As we are on the topic of Harlem, I’d like to describe my thoughts on what Harlem is to me. Growing up, I was always told and taught that Harlem is a dangerous place and I believe it is ranked one of the most dangerous neighborhoods of the U.S. I have only been there two times in my entire life and both times I didn’t encounter anyone that seemed suspicious or dangerous. Perhaps I haven’t been there enough times, or just lucky? After having read the many pieces written by renowned writers I think there might be more than just danger and crimes. I’m not saying that Harlem is the safest place to be but perhaps the reason as to why the neighborhood receives the reputation it has is for two reasons: to keep out outsiders and because the residents of Harlem have no other choice than to commit crimes to survive.
Hughes describes his experience in Harlem with the intruding of the royal whites to be highly unpleasant. Maybe the other residents of Harlem feel the same way and are simply trying to keep a reputation that will scare outsiders from intruding into their territory once again. Or it could be because they have no other choice. James Baldwin explains the hardships and inequalities that every family in Harlem encounters, it could very possibly be that these inequalities and hardships still exist in Harlem today. Perhaps the only surviving chance the residents of Harlem has is to commit crimes and rob each other.
