Antonio Hernandez, born and raised in Petworth, discusses his experiences living in the neighborhood. He reflects on the walkability and sense of community in the neighborhood, and reflects on his experiences going to the local elementary schools. He talks about how the neighborhood has changed and why his family decided to move to Prince George's County for better schooling. Antonio discusses the complex nature of gentrification and wishes he could go back to the Petworth of his childhood with the perspective he has now.
Catherine Hargrove relocated to Petworth in the mid-1980s from Boston where she attended law school. She recalls it being incredibly family-oriented at the time she moved, but that the city did not maintain the urban landscape well. When asked about the change in the neighborhood overtime, Hargrove mentions that while still community-oriented, the neighborhood is largely gentrified. While this has resulted in greater municipal upkeep of the neighborhood, she notes several individuals that have been forced out of the community due to rising costs. She expresses that more conversations need to be held around the topic of gentrification and believes that individuals moving into new neighborhoods should make a point to learn the history and norms of the community that already exists.
Native Washingtonian Jeanette Chow talks about her family's involvement in DC's Chinatown and the changes she's seen in the area. Her father came to the District as a teenager to join her grandfather in the laundry business. She remembers spending Sundays in Chinatown with her family in the 1960s and 70s, where they would get dim sum, go to the Chinese Community Church, and shop at Chinese grocery stores. Jeanette remembers how the construction of the Convention Center and the subway in the 70s and 80s changed the area and led to the growth of non-Chinese businesses. She discusses her involvement with the Eastern Wind Newsletter, the first Chinese American newsletter in DC, and reflects on a piece she wrote about the changes in the DC Chinatown community in the late 70s. She talks about the importance of affordable housing for immigrants in order to maintain Chinese heritage and culture in Chinatown. She ends by saying how the older, family organizations have to accomodate the needs of the younger generation. She also thinks it's important for families to educate children in Chinese language and culture.
Paula White came to the Petworth neighborhood in 1987. At the time of her arrival, she recalls a finding a mixed community made up of older white families and younger black families, a trend that has flipped in recent years. Her husband grew up in Petworth and they raised their children in the neighborhood. The library and pool feature prominently in her memories of their childhood, and she misses the closeness that existed between the community before familiar neighbors moved out. She is encouraged by the recent upsurge in community events and hopes it will revitalize the Petworth she once knew and bring the diverse residents of the neighborhood together.
Reginald Thomas, Roosevelt Daniels, and Michael Vanison grew up together in the Petworth neighborhood. They attended Petworth Elementary School, played together in the area that is now occupied by the Recreation Center, and have fond memories about how closely knit the community was. The three shared recollections about the way the community has changed, naming stores that no longer exist but still provoke fond memories. Additionally they recall difficult moments such as the riots surrounding the Martin Luther King, Jr. assassination. Their strong ties to the community led them to form the Petworth Reunion Committee, which seeks to commemorate the Petworth of their youth.