Photo Journal Monday: Al Thompson
© Al Thompson
Remnants of an Exodus
Flanked by a creek on the east side of the park in Spring Valley, New York, has seen the transformation of a culture that bears little resemblance of what it once was. To the west of the park is Main Street where gentrification took hold. Just south are two churches; one that helps feed the homeless, and the other seeing its congregation dwindle.
Drugs, guns and violence have been plaguing the community since the 80’s resulting in the decimation of the young black family. Most of the blame was congruously laid on mayors tethered with corruption as people of color either began to move out or were put behind bars. The Jewish Orthodox community has exponentially outgrown the city of Monsey as businessmen continue to steadily buy up properties surrounding the park. In more recent days we’re seeing the park being under threat by others lobbying for its shutdown.
Growing up through the mid 90’s, I heard bullhorns and saw scores of kids competing on basketball courts. Today, I can still hear the squeaks of sneakers on the concrete, but only in memory. We all loved hearing those cool stinging sounds of motorcycle wheels all the way from the notoriously known Hill Top – a place my mother had warned me of.
Between 2017 to early 2018, I once more familiarized myself with the park and the surrounding areas I grew up knowing. As I photographed its deterioration and the few that are still connected I saw myself reliving those memories. I stumbled upon a few men just around the same age as me. They briskly reminded me how they haven’t seen me in over 20 years. I’d walk through and memorialize what was once an echo chamber of black youth culture. And you won’t find much of us around here like before.
© Al Thompson
© Al Thompson
© Al Thompson
© Al Thompson
© Al Thompson
© Al Thompson
© Al Thompson
© Al Thompson
To see more of Al’s work, visit his website here
