Similar to Harlem, many cheap mom and pop stores in Bensonhurst have been closed down due to gentrification. The physical fabric of the neighborhood has experienced the displacement of stores, restaurants, and residents. Places, where Italian businesses used to be located, have been replaced. Evidently, there is a new cultural image being consumed, pertaining to its new beginning. For instance, two blocks away from Gino’s Focacceria is a Szechuan restaurant called Spicy Bampa, which is generally crowded with Chinese-Americans who are attracted to the hot pot buffet appeal. Restaurants like Spicy Bampa are catalysts for change (Mooney, 2011). In Sharon Zukin’s “Why Harlem is Not a Ghetto,” she discussed Leah Abraham and her husband’s fusion
…show more content…
Evidently, the diverse ethnic groups and social barriers promote anonymity and foster opportunities for crime. The past and current Bensonhurst shares many similarities and differences in this retrospect. Yusuf Hawkin best exemplifies the dynamics of the neighborhood. Although Yusuf Hawkin’s murder occurred a few decades ago, it is exceptionally relevant as a symbolic case of pure racism and unjust hatred. On August 23, 1989, Yusuf Hawkins was beaten by a group of white teens with bats and then subsequently, shot (Sachs, 1999). In the case, eight men were tried, but only one was convicted of murder and four were charged with lesser convictions like weapon possession and rioting. Not to mention, when black protestors as well as his family members marched through Bensonhurst following his death, they were mistreated and disregarded. Residents cursed them out and threw food at them. To add more salt to the wound, they even proceeded to chant “useless, useless” as a sort of taunt due to its similar sound to the name “Yusuf” (Sachs, 1999). After his death, racial tensions involving black and white residents rose exponentially. During another march in a predominantly white neighborhood in 1991 “to protest some of the verdicts in the Hawkins case,” Reverend Al Sharpton was wounded in the chest due to a young white man’s attempt to stab him with a steak knife (Sachs, 1999). …show more content…
A resident named Jessica S. commented, “In here we all know each other and we’re all from the same neighborhood. If a black kid came in here, he would probably leave right away because the guys would abuse him” (Jennifer Marino, 2002). Her comment alone was very telling and showed the mentality existent. Another resident, Sammy G agreed with Jessica and said, “If me and my boys went to a club in Harlem, we’d probably get shot. That’s why we stay here and they (blacks) stay there. We don’t belong there, and they don’t belong here. That’s the bottom line” (Jennifer Marino, 2002). Unfortunately, their mentality was quite common at the time. Even though such reactions are common occurrences, Police Officer Guy Stabile contended that there wasn’t a lot of racial crime (Jennifer Marino, 2002). Evidently, mentalities like above are restrictive and prevent a community atmosphere because they would rather interact with their own people. Essentially, it does nothing, but bring racial tension. Nowadays in Bensonhurst, there is definitely more racially unity and tolerance. However, even though most residents are more tolerant towards on another, racism does occur. For instance, I’ve been called racial ethnic slurs several times by random strangers. I also know a few other people
Evidently, the diverse ethnic groups and social barriers promote anonymity and foster opportunities for crime. The past and current Bensonhurst shares many similarities and differences in this retrospect. Yusuf Hawkin best exemplifies the dynamics of the neighborhood. Although Yusuf Hawkin’s murder occurred a few decades ago, it is exceptionally relevant as a symbolic case of pure racism and unjust hatred. On August 23, 1989, Yusuf Hawkins was beaten by a group of white teens with bats and then subsequently, shot (Sachs, 1999). In the case, eight men were tried, but only one was convicted of murder and four were charged with lesser convictions like weapon possession and rioting. Not to mention, when black protestors as well as his family members marched through Bensonhurst following his death, they were mistreated and disregarded. Residents cursed them out and threw food at them. To add more salt to the wound, they even proceeded to chant “useless, useless” as a sort of taunt due to its similar sound to the name “Yusuf” (Sachs, 1999). After his death, racial tensions involving black and white residents rose exponentially. During another march in a predominantly white neighborhood in 1991 “to protest some of the verdicts in the Hawkins case,” Reverend Al Sharpton was wounded in the chest due to a young white man’s attempt to stab him with a steak knife (Sachs, 1999). …show more content…
A resident named Jessica S. commented, “In here we all know each other and we’re all from the same neighborhood. If a black kid came in here, he would probably leave right away because the guys would abuse him” (Jennifer Marino, 2002). Her comment alone was very telling and showed the mentality existent. Another resident, Sammy G agreed with Jessica and said, “If me and my boys went to a club in Harlem, we’d probably get shot. That’s why we stay here and they (blacks) stay there. We don’t belong there, and they don’t belong here. That’s the bottom line” (Jennifer Marino, 2002). Unfortunately, their mentality was quite common at the time. Even though such reactions are common occurrences, Police Officer Guy Stabile contended that there wasn’t a lot of racial crime (Jennifer Marino, 2002). Evidently, mentalities like above are restrictive and prevent a community atmosphere because they would rather interact with their own people. Essentially, it does nothing, but bring racial tension. Nowadays in Bensonhurst, there is definitely more racially unity and tolerance. However, even though most residents are more tolerant towards on another, racism does occur. For instance, I’ve been called racial ethnic slurs several times by random strangers. I also know a few other people