The Vale of Happiness: Book One by makalani nosakhere (snippet)

In the 1950's Williamsburg became home to Dominican and Puerto Rican families seeking entry into a dream of social advancement and economic empowerment.

Despite carrying deep cultural differences, and considered inferior by the area's German and Eastern European majority, we were more than welcomed. Welcomed to exchange our energies for factory wages lower than those given to whites fleeing the slums of the Lower East Side or war-torn Europe.

When the owners of industry found cheaper inputs with which to turn a profit, however, the direction of Willamsburg's economy quickly changed.

But how do you decide what soil, streets, and space are worth?

Or that those harboring feelings of belonging, are no longer worthy?

Such questions weigh heavy on my heart, Luiz, as I remember the sovereignty of our spirit...

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