PILSEN Compiled by Jacqueline Serrato Neighborhood Captain
JACQUELINE SERRATO
H
ave you ever experienced “la 18” at 8am? The vibe is different, but it always reminds me of my childhood, going to la Casa del Pueblo with my dad or going to pick up carnitas. The sun shines bright, illuminating all the beautiful colors on the Pilsen walls. It’s funny, but everytime I walk in Pilsen I am not just seeing the present, I am also seeing the past. Old memories. The good old days. It’s true that we're in 2020, but there are still so many gems and special things in the barrio. I grew up in Pilsen, born and raised. And it is those gems that keep me going and staying. From Mestiza Shop, to Panaderia El Refugio, Tonantzin Shop, El Paseo Community Garden, Benny’s Pizza, and more. There are many beautiful and sacred things in Pilsen. I keep saying, “I think I can stay for a year more.” Then something happens that causes me to realize I might leave soon. It’s that realization that makes me think I am losing my community. For a long time I couldn’t articulate why I would feel so much pain leaving the neighborhood. It’s not the end of the world. But then I heard an inidgenous woman speak about a word that exists in her language; the word means rootless and she went on saying that, like a plant, people can also feel rootless. It’s like 64 SOUTH SIDE WEEKLY
¬ NOVEMBER 25, 2020
they don’t feel a strong connection to the land or their community. It is important to feel that and to have that. This is why I would feel so much pain at the thought of literally ripping my roots out to move somewhere else and start over. My roots run deep in Pilsen. It gives me so much life and sustenance. My poor mother keeps saying all the time now, “No recuerdo a nadie en la 18. Ya no hay nadie que conozco.” (“I don’t recognize anybody on 18th.There’s nobody I know.”) That is why when I see las señoras on 18th Street I make sure to say, “Hola, buenos dias,” or “Hola, buenas tardes.” It makes them happy. I can see their smile. As much as my body knows it is time to find a new home, I still feel so tied to this community. But the last few incidents on my block have really made me feel unsafe. My block is a hot spot for gang violence. Every year it never fails. I hear gunshots. What has hurt me is to realize that it is me that can be killed. It is me, the person who's done everything they can to stay, it is me who is part of the community’s culture and beauty. This is the person who could get killed? It is not fair. Then I see the erasure of my community. I see people coming into the community checking in like it’s a hotel and doing what they want without any remorse
