A forum contributor over at City-Data.com is considering moving to the area, but as a black man he says he’s heard some things:
I was thinking about moving to a place in Sheepshead Bay but I’ve been told that as a black person I might have some issues in the area and that I might feel uncomfortable. Does anyone know how welcome blacks are in that part of Brooklyn?
My immediate thoughts? No way. In the 25 years I’ve been here I’ve never noticed any explicit forms of racism towards the area’s blacks. I’ve never seen anyone chased down the streets, I’ve never heard the n-word slip maliciously off the lips of my neighbors, and I’ve never seen anyone turned away from a business. But then, I remembered, I’m white. So I began to consider the possibility that it’s there, and I’m just not privy to it.
Forum readers tended to agree with me, though. They touted the demographics of Sheepshead Bay High School (65 percent black) as key evidence for open-minded neighbors. One black commenter pointed out that he’d rather live here than Bensonhurst of Howard Beach. Another black reader reassured him, saying he’s lived and worked here for years without problem.
Some posters, though, gave a totally different answer. No, they didn’t say we were racist against blacks. They said we’re racist with Russians and Eastern Europeans. One commenter, who may have been huffing something, estimated the area was 98 percent Russian. Another said it was 50/50 – but I think even that’s high. Others pointed out that this area is far more diverse than that, with significant populations of Asians, Latinos, Indians/Pakistanis, and other groups. Diversity notwithstanding, one reader argued that there was a significant anti-Russian vibe in Sheepshead Bay:
The comments and negative attitudes I HAVE witnessed, however, are directed towards the Russian and Ukrainian immigrants who make up an increasing percentage of the population. Native-born Brooklynites here have a lot of disdain for Eastern European immigrants.
No one contradicted him. And quite honestly, given some of the comments on my own site, I’m not about to either. So what is it, Sheepshead Bay? Are we racist? And if so, how do we begin confronting those issues?
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“Racism” has become a cliche. I hate how everytime a person who does not get what he/she wants blames it racism. I think at this point reverse discrimination is a far bigger issue than racism.
As far as why Sheepshead Bay high School is 65% black (I am quoting Ned here) is because it is located right next to the projects and also a lot of the students have to commute there from other neighborhoods (another idiotic idea by the board of education).
Overall I feel that Sheepshead Bay is as racist as any other neighborhood in NY. People tend to live with their own – russians will tend to live around russians, indians around indians, etc. There is nothing wrong with it, it’s just the fact of life. As a matter of fact there is an interesting article in the Times on how african americans in NY are discriminating against africans who just came here.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/nyregion/20africans.html?ref=nyregion
I have never known the area (as a whole) to be racist.
There are rotten apples in every bunch.
We were raised to treat everyone equally.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
On the same note if someone treats me abusively or disrespectfully I will confront the situation.
Color or creed does not make a difference.
I agree with Alex, Racism has become cliche. everyone screams racism, as if it was an end-all, be-all reason for life’s troubles. black man pulled over? racism. forget the fact that the cops may have an actual reason for it. talking heads like al sharpton are just using it for personal attention.
it has also become a shield behind which every person hides. what about the black kids who abuse people – i used to live in coney island, where there is an increasing population of elderly russians living in the subsidized buildings on west 24th, west 33rd, etc…. and i witnessed first hand how little kids abuse the elderly – throwing bottles, pouring soda on them. noone can say anything because that would be racist. where is the fairness in this?
heres an idea…. instead of screaming racism, why dont you do something that would eliminate the stigma. instead of perpetuating every possible stereotype, why dont you actually act like a normal human being, so that people dont look at you like someone who they should avoid on the street
I’m black, grew up in Coney Island, and spent a significant portion of my teens in Sheepshead be it at the b-ball courts on Nostrand and Z, the movie theater, or just walking about. In all of those years, my friends and I never had a problem.
I recently returned to Sheepshead and was surprised at the number of European businesses that had opened. I think any potential bias against them aren’t specifically “racial”–whenever a ‘hood begins to change people freak out. A different culture or race just makes things easier to identify, but look at how even some Lower East Side residents (some of which were seen as outsiders to begin with) are now freaking out about others with even more money moving in.
Alex, I hope you dont think all of us scream racism at the drop of a hat. The news grabs their sound bites. Level-headed types rarely get airtime.
Absolutely not– while plenty of individuals may subscribe to their own ignorant hatred, the area as a whole? No way. I’ve lived in Sheepshead Bay for fifteen years and I have yet to see a racially charged argument– and, lest we forget, our own Kingsborough Community College is an N-word Free campus– there are buttons and signs all over advertising it– the anti-racist sentiment is here– it’s up to us to perpetuate it.
The neighborhood’s not racist, though some people may be, but they are for the minority.
Don’t worry about prejudice against blacks in Sheepshead Bay – we are still a good neighborhood (if you can look past all the russians). they have taken over the neighborhood and have given nothing back – the few REAL, not NATURALIZED AMERICANS can’t stand them.
Advice – if you’re worried about prejudice, stay away from Gerritsen Beach – that place has always been nuts!
Wendy, that is the most ignorant and disgusting comment I have read
You’re an idiot. The Russian’s here have contributed to the community. This neighborhood has accepted them a long time ago, and you’re an idiot for not realizing that neighborhoods change. The black people aren’t discriminated. In fact, the only discriminated minority here is Muslims, but unfornately that’s something the Soviet Jews have to work out for themselves.
But once again, you are an un-cultured idiot. I hope your descendents are more accepting of us American-born Russian Jewish kids. ?