I don’t believe Bed-Stuy should be a white neighborhood in the future. But I do believe that it should be an eclectic mixed neighborhood, given its eclectic mixed history.

By the way, it isn’t so far ago that it is “in history books”. My father, who is white, was born and raised in Bed-Stuy… as was his mother, also white. Unlike say Harlem, it Bed-Stuy a very real white history that was not very long ago. I’d like to visit it again someday when whites are a part of the neighborhood fabric again.

also, it is not as if there are no cultural or historical ties for the black community here. check out weeksville as evidence of that: http://www.weeksvillesociety.org/node/2

my point isn’t to argue with you, it’s just that it isn’t quite as simple as that. and every single neighborhhod in new york city has seen the populations change over their histories in terms of economics, race, religion, etc. what is at hand here is that people are very affected by the change that is actively taking place before their eyes, not being read about in the history books.

Carl Sagan, one of the world’s most famous scientists was born and grew up in Bed-Stuy. Jackie Gleason was from Bed-Stuy. Because it is mostly black now, does that mean we sweep this neighborhood’s white history under the rug?

I wonder if any the black people who want to “rise up” and “protect THEIR neighborhood” from the hipster influx realize that white people were in the neighborhood far before any blacks set up roots here?

White people built all those nice brownstones, and white people lived in them for 50 years before blacks ever came to the neighborhood. It’s a dirty secret I know, but it’s true.

So make with the photos of me in my white hood or quit your whining. You embarrass yourselves — though you do contribute to my and Petra’s well-being through the healing properties of laughter.

I love both neighborhoods…as a former Bushwick resident, and a current Bed-stuy resident. I have to say I’m quite disappointed in in this blog, as a self identified afro-boricua I take offense to “kanye west winning aventura music” that comment goes beyond a battle of neighborhoods into a place I know we don’t want to be at…cause it should NEVER EVER be Black vs. Brown. Jeremy’s postings are racist, and are NOT representative of Bushwick folks. Just like THIS posting is not representative of Bed-stuy folks. Let’s not indulge their opressive writing.

Bushwick and Bed-stuy are currently facing some incredible challenges in preserving the beauty of our communities which I hope is not run down by gentrification. Our communities can NOT afford to be divided…because this is a crucial time for us to join in the effort to put a stop to gentrification, or at least make sure our people benefit in some way…ie: making sure a percentage of new developments are affordable units (just to name one tactic).

Lets embrace the beauty both neighborhoods have to offer…and figure out ways to uplift one another. Communities United will Never be Defeated.

xol

Don’t kid yourself. These neighborhoods need new blood desperately.

What these communities don’t need however, is a racist. like Jeremy. It is truly disheartening that his Red Hook post is being defended.

And I know sarcasm when I read it.