Rosie Revisited
First Rosie was on Brian Lehrer. Then we blogged about it. Then she led a panel at WNYC. Then New York Magazine cornered her and blogged it. Here’s a clip from the New York Mag post: Perez got pretty slammed on the Brooklyn blogs for her comments. As much as I find Rosie Perez to…
First Rosie was on Brian Lehrer. Then we blogged about it. Then she led a panel at WNYC. Then New York Magazine cornered her and blogged it. Here’s a clip from the New York Mag post:
Perez got pretty slammed on the Brooklyn blogs for her comments. As much as I find Rosie Perez to be a decent actor, sexy and certainly part of NYC’s charm, I must say comments like these make me want to kick her in the shins, wrote one commenter on Brownstoner. We cornered Perez after the show, and she was happy to clear up what she worried was a hostile comment. What I really wanted to say was that, yes, I’m nostalgic for the past, but I’m also excited about the present and hopeful for the future,” she explained. “Things do change. Water always has to flow or else it becomes stale. But with change, you can bring along some of the good minerals that came from the top of the waterfall.” She said she’d read some of the blogs and seen the nasty comments. “I think it’s their guilt of being the gentrifiers. They don’t know how to take it,” she said. “But I had to look at myself and I realized it came off a little hostile, to be honest.
Her parting words? “Even if you’re in a bad mood, just give me a nod. We’ll do one better: Come to the Flea tomorrow, Rosie, and we’ll buy you a pupusa!
What's Your Take? Leave a Comment
In response to the question from Limestonekid about the Clinton Hill Co-op Apts:
The buildings that are now the Clinton Hill Co-ops were built in the ’30s as housing for Navy Yard workers; they went coop in the ’80s. However, no renters were evicted, although many of them bought their apartments. I think that is why there are still many wonderful elderly people living in the coops today (some of them are widows of Navy Yard workers). Since we moved in here 3 years ago, we have met many interesting neighbors, and have experienced nothing but friendliness. People actually talk to you in the courtyard, say “Good Morning!” and “Have a nice evening” in the elevators, and chat in the laundry room. They may not be the most beautiful buildings in this neighborhood, but they are full of nice people.
These threads tend to degenerate so fast, which is a shame. There is something really interesting going on in FG / CH right now – from many angles. There is class consciousness, racial tension, and the ramifications of gentrification on a neighborhood with important history. There’s the intentional rezoning (and “yuppification”) of downtown BK and all that means for the surrounding areas – overloaded classrooms, transit strains, lack of parking and eventually a lack of affordable goods. It’s enough of an issue to merit citywide attention on WNYC. But in the end, all we end up doing is arguing anonymously.
Here’s an idea: since Brownstoner is so good at organizing things (and thanks, by the way, for making it impossible to get into a restaurant on a Saturday afternoon in Fort Greene,) why don’t we organize a community meeting to discuss these issues face to face?
It could even be in Fort Greene or Clinton Hill, unlike the NY Times recent event! Give back to the community you mine for profit, Brownstoner. I already know my neighbors, but I want to meet these people posting who seem to have such a bad opinion of me because I don’t fit their mold. I want them to see that I am not here to disrespect or abuse the neighborhood, and I want to learn from their perspective and shared history.
It’s so easy to construct biases based on lack of information. If we were all in a room, shaking hands and looking each other in the eye, I doubt comments like some of the nastier ones above would be made.
Brownstoner, I challenge you to make something real out of this. You have the tools at your disposal, even if Thurston Moore doesn’t show up.
did i mention i’m white—and so are some of my best friends. funny how that you’d assume when i’m talking children being raisedpoorly(and i blame the parents NOT the kids( you assume i speak of the whites.
putnadenizen
first- i’m white-white, white and then some more white.
second i am refering to a bad fashion trend- started by designers
like thom brown, which features very tight, super slim, super small clothes. when you put shrunken suits and shorts on a grown man he looks childish; straight, gay whatever. it’s a stupid, sexless look- as bad as the girls wearing baby doll dresses when they’re kissing up to 35.
fine- grown men dressed like 12 year old boys.ok? my point is that it’s a sexless, dweeby, super silly fashion- just as ginormous droopy jeans looks dumb
oh. did i mention i was WHITE!!!!!!! to quote the great kool moe dee- how ya like me , now?
I agree Putnamdenizen – but given Ramona’s previous comments, all one can do is laugh as it is clear this isn’t about expensive cafes and strollers.
I think it might be nice to have a break from all the snarkiness. I get along great with all the folks on my block, from the old guy on the corner who fixes his van half the time, to the newest couples with their young babies.
Not all of Brooklyn is full of battles between new folks and long-established residents.
Okay, you can now return to snarking.
Funny what Ramona said – comparing white men to 12 year old girls – didn’t make me laugh. It just confirmed how hard it is to have respectful conversations about these issues. Perhaps she meant it in the light hearted way which you have chosen to interpret it, but I fear, given her earlier less then complimentary and loving comments about white children that she is more comfortable disparaging the manhood of the “other” than she is in seeking common ground. Name calling in this context is disappointing, but hardly surprising.
Hahaha Ramona – that made me laugh!
May I suggest doing a little research on white people so we don’t seem as scary to you? I recommend the site below as an entertaining and informative read in between arguing with us Asshats on Brownstoner:
http:\\www.stuffwhitepeoplelike.com
Cheers!
tell you what dave. when the food in the “new” ft greene cost as much as crack i can afford to eat out.
my point ’bout comfort was that the implication was that i SHOULD feel more comfortable if i’m seeing more white folks.
white people make me nervous. all those boys in shrunken pants looking like 12 year old girls? yikes!