Brooklyn Heights Blog

Comment from uh
Time: March 22, 2008, 11:57 pm

sorry to go off-topic…

Has anyone noticed that a homeless person has built essentially a little house at Atlantic and Henry? Who does one call about that? 311? Local precinct?

Comment from Teddy
Time: March 23, 2008, 2:34 pm

Yeah, I noticed a woman lying on the ground yesterday talking with a guy who also looked like he might be homeless. I’ve also seen more panhandlers in the area in the past few months. It reminded me a little of the area during the mid-90s. Could that also be a “bad sign” ?

Comment from Julian
Time: March 24, 2008, 12:51 am

Has anyone noticed that a rich white person has moved into a little house near Atlantic and Henry? Who does one call about that?

Comment from dan
Time: March 24, 2008, 9:33 am

Yes, we should all welcome a homeless encampment on our front stoops. Should do wonders for the neighborhood.

Comment from anna
Time: March 24, 2008, 9:51 am

There are more blacks and homeless in the area now then ever before. Could it be the economy?

Comment from Pineapple
Time: March 24, 2008, 11:36 am

Did anna really just write that?

Comment from Claude Scales
Time: March 24, 2008, 12:03 pm

What I thought was an innocuous post of an amusing theater marquee has generated a contentious thread of commentary. I considered deleting anna’s post on the grounds of its being racist, inflammatory and just plain stupid. However, I have a strong commitment to the idea of freedom of speech (including writing), and believe that the best corrective to bad speech is more speech. I’ll be dealing further with this issue in a top post soon.

Comment from nabeguy
Time: March 24, 2008, 1:19 pm

Gee, Sloppy, with a comment like that, you’re really living up to the initials of your post name. To both you and Anna, I raise the following question: Do you think the blacks ask the same thing when they see white people moving into Bed-Stuy?

Comment from anna
Time: March 24, 2008, 1:43 pm

thanks claude and sloppy

Comment from Random Idiot
Time: March 24, 2008, 2:53 pm

The racism comes in the implication that the presence of African-Americans in an area is in the same category as the presence of homeless people. One is probably a good thing, as a sign of social progress that minorities could be more able to afford to live in this area, and the other is clearly a blight.

Comment from uh
Time: March 24, 2008, 3:06 pm

The woman in question I wrote in about has moved on. As for the more racially motived comments creeping in here, that certainly wasn’t what I was talking about. Yay if more black people can afford heights rents. Not yay if the a busy corner in the neighborhood turns into a homeless tent city. That is all.

Comment from Peter
Time: March 24, 2008, 5:50 pm

Court Street is very ghetto now !

Comment from BHGIRL
Time: March 25, 2008, 11:25 am

I read this blog from time to time and have come to realize it is time to move out of Brooklyn Heights. I have always observed and read the comments and never written. However, I now have to say you people really need something to do with your time. You are ignorant people with nothing to do. Get a job, get a hobby. Saying “I’ve noticed more black people” and “could it be the economy” is completely wrong to say. “Court Street is ghetto”???? Who are you people and who raised you? You really need to think twice about what you say. I can honestly say that if this blog was NOT an “anonymous ” blog-you people would never say these kind of things you say.

Comment from Claude Scales
Time: March 25, 2008, 12:40 pm

BHGIRL, please don’t give up on the Heights just because of some poorly thought out or ignorant comments on this blog. I’ve lived in a lot of places in my life, including Greenwich Village; the Upper East Side; Cambridge, Massachusetts; Tampa; rural England; and the Rocky Mountain West. Of all these, the Heights is my hands-down favorite place. Unfortunately, wherever you are, you’re going to find some unpleasant people. Also unfortunately, some such people are going to be drawn to comment on blogs that allow anonymous posting (I always post or comment using my real name, because I don’t write anything here that I wouldn’t say to someone face-to-face, and I have the luxury, being self-employed, of not having to worry about what an employer might think of my views or my use of time). Nevertheless, I think we need to offer the option to comment anonymously or with an assumed nickname (as you do); otherwise, as you can see, we wouldn’t get much in the way of commentary at all.

So, please think twice before decamping for the hinterlands. Also, consider lending your voice to this blog more in the future. You can help to shape its direction.

Comment from cranberry
Time: March 25, 2008, 2:36 pm

I actually am moving after 5 years in the heights. I’m tired of it for various reasons that are discussed here day in and day out….utter lack of an acceptable grocery store, store fronts sitting vacant for years, the corner of cranberry, the foodcourt/cellphone provider/real estate office that is montague street, no parking, the attitudes exhibited above etc etc. My debit card was just “skimmed” for the 3rd time in 4 months. I am OVER IT. March 31st cranberry is signing out! On to Greene-r pastures…

Comment from Qfwfq
Time: March 25, 2008, 3:26 pm

cranberry, let me get this straight, you’re sick of the lack of acceptable grocery options and vacant storefronts….so you’re moving to Fort Greene?

Comment from hmmmm
Time: March 25, 2008, 7:35 pm

Although someone above mentioned that the Atlantic Ave homeless lady has moved on … I have seen her several times this week- including a few min ago.

Comment from mr. hooper
Time: March 25, 2008, 11:16 pm

I don’t know what folks have against the key food on montague. It’s no fairway, whole food or trader joe’s (on the shaky assumption that those are the gold standard in the city) or a suburban megashrine to edible consumption, but it’s perfectly fine for most everyday items. There are certainly other key food stores that are decrepit (atlantic avenue springs to mind, along with worse examples) but to say that it constitutes an “utter lack of an acceptable grocery store” sounds to me like someone who’s never set foot in the store, or just plain snobbery, or both. Now, don’t get me started on gristedes…

Comment from cranberry
Time: March 26, 2008, 10:17 am

Yeah….I will be 4 blocks away from Pathmark. Sure, it’s no Whole Foods or TJ’s but at least I won’t be paying 7.99 for hummus and 4.99 for a bag of pita chips. Mr. hooper there is hardly a difference between Key Foods and Gristedes.
Haven’t seen any vacant store fronts near my new place, just lots of great shops and restaurants. I’m not hating on the Heights anymore than everyone else does…I’m just doing something about it. The Heights is still the most pristine, architectually beautiful neighborhood in New York City in my opinion and I love it. I just feel it’s worth a few sacrifices to be in a more thriving area. Again my OPINION.

Comment from anon
Time: March 26, 2008, 11:55 am

Who would buy Hummus from pathmark, wholefoods or keyfood, when you can get it homemade at Sahadi’s?

Comment from anon
Time: March 26, 2008, 1:11 pm

Its hard for some working people to make the closing hours of Sahadi\’s or have the patience to hang out there on a Saturday waiting for 30 tickets to be called before yours.

Comment from clarknt67
Time: March 27, 2008, 10:01 am

“I was curious to know what is racist about the statement “There are more blacks and homeless in the area now then ever before”? It sounds like an observation comment to me.”

REALLY? You really don’t see what’s racist about mentioning a downturning economy is the cause of more blacks in the Heights?

You’re really unable to see what’s offensive about that?

OK, I’ll explain it clearly.

The poster is making the assumption that blacks are poor.

Notice she didn’t say, “Gosh, the Heights is more color-diversified than ever. Does this mean the black middle class is growing and enjoying their economic prosperity by moving to traditional white enclaves? Does this mean traditional white enclaves are becoming more open-minded and welcoming people not previous made to feel welcome?”

Comment from Homer Fink
Time: March 27, 2008, 10:49 am

….and this thread is off topic. Please stay on topic.

Comment from Loving Brooklyn
Time: March 27, 2008, 12:01 pm

I have to say something to Sloppy Stools.

You are ignorant. I’m black and I live in a well-appointed coop. Yes, they let me in. Yes, I have money. AND Yes, I live in Brooklyn Heights. AND Yes, You should become a little more open-minded that black people are no longer slaves and some do make money for their labor.

Thank you.

Comment from clarknt67
Time: March 27, 2008, 12:42 pm

You can call me Clark. I have to say your handle suits you very well. I assume it’s named for what emanates from your keyboard?