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?

[Assman]

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

There's nothing wrong with Billy Joel. He's talented, has a time and place and, despite his driving record, evokes a positive image with his fans.

But... he's the polar opposite of African drumming. If you're the type of person that's going to hate on some drumming, odds are you're going to love on some Billy. He's no Paul Simon.

[Jack Klompus]

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

Right about when every freshman college tool decided the Greatest Hits double-CD must be playing in their dorm rooms whenever the Spin Doctors were not. Let's have a coupla Zimas and listen to Piano Man again! Douchebags.

[Schmoopie]

I'm a bit mystified by the people who buy houses near O'Hare Airport and then seek governmental assistance in quieting down those darned planes that make so much noise. (They have a point only if the airport added a runway that starts bringing planes over their houses, when the area used to be quieter.) And there are neighborhood groups in Wrigleyville who deplore the regular influx of baseball fans who go to sports bars before and after the game. Wrigley Field's about as old as Fenway, and I haven't seen any disgruntled neighbors who are, say, 110 years old.

[jackie]

"Right about when every freshman college tool decided the Greatest Hits double-CD must be playing in their dorm rooms whenever the Spin Doctors were not. Let's have a coupla Zimas and listen to Piano Man again! Douchebags."

Hey Klompus, you're just never in the mood for a melody, are you?

[jackie]

"He's no Paul Simon."

Have you checked the soles of his shoes?

[Art Vandelay]

Let's have a coupla Zimas and listen to Piano Man again! Douchebags.

Oh shit. That's fucking funny.

[Assman]

I understand Butler's point, really. He who has the gold and all that... This lady is within her rights to complain and she can work to revoke whatever the hell she wants. Doesn't mean she's not a bitch for doing it, but she can.

But, to me, the bigger point is that common sense says... if you're going to live someplace and you have a choice, live someplace you like. If you don't like Mexican music, don't live in South Texas. If you don't like cold, don't move to Alaska. The fact that this is what Harlem does is not exactly a secret - if you don't like it, just don't go there. You can, but don't.

And because she did anyway, I say she can screw off. Even Billy Joel has the sense to live out on Long Island.

[Kristal K]

Klompus you just perfectly described my dorm freshman year.

Everyone joined up Columbia House & got Greatest Hits, Spin Doctors, Nevermind & Bloodsugarsexmagic. I still can't listen to Captain Jack, Two Princes, Smells Like Teen Spirit and Under the Bridge.

[jackie]

"Smells Like Teen Spirit"

I hate you.

[MM]

You know gentrification is commonplace when posters for elite real-estate conglomerates such as the corcan group or grub & ellis decide to rename the areas in Harlem they are gentrifying as, "SoHa." "South Harlem," I believe is what it stands for.

[peacekeeper]

It breaks my heart that not only there was that obviously insensitive and tactless action of one such woman to move into a community and call the cops people who have committed no crime except for their love of heritage for almost 40 years before she's done unpacking her moving boxes but also to the level of racism, over-generalization, that her stupid move fuels right here in this forum. Look, I am latina. I enjoy Billy Joel just as much as Mavis Staples, Wu-tang just as much as the Beatles, Stone Temple Pilots just as much as Hector Lavoe and Miles Davis. I grew up in an all black neighborhood and now live as an adult in an all white neighborhood. Incidentally, I'm starving for diversity but I am as neutral as a girl can get. I suppose that makes me a minority these days but people please don't punish intolerance with even more intolerance.

Not to play devil's advocate but I'm pretty sure that the other new comers in the building who are now feeling the backlash are like "Gee, thanks you idiot! I didn't mind the music one bit and now everyone if feeling resentment toward me because I'm white and they're lumping me in with all the other harlem newbies that look like me."

Whatever. I just wish there was more realization that the actions of one do not speak for all.

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[DizzyJane]

Right, check out your neighborhood before you live there. Wrong, all white people are privileged. Try visiting some white rural areas of America (not the suburbs; try Appalachia). Where do you think the idiots who watch Fox News come from? Poor, uneducated whites. As a white girl living in Harlem: I think this is an amazing community, though there have been times when I wanted the people screaming outside my window at 4:00 A.M to shut up (I would in any neighborhood. Obnoxious is just obnoxious whether it's a frat boy on the Upper West Side or a group of black teenagers in Harlem, if it's 4:00 a.m.). On another note, if I could afford to live anywhere else in Manhattan, I would--not because Harlem's not great, but because I don't feel that I'm wanted here because I'm white. No one wants to walk around feeling hated. I attended Columbia (guess how much my parents paid for? NOTHING). I make 1500 dollars a month right now and my rent is 800. So...Harlem was pretty much my only choice and allowed me to be close to school. I'm sorry if you don't want me here (even though my grandfather was born in Harlem). The bigger problem is the ridiculous overpricing of NYC. Let's maybe try to think of this as more of an income issue than a racial one?

[celebrity movie archive]

I love Harlem. Hope that new Harlem will be better than old.