1 10 53 https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/86056/archive/files/07f27e14d18aa1f029a2ca122b18ee7b.pdf?Expires=1777507200&Signature=fyXrqR0qEO79nP0zHB331oi%7Em-Y9cAq0btJrRoUZ1OskpXuOtlyh7sC0EJjvsXyhm6FyBsRKpllrekzznPDJfxwW6W6s-W-QQ9s6BQwQqY70jiIOq3mpNOQ-cGp3fLdunp9R4Brr6IIam4Qa84t6pCJmdqrpgQ2nfSvYXS8ibkpM9mL2iH8tP4We%7ESrKaPu1-tnHuEOT4ywJaerm03opxs1FEej7x%7E7AIBDC-PB-u5yyppdzlRpKlOj1Gj36TZxqVE134UvMQ85RweX5MeRkLX1nq8Aqrob8swQNfOuIaSRmQZwW-Pv8gFfzj7fSzKZpcW%7EK3Z0uQ49A7XARiTBlig__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 511313633089f61d7183df1c621ce916 PDF Text Text ��������������������� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Hoboken Historical Museum Subject The topic of the resource Chapbooks and historic materials Description An account of the resource The Hoboken Historical Museum is an invaluable resource to the people of Hoboken.  They've been preserving and interpreting the history of the city since 1986.<br /><br />Amongst the resources they produce are chapbooks. Included on this site are chapbooks produced by the Museum that highlight the lived experiences of Hobokenites of Puerto Rican extraction. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Hoboken Historical Museum Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource When People Got Together and There Were Feasts Subject The topic of the resource Tom Olivieri Description An account of the resource Hoboken Historical Museum Chapbook Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Holly Metz Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Hoboken Historical Museum Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available <a href="https://www.hobokenmuseum.org/chapbook/when-people-got-together-and-there-were-feasts-by-tom-olivieri/">Hoboken Historical Museum</a> Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hoboken Historical Museum Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Courtesy of the Hoboken Historical Museum. Copyright held by the Hoboken Historical Museum. Restrictions are only in regards to publication; any researcher may view or copy any document in the collection. Note that the written permission of the copyright owners and/or other rights holders (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Chapbook Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2001 Hoboken Hoboken Historical Museum Puerto Rican Puerto Rico https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/86056/archive/files/7e68b5dd1f70c84b6d8324d06dacdff1.pdf?Expires=1777507200&Signature=CdMmKON0J5FCoGHLaMp2oY%7EDyFIfQAHsuGoAbr72JU8QvBOA-UwRg%7Eix7oCc3pakJqVXCq9sJNadl0OYvtH9n7C5ksUWHWsJl3R373Xbti2FGlI32hKurVB9fYkrw7tHv347g%7EVe4VfqidlAZlQE3ZKMdDJxz1PZ4HlAPaP-joQqPyR%7E2y4jmLMn-uiTcRzrlZGnv2KapatRBVjWd1Gp1K21JSN7iBEjr98XSQ-fMeUW3bHXV0B9GIwkWryLNcWQYj5ZE8ZgRS3YGqVIe-Sv0Bsnik21GsbMVd0tH3NoZJm14tWmXbO23DVYS9ZORRcLdrjIU2I4rbnIXBZoKhzoDA__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 7ded31099f3e618599593fb407f989fa PDF Text Text ������������������� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Hoboken Historical Museum Subject The topic of the resource Chapbooks and historic materials Description An account of the resource The Hoboken Historical Museum is an invaluable resource to the people of Hoboken.  They've been preserving and interpreting the history of the city since 1986.<br /><br />Amongst the resources they produce are chapbooks. Included on this site are chapbooks produced by the Museum that highlight the lived experiences of Hobokenites of Puerto Rican extraction. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Hoboken Historical Museum Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource We Were Not As They Thought Subject The topic of the resource Angel Padilla Description An account of the resource Hoboken Historical Museum Chapbook Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Holly Metz Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Hoboken Historical Museum Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available <a href="https://www.hobokenmuseum.org/chapbook/we-were-not-as-they-thought/">Hoboken Historical Museum</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Courtesy of the Hoboken Historical Museum. Copyright held by the Hoboken Historical Museum. Restrictions are only in regards to publication; any researcher may view or copy any document in the collection. Note that the written permission of the copyright owners and/or other rights holders (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Chapbook Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 HHM Hoboken Hoboken Historical Museum Puerto Rican Puerto Rico https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/86056/archive/files/8d37b42c872ff06740b1a0faa277c52c.pdf?Expires=1777507200&Signature=W8vD2ERNhu%7Eq5kk36rTC2TW8FiAEsdNZhL37ysw8e7Bw9qvSTi1Ss8ztYdDD1PSgUjg6OWo-hALopwtbmzfRyYqcSH%7Ebk8w3mgIcmkSa39gu5UNi7ipc8EUFM7GCAhjPF9ir5GlNU98VGtadMmmhtVo9nBg2tlzKkV8UMIcgZGh6hpfxjv6vPa7SPwqVz-LooOMEByP1fXYvZPjFbNscXEMQsM3qki5USHNU4S-4Lf04puY0ab3nrMri2Ong14Z3waN7D3lORUUIgdy4oDpL4B89V9dyO7OOWDTUSVGqtOXoxLs3%7EE4DJ1UxCQUeySqRZhMW0ExwsGNhi1%7EL6Gs64w__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 308b4b6ebdadd06a075948c73647bb9f PDF Text Text Tom Oliveri (b.1946 - d. 2014) Tom Olivieri, was born in Mayaguez Puerto Rico and immigrated to the city when he was ten years old during the1950s and was raised in what was known as the “Tootsie Roll Flats” at Willow Avenue and 13th Street. Tom’s family was one of the first Puerto Rican families to move to his Willow Avenue block. A “legendary” tenants’ rights activist Tom, who fought against the wide-spread displacement of poor residents during the 1970s. He worked in the relocation office of the city from 1975 to 1979, helping educate families on their best options to stay in the city during a period where the city’s poorest residents were actively being displaced. A tenants' rights activist and later a Cultural Affairs official for the City of Hoboken, Mr. Olivieri has long been a center of cultural and civic activities in Hoboken's broad-ranging Hispanic community. In 2023 Legion Park on 13th Street and Willow Ave was renamed after him. For its opening his granddaughter Isabella Puro said of her grandfather, “He was passionate about making sure everyone was treated fairly... It’s something he instilled in my aunts and uncles, and me and my cousins: to always do the right thing.” � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Hoboken Free Pubic Library Person An individual. Birth Date 1946 Birthplace Mayaguez, Puerto Rico Death Date 2014 Occupation tenants' rights activist, Cultural Affairs official for the City of Hoboken Biographical Text Tom Olivieri, was born in Mayaguez Puerto Rico and immigrated to the city when he was ten years old during the1950s and was raised in what was known as the “Tootsie Roll Flats” at Willow Avenue and 13th Street. Tom’s family was one of the first Puerto Rican families to move to his Willow Avenue block. A “legendary” tenants’ rights activist Tom, who fought against the wide-spread displacement of poor residents during the 1970s. He worked in the relocation office of the city from 1975 to 1979, helping educate families on their best options to stay in the city during a period where the city’s poorest residents were actively being displaced. A tenants' rights activist and later a Cultural Affairs official for the City of Hoboken, Mr. Olivieri has long been a center of cultural and civic activities in Hoboken's broad-ranging Hispanic community. In 2023 Legion Park on 13th Street and Willow Ave was renamed after him. For its opening his granddaughter Isabella Puro said of her grandfather, “He was passionate about making sure everyone was treated fairly... It’s something he instilled in my aunts and uncles, and me and my cousins: to always do the right thing." Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tom Oliveri, biographical description. Subject The topic of the resource Puerto Ricans--New Jersey Description An account of the resource A brief biographical description of tenants' rights activist Tom Oliveri. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Hoboken Public Library. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2024 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Courtesy of the Hoboken Free Public Library. Copyright held by the Hoboken Free Public Library. Restrictions are only in regards to publication; any researcher may view or copy any document in the collection. Distribution, reproduction, or the use of other protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions must be requested and processed by the Hoboken Free Public Library. Please contact reference@hobokenlibrary.org Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Person Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1940s through the 2020s activism City of Hoboken community organizing Cultural Affairs displacement Hoboken Hoboken Public Library Puerto Rican Puerto Rico tenants rights Tom Oliveri https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/86056/archive/files/3694e3a93700cad7d9890208b82e7243.pdf?Expires=1777507200&Signature=e0dg8SR2Fou%7E17hkCLFcmXLlUxaHluDzRy9CE-8rbxC1CfyxMD1hQsxIwEYyC5zZn7-TDQVkrpkmr4UN8LnrEaRwhrU7W5ouDOeRH33FhnOKUdQ5M9EG1YkjYZ8J8-cczM8m7biP7%7Eb%7E20FearNvkB0zkR2UprVVVvUxhjnOTSQ%7ELm%7Eh6khWuZE4X7Cg7bgpxsZDxJeM0Lhoje%7E59F%7E6p%7EUtujYd1tCHeEdFSo6ukq6usar9pundVIpl0xS0c-BBdgLAvr6pgX65m9qBtHOl3Q9FLOYIZOSRv2e1%7Eds3xXsU9ETmRoNq8j2EmTu2NaWCWDMisxtl7zoqK7ACYAZ-wA__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 3f5f2eb16494d2851cc130dd200acefc PDF Text Text Friday, May 10, 2024: 1:35PM Sylvia Rivera (Shadow9311@aol.com) What year did your family migrate to Hoboken? Did they come directly to Hoboken or did they go somewhere else first? My dad Victor Vargas Perez arrived in Manhattan sometime during the mid 1940’s, during which time he made several trips to Puerto Rico to spend precious time with his lovely wife and little ones until 1953 when he was able to bring them to Manhattan. He left the four older children with their maternal grandparents until he was able to secure a four-room apartment in Hoboken. In May of 1954 our family was finally reunited. Where did you/your family live in Puerto Rico prior to coming to Hoboken? Our family lived in the barrio of Sabana Alta in Cabo Rojo. Why did you/your family come to Hoboken? Victor (dad) wanted to give his children a fair chance at life, so when a good friend suggested he move the family across the Hudson to Hoboken he jumped at the offer. The square mile city offered the best options: family oriented, ample employment opportunities, and easy access into New York City either by the #93 bus into the Port Authority or the ferry into downtown, among other advantages. Where did you/your family live in Hoboken? We lived on 1215 Willow Avenue. An ex-military Edgar Torres also Puerto Rican lived and worked as superintendent of the complex. �Where did you/your family work in Hoboken? Dad worked at the Tootsie Roll Company on 14th Street during the day and on weekend nights crooned with his brother Luis and cronies throughout the five New York boroughs. They had started a band in Puerto Rico and soon reunited in NYC to make ends meet. Our mom Carmen Santiago worked across the street in the sweater company as quality controller. Both Mrs. Freeman, the owner, and her son Solomon quickly embraced mom’s work ethic and became very fond of her. Were you welcomed by the people of Hoboken when you arrived? At work, school, church, etc.? My first experience was rather interesting. While my siblings chose to go out the front door of the building as soon as we arrived from the airport, I went out to the backyard. I went down the two flights of stairs and pushed the heavy brown metal door open. A long open corridor and the coolest breeze welcomed me and led me to the courtyard where four blond little girls (I referred to them later as Shirley Temples) were jumping rope. Try as I did to get them to invite me, they wouldn’t give me the time of day and resorted instead to what sounded to me as “go away, you’re not welcomed here.” I quickly got the message and clicking my new black patent shoes like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, turned around and went back inside. Our first floor neighbor Elsa had predetermined that most, if not all Puerto Ricans, were black or brown and she was in shock to find out we fair-skinned children were Puerto Rican. Other than those two incidents, I have pleasant memories of my childhood. My second grade teacher, Mrs. Grassman, liked me very much and was very instrumental in how I turned out in life. One time she was so proud of a composition I wrote she had me go from classroom to classroom, a broad smile on her face, as I read my composition in front of the class. �Were there conflicts amongst Puerto Ricans and other people in Hoboken throughout your life? Yes, there were some conflicts among them. Basically, parents protected their children from bullies and such. I remember one incident where our dad engaged in some type of confrontation with Eddie the super over a basement woodshed. Every tenant had access to a woodshed for extra storage. As a singer who rode the subway late at night with bigger amounts of money from his gigs, dad carried a gun for his own personal protection. As children we never saw the gun, but mom told us he had one. One Saturday afternoon, mom says, he took the gun and hid it nicely in the pocket of his coat. He was supposedly going mano a mano with a rival. Fortunately, he returned safely back home as did the other man. Another time it was an Italian neighbor who exchanged words with dad. Suffice it to say, that’s all it was. Who helped you when you came to Hoboken? When we first arrived in Hoboken, the Lugo family of two girls of mine and my sister’s age, and Charlie, their brother, took us under their wings, so to speak. They immediately made us feel welcomed in our new home. The older girl gave my sister and me our first manicures and walked with us on our first day of school. What was it like growing up in Hoboken? It was wonderful growing up in Hoboken. We were like one large family, where everyone looked out for one another. One hot August day we were hanging out on the docks, the girls legs hanging above the water, while the boys swam out to the ships, when a frightening cry for help was heard. One of my older brother’s friend had suddenly been seized by cramps, thereby going under water rapidly. Without hesitation, my brother quickly dove back out to his friend, but by the time he reached the point of cries, �the boy had disappeared, his body never to be found, until weeks after when it surfaced like a balloon. To this day, I will remember the pain and horror we felt as we walked home as in a funeral procession, children drinking their tears and snots. There were other similar stories. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Hoboken Free Pubic Library Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sylvia Rivera, Oral history interview transcription. Subject The topic of the resource Interviews Puerto Ricans--New Jersey Oral history Description An account of the resource A transcription of the oral history interview conducted with Sylvia Rivera conducted via email. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Hoboken Public Library. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 10, 2024. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Courtesy of the Hoboken Free Public Library. Copyright held by the Hoboken Free Public Library. Restrictions are only in regards to publication; any researcher may view or copy any document in the collection. Distribution, reproduction, or the use of other protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions must be requested and processed by the Hoboken Free Public Library. Please contact reference@hobokenlibrary.org Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Oral History (transcription) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1950s through 1980s Hoboken immigration migration oral history Puerto Rican Puerto Rico Sylvia Rivera Tootsie Roll Company Willow Avenue https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/86056/archive/files/e10601ab79f1644759ecd8bb71549fb6.png?Expires=1777507200&Signature=rh0Bsn-tuYIc7efqDAmApw7%7EPK-1OMXyz68s9d6YhDx9U5SpEYZmH651ylmUOzPuEHrFpWI4cqIav8Jsu7qYIVirbEsO8JOGbO0h%7E46IWUOM3ACxcnVTgKEiQIKqfadb-sSiDTP4Ix9-NTAEszoF%7EedY5d-luGvMLUJOVXSBvVR2ISeRKF%7EK6JBUcPJLqZarehVDZiEh6idZoUIGMXNUMyr-AqW3dyewNOE2hhOPyqDVwSAzZWiPhePKdSkXE26QTNU8YgXjLPQm0fd%7EZJsdmMvhekfERJ9RvyJMzbccXkm3yd%7EzT%7EkM4xrlBI2n-AVN4RFJ6ysSAzmvXniU6pZUjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 3df726be3914f16f72f4c1c7d4375dd5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Hoboken Free Pubic Library Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sylvia Rivera LinkedIn Profile, screen shot. Subject The topic of the resource Puerto Ricans--New Jersey Description An account of the resource A profile picture of Sylvia Vargas in the online application LinkedIn. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Hoboken Public Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Hoboken Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Hoboken Public Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 10, 2024 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Courtesy of Sylvia Rivera. Copyright held by Sylvia Rivera. Restrictions are only in regards to publication; any researcher may view or copy any document in the collection. Note that the written permission of the copyright owners and/or other rights holders (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Hoboken Puerto Rican Puerto Rico https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/86056/archive/files/4ba093447f99f7ba3b8c6fc7df0fb24d.pdf?Expires=1777507200&Signature=Tq724CKz0RgObqFC%7ErAJWONRE89XF41pa0vU6X6ivB8PGeKPvPTDHjDeTzTig9l%7E9iHzQ0bfGRBmPKfvebc3TlE0EtPD6iEPZOmwra8-y%7E7yJooL3EpHXbkAQJB-ywdAtCiKEEm3TX9pR80EX2lqQ26ryCigWfLdF84sda-kA56wCAOuwK8FGqjpoPeqDuloYK6JeBq7L1hIPPv1uSDS6GJhFmaMXhv8rr1bzlMJVU7GSaZi3wLNx0WG%7Eh9-pmZGxOV0XozpsLFORBMZnDHmh1S-0SWsBkYuwMlEdX%7EgI5OY3IuEJZNwLT1blNhF6op1XeH3nlRi%7Ep%7E3H9g1Rw%7Ebag__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 7b0ce7c60e25085a1f839dfa5893975b PDF Text Text Hoboken Public Library Email Interview with Sylvia Rivera conducted Friday, May 10, 2024 What year did your family migrate to Hoboken? Did they come directly to Hoboken or did they go somewhere else first? My dad Victor Vargas Perez arrived in Manhattan sometime during the mid 1940’s, during which time he made several trips to Puerto Rico to spend precious time with his lovely wife and little ones until 1953 when he was able to bring them to Manhattan. He left the four older children with their maternal grandparents until he was able to secure a four-room apartment in Hoboken. In May of 1954 our family was finally reunited. Where did you/your family live in Puerto Rico prior to coming to Hoboken? Our family lived in the barrio of Sabana Alta in Cabo Rojo. Why did you/your family come to Hoboken? Victor (dad) wanted to give his children a fair chance at life, so when a good friend suggested he move the family across the Hudson to Hoboken he jumped at the offer. The square mile city offered the best options: family oriented, ample employment opportunities, and easy access into New York City either by the #93 bus into the Port Authority or the ferry into downtown, among other advantages. Where did you/your family live in Hoboken? We lived on 1215 Willow Avenue. An ex-military Edgar Torres also Puerto Rican lived and worked as superintendent of the complex. Where did you/your family work in Hoboken? Dad worked at the Tootsie Roll Company on 14th Street during the day and on weekend nights crooned with his brother Luis and cronies throughout the five New York boroughs. They had started a band in Puerto Rico and soon reunited in NYC to make ends meet. Our mom Carmen Santiago worked across the street in the sweater company as quality controller. Both Mrs. Freeman, the owner, and her son Solomon quickly embraced mom’s work ethic and became very fond of her. Email Interview with Sylvia Rivera conducted Friday, May 10, 2024 1 �Hoboken Public Library Were you welcomed by the people of Hoboken when you arrived? At work, school, church, etc.? My first experience was rather interesting. While my siblings chose to go out the front door of the building as soon as we arrived from the airport, I went out to the backyard. I went down the two flights of stairs and push the heavy brown metal door opened. A long open corridor and the coolest breeze welcomed me and led me to the courtyard where four blond little girls (I referred to them later as Shirley Temples) were jumping rope. Try as I did to get them to invite me, they wouldn’t give me the time of day and resorted instead to what sounded to me as “go away, you’re not welcomed here.” I quickly got the message and clicking my new black patent shoes like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, turned around and went back inside. Our first floor neighbor Elsa had predetermined that most, if not all Puerto Ricans were black or brown and she was in shock to find out we fair-skin children were Puerto Rican. Other than those two incidences, I have pleasant memories of my childhood. My second grade teacher Mrs. Grassman liked me very much and was very instrumental in how I turned out in life. One time she was so proud of a composition I wrote she had me go from classroom to classroom, a broad smile on her face, as I read my composition in front of the class. Were there conflicts amongst Puerto Ricans and other people in Hoboken throughout your life? Yes, there were some conflicts among them. Basically, parents protecting their children from bullies and such. I remember one incident where our dad engaged in some type of confrontation with Eddie the super over a basement woodshed. Every tenant had access to a woodshed to for extra storage. As a singer who rode the subway late at night with bigger amounts of money from his gigs, dad carried a gun for his own personal protection. As children we never saw the gun, but mom told us he had one. One Saturday afternoon, mom Email Interview with Sylvia Rivera conducted Friday, May 10, 2024 2 �Hoboken Public Library says, he took the gun and hid it nicely in the pocket of his coat. He was supposedly going mano a mano with a rival. Fortunately, he returned safely back home as did the other man. Another time it was an Italian neighbor who exchanged words with dad. Suffice it to say, that’s all it was. Who helped you when you came to Hoboken? When we first arrived in Hoboken, the Lugo family of two girls of mine and my sister’s age, and Charlie, their brother, took us under their wings, so to speak. They immediately made us feel welcomed in our new home. The older girl gave my sister and me our first manicures and walked with us on our first day of school. What was it like growing up in Hoboken? It was wonderful growing up in Hoboken. We were like one large family, where everyone looked out for one another. One hot August day we were hanging out on the docks, the girls legs hanging above the water, while the boys swam out to the ships, when a frightening cry for help was heard. One of my older brother’s friend had suddenly been seized by cramps, thereby going under water rapidly. Without hesitation, my brother quickly dove back out to his friend, but by the time he reached the point of cries, the boy had disappeared, his body never to be found, until weeks after when it surfaced like a balloon. To this day, I will remember the pain and horror we felt as we walked home as in a funeral procession, children drinking their tears and snots. There were other similar stories. Email Interview with Sylvia Rivera conducted Friday, May 10, 2024 3 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Hoboken Free Pubic Library Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sylvia Rivera email interview. Subject The topic of the resource Puerto Ricans--New Jersey Description An account of the resource Email interview Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Hoboken Public Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Hoboken Public Interview Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 10, 2024 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Courtesy of Slyvia Rivera. Copyright held by Slyvia Rivera. Restrictions are only in regards to publication; any researcher may view or copy any document in the collection. Note that the written permission of the copyright owners and/or other rights holders (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. Language A language of the resource English Hoboken Puerto Rican Puerto Rico https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/86056/archive/files/f6b5229cbbcbaa8103a9aec9087a3009.pdf?Expires=1777507200&Signature=I8iYvZPo2aNV0pkgJplzpjFOZsYwH0UJRNkZXHwS9C1yfS6CEuBiV9uWxZdznmsnO9bdxqUTsJX3z7Tc2OdnQwPa57wJHzM%7EM2NqgE4QmPV3XVkR7odFBtiunr9RlUWnwYykedQeYyF4Jm3y8KD4VGvxZjQDKmm1m%7EHxZsx%7EXxZtAfSd-H7GMVXPWo2qjkexpiaHatWWrfCbY61HyECK%7Ehw3WzE%7EXB2QMVS6wt-DN7-LBbLYsznBiwJ3WO0v%7EH3luGilEKj9bu0Bgb9C7RNnIjtTBarXlgM4AppKhiAoIDesPTRkEoGigwcpLRptqQiRRGvBqwJMA1CC9TQb9kuUaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM b7815fcdd708ca7558f8891d67ce75a2 PDF Text Text Ray Guzman This conversation was recorded on Friday, March 5th, 2021. SUMMARY KEYWORDS Art practice, business ownership, witnessing arson fires, depicting fire through painting, craftsmanship, migrating from The Bronx to New Jersey, crime, Boricuas as minorities, exoticism, Hoboken as a burgeoning art scene in the 80’s, fire capital of the world, fear based discrimination, displacement, loss of essential businesses and services, homogenized, assimilation, Pinter Hotel, fire, displacement, governmental neglect, abandonment, grief, closure, drug addiction as coping mechanisms, gentrification, trauma, ptsd, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, resilience, perseverance, loneliness, solidarity, hope. Chris: Explain to me a little bit about your practice. Ray: It's enamel paint on aluminum. Aluminum background and enamel paint. It's really because of my career. I've been in the sign business since 1986. Hoboken Sign. And then we started brainwave studio in 93. But I started my life as a fine artist, and I spent 10 years pursuing that career. Chris: Beginning in 86? Ray: Prior to that, yeah, so for 10 years prior to that, 76 on to 86 I was practicing fine art. I was a young man at the time but I already had a two year old, Noah. And so at that point in my life, and with my wife, I realized I have to do something serious. I almost got into a big, famous gallery and he made me bring all my paintings there, and they were all life sized paintings. They're all gigantic. 10 feet, 12 feet, 16 foot paintings. I mean I had giant paintings. And I brought them to his gallery, and he loved it, but he decided he's gonna, he said, I want to give you another year and see how you mature. I said, I got a two year old. I can't do that (laughs). And I don't come from, you know, family where they can support me and let me put in another year. And, you know, I got to do it right? So that's what I did. I went back, started my business, the sign business. So I continued to paint as a fine artist through the years. We moved to Hoboken, and while here is when we noticed, we started to see the fires in Hoboken that were happening, and it was a very terrible time. I started to do some paintings of the experience. So here I am doing my artwork, and I'm doing the sign business. And the sign business in those days, there was no sign company in Hoboken for 14 years. The last guy retired 14 years ago, the opportunity was there. And I started my business with some friends who invested in me, and I paid them back their money double in six months. That's how good business was. And then I was very fortunate, because Hoboken didn't know what a good sign person was, and I was terrible (laughs). So, but they needed a sign guy, and I started to learn, but I also knew commercial art. So luckily, I didn't know the sign business. I was trained as a fine artist and a �commercial artist, so I just said, I'll make my signs you know, commercially. So they came out beautiful. We had a lot of good things through the years. I got better and better and we started to win awards, international awards, in the sign business. And then we traveled all over the country and all over the world in the sign business. And so these paintings that you see here, this is all done with sign paint. So I'm sitting there lettering signs on metal with enamel paint and I said, Oh, I like the way this flows. Let me try painting. So that's how that came about. Chris: What is sign paint? Ray: Well, the sign paint is enamel paint, so it's made for exterior and it's very vibrant in color. It's juicy, delicious, and glossy. And it's very hard to paint these kinds of paintings with sign paint, because if sign paint is called one shot, you only do it one shot, put one letter and with the lettering brush and a mall stick, and you do it in one shot. So this paint dries relatively fast. So you can't really blend like oil paint. I work in oil, I work in acrylics. I work in watercolor. So I know how to work all the mediums. Chris: Where were you coming from before Hoboken? Ray: We moved to Jersey City when I was 11 years old, from the Bronx. Chris: Whereabouts in the Bronx? Ray: South Bronx, where all the Boricuas come from. I grew up on 134th Street and Forest Avenue. Jackson Street Station. That's where I grew up. And then we moved out of there in 66 and I was very upset, because I loved my school, but it was getting bad. Used to be a great neighborhood and then it was getting bad. And so when we moved to Jersey City, the heights I was 11. My grandmother died when I was 11. So we moved there at 11, and we lived first near Journal Square, for, I don't know, three or four months. Hated it there. Then my mother found an apartment in The Heights, and it was like the country. I said, Oh, this is great, you know. Chris: How so? Ray: First off all the buildings got little, right, the heights. And then it was very safe. Even though there was crime it wasn't the crime we knew in the Bronx, so it's like, Are you kidding? Chris: Like this is paradise (both laugh) Ray: So I got a bike, and I got a paper route, and I was making friends. We had a lot of friends. I went to number eight school. And it was a great neighborhood to grow up in. Me and another kid, John Ortez, were the only Boricuas there. Chris: What were the other demographics? Ray: Oh, it was Italian, Irish, German. Hudson County, old Hudson County. �Chris: I hear stories of classic battles between Italians and Puerto Ricans. Did you ever experienced this? Ray: I was very lucky. When I was there, I had fights, but you had fights because people were jealous of me. The girls loved me because I was Boricua right, oh this guy's exotic. I've never had a Puerto Rican girlfriend. There were, there were no Puerto Rican girls up there. Just John’s sister and she was too little. Chris: So you the cute Puerto Rican guy around the way. Ray: That's it! But I have to say the kids were great. None of them were racist. They weren't. I had a couple of fights. So there was bully shit, you know, but it was never, you know, we hate spics. There was none of that. I never experienced anything like that in Jersey City. When I went to Dickinson High School. That was, that's a big school. Dickinson is in the heights. So if you take Palisade all the way to the end, you see that big building. When you take the tunnel, the Holland Tunnel, and you go up the road. That big building on the left, that's Dickinson High School. Population over 3000 students. 1500 kids graduate a year. I had a great art teacher there, and that was, I have to say, it was a tough experience because the public school system wasn't ready for advanced thinking. So I had a very good education in the Bronx. I had a very good education in the heights public school. My reading skills were really extraordinarily high. My math was not, you know, anything, but I was already an artist. So I was going to art school. My uncle would send me to art school in New York City when I was a freshman in high school. I would go to art school once a week, and I ended up going to art school till I graduated Dickinson. So by the time I graduated, I got a full scholarship to the School of Visual Arts. I'm still an alumni. I try and participate, but I love that school I had a great time, and I have to say that Dickinson was preparing you for college, but they look at college like this. You were going to be an accountant, scientist, bookkeeper, you know, you're not. You know anything about art, right? So when I got the scholarship to SVA that didn't mean anything to them. That was like getting an award from the Lions Club for 200 bucks. That was four years free college is what I got. So I ended up at SVA, and I got into all my other colleges too. At that time, I went to Philadelphia College of Art. Chris: Well then how is it that you got to Hoboken? Ray: I lived in an apartment on Ogden in Congress and a good friend of mine lived on the first floor with his family, his mother, his father, his grandfather and grandmother, and his name was Julio Fernandez, I don't know if you know Julio. He's the lead guitarist for Spyro Gyro. But he was going to music school in those days, and we were going to art school. My wife and me weren't married yet. So he's sitting in the front, playing the guitar, and I say, Hey, Julio, how you doing? He's Cuban Puerto Rican. I had a lot of Cuban friends in Jersey City through the years. So Julio says, I'm playing this Friday night. You want to come down and hear us? I said, Where? He said, in Hoboken at Senore’s lounge. So we went Friday night, got on the bus, ended up on Washington Street, which used to be (Senore’s Lounge), but is now CVS, that �used to be a ShopRite back in the 70s. So we came to Washington Street, we got off the bus, and the first person I meet, a guy sees me and Renata getting off the bus. And we're looking for Senore’s Lounge. Where is this place? He goes, What are you guys looking for? And we're like, we're here, we’ve come here to hear our friends play at the bar tonight. He goes, Oh, Julio Fernandez? I go, Yeah. He goes, follow me. I own the bar. He says, Hi, I'm Frank Raya. I don't know if you know Pupy? A lot of people have issues with him. I think he's a great man, a great person. People are jealous, he built himself up. He's his own man. Chris: What does he do? Ray: He was a kid like us in Hoboken and he worked in the, they called it the rag trade. The rag trade is really fabrics. He had a factory that would sell clothes and stuff. He had a vision for himself of someday being an important person in Hoboken, and he did become an important person. He ran for mayor several times, didn't make it. He's very well connected, he's very smart, and he said, one day I'm gonna buy this building that we're in right now because he went to grammar school here. This used to be a public school (Number 8 school). So he ended up buying the building one day. It went for auction. Him and his partner bought it and they developed it. He lives upstairs. And he's been good to me and my wife. When my wife was dying of cancer. We were kicked out of our other place on Jefferson Street because the woman said, We don't want cancer in our midst, so get out of here. Yeah, really talk about cruelty. My wife was freaking out, and I was like, oh my god, so I'm walking down the street. And I see Pupy, Frank, down the street. He goes, Why you look so bummed out? I tell him, Renata got cancer, and we're being kicked out of over there. He goes, you've been kicked out, why? I tell him the story. He says, you know what? He says, you're moving with me. You come in here. He says, talk to my partner we'll get you a space. You'll come here. Well, I said, really, my wife came and saw the space, and she died in 2009 and we were here in 2004. That's how long we've been in this space. So for me Pupy’s, a great man, good guy. And his wife, his kids are all good people. So that's my story. And then Pupy said when we're walking to the bar, he says, you guys should move to Hoboken. This is the art scene. It’s where it's happening. The music scene, everything is going on. Ray: So the following month, we moved to Hoboken, we moved in, and we didn't know it was the fire capital of the world. Chris: Well, it just happened to be a coincidence right? Ray: Yeah, it was a coincidence because other people were seeing greed and money and they didn't care if people were dying. So that was, that was pathetic. That was scary, scary shit. And then when you start to see fire trucks and buildings burnt down. So what the hell is this, this is like the Bronx man. What's going on? Chris: When the Bronx was burning. �Ray: Oh, for God's sakes, you know, they were burning people out of there too. But, you know, it wasn’t a community. It has five boroughs, so it's a big city. Hoboken is a mile by a mile. Chris: Did Hoboken change quickly before your eyes? Or is it something that happened gradually and slowly? Ray: Well, we were part of the change. We came to Hoboken though we didn't know it. We only came here because other artists and musicians were here, and they were all our age. So we go to the bar. Is a cool place to hang out. Everybody's your age, everybody's hanging out. And, you know, we're having a good time. We're going to see here this group. And then there's art scenes going on. I had put on a couple of art shows behind the Elysian Fields, Elysian bar, Elysian Cafe, and we had a lot of cool things going on, and then the fire breaks out here, then we know, okay, then another fire broke out over there, and then before you know it, people died and it's like, what's going on here? It was simultaneous. So the change was in the air. And we realized, wow, you know, people were saying, Oh, you're paying the $500 a month rent. That's a lot of money for rent in those days. And we said, well, this is, you know, pretty good rent but we're working and so, you know, we weren't, I mean we were poor, we were kids, but we weren't poor like other people here, who, you know, had factory jobs and had a lot of kids, rents, and they had to pay a lot of money and and so we weren't like that. We were young, and these people were older, and they were stuck, but the changes were coming fast. There was a lot of construction going on too. A lot of construction happening, and everything is happening at the same time. To this very day I tell people, people say, Oh, you’ve seen a lot of changes. I say every six months, there's a big change in Hoboken. Chris: What would you say the biggest changes were? Ray: It's like I said, every six months you notice another change. So the bodegas are gone, the grocery stores are gone. The fruit markets are gone. Now it's a nail salon, dry cleaner, bars and restaurants. Anything that helps you to live better. As far as you know, food shopping now you gotta, you have ShopRite and you have Kings, but you don't have any markets or any fresh vegetables, right, anywhere. That you can walk to, except the big supermarket Acne, ShopRite. All the Koreans are gone. They closed down. They had the best fruits and vegetables. We used to have Indian markets on Hudson Street. You can buy all the spices you want. You walk in there with bags from burlap, from all over the world, spices and curries, because we had a big Indian population. So we had the Boricuas, we had the Indians, it was very mixed. And so that's the other thing you missed. So it's very homogenized now. Everything is, you know, one flavor fits all. And so the changes have been big and hard. And I'm lucky, Sissy and I are lucky that we're still here. We still have a lot of good friends here, and a lot of old school Hoboken. They're still holding on. Chris: That distinction is so often made right? That you got the oldtimers and then you got… Ray: I belong to St Francis church. And that's a parish that's down on second and Jefferson. But I like that church. It's a little church, and it's a great church, and they have an Italian mass, and I �would go to some of the Italian masses. I have a lot of Italian friends. The Holy Name society. So there's a lot of Italian guys there. I grew up in Hudson County, so you got to become Italian in some way. Cooking food, friends, you grew up in this environment, and you so you become. You become part of it. Chris: So you've done paintings that involve fires. Why? Ray: Some of them. And I have to say that, because I've always wanted to be a fireman. I always wanted to be a fireman, and so I got close with Billy Bergen, a great man who passed away, I think, now, probably two years now. And Billy was the one who would tell us, because I was growing up in Hoboken, right, came here my 20s, and he goes, Yeah, yeah, Ray come on, get in the fire department. Let's go we need guys like you. So he'd come to my shop on Jefferson Street, and my wife was was working with me, and he walked in because I was lettering the fire trucks, I was gold pinstriping the captain's car. And I love doing the gold leaf on the on the fire trucks and on the on the captain's car. And so I got a lot of, you know, work from the firehouse, and I always wanted to be a fireman. Come on, let's go. So my wife says, no, no, no, that's not gonna happen. I said, why? She goes, No, it's too dangerous. We got a two year my son was probably, probably three or four by that time, and she goes, and with all these fires that are going on here, you know. Billy said, Well, it's dangerous, but you get trained for this. Its not like you go in, we send you in with a hose, put on this helmet, and go in there and do something. We get training, there's always training. So a lot of my friends became firemen. Chris: What's the inspiration here? Ray: Fireman at the door. Noah's got the original painting, and it's very powerful. And again, I was dramatic and trying to picture myself doing that job. And seeing my friends doing that job. I mean, you know, they worked all the time, and I would go around. I started in Jersey City too. I would go around with my camera and follow the fire trucks. So I took some pictures of fire trucks and firemen doing their thing out there. And so this is all from my imagination. He’s wearing a mask of oxygen. He's got a crow hook and the flames are in the background. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Oral Histories by Christopher Lopez Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound Chris: Explain to me a little bit about your practice. Ray: It's enamel paint on aluminum. Aluminum background and enamel paint. It's really because of my career. I've been in the sign business since 1986. Hoboken Sign. And then we started brainwave studio in 93. But I started my life as a fine artist, and I spent 10 years pursuing that career. Chris: Beginning in 86? Ray: Prior to that, yeah, so for 10 years prior to that, 76 on to 86 I was practicing fine art. I was a young man at the time but I already had a two year old, Noah. And so at that point in my life, and with my wife, I realized I have to do something serious. I almost got into a big, famous gallery and he made me bring all my paintings there, and they were all life sized paintings. They're all gigantic. 10 feet, 12 feet, 16 foot paintings. I mean I had giant paintings. And I brought them to his gallery, and he loved it, but he decided he's gonna, he said, I want to give you another year and see how you mature. I said, I got a two year old. I can't do that (laughs). And I don't come from, you know, family where they can support me and let me put in another year. And, you know, I got to do it right? So that's what I did. I went back, started my business, the sign business. So I continued to paint as a fine artist through the years. We moved to Hoboken, and while here is when we noticed, we started to see the fires in Hoboken that were happening, and it was a very terrible time. I started to do some paintings of the experience. So here I am doing my artwork, and I'm doing the sign business. And the sign business in those days, there was no sign company in Hoboken for 14 years. The last guy retired 14 years ago, the opportunity was there. And I started my business with some friends who invested in me, and I paid them back their money double in six months. That's how good business was. And then I was very fortunate, because Hoboken didn't know what a good sign person was, and I was terrible (laughs). So, but they needed a sign guy, and I started to learn, but I also knew commercial art. So luckily, I didn't know the sign business. I was trained as a fine artist and a commercial artist, so I just said, I'll make my signs you know, commercially. So they came out beautiful. We had a lot of good things through the years. I got better and better and we started to win awards, international awards, in the sign business. And then we traveled all over the country and all over the world in the sign business. And so these paintings that you see here, this is all done with sign paint. So I'm sitting there lettering signs on metal with enamel paint and I said, Oh, I like the way this flows. Let me try painting. So that's how that came about. Chris: What is sign paint? Ray: Well, the sign paint is enamel paint, so it's made for exterior and it's very vibrant in color. It's juicy, delicious, and glossy. And it's very hard to paint these kinds of paintings with sign paint, because if sign paint is called one shot, you only do it one shot, put one letter and with the lettering brush and a mall stick, and you do it in one shot. So this paint dries relatively fast. So you can't really blend like oil paint. I work in oil, I work in acrylics. I work in watercolor. So I know how to work all the mediums. Chris: Where were you coming from before Hoboken? Ray: We moved to Jersey City when I was 11 years old, from the Bronx. Chris: Whereabouts in the Bronx? Ray: South Bronx, where all the Boricuas come from. I grew up on 134th Street and Forest Avenue. Jackson Street Station. That's where I grew up. And then we moved out of there in 66 and I was very upset, because I loved my school, but it was getting bad. Used to be a great neighborhood and then it was getting bad. And so when we moved to Jersey City, the heights I was 11. My grandmother died when I was 11. So we moved there at 11, and we lived first near Journal Square, for, I don't know, three or four months. Hated it there. Then my mother found an apartment in The Heights, and it was like the country. I said, Oh, this is great, you know. Chris: How so? Ray: First off all the buildings got little, right, the heights. And then it was very safe. Even though there was crime it wasn't the crime we knew in the Bronx, so it's like, Are you kidding? Chris: Like this is paradise (both laugh) Ray: So I got a bike, and I got a paper route, and I was making friends. We had a lot of friends. I went to number eight school. And it was a great neighborhood to grow up in. Me and another kid, John Ortez, were the only Boricuas there. Chris: What were the other demographics? Ray: Oh, it was Italian, Irish, German. Hudson County, old Hudson County. Chris: I hear stories of classic battles between Italians and Puerto Ricans. Did you ever experienced this? Ray: I was very lucky. When I was there, I had fights, but you had fights because people were jealous of me. The girls loved me because I was Boricua right, oh this guy's exotic. I've never had a Puerto Rican girlfriend. There were, there were no Puerto Rican girls up there. Just John’s sister and she was too little. Chris: So you the cute Puerto Rican guy around the way. Ray: That's it! But I have to say the kids were great. None of them were racist. They weren't. I had a couple of fights. So there was bully shit, you know, but it was never, you know, we hate spics. There was none of that. I never experienced anything like that in Jersey City. When I went to Dickinson High School. That was, that's a big school. Dickinson is in the heights. So if you take Palisade all the way to the end, you see that big building. When you take the tunnel, the Holland Tunnel, and you go up the road. That big building on the left, that's Dickinson High School. Population over 3000 students. 1500 kids graduate a year. I had a great art teacher there, and that was, I have to say, it was a tough experience because the public school system wasn't ready for advanced thinking. So I had a very good education in the Bronx. I had a very good education in the heights public school. My reading skills were really extraordinarily high. My math was not, you know, anything, but I was already an artist. So I was going to art school. My uncle would send me to art school in New York City when I was a freshman in high school. I would go to art school once a week, and I ended up going to art school till I graduated Dickinson. So by the time I graduated, I got a full scholarship to the School of Visual Arts. I'm still an alumni. I try and participate, but I love that school I had a great time, and I have to say that Dickinson was preparing you for college, but they look at college like this. You were going to be an accountant, scientist, bookkeeper, you know, you're not. You know anything about art, right? So when I got the scholarship to SVA that didn't mean anything to them. That was like getting an award from the Lions Club for 200 bucks. That was four years free college is what I got. So I ended up at SVA, and I got into all my other colleges too. At that time, I went to Philadelphia College of Art. Chris: Well then how is it that you got to Hoboken? Ray: I lived in an apartment on Ogden in Congress and a good friend of mine lived on the first floor with his family, his mother, his father, his grandfather and grandmother, and his name was Julio Fernandez, I don't know if you know Julio. He's the lead guitarist for Spyro Gyro. But he was going to music school in those days, and we were going to art school. My wife and me weren't married yet. So he's sitting in the front, playing the guitar, and I say, Hey, Julio, how you doing? He's Cuban Puerto Rican. I had a lot of Cuban friends in Jersey City through the years. So Julio says, I'm playing this Friday night. You want to come down and hear us? I said, Where? He said, in Hoboken at Senore’s lounge. So we went Friday night, got on the bus, ended up on Washington Street, which used to be (Senore’s Lounge), but is now CVS, that used to be a ShopRite back in the 70s. So we came to Washington Street, we got off the bus, and the first person I meet, a guy sees me and Renata getting off the bus. And we're looking for Senore’s Lounge. Where is this place? He goes, What are you guys looking for? And we're like, we're here, we’ve come here to hear our friends play at the bar tonight. He goes, Oh, Julio Fernandez? I go, Yeah. He goes, follow me. I own the bar. He says, Hi, I'm Frank Raya. I don't know if you know Pupy? A lot of people have issues with him. I think he's a great man, a great person. People are jealous, he built himself up. He's his own man. Chris: What does he do? Ray: He was a kid like us in Hoboken and he worked in the, they called it the rag trade. The rag trade is really fabrics. He had a factory that would sell clothes and stuff. He had a vision for himself of someday being an important person in Hoboken, and he did become an important person. He ran for mayor several times, didn't make it. He's very well connected, he's very smart, and he said, one day I'm gonna buy this building that we're in right now because he went to grammar school here. This used to be a public school (Number 8 school). So he ended up buying the building one day. It went for auction. Him and his partner bought it and they developed it. He lives upstairs. And he's been good to me and my wife. When my wife was dying of cancer. We were kicked out of our other place on Jefferson Street because the woman said, We don't want cancer in our midst, so get out of here. Yeah, really talk about cruelty. My wife was freaking out, and I was like, oh my god, so I'm walking down the street. And I see Pupy, Frank, down the street. He goes, Why you look so bummed out? I tell him, Renata got cancer, and we're being kicked out of over there. He goes, you've been kicked out, why? I tell him the story. He says, you know what? He says, you're moving with me. You come in here. He says, talk to my partner we'll get you a space. You'll come here. Well, I said, really, my wife came and saw the space, and she died in 2009 and we were here in 2004. That's how long we've been in this space. So for me Pupy’s, a great man, good guy. And his wife, his kids are all good people. So that's my story. And then Pupy said when we're walking to the bar, he says, you guys should move to Hoboken. This is the art scene. It’s where it's happening. The music scene, everything is going on. Ray: So the following month, we moved to Hoboken, we moved in, and we didn't know it was the fire capital of the world. Chris: Well, it just happened to be a coincidence right? Ray: Yeah, it was a coincidence because other people were seeing greed and money and they didn't care if people were dying. So that was, that was pathetic. That was scary, scary shit. And then when you start to see fire trucks and buildings burnt down. So what the hell is this, this is like the Bronx man. What's going on? Chris: When the Bronx was burning. Ray: Oh, for God's sakes, you know, they were burning people out of there too. But, you know, it wasn’t a community. It has five boroughs, so it's a big city. Hoboken is a mile by a mile. Chris: Did Hoboken change quickly before your eyes? Or is it something that happened gradually and slowly? Ray: Well, we were part of the change. We came to Hoboken though we didn't know it. We only came here because other artists and musicians were here, and they were all our age. So we go to the bar. Is a cool place to hang out. Everybody's your age, everybody's hanging out. And, you know, we're having a good time. We're going to see here this group. And then there's art scenes going on. I had put on a couple of art shows behind the Elysian Fields, Elysian bar, Elysian Cafe, and we had a lot of cool things going on, and then the fire breaks out here, then we know, okay, then another fire broke out over there, and then before you know it, people died and it's like, what's going on here? It was simultaneous. So the change was in the air. And we realized, wow, you know, people were saying, Oh, you're paying the $500 a month rent. That's a lot of money for rent in those days. And we said, well, this is, you know, pretty good rent but we're working and so, you know, we weren't, I mean we were poor, we were kids, but we weren't poor like other people here, who, you know, had factory jobs and had a lot of kids, rents, and they had to pay a lot of money and and so we weren't like that. We were young, and these people were older, and they were stuck, but the changes were coming fast. There was a lot of construction going on too. A lot of construction happening, and everything is happening at the same time. To this very day I tell people, people say, Oh, you’ve seen a lot of changes. I say every six months, there's a big change in Hoboken. Chris: What would you say the biggest changes were? Ray: It's like I said, every six months you notice another change. So the bodegas are gone, the grocery stores are gone. The fruit markets are gone. Now it's a nail salon, dry cleaner, bars and restaurants. Anything that helps you to live better. As far as you know, food shopping now you gotta, you have ShopRite and you have Kings, but you don't have any markets or any fresh vegetables, right, anywhere. That you can walk to, except the big supermarket Acne, ShopRite. All the Koreans are gone. They closed down. They had the best fruits and vegetables. We used to have Indian markets on Hudson Street. You can buy all the spices you want. You walk in there with bags from burlap, from all over the world, spices and curries, because we had a big Indian population. So we had the Boricuas, we had the Indians, it was very mixed. And so that's the other thing you missed. So it's very homogenized now. Everything is, you know, one flavor fits all. And so the changes have been big and hard. And I'm lucky, Sissy and I are lucky that we're still here. We still have a lot of good friends here, and a lot of old school Hoboken. They're still holding on. Chris: That distinction is so often made right? That you got the oldtimers and then you got… Ray: I belong to St Francis church. And that's a parish that's down on second and Jefferson. But I like that church. It's a little church, and it's a great church, and they have an Italian mass, and I would go to some of the Italian masses. I have a lot of Italian friends. The Holy Name society. So there's a lot of Italian guys there. I grew up in Hudson County, so you got to become Italian in some way. Cooking food, friends, you grew up in this environment, and you so you become. You become part of it. Chris: So you've done paintings that involve fires. Why? Ray: Some of them. And I have to say that, because I've always wanted to be a fireman. I always wanted to be a fireman, and so I got close with Billy Bergen, a great man who passed away, I think, now, probably two years now. And Billy was the one who would tell us, because I was growing up in Hoboken, right, came here my 20s, and he goes, Yeah, yeah, Ray come on, get in the fire department. Let's go we need guys like you. So he'd come to my shop on Jefferson Street, and my wife was was working with me, and he walked in because I was lettering the fire trucks, I was gold pinstriping the captain's car. And I love doing the gold leaf on the on the fire trucks and on the on the captain's car. And so I got a lot of, you know, work from the firehouse, and I always wanted to be a fireman. Come on, let's go. So my wife says, no, no, no, that's not gonna happen. I said, why? She goes, No, it's too dangerous. We got a two year my son was probably, probably three or four by that time, and she goes, and with all these fires that are going on here, you know. Billy said, Well, it's dangerous, but you get trained for this. Its not like you go in, we send you in with a hose, put on this helmet, and go in there and do something. We get training, there's always training. So a lot of my friends became firemen. Chris: What's the inspiration here? Ray: Fireman at the door. Noah's got the original painting, and it's very powerful. And again, I was dramatic and trying to picture myself doing that job. And seeing my friends doing that job. I mean, you know, they worked all the time, and I would go around. I started in Jersey City too. I would go around with my camera and follow the fire trucks. So I took some pictures of fire trucks and firemen doing their thing out there. And so this is all from my imagination. He’s wearing a mask of oxygen. He's got a crow hook and the flames are in the background. Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview Christopher López Interviewee The person(s) being interviewed Ray Guzman, a celebrated Hoboken artist, was born in 1954 in Manhattan, New York City. His grandmother, Henrietta Townsend-Rodriguez, migrated to NYC in the great migration from Puerto Rico in the 1940’s. Ray was raised in the South Bronx by his parents mother, Rachel, and father, Raymond Guzman Sr before moving to Jersey City when he was eleven years old. Ray’s mother worked as an off-set printer and father was a gifted cabinet maker and musician. Ray moved to Hoboken with his wife, Renata, at the height of the city’s gentrification. Influenced by the period and his desire to be a fireman, Ray depicted many fires in his paintings throughout the years. Over the course of more than forty years in Hoboken, Ray became a master sign maker and owned and operated his sign business Hoboken Sign on 7th St. between Jefferson and Adams. Ray has received both regional and international acclaim for his paintings and is noted as one of the most famed muralists in Hoboken having recently in 2023, created the mural for his friend, and greatly revered Puerto Rican citizen, Tom Oliveri, to commemorate his life of service to the city at a park named after him on 13th and Willow. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ray Guzman, Oral history interview transcription. Subject The topic of the resource Interviews Puerto Ricans--New Jersey Oral history Description An account of the resource A transcription of the oral history interview conducted with Ray Guzman. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Christopher López. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Interview conducted on Friday, March 5, 2021. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Courtesy of Christopher López. Copyright held by Christopher López. Restrictions are only in regards to publication; any researcher may view or copy any document in the collection. Note that the written permission of the copyright owners and/or other rights holders (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. Relation A related resource See "Frank Guzman, Oral history interview transcription.," https://puertoricanexperienceinhoboken.omeka.net/items/show/15 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Oral history (transcription) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1960s through 1980s art artist fires gentrification Hoboken Hoboken art scene Hoboken fires oral history painter Pinter Hotel Puerto Rican Puerto Rican owned business Puerto Rico https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/86056/archive/files/d05f3dfb9d1bcf8dc69dda16362f449c.mp4?Expires=1777507200&Signature=oFwK6iIK2pMNmx6dtF8yBO3intcVryOLICavZEKMakFzTBJQANHncL-1H8znMM01qdUKqTvUj%7EQeqVprP1bTGbeuSw7Q63b4txqxiXz-93vOJrRGtfbbcpXvtzdAVQ9fD%7ECnoRTZeS0wd6n5qlseVzgE-%7ERghlIDORlibGPjlbcq7MO5B3y8mEdH0Yy9NvBgzKcAOiS5-wTRzlxk0LFvMxTNfGTgRziu7yXKeuI6HdkZRc8SfbYsMMVrJ98XoS4XmQJAhFdMhCLx-iZ0sLV2KLS20JLBBjj4m9v8D5d826ku5g1Q7aUichCbc2imnr9ry152Bo-Bu3kwCEW9oQfJJg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM c8d7d5930a973f2ce52a6c8a3c759148 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Hoboken Free Pubic Library Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Duration Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.) 00:29:28 Compression Type/rate of compression for moving image file (i.e. MPEG-4) MP4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Puerto Rico Day Parade, moving image. Subject The topic of the resource Puerto Ricans--New Jersey Description An account of the resource A digitized home movie of one of the earlier Puerto Rico Day parades in Hoboken. No audio. 1963. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Courtesy of Myrna Milan. Copyright held by the Myrna Milan. Restrictions are only in regards to publication; any researcher may view or copy any document in the collection. Note that the written permission of the copyright owners and/or other rights holders (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource MP4 Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1963 Hoboken Puerto Rican Parade Puerto Rico https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/86056/archive/files/327b7f1128134b81c4fdc536f26a1d9b.pdf?Expires=1777507200&Signature=a67Is92HS4R4yoMwCWnPf-xm2nXhPg6ahlropxWzuuIqpmtAgvqsbx1so9cK9bGSkUVAGDR2ryKeDjeKvjDgPgnU-UxYPjJiIyTk9gmj7NXnJqY8Thu-91dl%7E6aRdXHfaVNVBMFI6KtcLUEZZz7BuRusgMmuh1jK3La6HeQWBW9gZh8hoXFfq9ww6QwMDSfjUvzH%7EAvqEHtISRDqwiMFUr6jd7Pl3xF0AqTTDMg7kV%7EINTfz4sqgjNsRfSaxVDLL0ADehnZYCEGI45sb4zfd9lqOhN2QV5kaXwa4ekthMJ01LXEN6A6yGkt53mP9xM3C4Xc3o5H2CqHNoMD-L8qV3g__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 41739e9f1e08711301c4e10136b517cb PDF Text Text Name/s: Angeles Cotto (in green) and Gladys Cotto (in yellow/cousin) Place: Sumidero, Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico Year: December 1969 Short Description: This picture was taken on December 26, 1969; near front of Iglesia del Perpetuo Socorro. They day after Angeles’s sister’s (Gloria) Christmas wedding. �Name/s: (from left to right): Angeles’s older brothers Artemio Cotto, Jose “Cheo” Cotto and her father Domingo Cotto Place: Sumidero, Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico Year: circa 1959 Short Description: Here in a test of strength, Cheo asked who was the strongest between his father and brother. They locked hands and Cheo climbed on curious as to who could last the longest. They both let go, at the same time, after the photo was taken. Guess we’ll never know the answer to that question. Photo taken by Angeles in front of her childhood family home. �Name/s: Angeles Cotto Place: Sumidero, Aguas Buenas Year: March 12, 1977 Short Description: Here is Angeles a few hours before heading off to the church, Iglesia del Perpetuo Socorro, for her wedding. Photo was taken in the back balcony of her family home in Sumidero. She jokes, “in front of the pigpen for a proper send off.” She was 27 years old in this picture. �Name/s: Luis “Guito” Pagan (husband to Angeles) Place: Hoboken, New Jersey (2nd street between Jackson & Monroe) Year: early 1990s (1993?) Short Description: Taken front of Hoboken Low Riders. A bicycle repair shop, on 2nd street between the streets of Jackson & Monroe. If you weren’t sure they were open all you had to do was listen for the Salsa music emanating from the garage and you knew someone was there ready to help. �Name/s: (left to right) (Angeles’s mother) Ramona “Moncha” Hernandez and her grandsons Joel Cotto and Hipolito Cotto Jr. Place: Sumidero, Aguas Buenas Year: 1973 Short Description: The grandsons were helping give the pigs a bath. Located behind Ramona’s (Angeles’s childhood) home. �Name/s: AnnaMaria Cotto (in pink-Angeles’s sister); (Angeles’s nephews and niece) Hector Peralta (standing), Mikel Peralta, Andy Peralta (kneeling), Annamaria Peralta (far right), (behind the carriage to the right- Angeles’s son) Luis Pagan Jr. (in carriages left to right) Oscar Perez, Glory Pagan (Angeles’s Daughter) Place: Church Square Park; Hoboken, New Jersey Year: 1980 Short Description: Photo taken on a warm summer day at Church Square Park or what the kids grew calling it, 4th Street Park. The second the weather warmed up, sisters Angeles and AnnaMaria would take their kids to the park for a nice day out. �Name/s: Ramona “Moncha” Hernandez (center) Place: Sumidero, Aguas Buenas Year: 1979 Short Description: Moncha’s 63rd Birthday surrounded by her grandchildren. �(Caption for middle picture) Name/s: Glory (back), Mary (front) Place: Lake Welch; Stony Point, NY Year: 1990 Short Description: photo taken at lake welch. I don't remember much of that day but I will say my Supergirl swimsuit was everything to me. �(Caption for middle picture) Name/s: (left to right): Glory Pagan, friend of the family Grendaly Torres, Mary Pagan Place: apartment in 2nd and Madison; Hoboken, NJ Year: March 30, 1997; Easter Short Description: We always dressed up for easter. My mint dress (far right) was actually my “dama” dress from Glory’s Sweet Sixteen. My mother made the original dress and a year later she shortened it so I could wear again. I even wore it one time for Halloween. �(Caption for top picture) Name/s: (Top) Mary (Bottom) Glory and Angeles Place: Basement apartment at 335 Garden St., Hoboken NJ Year: August 1, 2000 Short Description: Glory found a place that printed photos onto cakes. So she HAD to get one with a photo of our mom. She was 24 year old in the black and white photo. Fun Fact: My dad still carries that photo of her, in his wallet, 47 years later. �(Caption for top picture) Name/s: Glory Pagan (far right- blue dress), Junior and Senior runner-up crowned princesses of local beauty pageant Place: St Peter and Paul Church Hall, Saint Peter and Paul Church 4th and Hudson, Hoboken NJ Year: 1994 Short Description: Glory with three contestants from Hoboken’s Puerto Rican Society Beauty Pageant. The two girls in the middle were Junior and Senior crowned Princesses of Hoboken. Glory entered wearing a blue dress Angeles designed and made for her specifically for the pageant. �Name: Glory Ann Pagan (second from the left) Place: St. Peter and Paul Church Hall; Saint Peter and Paul Church; Hoboken, NJ Year: 1995 Short description: Newspaper clipping of Angeles’s daughter, Glory, on the night she was crowned Princess of Hoboken. It was her second year participating in Hoboken’s Puerto Rican Society beauty pageant. �(Caption for top picture) Name: Mary Pagan Place: Sinatra Park; Sinatra Dr., Hoboken, NJ Year: 2000 Short Description: photo taken in Sinatra Park at the top steps of the amphitheater. One of the go to after school hangout spots for myself and my friends. �Name/s: Angeles, Ramona, Julia Cotto, Mary (baby) Place: Sumidero, Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico Year: 1988 Short Description: Angeles with her mother and eldest sister. Photo taken at Julia’s house, during a trip visiting family in Puerto Rico. �Name/s: Angeles Cotto, Nancy (Angeles’s co-worker) Place: Garden Laundry; Hoboken, NJ Year: July 2001 Short Description: Angeles worked at a Laundromat at 300 Garden St. in Hoboken. Here she is with a co-worker/ friend who only worked with Angeles for a short while but they became fast friends. �(Caption for middle picture) Name: Angeles Place: Washington, New Jersey Year: 2003 Short Description: photo taken on a trip to Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Washington, New Jersey. �Name: Angeles’s siblings (from Left to right) Gloria, Jose, Angeles, Ana, Polo Place: in our kitchen; 3rd and Jackson, Hoboken, NJ Year: August 1, 2016 Short description: The aunts and uncles, from P.R., came for a visit that summer. Angeles had no idea we were throwing her a surprise birthday party five days after this photo was taken. It was a lovely casino themed. She was really surprised! �(Caption for bottom picture) Name: Brandon Cuevas Place: Hoboken High School; Hoboken, NJ Year: 2016 Short Description: Photo is of Brandon’s Senior graduation photo Class of 2016. Brandon is Angeles’s grandson and Glory’s eldest son. �Name: Dimarie, Luis, Angeles, Kiomy, David Place: 3rd and Jackson, Hoboken, NJ Year: 2018 Short description: Angeles here with four of her six grandchildren. They surprised her with a cake for her 71st birthday. �Name: Angeles Place: 3rd and Jackson; her bedroom/ sewing room Year: October 2018 Short description: final touches to her youngest granddaughter, Kiomy’s Sweet 16 dress and cloak. �Name: Glory Pagan, Luis Pagan, Mary Pagan Place: Fort Jackson, South Carolina Year: February 2006 Short description: Taken at Luis’s graduation from boot camp. He had enlisted in the US Army a couple months prior and my sister and I hopped on a 13 hour train ride to South Carolina to watch him graduate. We were beyond proud of our big brother. He served for seven years; did two tours, one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. In 2013, he was honorably discharged as Sergeant Luis Antonio Pagan. �Name: (left to right) Iris Blanco, Jose Blanco and Angeles Cotto Place: Our Lady of Grace Church, Hoboken NJ Year: May 13, 2019 Short description: Photo of Jose (the youngest of Angeles’s grandchildren) after his confirmation at OLG Church. He’s pictured with both of his grandmothers, Iris and Angeles. �Name: front row: (L to R) Angeles, Kiomy, Brandon, Mary middle row:(L to R) Luis, Glory, David Back row: (L to R) Daniel Padilla, Luis Antonio Place: living room; 3rd and Jackson, Hoboken NJ Year: December 24/25 2019 Short description: We always wanted to have some kind of uniform for Christmas; at least once, be it onesies or matching pajamas or shirts, and take a holiday photo. That year my brother surprised everyone ugly Christmas sweaters. Truthfully they were super cute. We all loved them. �Name: Kiomy Cuevas (grandaughter); Angeles Cotto Place: in our kitchen; 3rd and Jackson, Hoboken NJ Year: June 2024 Short description: Here they are cutting out the pattern for a dress Kiomy designed for a Pride prom. It’s become an unofficial tradition between granddaughter and grandmother. Kiomy’s dream is to be a fashion designer, so she usually dreams up a dress, sketches it out and hands it over to “Mami” as she lovingly calls her and together they get to work on making her dress. �Name: Las Damas de Maria and Father Philip Place: Our Lady of Grace Church hall, Hoboken NJ Year: November 2023 Short description: Pictured here Angeles (back left) with the women led church group of Our Lady of Grace Church, Las Damas de Maria (The Ladies of Mary) during a celebration luncheon. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Oral Histories by Christopher Lopez Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Pagan Family, Photos. Subject The topic of the resource Interviews Puerto Ricans--New Jersey Oral history Description An account of the resource A collection of photographs from the Pagan family. Each photo includes additional descriptive information per image, including name(s) of those in the image, location of image, year the photograph was taken, and a short description based on personal details of the photograph's subject(s). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Christopher López. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Photo collection created in 2023. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Courtesy of the Pagan family. and Christopher López. Copyright held by Christopher López. Restrictions are only in regards to publication; any researcher may view or copy any document in the collection. Note that the written permission of the copyright owners and/or other rights holders (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Photographs span 1959-2024 Type The nature or genre of the resource Still Image Hoboken oral history Pagan family Puerto Rican Puerto Rico https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/86056/archive/files/492c53afddb7e7597f71f1e2e88dc928.pdf?Expires=1777507200&Signature=c68ZSUEmjWFs1ZX5%7EW1knvYc1IPPduIlXguGRiUfaC7wqEk5lwVorp0d1OplGRYLvZS8MwHN9v3UBXt0amXfswJMuc7YWg7ISAcyPOlJ8AbL1OrzfmKaN38gs6%7EwzFhWL%7EFNeYHpKeCO2MpVfi67b2rM7b-JLpOaUp2WAAvspEKkUJNweLOMpOnn1DgyeVdVMGI6oUT5ReNgGvaQB3V1AnM2Nt0zf4nDCIwF7opj6EGfBDp7RmEk5YBgGmUovKTWWhk4UvQ-qq-4pLVm77s51MBK8o4WqPLUgDsEEuVlr7KUHe131nf4B%7EBbX4LzOYJ9owsLW8aZlzU-cs1R1WtGrg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM f6c424bd1f57b97ba729639198126e56 PDF Text Text Pagan Family This conversation was recorded on Tuesday, January 30th, 2024. SUMMARY KEYWORDS Migration from Puerto Rico, labor as a seamstress, large Puerto Rican community, raising children, faith, Hispanic religious congregations, history of fires in Hoboken, displacement, loss, racism, Puerto Rican community group CUNA (Citizens United for New Action, Juan Garcia, Tommy Oliveri Ángeles: El hijo mío cumplió un año aquí en Hoboken. Él tiene 45 años. – I come here with my son, my oldest son, he had two months. I came and visited my sister in law for a few weeks, and then I stayed and moved to Hoboken while my sister was living here, and she found me an apartment. ¡Me quedé! *Christopher laughs* Vine a pasiar por una semana y me quedé. Mi primer apartamento era en Monroe, en el 323 de Monroe. Ahí duré como tres años. Después me mudé para Madison, al 214. Y tengo tres: dos nenas y un nene. Sí, había muchos Boricuas. Yo empecé a cortar (inaudible) para fábricas. Aquí le dicen calcomanías o (inaudible). Son como los parchos que le ponen a la ropa, de tela. A veces son de puntillas, o flores o algún muñequito que le ponían a los trajes de los bebes. Eso yo cortaba. CL: ¿Y cómo se llamaba la fábrica? No sé por qué ellos venían de diferentes sitios a traerme [piezas]. Venían de Nueva York, de Hoboken, de otros sitios— donde quiera que tenían trabajo, pues ellos ya sabían y me traían a mí. Si me lo traían el viernes, tenía que entregarlo el otro viernes– más de mil y pico de (inaudible) a cortadas. CL: Eso es un montón de trabajo. Oh sí, pero yo a los nenes los bañaba, los acostaba a dormir, y en lo que ellos dormían yo hacía un montón a ahí. Después cuidaba 7 nenes junto con los míos— la mamá trabajaba y no tenía quién le podía cuidar a los nenes. Un día yo estaba en la casa, y cuando me preguntaron yo le dije que sí. Y como eran de la edad de los míos, eran chiquitos, eran bebes. Y entonces la mamá me traía todos los alimentos para ellos, los pampers, todo. Y les daba de de comer, los bañaba, y los acostaba con mis hijos. �CL: ¿Y todos los niños boricuas? Toditos– [los cuidé] hasta que tuvieron como 10, 12 años. CL: Y tú estas todavía en contacto con los niños o no? Acaso, son adultos. Sí. Solamente vi, como hace dos años, a dos de ellos que cuidé. Y me dijeron que la mama se había ido al cielo. Pero ellos todavía están bien, se casarón, y están de lo más felices. Y los otros– unos se fueron para Nueva York, otros se fueron para Florida. Y así se mudaron, y ya no he visto a nadie. Después de esos dos, que se pusieron grande, me puse a trabajar en un laundry, en 300 de Garden [Street]. Sí, son toditas buenas amigas, toditas cooperamos una con otra– si se enferma una, todas le oramos, la visitamos. Hacemos la comunión y oramos por ella. Ellos hacían unos retiros, y yo fui nueva allí en esa iglesia. Quedaba por la Hudson, estaba frente al parque. Entonces ahí no tuvimos la iglesia hispana, (servicio) en español. Muchos de los que estaban allí no sabían nada de inglés, no entendían la vida americana. Para entonces el padre no nos quiso mandar un sacerdote que hablara español, así que nos decidimos irnos a Our Lady Our Grace. Yo iba a esta iglesia desde que mi hijo tenía como 5 o 6 años. Y como cambiaron la hora de la misa, me fui para St Peter y St Paul. Pero como pasó eso con los hispanos, nos fuimos otra vez para Nuestra Señora la Gracia [Our Lady Our Grace], nos cogieron allí chévere y allí nos quedamos. Seguímos así, ya han sido 25 años desde que conozco a Delia. Ella muy chevere conmigo. Si gritaba algo, yo ayudaba. Cuando se enfermó ella, nosotros orando y siempre dando la mano. Ella siempre era un amor, bien chévere. Todas son muy buenas así. CL: Yo tuve el privilegio de conocer a Delia. Ella me contaba todas las historias de su vida, increíbles historias. Y también, que ella estaba presente el día de uno de los incendios que pasó ahí en Hoboken. Oh sí, es que antes había un “mayor” aquí que era, como, racista. Y cuando no (inaudible) una persona en ese sitio, él mandaba a quemar ese apartamento. Mucha gente murió ahí, porque los incendios eran de noche y ellos estaban durmiendo. Especialmente los indios [de la India]. Entonces hubo uno en Park Avenue, y esa casa se quemó y se llevó como otras tres casas. Como en los 78 u 80 por ahí. O en el 85, antes de nacer mi última nena. Murieron dos niños y más personas, murieron indios, murieron hispanos, mucha gente. Cuando ellos tenían building par vender apartamento, yo fui una de las que apliqué, porque yo quería un apartamento más grande para mis hijos porque yo tenía tres. Y yo me amanecí para llenar la aplicación. Y llené la aplicación, y nunca, nunca me llamaron. Se lo daban a los que hubiera trabajo fijo como maestros, principales de escuela, gente que trabajaba en el gobierno, se los daban [los apartamentos] a ellos. Nosotros lo que teníamos así–no éramos pobres, pero �medio, o sea como clase media. Pero a nosotros no nos daban nada [de ayuda]. Pero por lo menos, aquí estoy por la gracia de Dios. Sobrevivimos. Gracias a Dios ahora, a veces hay incendios, pero es porque la gente son descuidadas. ¡Antes era porque pegaban fuego! (Inaudible) pegaban fuego a los apartamentos. Muchos pasaban porque eran apartamentos viejos y no los querían renovar. En vez decirles a la gente que los iban a renovar, pero no. Mejor pegaban fuego. A veces [hoy] hay fuego en los almacenes que están abandonados, pendejaces con la electricidad o alguna línea de gas. Como el almacen que había en Hoboken cerca de la vía de tren. Eso pego fuego [y cayó] de la noche a la mañana–están haciendo tremendo condominio ahí ahora. CL: ¿Y conociste algunas personas que experimentaron algún incendio durante esos tiempos o no? ¡Bueno, yo misma! *laughs* CL: ¿Cómo? Yo, en el 82, me parece, había un fuego aquí en Madison, y empezó en el tercer piso y yo vivía en el cuarto [piso]. Yo que vivía en ese edificio, el fuego empezó en el tercer piso y yo vivía en el cuarto piso. Y tenía a mis dos nenes y estábamos durmiendo. Y yo oigo como una persona hablando ahí, un revolú, y las sirenas de los bomberos. Me asomo por la ventana y había mucha gente en la calle, ahí. Eso es en el 223 de la Madison–ahora hay un condominio hecho ahí–después el dueño vino, yo me fuí para la casa de mi cuñada, hasta un mes o dos meses. Y después el dueño me arreglo el apartamento, y le avisó a mi hermana que vivía en el 310 de la Madison, que me entregó el apartamento. Y yo vine otra vez a vivir allí. Pero viví allí dos meses y después me mudé otra vez para acá al 327 de Monroe, porque él [el dueño] me dijo que no me garantizaba ese sitio para mí. Lo pensé, y después me mude para otro apartamento. El no me quería ahí porque había mucha droga en el building. CL: ¿Fue su decisión dejar el apartamento? No, él mismo “Te voy a mudar para otro sitio porque tú no estás segura, porque aquí hay mucha droga.” CL: ¿Qué tú crees, él te estaba diciendo la verdad o no? Sí, estaba diciendo la verdad. Porque había personas que yo las veía, que tenían sus cosas. Y por estar quemando esa planta como llaman, Marijuana, como dicen, pues había una estufa vieja en el hall, y ahí pusieron a quemar cosas. Y como eso todavía tenía gas, explotó eso, y cogío en fuego el hall del tercer piso, que cogió hasta arriba y eran cinco pisos para arriba. Pues, a mi apartamento se le quemó la puerta de la cocina. Y cuando me dijeron que la señora del cuarto piso tiene dos nenes y está sola, pues yo cogí a mis dos nenes con la frisa, los empuje, y cuando fui a abrir la puerta se me lleno la casa de humo. ¡Y en esas subió un bombero por la escalera de escape, subieron a mi apartamento y me dijo “Dame tus nenes”, y �yo le dije “¡Yo no te puedo dar mis nenes, se me van a caer! ¿Tú estás seguro de que están contigo? ¡Porque yo estoy seguro de que están conmigo!”–si yo te digo a ti que yo doy mi vida por ellos, y daría la vida por ellos todavía– y el dijo, “¡Confía en mí, confía en mí!” (Inaudible). Ay, Dios mío, pero eso fue una cosa bien mala, tener quemada la bata, [y yo] espetada en el fire escape y tener que bajar así. CL: Ay ay ay ay Y después metieron la tapa esa. (inaudible) Esa tapa pesa, que yo (inaudible) tan flaquita, yo decía “Ay Dios mío”. Y abajo estaba mi hermana y la cu˜ãda de ella con una frisa, con un coat porque hacia frio. Pues de ese humo que yo cogí es que yo tengo esa asthma que no se me quita. Por el humo que entró a mi casa [durante el incendio]. Ahí cogí eso, y no se me ha quitado eso. Hay dias que no puedo hablar de lo ronca que me da esa tos bien mala. Pero aquí estoy gracias al Señor. Te digo que la historia mía también es larga– yo le digo a mis hijas mías que yo puedo escribir un libro… Y me da mucha pena porque la vecina mía, yo le cuidaba los nenes a veces. Pues, ella me dice “Mira, yo me voy a mudar para allá a donde está mi mamá, te voy a avisar para cuando tenga el apartamento vacío, para que te vallás para allá.” Y esa misma semana, que ella me había avisado, fue cuando pasó ese fuego. Y yo digo “Ay Dios mío, gracias. ¿Porque no me fui?” [El nieto], y la mamá, el hermano, y el papá–se murieron los cuatro y se quedó nada más que ella. Ella se quedó viva. Yo no me recuerdo el nombre de ella, porque nada más tengo foto. Pero me dio mucha pena porque la mamá, el papá, el hermano, y un nieto se murieron. Yo tengo foto de la muchacha, pero no recuerdo el apellido. Yo sé que a ella le decían Mari. Se llama Maribel, pero le decían Mari. Esa era la muchacha que vivía donde yo viví, acá abajo en la 327 de Monroe. – Si un hispano o un moreno veía un blanco, le caían arriba, le quitaban las joyas y le quitaban todo. Por eso fue que, cuando yo iba a venir para acá me dijeron “¡¿Tu te vas a meter allí a Hoboken?!” Entonces yo les dije que a Hoboken voy a vivir yo, yo no voy a vivir con los agentes. Y así me he quedado. Si hay un moreno, no se mete con nosotros, con ninguno, ni con los hijos míos, ni mis nietos–nada. ¡Porque nosotros los saludamos! Y si están endrogados, nosotros no tenemos que ver con eso. “¡Hi ma!” yo digo, “Hi, take care of yourself” yo siempre les digo. “Okay, ma, okay” me dicen ellos. ¿Y yo digo “Verdad que uno no pasa malos ratos con ellos?” Yo estoy aquí, yo estoy tranquila. Yo puedo salir por ahí. Mi niña sale de noche, y ella está tranquila porque sabe que nada le va pasar. Porque ellos nos conocen a nosotros ya y nos cuidan mejor. Pero hay blancos que no quieren a los morenos. Entonces ellos lo saben. Son como los perros, ellos saben quién los quiere y quién no. Así que a los míos les digo que saluden. No se paren a hablar, pero saluden y sigan…. (-Looking at photos-) �Son mis nietos, miis nietos– mi nieta, ella ya tiene 26 años. Mírala aquí. Esto fue en Puerto Rico. Y esto es Puerto Rico, y esta es mi mamá. Esos son mis nietos, los hijos de mi hija que vive allí. - Esto fue en la escuela Franklin… Ese es mi nieto, el hijo de mi hijo. CL: Su hija es Mary verdad? Si, Mary, Maryann. Y la otra se llama Gloryann. CL: No, de verdad? Si. Gloryann y Maryann, porque de una se pusieron celosa, asi que se lo puse a los nombres de las dos. Para eso tú le pones el nombre a un hijo, y le pones al otro el que es más lindo, así que te reclaman. So yo le puse a los dos: Gloryann y Maryann. Para que no peleen. CL: Para que no peleen. Y el nene mío se llama Luis Antonio. El hijo mío mayor que es gemelo, al otro le puse Antonio Luis. Para que no pelearon. Yo no quiero que mis hijos peleen. ¿Es que yo oía familias, donde unos decían “Ay, porque le pusiste ese nombre a fulano, y a mí me pusiste este tan feo?” Tú sabes. Pues yo dije, no, mis hijos no van a hacer eso. Mis hijos se van a portar bien–y se quieren mucho los tres. Eso es lo que yo le agradezco a Dios. Que se quieran mucho los tres. Dejame ver si yo, encuentro foto de este. Tenía los conejos, tenía los hamsters, tenía los— mi papá tenía gallos, para las peleas de gallos… CL: Peleas de gallo, mira para alla. Esos son toditos nietos de mi mamá. Son todos nietos de mi mamá. CUNA– ellos hacían actividades para los jovenes. Y hacían un beauty pageant–y la hija mia, Glori, la mayor, salió en uno de ellos. De princesa. CL: También la hija de Delia, Cheeky, ella también salió en uno de esos.. De india taína. Yo recuerdo mucho, mucho de eso. Y la hija mía participó dos veces. Y yo ayudé hacer los trajes CL: That’s so beautiful Yo creo que tengo fotos de eso también. Algunas fotos donde sale ella en el programa ese. �CL: So CUNA— organizaron esos eventos, pero también montaron blockparties. Ellos— que, si venían gente nueva de Puerto Rico [a Hoboken] que no tenían nada, yo casi siempre los ayudaba. A mí me ayudaron como dos años, mientras yo pude coger pie, me ayudaron con comida, me ayudaron una vez con la renta, y me pagaron la luz dos veces, en lo que yo (inaudible). CL: Y tú conocías a Tommy Oliveri? El me ayudó a mí cuando yo me quedé sin dinero para la renta y…. (inaudible, me las daba) Los tuve, cuando dejaba los nenes en la calle, les tuve que ir a buscar algo. O en lo que ella tuvo los tres años que la metí al daycare. Y después ya entonces me pude meter a trabajar en el laundry. (inaudible) Hasta el 2014, que terminé, lo dejé por el asthma, no pude trabajar más. Excepto… todavía está ese (inaudible) ahí. Pero ellos me ayudaron mucho. Por ahi hay una que se llama En el nombre de Jesús, que es en Nuestra Señora la Gracia, en la iglesia que tiene más de 500 años. Que eso es de cuando fundaron Hoboken, hicieron esa iglesia. Entonces ahí hay una organización que dice [se llama] En el nombre de Jesús que también ayuda la gente. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Oral Histories by Christopher Lopez Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound Ángeles: El hijo mío cumplió un año aquí en Hoboken. Él tiene 45 años. – I come here with my son, my oldest son, he had two months. I came and visited my sister in law for a few weeks, and then I stayed and moved to Hoboken while my sister was living here, and she found me an apartment. ¡Me quedé! *Christopher laughs* Vine a pasiar por una semana y me quedé. Mi primer apartamento era en Monroe, en el 323 de Monroe. Ahí duré como tres años. Después me mudé para Madison, al 214. Y tengo tres: dos nenas y un nene. Sí, había muchos Boricuas. Yo empecé a cortar (inaudible) para fábricas. Aquí le dicen calcomanías o (inaudible). Son como los parchos que le ponen a la ropa, de tela. A veces son de puntillas, o flores o algún muñequito que le ponían a los trajes de los bebes. Eso yo cortaba. CL: ¿Y cómo se llamaba la fábrica? No sé por qué ellos venían de diferentes sitios a traerme [piezas]. Venían de Nueva York, de Hoboken, de otros sitios— donde quiera que tenían trabajo, pues ellos ya sabían y me traían a mí. Si me lo traían el viernes, tenía que entregarlo el otro viernes– más de mil y pico de (inaudible) a cortadas. CL: Eso es un montón de trabajo. Oh sí, pero yo a los nenes los bañaba, los acostaba a dormir, y en lo que ellos dormían yo hacía un montón a ahí. Después cuidaba 7 nenes junto con los míos— la mamá trabajaba y no tenía quién le podía cuidar a los nenes. Un día yo estaba en la casa, y cuando me preguntaron yo le dije que sí. Y como eran de la edad de los míos, eran chiquitos, eran bebes. Y entonces la mamá me traía todos los alimentos para ellos, los pampers, todo. Y les daba de de comer, los bañaba, y los acostaba con mis hijos. CL: ¿Y todos los niños boricuas? Toditos– [los cuidé] hasta que tuvieron como 10, 12 años. CL: Y tú estas todavía en contacto con los niños o no? Acaso, son adultos. Sí. Solamente vi, como hace dos años, a dos de ellos que cuidé. Y me dijeron que la mama se había ido al cielo. Pero ellos todavía están bien, se casarón, y están de lo más felices. Y los otros– unos se fueron para Nueva York, otros se fueron para Florida. Y así se mudaron, y ya no he visto a nadie. Después de esos dos, que se pusieron grande, me puse a trabajar en un laundry, en 300 de Garden [Street]. Sí, son toditas buenas amigas, toditas cooperamos una con otra– si se enferma una, todas le oramos, la visitamos. Hacemos la comunión y oramos por ella. Ellos hacían unos retiros, y yo fui nueva allí en esa iglesia. Quedaba por la Hudson, estaba frente al parque. Entonces ahí no tuvimos la iglesia hispana, (servicio) en español. Muchos de los que estaban allí no sabían nada de inglés, no entendían la vida americana. Para entonces el padre no nos quiso mandar un sacerdote que hablara español, así que nos decidimos irnos a Our Lady Our Grace. Yo iba a esta iglesia desde que mi hijo tenía como 5 o 6 años. Y como cambiaron la hora de la misa, me fui para St Peter y St Paul. Pero como pasó eso con los hispanos, nos fuimos otra vez para Nuestra Señora la Gracia [Our Lady Our Grace], nos cogieron allí chévere y allí nos quedamos. Seguímos así, ya han sido 25 años desde que conozco a Delia. Ella muy chevere conmigo. Si gritaba algo, yo ayudaba. Cuando se enfermó ella, nosotros orando y siempre dando la mano. Ella siempre era un amor, bien chévere. Todas son muy buenas así. CL: Yo tuve el privilegio de conocer a Delia. Ella me contaba todas las historias de su vida, increíbles historias. Y también, que ella estaba presente el día de uno de los incendios que pasó ahí en Hoboken. Oh sí, es que antes había un “mayor” aquí que era, como, racista. Y cuando no (inaudible) una persona en ese sitio, él mandaba a quemar ese apartamento. Mucha gente murió ahí, porque los incendios eran de noche y ellos estaban durmiendo. Especialmente los indios [de la India]. Entonces hubo uno en Park Avenue, y esa casa se quemó y se llevó como otras tres casas. Como en los 78 u 80 por ahí. O en el 85, antes de nacer mi última nena. Murieron dos niños y más personas, murieron indios, murieron hispanos, mucha gente. Cuando ellos tenían building par vender apartamento, yo fui una de las que apliqué, porque yo quería un apartamento más grande para mis hijos porque yo tenía tres. Y yo me amanecí para llenar la aplicación. Y llené la aplicación, y nunca, nunca me llamaron. Se lo daban a los que hubiera trabajo fijo como maestros, principales de escuela, gente que trabajaba en el gobierno, se los daban [los apartamentos] a ellos. Nosotros lo que teníamos así–no éramos pobres, pero medio, o sea como clase media. Pero a nosotros no nos daban nada [de ayuda]. Pero por lo menos, aquí estoy por la gracia de Dios. Sobrevivimos. Gracias a Dios ahora, a veces hay incendios, pero es porque la gente son descuidadas. ¡Antes era porque pegaban fuego! (Inaudible) pegaban fuego a los apartamentos. Muchos pasaban porque eran apartamentos viejos y no los querían renovar. En vez decirles a la gente que los iban a renovar, pero no. Mejor pegaban fuego. A veces [hoy] hay fuego en los almacenes que están abandonados, pendejaces con la electricidad o alguna línea de gas. Como el almacen que había en Hoboken cerca de la vía de tren. Eso pego fuego [y cayó] de la noche a la mañana–están haciendo tremendo condominio ahí ahora. CL: ¿Y conociste algunas personas que experimentaron algún incendio durante esos tiempos o no? ¡Bueno, yo misma! *laughs* CL: ¿Cómo? Yo, en el 82, me parece, había un fuego aquí en Madison, y empezó en el tercer piso y yo vivía en el cuarto [piso]. Yo que vivía en ese edificio, el fuego empezó en el tercer piso y yo vivía en el cuarto piso. Y tenía a mis dos nenes y estábamos durmiendo. Y yo oigo como una persona hablando ahí, un revolú, y las sirenas de los bomberos. Me asomo por la ventana y había mucha gente en la calle, ahí. Eso es en el 223 de la Madison–ahora hay un condominio hecho ahí–después el dueño vino, yo me fuí para la casa de mi cuñada, hasta un mes o dos meses. Y después el dueño me arreglo el apartamento, y le avisó a mi hermana que vivía en el 310 de la Madison, que me entregó el apartamento. Y yo vine otra vez a vivir allí. Pero viví allí dos meses y después me mudé otra vez para acá al 327 de Monroe, porque él [el dueño] me dijo que no me garantizaba ese sitio para mí. Lo pensé, y después me mude para otro apartamento. El no me quería ahí porque había mucha droga en el building. CL: ¿Fue su decisión dejar el apartamento? No, él mismo “Te voy a mudar para otro sitio porque tú no estás segura, porque aquí hay mucha droga.” CL: ¿Qué tú crees, él te estaba diciendo la verdad o no? Sí, estaba diciendo la verdad. Porque había personas que yo las veía, que tenían sus cosas. Y por estar quemando esa planta como llaman, Marijuana, como dicen, pues había una estufa vieja en el hall, y ahí pusieron a quemar cosas. Y como eso todavía tenía gas, explotó eso, y cogío en fuego el hall del tercer piso, que cogió hasta arriba y eran cinco pisos para arriba. Pues, a mi apartamento se le quemó la puerta de la cocina. Y cuando me dijeron que la señora del cuarto piso tiene dos nenes y está sola, pues yo cogí a mis dos nenes con la frisa, los empuje, y cuando fui a abrir la puerta se me lleno la casa de humo. ¡Y en esas subió un bombero por la escalera de escape, subieron a mi apartamento y me dijo “Dame tus nenes”, y yo le dije “¡Yo no te puedo dar mis nenes, se me van a caer! ¿Tú estás seguro de que están contigo? ¡Porque yo estoy seguro de que están conmigo!”–si yo te digo a ti que yo doy mi vida por ellos, y daría la vida por ellos todavía– y el dijo, “¡Confía en mí, confía en mí!” (Inaudible). Ay, Dios mío, pero eso fue una cosa bien mala, tener quemada la bata, [y yo] espetada en el fire escape y tener que bajar así. CL: Ay ay ay ay Y después metieron la tapa esa. (inaudible) Esa tapa pesa, que yo (inaudible) tan flaquita, yo decía “Ay Dios mío”. Y abajo estaba mi hermana y la cu˜ãda de ella con una frisa, con un coat porque hacia frio. Pues de ese humo que yo cogí es que yo tengo esa asthma que no se me quita. Por el humo que entró a mi casa [durante el incendio]. Ahí cogí eso, y no se me ha quitado eso. Hay dias que no puedo hablar de lo ronca que me da esa tos bien mala. Pero aquí estoy gracias al Señor. Te digo que la historia mía también es larga– yo le digo a mis hijas mías que yo puedo escribir un libro… Y me da mucha pena porque la vecina mía, yo le cuidaba los nenes a veces. Pues, ella me dice “Mira, yo me voy a mudar para allá a donde está mi mamá, te voy a avisar para cuando tenga el apartamento vacío, para que te vallás para allá.” Y esa misma semana, que ella me había avisado, fue cuando pasó ese fuego. Y yo digo “Ay Dios mío, gracias. ¿Porque no me fui?” [El nieto], y la mamá, el hermano, y el papá–se murieron los cuatro y se quedó nada más que ella. Ella se quedó viva. Yo no me recuerdo el nombre de ella, porque nada más tengo foto. Pero me dio mucha pena porque la mamá, el papá, el hermano, y un nieto se murieron. Yo tengo foto de la muchacha, pero no recuerdo el apellido. Yo sé que a ella le decían Mari. Se llama Maribel, pero le decían Mari. Esa era la muchacha que vivía donde yo viví, acá abajo en la 327 de Monroe. – Si un hispano o un moreno veía un blanco, le caían arriba, le quitaban las joyas y le quitaban todo. Por eso fue que, cuando yo iba a venir para acá me dijeron “¡¿Tu te vas a meter allí a Hoboken?!” Entonces yo les dije que a Hoboken voy a vivir yo, yo no voy a vivir con los agentes. Y así me he quedado. Si hay un moreno, no se mete con nosotros, con ninguno, ni con los hijos míos, ni mis nietos–nada. ¡Porque nosotros los saludamos! Y si están endrogados, nosotros no tenemos que ver con eso. “¡Hi ma!” yo digo, “Hi, take care of yourself” yo siempre les digo. “Okay, ma, okay” me dicen ellos. ¿Y yo digo “Verdad que uno no pasa malos ratos con ellos?” Yo estoy aquí, yo estoy tranquila. Yo puedo salir por ahí. Mi niña sale de noche, y ella está tranquila porque sabe que nada le va pasar. Porque ellos nos conocen a nosotros ya y nos cuidan mejor. Pero hay blancos que no quieren a los morenos. Entonces ellos lo saben. Son como los perros, ellos saben quién los quiere y quién no. Así que a los míos les digo que saluden. No se paren a hablar, pero saluden y sigan…. (-Looking at photos-) Son mis nietos, miis nietos– mi nieta, ella ya tiene 26 años. Mírala aquí. Esto fue en Puerto Rico. Y esto es Puerto Rico, y esta es mi mamá. Esos son mis nietos, los hijos de mi hija que vive allí. - Esto fue en la escuela Franklin… Ese es mi nieto, el hijo de mi hijo. CL: Su hija es Mary verdad? Si, Mary, Maryann. Y la otra se llama Gloryann. CL: No, de verdad? Si. Gloryann y Maryann, porque de una se pusieron celosa, asi que se lo puse a los nombres de las dos. Para eso tú le pones el nombre a un hijo, y le pones al otro el que es más lindo, así que te reclaman. So yo le puse a los dos: Gloryann y Maryann. Para que no peleen. CL: Para que no peleen. Y el nene mío se llama Luis Antonio. El hijo mío mayor que es gemelo, al otro le puse Antonio Luis. Para que no pelearon. Yo no quiero que mis hijos peleen. ¿Es que yo oía familias, donde unos decían “Ay, porque le pusiste ese nombre a fulano, y a mí me pusiste este tan feo?” Tú sabes. Pues yo dije, no, mis hijos no van a hacer eso. Mis hijos se van a portar bien–y se quieren mucho los tres. Eso es lo que yo le agradezco a Dios. Que se quieran mucho los tres. - Dejame ver si yo, encuentro foto de este. - Tenía los conejos, tenía los hamsters, tenía los— mi papá tenía gallos, para las peleas de gallos… CL: Peleas de gallo, mira para alla. - Esos son toditos nietos de mi mamá. Son todos nietos de mi mamá. - CUNA– ellos hacían actividades para los jovenes. Y hacían un beauty pageant–y la hija mia, Glori, la mayor, salió en uno de ellos. De princesa. CL: También la hija de Delia, Cheeky, ella también salió en uno de esos.. De india taína. Yo recuerdo mucho, mucho de eso. Y la hija mía participó dos veces. Y yo ayudé hacer los trajes CL: That’s so beautiful Yo creo que tengo fotos de eso también. Algunas fotos donde sale ella en el programa ese. CL: So CUNA— organizaron esos eventos, pero también montaron blockparties. Ellos— que, si venían gente nueva de Puerto Rico [a Hoboken] que no tenían nada, yo casi siempre los ayudaba. A mí me ayudaron como dos años, mientras yo pude coger pie, me ayudaron con comida, me ayudaron una vez con la renta, y me pagaron la luz dos veces, en lo que yo (inaudible). CL: Y tú conocías a Tommy Oliveri? El me ayudó a mí cuando yo me quedé sin dinero para la renta y…. (inaudible, me las daba) - Los tuve, cuando dejaba los nenes en la calle, les tuve que ir a buscar algo. O en lo que ella tuvo los tres años que la metí al daycare. Y después ya entonces me pude meter a trabajar en el laundry. (inaudible) Hasta el 2014, que terminé, lo dejé por el asthma, no pude trabajar más. Excepto… todavía está ese (inaudible) ahí. Pero ellos me ayudaron mucho. Por ahi hay una que se llama En el nombre de Jesús, que es en Nuestra Señora la Gracia, en la iglesia que tiene más de 500 años. Que eso es de cuando fundaron Hoboken, hicieron esa iglesia. Entonces ahí hay una organización que dice [se llama] En el nombre de Jesús que también ayuda la gente. Interviewee The person(s) being interviewed Angeles Cotto Hernandez, the seventh of ten children, was born in 1947 on the first day of August to a farming couple, Ramona Hernandez and Domingo Cotto. Growing up near the mountains and among the farm animals, in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico, helped her become resourceful and adaptable to life’s unpredictability. Leaving Puerto Rico for the mainland was never the plan. She traveled to the Bronx, New York, to visit her husband’s (Luis Pagan Martinez) family for a week. She somehow found work as a seamstress in a clothing factory and before she knew it a few months had passed. Her sister, who had been living in Hoboken for a few years, learned of an empty apartment for rent and asked if she and her husband would like to live in Hoboken. In 1979, the couple, along with their nearly one year old baby boy, moved into the first floor apartment of 323 Monroe St. and have been Hobokenites ever since. While raising her infant son she acquired various jobs. Her ability to sew helped her during this time. She would mend and make clothes for neighbors, helping her create a little nest egg. She’s created everything from costumes to sweet sixteen dresses to prom dresses to wedding dresses. Angeles also became the go-to babysitter for a few of the neighbors’ kids. As the children she cared for got older and/or moved away Angeles took to Hudson County Community College, where she found a basic English speaking course and spent the next few years learning English and basic computer skills. In 1993, she found work at a laundromat on Third and Garden and remained there for a little over 20 years before retiring in 2014. Throughout her life one thing that has been a constant in her life has been her faith. A devout catholic since “ the day I was baptized as a baby” her faith has guided her and grounded her through life’s ups and downs. She was always involved in church in some way. In Puerto Rico she taught catechism classes on Sundays for a number of years. Many years later, in Hoboken, she joined Our Lady of Grace Church’s woman-led group called Las Damas de Maria (The Ladies of Mary). This church group bands together to support the church and the community. At times, help with fundraising or special event celebrations. They have become pillars of support for one another as well as members of the church and members of the community. In between the various jobs and hobbies Angeles acquired during the years she found time to grow her family, having three children, a son Luis Antonio Pagan (1978), and two daughters Glory Ann Pagan (1980) and Mary Ann Pagan (1986). Her two eldest children had children of their own giving Angeles six grandchildren in total: Dimarie Veronica Pagan(1996), Brandon Lee Cuevas(1998), Kiomy Jade Cuevas(2002), Luis Edwin Pagan(2003), David Jose Cuevas(2003), and Jose Miguel Blanco(2005). Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview Christopher López. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Pagan family, Oral history interview transcription. Subject The topic of the resource Interviews Puerto Ricans--New Jersey Oral history Description An account of the resource A transcription of the oral history interview conducted with members of the Pagan family, including Christopher and Angeles. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Christopher López. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Interview conducted on January 30, 2024. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Courtesy of Christopher López. Copyright held by Christopher López. Restrictions are only in regards to publication; any researcher may view or copy any document in the collection. Note that the written permission of the copyright owners and/or other rights holders (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource Spanish Type The nature or genre of the resource Oral history (transcription) Citizens United for New Action CUNA displacement fires Hoboken Hoboken fire Juan Garcia labor migration oral history Pagan family Puerto Rican Puerto Rico racism Tommy Oliveri