October 25, 2016 - 23:37
At the gardens we visited I could really see the contact zones that emerged from the contact the African and Puerto Rican communities made with both each other and with the communities of the United States. The beautiful and expressive murals really expressed the past and determination of the ancestors who created this contact zone.
What was equally as intriguing as the unique structures in the gardens were the gardens' interactions with the communities outside those expressed in said gardens. Its availability was limited due to the excess of drug/ alcohol use and dangerous shootings that occurred in the area. The area was not ready for unlocked gardens, which leads one to the question of if this lack of access detracts from the meaning gathered in these areas. While those who reach out can still access these gardens and the ancestors who created said spaces grew up in hardship, the lack of immediate access seems to limit the use of the places as "safe places." Perhaps I am wrong, however, and the presence of the gates and locks actually emphasize the idea of safe spaces only for those of the community.
If I were to ask some questions they would be: What are the requirements one needs to get access to these gardens? Are extra measures taken in order to ensure that illegal/ dangerous activates are not conducted in the gardens? If there were one thing that you could change about the policies about these gardens, what would it be?