What I learned about Brooklyn tonight.

It is no secret that many Brooklynites have moved to Staten Island for a more affordable and slower-paced style of living over the years.  The relationship between the two connected boroughs reminds me of the big/little brother relationship that the New York Knicks now have with the Brooklyn Nets.  If you don’t believe me, just compare the major parts of Staten Island to Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach, and Bensonhurst in Brooklyn (or even the horrible 2011 stats of the Nets & Knicks).  Simply put, our walk and talk says it all.

After spending some time tonight with my uncle who owns a plumbing supply store in Sunset Park (with a net-worth of “$80M if it wasn’t for the economic housing crash”) and last night with my moderate Christian friend involved in the political field, I realized the two share a cultural connection that most of these parts of Brooklyn and Staten Island equally share — an emphasis on the family structure.

My uncle (a free thinking Muslim who wonders such things as why fellow Muslim women wear headscarves in 2012 and if our family struggles with bipolar disorder, allows his employees to hang pictures of Jesus in his store, trusts a Jewish business guy with a handshake over slimy Muslim people who want to take from him, and entrusts a hard-working Guatemalan guy to run things when he’s not around) has given sacrifically to the kids of a man he hardly knew growing up (reason being, he was given a dollar - yes a single dollar - when he had absolutely nothing himself).  My friend (who works for a certain councilman on Staten Island) sacrificially gives to his wife and two daughters that he absolutely adores and wants the best for (something I’d like to think his parents instilled in him). 

So, how does this all tie in to what I learned tonight? Well, Brooklyn is family … families of different faith … families that operate small businesses which in turn cater to other families … families that struggle with mental illness, and families that are, get this, not even blood related.  Truth is, your family will always be YOUR family, so I plead with you to not take them for granted.

What I learned about Staten Island tonight.

Firstly, my friend announced he was getting married and almost all of his friends responded with cynical remarks … not because they are mean-spirited, but because it’s an expected cultural understanding and love language out here. Also, my neighbors threw a block party despise having personal differences with one another, and while I’m sure alcohol played a role in everyone being so overly friend, throwing salty jabs at one another actually helped lighten the mood.  The only time I would’ve been concerned for everyone tonight is if people had NOT started making fun of one another, which helps me understand the BIGGER picture: everyday people will open up their lives if you allow them to.  The real question is, ARE YOU ALLOWING THEM?!

Intersection: A Trendy Rep. Where Culture Meets Street Style in the Forgotten Borough

(Full NY Times Video: http://nyti.ms/RjyNjU)

When we set out to produce our Intersection video series, we wanted to explore all the culture and street style New York City has to offer. It was important that we didn’t overlook the fifth, and often forgotten borough, Staten Island.

I grew up having family in Staten Island, and we only saw them on Thanksgiving. Dinners were always in Queens, Brooklyn or Long Island, never in Staten Island.

So as a native New Yorker, I’ve had only two imprints of Staten Island style, courtesy of the handful of people I’ve known or met from the borough. One impression was of women who donned fresh-out-the-foil highlights, French-manicured nails and the latest monogrammed designer handbags, who lived in cul-de-sacs within gated communities. The other was summed up by members of the Wu-Tang Clan’s individual styles. Both impressions were, without a doubt, limited views.

Last week we trekked to the suburban island, camera in tow and went scouting at — wait for it — a mall. Compared to neighborhoods in other boroughs, there was significantly less foot traffic in Staten Island. Almost everyone drives, so less foot traffic meant less street style. That said, at Staten Island Mall we met Val Pacuku, whose peach sherbet-colored pants and tan wedges were a welcome distraction from the florescent mall lights.

Of all the people we met that afternoon, Ms. Pacuku stood out the most because she spoke so strongly about the style misconceptions that she felt had dogged her hometown. “I’m so tired of people thinking of ‘Jersey Shore’-style when they think of Staten Island,” she said. Clearly irritated with what she perceived as the reality television series’ stain on the area’s fashion reputation, she made it clear that there was indeed style in Staten Island.

No Staten Island Community Group on Saturday. Hot Wings & Solid Conversation Tonite at Failte Irish Whiskey Bar in Manhattan!

Apostles Church hosts monthly Neighborhood Gatherings for local residents, community groups, and young professionals in the area to engage a specific topic facing our city and culture.

These nights usually involve discussion based presentations over the issues facing our local neighborhoods, how we can make a difference, and occasionally involve the use of local artists, photographers, musicians, and writers in seeking the improvements of our neighborhood, city, and world.

March Topic: “Why Work?”

What is the point? Why do we give ourselves to long hours week in and week out? What is it about our careers that pulls us in and defines us? We hope that you will join us for a conversation on work, why we do it, and where fulfillment can ultimately be found even despite it.

Downtown Neighborhood Gathering

Date/Time: First Tuesday of each month @ 7:30 PM 
Location: Failte Irish Whiskey Bar - 531 2nd Ave. (b/w 29th & 30th)
Leader: Matt Garrett

Blockbuster Community Group News: No, Jersey Shore’s Angelina going to TNA Wrestling isn’t news.  However, we will have an opportunity to serve the original ‘Jersey Shore’ bad boy himself, Charlie B, and his non-profit, the NYC Arts Cypher (http://nycartscypher.com), which promotes positive values through arts and entertainment programs, projects, and events.  Stay tuned for tons of details in the upcoming weeks on how you, too, can participate!