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Migrants In The CityObservations from "The Square"
"The Square" as I have always known this neighborhood to be called, is predominately a Latino neighborhood (see questions I asked a resident below for its geographic borders). I live near this neighborhood and there is a large Spanish speaking population, billboards and signs are in Spanish, and there are many Mexican shops and services nearby that cater to the Latino residents where they can find products from home or similar products. The neighborhood is quiet and well kept. A man asked what I was doing taking a photo of the Spanish markets. I told him and asked him if I could ask some questions about the neighborhood. I’ll call him Jose. Jose stressed the ordinariness of the square saying it’s just like any neighborhood around it in most meaningful ways. I asked him a few specific questions which I’ve listed below. Jose answers are in blue. Questions For José: Anglos call this area the Square. Do Hispanics call this area by the same name? To Hispanics the neighborhood doesn’t have an exact name. What are it’s geographic boundaries? Bell Rd. on the north, Cactus on the south, 32nd St on the east, and 20th St on the west. Why do so many Hispanics come to this one specific area? It’s to be close to the Hispanic community. Jose thinks all people gravitate towards what they perceive as their community. It’s to be close to their community; other Spanish speakers and stores that carry hometown products. Also migrants follow their network of contacts, family and friends that have come before or are in the area. But again it’s not overt like somebody calling their friends and family at home and saying, "come to the Square, it’ll be good neighborhood to migrate to, rather it’s more like "come here to Phoenix, you can find work at a better wage here." What do you like most about living in this neighborhood? Jose stated the main thing about living in a Hispanic neighborhood is the convenience of having a Mexican store to shop at. |
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