How old do you have to be to remember that Chester used to have all white neighborhoods in several sections of the city? I guess it was the 70s when whites started haul-assing in bulk out of Chester, leaving us with the predominate black population we enjoy today. (Is enjoy a good word to use?)
Many around here seem to fear and resist the prospect of whites moving back into Chester, like it’s a bad thing.
In the late 60s, early 70s, I lived in a black neighborhood but when I went to Crozer Park to play little league baseball, or to Smedley to play Biddy basketball, it was almost half & half - black to white. Whites ran the leagues but our dads were also very involved in what went on. Our teams were competitive, we travelled, we won, and we had a blast.
Hell, one of the best basketball players I ever played with in those years was white, Donnie Dodds. He embarrassed opposing black players where ever we played: CYO, Biddy, and the playgrounds.
I think my college prep classes at Chester High may have been some of the last where about half the students were white. Kevin Wright and I were on the Hi-Q team with a bunch of whites. Everyone got along fine. (Does Chester have a Hi-Q team anymore?)
Businesses were booming with Jewish and Italian merchants occupying almost every storefront in downtown Chester. I just missed the protest and race riot days, and too young to remember the segregation days that affected businesses and entertainment. I remember Chester as a decent place for the races to mingle just as long as you didn’t expect to move into certain neighborhoods where segregation was still going strong.
So, what could be so bad if white people move back to Chester and help turn this city from the arm pit of Pennsylvania to a decent place to live again?
Hopefully your comments to this post will help me understand the fear factor.
It's Mr. Roots Lamont2086, I remember living on east 8 st around the corner from Palaski park and it was a mixed nieghborhood. I remember playing with all races of children, I can't help to think that your post was about about a comment I made about the folks coming back to Chester and moving us out(lol) frankly I want to live in a mixed nieghborhood because then my children wont grow up thinking that there are only blacks around or having a ignorant mind set and be racsist. me myself I love all people no matter what race you are I'm just a people person, I couldn't tell you how many friends of mine are white or what ever because I don't have a limit of any kind of race I just know that I have friends and that's all that matters to me. maybe if we did get somemore people of different races we could turn this city around and clean up because i am sick of looking a trash all over the place.........Lamont2086
ReplyDeletemy family was the first blacks to move on 9th st between lincoln & pusey.............boy have times changed..............
ReplyDeleteI'm white and bought a house on the east side of chester a couple of years ago. I savor the ethnic mix. My neighbor who is also white and has mixed race sons has some serious anger management issues. She regularly calls her sons the n-word and f-word when she screams at them. Its awful. I'd rather have neighbors who are black with some class than the people that live next door. ANY TIME. ANY DAY.
ReplyDeleteMr. Roots, I support your statement. I was raised in mixed neighborhood near Memorial Park and we had wonderful childhood. Went to Dewey Mann Elementary School (very mixed - Mr. Vaul was principal). During the Summer spent days at Memorial Park where during that time the school teachers worked as superisors for the kids. We had tennis lessons in the mornings, the guys played basketball and we all played games such as box hockey, made crafts and etc. I moved on to Douglas Jr. High (not so mixed) but it didn't seen to matter. Then on to Chester High where the population was about half and half. Our class of '64, on day one, have always been close and have had continueous class reunions. Unfortunately, times have really changed.
ReplyDeleteCurrently, as an adult, I live in Chester and am lucky to live in a mixed community where we all try very hard to keep our property up and our neighborhood safe. God has blessed us.
Mr. Roots, I am moving on to something else in your statement that really caught my eye, you where a Hi-Q member. I even have a higher respect for you. I worked at Scott Paper Company that created/sponsored the Hi-Q program under the leadership of Donna Zerby. The Hi-Q Program was Donna's baby and she loved the kids that participated. By the way, just in case your readers don't know, not just any kid could participate in Hi-Q, the students that were on the teams where the "CREME OF THE CROP" students - very smart and knowledgeable. In case no one has stood you - Congratulations on that accomplishment. Don't know if Chester is still part of Hi-Q Program, I do not ever see their name mentioned in Delaware County Times articles regarding the Hi-Q competitions.
Thanks. Yes, it was the Scotts Hi-Q team at that time and they always played a funky version of Beethoven's 5th before every match. Mrs. Hogan was our coach and we didn't win much, but it was fun and humbling to see just how smart we weren't. To my surprise, I received a varsity letter for being on the team. I earned one for baseball too, and quit the varsity basketball team right after the first game, so I didn't get a 3rd. I wasn't completely geeked out.
DeleteMr. Roots, that is an interesting write up. I moved to Chester in October 1959. It was a mixed city then. I was one of the first Black clothing salesmen at Collins Clothes 7th and Market St. Back then Avenue of the State was Matket St. I bought my first house 1113 Butler St. That block was still mixed. We had some good neighbors.
ReplyDeleteI played basketball with the Chester Red Sox. Mr. D was tram manager. I also played softball with the Shiloh Bapt. Church team.
Marcus Hook had a great intercity basketball team. It was always a battle when we played them. Memorial Park was mixed evenly everyday.
Chester was rocking back then.
LW
Stefan, I do not live in Chester and am white. Our black friends in Chester told us for a while not to come to see their child play for Chester (games at Chester) because it would be too dangerous so we stayed away. We would see them play where ever we could that was not in Chester. We finally told them we would not listen to them and if they were going to a game at Chester then they could not keep us away. We proudly go to as many Chester games as we can because there is nothing like it and we are always welcomed in the Chester section as if we are a part of the Chester community. We have now been to 2 State Championship games at Penn State and banquets. My son loves his Chester "family" as do I. Now he also loves the Philadelphia Union and has another reason to go to Chester and we encourage him to do so. I would consider Chester for a home or for my kids if they worked in the city of Philadelphia or Chester area. Very convenient to so much, people are missing out on an amazing opportunity.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. We have a bad image and there's no campaign to counter it. There is little random violence in Chester. Most of it is targeted among people who have issues with one another. As I mentioned earlier, I wish there were lights outside of Chester High. I'd feel safer knowing I could see trouble coming if it were to happen while attending a game. There's no excuse for the school to be so dark.
DeleteI think its sad that the people of Chester have to wait for a influx of white people to turn the city around. Sure its nice to live and interact with people of different colors. But it is what it is, so what is wrong with fixing the city, with the people we have here? I was born and raised in the Bronx. I went to school with mostly white children, and some children of color. I didn't benefit going to school with them, anymore than I benefitted going with children of color. I think we as a people need to embrace people who look like us, to look for remedies to combat most of our problems. OF course don't reject anyone because of race. But on the other hand, look towards each other for help.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. We don't have to wait. But how long do we have to wait?
DeleteAsk SGT lee lol
ReplyDeleteReading this exchange was refreshing. Also gave me a great idea. Stefan, I think you should do more pieces that generate this type of dialogue. I grew up in the mixed race Chester era. We lived on McDowell Avenue near Sun Village. Back then, Sun Village was predominantly white and the folks that lived there were territorial and cautious, but once they got to know outsiders, we had fun times. Back then the village was kept immaculate and beautiful. It's disheartening to see the place now, but the folks, who have been working to restore it are making progress.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the walk down memory lane. Great piece!
I welcome all people of al races, what I don't like is when we get certain people(section 8 folks) in our neighborhood they tend to bring it down with all of there nasty ways and I don't care atitudes, I mean really why can't they keep the front of there houses clean and keep junk off the porch and don't get me started on the back yards. why do section 8 people always have make so much noise all through the night, I like loud music but I do respect my neighbors and keep at a moderate level. and don't get me started on parking, why would you have your family or friends park infront of my door when you know I live here, I pay taxes for this house and I feel as if I have the right to park directly in front of my door, sorry for the rant and maybe I went off topic but you get the picture, living in a mixed neighborhood is a good thing because we respect one another space.........Lamont2086
ReplyDeleteI was born and raised in Chester until 1967, when my father was shot by a mixed race person 2 blocks from our home. My mother moved us and we've never returned. (even to visit) I wish I could be as open as everyone who has posted, but when you lose your father at 12, it's hard not to see the basis for white flight.
ReplyDelete