sad and frightening....

and full of anger, after participating in the protest at the former underground railroad site on Duffield Street---it is a small house surround by grotesque high rises--the spirit of the "new Brooklyn" I imagine. Protest was very pasionate---many speakers, mostly afro-american but some white cared deeply about preserving the house. Observing and participating in the chants in the space surrounded by what seemed to be hundreds of high rises made me feel angry---at the brutal aggression of the builders who seem to want every shred of land in Brooklyn that they can find. Is it racist? Of course, these buildings are being built and rented or sold to people who can pay the very expensive rates that these buildings want.  Its also classist; they have definitely created a segregated community.
  I felt a strong need to fight this---but also a real distance from all the "art' that I have been experiencing and talking about here---even the remarkable production of Coriolanus--I simply don't believe there is an intersection between art and activism. It's like a split screen---this morning I read the arts section of the Times and simply considered what movies I would like to see this weekend. So separate. I am also struck by how so many people who pride themselves on being sensitive and intellectual refuse to consider the juggernaut that the real estate industry is, and how it impacts people of color. Looking forward to Monday's BAN meeting, but will it be enough?
  After the march I returned to the Gotham Market, that big space across the street from the BAM Harvey, where there are two bars. Chose the one closest to TFANA, and, after making sure the Yankee-Red Sox game was on, ordered my hummus there. Considering I was in a combative mood, all the wait staff and bartenders were extremely nice to me. But even if I had my Brooklyn Is Not For Sale Shirt on, I did not confront or initiate any conversations about gentrification and the like. Watched the Red Sox build a lead on the Yankees, then went home.
  Trying to figure out the evening's plans (apolitical, you can be sure) just found out the the Staten Island Yanks are playing the Red Sox low A team in a double header. Might be interesting---that is definitely a  possibility. Others---too numerous to mention. Like to ride the Staten Island ferry cityboy? We will see.