Old Harlem vs. New Harlem

There's not many things that can grind my gears way up on a dreary Tuesday afternoon, but this is definitely one of them. (No summaries here, read it for yourself.)

Now a question or two, for Beth Ross, who, if anything is right with the world, will have an unpleasant introduction to the front of a bus in the very near future.

Do you think 'dem colored folks up in Harlem are there for your amusement? Turn the flava on when Missy Ross is feeling it, turn it off when Missy Ross has had enough?

Did you visit the neighborhood before you moved in? If you didn't, you're an idiot. If you did, you've got no standing to bitch. NONE. So, please, drink a tall glass of STFU with a twist of GFY.

In any event, the bigger picture here is a truly depressing one. The bigger picture is that day-by-day, month-by-month, year-by-year, we're going to hear more and more stories about the New Harlem trying to suck the soul out of the Old. And that, my friends, is a damn shame.

(Hat Tip: Ann Tye.)

Comments

[Art Vandelay]

How do you know she's white?

[Schmoopie]

That's...that's rich. White folks move to Harlem and then complain about that pesky black culture that gets in the way of the gentrified lifestyle? (I'm assuming Beth Ross is white because when have you ever met a Beth who isn't?) It's Harlem. What part of Harlem did you not grasp, ma'am?

[jackie]

"How do you know she's white?"

Where did I say she was?

(Preemptive strike: The sentence you intend on referring to could equally apply to a person of color from mid-town.)

That said, I'm gonna go way on out there on that limb and confidently guess that Beth Ross is a white woman.

[Schmoopie]

Cross-posted with Art. There are people who carp about how black people give their kids made-up names that are so obviously black (e.g., Shaniqua, Keyshawn). What could be whiter than naming a kid Beth or Dylan, though? And then there are all the white folks who make up their own names now (Cayden, Neveah) or use crazy, uneducated-looking spellings (Britney Spears, anyone? or Makayla for Michaela?). The names people choose for their kids often do mark their demographic group, and that includes white folks.

[jackie]

"There are people who carp about how black people give their kids made-up names that are so obviously black (e.g., Shaniqua, Keyshawn)."

All I know is that with the New Harlem on the rise, and the inevitable attendant attack of the Starbucks, the next generation of kids from the PJ's are gonna have some doozies.

[Art Vandelay]

I thought "Beth" was only reserved for fat girls?

Anyway, I know nothing about Harlem. I had no idea they were diversifying. If I were a white guy, I think that's one of the last places I'd want to move. Of course I wouldn't want to move to the Upper East side either.

[Assman]

Is this article about Harlem in Manhattan? I've been out of the city too long. Back in the day, going to Harlem and complaining about noise was the same as going to Vegas and complaining about casinos.

"What the fuck did you expect to see when you got here, ma'am?"

But, more importantly, and I assume this is the issue that annoys you most, Jackie... what the GROWN-ASSED people who live there do in their free time to relax is their business and not subject to the whimsy of some high-rise bitch who showed up last year. Do they come to her house and complain about how loud she plays Billy Joel's Greatest Hits while she washes dishes?

[M. Butler]

I hate people who make noise. Whether its church bells or African drums; whats the point (now) besides bothering people? Look, if the Harlemites wants to play their drums in an annual parade, great. Otherwise, STFU. I love my ancestral bag pipes. Its great to hear them on St. Pattys day -- not outside my window everyday (and I honestly like the pipes)

If you like hearing drums everyday 1) move somewhere else (preferrably outside the 3rd largest city in the world) 2) get the drums on your iPod 3)pay to see them perform at Lincoln Center

I love it when minorities complain about "whitey" moving into their neighborhood. I wonder what the white people thought (and did) when the minorities started moving in during the 1800s? Hey, but that's how things have always been done...why should (white people) change?

[jackie]

"Do they come to her house and complain about how loud she plays Billy Joel's Greatest Hits while she washes dishes?"

Uptown Girl notwithstanding, says here Beth rocks Celine Dion and The Help does the dishes.

[jackie]

Not for nothing Butler, but I think you're missing the point. The point is not about "whitey" moving into a black neighborhood. I don't know that anyone has a problem with that. The point is moving into another neighborhood and having the nerve to think you are entitled to strip that neighborhood of living life the way it has been lived in said neighborhood for years.

You don't like the particular way of life in that neighborhood? Fine. Don't move there.

[Art Vandelay]

I don't know that anyone has a problem with that.

While I agree that Butler is missing the point, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that there are a lot of people in Harlem who have a problem with a bunch of rich white people moving in. Even before they start complaining about the drums.

[Ann Tye]

It's a classic instance of entitlement. Change the culture of the neighborhood to suit the taste (or lack thereof) of the privileged one. Several years ago, a group of these "new Harlemites" dared stage a picket line protesting a real estate purchase by the renowned Classic Theatre of Harlem which was in search of new quarters for its productions!

[jackie]

"While I agree that Butler is missing the point, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that there are a lot of people in Harlem who have a problem with a bunch of rich white people moving in. Even before they start complaining about the drums."

Hey Vandelay, get the fuck off my limb.

Seriously though, fair point. That was some inartful, and actually just plain sloppy, wording on my part.

[M. Butler]

My very point was that the white people living in Harlem in the 1800s probably didn't want minorities moving into their neighborhood. And I'm guessing the white peeps didn't play the bongos.

And I'm quite sure the Indians regret the white people moving in. Squanto probably wasn't happy when the church bells rang at 8 am. Especially after a fire water bender.

Things change. That's what happens when property values drive out "the old culture" and bring in "the new culture" If I buy property, I'm entitled to have an opinion on what goes on in the public domain surrounding my property. If you don't want change; don't sell your property to developers.

[jackie]

So, Butler, your own premise is that all of these cultures that had "the other" moving in and were pissed off as a result. Yet, you also have seem to have a problem with the established culture here taking umbrage to the embryonic stages of the same. I don't get it.

Furthermore, I honestly don't think blacks moving into Harlem in the late 1800's is a suitable comparison to Ms. Ross. Presumably, Ms. Ross has a lot more choice, options and so on and so forth then the brutahs and sistas of Harlem did back in the 1800's. Or is Jim Crow her real estate broker? Apples meet bowling balls.

If I buy property, I'm entitled to have an opinion on what goes on in the public domain surrounding my property.

Sure you do. And I'm entitled to call you an idiot for choosing to live somewhere -- when you have tons of options -- where the style of life is something you have a problem with.

[M. Butler]

Yes, I am saying that the old cultures were pissed with the new culture moving in. Change sucks when its out of your hands. And I'm saying the current residents of Harlem are going to lose. People buying high priced real estate don't want people playing the drums.

They may have a permit to play. But not for long. And when the permits gone, they're gone.

[Jack Klompus]

From the article: "The influx of outsiders intensified after the arrival six years ago of Harlem's most famous commercial tenant, former President Clinton, whose 125th Street office is a short walk from Marcus Garvey Park. He said then that he hoped his presence would encourage others to move to the neighborhood."

Don't ever say Bill Clinton didn't help the African-American community...

Why doesn't someone just remind Missy Ross that if she can afford a luxury condo in Harlem, she can certainly afford a pair of Bose noise-reducing headphones. It's one day a week for a couple hours during one season out of the entire year. Fuckin' give a little. Reminds me of the idiots who buy/rent near Fenway Park and complain about the noise. Let's see: You're in a CITY, right next to Boston University; there are trains, buses, lots of cars; oh, and there's a baseball stadium that's been there since 1912. Did you expect Mayberry?

[M. Butler]

Oh, this is one day of the year? Sorry, didn't read that. I thought it was every day. I'm wrong, everyone else is right. She should hang herself.

[DFS]

125th street is the 'Upper West Wide' now. I love it....

[jackie]

"125th street is the 'Upper West Wide' now. I love it...."

True fact: In some circles, the South Bronx is now referred to as "SoBro."

Just shoot me now.

[Art Vandelay]

I thought it was once a week?

[jackie]

"I thought it was once a week?"

Just lop off the "that" and it will make more sense.

And as for hanging herself, Butler, I don't know that this is proper punishment. How about we let Michael Vick and The Bad Newz Kennelz Crew pound her against the pavement to death? Of course, all done to the rythmic beat of some African drums.

[M. Butler]

It is once a week. Now I'm back to being annoyed. I'd work to revoke their permits.

[puddy]

Serious question form an outsider: The white flight to Harlem notwithstanding, what was the state of Harlem in the past few years? Has it been undergoing something to become better than what the media would have had us believe it had devolved into in the 80s and 90s?

Not-serious point: What's wrong with Billy Joel?

[Art Vandelay]

What's wrong with Billy Joel?

Right! When the fuck did Billy joel become the symbol for uncool white people?