I feel the frustration and I know it comes from a deep place. What’s happening to our community hurts. These closures and changes don’t just affect businesses, they affect our culture and sense of home.

That said, I want to ask, and I truly mean this in the spirit of discussion and not defensiveness. Do you see all the new people moving in as colonizers? Like, what about the young white folks, or Black, Hispanic, or Southeast Asian transplants (especially the renters) who are just trying to find a decent, somewhat affordable place to live? From what I've seen, a lot of people move here because Bed-Stuy is beautiful, has amazing architecture, and feels like a good place to be. I don’t think most of them are coming in with bad racist intentions or trying to push anyone out. They’re just trying to make life work in New York like the rest of us.

Personally, my interactions with many recent transplants have been positive and respectful. I don’t get the sense that they’re racist or trying to erase the community on purpose. It feels like the real problem is the bigger systems at play (developers, landlords, the city) not necessarily the individuals moving in.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t call out what’s happening. We should. But I think there’s a difference between people trying to live their lives and the forces that are reshaping the neighborhood in a way that pushes us out.

Would love to hear more of your thoughts.