It was only in the last couple of years that I knew “gentrification” was a bad word. Before, people were just “cleaning up” or “fixing up” a neighborhood. I rather think “gentrification” is a misnomer anyway — is someone who makes $25,000/yr and lives in a 2 bedroom apartment with a roommate a member of the gentry? Getting off track already. Anyone who has been in Brooklyn long enough knows there was something in the “hood” or the “barrio” before the riots and the fires and the crack. Somehow running the original residents out at knifepoint is okay, but when their grandchildren (or more likely, people who resemble their grandchildren) come back that’s oppression by The Man pushing us out of Our Neighborhood. Picking up trash in front of your house becomes an assault on brown skinned peoples everywhere. Wanting to eat something more than Church’s or alcapurrias raises the rents of the working poor.
I’m not even trying to play any race card — I know there are black and Puerto Rican hipsters, and there’s a white crackhead that hovers on my block every day. But there’s no ignoring the stream of lily white hipsters swarming this hood in a wave that has not yet crested, and the wave of U-Hauls brimming with the possessions of Puerto Ricans and Mexicans on their way out of town…presumably to East New York? No idea. Don’t care. The point is, it’s become racially charged. It’s seen as a conspiracy — if you are white and you moved to Bushwick, you might as well be the KKK burning families out of town.
The point of this post is to point out something obvious to those who live here, but maybe not so obvious to those who don’t: Bushwick is changing, and faster than any of us ever thought. Is that a bad thing? Depends on the perspective, for sure. But before groupthink takes over and people start howling for “someone to do something,” remember this is at least the fourth time in a century that the demographics of Bushwick have changed. You’ll remember that when you see the old brewers’ mansions on Bushwick Avenue, or the handful of Italian-owned stores still in operation on Knickerbocker.
I’m sure it will annoy many that this is the first real post of this blog, but you gotta start somewhere, right? There will definitely be more on this subject so at the risk of writing a book, I’ll leave it here for now.
Armstrong May 1st, 2007 at 9:42 am
Maybe this is the better place for this: “I hear you and on the one hand, TOTALLY agree. Yet not respecting the people that are already here (and I don’t like their values or lifestyle much either), only creates more tension. I understand your feelings and often wonder: how does one respect people who seem disrespectful? I just try and keep in mind that they were here before me, so I’m friendly and mind my own business. We (hipsters/professionals) are often not seen as beneficial but rather as invaders, raising the rent. I do call 311 frequently about noise. There is a party every night in front of my house on Stanhope. It’s been a nightmare and I’m glad I’m moving. It’s actually quieter at my apartment on the park! 311 really doesn’t do much good, in terms of getting a response. The number for the Police Precinct house is: 718-574-1605. Call them for a more immediate response. As for your noble flowers, I’m not sure what to recommend except to NOT give up. Happy planting.”
Jeremy May 1st, 2007 at 11:08 am
Exactly as you put it: I have respect for people who respect others. Plenty of locals have been very nice, one old guy showed me how to shovel snow. I see the occasional person sweeping in front of their house and watering their garden, but this is a big exception to a glaring rule: neglect and vandalism. As for them being here first — someone was here before them, too. Why are they the end of history?
Armstrong May 3rd, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Actually Jeremy, read my post a little closer. I didn’t say they were here first, I said they were here before me. We don’t need to go all the way back to the Canarsie indians and I am not about “white guilt.” I support your efforts to make a nice home. However, my dear boy: coming into someplace where you’re a clear minority with your “clean up your act or get out” guns blazing is asking for trouble and I sincerely hope you are being mindful of how you come across in person. And I say that while sharing some of your attitudes. But there is still quite a dark side to Bushwick, meaning – violence and anti-white racism. So, I try and get more flies with honey. There’s more ways than one to affect change. That’s all I’m saying.
Jeremy May 3rd, 2007 at 5:22 pm
No, no, I got that, they were here before you, but someone was here before them. And I get that what matters is they are here NOW.
I’m not so much “clean up or get out” as “I wish you would clean up, though it doesn’t matter because you’ll get out soon enough.” Know who is the most disgusted and critical of the natives in my household? My Puerto Rican partner and co-owner of our house (who will hopefully start posting here soon!). His father grew up in a dirt-floored hovel — his parents now maintain a meticulous house in Florida. They don’t throw decades of trash on their own property. We’re not talking about a race here, we’re talking about a mentality, and it is present in New York and not in Puerto Rico or other places Puerto Ricans have settled. I have my theories as to why, but I’ll really get lynched if I verbalize them.
Anyway, since I blew up at that kid and his dirtbag mother, I HAVE decided to be sweet as candy to these little shits. Hopefully that will disarm them somewhat and not reward their behavior which is obviously designed to provoke.
Armstrong May 3rd, 2007 at 9:59 pm
yep, I’ve seen all the behavior you describe. when I lived on harman, my upstairs neighbors would throw their garbage out their windows which would land directly outside my windows. I was like “what the fuck?”
don’t drive yourself crazy, things are getting better. now’s probably not exactly the time to be planting flowers in tree boxes. I think you’re wise to stick with grass and cheap plants for the time being.
it’s interesting that other homos are moving all over around here. I was chatting with another one who just moved by central and melrose. we’re everywhere, and you know what that means for a neighborhood. LOL
Jeremy May 4th, 2007 at 6:59 am
Well, just last night I had a long conversation with a neighbor who has lived around the corner for 20 years. He said they stole all his flowers, too, and that mine are actually lasting way longer than his ever did, until he got little fences put around them. He’s blaming the same crackhead, Roger, that I do for a lot of the shit that gets stolen around here, so I feel some vindication on that front, too.
My other neighbor says when they steal his plants, he puts them right back. All the plants I bought were cheap — that’s why I don’t get it. If they were some prized rare flowers, I could understand, but these are $2 plants, fuck.
Anyway yeah, lots of homos. What it means for those schooled in gentrification-fu is “second wave.”
jeremyisadouchebag October 2nd, 2007 at 3:14 pm
your an idiot jeremy. terms like “we” and “they” are all but a euphemism for those “lower class scum who have no manners or respect”.
your right there are hipsters that are not just white and privileged. You think everyone should be like you? you think this community needs someone to say that people here are like savages? what do you know? if you had more Respect, you would understand that things are the way they are because how the system works.
You complain about trivial things like trash and cleanliness. have you grown up in subject poverty? do you know what it feels like to not have a legit grocery store and eat fucking flaming hot chips cause thats all you can afford or thats your only option?
you must look deeper into the reasons why a certain neighborhood is the way it is. Think!
if you are any bit intelligent, you wouldnt classify people as “brown” lower class people and then in the next sentence try to say that you are not racist or sterotyping.
how can you sterotype a ethnic group and in the next sentence give a “PC” defense for it. your ridiculous. stop writing this blog your an idiot.
Jeremy October 2nd, 2007 at 3:41 pm
I’m an idiot, huh? You’re the one who misunderstood nearly everything written above, and who can’t even spell. People like you are poisoning the internet. Retard.
Ray October 2nd, 2007 at 3:46 pm
“do you know what it feels like to not have a legit grocery store and eat fucking flaming hot chips cause thats all you can afford or thats your only option?”
Are they cheaper than Cool Ranch?
Jimmy Legs October 2nd, 2007 at 4:53 pm
New! from the System that brought you “Subject Poverty!” it’s …
FUCKING
FLAMING
HOT
CHIPS!