Gothamist: At Least 7 Injured in Harlem Shootings

GOP

Tue, 27 May 2008 20:16:55 -0500

If a soul-less Harlem will save an innocent life from a stray bullet (or a life from escaping peril into oncoming traffic, see, e.g. Ming Yu), then a soul-less Harlem is what I want. A sterile environment never killed anyone.

sonyactivision

Tue, 27 May 2008 19:25:38 -0500

It's wonderful how the natives dress and behave so colorfully for the tourists. That kid that did the shooting? I bought one of his 'pleine aire'paintings just the other day. It cost 30 euros but his skilled use of Krylon in depicting streetlife along 125th St. was well worth it.

danpaul80

Tue, 27 May 2008 18:21:11 -0500

GOP, the history of Harlem goes far beyond the scope of this posting. Seriously, check out a history book. This area is rich with history. It's a truly unique place. Many have lived here for decades. It's spawned art, artists, art forms. I think your analysis of the "guilt" of the people getting displaced is grossly oversimplified. Of course you can't remove personal responsibility from the equation but the roots of the problem are complex, multifarious and historic. Also, there are many poor people in the area who do work, and work hard. Also, your comments regarding the community looking down on education seem entirely off base. That hasn't been my experience at all. If nothing else, the unrestrained development and gentrification of the city are going to make it boring, sterile and soulless. Your analysis of the "Sharpton cops" is just a silly bad argument with no real thought or serious analysis.

BINGORAMAIREZ

Tue, 27 May 2008 18:07:25 -0500

The Rev. Sharpton will help calm things down This happened just one block from the office of NAN, his community outreach group. We have to start putting these cops in jail, they are the cause of this incident. The kids were just fooling around and the cops panicked and went beserk, beating innocent kids and seniors for no reason. A few people shot does not mean they can curse and shove people who were just looking curiously on as to what was going down and what not. It is their JOB to defuse things when kids go a little to far, not to kill them or yell at them. If they handed out vouchers or something that offered tickets to movies or shows, or sports equipment etc... these kids would have something to do instead of watching certain people spending money on 125 Street while they go hungry.

GOP

Tue, 27 May 2008 14:50:46 -0500

"Additionally, it undermines the unique and historic community which has developed in this area." Besides the Apollo Theater, what the fuck is worth saving in Harlem? And you can't have a better standard of living while not having a better standard of living. It's either you increase the income of people in the area (and that will displace people), or you don't add value to the area (and things will stay the same). People in the area that are getting displaced should have studied in school, not have gotten pregnant out of wedlock, and learn to cope with the mores and norms of the larger society. But if they do get an education, the community themselves look down on it, saying they are selling out, being an uncle tom nigga. But if they do bad, they keep it real, yes, but they die by the age of 25 with three illegitimate kids by three baby mommas. And now because of Sharpton cops are afraid to use guns. 10 mutherfuckin ppl shot. No wonder cops shot 50 times. Geez.

allie25

Tue, 27 May 2008 12:46:09 -0500

well said, danpaul.

danpaul80

Tue, 27 May 2008 12:17:07 -0500

I live in the neighborhood and my roommate was there when it started. First, I don't think it's (as another commenter said) "the cops fault". This area gets busy and impossible to control, especially on summer/holiday weekends. There are a lot of cops in the area but they can only do so much. Regarding what was said about the changing neighborhood, yes, some people are upset about the changes that are happening to this area (as well as many others in the city). There are condos going up everywhere. Here as elsewhere people are getting pushed out. This might make the area safer but just pushes the problem further out and does nothing to address the real cause of the problem. Additionally, it undermines the unique and historic community which has developed in this area. People generally want the area respected, they want to be able to afford to live and raise a family here, they want to maintain the history, they want a vital community. There's plenty of blame to go around. Lets keep our thoughts and prayers with those that were affected and lets do what we can to work toward peace by confronting violence in all its forms.

Anna_Merkin

Tue, 27 May 2008 11:55:24 -0500

Whatever happened to the good ol' days when a slight over a woman meant challenging the other gentleman to a duel?

Snoopy

Tue, 27 May 2008 11:22:34 -0500

Keeping it real. And there are many locals that don't like the way Harlem is changing. They prefer to keep the local flavor and edginess going. Good luck.

zodak

Tue, 27 May 2008 10:35:58 -0500

where are all the people who miss "the good old days" of ny when crime like this was normal?

BINGORAMAIREZ

Tue, 27 May 2008 10:35:49 -0500

Its the cops fault. They do nothing. The cops stand around while these kids horseplay. The horseplay gets out of hand and this happens. The violence of the cops in these communities carries over to the youth and they see it as OK. Then when the fooling around goes too far the cops walk away and laugh as the kids shoot each other. They need more programs for the youth to keep busy, and parades and festivals and such.

Splicer

Tue, 27 May 2008 10:34:24 -0500

It must be the economic hardship that causes this. I know when I was out of work, the first thing I thought of doing was shooting people over girls.