What's with all the hate on "Hipsters" and "Yuppies" in NYC? (condo, home)

[drkman]

Interesting how Harlem is viewed differently nowadays. For me, the only major change that I have seen in Harlem (other than reduction in crime, but that is not something I can contribute to the changes in Harlem), is that more major establishments have opened up on West 125th Street. It basically reminds me of East 86th Street. The surrounding areas are basically the same too me as I haven't seen major development outside of 125th Street (I have seen new condos being built in other areas of Harlem). I think that the neighborhood residents are fighting any more major changes being made on 125th Street or at least no more tall buildings. BTW, I think of Harlem, or should I say Black Harlem as being from around 110th Street to about 155th street, surrounded by the Upper West Side, Spanish Harlem, Morningside Heights and Washington Heights. The basic area that I am referring to is 125th street upward. Now Spanish Harlem has had some major changes too me and it almost unrecognizable from what it used to be under 116th Street. Granted, I am not in Harlem very often so my views may be off-center as far as the changes.

I don't see too much of a difference between Bed-Stuy and Harlem, except Harlem has more of a main strip than Bed-Stuy. You really have to know where to go to find nightlife in Bed-Stuy and major shopping (like 125th) is not there. I guess because downtown Brooklyn is so accessible that Bed-Stuy doesn't need a major shopping strip like Harlem.

Since I don't live in either neighborhood, I can't say if the changes are good or bad. For me, some of the changes in Harlem are not the best because the vibrancy of a neighborhood that was known as the Center of Black Life, where some of the most famous names of the Harlem Renaissance called home is just not there and I do mourn it's passing. As well as the passing of some of the stores that I used to frequent when I was up there more often. They had some of the best record stores and little shops where you could find things that you could not find anywhere else in the city. I used to purchase clothes there for one price and go downtown and see the same thing for 3x more. And some of the best restaurants to eat in. I miss those also. I was so sorry to read about Copeland's having to close because the neighborhood fabric had changed to a point where it did not make business sense to stay open. I mean, he had the restaurant for 50 years and due to the gentrification of Harlem, he no longer was serving the community. I have fond memories of Harlem's past, hanging out at Nikki's, Perks, the new Baby Grand etc., but hey, nothing stays the same and if people feel more comfortable there then it's all good. I think this is where the resentment for some of the newer people moving in comes from. Increase in rents and change in demographics can spell the death of establishments that have been in the area for years with new establishments opening up that are looking for a more "elite" clientale. Unless we're talking about that fish place up around 145th Street and St. Nicholas that always has a line outside the door

To be totally honest though, since I live in Brooklyn ....................

[drkman]

Originally Posted by bx718

Oh you haven't heard? You haven't seen? Harlem is not as "dark" as it used to be. It's more "light" now hence "safer".

Although bedstuy has some "light" areas, it is surrounded by "sketchy" nabes...... hence less "desirable"

I would hope that this is not the issue but for some people I know it is. Not that I have seen it on this board, but I was reading somewhere else that the movie theatre that I go to in Brooklyn is considered a ghetto theatre because too many minorities go there and the PJ's are about 10 blocks away. It was sad reading that and those are the kind of people that I would not want to live around. I guess I should have no problems with that though, because I doubt they would live around me, since there is a senior citizen project around the corner

[sean sean sean sean]

I didn't read a lot of this thread, and what I did was pretty silly....but how about this, I just don't like hipsters or yuppies! I don't enjoy their company and don't like seeing them around. Am I discriminating? Yes, absolutely. I am discriminating against a culture born out of a personal decision to be a part of something that generally holds ideals 180 degrees opposite of mine. This is not like saying that I don't like gays, black people, Hispanics, midgets, people born with cleft pallets, little kids with red hair and freckles or any other factor that was determined prior to exit from the womb. I just don't jive well with the iPod toting, unisex pants wearing, $300 sneaker coveting, stupid hairdo having, art school dropout, metrosexual generation.

As far as where they live, that has no bearing on me....that's just not a place I want to frequent any longer. Last time I checked we all live in America and any citizen, provided the financial resources, can live anywhere they please.

[metropolistraffic]

Please don't associate yuppies and hipsters with the white persons.
It's the asians, too!

It's all about the whites and the asians. asian and whites. booyah!

[Guywithacause]

So seanseansean since everyone should be okay with the fact that you openly discriminate/dislike Hipsters, it should be equally okay that many openly discriminate/dislike people who are black/hispanic AND who wear baggy clothes and listen to hip-hop music, because, like you, they are just discriminating against a culture born out of a personal decision to be a part of something that generally holds ideals 180 degrees opposite of most of America. America just don't jive well with the durag wearing, 10x too big pants wearing, $600 sneaker coveting, stupid hairdo having, high school dropout, ghetto generation. Make sure you keep your beliefs consistent across the board...

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by Guywithacause

So seanseansean since everyone should be okay with the fact that you openly discriminate/dislike Hipsters, it should be equally okay that many openly discriminate/dislike people who are black/hispanic AND who wear baggy clothes and listen to hip-hop music, because, like you, they are just discriminating against a culture born out of a personal decision to be a part of something that generally holds ideals 180 degrees opposite of most of America. America just don't jive well with the durag wearing, 10x too big pants wearing, $600 sneaker coveting, stupid hairdo having, high school dropout, ghetto generation. Make sure you keep your beliefs consistent across the board...

Guy you seem to not like the thug/hip-hop subculture and have openly criticized it in the past, so why do you have such trouble understanding people not liking and criticizing the hipster subculture. Aren't you contradicting yourself?

[bx718]

Originally Posted by drkman

.... but I was reading somewhere else that the movie theatre that I go to in Brooklyn is considered a ghetto theatre because too many minorities go there .....

but one minority is one too many - it adulterates the theatre and whatever station s/he got off ........ I'm surprised you're not familiar with the "program" he he he.

[Rudbeckia]

Originally Posted by NooYowkur81

Guy you seem to not like the thug/hip-hop subculture and have openly criticized it in the past, so why do you have such trouble understanding people not liking and criticizing the hipster subculture. Aren't you contradicting yourself?

He is just making a valid point that no one seems to get. The thug/hiphop culture is just an example he is using.

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by Rudbeckia

He is just making a valid point that no one seems to get. The thug/hiphop culture is just an example he is using.

Well add me in with those who don't get his point. I don't see why it's fine for him to criticize the thug/hip-hop subculture but then not understand why others are doing the same with the hipster subculture.

[Guywithacause]

I have nothing against the hip hop culture...which has nothing to do with the ghetto subculture. I do openly criticize the thug/ghetto subculture, the same way I would criticize criminals, ignorance, violence, gangs, drugs dealers....it is dangerous to our society, and is crippling our nation, and literally killing off entire families/generation after generation of kids. This does not in anyway compare to the dislike/disgust/open hostility and vicious criticism of Hipsters who are not glorifying violence, who do not drive crime rates through the roof, who do not pride themselves are the culture of ignorance and animalistic behavior, who do not hold hostage entire communities through intimidation and violence, who do not participate in the gang culture that pervades many of the inner city communities and drives much of the drug dealing, death and violence in our communities.

If you believe that the Hipster subculture is somehow on par or similar to the thug/ghetto subculture that plagues many communities, then you are not taking the time to think about who/what the two groups are. I see the ghetto subculture as one based on ignorance, hopelessness, broken families, violence, drugs, etc....an argument can be made for the Hipster subculture as one that has "holier than thou" attitude, a lack of culture, a struggle to be different by being the same, and possibly urban invaders/conquerors "reclaiming" the "Wild West" aka the inner city poor communities.

I find one of these groups has proven to be a grossly detrimental and poisonous assault on our society and civilization, and the other as being based on anecdotes, personal opinions/perceptions, and nonsensical/false truths.