By Al Peter Barnett
There are so many who, without mal-intent, have called and continue to call for sweeping change to the businesses along Nostrand Avenue. With an open mind one can comprehend this point of view,
particularly in light of the development of neighboring areas, such as Franklin Avenue. However, there is a contrasting point of view, which stems from the West Indian community that resides here. We have a connection to the Avenue that was spawned well before many of our parents even set eyes on each other.
“Nah-strahnd”, for the vast majority of first and second generation West Indian immigrants, is the Caribbean. It evokes its essence: Through food.
To go to Gloria’s for some roti or Thora’s for her fried king fish. Through vibe. You hear some (not on the Legend album) Bob Marley as you pass by Lion Heart or some sweet Soca emanating from vehicles in the street. The dialect. To converse with ease, without having to concentrate and contort your tongue to say words like “Three” rather than “Tree”. Having others fully understand you. To hear colloquial terms (from greetings to expletives) rarely uttered outside the Caribbean. “Wah happnin. Wah iz dee scene?” Being on Nostrand, you can close your eyes, think back, and for a moment, you can remember the mango trees, and warm sun, festivals and pah-ty (parties).
This area provides a temporary reprieve, a Caribbean oasis of sorts in the middle a mostly apathetic American desert. Nostrand Ave; Flatbush Ave; Utica Ave — all three are rooted in West Indian-American history and culture, and have been, and continue to be, well-known and well regarded in the islands through story and song. They might very well need a face lift, but not a complete transformation. Nostrand Avenue reminds us that a hard-working, colorful and fun-loving community of dreadlock Rastas and Christians whose roots trace back to a collective of islands in the Caribbean Sea, co-exists with an austere community of devout Hassidic Jews whose traditions stem from doctrine of ancient Isreal. Nostrand is a testament to the beautiful patchwork of this country. It is an American legacy.
I am Trinidadian. Born and bred for over twenty-five years. I don’t blog. I didn’t even grow up with a computer. But I felt compelled to share my perspective. As a Brooklyn resident for the past few years I have enjoyed Nostrand’s aura and the emotions it stirs via its West Indian parallelisms — so too have countless before, at present and hopefully in the future. By presenting the contrast of West Indian sentimentality I hope that its relevance to the majority of Crown Heights residents will be better and truly understood — so ultimately when the inevitability of change prevails, so too will open-mindedness, inclusion, and understanding to the benefit of the community holistically.
Crown Heights 360 – This is my perspective.
