"Life Deserved" Slogan Sets off Gentrification Debate
A post on Clinton Hill Chill last week (originally posted on blog With a Brooklyn Accent) that started with a deconstruction of the marketing slogan of a condo development in the area erupted into a debate about everything from race and class and to the efficacy of community organizations and the role of churches. The…
A post on Clinton Hill Chill last week (originally posted on blog With a Brooklyn Accent) that started with a deconstruction of the marketing slogan of a condo development in the area erupted into a debate about everything from race and class and to the efficacy of community organizations and the role of churches. The comment thread ultimately turns into a head-to-head between Putnamdenizen and a commenter known as X; their arguments show how easy it is for people to speak past each other and epitomizes why the emotionally-charged issue is so hard to discuss in a constructive manner. Thought-provoking reading, for sure.
I agree with Kimerama, I found the original post condescending as hell. And, let me get this straight, he doesn’t even live here? Does he know the brownstones sell for $2MM? Why is he whining about some crappy $500K condos? For that matter (and this point seems obvious) does he realize not all black people are poor?
Floatingworld- I’ve always lived in very mixed neighborhoods and love them. I think maybe the probelem is more when change is forced, instead of happening naturally over time. Change comes in any case but recently a report came out questioning the wisdom of forcing changes on neighborhoods instead of letting them evolve as they would. (I could remember if I wasn’t having a special dead brain cells moment). But the report was- or seemed to be- in reference to the impact of AY on a neighborhood that was coming back on its own. AY claimed it was blighted and now it most certainly is, thanks to them.
I have lived in Clinton Hill for about 5 years. I’m white, my best friend is black, a lot of my neighbors are black, gay, latino, asian and other more complex mixes. I really enjoy being in a diverse neighbothood. The neighborhood is also very mixed socio-economicly, which is also great. Sorry you guys can’t get along and move on.
“Ahhhhhhh yeahhhh!!! ’bout time you brought it back!”
Oh yeah! Back to the beginning….
The What (I knew that it just didn’t exist anymore.)
Someday this war is gonna end…
“Someday this war’s gonna end. That’d be just fine with the boys on the boat. They weren’t looking for anything more than a way home. Trouble is, I’d been back there, and I knew that it just didn’t exist anymore.
Captain Benjamin L. Willard – Apocalypse Now”
Ahhhhhhh yeahhhh!!! ’bout time you brought it back!
***Bid half off peak comps***
Agreed, wasder- and you know me. I am the sort to jump feet first into a discussion like that but even I found it too exhausting to even think about posting. We’ve certainly had our fair share of like discussions on brownstoner. We’re a long way from resolving these questions but to me the very act of arguing or discussing implies a step in the right direction. There was a time when no one would even acknowledge the problems.
I don’t necessarily like where we are at this point in time, but I am more hopeful now than I’ve been in the past that we can find a better way to deal with change, one that respects longtime residents and their needs too.
Naison’s post is just ridiculous. His main assumption seems to be that black=poor or working class and I find that deeply offensive. If rich blacks moved into those condos would that be ok? Is the problem class or race? If the argument were about class he may have a leg to stand on but it seems clear his issue is race and he’s done more harm than good in the way he presented his argument.
You see Brownstoner crap post like this one cannot boost the traffic!
You attempted Covert Race /Class bullshit failed! ROTFLMMFAO!!!
The What (Where is that shark again?)
Someday this war is gonna end…
Interesting tidbit about Mr. Naison – he was on the Chappelle show in a skit called “I know black people”.