So this troll writes on the comments section that Barack Obama just won the Iowa Caucus and that I should get off the race issue. He/She then compared Obama to Jessie Jackson. Well I got news for you. When I see Barack Obama the last thing on my mind is to compare him to Jessie Jackson. I see him more like RFK. Why would anyone compare Barack Obama to Jessie Jackson? The only thing they have in common is that they are black. The reason Barack Obama won and resonates with the public is that he transcends race. The people voted for him because they love his ideals and what he stands for. He gives people hope of what a greater America could be. But this is a neighborhood blog pertaining to social aspects of a neighborhood and the surrounding real estate. The fact of the matter is that if Barack Obama were just a regular Joe Somebody who walked into a Brooklyn real estate office with his wife and kids, he would get discriminated against. I suspect although I have no evidence that some of the people who are saying to get off the race issue are the same people who ask their real estate agents about “what type of neighborhood is this?” That is the first question to come out your mouth “who lives in this neighborhood?” If race is not an issue for you then why should you care about the race of your neighbors? But my favorite is when they ask how “safe” is this neighborhood? A recent article pointed out that NYC is as safe as it has ever been since the 60’s. So what are you really asking when you ask how safe is this area? Is safe a code word for “white” How white is this neighborhood? But that wouldn’t be politically correct would it? This is the same reason that all these puff piece Newspaper articles about Flatbush try to marginalize the black population. To appease racist fears of potential white homeowners. Real Estate agents are very unscrupulous. They just want to make a quick buck. So they try to White wash Flatbush. They know how the game is played. All they see is race. They know their clients have racial issues. So they appease. They show them where all the white people hang out (Vox Pop and Cortelyou Road). They convince these white people who have racial hang ups to move into the neighborhood. Then these white people segregate themselves from the rest of the neighborhood. Some (not all) only moved in because they saw other white people living here. So all of a sudden Flatbush is "safe". They think Cortelyou Road is the end all and be all. They (not all, but a significant portion) create this Bunker mentally. I got news for you. All of Flatbush has been safe since the mid-90's when everyone was saying that it was not. Some of these people live in Flatbush but have never been on Flatbush Avenue. I don't see too many white people who live in so called Ditmas Park and Prospect Park South hanging out on Flatbush Avenue. Why is that? Could it be because it's not "safe" yet?
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4 comments:
Obama was Never compared to Jesse.
Obama has a real chance to be President. Let me repeat, Obama has a REAL chance to be President of the United States of America.
The post clearly stated Jesse had NO chance to be elected to any office.
It was good for the country that Jesse ran and had a voice but he NEVER had a chance to be elected.
Obama has a REAL chance to be the PRESIDENT of the United States.
We are the most diverse community in America, many African Americans, Jews, Asians and mixed races have bought into our coop and into the coops in the “hood”. They were not only welcomed by the banks, but our admissions committee made sure everyone who qualified for a mortgage was welcomed.
If you have been discriminated against, there are government agencies that will argue your case against the sponsors or boards that are depriving you of an affordable home.
But throwing out accusations that have NO merit is detrimental to all people of the neighborhood, and the possibility of bringing new hope the "Hood".
I live in PPS and do the majority of my shopping on Flatbush and Church Aves. I don't hang out there because there aren't hangouts. Sure, you can get a slice of pizza or bargain for African movies, but the fast-paced commercial culture that is the neighborhood doesn't lend itself for relaxation. A sit down dinner or a place to enjoy a beer on a stool would greatly improve the likelihood of me spending my leisure time on Flatbush. Maybe that's why new residents venture to Cortelyou, 5th Ave, or further up the street. Sure, there are/were some spots for casual dining like Veggie Castle (RIP?), but by and large, Flatbush Ave wants you to make your purchase and go home. Two bits..
I live on Flatbush Ave. Like Scottie said - unless I want a quick bite to eat at a take-out place or a brief trip to a store, there are not many things for me to do on this street. It's just personal taste.
If I had more hair, maybe I'd go get it styled at one of the zillion hair salons on Flatbush.
"They think Cortelyou Road is the end all and be all. They (not all, but a significant portion) create this Bunker mentally."
As for discrimination in coops, I dont' think that is happening in Ditmas Park, not yet anyway. For years many of the buildings in the area suffered from low owner-occupancy, in part due to landlords hoarding their shares thus discouraging sales, and weak/inactive coop boards as well. It's only in the last 4-5 years theres been a push to sell off apts, and boards don't really have the time and incentive to practice racial discrimination, like in Brooklyn Heights and Manhattan. Right now the focus is on finances to raise owner-occupancy rates to over 50%. When I bought my coop, I didn't even meet the coop board, they just reviewed my financial info. It is also a different mentality here, at least for now. But with the "new folks" moving in who are so focused on turning DItmas Park into the new Park Slope or Upper West Side, does cause me to worry. They are the ones who bring the bunker mentality and prejudices with them. We'll see how things turn out.
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