an open letter to landlords.

It is too bad that the "fluid" moving into so many neighborhoods aren't at all dynamic and prefer stagnant, boring, overpriced cupcake-filled waters to wade in.

escap wrote: Why do we all have to believe that we are superior to some other group that is different?

You and me, escap. We're proud members of a very exclusive group of people who share the hallmark of not feeling ourselves superior to some other group that is different; that's what makes us special.

doctorj wrote: [quote=escap] Why do we all have to believe that we are superior to some other group that is different?

You and me, escap. We're proud members of a very exclusive group of people who share the hallmark of not feeling ourselves superior to some other group that is different; that's what makes us special.

hahaha, exactly. O:)

escap wrote: [quote=findcate]actually, i think this whole thread is totally incomprehensible. not sure what the point is? is someone hoping that landlords are going to start screening people based on whether they'll make the neighborhood a better place? that would be difficult.

It goes something like this: I'm on vacation, and arguing about such things helps me pass the time while I wait for Fresh Direct.

Yeah, sloooow day at work for me. 8)

This post has provoked the same shit as usual.

YS may have posted this as an idea because whether you believe it or not Gentrification is an ugly word.

Sure the new people to the neighborhood want all the amenities that everyone else has, like a bagel and cupcake.

Hell those that own their properties want these changes because it means money. That's all it means. Just admit it instead of resorting to an attack on race or dissecting YS's post. What the hell is that solving? Who the hell cares if the person is a gay-tranvestite-nazi, that lives off a trust fund from Jewish parents?!?!

Everyone wants to make money and just admit it. There are very few landlords that try and help those that are trying to make it in the city. I actually heard of some, but that’s rare people.

I was describing the neighborhood to someone that used to live here. I said it wasn't the same. Yes I said there are a bunch of "white" kids in the neighborhood and slowly new businesses are popping up to cater to them. It was at that moment that I started to think of how I had "survived" before all of this. There were and still are businesses that I used to get my breakfast, lunch or dinner from, but they weren't fancy like Park Slope. They did/don't look like the fancy places everyone wants, but I survived.

In terms of YS's idea? It is thought provoking and there wouldn't be this lengthy thread if it wasn’t. The same old crap where it becomes a black-white thing and everyone placing a star next to the guys that defend the so called gentrified. That’s why that is a stupid thing on this blog

Face it that the majority likes the change and really don't want to change the way things are moving. A few care and try to implement the idea of looking at what is happening and get attacked for it. The attacks won't change and serve as a threat to those that like the momentum of change. Its about opening your eyes.

Is there equilibrium between gentrification and maintenance of culture? I doubt it, and it certainly will not happen in Prospect Heights because the majority doesn't want to hear it. You all feel threatened when someone questions gentrification. That's just fucking sad.

Hmmm. I remember a white friend of mine complaining because Clinton Hill (where he lives) had become "so white." To me that is so pretentious. What is this crap of white people complaining that there are "too many white people" around?? If a black person complained about too many blacks being in the neighborhood people would imagine they were insane or full of self-hate. Some people just take this whole liberal thing way too far until it becomes a parody of itself.

mypasswordwontwork wrote: Hmmm. I remember a white friend of mine complaining because Clinton Hill (where he lives) had become "so white." To me that is so pretentious. What is this crap of white people complaining that there are "too many white people" around?? If a black person complained about too many blacks being in the neighborhood people would imagine they were insane or full of self-hate. Some people just take this whole liberal thing way too far until it becomes a parody of itself.

Everyone wants to be Davy Crockett, and you're no longer a pioneer when everyone else is coming down the Oregon trail.

What is this new thing with white people complaining about how other white people are so "white" and will thus move in and ruin everything. Because you're "different" and gentrified the place a year or two before sadi newcomer? Thou doth protest too much...agreed on the parody tip.

escap wrote:
I would say that PS and BH are considered more desirable in the eyes of those making $300K+ a year. That is by no means an insult--in fact I imagine many PH residents are proud of this, and many clearly hope it stays that way.

Agreed. There are also people over there who make 80K who are dismayed by the influx of 300K+ people, like there are 30K people here dismayed about the arrival of 80K+ people.

doctorj wrote: [quote=escap]
I would say that PS and BH are considered more desirable in the eyes of those making $300K+ a year. That is by no means an insult--in fact I imagine many PH residents are proud of this, and many clearly hope it stays that way.

Agreed. There are also people over there who make 80K who are dismayed by the influx of 300K+ people, like there are 30K people here dismayed about the arrival of 80K+ people.

yep. which is why I'm always surprised when paralegals at my firm live on the upper west side ... and then I remember trust funds and parent-owned apartments. cash is key all over this city.

LeeHo wrote: [quote=mypasswordwontwork]Hmmm. I remember a white friend of mine complaining because Clinton Hill (where he lives) had become "so white." To me that is so pretentious. What is this crap of white people complaining that there are "too many white people" around?? If a black person complained about too many blacks being in the neighborhood people would imagine they were insane or full of self-hate. Some people just take this whole liberal thing way too far until it becomes a parody of itself.

In no way did I say that there were too many white peoeple around me and didn't even take that liberal of a stance. I simply said that they seem to be more homogenous than ever in NYC. To add to that, I also think that many are heartless and have wonderfully materialistic concerns and strive for majority identity; read: sameness. I also stated that immigrants make the city go 'round, as they always have and hopefully, as more and more of them come here, their less materialistic ideologies will overpower the Davy Matthewites and property gulpers who invest to turn profits. Again, not all home/apt/condo/owners, just the quick flippers and inherently selfish developers.


When the starbucks and the gap come here its homogenized. Can't wait for that $$$

I'm curious why more people don't move to Queens. If it's real diversity you want, Queens is well known as the city's most diverse borough. It's also far more affordable than Brooklyn.

caaahyoko wrote: Jeez--my man and I combined don't even make 80k. Nevermind what our friends down the street make. .

That's got to be tough living in the Slope - unless you have a rent stabilized place. I think 80k was actually the minimum I had to earn as a single person to qualify for my apartment

shishkab wrote: regardless of race, regardless of financial status, when a group of like-minded folks live in the same area, they mold their surroundings to their comfort level.

Or the locals starting a business to cater to those that have moved here. It's about commerce and cashing in.

The local community were the first at implementing changes to the area.

neene wrote: i posted to this thread earlier and deleted it because ultimately it was just another veiled swipe at somebody else

but i really do wonder, reading all of this, what is being argued here?

are we talking about the displacing of residents whose families have lived here for decades with people fleeing the escalating housing market of manhattan
or are we talking about keeping the 'hood as a private enclave for those who are hipper-than-thou

i honestly don't think anyone of us posting on this board are that far apart in how we want to live and (give or take a bagel here and there) what we would like for the community.

what i really don't understand is this endless one upsmanship, outing of perceived racism and really heated discussion with very few creative solutions being offered.

there is such a thing as communities taking control over their destiny, putting responsible development in place and preserving the character of a neighborhood but that requires working together which i guess isn't quite as sexy as proving what a bad ass motherf***er you are

I have a question. When well-heeled whites move into a formerly downtrodden nabe en-masse, they are accused of 'ruining' things and so on. Even whites start complaining about the increasing number of whites in that nabe. But what about if there was an influx of people like me; black and Hispanic professionals who demanded overpriced coffeebars and chichi restaurants and designer puppywear stores. What then? A lot of these whites who complain about the influx of whites seem to have a sort of blind adoration for impoverished people of color. But what about upper middle-class people of color? Are they the enemy too?

Breuckelen wrote: The masses think that the economy has driven the gentrification and changes.

if the economy is not the driving force, what is?