about some bookstore that isn't the organic grocery store
Subject: about some bookstore that isn't the organic grocery store
MOD NOTE: split from organic grocery thread.Also if this is solely about appearance how come nobody missed the bookstore that was on this stretch?! It's never even been mentioned on this site ever. The bottomline is most people want businesses that appeal to them and if it doesn't it's expendable at the expense of the people who it provides a service for. I think people need to check the median income for this area. It's more working class then upper middle class. There's plenty places with run down facades and more than enough greasy diners in this city for me to know that it's not just about appearance.
Comments
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If the bookstore was providing a service that the community required/desired, it would still be there dontcha think? I went in once and never went back- it's inventory was targeted to a singular demographic to which I and a great many others in the neighborhood do not belong. Seemingly that demographic found the business lacking as well, hence it's disappearance from the landscape. It wasn't an issue of prices or cleanliness, it was someone specialty marketing in a market that lacked desire for its product.
Honestly, bknest, your logic is a tad lacking. Choke back your righteous indignation and examine your arguments. -
The bookstore closed because the landlord raised their rent. They were doing fine. My family and I went there regularly; other than franchise bookstores most don't make it anyway cause alot of ppl in America don't read books anymore. That bookstore was there for two years doing fine. Personally I think more than a singular demographic would be interested in books that ran the gamut from Frantz Fanon to Abbie Hoffman, to NYC landmarks to the Harlem Renaissance to the Origins of Jazz. But for the sake of argument lets take your point flip it around and apply it to Green Market or whatever the name is...And that's the reason I said we have to see if it will be able to prosper. The store is targeting a demographic that MANY in the neighborhood do not belong to and only time will tell if this niche of consumers are enough for it to remain. Logistically my arguments are solid. You just don't agree with them...except when it applies to businesses YOU have no need for...But thank you for making my point for me...This is your statement:
it's inventory was targeted to a singular demographic to which I and a great many others in the neighborhood do not belong.
We shall see... -
Actually, you and I DO agree on this point; that's how this whole discussion started. I think the 'organic greenmarket' is too specific. I think the stretch needs a typical greengrocer/deli like the one that opened further down Fulton (around S Elliot) earlier this year. My first post was actually in support of your claim that Green Planet has a tough road ahead of them and will likely be shuttered in a year.
Where the bookstore is concerned, I found it to be full of dry academic accounts of predominantly black history or novels and childrens books that were written specifically for a black audience. I have no objection to these books, they simply don't appeal to me. Had the store diversified and offered a greater selection of books unspecific to race they certainly would have found a customer in me. As it stands, I buy most of my books ( a great portion of my income, in fact) from Amazon or at the Strand. I want to make it clear that this is NOT a condemnation of African-American literature and kI hope it isn't read as such. -
Anonymous wrote: Actually, you and I DO agree on this point; that's how this whole discussion started. I think the 'organic greenmarket' is too specific. I think the stretch needs a typical greengrocer/deli like the one that opened further down Fulton (around S Elliot) earlier this year. My first post was actually in support of your claim that Green Planet has a tough road ahead of them and will likely be shuttered in a year.
This is ignorance at it's finest. So because the childrens books have predominately black images it was written specifically for an black audience?! So I guess one of my favorite books as a child "WHere The Wild Things Are" was written specifically for white people as there are no images of people of color in the book.
Where the bookstore is concerned, I found it to be full of dry academic accounts of predominantly black history or novels and childrens books that were written specifically for a black audience. I have no objection to these books, they simply don't appeal to me. Had the store diversified and offered a greater selection of books unspecific to race they certainly would have found a customer in me. As it stands, I buy most of my books ( a great portion of my income, in fact) from Amazon or at the Strand. I want to make it clear that this is NOT a condemnation of African-American literature and kI hope it isn't read as such.
I guess I should've never suggested two more of my favorite books as a child to my daughters(Tales Of a 4th Grade Nothing, Superfudge), being that it's about white children in a white family written by Judy Blume, who is white. We couldn't possibly be her target audience as black people, so why read it?!
Why take a chance to read a good story that can possibly transcend race as most good stories and books do.
I guess teachers should take the works of Salinger, Twain, Dickens, and many others off the required reading lists if they have black students. Black people aren't the target audience of the authors so why should they bother, that can't be good for morale.
And white people shouldn't read the works of Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, James Baldwin or Alice Walker...Matter fact why would any white person step foot in the Schomburg Center? It's a library dedicated to black culture and history...nevermind that its american history as well.
Now I can easily say that the way you felt in that bookstore is a microcosm of the world I and many others live in every day. Good thing for us we're not as close minded and ignorant as yourself. How you can label a book as a "dry academic account" without reading it in totality is stupid. People don't realize it but its attitudes like this that keep this country as polarized as it is...then these same attitudes are passed on to kids.
"No way little Madison could possibly like that childrens book...they're black people in it!". Ignorance at it's finest!
Guess I'll go to tell my girls to turn off Hannah Montana and turn to BET(a channel that's off limits in my house). :roll: -
I didn't call him a racist nor do I believe him to be one. I do think he is another word that I will keep to myself in the spirit of being nice. The bookstore came up because it was on the same block and we were speaking on the appearance or lack thereof on said block.
bknest -
I don't think you really imagine me to be that sort of virulent racist, Nest. Methinks thou dost protest too much, if you know what Im sayin'.The childrens books within that shop were largely written specifically for a black reader - not because they have black characters but because they illustrate life issues that don't apply to me. Fine- I believe wholeheartedly that one should celebrate his culture. But it's simply TOO SPECIFIC ( the theme here) for me to be a regular customer.
Your argument that "Where The Wild Things Are" is a 'white' book holds no water. There's no mention of Max being any specific race , no mention of him 'combing his straight, blonde hair' or anything else. In fact, if the book weren't illustrated you could paint Max any color you wished. Furthermore, Max has black hair in the illustrations- perhaps he's Hispanic?
I agree with the mod- this has gone far enough. I understand that you feel somehow that my comments and opinions marginalize black people and you feel as if me and my 'ilk' are a threat to your way of life. I can assure you that this isn't so. I'm neither racist nor ignorant. The books I read my kids DO have black characters in them and they are portrayed in a positive and equal manner to the other characters. The distinction being that in these books race is not mentioned or made an issue.
In conclusion, I'd like to suggest to you that you tend toward a bit of hysteria - not everyone who doesn't know or embrace your culture is a racist or even ignorant. My suspicion is that you're not ferrying the kids out to Fort Lee to shop at the Japanese bookstores or Brighton Beach so they can collect the latest videos from whatever Jewish entertainer is big with the Eastern European kids these days.
Don't make you a bad person. -
Anonymous wrote: I don't think you really imagine me to be that sort of virulent racist, Nest. Methinks thou dost protest too much, if you know what Im sayin'.The childrens books within that shop were largely written specifically for a black reader - not because they have black characters but because they illustrate life issues that don't apply to me. Fine- I believe wholeheartedly that one should celebrate his culture. But it's simply TOO SPECIFIC ( the theme here) for me to be a regular customer.
You know what you just don't get it. You are being dismissive and most of all dishonest..dishonest with yourself. For you to imply that every book in the store was waving a black fist or every childrens book was along the lines of "I'm happy I'm nappy" is wrong and dismissive. Yes there were books along these lines but the books weren't confined to that content; there were more childrens books where it was a story with all black characters than about being black or blackness(they also had The BratZ books and few other mainstream figures).
Your argument that "Where The Wild Things Are" is a 'white' book holds no water. There's no mention of Max being any specific race , no mention of him 'combing his straight, blonde hair' or anything else. In fact, if the book weren't illustrated you could paint Max any color you wished. Furthermore, Max has black hair in the illustrations- perhaps he's Hispanic?
I agree with the mod- this has gone far enough. I understand that you feel somehow that my comments and opinions marginalize black people and you feel as if me and my 'ilk' are a threat to your way of life. I can assure you that this isn't so. I'm neither racist nor ignorant. The books I read my kids DO have black characters in them and they are portrayed in a positive and equal manner to the other characters. The distinction being that in these books race is not mentioned or made an issue.
In conclusion, I'd like to suggest to you that you tend toward a bit of hysteria - not everyone who doesn't know or embrace your culture is a racist or even ignorant. My suspicion is that you're not ferrying the kids out to Fort Lee to shop at the Japanese bookstores or Brighton Beach so they can collect the latest videos from whatever Jewish entertainer is big with the Eastern European kids these days.
Don't make you a bad person.
Its no different than a bookstore having Bill Oreilly's or Ann Coultier latest books and also Al Franken's and Michael Moores latest books(all which this book store had by the way along w/ other white authors ) or my daughters schools having books about being different for having freckles or red hair..usually eurocentric features.
Why you took it out the neighborhood referring to Japan or Eastern Europe is beyond me. I didn't know African AMERICAN authors were from a different country. Simply reading a book by one doesn't equate to "embracing MY culture". There's books about a multitude of subjects by white authors its no different for their black counterparts(the book store reflected this).
You know what its wrong for me to call you dishonest. I appreciate the dialogue. Its not likely we'd see each other at an open school night or anything or be this candid if we did(well maybe one of us!). Thank you for your honesty, seriously. And no I don't protest too much neighbor..too much respect for those who have shown the true meaning of the word.
Welcome to the neighborhood...I hope it becomes suitable to your liking..
bknest
MOD NOTE: Complaints about moderator decisions or how the board runs should be addressed to an admin, or discussed in the "Ask Brooklynian" forum.
-C -
not everyone wants to go to a black book store or an organic grocer. who cares? i wouldn't go to either (because i know what i like to read and what i can afford to eat). laissez-faire, right? it's certainly not a race issue- if people support it, it will prosper. if the store has to close, then something's not working. brooklyn is certainly not the only town going through changes, but it's the only one i've lived in that is so whiney about it.
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Yeah that seems to be the sentiment of a lot of folks. They have no need or interest in a black bookstore. And I hear so many people saying nothing is about race in America in 2008. Not saying its makes anyone a racist but it is closeminded. I've never referred to this small bookstore I go to in Greenwich Village as a "white" bookstore or "jew" bookstore. Most of the authors of the books in the store are white or jewish though.
But here in 2008 race doesn't matter to people in America anymore. Just look at the following Barack Obama has(who's books were also in the store on fulton st.), right?!
This is not just about the bookstore. This is about the same attitudes that permeates the media and america when it comes to anything black. The blonde girl getting drunk in Aruba that comes up missing gets national press for weeks, months(years?)...the little girl that goes missing in Philly doesn't get any press beyond local. Who gives a shit about a 9 year old colored girl?!
Or a how about the journalistic integrity that was shown with the coverage of Hurrican Katrina?!(the evacuees were initially referred to as refugees among other things)
But so many are dishonest w/ themselves and will be quick to say race doesn't matter anymore.
People have no interest in reading anything by a black author or subject but let Ken Burns(who's great by the way) do a documentary about the subject and its all the talk at the water cooler.
Its really sad and disconcerting I must say.
It's sad that you are my neighbors, my co-workers, my fellow americans..my heart hurts for you.
Its sad in 2008 in America ppl can be so dismissive as to say they don't or won't go in a black bookstore as if they know what the entire inventory entails.
But nonetheless this why I love this site...its nice to know what's lying underneath those nervous smiles and head nods in passing you in the neighborhood or on the c-train in the morning. Rant over..
bknest -
Right, I'm just curious about something.
bknest, the thing that precipitated this entire discussion was that you expressed a negative opinion about the longevity of the organic food store, and you pointed a finger at how it would only survive if it catered to the folk who patronized the nail salons and other businesses on the street, as well as the "newcomers".
Here, you lament the closing of a bookstore, and point the finger instead at it NOT catering to the "newcomers."
I now have two questions:
1. Why do you propose that is it the failure of the newcomers to patronize the bookstore that lead to its downfall, when you earlier claim that the existance of a Fulton Street business hinges on "the people who patronize the nail salons"? Might the bookstore not have failed for this very same reason? If the existance of a Fulton Street business depends, as you claim, on Fulton Street's regular patrons, why point the finger at gentrifiers?
2. Do you patronize the businesses on Fulton Street? If so, what determines the nature of the businesses you patronize -- the fact that you live in the area, or the quality of their merchandise? If not, what affects your decision?
3. An apology first -- you actually did not initially express a negative opinion of the market itself, only skepticism that it would last. So -- what IS your opinion of the market itself? Let's set aside what you think its chances are -- what do you think of the market itself?
4. Similarly, what was your opinion of the bookstore? Did you patronize it? How often?
thank you. -
queencallipygos wrote: Right, I'm just curious about something.
I think that was more then two questions Queen but here goes:
bknest, the thing that precipitated this entire discussion was that you expressed a negative opinion about the longevity of the organic food store, and you pointed a finger at how it would only survive if it catered to the folk who patronized the nail salons and other businesses on the street, as well as the "newcomers".
Here, you lament the closing of a bookstore, and point the finger instead at it NOT catering to the "newcomers."
I now have two questions:
1. Why do you propose that is it the failure of the newcomers to patronize the bookstore that lead to its downfall, when you earlier claim that the existance of a Fulton Street business hinges on "the people who patronize the nail salons"? Might the bookstore not have failed for this very same reason? If the existance of a Fulton Street business depends, as you claim, on Fulton Street's regular patrons, why point the finger at gentrifiers?
2. Do you patronize the businesses on Fulton Street? If so, what determines the nature of the businesses you patronize -- the fact that you live in the area, or the quality of their merchandise? If not, what affects your decision?
3. An apology first -- you actually did not initially express a negative opinion of the market itself, only skepticism that it would last. So -- what IS your opinion of the market itself? Let's set aside what you think its chances are -- what do you think of the market itself?
4. Similarly, what was your opinion of the bookstore? Did you patronize it? How often?
thank you.
1. I didn't blame the failure of the bookstore on newcomers. Please find where I said this. All I stated was if it's all about appearance as some had stated then how come that no one made a peep when it went out of business? I would think that any bookstore is a welcome addition to a neighborhood whether you feel it appeals to you or not. I didn't point the finger at anyone. Please read my posts again. The bookstore failed because their rent was raised, they were doing fine for 3-4 years. I did however point out that people were being dismissive in generalizing the inventory of books based on the subjects of a few(please re-read my posts from both threads).
2. Of course I patronize businesses on fulton and have for a LONG time. It varies depending on my needs. In most cases I have a rapport w/ the propreitor. Also if my needs are not met I go elsewhere. I can't expect everything I need or want to be on fulton street. This is NYC, no big deal.
3. Apology accepted..I did stop in to peruse the inventory for a minute. I mean I guess it's fine for people who are into that kind of thing.
4. Again please re-read my posts. Yes I did patronize the store regularly, I'd say atleast once a week but usually a few times a week when I got off the train from work..always checking to see if they got any new books in. They would also order books for me if they didnt have it in stock. On my saturday or sunday morning strolls I would stop in there with my girls, they loved the bookstore too. -
bknest wrote: [quote=queencallipygos]Right, I'm just curious about something.
I think that was more then two questions Queen but here goes:
bknest, the thing that precipitated this entire discussion was that you expressed a negative opinion about the longevity of the organic food store, and you pointed a finger at how it would only survive if it catered to the folk who patronized the nail salons and other businesses on the street, as well as the "newcomers".
Here, you lament the closing of a bookstore, and point the finger instead at it NOT catering to the "newcomers."
I now have two questions:
1. Why do you propose that is it the failure of the newcomers to patronize the bookstore that lead to its downfall, when you earlier claim that the existance of a Fulton Street business hinges on "the people who patronize the nail salons"? Might the bookstore not have failed for this very same reason? If the existance of a Fulton Street business depends, as you claim, on Fulton Street's regular patrons, why point the finger at gentrifiers?
2. Do you patronize the businesses on Fulton Street? If so, what determines the nature of the businesses you patronize -- the fact that you live in the area, or the quality of their merchandise? If not, what affects your decision?
3. An apology first -- you actually did not initially express a negative opinion of the market itself, only skepticism that it would last. So -- what IS your opinion of the market itself? Let's set aside what you think its chances are -- what do you think of the market itself?
4. Similarly, what was your opinion of the bookstore? Did you patronize it? How often?
thank you.
1. I didn't blame the failure of the bookstore on newcomers. Please find where I said this. All I stated was if it's all about appearance as some had stated then how come that no one made a peep when it went out of business? I would think that any bookstore is a welcome addition to a neighborhood whether you feel it appeals to you or not. I didn't point the finger at anyone. Please read my posts again. The bookstore failed because their rent was raised, they were doing fine for 3-4 years. I did however point out that people were being dismissive in generalizing the inventory of books based on the subjects of a few(please re-read my posts from both threads).
2. Of course I patronize businesses on fulton and have for a LONG time. It varies depending on my needs. In most cases I have a rapport w/ the propreitor. Also if my needs are not met I go elsewhere. I can't expect everything I need or want to be on fulton street. This is NYC, no big deal.
3. Apology accepted..I did stop in to peruse the inventory for a minute. I mean I guess it's fine for people who are into that kind of thing.
4. Again please re-read my posts. Yes I did patronize the store regularly, I'd say atleast once a week but usually a few times a week when I got off the train from work..always checking to see if they got any new books in. They would also order books for me if they didnt have it in stock. On my saturday or sunday morning strolls I would stop in there with my girls, they loved the bookstore too.
Thank you. I did read your posts, but was getting very confused, because the sands seem to shift a little with your position; I was especially confused with what seemed to be a contradition between your position towards the food store and your position towards the bookstore. Which is why I asked, and you've clarified. Which is good.
I have more questions.
You say: "Of course I patronize businesses on fulton and have for a LONG time. It varies depending on my needs. In most cases I have a rapport w/ the propreitor. Also if my needs are not met I go elsewhere. I can't expect everything I need or want to be on fulton street. This is NYC, no big deal."
Okay. So you allow that not all of the stores on a particular street may cater to everyone, and you also allow that if a store does not have what you need, you will simply look elsewhere.
So that sounds like you accept that it is the customers in a particular community that determine the success and/or failure of a business. Am I with you so far? I agree with you, if this is what you're saying.
So then, if you accept that "neighborhoods support the businesses the residents require," then what ultimately was your point about the food market? You said that you guess it's fine for people who are into that kind of thing; what exactly was it that prompted you to make the "oh, we'll see how long it really lasts" post that precipitated this whole argument? I'm not certain you were aware of this -- you may simply have been trying to plead with people to exercise caution -- but I'm not certain why you felt there was a NEED to warn us all of this. The fact that a business will not survive without the patronage of its neighbors is...kind of a given. So I'm not sure why you felt that that fact bore mention at that specific juncture.
also -- you say that the bookstore closed because its rent got raised. If this was a conversation about community-driven markets, then I'm not certain why you brought the bookstore into the conversation at all? -
All the questions you asked have been answered in my previous posts(please re- read). I made my statement about the new store because it's what I wanted to say, no more no less. This is a messageboard where discussions take place about the neighborhood. I live in the neighborhood and state my opinions accordingly just like everyone else on this site. Why you feel the need to question ME about this and not anyone else is beyond me.
My position on the bookstore did not shift. I did not blame anyone for the demise of the bookstore. If you believe I did then find the post(s). -
bknest wrote: All the questions you asked have been answered in my previous posts(please re- read). I made my statement about the new store because it's what I wanted to say, no more no less. This is a messageboard where discussions take place about the neighborhood. I live in the neighborhood and state my opinions accordingly just like everyone else on this site. Why you feel the need to question ME about this and not anyone else is beyond me.
You sound like you're getting upset, and I'm honestly confused why. I did say I read your posts, but they confused me, so I am asking for clarity.
My position on the bookstore did not shift. I did not blame anyone for the demise of the bookstore. If you believe I did then find the post(s).
I am asking why you said what you said, because I want to understand why you said it. Plain and simple. Right now, it just sounds like a given, as if you came in and said, "hey, everyone, just so you know -- water is wet." ...We know that it is, so we'd be curious why you felt the need to state something that obvious at that particular point in time. That's all. Others have SPECULATED as to your motivation and attacked you according to what they assumed; I would rather question you as to your motivation, and find out what you really thought. That's preferable to assuming and attacking you, no?
Also, if you'll read MY last post a bit more carefully, I did not say that your position shifted, I was simply asking why you mentioned a business that closed because of raising rents in a discussion about businesses that are unsupported by the community. -
queencallipygos wrote: [quote=bknest]All the questions you asked have been answered in my previous posts(please re- read). I made my statement about the new store because it's what I wanted to say, no more no less. This is a messageboard where discussions take place about the neighborhood. I live in the neighborhood and state my opinions accordingly just like everyone else on this site. Why you feel the need to question ME about this and not anyone else is beyond me.
You sound like you're getting upset, and I'm honestly confused why. I did say I read your posts, but they confused me, so I am asking for clarity.
My position on the bookstore did not shift. I did not blame anyone for the demise of the bookstore. If you believe I did then find the post(s).
I am asking why you said what you said, because I want to understand why you said it. Plain and simple. Right now, it just sounds like a given, as if you came in and said, "hey, everyone, just so you know -- water is wet." ...We know that it is, so we'd be curious why you felt the need to state something that obvious at that particular point in time. That's all. Others have SPECULATED as to your motivation and attacked you according to what they assumed; I would rather question you as to your motivation, and find out what you really thought. That's preferable to assuming and attacking you, no?
Also, if you'll read MY last post a bit more carefully, I did not say that your position shifted, I was simply asking why you mentioned a business that closed because of raising rents in a discussion about businesses that are unsupported by the community.
Please don't try to gauge my emotions through reading my post. No I'm not upset at all. But if you simply read my postings(once again!) you'd see that I gave my reasons in depth about why I made my comments. I said what I said and Putnam Denizen asked me a few questions about why I made such a statement. I then answered. Now your asking my motivations behind said statement?!
There was none, it was how I felt so I posted. Do you question everyone about the motivations behind there comments? I mean c'mon now, seriously. Is everone else allowed to have their opinions about the neighborhood, but not I?!
Why is my comment under such scrutiny to the point where you want to know my motivation behind it? -
bknest wrote: Please don't try to gauge my emotions through reading my post. No I'm not upset at all. But if you simply read my postings(once again!) you'd see that I gave my reasons in depth about why I made my comments. I said what I said and Putnam Denizen asked me a few questions about why I made such a statement. I then answered. Now your asking my motivations behind said statement?!
Perhaps you didn't know this, then -- you say you're not upset, but something about the word choices you make does come across as VERY antagonistic. Now, please note I'm not saying you ARE antagonistic, or even that you intended this -- it's very possible you weren't aware you were coming across this way. so I'm trying to do the internet equivalent of nudging someone and saying "psst -- your fly is open."
There was none, it was how I felt so I posted. Do you question everyone about the motivations behind there comments? I mean c'mon now, seriously. Is everone else allowed to have their opinions about the neighborhood, but not I?!
Why is my comment under such scrutiny to the point where you want to know my motivation behind it?
But that could be some of the confusion here -- some of the posts you make do come across as somewhat belligerent, and that's something you may wish to consider in future.
I think also my confusion about your motivation was that I had no idea how to parse what your opinion of the neighorhood WAS from that statement. Asking your motivation for observing that "the market's success depends on whether the neighborhood supports it" just seemed a much more polite response than, "well, no duh." -
queencallipygos wrote: Perhaps you didn't know this, then -- you say you're not upset, but something about the word choices you make does come across as VERY antagonistic. Now, please note I'm not saying you ARE antagonistic, or even that you intended this -- it's very possible you weren't aware you were coming across this way. so I'm trying to do the internet equivalent of nudging someone and saying "psst -- your fly is open."
Funny, I just made the exact same observation in the other thread.
But that could be some of the confusion here -- some of the posts you make do come across as somewhat belligerent, and that's something you may wish to consider in future.
I think also my confusion about your motivation was that I had no idea how to parse what your opinion of the neighorhood WAS from that statement. Asking your motivation for observing that "the market's success depends on whether the neighborhood supports it" just seemed a much more polite response than, "well, no duh."Carnivore wrote: [quote=bknest][quote=Anonymous]passive / aggressive = very annoying
Oh my, I've annoyed Guest/ANONYMOUS...My world went from revolving to a complete halt!
But this is forum about the neighborhood?!
Not at all, more like a cyber social club wishfully awaiting the day the neighborhood becomes trendy so saying "I live in clinton hill" will be just as impressive as saying "I live in park slope" amongst their social circles. All the while disregarding the very thing that bought them here(affordability) will not be afforded to someone in their same position years from now. Yep real neighborly, communal thinking.
What a joke...
bknest aka brooklynian's resident villain
Whether you intended it or not, many of the responses you've been getting are related to what some perceive as an antagonistic tone to your posts. Please try to recognize that what you perceive as antagonism from others may also not have been intended (the Internet is terrible at conveying tone).
It reminds me of an epiphany I had in physics class in high school. I always wondered why rainbows are shaped the way they are. I learned that each color of light is refracted at a different angle based on its wavelength, and that we see each color where the angle is right. So the rainbow is actually everywhere, but we can only see an arc of it at a time. Sorry for the long-winded metaphor, but what I'm trying to say is that sometimes the way someone perceives the world has as much to do with the one doing the perceiving as it has to do with the world. -
This is a strange thread.
You can actually not give your money to a store or business without implying a moral judgment one way or another.
Many opinions and decisions are emotional reactions, and expecting people to be consistent about their emotional reactions is setting them up to be failures. People largely know this, which is partly why they do it. Nothing sounds so horrible as to be labeled a hypocrite. Or a racist. Or both. It can be a bargaining position, or a defense against a perceived emotional attack.
I personally never thought much of that little store. Or that store across from BAM. Sorry if someone conflates this with being latently racist. (Well, not really.)
I'm sure there's something in those establishments that'd be interesting to me, but largely you get the impression of a guiding cultural mission statement or focus. If you feel there isn't, that's fine. I do, however. And that's fine too. It just wasn't my thing. I didn't wish them harm. I didn't feel they were taking up vital space and hindering my very survival. I just didn't really care that much one way or the other.
If I publicly wish for a more general-range used bookstore, it actually just means I'd like a neighborhood general-range used bookstore. Honest.
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