Open House Picks

Curiously, what’s so dissimilar about Crown Heights and Bed Stuy? I don’t get the argument – yes, I am definitely missing the point…..

2:47, parts of Crown Heights were considered Bed Stuy for years. That is why Weeksville, techically in Crown Heights, is considered to be part of Bed Stuy. This is fact. Not all of it was considered BS, of course, as it is a huge neighborhood.

But, instead, you latch on to the unimportant details, and while totally missing the point. The two neighborhoods are more similar than not, no matter what you call them. And NOP’s recollections are a valuable resource of neighborhood history, and since he is older than I am and lived here around when I was born, I consider his memories a treasure. Your parents memories would also be valuable, why don’t you get them to share them, and provide something positive to the conversation?

Thanks, 1:56. I’m glad you put it in such practical, simple terms, because that’s all it takes, not an entire machinery, but just one person’s impulse. Then everyone follows.

I think people dont act on what they believe “should be” because they feel overwhelmed and disillusioned. As soon as they see someone else do it, it becomes an afterthought, an “of course”. This goes for moving to a new environment (as you did — I’m sure someone else inspired you too), and it goes for changing one’s own old habits (as the old timers on your street will).

I just hope that the changes won’t create an “us vs. them” mentality between the old timers and the newcomers, so that no one wants to do anything because it’s not “their” fault (the newcomer feels alienated, the oldtimer feels invaded). I guess it just takes more people doing what they know SHOULD BE DONE. The sheep on both sides will follow.
Thanks again.

12:18 I am for the most part ignorant of the struggles that have occurred here in the past but I can tell you what I have learned from what I have observed here in the last 4 years, what I have observed elsewhere, and what in my humble opinion I think it means for Bed Sty.

Essentially what people want is to have change, but change at a pace that is gradual enough so that those who are currently part of the area can participate in, enjoy, and prosper from it.

I once heard when I was much younger that people generally overestimate what can be done in a year and underestimate what can be done in ten. Now I am older I have seen this to be true. Bed Sty one way or another will, in ten years be a very different place from what it is today. The change can be driven from within or driven from outside but it will happen.

Bed Sty has too much to offer to not change. It has magnificicent architeture, its own culture and history and established parks and trees. The people living here recognize this (and the people moving in definately know it). Now, if the people living here have a view of how they want bed sty to change they must participate in the change itself. Change is not a thing that happens on its own it may seem that way if you are not participating in it but someone is making it happen. Someone no smarter than you, just someone that believes it can happen.

Last weekend I walked up and down my block and pick up a full garbage bag of rubbish. I live on a clean street because I make that happen. I am not proud, people saw me do it. I don’t know if they laughed at me or if it means that they will do it themselves but I caused a small change…for the better.

Bigger changes are just as possible. People say there are not enough restaurants… open a restaurant. Tell me why it is not possible and I will tell you why it is. If people decided to be part of the change that they wish for, things will start to happen. In my view a change in thinking is required first. That should be the easiest change of all, but sadly it is not.