On Three Kings Day (January 6), Senator William “Willie” Delgado will open his office on Paseo Boricua (2708 W. Division St.). This important development will facilitate the community’s access to the State Senate and State Government. Since his election to the Senate, Delgado has wanted a more direct linkage to his old constituents, people he originally represented as State Representative.

He clearly understands the importance of connecting the people directly to government - a practice which has always distinguished him. In connection with this move Delgado states, “For me it is an honor to be on Paseo Boricua - between the two flags. I hope to share with the community and, in particular, with the temple - The Puerto Rican Cultural Center Juan Antonio Corretjer. And, thus, to help to continue promoting our culture and raising our flag high. This will allow me to be among the businesses, neighbors and agencies more intimately. I hope to serve as your legislator.”

La Voz del Paseo Boricua warmly welcomes our Senator to Paseo Boricua. Senator Delgado now joins our other extremely committed  elected officials like Commissioner Roberto Maldonado, State Representative Cynthia Soto and Alderman Billy Ocasio who have made Division St. their place of work.

For the past two years, May 1st has been the day that thousands of people demand the rights of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. This May 1st, nearly 20,000 marched from Union Park to Downtown Chicago. Over 250 Puerto Ricans, including many youth from Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School, marched from Humboldt Park. The fleeter march began with a press conference at Adalberto Methodist Church on Paseo Boricua where undocumented mother Flor Crisostomo is in sanctuary.

“No, I hate it. The white people are coming in and it’s getting too expensive to live here.” That is a common response amongst the Humboldt Park community when asked about gentrification, and how it is affecting the community.

The reason many long-time Puerto Rican residents feel resentment toward the white population moving in is because they don’t want to succumb to change and they want to preserve their culture within Humboldt Park. Rafael González, 30, who used to live in Humboldt Park, refers to it as “Little Puerto Rico.” For years the community has worked towards establishing a strong Puerto Rican presence. The fact that condominiums are being built here, slowly flushing out the Puerto Rican residents, is upsetting. Property taxes are rising and the cost of living here is becoming unaffordable.

However, for some the effects of gentrification are not all negative. Some people living in the community are happy to see it improving. They want to see the community thrive and prosper and are happy to see the betterment of its conditions. Residents also like to see gangs being pushed out of the Humboldt Park community, making the streets safer and more comfortable to them.

While some see the effects of gentrification improving the community, residents are unhappy to see the preservation of the Puerto Rican culture sacrificed in order to do so. It all depends on a person’s beliefs and needs. If someone feels threatened walking down the street, then seeing gangs pushed out of the community will be their main priority. Although, that person or group out on the street may not feel threatened, and want to see their friends and family remain in the community.

In order to counteract gentrification, Puerto Ricans and other longtime residents have united in order to ensure that the same would not happen in Humboldt Park that has happened in the Lincoln Park and Wicker Park communities. The Humboldt Park Empowerment Partnership was created out of concern for the Puerto Rican residents being forced to move out due to unaffordable housing and previous attacks on service organizations. As described on their website, in order to stop gentrification, the Humboldt Park Empowerment Zone Strategic Plan was founded in 1996 to uphold the character of the community through programs dealing with cultural traditions, business, and housing.

Whether we like to admit it or not, gentrification is becoming prevalent in the Humboldt Park community. It is up to the community’s residents to ensure that gentrification is stopped, or a peaceful medium is found where the residents can still retain their cultural roots with a condominium here and there.

“Flags of Steel,” a documentary film by Mildred Amador, recently premiered before a packed audience of community leaders, elected officials, Humboldt Park residents, and high school students. For example, Pastor Pedro Windsor of the Capilla del Barrio brought his whole family.

In the film, important Puerto Rican community history is showcased. Pastor Windsor remarked, “This film is a celebration of the history in Humboldt Park. It takes you on a journey and shows you the struggle and the fruit that was born of that struggle.”

The film shows many scenes from the history of Humboldt Park, including the Three Kings parade and the construction of the Paseo Boricua flags on Division Street. “The film showed me that we should be proud of our contribution to our community and our city,” he commented. José Lopez, Ald. Billy Ocasio, Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, and other early community residents were shown in the film. News articles and documents were also included.

The most important aspect of the film is its coverage of the struggles of the community. Chris Pérez, a BACCA program student, commented, “The effort that people put into making the flags really showed their dedication to the cause.” Batey Urbano member, Cindy Maldonado pointed out, “This film is important because it relates the reason why they put the flags up. They wanted to make sure that people knew that this was a Puerto Rican neighborhood and that we’re never going to leave.” Pastor Windsor agreed, saying, “The whole film was a historical stream. It told the whole story of our community…”
Xavier Luis Burgos, Outreach Coordinator of the Humboldt Park No Se Vende! campaign, remarked, “This film was selected for viewing because it is about the community, and our community leaders want us to remember our history.” Chris Pérez noted, “Humboldt Park is where the flags are located and for that reason people appreciate the movie more.” This film is about us, and it is important to us. Cindy Maldonado commented, “They were trying to educate people on how the history of Humboldt Park began and educate the people in Humboldt Park about their own history.”

Pastor Pedro said that when he viewed the film, “This is a story of Humboldt Park, past, present, and future. I felt good being who I am in Humboldt Park and seeing how God blessed Humboldt Park.”

Ketty Burgos The Division Street Business Development Association (DSBDA) hosted its 3rd Annual Paseo Boricua Awards Ceremony. The event honors those businesses and individuals that have exemplified commitment and dedication towards the Paseo Boricua community. DSBDA’s Award Ceremony typically takes place in November of every year. However, due to financial constraints in 2007, it was postponed until this past 27th of March, 2008. It was a spectacular event for the Paseo Boricua Community. Over 200 attendees joined DSBDA for a night of celebration, recognizing those who have gone above and beyond to enhance Paseo Boricua and the Humboldt Park Community. This event will shine a light on examples of community building with the 2007 Ambassador of the Year awardee Efrain Vargas, Humboldt Construction General Manager and Bickerdike’s developer of La Estancia Apartments located on sites along Division Street-most prominently on the corner of California & Division. The 2007 Corporate Partner of the Year was awarded to Comcast for sponsorship and media support of DSBDA and Paseo Boricua events throughout the year. Lastly, but not least, the highly coveted 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year Award was presented to the Espinoza and Muñiz family, owners of Café Colao and Nellie’s Restaurant located in the heart of Paseo Boricua. It was a wonderful evening of fun, dinner, music and networking. Join us for the upcoming 4th Annual Paseo Boricua Award Awards presentation coming this November! For more information on DSBDA (2459 W. Division St.) call 773-782-0454.

With Election Day approaching, leaders of Chicago’s Puerto Rican community convened a press conference to express Puerto Rican unity and show support for North Side Puerto Rican/Latino elected officials. Eighty well-known educators, lawyers, executive directors, activists, business people, artists and residents in positions of leadership, who have dedicated themselves to improving the quality of life in the Puerto Rican community, signed the “Papeleta de la Unidad Boricua” (Puerto Rican Unity Ballot) to set an example for Latino/as in the community to come together to take part in this important and historical political process.

Despite the real possibility of losing an elected position, the central theme of the January 15 press conference at La Casa Puertorriqueña (1237 N. California) was not only of hope and optimism, but coming together to take an active role for progress. “We need to take action now. We should mobilize with the same spirit with which we have moved in the past. This relates to our future and we will respond to this challenge as a united community,” said Eliud Medina Sr., executive director of the Near Northwest Neighborhood Network. While the “Papeleta” urges voters to support all the Latino Northside incumbent, it focuses on those facing challengers. The Northside incumbents include: Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (4th), State Sen. William “Willie” Delgado (2nd), State Sen. Iris Y. Martinez (20th), State Rep. Cynthia Soto (4th), State Rep. Maria “Toni” Berrios (39th), State Rep. Luis Arroyo (3rd), Comm. Joseph Berrios as well as Ward Committeemen: Ald. Manny Flores (1st), Comm. Roberto Maldonado (26th), Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30th), Rey Colon (35th).

Marisol Morales, of the Puerto Rican agenda, a cohort of Humboldt Park’s prominent leaders, and one of those who signed the ballot, spoke on the history of solidarity that has been forged between Latinos in Chicago especially with the Mexican community and expressed her confidence in Mexican/Puerto Rican unity in this pivotal point in time. The President of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, Xavier Nogueras, stated, “This is the moment to be united! There is a possibility of losing our Senatorial seat in the north of Chicago, which will result in losing the highest-ranking Latina in the state. This would be such a loss for the Puerto Rican and Latino community in general.”

For the last 20 years Latinos in Chicago have struggled to establish programs and institutions that address the needs of the Latino community. Community leaders argue that Puerto Rican and Latino incumbents know the issues faced by Latino constituents and have maintained an open ear to the public, often speaking on the community’s behalf in order to protect what has been established.

For these leaders, February 5 voters will decide if they are interested in continuing community building efforts or not after the long struggle to attain access to educational institutions, healthcare, cultural spaces and Latino representation in state and federal government has been accomplished.