Robert Capodilupo

Robert Capodilupo

The maps shown are from the Social Explorer Map of South Boston, and respectively compare the percentage of African Americans living in South Boston in 1980 and 2013, according to the census data. In the route, I began in Andrew Square, then followed Dorchester Ave to Damrell St to cross onto Old Colony Ave. Finally, I followed D Street in it entirety all the way to the waterfront, crossing Summer Street and finishing on Channel Street Wharf. This route is notated in both maps by a green arrow. These maps highlight a sharp change in the racial makeup of South Boston over these decades. In 1980, there was virtually no presence of African Americans in South Boston, with many census tracts actually reporting at 0%. This is not the case, however, in 2013, where the census tract representing the D Street Projects reports a demographic of 35% African American. This is a significant change in the racial makeup of this neighborhood. It is also important to note the presence of the Condon Community Center in the 2013 map and its absence in the 1980 map. As noted by an interview with a South Boston local, as many of the lifelong Irish residents of the city moved out in this time due to issues with busing, heroin, and gentrification, the strong, traditional sense of the Southie community moved away with it. It is therefor significant that this community center was constructed only after this migration, perhaps to supplement a lost sense of efficacy in the neighborhood.! !

The photograph shown is particularly indicative of the current state of South Boston. In the foreground, rentals for the Flats on D, an upcoming luxury apartment complex near the Seaport district of South Boston, is being advertised. It is important to notice that the sign reads “future resident parking.” Although this development project has not completely taken into fruition, the foundation of gentrification in the neighborhood has certainly been laid. The address of this project is 411 D Street, notably before the cross of Summer Street into the already heavily Seaport District. This project is in indicator that the gentrification of South Boston is slowly creeping away from the waterfront back into the old neighborhood. In the background of this photo is the telling juxtaposition of a blue collar construction worker with a white collar professional wearing business attire. This is the crossroads that is facing South Boston—a new age of affluence encroaching upon the blue collar tradition of the neighborhood. Both the maps and this photo exemplify a change in the demographics of South Boston over the past thirty years.!