I thought I'd mix it up a bit so not to bore you with a series of neighborhood reviews and history. The 'hood - Part 2 will come later.
After being here over a month now (hard to believe) one of the most striking aspects of the City is its diversity of cul-chahs. Diversity not only between the neighborhoods but within each neighborhood. It's truly a rich stew with peas, carrots, onions and chunks of chicken and beef in a rich gravy; more than separate food groups on a plate, each untouched by the other. This goes back to its founding. (Of course I have to bring a little history into it).
As you know, the Dutch founded the first european settlement on the island of Manahatta (Lenape indian name for the island) in 1609 and called it New Amsterdam. The Dutch were arguably the greatest sea faring nation and merchants of the time. They were not about colonized territory or seeking religious freedom, but making money. They were the original capitalists before the term was coined (pardon the pun). Realizing that N America was not leading to the riches the East, by 1629 the government formed a second company, the Dutch West India company, to manage their North American business venture.
The settlement was very pluralistic from the beginning. Unlike the Pilgrims who sought religious freedom - then persecuted anyone who wasn't protestant English - the Dutch were a trading company, originally in Beaver pelt, thus the symbol on the NY state flag, and tragically slaves. Its magnificent protected harbor with river access to the north country for trapping, and access to coastal settlements of North America, New Amsterdam traded with the world. By 1643, with a population of 500 people, less than 50% were Dutch and a jesuit priest recorded 18 different languages spoken. (Ref. "Island at the Center of the World" for this forgotten history of the Dutch.)
Today over 800 languages are spoken in New York City, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world. English is number one, but only 51% speak it at home. Spanish, Chinese and Russian come in at second, third and fourth respectively.
Another interesting aspect of this diversity is the stew vs food group analogy. With few exceptions, no neighborhood is homogeneous. In the high rent districts of Upper East and West Sides you will see a cross section of peoples and income groups. Likewise in the low rent districts of lower East Side or the Bronx you have hispanic, blacks, asians and eastern european intermingling. While there certainly are enclaves of nationalities seeking familiarity and support as they transition into a new world, there is always a some mix of others to adapt to. On another blog we'll explore some of these unique enclaves.
I think a result of the intermingling and adaptation is New York City's crime rate. New York City doesn't even make it onto the top 100 cities in America over 25,000 in terms of violent crime per capita. (Detroit, MI; Oakland, CA; St. Louis, MO; Memphis, TN: Stockton, CA top in that order). Most of the world's large international cities (Chicago, LA, London, Paris, Berlin) minorities are still confined to financial and social ghettos that limit interaction and increase prejudice. Thus intolerance - one root of crime.
After being here over a month now (hard to believe) one of the most striking aspects of the City is its diversity of cul-chahs. Diversity not only between the neighborhoods but within each neighborhood. It's truly a rich stew with peas, carrots, onions and chunks of chicken and beef in a rich gravy; more than separate food groups on a plate, each untouched by the other. This goes back to its founding. (Of course I have to bring a little history into it).
As you know, the Dutch founded the first european settlement on the island of Manahatta (Lenape indian name for the island) in 1609 and called it New Amsterdam. The Dutch were arguably the greatest sea faring nation and merchants of the time. They were not about colonized territory or seeking religious freedom, but making money. They were the original capitalists before the term was coined (pardon the pun). Realizing that N America was not leading to the riches the East, by 1629 the government formed a second company, the Dutch West India company, to manage their North American business venture.
The settlement was very pluralistic from the beginning. Unlike the Pilgrims who sought religious freedom - then persecuted anyone who wasn't protestant English - the Dutch were a trading company, originally in Beaver pelt, thus the symbol on the NY state flag, and tragically slaves. Its magnificent protected harbor with river access to the north country for trapping, and access to coastal settlements of North America, New Amsterdam traded with the world. By 1643, with a population of 500 people, less than 50% were Dutch and a jesuit priest recorded 18 different languages spoken. (Ref. "Island at the Center of the World" for this forgotten history of the Dutch.)
Trading Beaver Pelts Trading Slaves
Today over 800 languages are spoken in New York City, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world. English is number one, but only 51% speak it at home. Spanish, Chinese and Russian come in at second, third and fourth respectively.
Another interesting aspect of this diversity is the stew vs food group analogy. With few exceptions, no neighborhood is homogeneous. In the high rent districts of Upper East and West Sides you will see a cross section of peoples and income groups. Likewise in the low rent districts of lower East Side or the Bronx you have hispanic, blacks, asians and eastern european intermingling. While there certainly are enclaves of nationalities seeking familiarity and support as they transition into a new world, there is always a some mix of others to adapt to. On another blog we'll explore some of these unique enclaves.
I think a result of the intermingling and adaptation is New York City's crime rate. New York City doesn't even make it onto the top 100 cities in America over 25,000 in terms of violent crime per capita. (Detroit, MI; Oakland, CA; St. Louis, MO; Memphis, TN: Stockton, CA top in that order). Most of the world's large international cities (Chicago, LA, London, Paris, Berlin) minorities are still confined to financial and social ghettos that limit interaction and increase prejudice. Thus intolerance - one root of crime.
Festival of San Gennaro in Little Italy
Whites, Blacks, Asians, Arabs and others marched in the Italian Parade
Gotta Love It
A very enlightening commentary on the history of Manhattan. So much of human progress started with the desire to "make money" or its equivalent. I agree, based on our short visit, that Manhattan hoods are much more diverse than Chicago neighborhoods (not hard, I suppose). Even in the "posh" upper west side, we say blacks, whites, latinos, Asians all walking around, shopping, acting quite at home. It's a much better way to live. Chicago just keeps gentrifying neighborhoods, forcing out the minorities and replacing them with upwardly mobile white folks. Don't know the answer. Even Evanston is quite segregated by housing (mostly it's an income issue), but as said before, our schools are very integrated. Thanks for the post. I'll forward you an email I got last year re the book based on the Coursera Course I've often talked about. You undoubtedly don't have time to read it now, nor would want to "take the class," but everything the prof talked about should be in the book. One of the lessons touched on the Dutch East Indian Co., and its ability to act like a government: wage war, etc. I've forgotten exactly how he used this as an example of the way Homo Sapiens (by then, of course, the only humans) continued on their march to dominate the planet.
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