have been in a funk,,,,

since BAN meeting ended last night. very sad, the situation re gentrification in this city, particularly in Brooklyn. After meeting, walked down 23rd street from7th to 6th and back again.. I remember when that street was pretty honky tonky---one nice building on northwest corner of 23rd and then many spots to avoid. But the southern part of the street now includes three or four terraced high rises---so the poverty conditions have been replaced by housing for the very wealthy, nothing in between.
Before that, had a fruit cup and coffee at the Greek diner that is close to seventh on the northern side of the street. Yes, a large fruit cup and good coffee, and everyone was very nice, and the tv allowed me to watch the Mets triumph over the hapless Nationals---but $7.60 plus a one dollar tip! Unbelievable! Still, that is what costs have come to in this day and age, an age without commercial rent control, which most of us take for granted. Yet this is part of the problem.
At the meeting, really experienced the rage that the two black leaders of this organization feel towards the police and the real estate industry. They really feel that the aggressiveness of these two organizations are totally unchecked. The upper West Side is by now completely transformed into a well to do enclave. What will happen to the middle and lower class people of Brooklyn and Queens who are in the way of the needs of the real estate industry? Is it hopeless?
The more I consider these issues, the more distanced I feel from the people on the upper west side, many my contemporaries, who seem to have forgotten about these issues. And what about my theater friends. Today, will go to see several short pieces including one by my favorite group, Assembly.Is this a different zone altogether? Will I even discuss the events of last night? Several other theater events coming up this week...will see if it is possible to integrate the two worlds in any way.
Some good things from yesterday, though, was invited to join Bushwick group to flyer on Sunday, and may join Sheehan (I think that is how you spell his name) on Saturday at his block party in Harlem where he will flyer.  More adventures. Also two movies that I would like to see.
That is all for now...needed to get all this out...will continue tomorrow.....