I drove thru Dover and am I wrong?? (Passaic, Hackettstown: neighborhood, buying)

[stevemorse]

Let me state first I am not a liberal or making a claim that I love illegals.

Driving thru Dover's downtown it was hustling and bustling with a latin /spanish/mexican flair. They have seem to build there own little communtiy and most of the shop have some type of latin/spanish influence if not owned by a spanish. now correct me if I am wrong which I could be but have they help business down there. I mean there is shops and people eating, buying I mean its there own little space and maybe it would be a empty burnt out toledo if not for those spanish.

I do not feel scared or nervous walking, i kinda thought it was cool. A simple smile is the universal hello, and they all seem happy. I am proud that they have built a nice little spot. Its better than burnt out empty buildings!! Now am I missing something???

[Summering]

At one, time long ago, it was a regular ordinary type of town.......and quite the place to go to catch a train, or go to Americas first Newberry's.......
Then it did become a boarded up town, empty stores......quite uncomfortable.
And now..........( I havn't been that way in awhile) it seems it is as you discribe.
It has been going towards being a latin/spanish town/ community for 40 years or more.

[cyntmac]

I was curious what is your post really about?

[Honeycrisp]

They have a flea market there every Sunday, just saw a commercial promoting it in fact, looks like they have newer and different things than in the past.

[stevemorse]

Originally Posted by cyntmac

I was curious what is your post really about?

well you always make me think but this time I did it on my own, what I was getting at was I was one to always kinda bash this type of community and I got to thinking what if they were not there, would it be an empty no vibe type place. So I am getting more open minded. I was wondering what you people thought?

[cyntmac]

Not so sure that has anything to do with so called "open mindedness".

[lolamom]

Originally Posted by stevemorse

well you always make me think but this time I did it on my own, what I was getting at was I was one to always kinda bash this type of community and I got to thinking what if they were not there, would it be an empty no vibe type place. So I am getting more open minded. I was wondering what you people thought?

Here is what *I* think....

I think that immigrants bring fresh blood into this country and eventually they assimilate. Your observation was right on....and in fifty years, the kids from that Dover neighborhood will have moved on to more "mainstream" communities with their Irish, Italian, Dutch, African American, Nigerian, French or Lebanese etc spouses. Their full blooded American kids and grandkids will be so thoroughly Americanized that they will not eve think of themselves as "immigrants" or otherwise. Over dinner, they will debate the issues of their day which will undoubtedly include talking about the recent influx of "Finnish, Swahili, Argentinian or Portuguese or whatever" immigrants that have recently settled into their own little communities.....

It's the cycle of life....and the cycle of America.

My maternal grandparents came here in the 20s/30s and they still remember how poorly Italians were treated. The rest of my folks are south american.

The very things we love and treasure about NJ--it's rich ethnicity--is exactly what has occurred as a direct result of heavy immigration....

Lola

[lolamom]

PS. I am 1.5 generation latina (came here as a kid) and my DH is full blooded American, many generations back although his people came from Ireland, Germany and Pennsylvania Dutch. The only thing our families have SOLIDLY in common by way of background is at some point they came here seeking a better life. Wherever we all came from, our families have lots of non-background things in common such as values, goals etc but that's another thread.

[wileynj]

Originally Posted by lolamom

Here is what *I* think....

I think that immigrants bring fresh blood into this country and eventually they assimilate. Your observation was right on....and in fifty years, the kids from that Dover neighborhood will have moved on to more "mainstream" communities with their Irish, Italian, Dutch, African American, Nigerian, French or Lebanese etc spouses. Their full blooded American kids and grandkids will be so thoroughly Americanized that they will not eve think of themselves as "immigrants" or otherwise. Over dinner, they will debate the issues of their day which will undoubtedly include talking about the recent influx of "Finnish, Swahili, Argentinian or Portuguese or whatever" immigrants that have recently settled into their own little communities.....

It's the cycle of life....and the cycle of America.

My maternal grandparents came here in the 20s/30s and they still remember how poorly Italians were treated. The rest of my folks are south american.

The very things we love and treasure about NJ--it's rich ethnicity--is exactly what has occurred as a direct result of heavy immigration....

Lola

Excellent post as usual lolamom - you are so correct!!!!!! Hackettstown, a town near me, is seeing the same influx of latinos - it's getting to be a great, eclectic little main street town now! I have no issues with that!

[Busch Boy]

Originally Posted by stevemorse

Let me state first I am not a liberal or making a claim that I love illegals.

Driving thru Dover's downtown it was hustling and bustling with a latin /spanish/mexican flair. They have seem to build there own little communtiy and most of the shop have some type of latin/spanish influence if not owned by a spanish. now correct me if I am wrong which I could be but have they help business down there. I mean there is shops and people eating, buying I mean its there own little space and maybe it would be a empty burnt out toledo if not for those spanish.

I do not feel scared or nervous walking, i kinda thought it was cool. A simple smile is the universal hello, and they all seem happy. I am proud that they have built a nice little spot. Its better than burnt out empty buildings!! Now am I missing something???

I think Passaic is another town that is being gentrified by it's immigrant population as well.

By the way, it feels good to be back on city-data.
I haven't posted anything in over two weeks b/c I was vacationing in the Caribbean.