New Buffalo: "It's Deep How You Can Be So Shallow..."
By: Marc J. Odien
Date: August 27, 2006
Buffalo, NY - I read this article on Buffalo Rising today and it was in such sharp contrast to the reality that hit me in the face Friday night that I couldn't take it anymore. It's titled: A day in the life of Buffalo?
Whose day in the life? "New Buffalo's"?
I hate to bring the "New Buffalo" crowd to a screeching halt today after such a successful weekend, and I in no way want to diminish the accomplishments of what we all achieved this weekend, but with that, I think its time some very "self important" people start to base themselves in a bit of important reality as well.
Buffalo Old Home Week is about to come to a close and was, by all guesstimating, a complete success. A while back I was asked to assist the Buffalo Old Home Week Committee with a few things and I graciously agreed to help anyway I could. I am very proud to be affiliated with this group of people that made what some called a "pipe dream", become a reality. They are hero's and should be rewarded as such!
When I got involed in BOHW, some thought I had ulterior motives. We never asked for anything in return for any of our services. Like a lot of things we do at WNYmedia, we do it because we believe in the cause and can use the talents we have to help make an impact on this community. I've been told by more than a few people this weekend that WNYmedia and our members have done more for Old Home Week than another website taking all the credit.
Again, we don't care who did what. We didn't do it for recognition. I am just truly honored to be a part of it in my own little way. But for the good of Buffalo, I have decided to cash in on my "ulterior motive"...
I wouldn't do this, but on Friday night, reality hit me right smack in the face.
While some of the BRO crowd, Mayor Brown and some 200 others including some of the WNYmedia family (myself included for a while), were hobnobbing at a mansion and a trendy bar, the Urban League of Buffalo was having their annual sleep-out for the homeless event on Main Street in Buffalo.
THE HAVES
On the west side of Main Street, the Mayor and others who like to throw around the phrase "New Buffalo" were nibbling on roasted duck with mango salsa (I'm not kidding!!) talking about all the great things Buffalo has to offer.
On this side of town, you have proud people (as they should be) talking up all the great things about Buffalo, and other things the people who have in our community can experience. You know, those people who have the opportunity to look for a good job. Those people who have the opportunity to attend a fancy party in a fancy mansion. Those people who have the opportunity to eat roast duck with mango salsa. Those people who have the means to continue on to Prespa after the party is over at the mansion.
THE HAVE NOTS
Meanwhile on the "other side" of Main Street, Judge Nowak, Brian Davis, Michele Johnson, Chris Byrd, Mike Miller, Marilyn Rodgers and other concerned citizens were sitting on park benches with some of Buffalo's homeless, eating premade sandwiches out of a paper bag. These are people who could of easily been hobnobbing with the rest of the folks over at Oakland place, but instead decided to spend their Friday night committed to spending it with people who unfortunately cannot always help themselves. The Homeless.
That's my "New Buffalo."
An older couple (whose names I wish I had gotten) left the mansion to join the folks on Huron Street as well.
That's my "New Buffalo."
REALITY
When I woke up and saw the front page of Saturday's paper, and read Buffalo Rising's post, I realized that my Friday evening was the purest example of the complete disconnect between New and Old Buffalo. It was right there in Alan's Picture. Plain as day.
On one side of Main Street, you have those who think that people are coming back to Buffalo to hang out at the Blu Mirage, or Soundlab, or have a nice breakfast at the Delaware Park Casino.
On the other, you have the truth of what is still continuing to destroy Buffalo. Unfortunately, it's the reality most residents of the city see everyday. Increasing poverty, crime, violence, homelessness. As we continue to re-populate Buffalo with trendy loft apartments and downtown living for the more affluent, we continue to eliminate the middle class of our society, thus making these issues harder to tackle every year.
The more I read the mentioned website, the more It seems that the "have" crowd thinks we should all wear rose colored sunglasses around town and sweep Buffalo's biggest problems under the "New Buffalo" rug.
Sorry, but I can't do that. And obviously neither can the Buffalo News. And good for them.
Don't take me the wrong way. The momentum is changing in this community towards a greater Buffalo and WNY. And I cannot be prouder of the work we have all done to make that momentum change a reality. It's been a pleasure and an honor to work with some of New Buffalo's finest.
But it amazes me how some in this community can continue to ignore the real issues and problems that face the majority of city residents. In essence, leaving the "real people" of this community out in the cold.
MY ULTERIOR MOTIVE
I am officially dropping the term "New Buffalo" From my vocabulary after this post. From everything I have seen it's definition is elitist, racist classism at its finest. A brand that is not inclusive of this community as a whole.
What I want people to see is WNYmedia.net's growing definition of "Our Buffalo."
Our Buffalo":
- "Our Buffalo" will continue to celebrate what is great about our community and work to fix what is not.
- "Our Buffalo" will not sweep reality under the rug. No matter how ugly it looks to those looking in.
- "Our Buffalo" will wake up and face reality once in a while.
- "Our Buffalo" will be all inclusive.
- "Our Buffalo" will work even harder for those who have not!! We have's will always be a voice for the have nots.
- "Our Buffalo" will leave the great things about Buffalo to fend for themselves once in a while and work towards real goals that will have a real impact on our real community that in some ways is in real trouble.
WNYmedia.net - It's not "New Buffalo." It's not "Old Buffalo." It's just "Our Buffalo"!!
Go ahead. Help define "Our Buffalo." Then get involved.
(writer's note: the title of this post is taken from lyrics off a new song by Gnarls Barkley and is not necessarily intended to insult any individual who uses the term "New Buffalo." It's used in the broadest sense possible to describe the disconnect between our communities )
Marc J. Odien is the publisher and editor of the website WNYMedia.net This column originally was posted on WNYMedia.net
© Marc J. Odien, 2006.
The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the WNY Coalition for Progress.
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