Second Development-Related Rally in May Expects Hundreds
Brooklyn is expected to see its second massive development-related rally this month on May 17, when hundreds are expected to march to Albee Square protesting the “lack of community involvement in upcoming development plans,” according to a press release from Families United for Racial and Economic Equality (FUREE). Last Saturday, hundreds of Brooklynites clashed in…
Brooklyn is expected to see its second massive development-related rally this month on May 17, when hundreds are expected to march to Albee Square protesting the “lack of community involvement in upcoming development plans,” according to a press release from Families United for Racial and Economic Equality (FUREE). Last Saturday, hundreds of Brooklynites clashed in a protest and counter-protest over Atlantic Yards. This rally addresses a myriad of other, less publicized effects of Downtown Brooklyn’s development boom that have perhaps been overshadowed (pun intended) by the massive arena and high-rise project, or at least its opponents’ more forceful media efforts. A few of the more noted past events expected to be addressed at this coming rally: Albee Square Mall was emptied to make way for City Point; dozens of small business owners on Bridge and Willoughby streets were evicted so new towers could be built; large apartment building for low-income families and a handful of smaller buildings were taken through eminent domain for Willoughby Square Park, a planned public plaza and underground parking garage (a home many believe was involved in the Underground Railroad was spared from the wrecking ball, but may still be lost to foreclosure). And nearly all of Myrtle Avenue’s neighborhood services between Flatbush Avenue and Fort Greene Park were cleared for construction of luxury high-rises, leaving residents of the nearby public housing complexes with nowhere to shop for groceries. Do you think the end result will put Brooklyn better or worse off in 10 years?
DoBro’s Household Income to Double? [Brownstoner]
Atlantic Yards or Atlantic Lots [Brownstoner]
Much of Downtown Brooklyn Going Out of Business [Brooklyn Eagle]
Albee Square Mall Clears Out [Brooklyn Eagle]
PS I just made the previous post and neglected to say that I would be especially interested in interviewing Polemicist — your perspective would be extremely valuable to my work. If you are willing please contact me at msaldean@gmail.com or 917-586-6543. Thanks, Allison Dean
Is this your unbiased project:
Uprooted
By Kelly Anderson and Allison Lirish Dean
Uprooted dramatically illustrates the destruction of a vibrant African-American and Caribbean
shopping district in the heart of Brooklyn. A thriving crossroads of black history and culture, the
Fulton Mall is one of New York City’s most economically successful and diverse commercial
centers. But a 2004 rezoning means it could be virtually unrecognizable within a decade. By
exploring the dynamics of a privatized urban renewal process in Downtown Brooklyn, Uprooted
sheds light on critical questions currently facing urban communities and policy advocates, and
tells a story of a city disconnected from its ordinary citizens, its history, and its soul. Produced in
association with Families United for Racial and Economic Equality.
Distribution Information: Allison Lirish Dean, msaldean@gmail.com
I am a journalist looking for people to interview about Fulton Mall and am especially looking for people who are pro-development. I would love to speak personally with some of the commenters on this stream, again, especially people who favor the new vision for downtown Brooklyn. If you are brave enough shed your anonymity and come out and speak where it counts — on the public record — then please contact me ASAP at msaldean@gmail.com or 917-586-6543. My name is Allison Dean. Thanks.
6:35 Just a point of clarification on “having children at young ages.” Although it’s true that upper and middle income teenagers have lower pregnancy rates, they also have much higher abortion rates. Are you saying that these mothers discussed above should have chosen an abortion? Also, single parents and young mothers can be successful, too. “Forming long-term partnerships…” tell that to the guys on Wall Street who consider hiring escorts a hobby, or to the fifty percent of the couples who get divorced, rich and poor.
Some of this stuff is very offensive to me when we really should be discussing policies that will make our city better at economic growth and integration in the future. I see a lot of people criticizing people, making generalizations, blaming each other. But I don’t think I’ve read any solutions, unless I missed them in all this MUTUALLY RACIST scapegoating garbage.
As much as I would love to see Fulton Mall change, I seriously doubt that it ever will. The stores there seem to be doing quite well and anytime I pass through (several days per week), the area is teeming with commercial activity (and for those of you who are thinking of drug sales, kindly spare us that stale joke!).
All in all, I think that organizations such as FUREE are outdated. Community-based organizations had their heydey in the late 60s and are unlikely to have any appreciable impact on macrosystemic issues like race, class, and equality in contemporary times.
I agree with the poster who advocates for sacrifice and personal responsibility. Those concepts are why people from impoverished, war-torn nations can move to the US with no skills or knowledge of English, yet still succeed in life. Though many still face obstacles in today’s world, those who play by the rules do far better in life than those who do not. (i.e. getting an education, forming long-term partnerships with a significant other, postponing parenthood until a degree of financial stability has been achieved, saving money, buying property, etc. vs. dropping out of school/neglecting to get GED, not going to college or trade school, having children at young ages, single parenthood, etc.)
5:53 – I find it odd that, despite agreeing with The Mighty Q’s sentiments, you choose to criticize his expression of those sentiments instead of criticizing the poison that provoked his response.
5:17 – “Unfortunately, nothing I wrote is BS. Tell me ONE THING I wrote that is untrue.”
This is the thing. It’s not about whether the facts you wrote there are true or not. It’s the framework from which you’re looking at the facts, the value judgments, assumptions and prejudices that you’re linking to the facts.
You took some facts about these women’s lives straight from the FUREE website, but you put a completely different framework around those facts, one that’s riddled with prejudice. YOU think that being on public assistance, not having a college education, or having a large family are shameful or otherwise negative things; YOU are putting that spin on them because of your own prejudices.
When FUREE posted these women’s stories on the website, they didn’t lay all that shame and blame and prejudice on them like you did. Instead, they were demonstrating that, despite the difficulties that these women face and the odds stacked against them because of things like racism, classism, and sexism, they are strong, capable, powerful women who are fighting against those odds – not only for themselves, but for other mothers and other people who are struggling. And they’re doing that while also raising their families.
See how framework and perspective and prejudice change things? By asserting that people’s fates are entirely their responsibility and that their difficulties are therefore their own fault, you’re choosing to ignore or deny that racism and classism materially affect people’s lives and ability to succeed financially.
So, while the facts that you lifted from FUREE’s website are true, I’m indeed going to call the assumptions and judgments you draw from those facts b.s., just as I call all racist and classist bile b.s. And yes, denying the existence and effects of racism and classism is racist and classist in and of itself.
“I say the black and hispanic communities have much bigger problems that FUREE could be holding marches about.”
And you’ve certainly demonstrated how qualified you are to dictate the priorities of Black and Latino people (i.e., not qualified in the least. The opposite of qualified, in fact.)
It’s ironic that this whole discussion is on a site funded by new condo development. Just check out the Toren ad above… without it, we all might be sitting home alone not talking about this.
Mighty O — while I agree with your sentiment, your style of delivery is kind of comical. Also, ad hominem racist labels when discussing the tax base are generally not helpful.