Join us for the Prospect Park Alliance's first Walk-a-Thon!

A walk-a-thon is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy Prospect Park (especially when the leaves are turning color!), while also helping us raise much-needed funds for maintenance,restoration, and programming.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

5K loop around Prospect Park (course map)
Enter at 15 Street & Prospect Park West
(Bartel Pritchard entrance – see Park map)
9 a.m. – check-in begins http://www.prospectpark.org/media/image/green-dot.jpg 10 a.m. – walk starts

Advanced registration: $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12
(Advanced registration deadline: October 21, 2010)

Day of registration will be available at $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12

The walk-a-thon is open to all ages and abilities Rain or shine

For more information about walk-a-thon, contact Lindsay Casale at
lcasale at prospectpark.org or (718) 965-6992.

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND IN PROSPECT PARK!

On Saturday, October 30, from 12 - 3 p.m., the beloved Haunted Walk is back and more fun than ever at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park! Lurking high on Lookout Hill are zombies, wolf men, headless horsemen, good and bad witches, and other creepy characters. The Halloween Haunted Walk is suitable for young children accompanied by parents/guardians or older siblings. Suggested donation is $1. Enter the Park at the Prospect Park Southwest and 16th Street entrance.


October 30, from 12 - 3 p.m. is also the Haunted Carnival. This annual treat on the Nethermead in the center of the Park features games and music. Free. Both the Walk and Carnival are rain or shine.



ALSO on October 30: “Horses and Humans: A Celebration of Dancing and Healing.”

The Equus Projects, a professional dance company that makes performances with horses, and GallopNYC, an equine therapy program that works with children with disabilities, presents a series of performance staged in The Nethermead. 12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Free.

PLUS, on Saturday Oct. 30 AND Sunday Oct. 31:

Haunted Carousel, 12 – 5 p.m.

Crank up the scary music on the Wurlitzer: our Carousel is haunted for Halloween! $1.50 per ride.

Scary Stories from the Past, 2 & 3 p.m.

Meet the old ghosts of Flatbush in haunting tales passed down from Lefferts ancestors. Lefferts Historic House. Free.

Skeleton Cut-Outs, 1 – 4 p.m.

Make your own Halloween headbands using the traditional Scharen-Knippen paper-cutting art form. Lefferts Historic House. Free.


Creepy Crawly Halloween, 12 – 5 p.m.

It’s a critter-fest in Prospect Park with lots of spiders, worms, and other creepy creatures that are sure to make your skin crawl! Creepy crafts, live critters and hands-on experiments. Audubon Center. Free.

Boo at the Zoo, 10 a.m. – 5: 30 p.m.

Go batty for Halloween with activities like face painting, craft making, encounters with "spooky" creatures and a trip through the Zoo's legendary haunted barn. Free with Zoo admission.



Get your ghoul on - be a volunteer! Volunteers are needed to dress up and be scary, prepare meals for performers, assist with carnival games, load the sets, and much more. Call (718) 965-8960 or email volunteers at prospectpark.org for more information.


For more information on Prospect Park programs, volunteering and membership, call the Park Hotline at (718) 965-8999, or visit www.prospectpark.org



Dial 311 for all Parks & Recreation information

financial course

Pratt Area Community Council Events
HSBC financial course
PACC is hosting a FREE Financial Workshop
sponsored by HSBC and John Hancock

Sessions begin Monday, November 1st, 2010 and continue every
Monday in November until November 29th from 6:30pm - 8:30pm

PACC's Community Room
226 Lefferts Place
at the corner of Franklin Avenue
Brooklyn, New York, 11216

Course Highlights:
Highlights Managing your money
Budgeting & Banking Credit History & Using Credit Wisely
Basics of Borrowing & Preventing I.D. Theft
Home-ownership & Managing your mortgage
Stocks, bonds, money market and retirement
Free Individual Credit & Investment Counseling

This is a free event

Reserve your spot now!
call 718-783-3549 Ext. 15
www.prattarea.org

Travel Info:
C/S train to Franklin Avenue
B48/B49 stops right outside the building
B25 to Franklin Avenue
or use www.hopstop.com for door to door directions
Join Our Mailing List!
Pratt Area Community Council
201 Dekalb Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11205
718-522-2613*22

Life is a Dream

A Festival of Fools is pleased to announce its second annual free summer production: "Life is a Dream” by
Pedro Calderon de la Barca, Translation by Gregary Racz . The production is directed by Amanda
Thompson. Performances are August 14th, 15th, 22nd and 28th at 2pm at the Prospect Park Music Pagoda. For
more information call 908-319-3527 or visit www.afestivaloffools.com

The King of Poland has banished his only son Segismund to a tower after a prophecy predicting the prince’s
tyrannical rule begins to come true. When an experiment to reinstate the prince goes awry, Segismund is
once again confined to the tower and left to question what is real and what only exists in dreams. This
classic Spanish verse play features vengeful lovers, epic sword battles and the eternal questions of existence
and morality.

Featured in the cast are: Timothy Bungeroth, Hannah Corrigan, Mike DeSantis, Jesse Kane-Hartnett, Sam
Maxwell and Claire Nasuti.

The Design Team and Crew include: Amanda Thompson (Director), Jack Neylan (Poster Designer), Jessa-
Raye Court (Costume Designer), Jared Kirby (Fight Choreographer) and Megan Finnegan (Executive
Producer).

Inspired by the Elizabethan verse play, we place language at the forefront of our productions to explore
mythology and folklore. At the same time, we seek to visually captivate through acrobatics, sword
fighting and mask. While we are determined to stage established verse plays, we also produce original work
tailored for a contemporary audience -in length and vernacular. Focusing on these elements allows us to
engage and excite our audiences with performances that are both cost efficient and affordable.

Performance Schedule: August 14th, 15th, 222nd and 28th
2pm
Location: Prospect Park Music PagodaBrooklyn, NY
(Take the Q Train to Prospect Park. Enter the park through the Willink
Entrance at Empire Blvd. and Ocean Ave.; follow the Blue Trail signs.)
Tickets: Free
For more information about A Festival of Fools, please visit http://www.afestivaloffools.com or
call (908) 319-3527.

Don't Believe The Hype

Guest post from one of our readers Sam. If you would like to guest post, please email us at therealflatbush(at)gmail.com

Because of Gentrification and the false, perverse and evil idea that white is somehow better, I would like to point out and show that there are some out there who are fighting the good fight and who will continue to fight for true equality. This past month the Ditmas Park blog posted a real estate video showing the virtues of an all white ditmas park by a real estate agent. The idea of gentrification is in fact inherently racist because society as a whole is inherently a racist society. The believe that white is better is ingrain into the collective mind-frame of not only white people, but a growing number of black people, hispanics and asians. They falsely believe that somehow if they can kiss enough white ass, they will become white. The beauty of this is that just because you live in an inherently racist and toxic environment, it does not necessarily mean that you have to abide by that ideology.

Although the media, Hollywood and society would like to make you believe that white women are more beautiful then black women, the facts just does not prove it. (just take a stroll down flatbush on a saturday afternoon and you will see it) There has been reports that Chad Ochocinco has a dating show where he wanted to pick an all white female hoochies or whatever they call contestants on a dating show. Does that make him a racist? Probably not in the traditional sense. But does he reflect a society that is out of whack? Yes. Does it make him someone who has bought into the white Hollywood supremacist ideology? Maybe. Did he have a choice? Yes and No. The facts are the media likes to portray a certain image of what is suppose to be the ideal and normal. Some in the black community has bought into that false ideology. But we have the power to change our own thoughts and ideas. We don't have to fall into this white supremacist ideology. If we do. We all loose. Anyone who follows such ideology is doom to live an empty life of nothing. When you rely on your outer appearance instead of your inner strength, you will be at a great disadvantage. When you have that great inner strenght and call people out on their B.S you will be unstoppable. Just like this woman.

The Murder of Oscar Grant

The Murder and subsequent unjust verdict of Oscar Grant did not happen in a vacuum. The formula and recipe for this type of senseless killing by the Oakland Police can be seen here in NYC and especially Flatbush. The 70th Precinct is being blindly supported by a local blog (the ditmas park blog) that has the eyes and ears of the New York Times, The Daily News and a number of other news organizations. The Ditmas Park Blog is the face of white privilege and white ambivalence towards injustice. They protect the police. They make-up stories to demonized black youth, They romanticize the virtuosity of gentrification, they encourage police profiling and they write out of proportion stories and narratives specifically geared towards white fear and hatred of black youth and black culture at large. Just this week, they posted a story about the "dangers" of building a "hoops" courts in the back yard of an elementary school. Their solution to this perceived problem on a story that was planted by them to the Daily News is to "have more police patrol." Their reasons for this concern is that black youth cannot be trusted to be on their own without constant police supervision and police harassment.


from Huffinton Post:
News came this week that the U.S. Justice Department will review the case of a New Year's Day 2009 BART police shooting, following recent protests and a vocal outcry from Oakland, California's black community. The case involves the fatal shooting of an unarmed man, 22-year-old Oscar Grant, by former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle. Mehserle was convicted in State court this week of involuntary manslaughter, but many in the community say this charge falls short. More

Target First Saturdays

At the Brooklyn Museum's Target First Saturdays, thousands of visitors enjoy free programs of art and entertainment each month from 5 to 11 p.m. All evening long, the Museum Café serves a wide selection of sandwiches, salads, and beverages, and a cash bar offers wine and beer. Parking is a flat rate of $4 starting at 5 p.m. All other Saturdays, the Museum closes at 6 p.m.
July 3, 2010

American Icons
Music

5–7 p.m.
An electro-pop showcase featuring two Brooklyn-based acts: Analogue Transit and Dynasty Electric. View event details.
Film

6 p.m.
Fame (Alan Parker, 1980, 134 min., PG). Gifted New York City high school students pursue their Warholian fifteen minutes. Free tickets (330) are available at the Visitor Center at 5 p.m.
Hands-On Art

6:30 p.m.
Make a print worthy of Warhol. Free timed tickets (380) are available at the Visitor Center at 5:30 p.m.
Curator Talk

7 p.m.
Associate Curator Sharon Matt Atkins discusses the exhibition Andy Warhol: The Last Decade. Sign Language interpreted. Free tickets (30) are available at the Visitor Center at 6 p.m.
Film

7 p.m.
I Shot Andy Warhol (Mary Harron, 1996, 75 min., R). The true story of Warhol assailant Valerie Solanas and her SCUM Manifesto. Free tickets (30) are available at the Visitor Center at 6 p.m.
Performance

7–8:30 p.m.
Art Battles hosts “15 Minutes of Fame,” a face-off featuring artists Antony Zito, Lexi Bella, Concep, and Marthalicia Matarrita and hosted by Illspokinn.
Young Voices Gallery Talk

8 p.m.
Student Guides highlight Andy Warhol: The Last Decade.
Karaoke

9–10:45 p.m.
Expressway Music hosts. Registration for lottery begins at 8:30 p.m. One entry per person.
Dance Party

9–11 p.m.
Society HAE hosts “The Factory 2010,” a Warhol-inspired party of eighties pop, hip-hop, and rock.

The 63th Annual Macy’s Fishing Contest at Prospect Park

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14 AT 11:00 a.m.

Opening Ceremony of

The 63th Annual Macy’s Fishing Contest at Prospect Park



New location! The Lake shoreline at Wellhouse Drive and the Peninsula


Sponsored by Macy’s Foundation

The contest runs from July 14 – July 18. Daily contest hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are no rain dates. The competition is open to children 15 years and younger. Individuals can sign-up at the contest. Groups of 10 or more must call (718) 287-3400 x101 to register. Admission is free and equipment and instruction is provided.



Prizes will be awarded daily to those who haul in the big catches from Brooklyn’s only freshwater lake. Before casting their lines, all participants attend a free, fun and educational workshop led by Prospect Park Audubon Center educators and the Urban Park Rangers. More information at:

http://www.prospectpark.org/calendar/event/fishingcontest



Directions: News vehicles should enter the Park at the 16th Street and Prospect Park Southwest, and follow the Park Drive to the Lake. Participants should enter the Park at Prospect Park Southwest and Vanderbilt Street. See Map



For more information on Prospect Park events, programs, membership and volunteering at the Park, call the Park Hotline at (718) 965-8999 or visit www.prospectpark.org

Ditmas Park Blog promotes bigotry against Muslims

The Ditmas park blog is now targeting a mainstream Muslim group for having a community center in what they deem to be an "odd location." The only thing odd about that post is the thinly veil racism and bigotry with that post. The vast majority of synagogues, Community Centers and Churches in Ditmas Park are actually in residential areas. The hypocrisy is almost comical. They claim that the community center is in "a bit of an odd location" because it's "in the middle of a single family residential block." Yet Temple Beth Emeth of Flatbush is just 3 blocks away from the proposed Islamic community center. Not only is it 3 blocks away, but it's even in a more residential block. We have counted at least 3 synagogues in Ditmas park that are located in very residential areas. As can be seen here, here and here We've also counted at least 4 Catholic Churches in Ditmas Park that are also in very residential areas. The Ditmas Park blog has never complained about any of these churches, synagogues and community centers in residential areas until an Islamic Community Center has been propose. As a matter of fact, the vast majority of churches, synigouges and community centers in Brooklyn and NYC are located in residential areas. The is no Law that requires them to be in commercial areas, because they are Non-For Profit Organization. This form of religious bigotry and fear mongering cloaked in the disguise of concern for "traffic" is unacceptable and will not go unnoticed.


Also Ben Smith claims that the concern of "some neighbors" about a very modern building will be on a residential block does not hold any water. This is the same blog that has been promoting a very modern building with luxury condo's on a very residential area on Beverly Road and east 16 street.

We will continue to monitor the situation.

Celebrate Liberty in Prospect Park

From Prospect Park Alliance:

July 3, 4 & 5: Celebrate Liberty in Prospect Park

Special free events at the Lefferts Historic House and the

Prospect Park Audubon Center: mark the anniversary of the end of slavery in NY State, learn about the American eagle and the Declaration of Independence.

The spirit of independence fills Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. For many years in the 19th century, July 5 was a day to celebrate the end of slavery in NY State (July 4th, 1827),with parades and festive dinners. Monday, July 5 at the Lefferts Historic House there will be a special celebration to mark the 183rd anniversary of the end of slavery in New York State. From 1pm to 4 pm enjoy crafts on the lawn, read accounts of those days, decorate your clothes as many folks did back then and join our Freedom Strut -- a noisy and proud march recalling the days of the first generations of free African- Americans in New York. Free!

- AND –

July 3 & 4: “Declare Independence” at the Lefferts Historic House: kids can sign a reproduction of the Declaration of Independence with an authentic quill pen and make a plumed paper hat! 1 – 4 p.m. Free!

July 3 & 4: “Eagle as Icon” at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. The eagle is one of the most recognizable patriotic symbols because of its strength, courage, and pride. Learn more about the role that the image has played in shaping our nation’s identity by enjoying eagle-themed crafts and viewing an engaging exhibition. 12 – 5 p.m. Free!

Directions: Lefferts Historic House is located at the Children's Corner, inside the Park’s Willink entrance, at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard. For the Prospect Park Audubon Center, enter the Park at Lincoln Road & Ocean Ave., Parkside & Ocean Aves., or Flatbush Ave. & Empire Blvd. (Willink entrance) and follow the directional signs. By train: Q, S, or B run to Prospect Park Station. By bus: B-16, B-41, B-43 and B-48 will bring you close to The Children’s Corner.


-REMINDER –
Planning a picnic or a barbecue in the Park? Remember, “Charcoal Kills Trees!” Read The Prospect Park Alliance guidelines for safe barbecuing.

Brooklyn Dreamers

What: A Benefit for Theatre for a New Audience, presented by Brooklyn's Dreamers
When: Thursday, July 22, 2010
6 P.M until 9 P.M. (with free Salsa Fever party continuing all night!)
Where: Deity – 368 Atlantic Avenue, btwn Hoyt and Bond, Brooklyn cost (includes a free drink): $25 – Basic
$40 – Because You Can
$35 – At the Door

Tickets & Info: www.tfana.org/brooklynsdreamers

Theatre for a New Audience is an award-winning off-Broadway classical theater company in New York committed to finding the contemporary heart of the classics. Now in its 31st year, The Theatre’s mission is to vitalize and develop the performance and study of Shakespeare and classic drama. TFANA runs the largest arts-in-education programs to introduce Shakespeare in the NYC Public Schools to students from the fifth through twelfth grades. TFANA’s programs began in 1983 and we serve more students in Brooklyn than in any other borough.

Fabfest

from pratt
MJ feetThe Fabfest Finale is happening this Sunday and it's going to be an ALL day Michael Jackson themed dance party. Moonwalk on over to Fulton and Lafayette from noon to six!

This Sunday, June 27, 2010, FABfest is going out with 4-hours of Michael Jackson - on the anniversary of his passing - with music, dance and more in honor of the King of Pop... featuring DJ REBORN.
Plus there will be games, crafts and activities for kids; chess tournaments and mini-golf putt-putt competitions. Plus EVERYBODY PAINT is back, where everyone is invited to grab a brush and create a work of art inspired by MJ.


It's all FREE on Fulton Street between Lafayette and South Oxford, Sundays in JUNE.

Presented by the FAB Alliance (www.faballiance.org)

Yvette Clarke issues statement on Immigration

In light of the Immigration debate, our congresswoman Yvette Clarke denounced the Arizona Immigration law. It is a very difficult issue. It is not always black and white. We hope that the U.S Government and Congresswoman Clarke holds Latin American Countries to the same standards that we hold ourselves to, because that is the only way we are truly going to move forward.

Ditmas Park Blog covers for the NYPD

Ditmas Park Blog covers for the NYPD while hypocritically covers areas that they deem a bit outside of the small area they cover.

Dollar Van Demos

Dollar Van Demos returns to Internet Week NY on June 10, 2010 with a line up featuring nationally acclaimed hip hop performers BROOKLYN, NY MAY 17, 2010 – Dollar Van Demos announced today that it will present DOLLAR VAN DEMOS LIVE! on June 10, 2010 in Brooklyn as part of Internet Week New York(IWNY). Rapidly emerging as one of the leading global gatherings of Internet innovators, Internet Week New York, now in its third year, is expected to draw more than 20,000 people to more than 100 events across New York City from June 7 - 14. Internet Week Ne wYork will kick off with an official proclamation from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on June 7th and culminate with The 14th Annual Webby Awards, a star-studded gala honoring the Internet's best and brightest at Cipriani Wall Street on June 14th. In between,conferences, networking events, meetups, screenings, and even sports competitions will unfold across In a major expansion for the festival, many of this year's events will take place at the first-ever Internet Week New York Headquarters at Chelsea's Metropolitan Pavilion, including the Internet Week Opening Night Party, the Provoke Summit hosted by presenting sponsor Yahoo!, IAB's Innovation Days,and panels, exhibits, and parties hosted by official sponsors HP, IAC, Microsoft Expression Studio, and Included in the official events is DOLLAR VAN DEMOS LIVE! featuring a collection of the best undiscovered hip hop and reggae performers. The occasion marks the return of Dollar Van Demos to IWNY after their successful debut last year. The following is a list of performers who will appear:

Tef Poe (short for Teflon Poetix) is an American rapper from St. Louis, Missouri. He has perfomed alongside as well as opened for: Common, De La Soul, Fabolous, Talib Kweli, MF Doom, and Lupe Fiasco. Through his uncompromising poetic rhymes and lyrical delivery, emcee Tef Poe has made his presence known on large hip hop sites such as ThisIs50, Global Grind, the Smoking Section, The River Front Times and many more. By no means does Tef Poe have any intentions of divorcing his first lady,
hip hop. His commitment and music acumen has made him a proven contender.
(more)
www.DollarVanDemos.com
(347) 878-DEMO

This Mother's Day, Urge your Senators to Stand Up for Women and Mothers

Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Nauru, Palau, Tonga, and the United States.

Those are the seven nations worldwide that have not yet ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), a landmark international treaty that affirms women's human rights. Although the U.S. played a major role in drafting the treaty and signed it in 1980, it has never been ratified by the Senate. In fact, CEDAW has been dormant in the Senate since 2002, when it was last reported out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. But we're happy to report that, last year, the Obama administration prioritized CEDAW ratification, prompting a reenergized campaign to join the 186 countries around the world that have ratified CEDAW.

Across the globe, CEDAW has been used to ensure primary education for girls, improve access to health care services, combat human trafficking, pass laws against domestic violence and female genital mutilation, and allow women to own and inherit property.

Domestically, ratification of CEDAW would encourage the U.S. to take stronger action against issues such as gender-based and domestic violence, as well as discrimination against women in housing, education and employment. Though ratifying CEDAW will not automatically result in changes to U.S. law, it would provide a new and significant opportunity for a national dialogue on the gains made and the challenges that remain to improve women's full equality.

>> This Mother's Day, urge your Senators to stand up for women and mothers in the U.S. and across the globe by finally ratifying CEDAW..

Update on local Bloggers

The Southern Poverty Law Center describes hate blogs as any blog that constantly try to "present (pick any group) in a bad light. They profile the Council of Conservative Citizens as being well known for presenting African Americans in a bad light. Some of the most recent headlines they point to was "Gonorrhea is now almost exclusively a black disease” and “Black thugs hold white teens captive while raping and torturing them" In similar faction the SPLC also profiles the Anti-Immigrant hate group "American Patrol" as taking the same approach.

The SPLC describes the American Patrol's report as a report that "endlessly maligns Latinos, especially those in the United States illegally. Some recent headlines on its website: “Mexican police chief decapitated” and “More than 100 illegals, others arrested at cockfight.” The SPLC also points out that "Not as well known, but equally racist is an Internet blog called White Watch. Its target: White folks." SPLC's hate report says that all these hate blogs and site have something in common. "They all have a fondness for posting what are seen as embarrassing news stories about the racial group they are skewering." At White Watch that means the worst and wackiest of white people. Headlines have included: “HIV Positive White Man Rapes Teenage Boy,” “Lazy Brit fined for walking dog from his car” and “White Woman Attacks Cop…With Her Breast Milk.” Of course she had nothing on “Germans Caught Having Sex In The Middle of a Busy Street” — with a photo of the amorous Aryans.


The Southern Poverty Law Center is one of the most prominent civil rights organizations in the world. They don't take any sides. They call it how it is. With that definition of what hate looks like. Can anyone realistically believe that the Ditmas Park Blog does not fall into the category of a hate blog?

Some of the latest post on the Ditmas Park have been:

"Brooklyn Crime Rising" with questionable statistics about the supposedly crime wave in the 70TH precinct. Another says "Murder at the Parade Ground" this time skewing Dominicans. Another has the headline "Million $ Bucks" showing how much money is spent on prisons block by block. What is so strange about that last posting was that it is data from more then 5 years ago. There is no Rhyme or Reason to the "Million $ Bucks" posting. What exactly were they trying to point out? What this shows is clearly a problem. They've also been comments about how day laborers should be put into some type of holding center because "it would be good for the aesthetics of the Neighborhood"

This is not something recent. As far back as 2007 they were postings that showed the African American Community in the worst possible way. One of their supporters even wrote


"But look at the posts you put up that have engendered so much controversy.
Look at the posts regarding the Heather Louise Bennett dolls. Did you post an image of her “Bat Doll’s” with white or checkered faces? No you posted a black faced doll then feigned surprise at the reaction.
You work a political blog at http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/ so you know what provokes and what doesn’t.
I’m sorry you can’t be a professional blogger and think that no one will see that you are looking for controversy.
I, for one, think your blog is fun but if you continue to post about robberies, dead cabbies, black faced dolls, blood at Newkirk, the Pakistan forum, Stabbing on Westminster, Getting run over crossing Cortelyou, Shooting on Cortelyou, Sander Hicks as Jason Bourn, “Go Back to Park Slope”, Harasser on a Bike, Early morning shooting on Rugby and Newkirk, and the post office still sucks you will get strong comments.
It’s clear you know how this blogging game works, so be honest about the provocation and be ready for the reactions."


This is actually from one of their strongest supporter who has since had a change of heart. Obviously these people know what they are doing. They know how to manipulate the public. They know how to stir up enough controversy to keep their blog rolling. They also know how to use plausible denial by having posts about restaurant openings, new bars, dance studios in between skewing and showing Mexicans, Dominicans, Blacks and other minorities in the most embarrassing and worst ways. They can also have as many people as they want defending them. At the end of the day the truth will prevailed.

The SPLC has 10 ways a community like ours can fight hate.

There has been some questions as to who the realflatbush is.

We at the Realflatbush believe that humanity has always constituted one group, but that ignorance, prejudice and power-seeking have prevented the recognition of the oneness of humanity. We believe that there is Unity in Diversity. The Diversity of the human race should be valued and celebrated instead of being skewed. We believe that all humans have been created equal in the image of God, and that God does not make any distinction between people. We believe that the world of humanity is like unto a rose garden and the various races, tongues and people are like unto contrasting flowers. The diversity of colors in a rose-garden adds to the charm and beauty of the scene as variety enhances unity. The very diversity of the human race is, in fact, a means for creating a world based on unity rather than uniformity. It is not by the suppression of differences that we will arrive at unity, but rather by an increased awareness of and respect for the intrinsic value of each separate culture, and indeed, of each individual. It is not diversity itself which is the cause of conflict, but rather our immature attitude towards it, our intolerance and misconceptions of others. For these reasons we don't see eye to eye with the Ditmas Park Blog. We will continue to fight for Humanity. For too much of its history and in so many places the human race has squandered its energy and resources in futile efforts to prove the unprovable: that one portion of itself, because of separation by geography, a difference in skin color, or the diversity of cultural expression, is intrinsically distinct from another portion. The ignorance and prejudice on which such efforts are founded have led to endless conflicts in the name of the sanctity of tribe, race, class, nation, and religion. Paradoxical as it may seem, in the consistency of these negative efforts across the spectrum of the race, humanity has proved the exact opposite: it has affirmed its oneness. The proof is in the fact that, given the same circumstances, all people, regardless of ethnic or cultural variety, behave essentially the same way. As Ted Kennedy said "The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die."

Savings in Brooklyn: Fab deals in Flatbush

Located in the heart of Brooklyn and home to a diverse community filled with plenty of resources, Flatbush is a fantastic place to live. If this is your home, or you want to move there, here are some cheap neighborhood staples:

Read more:

Future Writers

From the Brooklyn Public Library
If you're a writer, you should check out inkpop, a new site from Harper Collins Publishers. Set up a profile, and join this online community of teen writers. Work on your own writing, and help pick your favorite projects: the top five get reviewed by editors, and have a chance of being published!

Brooklyn Library

Learn how to deal with snakes
Monday, April 5, 2:00PM
Central Library, Dweck Center
10 Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 1123

Erik's Reptile Edventures

Learn about and handle LIVE reptiles and snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs and salamanders