If you grew up in Lorain on the West Side (like me), you pretty much knew that there were a lot of Puerto Ricans that lived in South Lorain. But except for when we went to that part of town to go to Hills, Pic-Way Shoes, etc., we didn't have a lot of contact with them.
It was only when I got to Admiral King High School that I became more much aware of them. Joining a Puerto Rican salsa band (which I wrote about here) enabled me to become much more familiar and comfortable with the Puerto Rican community.
Many of us probably didn't know why there was such a big Puerto Rican population in South Lorain. How did they end up out there? The selection of articles below, from a series written by Richard J. Maloy that ran in the Journal in August 1951, explains it very well.
This first article from August 6, 1951 is sort of an introduction to the Puerto Rican colony in South Lorain.
A nice set of articles, Dan!
ReplyDeleteIt's important to remember that newspapers of the past weren't always so welcoming of the ethnically diverse...
Here's a typical example from the May 6, 1904, Elyria Reporter:
"Negroes Imported From The South.
Sixty Negros, typical 'South-before-the-war' specimens have been imported into Lorain from Alabama by the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad. They will be employed as laborers in the construction of the new line into Lorain. There are 'mammies' and 'pickaninies,' wenches and young men, the workers having brought their families and all their earthly belongings with them, from the family rooster to the family banjo. They will be set to work at once."
Very often, those in power, no doubt forgetting/ignoring that their own ancestors were despised by those already here, have always made it policy to routinely excoriate minorities and newcomers.
Fascinating articles, Dan. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteDon - That's quite an article. The condescension is palpable.
It's funny how the times change.All these ethnic groups were brought to northern cities to get to work.Nowadays if you are an illegal migrant,the feds will give you free room and board,and even free money just for making the trek to the border.Nothing about work is even mentioned anymore.Work is overrated after all.
ReplyDelete^ fyi there have been around 10M illegal immigrants year to year for decades. the legal immigrant rules is you are not allowed to work until your status is confirmed. your uniformed remark is why so many left lorain and it has no immigrants at all anymore.
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