Harlem plays the best ball in the country @ 135th street, originally uploaded by R D.
Last time I walked passed this school yard I noticed that they were doing construction and the sign was no longer there. Did they repaint the wall?
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As for the pictures, go to your profile and upload an image of yourself that is the right size. I think it can’t be bigger than 250 x250 pixels.
In the early 60s I was bussed to an all Black school in Springfield Gardens in the spirit of “integration.” Those parents did not want me there and I was not very welcomed. Did I bear the brunt of what was occurring across this “great nation” at that time? Perhaps. Was it right? No. Was it justified? No. When I moved to a “white” neigborhood (Howard Beach) the black kids in my class were my friends and the white kids thought I had weird 45s (that’s what we played back then) and talked funny. That was because I was gay! LOL. But kidding aside, I embrace the values that Uhuru’s family has. But remember, the same kind of hatred exists all over the world and until we start embracing difference and realizing that we are more the same than we are different, nothing will change. Where I live in Flatbush, I’m still an ethnic minority. Guess I’m comfortable with what I’m used to.
Harlem Observer – the best ball in the country?
Other than that kid from Rice High School who was a sensation a while back, who has Harlem produced lately?
There’s nothing wrong with welcoming new people to the community. I remember my family moving to a majority white community when I was a kid. I had more than enough unpleasant experiences.
My parents always said Black folks wouldn’t act like that because of our generous spirit inspite of what had been done to us historically.
I promised myself if the tables were reversed, I’d never treat anyone new in my community the way I was. Basically, I’d never stoop to the low level of some of those white folks.
If you choose to be small minded and stoop that low, I feel sorry for you.
And as for this “war” you’re talking about, wake up. That war is long over. It was over when many of us did nothing to take control of the land in Harlem when it was cheap.
HARLEM STILL PLAYS THE BEST BALL. That wall should be landmarked. Hopefully it stays. the are not coming they are here. Hopefully they won’t pressure the school to remove it or the school doesn’t assume that it offends or is an eyesore to our new “settlers’. That happens a lot. Some long time Harlemites start shuffling when their new neighbors come’welcome1 welcome” Unless you own property or benefit from the free wifi our settlers bring-there is nothing to rejoice. It is the beginning of a war in Harlem and a fight for what once was. the removal of what long term Harlem residents think -replaced by what new residents feel are important or annoying(drumming/noise etc). Your noise is our music.
Wow! Ability to add pics must be something new.
Oh snap! You can have pics on this thing?
I lived in Harlem from 1987-1989 and call them my ACT-UP years ’cause that’s when I came of age as an activist and a songwriter- writing rap about HIV?AIDS. My tune Lilywhite Lies became the theme-song for an AIDS radio show on WBAI- hosted by an African-American with AIDS (Toms) who later succumbed to the disease. Dougie Fresh lived next door and was a great support of my musical projects. I’m White. I came to Harlem and left Harlem. They were some of the best years of my life. I miss places like the Baby Grand and when M&G Diner was squeezed in between two great Black Churches. I now live and teach in Flatbush, Brooklyn. #2 Thank you for giving #1 some perspective.
Frank Jump
http://www.frankjump.com
http://fadingad.wordpress.com
Not funny #1. It makes our community look intolerant when we’re really not or shouldn’t be.
What the picture really means to me is that Harlem produced some great b-ball players. Floyd Lane, Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Cal Russell, Pearl Washington, Jamal Mashburn, Earl “The Goat” Manigault, Pee Wee Kirkland and others who I don’t know or can’t remember.
Harlem in particular and New York City generally was once the center of what the game of basketball as an “urban” sport.
But in recent decades the game has moved out nationally and internationally with great players coming from all over, including Europe and China.
Harlem’s heyday as the epitomy of basketball royalty has faded and disappeared.
Just like this statement in the schoolyard on 135th Street.
Because, THE WHITES ARE COMING. THE WHITES ARE COMING!:)