Reader’s Choice
Ask and ye shall receive. This morning I asked readers to submit questions or comments that haven’t been addressed on U.F. and received the following query:
My wife and I recently bought a Condo in West Harlem, which we love, after renting a place a few blocks away for around a year and a half for reconnaissance purposes. I would be interested in participating in a candid blog discussion about what folks can do to help revitalize Harlem in a way that is a win-win situation both for new residents and those who were here before us. It seems that one of the tensions, among many — including racism — is that new residents, who needless to say tend to have more disposable income, want more of the amenities that are available in other parts of Manhattan while others oppose such amenities insofar as they raise their cost of living (including affordable housing). Thoughts?
Stumble It!
I was not born with a silver spoon. However, through determination, I now can be considered a resident that will bring new money into the community. The natural process of revitalization is extremely positive and beautiful for those who truly care about the community. As we witness increased safety, cleaner streets, better schools the only individuals would be opposed would be those selfish in nature. They want the amenities but do not want the additional monetary cost. All opposed to revitalization need to uplift themselves and I guarantee their outlook will change.
I was born here but raised in southern suburbs. So my views are conflicted, Harlem was always a respite from the world. A rest haven, even if there was no rest to be found on her streets. I miss the old and silently very silently embrace the new.
“….is that new residents, who needless to say tend to have more disposable income, want more of the amenities that are available in other parts of Manhattan while others oppose such amenities insofar as they raise their cost of living (including affordable housing).”
Let’s leave housing out of the discussion for now.
Can you be more specific? What amenities do you feel that old time Harlem resident’s are NOT interested in bringing to the neighborhood that you would like to have?
What amenities would you like that you feel would increase the cost of living in the neighborhood?
Why does it seem natural to people that to have clean streets, decent schools, and less crime people with more money need to move into a neighborhood. These are things that everyone deserves, not just those who are moving in. Maybe if the city and those others with responsibility to the residents of Harlem had respected that idea in the 80’s and 90’s, long-time residents wouldn’t feel so bitter about the changes that are coming in only because of the new residents.
Hey Anonymous #4, thanks for putting that so eloquently.
I’m trying not to be “inflammatory”. I was finding it difficult to say the same thing.
My initial response was that some people moving into the neighborhood act as though they are bringing civilization with them.
As though the old residents appreciate/d the substandard services, lack of quality education and substandard housing.
This statement enraged me most:
“I was not born with a silver spoon. However, through determination, I now can be considered a resident that will bring new money into the community.”
My immediate thought was that unlike the experiences of many Harlem residents, I sure the poster’s determination has in no way been hampered by discrimination.
Well, to go back to original poster’s question, I think it would be great to have, for example, better produce and grocery options available within walking distance, perhaps a greater diversity of takeout and restaurant options, as well a good bookstore and more cafes. I’m not sure any of these increase the cost of living inherently, but rather some only develop when business owners feel there is a critical mass of residents with disposable income. Hence, the appearance of these sort of establishments are a visible and concrete result of new, often wealthier residents.
Perhaps a more constructive question would be : in what ways can new residents work with old residents to achieve common goals like cleaner streets or better schools?
Let’s be for real. Many of the new residents of Harlem (who, make no bones about it, are overwhelmingly white) who can afford these new condos really are not here to contribute to a vision of a community that is better for us all. Like the real estate developers that allow their entrance, they are here to bulldoze what exists – the good along with the bad – for their own benefit. All of the signs seems to indicate just that.
However, history is repeating itself. The Harlem of 2007 bears many similarities to the Harlem of 1907 in terms of affordable housing, Black culture, art and the lack of resources available for those intent on developing its communities. Harlemites have had to “make do” with very little support – and have done so.
Case in point: the emergency meeting that Councilwoman Inez Dickens called at Rice High School to discuss the barrage of shooting deaths that occurred within 24 hours one weekend not too long ago. White people’s main concern? “Quality of life” issues (i.e. barbecuing in the park). Who cared about the safety of the neighborhoods and the families of the victims? (And no, lining up a panel of overwhelmingly white police captains is NOT the be all and end all of establishing our safety.) Who cared about the Black business owners who have been here, have taken responsibility for developing their communities themselves with their own personal life investments?
I wish people would actually put their monies where their mouths are. If you want to see something here that doesn’t already exist, create it. Offer something to the community other than the mere satisfaction of your own personal gratification. And, no, that’s not only directed to new residents …
The reality is that many white people (and institutions) still believe in manifest destiny. Harlem, to them, is yet another wild frontier to take over. I’m sick of dancing around this racism as if it doesn’t exist all around us and as if it doesn’t inform decisions that people make about being here.
Thank You #7. Long before African Americans arrived in Harlem. Harlem has always been for those”not born with silver spoons”. The Jewish and the Irish and now the African and Hispanic community. NO ONE LIKES DIRTY STREETS, LOUD MUSIC AND CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE. That is why it is illegal. Do not marginalize the community.
But it seems that the new arrivals are not willing to accept what is and make it better, but rather what to bulldoze what is there.
The reality of the situation is that most of the new arrivals are not there because they LOVE the culture or the Neighborhood or the history and the color as what happened in the village, where a community of artist evolved. The fact is they moved here because of the value and proximity.There is a whole different perspective from generations prior. They are trying to make where they are wherever they came from. THAT is not going to happen. There is no place like Harlem.
Case in point the new structure called SOHA… there is no such thing as SoHa, it’s Harlem.
Do I enjoy Marshall’s,Staples and Starbucks indeed I do. But I enjoyed in greater measure the hat store on the corner where I could see BMW’s purchase hats and Stacey Adams shoes. M&G’s, PAnPAn, Copeland’s, The masonic temple are not the problem.
One problem is the number of methadone, drug rehab clinics within such a small radius.
Lack of Morale’s is not a Harlem problem it’s a problem of America.
I am constantly disappointed to see how polarized America is on so many issues, black and white observe the same thing and draw opposite conclusions, the race card is pulled so quickly.
I have no doubt, for many, Harlem’s gentrification will dissolve into this polarization also. I have seen on so many issues, arguments are cherry picked and expanded upon to show the ‘white opressors’ are at it again. Arguments that do not fit the latest conspirasory theory are conveniently ignored and forgotten. How can you learn from the past and build a better future when you choose certain facts and ignore others.
However, having lived in Harlem a number of years I know many locals who regard these conspirasory theories as the same old foolishness, when they hear of the race card being pulled they roll their eyes as if they are so tired of it.
My point, there are many good people of Harlem who do not buy these conspirasory theories and are open to see beyond pulling the race card on everything.
i was at that same inez dickens “emergency meeting” and not one single white person got up to complain about the bbq in the park. it was across the board black residents making that argument, including the very passionate gentleman who called senator Perkins out.
are you so blind and filled with fear and hatred of the white man that when you hear a comment you don’t like coming out of a black man’s mouth your brain just automatically alters reality so you walk away thinking you’re being oppressed by the white man????
That’s sad.
First let me say that, even were it not the case that my wife and I are both African-Americans who both come from modest means, we would offer no apology for it. Whomever the commentary about “most of the new arrivals,” “many white people (and institutions),” “many of the new arrivals,” “the new arrivals,” is directed towards, I don’t place myself in their company, so don’t drag me down with them. I would hasten to add that there undoubtedly many others like me, including white folks, who — even if we represent a minority of “new residents” — are friends of anyone who want to be able to live in an authentic Harlem that is also a place where we can do recreational things, buy things, send our kids to school, and, above all, invest ourselves (not just our money) in.
We did not move to Harlem with hopes that its many treasures are “bulldozed.” I will also point out that, like clean streets and good schools, I can’t imagine that *any* Harlem residents wants safety above all else, BBQ-obsessed or not.
Truth be told, I don’t do any more clothes shopping at Marshalls and Old Navy (most of whose profits don’t get reinvested into the community) than I do at Jimmy’s Jazz (whose probably do). But I do enjoy my share of Billie’s Black, Harlem Vintage and Harlem Lanes. What do folks think of the effect of these — admittedly — “bourgie” black-owned establishments on the community? I would like to see more of those kinds of establishments, along with the more essential grocery, take-out, restaurant, bookstore and cafe options someone mentioned above. There are more than enough African braiding salons (there were no fewer than three on our old block) and 99 cent stores to go around for those who utilize their services.
Meant to say, “I can’t imagine that *any* Harlem residents *doesn’t* want safety above all else, BBQ-obsessed or not.”
I also would like to ask Donald what specifics he has in mind when he urges the offering of “something to the community other than the mere satisfaction of your own personal gratification”?
In response to #5, please to not be so quick to make assumptions. I am a black male and have faced much discrimination and seem to face more as I continue to better myself. The odd thing is that the discrimination now also comes from the group with I would have least expected – my own kind.
Just because my economic status has changed, people feel that I am against those without. This is furthest from the truth. I volunteer my time and money to give back money and an active member of many organizations who goal is inline with these ideas.
I agree that amenities should not come just because people that have money want them. Amenities such as safety and schools are political issue that should be addressed with Bloomberg. Stores on the other had will not come to what is viewed as economically poor neighbors since they only care about how much money they can make at that location.