Community in Harlem
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New York City, particularly East Harlem, was an attractive hub to Indians during the 20th century because of its diversity and potential opportunities. Indian immigrants arrived in Harlem and found themselves in an environment where migrants and locals alike were the minority in a White country. Indeed, the author of Bengali Harlem, Vivek Bald, describes Harlem during that time as a “dynamic arena of migrations, encounters, and crossings” (Bald, 163). This allowed different communities to get together and form new connections they had not done before. Individuals from various countries were getting together to open restaurants, and interracial marriages were prevalent. Bald describes it well in his text when he says that people were brought together despite their differences within the social spaces and communities. However, they were also brought into contact on a more personal level through intermarriages, making them family (Bald, 163). The diversity was attractive to Indian migrants.
Additionally, the job opportunities played a big part in their decision to establish themselves there. Jobs such as “counterman, chauffer, porter, elevator operator, laundry worker (…)” (Bald, 172) were available and required little to no experience, making it less challenging to get a job. Bald talks about how many South Asian Muslims managed hot dog pushcarts in Harlem. It allowed them to save up some money to later on invest in larger projects such as opening their own restaurants. Not only were these pushcarts only serving halal food, which attracted a large Muslim population, but they also became little community hubs. They are described as “a guarantee of safe passage through the neighborhood” (Bald, 173). They allowed the community to look out for each other and served as places to meet and chat.
Seeing communities come together on these multiple levels showcases the importance of unity when facing challenges. Shared spaces, such as the ones Bald talks about in his text, have allowed people to come together and blend their traditions and ideas. Despite the harsh conditions in Harlem throughout that century, migrants found ways to unite and foster an environment where people could thrive and support each other, whether through food or work.