New Macro-Nabe Trend Launches with "Tri-Hood"

My guess is that this refers to the area roughtly bounded by Rockaway Avenue, Broadway, and Atlantic Avenue. It forms a triangle and is near all of the above-mentioned neighborhoods.

Or it's gang graffiti.

Or it's a govt. conspiracy to defraud the taxpayers.

Free Mumia!

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 11:15 AM

I agree with the original poster - there is something smarmy about this story. Then again, what else to expect from new Brooklyn?

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 11:45 AM

I agree with Jason.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 12:15 PM

Itjbukem real nice free Mumia the man who shot and killed a police officer and was found guilty and convicted. Tri hood is the worst of the worst Ghetto garbage. Those who have never been to these slime areas should never go there. As far as house prices in these area they will be falling fast

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 12:15 PM

They can't possibly be as bad as whatever neighborhood spawned the slime of you Anonymous at February 15, 2006 12:15 PM

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 12:36 PM

Maybe it's just me, but I thought the borderline mocking was at the expense of bococa and the rest of the micro naming trend.

We can wink at that, can't we?

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 1:21 PM

there's a bunch of gang stuff in the G train station. and some new stuff around ft greene park lately. go look around.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 3:41 PM

What about Ocean Hill? That area doesn't seem to get enough press. Why are we even bothering with this discussion? Next time I am trolling around the projects, perhaps I will take note of the graffiti on the wall that will predict the market trends and naming of neighborhoods. There were some great stock tips on the wall of the Red Hook Houses, Part II. I hit BIG.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 4:35 PM

Hood is short for Neighborhood! "Tri-Hood" I don't get because these neighborhoods are not even connected geographically. Ocean Hill borders Brownsville and East New York. Bed-Stuy does not. Bed-Stuy is surrounded by Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Bushwick, Williamsburg and Ocean Hill. Get a map! Further, Bed-Stuy is firmly in the Brownstone Belt and more closely associated with sister brownstone nabes Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. It's the largest brownstone community in New York City with 6,000 such homes - double that of Park Slope. Bed-Stuy is rich in architectural history and culture. With the exception of government housing developments (roughly 10% of the entire nabe), it's a solid middle class community with beautiful homes and tree lined blocks. Please don't associate these communities in any way shape or form with Bed-Sty. Other than being majority black neighborhoods (as is Clinton Hill and Fort Greene), as for the purpose of this site, they have nothing else in common. Graffiti or no graffiti.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 4:40 PM

Get a grip, Tarazn.....

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 4:55 PM

Maybe we should go back to a discussion about Prospect Lefferts Gardens and fairy tales of the oh-so- evil Paul Giamatti...this discussion is about to take a bad turn...

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 4:58 PM

As long as below average intelligence bloggers are allowed to post stupid comments on this site, falling into the contemptible remains a high probability.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 5:12 PM

we are you getting these facts from. please post.....i'm waiting.....

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 5:40 PM

sorry. where are you gettin your facts? waiting still....

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 5:41 PM

Well according to "our next mayor" there is no crime or public assistance in anywhere in this city anymore. And I'm sure that no one would embellish anything on an anonymous internet blog, so he must be right...everything is honky dory.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 6:02 PM

So one person writes Tri-Hood in one location and it becomes a widespread thing.

Big deal! people write about easy women/men on men's bathroom stalls.

Maybe Trihood meant that three friends from three different "hoods" feel that that had a bond that transends turf.

Why attack white people who gentrify as the perpitrating that uppity BedStuy is as bad as lower class ENY.

You think some volvo driving white man went into a housing project to write Trihood with a sharpie.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 6:30 PM

Billy Joel walked through Bedford Stuy alone, not East New York and not Brownsville. (I did too.) Bed Stuy has been a recognized name and has been portrayed in the media (positively and mostly negatively) but is an established enough area to not have to share its borders with less desirable neighbors. It's bad enough that Bed Stuy is mostly prefixed by "Clinton Hill/Bed Stuy" by brokers renting out an apartment on Nostrand and Greene...

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 8:25 PM

I will announce that Brooklyn is dead when Corcoran opens up an office on Pitkin Ave. in E. NY.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 8:29 PM

I once saw a black person in a Passat.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 8:40 PM

FIRST off... I agree with Jason, this is a totally ignorant post. Secondly Bukjenim or whomever is equally as ignorant with his "hoodlum" comment considering that he's probably never been there as there aren't any "hot condo" material for his little Tuesday posts for his little blog and of course Brownstoner is going to back him becuase he always does even when the guy is dead wrong. THIRDLY - FREE MUMIA. Fourth I agree with the poster who made a point about the statistics in bedstuy, and it is true that aside from being majority black these neighborhoods don't even border eachother but had it included the neighborhoods that actually do border bedstuy this wouldn't have even been an issue. Fort Greene was just like bedstuy once upon of time it was majority black as well, there were also renters and ppl on public assistance but this was BEFORE white ppl decided Fort Greene was cool and trendy and they threw up a few shops, and a starbucks and now the property value has risen ridiculously and suddenly Fort Greene and the stuy can't be in the same sentence with one another, suddenly they're so far a part and a few years from now when white yuppies have priced themselves out of the cute little neighborhoods the'll move in on the minorities, pushing them out of the neighborhoods that they once knew and rented by "80%" then I guess we'll all just move to the "tri-hood" far away from the stroller pushing bloggers in Clinton Hill where they would have never entertained going before when black ppl were there. maybe we'll all live happily, poor, uneducated, >30k income, renting in the housing projects among other "hoodlums" because thats what you want right? you just can't wait until Clinton Hill and Fort Greene becomes the UWS? Well, although you're all so pathetically ignorant I hope ppl of color view your attitude as motivation. As a resident of bedstuy, while I didn't agree with the practice before today I can understand the trend of black ppl not selling their homes in stuyvesant heights to white ppl, I can understand why block associations are coming together to maintain the culture in the neighborhood and keep the likes of you from coming into OUR neighborhood and then having the GAUL to turn your noise up at us!

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 8:59 PM

What a bizarre rant.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 9:15 PM

Question for Stoner, aka Anon: What's the average income in Fort Greene or Clinton Hill (please don't include the more affluent sections of Community Board 2)? Even more entertaining, what's the average income and rental percentage on Grand between Gates and Putnam (please include the corner buildings too)? I'm sure that you will see that these figures will be closely aligned with the figures cited for Bed-Stuy. Is that good or bad? I'm African-American, solidly upper-class, and educated (Ivy League). For the most part, my neighbors are the same in terms of upward mobility, education attainment level, community commitment, civic responsibility and good citizenship. Obviously there are pockets of extreme poverty and social dysfunction in certain sections of Bed-Stuy; no one is denying this reality. But in my "Bed-Stuy", aka "our brownstone belt", e.g. Fulton to Madison and Malcolm X to Nostrand, you will find a thriving population of educated, highly paid and successful individuals - the vast majority of whom are African-Americans (yes, contrary to popular opinion, some of us, despite our high six figure salaries and multiple advance degrees, do prefer to live amongst our own and serve as role models in "our community"). That's the Bed-Stuy that I know and love. I don't know any ex-cons, hoodlums, prostitutes or crack heads. Nor do they live on or near my predominantly African-American, beautiful, tree lined and family oriented block. You want to talk about doing a disservice to a community? Look no further than the patently false attempt by many of the bloggers on this site to paint certain communities (no matter how large and diverse)in the most negative light possible simply based on prejudicial stereotypes, very limited knowledge or lack of first hand experience.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 9:55 PM

why is it bizarre? because you disagree? the poster is entitled to his or her opinion.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 10:02 PM

Anon 9:55: because of the affirmative action thing?

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 10:28 PM

It was just...bizarre and out of context. We ought to stay on the subject is all and stop ranting. Everyone on here is so opinionated. Like Spike Lee.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 10:30 PM

what affirmative action thing? what are you talking about? please no catch phrases, loaded terms, slogans or code words. what are you talking about? plain english is quite acceptable if not preferred.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 10:32 PM

Like Spike Lee, Larry King, Hillary Clinton, Dr. Seus, Kaptain Kangeroo, etc. What's wrong with having opinions? Isn't that the purpose of this blog? To share opinions....hhhmmmmm?

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 10:37 PM

yes, it's all about race and class and at some point it's going to explode right in our face. i've directed some of my undergraduate and graduate professors in urban sociology to this blogsite. they are fascinated by the undertones and subtleties of race and class that take place. it's truly worthy of a PhD dissertation!

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 10:44 PM

At last look, Fort Greene and Clinton Hill were still predominantly African-American. Further, contrary to conventional wisdom, the vast majority of African-American home owners did not sell out and leave these communities. A significant portion of them still remain to this day. What has change is the composition of their tenants - they're now predominantly white! What's wrong with that? Pull out some equity, buy yourself a home in the Catskills or Lehigh Valley and have your mortgage, expenses and lifestyle subsidized by whites willing to pay increasingly higher and higher rent! This is truly the greatest country in the world!!!

Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2006 10:59 PM

Ron,

Red Hook is an exclusive waterfront enclave.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 12:29 AM

I'm happy that folks are finally speaking out on the issues of race and class and finally acknowledging that yes crime and poverty is indeed a very real problem in areas like Bed-Stuy but also the fact that Bed-Stuy is indeed a strong and thriving community with a significant black population of hardworking, educated, successful and family oriented people.

Like I said earlier, New York City has a very large professional black community. I am firmly rooted in that community as are most of my friends (if not all). We work in investment banking, asset management, consulting, medicine, law, education, fashion, entertainment and the media. It's a very long list and I could go on and on at nausea. But from an employment perspective we are everywhere and doing very well. Further, where do you think we live? Think about this for a second. Where do we live? Yes, some of us have moved to the suburbs, some have moved out to the burbs only to have returned to the City, others never left and continue to live in the City throughout the Brownstone Belt neighborhoods of Harlem, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy, Prospect Heights, LPG and to a lesser extent Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens etc. The funny thing is that most of the bloggers on this site don't know any black people, especially educated ones and they have absolutely no idea who we are or the fact they we live among them or can be happy living in a predominantly black community. Why? Well for the most part we blend in with the majority of black folks; we share the same culture, listen to similar music and to a certain extent dress the same. But we are not a monolithic group and differ from one another in many other respects; much too long to list. The point is the majority of white folks can't get behind the surface,i.e., the color of our skin, and thus paint our entire community with a broad stroke and lump all black people into the same category. A category largely based on stereotypes, prejudice, bias and racism - yes, it still exist.

I work on Wall Street for the past tens years and have witnessed tens of thousand of black college graduates moving to New York City over the years. Where do you think they live? In the early nineties, most of us migrated directly to Harlem, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy. Yes, there was crime and pockets of poverty but for the most part we felt comfortable living in a black community and welcomed and respected the economic and social diversity. In fact, back then, Essence magazine wrote a seminal article about FG/CH entitled "The New Black Mecca" which centered on the growing and thriving black professional class in these communities. The article, among other factors, resulted in a flood of black college grads (both undergraduate and grad) moving into the downtown neighborhoods of FG/CH and Bed-Stuy. There was no other or greater place to be (again despite the crime and pockets of poverty around us). We were all young, idealistic, educated, professionally motivated and everyone knew each other (hung out at Frank's, Lucien Blue, Brooklyn Mod, Cellars, Mike's and other local lounges and eateries). Many of us made more money then are parents could have ever dreamed of and we spent it well. During the summers we headed to Oak's Bluff on the Vineyard, Virginal Beach and the Hamptons. Though many of us were renters (and some still continue to rent) others went on to own condos, townhouses and investment properties in the neighborhood. When property prices started going through the roof and priced some out, others moved to communities such as Bed-Stuy, Prospect Heights and Crown Heights. Like FG and CH, we didn't discover these communities, nor did we rejuvenate them in any substantial way, they were already inhabited by black folks and thrived in their own special way. We, like the many whites who came after us, simply respected these communities, the culture, the history and, more importantly, the people.

I can understand the anger and frustrations of the previous poster. For many, it's not unfounded. I'm all for gentrification because I don’t live in a bubble and expect things to always remain the same. But for those African-Americans who lived in FG, CH and BS in the eighties and nineties, oh how things have morphed and the rate of change is truly note worthy if not unusually spectacular. When the first waves of whites moved in, they were humble, respectful and felt fortunate to be able live in a grand brownstone at a fraction of the cost of what you would find in Manhattan and other more affluent sections of Brooklyn. Despite the economic and social diversity of the community they tried to understand and respect their predominantly black neighbors. They didn't look down on them and in fact were shocked to discover that so many of us who lived here were educated, family oriented and successful (again, despite the crime and pockets of poverty). But something over the past twenty years has changed drastically and many could argue for the worst. Tolerance, an appreciation for diversity and and a genuine desire to understand has gone out the window. Some African-Americans, especially those who have laid the foundation for white gentrification, feel betrayed and suckered. At first, they welcomed the influx of gentrifiers because with them came a wave of new goods and services to the neighborhood and a certain cache and credibility not granted before by the media and the greater New York area. Now it was cool and hip to live in these communities and they appreciated the acknowledgement that yes, Brooklyn and Black Brooklyn, was a terrific and wonderful place to live. But over time, things have changed and the same humble white folks who moved in, once a critical mass had been achieved, are now thumbing their noses and turning their backs on the very same black folks that they once admired and respected. They now label the "best blocks" those that are whiter and the "undesirable" sections those that are predominantly black. For many long time residents, this is very hard to swallow. I apologize for this long diatribe but it's something that I've been itching to get off of my chest.

People lived here before the "newcomers" had arrived and "black brownstone Brooklyn" was already a community rich in culture and history. Let's not ignore this fact (yes, despite the formerly and repeatedly mentioned "crime" and "pockets of poverty"). Lastly, the bloggers on this site are from diverse backgrounds. What we share in common is an insatiable appetite for real estate and architect and an undying love and passion for this great borough and its people......

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 6:13 AM

i'm a "newcomer" to Fort Greene and I have not felt the negativity from the previous poster in my real life experience. i have the up most respect for the people who have lived here before me. this is the most diverse place that i've ever lived and i love that. what else do you feel the "newcomers" have done to disrespect the neighborhood? i think this feeling of "newcommers" vs. long time residents happens frequently in ny- neighborhoods change and it's hard to accept. I moved here from the West Village- which has been invaded by "bridge & tunnel" and "uptown" people- and there was a huge amount of negativity towards the "newcommers"...

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 7:23 AM

great contribution to the discussion, miss priss - NOT! ;-)

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 9:37 AM

It's true - Billy Joel did walk through "Bedford-Stuy" alone. I have the video to prove it.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 10:17 AM

can Brownstoner put a character limit on posts?

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 10:50 AM

why do you want a character limit? Afraid you'll learn something?

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 11:20 AM

Carroll Gardens ain't too pretty down near Huntington and w. 9th either. Nobody talks about that. I'd rather live in Canarsie.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 11:43 AM

"Anti Bed Stuy social worker(?), PLEASE, PLEASE tell us where you live! Mill Basin? Staten Island? Howard Beach?"

What difference does it make? Besides, you're already making assumptions about where s/he lives.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 12:13 PM

Anon 11:05 and 11:27 (please give yourself a name)

While I don't doubt your concern and hard work, I think your views are too skewed by that work. Police, social workers, first responders, etc, by the very nature of their jobs get to see the worst of people and their situations. You are only called in when things go horribly wrong and when crime and tragedy occur. I, and I think all of us defenders of these neighborhoods, are trying to accentuate the positive, to quote an old song. Much must be done to eliminate the poverty, and therefore much of the crime in our nabes. We don't want the "pockets" of crime and hopelessness any more than anyone else. We all need to talk less and do more, and I hope the social programs I am involved with can help that. But to say that it was (or is) neigh on to impossible for people to live in and raise families in a Bed Stuy is just not true. It wasn't true 15 years ago, and I lived there then, and saw many, many families do just that, and it's not true now. Yes, crime stats are too high then and now, but what is your point - that no one should try to make things better, that thinking people should abandon these neighborhoods to the small percent of the population that is committing 90% of the crime? That's part of what got the Bed Stuys of the city into that situation in the first place. What better revenge to the nay sayers and the criminals than to revitalize, renew and restore? To be able to say "I live in Bed Stuy" (or CH, PLG, etc) and have people envision beautiful and safe communities where people can raise families and be proud of where they live.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 12:20 PM

If black people want to white people to view them in a possitive light then you should also encourage other black people to view white people in a positive light as well.

As much of the Black neighborhood bashing there is just as much white neighborhood bashing.

The few times Brownstoner has posted about a traditionally white neighborhood. The damn those gentrifiers, stroller pushers, and rednecks gets thrown around.

It is completely equally wrong and degrading.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 1:06 PM

TO the person who so easily labels themself as an upperclass Ivyleager who lives in BedStuy.

Does anyone blame you or people like for gentrifing BedStuy?

Are you pushing out lower income or as you would say lower class black people into more remote areas?

Interesting who you said you and other would rather live amongst your own. I guess if a white person said that they would be demonized as being racist or redneck.

Why aren't you a blackneck racist?

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 1:13 PM

for starters his style of writing, tone and form of expression is as subtle as a bull in a china shop....

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 2:14 PM

hey Mr. Big Ivy what does this sentence mean?

"Unlike you (Pavlov's Dog), we don't have to rely on city archives, government statistics or crime reports."

Do you know who Pavlov is? Quick google before you answer...lol....

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 2:34 PM

conditoned reflexes

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 2:35 PM

"It's almost an instinctive reaction. No thought. No context. No balance in opinion. It's simply, "here are my stats, end of discussion.""

I'd say its exactly as you said someone trying to provide support for their argument and its no more subjective than your "I know this neighborhood, based on my experiences..."

Some neighborhoods have more crime than others get over it.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 3:35 PM

Retire this thread. Stay on the subject guys. TRI-HOOD.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 3:39 PM

All neighborhoods are exactly the same the same and equal. Anyone who states otherwise should be burned in effigy...

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 4:40 PM

We're not saying the Passat is very upscale, it is just a car that yuppies and gentrifiers drive. On my block in Clinton Hill, there are some Passats and the owners are, indeed, white urban young professionals in smart casual attire. The Passat is quite upscale. It is solid, well-made, handles wonderfully, drives smoothly and has Audi-like interior finishes. You can load your Passat up to $39K nowadays. Have you seen the '06? Gorgeous. No, it's not a Mercedes, but there are plenty of poverty stricken African Americans that drive around in Benzes and Cadillacs that they can't afford. One rarely sees a black person in a sensible car like a Saab, Volvo or Passat. Those cars are reserved for professionals living within their means. A stepping stone up to the Mercedes or BMW. When a thug wants fly wheels he don't want no dorky little yuppie car. He be wantin a big Escalade tinted out wit spinnerz and shiznit. There is a phrase used for those blacks that do drive safe, practical cars: Uncle Toms. (Refer to Booker T. Washington.) I think the real Uncle Tom owned a cabin in Prospect Lefferts Gardens if I'm not mistaken.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 16, 2006 5:20 PM