Comments on: Harlem is Getting its Groove Back http://uptownflavor.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/ Serving Harlem Cultural Flavor Since 2006 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:37:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: tacony palmyra http://uptownflavor.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29754 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 14:56:28 +0000 http://uptownflavor.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29754 anon, Hicksville is actually the name of a town on Long Island (which is increasingly diverse with lots of Asian and Latino immigrants moving in)

]]> By: DJM http://uptownflavor.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29751 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:54:11 +0000 http://uptownflavor.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29751 As a relatively new (white) resident of Harlem (and NYC), this entire line of postings gives me much to think about (much of which I already have, but appreciate some other perspectives.)

My wife (also white) and I moved here a few months ago from HIcksville and it’s surrounding areas. We have been generally welcomed into the Harlem community. I can safely say that a Harlemite (esp. if black) would NOT experience the same welcome in Hicksville, and, in surrounding, “more culturally aware” areas, would likely be treated as a sort of social proving ground for an “enlightened” world view.

Honestly, I was a bit concerned about how we would be viewed as new Harlem residents, especially with the knowledge that there is a definite trend towards the gentrification of this area. And, honestly, there have been a handful of disdainful glances and cold shoulders. Absolutely understandable, I’d say. For the most part, however, we have felt very welcome. We’ve yet to make friends in the neighborhood, but already have a number of friendly acquaintences.

All in all, we look forward to integrating into the community over time and there are some great restaurants/services available right here in the neighborhood, so I don’t understand that complaint whatsoever. And, for the record, if you can afford to take a cab all over town, you can damn well take that cab to a Thai restaurant elsewhere.

]]> By: iloveharlem http://uptownflavor.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29747 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:58:52 +0000 http://uptownflavor.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29747 Read the new post “The Cost of Good Intentions” and the pdf
“The Institution for Children and Poverty released a report about the cost of gentrification in Harlem”

Sure puts “welcome packs” and “generalizations” in perspective when were talking about homelessness. Waiting to hear the posts complaining about the “whining” of those are us who are concerned about how people will make out. While these changes to Harlem are sooo good. While some are complaining that they can’t find a Thai restaurant on Lenox Avenue, some folks are looking for a place to live. Please respond so the truth can be seen. “Some” of you, again “some” of you don’t care.

]]> By: iloveharlem http://uptownflavor.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29743 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:52:33 +0000 http://uptownflavor.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29743 Anon, I think you’re smart enough to know that it fits for those it truthfully applies to. This whole board is generalizations. Sounds like to me your conscience may be bothering you :) I would myself fit in with the people that are looked on as “garbage”. And not only hicks would make me unwelcome in Hicksville. Or Melville or rural Indiana… You get the point. Don’t get it twisted.

Question: Do some newcomers to Harlem look at the people there as garbage or beneath them? If the answer is yes you would be correct.. And proving my point.

]]> By: anon http://uptownflavor.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29742 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:32:30 +0000 http://uptownflavor.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29742 I’m okay with the video, but what I do find offensive are comments like those of “iloveharlem”. In one breath he makes a sweeping and unsubstantiated generalization that it is the fault of newcomers in Harlem who don’t feel welcome because they “look at the folks like they are garbage.” In the next breath he goes on to say that he wouldn’t be welcome in “Hicksville.” It sounds like he is the condescending one looking at others as “garbage”, or as “hicks” as he offensively refers to people from small towns. Prejudice works both ways.

]]> By: Anonymous 2 http://uptownflavor.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29741 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:22:06 +0000 http://uptownflavor.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29741 Hi all! I can assure you that these people aren’t actors. I can even tell you which unit they bought – but I won’t. (smile) By the way, I am African American and have lived in Harlem for a number of years now. I love it and wouldn’t want to live in any other neighborhood! I do lots of things in Harlem but it took some time to feel establishments out. However, I also love the fact that it is a cab ride away from restaurants and establishments that I also enjoy in midtown and other Manhattan neighborhoods. Let’s be honest, Harlem still has some ways to go in terms of things like restaurants, etc. and don’t even get me started on decent nail salons (I go to Soho to get pedicures)! I still do all of my food shopping at Whole Foods in Columbus Circle…sure I could order from Fresh Direct but I prefer to see and smell my produce and meats. There are a couple of great new restaurants along 12th Ave. but one of the best things about living in Manhattan is that you have the whole of it at your disposal. I’m sure once they move in, they will discover all of the wonderful establishments already in the neighborhood.

As far as panhandling goes as others have pointed out, there’s way more of that downtown and by the way – you can’t hear the drumming on the southernmost end of the park. (smile).

]]> By: iloveharlem http://uptownflavor.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29740 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:01:14 +0000 http://uptownflavor.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29740 Everyone can live where they want to live. Everyone has the responsibility to add to their community. Especially if they have complaints about it. If people re panhandling speak to the community board or the elected officials in your area. Make a neighborhood association. Something besides crying and complaining. And like someone else stated “if you don’t like it so much, leave”

And it is just an ad. But it impacts on the way people see Harlem and their intentions in living there.

Also how can I make you be made to feel welcome if you look at the folks like they are garbage and you’re so much better than them.

And would I as a black man get the same welcome mat in Hicksville? :)

]]> By: alice http://uptownflavor.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29739 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:22:13 +0000 http://uptownflavor.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29739 kirk, i have no issue with what you write in your most recent post. what i am disagreeing with this idea that the two people in the video are somehow unworthy of living here or worse yet UNWELCOME because of what was edited into this video makes it seem like they plan not to spend time in the area outside of sleeping.

you wrote: “These are people that have no intention of being part of the neighborhood. everything they do is somewhere else. harlem is just a place to sleep for them.”

this insane litmus test for living in harlem is so over the top.

]]> By: krik http://uptownflavor.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29738 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:01:07 +0000 http://uptownflavor.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29738 alice, everyone understands it’s a marketing video. but that doesn’t mean we can’t criticize it or question its motives as to what it intends to bring to the area. 5th on the park is a major development. physically, it’s a monster and dominates its immediate area and the skyline as well. the hundreds, maybe thousands of residents it will bring will also have an effect. another factor is that it’s a new development working with a local church, which throws something else into the mix. anyone concerned about the future of the neighborhood would have to question the intentions of this kind of advertising and the audience it’s trying to appeal to.

]]> By: anon http://uptownflavor.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29736 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:20:28 +0000 http://uptownflavor.com/2008/07/08/harlem-is-getting-its-groove-back-5th-on-the-park-luxury-condos-stand-out-as-the-beacon-of-harlem/#comment-29736 Alice – I couldn’t agree more. People are reading WAY too much into this.

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