Closing Bell: Brooklyn Celebrates National Night Out
Residents, public officials and members of the law enforcement community celebrated the National Night Out Against Crime last night with street-party celebrations (like this one in Windsor Terrace) all over the borough. (Too bad anti-crime had to be combined with pro-cholesterol-and-sugar though. Don’t kids get enough of that from their school cafeterias?) We stopped by…
Residents, public officials and members of the law enforcement community celebrated the National Night Out Against Crime last night with street-party celebrations (like this one in Windsor Terrace) all over the borough. (Too bad anti-crime had to be combined with pro-cholesterol-and-sugar though. Don’t kids get enough of that from their school cafeterias?) We stopped by the Fort Greene event at the corner of Dekalb and Washington Park. How was the Night Out in your nabe?
Photo by Krista Fogle
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Alors, mais ou est le stylo de ma tante? Et pourquoi permittez les citizens a manger les gateaux?
Yes, you’re right in your first paragraph. That’s why I apologized for my initial comments, which were overly cynical, ignorant and unfair – although I stand by my mohawk comments 🙂
Yep, and I see your point about the snacks and people providing for the event. Mea culpa. I shouldn’t have joked about it.
Je suis désolé
Maybe I am, but here’s an article about communities uniting against crime and you and Mr. B. are pointing out the snack choices and making snarky comments about weight.
It just seems in poor taste.
That, and I am getting so sick of the locovores. It’s commendable to say that everyone should have access to good food and the time and means to prepare it, but when that same sentiment gets turned against people who bothered to provide snacks for an event… (and did either of you?)… eh, I am overthinking it.
But I did find it slightly tasteless, unlike the flavorsome bite of Utz food products and Pringles. (Although I prefer Herr’s, natch.)
Huh? Heather, how does talking about poor eating habits feed the divisiveness within the community and relate to the class system? Nobody was implying only certain racial / ethnic groups had poor eating habits; just that kids of every color should be eating healthier. Wow, I’m lost. I think you’re over-thinking this! I did see a mom feed a one-year old or so Pringles this morning for breakfast. I think there’s something wrong with that.
I’ve been pondering this for a while, (what can I say, I have the time, sad as it is), and I’m not sure bringing the type of food served at this function into the discussion is exactly productive. It actually just seems to feed the divisiveness within the community. I really hate the way the class system in Brooklyn gets boiled down to whether or not you’re too precious to let your kids eat Utz brand chips or not.
Thanks MacD (and other too) for the insight. Yes, it’s quite a different world between the nabes. The block parties sound like they have the potential to be amazingly fun and instill such a sense of pride and feeling of community. If there could be some way to maintain all the positive aspects while curbing the negative ones, it would be wonderful.
And I apologize for my initial flip comment regarding the National Night Out Against Crime having no impact on anything. You’ve shown me it was an ignorant statement and I should know better than to denigrate any protest / event / gathering that is done with the intention to improve a community.
There are plenty of summer block parties near me in Old Mill Basin and the Marine Park area but they keep the kids busy by renting small rides, karaoke machines etc. And the parents keep an eye on their kids because the street is blocked off both sides with cars and a cop car for good measure. No problems.
My neighbors (“west” Bed-Stuy) speak of great enthusiasm and participation at our block parties. However, I gather that an after-dark shooting was a very unfortunate ending a few years ago, and it’s been difficult to organize support since–which is sad. Especially because the real fun is for youngsters who thrill at riding bikes, skateboards, roller blades down the middle of the street, throwing footballs, and grilling hot dogs and burgers all afternoon. An 8pm closing for block parties sounds like a good idea.