Some Hasids don’t like the Crown Heights newbie Hipsters and Yuppies

This post, by “The Invisible Lines,” is just one of several responses to yesterday’s rant against non-Jewish yuppies and hipsters in Crown Heights, with their new nightclubs, bars, and “sun tanning parties” held in full view of young children, on the Brooklynian message board.

In another, somewhat more serious reply, Domino writes:

I truly hate the “I was here first” attitude. Although there is confrontation between hipster and Hasid in the Williamsburg area (I seem to remember some bike lane issues), who designated Williamsburg as a Hasidic only area? There has been a steady transition from working class Polish, Italian and Hispanic to Hasidic. That does not mean that now the area is designated as a finished never to change again. Brooklyn (and all the other boros) are always changing – neighborhood by neighborhood. Sunset Park – originally Scandinavian – then Irish – now Asian and Hispanic. Bay Ridge – similarly Scandinavian – then Irish – then Greek – now Arabic. I could go on and on – from Fort Greene to Bed Stuy to Canarsie to Coney Island. Nothing stays the same. Although certain groups have resided within each, not one group has staked a claim for all eternity. There may have been incidents of exclusionism and downright racism but somehow these stupidities were overcome.

Boro Park is similarly a primarily Hasidic area – is there as much confrontation there with the Asian community? Is it because the dollars at stake are not as high? Some of the younger Asian kids dress just as hip/revealing as the CH or Williamsburg counterparts. It all boils down to the almighty dollar.

If the Hasidim want to live in an insular setting, the most populated city is perhaps not the right area. Monsey and Deal are fully separated (right down to the police force) and the Hasidim can dictate dress, interaction, etc. at will. If they want to bend other members of their sect to their will by all means let them subsidize each other.

Just do not dictate as to what I can wear, what I can do or where I can live. Just checking – we are still a democracy – right?

Read more: Some Hasids don’t like the CH newbies « Brooklynian | Message Boards.