As Brooklyn Paper takes up Jackie Robinson arena idea, traction from BP Adams and a warning (from scholar of gentrification) about a veneer for racial inequality
So, following up on my "what if" essay and then coverage of Brooklynite Arthur Piccolo's renewed crusade, the Brooklyn Paper yesterday reported LOCALS PUSH TO RENAME BARCLAYS CENTER AFTER JACKIE ROBINSON. (The article also appears in amNY.)
That's not quite accurate, since Piccolo proposed "Jackie Robinson Arena and Barclays Center," while I suggested the "Jackie Robinson Arena at Barclays Center." I also explained why it was very unlikely.
The news here is that Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, whose staff had previously ignored Piccolo's queries, endorsed the idea, while BSE Global, which operates the Barclays Center, didn't respond.
Both of those were predictable, since it costs Adams nothing, while the arena managers gain nothing by jeopardizing a revenue source.
Comments on the Brooklyn Paper web site were not so enthusiastic, suggesting that Robinson already has a parkway named for him and a statue (in Coney Island), as well as a rotunda at Citifield.
A veneer for racial inequality?
Academic Amanda Boston, who studies gentrification and Black Brooklyn, had some critical comments, suggesting that policy was more important than symbols.
That's not quite accurate, since Piccolo proposed "Jackie Robinson Arena and Barclays Center," while I suggested the "Jackie Robinson Arena at Barclays Center." I also explained why it was very unlikely.
The news here is that Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, whose staff had previously ignored Piccolo's queries, endorsed the idea, while BSE Global, which operates the Barclays Center, didn't respond.
Both of those were predictable, since it costs Adams nothing, while the arena managers gain nothing by jeopardizing a revenue source.
Comments on the Brooklyn Paper web site were not so enthusiastic, suggesting that Robinson already has a parkway named for him and a statue (in Coney Island), as well as a rotunda at Citifield.
A veneer for racial inequality?
Academic Amanda Boston, who studies gentrification and Black Brooklyn, had some critical comments, suggesting that policy was more important than symbols.
Honor Jackie Robinson by making it easier for Black, poor, and other marginalized folks to secure quality affordable housing in Brooklyn. Or maybe start by making baseball more accessible to low-income Black youth (hello?!).— Amanda Boston, Ph.D. (@atboston) July 6, 2020
Historian Craig Wilder cited "a twisted irony that Brooklyn's politicians offered more vocal protests against segregated sports than they had against the construction of a black ghetto." https://t.co/7BAz0rm592— Norman Oder (@AYReport) July 6, 2020
A Covenant with Color: Race and Social Power in Brooklyn 1636-1990,
"Ebbets Field" ≠ cozy nostalgia for Brooklyn tenants— Norman Oder (@AYReport) July 6, 2020
by @Cezary
Speaking of ebbetts field, those buildings still have gang members still in there, rents are getting higher, a way to push out long time tenants, yes the building have become a little diverse, which every one has a right to a safe affordable housing, ABBA reality is the management, gentrification in crownheights as definitely have the rents way up in the sky, smh
ReplyDeleteDo you live there, or nearby?
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