We met with our collaborators at Los Sures one last time on April 22 and asked their advice about our upcoming exhibit at El Museo de Los Sures. Here’s what they told us.
When asked why they thought certain parts of the Latino community were able to stay in the Southside neighborhood while others were displaced, they suggested that luck was a big part of it. The stories we are telling in our exhibit are the stories of “survivors” — those who found subsidized or regulated housing in the neighborhood and those who were able to capitalize (sometimes literally) on the resources available. Our collaborators suggested that having extended family was important, as were churches, block associations, and community-based organizations, such as Los Sures.
It was important to our collaborators that we emphasize all of this, but also that we share the character of the people of the Southside. That is, as our collaborator Adelaida put it, these are people who are caring and supportive of one another. They look out for one another and they are proud. While the neighborhood has had its fair share of economic and social challenges over the years, its long-term residents are resilient. Some may credit gentrification for improvements in the area, but long-term residents believe it is their own commitment to their neighbors that has strengthened and continues to strengthen Los Sures.