Thursday, June 23, 2011

☞ REMEMBER: The Battle for Harlem circa 1997


The above photo shows the corner building on Fifth Avenue and 129th Street back in 1997 when New York magazine wrote a major article on the start of Harlem's transformation.  This cover story called The Battle for the Soul of Harlem provides a look into the difference a decade has made and how some things are still the same.  First of all, many of deteriorating buildings and empty lots have been restored in the neighborhood as the lower photo shows but much of the reported politics still remain.

Back in 1997, a new middle class group of African Americans seemed to have been making strides uptown but had issues with the rhetoric of the old guard. Sound familiar?  Chain stores were also a hot topic since Blockbuster video on 125th Street was the only new arrival and proved that this type of business could thrive in a former no-go zone. The article link is a scan of each page but is worth the read for those who want to revisit what it was like in the late 1990s: LINK.  Top photo by Michael McLaughlin for NY magazine
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12 comments:

  1. ChrisJune 23, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    Thanks Ulysses. As crazy as it seems, I actually miss the Blockbuster on 125th. Used to enjoy browsing the DVDs just like the old days. Ah well.

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  2. MarkMJune 23, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Thank you Ulysses. This article is fascinating and a must read for anyone who lives here and comments on this blog. The article touched on so many of the development/political/cultural issues that I have wondered about (and I have only lived here 3 years.) It would also be fascinating to have a follow up article with the same people interviewed to get their thoughts on how they see Harlem 14 years later. Again - a must read.

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  3. GreenJune 23, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    Great link ... There is also a 1984 article from nymag called "can Harlem be born again" in a similar format.

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  4. westsiderJune 24, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    Amazing photo that starkly documents the remarkable transformation of Harlem, much of which comes from individual brownstoners who invested everything they had into turning theses buildings around which in turn transformed whole blocks and neighborhoods.

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  5. Harlem BBCJune 24, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    Agreed Westsider which is why it annoys me to no end when people try to regulate folks who put up there own funds to do things in an effort to build up the community.

    I have been in Harlem 7 years now and I really like the direction it is taking, if we can get a real grip on some of the crime hotspots and the littering that would be awesome as well.

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  6. Harlem BBCJune 24, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    When you see that Rangle et al all have become quite wealthy it does make you go hmmmm!!! I am glad to see that they were unable to block the move forward or I would not be living in Harlem!!!

    I would like to add my thanks to the others Ulysses for posting this article. I used to live in the same building as Rangle and he is the biggest glad hander you have ever seen and his wife had a very "entitled" attitude so I for one can say that based on my interaction with them I can completely see many of these accusations being very true.

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  7. BobJune 24, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    @Harlem BCC -- make no mistake, Inez, Charlie, Keith, all those guys are heavily vested in keeping Harlem poor, pliable and uninformed. But I think they have had their day.....

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  8. Harlem BBCJune 24, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    @Bob this I know believe you me.

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  9. GwinJune 24, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    It's really deplorable that Rangel keeps winning elections, particularly in light of his recent censure. I sure didn't vote for him!

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  10. Harlem BBCJune 24, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    Also after seeing the before and after shots above all I can say is the people who put their blood sweat and tears into that renovation should be highly praised!!!!

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  11. MIKE212June 24, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    just read the NY Mag article from 97 - Great to see that Harlem has come so far.

    Very very frightening to read Rangel's out of touch comments and to think this corrupt man now in his 80s is still representing the area.

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  12. AnonymousJune 27, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Mike: Not only still around and still in office, but still just as much out of touch...

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