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Arts & Entertainment

Brooklyn Heights Residents Offended By A Truman Capote Quote/Everything


By

Jen Carlson

Published Jul 25, 2011

Modified Jul 25, 2011


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By

Jen Carlson

Published Jul 25, 2011

Modified Jul 25, 2011


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Lesser known facts: Capote also napped, by choice.

bkbychoice0711.jpg
The controversial sign.

Former Brooklyn Heights resident Truman Capote once famously said, "I live in Brooklyn. By Choice." The quote is now being used on 78 directional signs in the borough to help tourists navigate Downtown Brooklyn, and some residents are taking it as a slap in the face! According to the NY Post, at least.

One resident told the paper, "I don’t like the signs. It sounds like it was put up by someone who doesn’t live here." Another chimed in, "It’s offensive. Before I asked and learned that [Capote] said it, I took it to mean that we live in Brooklyn because we can’t afford Manhattan." Well, his 1959 "House in the Heights" essay also called Brooklyn, "as a whole, an uninviting community."

Considering the Metro Tech Business Improvement District shelled out $1.4 million for the signage plan, you can fuggedaboutit coming down.

Tagged

brooklyn

brooklyn heights

signs

truman capote


Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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