Community Meeting, Sat, March 23rd 2013. Noon.
CHCA is excited to be planning a community-wide town hall meeting in March. We see this as an opportunity to talk about the future of our community, and we want everyone’s voice to be heard.
Saturday, March 23, noon – 3pm
P.S. 22 Campus
443 St. Marks at Classon Ave.
The official pitch:
http://crowhillcommunity.org/projects/town-hall-meeting-in-march-on-community-vision-for-crown-heights/
My Commentary:
Despite being called a Town Hall Meeting, I have learned that this meeting will actually be simultaneously occurring small groups. ...not the usual "ask questions of some politician who has the misfortune of being on stage".
To me, this is good thing.
Also, as I look around, this meeting seems really well advertised.
I think it will be interesting to see how many people show up on a Spring Saturday, and what issues are on their minds.
Comments
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Preliminary estimate: 175 people.
A well run meeting..... Woot!
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I was very sad I had to leave early. I was very by my entertained how group leader telling tales of horror of yesteryear to the frightened faces of "newcomers" of gun battles and late mail deliveries. It reminded me of my big brother telling me stories of the boggieman. I have a couple of questions....
Why are the "oldtimers" angry? Havent the recent changes in CH benifited them? I dont hear many homeowners complaining about the value of their homes, or the rent rolls.
Perhaps the "oldtimers" are angry because they didnt buy enough real estate when the prices were cheap. I can understand being angry about that. Changes were happening and a couple of outsiders came in and gobbled up all the buildings and people were content with paying 450 dollars a month then to take that giant step and buy that 8 family for 100,000.00 ten years ago. I get it, it hurts. Dont blame the kids that are moving in, dont blame me, dont blame the Jews, blame yourself. -
Perhaps they are angry that even when prices were cheap, they could not afford to buy those buildings, and, now, when things are not cheap, others have the resources that they never had?
Envy can lead to anger. I imagine that is one of the factors here.
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Perhaps they are angry that even when prices were cheap, they could not afford to buy those buildings, and, now, when things are not cheap, others have the resources that they never had?
Envy can lead to anger. I imagine that is one of the factors here.
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Image by Brooklyn Born
Key to photos and links to discussions:
Top left: Hospital converted to market rate apartments
Top center: Franklin Bike Corral
Top right: The new building at Franklin and Eastern Parkway
Bottom left: United Deli
Btoom Center: New Animal Clinic
Bottom right: Lot on SterlingAfter the event commentary by Brooklyn Born and ILFA:
http://umbrooklynborn.blogspot.com/2013/03/crown-heights-now.html
http://ilovefranklinave.blogspot.com/2013/03/thanks-to-all-for-great-town-hall.html#comment-form
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What I found most interesting was some of the commentary from some of the long term residents.
Basically, they stated that "we welcome the newcomers, but want to remind you that you came to this community because it was a good community, and that it was good only as a result of decades of work by us, the long term residents. You newcomers are not this community's savior."
In his post above, Brooklyn Born states this sentiment well:
The life, the edge the spark of communities like Crown Heights that draws the new like moths to a flame is available because civic minded people, most of them African-Americans and Caribbean-Americans, kept a loving torch burning for this neighborhood. They kept alive hope it'd come back from the brink. When those long term residents are excluded from conversation, from participation, that flame burns and resentment smolders.
To which I respond:
For better or worse, we live in a world where length of tenancy means very little.
For example, the vast majority of the time, decisions are not made through public democratic processes in which everyone has equal power. Instead, the most important decisions occur completely outside of democratic structures.
For example, decisions regarding matters such as:
-Who occupies an apartment,
-What gets built on a vacant lot,
-What type of goods and services a business offers,are, for the most part, private decisions. Such decisions merely must abide by established laws and rules; the need to involve outside persons or entities is limited.
While neither the “newcomers” or the “long term residents” are distinct entities with identical interests, let’s not kid ourselves, there are stark differences between the groups.
In otherwords, while we each make decisions based our own self-interests, let’s not kid ourselves, the self interests of the “newcomers” and the “long term residents” are often radically different from one another.
Clearly, some long term residents believe that they are being disrespected when they are not involved in the decisions which are quickly occurring and transforming this area.
While I only speak for myself:
-Humans have a tendency to involve only enough people needed to get a given decision enacted; consensus is rarely a goal. I think it is very destructive for anyone to expect to be involved in decision or transactions when doing so is perceived to provide little or no gain to those directly involved.-I think it is very destructive to believe that because I was not involved in a decision, others were.
-I think it is very destructive to hold others to a higher standard than I hold myself; No one is anyone's savior.
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One of the attendees made a wordle from the notes she wrote down during the meeting:
Attached files
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"we welcome the newcomers, but want to remind you that you came to this community because it was a good community, and that it was good only as a result of decades of work by us, the long term residents. You newcomers are not this community's savior."
which "newcomers"? i came in 2007 b/c this is/was one of the only neighborhoods i could afford to live in. i didn't come here because i thought it was a good community.
the neighborhood has gotten a lot better since then, as more and more "newcomers" have come to the neighborhood.
the quotation/sentiment above sounds like it was spoken by someone who is a little angry, bitter, and defensive. i totally understand. it has to be demoralizing to see that the dramatic change/improvement in the neighborhood and property prices is correlated with the influx of newcomers. if i were a longtime resident, i'd resent that. i'd like to think, however, that i wouldn't be in denial about it.
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This story, and the resentment behind it, is all about race and class. Unless and until we acknowledge that upfront and stop talking in code about old-timers, newcomers, etc. we're never going to get anywhere.
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homeowner said:
This story, and the resentment behind it, is all about race and class. Unless and until we acknowledge that upfront and stop talking in code about old-timers, newcomers, etc. we're never going to get anywhere.not sure there is anywhere to "get." nothing's gonna stop the process, and nothing will stop people from feeling how they feel about it.
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I totally agree.
As I listened, I couldn't help but think that the themes were very similar to those we recently discussed on the "Grilled Cheese on Franklin" thread:
http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/topic/a-grilled-cheese-restaurant-for-lincoln-and-franklin
In that during the mtg, several long term (i.e. black) participants pointed out that they really resented that they are not being given credit by the newcomers (i.e. white people) for "wanting things" they have wanted and worked toward for literally decades: places to shop, reduced crime, improved schools, improved sanitation, greater access to politicans, etc.
The blacks who spoke seem to really resent how the whites could quickly achieve these things in the neighborhood, and how the whites failed to understand that it was almost impossible for the blacks to achieve similar outcomes over the course of decades in light of the obstacles they faced (income, education, discrimination, wealth, lack of "access to power").
Even if we get to an understanding on these topics, I am uncertain we will get further.
For example, can the whites expect the blacks to understand that (in many ways) the hard work that they put into keeping the community from being completely unlivable is not a base on which the whites are building?
...those with income, education, wealth and race on their side are able to literally have things like "neighborhoods" and "communities" literally built from scratch. Regardless of whether a base (or foundation)was present, when the whites arrived, they do not require a base.
As a result, no sense of history, or reverance for the past is required.
I.E. Even if the the whites realize that specific blacks are no part of being "part of the problems that plagued this neighborhood", the whites are unlikely to give the blacks the "credit" they believe they are due for their decades of work.
When one thinks about it, we are in a sitaution wherein each hue wishes the other hue to be "thankful" to them.
Um, this isn't about hue. This is about power.
Those who have power, have always had it. They do not believe it is thiers as a result of anyone else. ...and they under estimate what it is like to not have it.
Or, to put it succinctly:
Those who have never had power want to believe that their work made a contribution and want credit for it, yet those with power feel no credit is due those without.
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i feel pretty lame for not going to this meeting. i'll go to the next one.
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...those with income, education, wealth and race on their side are able to literally have things like "neighborhoods" and "communities" literally built from scratch. No base is required. No sense of history, or reverance for the past is required.
This is the crux of the issue. White people moving into this neighborhood are able to get a level of response from the power structure that is not commiserate with their position in that structure or in the existing community and this fact is understood and resented by those that have no power to exercise. Its nobody's fault (or maybe everybody's fault), it is just the way that the world is and its kind of insulting to insist that this isn't the case.
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White people moving into this neighborhood are able to get a level of response from the power structure that is not commiserate with their position in that structure or in the existing community and this fact is understood and resented by those that have no power to exercise.
Homeowner-
That's a big part of it. Another part of it is that the whites often do not need a reponse from power structure (often government) to get things done.Two different world views result.
View 1:
As a result of their relative power, Blacks believe that one often needs the help of government (i.e. in the form of financial backing and permission)to get things done.View 2:
On the otherhand, as a result of their relative power, Whites believe that government is often NOT needed to get things done. Because they have power (often in the form of money), Whites are able to get things done DESPITE government.Of course, if government money or power is available, Whites may seek it out to increase their power. But often, they have the means to pursue projects/change without government.
For example, those with money are able to pursue projects that allow them to build "as of right". Everyone, regardless of their relative power in society, finds these projects attractive because popular opinion is not something they need to subject their project to. However, only certain people can secure them on a regular basis....
An as-of-right development complies with all applicable zoning regulations and does not require any discretionary action by the City Planning Commission or Board of Standards and Appeals. Most developments and enlargements in the city are as-of-right.
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Which brings us back to the class issues, because the people showing up with the ability to build as-or-right projects usually are in a different economic position than those whose major assets may be the brownstone they are living in.
As-of-right builders are usually creating projects are creating projects that mirror their sensibilities and values and are seeking to attract their own or, at worst, aspirational customers and tenants.
I would however, challenge your first point slightly. When it comes to capital investment, I don't agree that Blacks believe they NEED government assistance, but that they believe that they are viewed as being "less risky" if they are backed by some sort of secured governmental $s or have the express support of the political machine. Whites don't need that level of anointing. Showing up with a pot of money is enough for someone to do business with you.
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I concur.
Let us now move on to these assertions:
-Humans have a tendency to involve only enough people needed to get a given decision enacted; consensus is rarely a goal. I think it is very destructive for anyone to expect to be involved in decision or transactions when doing so is perceived to provide little or no gain to those directly involved.
-I think it is very destructive to believe that because I was not involved in a decision, others were.
Because I perceive these qualities as taking place within the various social constructs (race, class, etc) as well as between the social constructs, I believe that they supersede them.
Do you?
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I believe that the first assertion does supersede the social constructs. The exception to that is where politicians are concerned when in some cases they will involve any and everybody to cover themselves in making decisions that may serve to be unpopular.
I'm not as comfortable agreeing with the second one. I think that there are plenty of groups, both class and race based that have been the victims of collusion. If you are part of one of those groups, your willingness to believe that the others are plotting against you is much higher in my experience. I don't think that those folks would agree that decisions that were made were not the result of a conspiracy.
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Yes, the effects that stem from being the victim of tacit or explicit collusion are often permanent. After such experiences, one can lose the ability to believe in others. One can lose the ability to trust those around them.
Depending upon the circumstance, being protective can be either destructive or constructive.
For example, believing that "because I was not involved in a decision, others were" ...is often an error in logic, but the effects of such an error is not always a bad one.
Sometimes, the benefits from avoiding a loss exceeds the potential benefits from winning. In those instances, people often choose not to play the game.
I believe we live in a world where you must participate to "win". As a result, I believe that a world view that causes you to not participate, combined with limited means to participate, means you will often lose,
or self-destruct. -
Here's DRAFT summary from CHCA:
CHCA wrote:
CHCA Town Hall Meeting Summary - 3.23.12On Saturday, March 23, 2013 both old and new residents gathered together for Crow Hill’s first town hall meeting in the auditorium of PS 22. The meeting drew approximately 220 people including volunteers and the demographics were predominantly young newly relocated residents, mostly white, while approximately 12% of the attendees were older African American and Caribbean long time residents.
To open the meeting, a photo montage played on the overhead projection screen showing crown heights at the turn of the century to present day, and a local fiddler entertained the crowd. Crow Hill Community Association members, Nick Juravich (of the ILoveFranklinAve blog) and local merchant Garnett Alcindor (co-owner of Taste Buds) welcomed the community explaining that the meeting had been called because business as usual was no longer working in Crow Hill and more people needed to get involved. They explained that all types of issues could be discussed including the positive and negative aspects of gentrification. It was also emphasized that all parties were encouraged to speak openly and honestly.
Karen Granville, a Crow Hill resident for 17 years, then broke the audience into groups according to the month of their birth (which several people thought was quite unique.) Each group was guided by a volunteer facilitator facilitator from the neighborhood which lead the group in answering 4 questions: 1) what do you like about your community; 2) what don't you like about your community; 3) what are your dreams for this community; and 4) what is one thing we could do tomorrow or within the next few weeks to work towards that dream. After much lively conversation, the groups gathered again in the auditorium and each facilitator along with a volunteer speaker from the group shared responses to the questions.
While each of the groups reported a unique perspective of the problems and potential of Crow Hill, most of the conversations centered around three areas where people raised their likes and concerns: People, Access to Services, and a Livable Neighborhood. Topics raised in each area included:
People
Like
- Diversity
- Sense of community
- History
- Civic EngagementDon't Like
- Racial separations & tensions
- People don’t say hello
- Unclear how to get involved in the community or access informationAccess to Services
Like
- Good mass transit
- Arts & culture activities (BK Museum, West Indian Day Parade)
- Green space (Park, Botanical)
- Locally owned businesses
- Good foodDon't Like
- Not enough business diversity( too many bars and high-end restaurants)
- Lack of welcoming community centers
- Struggling schools, issues with co-location & charters, lack of day careLivable Neighborhood
Like
- Relatively affordable
- Safe
- Pedestrian friendly/human scaleDon't Like
- Displacement from rising price of rents and goods
- Still lots of work to be done to make the neighborhood feel safe (crime, NYPD, lighting, violence) and clean (dog mess, trash, vermin)Based on these lists, the top areas that emerged that people wanted to work on right away include:
Top Areas
Broader engagement
Better offline outreach for community meetings, Get a more diverse base of residents involved in community conversationAffordable Housing
Tenants rights information, affordable housing designations within new developments
Access to and accountability of local politiciansMore community forums, clearer information sharing about upcoming projects that will affect the community
Increased neighborliness
Events that help build community, encouraging people to say hello to each otherThe event closed by opening the floor to senior residents. Several long-time residents from the community took the floor to share their memories of the community and their dreams for its future. Eve Porter a pillar of the community, long time activist and Crow Hill Community Association founder & president, spoke eloquently about the days of crime and violence in the 1980's and the deprivation and absolute resurrection of a decimated community along with the work that was required to get us to this point today. Dr. Meredith, a verbal whip who has lived in the community for 65 years recalled the days before WW2 and the common thread of poverty that held Italians, Poles, Jews and blacks together in the Crown Heights of yesterday. She shared that she graduated in the same building where the group currently stood in the mid forties and implored us to shore up the United States educational system and to individually support our neighborhood schools.
While the weather was picture perfect outside, all in attendance thought it was of the utmost importance to spend an afternoon inside, looking their neighbors in the eye and speak candidly from their hearts.
Crow Hill Community Association has committed to help further these conversations, engage more local residents, and help move the conversations toward action. Here are some next steps and ways that people can get involved:
Upcoming events!- Join us for our next town hall meeting April 16th at 7p (location TBA via the Crow Hill list or call 718-228-7928 for the update)
- Attend Crown Heights Assembly’s fair housing event! (Rally & free legal consultation, Saturday, April 6 at 1:00pm, Meet at Dr. Ronald McNair Park (Washington Ave & Eastern Parkway), Childcare will be provided
Stay informed!
- Sign up for the CHCA mailing list via the sign-in sheets up front or (http://crowhillcommunity.org/)- Keep an eye out for print versions of notes/next steps throughout the neighborhood.
- CHCA’s monthly meetings. The Association meets every third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 (excepting July and August) at the Gospel Tabernacle Church, 725 Franklin Avenue (between Sterling and Park)
Get to work!
- We will hold subsequent meetings to keep the dialogue going!
- We will seed working groups to address issue areas listed above that community members are most passionate about! -
On Saturday, March 23, 2013 both old and new residents gathered together for Crow Hill’s first town hall meeting in the auditorium of PS 22. The meeting drew approximately 220 people including volunteers and the demographics were predominantly young newly relocated residents, mostly white, while approximately 12% of the attendees were older African American and Caribbean long time residents.
interesting choice for the first paragraph of the summary. i guess it shows what's on everyone's mind.
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I think the demographics of the attendees (and people's interest in them) reflects people's desire to have a meeting in which all residents are proportionately represented.
I am of the perspective "that would be excellent", but also believe it is impossible.
It is a paradox: One works toward a goal that they know will never be achieved.
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One of the outcomes of this meeting is the formation of a cadre of folks who will focus on the neighborhood's appearance:
They are going to pick up some litter, cover up some vandalism and pester the city for additional trashcans.
I've decided to jabber about the topic on this thread devoted to litter on Franklin Avenue:
http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/topic/trash-on-franklin-ave-is-it-a-mess-or-a-mess
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The local reporter for DNA Info gave the efforts some virtual ink today, July 16:
CROWN HEIGHTS — Flying high off the success of its town hall earlier this year, the Crow Hill Community Association has spent the first half of summer peppering Crown Heights north with new initiatives aimed at improving the neighborhood.
"We're all doing signatures — I've collected about 150 on my own," said member Constance Nugent-Miller, who spent one recent weekday afternoon circulating an association petition to bring more trash cans to Franklin Avenue.
"A lot of our cans have been stolen for scrap metal. The ones that weren't stolen are overflowing."
Ruthless scrappers and the litter they leave behind are just the tip of the iceberg for Crow Hill, which rallied two community meetings this spring in response to the growing sentiment among members and local residents that "business as usual was no longer working" in this rapidly changing swath of Crown Heights and "more people needed to get involved."
"We looked at what the community was talking about and we developed working groups," Nugent-Miller said. "I'm the team leader for community engagement, so they asked me to promote this."
Much like a community board, the association now includes committees for political engagement, housing, youth, and a catch-all called "Livable Neighborhood." Since this spring, those working groups have spawned initiatives as diverse as a 6 a.m. walking club, a book group and a community-service oriented artists collective.
"The artists got together and named themselves the Crown Heights Embassy," Nugent-Miller said. "I'm trying to get people signed up for a walking group to fight diabetes, obesity and cancer."
The walkers are mostly middle-aged women, the artists young men. But like other initiatives put forth by the association, those two seemingly disparate groups enjoy a certain synergy — in this case, the artists designed the walking group's flyers.
"You've got legs," the cheeky flyer reads. "We know how to use them."
As discussed elsewhere, in CH's current economic environment, such efforts to improve the lives of the present residents play a role in causing rents and housing prices to soar.
This, in turn, hurts the very people that a subset of the do gooders would like to help the most: The area's poorest.
As a result, when they look for someone to blame for why the demographics of the neighborhood are rapidly changing and then blame "greedy landlords and realty companies", I just smile.
...despite not having any properties available for rent or sale.
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