the city schools and I realize studying is not really cool but that is the only way out that I see. Kudos to those who have made it out and are surviving. I have great respect for you and wonder how you made it. Good luck.

Anonymous (adsl-68-72-17-235.dsl.chcgil.ameritech.net): 16th Jul 2005 - 22:32 GMT

i grew up in logan square with my mom and we had to go down to humbodlt park wen i was little to go get welfare checks for my mom now that i am older i do go to humboldt park to see my friends and hang out when i was about 12 my older brother was shot by those pussy ass IG...my father and i miss him very much...my dad grew up on beach and spaulding and he is known as a LATIN KING!!! AMOR DE REY!! well mu father and his friends went after the ig that killed my brother and they are still lookin for them at night i sometimes cry myself to sleep i miss my brother soo much....

L: 16th Jul 2005 - 22:47 GMT

i dont see a point to people that like gangs and that rep for gangs but i dont thinkt hat s its right when the cops find out that someone is in a gang and yells curses at them and treats them like shit how are those pussy ass white cops gonna be racist in an all latino community...i was like wtf when i heard this one cop scremaing n gettin all up in this teenage boys face he was punchin the livin shit out of him didnt kno wtf he was thinkin...i think that ppl like or get into gangs for protection if u live in the ghetto u can just go through any hood alone u cant just go sumwhere where no one knows you...also alot of ppl dont have a family they join a gang to feel loved and to have ppl care and provide for them...im not against gangs but for mi i dont think i would be involved...i kno how it is for them when i was around the age of 13 i fell in love or what i thout was love with a gang member for a while and i felt the pain that he was goin through his dad used to beat him he didnt have a mom ppl at climente would beat the shit out of him...to this day i dont like him any more but were still cool...n the reason these bitch ass white ppl complain that humbodlt park is bad then dont fuckin move there leave the latinos and bkacks the fuck alone u want a job in downtown take the fuckin train..i kno that these white bitches wouldnt want ppl that are not white movin into their palces soo dont move over there,,if i lived down in humbodlt park id blast these bitches...i feel fo yall...much love to all yall boricuas

mia: 18th Jul 2005 - 02:37 GMT

I don't understand why anyone thinks white people want to take over humboldt park it's the City Of Chicago. It has more to do with property value than anything the city and state want anyone you can pay high taxes on on an expensive home. So maybe all of you who are complaining and are obviously really racist towards white people should find a away to afford to live in Humbodlt Park. You live in the US there are so many opportunities for latinos now more than ever. So if your blaming white people your brain is the size of pea, and you wasting you time and energy for hating so much instead of bettering yourself.

Reality: 20th Jul 2005 - 19:20 GMT

To everyone that believes white people are living in Humboldt Park for the fun of it, get real. It is not by choice. Why would anyone choose to put themselves in an area of random gunfire, fights, drugs, hypodermic needles, and hatred? If I had a choice I think it'd be a beach front property on Lake Michigan. It is because they don't have the money to live where they want to. Just like most of the people in the neighborhood. Economics is blind to prejudice, if you have a family and cannot afford to live in a nicer neighborhood then you do what you can and make the best of it.

Do you believe that white people find it fun to be called a white assed bitch and be told to get the f out of the neighborhood mfer. Boy that sounds like fun to me. If they are in Humboldt that is because they cannot afford to live elsewhere, just like many people in the neighborhood. Cancer doesn't discriminate nor does the economics of trying to support a family. Most folks in the area support each other regardless of race - those that don't usually live life angry and believe that something is owed to them. Life doesn't sit still nor will the neighborhood.

Do you think the city put all of that money into fixing up the park for fun? They put it into the park to make it liveable. This turns into tax dollars as Mia indicates. It is a clear formula. Make the city livable, raise property values, raise taxes = a thriving city of chicago revenue center. The city is run like a business and has been fairly successful in getting people to move back into the city.

Reality also sadly says that drugs and violence are a part of our culture and I don't see that going away anytime in my lifetime. So if you think your way of life is threatened don't worry. There will always be gangs and people looking for drugs. That is reality too.

You can no more stop the progression then when it happened long ago when the neighborhood started to go downhill and the drugs started to move in. The folks living in HP couldn't stop it from happening then just as you won't stop the neighborhood from improving. If you don't like a safer, cleaner, friendlier neighborhood then keep moving.

Juanted: 21st Jul 2005 - 04:15 GMT

I always thought when i shoot someone I would be for a very good reason.I thought I'm not going to let anybody cheat me,think there better than me, steal from me.hells no!
When my little brother and me was in the alley working on my car these bangers rolled up and put five bullets in alejandro two in me, i'm crippled but at least i'm fucking alive.
I now have a very differnt perspective now but it took many years to understand the damage i did. I would do anything to erase gangbanging from life.God forgive me. Forgive me Alex -Love you forever my Brother.Peace

cafeconleche: 22nd Jul 2005 - 06:04 GMT

This is in regards to Reality's take on what is happening in HP. People...its called regentrification. Its been happeingin since I was a student at Clemente...WHite people Do have a chioice! The rent in some areas are cheap but the reality is that nuestra comunidad was a goldmine all along and not until the artists began coming into the neighborhood iss the true potencial of what we have come to be....If you live between Kedzie and Ashland u got it made. Your close to transportation, you you've got all these specialty shops ctering to the anglo upper middle class. And the park?????????????!

Its social construction.....How many years was Humbolt Park rotting away? The st PR generation wasn't as proactive as some of the 2nd PR generation is --they didn't know who to complain and advocate for thier kids...as long as the field house had little league for the kids it was all good. But the blancos? They wouldn't step foot into HP the way it was 10 years ago! How many of you can remeber how shitty it was and how we accepted it because thats the way it was...
C'mon on Daly fixed that shit up because of the regentrification. Lets get all the white kids whose parents used to live in the city to come back...See the parents part took of something called "whit flight..." the PRs and the African Americans strted to move this way and the whitds moved futher North--now thier children are coming back...Property rate are on the rise and the only people that can afford to BUY the houses in the area are people who can pay a mortgage of 3 grand or so...
My family was the first PR family to buy a house o Spaulding and Division in 1968..back then it was a Polish neighborhood....The first thing that was commented by these people was"Here come the niggers!" Can you imagine that..now fast forward to 2000. The property taxes are so high my elderly mother who is now on SS and her pention cannot afford to pay the taxes of her house that she bought in 1968 for --get this $45,000!

Guys I've seen it all--I went to Lowell school--I ent to Clemente and things are changing--
What with the "Do you think that the white people want to be there--boo hoo pobrecitos them--REALITY CHECK ya'll ...YES they do! HP is the hotest place to be besides tha adjasent areas-Bucktown etc... The shit isyou should hear what they are saying about us and our community..I wa on some chicks web site with pix of the community and she was describing some ladies that ere stanind ig near her --talk'in 'bout how they look like prostitutes with the fake dyed hair---c'mon
Then she went on to describe how she can't understand how these children live in this kind of area---how do the parents do it---she then proceeded to describe the horrid conditions on that particular street...
I just can't stand how they are so presumtuous. HOw they come in withoug understanding the history of the area--I remeber during the beginning of the regentrification, one lady was trying to get the people from one sec. 8 housing facility on Norht and Damen ( it was called.The Victor )eveicted--not one apt. the whole damn place because it was bad for the neighborhood-so she was going areound with a petition--These people were not bad--they just were down on thier luck! I also remeber one facility for young people--Ithink it was before Barreto's was redone--people were calling the cops (white people) becuase the kids were gang bangers--What was happening was they didn't like the guys hanging outside after a workout session--What does this all mean to you ????? How many of your remeber the phrase"BORICA defiende lo tuyo!" Tht was the call guys we've forgotten that! I couldn't walk my dog in the park 15 years ago--now yuppies are jogging up at all hours...

Madre Sufrida: 22nd Jul 2005 - 06:17 GMT

To all the KIngs out there. I grew up in the hood'but I got my ass out of the hood--I recieved a college educatina & now I'm a teacher--my son--he's a King now--he's not well--he's mentally ill and you know what? The Kings take advantage of that --Please explain to me how being part of the KIng -dom is a benifit to my 12 year old? What are the Kings doing for him beside teaching him to be a criminal and taking advantage of his mental instability? If you all were down with the Nation and the future of nuestra gente atravez de los ninos y ninas you would push him to go to school instead he's hanging with people my age 30+ cappin' other gangs , taking coke , drinking ang wasting away--Please REYES explicame como es que ustedes estan ayudando a nuestros hijo e hijas mejorar nuestra raza, nuestro barrio y nuesro mundo cuando la unica cosa que veo de mi hijo es que se ha transformado en un criminal, droaga adicto. pillo...Ive read your prayer, I've researched the mighty nation--hell, I live right around the corner from the heart of the Kings growing up--My best friend were all Kings--- I gone on your web site to reasearch and learn I've seen the rules you live by--so what's with dealing of the drugs--that's not betterign our people--its only lining your pockets with blood money..PEPLE I don't get it...

cafeconleche: 23rd Jul 2005 - 15:37 GMT

It came too late for my mom and my childhood home....

cafeconleche: 23rd Jul 2005 - 15:51 GMT

As I was reading some of the stuff out there I noticed that one of the KINGS was talking about the F#@*! Polacos--okay you guys who are anti-white..I 'm with you , I can empathize.... but you all have to get it together and realize the polacos move out in the 70's when we(th PRs) moved in..The "Polacos" you're talking about are now called YUPPIes ..Young-Urban-Professionals...smf thier not polish their considered "Anglos"...If you all are gonna be against "the man" and los blancos-los guerros--how ever you wanna say it--- PLEASE for Pete's sake know who "the man" is 'cause then people don't take you seriously and you end up looking like a dork....

If the Kings are all about bettering the neighborhood and what not--get yourselves a college degree and do something besides recruit little kids like what happened with MADRE SUFRIDA and pay your elders (the Young Lords) some respect. ..The Young Lords, who are now in thier 40's and 50's, I'm sure are very dissillusioned with what has become of our people and the legacy they tried to create...the Kings distored it...By the way--the whole Madre Sufrida story is all too familiar--she's not the only one who's been hurt by what the Kings , the D's , the Cobras, and all the gangs as well as what they've have done--YOu haven't brought pride to Latinos guys --you just help perpetuate the stereotypical image of what people who are from outside of our community and our race understand us to be...Adding to that People/Folks--Hey!!!!!!!you all are killing off a generation--I'm just gald that there were some of us who escaped it and live to tell the tale....At least my kids know where they and thier momma came from and where they're going--it sure as hell ain't back tracking to the gang...

cafeconleche...: 23rd Jul 2005 - 16:18 GMT

Mia about your comment about finding a way to afford to live in Humbolt Park--that's comment is SO wrong on SO many Levels there are layers to my rebuttle...YOu know--I'm part of the middle class--and the fact is that I can't afford to live in Humbolt Park. I have a goddam Masters degree from De paul and I still don't make enough $ to own a house and maintain the lifestyle that I enjoy and want to continue to give my child....Mia , what do YOU do? How much do you make? Are u transpalnted from Ohio, NY, or maybe Conn. ? Do you know what it is like to live your whole life in a community only to see the community now torn apart because those people(yes los blanco YUPPIES) believe that they have a right to KICK--yes kick out--those who they belive are of a lower status than themselves. As messed up as HP might be there are roots that stem back generations and in a 10 year span its being wiped out. YOu have to understand in order to stay in HP you have to OWN not RENT. Its about class, race ;sociocultural sociopolitical and socioeconomic issues. The elderly who owned or even rented can no longer afford to do so on SSI...MIA do you have elderly parents? Is anyone in your family indigent. Have you expereinced being a second class citizen not because of the way you look(because I can pass for a variety of ethnicies) but because of your last name?

Yes , I 've been fortuante enought to take advantage of the opp. provided for me because of my latino last name--but opp. is not the only thing that is needed --you need a working knowledge of the system, and if the majority of my PR brothers and sisters have not had the opp. to have been exposed to "the system," did not have the opp. to have been mentored early on where do they begin at age 23, 25 or 35? HP is a young community and if that generation did not have the opp. for mentorship HOW on EARth can they do tht for thier childrn whoa re now pre-teens?

--becuase the truth is when I was growning up--the only opp. for us to get out were: teacher, nurse, social worker exectuive sec. or data programmer-- We were still being shoved into "servicing" we were not told --be the artist and gallary owner, be the doctor(rather than the nurse), be the owner(rather thatn middel management)..so its easy to look in form the outside--but please before forming those opinons understand that wee've walke in different shoes , taken different paths and were looking @ the same situation from 2 very distinct point of views--

you MIA are part of the dominant society--we (for this conversation's purpose Ill keep it to Puerto Ricans) still are second class citizens...Mia do you know what its like to be a 2nd class citizen, to grow up wearing clothing from the Salvation Army/ Did you ever stand in line for Regan cheese? Did you mom ever have to explain to the welfare lady why she is wearing a new gold chain this month and then proceed to scold mom for having spent her welfare check on that rather than shoes for her child....(the gold chain had been a gift to my mother from the church for having been named Mother of the Year w/in our congrgation)....yea mIa it is easy to say get a job that will allow you to pay the mort. when you don't factor in all these things my dear...

Seeking a Future: 24th Jul 2005 - 05:22 GMT

Hey everyone, I grew up in HP, left for several years and have returned. We are who we choose to be. The opportunities are there. I agree some of us Latin Americans do not have the knowledge but the only way to obtain the knowledge is by seeking something better. I have no regrets in life & I am Proud to be a Latina. My children now attend a Private school in the area because I can not afford the luxury to stay home & watch them after school. I chose to do that.. You can choose to better your life.. When did our people stop thriving for more for something better. Look back at how difficult it was for some of our parents to come from other countrys and the lousy jobs they held so we can move forward.. It all takes time.. generation after generation. recruiting future gang members to hold them back and continue to live the stereo type of being Latino is not the way to progress. If we would all stop screwing our own people and work together God knows we would be much further than what we have come. Welfare parents go to school while your children are in school, you can get the money for it and you obviously have the time.. USE THE SYSTEM If you think you don't know how to use it than damnit learn it.. by this time you have realized that A) nothing comes easy & B) No one is going to hand over fulfilled dreams to you. Educate yourselves learn to use the system. 20yrs ago it was predicted French would be the 2nd international language, all the educated Anglos learned it.. Now 20 yrs later their hiring us to translate because we are the future.. Don't let ignorance keep US down.. God Bless all of you & no I'm not a holy roller & yes I probably know 1/2 you people who say you live around HP..

Your Own Worst Enemy: 25th Jul 2005 - 15:46 GMT

Some know the system, some don't. A few systems that are known very well in HP - drugs - how to sell them - how to run them - how to avoid getting caught and then laughing about it. The other that I see as I am new to the neighborhood - Latinos taking advantage of other Latinos. I looked for a long time for a place to live in HP and do you know what I found. Many Latino families are paying $1,000 a month for a pest-infested, no warm water rental. Why? Because they don't speak English and their landlord does. As mentioned, many times Latinos prey on their own. Not good.

Say I am wrong but this is what I see. Take a look at the prices of food at the markets. They are very high for the quality of the food. Why? Because the owners know that many people cannot walk or can't take the bus for groceries so they raise the prices. When Walmart opens up I feel you will be surprised to see how much the quality of the products at the stores increases as well as seeing the price decrease. If they can't compete then they will be gone. I wish they were putting in a Super-Wal Mart so I could get groceries there too but this was stopped.

I feel for everyone who cannot afford to live in HP. But the sooner you realize that improved, safer neighborhoods cost money and that people are willing to pay for it then the better off you'll be. It will only get more pricey. You cannot stop change, it is happening all over the city. Just look at Pilsen or any other neighborhood that is close to the city. Fight it if you like, blame it on others but that is not going to do anything.

For those who wish to buy or try to buy there are programs. CHA has a Latino starter program and it is a pretty good start and a fair program. They make you take a course and then they help you qualify for a loan, help with closing costs, get you a low interest rate etc... You need to be a Latino to qualify.

I didn't realize the level of hate and hurt in the neighborhood. This site has opened my eyes. Be careful on making assumptions.

cafeconleche: 25th Jul 2005 - 17:10 GMT

To:
YOur own worst...and Seekinga future... and everyone else out there...

It's nice to see that there are some of us on the same page--I don't know if you'd call it hate,--we'll then again, yeah--there is a little hate and ALOT of hurt. I see it like this...How can you( the gangs...particularly the ALKN) talk about up lifting up la raza if you all can't even uplift yourselves out of the 'hood. I was down with dat way back--I could've easily gotten sucked in but I didn't and I got out--now I give back to my community--I'm not a 9 to 5 er: move up--move out --go back and work --then leave to my posh little house in the nice part of town...NO!

I work damn hard to make sure I set the example for my students, their bros. and sis. who really don't have any role model other than Beyonce talkin' 'bout her neeing a soldier , a man to have"street credibility if he wants to be with me.." or Fity Cent who still hasn't given up gang banging and can stand proud about having been shot at --what?.... like 1,000 times, and still livng to tell about it...

I work in the community, I shop in the community , I'm around so F!@%$ much the kids think I live in the 'hood--I don't but that's the thing--I haven't forgotten where I come from....I wan to be the example seeing You know I'm the real thing--my mom has a 2nd grade ed. and came here from P.R. in the dead of winter with her littl sun dress and her open toed chancletas in 1950 after my migrant farmer worker uncle paid airfare for 4 sibilings and 2 parents.I'm not gonna let that legacy go--they came her for a reason this was before they understood welfare and what exactly FDR's New Deal was all about...There was no welfare back then for them--only hard work and hope for the future--THe parents settle in HP and that became home for the rest of it--until los YUPPIES (YES YUPPIES for all you ignorant Bast#%*!--not POLACOs--know your enemy people--know your enemy)all of you in ALKN need to go and ask your granparents and your parents what was it like for them. What was it like to cut sugra cane in the fields in 110 degree weather? What was it like not eating meat because they couldn't afford it--how about your grandma having to feed her babaies "black water"( black coffee with either a spoonful of powered milk, no milk or very little cow/goats milk) because either there was no $ for milk or there was no $ to own a cow...Apparently you all are here in the U.S/Chgo/Humb. Park for a rason..I'm not republican and I have just as many issues with the country but damnit--you guys have SO MANY opportunites tak that brass ring hermanos y hermanas---get out then give back---don't let your parents' and grandparents'legacy go to waste..You all need to watch the movie with Julia Roberts' -ex---como se llama......oh yeah--Benjamin Bratt. La move se llama "Pinero"....good ass flick..Fuck the whole "Blood in Blood out/Colors/genera of film that stereotypes Latinos-- its about one of our own----its at Blockbuster! It has sex drugs and some violence--but it really happened....

cafeconleche: 25th Jul 2005 - 17:46 GMT

I keep going thru this site and I find so much BS I was just reading some old comment from Jan from EL viejo de arriba....Yo' viejo you need to stop brown nosing the USA and the GOP
We are not Americans--we are Latinos --(how ever you speak spanish is fine technically there is no "proper spanish or proper englsih" however the writers on this site want to spell the words that they speak let them---
--For your information ethnogaphers(social scientist) consider what we (the 2nd and 3rd generation of Asian. Latino[p.r. , mex, salvadorians...] African American; a subculture--the mixing of Englis with the native language(the native languge being the L1--1st Language..Englsih is the L2). This has nothing to do with ghettoness it has to do with creating your own culture and identity because 1) the dominant society does not accept your own home culture/language 2) you are mainting some tie to your native culture 3) its a naturall sociological phenomenon that there is seapage of the dominant culture in to the native culture...YOu need to pick up a book by John Ogbu or J. Cummins and read about whats really going on...

cafeconleche: 25th Jul 2005 - 17:51 GMT

I keep coming back here hoping to have some gangbanger express his/her opinions on the staements made regarding the 'hood, the gang , and thier mission---No rebuttles...huh, interesting.....

Peter: 25th Jul 2005 - 17:56 GMT

its because this thread has grown old and tired, and if youll notice, far from any pertinence to the original post...

Witness...: 27th Jul 2005 - 00:30 GMT

There will always be others- people who will in a perverted fashion misuse the fabrics & the dynamics of a society. The ills of a society will always look "attractive", "alluring", and "inviting" to those on the outside.

Those on the outside will feel compelled to touch it from the outside; will adopt the chemistry & the formula for thier own ego(s). These people are limited in nature and are compelled to use the self-destructive guise of a society as their own.

These same people will fail to see the light of the day and anyone who comes in speaking of their hypocritical nature will be condemned and banished from their "sect" of society.

These same people who perpetuate tragedy and confusion will fight to preserve their sickness.

There are people on this site who misuse juvinille deliquency, who misuse the concept of gangs.

These same people boast of their pride in reflecting control over others here who disagree with them.

These same people do not have the courage to embrace the ghetto. The instead perpetuate and exploit it's ills.

They hide behind their words here on this website. Someday door(s) will be opened. When those doors are opened, we will see the cowards standing in their bones, praying to know the meaning of soul.

Pray for peace, ask for justice to deliver its blindness.

Horse met Ass.

One a tyrant with trappings.
The other worn out with toils.

Horse was crossing his path.
Ass gave way, too slow.

"Whoa," Horse said,
"I'm only just reined back
from stamping hooves on you."

Shh. Ass kept hush.
And groaned as well,
the gods be my witness.

Horse soon broke down racing.
Wound up sent to the farm.
Ass saw him loaded with dung.

Mocked Horse, and here is the gist:
"What on earth has become of you?
Once, proud with trappings.
Now, come to the hell you scorned."

**All you lucky ones, who
despise your fellow man:
Always remember that margin of error.
You never do know what you'll become**

cafeconleche: 27th Jul 2005 - 04:49 GMT

Hey ....are we being censored??????I wrote up a comment yesterday and there were two other people with very articulte comments and now all of the comments aren't here...what's up with that?

jeeff: 27th Jul 2005 - 07:14 GMT

i dunno, personally i find a lot of the recent comments here really interesting.

seeking a future: 28th Jul 2005 - 03:12 GMT

My comments are gone as well.. Everyone is talking about how we should help each other well, several years ago I vowed to give back to my community, we purchased a building and rehabbed it and believe it or not did not raise the rents above $550. What happened--- you got it my OWN people screwed me.. Latinos need to learn alot.. We've come a long way but still have further to go. Instead of looking at people who are trying to help us as the enemy, we should allow them to help. NOT everyone trying to help the community is trying to KICK us OUT or TAKE OVER Maybe we should learn to maintain and grow, learn from others instead of believing the Yuppies are taking over lets show them that we can take care of our homes have nice lawns and stop the violence.. who in their right mind would not want those things??? I don't get it.. We complain they are taking over but the last time I past by Lemoyne and spaulding (Police Camera on Beach and all) there was still drug dealing going on.. I'm shocked some of these people will make a drop with their kid in tow.. That's disgusting.. Each Latino generation should excel and progress further than the previous, why do some of our people wish to STAY in the same rut.. I get so confused how some wouldn't want something better.. Don't tell me it's the system because the system isn't telling anyone to stand at Lemoyne and spaulding and sell drugs.. and by the way Who the Hell built those three nasty ass buildings on Lemoyne.. Their a damn eye sore aside from all the gang bangers and lack of greenery on that street.

seeking a future: 28th Jul 2005 - 03:12 GMT

seeking a future I agree with you: 28th Jul 2005 - 05:04 GMT

The thing is ---there are a lot of factor that can be attibuted to not moving up---Firstly the U.S createda system of dependency when FDR intorduce Operation Bootsrap which was ppart of the NEW Deal--in order to "revitalize" the economy FDR PAID farmers not to grow crops.Here is the beginningof dependency--the U.S. governmet would pay these famers --farmers who went back generation in agricultre --to stop woring the land that thier great-great grandparents had farmed--so what do these farmers do? Now they are idle(tha's where the whole shit of us being lazy comes from--thing is they paid us to sit on our assess--this like really putting it in layman's terms) This ment that major American Corp now had thea ll this land to use for their companies. Then the U.S. they tried to industrialize the island.... companies came in , rail roads were created for the military and for priviate industry--my abuelito worked building the railroad called la miliatr tha runs fromone end of the island to the other...The U.S came it took over and made us dependant--dependancy fosters ingorance...whe had no other way--I really believe tht the last genration to really understand what hard work is was my parent's generation those born during the depression--El que no trabajaba no comia--thais until the NEW DEAL--

okay so now they recruit all these P.R to go and fam landi in Hawaii, and a thru out the U.S --they bocome migratn workers and come here with the hopes of bettering thier live--they are soemthing like indentured servants--they come to farm and work infactories all over the U.S many face squalid conditions, some not so bad-- regardles-they worked their assess off...but by this time post industrial P.R was in the make.There was very little farming for substiance(feeding the family) now the u.s. owned the fincas and the stores, and the products that were bought, they controlled what came into the island and what countries itcame from becuase remeb. we were(and still are a colony( u know like America and and England-they didn't have a voice--taxation w/out representation etc...) well same with us but since they don't make us pay taxes we have very little representation (or voice in congress) but I'me getting ahead of myself---anyway to make this grueling stroy short---the U.s mad our people dependent and ignorant --we've been screwed fromthe beginning, we've known it so we are going to be the pit bulls --out to get what we need form whoever we BELIEVE is going to take advantage of use..P.R society (on the island) is more classist then racist. Los Yankees/guesros/balncoswhatever-ya'know whites represent the invaders-the bad guys--they had the money: money=power, power= control of the language of the belief system(whats import. in the culture etc..) there is alot of resentment towards the u.s. ...Those who want stae hood understand the benifits of being part of a wold paower etc. Those who want to be a free nation---we'll I'm not going there it gets too touchy....Yeah ---basically the u.s created a cultre of dependency and if gen. after gen. has fallen been raised with a welfare mentality --without the skills , knowledg , or experience to break the cycle its really difficult to escape it--Its not an exuce --by no means but really its like if a chid sees his/her mom (Puerto Rico) always beeing beaten up, taken advantage of and is raised to see this from birth ,a ndis fea a whole lot of BS about how the dominant onein the relationship--the mans (the U.S.) has a right to do whatever he wants with mom and this pattern is repeated thru out the gen. it si going to be very hard for that child to relearn a new pattern of living if it is isolated and not taught other wiase--I know the analogy is iffy but its the best way I can illustrate why we(p.Rs ) are the way we are....

Please , please don't censor my thoughts: 28th Jul 2005 - 05:06 GMT

I think its kinda poiniant....Peace out guys....
Oh yeah--I'm still waiting for a gangbanger's rebuttle about the staements made regarding the 'hood, the gang , and thier mission---

cafeconleche--just a little research to substaciate what I'm talkin' 'bout...: 28th Jul 2005 - 05:21 GMT

....Pedro Albizu Campos protested vigorously against the US Navy’s invasion of Vieques in 1941. In a series of articles published in a newspaper, Albizu accused the Navy of carrying out a policy of genocide against the Puerto Rican people in Vieques. In 1941, there were 10,362 inhabitants in Vieques. The Navy expropriated two thirds of the total land, including most of the land used for farming. The location of Vieques has made the island a sought after territory since the beginning of the colonization of Puerto Rico. The island of Vieques although colonized by the Spanish, was coveted by the French, Danish and British. All marshes, mangrove areas, dry lands and bodies of water adjacent to and belonging to Puerto Rico, situated on the east and southeast coasts of Puerto Rico were ceded to the Navy in a law approved by the Puerto Rican legislature in April of 1941. Thousands of people were forced off their land, and those without a legal title were given $20 or $30 for their houses and less than 48 hours to abandon the area. Even the Governor of Puerto Rico at the time, Luis Muñoz Marín was against the military installation in Vieques. In a letter to then President John F. Kennedy on December 28th, 1961 he wrote: "Obviously, the political and human dismemberment which the project involves will be a fundamental shock. We know of no truly comparable action in American history. I believe that it is the kind of action which arouses instinctive disapproval". It can be assumed that the letter to President Kennedy did not deter the US Navy from establishing a base in Vieques. In fact with the impending transfer of the Panama Canal to Panama, the U.S. Southern Army might possibly be relocating to Ft. Buchanan, near Bayamón, Puerto Rico. This can only worsen the "environmental disaster" that the Puerto Rican environmentalist Dr. Neftalí García, calls Vieques. Professor Jos¾ Seguinot Barbosa, Director of the Geography Department of the University of Puerto Rico also states that, "the eastern tip of the island (where the navy carries out its bombing practice) constitutes a region with more craters per kilometer than the moon." The Puerto Rican people, in a never ending struggle for human rights, have protested against the U.S. Navy occupancy of Vieques for decades. Most recently, after a civilian security guard was killed by an errant bomb in April. The Navy then suspended training on Vieques but has sought a way to resume it. Since then the people supporting the removal of the Navy from Vieques have gone from camping out on the bombing range, to holding demonstrations across the U.S. Even the governor of Puerto Rico Pedro Rosello, that is for the most part pro-statehood, called Clinton's plan to resume the military bombing for the next five years with "inert," or dummy, bombs on Vieques instead of the live ammunition that is part of advanced combat training, as "unacceptable for the people of Puerto Rico and the people of Vieques." He also stated that, "Personally I feel deceived with the position that's been taken because it doesn't faithfully reflect what we have been discussing with the president."

Politics, the economy, education, culture, labor, the environment and most of all the status of Puerto Rico, have been constant issues at war between Puerto Rico and its colonizers. The people of Puerto Rico have never been given a sincere chance to choose for themselves their islands destiny. The so called Plebiscites are only to prove that the people on the island are divided by fear, a fear that has been instilled in the people for more than 500 years. For what else can a people learn when they have been brainwashed into associating independence with poverty, ruled with a mixture of paternalism and neglect, with a self-righteousness and condescension, and into believing "they are unfit for self-government"?

SadStateOfAffairs: 28th Jul 2005 - 15:45 GMT

Those two buildings on LeMoyne are the ugliest fortresses I have ever seen. They are for sale and nobody wants to buy, I wonder why. The Blue Light is off for a few days because an 18 wheeler took it out.

To see a case study in how dependency doesn't work you just need to take a look at the state of the Native American Indians and their reservations. This dependency started well before the New Deal with the creation of the reservations - (to see Chicago's reservations look at the Taylor homes or Cabrini Green.) The average life span of an Indian is 53, alcoholism and diabetes are at epidemic proportions. My mother grew up on the Tuscarora Nation reservation and let me just say when you get government assistance and don't need to work you do three things - drink, eat and look for trouble. If you're a single mother then that is different. To seek an education/join the Navy as my mother did means you are no longer welcome back at home and it's gone forever, you've become like the white man. I see this with kids in the neighborhood. Education is not cool but it is the only way out. I realize the schools aren't the best but you have to do what you can and try to rely on others who are there to help.

The system was created to help but it has many side effects.

cafeconleche: 29th Jul 2005 - 03:29 GMT

Sad state...Historically this is exactlay how its been--it all about the traditional Eurocentric p.o.v : anything other than white is inferior, therefore let us "civilize the ignoran savage and enlighten and uplift him with with our culture..." That's how it was in ALL of Latin America, Africa,U.S. .. Sad ain't it...

Peter: 29th Jul 2005 - 13:49 GMT

cafeconleche: im glad youve chosen to become a regular contributor here. we hope you stay :)

cafeconleche....: 30th Jul 2005 - 09:52 GMT

My comments go to show that there are some of us who from H. P who don't fit the stereotype of welfare mom, and are educated. A couple of us actually made it out of H.P and the public, neighborhood schools(Lowell School, Von Humbolt, LaFeytte and Clemente Comm. Academy ...) with the ability to able to read write and think!

seeking a future: 31st Jul 2005 - 19:30 GMT

Cafeconleche,

There are many of us who made it out of H.P. Semi Educated, it's just unfortunate that most of the ones who did progress forgot where they came from.

benrox: 1st Aug 2005 - 08:31 GMT

Alright - I've read a good amount of these posts. Let me start off by saying that I am white. I've been living in "the hood" my whole life. I don't live in Humboldt Park, but near enough in Logan Square.

Growing up in the hood as a white boy made me see things from a perspective that most white people will never be able to comprehend. I've experienced prejeduce being that whites are now a minority inside of our beloved city. I have interacted with so many different people of different races, colors, religions etc... that for me to defend any one race would make me feel ignorant.

But at the same time, I think many people fail to understand that there are 2 different ways of thinking.

#1) People who have pride for their heritage, because they are proud of the struggles and sacrifices their decendants made to give they're people a better way of living at the cost of they're own happyness and somtimes they're own lives. ( educated pride )

If your descendants never fought, and made sacrifices in an effort to survive - then you wouldn't be here this very day.. It's that simple. Puerto Ricans... Mexicans... Jews... Every race has had they're own struggles, and yet somehow - are all still here. For you to be proud of your herritage - you must know your past. If you don't know your past - then what are you celebrating? which brings me to...

#2) Pride through wanting to belong to a part of something. (also the human ego ) I have no issues with ANY race. But every year when the puerto rican parade comes... Out of the thousands of people out celebrating - how many of them know WHAT IT IS to be puerto rican? How many puerto ricans know they're history?

Not many. Everyone is out celebrating because " its cool to be part of something ". It's like being in an exclusive members only club and you were givin your membership card by random chance at birth. You didn't choose your race. You didn't choose your parents. It was all chance. And yet they celebrate - so ignorant to their herritage.

Before you start typing up your fuck you white boy bullshit - I'm not saying that the puerto rican parade shouldn't take place. It should and I'm glad you have the chance to celebrate your herritage. However, America is supposed to be a country constructed of many races.

From all over the world - people come to America in hopes of a better life. A better place to raise they're children. A place where they will not be killed because they're personal beliefs and opinions differ from those they're leaders tell them they must inherit.

It is my belief that what we call America now - was stolen from the native americans... (indians) When we celebrate Thanksgiving - we are celebrating the genocide of a race. From what I know - Native Americans and Hispanics go hand in hand. Point being - even though I'm white - it pisses me off to hear white people say that this is OUR country... When in fact it isn't. We came from a place very VERY far away at that. We "stole" this land. It is not ours.

America is a country founded on immigration. Whites... Hispanics... Blacks... etc... - Everyone is in America for the soul fact that they wanted a better way of life than they previously had. (minus the slavery portion) As humans - we all shared a common goal. We wanted one thing in life...

Happyness.

What is wrong with this picture? Shouldn't a country that is basicly founded on immigration be able to understand each others struggles, and that we are all here because our ancestors wanted a better life for those that came ahead of them? Shouldn't our understanding of this force us to appreciate everyone elses struggles? Through this principle - we should all be able to coexist and be happy. WHY are we all fighting?

Pride? Ego? Territorialism? Hearing whites, blacks, hispanics etc... Argue over they're territory are no different than a pit bull taking a shit in the park and kicking up grass behind it. Humboldt Park is dominantly Puerto Rican. Thats fine. But why must they're be an argument about whos territory it is?

Animals and humans are the same with only one key difference. We both have instincts. We both have the will to survive. It is both our goal in living to reproduce.

What makes humans unique - is the ability to think... The ability to REASON. Not act on pure instinct. We can make decisions - just because X happens doesn't mean Y is the reaction. Our brains have evolved.

Yet so many of us live in this trap. We hate each other for no reason. We hate because of stories - not because of individual experiences. Why else do so many little kids know what the word nigger, beaner, cracker, porkchop, etc... mean? They weren't born with this knowledge. Ignorant parents teach they're children these things, and it becomes RIGHT. They cannot be convinced otherwise. Some of these parents can actually be the GREATEST providers and nurturers for they're children - yet that doesn't stop them from having that single shard of ignorance that is killing our FELLOW HUMAN RACE...

It doesn't matter if ur a fucking mexican... If ur a puerto rican... if ur white... The point is we are all still fucking human. The human race is the one TRUE race.

If you put a white kid and a black kid together who have no idea what racism is - they won't fight just because one is white and the other is black. They will have fun and play together. It's not until people put this negative bullshit into people's heads that racism becomes a problem. Racism is a plague. It has infected nearly everyone in this world. Your negative thinking, and racial comments are the vehicle in which this plague finds new hosts and still exists.

With the ability to think - why are people still acting on they're primal instinct to feel threatened by someone of a different color? I can understand why a lion would want to kill a hyena. It's survival of the species. The lion must eat. But what purpose does killing off our own species serve?

Instead of being proud of your background first - maybe you should first be proud to be human. We could have just as easily been put into this world as a blade of grass, an ant, an elephant - but we were all lucky enough to be HUMAN.

Unfortunately racism won't stop. People will continue they're racial bullshit and create problems for us, our children, our childrens children, and our childrens childrens children. It isn't until everyone realizes what potential we could have coming together as a human race - what advancements we could have achieved by now as a human race - that we will get anywhere. Humans are headed for extinction. It will be because of humans that life no longer exists. It is the hatred of mankind that will cause our inevitble demise.

When the world is covered with the debris of nuclear war and no human remains... It wasn't the tigers... It wasn't the lions... It wasn't the ants that ended it and fucked it up... It was the human ego... The fact that we can't let go of something as stupid as a color... A way of living...

Why can't we just coexist... Instead of asking what you can do for your fellow white person, black person, hispanic person - maybe you should ask how you can help a fellow human being. We are all one of the same.

So the next time you have a racist thought run through your head that makes one person feel less than you because they aren't of the same heritage or color - remember - its you're bullshit that > IS < going to lead to our extinction.

It's 3:30 a.m. and I know this is really long, but I had alot of shit on my mind. I put it together the best I could since I'm really really tired, but if you really read this and think about it, then maybe you can get on the same page. I have so much more on my head but if I kept typing - I'd be here 3 weeks later still goin at it. This is just a piece of knowledge that I hope makes you all think and discuss.

Gangs need to come to peace.
Stop killing our fellow humans.
Stop incarcerating the innocent.
Stop making our homes prisons.

Much love to > ALL < of yall
Benrox

SadStateOfAffairs: 1st Aug 2005 - 16:23 GMT

Racism has many forms. It can be religiously based, as in the current JIHAD against all non-Muslims. Or it can be economically based. I agree it's not based on skin alone. Problems occur when different social classes come into contact. Those that have tend to look down on those that don't, those that don't tend to hate the others for having. When you live in a gentrifying HP/Logan Square neighborhood, this type of situation will happen and it won't stop until the neighborhood is in balance one way or the other. This is a process that takes place over a 10-20 year period. It took 20 years 1960-1980 for the neighborhood to go down. You had abandoned greystones with homeless folks in them, crack houses etc...Then the neighborhood slowly started it's climb back up. Call it the Daley plan but it is more an ecosystem that is forever changing and right now it's on its way back up. The park is cleaner, there are 10 city employess cleaning it up every day, the pond is stocked with fish, kids are running around and major restarants like McDonalds are moving into the area etc... The park and the neighborhood may still be rough but that park is busy with kids and adults all day long. I imagine the gangs will be there for a very long time too.

cafeconleche: 4th Aug 2005 - 05:47 GMT

benrox--I appreciate your p.o.v. I can totally see eye to eye w/U on the whole reversed racism...I have a blond blue-eyed son. I have dark curly hair and medium skin tone--everyone always assumes I'm his nanny--you wuldn't believe the looks I get when he opens his mouth , calls me mama(in spanish) and proceeds to speak Spanish to me---But I digress....

Point is--class is a socially constructed heirarchy created to give power to some and keep ohters down--what we view as importatn is only importatn becuase some one set the standard for a particule view, belief etc..Now the question is Who set these standards? You? Me? Society? Well, basically if yu have power you have a voice. Who has power? YOU? me? I am but a lowly teacher --what's you're occupation? Hey--why am I even asking this? why is your occupation an importatn issue to people? Why is being a baseball player, singer, or movie star more ( exhibiting a gift of talent that you've been given) looked upon with great respect--with more respect than those of us who are in a classroom for 5 -7 hrs a day working with our most precious of natural resources--our children(I know--cliche--but valid)? Why is it so imortant to learn the classics( Shakespear)rather than say--how to build a bicycle from spare parts ? In some societies it is more importatn to be able to buid that damned bike rather than read....I beleive in validating all skills, abilities, and talents but society values some more than others...Why does it matter what your drive-wha t jeans your wear?
Who is to say that teaching is more noble thatn fixing computers? Who's to say that being a window washer is less important than working as a day laborer? Where I came from --if you or your relative held any of these occupation s you were as credible as the pope! Why would it be differnt there thatn here? Its all about the socially constructed system tht maintains the status quo as it is. Again I will ask...Who in our society has the power? THose who have money....Those who have been here for ages and ages and layed claim, took over , and created the social standard which govern our existance.
Example= America--consumer society..
concumer sociey=capitalism
capitlaism =making people believe they need certain things becuase if your don't have certain things then you are not part of mainstrem society.
The capitalist will target certain demographics because that's where the $ is. Unfortunatnly certain populations will hurt more tahtn other s because money is hard to comeby so when you do gt $ you have to have it and you spend it-=immediate gratification
immediate gratifiction= not alot of social mobility 'cause your 'aingt got money--U don't invest, you spend spen spend and and live for today...why? because of the staus that having those product creates.

Now getting back to the who "Can't we just get along" stuff.... ITs a noble thought, but the trth is that yes you may have expereinced racism sporatically in the hood here and thier 'cause of your color on the outside--I mean hey you grew up wioth the homes ans whatnot you may speak like them, and dress like them--but you DON"T look like them and that's the difference.. YOu can go anywhere in the city and be treated decently because once you leave the hood the society at large assumes that you "belong"-- your color says it all--When someone of color leaves the hood you NEVER forget that you are of color. YOu will always experience some type of racism. I'm not playing the victim--I'm just saying--you have your p.o.v. You speak from your experience -something that we can never devaluse. However you a speaking from your experience your experience will be very different becuase of the color of tyour skin and your last name...

This goes back to the hate...Well when those with power( the Anglos with $ who sake claim and take over---ehem..sound familiar?) scome into teritory that has beeen ther for generationa and then proceed to "clean up' the neighborhood by bringing in high end shops that raise revenue and prop rates--yeah thereis going to be a little anomosity--once again the status quo cont. The haves have ans will comtinue having--the don'ts? Well they never really had anything to begin with(if you rent you don't "have "--its not really yours) and contiune to have less....Its all socio policial ---AND COMPLICATED....but I hear what you're saying I wish it was as easy as your seee it--Honey --you cant imagin how much this stuff is researches and studied---read --Paolo Fiere--Pedagogy of the oppressed...

Not Important: 5th Aug 2005 - 19:54 GMT

I'm a 16 year old girl who has lived in the Humboldt Park area all my life. I lived down the corner when little Miguel died, I was 11 years old, that caused alot of drama in my neighborhood. Things like that is just life, u get used to it and grow out of it.. I still live in the HP area and I love it.. I just donr understand why all these white people moving in and are starting to change everything,,, we like HP just the way it is

To not important from cafeconleche: 6th Aug 2005 - 16:35 GMT

Mira nena ---got thru the articles here---that will give you an idea star arounf Feb and read tru..thenthing is many poniant comments are gone for some reason--wiped out---anyway --Happy reading!

M-Anita: 6th Aug 2005 - 18:52 GMT

I have lived in the area off and on since childhood. Then I moved to LA and for me there is no place like home. I am a Black Puertoriquena y Cuban and the unity we have for each is still strong. We just have to have faith in each other as a community. And let go of our racisim toward each other and only then we can move forward. We cant let them pull us apart...we are all we have. We must stick together.

Confused: 8th Aug 2005 - 15:34 GMT

What is wrong with white people moving into the neighborhood?? It sounds hypocritical to say I hate racism or the way white people treat me then say I hate white people moving into the neighborhood and treat white people in a racist way. Why are whites the enemy? Are they cleaning up the neighborhood too much? I understand the situation with rents increasing being bad but what are the other issues? Is it just change that is bad?

Maria Dora: 9th Aug 2005 - 19:04 GMT

all i can say is that violence is everywhere....whether you live in homboldt park or in the burbs...violence is even in your back yard as we speak...so all we can do is say a prayer and hope to God that he protects our families and our loved ones...peace

from cafe con leche to confused....: 13th Aug 2005 - 06:09 GMT

YO' confused reread my comment from Aug 4--

And change is not bad --its bad when it is not a natural evolution as it should be but rather an aggressive overnite, overhaul of what was once there(history) and a negation of what still stands(the P.R.s)

I swear it totlally reminds me of how in every other situation Eurocentric views cloud all else--YOu know the old saying : "If your white you're right , if you're b;ack stand back...
Confused--it just follows the patern of white people taking over territory that is meaningful to other people without understanding the impact of what they are doing---

I think if these Anglos could appreciatethe history that there is in the neighborhood and could respect it it wouldn't be so bad --but they are so presumtuous and are bornnof a culture of entitlement--its just fuckin' annoying how they look down at us--

Have any of you guys experienced this kind of elitism when los blancos are around the hood?

Confused: 13th Aug 2005 - 15:25 GMT

Admitted some white people have attitudes, but some blacks have attitudes, some Latinos have attitudes, etc....The blacks don't get along with the PR's, I see it every night and hear it. F You N, shut your black ass up - attitude, violence, drugs, fighting for territory and hatred. And please don't tell me they get along or should unite. Different colored skin, different territory, different ways of life - these different groups will never get along.

Cafe, let's take your argument that we should keep the history of Humboldt Park. I guess that history of Humboldt park is worth preserving. It sounds like violence is preferred to reverse-white flight and I do not understand it.

What is worse a white person with attitude or a fellow Latino trying to sell drugs to your 12 year old son? This is not Eurocentric, this is Chicago and it goes back to assuming you know about people based on the color of their skin.

If you value history so much let's just go back before the white flight happened and bring back the Norwegians who built the park in 1900. Von Humboldt. Why because the PRs are in it now does it all of a sudden belong to them. If you truly value history then it's not your neighborhood either. Hell let's go back to the Native Americans and give it back to them. Read the history of the neighborhood and you will see how this has happened since 1900.

How do you think the people felt when they had to leave the area when the drugs came in? They had to sell, take a loss on their homes and hope they found a better life elsewhere. They couldn't stop it. I have much less pity seeing the drugs and violence move out than for the folks who were here before it moved in.

If the violence can leave and the PRs and everyone else who wants to stay can do so then nobody should have issues. It is the violence that bothers most people. I don't think this type of nirvana is possible though. It is just not reality.

NIKKI: 19th Aug 2005 - 19:47 GMT

ok - i'm moving to cortland and drake in a couple of weeks - is it really that bad? i was excited to move there until i came across this website... should i be worried? :)

BaByDoll: 22nd Aug 2005 - 03:11 GMT

I lived in many places during my lifetime and I think by far Humbolt Park has to be one of the best...I never lived there but my best friend does and she is a raw ass person...She has learned alot from wut shes been through...but now her brothers are goin down the wrong road but they'll learn...We need to stop all this gang shit.....Be EaSy..~~

Confused to Nikki: 22nd Aug 2005 - 15:32 GMT

Nikki - be worried, but also understand that the majority of folks in the neighborhood would wish this gang stuff would go away. Be worried but be smart, do not go out past 11. Get to know your good neighbors, they will look out for you. If you go out late, take a cab home and ask the driver to wait for you to get in your house.

The majority of the issues in the neighborhood revolve around gangs and drugs and both are mostly avoidable. If you're walking and see an issue ahead of you, cross the street. Be aware of where you are at all times. Respect your neighbors and they will respect you. Talk to them, introduce yourself and help each other out.

My first night in our house at 3 a.m. a girl got shot twice not far from our house. There were 5 shots and two connected. I have a family and was wondering what we were getting into. There has been one gang fight Beach/Spaulding at 1:30 in the afternoon last week but little in terms of violence in the past year. A few fist fights after hours but as long as they all take their shirts off for the fight, it stays pretty clean - no knives or guns just fists. The cops just let them hammer it out and lose steam beating each other up. Our garage got broken into but nothing was taken since there was nothing to take.

Mostly the rule is to stay out of their business and they will do their best to stay out of yours. They don't want to cause you trouble and then have you call the cops 10 times a day because the cops will show up 10 times a day if you call them. The neighborhood is a high priority for the police and they do respond quickly when you call. When you drive by and the dealers start yelling weed, weed, weed just look straight ahead and turn up the music so your Mom doesn't hear that they are trying to sell you some drugs. Depending on what you look like they will know you're not interested in their business and will leave you alone.

Buy some pepper spray for the loose dogs - there are lots of unleashed pit bulls in the area and I don't care how friendly their owner says they are I don't want to find out if they are wrong.

The homes are improving and the neighborhood is too. Add something and you'll get something in return. There are lots of community programs, and twice of year they have a volunteer program to clean the park. Participate, take part in your community meetings, volunteer and learn about what is going on then make a decision on whether or not you've made a mistake.

NIKKI: 23rd Aug 2005 - 16:05 GMT

thanks for the advice 'confused'. i've driven through the neighborhood at different times and different days and i really haven't seen anything too bad... a few little punks walking around on occasion, but that's about it. i have seen police presence there and i'm happy for that. it's nice to see that the area is patrolled regularly. as for these pit bulls - oh my goodness. i'll look out for them - especially since i have dogs of my own that i'll have to walk. anyway, thanks again. i guess we'll be neighbors soon!

Peter: 23rd Aug 2005 - 16:09 GMT

unfortunately (both for us and the untended dogs) that pit bull problem seems to be somewhat universal... i've heard very similar gripes here in brooklyn...

Sharina: 31st Aug 2005 - 17:03 GMT

I used to live in the Humbolt Park area for most of my life in a Disciple neighborhood. I used to think the gang life was cool, but now that I've moved and matured I see things differently now. When I look into my sons eyes I'm glad I made a change. I can't imagine my son growing up in an area where he has a chance to be in a gang. I remember being harassed by gangs and my brother being harassed and beaten up just for walking on some gangs territory. I miss all the friends I had in Chicago but I do not miss the violence. A peice of my heart remains in Chicago with all the good memories.

mari: 7th Sep 2005 - 01:17 GMT

hey, umm my friend is in the alkqn and i was wondering if theres anyway to leave the alkqn, because he already ogt blessed, but i was wondering if he can still leave, if you can tell me yes or no, please do so, and email me at irockasss@aim.com

Peter: 7th Sep 2005 - 14:09 GMT

id imagine that first, hed have to want to leave, which it doesnt sound like he does, or he wouldnt be so deep into it.

dynasty: 10th Sep 2005 - 16:50 GMT

look it dont matter who live in HP white,black.hispanic all it matter iz how they are well sept for dem PIGZ. i dont live by HP but when i hear bout these stories bout lil kidz dieing i just think wat if i lived there and sumone died who i luv and care bout. GANGs, DRUGs, gunz, how iz all these things helping us NOT anyway that i know of. but just imagine if or if u ARE a father or a mother and ur kid died which they had nothing 2 do with it and then later on sumone goes 2 ur house and tell u bout da bad news bout ur child and u CANT od nothing about it.sept for thinking about that u wished u were there with himor her and why this had 2 happen now. ilive by RIS park and things aint good here either like a guy named ernestaka SWIFT now everybody says he waz a koo ass guy 2 hangout with and shit and his younger brother BOW WOW is in jail for life and the thing that makes me sad is that he doesnt know that his older brother died.ernest. and he ant do anything about it at ALL sept for thinking all the good times they couldve have had if he wasnt dead and if he hadnt gone 2 jail. ernset was killed on marmora and fully by sum gangsterz in a van. ernest waz with his gang(mk). and they were laughing having a good time until a van had approach him and had shot him three times in the head and 2 times in the body. well i guess what im saying is be with the ppl who u luv be4 sumthing bad happens and think be4 ur action like BOW wow.

dynasty: 10th Sep 2005 - 17:07 GMT

da more i think bout all da ppl i heard bout ppl who had died i just wished there werent gangs at all unless they HELP the community. like another example of a girl named dezorie now people had LOVED this gurl. she was a good student and a nice person 2 be with and hangout out with. well one day she waz hangin out with her BF which was an OA and they were hangin out with with some other OAz and they were in front of a house just hangin out having fun. later on a van had passed by and the OAz had screamed out D*blank* the van had stopped and then like 2 guyz had came out and started shootng them. as soon as they did that DEZORIE had tried 2 run but sadly they had shotten her in the head. BUT someppl are saying is that her BF had used her as shield and and ran 2 but as he did that she died.DEZORIE R.I.P. it just makes me mad how if he had done that just think that he TRULY didnt luv her and had her life tooken away. if they hadnt screamed out 2 the van DEZORIE wouldve still be here breathnig next 2 her family saying that she loves them and that she wishes nothing happens 2 them but now she doesnt have the chance 2 ne more. So if ur in a gang just make sure u make ur parents know that u luv them and u do ne thing for them.

Chino: 14th Sep 2005 - 02:16 GMT

Gangs you ant s#!t with out your followers. What's a man? A man to stand up for your hood your block. What's a gang sing? A bunch of fingers going in the air, you fools. That's not what you die for. You die from stupidity. Honnor yourself before you honnor your fingers. I was raised in the heart of Humboldt Park, the grimes.
I had to learn the hard way. The way of death and darkness of my mistakes. Humboldt Park is worth money know a days. When I was raised in the 80's to late 90's. The rent in the park was so cheap.
2 bed room apartment for 200$ know 1000$ for 1 bed room a nice one not a dump.Think about money not fingers. Your fingers aren't going to pay the bills. Your fingers won't put 22Z on you truck. Money,money,MONEY is what i'm about these days.

Chino: 14th Sep 2005 - 02:25 GMT

gotta love my paper.Respect to all the figthing souls of my wonderfull Humboldt park. Keep the struggle. And to all youth out in the park, focus your talent on something else besides a group of walking death traps. OLd school folks and old school brothers it's been a "HELL"of a ride. Help change our young souls and don't let then see the violecne and bloody ass s#!t we seen in the 80's and 90's. ONE LOVE TO ALL MY LOST SOULS!!!

historian: 19th Sep 2005 - 01:31 GMT

I find it interesting that mexicans, puerto ricans etc call themselves latinos and latinas. What does this term mean? To be a Latino is to come from a Latin country, Central or South America. Who were the original inhabitants of the latin countries? Native Americans!, Incas, Mexicas(Aztecs), Mayans etc.. Conquered in main part by disease and Spanish Conquistidores. So to be a Latino or Latina you would be either a pure blood native american or a mestizo which would be a half breed of European Spain and the local native population. Where am I going with this, well people from Latin countries are definetly Americans, they share European blood with their "white" cousins and really everyone is interconnected and should really be trying to help each other and get along. Life is too short, Latinos and Latinas are basically people from South and Central America.

Young Father: 28th Sep 2005 - 20:09 GMT

Disinvestment created HP... Gangs are an old relic idea thats past its time...Puerto Ricans were nieve country people that got consumed and spit out by American city life......HP will become Lincoln Park in the next decade ....Lincoln Park used to look like Spanish Harlem.....If you have the money to pay the property taxes then the city says you have to upgrade your wiring or do some other type of repair......City officials are the only true real gangsters of Chicago - always have been.....Brown people will transend sooner or later.

Confused: 4th Oct 2005 - 23:59 GMT

I have to disagree with gangs being a relic. As long as people continue to have children who they either didn't want in the first place or weren't mature enough to take care of and sacrifice everything for, gangs will always be around. They offer protection, brotherhood and a sense of self that kids do not always get from home. "I got your back if you got mine. I hate my Mom, my Dad my Papa and Momma, yes me too homey." This kind of stuff will always be around.

king mario : 5th Oct 2005 - 00:18 GMT

adr adc to you all i am a latin king from humboldt park chicago the mother land the latin king are not a gang but a nation if you all look the latin kings have done a lot of good for ever one if you look hte cops keep tell ever one that the latin kings are a gang we are not a gang and we wear never a gang but a nation filled with love amor de rey to you all i wish ever onE would stop sayin that the A.L.K.N AND THE A.L.K.Q.N. AND THE A.L.K.Q.C.N. AND THE B.L.K.N. WAS A GANG WE ARE NOT 4.2.3. 4.2.4 ADR ADC TO YOU ALL KING LOVE OR NO LOVE

Luis : 5th Oct 2005 - 03:44 GMT

First of all I would like to say that I am a proud Puerto rican/ mexican american and I would like to send a message to all my hispanic/latino people that we all need to UNITE these american born whites and blacks think they that run shit even black people from america arent any better then us they live in the rundown projects we live in go to the same schools.tey are better then hispanics just becuase some of us can't speak english or live in unpoverished areas... another thing that has really been pissing me off is how stupid ass ignorant white people say "how are mexicans and puerto ricans born in the US latinos/latinas"? well for one you treat us with disrepect using them terms "wetback" or "go back to your country"so ot kinda forces us to unite and come together other then being some plain cracker we have flavor and attitudes and a whole other language that we speak so we arent what you want us to be which is plain boring white... we have latino bloodlines and have latino names fucking idiots... white people just want credit for everything and want the whole world to be white which is not gonna happen... yes I know that with me being puerto rican that I have native spainard blood in my system but I also have african blood and indian blood and as so for my mexican side so witht hat being said how am I not latino I speak spanish I have a mix of all those qualities so tell me again how am I not latino??? you have no idea how it is growing up in our neighborhoods where there is so much pride and love for being what you are latinos are the most proud people and that will never change... I love humboldt park and the vibe I got when I there for the 1st time it was for the 2005 puerto rican day parade I felt like I was "finally at home"... and I knew that my fellow puerto ricans felt the same way... I know this becuase when I went there I went with 3guys whose whole objectives where to try to get some of the "fine puerto rican girls" they were all black and they in a way used to me find conversation to even talk to these girls, I mean even when I was there would say things like "I dont like the puerto rican guys just the girls" and I would judt give thme this look but I kept going on well to put a long story short the car I was in got hit while we in there they hit everyone in there except me becsause they obviously saw I was puerto rican with my shirt and headband with the flag on it I even heard one of the guys say I cant hit him he's puerto rican and we need more unity like this... for those other guys in the car fuck you and you got what you deserved you cannot just down our race but yet try to get with our women... UNTIE ALL HISPANIC LATINOS

boring white: 5th Oct 2005 - 20:15 GMT

HMMM... I think I find those statements as offensive as any other racial comments. You don't know or want to know for that matter the struggles of the Irish Catholics who built this city from hard labor that broke their backs. Everyone wants respect but they have to earn it. My mother came to this country from Europe not speaking ANY English but realized that... well... this IS an English speaking country. Educate yourselves people... this is the land of opportunity and you can waste all your time making excuses for your short comings while you let opportunity pass you by. I grew up poor and I went to school (through government loans) and paid back every red cent. I didn't ask for a hand out. Be proud of who you are... yes I think that is a good quality but have the dignity and respect to make others proud of you.
If you want to help your people... get an education, learn english and help others to do the same!

Young Father: 6th Oct 2005 - 15:10 GMT

Im straight up Latin to the bone. I dont show it through logos,

clothing, chants, etc, etc. I let it show itself as a result of reading, travels, music, learning, worship, and everyday life experience. Im not waiting for any opportunites to come my way. Im doing my thing to create my own opportunities.
After being on earth for more than thirty-something years I learned a thing or two. Number one - Quality of Life is what I seek for myself and my family. Number two - Ill let everyone else argue about race and color......Im more concerned about how deep or shallow you are.
Dont be an intellectual caveman......Represent.

And yes gangs are an old relic idea from the 40s and 50s for protection from cavemen white cops and punks. You wanna impress someone? Incorporate and help residents with their properties, keep crime rates down, make sure everyone gets paid a fair share of the profits from drug sales, start a zero tolerance zone around your kids' schools, etc.
Think small - youll be small

Confused: 6th Oct 2005 - 16:12 GMT

Did I get that right? "make sure everyone gets paid a fair share of the profits from drug sales."

Young Father: 8th Oct 2005 - 04:19 GMT

Id rather not school you on the hierarchy of who gets paid what and who does the most work..read it and weep.

Confused: 8th Oct 2005 - 16:12 GMT

Please school me. I am not wheeping about anything just not understanding. I understand the pyramid of life and managment structures, gang hierarchy etc... but I am just not sure where to go to get the profits for the drugs sold on my street.

Puertorican Nena: 12th Oct 2005 - 19:21 GMT

This comment is to Historian who commented on the "true" definition of a latino(a), which I looked up and have retrieved this definition: La·ti·no NOUN: pl. La·ti·nos
A Latin American.
A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States.

I'm sure there are many definitions out there but I know what I am, and that is all that matters.

Many of us do not come from Latin Countries but we are Latinos. For instance a puertorican is made up of three nationalites, spaniard, taino(indian tribe), and black. I don't believe that there is single person out there in the world that are truly one nationality. We are mixed! Many of us were not even born in the place what we are named after. I wasn't! Does that not make me Puertorican?

Peanut Gallery: 13th Oct 2005 - 16:40 GMT

It's nice that you looked it up for everyone but a definition is kind of a fluid thing and many times it takes a while for the dictionary to catch up to the street or real life.

Each year the folks at Webster sit around and vote deciding whether or not to add new words to the dictionary. In most situations people have adopted words to mean different things, just like I am sure the street was calling Latinos Latinos long before it made it to the dictionary. My point, if everyone in Chicago knows what Latino means it shouldn't have to be in a book to have relevance. If you live life in a book or live by so called definitions of life dictated by a book, you'll never experience life. And it would be tough to sleep inside of a book. I like my bed myself.

Maybe someday MoFo will be in the dictionary. Because it isn't in the dictionary today doesn't mean everyone in Humboldt Park is fuzzy on what it means. Everyone knows.

Can we find the origins of MoFo? It doesn't sound French to me, maybe Italian.

STripesA4: 18th Oct 2005 - 01:05 GMT

i wish he got out ion a month the kings need to get back to how they were, unifed and powerful.

ted357: 18th Oct 2005 - 02:35 GMT

Ya'll crazy to an extent. I'm moving to HP soon. I'm moving because I can't afford no other shit on the north side. I'm a white boy from the south side. Damn, I understand some of this shit about yuppies, but what the fuck? So now I'm gonna be grouped into some shit I aint a part of? That's fucked up and that's the same shit the motherfuckers do to YOU.

I aint no yuppie, I just want to live north. I'm sick of the south side and I don't want that shit no more. I just need a place to chill and live. I'm not trying to make some kind of stupid white boy stand, I just want to live in the hood and be left alone. Don't look at me and disrespect me because I'm white. That's bullshit, just like all these white racist assholes... same shit, different color.

When are you going to learn that this bullshit hits some whites too? When are you going to wake up and realize that a lot of us are in the same damn boat. We aint no different.

I have much respect for good people. You can be into the gang shit and that's cool. Just respect. I've seen good and bad at ALL levels of society. I know enough to know that the differences the media puts on people is bullshit. I've seen crooked cops and crooked bangers. You know what I'm saying...

Y'all need to promote the latin culture, it's a good thing. Just don't do this crap where you justify the violence man, that's bullshit. Stop the killing of innocents. I've been to south america (yeah, I know it aint pr or mexico - you get the point if youve been) and that thinking among some people in some areas is wrong. You can't tolerate kids or innocents gettin killed for nothin. You gotta stand up and STOP that shit. That aint got nothin to do with pride of race, that's got to do with being decent human beings. Fuck that shit. Wake up and unite for the good of the community.

Drugs? I aint talkin about that.. I'm talking about the BS rapes and killing.... stop that shit. I give respects to the King Nation, they could stop this shit. Do it. Stop this shit. Work together and stop it. Show your power the way that you believe in, the way it was meant to be. Don't defend this bullshit, take care of your shit in house. That way, the cops are out of the picture. They don't give a fuck anyway, they think you're all pieces of shit. You think they (some of them) care if your sister gets waxed? Hells no, thats one less ghetto bitch they gotta worry about. Humboldt park has a chance. The wild 100's aint got no chance. You should be thinkin about how you can help the hood with the influx of these yuppies... you think we got a chance out south? A chance for what??? Aint no montherfuckers with money moving out here! Damn, that would be some nice shit! Maybe the cops would actually give a fuck! Think about it! You got the opportunity! Damn! Move out this way and then you tell me about being kicked to the curb by society... damn.... you think you got forgotten... how about a whole enire side of a city thats known for "niggers", "white trash", and "spics"? WTF?! That's us, ALL of us. Forgotten. Shit, I don't even think habitat for humanity comes out this way... it's like we're not even on the damn map!!! (and I aint talkin about some near south side... try roseland, dalton.... never heard of em? yeah, I thought so - the ignored and forgotten of chicago, no immigrants, just poor ass bastards left to rot while other parts of the city get all these white boy do-gooders... shit...)

Y'all bitch about this shit, but at the same time you're not thinkin right. This could be a great opportunity for the hood. Just make sure you use your politics to keep it real, thats all.

Anyway, hopefully I don't get whacked out there. I'll be there soon. I aint about no shit so I shouldnt have any problems.

I give respect, just give a little respect back to the white boy that, like you, aint got no choice.

Just bein' real. No offense to anyone.

Much respect, Peace, & Love,
T

Whites in HP: 20th Oct 2005 - 14:43 GMT

I am white and have been living in HP for two years and I have not had one issue. I have seen others duke it out or get shot but that is because of the crowds they run with, nothing good happens on the streets after 10 p.m. so if you mind your own business and stay out of their way they would rather not bother you. Work during the day, enjoy the park after work, and enjoy your late evenings in your home. If you're looking to get involved with them then I would assume that is another story. If you don't bother them they won't bother you.

Everyone is pretty nice and will say 'sup if you say hello. I am clearly not a gang banger and am approaching my late 30's so I know they don't think I am there to get in their business, just live my life.

Beware of the mice, they are very smart and the rats are the size of cats so make sure you don't cross them either. Welcome.

To all those afraid that whites are in a conspiracy to overtake HP, all my friends still think I am crazy for living in HP. I do not call them on the phone and encourage them to move in the neighborhood. I do not invite them over either, the neighborhood can be a little scary at times and I am not talking about Halloween scary. When the day comes that they say that is a great place to live then that will probably be the day I cannot afford it either and will move.

Boring White: 20th Oct 2005 - 17:58 GMT

To "Whites in HP"

I too live in HP and agree that if you mind your own business, most will not bother you. With that said, I feel that it is my neighborhood too (I pay taxes) and I invite my friends over. I am not going to be a shut-in because of the "scary neighborhood". It's not that scary...go down to Englewood and we can talk scary.

I have issues with others not respecting property. You don't own the title to my land/house, that means you don't own it. If I don't invite you over don't loiter on my property and furthermore don't litter or think my garage is a place to bounce your ball against. I am shocked at the lack of common decency that people in the neighborhood have for others, their property, and themselves. Throwing garbage around?... you want to live like that go pitch a tent in a landfill.

End of rant!

Shortie: 20th Oct 2005 - 18:16 GMT

Wow man all i can say is ther are alot of racisis people in here.. we all Latin American people it's a shame we can't get a long. I've only been on dis web site for 2 days and all i herd was folk killa dis and king luv that...do you know how stupid you sound. I might have only lived in Humboldt park for 14yrs but. All you people think about is how bad it is and you dont realize the good...dats pretty fucked up...man dis shyt is soo stupid i dont evn know..what to tell all ya'll..

Peter: 20th Oct 2005 - 18:18 GMT

theres a TON more to "dis web site" than just gangs/HP/racism. take a look around. this is one of thousands of posts that all cover very different topics.

Boo: 21st Oct 2005 - 05:21 GMT

Fuck ppls... whats with the rasicm? We're all just fucking people, you rip out your damn skin and we got the same insides.

Dr Kevorkian-Garcia: 22nd Oct 2005 - 14:57 GMT

That is why the women have been saying for years - we're all pink inside sailor.

king love lady : 23rd Oct 2005 - 04:54 GMT

i've read both those books my bloody life and once a king always a king.i live down here in mia and too me that that kid went thru alot of shyt from bein beating to being homelss from beig raped at the age of 5 till the age of 13 were his was molested by a 35 yeared were he lost his viginity from using drugs and joing the l.k nation to eventually getting locked up 4 about 2 years or so ....none of you can really say much about gangs weither your in one and not most gangmembers go tho th say suffering as reymundo did. After reading he book i belive dat he who lation against lation shyt is out of hand its tru we should stick together if its that we have a problem with each ither thn itt should be with each other inacent people getting hurt for i'll issuses isnt right ..and about humboldt park cant say much about excpt 4 wat i herd its supposably not such a good place to live in bt that depends on your way of life just becareeful.....king love .....

Ashamed of all!!: 26th Oct 2005 - 23:38 GMT

I just want to say that everyhting I have read here, has made me very ashamed.. I'm glad that they are imporving Humboldt Park, weather its through whites moving in or not.. Because all the ignorance I have seen on this site shows what my daughter has to look forward to.. Im cool fuck all the gangs. get a life, educate yourself and fuck fight on your own with out guns and groups..

jack: 3rd Nov 2005 - 04:02 GMT

and these people vote. take you rican flags and go back. you know why you have those things with crowns on it in the back of you cars, its because of the odor.

HP Neighbor: 3rd Nov 2005 - 20:02 GMT

All of these complaints... I didn't see too many people at the CAPS Meeting last night. Don't complain about how bad your neighborhood is if you're not willing to do something to change it. Sure - keep to yourself and hope nobody bothers you. It only takes an instant for the same gangbangers that are standing around "not bothering you" to pull out a gun and you're caught in the crossfire. Don't fool yourselves. Take a stand. Stop hiding behind message boards. Get out and make a difference. The next CAPS Meeting is December 7th.

boring white: 3rd Nov 2005 - 22:42 GMT

HP neighbor...

Where is the location? Does it really help? I have heard conflicting information such that the dealers go to find out who you are if you cause them trouble. Does the alderman attend? Does he really care? Your input is greatly appreciated.

SadStateOfAffairs: 4th Nov 2005 - 15:29 GMT

CAPS meetings are helpful. You hear first hand from the police and the neighors what is really going on and what they are doing to try and help.

I've attended the CAPS meetings - I will give them credit for doing something and no we did not get hassled for attending. It was good to meet the neighborhood police and hear from them exactly what is going on in the neighborhood. Also hearing the stories of how to help was also helpful. It is helpful when the police let you know that 55 bad criminal folks who went to jail will be soon back in the neighborhood because they served their sentences in jail. That was helpful information. What do you do then?

The biggest help in the neighborhood has been the blue light. If it was the CAPS group that got that installed then I applaud them. It slowed down the drug traffic on Spaulding and Beach and things seemed to have calmed down. You can say what you want about the police but I for once feel like my tax dollars are being put to good use, they are making big efforts and it shows.

I have no way of knowing when CAPS meetings are. Do they have a website? I used to get a flyer letting me know when the meetings are to be held. I have not seen a flyer in a while. I have received lots of menus, and offers to re-do my roof however.

Regarding keeping out of the dealers way - that does not mean that I am not doing anything, I clean the park all of the time etc...and if I don't invite friends over to the house it is because the neighborhood is not safe. Read this site and tell me differently. Because I choose to live in the neighborhood does not mean my friends have made the same decision. If anything should happen while they visit me, who is to blame? Who is responsible? Until the drugs leave the area or it gets safer, this is the smart and safe thing to do. It is reality. Ask the police how safe the neighborhood is and they will tell you why they moved away even though they grew up there. It is getting better though.....

With efforts from the police, CAPS and strong families things will change.

Peter: 4th Nov 2005 - 16:01 GMT

wow, this thread gets more and more interesting every day!

Open your eyes a little wider: 5th Nov 2005 - 19:32 GMT

This forum definitely is an interesting one. I just want to let people who read this forum know something though. I had written a post on the 30th of October and submitted it and it went up like usual. My post was somewhat different from the average posts on this website though. It was about understanding why gangs form in a gerneral sense. Some of the points were about what type of people end up becoming devoted gang member and how they weren't originally people who can just be condemned as bad individuals. I also pointed out the potential of gangs across Chicago and the actual power they hold, but they have a lack of direction so the power is usually wasted. The point of this post now, is to say that the post I put up on the 30th had been removed within two days when I checked back to see if any wrote anything in response. This is extremely crazy, because what I wrote had nothing to do with promoting gang lifestyles or insane activity, but simply expressing some simple realities of the potentials of Chicago's gang population. The bad part about this is, people can put up extremely racist comments and gang rhetoric and display predjudice but my post gets censored because the truth is scary. Obviously whoever runs this post is not a gang member because most gang members would have a hard time rising to the leves in society to where thwy could spend their time studying computers and web design (I'm not trying to say that a gang member can't make the same achievements as everyone else, just that statistically only very few could do so, anyways...) My point is, my original was directed towards gang members to recognize their situation and I tried to provide an example of how they may have to start thinking if they want to pull themselves and their future generations out of this life style. Obviously, someone didn't like what I was saying and they removed my post, maybe because it presented too much powere to gang members simply through words (and yet comments of racism remain on this post). I liked this forum when I first read it, and thought it was insightful, but the fact that my post was removed was further proof of why gangs exhist and why people remain in twisted sections of society. If my post was felt to have been so dangerous (which I can admit that it might of been seen as such because I tried to show some truths about society, not dangerous in the sense of inciting racism and stupid dangers like that), and if my post was censored, I wonder if someone has now tried to track my IP address now. (Well, that comment is starting lean towards some conspiracy theory B.S., but the sad fact, is this is the reality of what our world is becoming.) I'm not sure if this post will get taken down like my first or if it will stay up. I don't know what to hope for, but I do need to try and let people now about these small details that amount to a larger picture.
I can only hope that people learn to understand other peoples view points that way it becomes more possible for people to work together and in the end, become stronger as individuals.

Open your eyes a little wider: 5th Nov 2005 - 19:41 GMT

I just read this on this web pages main page talking about this sites purpose. After reading it, what I wrote becomes even more odd. Just wanted to let you all know what's up (oh, and sorry for all the mispellings and left out words in the post above, I was trying to trpe kind of fast).

Citynoise.org: a public photoblog where people with a love for the urban form, modern world, or a general appreciation of their environment gather to post stories, narratives and often upload photos of their favourite cities, hometowns, travels, or current locations.

Feel free to post anything you'd like, or get in touch if you'd rather submit via email.

Any and all submissions are welcome; people have posted on a variety of topics, ranging from their uncle's Wisconsin farm to abandoned cars in Brooklyn to graffiti; its all fair game!

jeeff: 5th Nov 2005 - 22:41 GMT

i don't know why your post disappeared. there have been complaints about this before, but it seems almost random. whatever the reason, i'd like to get to the bottom of it. i also think that we need to sit down and write a more comprehensive FAQ regarding the site, its purpose, and its rules/conventions. other sites have used the FAQ as a community-building exercise - requesting submissions from everyone and using them to build the final document. in my experience this gives good results. but in order to do cooperative things like this, we need a place to talk about it. i think a livejournal community would be a good idea because many of the regulars here are on livejournal already and it's separate from citynoise itself (allowing citynoise to stay focused). if we had a forum for it, i'd be happy to start the ball rolling.

Wide Eye: 6th Nov 2005 - 19:55 GMT

I want to say that I appreciate your response to my concerns, jeef. I understand that it is possible that there are computer errors. It is just very odd that my post disappeared after it definitely was posted for at least a day. The other odd thing is the swiftness of your reply...Are you an administrator for this website?, to speak on such conditions about the disappearences of posts. If you are, that raises another question. If you are an administrator for this website, with all of the posts that this website has, how is it that you replied to my message within exactly two hours of me posting it? Does this website have people whose only duty is to monitor the posts to see what they write. The thing is, my firs post was up for at least a day before it was removed, because I checked back a day later from another computer and it was there. There was also a post following the first one that I had submitted, which was submitted by someone called "barry". This post did not have any words, I think thay just wrote their name in the comments box but didn't write any comment, but pressed enter. I'm not saying that this person barry has any affiliation with anything. I hope that person comes back to this website and reads these posts, and confirm that the first post I am writing about did exist. So, I am realy wondering how it is that an administrator replied so quickly to my comments on this forum when my post was directed at the general audience. I sincerely hope that it is just a matter of my post "disappearing". I do appreciate your response if it is genuine, but I hope that you can also understand my concern, especially in these times that people have been scared into self-censorship.

Wide Eye: 6th Nov 2005 - 20:03 GMT

Ok, my math was bad, you replied in three hours.

jeeff: 6th Nov 2005 - 21:46 GMT

ha, don't get all paranoid. remember, this site exists as an open forum because of the efforts of the admins, and i know that it's not easy to keep up with the spam/trolling/hacking attempts that citynoise attracts. i see no reason why they'd be interested in censoring legitimate comments, since they do want the site to succeed. i'm just a frequent user here, tho i try to help out as much as possible. i visit the site a few times each day and i surf from the "recent comments" page so i see all comments in a list according to time posted. the comment threads on this site often move quite quickly. barry's another return visitor of citynoise. my guess is that he probably posted an empty comment after yours by accident and the admins of the site accidentally deleted yours as well. still, it would be nice to hear from them.

Corporal Diaz U.S.M.C.: 7th Nov 2005 - 04:01 GMT

Some time has gone by since I first laid my thoughts on this forum. I can see nothing has changed sine I left Humboldt park. And to some degree it saddens me, but it does not surprise me. I did a little research over some time to better understand the reason for the current status of Hispanic peoples in large urban areas. I know that there are no such thing as pure Puerto Ricans any more, they were Arawak Indians known as Taínos on the island before the Spaniards arrived and started killing them off by disease, or other violent more human means. What was left was mixed into the population of the black slaves and Spanish people and that is where today’s Puerto Rican comes from. I’m pretty sure some people will not accept that but it’s true. I read all this garbage about unity, protecting the community, and showing a good example for the youth but we all know words don’t mean anything. Some people don’t know that and just throw profanity all over this page. Hispanics now have the number to be a political majority but they won’t realize it until some time after my life is over. I read all this about change but I see nothing done about it. Do you think the African American people got their civil rights by drive-by’s, gang banging and selling each other drugs? I thought it was more like passive resistance, peaceful demonstrations, non-violent sit-ins, and taking the matter to the highest court and proving to the world that the white majority was denying them of their rights as human beings. I have read that some people are trying to take the right steps so the next generation might have a chance, but you can’t help some one if you can’t help yourself. What good is telling a child not to be in a gang when a car rolls by and you throw up the “crown”? There are problems everywhere but what are you doing to fix them? When you’re on your deathbed all the money, drugs, and “amor del rey” won’t matter. What will matter and the only thing you will have left if you’re lucky enough is the memories of the life that you know longer have. Some of these entries stir up old feelings about parts of my life that I try to forget. There is no nation. There is no gang recognized by the city of Chicago as positive force.
Let us not forget little Miguel caught up in the middle of all this ugliness. Rest in peace brother you are not forgotten. Your life and the lives of others killed in this nonsense have saved mine. Thank you.

“it only takes a single voice in the darkness to start a revolution…”

Editor:: 7th Nov 2005 - 19:45 GMT

wide eye: there are a few editors, so sometimes its hard to tell who did what. but odds are, if your ocmment got deleted, it was because it had little value- as in, all it was was "trash talk", insults, pointless bad/aggressive language, etc. if that's not the case and it was deleted, i assure you it was by accident. there is very little deletion of ocmments here, but occasionally it happens, say, when some gangbanger comes in and posts 50 comments in a row about how whatever set he claims is better than the next...

you see, if we keep all those comments, google picks them up, and then more people find the site searching for those gang names, then they come in and talk more shit, etc... the next thing you know, our site is over-run by hundreds of pointless gang-comment-posts a day.

its happened before. its why i cant name the gangs in this comment. or theyll find it, surf into this entry, and this interesting thread will digress into a 500+ comment-fest as to which gang is best. see this entry for a perfect example of what im talking about.

sorry. we hope you keep participating. and as long as all your comments are intellectually sound, and are even vaguely worth reading, i assure you they'll remain on here :)

My Dreams have Nightmares: 12th Nov 2005 - 05:54 GMT

The hints have been getting stronger and stronger. The images on the television are coming in nonstop. Natural disasters around the globe are more fierce than ever. Diseases spreading like wildfire. WE ARE ALL IN FOR IT.......Many confused human beings are claiming false names - for false power. We are living in hell.......HE will be here very soon............

SadStateOfAffairs: 14th Nov 2005 - 15:41 GMT

The images on the television and in the media are there to create fear and sell newspapers. What sells more newpapers, A) The world is coming to an end!!! B) Just another normal weekend in Chicago with some unusually warm weather? Ho hum.

If you are having nightmares I can refer you to some good physicians in Chicago.

I did have a nightmare the other night. My yard was filled with Mc Donald's wrappers, malt liquor bottles, and about 10 old La Raza newspapers. In fact my whole neighborhood had crap all over because people just throw things in your yard when the garbage really belongs in the garbage can. And I saw this beautiful park with a gorgeous lagoon, beautiful buildings, grass hills and lots of kids playing and they are all rolling around in this garbage. Wait, that isn't a nightmare, it's reality.

Go preach somewhere else. In the meantime do something useful with your time and pick up some garbage.

Praise The Lord (Jehovah) My God The Only True King of Kings: 14th Nov 2005 - 16:09 GMT

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

boring white: 14th Nov 2005 - 19:35 GMT

I agree with Sad State of Affairs...

Pick up your garbage, who wants to live in filth? or see it for that matter and have their children play in it?

Please "Praise the Lord" go find an appropriate website for those who believe in your rhetoric. If I want to hear about the "Lord" I'll go to my local house of worship...this isn't the place!

DELETE ME: 15th Nov 2005 - 14:27 GMT

How come people are allowed to put up the most ignorant selfish low life statements that make a race of people look really bad and I cant put up statement to spoof them? Do you realize that spoofing someone sends a message to them that they may not otherwise see? Please stop deleting statements!!!!

City Silence: 15th Nov 2005 - 14:30 GMT

I think there's a quota on intelligent statements. The rest can be as dumb as possible. Why?

Editor:: 15th Nov 2005 - 14:33 GMT

sorry. any coment which pointedly calls someone a "nigger" will be deleted. whether intended as spoofing or not, its just not cool.

and its definitely not intelligent.

Chris Alvarez: 15th Nov 2005 - 18:02 GMT

is there anyone out there that would like to help me research humboldt Park neighborhood? I need help. I am doing an ethnoggraphy on the people that live there. I want to know what the people are all about, and how the majority think. Please contact me through my email address
thebodybuilders1@yahoo.com

It will really be a lot of help. I am giving a presentation in a few weeks on it. (columbia college) So if you want to help me show Humboldt Park to more people come help me.

WOW: 15th Nov 2005 - 18:52 GMT

This is amazing every one here is too cool for GOD,

jeeff: 15th Nov 2005 - 19:20 GMT

a biblethumper preaches without anyone wanting him to.

jeeff: 15th Nov 2005 - 21:17 GMT

ps. no offense to the average christian, i define 'biblethumper' narrowly as a christian who doesn't respect the beliefs of others.

WOW: 15th Nov 2005 - 21:36 GMT

yeah your right let me just start critizing everyone and swearing F# this F# thats the only way i guess im going to make a difference F# and F# and o yeah F###. Do you respect my thoughts now. I respect what everyone has to say here. i may not agree but everyone has there own opinion. forgive if i may have offended anyone that was not my intention. GOD BLESS EVERYONE.

Late Comer: 15th Nov 2005 - 22:07 GMT

All I know is some poor kid got shot by a bullet someone loaded into a gun probably bought on the street and used in Humboldt Park

Peter: 16th Nov 2005 - 14:20 GMT

wow: i think theres a happy medium somewhere between quoting scripture and saying "fuck this" or "fuck that", you know?

Thank You: 16th Nov 2005 - 14:36 GMT

It takes someone with balls to quote scripture. Mans indifference to his creator will be his downfall day after day. Fine - your above GOD but dont disrespect someones blog because of it. Just dont say anything.....

Peter: 16th Nov 2005 - 14:54 GMT

Thank You: i am neither indifferent to god nor am i above god. thats a mighty big (and off-topic, i must add) assumption to make.

people are as passionate about many things, just as you are for god. if respect is the issue, as you say, i might urge you to respect that not everyone holds your same ideals. shouting your beliefs in this forum, especially when they really have little to do with the topic being discussed, could easily be misconstrued as disrespect also.

lets move on. tell us something about humbolt park, or move on to another topic to which you can contribute some useful duscussion.

Darwin8: 16th Nov 2005 - 15:22 GMT

hands up who believes in evolution? if not then you'll be happy to know that as evolution doesn't exist, then the bird flu virus will not evolve to becoming transmissable human to human ths killing millions. so thats good.

Peter: 16th Nov 2005 - 16:08 GMT

can we please keep this thread on the topic of humboldt park?

thanks :)

SadStateOfAffairs: 16th Nov 2005 - 17:03 GMT

As my wise old mother said to me many years ago, there is a time and a place for everything. The church is the place to preach the gospel and this is a forum for the neighorhood. If my brother were gay and I believed in gay rights because I love my brother then I would support and fight for them in the appropriate ways at the appropriate places. I wouldn't post here for support in a totally unrelated subject.

You may believe its your duty to save me but that is your belief not mine.

To the person looking at doing research on Humboldt Park and its inhabitants I normally would suggest the park. On any given day the same set of individuals meets on the park benches near the National Guard armory. There are about 20 of them or so who meet daily. Most have been in the neighborhood for a long time, you may be required to speak espanol to communicate though.

That being said it is damn cold so they are probably hanging out at Burger King on North Avenue trying to warm up. The gym located in the middle of the park may also be a good place to meet folks to talk with, the employees there may be able to point you in the right direction. The police in the neighborhood will also give you a unique perspective on what is going on as well, they are willing to share their thoughts too. Good luck

Peter: 16th Nov 2005 - 17:06 GMT

could someone please post some photos of humboldt park? or email some to editor at citynoise dot org? cause alot of us that are keeping up with this ongoing thread know very little about it... it would be nice to have some visuals to go along with all the text here... :)

boring white: 16th Nov 2005 - 17:37 GMT

Thank you Peter for saying it best.

I am a reader for my parish and a Eucharistic Minster too. I don't have the need to quote scripture here nor do I feel that "it takes someone with balls" to do so. Sometimes people use God as a crutch or an excuse and this forum isn't the place for it.

Thank You: 16th Nov 2005 - 19:27 GMT

How is a bullet shooting through a human being not point to bigger picture?
These words are over your heads. There is no rebuttal. Tell the family of the kid to keep GOD out of it.

SadStateOfAffairs: 16th Nov 2005 - 19:44 GMT

Peter, I will try to take some pictures of the park and our famous blue light special on Beach and Spaulding this weekend. The park itself is beautiful and the city is trying its best to clean it up.

Every day that I wake up I thank God but that doesn't mean that the fact that my feet hit the floor and get me started for the day that there is a bigger picture involved.

The circumstances that surround the accident point to a picture of a neighborhood in turmoil. If you want to speak for the family or tell the family something I would say you're late and a little presumptious.

Peter: 16th Nov 2005 - 19:46 GMT

thank you: contribute something useful to this thread or just go away. i thought you'd realize by now that none of us here are interested in making argument for argument's sake.

no one is saying to keep god out of anything. we're just saying that you've chosen to focus on a point that has little to do with this post.

its almost like you keep coming back just to argue about god. we get it. lets move on.

Peter: 16th Nov 2005 - 19:49 GMT

SadStateOfAffairs: id appreciate some photos, yes! anything- even snapshots that you might think are boring or pointless can sometimes contain alot of information to those of us who have never seen the area before or are unfamiliar with it. they dont have to be masterpieces. we have some pretty photos on this site, but the best ones are the ones that give the best visual content/information/context to neighborhoods and cities.

i feel like i can tell more about a neighborhood from seeing candid shots of the people that live there walking by, cracks in the sidewalks, boarded up storefronts, etc than from seeing postcard-perfect photos of some landmark with the sun setting behind it, heh.

thanks, btw :)

Thank You: 16th Nov 2005 - 20:17 GMT

DISINVESTMENT created HP... .Puerto Ricans were nieve country people that got consumed and spit out by American city life......Humboldt Park will become Lincoln Park in the next decade ....Lincoln Park used to look like Spanish Harlem.....If you have the money to pay the property taxes then the city says you have to upgrade your wiring or do some other type of repair......BROWN PEOPLE - You have sacrificed for many many years - Hold on as long as you can........Brown people WILL transend sooner than later.

Survivor: 16th Nov 2005 - 21:34 GMT

To the people of the land. Sun, Moon, Stars, Water and Earth. We are all survivors. It's not the color of our skin that makes us survivors.

It's the spirit of our heart and souls that keeps us motivated to go on each day when life sucks for the most part.

The Native Americans where told by the church of England and christerhper columbious that they where evil and worshiped the wrong god. So they forced them to worship something they knew nothing about and now the Natives have no land and few of them we ever see.

My point. Whether it be HP are your life existence. Stick to what you believe in your heart.

And you religius Peaps. Hey!! How can you be so strong on a book which was written thousands of Lyes ago. While the church "Leader's continue their quest to melest little children." Still our money right of our pockets in the name of GOD"

Come on. Think for your self and not out of some man made book.

Peace to Humbolt Park. And the Peap's who dwell there. Yes, Fight For Cchange. And the only way to fight for change is to go out and do something about it.

And you who try and force your idealistic views about Religion on the people of the land, get out and put your belief in action. Make a change for the better.

People are dying over needless causes. Children are starving right here in America.

Mothers are birthing babies alone with no fathers.

No religious idealism can put power in the community. The community of people have to make their own way and not believe in a bunch of hoot wha.. and malarchey.

Born and raised on the streets of CA. And I've seen enough pain for us all. Stop the confusion. Pave a path for a better world.

Catherine Penfold-Waxman: 16th Nov 2005 - 21:40 GMT

I just vowed to stop reading this thread. It's doing my head in and I'm not learning anything. Except how to post things without proofing my spelling.

WOW: 18th Nov 2005 - 14:19 GMT

To Surviver it is true what you say that many people are suffering and we have to make a change we have to take actions. And thanks to the grace of GOD he has blessed me financial and because of that i give and help the needed as much as i can i dont go out and buy expensive closing or brand new 2006 vehicles . At the church in humboldt park area i attend im am the youth pastor there have been for many years and we have many programs that help the needy and it always hearts that we cant reach everyone but sadly the majority of society reject the homeless. Also it is true it is sad to see on the news how ministers falls from the grace of and because of them every other minister pays the price. And about being religious if u ask me i will tell im not because being religious is following a lists of rituals and tradition like coming to church on sunday just because and as soon as you leave your still the same person you pray 3-5 times a day but those prayers are repititive you say the same thing over and over again and nothing ever comes from the heart when you have a true experience with GOD your whole life gets transformed and you dont just do things just because you do things because that is all you have to give to thanks an awesome GOD and that is not being religious that is being a follower of Christ. I learn from him, every thing he said he did he made his sermons into actions and he not only talk the talk he walk the walk. When i came to GOD i was the same way many other people are. "I dont need GOD i have every thing i need" see thats how it always is you dont no you need GOD until GOD is all you have.

Laughing out Load: 22nd Nov 2005 - 18:00 GMT

u guys r funny once the preacher makes a good strong comment everyone stops talking. YOU guys r in need of a change in ur lives.

Peter: 22nd Nov 2005 - 18:03 GMT

tl;dr

also: this thread is on a tangent so far from its original topic that its not really worth carrying on.

so... anyone out there want to skip the unsolicited spirituality-rant and get back to talking about humboldt park?

onyxwolf: 23rd Nov 2005 - 01:07 GMT

i wanna kno what exactly happened to the Kings. i mean they started out good, right? but now a lot of them are in jail and stuff. i kno some of them still are trying to fight racism but what happened?

HOTTIE gurl : 24th Nov 2005 - 20:42 GMT

Can anyone put pictures of humboldt park please!!!! Im mexican and puerto rican and dont know what humbolst park looks like!!!!

onyxwolf: 25th Nov 2005 - 07:02 GMT

yeah. i think ive been there once. i havent really been around much in the city.

DUMD: 25th Nov 2005 - 13:03 GMT

they where not going to take your camera thats funny u sure didnt grow up in HP. thats for sure.

HOTTIE gurl : 25th Nov 2005 - 19:27 GMT

oh well when u get some more pics of it post them!!! cuz i live in california and dont know what dat looks like

onyxwolf: 26th Nov 2005 - 23:03 GMT

ppl wouldnt just go up and take ur camera. ppl steal cause its an easy way to get stuff. if they just walked up to you and said "hey gimme that" youd call the police and then the person would be arrested. if they saw a camera on the bus or something, then sure theyd take it.
so does anyone know what happened to ALKQN?

DUMD: 29th Nov 2005 - 13:17 GMT

yes its a long story but trust me there still around.

he:spoke: 2nd Dec 2005 - 01:51 GMT

move out? even to those who are priveleged its just cowardice to move into suburbs with the whites just to play ignorant to whats goin on with your people make your kids ignorant and their kids ignorant

he:spoke: 2nd Dec 2005 - 01:59 GMT

its cowardice to move out even to those who can afford to move in with the caucassions.movin out just to play ignorance abandoning your people will only make things the worser forcing your child to be ignorant and his child martin luther king went up against a whole nation and race

dro killa: 3rd Dec 2005 - 22:48 GMT

what he:spoke said is true, I know what he/she is getting at, but I'm not sure what the hell they were trying to write though. How the f**k did you start talking about Martin Luther King though, what the fuck. Maybe you're just crazy, are you trying to draw some relation between Martin Luther King and the Latin Kings. Just fuckin' with you.

J.J. From a Puerto Rican brother: 4th Dec 2005 - 23:31 GMT

I'm not writing this to judge or criticize anyone. Just to try to open a little conscience on la raza Latina. Mi gente, how can you speak of love when you talk everyone else down. I grew up in Chicago and went to Roberto Clemente H.S. After experiencing the drug and gang life in the city I decided to rebuild my life, get an education and move on. Well I joined the Army to save some money and go to art school which had always been my passion. You know what they say about the road to hell. As part of my job in the Army, I was sent to Honduras to train 15 and 16 year old kids in the art of war. (to fight against the Sandinistas during the Reagan-era. I thought that by leaving the city I wouldn't be exposed to violence - I was wrong - I went to Chicago on leave to visit mi querida madre that lived on Division St. I had not seen her in four years and was looking forward to see her lovely face. One night, I was getting in my friend Raul's car when I got caught in the middle of a shoot out. I was in God's hands when he spared my life after being shot in the head. I was taken to Cook County Hospital and sat there for three monts in a coma. After I woke up I went back to the Army to finish my enlistment time. I decided to carry on with my dream of going to Art School and enrolled in the School of the Art Institute. My last semester there I started having epileptic seizures. During one of those seizures I fell down the stairs and broke my spinal cord. All a result of the bullet that landed on my head. I finished that last class I needed to graduate and went on to a Masters of fine art degree. As I am writing this I sit on a wheel chair, the right side of my body paralized. Lucky for me that I am left handed and I was able to carry on my dream. Asi como estoy en esta silla, I work ( opposite to the opinion of others that say Puerto Ricans live off welfare) teaching Latin American art history to my brothers and sisters who really try to better themselves and destroy the stereotypes that stem from a culture so different from our own. My gente, please arreglen sus vidas y dejen esa vida oscura atras! Si verdaderamente quisieran a su raza estuvieran haciendo algo positivo por nosotros. En medio de las gangas tambien se ven las caras de esperanza, se ven las caras orgullosas que trabajan por una Latino America unida y por un futuro de esperanza y de libertad. Se ven las caras de trabajo y de sudor, de gente de carne y hueso que no se vendio, de gente trabajando buscando el nuevo camino, orgullosas de su herencia y de ser Latinos. De una raza unida, la que Simon Bolivar anhelo. Siembra humildad y da fruto de esperanza a los que vienen detras.Hermano(a) Latino pon fe' y siembra adelante. Que Dios me cuide a toda mi gente del barrio y espero que estas palabras les de algo en que pensar aparte de las gangas, la violencia y las drogas.
Latino power in the United States.

Papo colorao STONE LOVE: 5th Dec 2005 - 00:00 GMT

to jj. brother did this happen in 1987? because if it did i was one of the ones who was shooting down some scr's who represented at me and my stone bro'on division. bro i feel regret going all over me for what happen to you but that is life in the hood. and the punk you was riding with was a disiple from the north side that lead was aimed at him not you. keep on makin drawins and keep on teachin our bro's to be real people. papo colorao, ask for forgivnes from you and your motha.

to papo: 5th Dec 2005 - 00:12 GMT

como carajo le pides perdon a un hombre que le jodiste su vida y lo sentensiaste a una silla de ruedas. estas cabron brother si yo fuera tu me pegaria un tiro de remoldimiento. I used to hang out with the PR stones on sunnyside and sawyer and if i meet you i'll spread my fist all over your face. no seas hijo de puta y apuntale el tiro a quien se lo queras dar. buckwheat from the royals was my hit and i did him not the kid who was with him

TheManTheDeveloper: 5th Dec 2005 - 03:42 GMT

The area has passed hands through many cultures in Chicago's history. The only thing constant in life is change. My good Puerto Rican neighbors who worked hard and bought their 2 flats and 3 flats are now somewhat rich. Those who choose welfare, drug dealing and gangbanging who rented will have to eventually move as the area is now becoming exclusive. My regrets to those who have worked hard and tried, but were unable to purchase property in the area. I am only a 26 year old whiteboy from the suburbs who saw an area that was changing, I bought at 24. No help from nobody, anybody who makes 35K a year could have done what I did and bought a 450,000 3flat. It is now worth maybe over 550,000 in a year, and will be selling as condos soon, and hopefully with Gods help I will be able to sell them. And I was late to the parade. If only I knew about HP then I could have bought it for 250,000 about 3 years ago. I did not even put down any money on my loan. I am not racist, I just want to live the American Dream. I followed the example of many of the poor Polish immigrint construction workers, and 7-11 owning Arabs who came to our country and have made it. If you are educated and have a good job and getting pushed out, you just missed the boat, too bad. If you are uneducated, and have a hard time getting a job for whatever reason, you must better yourself so you can catch the next big trend, get a basic construction or electrician job. They make like up to 70 thousand a year. If you do not follow my advice, your loss, you will never make it, you will be pushed from neighborhood to neighborhood and gentilly assimilated into normal American boring culture. Especially if you are on welfare, and are able bodied. My apologies to those who do not have the opportunities that many of us have, I do not mean to belittle you. Life is not fair. But many of my tenants are on welfare, and they laugh at me for working hard, so for many residents of HP I have no sympathy. For others, I do, but remember that neighborhood has passed through many hands, it belongs to nobody.

SadStateOfAffairs: 5th Dec 2005 - 22:29 GMT

JJ - You make me feel very small. Congrats on not being eaten up by the hate and prospering. Endeavor to persevere and tell your story. It is a good one. Thanks.

dro killa: 6th Dec 2005 - 20:20 GMT

It's about time...^, Finally some real words. I used to be down for all that hard knock hustlin' mentality, I still am, it's just different now. Ya'll some true G's and that's the true. Eventually, when it comes down to it, I realized that I was always looking to be around some true G's and a finally saw that a lot of those guys out there bagin' are a bunch of straight pussies. A true G doesn't comprimise their personal beliefs for the surrounding society, has no fear of responsibility, and hustles hard as hell to see something different but at the same time, never forgetting their past or the people from the past. Even the ones who are hard core enough to kill are still some fuckin' pussies. If you're gonna kill, it better be the ones who put you in the position to where you have to kill (not trying to get crazy here, but you gotta put yourself in the shoes of a man who has had a life fucked up enough to cause them to murder). If you're killing someone who is just like you, then you're a bitch to someone else, and you need to figure out who that is. So, for all ya'll who run your mouth about the bullshit, just know that you're a little kid. The only person you can murder is you. Gang culture is surrounded by death, but we need to embrace our own deaths and appreciate them. I'm not nutz and I'm not talking about suicide or anything like that. I believe that life has more meaning when a person has the opportunity to create. Create anything, music, working on cars, murals, poems, whatever, just find some oportunity to create something, no matter how small it may seem, and know that you only have so much time to do it. It is death that gives life meaning.

dro killa: 6th Dec 2005 - 20:27 GMT

Oh, I was reffering to the people who posted above my original comment, about people finally saying something real.

Life is hard as fuck, I know, that's why some of us are out there doin' all that bullshit 'n bangin, but damn, learn that life if you have to but know that gang shit only has real meaning and pride once you've learned why things are the way they are and you can get out of that life and look back on it and just think. Maybe this isn't true for everybody who goes through this shit, but maybe someone can relate.

he:spoke: 7th Dec 2005 - 02:00 GMT

hate is part of who we are get ur degrees take care of your people

JJ: replies to Papo: 7th Dec 2005 - 17:23 GMT

Yes, this did happen in the summer of 87. Although you admit to this incident and ask my mother and I for our forgiveness, all I can tell you Papo is that In am not God to pardon you but I am a man to forgive a bad intention. I hope my words will make you realize that life in the hood has hope as well. Where there's a will there is power. If you really regret what you do why don't you leave all that behind you and and take a fresh start. I did. To SadStateOfAffairs: Brother, my comment should make you feel empowered not small. You are right Bro' a man has to leave hate behind, otherwise you won't be able to live with yourself and grow as a human being. Thank you for your words of encouragement. droKilla, you may have a point about "It is death is what gives life meaning." Because some of us don't appreciate what we have until we loose it. We shouldn't wait for death to find meaning in our lives because we may not get a second chance. I can relate because I was living that reality before. May the great spirit bless all of you and help you achive your realities. My best and my infernal memories live in the West side of Chicago. JJ

loca: 10th Dec 2005 - 03:24 GMT

watup yall..
Whats really good?

I was born and raised in HP. To this day i still stay in da hood. naw i aint puertorican, im mexican, but yet a latina. I have made love 4 my hispanics...
I been through it all.. I still stand tall and proud to say were i come from.
Fuck all yall haters; yall know who yall is... It is what it is...
Mad love for all my HP cats...Holla back...

JJ speaks of these realities: 21st Dec 2005 - 04:56 GMT

Peace is a dirty word
It used to be a painted bird
War is a whore, don't you know we love her more and more.
Killers
The paper's merciless in reminding us
who shares the planet with our avengegeness.
They frighten and fascinate.
We have to read their stories.
We have to keep them in front of us
assaulting someone else, tearing at their souls
To newsprint shreds, shooting what's left or right
You wonder what they do. How they live their lives. Up early? Late?
Blood stained shirts, guilt on their head
When it rains tonight in Humboldt Park
They sit in a corner somewhere, smoking a J, or plotting a kill
To kill your couplets of murder, cups of rum
warming toes, claiming King love, killing time

Another thought from JJ: 21st Dec 2005 - 05:10 GMT

This thought I wrote after I saw some homeless people on North Ave. In the fall of 2005

I found a man
who lived in ten
double lined garbage bags
filled with newspapers,
tossed by the West side crowds,
making a nest for no one special
just a survivor,
a wastebarrel hunter
who found the paper we carry under our arms
out daily, clouds cover, his people across Humboldt
Had a life time of rent free
sleeping and eating
real evidence "the city works"
even in lines where love claims to rule
law 'n' order tools
are sharpened just south of Division
Before winter- Iced eyelids and dead moon winds.
What's your name? I didn't catch it.
Pepper haired warrior, refused to die, to die alongside the green grass of Humboldt Park.

Name: 21st Dec 2005 - 14:10 GMT

Yeah right "Salvador" thats sound really great selling weed to your fellow students wow. Well try siting in the sun all day in a dry dry desert. Always on guard because your enemy is always on your back unafraid to die. You sacrifice your time your effort any for some even their life and sometimes you get angry because we are try to help a nation that is currupt but then when we get back home we see things like what you have said.

Ramón: 26th Dec 2005 - 22:42 GMT

Humboldt Parks belongs to humanity. Many people and many cultures have enjoyed its beauty, some have contributed more than others. I grew up on 2735 W. Division and for some reason going home is always somethings special. This summer I went to H.P. and saw the changes taking place and I felt joy, I thing that well to do people (white, black, latinos, orientals,)will very beneficial to the people living there now (that is the honest to goodness hard working people) and it will definetely be bad for the hoods; hopefully they will be driven out. Good people of all origins should come together and enjoy what Puertorican Culture has to offer just like other cultures in the American Society. Let´s come together all people share the joy of happiness and brotherhood. I grew up in Humboldt Park among Puerto Rican, Polish and Jews, but I made my the good things and discarded the bad. Puerto Rican brothers and American Brothers of all walks of life...let´s the no good that we are one of a kind. Feliz Navidad

big O : 28th Dec 2005 - 08:15 GMT

After reading some of these articles I've come to the conclusion that being Latino or in my case Puerto Rican "Newyorican " we are misunderstood . Being Latino is not about gangs or parades , it's about family ,compassion for your fellow human being . Hardworking people trying to live decent lives . People talk about welfare like Latino's invented the system . Get your facts straight , the majority of people in this country on welfare are White . Some people need welfare plain and simple but we need to build up our communities not tear them down with talk of hate . United , we will never be divided . Peace from N.Y.

M, J (MP): 31st Dec 2005 - 09:19 GMT

Gangs shouldn't even be killing innocent lives. Everybody that lives in HP/ North side, South side, West side,& East side knows that it ain't easy to live in a huge enviornment where there's a lot of drug turf. Put it like this, gangs are gangs, but those gangmembers who are reading this know that every moring you wake up, you thank God , but everyday is also another struggle. I'm sick and trying of the fact that ignorant gangmembers chose to take the path they have chosen, but it doen't mean that you should go out and kill people. What if somebody killed one of your family members like your mother, brother, sister, or cousin, you wouldn't be too happy about that would you. For those of you that witnessed murders right before your eyes, don't just stand there, do something, protest anti-gang violence, something. You gangmembers say that you fight for colors, other say they fight for your right, and others say they fight because they have nothing to lose. When you join a gang it's very simple... you can't go back, what I mean by that is that your not ging to be able to live a normal life anymore, your going to have people that you don't even know hate you because why? because your wearing a certain type of color... that's bullshit. You young kids these days don't understnd that joing a gang means protecting drug turf, and getting more ares for drugs to be sold. For those of you that think you don't need to follow rules your wrong everything in life has rules why you think that gangs have literature it's mainly rules stating that you will honor your color and your members. Joing a gang will mean your going to have to follow someboday, and you are expected to be violent, your expected to get down. why do your own gangmembers tell you to get down, they should tell you to get up, have knowlegde, and with that becomes respect, and with that becomes power. No one said that it was going to be easy,but God is always there watching you from above. I want all my LATINOS TO RISE Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Columbians, Everybody. It's time for young teenagers these day to do good and take our people out of the struggle.

To those of you who have read this I hope you make the right decison in life and may God protect you in everything you do.
God bless......... Look out for my cd it's not going to be in stores but I will be traveling places to sell it. I don't live in the north side but I go over there and every time I go over I see something happen.

Question.....: 2nd Jan 2006 - 18:18 GMT

First off i would like to say i come with much love, honor, y respect.... Not real sure if this would be the place to post or if anyone has an answer to my questions.... My mother-in-law is a puerta rican, Latin Queen from Chicago we have been in search now for almost 23 years reagarding any information on the PR Stones (Puerto Rican Stones) My husbands father was a member... i belive he went by the name Rico, we now know they no longer exist we are trying to find out what happend, if they all ended up dead, in prison, living a good life, started up something new.... If anyone has any information that can help, i can go into a little more detail but not by much because everthing that was around back in the day that she remebers aint around no more and there has been no infomation, I know we have to find the right people in the right age range that will know i have heard of other names of other members and stuff old storys, but it's not for me to speak on..... If anyone can please help out we would appreciate it mucho! Also we are trying to find out whatever happended to a Gang cop by the name of Officer Rodriguez i hear he was one of the main dicks around back then, i'm sure he is retired now buy anything will be a big help.

SadStateOfAffairs: 9th Jan 2006 - 17:31 GMT

Interesting stuff in the news about white people not being welcomed in Humboldt Park, tension etc...It was in the news on WGN and in the Tribune. Maybe a slow news day. I have no idea where they would get the idea that whites were not welcome in HP. Certainly not from this website. As a white person going on year three in HP I can honestly say my neighbors are great people who look out for each other. A lot different from other neighborhoods I have lived in. Peace.

Link to photos: 9th Jan 2006 - 23:07 GMT

A lot of people have been asking for photos of Humboldt Park, but few residents of that neighborhood seem to own a digital camera. Thankfully, we can view all the neighborhoods of Chicago at PicturingChicago.com.

For Humboldt Park, click on PICTURINGCHICAGO on the right column (in orange). Then click FILM. The click ALBUM: NORTHWEST SIDE, then ALBUM: HUMBOLDT PARK.

The photos are pretty good, though they sorely lack people, so Chicago appears as a ghost town. Maybe it is.

Shortie: 10th Jan 2006 - 19:28 GMT

It's funny how i have read most of these peoples comments talking about how humbodlt park is owned by the puerto Ricans and hows it was always are little part of chicago....i find that funny because before us puerto ricans owned Humboldt park it belonged to the Germans....Humboldt is the last name of a famous german man who so happend to live in that part of chicago and yet puerto ricans alwayz say that we owned that part of Chi....They also say now that we own Humboldt park but yet they now wanna change it....Humboldt park in the last couple yrs has shapped up a little and has turned very yuppie....i remeber a couple years ago they were talking about on the news wanting to get rid of the puerto rican flags......i believe they shouldnt do that its a lane mark for us puerto ricans just like they have china town...between those two little flags is a lot of our country....what i dont understand is why do they wanna ters are little strip of home away?

Alex: 12th Jan 2006 - 13:52 GMT

I was born and raised in HP. I lived there for 27 years, around Spaulding. The area is not the same anymore, that is obvious. Everything changes with time, that's another obvious. People just have to accept change. No matter how much People want it to be as it were back in the day, it will never happen. I moved on because it is just not the same. It has become a little more trendy and transient. None of my friends or family are there anymore, and it doesn't even feel the same....

I will not allow what is happening now affect what I remember or feel about HP...

Ramón: 13th Jan 2006 - 00:26 GMT

As a P.R. from Chicago I would definitely like to see that the P.R. flags in Division St. remain there. I would also like to the statue of the horse that was in the H.P. lake be return there, It´s now located near Lincoln Park Zoo (I think). I grew up with the horse in H.P. and I think we P.R.s should take the initiave to return it to it´s original and rightful place.
Happy New Year to the people in the H.P. area. A P.R. brother of all mankind. Feliz Navidad.

Payaso: 13th Jan 2006 - 01:58 GMT

I used to live near Mozart and Bloomingdale and the neighborhood used to be dangerous, but a lot has changed and now it seems people feel pretty comfortable jogging and bike-riding-- even at night. As far as the gangs,it's unfortunate that Puerto Ricans still need to live that life. It's a waste of a lot of potential

smokes: 14th Jan 2006 - 06:17 GMT

love to all in humboldt across humboldt blvd on the kedzie side Amor

ALKQN

T K#3: 14th Jan 2006 - 20:46 GMT

I see nothing has changed with this area! Now this board has turned to "represeting"!!!

Hey, "SMOKES", how about you do something with your life!? Funny, you guys talk the tough talk only when you had a gun in your hand or your anonymous (in case you don't know what the word "Anonymous" is.... it means we have no way of knowing you really are!

Peter: 17th Jan 2006 - 22:03 GMT

Can we take some photos? Is there like a problemo?

joey: 23rd Jan 2006 - 01:10 GMT

After reading through this board I saw how racist people are towards whites. Im Italian/Irish from Chicago. My dad grew up in the Italian hood on Taylor street. I feel the pain of many of the Puerto Ricans in HP. I hate yuppies because they just come in and buy property that us poor people cant afford. They all have a dog and they jogg. But please do not be racist to regular white people who have it tough. There are more poor white people in this country then blacks and latinos combined. I love latins and always will. Many of my friends on from Mexico and Guatemala. My girl is from Mexico. Yes it is true that all working class people are being pushed out of this city by these rich people but it is a fact of life. You know how depressed I get when I go to Taylor street? The yuppies like to call it Little Italy but to me and my family it was always Taylor street. The mayor decided to destroy the hood because he thought it made to many criminals. They didnt like the mob or the Outfit as it is called in Chicago and decided to put the black projects in the middle and UIC in it. Instead of a safe hood where people could walk down the street because of the mob they decided to put the black crack dealers on the street. I could never figure that out. Its not even an Italian hood anymore. To get a house there is going to cost 400,000 and its just sad. So I feel the pain my latin friends but every neighborhood must change. Its always been like that and always will be. I wish the city of Chicago would come out with a program to perserve hoods like HP and Taylor street and stop these yuppies from taking over and putting their dumb star bucks in. Remember everyone, you can be white and be poor and still be ok. I know many whites in Chicago who came from the south and are dirt poor. I just do not understand why latinos like the blacks better then the whites. It really doesnt make sense with me because most latinos have white blood in them. I have nothing against blacks and would like a united society but when I hear this stuff it just makes me think. I know out in L.A. the blacks and latinos hate each other.

T K#3: 25th Jan 2006 - 21:28 GMT

Humboldt Park has more "Latino vs. White" racism than most anywhere I've been (except for some parts of France which I've been to! This is due mostly to the tight integration of neighborhoods and individual perception that all whites are the same race! Perception of "White People" include but limited to; Russian, Polish, Latvian, Irish, English, French, German, Australian, Soth African, and sometimes middle easterners can get away with looking "white"... so before you judge everyone the same because some "white" person cut you off... look in the mirror... are you Puerto Rican, Spanish, French, Mexican, Bolivian??? many times I cannot tell, but I've grown up and no longer classify everyone as Puerto Ricans!

Humboldt Park of the 70's & 80's was full of the above! Those days may have left for HP --- but they've moved somewhere else; maybe the suburbs, maybe jail!

Dj Santi: 2nd Feb 2006 - 10:04 GMT

Just wanted to say I have some pics of Humbodlt Park on my web site CHICAGOLATINDJS.COM. Things have calmed done since the 70's & 80's in HP.
I lost alot of friends due to gangs violence here. Just one small advice to my younger Latinas y latinos, there's more to life outside of HP.Chase your dreams, and never give up.PEACE

lil rank: 9th Feb 2006 - 16:40 GMT

i was born and raise d in hp and still live there, ilove my hood i dont know they tring to brig all these fucking white people.because we moveving them righ back out were they belong in the suburbs, what they now about the hood, lemoyne and spaulding, thats why i dont see no white nigga over here becasue they scare of a king, amor de ray, 360.What up lil ck, keep repping the hood ,AMOR DE REY WE DONT DIE WE MULTIPLY

antionette : 9th Feb 2006 - 16:41 GMT

i think gang are cool because i love to watch people die but if they kill some body and my family im kill every body i see and a bitch is going to die

bright: 9th Feb 2006 - 16:45 GMT

i think that folks run it forget peoples they can all go to hell
Gangster D love King killa

bright: 9th Feb 2006 - 16:46 GMT

and this goes to lil rank and all his gang members like i said gd ld mld love

Leon: 11th Feb 2006 - 06:29 GMT

"Peter: 3rd May 2004 - 15:33 GMT
I live in NYC. I rarely tro ever see gang-related drama. maybe im just lucky!"

I'm with Peter on that one ...
I've spent late nights sitting outside on Flatbush, without any problems.
I've also walked down Nostrand late at night, without any problems.
I love how everyone attempts to make New York seem like a dangerous place to live.
Someone people here in Florida can't believe I actually ride the train.
"Oh yes, quite dangerous, with the train ninjas attacking riders"

Peter: 11th Feb 2006 - 19:15 GMT

some people have an affinity of living in fear.

i choose otherwise.

and i fucking love living in nyc.

Unknown: 12th Feb 2006 - 22:14 GMT

I am a white female from the suburbs south of Chicago. I am English, Swedish, German, Polish Russian, English, and Scottish. Driving through Humboldt Park .....It's beautiful. There are beautiful homes and parks, but the crime rate.....that is the sad part. I agree with you that yuppies are flooding the City and taking over, but not all white people have that pompous attitude. I have a great amount of respect for all ethnicities and I find that Hispanics and those of Latin decent the most interesting! I enjoy the culture very very much and my ex boyfriend was 100% mexican and I absolutely loved his family and culture.....

I have to say though that you should not criticize anybody for thier success.Everybody has a right to an education and the fact of the matter is that an education (does not determine intelligence), but it gets your foot in the door to gain oppurtunity. If gangs would invest all of thier energy in education instead of on the streets, they would be much better off and they would have a much brighter future.

Regardless of what people do in life, they should always do what makes them happy and if your happy, you can't ask for much more, but taking lives at the expense of others is unnacceptable. I would love to see these ethnic Chicago neighborhoods stay the same and full of thier culture, but in order to prevent change from happening, the major crimes need to decrease, otherwise....the neighborhood will very well be lost to those Yuppies

B5S: 15th Feb 2006 - 20:57 GMT

almythy dont like nobody amor de rey
ALKN 360
Come get some yall know were we be niggas kimbal and lemoyne come home niggas before yall get murk by a king

ck dk igk hgk all k but put that crown on top amor der rey niggas
aint nobody taking over hp but a king.

908: 17th Feb 2006 - 08:31 GMT

am a white female from the suburbs south of Chicago. I am English, Swedish, German, Polish Russian, English, and Scottish. Driving through Humboldt Park .....It's beautiful. There are beautiful homes and parks, but the crime rate.....that is the sad part. I agree with you that yuppies are flooding the City and taking over, but not all white people have that pompous attitude. I have a great amount of respect for all ethnicities and I find that Hispanics and those of Latin decent the most interesting! I enjoy the culture very very much and my ex boyfriend was 100% mexican and I absolutely loved his family and culture.....

BabyD: 19th Feb 2006 - 02:19 GMT

Well I am 17 years old.I am half Puerto Rican and half Mexican. and I was born and raised in the Humbolt Park Area.Until I moved about two years ago.I loved HP it was the best.Althought alot of bad stuff use to happen down there I still had some great times,and I wish I could move back down there.You know how that slang goes,you could take me out of the hood but you cant take the hood out of me. Those damn yupies need to stop trying to take over Humbolt Park cause that is and will always be our hood.Humbolt Park Love!!!!!!!!!!!

BS5: 25th Feb 2006 - 16:51 GMT

I stupid and can't write --- that's what all us Puerto Ricans should due! C 'ya in'da'hood monkey! ALKQN

Mariah Ramos aka Skittlez: 28th Feb 2006 - 21:36 GMT

Aight lets get thiz strait. everybody noz that HP iz da shyt!!!!!

i just want to say that being born and raised in da chi that i love it to death and expeacially HP. just because some gangz aint got respect dont mean the kingz dont cuz we all know that the ALKQN runz da chi!!!!!
HOLLA
AMOR DE REY!!!

Margaret: 1st Mar 2006 - 01:52 GMT

Hi, I'm finishing up my senior year at Northwestern in Evanston. My parents are immigrants from Eastern Europe and I have spent most of my undergraduate career interested in communities and increased educational opportunities for individuals in urban environments. As you can imagine, Evanston and especially Northwestern is an upper-middle class, mostly white and Asian bubble. I am currently doing research on West Side Chicago, community development, and educational opportunities for students. I've been told by a friend that I should not go down to Humboldt Park area alone. I want to go during the day to get a sense of the neighborhood and connect with local schools. Can you please comment if this is an absurdity (me not being able to walk alone) or if Humboldt Park is safe to walk around in. I'm a white girl with brown hair, I'm short and don't stand out much.

I appreciate any thoughts. Also I apologize if I come off sounding niave because I admittedly am. My family is from New York City where I have felt safe being alone in very diverse neighborhoods, but my friends from Chicago never seemed to have left their Lincoln Park bubble.

Thank you,

Margaret

Hey Margaret: 1st Mar 2006 - 16:03 GMT

Can I lay some pipe in you? (Simon Park Brothers)

Humboldt Park - DAVE: 2nd Mar 2006 - 03:40 GMT

Margaret,

I suggest you visit Humboldt Pk on a weekend just to get your feet wet. Bring a friend or two and maybe have some coffee and pastries @ Cafe Colao, Saucer, Humboldt Pie. Lunch @ La Bruquena, Latin American Restaurant. Dinner @ CoCo's (Live Salsa Band on the weekend) I suggest the CoCo's Martini,it's awesome! Evening cocktails @ California Clipper, live Jazz, blues and Rock. Boy, you think I work for the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce (Really, I don't!).

As for the neighborhood? I suggest you don't wear any jewelry or like we say in the community NO! BLING! BLING! (JUST KIDDIN!).

We have many organazations within the community that you could contact. Cafe Urbano which works with the young adults within the community, they host poetry night and have speakers give their insight. L.U.C.H.A., Latin United Community Housing Association, provides affordable housing for the disadvantage. Spanish Coalition for Jobs which assist people with employment.Casa Central, affordable day-care and assisted living for the elderly.
I'm proud to say that the resources are out there for those who choose to make a better life for themselves within our community.

Alfonso aka Smiley: 2nd Mar 2006 - 17:56 GMT

im frm queens, new york city n now i stay in a-town by da chi all i gotz ta say iz dat no matta where uz go thurr always gunna b gang shit around. ive moved many times n experienced crazy shit. i chill wit da latin kings which is da biggest latino street gang in chicago. da problem wit dat iz all gangs out hurr hate da kings n chillin wit dem gives me a bad reputation n shit. ive gotten ma ass jumped by satan disciples jus cuz dey thought i was a king. so wut im tryin ta say iz dat even doh u aint a gangbanger o wuteva dnt mean u aint gunna get messed up if ur affiliated wit dem u still gunna get da same treatment as if u were part of da gang. so now i jus turned 17 n i chill out hurr in humboldt wit dem puerto ricans its a very nice place especially during da parades. so for all uz people dat have neva been out hurr u shouldnt b scared ta come through cuz not all people who live out in humboldt are gangsters, as long as u respect people out hurr theyll respect u. iight well wit dat im outz

nursing student betmatt: 4th Mar 2006 - 17:33 GMT

Jesus Christ all I wanted to do was to find some pics on HP and I found some much bad info on HP that now I am afraid to do my research on this area. But please everyone just keep in mind that we are all equal. Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Whites, Blacks etc. I am Mexican and only ignorant people think one race is better than the other.

Margaret: 6th Mar 2006 - 18:11 GMT

Thanks Dave. Very helpful comments. I've just connected with L.U.C.H.A. and their work is quite visionary, while being increadably practical in finding solid solutions to better housing opportunities and links with education resources.
best,
Margaret

gringa latina: 8th Mar 2006 - 04:54 GMT

Hola, muy buenas.

Hace dos anos llegue a Chicago desde Madrid. He vivido de alquiler en varios barrios de la ciudad pero siempre me gusto Humboldt Park. El ano pasado fui con unos amigos a la fiesta Puertoriquena y me lo pase muy bien. me recordaba mucho a mi querida Madrid. Tengo pensado comprar una casita en el barrio con mi novio. Somos artistas y revolucionarios. organizamos conceirtos y donamos los procedimiento a varios grupos beneficos. Somos blancos pero con las mentes abiertas. Buscamos casa por toda la ciudad pero solo encontramos algo que parece a nuestro presupuesto en este barrio. Me fui de USA hace 8 anos porque tampoco pude sorporar la tipica mentalidad anglosajona y capitalista que domina este pais. Pero despues de todos estos anos viviendo fuera, me di cuenta de que todo el mundo es mas o menos igual. La mayoria de la gente es bueno en el fondo. Pero hay cabrones por todas partes. Esto es un momento critico en mi vida. Tengo muchos proyectos en la mente y quiero tener la estabilidad para desarollarlos. Mientras negociaba el precio de la casa que quiero comprar me meti en internet y encontre esta pagina. La verdad es que me daba mucho tristeza leyendo la historia de Migul y despues los comentarios muchos sin sentido que acompana la historia. Quiero integrarme en el barrio pero tengo miedo porque tengo la piel blanca. el mundo esta lleno de injusticias y quiero hacer mi parte. no se que hacer. Como puedo integrarme sin parecer la tipica chica blanca que sienta culpable por haberse nacido sienda blanca y de clase media? he vivido en otro pais. Me han atacado ya en una parada de autobus en el lado sur de la ciudad. pero me da miedo llegar a mi barrio nuevo con ganas de integrarme en la comunidad y darme cuenta de que no me quieren alla. Por favor di tienes ideas, comentarios, etc. compartelas conmigo. Gracias.

gringa latina: 8th Mar 2006 - 06:11 GMT

Well, here I am again. I wrote my last post in Spanish I guess as a sign of respect to all of the latino residents of Humboldt Park and to write as a "white woman" from a perspective of fear and confusion but also openess and honesty. I was born near Milwaukee but lived in Spain for seven years until returning to the US & Chicago just over two years agao. I too stumbled upon this site by accident while researching the neighborhood. After a bit of a nomadic lifestyle, I decided that to carry out the projects and accomplish some of the things I want to do in my life, I had to buy a house in the city. My boyfriend and I both work at a small non-profit organization during the day and do our own non-profit and creative work at night. We can't afford much but we do have a steady income now and really wanted a home of our own with a yard maybe to grow our own herbs and vegetables. Of course, after reading the posts here, i got worried. I know very well about how gentrification has changed Chicago's neighborhoods for decades. I have seen the same thing happen in several cities in North America and in Europe. As a white woman, I felt like I didn't want to be a part of that and kept it in mind while searching for a home. But I soon realized that there was not much I could do about it. first, i can't afford to live in most neighborhoods near the lake and to be quite honest, i dont' really want to live in a homogenous community. I thought that living in a mixed communty would remind me of my beloved madrid where an influx of immigration happening at the same time that urban renewal in the old part of the city is allowing new immigrants from eastern europe, asia and africa live side by side with artists, life-long madrilenos and young professionals. I don't understand why that dosn't seem to happen here in Chicago. I am really hoping to move into the neighborhood (I put a bid on a house on the west side of the park), meet some of my neighbors, & get involved in the community ( I saw what looked to be a community garden near beach & spaulding-where i read about the gang fight). I really hope that we will be treated with respect and not judged by the color of our skin. We certainly don't want anyone to think we are part of a movement of white people who want to cut oursleves off in our house and car and who don't step a foot outside of their own gate if they dont have to. On the other hand while reading message after message of hate, racism, ridiculous generalizations and the like, I have to admit I am a little scared and that makes me sad and ashamed. Of coure I do know that violence is everywhere in the city (a stray bullet shot at the drug house next door flew through our 3rd floor apartment window one afternoon last summer - in NW Bucktown!) I did read some messages from "boring white guy", "sad state of affairs" and "confused" that were helpful and others like the ones from "cafe con leche" that were enlightening. i would love ot hear what happened to "Nikki" after she moved in last august. Anyway, I don't have any real specific questions. I would love to meet some neighbors who are involved in bettering the community ad i'd love to get involved. If that means tutoring or cleaning the park or delivering meals to seniors I don't care. I jsut want to get involved and get rid fo this feeling of fear welling up inside with every story of murder, gangbanging and racism that I read. Any comments woudl be helpful. I plan on moving in this June.

Thanks for any comments, questions, advice or invitations to community meetings. Thanks, jenny (Gringa Latina)

Staci: 11th Mar 2006 - 16:21 GMT

Wow. This blog is great. I'm a resident of Humboldt Park for two years now and just signed my lease for another year. I don't have a lot of time right this second but for starters I just want to say I love this neighborhood with my heart and soul. All of it. The diversity, the park, the puerto rican food in the park and all of the corner stores and their owners whom I've grown to know by first name down to the "hoodies" (gang bangers, teenage kids hanging around, families, whites, hispanics, asians, eastern european...whatever. Don't get me wrong, I don't particularly LIKE wondering if I might get shot in crossfire when shit is going down, but I can't stop it and it's part of life. I CAN be precautious and aware of my surroundings at all times for starters. Furthermore, I wanted to throw this out there to the community. I realized there are NO books solely dedicated to Humboldt Park. There's one about the history up to the present about Wicker Park (probably because it's not completely gentrified but.....) and I'm going to change that. This summer I'll be all around Humboldt Park taking photos and video. Talking to everyone including newer residents, long time residents, students, store owners, aldermen, white, black, hispanic, young, old, homeless, gang members, EVERYONE. Please be in touch with me if you are interested in being a part of this. I can do interviews, if there is a particular church, store, organization, architectural structure, story, anything that you can provide me that you think is very important to include, please do. I might turn this into a documentary instead of a book, or both. If any of you are familiar with the movie Chicago Boricua you know there is a fictional movie about this neighborhood but nothing completely REAL. I intend to do such. I'm also just beginning to get interested in the Mega Mall site. I know it's technically Logan Square but a friend and I are going to attempt (though it might be in vain, the city is obviously a LOT of politics and red tape, I'm not naive nor was I born yesterday) to see what we can do about putting a park there instead of high priced condos. Anyone already involved with something like this? Want to get involved? Have any thoughts on the matter? I would even rather see mixed income housing that is Green Development (i.e. environmentally friendly) rather than a bunch of condos and Borders on the corner. Independent bookstore? yes. Borders? no. Maybe an art center (VERY lofty I know....but trying is a start eh?)

Staci: 11th Mar 2006 - 16:24 GMT

ooops, i meant regarding the book about wicker park (probably because it IS completely gentrified) TYPO....lol

Rhatone Chocha: 13th Mar 2006 - 23:37 GMT

Humboldt Park = Racism

If you're anything other than from PR, stay away.... everyone may say it's a friendly place but it's NOT!

--Chocha Eater

Humbolt Park - Dave: 14th Mar 2006 - 03:55 GMT

Margaret,

I'm glad you were able to get in contact with L.U.C.H.A.. I'm curious to see if you ever made the visit to H.P? I hope your research on urban communities goes well.

Humbolt Park - Dave: 14th Mar 2006 - 04:10 GMT

Staci,

There's a book I purchased unfortunately at Borders bookstore titled "Images of America, Puerto Rican Chicago" by Wilfredo Cruz. It covers everything from Families, Community life, Political/Social Activism, Arts and Culture.
I look forward purchasing your book or possibly viewing your documentary.

Good Luck!

PolishGayIrishIndianWhiteHUMAN: 14th Mar 2006 - 09:04 GMT

The whole area has been changing forever. It was once all Polish and Eastern Europeans. We never complained when others moved in or out of the area. Chicago is the most segregated mentally challenged City on the PLANET. The Mayor steals the cops are brutal and gangs have existed since the begining of time. My advice dont pay your taxes, ALL laws exist to enslave fear. Thanks I feel BETTER Gods neat lets EAT.

insightoner: 16th Mar 2006 - 14:29 GMT

Good stuff. A couple of things to keep everything in perspective: Humbolt was white untill the 70's. Don't you think the whites that lived there pre70's felt the same way when Puerto Ricans moved in? I noticed a huge double standard - when white people are proud of their neighborhood being white its called racism, when Latinos do the same it just a expression of pride for their heritage, and a love for your community.

On the flip-side I hate gentrification.

To all the Puerto Ricans on here: remember not all whites are yuppies from the suburbs. A lot of whites grew up in Chicago living with the same gangs, drugs, and problems you all did. Most of those whites aren't particulary fond of all the yuppies from outa state/suburbs moving into chicago and making it big generic suburb either. You all are using whites as a symbol of money and the suburbs. I see yuppies of other races of living in Humbolt too, buying up condos and forcing the the cost of living up, but all I hear is "white people". On a side note, Daley gentrified Little Italy, forcing the Italians to move out, and filled it with kids from outa state with more money. It's all about money here.

Chicago is losing its flavor...its culture. Everything is being ripped down and rebuilt to suit the desires of, well, boring people from all over the midwest that want to come and experience "urban living". That's why Humbolt, Pilsen, Logans, etc is full of people from the burbs and outa state (that includes all races - yuppies are yuppies. If you're from the burbs with money you are a yuppy. I know a black guy from Schamburgh that moved to Humbolt in some lame attempt at being "urban") With that being said...

To all the whites from the burbs on here: what ever happened to living in Lincoln Park or Wrigleyville? I know its cool to say, dude I live in the "hood", and tell you're friends back home about a shooting you heard from your apartment, but you all are really destroying what Chicago was. And if you're not that type, and when you are "concerned about the issues in your neighborhood", one which you have lived in for no longer than four years, you just make yourself look stupid. Also saying you like the diversity, want to experience Puerto Rican culture, etc is lame, and all the Puerto Ricans on here are laughing at you.

Staci: 16th Mar 2006 - 16:57 GMT

To: Humboldt Park Dave/ Ratone Chocha/ Insightoner

Thanks Dave. I'll have to check that out. I'll keep things posted on here every so often. Ratone, I live on Humboldt and Cortland.

As far as Insightoner, You are abolutely right. Yuppies are yuppies and need to stay in Lincoln Park. That's part of the problem with gentrification. While I've only lived in Humboldt Park for two years, I previously lived in East Village for five years, an area somewhat comparable to Humboldt Park. However, I completely disagree with you on being concerned with issues in my community. Whether you like it or not, it everyone's community who lives there. Chicago is ever evolving, just like every other place on this planet evolves, it's called life. To get involved is to be alive. I hate that people don't give a shit about their communities, cities, politics etc....so, you have a right to your own opinion, but my opinion of you is one that lacks respect and is full of judgement. I can't vouch for everyone, and I admit, it irritated the piss out of me when I was standing in line at Foremost Liquors yesterday and the woman in front of me was wearing a desinger coat, had a HUGE diamond on her finger, pulled a Coach wallet out of a Coach purse ......I moved to the neighborhood because it's what I could afford. I'm not from the suburbs, at least not the suburbs you seem to have ingrained in your mind. I'm from Gary, Indiana. Not that I have to explain myself to you nor am I even saying your comments were directed towards me. I just think that while you're on to something here (a lot of what you said rings true) that you should also at the very least, make the attempt to know someone before you judge them. As for people laughing at me (once again, I can only speak for myself and I'm only directly addressing your comments because I want to, not because I think they were intended FOR me. Either way I don't care) the last time I gave a shit what people thought of me was in high school. Maybe the only way to actual hinder gentrification is for EVERYONE to come together. Gee, what a novel idea. If that never happens, kiss your Humboldt Park goodbye. Let's work together.

Staci: 16th Mar 2006 - 18:39 GMT

and p.s. see, we're all human, i'm gonna call myself out right now before anyone has the opportunity to. "Get to know someone before you judge them" yet in the same posting I am talking negatively about someone in line in front of me with more money than I. Touche to myself.

Humboldt Park - Dave: 16th Mar 2006 - 23:47 GMT

Staci,

Sounds like you bumped into my X @ Foremost Liquors. I sent her out for some smokes and she hasn't made it back. The Fur, ring and purse was my Christmas gift to her. I promised not to tell, but there all FAKE! I purchased them @ MegaMall before it closed.
(Needed a little humor)
Glad you were able to catch what you wrote before we Critized U!

And, your right we're all HUMAN. Not any race is better then the other. We all bleed RED.

Humboldt Park - Dave: 17th Mar 2006 - 01:21 GMT

Your right! Insightoner. Norwegians, did occupy most of Humboldt Pk. back in the day.
I can't speak for all Puerto Ricans. But, I don't really think most of us in Humboldt hate having whites or any race as neighbors. Whats most irritating are the people who move in and don't make it a point to connect with the their neighborhood. The only time they're seen is pulling in and out of the garage. Or, when the PeaPod truck pulls up with their groceries. We have neighborhood clean-ups and block parties. Yet, these folks don't make it a thing to get involved. Don't get me wrong, I value my space, as do many people. That's what's so great about living in the city. People tend to know each other on a first name basis. We tend to look out for each other. Whether, shoveling my elderly neighbors front steps or mowing my neighbors lawn.
I laughed my ass off last summer. It was a hot summer day and of course the fire hydrant was open. The neighborhood kids were all cooling off. A FUPPY (Female Urban Prof.) came out of her condo bitching about how she had called the Dept. of Water several times and they hadn't been out. She then turned to my friends and I, and proceeded to bitch about the neighborhood. Needless, to say, that was the first time I've ever heard her speak. Whats that saying? "You get more bees with sugar then you do with salt". Her car happened to be parked out front that day. Did I mention it was a convertible Mercedes that was starting to take in water. I guess the Prada shoes aren't waterproof, because she never did make it to her car. They did finally come out to shut the water. Ok, we called our buddy who works for the Dept. of Water Reclamation! Hell, I needed to take shower. All, you city folks know how bad the Water pressure gets when the hydrants are open. It's similar to when your downstairs neighbor flushes and your in the shower. IT Sucks!
I've gone on a tangent! The message I'm trying to convey is we have to respect the fact that some of these people are third generation to the neighborhood. This is all they've known, not every teen is a gangbanger. Not every Puerto Rican is on welfare. We're very proud of our heritage, culture, and accomplishments. And, I welcome anyone to the neighborhood, YUP or no YUP! Humboldt Park doesn't belong to one race! We need to coexist with each other.

Love is! Peace out!

insightoner: 19th Mar 2006 - 19:05 GMT

I have a great amount of respect for all ethnicities and I find that Hispanics and those of Latin decent the most interesting! I enjoy the culture very very much and my ex boyfriend was 100% mexican and I absolutely loved his family and culture.....AAAAAHAHAHAHAHAH^^^^

other then being some plain cracker we have flavor and attitudes and a whole other language that we speak so we arent what you want us to be which is plain boring white...

okay you guys who are anti-white..I 'm with you , I can empathize....
^

LOL: 20th Mar 2006 - 15:54 GMT

The illest gang war ever in Humboldt park:

Almighty Crazy Gay Latin Kings (Saying : Dicks up, Asses down) vs. Insane Cocksucker Gangster Nation (Saying: All Cocks in our mouths!)

Here’s what happened one night in the park during a “rumble”. The ICGN’s out-blew the ACGLK’s swallowing more loads than thought scientifically possible, even by homosexual standards. The ACGLK’s attempted to match the sucking and swallowing tempo of the ICGN’s but quickly discovered themselves outnumbered, and ultimately, overpowered. But when it came to the anal rumping, the ICGN’s took it in the ass! The ICGN’s just slumped to the floor and passed out when the ACGLK’s were done with them. As of now, it has been accepted by the ICGN’s that they have lost the bout. However, they have enlisted fellow gang allies (FOLKS) Insane Butt Fucking Unknowns (IBFU’s) for the next rumble. The issue for that alliance is that the ACGLK’s have also enlisted allies, the Almighty Imperial Nut Lovers (AINL crazy gangsta nation)… Rumble number 2 is due shortly to settle their differences, I will keep u up to date!!!

One Love!!!

Editor: 20th Mar 2006 - 16:13 GMT

that last comment was so freaking funny, theres no way in hell im deleting it. hahahaha!

Lil' Balls (ICGN Nation): 21st Mar 2006 - 16:39 GMT

To any of the Kings that was at the rumble, please return to me my jockstrap!!!! and my socks too!!!

Lil Balls - ICGN almighty Maniac Gangsta Nation

Cock lickin, Nut droppin

adam: 22nd Mar 2006 - 06:11 GMT

hello, I just moved into Humbolt Park one year ago. Gunshots and police about, are just a way of life in many places. Chicago is unique in it's diversity, peacefull to hectic. Many of my neighbors may consider me to be a yuppie. I might be. I am white and drive a volvo. I own a shotgun and watch my yard at 3 a.m. This is better than where I lived before.
I used to have to watch at 3p.m. Anyway. Hi neibors. Please don't steal my lunch bag again. Hummus is expensive these days.
-Adam

Alex: 22nd Mar 2006 - 06:23 GMT

I just have to say to everyone that read my comments on Jan 12th, to know that I have had some enlightening experiences since then. All you need to know, is that this place NEEDS TO CHANGE! For the better. What I remember is nostalgalistic, not positive. It is akin to wanting to get hit by your boyfriend after being abused by your father years ago. I have learned a lot since 1/12. A lot about Chicago and a lot about me.
I am gay, and I love Humbolt Park! Adios!
ALEX

LOL : 22nd Mar 2006 - 20:18 GMT

Chicago Gang Watch Journal:

“Ready to fuck” Humboldt park: Hernando “King Cock” Martinez, leader of the Almighty Crazy Gay Latin Kings (ACGLK’s) has split from the gang. Rumor has it that he was kidnapped by members of the BBBD’s (Big Dick Black Disciples) and was either forced, or, as gang experts agree, willingly decided to make the shift to a “folk” gang member, which is the gang “umbrella” the BBBD‘s function under and not the same as the ACGLK‘s. “Who knows what they did to him during the kidnapping?” comments officer Ryan Narc from Chicago’s gang intelligence unit, “it must have been good though“. “King Cock” has now started a new street gang under the folk alliance called the “Stone Freak Latin Anal Boys” (SFLAB’s). “King Cock” along with other members of his new gang are being seen with members of the BBBD’s all over Chicago. This alliance is causing great concern for the police because members of “King Cocks” new outfit appear to be “too happy”. Police reports are coming in left and right that “they are constantly running around with smiles on their faces, and walking funny” . “It is rare to see gang members with happy faces” comments Lt. Mossberg of the Humboldt police department. “They, the “Stone Freak Latin Anal Boys” must be really getting a good deal out of this partnership”, Lt. Mossberg added.

“Ready to suck” Hamlin Park: Police arrested gang member Jose Rodriguez “2 balls” last night. Jose Rodriguez is a member of the Satan’s Lil Horny Disciples (SLHD’s). He was caught ejaculating on another gang member from the Hamlin park Insane Cocks in a dark alley off of Barry street. Both gangs have been feuding for months. Last week, an Insane Cock gang member was arrested for armed robbery. Lewis Armstrong “fat cock” attempted to rob a local pharmacy at gunpoint. He was attempting to steal condoms and lubricates. Police apprehended the suspect on his way out of the store. Oddly enough, as the cuffs were being placed on his wrists, the suspect appeared to be overjoyed and immediately obtained an erection, which made it difficult for the police officers to place him into the police vehicle. “There just wasn’t enough room” complained Officer Rick Prick, “basically, due to his enormous erection, it was a real hassle putting him in the back of the car”. Officer Stanly Clarke remarked that he was amazed at the gang members excitement at the prospect of going to jail. We wonder why???

Boriqua/Morena: 25th Mar 2006 - 20:30 GMT

I am mixed with Puerto Rican and Black. I have lived in Humboldt Park all of my life and I have learned to accept what the neighborhood is about. This is my life it is all that I know. What is important is that us a nation come together in unity and preserve the moral values that our abuelas rooted deep into our souls. We shame our race by shaming each other. Our culture is supposed to be strong but we as people are not showing what we are about!

Boriqua/Morena: 25th Mar 2006 - 20:32 GMT

Violence happens everywhere not just in Humboldt Park. But if we learn how to prevent it then we(H.P.)won't be looked at so badly...

rich: 26th Mar 2006 - 03:07 GMT

grew up pierce/kedzie in the fiftys,hood was mostly norwegians/poles and irish.2 luthern churches, at pierce/spalding and lemoyne/spalding, not much crime at all,kings were just starting near div.st,we were the hirsch st lords. one of the leaders went to hollywood became actor on a soap,we used to find bums dead in park .last time back [94]to show my kids were i grew up i noticed how they stripped the park of all bushes/brush. the old house 3227 pierce looks better now than when i lived there,but the hood looks like a rats nest...

SadStateOfAffairs: 27th Mar 2006 - 18:25 GMT

Rich - come back soon - a lot has changed since '94 - the park has been renovated, boathouse etc...the founders of the Kings still live in the hood but they have gotten older too. It is tough to gang bang in your 50's - lots of buildings for sale - lots of buildings being rehabbed - lots of families - new McDonald's with a nice stone fireplace @ North/Kedzie, they won't hire you if you don't speak spanish - if those old greystones that were built in 1895 era could talk I wonder what they would say? People still treat the neighborhood as their own personal garbage bag but the city is fighting back, lots of clean up crews, clean up days and a stronger police presence. My neighbor has been in the neighborhood since 1980, he told me that way back when he first moved in, if you called the police it would take them 30-45 minutes to respond and then they responded by coming to your house and beating you up for calling them. That has changed too. Crime is down but somebody lately has been interested in busting car door windows and grabbing whatever is sitting in the car.

rich: 28th Mar 2006 - 01:05 GMT

I[54YEARS OLD] PLAN TO VISIT THE OLD HOOD IN JULY WITH MY BROTHER [65],HES IN N.J, IM SOUTH OF BOSTON..AFTER ALL THESE YEARS WE STILL MISS NORTH/ KEDZIE..ITS FUNNY, AFTER READING ALL THE WHITE/HISPANIC HATRED SHIT ILL TELL U,WHEN I WENT IN THE SERVICE IN 1969 I HUNG WITH THE BLACKS AND HISPANICS FROM CHI..FOR THE SIMPLE REASON,WE COULD RELATE TO EACH OTHER.WE ALL CAME FROM THE SAME BACKGROUNDS,POOR OR LITTLE MONEY,SAME LIKES AND DISLIKES..THE GOOD OLD BOYS FROM DOWN SOUTH WERE LIKE FORERNERS TO ME..YOU WILL SEE IF U EVER LEAVE HP HOW MUCH ,EVERYBODY HAS IN COMMON. PEACE

simplyantwon: 30th Mar 2006 - 06:38 GMT

hey! so, my friend staci (whom you've all met) tuned me into this whole blog thing. i think it's fantastic to read some of the opinions and perspectives of my unknown neighbors. so, i wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. i'm antwon. i'm a newer resident of the humboldt pk area....2.5 years. i love everything about the neighborhood. the boulevard, the park, the trees, the people, the sense of community...all of it.

i guess i just think we should each fight to keep the integrity of the community. with that in mind, you decide what honestly is best.

love to humboldt park!

SAMILA: 2nd Apr 2006 - 03:15 GMT

Humboldt Park is beauty at its finest! It gives us all the opportunity to see what is bad and good. We hate the gangs, but we love how Puerto Ricans respect and preserve their culture. We welcome all, who can respect and aid us in preserving that culture.

Culture Club: 12th Apr 2006 - 21:07 GMT

Can I get a few examples of the HP culture that everyone is so keen on holding onto? I don't see it. If there was so much pride you wouldn't let people treat the neighborhood like a giant garbage dump. Where and how will this culture be lost overnight if some other races move into the neighborhood?

If the strategy is to let the garbage fly all around so property values remain low so you can hold onto culture then I say you're doing a great job. Since when is it OK to dump your McDonalds value meal on the street after you're done?

I have been looking for culture and all I see are folks who hate others who are not like them, boy doesn't this sound familiar. The PRs hate the Brothers, the Mexicans cannot get along with the PRS because the PRs cannot understand why 12 people in a home is OK, the Brothers tussle with the Mexicans over turf and EVERYONE blames it all on Whitey. Who is keeping you down? Whitey. Oh no here he comes, don't let the yuppie in. That's right, the same white man who took out the Indians years ago. He hasn't changed and it is always his fault. You know whose fault it is? Look in the mirror.

What respect? What is to preserve? A few restaurants with signs in the front "No Yuppies Allowed" - you can bet your ass they didn't go to the bank and borrow money with that attitude - "We're going to only serve PR food to PRs", two arches, a culture museum that went down in a scandal, gang banging(where is the culture here?), a parade and garbage blowing through a beautiful park. What am I not seeing here?

Random thoughts after seeing these postings drift into nothingness....

rich: 14th Apr 2006 - 00:44 GMT

culture club i couldnt have said it better.i grew up there from 51-69,didnt have anti mex-pr stuff when they moved into the hood..2 of my best friends were mexican,we used to eat over at the italain kids house on sat. because they always had wine with there dinners.3 polish brothers hung with us too,we had a real united nations them days..even the alleys were clean,and they didnt put lights in them till 62 or 63,mothers used to wash the stoops.no excuse for the way they trashed the hp area..

1969-1984 : 14th Apr 2006 - 20:15 GMT

You call HP a beautiful place where racism exists and (although cleaner than before) is still much dirtier than many of the 'burbs. Have you people ever come out of your house to see where everyone else lives?

funny, growing up there 69'-84' all I heard was how Puerto Rico was so beautiful --- I asked why you didn't go back--- only to find out PR didn't want them either! ONe other note: I never knew a person growing up that even traveled to Canada or some exotic European place (everyone was from beautiful PR or Mexico!). Funny, a culture that only knows 40 or 50 sq blocks makes it own perverted sub-culture.

I'm laughing my ass off listening to all of this from my home 3000 miles away!

Thanks, but no thanks, you guy can keep HP; gangs, racism, little PR, little MEX city....

rich: 15th Apr 2006 - 18:06 GMT

1 year after leaving chi. the navy sent me to san juan pr. i couldnt beleave how clean it was.i was only 19, but it hit me right away.and the people were great.this white irish kid had a great stay....

Concerned HP'er!: 20th Apr 2006 - 03:13 GMT

Is it necessary to blast the bass thumping radio at 6:00 AM? Is it necessary to hang out on corners and deal drugs? Is it necessary to live in public/low income housing and still deal drugs? Is it necessary to have your head on a swivel looking for the next buyer or cop car? Is it necessary to throw your litter around the curb side when there are garbage cans a few blocks away?

Is it necessary to respect your neighbors? Is it necessary to respect your community? People need to look in the mirror and make a change within themselves. If they can't do that, Alderman Ocasio needs to be more assertive with his efforts to clean up the Humboldt Park area or Mayor Dailey will have to take the lead. HP is a beautiful park and it is a tragedy to see what happens in and around the area. Pride begins at home and within yourself!

Earth Day At Humboldt Park: 21st Apr 2006 - 14:40 GMT

RESTORE. Work first, then enjoy hands-on nature crafts and live music at the HUMBOLDT PARK EARTH DAY CLEAN UP AND CELEBRATION. The community effort is in honor of the 36th annual Earth Day. Volunteers should meet at the Humboldt Park Boathouse and bring lots of elbow grease. April 22, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 1359 N. Sacramento Blvd., 312-742-5039, www.chicagoparkdistrict.org.

Dante: 22nd Apr 2006 - 16:24 GMT

Question (maybe a stupid one, probably an ignorant sounding one). I was checking out an apartment on Cortez between Campbell and Rockwell. I liked the place. I was checking it out at noon on a weekday, came back on Friday night about 11 to see what the block was like then. Maybe ten or fifteen young guys hanging outside of a house, wearing all white, paying close attention to who was driving by.

I'm the first to admit I don't have much in the way of street smarts. Well, I'll just go ahead and ask all my ignorant questions. Was that a gang? Just some kids hanging out? Obviously I didn't get much of a look at what was going on, but it seemed to be just kids hanging out. I don't know.

Anything anybody knows about that block, I'd appreciate hearing it. Any other advice/thoughts you think might benefit me, I'd appreciate those, too.

Not a yuppie, just another student trying to figure out how to live, work and go to school with ever-decreasing amounts of financial aid.

Experienced: 29th Apr 2006 - 03:57 GMT

Rest assured, you noticed a group/gang trying to locate the buyers for their drugs. Stop by and check out the corner of Maplewood and LeMoyne around 3:00pm. You'll see a series of thugs hanging out by the corner store, a jacked up white cadillac, a white mini-van, and a few other undesirable creatures. The two common things here are gangs and drugs. They go together like milk and cookies.

This region reminds me of a piece of coal surrounded by diamonds. Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, and Ukranian Village are heads and shoulders above Humboldt Park. The low income housing ares in these sections are inhabited by respectful citizens. Take a drive by and you will see the difference. Humboldt Park has huge potential, but the residents need to take greater pride in what they love and own. It's sad to see all the litter scattered about the community. How hard is it to toss a bottle/wrapper into a garbage can? Alderman Ocasio needs to open his eyes and take a closer look at the community. If needed, I'm sure Mayor Daily could do it for him.

This little area needs to change, but the roaches are holding it back. It's funny, watching them hang out, doing nothing but loitering/dealing, and then seeing them scurry when Chicago's finest drives down the street. Of course, the police won't find anything on the dealers. Either they have the goods/cash stashed in a local car or they have swallowed the evidence. It's comical watching the degenerates walk away gagging themselves. Would you buy merchandise that has been crammed down somebody's throat? I know I wouldn't.

Keep one thing in mind: Property taxes are on the rise. Rent will be increasing. New building projects will replace broken down shacks. The hands of time are ringing a new alarm!

anon (65.201.244.153): 22nd May 2006 - 15:00 GMT

I am looking at an apartment located near augusta and francisco. What type of neighborhood is it? Is it safe for a single female?

PRPoet: 12th Jun 2006 - 19:21 GMT

Augusta and Francisco is not a bad place so long as you keep your eyes open and pay attention. Its like anywhere else in the city, a little common sense goes a long way. Anon, I have nothing against you so I apologize if I come off a little apprehensive right now but reading through some of these comments could put anyone in a bad mood. HP is a culture, for those that are lost on what is so great about it. A low class melting pot where everything comes together, good or bad; so if you don't like the area stop bitching and do something about it! If you see gangbangers on the corner call the cops, if you see garbage on the street pick it up; anything that happpens anywhere in the world happens because of one person and the affect that person leaves on the area around them. So be positive and take care of your neighborhood and maybe it'll get better a little faster. Badmouthing an area and the people that live there just makes you look ignorant...and stupid considering this site was based on an event IN Humboldt Park and most closely affects the people living in Humboldt Park. If you moved out appreciate what the area taught you and move on, but the stay out. If your going to badmouth my hood we don't want you.

pt: 12th Jun 2006 - 22:57 GMT

i am a montrealer who had relatives in h.p. in the 60s and seventies and each time ivisited i saw the decline and deterioration of the nmeighborhood.in 1968 iwould go to hp in the night now iwould not evev walk halfway down the street in the daytime-potomac -spaulding

boriqua: 13th Jun 2006 - 13:33 GMT

alot of love to everybody who wrote what they felt.

peace,
boriqua.

Gino: 13th Jun 2006 - 16:11 GMT

Ha, Everyone This week,is a week of enjoying ourselves and our culture.
so lets put our differences aside and be happy that god has given you one more day to make your life better for yourself and your family. Life is too short,We must do all we can to make humboldt park a better place to live,It's time to leave behind the pass, and move forward for the good of all boriquas and latinos. I know that I will do what I can to show my kids that yes you can make it and still be proud of were your family came from. much love to all and best of luck.

Chino: 17th Jun 2006 - 15:58 GMT

Big up to all my people, I'm originally from Elgin, and I spent a lot of my time in Humbolt Park, as a kid I remember going to HP to visit family on Rockwell, I always thought it was a nice neighborhood all the neighbors were always nice to us I got along with the guys on the block. I always hit the Puerto Rican festival, HP is filled rich in culture and it always will be. You just have to have street smarts.

Everyone be safe week, you know how it can get

Much love,
Chino comin to u from FL.

Boricua/Mexicana las dos: 17th Jun 2006 - 16:28 GMT

My mother has done a great job bringing me up, from her having nothing, not a stable home, not a family that supported her, not any motivation, she made it her life goal to make my life better. She had me when she was 16, and we lived from motel to motel, and in and out of other people's houses. But now, now we live on our own and my mom has tught me the best way she could to be a strong person, but being both Puerto Rican and Mexican, i do not choose one over the other. Eventhough I didn't grow up with my dad and Mexican culture.
I think that it is important to embrace everything that you are, so I don't just celebrate cinco de Mayo and i don't just go to the Puertorican Day Parade, I do all of it. I celebrate who I am and who my family is, both sides. I don't criticize either. I luv having my mom's family being from Puerto Rico, and I luv my dad's being from Mexico. It's all about who you are. And I am not just another statistic, broken home and all, I still do my best I can in school and maintain a 4.5 GPA. Anything is possible, Puertorican, Mecian , Cuban, Dominican, everyone can be someone and have goals 4 themselves.
Luv 4 everyone.

Lawrence: 3rd Jul 2006 - 16:51 GMT

I was born In Chicago. I'm of Mexican decent. Today all the gangs are ruining the city. They are killing each other over turfs. What the hell is a turf? Don't come in this neighborhood or don't go to that neighborhood. Why can't you mexican gang bangers help one another. You are more interested in showing how tough you are. How you are willing to kill to have other gang bangers respect you. You all end up in jail in the long run. You don't respect the ladies. The ladies are going to be the mother of your children. You need to respect the ladies and take care of them. Treat them with love so they can be good mothers to your children. Stop the drive by killings, stop the drugs. "STOP THE DRUGS". It is so much harder to get up everyday and go to work. It is so much harder to take care of your family and see to it that they get a good education. But the rewards are so much greater. You have to learn to be a MAN!.

CRISSY 23: 29th Jul 2006 - 06:18 GMT

WOW COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER GREAT COMMENT LAWERNCE.

Gangs in HP: 26th Aug 2006 - 15:54 GMT

The gangs og HP have killed this area. I remember in the 70's & 80's in addition to the Latin Kings we had a Simon Park Brothers and Sons of Capone fighting all the time in my little area. I'm sure it's the same now too. You guys need to wake up, take a vacation and see the world you're missing! Once you do that you'll see protecting a little piece of old concrete and being "tough" have got you nowhere compared to the rest of the world!

Peace
Tom

KING CISCO 95TH ROSLAND: 3rd Sep 2006 - 16:32 GMT

IM READIN ALOT OF SHIT ABOUT HUMBOLDT MY AUNT LIVED THER FOR 4 YEARS AND I SPENT ALOT OF TIME OUT THERE. (IM MEXICAN). I GOT SOMTHIN TO SAY ABOUT THE FOOL TALKIN ABOUT EDUCATION LIKE PEOPLE IN HUMBOLDT ARE STUPED AND UNEDUCATED. THE WHITE MANS SYSTEM DOESNT WORK IN FAVOR OF MINORITIES THE CHICAGO SCHOOL SYSTEM SUCKS. THEIR GOAL IS TO GET US THE FUCK OUT OF SCHOOL. THEY DONT EXPECT US TO GRADUATE LET ALONE GO TO COLLAGE SO DONT FUCKIN THINK UR BETTER THAN ANYONE CAUSE U GOT AN EDUCATION. WHEN I WAS 17 I GOT LOKED UP FOR 2 YEARS. I TOOK THE RAP FOR A BROTHER (THATS A PART OF THE MANIFESTO FOR U FAKE NIGGAZ THAT DONT KNOW). I DIDNT GET TO SEE MY DAUGHTER BEING BORN. GOT MY GED IN COUNTY WHEN I GOT OUT I WENT TO DEVRY GRADUATED AND KNOW I GOT A BAD ASS JOB THAT PAYS ME 6 FIGURES GOT MY OWN (450,000)HOUSE IN THE BURBS. IM AN OG KNOW AT 23 DID MY TIME PAYED MY DUES BUT I HAVE NEVER LEFT THE BROTHERS U SHOULD SEE MY WHITE NAIGHBORS AND THE SECURITY GAURD WHEN THE BROTHERS STOP BY IN BLACK AND GOLD RIDIN IN A 63 IMPALA WITH DAYTONS AND SWITCHES. SO FUCK U WERE NOT IGNORANT GANGSTAS. UR BITCH AS PROBLY BEEN LLIVIN OF UR PARENTS ALL UR LIFE, U AINT BETER THAN NOBODY. BY THE WAY I GOT TATTOS ON MY HANDS I GOT THE 5 POINT ON MY LEFT HAND WITH A CROWN ON TOP OF IT. AND I CANT WEAR A SHORT SLEAVE SHIRT CAUSE ALL MY KING TATTOS ARE VISIBLE. I GOT ALOT OF THEM (LET ME PUT IT TO U THIS WAY I GOT HALF A SIX PONTED STAR CRACKED AND HALF A FORK CRACKED NEXT TO IT WITH A BACKWRDS D ON ONE SIDE AND K ON THE OTHER. SO U GOT NO RIGHT CALLIN US IGNORANT. CAUSE IM THE CRAZYEST NIGGA U WOULD MEET. I ALWAYS GET PULLED OVER IN MY M3 CAUSE THE MAN THINKS I STOLE IT. AND THE THE NIGGA TALKING SHIT ABOUT MEXICANS. THE NIGGA THATS HALF PUERTO RICAN IS FUKING STUPID. BET US MEXICANS DO HATE THE COCKY ASS PUERTO RICANS THAT THINK THAIR THE SHIT. THE KINGS WERE FOUNDED BY PUERTO RICANS IN THE 40'S BUT KNOW AT LEAST IN CHI TOWN MOST OF THEM ARE MEXICAN. DON'T GET ME WRONG I GOT LOVE FOR PUERTO RICANS THATS WHAT THE SET IS ALL ABOUT (LOVE) ITS ONE OF THE POINTS IN THE CROWN. WHEN IS STAYED IN HP THERE WERE BITCH AS PUERTO RICAN MLD'sK. I HUNG OUT WITH ALOT OF PUERTO RICAN KING BRTHERS. IM ORIGINALY FROM THE WILD HUNDREDS ROSLAND 95TH LATIN KING. BUT U KNOW WHAT SOME OF U RICANS DO PISS US MEXICANS OF U THINK UR BETER THAN US LIKE UR THE SHIT. IM NOT TALKING ABOUT ALL RICANS JUST THIS STUPID MATHA FUCKA. GIT UR SHIT RIGHT THERES BEEN MORE MEXICAN CHAMPIONS IN BOXING THAN PUERTO RICAN'S. DONT GET ME STARTED ON MACHO CAMACHO THAT BITCH PUTS UR RACE TO SHAME. THATS WHY CHAVEZ BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF HIM. IL GIVE U TRINIDAD HES A GOOD NIGGA BUT HE FAUGHT DE LA HOYA HES NOT A REAL MEXICAN. AND UR RIGHT WE DO JUMP THE BORDER BUT AT LEAST WE PUT UP A FIGHT WHEN THE US TOOK OUR SHIT. U JUST GOT OP ONE DAY AND DECIDED TO BE PART OF THE US.AND WITH THE MUSIC SHIT I LIKE THE BACHATA AND REGETONE (WICH IS ORIGINALY FROM PANAMA) BUT THAT AINT GOT SHIT ON SOME CORRIDOS AND NORTENAS. SO SHUT THE FUCK UP NIGGA AND SHOW SOME LOVE. SHOUT OUT TO THE BROTHAS OFF OF KIMBAL KING LOVE AMOR DE REY FORM KING CISCO.

PeanutGallery: 6th Sep 2006 - 19:39 GMT

Where is spelt check when you need it? Those that talk about how much money they make, don't make it. I guarantee that.

Please let me know who pays idiots that kind of money, I'll be sure to short the company and make a ton of money.

Yea-Yo: 6th Oct 2006 - 19:22 GMT

Exactly Culture Club. I'd love to understand more about these deep roots people claim they've laid into Humboldt Park. The dirty ass alleys, unkept yards, trash all over, people with no regard for the next man... The idea that Humboldt Park is somehow owed to the Puerto Ricans (or any culture) is ludicrous. Do some reading on the history of Chicago. People move in and out of neighborhoods due to FINANCIAL reasons. Yuppies don't move in to be cool, they move in because they can afford it - whites didn't move out in the 70's because they stopped loving Humboldt Park, they moved out because people started moving in who had no regard for life and ruined their neighborhood. Now the same people who ruined the neighborhood are trying to hold on the to false roots they claim. Humboldt Park will be a better place after gentrification - not a dirty word by the way, it's a fact of live for 100 years in Chicago. Call it what you want to, but the allmighty dollar will determine this battle, and all others in city limits.
In the meantime, try not to throw your large coke and bag of chips out the car window when you're done - love your neighborhood by proving it with actions, not by bitching about people moving in (and cleaning it the fuck up). Yuppie Power bitches!

jeeff: 12th Oct 2006 - 23:41 GMT

anon: you should see how many 'crab vs. slob' gangsta messages get deleted here on a daily basis. some people need to find a new hobby.

Gringo: 16th Oct 2006 - 17:28 GMT

Cool, my first witnessing of a drive by in Humboldt Park. You latinos sure have your priorities straight!

Giovanni: 8th Nov 2006 - 23:53 GMT

i grew up in a mostly Italian neighborhood in bay view in milwaukee and Latin Kings were a huge force in my neighborhood, all my family was in it, most of my family pics were in black and gold, my dad has a five point crown with an R under it for Rosano, and i also have family in Albany park in chicago, so ive seen some pretty senseless stuff, my cousin Mario got gunned down on his porch over a gram of coke, so think about what you do before you do it, and dont get into gang shit

King Gati: 15th Nov 2006 - 12:55 GMT

Wow, after reading all this for about 2 hrs or so..I gotta say I laughed alot with some of you ppl...I'm rican born in NYC..Boogies down bx..I read how bad was or is HP, ...About gangbanging, Drugs, crooked cops etc..What I'm trying to say is..Everywhere you stand, walk, look, or breath..There someone that dies. Not only in HP tragedies are accured..In alot of different State, Countries, Or Island Drug, Gangbanging, Rape, etc..Are Seen..

And that racist shiet need to stop!...Black, White, Latino, Asian, Yuppies or W/e..All I know is that when we die..We all become dust..

And for the family of Miguel My respect for all of you..May his soul Rip..

Damn all ya throwing shiet at each other , and forgot what the topic was..Smh..Anyway..ALKQN..To all my manito and manita...Keep repping what you believe in..ADR..

RESPONSE TO : Yea-Yo: 15th Nov 2006 - 23:48 GMT

Im Puerto Rican and im buying property converting it into condos and giving it right back to the RICANS of Humboldt Park. Why might you ask because im RICH BICTH!!!!!!!!!! Sorry for you yuppies i guess your not wealthy enough LOL!

A concerned SISTER: 15th Dec 2006 - 00:31 GMT

When are my brothers and sisters goin to stop killing eachother: there is already enough ppl who want to see you unsuccessful, poor, uneducated and dead..... why do ALL of the work yourselves??????

Love conquers all...... Together we stand, devided we fall -- we've fallen deep and its time to get back up and fight!

Question: Are you strong enough to fight against an entire system built against you? I AM

Sent with pure love....

I am Puerto Rican, and Really Angry at your Lack of Concern and Knowledge:: 18th Dec 2006 - 19:59 GMT

I have attended various universities in both Chicago and Puerto Rico. I am currently a student at the University of Puerto Rico, and at one point I was Trying to recieve my BA from Northeastern Illinois University. Although I was fully born and raised icago, within the Humboldt Park Neighboorhod, I find myself currently in exile, in Puerto Rico.
I was a law biding, respectful and active member of my community. I I have ever aspired to, was taken from me because of this "Urban Revival." I for one lost my home, my roots, my family and my friennds. It may seem exagerated but it is true.
The increased rent prices, taxation, city inspection and lack of governmental intervention, have left us out in the cold. Both physically and literally.
We never wanted anyone to move way, we only wanted to stay......
We lived in Humboldt Park through the worst times, and now that the real-estate is HOT, they want us to leave.
Humboldt Park is one of the most accesible neighboorhoods in all of Chicago. Its location is in the middle of the city and one can easily access any part of the city from it. The urban developers are treating Humboldt Park like a fad, like what they did with Lincoln Park. If you don't know what happened then you need to get educated. Please read up on the facts before you make incorrect claims.
The picture that member "Peter" has posted is at the corner from where I used to live. Peter, forgive me for saying you are very narrow minded. In fact, it would not suprise me that you were probably one of the persons calling city inspectors, on me so that we could sell at a cheap price. In fact that is exactly what happened. All the stress, made my father's high-blood pressure go up, and he died due to a CVA. For all of u illiterates, that is a Stroke.
Because we experienced financial diffiulties, shortly after my father's death, we sold our property. I am very upset at all of you urban developers, and yuppies with no feelings or heart. I guarantee, that when you die, you will face God, and he will make you pay for the damage you have caused. And before you say it I will, the two incidents are interconnected, my father's death, the loss of my house and your plans for urban revival.
After we attempted to find an organization that could help us, we came up empty handed, because as we all know, money talks, and city hall can be bought for a price.
I am bitter, I am Angry and above all I am frustrated. I would love to return home, but it is impossible. This "Urban Revival" has taken everything from me except my spirit. I know that I will be back home one day. A day that you yuppies, figure out that Humboldt Park isn't important anymore, a day that the neighboorhood looses its appeal. A day that I have finnished struggling, and have gained what I have been working for.
My only regret is that I couldn't keep struggling against the greater forces that bought out Humboldt Park. Everything is remedied with money. I don't have money, but I have the strength to fight, and the heart to continue.

Posted respectfully
by
Maritza
Age 26
Grew up in
Kedzie
and North

The Chi-ster: 22nd Dec 2006 - 20:11 GMT

We need to see the bigger picture here.

Its almost heartbreaking to see people of a common struggle wasting time and lives with petty arguments. I am boricua, I stayed on Kedzie and Armitage before we moved to the Western Suburbs. I live my life constantly reminding myself of the struggles that our forefathers went through to give us the freedoms to become educated, make money, give ourselves better lives, and, yes, to also represent our gang affiliations on an internent message board and get into petty fights about whose race is better, etc.

Im 19, enrolled at Loyola, and working for Chase. This does absolutely nothing to separate me from any of the hateful, misguided people commenting on here. What I hope will separate me from ignorance is the work ethic towards making our neighborhood, city, country a positive place where murder and other senseless violence are the exception not the norm.

True, HP is a dangerous place. Also true is that there are many positive things going on right now in the area. The PRCC has made excellent strides toward building a better community that can express that incredibly rich culture that we as Hispanics own. WHAT DOES ANY OF THIS MEAN? Sure, humboldt park is our home and there is definite pride that goes with that. But it means nothing if we do not consciously try, on a daily basis, to improve what we can.

We must NEVER forget what heroes such as Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos died for. We were given the opportunites, as hispanics and as Americans, to better ourselves. If we dont, we are wishing death upon ourselves.

Peace to Chicago

RICH W: 27th Dec 2006 - 23:38 GMT

MARITZA,you tell the truth,but my family who were forced out off the same block as u,lived in h.p area from 1920 till about 1970. we were forced out by the crime and lawless people that moved to kedzie/north area. i would have loved to come back after my time in the service in 1973,both my parents died on pierce ave,but my family ended up all over the u.s..though my sister still lives in burbs..we risk our life just trying to show our kids and grandkids were the family started..hp was a peacefull place to live until late 60's..after that all the locals left, thats why houses and rents were cheap,im glad to see the hood changing,i plan on visiting next year..look at the history of h.p sometimes and see how its always changing..good luck to you but history shows a new hp..good or bad

I am Puerto Rican, and Really Angry at your Lack of Concern and Knowledge:: 1st Jan 2007 - 20:05 GMT

I agree with you Rich. I would love to live in a world where people can coexist peacefully along side one another. All I am saying is that most people make generalizations of people based on the content of their wallets and the color of their skin.
Change is inevitable, and fortunately or unfortunately we all have to adjust. Survival of the fittest--no? But we must face the harsh reality, there is an affordable housing shortage within Chicago. All of this feels like some kind of governmental conspiracy to force-out low income people out of the city. I am aware of the complex history that Humboldt Park Has.
It is not a racial thing, at least not within my eyes, it is an economic thing......Simply put, it is not the gangbangers and violent members of the comunity that suffer through gentrification, it is the responible, hard-working members of the community who pay for the consequences of urban revival. I more than most am aware of the consequences of growing up in a violent neighborhood. As a child i was unable to go outside, and always had to "watch my back." Even after all my education, and work experience, I was still labeled as "Ghetto", as person with no future, by prospective employers and others with a "hollow mind", and yes i am a graduate of Roberto Clemente, and was mostly self taught, until I enrolled in college.
The main point is, all of this mutual, reciprocal hate should stop! It is hard enough being a human being within this complex society, we should judge a person by the content of their hearts, and minds and not by the content of their wallets, or their street addresses.
Respectfully posted,

Maritza
Puerto Rico and Humboldt Park

RICH W: 12th Jan 2007 - 02:06 GMT

maritza,i agree with u 100%,i wrote before but it didnt get posted..theres a affordable housing shortage everywhere.i live between boston and n.y, every apartment building is being bought up by these people from n.y and n.j and turned into condos.or the collage kids pack em in and pay huge rents for a party house.the locals who are every race,are being pushed out..these realstate people dont see no color but green...clemente was still tuley high in my day,was 1 long cold walk thur that park some winter days.but i woudnt change 1 thing from growing up there..are familys would have been good neihbors...3227 pierce was are place..god bless u and yours rich

This is real!!!: 25th Jan 2007 - 18:06 GMT

I sit here sad as hell listening to all the disrespect everyone has for each other. WOW. im trying to understand how can we be so ignorant and not get our act together. I lived on Kedzie & Cortland- North & Lawndale and will go thru any hood anytime not because im a tough ass but because i should never feel scared in my own Boriqua hood. Now Schaumburg, Boiling brook now that’s were i feel tension because they don’t know me & i don’t know them. We really need to smarten up. We have been in Humboldt for since the late 60z and have not motivated one bit or kept it safe for our families & kids. Now white folks come in from Wicker Park and we start claiming it as if we ever really cared about it now because we are so called being kicked out. The only reason its getting value is for what is being put in not for what has been there. We jagged taking ownership and beautifying it, so lets stop bitching and get with the program. Let’s get educated, lets get real jobs & lets buy property and live in peace just as that new white guy down the block is doing. Gangs will laugh now and cry later. Not to hate on my famos gangbanging right now but we really need to get our act together. You want to bang & sell drugs in the hood?? Handle yo paper cuz. But all the ish is short term papas. Ask half of your boys RIP in the ground right now cuz they were on the same gangbanging thang players..I would love for my baby girls to grow up in my hood where i came up, but not if dumb fucks are out there banging selling rocks and blows to crack heads on the corner while my girls are getting out of school. Boriquas we know we got big tough hearts now lets get the brains pumping. Its still not late to "motivate".. I feel real sad to say it but deep inside my heart i know our numbers are few that will really stop and listen.. The rest will just do as they may and when they hit rock bottom start blaming everyone but them selves for their ignorance. I see it already everyday. But im not a physic but if you really love yo hood sho me whatz good & get smart. Be the leader to take Boriquas to another level. Its time to show Chicago that we will love and take care of this hood. Peace and love to all, especial to those gangbanger that can offer so much more joy in life then sadness in death.

Derek Jackson: 2nd Feb 2007 - 20:05 GMT

Wow! Reading all this misspelled babble about being proud of being hispanic, about fighting the whites trying to take what's yours, and about complaining about gang violence is making me half-laugh, half-get pissed off.
Homboldt Park was once a nice place to live... when it was devoid of hispanics. By the way, if you're so proud of your origins, why are you living in a FOREIGN country? I would think if you people are so cool, and so proud of your respective countries, you would want to live among yourselves, on your land!?! Right? So why go parasite another people's country you don't even respect? Oh! Maybe because your home country is so shitty it can't even support its own people! Or because your only chance of survival, sometimes even attaining a better life, is moving into, and living off, a country whose people has made rich, safe (except for hispanic and some black neighborhoods), and a good place to live.
If you don't understand what I'm speaking of, imagine if PR or Mexico had become rich nations by the work and abilities of their founding populations (hispanics), and had thousands of Anglo Americans sneaking over, refusing to learn Spanish for generations, living off welfare the working Latinos had to pay for, crossing borders at the last moment to give birth on the other side of the frontier to profit from lenient and please-the-beggar laws, crowding schools with intellectually-challenged children(unable to learn quickly because living in households without anyone with even a grade school-level education to help with homework or ask questions to), thus bringing the overall Education System down; and, among so many other detestable facts, creating gangs to organize theft, rackett, illegal immigration, trafficking, etc... Would you like this people? Would you consider it an asset to your country? Would you not hate this people with all your guts? Well, probably not. And you would have every humanly justified reason not to.
Well, your attitude, thinking you're oppressed by the English speaking population, blaming your poverty and uneducation on the "ruling people" is just fine. It just gives so much more opportunity for Anglos & integrated immigrants to be part of the higher classes of society. You don't force yourself into a higher social class (imposing your language, religion, and general lifestyle), unless you're actually able, in a competitive way, to supersede it. But let's face that, it's not going to happen. The only successful hispanics that mean anything to American society, are the integrated ones, why have adapted to it; not those who've tried to colonize it.
Why are "whites" (I suppose you mean middle-class; there's probably some blacks, asians, & jews among them) pushing you out of the neighborhood? Not because of some fantasy conspiracy, but because that's how the market works. Your arrival in the neighborhood brought the prices down, because all the decent people living there before didn't want to live with the type of misery and crime you bring along. Now that people with revenue want to get closer to the city, they're buying land, and developing. Prices necessarily go up, which forces people who want the unexpected money thrown at them to sell, and leave. Why is it that hispanics can't afford, but other races can? Don't ask or blame me; look back at yourself for responsibility.
And a last thing about gangs: walking down the street, do you fear a white or an asian kid? Probably not. Would you fear a latino or a black kid? Probably yes. And don't blame racism, blame probabilities.
One demographic problem with third-world countries (yes, hispanic, except for Spain), is that the less they can feed their young, the more they breed. That's not out of love for family, but the common hope that bigger families mean more working arms to support the parents when they're too old to support themselves. In developed countries, there's savings, pension plans and retirement; in underdeveloped countries, there's working children. Unfortunately, in this country, many latina women are too uneducated to figure out how to master birth control, and end up raising children on their own or with some shithead who doesn't care. And the kids end up being raised and educated in the street, by the street. With the parent-and-environtment-induced feeling that they're living in a foreign country, and that their original country is better. When you feel you're not part of a country, you don't integrate, and you become alienated by your own actions. You repel your host country (more or less consciously), and your host country can't be expected not to repel you...

Jon Dominguez: 2nd Feb 2007 - 20:17 GMT

To get back to the shooting of the kid that started this thread, has anyone ever wondered what this country would be like, especially its crime rate and its welfare budget, if all hispanic people were thrown out/disposed of overnight? And how all these despising people would live, back in their home countries, with no decent salaries/ welfare checks to support them, having only to rely on their peoples' own resources? Great for the former, not so much, to say the least, for the latter...

Jon Dominguez: 4th Feb 2007 - 16:46 GMT

"... and take back what used 2 b ours we should not be the minorities anymore we got black and brown teaming up we both are minorities we both have struggling histories we should take white man cause thats the problem with the world these days thats is whats really tearing up the us...".
Are you typically uneducated, or just plain stupid? Take back what used to be yours? When was this country yours? Face it, bozo, if the Spaniards had settled in th U.S. as well, and developed it as their descendants have the rest of the Americas, this country would be a third-world country, just like the rest of Latin America. To read such stupidity as what's been written in this thread until now is crazy. Remember: the Spaniards settled in South- and Central- America. The Portuguese in Brasil, Mozambique and Angola. ALL these countries are severely underdeveloped; Brasil to a lesser extent (but check the crazy crime rate), as well as Venezuela, thanks only to Petroleum. The British settled in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand. All these countries are now fully developed, rich countries, INCLUDING South Africa, the only country on the continent now considered developed in a Western sense. The English colonized but never took over the population in India, leaving it today a reasonably developed country, with a population educated enough in the medical and technological fields (computer programming being the most visible) to be major targets for outsourcing from firms worldwide.
So do you really beleive the "white man" is the trouble? Remember, the American Civilization is what the white protestant and the early black man made. Both are the righteous inhabitants here. Latinos are only here to get a piece of the pie they never baked or provided ingredients for. So being proud of your origins is just fine; but just keep a low profile when you have absolutely nothing to boast. Remember you're just a parasite sucking America's blood. On a dog, the parasites that live longer are those that remain unnoticed; those that suck and itch too much get scratched or bitten off.
REAL: learn to punctuate (use comas and periods): it would make your babble less unnerving to read.
To sum up, your remaining a minority is the only hope this country still has. As long as you stay away from decision-making, and remain a labor force, you won't have the opportuninty to drag this country down in a faster pace.
As for your being an Aztec or Maya, fat chance! When the Spaniards arrived, both ethnies were killed almost entirely by warfare, but mostly, by being exposed to the illnesses Spaniards imported they were unable to fight, since they'd never been exposed to them before. Guatemala, Honduras , and some parts of Mexico still have some Indian population, some of which like to beleive they are from Inca or Mayan extraction, but that's seldom the case.

LR: 7th Feb 2007 - 00:11 GMT

Here's the lick from a lincoln park reared and raised guero who kicked it in HP (east of Cal) back in the late 80's/early 90's....Oh yeah, and before people are dismissive, let me state that I have a pretty successful career with good income and most importantly street skills to fall back upon as needed. The Park was a fun place to go as my hood was converted to the yuppie capital of town. All were over-accepting of me...Maybe the girlies just liked the smile (j/k). There was some hatin' going on, mainly w/ the morenos by maplewood, but no beefs ever occured, just salty looks etc....No lie, it seems like, in retrospect, that evryone was packing back then, and having that power or self-professed power was probably not a good thing for the fellas. Because in the real world (jobs), you would not get far by being hard or intimidating, yet if you use that 'street feel' to your advantage, you know when you are getting bullshitted. I will never lose the memories of back then, I was not a banger mind you, yet I was cool w/ all the folks, I can even recall drinking 64oz. of Old English, yes it was 'ghetto', and I laugh at it now, but I would not trade it 4 anything. I can remember all the drive bys thatwould occur after parties at northwest hall or the fights during the carnival and I have to admit, my parents woulda been quite upset had they known where I was hanging out at. I am not proud of this, and I would never want my own lil ones do hang in the areas/with the type of people I did, but it was an experience like no other. Just glad I made it out. I actually had married one of those very same yuppies alot of you are talking about. She is a cool chick, dont hate on anyone, and cant believe I was in those areas, but yet she respects all for their culture/identity. I have two rental properties in the area and the tenants are dynamite, upkeep is well-maintained and I do not grossly price them outta there hood. Can I sell to the next guy for 50+% returns on what I paid? Yeah, but I beleive that as long as I am in the black on my investments, kep good people there. We can all have exotic cars, huge homes and drink Dom nightly if we would so desire (but we'd amass huge debt, lol), but in the one life we are fortunate enough to have been blessed with, no gift equals helping your fellow society members of good values. May all be Blessed, and 'Amor' to all the brothers and sisters who made it through the years as clean and productive society members. I want to thank GOD for all I have been given, a great family, perfect daughter and a healthy life. Hope everyone draws a smile after this.

Jeffory Higins: 18th Mar 2007 - 23:55 GMT

Man i agree wit yall i live in atlanta ga but its to late for me. im a blood plane and simple. learn from my mistake. one day i wasnt even flag hangin so i should have been in a clear . me and my best freind took our girlfreinds on a double date at an ice cream shop. while we wee eating i saw some crips in front of the shop. as soon as they saw me they puleed out a 9 and an oozie.(sigh you no da rest). me and my girlfreind we got lucky i got shot 1ce in the left leg and twice in the left arm my girlfreind didnt get hit.my freinds girl freind was shot so many times in the arm she had to have it aputated and my best freind got shot in the chest stomach and in his arms .i watched him die right in front of me.the image of his bloody body and my best freind screaming for help will be forever with me.i have no right to critisize the shooters either i knew what i was getting my self into. take this as a lesson to anyone who wants to be in a gang.you will not be able to get out at all. unless you are man enought to get killede out or even worse.....kill your own mother. its not worth it i was only 12 years old at the time im 14 now.it just aint worth it man i shed tears doin this man.DO NOT GET IN A GANG! BE SMART DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR SELF GO TO COLLAGE GET RICH THE SKY IS THE LIMIT. im onlt telling you because its to late for me.
God bless Monica.J. Arons
And R.I.P Sean.Xavier.Hodge my home boy 4 eva

tina: 4th Apr 2007 - 12:55 GMT

i remember this whole shooting. i was only 10urs old when it heppened.i knew miguel he used to go to this club at inner city impact.i was one of the kids who marched in that parada aboutgang issue.i lived two blocks away from where it happened.

loca from Ny: 12th Apr 2007 - 02:52 GMT

First and foremost I would like to say that the Latin Kings and Queens were made to protect it's people what events happened through ought it's history for it to become like this no one will ever no. Like Reymundo Sanchez expresses the love in the Nation was being lost.

Point is if you want to stop ignorance you spread reason.
You don't spread more ignorance.

"I want to be able to accomplish something in life, my hope of accomplishment is not of wealth or glory, but as being known as someone who changed another's life not for the worse, but for the better"

"Being poor should give you a stronger will to succeed, not an excuse to pity yourself or fail, but give you the reason to fight and become someone in life to prove everyone who has ever doubted you wrong"

I take that to heart when I read these. I respect Latin Kings and Queens to the fullest because I know there are some good ones out there. Amor to all Latin people not just kings, but for those who have fallen and those who still march.

"Una raza divida no sobrevive" - Taken from the book "My Bloody Life"

Take that into consideration. Also don't generalize raza as Puerto Ricans or as Mexicans but, as a whole raza. From the start of Mexico to the tip of Argentina. We all Latinos.

I hope that one day comes when society won't categorize Latinos as a statistic part of society who are meant to accomplish nothing, but as individuals with talent and intelligence that can spread and help future generations.

"Quien va a sembrar la cemilla de nuestra cultura si estamos muertos?"
- Take from "My Bloody Life"

Remember that.

cristina : 23rd Apr 2007 - 13:11 GMT

I'm a young, Puerto Rican girl who was born and some-what raised in Humboldt Park.(on spaulding & wabansia) I live in the southwest suburbs now, since all the gang-violence and poor public school system was holding me back from being able to have more opportunites. I love Humboldt Park and I still wish I lived there, even though It's safer over here. I would like to also add that to anyone who ever thinks that we're complaining about what really goes on in HP, we're not. We're just telling the truth.
[Peter Eguia: 1st Mar 2004 - 20:41 GMT
shut up and stop crying like a big baby, if you don't like the area, then just move!!!!]
Peter, you're forgetting something, not everyone in HP is able to move away from HP because of financial reasons or just simply because thats home and thats where the heart is!!!

Tom: 29th Apr 2007 - 21:07 GMT

Home was Saywer & North from '65-'82 try to be a whiteboy in that neighborhood during that time... Just heard "Peanut" died a few months ago. I'm glad I'm alive.

Tom: 7th May 2007 - 02:22 GMT

Hey Reyes 5 Point; 2 of my friends died because they were "Down with the Crown"... that was 20 years ago.... you're certainly tuff and so were they but their long forgotten... peace with them but I can tell you their not getting ANY now!

Taino: 8th May 2007 - 09:13 GMT

I cant understand why the US goverment doesnt just drop a nuclear bomb on the park and just rid all you sorry fucks of you're miserabel existence.
and if my english grammer sucks thats cuz I'm true Rican.

anon (static-host-66-18-45-122.epbinternet.com): 18th May 2007 - 12:47 GMT

Another perspective. I'm 50 years old. Born in St. Anthony's, lived on Fairfield and Richmond Streets, attended Moos School. Gangs are nothing new. Puerto Ricans began moving into the neighborhood in 1964. They were neither good nor bad. Just more people in an already overpopulated area. They weren't accepted. Neither were any of the other families that moved in over the years, the Ukranians, the Estonians, the Polish, the Greeks, . . . Life goes on. Death is a part of set up. Guy down the street paraded his wife up and down the street when I was 7. He had killed her and was carrying her head around by the hair. The angry shocked eyes of the woman have burned into my brain. I won't tell you if I still live there or not. No one cares. No one is attempted to change anything. Placing blame, pointing fingers, bitching, pissing and moaning is the style of the race....which race? The only one. The human race. Grow up. Your life is neither better or worse than mine. You will not change the world, but can you change yourself? Your family? Rearrange your prejudices and start something that may matter one day.

Garrets Nanny

Polaco: 24th May 2007 - 18:09 GMT

I grew up with tanks rolling down the street, then at age 8 I lived in NY to see violence in different form, at age 11 moved to Chicago, same shit...When are we all gonna realize that it don't matter who you are. You can hate all you want- the polaks, the spics, the beaners, the niggers, etc...this hate is the reason why we all suffer the same in the end. You don't choose what nationality you are born into, and for the most part you don't choose what gang you join, whatever set rules your neighborhood is the one you will most likely represent. What is the different between a nation and a gang anyway? Both got territories, both got colors, both got "soldiers" and "governors" etc... I never judged on people's backgrounds, it is always about respect, the closest ones to me that are like family are Puerto Rican, Bulgarian, Greek, etc., I dated two Mexicanas and didn't give a shit what anyone said. They were down to earth women with heads on their shoulder who where trustworthy, and that's all that mattered. I'm proud as fuck of being Polish and got respect for your pride. Once we all (if ever) learn to respect one another there won't have to be another tradegy like Miguel...R.I.P.

IVY: 11th Jun 2007 - 15:08 GMT

I grew up in beatiful Humboldt Park. I lived there from the age of 7 when it was all white. There were only two Puerto RIcan families on our block. We lived on the Kedzie side of the park. There have always been gang since I could remember. It even crazier now. Gangbangers don't respect anything. They jump on everyone and anything. We were coming down Spaulding the other night. It was me and my husband and 4 kids. There was parking along the street but the car in front of us decided he wanted to stop to speak to the gangbangers that were hanging out. It was crazy. Why wouldn't this guy just pull to the side and let us get by. That is what I call disrespecting your own people. LATIN KINGS they are not. The have all kinds of races in that gang. What is the name for! Move out the way when people are trying to get by. We don't want to be bother with you guys killing each other and disrespecting each other and the rest of the Latinos living in the area.

IVY: 11th Jun 2007 - 15:15 GMT

Tom
If you are still looking up on the website!!! Can you tell me what Peanut you are refering to that died a few months ago??

Staci: 20th Jun 2007 - 18:31 GMT

I am DYING to do a documentary about Humboldt Park. I am really looking for someone to team up with to create this project. I think there should exist a stamp in history and perspectives from all sides. Does anyone want to do this with me? Or does anyone know anyone who does things of this nature?

Hey Staci: 28th Jun 2007 - 20:51 GMT

Hey Staci,

I am a graphic/web designer, could help you out in that.

Xavi: 2nd Jul 2007 - 22:54 GMT

I live in Humboldt Park, in the Paseo Boricua commercial strip. Reading through most of these comments, I have this to write: In order to understand the state of Humboldt Park and the Puerto Rican community, one must understand why Puerto Ricans are in the U.S. and how we got here (colonialism and globalization), why ghettos and slums exist in the U.S. and the role of gangs (racism and economical shifts), and the role of gentrification (racism and the value placed on the land of poor people of color). One must place everything into a historical context unless one will leave with a warped idea that Puerto Ricans are just biologically savage people.

P.S. Staci
I work in the Humboldt Park community so I have a great understanding of it. So how could I contact you?

Hey Staci: 6th Jul 2007 - 20:09 GMT

Hey Xavi if you are interested I'm up for this, Humboldt Park definitely deserves a documentary. E-mail me at info@depth0.com ("0" as in zero ). Same goes to you Staci.

producer: 14th Jul 2007 - 22:32 GMT

Staci I just moved to chicago, and was thinking about moving to hubodlt park. I have just spent the last three hours reading through these postings while doing research for my relocation. I would really be interested in helping you out. I think there is a hella lot of passion for this area... good and bad... it would be great to help those willing to express themselves.

demetrius: 16th Jul 2007 - 03:22 GMT

iam 22 years old i live and humboldt park from 1992-1998 and i attend von humboldt school and i love humboldt park and iam 100% african american we never had promblems with the puerto ricans they are cool azz hell neva predjuce i relly had some good memories and humboldt park and i miss that area and all my friends :(

bed sty-cee!: 19th Jul 2007 - 07:38 GMT

hello chicago folks-well lets have a little history lesson non of you are spanish, spaniards or latin. all of those words,terms or descriptions belong to europeans, aka white people. all so called hispanics, natural indians are what you are. puerto rico was a port for transporting -slaves, sugar tobacco and rum. solely controlled by spain. so when the indians of those inhabited islands would not work they "the europeans bought in black slave from the other archipelago island "AKA" the caribbean. which is puerto rico, cuba jamaica dominican republic and so on. so when you --the indians did not work you were beat and killed and replaced by black slaves. so instead you submitted and became catholics and was taught spanish. so you were then intermingled with european blood-appearances change and even your body odor changed. so now you call your selves latinos spanish or hispanics--a fucking joke worst than blacks who call themselves african american--and yes i am black. Africa is a potugese word given the land by the so-called discoverer bartolomeu dias-how in the fuck you gonna discover what has always been (alpha and omega)
or just perhaps read your bible. anyway that word africa in portugese is prnounced AFRIQUE IN ENGLISH AFRICA-- SO JUST LIKE THAT LAND all the so called hispanic land was named by europeans --you dont speak spanish , your not latin and sure as hell ain't white.. puerto rican is not a historical people, dominican, cubans are not. fabricated history. indians on archipalego islands who submitted. american indians your cousins fought and lost but. true history true people, so next time ou call yourself puerto rican or dominican or cuban remember you were conquered by europeans first than dominated by slaves on those islands until the spanish showed favor and spared you. so thank queeen isabella and king ferdinand for you culture, language and catholicism which you all are and last but not least that skin tone. don't be fooled your still an indian...

bed sty-cee!: 19th Jul 2007 - 07:52 GMT

....and another thing you mexicans i cant believe you let your country go to hell by corruption and stealing. instead of staying there fighting and taking back your country you run here. work so called jobs we americans wont do--thats a lie. you can work in your own land, control your own money and crush the bullshit goin on down there and stop blaming blacks for your short coming..here in new york europeans have manage to put you on a pedistool becaue you will work and do anything for low wages-making him rich and discouraging the market and high earning wages. so stop complaining go back home and work your own land--and yes i'm black i was here even before some europeans got here. this is my house you nor any other so called latinos will never change or over run the concept of the redemtive ex-slave.

Xavi: 30th Jul 2007 - 16:42 GMT

To check out more articles about gentrification in Humboldt Park, go here: http://www.citynoise.org/article/7014/by/xavi

anon (c-67-167-198-48.hsd1.il.comcast.net): 28th Aug 2007 - 22:05 GMT

i love taking shit 4frm white people live your car open ill take any shit that is in there hp is the best place to get shit if i c a car with a stereo ill take it if the door is not open ill brake the glass.fuck it thats me a young mexican that was born in the hp area i know alot of boricuas they cool but i dont take shit 4frm around my block fuck i love the white peoples garage i open them bring my niggaz truck n take all your shit that is in there i do this everyday specially fridays n sat if i c gold on u ill follow u went i think is the write time i snap that shit 4frm your neck n run fuck i got 2 get money 1 way or another i also love braking in to hauses IAM ONLY 16 N BEEN DOING THIS SHIT SINCE I WAS 12 FUCK IT LIFE IS A BITCH last time i took a bad ass laptop a apple it was a powerbookG5 tham alot of niggaz will love to have a G5 C NIGGAZ INSTED OF DRINKING GO TAKE SHIT DAAAM COME ON AT LEAST A FUCKEN STEREO GO N SALE THAT BITCH 4 $50 OR $80 U GO 2 THE STORE N BUY U SOME FRESH SHIRTS OR JEANS OR SOME JORDANS NIGGAZ C ME WITH JORDANS MY FRESH PELLE PELLE SHIT N SAID THAM FOLKZ HOW U GET ALL THIS SHIT NIGGA I DONT WORK U WORK N I GOT MORE SHIT THAN U.CAUSE I TAKE SHIT 4FRM WHITE PEOPLE SO WHITE PEOPLE THANKS 4 LIVING YOUR HAUSE WINDOW OPEN YOUR CAR OPEN N YOUR GARAGE OPEN THAK U ALL KEEP THEM OPEN IAM COMING MUCH LOVE 2 ALL MY FOLKZ OUT THERE DO SOME THING BITCH ASS WHITE PEOPLE OH!!! YEAH U FUCK WITH ME ILL FUCK YOUR ASS UP WITH MY LOVELY 38 SMITH N WEDSON KLI KLI BANG BANG BITCH HUMBOLDT PARK CRAZY BITCH KKBURNS PAPABURNS MANIACS STILL RUNNING THIS BITCH SINCE DAY 1

folk: 28th Aug 2007 - 23:52 GMT

sup folk is all bout INSANE COBRA LOVE AMOR DE CULEBRA NIGGA

corsakti: 31st Aug 2007 - 05:08 GMT

just to clear something up, for anyone who misunderstood - i wasn't tryin to badmouth humboldt park in general, we lived in a rented house there for years and were fine with it. our neighbors kids hung out at our house all the time, we all got along. we weren't buying any converted condos in the area nor trying to take it over, just coexisting like everyone else. i just wanted to write about what had happened that day but wasn't trying to act like humboldt is some shit or even the "worse" part of chicago that i have lived or hung out. its not even like that.

cor take 2: 31st Aug 2007 - 05:16 GMT

sorry for the random comment like 3 years later but someone just mentioned to me they saw this old post and got a bit offended going on about gentrification and such. and i will say this, i've been back through that hood a bunch of times since moving to la, and i've seen how its changed a lot more in the years i've been gone. some very interesting comments here, wow this site has really blown up huh! i think i should revisit more often. ;)

corsakti: 11th Sep 2007 - 16:29 GMT

just to clear something up again; i was tryin to badmouth humboldt park and the puerto ricans who live there. As I grew up, we lived in a rented house there for years and were fine with it. our neighbors kids hung out at our house all the time, we all got along. we weren't buying any converted condos in the area nor trying to take it over, just coexisting like everyone else. i just wanted to write about what had happened that day but wasn't trying to act like humboldt is some shit or even the "worse" part of chicago that i have lived or hung out. its not even like that. I will say it is a micro-ghetto and everyone knows what I mean by that.

King Angel: 5th Nov 2007 - 16:26 GMT

My school used to be around there i was there that day that happened i almost got shot to// my parents and i moved to Houston now where hopeing to move Back to Chicago.... some one hit me up E-mail // itsdatsofatso@yahoo.com

Think: 31st Dec 2007 - 18:38 GMT

Like Tim states in the 2nd response to this article, "think before you speak", and you also might try using spell check.

Junito: 15th Mar 2008 - 21:35 GMT

Wow! It was hard reading all of that. Lets all study our cultures of the western hemisphere (e.g., Tainos, Aztecs, etc,.) We are decedents of moral, loving, industrious and spiritual people. We are greater then what we are demonstrating on this thread. Don't complain about the Caucasian Americans moving into Humboldt Park because they were there in 1952 when we arrived. They just let us borrow it for a while. They moved out and since we never got it together and made anything of it they're taking it back. In 56 years we managed to infest that neighborhood with drugs, gangs, prostitution, hopelessness, and desperation. We own that to the ALKQN, MLDN, IGN, ISCN, and the likes of King Cyco, Flaco D and On the G. In 56 years in Humboldt Park we should have more Lawyers, Doctors, Social Workers, Teachers etc. But what do we have? We have, in fighting among a beautiful people and ignorant rantings about some silly gangs that I believe should be sent to the front lines of Iraq and bring the good brothers home.

I played in front of Vargas, a corner store on the corner of Crystal and Spalding when I was younger. It felt like we were all family. The Kings looked out for us and the Gaylords, Vice Lords and Royals left us alone. Then I moved with my mother and went to 9 primary schools in Chicago and it was the same ignorance everywhere (e.g., drugs, gangs, child abuse, rape, murder etc.) I went to Lowell, Avondale, Mozart,Yates, Pulaski, Cameron, Tuley, Goethe, Monroe. And everywhere I went it was the same. There was no money to fund the schools and programs that could help Latino kids when English was their second language. The Humboldt Park schools are lacking the funds that they need to have tutors (i.e., a person charged with the instruction and guidance of another), after school programs and activities to help get to these kids before King Cyco and Flaco D get to them.

If you want to correct my spelling and grammar go right ahead but remember that I am a product of the oppressed public schools of the Humboldt Park area.

Junito: 16th Mar 2008 - 02:59 GMT

If this discussion had taken place face to face the Kings and Folks would have shot at each other and hit another innocent victim. This is probably how Miquel died. Lets stop the violent comments for his sake. Lets focus on Humboldt Park.
Here is a thought. Do any of the angry HPers even know who von Humboldt was? How about Logan?
Open a book and quit embarrassing us Puerto Ricans who are from Humboldt Park.

Amor Taino

Junito: 16th Mar 2008 - 05:12 GMT

This Alexander von Humboldt

(September 14, 1769 – May 6, 1859) was a Prussian naturalist and explorer, and the younger brother of the Prussian minister, philosopher, and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767-1835). Humboldt's quantitative work on botanical geography was foundational to the field of biogeography.

Between 1799 and 1804, Humboldt traveled to Latin America, exploring and describing it from a scientific point of view for the first time. His description of the journey was written up and published in an enormous set of volumes over 21 years. He was one of the first to propose that the lands bordering the Atlantic were once joined (South America and Africa in particular). Later, his five-volume work Kosmos (1845) attempted to unify the various branches of scientific knowledge. Humboldt supported and worked with other scientists, including Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac, Justus von Liebig, Louis Agassiz, Matthew Fontaine Maury, and most notably Aimé Bonpland (with whom he conducted much of his scientific exploration).

hils34: 27th May 2008 - 14:26 GMT

wow this stuff is crazy!!! yeah i agree with everyone. i have to research about a book. and i got here. everyone has different opinions. people shood not regret what they had done in the past because that teaches them and makes them who they are today. i live in the burbs, HP is like 20 minutes away. yeah i hear alot of things. i been there alot because my BF lives there. i dont know why gangs are still present today. man latinos against latinos. WAt the HELL!!! we all came to this country struggling and now we are killing eachother? for what for territory?? sum ppl that join gangs dnt even noe y. man i know i use to be in one its fucking dumb. but ppl in gangs will realize it sooner or later. i just hope its not to late. like it was for my cuzin

HP Teach: 3rd Jun 2008 - 00:53 GMT

I have been a teacher in Humboldt Park for 10 years. I have seen improvements and setbacks. I have seen how the violence hurts the community. If the gang activity was minimized, the area would greatly improve for everyone. Yes, there are circumstances that lead people to join gangs. But, everyone has a choice and education creates life opportunities. Some people are lazy and want the easy way out, and some just don't care. Those of you in HP should WANT your community to improve! There are some truly great aspects of Humboldt Park and if you strive for better, HP could be a great place to live and go to school. You need to project that anger into something productive and take pride in your neighborhood the same way you take pride in your heritage. Strive for better! Peace.

just me : 10th Jul 2008 - 05:22 GMT

I like many of you grew up in the HP area. No I don't live there anymore because i had my children and chose not to raise them in that enviroment. Needless to say i didn't want them to get him by a flying bullet. There is so many issues in that community today and it saddens me that ower latino people say we love it the way it is, are U really serious? well you may love the community but the violence and the waste of human life in the community is just too much. And people that comes from ignorance yes i am a boricua and im not ashamed to say it. My fellow boricuas are more focused on smoking weed hanging out messing up the community instead of making a positive change. And the older men drafting these kids into these gangs for such disgrace. You should be ashamed of yourself. I am sure that is not what your forfathers of your gangs ment when they created these types of groups. Incase you guys didn't know when the whole riots of division street occured it was because they felt threated with our brown presence there furthermore we were not only fighting whites we were fighting blacks too. And these groups were created to EMPOWER the latinos. My point is you thugish people have a way of misconstruding things.
For the person who said look at those yuppies building condos well let me share something with you it is the latino community letting them take it because they are to closed minded to catch on. The majority of the landlords are slum landlords who have you living in an infested roach place< tell me i'm lying, so what happens is they make an offer and because the latino community in humboldt park can give 2 craps about what happens there. They sell. Now the youth wants to be all high and mighty and talk about this is ower hood... in a few years it will be gone to the white man if you don't wake the heck up "point black". Stop killing eachother over jealuosy. Stop killing eachother over territory that doesn't belong to you. Respect your elders ( many of you have a huge problem with that) quit drug dealing and get a freaking job and don't drop out of school. But yes many of us just know how to sleep all day take a shower go hang out smoke weed, go hang out smoke weed, oh yeah go hang out and smoke weed. You get it this is all most of you know how to do. Wake up get a life because you never know where that flying bullet will hit next. I didn't post this to down my fellow boricuas or the place i was born and raised in but i have been angry with the ignorance in humboldt park and i had to speak.

SPREAD PEACE AND LUV (save humboldt park)

Humboldt1: 25th Sep 2008 - 14:39 GMT

I am one of those yuppies moving in and buying up property. I see real opportunity in areas like Humboldt Park and Logan Square. Now, I live in Humboldt Park in an apartment building I own and am looking to buy more buildings in the future, though probably in Logan Square as it is further gentrified. I see lots of long-term potential for Humboldt Park and will be keeping my existing building. I look forward to seeing this area flourish and grow as a new mix of more affluent people move in. I can do without the gangbangers and Sec8 folks, who typically bring down the neighborhood with poverty and crime.

For this reason, I am not a fan of groups such as Bickerdike which seek to keep the area poor and instead prefer tax paying working people to come into the area who don't have 5 kids and are not a tax burden, but instead contribute not take away from the community. These DINKS (double income no kids) couples have started moving into the area and I look forward to seeing even more of them move in.

anon (ool-44c577a7.dyn.optonline.net): 29th Sep 2008 - 22:07 GMT

MORE LES THIS BANDAN FROM NJ NEWARK TL 550 NEED TO BE FOOD TOWN BECAUSE THEY ARE TALKING TO MUCH MY BROTHER'S TO ES.

queenfre5a: 14th Dec 2008 - 05:48 GMT

wow dat is a really sad story...i hope nothin like dis happen to anotha lil kid like Miguel dey don't deserve 2 die 4 no reason wen their not involved in anything..may he R.I.P.

A.L.K.Q.N

Fight Colonialism: 17th Apr 2009 - 06:26 GMT

Chief Tecumseh, Shawnee
1768-1813
Famous Shawnee Native American leader, warrior, statesman.

THE MASSACRE OF FORT DEARBORN AT CHICAGO
By Simon Pokagon
Chief of the Pokagon Band of Pottawatomie Nation

He (Tecumseh) generally spoke as follows:

"Before me stand the rightful owners of kwaw–notchi–we au–kee (this beautiful land).

"The Great Spirit in His wisdom gave it to you and your children to defend, and placed you here.

"But ä–te–wä (alas!) the incoming race, like a huge serpent, is coiling closer and closer about you.

"And not content with hemming you in on every side, they have built at She–gog–ong (Chicago), in the very center of our country, a military fort, garrisoned with soldiers, ready and equipped for battle.

"As sure as waw–kwen–og (the heavens) are above you they are determined to destroy you and your children and occupy this goodly land themselves.

"Then they will destroy these forests, whose branches wave in the winds above the graves your fathers, chanting their praises.

"If you doubt it, come, go with me eastward or southward a few days' journey along your ancient mi–kan–og (trails), and I will show you a land you once occupied made desolate.

"There the forests of untold years have been hewn down and cast into the fire!

"There be–sheck–kee and waw–mawsh–ka–she (the buffalo and deer) pe–nay–shen and ke–gon (the fowl and fish), are all gone.

"There the woodland birds, whose sweet songs once pleased your ears, have forsaken the land, never to return.

"And waw–bi–gon–ag (the wild flowers), which your maidens once loved to wear, have all withered and died.

"You must bear in mind these strangers are not as you — they are devoid of natural affection, loving gold or gain better than one another, or ki–tchi–tchag (their own souls).

"Some of them follow on your track as quietly as maw–in–gawn (the wolf) pursues the deer, to shoot you down, as you hunt and kill mé–she–bé–zhe (the panther)."

"But a few years since I saw with my own eyes a young white man near the O-hi-o River who was held by our people as a prisoner of war. He won the hearts of his captors with his apparent friendship and good-will, while murder was in his heart.

"They trusted him as they trusted one another. But he most treacherously betrayed their confidence, and secretly killed not less than nech-to-naw (twenty) before his crimes were detected, and then he had fled...".

arcangel: 15th Jun 2009 - 17:29 GMT

I grew up in Humboldt Park, actually on both sides of the Sacramento Divide. This story is a sad one, and as a proud Puerto Rican who loves his 'Hood we have to take responsibility that our cousins, boys & friends who participate in gang activities we enable them to what they do. I don't want "white" people to take our 'hood but I don't care that they want to live there either. Lets try and better ourselves and take care of our 'hood the way we should instead of providing the unwanted an opportunity to move in. Stop gang violence and racist activities life is too short.

one way: 20th Jun 2009 - 15:05 GMT

i am from humboldt park rockwell potomac love it went to von humboldt and clemente stay strong

El Gringo Perdido: 22nd Jul 2009 - 01:40 GMT

To those who are upset that the "yuppies are taking over the hood," don't worry Puerto Ricans are destroying lots of other neighborhoods that were once peaceful and quiet, like Belmont-Cragin, Kelvyn Park and parts of Portage Park.

gski: 2nd Aug 2009 - 14:44 GMT

Humboldt Park has pockets of violence primarily east of Humboldt Park proper to Western Ave I believe its called the "Zone", My idea is simple...fence it in and let the winner take all.( this after walking my dog past a murder scene on the east side of the park this morning)

get out: 29th Sep 2009 - 15:48 GMT

In general, white people love situations where they can’t lose. While this does account for the majority of their situations, perhaps the safest bet a white person can make is to buy a house in an up-and-coming neighborhood.

White people like to live in these neighborhoods because they get credibility and respect from other white people for living in a more “authentic” neighborhood where they are exposed to “true culture” every day. So whenever their friends mention their home in the suburbs or richer urban area, these people can say “oh, it’s so boring out there, so fake. In our neighborhood, things are just more real.” This superiority is important as white people jockey for position in their circle of friends.

They are like a modern day Lewis and Clark, except instead of searching for the ocean, they are searching for old properties to renovate.

In a few years, if more white people start moving in, these initial trailblazers will sell their property for triple what they paid and move into an ultramodern home.

Credibility or money, they can’t lose!

When one of these white people tell you where they live, you should say “whoa, it’s pretty rough down there. I don’t think I could live there.” This will make them feel even better about their credibility and status as neighborhood pioneers.

jobo: 29th Sep 2009 - 15:49 GMT

In my experience in Chicago the newly gentrified neighborhoods usually follow this path:

1)Completely non-white

2)Poor white people move in, usually artistic type people

3)As their numbers rise the neighborhood starts to show it

4)When upper class white people start to notice they start showing up

5)This gentrification then forces out not only the non-white people that were there first, but the poor white people who started it all because all rents in the area skyrocket.

6)The neighborhood then lives on for awhile until all of the real reasons is was popular in the first place die out and it then becomes a piece of **** covered in glitter with a bunch of phonies and posers trying to “keep it alive”.

Watcher: 7th Oct 2009 - 06:40 GMT

Ultimately, those in the life will either die from it, be maimed out of it, or survive it after a fashion to continue it and spread it and it's culture of drugs, death and chaos.
To end it: Fire with Fire!
They must be utterly destroyed, forced permanently out by whatever means or you lose!
The Police will not help you stop it. They have no chance of accomplishing this. It's a numbers game, a "be there when" impossibility. Their only option is to oversee the cleanup, and control the immediate aftermath.
So it has always been, so it will always be.
These types must be met with OVERWHELMING force.
Form a citizen group. Train. Arm. Wait. Strike.
They sell concrete, steel doors, cots. You have basements.
Or whine, have meetings, discuss and recuss, talk, talk, talk. It's been so very effective so far, hasn't it.
You lost them when you left them to the new familia, the gang.
Reform is a word, a dream of the social worker, the rare and unusual almost never seen chance happening.
How many children will you feed the dragon in a sacrificial offering to a beast that neither sees your pain, hears your lamentation, or shares your ethics, values and morals. In point of fact, these are the very things that become tools and weapons against you by those with no compassion, no interest and no conscience.
Sometimes, you have bloody work to do to preserve or acquire the freedom of your own streets and homes.
It's sad, but too true.
It's up to you. It always was. It always will be.
Make a stand, in numbers, and watch the power shift. Then clean it up, clean it out or buckle and watch all your power drain away again.
Choose.
Or not.
Comment if you will, I shall likely not return to read of your horrified reactions, your sham offerings of peaceful coexistence, your how dare you suggest's or your poorly formed opinions of all the better ways that never worked and never will.
I know! Midnight Basketball!
The tough part is that you know in your heart that I'm right.
So, does the Army Chaplin shoot the enemy soldier that is about to bayonet a bunch of kids.
It's yes or no!
We did the experiment in the 1940's and the answer is YES!
64 years without world war.
Figure it out or surrender and be slaves to monsters.
OK, you got it!


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It happened in broad daylight on our corner. We are forced to turn down that way each time we leave our house because of the arrangement of one-way streets. That day, we couldn't turn because of the several cop cars and screaming people that occupied the block. We wondered what happened but pretty much went about our day unaffected because of the inherent desensitivity to such sights one inevitably acquires when living in the city. It wasn't until later that we learned what had really happened there; the terrible event made apparent by a makeshift memorial that had been erected by Miguel's family and friends at the tragic scene. Aparently his father owns the small grocery store down the block and one of its brick walls is now dedicated to preserving the memory of Miguel and forcing onlookers to know what happened to him there. There are short yearbook-like blurbs and messages scrawled across it by other neighborhood kids saying things like "we'll always love our little papito." There is a little wooden table overflowing with candles and flowers below a huge picture of Miguel himself, alive and smiling, in football playing garb. The day after Miguel was shot, the event made national news and was of course particularly emphasized here in Chicago. Everywhere we went people were talking about it. There was even a huge parade down our street of 'awareness raisers', mostly white people I had never seen before in my life. Despite the attention people are attempting to give this tragedy, I almost resent the way some people are wearing it on their sleeve that they care. All I can think about is the people who knew and loved this boy for twelve years and have now lost him because of complete and utter stupidity, the likes of which I don't see ever coming to an end. Don't worry, I am not going to start talking about the semantics of poverty and gang activity here. I think that crap goes without saying at this point. I consciously avoided walking up to the memorial for two days, not wanting to get in the way of the grieving family or deal with the cops who were constanly 'guarding' the scene. Finally, my friend Mark and I smoked a J on my front stoop and strolled around the corner in the middle of the night to pay our respects. We were all alone; it was really late. The cop on duty was asleep in his car. We stood there reading the countless dedications on the wall and just cried for a boy we had never met and who no one will ever meet again. This article has been viewed 38687 times in the last 8 years peter: wow, what a story. tim: 1st Jul 2002 - 16:03 GMT i lived 3 - 4 blocks from where this event took place on the corner of rockwell and armitage. I was one of those "white people" that you have never seen, though a large group of us that were present that day are often out and about the neighborhood. As for the majority of the others who were there really did care because they most likely were members of the church(Armitage Baptist) that miguel's older brother, juan, is a member of. if you truly paid attention to the news I'm sure you heard his quotes. be careful how you judge people and there motives when you don't have a clue. I mentored miguel delarosa for 2 years and considered him a friend and my heart grieves today for his family. please think before you speak. jennifer rodriguez: 30th Sep 2003 - 17:07 GMT this really moves me, and my heart goes out to his family.i am a single mother who grew up in humbolt park. i am 27 years old now and moved me and my 3 kids to tennessee, where i currently reside because of tragedies like this. i do not want to raise in a dangerous place like this and i dont want to have to wake up every morning worrying if my children will be the next victim.it's sad because i miss home like crazy, but ignorant people who dont care about life are out there and they dont care who they might kill. all i'm saying is i'm sorry to hear about this unfortunate tragedy, i guess it's such a sad yet common way of life there in humboldt park. a way of life that forced me and my kida to move out... Peter: small world: i grew up in tennessee... Raul Rodriguez: 20th Feb 2004 - 16:10 GMT I grew up in Humboldt Park. I found a dead body at 8 years of age. I witnessed a homicide at nine years of age. My first friend was gunned down next to me when we were both eleven. He was eating a vanilla ice cream cone. His hair was strewn with melting vanilla ice cream, brain matter and blood. Desensitivity comingles with fatalism. Sometimes, this is all we know. Welcome to Chicago...well, at least the bad part. ANNETTE: 26th Feb 2004 - 21:03 GMT I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN THE HUMBOLT PARK AREA YEA IT WAS A LITTLE DANGEROUS BUT US PUERTO RICANS REALLY LOVE LIVING THERE WE BEEN THROUGH GOOD TIMES AND BAD TIMES BUT LOOK AT IT NOW YUPIES TOOK OVER AND ARE TRYING TO TAKE AWAY OUR BEAUTIFUL PALCE AND FILL IT UP WITH CONDOMIMNIUMS WE WANT OUR PALCE TO STAY TEH WAY WE LIKE IT asshole: 27th Feb 2004 - 15:02 GMT i was born and raised to know better than to write comments in all caps! Peter Eguia: 1st Mar 2004 - 20:41 GMT shut up and stop crying like a big baby, if you don't like the area, then just move!!!! Peter: been there done that; it works! Pebbles: 18th Mar 2004 - 03:40 GMT I was also born and raised in Humboldt Park. Yo soy una Puertoriquena y Cubana. Grew up on North Avenue and Maplewood. Seen a bunch of things go on but everyone knows the one rule about HP "I aint see nothin' so I dunno nothin'" No matter what I'll always have love for the people there. Much love to everyone in HP. I do remember what happened to the 8 year old boy called "Papito" (May God Bless his soul) who was shot and killed by my friend's house. I pray for his family and hope that his soul lives in peace and harmony with God. Que dios lo bendiga a la familia. I've lost cousins to gang violence and I believe everyone in this part of the 'hood has witnessed a homicide/murder/someone getting killed. Back in the day we just learned to expect it. Its never easy to lose someone from something like that and it never will be. There isn't much we could do except move..depending where you'd move to..pray and also look out for one another. By the way, for those of you haters...pay attention...If you don't like the area MOVE THE HELL OUT! Angel: 19th Apr 2004 - 14:33 GMT I am puerto rican male who raised in Uptown. I am researching humboldt park for a group project. I don't understand why people are using this website to criticize each other. That is one of the reasons why we are constantly at each others throats. Our culture has this stigma of "not taking crap from anyone" that is one of the reasons why there is always aggresion. And for that girl pebbles talking about "much love" you need to let that ghetto mentality go, you to stop watching those music videos. Ignorant people like you make our culture look like gang bangers. We should be educating ourselves so that many doors can open for us. Not "stick to the game" forget the game all thats going to do is diminish your inner strengths and cause you to run off your emotions. Think, bendeha Peter: 19th Apr 2004 - 17:08 GMT Angel: so youre not criticizing anyone when you say "ignorant people like you...", etc? I agree with what youre trying to say, for the most part, but I got a laugh out of the duality of you criticizing people for criticizing people. funny. Do you have some photos of Humboldt Park you could share with us who have never seen it? ColdChillin': 2nd May 2004 - 06:06 GMT I'm reserching gangs for my school project and I read a book called My Bloody Life: The Making of a Latin King which took place mostly in Humboldt Park, Chicago. So I ran across this site and it's a damn shame what happens in this neighborhood and in a whole lot of other neighborhoods all around the country. I am from New York and has many neighborhoods with the same problums. My heart goes out to all the people who have become another statistic of gang violence. Peace. Peter: 3rd May 2004 - 15:33 GMT I live in NYC. I rarely tro ever see gang-related drama. maybe im just lucky! Pebbles: 4th May 2004 - 04:28 GMT First off, I say "much luv" to EVERYONE in HP because we all grew up in the same area. Not everyone in HP are gangbangers so why in the hell would you think I am saying "much luv" to them? What they do is THEIR business not mine or yours so keep it that way. The only reason why people are at each other's throats is because of misunderstandings such as this one. You critize me and contradicted yourself by making assumptions. Also, learn how to spell nene...its 'Pendeja' not 'bendeha' You're being highly critical without knowing who I am. As for the education, I am well educated and enrolled in a University downtown so do not talk about my education. One such as yourself shouldn't critize a person without knowing the facts. Read the book before judging by its cover. As a matter of a fact, who gives a damn about what you think? I sure as hell don't. Who the hell are you to critize me? Especially since you were raised in Uptown and NOT in the Humboldt Park area. You do not know me and obviously misunderstood me. I appreciate the critizism though, because your contradiction doesn't phase me. ~creAtor~: 4th May 2004 - 17:38 GMT i have no idea what humbolt park is. id love to see more flix of it tho. corsakti: 4th May 2004 - 19:07 GMT i have a million more pics but i kind of fell off from posting to this site for some reason. i moved away a long time ago and it wasn't because of the violence, it was becuase it was far away from where we liked toh ang, and also there were straight up too many kids constnatly invading our house/lives. we were friends with all the kids on our block but they would come over all the time and after a while we wanted space from kids. i know taht soudns weird but believe me. anyway after humboldt, i moved back to my old hood (ashland & chicago ave area) for a few years. also, "peter eguia" if your comment was directed at me than you are retarded i wasn't crying like a big baby i was writing a story about an event that impacted me about my old hood so stfu. in other news, i live in LA now and have tons of pics i should post here one of these days. i miss chicago though. cor: 4th May 2004 - 19:10 GMT anyway reading some more of these comments....i wans't trying to blanket dis all of humboldt park in any way, for the record. geez, this is kind of funny, all the HPers representing as if they need to defend, or something. more power to you all, i wasn't a yuppie trying to steal shit from anyone i was trying to live in a cheap house its not like i never hung out there before i moved there anyway. its not like humboldt is all that far from any other hood i've lived in either. i used to ride my bike around the park with my dog all the damn time. everyone needs to chill. hehe Peter: 4th May 2004 - 19:14 GMT [i think the naysayers are dissing each other, not you...] :) cor: oh. ok then. Lance Corporal Diaz: 17th Jul 2004 - 18:41 GMT i sit here in iraq and a tear comes to my eye after reading some of the things people had to say. i was born and rasied in humboldt park and it taught me many things. i don't know why people are talkin about that park like they have to defend it. yes it was my home and it was great when things were peaceful. but the reality is that people here die. i lived on francisco and wabansia and i knew miguel because he was around just like i was. i saw the wall and i saw the people, but i saw the people mostly when the lights were flashing. why is it that we have to see people die before we can do something about it? all i ask is that someone can walk away with something from that event. i come back to chicago sometimes and the last time i walked by the wall was blank grey. i stood there looking at it and wondering if the people of humboldt park have forgot about this, because i can't. karma: 19th Jul 2004 - 13:53 GMT i liked this entry- i missed it the first time around somehow. what a sad place to live. Peter: 19th Jul 2004 - 14:11 GMT yeah, this post has elicited more profound comments than your average post on citynoise... it also gets alot of hits from people arriving from search engines... its real. lilamor11: whatup humboldt park? Humboldt Park: whut whut! Papo: 23rd Nov 2004 - 01:48 GMT Im mexican and puerto rican a.k.a poor oricans. I grew up in Humboldt Park, but Im most defenitely more proud of being mexican than rican. I mean c'mon lets get realistic here. All you ppl talking here saying u so proud and shit but c'mon u are all on welfare. If it wasnt thanks to my dad my mexican side we would be living in poverty with food stamps like all of you people on here. Sure mexicans work in landscaping and shit like that but we rolling on dubs and we got mad money, What do ricans have?? MIELDA!!!! You guys be rolling on lil guaguas!!! C'mon now thats a disgrace. Get a life. And if ur so proud be to be rican be something big then u can show off but if u aint shit than keep ur mouths shut!!!!!!! Im most defenitely not proud of being puerto rican. U guys are lames!!!!!! HOLLA!!!!!!! JAMES: IT'S RAW englebert: 20th Dec 2004 - 16:53 GMT this is what i love about citynoise. this discussion has lasted over a year and a half. amazing. props to corsakti Peter: 21st Dec 2004 - 18:11 GMT i get so many referrals to this article every day... alot of searches come into this site looking for "cabrini green" and "humboldt park", both past corsakti focii. watcher: 2nd Jan 2005 - 02:00 GMT O.k I know there is alot of killings in H.P but are you aware of the sex offenders that are living in your neighborhood? Vanessa Pagan : 19th Jan 2005 - 20:44 GMT when i was 12 i lived in humboldt park i lived on the streets of mozart and cortland my brother javi was killed at the age 16 turning 17 he was in the wrong place at the wrong time despite that he was conceving a child the following month it was a tragety cuz he was young and it was not his fault he was on his way to go get some food his girl friend was craving and he left and never came back now i am 17 and my brother would have been 21 its hard and i now have a boy friend and i pray every day nothing happens 2 him cuz it be hard to raise my kid dats now on the way.... borutz: what a sad story :( yvonne: 21st Jan 2005 - 21:31 GMT i injoy living in the humboldt park area it's not really quite yvonne: anyways fuck ll u bitches King Green Eyes: 24th Jan 2005 - 02:31 GMT yo alls the fuck i gots to say is fuck anybody tryn to take over The Mother land the fuckn polacos that is and any one talkn shit about my peoples place Homboldt park is a place of turmoil but so what thats how we like fake a Flake False Flaga and any mutha fuckn Folk aight AMOR DE REY 360 degrees Long Live King Gino fuck a d DK AMOR DE REY Chicago Dan: 24th Jan 2005 - 04:15 GMT I was driving near Beach and Spalding on a hot summer day around late afternoon trying to score some flame Bud, Years back When I used to party and had 2 other white boys from the bubs with me. They had never been near the Park before. I told them it's ruff around here so be on look out for cops. When got near the spot and there was a gangbanger on a 10 speed bike with his hat turned to the left. When I passed bye the gangbanger was yelling some gang shit and thew up some gang signs at some car. The car went full speed at him and hit him of the bike and ran him over. The 2 guys that were with me started yelling holy shit did you see that guy just got ran over. I turned down the next street and scored some weed and could here sirens coming. I made a left off of beach on to Le moyne got to the corner and seen the guy dead and blood draing into the sewer. The guys I were with I think they both shit there pants being from the burbs and all. (True Story) JOE: 28th Jan 2005 - 19:01 GMT hEY PAPO YOU SHOUDNT TALK BROTHER FIRST OF ALL YOU MEXUCAN COME TO THIS COUNTRY IN TRUCKS AND LIVE LIKE BUNCH OF FUCKING DOGS TO BAD YOUR MOTHER HAD TO BREAK THE RACE BECAUSE IF YOU LIKE IT OR NOT YOUR DUMB AZZZ HAVE RICAN BLOOD FACE BITCH U STILL RICAN.You talk about the ricans then why your dad didnt marry a fucking mexican women because he like that rican flavor sapoYea u mexicans be driving nice rides just like we do we have are nice rides and cribes at least my people didnt come in this country living with 20 other mother fucking people so eep your fucking mouth shut pendigo and remember u got that rican blood in ya and that is a shame that the blood is flooring in your dumbazzzzz.oH AND ONE THING YEA YOUR DRIVING IN NICE RIDES CAUSE YOU AZZZ IS LIVING IN HUMBOLDT PARK WHERE THE RENT IS CHEAP THATS WHY U DRIVING THEM CARS OR ARE U ONE OF THEM DUMB AZZ THAT RENT CARS FRON ENTERPRISE LOL DUMB FUCK. Papo: 28th Jan 2005 - 19:37 GMT hey joe, did your people come to this country to learn proper grammar and spelling? no? well, it sure shows in your comment, papi. ElViejoDeArriba: 30th Jan 2005 - 04:12 GMT "Papo: 28/01/2005 - 11:37 [top] hey joe, did your people come to this country to learn proper grammar and spelling? no? well, it sure shows in your comment, papi." nice. im not taking sides, but speaking of grammar and spelling...who here can spell correctly, in spanish or in english? as far as im concerned, aside from the language factor, you guys, for the most part, are americans. listen: i'd like to begin by saying that this is not an attack on any of you, so dont give me shit for it, thanks. from what i've seen, few if any of you know spanish. judging from (i speak only objectively, NOT to poke fun at any of you) your SWEAR words even...my friend...señorsito Papo..."MIELDA?" what's mielda? mieRda? thats only an example of the point i will soon exhibit. "bendeha?" anyway...its not only the language barrier that makes it so that you guys (some of you) are american. as far as im concerned, your high cheeck bones, darker hair and dark complexion do not make you a latino. culture is the key. saggy pants, tilted hats, and spanglish do not make for a latino. theyre cultural, sociological, and ultimately stupid generalizations of YOUR race, or at least your genetics. for example, JOE's message is one an american would send-- mentality is part of a culture as well. and i recognize that all cultures have violence, but the verbal violence you exhibit is, i suppose, brought about by your upbringing in humboldt park. humbolt park, chicago, illinois, UNITED STATES-- pendigo! (??) what the fuck is pendigo?! humbolt park spanglish? well, its american too. latino by genetics, not by culture. culture's the key. isnt puerto rico in the united states? whats wrong with being american? well nothing... KING CYCO: 2nd Feb 2005 - 16:14 GMT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING AMERICAN BUT THEY CAN'T FUCK WITH THE LATINOS AND LATINAS. PLUS,THEY GET TOO COCKY! ALMIGHTY LATIN KING AND QUEEN NATION AMOR DE REY KING CYCO: 2nd Feb 2005 - 16:21 GMT AMERICANS THINK THAT THEY ARE THE SHIT. THEY ARE THE IGNORANT ONES, NOT US. THEY CAN'T FUCK WITH THE LATINOS AND LATINAS. FOR ALL MY LATINOS AND LATINAS OUT THERE KEEP YA HEAD UP AND JUST SAY FUCK WHAT THESE AMERICANS SAY. THEY AINT SHIT! WE WILL UNITE ONE DAY.........ONE DAY! ALMIGHTY LATIN KING AND QUEEN NATION AMOR DE REY Critic: 2nd Feb 2005 - 16:35 GMT wow, writing in all-caps sure is hard to read. i dont buy this bullshit about americans or anyone else being ignorant. what about latino/a americans? hmm? Marcella32: 2nd Feb 2005 - 16:46 GMT This thread here on this post reminds me of this thread a wee bit. I suppose sometimes this sort of conflict is inevitable, aye? ElViejoDeArriba: 2nd Feb 2005 - 23:12 GMT kind king cyco, me malentendiste. in another language, you misunderstood me. you can't generalize that americans are ignorant. it shows your ignorance. secondly, you misunderstood me. yes, again. by what you say, you fall directly into the category of americans that i previously described. please re-read. you, i suppose, are latino, but only by genetics. american by culture. you are a hybrid american by culture- i've never heard of a true latino, a TRUE latino by culture, say "almight latin kind and queen nation." and you say americans are ignorant. and you got too cocky. no te quiero ofender, amigo, pero no podes atacar a la gente así. "seamos realistas, exijamos lo imposible." tratemos de entender. bien ahí, amigo. - el viejo de arriba, q sabe vivir. no dejen q pinten tus cielos de gris. king luv: wat up ALKN BigDawg: 4th Feb 2005 - 00:45 GMT Papo, stfu you mexican. At least we don't have to suck dick in order to get into this country. Green card having ass' bitch. Ain't no way your half rican, you wish you were thats all. Laughs Go eat a taco cracker. lil trigger: 11th Feb 2005 - 01:00 GMT king luv and fuck all you fucking puerto ricans viva mexico putos king love DRAKE 24 LATIN KINGS Queen B: You say "viva mexico" yet u live in America. king luv: 11th Feb 2005 - 22:42 GMT well u just said it too and i bet you live in america. so what? Queen B: I did not just say it because i'm not Mexican. King Demon MPst.: 16th Feb 2005 - 21:51 GMT Amor to all brothers and sisters of the almighty nation.Black,White,Hispanic or any other nationality...One love...A.L.K.Q.N PuErTo-PlaTaNo-NY: just wow Flacko "D": 25th Feb 2005 - 17:58 GMT Hey you guys take it easy with all the direspecting. One love to all my puerto ricans livin and breathing the same air as everyone else. Amor. MLDN King Killer : King Killer !!! King Killer : 28th Feb 2005 - 10:42 GMT King Killer ... I hope all of y'all DIE SLOW LIKE KING TONE ( NYC BITCHES AND Y"ALL ALKQN ) FUCK U ALL . Aight ! FUCK U MOTHER FUCKER >>> ALL OF Y'ALL . LET HAVE PEACE . NO GANGS > NO CRIMES ( WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE ) > AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF U IGNORANT PEOPLE OUT THERE > PEACE ! ~ oX ~ Represent GOD, PEACE, & LOVE Peter: 28th Feb 2005 - 14:47 GMT wait, so is it "die slow" and "fuck u" or "lets have peace" and "god bless"? i am confused. arizona king nation : 8th Mar 2005 - 19:36 GMT wat up yall nuttin but king luv fuck anny body disrespecting da crown ! gangbuster: 19th Apr 2005 - 18:30 GMT Re: Humboldt Park I just put a down payment on my new huboldt park condo!! Just a matter of time before starbucks moves in. Ain't a bullet that can stop it. Anonymous (d142-59-238-19.abhsia.telus.net): 30th Apr 2005 - 01:09 GMT u guys r fucked LoKa: 30th Apr 2005 - 23:29 GMT I'am a puerto rican from the north side and i personally think its fucked up that know and days we cant fucken walk out side and trust the people that live around us I'm a queen and honstly i dont give two shits what the fuck you guys think about us, the meaning of the latin king has changed tremendesly and it doesnt mean what it used too but that doesnt mean all you dumn ass folks could talk shit, some of us still represent what the latin kings are we help the hispanic community though you might think we dont but if only you knew we help all you dumn fucks that just talk shit about us. Look I'm not writing here just to represent the latin kings am here to show my respects and to try to get some sence on the peoples head that just disrespect us dont get me wrong theirs a few kings and queens that gotissues but just look at it this way thiers also people taht arent in gangs that commit worst things in our community. What we have to do is stop talking shit and be proud of our heritage and if you dont like it then get of ur fucken lazy ass and do something about it. boricuasoy: 2nd May 2005 - 00:19 GMT instead of trying to brag about people gettin killed in hp lets focus on the good times we had and how rich our cultural is in hp.instead of us boricuas killin each other lets start workin against the white muther fuckers that are trying to take over Peter: 2nd May 2005 - 14:19 GMT whether boricua, black, white, whatever... do you think that "working against" anyone, as long as theyre people who respect the place, is good for humboldt park? exclusion is exclusion, whether its discrimination or reverse discrimination. Shady Girl: 3rd May 2005 - 05:01 GMT I'm a sixteen year old mexican that has lived all her life in Humbolt Park. I've seen and lived the violence of gangs and all that crap, but not everything in Humbolt Park is violence. Living here has really made me appreciate every moment I live and has maked ne dream of better things. I really don't find a point to gangs, but I don't judge people that are in it cuz most of the time their in there because everyone just judges with out knowing why the hell their in there. I fell in love with an MLD from RC and things weren't easy every night I prayed to God to keep him safe but that didn't make me give up on him. I remember how everyone use to tell me that he was a bad boy that had no good feelings in him bs that wasn't true he was just another misunderstood guy who seeked understanding in the wrong place. To bad no one else saw that. He's no longer with me but I learned a lot from him and I just pray to God that he keeps him safe and maybe some one else will see the same thing I saw. ON DA G !((7))!..../\|\: 4th May 2005 - 04:38 GMT AMOR DE GANGSTA IG'S WORLD HUMBOLT PARK AIGN NI66AS CUM GET SUM LKK MLDNK ISCK AHGNK AMOR TO ALL MY NI66AS KRANKKS DONT WANT DRAMA PRPoet: 6th May 2005 - 14:43 GMT It's funny to me that I've checked out this site for a while and a lot of peole overlook what this spot is about. I grew up in Humboldt Park and saw things that no one should have to or even want to. When a little kid dies its not an excuse to celebrate your heritage, it's not a reason to call out props to your boys or your set or your gang. All it should do is make you realize the dumb shit that goes on. I'm proud to be a PR and I fly my flag high; now I'm in the military and I fight para mi isla and my country. I come back to this site to remind me that I could have been a Miguel, King, Cobra whatever. But I didn't want to be a statistic or a victim. I come back here to remind me to be more because that's what Miguel deserves from all of us. If you read what was written obout that little boy and you dismiss it, any comment you write shows your own ignorance. Celebrate his life, mourn his death and keep it in your heart as a reminder why, if you truly love Humblodt Park, all the bullshit has to stop. Peter: how perfectly put, PRPoet. i couldnt agree more. XklusivRicaNmAmi: 7th May 2005 - 19:30 GMT This is a sad story nd mah luv goes 2 all mah ricans keep ya headz up high and go on with life as best you can. Unfortuantely things like this happen everday, but thats life. Nd I also wanted to mention 2 Papo: thats great that your proud to be mexican but you know theres no shame in puerto rican at all, its people like you that set examples of disgrace. Race has nothing to do with one's financial status.Your stereotyping your own nationality;>>" puerto ricans live off welfare" are you proud of that too? 2 lil trigger: 7th May 2005 - 19:39 GMT King lUv right? read the fuking book My Bloody Life pendejo and maybe you'll see who the fuck started the King Nation! ~1~ Josuf an upcoming rapper that reports city misery: 10th May 2005 - 21:43 GMT Hey whats up hey to go to a great loving place you must greatly love. Great love meaning to love even the worst people such as gangsters. Love gangsters but hate the sin they commit. Be perfect in behavior for God is perfect. Perfect meaning pure in heart.(no critisizing, be forgiving,be poor in spirit,love those who hate you) Do this and you will see the Kingdom of God. Do you know what Tupac's life meant? It is this- that to see God you must love even gangsters. Tupac wasn't a gangster he represented them to advertise the life of them. Read the Bible! lalo: 11th May 2005 - 14:02 GMT i lived my entire life in humboldt park. i'v been through tuff time and good time in the park. let me say this though, humboldt park isn't as bad as every1 says it is. i mean u could still get jump or killed for sum stupid shit, but its not as bad as before. jo-jo: 12th May 2005 - 03:25 GMT I think all this gang shit is so stupid.That shit to me is getting to old.I can't belive the women who even get on here to talk shit or gangbang there making a fool out of themself's.They should be rasing there kids in a better envi.Showing them this is not the way to be in life.But i guess they want to act hard. For what? For who? Fei: 12th May 2005 - 21:31 GMT True.. Really.. its stupid. If it wasnt for those who study and keep their heads up the world, it would be like a life in the ocean. the same shit everyday lives being taken and new ones rising only to survive but really.. for what? they should dedicate themselves to getting further in life. This gang shit is the same everyday. Just sittin out chillin doing nothing wasting time. Hell.. If people didnt study there wouldnt be important people out there such as doctors.. and then what? every mother fucker dies. lalo: 13th May 2005 - 13:30 GMT i don't know about all of you people but i didn't get anything this guy just sead. RLK FOLKILLA: 15th May 2005 - 18:46 GMT fkucK F.ear O.f L.atin k.in9z AMOR DE REY MUTHA FUCKA5 5 ALIVE 6K DKIDK DKIE IGK TSK GDK LCK VLK CVLK CK 13K 6K ALMIGHTY DKONT LIKE NOBODKY AMOR DE REY KINGZ WURLDK!\|! MIGHTYRIKAN:: 18th May 2005 - 18:55 GMT Bueno all i can sayy is daaaaaaaamm. i grew up in humboldt park right by the PR FLAGS yeah i saw a lot of shit that whent down, we all had goood and bad times there but that don't give the write for anyone to talk shit only GOD can guge. much love for my rican poeple that r trying to maintain and for the ones that haved moved on up keep doing yo thing,now for these mexican ass holes u guys talk a lot of shit us tedes tienen un cuntry enorme i'll give u that y nosotros tenemos un isla chikita pero lo que mas lo hode a ustedes es que nuestra isla chikita le da mucho mas que competancia a ustedes en todo la musica nuestro deportistas boxiadores Y nuestra mujeres pero lo que mas los hoden a us tedes is that we can come and go from puerto rico yall can't do that. i was reading an article in this page frome some asshole talking about viva kings and fuck all puerto ricans. know u can tell this is a dumb ass mexican who formed that latin kings (THE PUERTO RICAN'S) WERE WAS IT FORMED (IN A PUERTO RICAN BARIO) IN CHICAGO AND WATS THE BARRIOS NAME (HUMBOLDT PARK) SO FOR A'LL YA STUPID ASS MEXICANS DON'T TALK SHIT IF U DON'T KNOW SHIT, Y AUNQUE NUESTRA ISLA ES PEQUEN YA PERO ES GRANDE EN CORASON ITCHY: 19th May 2005 - 22:02 GMT FOLKZ STAY ON DEY BACK LIKE HOEZ KC LATIN KINGZ WORLDK HUMBOLDT PARK LATIN KINGZ Otero_a_m: 21st May 2005 - 21:23 GMT I would like to start off by saying that my Heart, Respect and Condolenses go out to the family. it's really unfortunate that the kids are usually the ones to pay for our mistakes. "A wise man once said that smart men learn from their mistakes but Wise men learn from the mistakes of others." i too grew up in Humboldt Park. I attended Lafayette elementary school and attended Roberto Clemente High School. I was shot, my mother was shot and my best friend was murdered at the age of 15. this all happened in a 3 block radius. it's really bad for innocent people to get murdered but what's really a shock is that when we look at the big picture we are the ones doing the harm to our own. Isn't it bad enough that others want us irradicated??? why do we do the favor for them??? my heart goes out to all that die at the hands of anyone for reasons that just don't make sence. weather it's due to gangbanging, rivalry, revenge, position in rank, or just plain selfishness abd attention. there are so many ways we can put our creativity and positive tactics to use than wiping each other out. that's all for now. much luv!!! lalo: 31st May 2005 - 13:40 GMT that shit was kinda funny, but i'll let that shit ride. it needed to be said, but for those of u wanting to make fun of puerto ricans and ur mexican, don't make me go there cuz i could say a lot of shit about mexicans. i gave u fare warning. some white guy: 3rd Jun 2005 - 21:35 GMT Why don't all you two-bit thugs get back on the block and make some money instead of wasting your time talking shit on the internet or if your such a hard ass, go pull a mission and go to County for your People(or Folks for that matter). That's the life you chose, so at least be good at it. Talkin' shit in a chat room is as wack as it gets. For those so-called "Latinos" who love to shit talk about fellow Hispanics, most white people can't tell the difference between a Mexicano and Boriquien. All they seem to care about is how much money you have(or don't have). If you think that white people push minorities out of neighborhoods because they're trying to destroy you, then stop selling your houses and land. The neighborhood isn't being taken over it's being sold to anyone who's willing to buy it. Hard working(Puerto Ricans,Mexicans,Polish,Ukranians and others)with families are sick of finding drug needles in the playground and so they move out. More people die in car related deaths than gun related deaths but it doesn't have as much shock value. some white guy: 3rd Jun 2005 - 22:12 GMT Humboldt Park used to be a white Lutheran/Jewish neighborhood. If you don't believe me go look at Roser's bakery and the statue of Lief Ericson with the inscription "Discovered America". Only a cocky white person would write that kind of nonsense. If gangs were stupid they would not survive. Gangs are a reality of city life. Some of the gangs in Humboldt have been around for fifty years. Thier leaders use young men and woman with no direction to gain power or money. It's a sub-culture with it's own police and politics. Anyone who lives in the suburbs and comes here to buy drugs is dumb-fuck. Buy some elotes instead. ......and finally anyone refering to Humboldt Park as HP should go back to watching the O.C. Anonymous (c-67-175-7-154.hsd1.il.comcast.net): 7th Jun 2005 - 20:33 GMT you all are probbibly born and raised in america and the only ignorant people are the gang bangers who cant defend them self and need there boys or weapons to back their asses up lalo: the white guy is right, thats a smart guy. Blackaricanmami_05: 12th Jun 2005 - 17:55 GMT Humboldt park is a good azz neighboorhood i lived there all my life and i still live there .The puerto Rican Parade is coming up,I cant wait.I am puerto rican and black and i speak spanish and english. dahumboldtmami: 12th Jun 2005 - 18:00 GMT i've lived in humboldt park all my life and all i can say is dat i've been through good and bad times over here and that i've seen deaths and more. We need 2 end da violence cuz we want da kids 2 grow up and make this place a place where we can live withot being scared 2 walk outside PRPoet: 13th Jun 2005 - 13:19 GMT You want to talk about respecting each other and taking care of the nation; why don't you kick the gang shit to the curb?! Want to do some good? Be a role model to the shorties and teach them why being in a gang is bad. The problem with gangs is that it feeds on kids that don't know any better and are lost, for the most part. You want to do some good and follow the teachings of your literature? Then kick the drug shit and stop creating victims and prisoners in your own hood. I come from Humboldt Park and I've seen both sides of the story. I've seen kids that were lost and turned to gangs because they didn't have any other outlets, and guess what? There all dead, locked up or in jail. You want to make it seem like your nation is doing something good but all you do is enslave your own. People are prisoners in their own homes cause of the shit you all do. If you take the time to look around and see what's going on then maybe you'll realize that. And I'm not directing this at one gang specificaly, but to all gangs. Ya'll need to wise up for real. The shame about all of this is that all I'm gonna back is someone's supposed justification on why I'm wrong and the "nation" is really doing good for everyone. You all need to wake up! king encendio 360: 14th Jun 2005 - 04:48 GMT yo wats good im a latin king in new york city bronx i have never seen a king from chicago thoose are the ones that i think are the real kings 5 alive we dont die we multiply i knoe a lot of kings that dropped the flag and picked up a red or blue one fuk all of them 1 inca tribe peace in black in gold. Nino: 14th Jun 2005 - 18:31 GMT Reggaeton Mundial! keep the peace no sufrir ... Tego Calderon.. Not important: 15th Jun 2005 - 16:41 GMT A house divided against itself, cannot stand. CynLaLinda: 22nd Jun 2005 - 22:00 GMT Soy Puertoriquena y Houndurena,I lived in humbolt park on and off all my life and even though things are bad i still miss it ive seen alot of shit and learned alot of shit from the hood and the people it's sad to hear when any innocent bystandard has been killed or a homie,let alone a loved one its always a sad story but even though we still have to go about our so called ordinary lives we still remember never for get those whom weve lost wether it was by gangs,terrorist,or a phsyco.As for ol girl that hates it so much being Puerto Rican let me leave you with this dont be hateful of your blood i see how you might raise your kids in being little hateful, prejudice, racist bastards your probably ugly as hell with no ass and if you do have an ass its thanks to your mother so dont be a pendeja you ungrateful female you should be happy that your momma kept you in her belly for 9 mnths even though your daddy is mexican.I bet you wont be talking all that smake in a RICANS face any way.The hood is where you get your street smarts from and that does go a long way in life no matter if you stay where you at or move away.I've moved to tulsa oklahoma and shit over here is weak but people know where i was brought up at and im BORIQUA so that right there lets them know im not one to be fucked with.Big ups to all The Folks on F/A AMOR MISS YALL....Every Puerto Rican Should Know Our Anthem...La tierra de Borinquén Donde he nacido yo, Es un jardín florido de mágico fulgor Un cielo siempre nítido le sirve de dosel y dan arrullos plácidos las olas a sus pies. Cuando sus playas llegó Colón; Exclamó lleno de admiración; "Oh!, oh!, oh!, Esta es la linda tierra que busco yo" Es Borinquén la hija, la hija del mar y el sol, del mar y el sol, del mar y el sol, del mar y el sol, del mar y el sol. Fredrik-Sweden: 23rd Jun 2005 - 13:21 GMT I´m from Sweden, i.e Scandinavia. When I read this I might be missing something, but all you guys claiming that Humboldt park is great and that you´re proud PR/gangstas etc, read this first: Humboldt belongs to sweden and germany, so shut the fuck up and pay attention to the REAL message upstairs, who can be proud of living in a neighbourhood where kids get killed and shoot randomly? The white people you fight against is us swedes taking back whats ours, take it or leave it, but I guess you´ll leave it... Duh! (Please, this can also be read as a joke, or...) "By the annexation of Jefferson Township in 1889, all of Humboldt Park came into the city limits. Throughout the 1880s and 1890s, Germans and Scandinavians continued to settle in the area. By 1920, the neighborhood held some 65,000 people, of which twenty-eight percent were foreign-born, chiefly German and Norwegian." Peter: 23rd Jun 2005 - 13:51 GMT wow, thats certainly an interesting new perspective... elaine: or ##old## prespective... Peter: heh, good point... Fredrik-Sweden: 23rd Jun 2005 - 15:10 GMT Haha, I guess there are certain points of views that must be strightened out, right!? Anyway, even over here in Sweden we have problems when it comes to gang rivalty (do you spell it like that?) and I´m so tired about people blaming it on some kind of cultural behaviour connected to where people are from. Im certain these people are americans, but as in Sweden, alienated inhabitants. Little Peurto Rico might be Humboldt park, what do I know?! I know for certain that I´ve been there, last september as I spend some nights in Chicago, sadly I have to say it´s like all other surburbs in the world but still I guess the people are proud of their neighbourhood! But, the message was, as I read it: Stop the random killing of children! and also: Stop for a second and remember those who are dead and left behind, I mean, how can we change the prespective and future for those young and lost kids still alive??? You cannot be serious about getting armed and starting some kind of civil war, thats a joke, and the whole gang culture is also a joke in some ways... Peter: 23rd Jun 2005 - 15:13 GMT i agree re: the gang culture. one thing to remember is that many of the opinions stated in this thread are from random people who surfed in via google, and simply left their argumentative two-cents without really being aware of the points being made in the entry. kinglight55@aol.com: 27th Jun 2005 - 01:46 GMT AMOR DE REY: My brothers and sisters i hope you all find yourself in good health when you read this... I am here to ask all of you to please try and help out as much as you can around your community, and reach out to the youth. the reason i am saying this, is because i see alot of kids out there who have there own idea of what the almighty latin king/queen nation is. and its all wrong. and as kings /queens it is our duty to bring these kids in to the light, and show them what we are really about. half these kids out there that have so called "Beef" with our nation feel like this toward us because they dont know what we are really about. if we just take time to talk to them you will see a diffrence. and it doesn't matter what group they belong to, crips, folk, blood,ect.. we are all human, we are all gods children, we are all one race "the human race"!!! the more we ignore them, the more they will never understand the struggle, OUR struggle. america is trying to split us up by tribalism. black, hispanic, asian,ect.. puting us in diffrent palces, sections, so we wont have the chance to get to know each other , learn from each other.. "UNITE".. we must all be one big nation, one big wave, and attack the real opprsssor. only by understanding each others cultures, and learning from one another is the only way we will see a change. we cannot make a change on our own, we must do it together, as a NATION!!! all united under one sun. this is what are nation is about. to relieve the pain that are people are going through, and to educate them on the truth. what is the truth? GOD!!! find him, and have faith in him and he shall lead you to the light, for he is the foundation of our nation... A latin king/queen should always be looking for a way to uplift our people, through education, writing, reading,ect... and by our people i mean everyone, we shall show no discrimination towards no one, we are all equal. and we have no enemies, instead we call them confused brothers and sisters who have not found the light. and yes we will try our best to lead them to that light. if they refuse they will soon find it!!! SO i ask you my brothers and sisters for all of us to come together despite our diffrences in race, religion, and color. i tell you this is the only way we will defeat our oppressors... amor de rey mi familia, your brother kinglight55@aol.com Queen Sapphire: 28th Jun 2005 - 21:52 GMT First off I want to say Amor De Reina to all my brothers & sisters no matter where you are from. There is so much ignorance plastered on this board that it is sad to read. I finally had to just scan through it. We are all latin no matter if you are from PR, Mexico, Cuba, etc. This corrupt gov't likes to refer to us as the minority when WE make up the majority. If we think small we will be small we must open up our minds. Embrace the ignorance learn to tolerate it for it will make us stronger. It will make us the Rey's & Reina's we are supposed to be. OOoooOOOooooOOO & for the "brother" using the book "MY BLOODY LIFE" as reference to our great and wonderful NATION.... I question that fact that you would use that book to refer to anything about the nation. Maybe you haven't read it all if you did you need to read it again. Just because someone WAS down for the cause for a little while does not make them a good bro.... for where are they now oooo thats right still getting fat pockets off of his trials and tribulations of the nation why don't you go pick up his other book THE UNMAKING OF A LATIN KING hmmm...... doesn't sound like someone I would ever use as a reference to MY GOLDEN LIFE..... AMOR DE REINA! Stef: 29th Jun 2005 - 03:22 GMT I Dont know why some people keep complaining about Hombouldt Park if you got a problem with it get up and stop complaining to us go to the vity of chicago and complain their half these cops dont do shit. Then to those who keep talking bad about the Almighty Latin King/Queen Nation got's problems we mean alot more than most people think go ask a true King or Queen what we truely mean you'll feel stupid for even douting us, but I do admit know and days shorties be doing the total oppisite of our true meaning.Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Columbian, ect we are all Latinos and have to stick 2gether before our fellow white man controls us. know to that stupid Sweden chick shut the fuck up.And to all my Almighty Latin Kings/Queens Amor my brothers and sisters 1-4-18..... J: 1st Jul 2005 - 23:43 GMT I was born and raised in Humbolt Park people need to stop complaining about the Gangs cause the cops (pigs) are as fucked up as we are if not worst and all my peeps repin Humbolt Park get yall spellin right yall make us look bad we need to step up and stop fightin each other open are eyes and see these PIGS are trying to get these rich suburb mother fuckas in Humbolt Park so they can be closer to their jobs in Down Town and as Puerto Ricans we need to make sure we keep those 2 Puerto Rican flags going across them streets and everybody know spanish & blacks together run Chi-town and for my peeps its HUMBOLT PARK we need to have the biggest Puerto Rican parades Chicago always been little Puerto Rico Fuck new york but we need to make them parades more peaceful J : 2nd Jul 2005 - 01:04 GMT I know yall heard about Kevin he was trying to change hes life and the cops killed him this is prof that these cops aint no different they also plant drugs on people (Gangstas) So if some one wants to complain about getting gangs off the streets then complain about these dirty PIGS as well and if u got a thorn in ur eye dont try to take the thorn out some one elses gangs aint the only ones bring problems to the Chi the niggas I run wit only do what we have too and thats real if some one comes these way they get delt wit sophia: 4th Jul 2005 - 02:48 GMT I'm a white girl.I love my home and i appreciate the diversity of Humboldt Park. I understand wanting to preserve Puerto Rican heritage in Humboldt Park it's importance. Gang violance wherever it amy exsist causes a domino effect of pain and adversity for so many people. But his will make Latinos mad, but according to the US census you don't even have your own race latino or hispanic is not even considered a race but an ethnicity your are either a non-white hispanic or white hispanic SadStateOfAffairs: 11th Jul 2005 - 17:18 GMT Very sad but enlightening to read all of the threads. I too live in Humboldt Park and have seen the good and the bad. The first night in our new home, a girl got shot, once in the arm and once in the leg. It was at 3 a.m. - nothing good happens after 10:00 p.m.in the neighborhood. She is lucky to be alive. The funny thing was she was walking around the next day proud as a peacock. That sounds to me like time to reassess your life and thank God that somebody was a bad shot. I read about the pride but I don't see it. I see violence, hatred and people who love to throw trash around. The park is beautiful but everyone is doing their best to see that fixing it up was a bad idea. There is garbage everywhere. Where is the pride in that? The thing I don't understand is the Latino family structure being so strong and meeting folks from great families and then see a different child or father away from the family out gang banging like they didn't have a family that loved them or needed them. Very sad and sadder to know that the answers are long in coming. I realize the solidarity and the adrenaline rush from banging are hard to find in a 9 to 5 job but is it really worth it if you end it all at the age of 19? Life is hard, work is not fun, becoming an adult is a challeng, raising a family is hard but that is what living is. The gangs are a substitute for family but....Everyone is so tired of the violence I guess the answer is just to put up flashing blue lights at every corner then everyone will be happy except the mayor who has to pay to monitor the cameras. Call me naive but I know there is a better way than to put people in four buckets and go at it - (PR, Mexicanas, Blacks and Yuppies). Education and hard work are the only ways out. The schools are failing in this part of the city schools and I realize studying is not really cool but that is the only way out that I see. Kudos to those who have made it out and are surviving. I have great respect for you and wonder how you made it. Good luck. Anonymous (adsl-68-72-17-235.dsl.chcgil.ameritech.net): 16th Jul 2005 - 22:32 GMT i grew up in logan square with my mom and we had to go down to humbodlt park wen i was little to go get welfare checks for my mom now that i am older i do go to humboldt park to see my friends and hang out when i was about 12 my older brother was shot by those pussy ass IG...my father and i miss him very much...my dad grew up on beach and spaulding and he is known as a LATIN KING!!! AMOR DE REY!! well mu father and his friends went after the ig that killed my brother and they are still lookin for them at night i sometimes cry myself to sleep i miss my brother soo much.... L: 16th Jul 2005 - 22:47 GMT i dont see a point to people that like gangs and that rep for gangs but i dont thinkt hat s its right when the cops find out that someone is in a gang and yells curses at them and treats them like shit how are those pussy ass white cops gonna be racist in an all latino community...i was like wtf when i heard this one cop scremaing n gettin all up in this teenage boys face he was punchin the livin shit out of him didnt kno wtf he was thinkin...i think that ppl like or get into gangs for protection if u live in the ghetto u can just go through any hood alone u cant just go sumwhere where no one knows you...also alot of ppl dont have a family they join a gang to feel loved and to have ppl care and provide for them...im not against gangs but for mi i dont think i would be involved...i kno how it is for them when i was around the age of 13 i fell in love or what i thout was love with a gang member for a while and i felt the pain that he was goin through his dad used to beat him he didnt have a mom ppl at climente would beat the shit out of him...to this day i dont like him any more but were still cool...n the reason these bitch ass white ppl complain that humbodlt park is bad then dont fuckin move there leave the latinos and bkacks the fuck alone u want a job in downtown take the fuckin train..i kno that these white bitches wouldnt want ppl that are not white movin into their palces soo dont move over there,,if i lived down in humbodlt park id blast these bitches...i feel fo yall...much love to all yall boricuas mia: 18th Jul 2005 - 02:37 GMT I don't understand why anyone thinks white people want to take over humboldt park it's the City Of Chicago. It has more to do with property value than anything the city and state want anyone you can pay high taxes on on an expensive home. So maybe all of you who are complaining and are obviously really racist towards white people should find a away to afford to live in Humbodlt Park. You live in the US there are so many opportunities for latinos now more than ever. So if your blaming white people your brain is the size of pea, and you wasting you time and energy for hating so much instead of bettering yourself. Reality: 20th Jul 2005 - 19:20 GMT To everyone that believes white people are living in Humboldt Park for the fun of it, get real. It is not by choice. Why would anyone choose to put themselves in an area of random gunfire, fights, drugs, hypodermic needles, and hatred? If I had a choice I think it'd be a beach front property on Lake Michigan. It is because they don't have the money to live where they want to. Just like most of the people in the neighborhood. Economics is blind to prejudice, if you have a family and cannot afford to live in a nicer neighborhood then you do what you can and make the best of it. Do you believe that white people find it fun to be called a white assed bitch and be told to get the f out of the neighborhood mfer. Boy that sounds like fun to me. If they are in Humboldt that is because they cannot afford to live elsewhere, just like many people in the neighborhood. Cancer doesn't discriminate nor does the economics of trying to support a family. Most folks in the area support each other regardless of race - those that don't usually live life angry and believe that something is owed to them. Life doesn't sit still nor will the neighborhood. Do you think the city put all of that money into fixing up the park for fun? They put it into the park to make it liveable. This turns into tax dollars as Mia indicates. It is a clear formula. Make the city livable, raise property values, raise taxes = a thriving city of chicago revenue center. The city is run like a business and has been fairly successful in getting people to move back into the city. Reality also sadly says that drugs and violence are a part of our culture and I don't see that going away anytime in my lifetime. So if you think your way of life is threatened don't worry. There will always be gangs and people looking for drugs. That is reality too. You can no more stop the progression then when it happened long ago when the neighborhood started to go downhill and the drugs started to move in. The folks living in HP couldn't stop it from happening then just as you won't stop the neighborhood from improving. If you don't like a safer, cleaner, friendlier neighborhood then keep moving. Juanted: 21st Jul 2005 - 04:15 GMT I always thought when i shoot someone I would be for a very good reason.I thought I'm not going to let anybody cheat me,think there better than me, steal from me.hells no! When my little brother and me was in the alley working on my car these bangers rolled up and put five bullets in alejandro two in me, i'm crippled but at least i'm fucking alive. I now have a very differnt perspective now but it took many years to understand the damage i did. I would do anything to erase gangbanging from life.God forgive me. Forgive me Alex -Love you forever my Brother.Peace cafeconleche: 22nd Jul 2005 - 06:04 GMT This is in regards to Reality's take on what is happening in HP. People...its called regentrification. Its been happeingin since I was a student at Clemente...WHite people Do have a chioice! The rent in some areas are cheap but the reality is that nuestra comunidad was a goldmine all along and not until the artists began coming into the neighborhood iss the true potencial of what we have come to be....If you live between Kedzie and Ashland u got it made. Your close to transportation, you you've got all these specialty shops ctering to the anglo upper middle class. And the park?????????????! Its social construction.....How many years was Humbolt Park rotting away? The st PR generation wasn't as proactive as some of the 2nd PR generation is --they didn't know who to complain and advocate for thier kids...as long as the field house had little league for the kids it was all good. But the blancos? They wouldn't step foot into HP the way it was 10 years ago! How many of you can remeber how shitty it was and how we accepted it because thats the way it was... C'mon on Daly fixed that shit up because of the regentrification. Lets get all the white kids whose parents used to live in the city to come back...See the parents part took of something called "whit flight..." the PRs and the African Americans strted to move this way and the whitds moved futher North--now thier children are coming back...Property rate are on the rise and the only people that can afford to BUY the houses in the area are people who can pay a mortgage of 3 grand or so... My family was the first PR family to buy a house o Spaulding and Division in 1968..back then it was a Polish neighborhood....The first thing that was commented by these people was"Here come the niggers!" Can you imagine that..now fast forward to 2000. The property taxes are so high my elderly mother who is now on SS and her pention cannot afford to pay the taxes of her house that she bought in 1968 for --get this $45,000! Guys I've seen it all--I went to Lowell school--I ent to Clemente and things are changing-- What with the "Do you think that the white people want to be there--boo hoo pobrecitos them--REALITY CHECK ya'll ...YES they do! HP is the hotest place to be besides tha adjasent areas-Bucktown etc... The shit isyou should hear what they are saying about us and our community..I wa on some chicks web site with pix of the community and she was describing some ladies that ere stanind ig near her --talk'in 'bout how they look like prostitutes with the fake dyed hair---c'mon Then she went on to describe how she can't understand how these children live in this kind of area---how do the parents do it---she then proceeded to describe the horrid conditions on that particular street... I just can't stand how they are so presumtuous. HOw they come in withoug understanding the history of the area--I remeber during the beginning of the regentrification, one lady was trying to get the people from one sec. 8 housing facility on Norht and Damen ( it was called.The Victor )eveicted--not one apt. the whole damn place because it was bad for the neighborhood-so she was going areound with a petition--These people were not bad--they just were down on thier luck! I also remeber one facility for young people--Ithink it was before Barreto's was redone--people were calling the cops (white people) becuase the kids were gang bangers--What was happening was they didn't like the guys hanging outside after a workout session--What does this all mean to you ????? How many of your remeber the phrase"BORICA defiende lo tuyo!" Tht was the call guys we've forgotten that! I couldn't walk my dog in the park 15 years ago--now yuppies are jogging up at all hours... Madre Sufrida: 22nd Jul 2005 - 06:17 GMT To all the KIngs out there. I grew up in the hood'but I got my ass out of the hood--I recieved a college educatina & now I'm a teacher--my son--he's a King now--he's not well--he's mentally ill and you know what? The Kings take advantage of that --Please explain to me how being part of the KIng -dom is a benifit to my 12 year old? What are the Kings doing for him beside teaching him to be a criminal and taking advantage of his mental instability? If you all were down with the Nation and the future of nuestra gente atravez de los ninos y ninas you would push him to go to school instead he's hanging with people my age 30+ cappin' other gangs , taking coke , drinking ang wasting away--Please REYES explicame como es que ustedes estan ayudando a nuestros hijo e hijas mejorar nuestra raza, nuestro barrio y nuesro mundo cuando la unica cosa que veo de mi hijo es que se ha transformado en un criminal, droaga adicto. pillo...Ive read your prayer, I've researched the mighty nation--hell, I live right around the corner from the heart of the Kings growing up--My best friend were all Kings--- I gone on your web site to reasearch and learn I've seen the rules you live by--so what's with dealing of the drugs--that's not betterign our people--its only lining your pockets with blood money..PEPLE I don't get it... cafeconleche: 23rd Jul 2005 - 15:37 GMT It came too late for my mom and my childhood home.... cafeconleche: 23rd Jul 2005 - 15:51 GMT As I was reading some of the stuff out there I noticed that one of the KINGS was talking about the F#@! Polacos--okay you guys who are anti-white..I 'm with you , I can empathize.... but you all have to get it together and realize the polacos move out in the 70's when we(th PRs) moved in..The "Polacos" you're talking about are now called YUPPIes ..Young-Urban-Professionals...smf thier not polish their considered "Anglos"...If you all are gonna be against "the man" and los blancos-los guerros--how ever you wanna say it--- PLEASE for Pete's sake know who "the man" is 'cause then people don't take you seriously and you end up looking like a dork.... If the Kings are all about bettering the neighborhood and what not--get yourselves a college degree and do something besides recruit little kids like what happened with MADRE SUFRIDA and pay your elders (the Young Lords) some respect. ..The Young Lords, who are now in thier 40's and 50's, I'm sure are very dissillusioned with what has become of our people and the legacy they tried to create...the Kings distored it...By the way--the whole Madre Sufrida story is all too familiar--she's not the only one who's been hurt by what the Kings , the D's , the Cobras, and all the gangs as well as what they've have done--YOu haven't brought pride to Latinos guys --you just help perpetuate the stereotypical image of what people who are from outside of our community and our race understand us to be...Adding to that People/Folks--Hey!!!!!!!you all are killing off a generation--I'm just gald that there were some of us who escaped it and live to tell the tale....At least my kids know where they and thier momma came from and where they're going--it sure as hell ain't back tracking to the gang... cafeconleche...: 23rd Jul 2005 - 16:18 GMT Mia about your comment about finding a way to afford to live in Humbolt Park--that's comment is SO wrong on SO many Levels there are layers to my rebuttle...YOu know--I'm part of the middle class--and the fact is that I can't afford to live in Humbolt Park. I have a goddam Masters degree from De paul and I still don't make enough $ to own a house and maintain the lifestyle that I enjoy and want to continue to give my child....Mia , what do YOU do? How much do you make? Are u transpalnted from Ohio, NY, or maybe Conn. ? Do you know what it is like to live your whole life in a community only to see the community now torn apart because those people(yes los blanco YUPPIES) believe that they have a right to KICK--yes kick out--those who they belive are of a lower status than themselves. As messed up as HP might be there are roots that stem back generations and in a 10 year span its being wiped out. YOu have to understand in order to stay in HP you have to OWN not RENT. Its about class, race ;sociocultural sociopolitical and socioeconomic issues. The elderly who owned or even rented can no longer afford to do so on SSI...MIA do you have elderly parents? Is anyone in your family indigent. Have you expereinced being a second class citizen not because of the way you look(because I can pass for a variety of ethnicies) but because of your last name? Yes , I 've been fortuante enought to take advantage of the opp. provided for me because of my latino last name--but opp. is not the only thing that is needed --you need a working knowledge of the system, and if the majority of my PR brothers and sisters have not had the opp. to have been exposed to "the system," did not have the opp. to have been mentored early on where do they begin at age 23, 25 or 35? HP is a young community and if that generation did not have the opp. for mentorship HOW on EARth can they do tht for thier childrn whoa re now pre-teens? --becuase the truth is when I was growning up--the only opp. for us to get out were: teacher, nurse, social worker exectuive sec. or data programmer-- We were still being shoved into "servicing" we were not told --be the artist and gallary owner, be the doctor(rather than the nurse), be the owner(rather thatn middel management)..so its easy to look in form the outside--but please before forming those opinons understand that wee've walke in different shoes , taken different paths and were looking @ the same situation from 2 very distinct point of views-- you MIA are part of the dominant society--we (for this conversation's purpose Ill keep it to Puerto Ricans) still are second class citizens...Mia do you know what its like to be a 2nd class citizen, to grow up wearing clothing from the Salvation Army/ Did you ever stand in line for Regan cheese? Did you mom ever have to explain to the welfare lady why she is wearing a new gold chain this month and then proceed to scold mom for having spent her welfare check on that rather than shoes for her child....(the gold chain had been a gift to my mother from the church for having been named Mother of the Year w/in our congrgation)....yea mIa it is easy to say get a job that will allow you to pay the mort. when you don't factor in all these things my dear... Seeking a Future: 24th Jul 2005 - 05:22 GMT Hey everyone, I grew up in HP, left for several years and have returned. We are who we choose to be. The opportunities are there. I agree some of us Latin Americans do not have the knowledge but the only way to obtain the knowledge is by seeking something better. I have no regrets in life & I am Proud to be a Latina. My children now attend a Private school in the area because I can not afford the luxury to stay home & watch them after school. I chose to do that.. You can choose to better your life.. When did our people stop thriving for more for something better. Look back at how difficult it was for some of our parents to come from other countrys and the lousy jobs they held so we can move forward.. It all takes time.. generation after generation. recruiting future gang members to hold them back and continue to live the stereo type of being Latino is not the way to progress. If we would all stop screwing our own people and work together God knows we would be much further than what we have come. Welfare parents go to school while your children are in school, you can get the money for it and you obviously have the time.. USE THE SYSTEM If you think you don't know how to use it than damnit learn it.. by this time you have realized that A) nothing comes easy & B) No one is going to hand over fulfilled dreams to you. Educate yourselves learn to use the system. 20yrs ago it was predicted French would be the 2nd international language, all the educated Anglos learned it.. Now 20 yrs later their hiring us to translate because we are the future.. Don't let ignorance keep US down.. God Bless all of you & no I'm not a holy roller & yes I probably know 1/2 you people who say you live around HP.. Your Own Worst Enemy: 25th Jul 2005 - 15:46 GMT Some know the system, some don't. A few systems that are known very well in HP - drugs - how to sell them - how to run them - how to avoid getting caught and then laughing about it. The other that I see as I am new to the neighborhood - Latinos taking advantage of other Latinos. I looked for a long time for a place to live in HP and do you know what I found. Many Latino families are paying $1,000 a month for a pest-infested, no warm water rental. Why? Because they don't speak English and their landlord does. As mentioned, many times Latinos prey on their own. Not good. Say I am wrong but this is what I see. Take a look at the prices of food at the markets. They are very high for the quality of the food. Why? Because the owners know that many people cannot walk or can't take the bus for groceries so they raise the prices. When Walmart opens up I feel you will be surprised to see how much the quality of the products at the stores increases as well as seeing the price decrease. If they can't compete then they will be gone. I wish they were putting in a Super-Wal Mart so I could get groceries there too but this was stopped. I feel for everyone who cannot afford to live in HP. But the sooner you realize that improved, safer neighborhoods cost money and that people are willing to pay for it then the better off you'll be. It will only get more pricey. You cannot stop change, it is happening all over the city. Just look at Pilsen or any other neighborhood that is close to the city. Fight it if you like, blame it on others but that is not going to do anything. For those who wish to buy or try to buy there are programs. CHA has a Latino starter program and it is a pretty good start and a fair program. They make you take a course and then they help you qualify for a loan, help with closing costs, get you a low interest rate etc... You need to be a Latino to qualify. I didn't realize the level of hate and hurt in the neighborhood. This site has opened my eyes. Be careful on making assumptions. cafeconleche: 25th Jul 2005 - 17:10 GMT To: YOur own worst...and Seekinga future... and everyone else out there... It's nice to see that there are some of us on the same page--I don't know if you'd call it hate,--we'll then again, yeah--there is a little hate and ALOT of hurt. I see it like this...How can you( the gangs...particularly the ALKN) talk about up lifting up la raza if you all can't even uplift yourselves out of the 'hood. I was down with dat way back--I could've easily gotten sucked in but I didn't and I got out--now I give back to my community--I'm not a 9 to 5 er: move up--move out --go back and work --then leave to my posh little house in the nice part of town...NO! I work damn hard to make sure I set the example for my students, their bros. and sis. who really don't have any role model other than Beyonce talkin' 'bout her neeing a soldier , a man to have"street credibility if he wants to be with me.." or Fity Cent who still hasn't given up gang banging and can stand proud about having been shot at --what?.... like 1,000 times, and still livng to tell about it... I work in the community, I shop in the community , I'm around so F!@%$ much the kids think I live in the 'hood--I don't but that's the thing--I haven't forgotten where I come from....I wan to be the example seeing You know I'm the real thing--my mom has a 2nd grade ed. and came here from P.R. in the dead of winter with her littl sun dress and her open toed chancletas in 1950 after my migrant farmer worker uncle paid airfare for 4 sibilings and 2 parents.I'm not gonna let that legacy go--they came her for a reason this was before they understood welfare and what exactly FDR's New Deal was all about...There was no welfare back then for them--only hard work and hope for the future--THe parents settle in HP and that became home for the rest of it--until los YUPPIES (YES YUPPIES for all you ignorant Bast#%!--not POLACOs--know your enemy people--know your enemy)all of you in ALKN need to go and ask your granparents and your parents what was it like for them. What was it like to cut sugra cane in the fields in 110 degree weather? What was it like not eating meat because they couldn't afford it--how about your grandma having to feed her babaies "black water"( black coffee with either a spoonful of powered milk, no milk or very little cow/goats milk) because either there was no $ for milk or there was no $ to own a cow...Apparently you all are here in the U.S/Chgo/Humb. Park for a rason..I'm not republican and I have just as many issues with the country but damnit--you guys have SO MANY opportunites tak that brass ring hermanos y hermanas---get out then give back---don't let your parents' and grandparents'legacy go to waste..You all need to watch the movie with Julia Roberts' -ex---como se llama......oh yeah--Benjamin Bratt. La move se llama "Pinero"....good ass flick..Fuck the whole "Blood in Blood out/Colors/genera of film that stereotypes Latinos-- its about one of our own----its at Blockbuster! It has sex drugs and some violence--but it really happened.... cafeconleche: 25th Jul 2005 - 17:46 GMT I keep going thru this site and I find so much BS I was just reading some old comment from Jan from EL viejo de arriba....Yo' viejo you need to stop brown nosing the USA and the GOP We are not Americans--we are Latinos --(how ever you speak spanish is fine technically there is no "proper spanish or proper englsih" however the writers on this site want to spell the words that they speak let them--- --For your information ethnogaphers(social scientist) consider what we (the 2nd and 3rd generation of Asian. Latino[p.r. , mex, salvadorians...] African American; a subculture--the mixing of Englis with the native language(the native languge being the L1--1st Language..Englsih is the L2). This has nothing to do with ghettoness it has to do with creating your own culture and identity because 1) the dominant society does not accept your own home culture/language 2) you are mainting some tie to your native culture 3) its a naturall sociological phenomenon that there is seapage of the dominant culture in to the native culture...YOu need to pick up a book by John Ogbu or J. Cummins and read about whats really going on... cafeconleche: 25th Jul 2005 - 17:51 GMT I keep coming back here hoping to have some gangbanger express his/her opinions on the staements made regarding the 'hood, the gang , and thier mission---No rebuttles...huh, interesting..... Peter: 25th Jul 2005 - 17:56 GMT its because this thread has grown old and tired, and if youll notice, far from any pertinence to the original post... Witness...: 27th Jul 2005 - 00:30 GMT There will always be others- people who will in a perverted fashion misuse the fabrics & the dynamics of a society. The ills of a society will always look "attractive", "alluring", and "inviting" to those on the outside. Those on the outside will feel compelled to touch it from the outside; will adopt the chemistry & the formula for thier own ego(s). These people are limited in nature and are compelled to use the self-destructive guise of a society as their own. These same people will fail to see the light of the day and anyone who comes in speaking of their hypocritical nature will be condemned and banished from their "sect" of society. These same people who perpetuate tragedy and confusion will fight to preserve their sickness. There are people on this site who misuse juvinille deliquency, who misuse the concept of gangs. These same people boast of their pride in reflecting control over others here who disagree with them. These same people do not have the courage to embrace the ghetto. The instead perpetuate and exploit it's ills. They hide behind their words here on this website. Someday door(s) will be opened. When those doors are opened, we will see the cowards standing in their bones, praying to know the meaning of soul. Pray for peace, ask for justice to deliver its blindness. Horse met Ass. One a tyrant with trappings. The other worn out with toils. Horse was crossing his path. Ass gave way, too slow. "Whoa," Horse said, "I'm only just reined back from stamping hooves on you." Shh. Ass kept hush. And groaned as well, the gods be my witness. Horse soon broke down racing. Wound up sent to the farm. Ass saw him loaded with dung. Mocked Horse, and here is the gist: "What on earth has become of you? Once, proud with trappings. Now, come to the hell you scorned." All you lucky ones, who despise your fellow man: Always remember that margin of error. You never do know what you'll become cafeconleche: 27th Jul 2005 - 04:49 GMT Hey ....are we being censored??????I wrote up a comment yesterday and there were two other people with very articulte comments and now all of the comments aren't here...what's up with that? jeeff: 27th Jul 2005 - 07:14 GMT i dunno, personally i find a lot of the recent comments here really interesting. seeking a future: 28th Jul 2005 - 03:12 GMT My comments are gone as well.. Everyone is talking about how we should help each other well, several years ago I vowed to give back to my community, we purchased a building and rehabbed it and believe it or not did not raise the rents above $550. What happened--- you got it my OWN people screwed me.. Latinos need to learn alot.. We've come a long way but still have further to go. Instead of looking at people who are trying to help us as the enemy, we should allow them to help. NOT everyone trying to help the community is trying to KICK us OUT or TAKE OVER Maybe we should learn to maintain and grow, learn from others instead of believing the Yuppies are taking over lets show them that we can take care of our homes have nice lawns and stop the violence.. who in their right mind would not want those things??? I don't get it.. We complain they are taking over but the last time I past by Lemoyne and spaulding (Police Camera on Beach and all) there was still drug dealing going on.. I'm shocked some of these people will make a drop with their kid in tow.. That's disgusting.. Each Latino generation should excel and progress further than the previous, why do some of our people wish to STAY in the same rut.. I get so confused how some wouldn't want something better.. Don't tell me it's the system because the system isn't telling anyone to stand at Lemoyne and spaulding and sell drugs.. and by the way Who the Hell built those three nasty ass buildings on Lemoyne.. Their a damn eye sore aside from all the gang bangers and lack of greenery on that street. seeking a future: 28th Jul 2005 - 03:12 GMT My comments are gone as well.. Everyone is talking about how we should help each other well, several years ago I vowed to give back to my community, we purchased a building and rehabbed it and believe it or not did not raise the rents above $550. What happened--- you got it my OWN people screwed me.. Latinos need to learn alot.. We've come a long way but still have further to go. Instead of looking at people who are trying to help us as the enemy, we should allow them to help. NOT everyone trying to help the community is trying to KICK us OUT or TAKE OVER Maybe we should learn to maintain and grow, learn from others instead of believing the Yuppies are taking over lets show them that we can take care of our homes have nice lawns and stop the violence.. who in their right mind would not want those things??? I don't get it.. We complain they are taking over but the last time I past by Lemoyne and spaulding (Police Camera on Beach and all) there was still drug dealing going on.. I'm shocked some of these people will make a drop with their kid in tow.. That's disgusting.. Each Latino generation should excel and progress further than the previous, why do some of our people wish to STAY in the same rut.. I get so confused how some wouldn't want something better.. Don't tell me it's the system because the system isn't telling anyone to stand at Lemoyne and spaulding and sell drugs.. and by the way Who the Hell built those three nasty ass buildings on Lemoyne.. Their a damn eye sore aside from all the gang bangers and lack of greenery on that street. seeking a future I agree with you: 28th Jul 2005 - 05:04 GMT The thing is ---there are a lot of factor that can be attibuted to not moving up---Firstly the U.S createda system of dependency when FDR intorduce Operation Bootsrap which was ppart of the NEW Deal--in order to "revitalize" the economy FDR PAID farmers not to grow crops.Here is the beginningof dependency--the U.S. governmet would pay these famers --farmers who went back generation in agricultre --to stop woring the land that thier great-great grandparents had farmed--so what do these farmers do? Now they are idle(tha's where the whole shit of us being lazy comes from--thing is they paid us to sit on our assess--this like really putting it in layman's terms) This ment that major American Corp now had thea ll this land to use for their companies. Then the U.S. they tried to industrialize the island.... companies came in , rail roads were created for the military and for priviate industry--my abuelito worked building the railroad called la miliatr tha runs fromone end of the island to the other...The U.S came it took over and made us dependant--dependancy fosters ingorance...whe had no other way--I really believe tht the last genration to really understand what hard work is was my parent's generation those born during the depression--El que no trabajaba no comia--thais until the NEW DEAL-- okay so now they recruit all these P.R to go and fam landi in Hawaii, and a thru out the U.S --they bocome migratn workers and come here with the hopes of bettering thier live--they are soemthing like indentured servants--they come to farm and work infactories all over the U.S many face squalid conditions, some not so bad-- regardles-they worked their assess off...but by this time post industrial P.R was in the make.There was very little farming for substiance(feeding the family) now the u.s. owned the fincas and the stores, and the products that were bought, they controlled what came into the island and what countries itcame from becuase remeb. we were(and still are a colony( u know like America and and England-they didn't have a voice--taxation w/out representation etc...) well same with us but since they don't make us pay taxes we have very little representation (or voice in congress) but I'me getting ahead of myself---anyway to make this grueling stroy short---the U.s mad our people dependent and ignorant --we've been screwed fromthe beginning, we've known it so we are going to be the pit bulls --out to get what we need form whoever we BELIEVE is going to take advantage of use..P.R society (on the island) is more classist then racist. Los Yankees/guesros/balncoswhatever-ya'know whites represent the invaders-the bad guys--they had the money: money=power, power= control of the language of the belief system(whats import. in the culture etc..) there is alot of resentment towards the u.s. ...Those who want stae hood understand the benifits of being part of a wold paower etc. Those who want to be a free nation---we'll I'm not going there it gets too touchy....Yeah ---basically the u.s created a cultre of dependency and if gen. after gen. has fallen been raised with a welfare mentality --without the skills , knowledg , or experience to break the cycle its really difficult to escape it--Its not an exuce --by no means but really its like if a chid sees his/her mom (Puerto Rico) always beeing beaten up, taken advantage of and is raised to see this from birth ,a ndis fea a whole lot of BS about how the dominant onein the relationship--the mans (the U.S.) has a right to do whatever he wants with mom and this pattern is repeated thru out the gen. it si going to be very hard for that child to relearn a new pattern of living if it is isolated and not taught other wiase--I know the analogy is iffy but its the best way I can illustrate why we(p.Rs ) are the way we are.... Please , please don't censor my thoughts: 28th Jul 2005 - 05:06 GMT I think its kinda poiniant....Peace out guys.... Oh yeah--I'm still waiting for a gangbanger's rebuttle about the staements made regarding the 'hood, the gang , and thier mission--- cafeconleche--just a little research to substaciate what I'm talkin' 'bout...: 28th Jul 2005 - 05:21 GMT ....Pedro Albizu Campos protested vigorously against the US Navy’s invasion of Vieques in 1941. In a series of articles published in a newspaper, Albizu accused the Navy of carrying out a policy of genocide against the Puerto Rican people in Vieques. In 1941, there were 10,362 inhabitants in Vieques. The Navy expropriated two thirds of the total land, including most of the land used for farming. The location of Vieques has made the island a sought after territory since the beginning of the colonization of Puerto Rico. The island of Vieques although colonized by the Spanish, was coveted by the French, Danish and British. All marshes, mangrove areas, dry lands and bodies of water adjacent to and belonging to Puerto Rico, situated on the east and southeast coasts of Puerto Rico were ceded to the Navy in a law approved by the Puerto Rican legislature in April of 1941. Thousands of people were forced off their land, and those without a legal title were given $20 or $30 for their houses and less than 48 hours to abandon the area. Even the Governor of Puerto Rico at the time, Luis Muñoz Marín was against the military installation in Vieques. In a letter to then President John F. Kennedy on December 28th, 1961 he wrote: "Obviously, the political and human dismemberment which the project involves will be a fundamental shock. We know of no truly comparable action in American history. I believe that it is the kind of action which arouses instinctive disapproval". It can be assumed that the letter to President Kennedy did not deter the US Navy from establishing a base in Vieques. In fact with the impending transfer of the Panama Canal to Panama, the U.S. Southern Army might possibly be relocating to Ft. Buchanan, near Bayamón, Puerto Rico. This can only worsen the "environmental disaster" that the Puerto Rican environmentalist Dr. Neftalí García, calls Vieques. Professor Jos¾ Seguinot Barbosa, Director of the Geography Department of the University of Puerto Rico also states that, "the eastern tip of the island (where the navy carries out its bombing practice) constitutes a region with more craters per kilometer than the moon." The Puerto Rican people, in a never ending struggle for human rights, have protested against the U.S. Navy occupancy of Vieques for decades. Most recently, after a civilian security guard was killed by an errant bomb in April. The Navy then suspended training on Vieques but has sought a way to resume it. Since then the people supporting the removal of the Navy from Vieques have gone from camping out on the bombing range, to holding demonstrations across the U.S. Even the governor of Puerto Rico Pedro Rosello, that is for the most part pro-statehood, called Clinton's plan to resume the military bombing for the next five years with "inert," or dummy, bombs on Vieques instead of the live ammunition that is part of advanced combat training, as "unacceptable for the people of Puerto Rico and the people of Vieques." He also stated that, "Personally I feel deceived with the position that's been taken because it doesn't faithfully reflect what we have been discussing with the president." Politics, the economy, education, culture, labor, the environment and most of all the status of Puerto Rico, have been constant issues at war between Puerto Rico and its colonizers. The people of Puerto Rico have never been given a sincere chance to choose for themselves their islands destiny. The so called Plebiscites are only to prove that the people on the island are divided by fear, a fear that has been instilled in the people for more than 500 years. For what else can a people learn when they have been brainwashed into associating independence with poverty, ruled with a mixture of paternalism and neglect, with a self-righteousness and condescension, and into believing "they are unfit for self-government"? SadStateOfAffairs: 28th Jul 2005 - 15:45 GMT Those two buildings on LeMoyne are the ugliest fortresses I have ever seen. They are for sale and nobody wants to buy, I wonder why. The Blue Light is off for a few days because an 18 wheeler took it out. To see a case study in how dependency doesn't work you just need to take a look at the state of the Native American Indians and their reservations. This dependency started well before the New Deal with the creation of the reservations - (to see Chicago's reservations look at the Taylor homes or Cabrini Green.) The average life span of an Indian is 53, alcoholism and diabetes are at epidemic proportions. My mother grew up on the Tuscarora Nation reservation and let me just say when you get government assistance and don't need to work you do three things - drink, eat and look for trouble. If you're a single mother then that is different. To seek an education/join the Navy as my mother did means you are no longer welcome back at home and it's gone forever, you've become like the white man. I see this with kids in the neighborhood. Education is not cool but it is the only way out. I realize the schools aren't the best but you have to do what you can and try to rely on others who are there to help. The system was created to help but it has many side effects. cafeconleche: 29th Jul 2005 - 03:29 GMT Sad state...Historically this is exactlay how its been--it all about the traditional Eurocentric p.o.v : anything other than white is inferior, therefore let us "civilize the ignoran savage and enlighten and uplift him with with our culture..." That's how it was in ALL of Latin America, Africa,U.S. .. Sad ain't it... Peter: 29th Jul 2005 - 13:49 GMT cafeconleche: im glad youve chosen to become a regular contributor here. we hope you stay :) cafeconleche: Gracias! :) cafeconleche....: 30th Jul 2005 - 09:52 GMT My comments go to show that there are some of us who from H. P who don't fit the stereotype of welfare mom, and are educated. A couple of us actually made it out of H.P and the public, neighborhood schools(Lowell School, Von Humbolt, LaFeytte and Clemente Comm. Academy ...) with the ability to able to read write and think! seeking a future: 31st Jul 2005 - 19:30 GMT Cafeconleche, There are many of us who made it out of H.P. Semi Educated, it's just unfortunate that most of the ones who did progress forgot where they came from. cafeconL.: Es triste......... benrox: 1st Aug 2005 - 08:31 GMT Alright - I've read a good amount of these posts. Let me start off by saying that I am white. I've been living in "the hood" my whole life. I don't live in Humboldt Park, but near enough in Logan Square. Growing up in the hood as a white boy made me see things from a perspective that most white people will never be able to comprehend. I've experienced prejeduce being that whites are now a minority inside of our beloved city. I have interacted with so many different people of different races, colors, religions etc... that for me to defend any one race would make me feel ignorant. But at the same time, I think many people fail to understand that there are 2 different ways of thinking. #1) People who have pride for their heritage, because they are proud of the struggles and sacrifices their decendants made to give they're people a better way of living at the cost of they're own happyness and somtimes they're own lives. ( educated pride ) If your descendants never fought, and made sacrifices in an effort to survive - then you wouldn't be here this very day.. It's that simple. Puerto Ricans... Mexicans... Jews... Every race has had they're own struggles, and yet somehow - are all still here. For you to be proud of your herritage - you must know your past. If you don't know your past - then what are you celebrating? which brings me to... #2) Pride through wanting to belong to a part of something. (also the human ego ) I have no issues with ANY race. But every year when the puerto rican parade comes... Out of the thousands of people out celebrating - how many of them know WHAT IT IS to be puerto rican? How many puerto ricans know they're history? Not many. Everyone is out celebrating because " its cool to be part of something ". It's like being in an exclusive members only club and you were givin your membership card by random chance at birth. You didn't choose your race. You didn't choose your parents. It was all chance. And yet they celebrate - so ignorant to their herritage. Before you start typing up your fuck you white boy bullshit - I'm not saying that the puerto rican parade shouldn't take place. It should and I'm glad you have the chance to celebrate your herritage. However, America is supposed to be a country constructed of many races. From all over the world - people come to America in hopes of a better life. A better place to raise they're children. A place where they will not be killed because they're personal beliefs and opinions differ from those they're leaders tell them they must inherit. It is my belief that what we call America now - was stolen from the native americans... (indians) When we celebrate Thanksgiving - we are celebrating the genocide of a race. From what I know - Native Americans and Hispanics go hand in hand. Point being - even though I'm white - it pisses me off to hear white people say that this is OUR country... When in fact it isn't. We came from a place very VERY far away at that. We "stole" this land. It is not ours. America is a country founded on immigration. Whites... Hispanics... Blacks... etc... - Everyone is in America for the soul fact that they wanted a better way of life than they previously had. (minus the slavery portion) As humans - we all shared a common goal. We wanted one thing in life... Happyness. What is wrong with this picture? Shouldn't a country that is basicly founded on immigration be able to understand each others struggles, and that we are all here because our ancestors wanted a better life for those that came ahead of them? Shouldn't our understanding of this force us to appreciate everyone elses struggles? Through this principle - we should all be able to coexist and be happy. WHY are we all fighting? Pride? Ego? Territorialism? Hearing whites, blacks, hispanics etc... Argue over they're territory are no different than a pit bull taking a shit in the park and kicking up grass behind it. Humboldt Park is dominantly Puerto Rican. Thats fine. But why must they're be an argument about whos territory it is? Animals and humans are the same with only one key difference. We both have instincts. We both have the will to survive. It is both our goal in living to reproduce. What makes humans unique - is the ability to think... The ability to REASON. Not act on pure instinct. We can make decisions - just because X happens doesn't mean Y is the reaction. Our brains have evolved. Yet so many of us live in this trap. We hate each other for no reason. We hate because of stories - not because of individual experiences. Why else do so many little kids know what the word nigger, beaner, cracker, porkchop, etc... mean? They weren't born with this knowledge. Ignorant parents teach they're children these things, and it becomes RIGHT. They cannot be convinced otherwise. Some of these parents can actually be the GREATEST providers and nurturers for they're children - yet that doesn't stop them from having that single shard of ignorance that is killing our FELLOW HUMAN RACE... It doesn't matter if ur a fucking mexican... If ur a puerto rican... if ur white... The point is we are all still fucking human. The human race is the one TRUE race. If you put a white kid and a black kid together who have no idea what racism is - they won't fight just because one is white and the other is black. They will have fun and play together. It's not until people put this negative bullshit into people's heads that racism becomes a problem. Racism is a plague. It has infected nearly everyone in this world. Your negative thinking, and racial comments are the vehicle in which this plague finds new hosts and still exists. With the ability to think - why are people still acting on they're primal instinct to feel threatened by someone of a different color? I can understand why a lion would want to kill a hyena. It's survival of the species. The lion must eat. But what purpose does killing off our own species serve? Instead of being proud of your background first - maybe you should first be proud to be human. We could have just as easily been put into this world as a blade of grass, an ant, an elephant - but we were all lucky enough to be HUMAN. Unfortunately racism won't stop. People will continue they're racial bullshit and create problems for us, our children, our childrens children, and our childrens childrens children. It isn't until everyone realizes what potential we could have coming together as a human race - what advancements we could have achieved by now as a human race - that we will get anywhere. Humans are headed for extinction. It will be because of humans that life no longer exists. It is the hatred of mankind that will cause our inevitble demise. When the world is covered with the debris of nuclear war and no human remains... It wasn't the tigers... It wasn't the lions... It wasn't the ants that ended it and fucked it up... It was the human ego... The fact that we can't let go of something as stupid as a color... A way of living... Why can't we just coexist... Instead of asking what you can do for your fellow white person, black person, hispanic person - maybe you should ask how you can help a fellow human being. We are all one of the same. So the next time you have a racist thought run through your head that makes one person feel less than you because they aren't of the same heritage or color - remember - its you're bullshit that > IS < going to lead to our extinction. It's 3:30 a.m. and I know this is really long, but I had alot of shit on my mind. I put it together the best I could since I'm really really tired, but if you really read this and think about it, then maybe you can get on the same page. I have so much more on my head but if I kept typing - I'd be here 3 weeks later still goin at it. This is just a piece of knowledge that I hope makes you all think and discuss. Gangs need to come to peace. Stop killing our fellow humans. Stop incarcerating the innocent. Stop making our homes prisons. Much love to > ALL < of yall Benrox Peter: now ##thats## a comment. thanks, man. SadStateOfAffairs: 1st Aug 2005 - 16:23 GMT Racism has many forms. It can be religiously based, as in the current JIHAD against all non-Muslims. Or it can be economically based. I agree it's not based on skin alone. Problems occur when different social classes come into contact. Those that have tend to look down on those that don't, those that don't tend to hate the others for having. When you live in a gentrifying HP/Logan Square neighborhood, this type of situation will happen and it won't stop until the neighborhood is in balance one way or the other. This is a process that takes place over a 10-20 year period. It took 20 years 1960-1980 for the neighborhood to go down. You had abandoned greystones with homeless folks in them, crack houses etc...Then the neighborhood slowly started it's climb back up. Call it the Daley plan but it is more an ecosystem that is forever changing and right now it's on its way back up. The park is cleaner, there are 10 city employess cleaning it up every day, the pond is stocked with fish, kids are running around and major restarants like McDonalds are moving into the area etc... The park and the neighborhood may still be rough but that park is busy with kids and adults all day long. I imagine the gangs will be there for a very long time too. cafeconleche: 4th Aug 2005 - 05:47 GMT benrox--I appreciate your p.o.v. I can totally see eye to eye w/U on the whole reversed racism...I have a blond blue-eyed son. I have dark curly hair and medium skin tone--everyone always assumes I'm his nanny--you wuldn't believe the looks I get when he opens his mouth , calls me mama(in spanish) and proceeds to speak Spanish to me---But I digress.... Point is--class is a socially constructed heirarchy created to give power to some and keep ohters down--what we view as importatn is only importatn becuase some one set the standard for a particule view, belief etc..Now the question is Who set these standards? You? Me? Society? Well, basically if yu have power you have a voice. Who has power? YOU? me? I am but a lowly teacher --what's you're occupation? Hey--why am I even asking this? why is your occupation an importatn issue to people? Why is being a baseball player, singer, or movie star more ( exhibiting a gift of talent that you've been given) looked upon with great respect--with more respect than those of us who are in a classroom for 5 -7 hrs a day working with our most precious of natural resources--our children(I know--cliche--but valid)? Why is it so imortant to learn the classics( Shakespear)rather than say--how to build a bicycle from spare parts ? In some societies it is more importatn to be able to buid that damned bike rather than read....I beleive in validating all skills, abilities, and talents but society values some more than others...Why does it matter what your drive-wha t jeans your wear? Who is to say that teaching is more noble thatn fixing computers? Who's to say that being a window washer is less important than working as a day laborer? Where I came from --if you or your relative held any of these occupation s you were as credible as the pope! Why would it be differnt there thatn here? Its all about the socially constructed system tht maintains the status quo as it is. Again I will ask...Who in our society has the power? THose who have money....Those who have been here for ages and ages and layed claim, took over , and created the social standard which govern our existance. Example= America--consumer society.. concumer sociey=capitalism capitlaism =making people believe they need certain things becuase if your don't have certain things then you are not part of mainstrem society. The capitalist will target certain demographics because that's where the $ is. Unfortunatnly certain populations will hurt more tahtn other s because money is hard to comeby so when you do gt $ you have to have it and you spend it-=immediate gratification immediate gratifiction= not alot of social mobility 'cause your 'aingt got money--U don't invest, you spend spen spend and and live for today...why? because of the staus that having those product creates. Now getting back to the who "Can't we just get along" stuff.... ITs a noble thought, but the trth is that yes you may have expereinced racism sporatically in the hood here and thier 'cause of your color on the outside--I mean hey you grew up wioth the homes ans whatnot you may speak like them, and dress like them--but you DON"T look like them and that's the difference.. YOu can go anywhere in the city and be treated decently because once you leave the hood the society at large assumes that you "belong"-- your color says it all--When someone of color leaves the hood you NEVER forget that you are of color. YOu will always experience some type of racism. I'm not playing the victim--I'm just saying--you have your p.o.v. You speak from your experience -something that we can never devaluse. However you a speaking from your experience your experience will be very different becuase of the color of tyour skin and your last name... This goes back to the hate...Well when those with power( the Anglos with $ who sake claim and take over---ehem..sound familiar?) scome into teritory that has beeen ther for generationa and then proceed to "clean up' the neighborhood by bringing in high end shops that raise revenue and prop rates--yeah thereis going to be a little anomosity--once again the status quo cont. The haves have ans will comtinue having--the don'ts? Well they never really had anything to begin with(if you rent you don't "have "--its not really yours) and contiune to have less....Its all socio policial ---AND COMPLICATED....but I hear what you're saying I wish it was as easy as your seee it--Honey --you cant imagin how much this stuff is researches and studied---read --Paolo Fiere--Pedagogy of the oppressed... Not Important: 5th Aug 2005 - 19:54 GMT I'm a 16 year old girl who has lived in the Humboldt Park area all my life. I lived down the corner when little Miguel died, I was 11 years old, that caused alot of drama in my neighborhood. Things like that is just life, u get used to it and grow out of it.. I still live in the HP area and I love it.. I just donr understand why all these white people moving in and are starting to change everything,,, we like HP just the way it is To not important from cafeconleche: 6th Aug 2005 - 16:35 GMT Mira nena ---got thru the articles here---that will give you an idea star arounf Feb and read tru..thenthing is many poniant comments are gone for some reason--wiped out---anyway --Happy reading! M-Anita: 6th Aug 2005 - 18:52 GMT I have lived in the area off and on since childhood. Then I moved to LA and for me there is no place like home. I am a Black Puertoriquena y Cuban and the unity we have for each is still strong. We just have to have faith in each other as a community. And let go of our racisim toward each other and only then we can move forward. We cant let them pull us apart...we are all we have. We must stick together. Confused: 8th Aug 2005 - 15:34 GMT What is wrong with white people moving into the neighborhood?? It sounds hypocritical to say I hate racism or the way white people treat me then say I hate white people moving into the neighborhood and treat white people in a racist way. Why are whites the enemy? Are they cleaning up the neighborhood too much? I understand the situation with rents increasing being bad but what are the other issues? Is it just change that is bad? Maria Dora: 9th Aug 2005 - 19:04 GMT all i can say is that violence is everywhere....whether you live in homboldt park or in the burbs...violence is even in your back yard as we speak...so all we can do is say a prayer and hope to God that he protects our families and our loved ones...peace from cafe con leche to confused....: 13th Aug 2005 - 06:09 GMT YO' confused reread my comment from Aug 4-- And change is not bad --its bad when it is not a natural evolution as it should be but rather an aggressive overnite, overhaul of what was once there(history) and a negation of what still stands(the P.R.s) I swear it totlally reminds me of how in every other situation Eurocentric views cloud all else--YOu know the old saying : "If your white you're right , if you're b;ack stand back... Confused--it just follows the patern of white people taking over territory that is meaningful to other people without understanding the impact of what they are doing--- I think if these Anglos could appreciatethe history that there is in the neighborhood and could respect it it wouldn't be so bad --but they are so presumtuous and are bornnof a culture of entitlement--its just fuckin' annoying how they look down at us-- Have any of you guys experienced this kind of elitism when los blancos are around the hood? Confused: 13th Aug 2005 - 15:25 GMT Admitted some white people have attitudes, but some blacks have attitudes, some Latinos have attitudes, etc....The blacks don't get along with the PR's, I see it every night and hear it. F You N, shut your black ass up - attitude, violence, drugs, fighting for territory and hatred. And please don't tell me they get along or should unite. Different colored skin, different territory, different ways of life - these different groups will never get along. Cafe, let's take your argument that we should keep the history of Humboldt Park. I guess that history of Humboldt park is worth preserving. It sounds like violence is preferred to reverse-white flight and I do not understand it. What is worse a white person with attitude or a fellow Latino trying to sell drugs to your 12 year old son? This is not Eurocentric, this is Chicago and it goes back to assuming you know about people based on the color of their skin. If you value history so much let's just go back before the white flight happened and bring back the Norwegians who built the park in 1900. Von Humboldt. Why because the PRs are in it now does it all of a sudden belong to them. If you truly value history then it's not your neighborhood either. Hell let's go back to the Native Americans and give it back to them. Read the history of the neighborhood and you will see how this has happened since 1900. How do you think the people felt when they had to leave the area when the drugs came in? They had to sell, take a loss on their homes and hope they found a better life elsewhere. They couldn't stop it. I have much less pity seeing the drugs and violence move out than for the folks who were here before it moved in. If the violence can leave and the PRs and everyone else who wants to stay can do so then nobody should have issues. It is the violence that bothers most people. I don't think this type of nirvana is possible though. It is just not reality. NIKKI: 19th Aug 2005 - 19:47 GMT ok - i'm moving to cortland and drake in a couple of weeks - is it really that bad? i was excited to move there until i came across this website... should i be worried? :) BaByDoll: 22nd Aug 2005 - 03:11 GMT I lived in many places during my lifetime and I think by far Humbolt Park has to be one of the best...I never lived there but my best friend does and she is a raw ass person...She has learned alot from wut shes been through...but now her brothers are goin down the wrong road but they'll learn...We need to stop all this gang shit.....Be EaSy..~~ Confused to Nikki: 22nd Aug 2005 - 15:32 GMT Nikki - be worried, but also understand that the majority of folks in the neighborhood would wish this gang stuff would go away. Be worried but be smart, do not go out past 11. Get to know your good neighbors, they will look out for you. If you go out late, take a cab home and ask the driver to wait for you to get in your house. The majority of the issues in the neighborhood revolve around gangs and drugs and both are mostly avoidable. If you're walking and see an issue ahead of you, cross the street. Be aware of where you are at all times. Respect your neighbors and they will respect you. Talk to them, introduce yourself and help each other out. My first night in our house at 3 a.m. a girl got shot twice not far from our house. There were 5 shots and two connected. I have a family and was wondering what we were getting into. There has been one gang fight Beach/Spaulding at 1:30 in the afternoon last week but little in terms of violence in the past year. A few fist fights after hours but as long as they all take their shirts off for the fight, it stays pretty clean - no knives or guns just fists. The cops just let them hammer it out and lose steam beating each other up. Our garage got broken into but nothing was taken since there was nothing to take. Mostly the rule is to stay out of their business and they will do their best to stay out of yours. They don't want to cause you trouble and then have you call the cops 10 times a day because the cops will show up 10 times a day if you call them. The neighborhood is a high priority for the police and they do respond quickly when you call. When you drive by and the dealers start yelling weed, weed, weed just look straight ahead and turn up the music so your Mom doesn't hear that they are trying to sell you some drugs. Depending on what you look like they will know you're not interested in their business and will leave you alone. Buy some pepper spray for the loose dogs - there are lots of unleashed pit bulls in the area and I don't care how friendly their owner says they are I don't want to find out if they are wrong. The homes are improving and the neighborhood is too. Add something and you'll get something in return. There are lots of community programs, and twice of year they have a volunteer program to clean the park. Participate, take part in your community meetings, volunteer and learn about what is going on then make a decision on whether or not you've made a mistake. NIKKI: 23rd Aug 2005 - 16:05 GMT thanks for the advice 'confused'. i've driven through the neighborhood at different times and different days and i really haven't seen anything too bad... a few little punks walking around on occasion, but that's about it. i have seen police presence there and i'm happy for that. it's nice to see that the area is patrolled regularly. as for these pit bulls - oh my goodness. i'll look out for them - especially since i have dogs of my own that i'll have to walk. anyway, thanks again. i guess we'll be neighbors soon! Peter: 23rd Aug 2005 - 16:09 GMT unfortunately (both for us and the untended dogs) that pit bull problem seems to be somewhat universal... i've heard very similar gripes here in brooklyn... Sharina: 31st Aug 2005 - 17:03 GMT I used to live in the Humbolt Park area for most of my life in a Disciple neighborhood. I used to think the gang life was cool, but now that I've moved and matured I see things differently now. When I look into my sons eyes I'm glad I made a change. I can't imagine my son growing up in an area where he has a chance to be in a gang. I remember being harassed by gangs and my brother being harassed and beaten up just for walking on some gangs territory. I miss all the friends I had in Chicago but I do not miss the violence. A peice of my heart remains in Chicago with all the good memories. mari: 7th Sep 2005 - 01:17 GMT hey, umm my friend is in the alkqn and i was wondering if theres anyway to leave the alkqn, because he already ogt blessed, but i was wondering if he can still leave, if you can tell me yes or no, please do so, and email me at irockasss@aim.com Peter: 7th Sep 2005 - 14:09 GMT id imagine that first, hed have to want to leave, which it doesnt sound like he does, or he wouldnt be so deep into it. dynasty: 10th Sep 2005 - 16:50 GMT look it dont matter who live in HP white,black.hispanic all it matter iz how they are well sept for dem PIGZ. i dont live by HP but when i hear bout these stories bout lil kidz dieing i just think wat if i lived there and sumone died who i luv and care bout. GANGs, DRUGs, gunz, how iz all these things helping us NOT anyway that i know of. but just imagine if or if u ARE a father or a mother and ur kid died which they had nothing 2 do with it and then later on sumone goes 2 ur house and tell u bout da bad news bout ur child and u CANT od nothing about it.sept for thinking about that u wished u were there with himor her and why this had 2 happen now. ilive by RIS park and things aint good here either like a guy named ernestaka SWIFT now everybody says he waz a koo ass guy 2 hangout with and shit and his younger brother BOW WOW is in jail for life and the thing that makes me sad is that he doesnt know that his older brother died.ernest. and he ant do anything about it at ALL sept for thinking all the good times they couldve have had if he wasnt dead and if he hadnt gone 2 jail. ernset was killed on marmora and fully by sum gangsterz in a van. ernest waz with his gang(mk). and they were laughing having a good time until a van had approach him and had shot him three times in the head and 2 times in the body. well i guess what im saying is be with the ppl who u luv be4 sumthing bad happens and think be4 ur action like BOW wow. dynasty: 10th Sep 2005 - 17:07 GMT da more i think bout all da ppl i heard bout ppl who had died i just wished there werent gangs at all unless they HELP the community. like another example of a girl named dezorie now people had LOVED this gurl. she was a good student and a nice person 2 be with and hangout out with. well one day she waz hangin out with her BF which was an OA and they were hangin out with with some other OAz and they were in front of a house just hangin out having fun. later on a van had passed by and the OAz had screamed out Dblank the van had stopped and then like 2 guyz had came out and started shootng them. as soon as they did that DEZORIE had tried 2 run but sadly they had shotten her in the head. BUT someppl are saying is that her BF had used her as shield and and ran 2 but as he did that she died.DEZORIE R.I.P. it just makes me mad how if he had done that just think that he TRULY didnt luv her and had her life tooken away. if they hadnt screamed out 2 the van DEZORIE wouldve still be here breathnig next 2 her family saying that she loves them and that she wishes nothing happens 2 them but now she doesnt have the chance 2 ne more. So if ur in a gang just make sure u make ur parents know that u luv them and u do ne thing for them. Chino: 14th Sep 2005 - 02:16 GMT Gangs you ant s#!t with out your followers. What's a man? A man to stand up for your hood your block. What's a gang sing? A bunch of fingers going in the air, you fools. That's not what you die for. You die from stupidity. Honnor yourself before you honnor your fingers. I was raised in the heart of Humboldt Park, the grimes. I had to learn the hard way. The way of death and darkness of my mistakes. Humboldt Park is worth money know a days. When I was raised in the 80's to late 90's. The rent in the park was so cheap. 2 bed room apartment for 200$ know 1000$ for 1 bed room a nice one not a dump.Think about money not fingers. Your fingers aren't going to pay the bills. Your fingers won't put 22Z on you truck. Money,money,MONEY is what i'm about these days. Chino: 14th Sep 2005 - 02:25 GMT gotta love my paper.Respect to all the figthing souls of my wonderfull Humboldt park. Keep the struggle. And to all youth out in the park, focus your talent on something else besides a group of walking death traps. OLd school folks and old school brothers it's been a "HELL"of a ride. Help change our young souls and don't let then see the violecne and bloody ass s#!t we seen in the 80's and 90's. ONE LOVE TO ALL MY LOST SOULS!!! historian: 19th Sep 2005 - 01:31 GMT I find it interesting that mexicans, puerto ricans etc call themselves latinos and latinas. What does this term mean? To be a Latino is to come from a Latin country, Central or South America. Who were the original inhabitants of the latin countries? Native Americans!, Incas, Mexicas(Aztecs), Mayans etc.. Conquered in main part by disease and Spanish Conquistidores. So to be a Latino or Latina you would be either a pure blood native american or a mestizo which would be a half breed of European Spain and the local native population. Where am I going with this, well people from Latin countries are definetly Americans, they share European blood with their "white" cousins and really everyone is interconnected and should really be trying to help each other and get along. Life is too short, Latinos and Latinas are basically people from South and Central America. Young Father: 28th Sep 2005 - 20:09 GMT Disinvestment created HP... Gangs are an old relic idea thats past its time...Puerto Ricans were nieve country people that got consumed and spit out by American city life......HP will become Lincoln Park in the next decade ....Lincoln Park used to look like Spanish Harlem.....If you have the money to pay the property taxes then the city says you have to upgrade your wiring or do some other type of repair......City officials are the only true real gangsters of Chicago - always have been.....Brown people will transend sooner or later. Confused: 4th Oct 2005 - 23:59 GMT I have to disagree with gangs being a relic. As long as people continue to have children who they either didn't want in the first place or weren't mature enough to take care of and sacrifice everything for, gangs will always be around. They offer protection, brotherhood and a sense of self that kids do not always get from home. "I got your back if you got mine. I hate my Mom, my Dad my Papa and Momma, yes me too homey." This kind of stuff will always be around. king mario : 5th Oct 2005 - 00:18 GMT adr adc to you all i am a latin king from humboldt park chicago the mother land the latin king are not a gang but a nation if you all look the latin kings have done a lot of good for ever one if you look hte cops keep tell ever one that the latin kings are a gang we are not a gang and we wear never a gang but a nation filled with love amor de rey to you all i wish ever onE would stop sayin that the A.L.K.N AND THE A.L.K.Q.N. AND THE A.L.K.Q.C.N. AND THE B.L.K.N. WAS A GANG WE ARE NOT 4.2.3. 4.2.4 ADR ADC TO YOU ALL KING LOVE OR NO LOVE Luis : 5th Oct 2005 - 03:44 GMT First of all I would like to say that I am a proud Puerto rican/ mexican american and I would like to send a message to all my hispanic/latino people that we all need to UNITE these american born whites and blacks think they that run shit even black people from america arent any better then us they live in the rundown projects we live in go to the same schools.tey are better then hispanics just becuase some of us can't speak english or live in unpoverished areas... another thing that has really been pissing me off is how stupid ass ignorant white people say "how are mexicans and puerto ricans born in the US latinos/latinas"? well for one you treat us with disrepect using them terms "wetback" or "go back to your country"so ot kinda forces us to unite and come together other then being some plain cracker we have flavor and attitudes and a whole other language that we speak so we arent what you want us to be which is plain boring white... we have latino bloodlines and have latino names fucking idiots... white people just want credit for everything and want the whole world to be white which is not gonna happen... yes I know that with me being puerto rican that I have native spainard blood in my system but I also have african blood and indian blood and as so for my mexican side so witht hat being said how am I not latino I speak spanish I have a mix of all those qualities so tell me again how am I not latino??? you have no idea how it is growing up in our neighborhoods where there is so much pride and love for being what you are latinos are the most proud people and that will never change... I love humboldt park and the vibe I got when I there for the 1st time it was for the 2005 puerto rican day parade I felt like I was "finally at home"... and I knew that my fellow puerto ricans felt the same way... I know this becuase when I went there I went with 3guys whose whole objectives where to try to get some of the "fine puerto rican girls" they were all black and they in a way used to me find conversation to even talk to these girls, I mean even when I was there would say things like "I dont like the puerto rican guys just the girls" and I would judt give thme this look but I kept going on well to put a long story short the car I was in got hit while we in there they hit everyone in there except me becsause they obviously saw I was puerto rican with my shirt and headband with the flag on it I even heard one of the guys say I cant hit him he's puerto rican and we need more unity like this... for those other guys in the car fuck you and you got what you deserved you cannot just down our race but yet try to get with our women... UNTIE ALL HISPANIC LATINOS boring white: 5th Oct 2005 - 20:15 GMT HMMM... I think I find those statements as offensive as any other racial comments. You don't know or want to know for that matter the struggles of the Irish Catholics who built this city from hard labor that broke their backs. Everyone wants respect but they have to earn it. My mother came to this country from Europe not speaking ANY English but realized that... well... this IS an English speaking country. Educate yourselves people... this is the land of opportunity and you can waste all your time making excuses for your short comings while you let opportunity pass you by. I grew up poor and I went to school (through government loans) and paid back every red cent. I didn't ask for a hand out. Be proud of who you are... yes I think that is a good quality but have the dignity and respect to make others proud of you. If you want to help your people... get an education, learn english and help others to do the same! Young Father: 6th Oct 2005 - 15:10 GMT Im straight up Latin to the bone. I dont show it through logos, clothing, chants, etc, etc. I let it show itself as a result of reading, travels, music, learning, worship, and everyday life experience. Im not waiting for any opportunites to come my way. Im doing my thing to create my own opportunities. After being on earth for more than thirty-something years I learned a thing or two. Number one - Quality of Life is what I seek for myself and my family. Number two - Ill let everyone else argue about race and color......Im more concerned about how deep or shallow you are. Dont be an intellectual caveman......Represent. And yes gangs are an old relic idea from the 40s and 50s for protection from cavemen white cops and punks. You wanna impress someone? Incorporate and help residents with their properties, keep crime rates down, make sure everyone gets paid a fair share of the profits from drug sales, start a zero tolerance zone around your kids' schools, etc. Think small - youll be small Confused: 6th Oct 2005 - 16:12 GMT Did I get that right? "make sure everyone gets paid a fair share of the profits from drug sales." Young Father: 8th Oct 2005 - 04:19 GMT Id rather not school you on the hierarchy of who gets paid what and who does the most work..read it and weep. Confused: 8th Oct 2005 - 16:12 GMT Please school me. I am not wheeping about anything just not understanding. I understand the pyramid of life and managment structures, gang hierarchy etc... but I am just not sure where to go to get the profits for the drugs sold on my street. Puertorican Nena: 12th Oct 2005 - 19:21 GMT This comment is to Historian who commented on the "true" definition of a latino(a), which I looked up and have retrieved this definition: La·ti·no NOUN: pl. La·ti·nos A Latin American. A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States. I'm sure there are many definitions out there but I know what I am, and that is all that matters. Many of us do not come from Latin Countries but we are Latinos. For instance a puertorican is made up of three nationalites, spaniard, taino(indian tribe), and black. I don't believe that there is single person out there in the world that are truly one nationality. We are mixed! Many of us were not even born in the place what we are named after. I wasn't! Does that not make me Puertorican? Peanut Gallery: 13th Oct 2005 - 16:40 GMT It's nice that you looked it up for everyone but a definition is kind of a fluid thing and many times it takes a while for the dictionary to catch up to the street or real life. Each year the folks at Webster sit around and vote deciding whether or not to add new words to the dictionary. In most situations people have adopted words to mean different things, just like I am sure the street was calling Latinos Latinos long before it made it to the dictionary. My point, if everyone in Chicago knows what Latino means it shouldn't have to be in a book to have relevance. If you live life in a book or live by so called definitions of life dictated by a book, you'll never experience life. And it would be tough to sleep inside of a book. I like my bed myself. Maybe someday MoFo will be in the dictionary. Because it isn't in the dictionary today doesn't mean everyone in Humboldt Park is fuzzy on what it means. Everyone knows. Can we find the origins of MoFo? It doesn't sound French to me, maybe Italian. STripesA4: 18th Oct 2005 - 01:05 GMT i wish he got out ion a month the kings need to get back to how they were, unifed and powerful. ted357: 18th Oct 2005 - 02:35 GMT Ya'll crazy to an extent. I'm moving to HP soon. I'm moving because I can't afford no other shit on the north side. I'm a white boy from the south side. Damn, I understand some of this shit about yuppies, but what the fuck? So now I'm gonna be grouped into some shit I aint a part of? That's fucked up and that's the same shit the motherfuckers do to YOU. I aint no yuppie, I just want to live north. I'm sick of the south side and I don't want that shit no more. I just need a place to chill and live. I'm not trying to make some kind of stupid white boy stand, I just want to live in the hood and be left alone. Don't look at me and disrespect me because I'm white. That's bullshit, just like all these white racist assholes... same shit, different color. When are you going to learn that this bullshit hits some whites too? When are you going to wake up and realize that a lot of us are in the same damn boat. We aint no different. I have much respect for good people. You can be into the gang shit and that's cool. Just respect. I've seen good and bad at ALL levels of society. I know enough to know that the differences the media puts on people is bullshit. I've seen crooked cops and crooked bangers. You know what I'm saying... Y'all need to promote the latin culture, it's a good thing. Just don't do this crap where you justify the violence man, that's bullshit. Stop the killing of innocents. I've been to south america (yeah, I know it aint pr or mexico - you get the point if youve been) and that thinking among some people in some areas is wrong. You can't tolerate kids or innocents gettin killed for nothin. You gotta stand up and STOP that shit. That aint got nothin to do with pride of race, that's got to do with being decent human beings. Fuck that shit. Wake up and unite for the good of the community. Drugs? I aint talkin about that.. I'm talking about the BS rapes and killing.... stop that shit. I give respects to the King Nation, they could stop this shit. Do it. Stop this shit. Work together and stop it. Show your power the way that you believe in, the way it was meant to be. Don't defend this bullshit, take care of your shit in house. That way, the cops are out of the picture. They don't give a fuck anyway, they think you're all pieces of shit. You think they (some of them) care if your sister gets waxed? Hells no, thats one less ghetto bitch they gotta worry about. Humboldt park has a chance. The wild 100's aint got no chance. You should be thinkin about how you can help the hood with the influx of these yuppies... you think we got a chance out south? A chance for what??? Aint no montherfuckers with money moving out here! Damn, that would be some nice shit! Maybe the cops would actually give a fuck! Think about it! You got the opportunity! Damn! Move out this way and then you tell me about being kicked to the curb by society... damn.... you think you got forgotten... how about a whole enire side of a city thats known for "niggers", "white trash", and "spics"? WTF?! That's us, ALL of us. Forgotten. Shit, I don't even think habitat for humanity comes out this way... it's like we're not even on the damn map!!! (and I aint talkin about some near south side... try roseland, dalton.... never heard of em? yeah, I thought so - the ignored and forgotten of chicago, no immigrants, just poor ass bastards left to rot while other parts of the city get all these white boy do-gooders... shit...) Y'all bitch about this shit, but at the same time you're not thinkin right. This could be a great opportunity for the hood. Just make sure you use your politics to keep it real, thats all. Anyway, hopefully I don't get whacked out there. I'll be there soon. I aint about no shit so I shouldnt have any problems. I give respect, just give a little respect back to the white boy that, like you, aint got no choice. Just bein' real. No offense to anyone. Much respect, Peace, & Love, T Whites in HP: 20th Oct 2005 - 14:43 GMT I am white and have been living in HP for two years and I have not had one issue. I have seen others duke it out or get shot but that is because of the crowds they run with, nothing good happens on the streets after 10 p.m. so if you mind your own business and stay out of their way they would rather not bother you. Work during the day, enjoy the park after work, and enjoy your late evenings in your home. If you're looking to get involved with them then I would assume that is another story. If you don't bother them they won't bother you. Everyone is pretty nice and will say 'sup if you say hello. I am clearly not a gang banger and am approaching my late 30's so I know they don't think I am there to get in their business, just live my life. Beware of the mice, they are very smart and the rats are the size of cats so make sure you don't cross them either. Welcome. To all those afraid that whites are in a conspiracy to overtake HP, all my friends still think I am crazy for living in HP. I do not call them on the phone and encourage them to move in the neighborhood. I do not invite them over either, the neighborhood can be a little scary at times and I am not talking about Halloween scary. When the day comes that they say that is a great place to live then that will probably be the day I cannot afford it either and will move. Boring White: 20th Oct 2005 - 17:58 GMT To "Whites in HP" I too live in HP and agree that if you mind your own business, most will not bother you. With that said, I feel that it is my neighborhood too (I pay taxes) and I invite my friends over. I am not going to be a shut-in because of the "scary neighborhood". It's not that scary...go down to Englewood and we can talk scary. I have issues with others not respecting property. You don't own the title to my land/house, that means you don't own it. If I don't invite you over don't loiter on my property and furthermore don't litter or think my garage is a place to bounce your ball against. I am shocked at the lack of common decency that people in the neighborhood have for others, their property, and themselves. Throwing garbage around?... you want to live like that go pitch a tent in a landfill. End of rant! Shortie: 20th Oct 2005 - 18:16 GMT Wow man all i can say is ther are alot of racisis people in here.. we all Latin American people it's a shame we can't get a long. I've only been on dis web site for 2 days and all i herd was folk killa dis and king luv that...do you know how stupid you sound. I might have only lived in Humboldt park for 14yrs but. All you people think about is how bad it is and you dont realize the good...dats pretty fucked up...man dis shyt is soo stupid i dont evn know..what to tell all ya'll.. Peter: 20th Oct 2005 - 18:18 GMT theres a TON more to "dis web site" than just gangs/HP/racism. take a look around. this is one of thousands of posts that all cover very different topics. Boo: 21st Oct 2005 - 05:21 GMT Fuck ppls... whats with the rasicm? We're all just fucking people, you rip out your damn skin and we got the same insides. jeeff: except women have ovaries. Dr Kevorkian-Garcia: 22nd Oct 2005 - 14:57 GMT That is why the women have been saying for years - we're all pink inside sailor. king love lady : 23rd Oct 2005 - 04:54 GMT i've read both those books my bloody life and once a king always a king.i live down here in mia and too me that that kid went thru alot of shyt from bein beating to being homelss from beig raped at the age of 5 till the age of 13 were his was molested by a 35 yeared were he lost his viginity from using drugs and joing the l.k nation to eventually getting locked up 4 about 2 years or so ....none of you can really say much about gangs weither your in one and not most gangmembers go tho th say suffering as reymundo did. After reading he book i belive dat he who lation against lation shyt is out of hand its tru we should stick together if its that we have a problem with each ither thn itt should be with each other inacent people getting hurt for i'll issuses isnt right ..and about humboldt park cant say much about excpt 4 wat i herd its supposably not such a good place to live in bt that depends on your way of life just becareeful.....king love ..... Ashamed of all!!: 26th Oct 2005 - 23:38 GMT I just want to say that everyhting I have read here, has made me very ashamed.. I'm glad that they are imporving Humboldt Park, weather its through whites moving in or not.. Because all the ignorance I have seen on this site shows what my daughter has to look forward to.. Im cool fuck all the gangs. get a life, educate yourself and fuck fight on your own with out guns and groups.. Christina: You guys are all funny. jack: 3rd Nov 2005 - 04:02 GMT and these people vote. take you rican flags and go back. you know why you have those things with crowns on it in the back of you cars, its because of the odor. HP Neighbor: 3rd Nov 2005 - 20:02 GMT All of these complaints... I didn't see too many people at the CAPS Meeting last night. Don't complain about how bad your neighborhood is if you're not willing to do something to change it. Sure - keep to yourself and hope nobody bothers you. It only takes an instant for the same gangbangers that are standing around "not bothering you" to pull out a gun and you're caught in the crossfire. Don't fool yourselves. Take a stand. Stop hiding behind message boards. Get out and make a difference. The next CAPS Meeting is December 7th. boring white: 3rd Nov 2005 - 22:42 GMT HP neighbor... Where is the location? Does it really help? I have heard conflicting information such that the dealers go to find out who you are if you cause them trouble. Does the alderman attend? Does he really care? Your input is greatly appreciated. SadStateOfAffairs: 4th Nov 2005 - 15:29 GMT CAPS meetings are helpful. You hear first hand from the police and the neighors what is really going on and what they are doing to try and help. I've attended the CAPS meetings - I will give them credit for doing something and no we did not get hassled for attending. It was good to meet the neighborhood police and hear from them exactly what is going on in the neighborhood. Also hearing the stories of how to help was also helpful. It is helpful when the police let you know that 55 bad criminal folks who went to jail will be soon back in the neighborhood because they served their sentences in jail. That was helpful information. What do you do then? The biggest help in the neighborhood has been the blue light. If it was the CAPS group that got that installed then I applaud them. It slowed down the drug traffic on Spaulding and Beach and things seemed to have calmed down. You can say what you want about the police but I for once feel like my tax dollars are being put to good use, they are making big efforts and it shows. I have no way of knowing when CAPS meetings are. Do they have a website? I used to get a flyer letting me know when the meetings are to be held. I have not seen a flyer in a while. I have received lots of menus, and offers to re-do my roof however. Regarding keeping out of the dealers way - that does not mean that I am not doing anything, I clean the park all of the time etc...and if I don't invite friends over to the house it is because the neighborhood is not safe. Read this site and tell me differently. Because I choose to live in the neighborhood does not mean my friends have made the same decision. If anything should happen while they visit me, who is to blame? Who is responsible? Until the drugs leave the area or it gets safer, this is the smart and safe thing to do. It is reality. Ask the police how safe the neighborhood is and they will tell you why they moved away even though they grew up there. It is getting better though..... With efforts from the police, CAPS and strong families things will change. Peter: 4th Nov 2005 - 16:01 GMT wow, this thread gets more and more interesting every day! Open your eyes a little wider: 5th Nov 2005 - 19:32 GMT This forum definitely is an interesting one. I just want to let people who read this forum know something though. I had written a post on the 30th of October and submitted it and it went up like usual. My post was somewhat different from the average posts on this website though. It was about understanding why gangs form in a gerneral sense. Some of the points were about what type of people end up becoming devoted gang member and how they weren't originally people who can just be condemned as bad individuals. I also pointed out the potential of gangs across Chicago and the actual power they hold, but they have a lack of direction so the power is usually wasted. The point of this post now, is to say that the post I put up on the 30th had been removed within two days when I checked back to see if any wrote anything in response. This is extremely crazy, because what I wrote had nothing to do with promoting gang lifestyles or insane activity, but simply expressing some simple realities of the potentials of Chicago's gang population. The bad part about this is, people can put up extremely racist comments and gang rhetoric and display predjudice but my post gets censored because the truth is scary. Obviously whoever runs this post is not a gang member because most gang members would have a hard time rising to the leves in society to where thwy could spend their time studying computers and web design (I'm not trying to say that a gang member can't make the same achievements as everyone else, just that statistically only very few could do so, anyways...) My point is, my original was directed towards gang members to recognize their situation and I tried to provide an example of how they may have to start thinking if they want to pull themselves and their future generations out of this life style. Obviously, someone didn't like what I was saying and they removed my post, maybe because it presented too much powere to gang members simply through words (and yet comments of racism remain on this post). I liked this forum when I first read it, and thought it was insightful, but the fact that my post was removed was further proof of why gangs exhist and why people remain in twisted sections of society. If my post was felt to have been so dangerous (which I can admit that it might of been seen as such because I tried to show some truths about society, not dangerous in the sense of inciting racism and stupid dangers like that), and if my post was censored, I wonder if someone has now tried to track my IP address now. (Well, that comment is starting lean towards some conspiracy theory B.S., but the sad fact, is this is the reality of what our world is becoming.) I'm not sure if this post will get taken down like my first or if it will stay up. I don't know what to hope for, but I do need to try and let people now about these small details that amount to a larger picture. I can only hope that people learn to understand other peoples view points that way it becomes more possible for people to work together and in the end, become stronger as individuals. Open your eyes a little wider: 5th Nov 2005 - 19:41 GMT I just read this on this web pages main page talking about this sites purpose. After reading it, what I wrote becomes even more odd. Just wanted to let you all know what's up (oh, and sorry for all the mispellings and left out words in the post above, I was trying to trpe kind of fast). Citynoise.org: a public photoblog where people with a love for the urban form, modern world, or a general appreciation of their environment gather to post stories, narratives and often upload photos of their favourite cities, hometowns, travels, or current locations. Feel free to post anything you'd like, or get in touch if you'd rather submit via email. Any and all submissions are welcome; people have posted on a variety of topics, ranging from their uncle's Wisconsin farm to abandoned cars in Brooklyn to graffiti; its all fair game! jeeff: 5th Nov 2005 - 22:41 GMT i don't know why your post disappeared. there have been complaints about this before, but it seems almost random. whatever the reason, i'd like to get to the bottom of it. i also think that we need to sit down and write a more comprehensive FAQ regarding the site, its purpose, and its rules/conventions. other sites have used the FAQ as a community-building exercise - requesting submissions from everyone and using them to build the final document. in my experience this gives good results. but in order to do cooperative things like this, we need a place to talk about it. i think a livejournal community would be a good idea because many of the regulars here are on livejournal already and it's separate from citynoise itself (allowing citynoise to stay focused). if we had a forum for it, i'd be happy to start the ball rolling. Wide Eye: 6th Nov 2005 - 19:55 GMT I want to say that I appreciate your response to my concerns, jeef. I understand that it is possible that there are computer errors. It is just very odd that my post disappeared after it definitely was posted for at least a day. The other odd thing is the swiftness of your reply...Are you an administrator for this website?, to speak on such conditions about the disappearences of posts. If you are, that raises another question. If you are an administrator for this website, with all of the posts that this website has, how is it that you replied to my message within exactly two hours of me posting it? Does this website have people whose only duty is to monitor the posts to see what they write. The thing is, my firs post was up for at least a day before it was removed, because I checked back a day later from another computer and it was there. There was also a post following the first one that I had submitted, which was submitted by someone called "barry". This post did not have any words, I think thay just wrote their name in the comments box but didn't write any comment, but pressed enter. I'm not saying that this person barry has any affiliation with anything. I hope that person comes back to this website and reads these posts, and confirm that the first post I am writing about did exist. So, I am realy wondering how it is that an administrator replied so quickly to my comments on this forum when my post was directed at the general audience. I sincerely hope that it is just a matter of my post "disappearing". I do appreciate your response if it is genuine, but I hope that you can also understand my concern, especially in these times that people have been scared into self-censorship. Wide Eye: 6th Nov 2005 - 20:03 GMT Ok, my math was bad, you replied in three hours. jeeff: 6th Nov 2005 - 21:46 GMT ha, don't get all paranoid. remember, this site exists as an open forum because of the efforts of the admins, and i know that it's not easy to keep up with the spam/trolling/hacking attempts that citynoise attracts. i see no reason why they'd be interested in censoring legitimate comments, since they do want the site to succeed. i'm just a frequent user here, tho i try to help out as much as possible. i visit the site a few times each day and i surf from the "recent comments" page so i see all comments in a list according to time posted. the comment threads on this site often move quite quickly. barry's another return visitor of citynoise. my guess is that he probably posted an empty comment after yours by accident and the admins of the site accidentally deleted yours as well. still, it would be nice to hear from them. Corporal Diaz U.S.M.C.: 7th Nov 2005 - 04:01 GMT Some time has gone by since I first laid my thoughts on this forum. I can see nothing has changed sine I left Humboldt park. And to some degree it saddens me, but it does not surprise me. I did a little research over some time to better understand the reason for the current status of Hispanic peoples in large urban areas. I know that there are no such thing as pure Puerto Ricans any more, they were Arawak Indians known as Taínos on the island before the Spaniards arrived and started killing them off by disease, or other violent more human means. What was left was mixed into the population of the black slaves and Spanish people and that is where today’s Puerto Rican comes from. I’m pretty sure some people will not accept that but it’s true. I read all this garbage about unity, protecting the community, and showing a good example for the youth but we all know words don’t mean anything. Some people don’t know that and just throw profanity all over this page. Hispanics now have the number to be a political majority but they won’t realize it until some time after my life is over. I read all this about change but I see nothing done about it. Do you think the African American people got their civil rights by drive-by’s, gang banging and selling each other drugs? I thought it was more like passive resistance, peaceful demonstrations, non-violent sit-ins, and taking the matter to the highest court and proving to the world that the white majority was denying them of their rights as human beings. I have read that some people are trying to take the right steps so the next generation might have a chance, but you can’t help some one if you can’t help yourself. What good is telling a child not to be in a gang when a car rolls by and you throw up the “crown”? There are problems everywhere but what are you doing to fix them? When you’re on your deathbed all the money, drugs, and “amor del rey” won’t matter. What will matter and the only thing you will have left if you’re lucky enough is the memories of the life that you know longer have. Some of these entries stir up old feelings about parts of my life that I try to forget. There is no nation. There is no gang recognized by the city of Chicago as positive force. Let us not forget little Miguel caught up in the middle of all this ugliness. Rest in peace brother you are not forgotten. Your life and the lives of others killed in this nonsense have saved mine. Thank you. “it only takes a single voice in the darkness to start a revolution…” Editor:: 7th Nov 2005 - 19:45 GMT wide eye: there are a few editors, so sometimes its hard to tell who did what. but odds are, if your ocmment got deleted, it was because it had little value- as in, all it was was "trash talk", insults, pointless bad/aggressive language, etc. if that's not the case and it was deleted, i assure you it was by accident. there is very little deletion of ocmments here, but occasionally it happens, say, when some gangbanger comes in and posts 50 comments in a row about how whatever set he claims is better than the next... you see, if we keep all those comments, google picks them up, and then more people find the site searching for those gang names, then they come in and talk more shit, etc... the next thing you know, our site is over-run by hundreds of pointless gang-comment-posts a day. its happened before. its why i cant name the gangs in this comment. or theyll find it, surf into this entry, and this interesting thread will digress into a 500+ comment-fest as to which gang is best. see this entry for a perfect example of what im talking about. sorry. we hope you keep participating. and as long as all your comments are intellectually sound, and are even vaguely worth reading, i assure you they'll remain on here :) My Dreams have Nightmares: 12th Nov 2005 - 05:54 GMT The hints have been getting stronger and stronger. The images on the television are coming in nonstop. Natural disasters around the globe are more fierce than ever. Diseases spreading like wildfire. WE ARE ALL IN FOR IT.......Many confused human beings are claiming false names - for false power. We are living in hell.......HE will be here very soon............ SadStateOfAffairs: 14th Nov 2005 - 15:41 GMT The images on the television and in the media are there to create fear and sell newspapers. What sells more newpapers, A) The world is coming to an end!!! B) Just another normal weekend in Chicago with some unusually warm weather? Ho hum. If you are having nightmares I can refer you to some good physicians in Chicago. I did have a nightmare the other night. My yard was filled with Mc Donald's wrappers, malt liquor bottles, and about 10 old La Raza newspapers. In fact my whole neighborhood had crap all over because people just throw things in your yard when the garbage really belongs in the garbage can. And I saw this beautiful park with a gorgeous lagoon, beautiful buildings, grass hills and lots of kids playing and they are all rolling around in this garbage. Wait, that isn't a nightmare, it's reality. Go preach somewhere else. In the meantime do something useful with your time and pick up some garbage. Praise The Lord (Jehovah) My God The Only True King of Kings: 14th Nov 2005 - 16:09 GMT 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. boring white: 14th Nov 2005 - 19:35 GMT I agree with Sad State of Affairs... Pick up your garbage, who wants to live in filth? or see it for that matter and have their children play in it? Please "Praise the Lord" go find an appropriate website for those who believe in your rhetoric. If I want to hear about the "Lord" I'll go to my local house of worship...this isn't the place! DELETE ME: 15th Nov 2005 - 14:27 GMT How come people are allowed to put up the most ignorant selfish low life statements that make a race of people look really bad and I cant put up statement to spoof them? Do you realize that spoofing someone sends a message to them that they may not otherwise see? Please stop deleting statements!!!! City Silence: 15th Nov 2005 - 14:30 GMT I think there's a quota on intelligent statements. The rest can be as dumb as possible. Why? Editor:: 15th Nov 2005 - 14:33 GMT sorry. any coment which pointedly calls someone a "nigger" will be deleted. whether intended as spoofing or not, its just not cool. and its definitely not intelligent. Chris Alvarez: 15th Nov 2005 - 18:02 GMT is there anyone out there that would like to help me research humboldt Park neighborhood? I need help. I am doing an ethnoggraphy on the people that live there. I want to know what the people are all about, and how the majority think. Please contact me through my email address thebodybuilders1@yahoo.com It will really be a lot of help. I am giving a presentation in a few weeks on it. (columbia college) So if you want to help me show Humboldt Park to more people come help me. WOW: 15th Nov 2005 - 18:52 GMT This is amazing every one here is too cool for GOD, LOsers: a life without GOD is empty WOW: a sinner runs without any one chasing him jeeff: 15th Nov 2005 - 19:20 GMT a biblethumper preaches without anyone wanting him to. jeeff: 15th Nov 2005 - 21:17 GMT ps. no offense to the average christian, i define 'biblethumper' narrowly as a christian who doesn't respect the beliefs of others. WOW: 15th Nov 2005 - 21:36 GMT yeah your right let me just start critizing everyone and swearing F# this F# thats the only way i guess im going to make a difference F# and F# and o yeah F###. Do you respect my thoughts now. I respect what everyone has to say here. i may not agree but everyone has there own opinion. forgive if i may have offended anyone that was not my intention. GOD BLESS EVERYONE. Late Comer: 15th Nov 2005 - 22:07 GMT All I know is some poor kid got shot by a bullet someone loaded into a gun probably bought on the street and used in Humboldt Park jeeff: wow: yes, i respect that much more. ;) Thank You: Making Music in Humboldt Park Peter: 16th Nov 2005 - 14:20 GMT wow: i think theres a happy medium somewhere between quoting scripture and saying "fuck this" or "fuck that", you know? Thank You: 16th Nov 2005 - 14:36 GMT It takes someone with balls to quote scripture. Mans indifference to his creator will be his downfall day after day. Fine - your above GOD but dont disrespect someones blog because of it. Just dont say anything..... Peter: 16th Nov 2005 - 14:54 GMT Thank You: i am neither indifferent to god nor am i above god. thats a mighty big (and off-topic, i must add) assumption to make. people are as passionate about many things, just as you are for god. if respect is the issue, as you say, i might urge you to respect that not everyone holds your same ideals. shouting your beliefs in this forum, especially when they really have little to do with the topic being discussed, could easily be misconstrued as disrespect also. lets move on. tell us something about humbolt park, or move on to another topic to which you can contribute some useful duscussion. Darwin8: 16th Nov 2005 - 15:22 GMT hands up who believes in evolution? if not then you'll be happy to know that as evolution doesn't exist, then the bird flu virus will not evolve to becoming transmissable human to human ths killing millions. so thats good. Peter: 16th Nov 2005 - 16:08 GMT can we please keep this thread on the topic of humboldt park? thanks :) SadStateOfAffairs: 16th Nov 2005 - 17:03 GMT As my wise old mother said to me many years ago, there is a time and a place for everything. The church is the place to preach the gospel and this is a forum for the neighorhood. If my brother were gay and I believed in gay rights because I love my brother then I would support and fight for them in the appropriate ways at the appropriate places. I wouldn't post here for support in a totally unrelated subject. You may believe its your duty to save me but that is your belief not mine. To the person looking at doing research on Humboldt Park and its inhabitants I normally would suggest the park. On any given day the same set of individuals meets on the park benches near the National Guard armory. There are about 20 of them or so who meet daily. Most have been in the neighborhood for a long time, you may be required to speak espanol to communicate though. That being said it is damn cold so they are probably hanging out at Burger King on North Avenue trying to warm up. The gym located in the middle of the park may also be a good place to meet folks to talk with, the employees there may be able to point you in the right direction. The police in the neighborhood will also give you a unique perspective on what is going on as well, they are willing to share their thoughts too. Good luck Peter: 16th Nov 2005 - 17:06 GMT could someone please post some photos of humboldt park? or email some to editor at citynoise dot org? cause alot of us that are keeping up with this ongoing thread know very little about it... it would be nice to have some visuals to go along with all the text here... :) boring white: 16th Nov 2005 - 17:37 GMT Thank you Peter for saying it best. I am a reader for my parish and a Eucharistic Minster too. I don't have the need to quote scripture here nor do I feel that "it takes someone with balls" to do so. Sometimes people use God as a crutch or an excuse and this forum isn't the place for it. Thank You: 16th Nov 2005 - 19:27 GMT How is a bullet shooting through a human being not point to bigger picture? These words are over your heads. There is no rebuttal. Tell the family of the kid to keep GOD out of it. SadStateOfAffairs: 16th Nov 2005 - 19:44 GMT Peter, I will try to take some pictures of the park and our famous blue light special on Beach and Spaulding this weekend. The park itself is beautiful and the city is trying its best to clean it up. Every day that I wake up I thank God but that doesn't mean that the fact that my feet hit the floor and get me started for the day that there is a bigger picture involved. The circumstances that surround the accident point to a picture of a neighborhood in turmoil. If you want to speak for the family or tell the family something I would say you're late and a little presumptious. Peter: 16th Nov 2005 - 19:46 GMT thank you: contribute something useful to this thread or just go away. i thought you'd realize by now that none of us here are interested in making argument for argument's sake. no one is saying to keep god out of anything. we're just saying that you've chosen to focus on a point that has little to do with this post. its almost like you keep coming back just to argue about god. we get it. lets move on. Peter: 16th Nov 2005 - 19:49 GMT SadStateOfAffairs: id appreciate some photos, yes! anything- even snapshots that you might think are boring or pointless can sometimes contain alot of information to those of us who have never seen the area before or are unfamiliar with it. they dont have to be masterpieces. we have some pretty photos on this site, but the best ones are the ones that give the best visual content/information/context to neighborhoods and cities. i feel like i can tell more about a neighborhood from seeing candid shots of the people that live there walking by, cracks in the sidewalks, boarded up storefronts, etc than from seeing postcard-perfect photos of some landmark with the sun setting behind it, heh. thanks, btw :) Thank You: 16th Nov 2005 - 20:17 GMT DISINVESTMENT created HP... .Puerto Ricans were nieve country people that got consumed and spit out by American city life......Humboldt Park will become Lincoln Park in the next decade ....Lincoln Park used to look like Spanish Harlem.....If you have the money to pay the property taxes then the city says you have to upgrade your wiring or do some other type of repair......BROWN PEOPLE - You have sacrificed for many many years - Hold on as long as you can........Brown people WILL transend sooner than later. Survivor: 16th Nov 2005 - 21:34 GMT To the people of the land. Sun, Moon, Stars, Water and Earth. We are all survivors. It's not the color of our skin that makes us survivors. It's the spirit of our heart and souls that keeps us motivated to go on each day when life sucks for the most part. The Native Americans where told by the church of England and christerhper columbious that they where evil and worshiped the wrong god. So they forced them to worship something they knew nothing about and now the Natives have no land and few of them we ever see. My point. Whether it be HP are your life existence. Stick to what you believe in your heart. And you religius Peaps. Hey!! How can you be so strong on a book which was written thousands of Lyes ago. While the church "Leader's continue their quest to melest little children." Still our money right of our pockets in the name of GOD" Come on. Think for your self and not out of some man made book. Peace to Humbolt Park. And the Peap's who dwell there. Yes, Fight For Cchange. And the only way to fight for change is to go out and do something about it. And you who try and force your idealistic views about Religion on the people of the land, get out and put your belief in action. Make a change for the better. People are dying over needless causes. Children are starving right here in America. Mothers are birthing babies alone with no fathers. No religious idealism can put power in the community. The community of people have to make their own way and not believe in a bunch of hoot wha.. and malarchey. Born and raised on the streets of CA. And I've seen enough pain for us all. Stop the confusion. Pave a path for a better world. Catherine Penfold-Waxman: 16th Nov 2005 - 21:40 GMT I just vowed to stop reading this thread. It's doing my head in and I'm not learning anything. Except how to post things without proofing my spelling. 300 degreas: amor de rey, hombolt park is the shit WOW: 18th Nov 2005 - 14:19 GMT To Surviver it is true what you say that many people are suffering and we have to make a change we have to take actions. And thanks to the grace of GOD he has blessed me financial and because of that i give and help the needed as much as i can i dont go out and buy expensive closing or brand new 2006 vehicles . At the church in humboldt park area i attend im am the youth pastor there have been for many years and we have many programs that help the needy and it always hearts that we cant reach everyone but sadly the majority of society reject the homeless. Also it is true it is sad to see on the news how ministers falls from the grace of and because of them every other minister pays the price. And about being religious if u ask me i will tell im not because being religious is following a lists of rituals and tradition like coming to church on sunday just because and as soon as you leave your still the same person you pray 3-5 times a day but those prayers are repititive you say the same thing over and over again and nothing ever comes from the heart when you have a true experience with GOD your whole life gets transformed and you dont just do things just because you do things because that is all you have to give to thanks an awesome GOD and that is not being religious that is being a follower of Christ. I learn from him, every thing he said he did he made his sermons into actions and he not only talk the talk he walk the walk. When i came to GOD i was the same way many other people are. "I dont need GOD i have every thing i need" see thats how it always is you dont no you need GOD until GOD is all you have. Laughing out Load: 22nd Nov 2005 - 18:00 GMT u guys r funny once the preacher makes a good strong comment everyone stops talking. YOU guys r in need of a change in ur lives. jeeff: it was too long. i didn't read it. Peter: 22nd Nov 2005 - 18:03 GMT tl;dr also: this thread is on a tangent so far from its original topic that its not really worth carrying on. so... anyone out there want to skip the unsolicited spirituality-rant and get back to talking about humboldt park? onyxwolf: 23rd Nov 2005 - 01:07 GMT i wanna kno what exactly happened to the Kings. i mean they started out good, right? but now a lot of them are in jail and stuff. i kno some of them still are trying to fight racism but what happened? HOTTIE gurl : 24th Nov 2005 - 20:42 GMT Can anyone put pictures of humboldt park please!!!! Im mexican and puerto rican and dont know what humbolst park looks like!!!! onyxwolf: 25th Nov 2005 - 07:02 GMT yeah. i think ive been there once. i havent really been around much in the city. DUMD: 25th Nov 2005 - 13:03 GMT they where not going to take your camera thats funny u sure didnt grow up in HP. thats for sure. HOTTIE gurl : 25th Nov 2005 - 19:27 GMT oh well when u get some more pics of it post them!!! cuz i live in california and dont know what dat looks like onyxwolf: 26th Nov 2005 - 23:03 GMT ppl wouldnt just go up and take ur camera. ppl steal cause its an easy way to get stuff. if they just walked up to you and said "hey gimme that" youd call the police and then the person would be arrested. if they saw a camera on the bus or something, then sure theyd take it. so does anyone know what happened to ALKQN? DUMD: 29th Nov 2005 - 13:17 GMT yes its a long story but trust me there still around. he:spoke: 2nd Dec 2005 - 01:51 GMT move out? even to those who are priveleged its just cowardice to move into suburbs with the whites just to play ignorant to whats goin on with your people make your kids ignorant and their kids ignorant he:spoke: 2nd Dec 2005 - 01:59 GMT its cowardice to move out even to those who can afford to move in with the caucassions.movin out just to play ignorance abandoning your people will only make things the worser forcing your child to be ignorant and his child martin luther king went up against a whole nation and race dro killa: 3rd Dec 2005 - 22:48 GMT what he:spoke said is true, I know what he/she is getting at, but I'm not sure what the hell they were trying to write though. How the fk did you start talking about Martin Luther King though, what the fuck. Maybe you're just crazy, are you trying to draw some relation between Martin Luther King and the Latin Kings. Just fuckin' with you. J.J. From a Puerto Rican brother: 4th Dec 2005 - 23:31 GMT I'm not writing this to judge or criticize anyone. Just to try to open a little conscience on la raza Latina. Mi gente, how can you speak of love when you talk everyone else down. I grew up in Chicago and went to Roberto Clemente H.S. After experiencing the drug and gang life in the city I decided to rebuild my life, get an education and move on. Well I joined the Army to save some money and go to art school which had always been my passion. You know what they say about the road to hell. As part of my job in the Army, I was sent to Honduras to train 15 and 16 year old kids in the art of war. (to fight against the Sandinistas during the Reagan-era. I thought that by leaving the city I wouldn't be exposed to violence - I was wrong - I went to Chicago on leave to visit mi querida madre that lived on Division St. I had not seen her in four years and was looking forward to see her lovely face. One night, I was getting in my friend Raul's car when I got caught in the middle of a shoot out. I was in God's hands when he spared my life after being shot in the head. I was taken to Cook County Hospital and sat there for three monts in a coma. After I woke up I went back to the Army to finish my enlistment time. I decided to carry on with my dream of going to Art School and enrolled in the School of the Art Institute. My last semester there I started having epileptic seizures. During one of those seizures I fell down the stairs and broke my spinal cord. All a result of the bullet that landed on my head. I finished that last class I needed to graduate and went on to a Masters of fine art degree. As I am writing this I sit on a wheel chair, the right side of my body paralized. Lucky for me that I am left handed and I was able to carry on my dream. Asi como estoy en esta silla, I work ( opposite to the opinion of others that say Puerto Ricans live off welfare) teaching Latin American art history to my brothers and sisters who really try to better themselves and destroy the stereotypes that stem from a culture so different from our own. My gente, please arreglen sus vidas y dejen esa vida oscura atras! Si verdaderamente quisieran a su raza estuvieran haciendo algo positivo por nosotros. En medio de las gangas tambien se ven las caras de esperanza, se ven las caras orgullosas que trabajan por una Latino America unida y por un futuro de esperanza y de libertad. Se ven las caras de trabajo y de sudor, de gente de carne y hueso que no se vendio, de gente trabajando buscando el nuevo camino, orgullosas de su herencia y de ser Latinos. De una raza unida, la que Simon Bolivar anhelo. Siembra humildad y da fruto de esperanza a los que vienen detras.Hermano(a) Latino pon fe' y siembra adelante. Que Dios me cuide a toda mi gente del barrio y espero que estas palabras les de algo en que pensar aparte de las gangas, la violencia y las drogas. Latino power in the United States. Papo colorao STONE LOVE: 5th Dec 2005 - 00:00 GMT to jj. brother did this happen in 1987? because if it did i was one of the ones who was shooting down some scr's who represented at me and my stone bro'on division. bro i feel regret going all over me for what happen to you but that is life in the hood. and the punk you was riding with was a disiple from the north side that lead was aimed at him not you. keep on makin drawins and keep on teachin our bro's to be real people. papo colorao, ask for forgivnes from you and your motha. to papo: 5th Dec 2005 - 00:12 GMT como carajo le pides perdon a un hombre que le jodiste su vida y lo sentensiaste a una silla de ruedas. estas cabron brother si yo fuera tu me pegaria un tiro de remoldimiento. I used to hang out with the PR stones on sunnyside and sawyer and if i meet you i'll spread my fist all over your face. no seas hijo de puta y apuntale el tiro a quien se lo queras dar. buckwheat from the royals was my hit and i did him not the kid who was with him TheManTheDeveloper: 5th Dec 2005 - 03:42 GMT The area has passed hands through many cultures in Chicago's history. The only thing constant in life is change. My good Puerto Rican neighbors who worked hard and bought their 2 flats and 3 flats are now somewhat rich. Those who choose welfare, drug dealing and gangbanging who rented will have to eventually move as the area is now becoming exclusive. My regrets to those who have worked hard and tried, but were unable to purchase property in the area. I am only a 26 year old whiteboy from the suburbs who saw an area that was changing, I bought at 24. No help from nobody, anybody who makes 35K a year could have done what I did and bought a 450,000 3flat. It is now worth maybe over 550,000 in a year, and will be selling as condos soon, and hopefully with Gods help I will be able to sell them. And I was late to the parade. If only I knew about HP then I could have bought it for 250,000 about 3 years ago. I did not even put down any money on my loan. I am not racist, I just want to live the American Dream. I followed the example of many of the poor Polish immigrint construction workers, and 7-11 owning Arabs who came to our country and have made it. If you are educated and have a good job and getting pushed out, you just missed the boat, too bad. If you are uneducated, and have a hard time getting a job for whatever reason, you must better yourself so you can catch the next big trend, get a basic construction or electrician job. They make like up to 70 thousand a year. If you do not follow my advice, your loss, you will never make it, you will be pushed from neighborhood to neighborhood and gentilly assimilated into normal American boring culture. Especially if you are on welfare, and are able bodied. My apologies to those who do not have the opportunities that many of us have, I do not mean to belittle you. Life is not fair. But many of my tenants are on welfare, and they laugh at me for working hard, so for many residents of HP I have no sympathy. For others, I do, but remember that neighborhood has passed through many hands, it belongs to nobody. hey: Thats true SadStateOfAffairs: 5th Dec 2005 - 22:29 GMT JJ - You make me feel very small. Congrats on not being eaten up by the hate and prospering. Endeavor to persevere and tell your story. It is a good one. Thanks. dro killa: 6th Dec 2005 - 20:20 GMT It's about time...^, Finally some real words. I used to be down for all that hard knock hustlin' mentality, I still am, it's just different now. Ya'll some true G's and that's the true. Eventually, when it comes down to it, I realized that I was always looking to be around some true G's and a finally saw that a lot of those guys out there bagin' are a bunch of straight pussies. A true G doesn't comprimise their personal beliefs for the surrounding society, has no fear of responsibility, and hustles hard as hell to see something different but at the same time, never forgetting their past or the people from the past. Even the ones who are hard core enough to kill are still some fuckin' pussies. If you're gonna kill, it better be the ones who put you in the position to where you have to kill (not trying to get crazy here, but you gotta put yourself in the shoes of a man who has had a life fucked up enough to cause them to murder). If you're killing someone who is just like you, then you're a bitch to someone else, and you need to figure out who that is. So, for all ya'll who run your mouth about the bullshit, just know that you're a little kid. The only person you can murder is you. Gang culture is surrounded by death, but we need to embrace our own deaths and appreciate them. I'm not nutz and I'm not talking about suicide or anything like that. I believe that life has more meaning when a person has the opportunity to create. Create anything, music, working on cars, murals, poems, whatever, just find some oportunity to create something, no matter how small it may seem, and know that you only have so much time to do it. It is death that gives life meaning. dro killa: 6th Dec 2005 - 20:27 GMT Oh, I was reffering to the people who posted above my original comment, about people finally saying something real. Life is hard as fuck, I know, that's why some of us are out there doin' all that bullshit 'n bangin, but damn, learn that life if you have to but know that gang shit only has real meaning and pride once you've learned why things are the way they are and you can get out of that life and look back on it and just think. Maybe this isn't true for everybody who goes through this shit, but maybe someone can relate. he:spoke: 7th Dec 2005 - 02:00 GMT hate is part of who we are get ur degrees take care of your people JJ: replies to Papo: 7th Dec 2005 - 17:23 GMT Yes, this did happen in the summer of 87. Although you admit to this incident and ask my mother and I for our forgiveness, all I can tell you Papo is that In am not God to pardon you but I am a man to forgive a bad intention. I hope my words will make you realize that life in the hood has hope as well. Where there's a will there is power. If you really regret what you do why don't you leave all that behind you and and take a fresh start. I did. To SadStateOfAffairs: Brother, my comment should make you feel empowered not small. You are right Bro' a man has to leave hate behind, otherwise you won't be able to live with yourself and grow as a human being. Thank you for your words of encouragement. droKilla, you may have a point about "It is death is what gives life meaning." Because some of us don't appreciate what we have until we loose it. We shouldn't wait for death to find meaning in our lives because we may not get a second chance. I can relate because I was living that reality before. May the great spirit bless all of you and help you achive your realities. My best and my infernal memories live in the West side of Chicago. JJ loca: 10th Dec 2005 - 03:24 GMT watup yall.. Whats really good? I was born and raised in HP. To this day i still stay in da hood. naw i aint puertorican, im mexican, but yet a latina. I have made love 4 my hispanics... I been through it all.. I still stand tall and proud to say were i come from. Fuck all yall haters; yall know who yall is... It is what it is... Mad love for all my HP cats...Holla back... Name: your all liers and lames and wangster B's Name: Wangster B's Name: Wangster B's JJ speaks of these realities: 21st Dec 2005 - 04:56 GMT Peace is a dirty word It used to be a painted bird War is a whore, don't you know we love her more and more. Killers The paper's merciless in reminding us who shares the planet with our avengegeness. They frighten and fascinate. We have to read their stories. We have to keep them in front of us assaulting someone else, tearing at their souls To newsprint shreds, shooting what's left or right You wonder what they do. How they live their lives. Up early? Late? Blood stained shirts, guilt on their head When it rains tonight in Humboldt Park They sit in a corner somewhere, smoking a J, or plotting a kill To kill your couplets of murder, cups of rum warming toes, claiming King love, killing time Another thought from JJ: 21st Dec 2005 - 05:10 GMT This thought I wrote after I saw some homeless people on North Ave. In the fall of 2005 I found a man who lived in ten double lined garbage bags filled with newspapers, tossed by the West side crowds, making a nest for no one special just a survivor, a wastebarrel hunter who found the paper we carry under our arms out daily, clouds cover, his people across Humboldt Had a life time of rent free sleeping and eating real evidence "the city works" even in lines where love claims to rule law 'n' order tools are sharpened just south of Division Before winter- Iced eyelids and dead moon winds. What's your name? I didn't catch it. Pepper haired warrior, refused to die, to die alongside the green grass of Humboldt Park. Name: 21st Dec 2005 - 14:10 GMT Yeah right "Salvador" thats sound really great selling weed to your fellow students wow. Well try siting in the sun all day in a dry dry desert. Always on guard because your enemy is always on your back unafraid to die. You sacrifice your time your effort any for some even their life and sometimes you get angry because we are try to help a nation that is currupt but then when we get back home we see things like what you have said. Ramón: 26th Dec 2005 - 22:42 GMT Humboldt Parks belongs to humanity. Many people and many cultures have enjoyed its beauty, some have contributed more than others. I grew up on 2735 W. Division and for some reason going home is always somethings special. This summer I went to H.P. and saw the changes taking place and I felt joy, I thing that well to do people (white, black, latinos, orientals,)will very beneficial to the people living there now (that is the honest to goodness hard working people) and it will definetely be bad for the hoods; hopefully they will be driven out. Good people of all origins should come together and enjoy what Puertorican Culture has to offer just like other cultures in the American Society. Let´s come together all people share the joy of happiness and brotherhood. I grew up in Humboldt Park among Puerto Rican, Polish and Jews, but I made my the good things and discarded the bad. Puerto Rican brothers and American Brothers of all walks of life...let´s the no good that we are one of a kind. Feliz Navidad big O : 28th Dec 2005 - 08:15 GMT After reading some of these articles I've come to the conclusion that being Latino or in my case Puerto Rican "Newyorican " we are misunderstood . Being Latino is not about gangs or parades , it's about family ,compassion for your fellow human being . Hardworking people trying to live decent lives . People talk about welfare like Latino's invented the system . Get your facts straight , the majority of people in this country on welfare are White . Some people need welfare plain and simple but we need to build up our communities not tear them down with talk of hate . United , we will never be divided . Peace from N.Y. M, J (MP): 31st Dec 2005 - 09:19 GMT Gangs shouldn't even be killing innocent lives. Everybody that lives in HP/ North side, South side, West side,& East side knows that it ain't easy to live in a huge enviornment where there's a lot of drug turf. Put it like this, gangs are gangs, but those gangmembers who are reading this know that every moring you wake up, you thank God , but everyday is also another struggle. I'm sick and trying of the fact that ignorant gangmembers chose to take the path they have chosen, but it doen't mean that you should go out and kill people. What if somebody killed one of your family members like your mother, brother, sister, or cousin, you wouldn't be too happy about that would you. For those of you that witnessed murders right before your eyes, don't just stand there, do something, protest anti-gang violence, something. You gangmembers say that you fight for colors, other say they fight for your right, and others say they fight because they have nothing to lose. When you join a gang it's very simple... you can't go back, what I mean by that is that your not ging to be able to live a normal life anymore, your going to have people that you don't even know hate you because why? because your wearing a certain type of color... that's bullshit. You young kids these days don't understnd that joing a gang means protecting drug turf, and getting more ares for drugs to be sold. For those of you that think you don't need to follow rules your wrong everything in life has rules why you think that gangs have literature it's mainly rules stating that you will honor your color and your members. Joing a gang will mean your going to have to follow someboday, and you are expected to be violent, your expected to get down. why do your own gangmembers tell you to get down, they should tell you to get up, have knowlegde, and with that becomes respect, and with that becomes power. No one said that it was going to be easy,but God is always there watching you from above. I want all my LATINOS TO RISE Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Columbians, Everybody. It's time for young teenagers these day to do good and take our people out of the struggle. To those of you who have read this I hope you make the right decison in life and may God protect you in everything you do. God bless......... Look out for my cd it's not going to be in stores but I will be traveling places to sell it. I don't live in the north side but I go over there and every time I go over I see something happen. Question.....: 2nd Jan 2006 - 18:18 GMT First off i would like to say i come with much love, honor, y respect.... Not real sure if this would be the place to post or if anyone has an answer to my questions.... My mother-in-law is a puerta rican, Latin Queen from Chicago we have been in search now for almost 23 years reagarding any information on the PR Stones (Puerto Rican Stones) My husbands father was a member... i belive he went by the name Rico, we now know they no longer exist we are trying to find out what happend, if they all ended up dead, in prison, living a good life, started up something new.... If anyone has any information that can help, i can go into a little more detail but not by much because everthing that was around back in the day that she remebers aint around no more and there has been no infomation, I know we have to find the right people in the right age range that will know i have heard of other names of other members and stuff old storys, but it's not for me to speak on..... If anyone can please help out we would appreciate it mucho! Also we are trying to find out whatever happended to a Gang cop by the name of Officer Rodriguez i hear he was one of the main dicks around back then, i'm sure he is retired now buy anything will be a big help. d y m: amor de cobralas SadStateOfAffairs: 9th Jan 2006 - 17:31 GMT Interesting stuff in the news about white people not being welcomed in Humboldt Park, tension etc...It was in the news on WGN and in the Tribune. Maybe a slow news day. I have no idea where they would get the idea that whites were not welcome in HP. Certainly not from this website. As a white person going on year three in HP I can honestly say my neighbors are great people who look out for each other. A lot different from other neighborhoods I have lived in. Peace. Link to photos: 9th Jan 2006 - 23:07 GMT A lot of people have been asking for photos of Humboldt Park, but few residents of that neighborhood seem to own a digital camera. Thankfully, we can view all the neighborhoods of Chicago at PicturingChicago.com. For Humboldt Park, click on PICTURINGCHICAGO on the right column (in orange). Then click FILM. The click ALBUM: NORTHWEST SIDE, then ALBUM: HUMBOLDT PARK. The photos are pretty good, though they sorely lack people, so Chicago appears as a ghost town. Maybe it is. Shortie: 10th Jan 2006 - 19:28 GMT It's funny how i have read most of these peoples comments talking about how humbodlt park is owned by the puerto Ricans and hows it was always are little part of chicago....i find that funny because before us puerto ricans owned Humboldt park it belonged to the Germans....Humboldt is the last name of a famous german man who so happend to live in that part of chicago and yet puerto ricans alwayz say that we owned that part of Chi....They also say now that we own Humboldt park but yet they now wanna change it....Humboldt park in the last couple yrs has shapped up a little and has turned very yuppie....i remeber a couple years ago they were talking about on the news wanting to get rid of the puerto rican flags......i believe they shouldnt do that its a lane mark for us puerto ricans just like they have china town...between those two little flags is a lot of our country....what i dont understand is why do they wanna ters are little strip of home away? Alex: 12th Jan 2006 - 13:52 GMT I was born and raised in HP. I lived there for 27 years, around Spaulding. The area is not the same anymore, that is obvious. Everything changes with time, that's another obvious. People just have to accept change. No matter how much People want it to be as it were back in the day, it will never happen. I moved on because it is just not the same. It has become a little more trendy and transient. None of my friends or family are there anymore, and it doesn't even feel the same.... I will not allow what is happening now affect what I remember or feel about HP... Ramón: 13th Jan 2006 - 00:26 GMT As a P.R. from Chicago I would definitely like to see that the P.R. flags in Division St. remain there. I would also like to the statue of the horse that was in the H.P. lake be return there, It´s now located near Lincoln Park Zoo (I think). I grew up with the horse in H.P. and I think we P.R.s should take the initiave to return it to it´s original and rightful place. Happy New Year to the people in the H.P. area. A P.R. brother of all mankind. Feliz Navidad. Payaso: 13th Jan 2006 - 01:58 GMT I used to live near Mozart and Bloomingdale and the neighborhood used to be dangerous, but a lot has changed and now it seems people feel pretty comfortable jogging and bike-riding-- even at night. As far as the gangs,it's unfortunate that Puerto Ricans still need to live that life. It's a waste of a lot of potential smokes: 14th Jan 2006 - 06:17 GMT love to all in humboldt across humboldt blvd on the kedzie side Amor ALKQN T K#3: 14th Jan 2006 - 20:46 GMT I see nothing has changed with this area! Now this board has turned to "represeting"!!! Hey, "SMOKES", how about you do something with your life!? Funny, you guys talk the tough talk only when you had a gun in your hand or your anonymous (in case you don't know what the word "Anonymous" is.... it means we have no way of knowing you really are! TK Peter: 17th Jan 2006 - 22:03 GMT Can we take some photos? Is there like a problemo? queen tita: latin queen 4 lyfe joey: 23rd Jan 2006 - 01:10 GMT After reading through this board I saw how racist people are towards whites. Im Italian/Irish from Chicago. My dad grew up in the Italian hood on Taylor street. I feel the pain of many of the Puerto Ricans in HP. I hate yuppies because they just come in and buy property that us poor people cant afford. They all have a dog and they jogg. But please do not be racist to regular white people who have it tough. There are more poor white people in this country then blacks and latinos combined. I love latins and always will. Many of my friends on from Mexico and Guatemala. My girl is from Mexico. Yes it is true that all working class people are being pushed out of this city by these rich people but it is a fact of life. You know how depressed I get when I go to Taylor street? The yuppies like to call it Little Italy but to me and my family it was always Taylor street. The mayor decided to destroy the hood because he thought it made to many criminals. They didnt like the mob or the Outfit as it is called in Chicago and decided to put the black projects in the middle and UIC in it. Instead of a safe hood where people could walk down the street because of the mob they decided to put the black crack dealers on the street. I could never figure that out. Its not even an Italian hood anymore. To get a house there is going to cost 400,000 and its just sad. So I feel the pain my latin friends but every neighborhood must change. Its always been like that and always will be. I wish the city of Chicago would come out with a program to perserve hoods like HP and Taylor street and stop these yuppies from taking over and putting their dumb star bucks in. Remember everyone, you can be white and be poor and still be ok. I know many whites in Chicago who came from the south and are dirt poor. I just do not understand why latinos like the blacks better then the whites. It really doesnt make sense with me because most latinos have white blood in them. I have nothing against blacks and would like a united society but when I hear this stuff it just makes me think. I know out in L.A. the blacks and latinos hate each other. T K#3: 25th Jan 2006 - 21:28 GMT Humboldt Park has more "Latino vs. White" racism than most anywhere I've been (except for some parts of France which I've been to! This is due mostly to the tight integration of neighborhoods and individual perception that all whites are the same race! Perception of "White People" include but limited to; Russian, Polish, Latvian, Irish, English, French, German, Australian, Soth African, and sometimes middle easterners can get away with looking "white"... so before you judge everyone the same because some "white" person cut you off... look in the mirror... are you Puerto Rican, Spanish, French, Mexican, Bolivian??? many times I cannot tell, but I've grown up and no longer classify everyone as Puerto Ricans! Humboldt Park of the 70's & 80's was full of the above! Those days may have left for HP --- but they've moved somewhere else; maybe the suburbs, maybe jail! Dj Santi: 2nd Feb 2006 - 10:04 GMT Just wanted to say I have some pics of Humbodlt Park on my web site CHICAGOLATINDJS.COM. Things have calmed done since the 70's & 80's in HP. I lost alot of friends due to gangs violence here. Just one small advice to my younger Latinas y latinos, there's more to life outside of HP.Chase your dreams, and never give up.PEACE lil rank: 9th Feb 2006 - 16:40 GMT i was born and raise d in hp and still live there, ilove my hood i dont know they tring to brig all these fucking white people.because we moveving them righ back out were they belong in the suburbs, what they now about the hood, lemoyne and spaulding, thats why i dont see no white nigga over here becasue they scare of a king, amor de ray, 360.What up lil ck, keep repping the hood ,AMOR DE REY WE DONT DIE WE MULTIPLY antionette : 9th Feb 2006 - 16:41 GMT i think gang are cool because i love to watch people die but if they kill some body and my family im kill every body i see and a bitch is going to die bright: 9th Feb 2006 - 16:45 GMT i think that folks run it forget peoples they can all go to hell Gangster D love King killa bright: 9th Feb 2006 - 16:46 GMT and this goes to lil rank and all his gang members like i said gd ld mld love Leon: 11th Feb 2006 - 06:29 GMT "Peter: 3rd May 2004 - 15:33 GMT I live in NYC. I rarely tro ever see gang-related drama. maybe im just lucky!" I'm with Peter on that one ... I've spent late nights sitting outside on Flatbush, without any problems. I've also walked down Nostrand late at night, without any problems. I love how everyone attempts to make New York seem like a dangerous place to live. Someone people here in Florida can't believe I actually ride the train. "Oh yes, quite dangerous, with the train ninjas attacking riders" Peter: 11th Feb 2006 - 19:15 GMT some people have an affinity of living in fear. i choose otherwise. and i fucking love living in nyc. Unknown: 12th Feb 2006 - 22:14 GMT I am a white female from the suburbs south of Chicago. I am English, Swedish, German, Polish Russian, English, and Scottish. Driving through Humboldt Park .....It's beautiful. There are beautiful homes and parks, but the crime rate.....that is the sad part. I agree with you that yuppies are flooding the City and taking over, but not all white people have that pompous attitude. I have a great amount of respect for all ethnicities and I find that Hispanics and those of Latin decent the most interesting! I enjoy the culture very very much and my ex boyfriend was 100% mexican and I absolutely loved his family and culture..... I have to say though that you should not criticize anybody for thier success.Everybody has a right to an education and the fact of the matter is that an education (does not determine intelligence), but it gets your foot in the door to gain oppurtunity. If gangs would invest all of thier energy in education instead of on the streets, they would be much better off and they would have a much brighter future. Regardless of what people do in life, they should always do what makes them happy and if your happy, you can't ask for much more, but taking lives at the expense of others is unnacceptable. I would love to see these ethnic Chicago neighborhoods stay the same and full of thier culture, but in order to prevent change from happening, the major crimes need to decrease, otherwise....the neighborhood will very well be lost to those Yuppies B5S: 15th Feb 2006 - 20:57 GMT almythy dont like nobody amor de rey ALKN 360 Come get some yall know were we be niggas kimbal and lemoyne come home niggas before yall get murk by a king ck dk igk hgk all k but put that crown on top amor der rey niggas aint nobody taking over hp but a king. 908: 17th Feb 2006 - 08:31 GMT am a white female from the suburbs south of Chicago. I am English, Swedish, German, Polish Russian, English, and Scottish. Driving through Humboldt Park .....It's beautiful. There are beautiful homes and parks, but the crime rate.....that is the sad part. I agree with you that yuppies are flooding the City and taking over, but not all white people have that pompous attitude. I have a great amount of respect for all ethnicities and I find that Hispanics and those of Latin decent the most interesting! I enjoy the culture very very much and my ex boyfriend was 100% mexican and I absolutely loved his family and culture..... I have to say though that you should not criticize anybody for thier success.Everybody has a right to an education and the fact of the matter is that an education (does not determine intelligence), but it gets your foot in the door to gain oppurtunity. If gangs would invest all of thier energy in education instead of on the streets, they would be much better off and they would have a much brighter future. Regardless of what people do in life, they should always do what makes them happy and if your happy, you can't ask for much more, but taking lives at the expense of others is unnacceptable. I would love to see these ethnic Chicago neighborhoods stay the same and full of thier culture, but in order to prevent change from happening, the major crimes need to decrease, otherwise....the neighborhood will very well be lost to those Yuppies BabyD: 19th Feb 2006 - 02:19 GMT Well I am 17 years old.I am half Puerto Rican and half Mexican. and I was born and raised in the Humbolt Park Area.Until I moved about two years ago.I loved HP it was the best.Althought alot of bad stuff use to happen down there I still had some great times,and I wish I could move back down there.You know how that slang goes,you could take me out of the hood but you cant take the hood out of me. Those damn yupies need to stop trying to take over Humbolt Park cause that is and will always be our hood.Humbolt Park Love!!!!!!!!!!! BS5: 25th Feb 2006 - 16:51 GMT I stupid and can't write --- that's what all us Puerto Ricans should due! C 'ya in'da'hood monkey! ALKQN Mariah Ramos aka Skittlez: 28th Feb 2006 - 21:36 GMT Aight lets get thiz strait. everybody noz that HP iz da shyt!!!!! i just want to say that being born and raised in da chi that i love it to death and expeacially HP. just because some gangz aint got respect dont mean the kingz dont cuz we all know that the ALKQN runz da chi!!!!! HOLLA AMOR DE REY!!! Margaret: 1st Mar 2006 - 01:52 GMT Hi, I'm finishing up my senior year at Northwestern in Evanston. My parents are immigrants from Eastern Europe and I have spent most of my undergraduate career interested in communities and increased educational opportunities for individuals in urban environments. As you can imagine, Evanston and especially Northwestern is an upper-middle class, mostly white and Asian bubble. I am currently doing research on West Side Chicago, community development, and educational opportunities for students. I've been told by a friend that I should not go down to Humboldt Park area alone. I want to go during the day to get a sense of the neighborhood and connect with local schools. Can you please comment if this is an absurdity (me not being able to walk alone) or if Humboldt Park is safe to walk around in. I'm a white girl with brown hair, I'm short and don't stand out much. I appreciate any thoughts. Also I apologize if I come off sounding niave because I admittedly am. My family is from New York City where I have felt safe being alone in very diverse neighborhoods, but my friends from Chicago never seemed to have left their Lincoln Park bubble. Thank you, Margaret Hey Margaret: 1st Mar 2006 - 16:03 GMT Can I lay some pipe in you? (Simon Park Brothers) Humboldt Park - DAVE: 2nd Mar 2006 - 03:40 GMT Margaret, I suggest you visit Humboldt Pk on a weekend just to get your feet wet. Bring a friend or two and maybe have some coffee and pastries @ Cafe Colao, Saucer, Humboldt Pie. Lunch @ La Bruquena, Latin American Restaurant. Dinner @ CoCo's (Live Salsa Band on the weekend) I suggest the CoCo's Martini,it's awesome! Evening cocktails @ California Clipper, live Jazz, blues and Rock. Boy, you think I work for the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce (Really, I don't!). As for the neighborhood? I suggest you don't wear any jewelry or like we say in the community NO! BLING! BLING! (JUST KIDDIN!). We have many organazations within the community that you could contact. Cafe Urbano which works with the young adults within the community, they host poetry night and have speakers give their insight. L.U.C.H.A., Latin United Community Housing Association, provides affordable housing for the disadvantage. Spanish Coalition for Jobs which assist people with employment.Casa Central, affordable day-care and assisted living for the elderly. I'm proud to say that the resources are out there for those who choose to make a better life for themselves within our community. Alfonso aka Smiley: 2nd Mar 2006 - 17:56 GMT im frm queens, new york city n now i stay in a-town by da chi all i gotz ta say iz dat no matta where uz go thurr always gunna b gang shit around. ive moved many times n experienced crazy shit. i chill wit da latin kings which is da biggest latino street gang in chicago. da problem wit dat iz all gangs out hurr hate da kings n chillin wit dem gives me a bad reputation n shit. ive gotten ma ass jumped by satan disciples jus cuz dey thought i was a king. so wut im tryin ta say iz dat even doh u aint a gangbanger o wuteva dnt mean u aint gunna get messed up if ur affiliated wit dem u still gunna get da same treatment as if u were part of da gang. so now i jus turned 17 n i chill out hurr in humboldt wit dem puerto ricans its a very nice place especially during da parades. so for all uz people dat have neva been out hurr u shouldnt b scared ta come through cuz not all people who live out in humboldt are gangsters, as long as u respect people out hurr theyll respect u. iight well wit dat im outz nursing student betmatt: 4th Mar 2006 - 17:33 GMT Jesus Christ all I wanted to do was to find some pics on HP and I found some much bad info on HP that now I am afraid to do my research on this area. But please everyone just keep in mind that we are all equal. Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Whites, Blacks etc. I am Mexican and only ignorant people think one race is better than the other. Margaret: 6th Mar 2006 - 18:11 GMT Thanks Dave. Very helpful comments. I've just connected with L.U.C.H.A. and their work is quite visionary, while being increadably practical in finding solid solutions to better housing opportunities and links with education resources. best, Margaret gringa latina: 8th Mar 2006 - 04:54 GMT Hola, muy buenas. Hace dos anos llegue a Chicago desde Madrid. He vivido de alquiler en varios barrios de la ciudad pero siempre me gusto Humboldt Park. El ano pasado fui con unos amigos a la fiesta Puertoriquena y me lo pase muy bien. me recordaba mucho a mi querida Madrid. Tengo pensado comprar una casita en el barrio con mi novio. Somos artistas y revolucionarios. organizamos conceirtos y donamos los procedimiento a varios grupos beneficos. Somos blancos pero con las mentes abiertas. Buscamos casa por toda la ciudad pero solo encontramos algo que parece a nuestro presupuesto en este barrio. Me fui de USA hace 8 anos porque tampoco pude sorporar la tipica mentalidad anglosajona y capitalista que domina este pais. Pero despues de todos estos anos viviendo fuera, me di cuenta de que todo el mundo es mas o menos igual. La mayoria de la gente es bueno en el fondo. Pero hay cabrones por todas partes. Esto es un momento critico en mi vida. Tengo muchos proyectos en la mente y quiero tener la estabilidad para desarollarlos. Mientras negociaba el precio de la casa que quiero comprar me meti en internet y encontre esta pagina. La verdad es que me daba mucho tristeza leyendo la historia de Migul y despues los comentarios muchos sin sentido que acompana la historia. Quiero integrarme en el barrio pero tengo miedo porque tengo la piel blanca. el mundo esta lleno de injusticias y quiero hacer mi parte. no se que hacer. Como puedo integrarme sin parecer la tipica chica blanca que sienta culpable por haberse nacido sienda blanca y de clase media? he vivido en otro pais. Me han atacado ya en una parada de autobus en el lado sur de la ciudad. pero me da miedo llegar a mi barrio nuevo con ganas de integrarme en la comunidad y darme cuenta de que no me quieren alla. Por favor di tienes ideas, comentarios, etc. compartelas conmigo. Gracias. gringa latina: 8th Mar 2006 - 06:11 GMT Well, here I am again. I wrote my last post in Spanish I guess as a sign of respect to all of the latino residents of Humboldt Park and to write as a "white woman" from a perspective of fear and confusion but also openess and honesty. I was born near Milwaukee but lived in Spain for seven years until returning to the US & Chicago just over two years agao. I too stumbled upon this site by accident while researching the neighborhood. After a bit of a nomadic lifestyle, I decided that to carry out the projects and accomplish some of the things I want to do in my life, I had to buy a house in the city. My boyfriend and I both work at a small non-profit organization during the day and do our own non-profit and creative work at night. We can't afford much but we do have a steady income now and really wanted a home of our own with a yard maybe to grow our own herbs and vegetables. Of course, after reading the posts here, i got worried. I know very well about how gentrification has changed Chicago's neighborhoods for decades. I have seen the same thing happen in several cities in North America and in Europe. As a white woman, I felt like I didn't want to be a part of that and kept it in mind while searching for a home. But I soon realized that there was not much I could do about it. first, i can't afford to live in most neighborhoods near the lake and to be quite honest, i dont' really want to live in a homogenous community. I thought that living in a mixed communty would remind me of my beloved madrid where an influx of immigration happening at the same time that urban renewal in the old part of the city is allowing new immigrants from eastern europe, asia and africa live side by side with artists, life-long madrilenos and young professionals. I don't understand why that dosn't seem to happen here in Chicago. I am really hoping to move into the neighborhood (I put a bid on a house on the west side of the park), meet some of my neighbors, & get involved in the community ( I saw what looked to be a community garden near beach & spaulding-where i read about the gang fight). I really hope that we will be treated with respect and not judged by the color of our skin. We certainly don't want anyone to think we are part of a movement of white people who want to cut oursleves off in our house and car and who don't step a foot outside of their own gate if they dont have to. On the other hand while reading message after message of hate, racism, ridiculous generalizations and the like, I have to admit I am a little scared and that makes me sad and ashamed. Of coure I do know that violence is everywhere in the city (a stray bullet shot at the drug house next door flew through our 3rd floor apartment window one afternoon last summer - in NW Bucktown!) I did read some messages from "boring white guy", "sad state of affairs" and "confused" that were helpful and others like the ones from "cafe con leche" that were enlightening. i would love ot hear what happened to "Nikki" after she moved in last august. Anyway, I don't have any real specific questions. I would love to meet some neighbors who are involved in bettering the community ad i'd love to get involved. If that means tutoring or cleaning the park or delivering meals to seniors I don't care. I jsut want to get involved and get rid fo this feeling of fear welling up inside with every story of murder, gangbanging and racism that I read. Any comments woudl be helpful. I plan on moving in this June. Thanks for any comments, questions, advice or invitations to community meetings. Thanks, jenny (Gringa Latina) Staci: 11th Mar 2006 - 16:21 GMT Wow. This blog is great. I'm a resident of Humboldt Park for two years now and just signed my lease for another year. I don't have a lot of time right this second but for starters I just want to say I love this neighborhood with my heart and soul. All of it. The diversity, the park, the puerto rican food in the park and all of the corner stores and their owners whom I've grown to know by first name down to the "hoodies" (gang bangers, teenage kids hanging around, families, whites, hispanics, asians, eastern european...whatever. Don't get me wrong, I don't particularly LIKE wondering if I might get shot in crossfire when shit is going down, but I can't stop it and it's part of life. I CAN be precautious and aware of my surroundings at all times for starters. Furthermore, I wanted to throw this out there to the community. I realized there are NO books solely dedicated to Humboldt Park. There's one about the history up to the present about Wicker Park (probably because it's not completely gentrified but.....) and I'm going to change that. This summer I'll be all around Humboldt Park taking photos and video. Talking to everyone including newer residents, long time residents, students, store owners, aldermen, white, black, hispanic, young, old, homeless, gang members, EVERYONE. Please be in touch with me if you are interested in being a part of this. I can do interviews, if there is a particular church, store, organization, architectural structure, story, anything that you can provide me that you think is very important to include, please do. I might turn this into a documentary instead of a book, or both. If any of you are familiar with the movie Chicago Boricua you know there is a fictional movie about this neighborhood but nothing completely REAL. I intend to do such. I'm also just beginning to get interested in the Mega Mall site. I know it's technically Logan Square but a friend and I are going to attempt (though it might be in vain, the city is obviously a LOT of politics and red tape, I'm not naive nor was I born yesterday) to see what we can do about putting a park there instead of high priced condos. Anyone already involved with something like this? Want to get involved? Have any thoughts on the matter? I would even rather see mixed income housing that is Green Development (i.e. environmentally friendly) rather than a bunch of condos and Borders on the corner. Independent bookstore? yes. Borders? no. Maybe an art center (VERY lofty I know....but trying is a start eh?) Staci: 11th Mar 2006 - 16:24 GMT ooops, i meant regarding the book about wicker park (probably because it IS completely gentrified) TYPO....lol Rhatone Chocha: 13th Mar 2006 - 23:37 GMT Humboldt Park = Racism If you're anything other than from PR, stay away.... everyone may say it's a friendly place but it's NOT! --Chocha Eater Rhatone Chocha: Staci, where do you live? Humbolt Park - Dave: 14th Mar 2006 - 03:55 GMT Margaret, I'm glad you were able to get in contact with L.U.C.H.A.. I'm curious to see if you ever made the visit to H.P? I hope your research on urban communities goes well. Humbolt Park - Dave: 14th Mar 2006 - 04:10 GMT Staci, There's a book I purchased unfortunately at Borders bookstore titled "Images of America, Puerto Rican Chicago" by Wilfredo Cruz. It covers everything from Families, Community life, Political/Social Activism, Arts and Culture. I look forward purchasing your book or possibly viewing your documentary. Good Luck! PolishGayIrishIndianWhiteHUMAN: 14th Mar 2006 - 09:04 GMT The whole area has been changing forever. It was once all Polish and Eastern Europeans. We never complained when others moved in or out of the area. Chicago is the most segregated mentally challenged City on the PLANET. The Mayor steals the cops are brutal and gangs have existed since the begining of time. My advice dont pay your taxes, ALL laws exist to enslave fear. Thanks I feel BETTER Gods neat lets EAT. insightoner: 16th Mar 2006 - 14:29 GMT Good stuff. A couple of things to keep everything in perspective: Humbolt was white untill the 70's. Don't you think the whites that lived there pre70's felt the same way when Puerto Ricans moved in? I noticed a huge double standard - when white people are proud of their neighborhood being white its called racism, when Latinos do the same it just a expression of pride for their heritage, and a love for your community. On the flip-side I hate gentrification. To all the Puerto Ricans on here: remember not all whites are yuppies from the suburbs. A lot of whites grew up in Chicago living with the same gangs, drugs, and problems you all did. Most of those whites aren't particulary fond of all the yuppies from outa state/suburbs moving into chicago and making it big generic suburb either. You all are using whites as a symbol of money and the suburbs. I see yuppies of other races of living in Humbolt too, buying up condos and forcing the the cost of living up, but all I hear is "white people". On a side note, Daley gentrified Little Italy, forcing the Italians to move out, and filled it with kids from outa state with more money. It's all about money here. Chicago is losing its flavor...its culture. Everything is being ripped down and rebuilt to suit the desires of, well, boring people from all over the midwest that want to come and experience "urban living". That's why Humbolt, Pilsen, Logans, etc is full of people from the burbs and outa state (that includes all races - yuppies are yuppies. If you're from the burbs with money you are a yuppy. I know a black guy from Schamburgh that moved to Humbolt in some lame attempt at being "urban") With that being said... To all the whites from the burbs on here: what ever happened to living in Lincoln Park or Wrigleyville? I know its cool to say, dude I live in the "hood", and tell you're friends back home about a shooting you heard from your apartment, but you all are really destroying what Chicago was. And if you're not that type, and when you are "concerned about the issues in your neighborhood", one which you have lived in for no longer than four years, you just make yourself look stupid. Also saying you like the diversity, want to experience Puerto Rican culture, etc is lame, and all the Puerto Ricans on here are laughing at you. Staci: 16th Mar 2006 - 16:57 GMT To: Humboldt Park Dave/ Ratone Chocha/ Insightoner Thanks Dave. I'll have to check that out. I'll keep things posted on here every so often. Ratone, I live on Humboldt and Cortland. As far as Insightoner, You are abolutely right. Yuppies are yuppies and need to stay in Lincoln Park. That's part of the problem with gentrification. While I've only lived in Humboldt Park for two years, I previously lived in East Village for five years, an area somewhat comparable to Humboldt Park. However, I completely disagree with you on being concerned with issues in my community. Whether you like it or not, it everyone's community who lives there. Chicago is ever evolving, just like every other place on this planet evolves, it's called life. To get involved is to be alive. I hate that people don't give a shit about their communities, cities, politics etc....so, you have a right to your own opinion, but my opinion of you is one that lacks respect and is full of judgement. I can't vouch for everyone, and I admit, it irritated the piss out of me when I was standing in line at Foremost Liquors yesterday and the woman in front of me was wearing a desinger coat, had a HUGE diamond on her finger, pulled a Coach wallet out of a Coach purse ......I moved to the neighborhood because it's what I could afford. I'm not from the suburbs, at least not the suburbs you seem to have ingrained in your mind. I'm from Gary, Indiana. Not that I have to explain myself to you nor am I even saying your comments were directed towards me. I just think that while you're on to something here (a lot of what you said rings true) that you should also at the very least, make the attempt to know someone before you judge them. As for people laughing at me (once again, I can only speak for myself and I'm only directly addressing your comments because I want to, not because I think they were intended FOR me. Either way I don't care) the last time I gave a shit what people thought of me was in high school. Maybe the only way to actual hinder gentrification is for EVERYONE to come together. Gee, what a novel idea. If that never happens, kiss your Humboldt Park goodbye. Let's work together. Staci: 16th Mar 2006 - 18:39 GMT and p.s. see, we're all human, i'm gonna call myself out right now before anyone has the opportunity to. "Get to know someone before you judge them" yet in the same posting I am talking negatively about someone in line in front of me with more money than I. Touche to myself. Humboldt Park - Dave: 16th Mar 2006 - 23:47 GMT Staci, Sounds like you bumped into my X @ Foremost Liquors. I sent her out for some smokes and she hasn't made it back. The Fur, ring and purse was my Christmas gift to her. I promised not to tell, but there all FAKE! I purchased them @ MegaMall before it closed. (Needed a little humor) Glad you were able to catch what you wrote before we Critized U! And, your right we're all HUMAN. Not any race is better then the other. We all bleed RED. Humboldt Park - Dave: 17th Mar 2006 - 01:21 GMT Your right! Insightoner. Norwegians, did occupy most of Humboldt Pk. back in the day. I can't speak for all Puerto Ricans. But, I don't really think most of us in Humboldt hate having whites or any race as neighbors. Whats most irritating are the people who move in and don't make it a point to connect with the their neighborhood. The only time they're seen is pulling in and out of the garage. Or, when the PeaPod truck pulls up with their groceries. We have neighborhood clean-ups and block parties. Yet, these folks don't make it a thing to get involved. Don't get me wrong, I value my space, as do many people. That's what's so great about living in the city. People tend to know each other on a first name basis. We tend to look out for each other. Whether, shoveling my elderly neighbors front steps or mowing my neighbors lawn. I laughed my ass off last summer. It was a hot summer day and of course the fire hydrant was open. The neighborhood kids were all cooling off. A FUPPY (Female Urban Prof.) came out of her condo bitching about how she had called the Dept. of Water several times and they hadn't been out. She then turned to my friends and I, and proceeded to bitch about the neighborhood. Needless, to say, that was the first time I've ever heard her speak. Whats that saying? "You get more bees with sugar then you do with salt". Her car happened to be parked out front that day. Did I mention it was a convertible Mercedes that was starting to take in water. I guess the Prada shoes aren't waterproof, because she never did make it to her car. They did finally come out to shut the water. Ok, we called our buddy who works for the Dept. of Water Reclamation! Hell, I needed to take shower. All, you city folks know how bad the Water pressure gets when the hydrants are open. It's similar to when your downstairs neighbor flushes and your in the shower. IT Sucks! I've gone on a tangent! The message I'm trying to convey is we have to respect the fact that some of these people are third generation to the neighborhood. This is all they've known, not every teen is a gangbanger. Not every Puerto Rican is on welfare. We're very proud of our heritage, culture, and accomplishments. And, I welcome anyone to the neighborhood, YUP or no YUP! Humboldt Park doesn't belong to one race! We need to coexist with each other. Love is! Peace out! insightoner: 19th Mar 2006 - 19:05 GMT I have a great amount of respect for all ethnicities and I find that Hispanics and those of Latin decent the most interesting! I enjoy the culture very very much and my ex boyfriend was 100% mexican and I absolutely loved his family and culture.....AAAAAHAHAHAHAHAH^^^^ other then being some plain cracker we have flavor and attitudes and a whole other language that we speak so we arent what you want us to be which is plain boring white... okay you guys who are anti-white..I 'm with you , I can empathize.... ^ LOL: 20th Mar 2006 - 15:54 GMT The illest gang war ever in Humboldt park: Almighty Crazy Gay Latin Kings (Saying : Dicks up, Asses down) vs. Insane Cocksucker Gangster Nation (Saying: All Cocks in our mouths!) Here’s what happened one night in the park during a “rumble”. The ICGN’s out-blew the ACGLK’s swallowing more loads than thought scientifically possible, even by homosexual standards. The ACGLK’s attempted to match the sucking and swallowing tempo of the ICGN’s but quickly discovered themselves outnumbered, and ultimately, overpowered. But when it came to the anal rumping, the ICGN’s took it in the ass! The ICGN’s just slumped to the floor and passed out when the ACGLK’s were done with them. As of now, it has been accepted by the ICGN’s that they have lost the bout. However, they have enlisted fellow gang allies (FOLKS) Insane Butt Fucking Unknowns (IBFU’s) for the next rumble. The issue for that alliance is that the ACGLK’s have also enlisted allies, the Almighty Imperial Nut Lovers (AINL crazy gangsta nation)… Rumble number 2 is due shortly to settle their differences, I will keep u up to date!!! One Love!!! Editor: 20th Mar 2006 - 16:13 GMT that last comment was so freaking funny, theres no way in hell im deleting it. hahahaha! Lil' Balls (ICGN Nation): 21st Mar 2006 - 16:39 GMT To any of the Kings that was at the rumble, please return to me my jockstrap!!!! and my socks too!!! Lil Balls - ICGN almighty Maniac Gangsta Nation Cock lickin, Nut droppin adam: 22nd Mar 2006 - 06:11 GMT hello, I just moved into Humbolt Park one year ago. Gunshots and police about, are just a way of life in many places. Chicago is unique in it's diversity, peacefull to hectic. Many of my neighbors may consider me to be a yuppie. I might be. I am white and drive a volvo. I own a shotgun and watch my yard at 3 a.m. This is better than where I lived before. I used to have to watch at 3p.m. Anyway. Hi neibors. Please don't steal my lunch bag again. Hummus is expensive these days. -Adam Alex: 22nd Mar 2006 - 06:23 GMT I just have to say to everyone that read my comments on Jan 12th, to know that I have had some enlightening experiences since then. All you need to know, is that this place NEEDS TO CHANGE! For the better. What I remember is nostalgalistic, not positive. It is akin to wanting to get hit by your boyfriend after being abused by your father years ago. I have learned a lot since 1/12. A lot about Chicago and a lot about me. I am gay, and I love Humbolt Park! Adios! ALEX LOL : 22nd Mar 2006 - 20:18 GMT Chicago Gang Watch Journal: “Ready to fuck” Humboldt park: Hernando “King Cock” Martinez, leader of the Almighty Crazy Gay Latin Kings (ACGLK’s) has split from the gang. Rumor has it that he was kidnapped by members of the BBBD’s (Big Dick Black Disciples) and was either forced, or, as gang experts agree, willingly decided to make the shift to a “folk” gang member, which is the gang “umbrella” the BBBD‘s function under and not the same as the ACGLK‘s. “Who knows what they did to him during the kidnapping?” comments officer Ryan Narc from Chicago’s gang intelligence unit, “it must have been good though“. “King Cock” has now started a new street gang under the folk alliance called the “Stone Freak Latin Anal Boys” (SFLAB’s). “King Cock” along with other members of his new gang are being seen with members of the BBBD’s all over Chicago. This alliance is causing great concern for the police because members of “King Cocks” new outfit appear to be “too happy”. Police reports are coming in left and right that “they are constantly running around with smiles on their faces, and walking funny” . “It is rare to see gang members with happy faces” comments Lt. Mossberg of the Humboldt police department. “They, the “Stone Freak Latin Anal Boys” must be really getting a good deal out of this partnership”, Lt. Mossberg added. “Ready to suck” Hamlin Park: Police arrested gang member Jose Rodriguez “2 balls” last night. Jose Rodriguez is a member of the Satan’s Lil Horny Disciples (SLHD’s). He was caught ejaculating on another gang member from the Hamlin park Insane Cocks in a dark alley off of Barry street. Both gangs have been feuding for months. Last week, an Insane Cock gang member was arrested for armed robbery. Lewis Armstrong “fat cock” attempted to rob a local pharmacy at gunpoint. He was attempting to steal condoms and lubricates. Police apprehended the suspect on his way out of the store. Oddly enough, as the cuffs were being placed on his wrists, the suspect appeared to be overjoyed and immediately obtained an erection, which made it difficult for the police officers to place him into the police vehicle. “There just wasn’t enough room” complained Officer Rick Prick, “basically, due to his enormous erection, it was a real hassle putting him in the back of the car”. Officer Stanly Clarke remarked that he was amazed at the gang members excitement at the prospect of going to jail. We wonder why??? Peter: omg, i am cracking up... Boriqua/Morena: 25th Mar 2006 - 20:30 GMT I am mixed with Puerto Rican and Black. I have lived in Humboldt Park all of my life and I have learned to accept what the neighborhood is about. This is my life it is all that I know. What is important is that us a nation come together in unity and preserve the moral values that our abuelas rooted deep into our souls. We shame our race by shaming each other. Our culture is supposed to be strong but we as people are not showing what we are about! Boriqua/Morena: 25th Mar 2006 - 20:32 GMT Violence happens everywhere not just in Humboldt Park. But if we learn how to prevent it then we(H.P.)won't be looked at so badly... rich: 26th Mar 2006 - 03:07 GMT grew up pierce/kedzie in the fiftys,hood was mostly norwegians/poles and irish.2 luthern churches, at pierce/spalding and lemoyne/spalding, not much crime at all,kings were just starting near div.st,we were the hirsch st lords. one of the leaders went to hollywood became actor on a soap,we used to find bums dead in park .last time back [94]to show my kids were i grew up i noticed how they stripped the park of all bushes/brush. the old house 3227 pierce looks better now than when i lived there,but the hood looks like a rats nest... SadStateOfAffairs: 27th Mar 2006 - 18:25 GMT Rich - come back soon - a lot has changed since '94 - the park has been renovated, boathouse etc...the founders of the Kings still live in the hood but they have gotten older too. It is tough to gang bang in your 50's - lots of buildings for sale - lots of buildings being rehabbed - lots of families - new McDonald's with a nice stone fireplace @ North/Kedzie, they won't hire you if you don't speak spanish - if those old greystones that were built in 1895 era could talk I wonder what they would say? People still treat the neighborhood as their own personal garbage bag but the city is fighting back, lots of clean up crews, clean up days and a stronger police presence. My neighbor has been in the neighborhood since 1980, he told me that way back when he first moved in, if you called the police it would take them 30-45 minutes to respond and then they responded by coming to your house and beating you up for calling them. That has changed too. Crime is down but somebody lately has been interested in busting car door windows and grabbing whatever is sitting in the car. rich: 28th Mar 2006 - 01:05 GMT I[54YEARS OLD] PLAN TO VISIT THE OLD HOOD IN JULY WITH MY BROTHER [65],HES IN N.J, IM SOUTH OF BOSTON..AFTER ALL THESE YEARS WE STILL MISS NORTH/ KEDZIE..ITS FUNNY, AFTER READING ALL THE WHITE/HISPANIC HATRED SHIT ILL TELL U,WHEN I WENT IN THE SERVICE IN 1969 I HUNG WITH THE BLACKS AND HISPANICS FROM CHI..FOR THE SIMPLE REASON,WE COULD RELATE TO EACH OTHER.WE ALL CAME FROM THE SAME BACKGROUNDS,POOR OR LITTLE MONEY,SAME LIKES AND DISLIKES..THE GOOD OLD BOYS FROM DOWN SOUTH WERE LIKE FORERNERS TO ME..YOU WILL SEE IF U EVER LEAVE HP HOW MUCH ,EVERYBODY HAS IN COMMON. PEACE simplyantwon: 30th Mar 2006 - 06:38 GMT hey! so, my friend staci (whom you've all met) tuned me into this whole blog thing. i think it's fantastic to read some of the opinions and perspectives of my unknown neighbors. so, i wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. i'm antwon. i'm a newer resident of the humboldt pk area....2.5 years. i love everything about the neighborhood. the boulevard, the park, the trees, the people, the sense of community...all of it. i guess i just think we should each fight to keep the integrity of the community. with that in mind, you decide what honestly is best. love to humboldt park! SAMILA: 2nd Apr 2006 - 03:15 GMT Humboldt Park is beauty at its finest! It gives us all the opportunity to see what is bad and good. We hate the gangs, but we love how Puerto Ricans respect and preserve their culture. We welcome all, who can respect and aid us in preserving that culture. hom bun: nuk yu mikka ru Yuk: lick me Culture Club: 12th Apr 2006 - 21:07 GMT Can I get a few examples of the HP culture that everyone is so keen on holding onto? I don't see it. If there was so much pride you wouldn't let people treat the neighborhood like a giant garbage dump. Where and how will this culture be lost overnight if some other races move into the neighborhood? If the strategy is to let the garbage fly all around so property values remain low so you can hold onto culture then I say you're doing a great job. Since when is it OK to dump your McDonalds value meal on the street after you're done? I have been looking for culture and all I see are folks who hate others who are not like them, boy doesn't this sound familiar. The PRs hate the Brothers, the Mexicans cannot get along with the PRS because the PRs cannot understand why 12 people in a home is OK, the Brothers tussle with the Mexicans over turf and EVERYONE blames it all on Whitey. Who is keeping you down? Whitey. Oh no here he comes, don't let the yuppie in. That's right, the same white man who took out the Indians years ago. He hasn't changed and it is always his fault. You know whose fault it is? Look in the mirror. What respect? What is to preserve? A few restaurants with signs in the front "No Yuppies Allowed" - you can bet your ass they didn't go to the bank and borrow money with that attitude - "We're going to only serve PR food to PRs", two arches, a culture museum that went down in a scandal, gang banging(where is the culture here?), a parade and garbage blowing through a beautiful park. What am I not seeing here? Random thoughts after seeing these postings drift into nothingness.... rich: 14th Apr 2006 - 00:44 GMT culture club i couldnt have said it better.i grew up there from 51-69,didnt have anti mex-pr stuff when they moved into the hood..2 of my best friends were mexican,we used to eat over at the italain kids house on sat. because they always had wine with there dinners.3 polish brothers hung with us too,we had a real united nations them days..even the alleys were clean,and they didnt put lights in them till 62 or 63,mothers used to wash the stoops.no excuse for the way they trashed the hp area.. 1969-1984 : 14th Apr 2006 - 20:15 GMT You call HP a beautiful place where racism exists and (although cleaner than before) is still much dirtier than many of the 'burbs. Have you people ever come out of your house to see where everyone else lives? funny, growing up there 69'-84' all I heard was how Puerto Rico was so beautiful --- I asked why you didn't go back--- only to find out PR didn't want them either! ONe other note: I never knew a person growing up that even traveled to Canada or some exotic European place (everyone was from beautiful PR or Mexico!). Funny, a culture that only knows 40 or 50 sq blocks makes it own perverted sub-culture. I'm laughing my ass off listening to all of this from my home 3000 miles away! Thanks, but no thanks, you guy can keep HP; gangs, racism, little PR, little MEX city.... rich: 15th Apr 2006 - 18:06 GMT 1 year after leaving chi. the navy sent me to san juan pr. i couldnt beleave how clean it was.i was only 19, but it hit me right away.and the people were great.this white irish kid had a great stay.... Concerned HP'er!: 20th Apr 2006 - 03:13 GMT Is it necessary to blast the bass thumping radio at 6:00 AM? Is it necessary to hang out on corners and deal drugs? Is it necessary to live in public/low income housing and still deal drugs? Is it necessary to have your head on a swivel looking for the next buyer or cop car? Is it necessary to throw your litter around the curb side when there are garbage cans a few blocks away? Is it necessary to respect your neighbors? Is it necessary to respect your community? People need to look in the mirror and make a change within themselves. If they can't do that, Alderman Ocasio needs to be more assertive with his efforts to clean up the Humboldt Park area or Mayor Dailey will have to take the lead. HP is a beautiful park and it is a tragedy to see what happens in and around the area. Pride begins at home and within yourself! Earth Day At Humboldt Park: 21st Apr 2006 - 14:40 GMT RESTORE. Work first, then enjoy hands-on nature crafts and live music at the HUMBOLDT PARK EARTH DAY CLEAN UP AND CELEBRATION. The community effort is in honor of the 36th annual Earth Day. Volunteers should meet at the Humboldt Park Boathouse and bring lots of elbow grease. April 22, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 1359 N. Sacramento Blvd., 312-742-5039, www.chicagoparkdistrict.org. Dante: 22nd Apr 2006 - 16:24 GMT Question (maybe a stupid one, probably an ignorant sounding one). I was checking out an apartment on Cortez between Campbell and Rockwell. I liked the place. I was checking it out at noon on a weekday, came back on Friday night about 11 to see what the block was like then. Maybe ten or fifteen young guys hanging outside of a house, wearing all white, paying close attention to who was driving by. I'm the first to admit I don't have much in the way of street smarts. Well, I'll just go ahead and ask all my ignorant questions. Was that a gang? Just some kids hanging out? Obviously I didn't get much of a look at what was going on, but it seemed to be just kids hanging out. I don't know. Anything anybody knows about that block, I'd appreciate hearing it. Any other advice/thoughts you think might benefit me, I'd appreciate those, too. Not a yuppie, just another student trying to figure out how to live, work and go to school with ever-decreasing amounts of financial aid. Experienced: 29th Apr 2006 - 03:57 GMT Rest assured, you noticed a group/gang trying to locate the buyers for their drugs. Stop by and check out the corner of Maplewood and LeMoyne around 3:00pm. You'll see a series of thugs hanging out by the corner store, a jacked up white cadillac, a white mini-van, and a few other undesirable creatures. The two common things here are gangs and drugs. They go together like milk and cookies. This region reminds me of a piece of coal surrounded by diamonds. Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, and Ukranian Village are heads and shoulders above Humboldt Park. The low income housing ares in these sections are inhabited by respectful citizens. Take a drive by and you will see the difference. Humboldt Park has huge potential, but the residents need to take greater pride in what they love and own. It's sad to see all the litter scattered about the community. How hard is it to toss a bottle/wrapper into a garbage can? Alderman Ocasio needs to open his eyes and take a closer look at the community. If needed, I'm sure Mayor Daily could do it for him. This little area needs to change, but the roaches are holding it back. It's funny, watching them hang out, doing nothing but loitering/dealing, and then seeing them scurry when Chicago's finest drives down the street. Of course, the police won't find anything on the dealers. Either they have the goods/cash stashed in a local car or they have swallowed the evidence. It's comical watching the degenerates walk away gagging themselves. Would you buy merchandise that has been crammed down somebody's throat? I know I wouldn't. Keep one thing in mind: Property taxes are on the rise. Rent will be increasing. New building projects will replace broken down shacks. The hands of time are ringing a new alarm! anon (65.201.244.153): 22nd May 2006 - 15:00 GMT I am looking at an apartment located near augusta and francisco. What type of neighborhood is it? Is it safe for a single female? PRPoet: 12th Jun 2006 - 19:21 GMT Augusta and Francisco is not a bad place so long as you keep your eyes open and pay attention. Its like anywhere else in the city, a little common sense goes a long way. Anon, I have nothing against you so I apologize if I come off a little apprehensive right now but reading through some of these comments could put anyone in a bad mood. HP is a culture, for those that are lost on what is so great about it. A low class melting pot where everything comes together, good or bad; so if you don't like the area stop bitching and do something about it! If you see gangbangers on the corner call the cops, if you see garbage on the street pick it up; anything that happpens anywhere in the world happens because of one person and the affect that person leaves on the area around them. So be positive and take care of your neighborhood and maybe it'll get better a little faster. Badmouthing an area and the people that live there just makes you look ignorant...and stupid considering this site was based on an event IN Humboldt Park and most closely affects the people living in Humboldt Park. If you moved out appreciate what the area taught you and move on, but the stay out. If your going to badmouth my hood we don't want you. pt: 12th Jun 2006 - 22:57 GMT i am a montrealer who had relatives in h.p. in the 60s and seventies and each time ivisited i saw the decline and deterioration of the nmeighborhood.in 1968 iwould go to hp in the night now iwould not evev walk halfway down the street in the daytime-potomac -spaulding boriqua: 13th Jun 2006 - 13:33 GMT alot of love to everybody who wrote what they felt. peace, boriqua. Gino: 13th Jun 2006 - 16:11 GMT Ha, Everyone This week,is a week of enjoying ourselves and our culture. so lets put our differences aside and be happy that god has given you one more day to make your life better for yourself and your family. Life is too short,We must do all we can to make humboldt park a better place to live,It's time to leave behind the pass, and move forward for the good of all boriquas and latinos. I know that I will do what I can to show my kids that yes you can make it and still be proud of were your family came from. much love to all and best of luck. Chino: 17th Jun 2006 - 15:58 GMT Big up to all my people, I'm originally from Elgin, and I spent a lot of my time in Humbolt Park, as a kid I remember going to HP to visit family on Rockwell, I always thought it was a nice neighborhood all the neighbors were always nice to us I got along with the guys on the block. I always hit the Puerto Rican festival, HP is filled rich in culture and it always will be. You just have to have street smarts. Everyone be safe week, you know how it can get Much love, Chino comin to u from FL. Boricua/Mexicana las dos: 17th Jun 2006 - 16:28 GMT My mother has done a great job bringing me up, from her having nothing, not a stable home, not a family that supported her, not any motivation, she made it her life goal to make my life better. She had me when she was 16, and we lived from motel to motel, and in and out of other people's houses. But now, now we live on our own and my mom has tught me the best way she could to be a strong person, but being both Puerto Rican and Mexican, i do not choose one over the other. Eventhough I didn't grow up with my dad and Mexican culture. I think that it is important to embrace everything that you are, so I don't just celebrate cinco de Mayo and i don't just go to the Puertorican Day Parade, I do all of it. I celebrate who I am and who my family is, both sides. I don't criticize either. I luv having my mom's family being from Puerto Rico, and I luv my dad's being from Mexico. It's all about who you are. And I am not just another statistic, broken home and all, I still do my best I can in school and maintain a 4.5 GPA. Anything is possible, Puertorican, Mecian , Cuban, Dominican, everyone can be someone and have goals 4 themselves. Luv 4 everyone. Lawrence: 3rd Jul 2006 - 16:51 GMT I was born In Chicago. I'm of Mexican decent. Today all the gangs are ruining the city. They are killing each other over turfs. What the hell is a turf? Don't come in this neighborhood or don't go to that neighborhood. Why can't you mexican gang bangers help one another. You are more interested in showing how tough you are. How you are willing to kill to have other gang bangers respect you. You all end up in jail in the long run. You don't respect the ladies. The ladies are going to be the mother of your children. You need to respect the ladies and take care of them. Treat them with love so they can be good mothers to your children. Stop the drive by killings, stop the drugs. "STOP THE DRUGS". It is so much harder to get up everyday and go to work. It is so much harder to take care of your family and see to it that they get a good education. But the rewards are so much greater. You have to learn to be a MAN!. Flatbush Boy: Keep it real yo CRISSY 23: 29th Jul 2006 - 06:18 GMT WOW COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER GREAT COMMENT LAWERNCE. Gangs in HP: 26th Aug 2006 - 15:54 GMT The gangs og HP have killed this area. I remember in the 70's & 80's in addition to the Latin Kings we had a Simon Park Brothers and Sons of Capone fighting all the time in my little area. I'm sure it's the same now too. You guys need to wake up, take a vacation and see the world you're missing! Once you do that you'll see protecting a little piece of old concrete and being "tough" have got you nowhere compared to the rest of the world! Peace Tom KING CISCO 95TH ROSLAND: 3rd Sep 2006 - 16:32 GMT IM READIN ALOT OF SHIT ABOUT HUMBOLDT MY AUNT LIVED THER FOR 4 YEARS AND I SPENT ALOT OF TIME OUT THERE. (IM MEXICAN). I GOT SOMTHIN TO SAY ABOUT THE FOOL TALKIN ABOUT EDUCATION LIKE PEOPLE IN HUMBOLDT ARE STUPED AND UNEDUCATED. THE WHITE MANS SYSTEM DOESNT WORK IN FAVOR OF MINORITIES THE CHICAGO SCHOOL SYSTEM SUCKS. THEIR GOAL IS TO GET US THE FUCK OUT OF SCHOOL. THEY DONT EXPECT US TO GRADUATE LET ALONE GO TO COLLAGE SO DONT FUCKIN THINK UR BETTER THAN ANYONE CAUSE U GOT AN EDUCATION. WHEN I WAS 17 I GOT LOKED UP FOR 2 YEARS. I TOOK THE RAP FOR A BROTHER (THATS A PART OF THE MANIFESTO FOR U FAKE NIGGAZ THAT DONT KNOW). I DIDNT GET TO SEE MY DAUGHTER BEING BORN. GOT MY GED IN COUNTY WHEN I GOT OUT I WENT TO DEVRY GRADUATED AND KNOW I GOT A BAD ASS JOB THAT PAYS ME 6 FIGURES GOT MY OWN (450,000)HOUSE IN THE BURBS. IM AN OG KNOW AT 23 DID MY TIME PAYED MY DUES BUT I HAVE NEVER LEFT THE BROTHERS U SHOULD SEE MY WHITE NAIGHBORS AND THE SECURITY GAURD WHEN THE BROTHERS STOP BY IN BLACK AND GOLD RIDIN IN A 63 IMPALA WITH DAYTONS AND SWITCHES. SO FUCK U WERE NOT IGNORANT GANGSTAS. UR BITCH AS PROBLY BEEN LLIVIN OF UR PARENTS ALL UR LIFE, U AINT BETER THAN NOBODY. BY THE WAY I GOT TATTOS ON MY HANDS I GOT THE 5 POINT ON MY LEFT HAND WITH A CROWN ON TOP OF IT. AND I CANT WEAR A SHORT SLEAVE SHIRT CAUSE ALL MY KING TATTOS ARE VISIBLE. I GOT ALOT OF THEM (LET ME PUT IT TO U THIS WAY I GOT HALF A SIX PONTED STAR CRACKED AND HALF A FORK CRACKED NEXT TO IT WITH A BACKWRDS D ON ONE SIDE AND K ON THE OTHER. SO U GOT NO RIGHT CALLIN US IGNORANT. CAUSE IM THE CRAZYEST NIGGA U WOULD MEET. I ALWAYS GET PULLED OVER IN MY M3 CAUSE THE MAN THINKS I STOLE IT. AND THE THE NIGGA TALKING SHIT ABOUT MEXICANS. THE NIGGA THATS HALF PUERTO RICAN IS FUKING STUPID. BET US MEXICANS DO HATE THE COCKY ASS PUERTO RICANS THAT THINK THAIR THE SHIT. THE KINGS WERE FOUNDED BY PUERTO RICANS IN THE 40'S BUT KNOW AT LEAST IN CHI TOWN MOST OF THEM ARE MEXICAN. DON'T GET ME WRONG I GOT LOVE FOR PUERTO RICANS THATS WHAT THE SET IS ALL ABOUT (LOVE) ITS ONE OF THE POINTS IN THE CROWN. WHEN IS STAYED IN HP THERE WERE BITCH AS PUERTO RICAN MLD'sK. I HUNG OUT WITH ALOT OF PUERTO RICAN KING BRTHERS. IM ORIGINALY FROM THE WILD HUNDREDS ROSLAND 95TH LATIN KING. BUT U KNOW WHAT SOME OF U RICANS DO PISS US MEXICANS OF U THINK UR BETER THAN US LIKE UR THE SHIT. IM NOT TALKING ABOUT ALL RICANS JUST THIS STUPID MATHA FUCKA. GIT UR SHIT RIGHT THERES BEEN MORE MEXICAN CHAMPIONS IN BOXING THAN PUERTO RICAN'S. DONT GET ME STARTED ON MACHO CAMACHO THAT BITCH PUTS UR RACE TO SHAME. THATS WHY CHAVEZ BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF HIM. IL GIVE U TRINIDAD HES A GOOD NIGGA BUT HE FAUGHT DE LA HOYA HES NOT A REAL MEXICAN. AND UR RIGHT WE DO JUMP THE BORDER BUT AT LEAST WE PUT UP A FIGHT WHEN THE US TOOK OUR SHIT. U JUST GOT OP ONE DAY AND DECIDED TO BE PART OF THE US.AND WITH THE MUSIC SHIT I LIKE THE BACHATA AND REGETONE (WICH IS ORIGINALY FROM PANAMA) BUT THAT AINT GOT SHIT ON SOME CORRIDOS AND NORTENAS. SO SHUT THE FUCK UP NIGGA AND SHOW SOME LOVE. SHOUT OUT TO THE BROTHAS OFF OF KIMBAL KING LOVE AMOR DE REY FORM KING CISCO. Grandfather Time: capslock is autopilot for cool..... PeanutGallery: 6th Sep 2006 - 19:39 GMT Where is spelt check when you need it? Those that talk about how much money they make, don't make it. I guarantee that. Please let me know who pays idiots that kind of money, I'll be sure to short the company and make a ton of money. Yea-Yo: 6th Oct 2006 - 19:22 GMT Exactly Culture Club. I'd love to understand more about these deep roots people claim they've laid into Humboldt Park. The dirty ass alleys, unkept yards, trash all over, people with no regard for the next man... The idea that Humboldt Park is somehow owed to the Puerto Ricans (or any culture) is ludicrous. Do some reading on the history of Chicago. People move in and out of neighborhoods due to FINANCIAL reasons. Yuppies don't move in to be cool, they move in because they can afford it - whites didn't move out in the 70's because they stopped loving Humboldt Park, they moved out because people started moving in who had no regard for life and ruined their neighborhood. Now the same people who ruined the neighborhood are trying to hold on the to false roots they claim. Humboldt Park will be a better place after gentrification - not a dirty word by the way, it's a fact of live for 100 years in Chicago. Call it what you want to, but the allmighty dollar will determine this battle, and all others in city limits. In the meantime, try not to throw your large coke and bag of chips out the car window when you're done - love your neighborhood by proving it with actions, not by bitching about people moving in (and cleaning it the fuck up). Yuppie Power bitches! jeeff: 12th Oct 2006 - 23:41 GMT anon: you should see how many 'crab vs. slob' gangsta messages get deleted here on a daily basis. some people need to find a new hobby. Gringo: 16th Oct 2006 - 17:28 GMT Cool, my first witnessing of a drive by in Humboldt Park. You latinos sure have your priorities straight! Giovanni: 8th Nov 2006 - 23:53 GMT i grew up in a mostly Italian neighborhood in bay view in milwaukee and Latin Kings were a huge force in my neighborhood, all my family was in it, most of my family pics were in black and gold, my dad has a five point crown with an R under it for Rosano, and i also have family in Albany park in chicago, so ive seen some pretty senseless stuff, my cousin Mario got gunned down on his porch over a gram of coke, so think about what you do before you do it, and dont get into gang shit King Gati: 15th Nov 2006 - 12:55 GMT Wow, after reading all this for about 2 hrs or so..I gotta say I laughed alot with some of you ppl...I'm rican born in NYC..Boogies down bx..I read how bad was or is HP, ...About gangbanging, Drugs, crooked cops etc..What I'm trying to say is..Everywhere you stand, walk, look, or breath..There someone that dies. Not only in HP tragedies are accured..In alot of different State, Countries, Or Island Drug, Gangbanging, Rape, etc..Are Seen.. And that racist shiet need to stop!...Black, White, Latino, Asian, Yuppies or W/e..All I know is that when we die..We all become dust.. And for the family of Miguel My respect for all of you..May his soul Rip.. Damn all ya throwing shiet at each other , and forgot what the topic was..Smh..Anyway..ALKQN..To all my manito and manita...Keep repping what you believe in..ADR.. RESPONSE TO : Yea-Yo: 15th Nov 2006 - 23:48 GMT Im Puerto Rican and im buying property converting it into condos and giving it right back to the RICANS of Humboldt Park. Why might you ask because im RICH BICTH!!!!!!!!!! Sorry for you yuppies i guess your not wealthy enough LOL! A concerned SISTER: 15th Dec 2006 - 00:31 GMT When are my brothers and sisters goin to stop killing eachother: there is already enough ppl who want to see you unsuccessful, poor, uneducated and dead..... why do ALL of the work yourselves?????? Love conquers all...... Together we stand, devided we fall -- we've fallen deep and its time to get back up and fight! Question: Are you strong enough to fight against an entire system built against you? I AM Sent with pure love.... I am Puerto Rican, and Really Angry at your Lack of Concern and Knowledge:: 18th Dec 2006 - 19:59 GMT I have attended various universities in both Chicago and Puerto Rico. I am currently a student at the University of Puerto Rico, and at one point I was Trying to recieve my BA from Northeastern Illinois University. Although I was fully born and raised icago, within the Humboldt Park Neighboorhod, I find myself currently in exile, in Puerto Rico. I was a law biding, respectful and active member of my community. I I have ever aspired to, was taken from me because of this "Urban Revival." I for one lost my home, my roots, my family and my friennds. It may seem exagerated but it is true. The increased rent prices, taxation, city inspection and lack of governmental intervention, have left us out in the cold. Both physically and literally. We never wanted anyone to move way, we only wanted to stay...... We lived in Humboldt Park through the worst times, and now that the real-estate is HOT, they want us to leave. Humboldt Park is one of the most accesible neighboorhoods in all of Chicago. Its location is in the middle of the city and one can easily access any part of the city from it. The urban developers are treating Humboldt Park like a fad, like what they did with Lincoln Park. If you don't know what happened then you need to get educated. Please read up on the facts before you make incorrect claims. The picture that member "Peter" has posted is at the corner from where I used to live. Peter, forgive me for saying you are very narrow minded. In fact, it would not suprise me that you were probably one of the persons calling city inspectors, on me so that we could sell at a cheap price. In fact that is exactly what happened. All the stress, made my father's high-blood pressure go up, and he died due to a CVA. For all of u illiterates, that is a Stroke. Because we experienced financial diffiulties, shortly after my father's death, we sold our property. I am very upset at all of you urban developers, and yuppies with no feelings or heart. I guarantee, that when you die, you will face God, and he will make you pay for the damage you have caused. And before you say it I will, the two incidents are interconnected, my father's death, the loss of my house and your plans for urban revival. After we attempted to find an organization that could help us, we came up empty handed, because as we all know, money talks, and city hall can be bought for a price. I am bitter, I am Angry and above all I am frustrated. I would love to return home, but it is impossible. This "Urban Revival" has taken everything from me except my spirit. I know that I will be back home one day. A day that you yuppies, figure out that Humboldt Park isn't important anymore, a day that the neighboorhood looses its appeal. A day that I have finnished struggling, and have gained what I have been working for. My only regret is that I couldn't keep struggling against the greater forces that bought out Humboldt Park. Everything is remedied with money. I don't have money, but I have the strength to fight, and the heart to continue. Posted respectfully by Maritza Age 26 Grew up in Kedzie and North The Chi-ster: 22nd Dec 2006 - 20:11 GMT We need to see the bigger picture here. Its almost heartbreaking to see people of a common struggle wasting time and lives with petty arguments. I am boricua, I stayed on Kedzie and Armitage before we moved to the Western Suburbs. I live my life constantly reminding myself of the struggles that our forefathers went through to give us the freedoms to become educated, make money, give ourselves better lives, and, yes, to also represent our gang affiliations on an internent message board and get into petty fights about whose race is better, etc. Im 19, enrolled at Loyola, and working for Chase. This does absolutely nothing to separate me from any of the hateful, misguided people commenting on here. What I hope will separate me from ignorance is the work ethic towards making our neighborhood, city, country a positive place where murder and other senseless violence are the exception not the norm. True, HP is a dangerous place. Also true is that there are many positive things going on right now in the area. The PRCC has made excellent strides toward building a better community that can express that incredibly rich culture that we as Hispanics own. WHAT DOES ANY OF THIS MEAN? Sure, humboldt park is our home and there is definite pride that goes with that. But it means nothing if we do not consciously try, on a daily basis, to improve what we can. We must NEVER forget what heroes such as Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos died for. We were given the opportunites, as hispanics and as Americans, to better ourselves. If we dont, we are wishing death upon ourselves. Peace to Chicago RICH W: 27th Dec 2006 - 23:38 GMT MARITZA,you tell the truth,but my family who were forced out off the same block as u,lived in h.p area from 1920 till about 1970. we were forced out by the crime and lawless people that moved to kedzie/north area. i would have loved to come back after my time in the service in 1973,both my parents died on pierce ave,but my family ended up all over the u.s..though my sister still lives in burbs..we risk our life just trying to show our kids and grandkids were the family started..hp was a peacefull place to live until late 60's..after that all the locals left, thats why houses and rents were cheap,im glad to see the hood changing,i plan on visiting next year..look at the history of h.p sometimes and see how its always changing..good luck to you but history shows a new hp..good or bad I am Puerto Rican, and Really Angry at your Lack of Concern and Knowledge:: 1st Jan 2007 - 20:05 GMT I agree with you Rich. I would love to live in a world where people can coexist peacefully along side one another. All I am saying is that most people make generalizations of people based on the content of their wallets and the color of their skin. Change is inevitable, and fortunately or unfortunately we all have to adjust. Survival of the fittest--no? But we must face the harsh reality, there is an affordable housing shortage within Chicago. All of this feels like some kind of governmental conspiracy to force-out low income people out of the city. I am aware of the complex history that Humboldt Park Has. It is not a racial thing, at least not within my eyes, it is an economic thing......Simply put, it is not the gangbangers and violent members of the comunity that suffer through gentrification, it is the responible, hard-working members of the community who pay for the consequences of urban revival. I more than most am aware of the consequences of growing up in a violent neighborhood. As a child i was unable to go outside, and always had to "watch my back." Even after all my education, and work experience, I was still labeled as "Ghetto", as person with no future, by prospective employers and others with a "hollow mind", and yes i am a graduate of Roberto Clemente, and was mostly self taught, until I enrolled in college. The main point is, all of this mutual, reciprocal hate should stop! It is hard enough being a human being within this complex society, we should judge a person by the content of their hearts, and minds and not by the content of their wallets, or their street addresses. Respectfully posted, Maritza Puerto Rico and Humboldt Park RICH W: 12th Jan 2007 - 02:06 GMT maritza,i agree with u 100%,i wrote before but it didnt get posted..theres a affordable housing shortage everywhere.i live between boston and n.y, every apartment building is being bought up by these people from n.y and n.j and turned into condos.or the collage kids pack em in and pay huge rents for a party house.the locals who are every race,are being pushed out..these realstate people dont see no color but green...clemente was still tuley high in my day,was 1 long cold walk thur that park some winter days.but i woudnt change 1 thing from growing up there..are familys would have been good neihbors...3227 pierce was are place..god bless u and yours rich This is real!!!: 25th Jan 2007 - 18:06 GMT I sit here sad as hell listening to all the disrespect everyone has for each other. WOW. im trying to understand how can we be so ignorant and not get our act together. I lived on Kedzie & Cortland- North & Lawndale and will go thru any hood anytime not because im a tough ass but because i should never feel scared in my own Boriqua hood. Now Schaumburg, Boiling brook now that’s were i feel tension because they don’t know me & i don’t know them. We really need to smarten up. We have been in Humboldt for since the late 60z and have not motivated one bit or kept it safe for our families & kids. Now white folks come in from Wicker Park and we start claiming it as if we ever really cared about it now because we are so called being kicked out. The only reason its getting value is for what is being put in not for what has been there. We jagged taking ownership and beautifying it, so lets stop bitching and get with the program. Let’s get educated, lets get real jobs & lets buy property and live in peace just as that new white guy down the block is doing. Gangs will laugh now and cry later. Not to hate on my famos gangbanging right now but we really need to get our act together. You want to bang & sell drugs in the hood?? Handle yo paper cuz. But all the ish is short term papas. Ask half of your boys RIP in the ground right now cuz they were on the same gangbanging thang players..I would love for my baby girls to grow up in my hood where i came up, but not if dumb fucks are out there banging selling rocks and blows to crack heads on the corner while my girls are getting out of school. Boriquas we know we got big tough hearts now lets get the brains pumping. Its still not late to "motivate".. I feel real sad to say it but deep inside my heart i know our numbers are few that will really stop and listen.. The rest will just do as they may and when they hit rock bottom start blaming everyone but them selves for their ignorance. I see it already everyday. But im not a physic but if you really love yo hood sho me whatz good & get smart. Be the leader to take Boriquas to another level. Its time to show Chicago that we will love and take care of this hood. Peace and love to all, especial to those gangbanger that can offer so much more joy in life then sadness in death. Derek Jackson: 2nd Feb 2007 - 20:05 GMT Wow! Reading all this misspelled babble about being proud of being hispanic, about fighting the whites trying to take what's yours, and about complaining about gang violence is making me half-laugh, half-get pissed off. Homboldt Park was once a nice place to live... when it was devoid of hispanics. By the way, if you're so proud of your origins, why are you living in a FOREIGN country? I would think if you people are so cool, and so proud of your respective countries, you would want to live among yourselves, on your land!?! Right? So why go parasite another people's country you don't even respect? Oh! Maybe because your home country is so shitty it can't even support its own people! Or because your only chance of survival, sometimes even attaining a better life, is moving into, and living off, a country whose people has made rich, safe (except for hispanic and some black neighborhoods), and a good place to live. If you don't understand what I'm speaking of, imagine if PR or Mexico had become rich nations by the work and abilities of their founding populations (hispanics), and had thousands of Anglo Americans sneaking over, refusing to learn Spanish for generations, living off welfare the working Latinos had to pay for, crossing borders at the last moment to give birth on the other side of the frontier to profit from lenient and please-the-beggar laws, crowding schools with intellectually-challenged children(unable to learn quickly because living in households without anyone with even a grade school-level education to help with homework or ask questions to), thus bringing the overall Education System down; and, among so many other detestable facts, creating gangs to organize theft, rackett, illegal immigration, trafficking, etc... Would you like this people? Would you consider it an asset to your country? Would you not hate this people with all your guts? Well, probably not. And you would have every humanly justified reason not to. Well, your attitude, thinking you're oppressed by the English speaking population, blaming your poverty and uneducation on the "ruling people" is just fine. It just gives so much more opportunity for Anglos & integrated immigrants to be part of the higher classes of society. You don't force yourself into a higher social class (imposing your language, religion, and general lifestyle), unless you're actually able, in a competitive way, to supersede it. But let's face that, it's not going to happen. The only successful hispanics that mean anything to American society, are the integrated ones, why have adapted to it; not those who've tried to colonize it. Why are "whites" (I suppose you mean middle-class; there's probably some blacks, asians, & jews among them) pushing you out of the neighborhood? Not because of some fantasy conspiracy, but because that's how the market works. Your arrival in the neighborhood brought the prices down, because all the decent people living there before didn't want to live with the type of misery and crime you bring along. Now that people with revenue want to get closer to the city, they're buying land, and developing. Prices necessarily go up, which forces people who want the unexpected money thrown at them to sell, and leave. Why is it that hispanics can't afford, but other races can? Don't ask or blame me; look back at yourself for responsibility. And a last thing about gangs: walking down the street, do you fear a white or an asian kid? Probably not. Would you fear a latino or a black kid? Probably yes. And don't blame racism, blame probabilities. One demographic problem with third-world countries (yes, hispanic, except for Spain), is that the less they can feed their young, the more they breed. That's not out of love for family, but the common hope that bigger families mean more working arms to support the parents when they're too old to support themselves. In developed countries, there's savings, pension plans and retirement; in underdeveloped countries, there's working children. Unfortunately, in this country, many latina women are too uneducated to figure out how to master birth control, and end up raising children on their own or with some shithead who doesn't care. And the kids end up being raised and educated in the street, by the street. With the parent-and-environtment-induced feeling that they're living in a foreign country, and that their original country is better. When you feel you're not part of a country, you don't integrate, and you become alienated by your own actions. You repel your host country (more or less consciously), and your host country can't be expected not to repel you... Jon Dominguez: 2nd Feb 2007 - 20:17 GMT To get back to the shooting of the kid that started this thread, has anyone ever wondered what this country would be like, especially its crime rate and its welfare budget, if all hispanic people were thrown out/disposed of overnight? And how all these despising people would live, back in their home countries, with no decent salaries/ welfare checks to support them, having only to rely on their peoples' own resources? Great for the former, not so much, to say the least, for the latter... Jon Dominguez: 4th Feb 2007 - 16:46 GMT "... and take back what used 2 b ours we should not be the minorities anymore we got black and brown teaming up we both are minorities we both have struggling histories we should take white man cause thats the problem with the world these days thats is whats really tearing up the us...". Are you typically uneducated, or just plain stupid? Take back what used to be yours? When was this country yours? Face it, bozo, if the Spaniards had settled in th U.S. as well, and developed it as their descendants have the rest of the Americas, this country would be a third-world country, just like the rest of Latin America. To read such stupidity as what's been written in this thread until now is crazy. Remember: the Spaniards settled in South- and Central- America. The Portuguese in Brasil, Mozambique and Angola. ALL these countries are severely underdeveloped; Brasil to a lesser extent (but check the crazy crime rate), as well as Venezuela, thanks only to Petroleum. The British settled in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand. All these countries are now fully developed, rich countries, INCLUDING South Africa, the only country on the continent now considered developed in a Western sense. The English colonized but never took over the population in India, leaving it today a reasonably developed country, with a population educated enough in the medical and technological fields (computer programming being the most visible) to be major targets for outsourcing from firms worldwide. So do you really beleive the "white man" is the trouble? Remember, the American Civilization is what the white protestant and the early black man made. Both are the righteous inhabitants here. Latinos are only here to get a piece of the pie they never baked or provided ingredients for. So being proud of your origins is just fine; but just keep a low profile when you have absolutely nothing to boast. Remember you're just a parasite sucking America's blood. On a dog, the parasites that live longer are those that remain unnoticed; those that suck and itch too much get scratched or bitten off. REAL: learn to punctuate (use comas and periods): it would make your babble less unnerving to read. To sum up, your remaining a minority is the only hope this country still has. As long as you stay away from decision-making, and remain a labor force, you won't have the opportuninty to drag this country down in a faster pace. As for your being an Aztec or Maya, fat chance! When the Spaniards arrived, both ethnies were killed almost entirely by warfare, but mostly, by being exposed to the illnesses Spaniards imported they were unable to fight, since they'd never been exposed to them before. Guatemala, Honduras , and some parts of Mexico still have some Indian population, some of which like to beleive they are from Inca or Mayan extraction, but that's seldom the case. LR: 7th Feb 2007 - 00:11 GMT Here's the lick from a lincoln park reared and raised guero who kicked it in HP (east of Cal) back in the late 80's/early 90's....Oh yeah, and before people are dismissive, let me state that I have a pretty successful career with good income and most importantly street skills to fall back upon as needed. The Park was a fun place to go as my hood was converted to the yuppie capital of town. All were over-accepting of me...Maybe the girlies just liked the smile (j/k). There was some hatin' going on, mainly w/ the morenos by maplewood, but no beefs ever occured, just salty looks etc....No lie, it seems like, in retrospect, that evryone was packing back then, and having that power or self-professed power was probably not a good thing for the fellas. Because in the real world (jobs), you would not get far by being hard or intimidating, yet if you use that 'street feel' to your advantage, you know when you are getting bullshitted. I will never lose the memories of back then, I was not a banger mind you, yet I was cool w/ all the folks, I can even recall drinking 64oz. of Old English, yes it was 'ghetto', and I laugh at it now, but I would not trade it 4 anything. I can remember all the drive bys thatwould occur after parties at northwest hall or the fights during the carnival and I have to admit, my parents woulda been quite upset had they known where I was hanging out at. I am not proud of this, and I would never want my own lil ones do hang in the areas/with the type of people I did, but it was an experience like no other. Just glad I made it out. I actually had married one of those very same yuppies alot of you are talking about. She is a cool chick, dont hate on anyone, and cant believe I was in those areas, but yet she respects all for their culture/identity. I have two rental properties in the area and the tenants are dynamite, upkeep is well-maintained and I do not grossly price them outta there hood. Can I sell to the next guy for 50+% returns on what I paid? Yeah, but I beleive that as long as I am in the black on my investments, kep good people there. We can all have exotic cars, huge homes and drink Dom nightly if we would so desire (but we'd amass huge debt, lol), but in the one life we are fortunate enough to have been blessed with, no gift equals helping your fellow society members of good values. May all be Blessed, and 'Amor' to all the brothers and sisters who made it through the years as clean and productive society members. I want to thank GOD for all I have been given, a great family, perfect daughter and a healthy life. Hope everyone draws a smile after this. Jeffory Higins: 18th Mar 2007 - 23:55 GMT Man i agree wit yall i live in atlanta ga but its to late for me. im a blood plane and simple. learn from my mistake. one day i wasnt even flag hangin so i should have been in a clear . me and my best freind took our girlfreinds on a double date at an ice cream shop. while we wee eating i saw some crips in front of the shop. as soon as they saw me they puleed out a 9 and an oozie.(sigh you no da rest). me and my girlfreind we got lucky i got shot 1ce in the left leg and twice in the left arm my girlfreind didnt get hit.my freinds girl freind was shot so many times in the arm she had to have it aputated and my best freind got shot in the chest stomach and in his arms .i watched him die right in front of me.the image of his bloody body and my best freind screaming for help will be forever with me.i have no right to critisize the shooters either i knew what i was getting my self into. take this as a lesson to anyone who wants to be in a gang.you will not be able to get out at all. unless you are man enought to get killede out or even worse.....kill your own mother. its not worth it i was only 12 years old at the time im 14 now.it just aint worth it man i shed tears doin this man.DO NOT GET IN A GANG! BE SMART DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR SELF GO TO COLLAGE GET RICH THE SKY IS THE LIMIT. im onlt telling you because its to late for me. God bless Monica.J. Arons And R.I.P Sean.Xavier.Hodge my home boy 4 eva tina: 4th Apr 2007 - 12:55 GMT i remember this whole shooting. i was only 10urs old when it heppened.i knew miguel he used to go to this club at inner city impact.i was one of the kids who marched in that parada aboutgang issue.i lived two blocks away from where it happened. loca from Ny: 12th Apr 2007 - 02:52 GMT First and foremost I would like to say that the Latin Kings and Queens were made to protect it's people what events happened through ought it's history for it to become like this no one will ever no. Like Reymundo Sanchez expresses the love in the Nation was being lost. Point is if you want to stop ignorance you spread reason. You don't spread more ignorance. "I want to be able to accomplish something in life, my hope of accomplishment is not of wealth or glory, but as being known as someone who changed another's life not for the worse, but for the better" "Being poor should give you a stronger will to succeed, not an excuse to pity yourself or fail, but give you the reason to fight and become someone in life to prove everyone who has ever doubted you wrong" I take that to heart when I read these. I respect Latin Kings and Queens to the fullest because I know there are some good ones out there. Amor to all Latin people not just kings, but for those who have fallen and those who still march. "Una raza divida no sobrevive" - Taken from the book "My Bloody Life" Take that into consideration. Also don't generalize raza as Puerto Ricans or as Mexicans but, as a whole raza. From the start of Mexico to the tip of Argentina. We all Latinos. I hope that one day comes when society won't categorize Latinos as a statistic part of society who are meant to accomplish nothing, but as individuals with talent and intelligence that can spread and help future generations. "Quien va a sembrar la cemilla de nuestra cultura si estamos muertos?" - Take from "My Bloody Life" Remember that. cristina : 23rd Apr 2007 - 13:11 GMT I'm a young, Puerto Rican girl who was born and some-what raised in Humboldt Park.(on spaulding & wabansia) I live in the southwest suburbs now, since all the gang-violence and poor public school system was holding me back from being able to have more opportunites. I love Humboldt Park and I still wish I lived there, even though It's safer over here. I would like to also add that to anyone who ever thinks that we're complaining about what really goes on in HP, we're not. We're just telling the truth. [Peter Eguia: 1st Mar 2004 - 20:41 GMT shut up and stop crying like a big baby, if you don't like the area, then just move!!!!] Peter, you're forgetting something, not everyone in HP is able to move away from HP because of financial reasons or just simply because thats home and thats where the heart is!!! Tom: 29th Apr 2007 - 21:07 GMT Home was Saywer & North from '65-'82 try to be a whiteboy in that neighborhood during that time... Just heard "Peanut" died a few months ago. I'm glad I'm alive. Tom: 7th May 2007 - 02:22 GMT Hey Reyes 5 Point; 2 of my friends died because they were "Down with the Crown"... that was 20 years ago.... you're certainly tuff and so were they but their long forgotten... peace with them but I can tell you their not getting ANY now! Taino: 8th May 2007 - 09:13 GMT I cant understand why the US goverment doesnt just drop a nuclear bomb on the park and just rid all you sorry fucks of you're miserabel existence. and if my english grammer sucks thats cuz I'm true Rican. anon (static-host-66-18-45-122.epbinternet.com): 18th May 2007 - 12:47 GMT Another perspective. I'm 50 years old. Born in St. Anthony's, lived on Fairfield and Richmond Streets, attended Moos School. Gangs are nothing new. Puerto Ricans began moving into the neighborhood in 1964. They were neither good nor bad. Just more people in an already overpopulated area. They weren't accepted. Neither were any of the other families that moved in over the years, the Ukranians, the Estonians, the Polish, the Greeks, . . . Life goes on. Death is a part of set up. Guy down the street paraded his wife up and down the street when I was 7. He had killed her and was carrying her head around by the hair. The angry shocked eyes of the woman have burned into my brain. I won't tell you if I still live there or not. No one cares. No one is attempted to change anything. Placing blame, pointing fingers, bitching, pissing and moaning is the style of the race....which race? The only one. The human race. Grow up. Your life is neither better or worse than mine. You will not change the world, but can you change yourself? Your family? Rearrange your prejudices and start something that may matter one day. Garrets Nanny Polaco: 24th May 2007 - 18:09 GMT I grew up with tanks rolling down the street, then at age 8 I lived in NY to see violence in different form, at age 11 moved to Chicago, same shit...When are we all gonna realize that it don't matter who you are. You can hate all you want- the polaks, the spics, the beaners, the niggers, etc...this hate is the reason why we all suffer the same in the end. You don't choose what nationality you are born into, and for the most part you don't choose what gang you join, whatever set rules your neighborhood is the one you will most likely represent. What is the different between a nation and a gang anyway? Both got territories, both got colors, both got "soldiers" and "governors" etc... I never judged on people's backgrounds, it is always about respect, the closest ones to me that are like family are Puerto Rican, Bulgarian, Greek, etc., I dated two Mexicanas and didn't give a shit what anyone said. They were down to earth women with heads on their shoulder who where trustworthy, and that's all that mattered. I'm proud as fuck of being Polish and got respect for your pride. Once we all (if ever) learn to respect one another there won't have to be another tradegy like Miguel...R.I.P. IVY: 11th Jun 2007 - 15:08 GMT I grew up in beatiful Humboldt Park. I lived there from the age of 7 when it was all white. There were only two Puerto RIcan families on our block. We lived on the Kedzie side of the park. There have always been gang since I could remember. It even crazier now. Gangbangers don't respect anything. They jump on everyone and anything. We were coming down Spaulding the other night. It was me and my husband and 4 kids. There was parking along the street but the car in front of us decided he wanted to stop to speak to the gangbangers that were hanging out. It was crazy. Why wouldn't this guy just pull to the side and let us get by. That is what I call disrespecting your own people. LATIN KINGS they are not. The have all kinds of races in that gang. What is the name for! Move out the way when people are trying to get by. We don't want to be bother with you guys killing each other and disrespecting each other and the rest of the Latinos living in the area. IVY: 11th Jun 2007 - 15:15 GMT Tom If you are still looking up on the website!!! Can you tell me what Peanut you are refering to that died a few months ago?? Staci: 20th Jun 2007 - 18:31 GMT I am DYING to do a documentary about Humboldt Park. I am really looking for someone to team up with to create this project. I think there should exist a stamp in history and perspectives from all sides. Does anyone want to do this with me? Or does anyone know anyone who does things of this nature? Hey Staci: 28th Jun 2007 - 20:51 GMT Hey Staci, I am a graphic/web designer, could help you out in that. Xavi: 2nd Jul 2007 - 22:54 GMT I live in Humboldt Park, in the Paseo Boricua commercial strip. Reading through most of these comments, I have this to write: In order to understand the state of Humboldt Park and the Puerto Rican community, one must understand why Puerto Ricans are in the U.S. and how we got here (colonialism and globalization), why ghettos and slums exist in the U.S. and the role of gangs (racism and economical shifts), and the role of gentrification (racism and the value placed on the land of poor people of color). One must place everything into a historical context unless one will leave with a warped idea that Puerto Ricans are just biologically savage people. P.S. Staci I work in the Humboldt Park community so I have a great understanding of it. So how could I contact you? Hey Staci: 6th Jul 2007 - 20:09 GMT Hey Xavi if you are interested I'm up for this, Humboldt Park definitely deserves a documentary. E-mail me at info@depth0.com ("0" as in zero ). Same goes to you Staci. producer: 14th Jul 2007 - 22:32 GMT Staci I just moved to chicago, and was thinking about moving to hubodlt park. I have just spent the last three hours reading through these postings while doing research for my relocation. I would really be interested in helping you out. I think there is a hella lot of passion for this area... good and bad... it would be great to help those willing to express themselves. demetrius: 16th Jul 2007 - 03:22 GMT iam 22 years old i live and humboldt park from 1992-1998 and i attend von humboldt school and i love humboldt park and iam 100% african american we never had promblems with the puerto ricans they are cool azz hell neva predjuce i relly had some good memories and humboldt park and i miss that area and all my friends :( bed sty-cee!: 19th Jul 2007 - 07:38 GMT hello chicago folks-well lets have a little history lesson non of you are spanish, spaniards or latin. all of those words,terms or descriptions belong to europeans, aka white people. all so called hispanics, natural indians are what you are. puerto rico was a port for transporting -slaves, sugar tobacco and rum. solely controlled by spain. so when the indians of those inhabited islands would not work they "the europeans bought in black slave from the other archipelago island "AKA" the caribbean. which is puerto rico, cuba jamaica dominican republic and so on. so when you --the indians did not work you were beat and killed and replaced by black slaves. so instead you submitted and became catholics and was taught spanish. so you were then intermingled with european blood-appearances change and even your body odor changed. so now you call your selves latinos spanish or hispanics--a fucking joke worst than blacks who call themselves african american--and yes i am black. Africa is a potugese word given the land by the so-called discoverer bartolomeu dias-how in the fuck you gonna discover what has always been (alpha and omega) or just perhaps read your bible. anyway that word africa in portugese is prnounced AFRIQUE IN ENGLISH AFRICA-- SO JUST LIKE THAT LAND all the so called hispanic land was named by europeans --you dont speak spanish , your not latin and sure as hell ain't white.. puerto rican is not a historical people, dominican, cubans are not. fabricated history. indians on archipalego islands who submitted. american indians your cousins fought and lost but. true history true people, so next time ou call yourself puerto rican or dominican or cuban remember you were conquered by europeans first than dominated by slaves on those islands until the spanish showed favor and spared you. so thank queeen isabella and king ferdinand for you culture, language and catholicism which you all are and last but not least that skin tone. don't be fooled your still an indian... bed sty-cee!: 19th Jul 2007 - 07:52 GMT ....and another thing you mexicans i cant believe you let your country go to hell by corruption and stealing. instead of staying there fighting and taking back your country you run here. work so called jobs we americans wont do--thats a lie. you can work in your own land, control your own money and crush the bullshit goin on down there and stop blaming blacks for your short coming..here in new york europeans have manage to put you on a pedistool becaue you will work and do anything for low wages-making him rich and discouraging the market and high earning wages. so stop complaining go back home and work your own land--and yes i'm black i was here even before some europeans got here. this is my house you nor any other so called latinos will never change or over run the concept of the redemtive ex-slave. Xavi: 30th Jul 2007 - 16:42 GMT To check out more articles about gentrification in Humboldt Park, go here: http://www.citynoise.org/article/7014/by/xavi peanut d : fuck humbold is crazy shit i anon (c-67-167-198-48.hsd1.il.comcast.net): 28th Aug 2007 - 22:05 GMT i love taking shit 4frm white people live your car open ill take any shit that is in there hp is the best place to get shit if i c a car with a stereo ill take it if the door is not open ill brake the glass.fuck it thats me a young mexican that was born in the hp area i know alot of boricuas they cool but i dont take shit 4frm around my block fuck i love the white peoples garage i open them bring my niggaz truck n take all your shit that is in there i do this everyday specially fridays n sat if i c gold on u ill follow u went i think is the write time i snap that shit 4frm your neck n run fuck i got 2 get money 1 way or another i also love braking in to hauses IAM ONLY 16 N BEEN DOING THIS SHIT SINCE I WAS 12 FUCK IT LIFE IS A BITCH last time i took a bad ass laptop a apple it was a powerbookG5 tham alot of niggaz will love to have a G5 C NIGGAZ INSTED OF DRINKING GO TAKE SHIT DAAAM COME ON AT LEAST A FUCKEN STEREO GO N SALE THAT BITCH 4 $50 OR $80 U GO 2 THE STORE N BUY U SOME FRESH SHIRTS OR JEANS OR SOME JORDANS NIGGAZ C ME WITH JORDANS MY FRESH PELLE PELLE SHIT N SAID THAM FOLKZ HOW U GET ALL THIS SHIT NIGGA I DONT WORK U WORK N I GOT MORE SHIT THAN U.CAUSE I TAKE SHIT 4FRM WHITE PEOPLE SO WHITE PEOPLE THANKS 4 LIVING YOUR HAUSE WINDOW OPEN YOUR CAR OPEN N YOUR GARAGE OPEN THAK U ALL KEEP THEM OPEN IAM COMING MUCH LOVE 2 ALL MY FOLKZ OUT THERE DO SOME THING BITCH ASS WHITE PEOPLE OH!!! YEAH U FUCK WITH ME ILL FUCK YOUR ASS UP WITH MY LOVELY 38 SMITH N WEDSON KLI KLI BANG BANG BITCH HUMBOLDT PARK CRAZY BITCH KKBURNS PAPABURNS MANIACS STILL RUNNING THIS BITCH SINCE DAY 1 folk: 28th Aug 2007 - 23:52 GMT sup folk is all bout INSANE COBRA LOVE AMOR DE CULEBRA NIGGA corsakti: 31st Aug 2007 - 05:08 GMT just to clear something up, for anyone who misunderstood - i wasn't tryin to badmouth humboldt park in general, we lived in a rented house there for years and were fine with it. our neighbors kids hung out at our house all the time, we all got along. we weren't buying any converted condos in the area nor trying to take it over, just coexisting like everyone else. i just wanted to write about what had happened that day but wasn't trying to act like humboldt is some shit or even the "worse" part of chicago that i have lived or hung out. its not even like that. cor take 2: 31st Aug 2007 - 05:16 GMT sorry for the random comment like 3 years later but someone just mentioned to me they saw this old post and got a bit offended going on about gentrification and such. and i will say this, i've been back through that hood a bunch of times since moving to la, and i've seen how its changed a lot more in the years i've been gone. some very interesting comments here, wow this site has really blown up huh! i think i should revisit more often. ;) corsakti: 11th Sep 2007 - 16:29 GMT just to clear something up again; i was tryin to badmouth humboldt park and the puerto ricans who live there. As I grew up, we lived in a rented house there for years and were fine with it. our neighbors kids hung out at our house all the time, we all got along. we weren't buying any converted condos in the area nor trying to take it over, just coexisting like everyone else. i just wanted to write about what had happened that day but wasn't trying to act like humboldt is some shit or even the "worse" part of chicago that i have lived or hung out. its not even like that. I will say it is a micro-ghetto and everyone knows what I mean by that. King Angel: 5th Nov 2007 - 16:26 GMT My school used to be around there i was there that day that happened i almost got shot to// my parents and i moved to Houston now where hopeing to move Back to Chicago.... some one hit me up E-mail // itsdatsofatso@yahoo.com Think: 31st Dec 2007 - 18:38 GMT Like Tim states in the 2nd response to this article, "think before you speak", and you also might try using spell check. Junito: 15th Mar 2008 - 21:35 GMT Wow! It was hard reading all of that. Lets all study our cultures of the western hemisphere (e.g., Tainos, Aztecs, etc,.) We are decedents of moral, loving, industrious and spiritual people. We are greater then what we are demonstrating on this thread. Don't complain about the Caucasian Americans moving into Humboldt Park because they were there in 1952 when we arrived. They just let us borrow it for a while. They moved out and since we never got it together and made anything of it they're taking it back. In 56 years we managed to infest that neighborhood with drugs, gangs, prostitution, hopelessness, and desperation. We own that to the ALKQN, MLDN, IGN, ISCN, and the likes of King Cyco, Flaco D and On the G. In 56 years in Humboldt Park we should have more Lawyers, Doctors, Social Workers, Teachers etc. But what do we have? We have, in fighting among a beautiful people and ignorant rantings about some silly gangs that I believe should be sent to the front lines of Iraq and bring the good brothers home. I played in front of Vargas, a corner store on the corner of Crystal and Spalding when I was younger. It felt like we were all family. The Kings looked out for us and the Gaylords, Vice Lords and Royals left us alone. Then I moved with my mother and went to 9 primary schools in Chicago and it was the same ignorance everywhere (e.g., drugs, gangs, child abuse, rape, murder etc.) I went to Lowell, Avondale, Mozart,Yates, Pulaski, Cameron, Tuley, Goethe, Monroe. And everywhere I went it was the same. There was no money to fund the schools and programs that could help Latino kids when English was their second language. The Humboldt Park schools are lacking the funds that they need to have tutors (i.e., a person charged with the instruction and guidance of another), after school programs and activities to help get to these kids before King Cyco and Flaco D get to them. If you want to correct my spelling and grammar go right ahead but remember that I am a product of the oppressed public schools of the Humboldt Park area. Junito: 16th Mar 2008 - 02:59 GMT If this discussion had taken place face to face the Kings and Folks would have shot at each other and hit another innocent victim. This is probably how Miquel died. Lets stop the violent comments for his sake. Lets focus on Humboldt Park. Here is a thought. Do any of the angry HPers even know who von Humboldt was? How about Logan? Open a book and quit embarrassing us Puerto Ricans who are from Humboldt Park. Amor Taino Junito: 16th Mar 2008 - 05:12 GMT This Alexander von Humboldt (September 14, 1769 – May 6, 1859) was a Prussian naturalist and explorer, and the younger brother of the Prussian minister, philosopher, and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767-1835). Humboldt's quantitative work on botanical geography was foundational to the field of biogeography. Between 1799 and 1804, Humboldt traveled to Latin America, exploring and describing it from a scientific point of view for the first time. His description of the journey was written up and published in an enormous set of volumes over 21 years. He was one of the first to propose that the lands bordering the Atlantic were once joined (South America and Africa in particular). Later, his five-volume work Kosmos (1845) attempted to unify the various branches of scientific knowledge. Humboldt supported and worked with other scientists, including Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac, Justus von Liebig, Louis Agassiz, Matthew Fontaine Maury, and most notably Aimé Bonpland (with whom he conducted much of his scientific exploration). hils34: 27th May 2008 - 14:26 GMT wow this stuff is crazy!!! yeah i agree with everyone. i have to research about a book. and i got here. everyone has different opinions. people shood not regret what they had done in the past because that teaches them and makes them who they are today. i live in the burbs, HP is like 20 minutes away. yeah i hear alot of things. i been there alot because my BF lives there. i dont know why gangs are still present today. man latinos against latinos. WAt the HELL!!! we all came to this country struggling and now we are killing eachother? for what for territory?? sum ppl that join gangs dnt even noe y. man i know i use to be in one its fucking dumb. but ppl in gangs will realize it sooner or later. i just hope its not to late. like it was for my cuzin HP Teach: 3rd Jun 2008 - 00:53 GMT I have been a teacher in Humboldt Park for 10 years. I have seen improvements and setbacks. I have seen how the violence hurts the community. If the gang activity was minimized, the area would greatly improve for everyone. Yes, there are circumstances that lead people to join gangs. But, everyone has a choice and education creates life opportunities. Some people are lazy and want the easy way out, and some just don't care. Those of you in HP should WANT your community to improve! There are some truly great aspects of Humboldt Park and if you strive for better, HP could be a great place to live and go to school. You need to project that anger into something productive and take pride in your neighborhood the same way you take pride in your heritage. Strive for better! Peace. just me : 10th Jul 2008 - 05:22 GMT I like many of you grew up in the HP area. No I don't live there anymore because i had my children and chose not to raise them in that enviroment. Needless to say i didn't want them to get him by a flying bullet. There is so many issues in that community today and it saddens me that ower latino people say we love it the way it is, are U really serious? well you may love the community but the violence and the waste of human life in the community is just too much. And people that comes from ignorance yes i am a boricua and im not ashamed to say it. My fellow boricuas are more focused on smoking weed hanging out messing up the community instead of making a positive change. And the older men drafting these kids into these gangs for such disgrace. You should be ashamed of yourself. I am sure that is not what your forfathers of your gangs ment when they created these types of groups. Incase you guys didn't know when the whole riots of division street occured it was because they felt threated with our brown presence there furthermore we were not only fighting whites we were fighting blacks too. And these groups were created to EMPOWER the latinos. My point is you thugish people have a way of misconstruding things. For the person who said look at those yuppies building condos well let me share something with you it is the latino community letting them take it because they are to closed minded to catch on. The majority of the landlords are slum landlords who have you living in an infested roach place< tell me i'm lying, so what happens is they make an offer and because the latino community in humboldt park can give 2 craps about what happens there. They sell. Now the youth wants to be all high and mighty and talk about this is ower hood... in a few years it will be gone to the white man if you don't wake the heck up "point black". Stop killing eachother over jealuosy. Stop killing eachother over territory that doesn't belong to you. Respect your elders ( many of you have a huge problem with that) quit drug dealing and get a freaking job and don't drop out of school. But yes many of us just know how to sleep all day take a shower go hang out smoke weed, go hang out smoke weed, oh yeah go hang out and smoke weed. You get it this is all most of you know how to do. Wake up get a life because you never know where that flying bullet will hit next. I didn't post this to down my fellow boricuas or the place i was born and raised in but i have been angry with the ignorance in humboldt park and i had to speak. SPREAD PEACE AND LUV (save humboldt park) Humboldt1: 25th Sep 2008 - 14:39 GMT I am one of those yuppies moving in and buying up property. I see real opportunity in areas like Humboldt Park and Logan Square. Now, I live in Humboldt Park in an apartment building I own and am looking to buy more buildings in the future, though probably in Logan Square as it is further gentrified. I see lots of long-term potential for Humboldt Park and will be keeping my existing building. I look forward to seeing this area flourish and grow as a new mix of more affluent people move in. I can do without the gangbangers and Sec8 folks, who typically bring down the neighborhood with poverty and crime. For this reason, I am not a fan of groups such as Bickerdike which seek to keep the area poor and instead prefer tax paying working people to come into the area who don't have 5 kids and are not a tax burden, but instead contribute not take away from the community. These DINKS (double income no kids) couples have started moving into the area and I look forward to seeing even more of them move in. anon (ool-44c577a7.dyn.optonline.net): 29th Sep 2008 - 22:07 GMT MORE LES THIS BANDAN FROM NJ NEWARK TL 550 NEED TO BE FOOD TOWN BECAUSE THEY ARE TALKING TO MUCH MY BROTHER'S TO ES. queenfre5a: 14th Dec 2008 - 05:48 GMT wow dat is a really sad story...i hope nothin like dis happen to anotha lil kid like Miguel dey don't deserve 2 die 4 no reason wen their not involved in anything..may he R.I.P. A.L.K.Q.N Fight Colonialism: 17th Apr 2009 - 06:26 GMT Chief Tecumseh, Shawnee 1768-1813 Famous Shawnee Native American leader, warrior, statesman. THE MASSACRE OF FORT DEARBORN AT CHICAGO By Simon Pokagon Chief of the Pokagon Band of Pottawatomie Nation He (Tecumseh) generally spoke as follows: "Before me stand the rightful owners of kwaw–notchi–we au–kee (this beautiful land). "The Great Spirit in His wisdom gave it to you and your children to defend, and placed you here. "But ä–te–wä (alas!) the incoming race, like a huge serpent, is coiling closer and closer about you. "And not content with hemming you in on every side, they have built at She–gog–ong (Chicago), in the very center of our country, a military fort, garrisoned with soldiers, ready and equipped for battle. "As sure as waw–kwen–og (the heavens) are above you they are determined to destroy you and your children and occupy this goodly land themselves. "Then they will destroy these forests, whose branches wave in the winds above the graves your fathers, chanting their praises. "If you doubt it, come, go with me eastward or southward a few days' journey along your ancient mi–kan–og (trails), and I will show you a land you once occupied made desolate. "There the forests of untold years have been hewn down and cast into the fire! "There be–sheck–kee and waw–mawsh–ka–she (the buffalo and deer) pe–nay–shen and ke–gon (the fowl and fish), are all gone. "There the woodland birds, whose sweet songs once pleased your ears, have forsaken the land, never to return. "And waw–bi–gon–ag (the wild flowers), which your maidens once loved to wear, have all withered and died. "You must bear in mind these strangers are not as you — they are devoid of natural affection, loving gold or gain better than one another, or ki–tchi–tchag (their own souls). "Some of them follow on your track as quietly as maw–in–gawn (the wolf) pursues the deer, to shoot you down, as you hunt and kill mé–she–bé–zhe (the panther)." "But a few years since I saw with my own eyes a young white man near the O-hi-o River who was held by our people as a prisoner of war. He won the hearts of his captors with his apparent friendship and good-will, while murder was in his heart. "They trusted him as they trusted one another. But he most treacherously betrayed their confidence, and secretly killed not less than nech-to-naw (twenty) before his crimes were detected, and then he had fled...". IVANA: OMG Nick J: yeah this is really cool arcangel: 15th Jun 2009 - 17:29 GMT I grew up in Humboldt Park, actually on both sides of the Sacramento Divide. This story is a sad one, and as a proud Puerto Rican who loves his 'Hood we have to take responsibility that our cousins, boys & friends who participate in gang activities we enable them to what they do. I don't want "white" people to take our 'hood but I don't care that they want to live there either. Lets try and better ourselves and take care of our 'hood the way we should instead of providing the unwanted an opportunity to move in. Stop gang violence and racist activities life is too short. one way: 20th Jun 2009 - 15:05 GMT i am from humboldt park rockwell potomac love it went to von humboldt and clemente stay strong isa: born n rasied in humbolt. love it there. Jethro: Awe. What a tragedy. : (. El Gringo Perdido: 22nd Jul 2009 - 01:40 GMT To those who are upset that the "yuppies are taking over the hood," don't worry Puerto Ricans are destroying lots of other neighborhoods that were once peaceful and quiet, like Belmont-Cragin, Kelvyn Park and parts of Portage Park. gski: 2nd Aug 2009 - 14:44 GMT Humboldt Park has pockets of violence primarily east of Humboldt Park proper to Western Ave I believe its called the "Zone", My idea is simple...fence it in and let the winner take all.( this after walking my dog past a murder scene on the east side of the park this morning) get out: 29th Sep 2009 - 15:48 GMT In general, white people love situations where they can’t lose. While this does account for the majority of their situations, perhaps the safest bet a white person can make is to buy a house in an up-and-coming neighborhood. White people like to live in these neighborhoods because they get credibility and respect from other white people for living in a more “authentic” neighborhood where they are exposed to “true culture” every day. So whenever their friends mention their home in the suburbs or richer urban area, these people can say “oh, it’s so boring out there, so fake. In our neighborhood, things are just more real.” This superiority is important as white people jockey for position in their circle of friends. They are like a modern day Lewis and Clark, except instead of searching for the ocean, they are searching for old properties to renovate. In a few years, if more white people start moving in, these initial trailblazers will sell their property for triple what they paid and move into an ultramodern home. Credibility or money, they can’t lose! When one of these white people tell you where they live, you should say “whoa, it’s pretty rough down there. I don’t think I could live there.” This will make them feel even better about their credibility and status as neighborhood pioneers. jobo: 29th Sep 2009 - 15:49 GMT In my experience in Chicago the newly gentrified neighborhoods usually follow this path: 1)Completely non-white 2)Poor white people move in, usually artistic type people 3)As their numbers rise the neighborhood starts to show it 4)When upper class white people start to notice they start showing up 5)This gentrification then forces out not only the non-white people that were there first, but the poor white people who started it all because all rents in the area skyrocket. 6)The neighborhood then lives on for awhile until all of the real reasons is was popular in the first place die out and it then becomes a piece of ** covered in glitter with a bunch of phonies and posers trying to “keep it alive”. Watcher: 7th Oct 2009 - 06:40 GMT Ultimately, those in the life will either die from it, be maimed out of it, or survive it after a fashion to continue it and spread it and it's culture of drugs, death and chaos. To end it: Fire with Fire! They must be utterly destroyed, forced permanently out by whatever means or you lose! The Police will not help you stop it. They have no chance of accomplishing this. It's a numbers game, a "be there when" impossibility. Their only option is to oversee the cleanup, and control the immediate aftermath. So it has always been, so it will always be. These types must be met with OVERWHELMING force. Form a citizen group. Train. Arm. Wait. Strike. They sell concrete, steel doors, cots. You have basements. Or whine, have meetings, discuss and recuss, talk, talk, talk. It's been so very effective so far, hasn't it. You lost them when you left them to the new familia, the gang. Reform is a word, a dream of the social worker, the rare and unusual almost never seen chance happening. How many children will you feed the dragon in a sacrificial offering to a beast that neither sees your pain, hears your lamentation, or shares your ethics, values and morals. In point of fact, these are the very things that become tools and weapons against you by those with no compassion, no interest and no conscience. Sometimes, you have bloody work to do to preserve or acquire the freedom of your own streets and homes. It's sad, but too true. It's up to you. It always was. It always will be. Make a stand, in numbers, and watch the power shift. Then clean it up, clean it out or buckle and watch all your power drain away again. Choose. Or not. Comment if you will, I shall likely not return to read of your horrified reactions, your sham offerings of peaceful coexistence, your how dare you suggest's or your poorly formed opinions of all the better ways that never worked and never will. I know! Midnight Basketball! The tough part is that you know in your heart that I'm right. So, does the Army Chaplin shoot the enemy soldier that is about to bayonet a bunch of kids. It's yes or no! We did the experiment in the 1940's and the answer is YES! 64 years without world war. Figure it out or surrender and be slaves to monsters. OK, you got it! truthteller: 8th Oct 2009 - 13:16 GMT Gangbangers, if you can even read this, HP ain't your territory. it belongs to the people that own the land. If you own a home, thats your territory. Period. Your like little kids trying to claim a piece of the playground from the other kids and say its your territory. Yeah, till some teacher walks over and thats the end of that. You're like a cockroach that lives on the trash of others and runs away in the light. We don't care that you want to kill each other, why don't you learn to shoot straight? They aren't your srteets, never will be. They belong to the city. Little by little other people will take over the property and you will have to go. If those people are white you will scream out racist! The White man is taking over "our turf" but it was never your turf, just your excuse to be a gang-ass and show the world how poor and stupid you are. How small minded and weak your viewpoint is. Watcher is right! The best thing to do to rats and roaches is to exterminate them. yaya: 18th Oct 2009 - 23:44 GMT chicago is very prity . i was born in chicago and humbol park is very dangerous and i like hau it is KNG 5HDY BLVD 1-5TH: 3rd Nov 2009 - 03:52 GMT Not from there but here. gotta enough love 2 care Comment on this article.. 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