Harlem in the 1970s was a magical place full of fashion, afros, and just a little danger.
Harlem has changed a lot since the 1970s. Back in the 1960s, Harlem was a place full of crime, where schools were woefully underfunded and the streets were dangerous. In the 1970s, many people were able to escape and branch out to other areas, but the Harlem remained the cultural center of black New York. The people who stayed were some of the poorest and least technically skilled, so Harlem descended even further into poverty.
French photographer Jack Garafolo celebrates that time with his photo series for Paris Match Magazine. In the 70s, he was sent on assignment to document the shift happening in Harlem in July of 1970. He photographed the people who stayed put, and remained loyal to their neighborhood.
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Frankly, it looks awesome to me. Regardless of how dangerous it may have been, it’s a moment in time that will never exist again, especially since the homos have now descended on Harlem. And you know, once the homos move in, the hipsters and chain stores follow.
