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NY Times Reminds Us Of The "Other," Non-Gentrified Brooklyn
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jul 9, 2012
Modified Jul 9, 2012
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jul 9, 2012
Modified Jul 9, 2012
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Four of the top 25 zip codes that saw the largest influx of white people from 2000 to 2010 are in Brooklyn. But they're not in Brownsville, East New York, Gerritsen Beach, Sheepshead Bay, or Marine Park. Today the Times looks at how The Brooklyn With Three Magazines is pulling away from "The Other Brooklyn" and finds a mixture of resentment at the economic disparity and a pride that the poseurs haven't infiltrated—yet.
First the numbers:
In the community district that embraces Park Slope and Carroll Gardens, the proportion of households earning over $100,000 rose to 43 percent in 2010 from 28 percent in 1990. In Brownsville and Ocean Hill, the number stayed flat, around 9 percent, while those earning under $25,000 rose to 46 percent from 43 percent, according to a study of household income by Susan Weber-Stoger, a Queens College sociology research associate.
In Williamsburg and Greenpoint, the proportion of residents holding graduate degrees quadrupled to 12 percent; in East New York and Starrett City, it remained 4 percent.
Also related to the above statistic, the urge to kick someone in the neck when they talk about how much their $375 welding class "really helps me connect with my progenitors in Detroit" while they wait in line for cold press ice coffee rose by an astounding 73%.
Assembyman and Democratic congressional primary winner Hakim Jeffries, who represents Fort Greene and Prospect Heights along with Brownsville and East New York, says that "The sidewalk cafes are great." But Jeffries cautions that "we need a blueprint for employment and housing opportunities that are desperately needed in parts of Brownsville and East New York. "We should continue to promote Brooklyn as a trendy destination but cannot forget the bread-and-butter economic issues that many distressed Brooklynites continue to deal with each day.”
Theresa Scavo, CB 15 president whose domain includes Homecrest, Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach and Gerritsen Beach, is fine with the "trendy" stuff so long as she doesn't see it. “Here, everything remains the same. They don’t want Trader Joe’s. They don’t want sidewalks crowded with cafes. They want a residential, suburban lifestyle." And maybe a few eggs and rocks on the side.
"We’re not looking for innovative ways to do things. I have a hard time setting up a DVR," Scavo adds. “When people hear about the new Brooklyn, they say let them have it." That's exactly what the cackling, monocled 22-year-old graphic designer wants you to say.
Tagged
brooklyn
brownsville
gentrification
gerritsen beach
monocles
old new york
williamsburg
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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