Harlem On My Mind

Harlem has often been considered a city within a city. A culturally rich crown jewel in African American culture, Harlem was the epicenter of the art and literature movement commonly known as the Harlem Renaissance. Originally settled by the Dutch, it was annexed to New York City in 1873. Harlem has seen its share of sorrows and change. With the Great Depression Harlem experienced an influx of crime and joblessness. Juxtaposed with the Harlem Renaissance, Harlem residents have had a disproportionate  level of poverty and almost an abandonment by city development. Fast forward to the mid 1990’s and Harlem is once again back in vogue. Community renewal, commonly known as gentrification has changed the face of Harlem slowly but surely. The old residents are being bought out or priced out without much of an option to preserve the culture of Harlem that has become synonymous with this city within a city, leaving many to ask “Who’s Harlem is it anyway?”