Immigrant Groups Fight Sunset Park Rezoning
Rezoning seems to be the issue du jour here in Brooklyn. First, Carroll Gardeners raise their hackles over the planned R6A designation for some streets, and now the blog Best View in Brooklyn points out that a coalition of residents, churches, and a community organization in Sunset Park have filed a lawsuit challenging the city’s…
Rezoning seems to be the issue du jour here in Brooklyn. First, Carroll Gardeners raise their hackles over the planned R6A designation for some streets, and now the blog Best View in Brooklyn points out that a coalition of residents, churches, and a community organization in Sunset Park have filed a lawsuit challenging the city’s rezoning plan of 128 blocks in their neighborhood. According to the press release published on Legal Services NYC’s website, “They claim that the rezoning plan will encourage more luxury development and large chain stores, resulting in widespread residential and commercial displacement and gentrification among Sunset Park’s low-income Asian and Latino communities.” Any readers care to weigh in?
Press Conference Announces Lawsuit about Rezoning [BVIB]
Immigrant Groups File Lawsuit [Legal Services]
Photo by Sonja Shield/Legal Services NYC
havelc, it’s not just that the Chinese landlord is taking the “easier path.” There is a serious cultural issue at play, too. I’ve observed that in Chinese culture, there’s a huge fear of misunderstanding. The worst possible thing is to find yourself enmeshed in a conflict situation, so you do everything you can beforehand to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Even if it appears rude (which often, to Westerners, it does). Or reads as “discrimination” (likewise).
“Based on my experience as a renter in Hong Kong, I can tell you that a lot of Chinese landlords do feel reluctant to rent to a non-Chinese speaking person. It isn’t a matter of racism, but of communication–they would rather deal with a tenant they can communicate easily with.”
The problem with this logic WonTon is that its the basis for almost all discrimination. Yes there are hardcore racists out there, but the vast majority of racism exists, and is perpetuated by the notion of helping/assisting/preferring people who are “like you” in some way.
I’m sure the Chinese landlord doesn’t hate the black, white or Latino applying for the apt., and that it would be easier for him/her to just let the place to a Chinese speaker, but that’s why we have anti-discrimination laws. Discrimination usually isn’t intentional or malicious, it’s just the easier path.
Sorry, What, i gotta agree with bkre on this….”
When you talk about the history of this City – you claim to be an expert on everything that happened from the 70’s on through today. But you’re ignoring more than 100 years of the development of this City that predates that era. When it comes to the issue of neighborhood development and gentrification, as the good book says, there ain’t nothing new under the sun.
you completely misread my point fobs.
*rob*
“What – to say that never in the history of this city has a whole neighborhood had to confront the issue of gentrification (which I’m assuming is what you’re trying to say correcting for your typos and horrible grammar),”
Then you fix it.
“ust shows that you posses a very minimal knowledge of the history of the development of this City.”
Born, raised and will die here. 46 years strong.
“When you talk about the history of this City – you claim to be an expert on everything that happened from the 70’s on through today.”
Experience…
“But you’re ignoring more than 100 years of the development of this City that predates that era.”
So I’m going to use metrics from 1934 or 1913 or 1954????
“When it comes to the issue of neighborhood development and gentrification, as the good book says, there ain’t nothing new under the sun.”
Oh yes there is! When Bloomturd proclaims he’s the “New Robert Mosses” I know there’s something wrong with that.
Now you can correct my typos…
The What
Someday this war is gonna end..
Rob, you are right, immigrants should not complain about such issues. After all they are lucky just to be in this country. They should clean up after Park Slopers and quietly go back to their Sunset Park like neighborhoods.
bxgrl, we all, each of us, have our special talents. And you’ve got a lot of heart, which is a “language skill” of a higher category.
What – to say that never in the history of this city has a whole neighborhood had to confront the issue of gentrification (which I’m assuming is what you’re trying to say correcting for your typos and horrible grammar), just shows that you posses a very minimal knowledge of the history of the development of this City. When you talk about the history of this City – you claim to be an expert on everything that happened from the 70’s on through today. But you’re ignoring more than 100 years of the development of this City that predates that era. When it comes to the issue of neighborhood development and gentrification, as the good book says, there ain’t nothing new under the sun.
wonton- I so envy you. I love languages but because of my hearing can barely communicate in English, let alone a foreign language. And frankly, learning language is not one of my skills 🙁