I want to briefly discuss Park Slope, Brooklyn.
If you've ever been, you know that there are wonderful restaurants (chiles & chocolate, brooklyn bread). If you've ever conducted business within the bubble of park slope or tired to communicate with its residents, you know how positively elitist the reigning sentiment is.
Recent encounters reminded me of why I will always be happier living in low-income neighborhoods. I take part in a global community group, which boasts enclaves of members in the most unassuming places. I look forward to finding these groups and communicating and exchanging ideas within (no dues or fees, no structure). I've attended and participated in this vein all over the world, and I have never received the belittling attitude that I have in Park Slope. It actually makes me feel like I'm going to wretch, walking down the street with these elitist, separatist fuckers. Trying to communicate with them heartfelt is worse. It's really only money, though. They're not exceptionally bright or innovative. Most of the residents moved into the area within the past decade....
I recently visited their food co-op, a seeming neighborhood staple. I've been a co-op member in different places throughout the country, so I was surprised when I was told I could not get in with out a membership card. "I can't even get in to your store?" "Yes - it's a cooperative." Uh, seriously? I know what a cooperative is - you mean it's a Park Slope cooperative. I asked for information on how to join and was given two pamphlets - neither listed costs to join. I was told to register for a tour of the store (I guess new people are allowed to sign up afterward). This whole exchange further exemplified the flavor of the area.
Park Slope used to be ripe with drug addicts and kids playing stick ball and shit. I walk around with a friend who grew up there in the 70s and he points out how things have changed. Some for the better, the attitudes for the worse.
