Closing Bell: Sign o' the Times in Park Slope
A reader sent in this photo of a sign that was posted on Union and Fifth Avenue the other night, along with some insightful commentary: “It really made me realize that this kinda sums it up right now. The neighborhood is in a battle with itself.” GMAP
A reader sent in this photo of a sign that was posted on Union and Fifth Avenue the other night, along with some insightful commentary: “It really made me realize that this kinda sums it up right now. The neighborhood is in a battle with itself.” GMAP
I found the sign helpful for navigating last Saturday. I hope that the civic council will consider installing more such signs. For instance, I could find the $$$ condos, but not the $$$$ condos. Also, there was no easy way to find which way the coffee was, or where I should park my car.
bohemian & working class brooklyn is dead, thats all this sign is trying to say by pegging that death on a certain segment of bk newcomers. sure, lots of middle class hipsters from the ‘burbs bemoan the tranquilized soccer mom, who now wants back into the center city, because said hipster grew up with it.
but thats just part of the larger change, this city is no longer a place of artists, bohemians, intellectuals, slackers, drug addicts, and the working poor. its for workaholics, corner office climbers, and now, eurotrash taking advantage of the shit dollar.
its sad, but thats just nyc, constantly changing for good & bad, depending on perspective. if you can’t accept the change, there are PLENTY of cities in DIRE need of some bohemian investment, its just NOT NYC anymore. Dont get angry at some paper pusher who works more hours than you can imagine, if you want new york to reflect you, than thats the life you need to choose.
So the sign is unfair because it plays on the Starbucks-drinking stroller mom stereotype, which is mean and untrue, but it’s fine to automatically assume it was made by a trust fund Midwestern not-a-real-artist-but-calls-himself-one with Vans and an iBook? Come on. I’m starting to think that Ohio-raised hipster “artists” who don’t work and use their allowance to subvert the establishment, man, while taking all the poor peoples’ houses and beating up babies only exist on real estate blogs. And I went to NYU.
This sign is only valid as any form of social commentary if its author has been a resident of Park Slope since the 1970s. Otherwise, it’s pure hypocrisy.
4:54 I see your point but I’d guess hipsters just because this isn’t particularly insightful social commentary. It’s funny but kind of like shooting fish in a barrel. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw this printed on a pricey t-shirt at the “pricey bk t’s” store referenced in the sign.
I think the sign would be only be accurate if there were also a hipster on it. Otherwise, pot , kettle.
One question, why are we assuming this was made by a well-heeled hipster? Some of the best street artists I’ve known come straight from working class families, and happen to be the most insightful social commentators.
4:43 – clearly you are new to Brooklyn b/c at my “gentrified park” J.J. Byrne – those kids with the Basketball aren’t practicing ball – they are selling dope.
I thought the sign was a dig at the whole “I’m cool because I hate Park Slope stroller moms” vibe and the Van’s wearing hipsters with their laptops at the Tea Lounge pretending to read Heidegger. Kind of a “see, stereotypes work both ways,” type of thing.