OMG. I think I am turning into Archie Bunker! At issue: I love, love, LOVE living in Jackson Heights, Queens. It's supposedly the most diverse neighborhood in all the United States and, perhaps, the world. And it certainly has one of the largest communities of Indian immigrants in the world - and home to some of the best Indian food restaurants as well (Jai Ho!).But, as of late, that has also brought entrepreneurship dreams - and not the best of architectural planning. Or stuff that does not fit within the local architectural color of a neighborhood that is supposed to be designated as a historical landmark (and who would blame recent immigrants for being aware of construction codes? The blame lies at the feet of those who provided construction permits).
Anyhoo, before the housing crash, the neighborhood had seen a disturbing trend of houses for sale being bought and torn down to make space for 3 or 4 story buildings with as many apartments as could fit - including a couple of buildings on my block (mostly by Indian-owned companies) .
Not to generalize but most of the recent construction developments have similar features including gaudy silver metal fences and big Hummvie cars. But I have to confess that I did a double-take today when I noticed the new "NO TRESSPASSING" sign posted on the gates of one of the new buildings on my block (see above).
I swear the neighborhood is as safe as it can be. Which makes it a bit annoying that it's Indian immigrants that bring a redneck flavah to the block (Bobby Jindal, anyone?).
As I said, I am Archie Bunkering here. But wouldn't you be if someone posted the above sign in your neighborhood?
Posts
6 comments:
Sweet jesus titties ... that is the funniest sign I've seen for a while! Yes, I've noticed that there is a trend of building large gaudy apartment buildings that can are designed to fit a whole village, and I'm not gonna name names ...
Bobby Jindal ... hahaha ... he is the hickiest Indian I've ever known ... except Apu from Simpsons.
I think I moved out of Jackson Highgts in the Nick of time. It is being way too conservative for my taste, but when I was living there (some 10 years ago) I renamed the "Conservation Society of JH" the "Whitening society of Jackson Heights"... one of the reasons I stop goingo to church in Queens. Now this, I think the environment is better in the Astoria, LIC, Sunyside, Woodside, Masphet, Williamsburg... at least honetly gentrified.
That sign sounds like it might be an illegal death threat.
Hm, I doubt it. It's probably covered under freedom of speech -- or argued as being posted for humorous intent and not deliberate intent...
o_O you actually took that photo?!? I've seen signs like that here, but always hand written, or spray painted on a piece of ply wood... never as "official" looking at that one.
Not to generalize but most of the recent construction developments have similar features including gaudy silver metal fences and big Hummvie cars.
Umm, that is generalizing. I don't know that your observation is unfair, but in what sense is describing the similar features of "most of the recent construction developments" not generalizing, especially in the context of a post that links them to a specific ethnic group?
Post a Comment