The Times of London Singing Bed Stuy's Praises
It sounds like London Times writer James Doran got quite a deal on his Bedford Stuyvesant brownstone. Given how well-preserved all the details were, $600,000 sounds undermarket to us. And what a great provenance! The story he tells of the former owner, a brewery heiress, is great stuff. The Heath Ledger angle might be a…
It sounds like London Times writer James Doran got quite a deal on his Bedford Stuyvesant brownstone. Given how well-preserved all the details were, $600,000 sounds undermarket to us. And what a great provenance! The story he tells of the former owner, a brewery heiress, is great stuff. The Heath Ledger angle might be a bit of a stretch but, hey, Doran’s at least setting the newspaper-reading public straight about the neighborhood which has caught more than its share of bad press over the years:
Bed-Stuy is more than just an incredible investment opportunity for an adventurous property speculator: it is one of the most fascinating neighbourhoods of New York, steeped in history and close to Manhattan’s sleepless streets, yet no tourist ever sets foot here.
Local blog Bed Stuy Gateway had this to say about the article: Is The Times doing a Lenten penance for the smackdown of an article it published on June 25, 2005 in which reporter Dominic Rushe called Bed-Stuy “a horrible and inconvenient area of Brooklyn with some lovely buildings and a nasty crack habit”?
Big Apple’s Core Appeal [London Times]
The Brits Are Coming [Bed Stuy Gateway]
I think people have jumped on Brooklyn Proud without reading that first sentence where she specifically said “some people”. She is simply stating some very uncimfortable truths about all of us. It’s hard to take seriously a white person calling her a segregationist because, historically speaking, we invented it. White people in this country decided segregation was “desirable” (not everyone of course, but discrimination is a sad reality of American History). So why do white people get so offended if now a Black person expresses a preference for Black neighborhood, especially those which have their own rich cultural history- like Bed-Stuy and Harlem? She isn’t wrong about those who move into, and gentrify. They are playing a waiting game- for the “neighborhood to get better”- and all that that implies.(I confess- how often have I wished for a great sushi place or starbucks. Ok, ok- so I’m shallow!) Very few gentrifiers move in because they love the neighborhood or the amenities (or lack thereof). They come because they love a house or can afford the prices.Brooklyn Proud gave an honest point of view, and in an uncompromising way. But she didn’t demonize anyone or insist that no whites should move into Black neighborhoods. What she is asking for is respect for the neighborhood and those who live there.Instead of trying to understand, we just reacted. We not only need to talk more openly, but we need to listen better.
Today segregation occurs on a daily basis through gentrification. Look at what is happening in the rest of Ft. Green, South Slope and very slowly in PLG.
P.S. I am not Alyndea.
Ok CHP. Well said. 🙂
1:20 – I have no problem with rehab for addicts and jail time for dealers. I also want guns off the street, while we’re at it. I’m not soft on crime, especially since as a black woman, I am probably more likely to be a victim, and more than likely a victim of the same people I am trying to humanize. I’m likely also to be more easily a forgotten statistic, and wouldn’t make the front page of the Post, either, so I don’t want criminals roaming free.
BUT, I have been around long enough to realize that few things in life are black or white, pardon the irony there. I was blessed with caring and highly motivated parents who instilled strong values in their children, among those values is the mandate for empathy for those who are not as blessed, and to uphold the tradition of giving back to the community whenever possible. I firmly believe that too many people in this society have abrogated their responsibility for their actions, from our national leaders, to our captains of industry, on down to the junkie on the corner. Just because I have empathy for them, does not mean I don’t think they need to be helped or punished, as the case might be.
Bed Stuy is still a good place to live.
Brooklyn Proud, I have to disagree. For once, this thread has been an interesting and relatively respectful discussion of class, race and gentrification. You’re not adding any value by making broad accusations that you think all white people posting here (and in general) don’t like black people so they should stay out of Bed Stuy. No one here has said that all blacks are criminals etc. Far from it if you read the thread, so please stop trying to bring down what has been a good discussion through name calling and calls for segregation.
So a few white people say something rude and BrooklynProud wants to cut them all off and lock them all out.
I have been mugged twice and verbally and physically assalted by black men so I guess by BrooklynProuds standards I should never interact with Black men, or rent to Black men, or hire black men.
Great logic. Demonize all white people because you think all white people demonize all black people.
I said, “Bed Stuy needs to stay ‘a chocolate city.'”
I say this because from reading these posts, it seems like white people don’t see blacks is being people. It’s like they are animals who can’t control themselves (criminals, prostitutes an drug dealers).
Why should these people have to be subjected to these stereotypes directly as well as indirectly. Do you think the inhabitants like living around white people who move to Bed Stuy just to wait out the current inhabitants. Once the original inhabitants are priced out Bed Stuy will be a “Vanilla City.” I’m sure that’s what some of these people are waiting for.
I sincerely doubt that white people are moving into Bed Stuy to make it better or solve any crime issues. Truth of the matter is they are priced out of Ft. Greene, Clinton Hill and Pros. Heights and need a new hood to take over. I hate to put it that simply but it is the truth.
Some of you guys are no better than the whites who moved out of Bed Stuy cause Black people were moving in.
The neighborhood is in a great location, transportation is great, people are cool. No white man’s wife is going to get raped in the streets. Bed Stuy is an OK neighborhood and is getting better by the day. The inhabitants are basically just recovering from Reaganomics and the drug epidemic. You guys need to stop being haters.
Some people assume that black people need an influx of whites to make Bed Stuy better, no, they need better policing and better schools. If white people move in that’s fine.
Until white people stop acting like black people are things to be talked about instead of to be talked to, Bed Stuy needs to stay “a chocolate city.”
Buenos Aires and Berlin are even less expensive then BedStuy and the architecture there is very opulent.
Both BA and Berlin are very diverse and cultural rich.
Get it while its hot.
Check out Huatulco, Mexico.
Beautiful tranquil beaches, good food, nice people, prices a fraction of Bed Stuy. . .