Changes in Bushwick

by Anji Ceron-Rodriguez

There have been so many changes in Bushwick. It’s getting gentrified and the area is getting really different. Some may say for the better, some may say for the worst. Many older adults view it as dangerous while the younger generation believes otherwise. Bushwick is a neighborhood that is now known for its diversity, tourist attraction, fashion, and street arts. Bushwick in the 80s compared to now shows a big difference.

My mom has lived in bushwick all her life, she’s more of an expert so I interviewed her. 

“There has been so much gentrification these past years, more bars and alot more clubs have been made. Now there’s so many trees and it's more outgoing. It's a breather, there’s not so much danger as before. Also there’s more construction—more buildings. However there's less kids surrounding, more migrants and more hipsters. Back then, it was like you were in a horror movie. A lot of prostitution, shooting, stabbings, drug use, and gangs were being normalized. It was like a little community though, it was very family orientated and everyone knew each other. Everyone in the community helped each other and now you rarely see that. Population in Bushwick was mostly Puerto Ricans and Italians. A sad thing was that money was barely being funded for the community and there were no opportunities for hispanics. Everyone was also against each other, they killed for respect in the streets instead of helping one another and building a better community.”

Bushwick when I was growing up was basically a latino community, the Dominican and Puerto Rican population was huge. Many kids used to play out in the streets with their family, the fire hydrant would always be on; making it so much fun to play with, and there used to be block parties/barbecues being held every week. Now when I walk down the street, it’s very empty. No kids in sight, no grills, and no excitement. When summer comes around, there’s kind of more amusement going around the neighborhood. Maria Hernandez Park is the largest community park in Bushwick, you’ll see so many kids and adults playing around and having a great time. Everything is so close to each other, and it’s pretty easy to navigate things. Bushwick is the type of place where you’ll see Puerto Rican flags everywhere. It’ll be hung in front of someone’s bedroom window, an apartment complex, telephone pole and on the power lines. For me, honestly it’s not as bad as how people describe it. It’s just like a neighborhood where you'll learn how to love it. 

Smokey, during the Puerto Rican parade. 9/8/25

In an article in The Guardian by Vanessa Mártir, she explained how her daughter lives in a very different Bushwick to the one she grew up in. “At the time, the neighborhood was being decimated by the ‘fire wars,’ when arson-fueled blazes swept through New York. Burnt-out buildings and trash and rubble-strewn lots dotted the landscape, and Bushwick was a hotbed of poverty and crime.” Mártir pointed out that Bushwick was a hard place to live in but it ‘fostered a sense of community.’ However she also says that ‘Present-day Bushwick is making headlines for other reasons, as countless travel guides rave about its bohemian vibe, colorful street art, trendy cafes and nightlife scene.’ She continued to explain the changes like gentrification, rent raises, sexual orientation but the one thing she says that never really changed was the culture.

Vanessa Mártir said “Folks expressed themselves with what they had.” They’ve been lively and they always will be. The culture will always come back to us. Sunday June 8th, 2025 was the Puerto Rico Parade in Bushwick. Many people came along, organized and enjoyed themselves. In my grandma’s block the whole street was closed off so my cousins, friends and I were playing volleyball and we were having fun, despite the weather being a little chilly. The adults had a reunion of people they haven’t seen since they were younger and they had a barbecue to celebrate. Now that I realize it, everyone was right. Bushwick has changed (for the worst or for the best, who knows), however, we will continue coming back and supporting our people and community.