Humboldt Park: The Community Untold Truths

Carnivals, cultural food, music, and dance: are all common characteristics of what a festival entails. In most cases, residents of all ages will participate to spend quilty time with families. Some are there to capture “picture-perfect” moments, and others are just glad to soak up the sun surrounded by great music. In Humboldt Park- where the renowned  annual Puerto Rican festival takes place in commemoration of their heritage- we witness the Puerto Ricans’ tenacity of what it means to live in the skin you are in. Such cultural representations are expressed in forms ranging from artistic explorations to the rebranding local stores. While many know this zestful community for its exuberant festivities, all eventful congregations have to come to an end; leaving us with the historical elements of this neighborhood. If there was one place that encapsulates the perfect underdog story, what would it look like? More importantly, where would it reside? On the West Side of Chicago (born and raised in this strong and growing Puerto Rican-based community), Humboldt Park is the one place where its rich pride will rise substantially.

From the ’60s gang rivalry to protesting against ongoing gentrifications, Humboldt Park has fought for the rights of its community for decades; and suppressed all naysayers who only saw the worst. A bus ride (meeting each other at the California and Division stop) with a local resident confirmed this matter. With a thick and broken accent, the man bellows in a raspy voice: “Here… Here it was no good.. uh- back in the ’60s, too much violence. ’70s, a little better… but, still very awful for a long time.”

The slow and deliberate articulation—assisted with elaborate hand gestures—carefully illustrated what the neighborhood used to look like. In this fashion, one can imagine the quantities of prompted individuals forced to face the battleships of their reality. If there are anything Humboldt Park values most, it is the community’s innate ability to demonstrate unity. Even so, a brief interview with an (anonymous) employee of one of Humboldt Park’s record shops spoke on the absence of solidarity and loyalty. “Compared to back then, we don’t have each other’s back the way we used to.”

An (unidentified) barber, who worked at Luquillo’s barbershop for some time moved into the neighborhood in ’98. Upon asking him, “Around what time period would you say some of the vibrant, dynamic, and energetic qualities of this community began to decline?”,  he draws the look of defeat. In responds, he affirmed frankly: “…it was mid-‘2000s I would say… wow… But, if it does come back, I don’t think I’d be around for it.” Conversely, Edwin, from the nearby Boy’s and Girl’s Club says otherwise: “I mean, we’ve still got the festivals; the Boathouse; the park, and a lot more stuff. So, it still has its touch of communal traditions, y’know?”

The “communal traditions” comment only captures the entertainment aspect most people assume Humboldt Park for. However, The Puerto Rican Cultural Center is committed to keeping Humboldt Park’s history authentic through vigorous advocacy of this now shared ground with outsiders (People who are not Puerto Rican nor have not experienced the prolonged shift in the community). One of the neighborhood’s sites, Urban Theater Company, focuses on collaborative practices to deliver onto stage what really matters: Unraveling cultural truths for the sake of perseverance. “The story we tell are relevant and real to what’s going on right now…” Ivan Vega declared. He also emphasized: “We educate the community to bring cultural perspective; there’s still so much history here and with the continuous rise of the company, we are sure to perverse these aspects through performing Puerto Rican-based playwrights.” The theater was established 16 years ago, and as one of the people who grew up here, it was my first time hearing about the inspiring contributions Urban Theater Company is making.

In the end, The Puerto Ricans’ dignified and protective attitudes here still persist. From peaceful protests to artistic implementations, Humboldt Park’s desire for change is so powerful that such remarks will transcend for generations to come.

Written by Jakiria M. Williams

Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Jakiria M. Williams – Used With Permission