So our lovely hood has just been given a less than favourable assessment in an article in today's New York Times, entitled "Growing Pains Come and Go in Bed-Stuy." Here's a taste:
Even for hipsters, life in one of New York City’s frontier neighborhoods — long-troubled places at the fringes of gentrification — can be anything but smooth, particularly in these uncertain economic times.They say all press is good press but in regards to this article I just don't know. And as Big Joe pointed out, this is a Real Estate article even though it's in the 'Metro' section. I was dismayed that it painted Bed-Stuy in such an ugly light, highlighting none of its beauty. While Big Joe was happy an article like that might keep the yuppie condos from developing further. But I'm curious, would any of Bed-Stuy's residents who weren't interviewed for this 'definitive' article, or if the interviewees have more to say than what was quoted, long timers and/or newbies, care to weigh in on this? I'm opening up the comments just to hear what you have to say. And as I disabled comments on my blog for a reason, here's a general guideline before you post yours: this blog is one of my internet homes, so if you crap in my living room you and your mess will be briskly escorted out the door. Feel free to be honest and frank but not bigoted or obscene. Thanks.New residents like Mr. Blair have grown frustrated waiting for change to come to Bed-Stuy, a north-central Brooklyn neighborhood with high rates of crime and foreclosures, trash-strewn streets and limited night life. And the owners of businesses that have recently opened to cater to this new population wait, in turn, for a surge that has not yet arrived.
23 comments:
The mention of where I got 'yuppie spaceship' does not convey properly the amount I enjoy your blog. Don't stop, your pictures and comments are great. =)
The artciel speaks the truth, whyon earth woul dyou pay exorberant amounts of money to live in a high crime dump?? Cuz bloomberg told you how safe the city is. Dont listen to the lies.
Two years ago, I moved from Los Angeles to Bed-Stuy (near Franklin and Fulton..where the Popeyes Chicken is...) It is one of the most homogeneous neighborhoods I have ever lived in. I got called a "white whore" all the time, as I walked down the street (mind you, I am MEXICAN). Also, as a queer woman, I found it incredibly dangerous to live in Bed-Stuy, as it's FULL OF HOMOPHOBIC BIGOTS.I paid $1450 to live in a tiny one bedroom apt. The streets were littered with trash, chicken bones, and drunk men following me and shouting racial and sexual slurs. I come from EAST LA (a neighborhood that is riddled with GANG violence that NYC could never ever comprehend) and yet...I had NEVER in my life been gay bashed until I moved to Bed-Stuy. The NY Time article painted a very accurate picture of the Bed-Stuy I know. There were many places that I came to love in that neighborhood (Bush Baby on Fulton and Bedford being one of them),but the standard of living was not worth it for me.The slow process of the gentrification of Bed-Stuy and other neighborhoods (and the impact that it has and is having on the people who lived there pre-hipsters) is a discussion that is not black and white. It's controversial enough to make it a sociological course in schools...The gentrification of Bed-Stuy is a SLOW SLOW SLOW process, and it's a hostile environment over there...I prefer Crown Heights. I moved there and found a much greater sense of community...and it was much less homogeneous, but it had not yet sold its soul like Williamsburg. I now live with my partner in Boerum Hill, where I feel safer than I ever have in the two years I have lived in NYC. My neighbors are gay, straight,black, white, latino, and asian (well, so far my girlfriend is the only asian)...but you get the point. Because I now share my apt with my partner, I pay less rent than I ever paid when I lived in the ghetto. I can now walk to get fresh groceries, good food,dry cleaners, CLEAN laundromats, you name it. I dont have to watch my back as much here. The only thing I miss about Bed-Stuy is getting freshly squeezed juices the muslim owned eateries, and going in to visit Tee, the owner of Bush Baby who cooks the best vegan and vegetarian food around! mmmm....good luck Bed-Stuy.
I lived at 124 Walworth Street for three years until 2006. When I moved in, the intersection was still affectionately known as "murder and willoughby". There were routinely gunshots at night, crack vials in the street and a white guy like me simply did not ride the G home at night. You either stayed in or took a cab, period. I saw someone get beat to death in front of the house the night I moved in. My roommates, who had lived there for 7 years before I got there, made it perfectly clear that, "this was good compared to what had come before." We kept a homeless guy in beer and crack to watch our perimeter. His name was Barbeque Boss, at least thats what we called him, as he referred to everyone as "Boss". Anyone know if he's still alive?
Moving to Bed-Stuy with the intention of playing out a "getting in on the ground-floor" scheme strikes me as altogether to optimistic and somewhat naive. It's just too far away from Manhattan to soak up the run-off money, which as we all know, has been reduced to a trickle anyway.
If I had bought I would be looking for a seller right about now.
Aposada, I'm so sorry you had such a hard time in Bed-Stuy. I don't talk about it much on my blog, but homophobia makes me just as livid as racism. I was glad, however that there were some things here that you did like.
I think though, that no matter how many amenities, and whether it's safer to walk around at night, there are always going to be people who hate a place. Look at all the people who can't stand Park Slope.
I do know for a fact, because I've received several emails stating so, that there are new Bed-Stuy residents who love it here. Who feel welcomed and safe. They may not be writing in to comment on it on this post, but they're out there. Otherwise, Bed-Stuy would be empty. Every one of our housemates has been here a long time and every time we have to look for a new one which isn't that often, there are several hopefuls we have to turn away.
I wanted to comment on the posting by Aposada. I am so very sorry you had such a terrible experience. I must say, however, that your particular corner is a known drug haven that was tamed only when the Masjid-at-Taqwa moved in on Fulton and Bedford. The criminal element there is entrenched and highly resistant to the positive changes happening in Bed Stuy. Had you lived only one or two blocks over, I suspect you would have had a wholly different experience and would perhaps still be here. I cannot imagine the nightmare you were living. I too moved here from L.A. 8 years ago and am now a proud owner in the Stuy. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I didn't think the article was that negative about the neighborhood. My perspective is as a white person who grew up in Brooklyn in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. I would ride through Bed-Stuy in my car, and often marveled at how beautiful some of it was, but it was rare that I ever got out, though I always felt OK on buses. I feel much more comfortable there now, and as a gay white man, I haven't had any problems. I would never live there because I feel I would be intruding, but I understand newcomers would feel differently.
Perhaps my attitude is strange, considering that the neighborhoods in the southeast part of Brooklyn where I grew up -- East Flatbush, Flatlands, Canarsie, the Junction -- have mostly black residents. But because whites are a majority culture, not much seems changed to me other than the color of people's skin and maybe the loss of some businesses (but there are no kosher delicatessens anywhere in this day and age -- though the Mill Basin Deli still survives well).
I feel much more comfortable in these neighborhoods than I do in Bed-Stuy, both because I spent the first three decades of my life there and because there, gentrification is not an issue and hostility is a lot less. People who've pioneered changing the demographics of a neighborhood themselves are less likely, I think, to resent the newer "outsiders."
wow - i've lived in bed-stuy (myrtle and spencer) since 2003 and i don't remember routine gunshots (i do realize there are shootings in the area) or crack vials since i've been there - but maybe i'm not observant? (btw, synclavius - barbeque, a.k.a. willie is still alive and as well as ever - he helps the super of my building periodically with odd jobs.) i'm a female who hasn't had a problem taking the G home at night (knock on wood). that said, i do remember a time in 2004 that was a bit charged - the things i'm hearing and reading about now are reminiscent of that time. my brother actually got jumped by a gang of teens in front of the marcy projects (was not hurt badly, just roughed up) in 2004. a few months later he was also "mugged" or nearly so outside of our building. after that, and several other incidents, the owners of our building and several others in the area hired a private security company to patrol the area between the myrtle/willoughby and bedford/nostrand stops. i think they still do this during the holiday months.
things calmed down after that, and now this resurgence of crime (or media coverage?). i still love this neighborhood. granted, i do consider my rent a pretty great deal. it has changed drastically since i moved in and there are more options for eating/drinking/socializing. there are also more amenities (groceries, laundry mats, the green market in ft greene has grown tremendously!). the G train has gotten 1000x better since i moved here as well. i talk to my neighbors and the owners of neighborhood establishments here far more than i ever did when i lived in manhattan.
these are just my experiences on the fringes of bed-stuy.
Hey.
I commented on another blog after reading the article in The NYT. Of course, I'm kinda sarcastic when it comes to The Times treatment of any part of Brooklyn; it seems that coverage of Brooklyn is now deemed okay after the upper class readership started coming to Brooklyn in the late 1980s.
What I find interesting is the lack of development of good food shops, develoment of office building, higher standards for he local schools- that's all remained the same. What has changed is the marketing of neighborhood as the next best thing; the 'ground floor opportunity'. The ground floor for some people is the only level for most people in Bed Stuy. In fact, except for stints in prison, Bed Stuy is the only place many people ever know.
So: other than the truly lovely architecture, the wonderful churches and tiny resturants offering delightful home cooking, what is it about Bed Stuy that attracts such gifted people who have a multidude of choices?
Hi Banana,
I'm one of those newcomers to Bed-Stuy you mentioned who feel both welcomed and safe, and the only thing that dismays me more than the milquetoast article the Times ran are the vehement comments readers are leaving here on your blog.
(I have so much to say about my experience here in Bed-Stuy - I hope you'll forgive a rather lengthy reply to your post, and if you know of a more appropriate forum for me to post my thoughts, I welcome your suggestions.)
The unmentionable characters in “the Bed-Stuy Problem” are those familiar rogues, Gentrification and Racism – and though they have always haunted “long-troubled places at the fringes,” they are not quaint historical relics.
Gentrification, is must be remembered, is not a pleasant, weightless real estate word, merely describing a laudable trend toward bustling nightlife, public safety and general affluence. For the native member of a “gentrifying” community, Gentrification is a steamroller of expense and cultural annihilation: it drives up housing costs, closes locally-owned businesses, threatens community identity, eliminates affordable food and goods. Folks are priced out of the homes they grew up in, and cultural conflict between natives and newcomers arise as their respective communities seek to hold ground. Usually, the people with the money win.
When Community Board Chairman Henry Butler says he’s “not looking to Harlemlize” Bed-Stuy, he doesn’t just mean that he doesn’t want to see real estate prices climb – he means he doesn’t want the neighborhood to become a site of class conflict, where the needs of the existing community become increasingly unaddressed. He also means that he doesn’t want Bed-Stuy to lose its special something – a something which is utterly unrecognized by Fernandez or some of the other commenters who responded to your post. Harlem is a cultural institution, “the birthplace of jazz”; likewise, Bedford-Stuyvesant is a nucleus of cultural history – all the way back to its 17th century existence as Weeksville (established in 1838), one of the first flourishing colonies of (and havens for) free African Americans. Since then, the neighborhood has continued to be a powerful source of African-American identity, producing hip-hop legends like Mos Def, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli, and Jackie Gleason, as well as poets like June Jordan and filmmakers like Spike Lee. For all its “shoeless men,” “birthday specials,” public housing projects and low-income families, Bed-Stuy is not an oppressed community (though its residents are certainly not exempt from the effects of racism and classism) – it is a proud font of African-American music and culture, depicted and commemorated in lyrics, literature and movies for a hundred years.
Which is why it is especially strange that race is barely mentioned in Fernandez’ article about the “stalled growth” of this “frontier neighborhood” (who are the frontiersmen? Is Bed-Stuy an uncharted territory, populated by savage natives?), though it permeates the subtext despite his best efforts. His first subject, 23-year-old Caucasian software engineer Dakota Blair, is “out of place” in his “Yuppie Spaceship” surrounded by (black) homeless people, (black) rappers, murals commemorating (black) murder victims, and liquor stores (where black people shop) with bulletproof glass (to protect from armed black people); though he and others pine for “different types of bars and night life nearby,” “the biggest news is the opening of a Duane Reade pharmacy” (no doubt a boon to locals with limited pharmaceutical access). On the other hand, some amenities-for-white-people – coffee houses, Fresh Direct – are making their timid presence known; oh, the suspense! Will Bed-Stuy become the “next [white] hipster enclave” after all??
I don’t mean to essentialize. As a Caucasian twenty-something Bed-Stuy resident in a low income bracket, I know as well as anyone that the issues facing this extraordinary neighborhood are far more about class than they are about race; having previously been a member of a racially-diverse-but-economically-similar university community, I also know that racism is far more likely to rear its ugly head among exploited and economically-divergent people. And yes, there have been times when I have been singled out or harassed here because of my race – but for every one of those, there have been a hundred instances of kindness, of welcome. These instances have not occurred because or in spite of my race, but because my respect for the community and commitment to enriching it were noticed and appreciated.
Fernandez’ piece wholly equates the “success” of a neighborhood with the progress of gentrification within it. But how many coffee shops or bars or condos – that’s not how I measure a neighborhood’s success. I measure active block associations, community gardens, neighbors hanging out together on their stoops in the summertime. I measure the local deli owner knowing my name, asking about my family, and I measure the outpouring of wonderful music as so many neighbors jam together in their living rooms with the windows open. I measure the Egyptian pizza guys teaching me to spin a pie, the Korean fish monger giving me a homemade Christmas gift, the Rastafari behind the juice bar laughing at the way I said “Selassie” and telling me that my pronunciation sounds too “ancient,” but still beautiful. I measure the locally-owned-and-run pharmacy slipping a Kit Kat in with everyone’s prescriptions. I measure my elderly next-door neighbor giving me a bouquet of her beautiful hydrangeas because I complimented her backyard garden, which I watch her tend from my window.
These are all blessings I have found here in my two years in the Bed-Stuy community – and I found them just by demonstrating respect and care for my neighbors. Not all communities are so healthy that they can respect you and care for you back, but this one is. And maybe I don’t totally “fit in” here (my sangria and chili-lime corn were met with some hesitation and dubious looks at the block party), but I like to think that I can offer what I have, all the same, and it will be received in good faith. Dear Gentry: if affluence makes you thoughtless, snobby or unkind, then Bed-Stuy is not for you. If difference makes you afraid, and fear makes you treat neighbors like criminals or animals or statistics, then Bed-Stuy is not for you. If you are “waiting for a surge,” then Bed-Stuy is not for you. But if you want to be a humble, loving part of Bed-Stuy as it exists today, then I predict you will feel welcome, safe, enriched and happy.
Seek community,
Kate
PS. Dear Gentry: it may also be a problem if you don’t like hip-hop.
The main problem I have about this article: it makes generalizations about Bed-Stuy based on a small area, and that's very lazy journalism. I understand why the media love to write about the Mynt and the surrounding area, it's easy material for an entertaining and superficial article about gentrification (there was a similar article in the LA Times recently). But it's NOT representative of the changes occuring more generally in Bed-Stuy. Bed-Stuy is one of the largest NYC neighborhood that is designated by a single name. I live near the Utica Ave stop on the A train, and to me Myrtle and Marcy is essentially another neighborhood, I can't really relate to this article. Our area is certainly not perfect, but we love living here. It's beautiful, peaceful (for brooklyn), there is a very strong sense of community, and we have most of the services we need. For everything else we just take the train to other parts of Brooklyn or to Manhattan.
Oh, and to that guy in the article who wants to move to the East Village: why did you move to Bed-Stuy if you wanted nightlife on your doorstep??Maybe you should have done some research before moving there. We lived in several neighborhoods in NYC; the last one before Bed-Stuy was the East Village, and we're very happy not to live there anymore. Sure we miss certain things, but overall we find the quality of life here much better. But there are different types of neighborhood for different types of people, and that's one thing that makes this city so interesting. People should just be a little more careful when they choose a neighborhood, and not make a decision only based on the cost of buying or renting.
Kate, thank you for that beautiful, intelligent and moving ode to our neighbourhood. It sounds to me like you're reaping the benefits of what you've sown. Community. That says it all.
Thanks banana :) I also thought it was creepy that this article was in the NY/Region section of the Times, when it's clearly about Real Estate. This may seem like a benign detail, but I feel that using real estate language - which is all statistics and dollar signs - to talk about sensitive subjects like demographics and community is pretty dangerous. It's hard to avoid the frame of real estate values, where good = wealth, leisure, and homogeneity.
When I evaluate the success of a community, I try to use this frame instead. :)
I appreciate Kate's comments. This post may be premature, as I have only lived in Bed-Stuy for 3 weeks. But I have lived in many NYC neighborhoods and grew up (as a Caucasian) in a racially diverse area. Our last apartment was in Greenpoint, where there is a significant amount of tension between the Polish landlords and the "gentrify-ers" they rent to and live off of. My partner and I moved to Bed-Stuy (near Willoughby and Throop) because we wanted a large apartment with a backyard and a friendly, reasonable landlord, which we have gotten for hundreds less than our railroad in Greenpoint. However, we have found the neighborhood to be more than than just inexpensive. Everyone on our street will say hello or chat if you are open and friendly. We have already met many of our neighbors. There are numerous community gardens nearby and there is a block party planned in a few weeks. The people interviewed in the article sounded like they hadn't lived in New York for very long and wanted a no-brainer, easily accessible scene outside their doors. We may not have an LES-style club downstairs but things are just as lively. There are people talking and children playing in our street all day and evening. While I may be regarded by a few as an outsider or unwelcome influence because of my race, I am hopeful that I can be part of the community.
Rebekah --
You wrote: "Everyone on our street will say hello or chat if you are open and friendly. We have already met many of our neighbors."
I've found that seemingly small things like saying hello to people (as you obviously did) matters immensely, particularly in the larger context of gentrification and race relations that kate addressed in her eloquent post.
I've seen myself, and had numerous old-timers comment on, how standoffish many new [white like me] Bed-Stuy arrivals are. For awhile I even thought about posting a "Bed-Stuy for Beginners" doc on telephone poles that included items like "In this community people say good morning/afternoon/evening to their neighbors. Please act accordingly."
I live on Hart between Stuyvesant and Lewis and I've lived here since 2001. Yes, its sketchy and there is occasional crime but all in all I like the neighbourhood. And I don't have a problem with Bed Stuy not gentrifying fast. I like it the way it is.
And to reply to SYNCLAVIUS: Yes, Barbeque is still alive and doing fairly well, sort of, he hangs out on Myrtle between Walworth and Spencer. If you go to Cafe Naico you'll be sure to see him around there.
New to Bed Stuy. It's been a month since I moved from Crown Heights and before that Park Slope, before that Fort Greene, and before that (I was a child in) Flatbush. I live with my partner (we both lived in Crown Heights). We love it. Folks are friendly and we are friendly to the unfriendly. Lots of families, kids using our trash cans for basketball, a couple of places in the neighborhood to eat, train is close (we're on Macon and Lewis), the beautiful, historic library at the corner. I won't lie, gentrification can have it's benefits, but the bottom line is this is New York City - every neighborhood has crime. The idea that there are some neighborhoods in New York that are crime free is fantastical. This city, and ultimately this country, has significant social problems, poverty being one of them. What is then called criminal activity (and in many cases is criminal activity) is often a direct result of poverty. I too often wonder why folks have moved into neighborhoods only to move out shortly after - looking for nightlife or "safety." You can't have both folks! You can have the illusion, though. The real-estate article in sheep's clothing is fooling no one. Well, probably it is fooling some.
I read the article in the Times and I was pretty happy with it. I've been in the Neighborhood for a couple of years now (Greene and Bedford) and I love it, and I don't really want it to change much. So if an article like this can help keep Bed-Stuy from becoming Williamsburg South, or Park Slope North, I'm stoked.
But seriously why would you pay 1700 to live across from Marcy projects?!!?! Did someone leave their common sense back in Kansas?
HELLO!
I just stumbled upon your blog and you're delightful!
I just wanted to say that I lived in Bed-Stuy for the last ten months. I didn't even make it a full year because of our crazy landlord. He took us to court for no real reason and we won. He was on a first name basis with the judge!
Also, I can attest to the rampant homophobia in the neighborhood. Nothing gets me boiled over more than a group of bratty kids yelling 'faggot' at me from across the street.
Bed-Stuy is totes blah to me. Your blog however, is not!
xo
I've lived in Bed Stuy for a year now and have worked in the area for 2...I LOVE it. It is by far the best neighborood in NY I have ever lived in. My roomates and I (all white females) feel totally safe at all times and have never had any problem. Just stay away from the projects and you're good.
I have lived close to the "edge" of bed-stuy for a year now (bedford & quincy),and personally can't wait for gentrification to happen faster. My mom called me when this article was in the times half scared to death about how dangerous things are.
The streets are dirty, pedestrians have no respect for cars (and vice-versa), the people are loud and obnoxious, there are no decent supermarkets (except maybe foodtown on fulton), and there is a very limited choice for restaurants / shopping in general, etc.
I haven't found my neighbors particularly friendly,not really prone to conversation. One of my roommates was cursed out for not saying hi back loud enough - does that count? Probably not.
I can feel the people in this neighborhood stare at me. It's almost funny - I go to work in the morning and get stared at, come back in the evening and the same people are still sitting outside their apartments - staring. Seriously, go out and get a job.
For the record yes I'm white,and male.I grew up in an upper-middle class neighborhood in queens, and am actually a student at Pratt in Clinton Hill.
Also for the record, and this might seem silly but I'm not a racist at all. One of my roommates is African-American, my partner and another roommate are asian-american. I would very much like to see a diverse neighborhood, just one that takes care of itself better.
All that being said however,I think things could be a lot worse. It seems the crime is more exaggerated than actual, we've never had a problem coming home late on the G train or anything like that.
I'd like to see a bed-stuy that embraces a diverse cultural heritage, it's beautiful architecture, and rejects the elements that contribute to degrading the neighborhood.
now I do love Bestuy - its affordable and I have plenty of space and I live in front of a park. However, Things have stirred up in the last couple months. I live on Tompkins and Lafayette. Somebody got shot in front of my house on labor day and my roommate walked out of the Gstop in the middle of a shooting in front of Kennedy's the other day. He ran away only to run in the same direction as the gunman, scary shit. There's a lot of people that are racist torwards white people. I date a black girl and people have yelled lots of obscene shit at us, I've had stones thrown at me, I get verbally harassed by people with nothing better to do.. i've yet to be mugged but am kind of just counting on that happening at least once (I've only lived here for 6 months). I am debating on moving once my lease is up. Once I can afford it, I probably will have to kiss my cheap livin' good bye.
Relocated to BS about two years ago.
Yes...call me hipster ,gentrify or pioneer; it does not matter & don't care. I've doing what any American citizen has done from the past & from day one; that is...moving to any place, town or any city in America without any explanations or reasons to anybody!
If by relocating to BS, brings in more cafes, bars, better food shopping & higher rents to the so-called Hood; so be it!!!
Let this gentrification to BS or any other low-income area; be a reality wake up-call; the so-called ghetto/crime life style is about over in short order.
Also...if displacement occurs; again, so be it! The writing is on the wall to get there freaking act together.
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