By Michel Fallah, Eytan Galanter, Arun Sivan

Welcome to our Flatbush walking tour! This neighborhood has experienced vast changes over the course of its history beginning with Dutch settlement to a white and Jewish majority and now a home to the one of the largest populations of Haitians in the country. This ethnic group has moved into the area in masses beginning in the 1970s through the 90s. With political and economic disadvantage, Haitians have struggled in creating a rich presence in the neighborhood and focused their attention on forming organizations which help their families back home. And so we begin our tour at the Haitian Centers Council Inc. to highlight the political strife of the Flatbush Haitians.

Haitian Centers Council Inc.

The present status of Haitians in Flatbush is tied intimately to their history. The majority of the Haitian people that came to live in Flatbush came after the 1990’s. These people were less educated and had less funds than the first wave of the more affluent Haitian immigrants. Upward mobility for Haitians across the economic ladder was stratified due to acute labor market polarization. This means that lower end jobs and higher end jobs were available; however, there were no jobs for the middle class.

Since most Haitians came to the country with little to their name, they were forced to take up jobs on the lower end of the economic spectrum. Consequently, this caused most Haitians to take up janitorial, domestic/personal service, and elderly care positions which did not offer sufficient money to improve their standard of living. Because Haitians had economic struggles, they had enormous troubles with political representation.

Despite Haitians making up a large majority of the inhabitants of the neighborhood of Flatbush, they were severely underrepresented in district governments, thus causing a lack of Haitian-community improvement efforts. This lack of political representation led to the formation of the Haitian-American Political Action Group, a lobbyist group that formed in 1994. Constant lobbying efforts by the Haitian-American Political Action Group led to massive upheavals among district government representatives. In the early 1990s, the political group was highly critical of Representative Major Owens, a man who they claimed was completely out of touch with the needs of the Haitian community.

Today, City Councellor Mathieu Eugene aptly represents Haitian interests and his office is located at this site. This is huge for a community that lacked representation for so long. I am sure that you can all appreciate this comparison between times, and how important it is to have a figure that represents your best interest in your local government.

Now that we’ve seen the Haitian Centers Council, let’s move on to our next stop, a place which claims a rich history, the Flatbush Town Hall! First we are going to head west on Linden Blvd and take a left onto Bedford Ave. We then continue south on Bedford Ave until we reach Snyder Ave, where we take a right and reach our destination.

Flatbush Town Hall

Currently one of the most prominent landmarks standing in Flatbush, this town hall functioned in full political capacity from 1894-1915 after which a demolition was planned. Luckily the National Register of Historic Places deemed the building a landmark and stopped all plans of demolition. This building is one of the few landmarks from the late 1800’s. A building that withstood the tests of time if you will.

The interesting thing about this landmark is that it harkens back to a time when Flatbush wasn’t really a part of New York. During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, Flatbush was really just a town with its own municipality, police force, and banking system, and even a completely separate irrigation system from the rest of New York. Even now the infrastructure of Flatbush is oddly unconnected to the rest of the borough it is in, almost like an enclave within the city.

During the time when the Town Hall was erected, the government of Flatbush consisted of a Sheriff, two leaders of the floor, and eight members of the community that these two people picked to help them. The voting process was rather simple. The whole town gathered in the Town Hall and what we now call a Town Hall vote would take place.

Kings Theatre

A left on Flatbush Avenue and two blocks down, you will find yourself at one of the biggest feats of entertainment in Brooklyn. This would be Loew’s Kings Theatre which opened on September 7th, 1929. Magnificently designed by the renowned architectural company Rapp & Rapp, the theatre drew great appeal in its time. With 3,200 seats, it was the largest theatre made in Brooklyn. It had become a main attraction in the Brooklyn arts scheme as a whole and in the shopping district along Flatbush Avenue.

However, this was the same year that the stock market crashed on October 29. Banks were closing and having that extra money to attend a film screening was out of the question. The solution was to only present featured films at the theatre to counteract the effects of the depression and decline of vaudeville, which is stage play with interspersed songs. Even so, it faced steady decline from the 50s until its closing on August 30th, 1977. With the rise of multiplexes and blockbusters, the theatre could no longer compete and make enough profit to cover expenses.

Beginning in 2006, the New York City Economic Development Corporation along with the Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz have worked to have the Kings Theatre restored. On February 3rd, 2010, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President Markowitz had announced official plans for the theatre to reopen. The ACE Theatrical Group,

LLC was contracted as the developer choosing the Martinez + Johnson Architecture firm and planning to modernize the technology for displaying modern shows while preserving some of the original architectural features. A five year lease with The Kings Theatre Redevelopment Corporation was signed on January 23rd, 2013.

The project amounted to 95$ million dollars with its vintage carpets, seating, and historic lighting. This recreation of the old theatre shows gentrification of the area. With its new and expanded facilities and staging capabilities, the theatre will revitalize Brooklyn entertainment and increase job opportunities in the Flatbush business district.

Holy Cross Cemetery

We will now walk down Tilden Avenue until we reach the Holy Cross Cemetery. One of the parts of Haitian life that we have not yet covered is the aspect of spirituality. The majority of Haitians follow Roman Catholicism, although a sizeable minority practice Haitian Vodou, and different forms of Protestantism. No matter the religion, the vast majority of Haitians, living both in Haiti and in the States, take their spirituality very seriously and going to church has become a sort of social event.

As previously stated, Catholicism is the dominant religion in Haiti. Much like the rest of Latin America, Haiti was colonized by Roman Catholic European super powers like Spain and, in Haiti’s case, France. Catholicism had become so intertwined in the lives of Haitian citizens during colonial times that Roman Catholicism was officially stated to be Haiti’s national religion in the Haitian constitution until 1987, when Vodou joined. As Haitians began to immigrate to Flatbush in the late 20th century, they brought their deep seeded beliefs.

The Holy Cross Cemetery is an example of the religious majority in Flatbush. This cemetery is one of the largest signs of Roman Catholicism in the area, and it has been standing here since the early 1800’s. Its beautiful architectural style, yet completely unperturbed history indicate a deep seated respect for life, death, and religion.

Several notable figures are buried here such as Louie Capone, an infamous mobster that is unrelated to Al Capone. In fact this cemetery has the dubious distinction of being home to more organized criminals than any other cemetery in New York. The Cemetery itself is rather beautiful and its architecture is  Gothic. It serves as another foray into the past, rooted into the grounds of the present.

But now let’s stop being morbid and move on in our tour!

Flatbush Gardens

Now, let’s walk down Brooklyn Avenue and make a right onto Foster Avenue. Before introducing this site, you all must understand one of the issues that currently haunt the Haitian community. The issue in question is that of gentrification. Gentrification has slowly been eroding at the very essence of the community. The pay for people working the afore-mentioned sort of jobs that Haitians primarily work in has stratified due to poor economic growth; however, the price of residency is only soaring. Furthermore there is a new sense of racial bias that can be seen in the housing on Flatbush. Even store prices are rising dramatically. According to one woman, a sandwich at her Bodega used to cost her around 2.00$ and now it costs her 5.50$ This is only anecdotal evidence of course, but evidence none the less.

This site, Flatbush Gardens, is notorious in the area for unfair pricing and terrible management. According to multiple sources on Google and an interview with a Haitian from Flatbush, the establishment prices multiple families out and consistently treats people of color negatively. This is just one of the many places that is representative of a bigger problem. One that is both pivotal to prevent and incredibly difficult to stop.

Now folks, we are going to do something waaaaay more uplifting. Food!

Kreyol Flavor

Making our way toward the Flatbush Junction and walking down Flatbush Avenue, we will see one of the few Haitian restaurants existing in Brooklyn. Kreyol Flavor is a small business owned by a man named Cursy Surin. In a neighborhood lacking many signs of the newer Haitian majority, Kreyol Flavor opened its doors on May 6, 2014. Although recent, it has become a common place for Haitians of the Flatbush community to gather and have homestyle lunches. They serve traditional dishes with rice, beans, fried plantains, and choice of meat.

Many of the customers visit during their lunch break, which is when the restaurant is most crowded. Upon entering, there is the Haitian flag propped up against the window and Haitian employees waiting to serve. The interior decor reflects Haitian culture with a straw voodoo doll and painting of the recent 2010 earthquake which struck Haiti. Vodou is a common practice among Haitians and it is fairly easy to find a voodoo priest in the Flatbush area. The 2010 earthquake hit 7.0 on the Richter scale leaving the country in complete devastation and Haitian relatives in Flatbush with immense grief for loved ones back home.

That same year, Fritznel Milfort was caught in the middle of the earthquake while on a relief mission and immediately formed an organization in Flatbush known as the Canteens for the Children of Haiti. Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches in predominantly Haitian neighborhoods provided supplies en masse to charitable organizations working directly with Haiti relief. It’s quite evident that this tragedy strengthened the bond of the Haitian community of Flatbush.

Brooklyn College

In order to reach our Brooklyn College, we have to head northwest on Flatbush Avenue towards East 34th street. Once there, we turn left onto Avenue H, then a right onto Campus Road. After walking a short distance, we turn left once again towards Bedford Avenue. After traveling around 0.2 miles, we turn right towards Bedford Avenue. We then follow Bedford Avenue until we reach Brooklyn College.

Brooklyn College is rather important for the Haitian community living here. It has long been a symbol of educational opportunity for immigrants of a multitude of backgrounds since the early 1930’s. Known as the “poor man’s Harvard,” Brooklyn College is known for providing an excellent education at an affordable cost. This is  something that people who want to advance economically find extremely helpful.

These manageable tuition rates and standards for academic excellence draw immigrants from all backgrounds to enroll. This includes Haitian immigrants that are drawn to America due to promises of better living conditions and dreams of providing better lives for their children.

Historically, the influx of Haitian immigrants into Flatbush during the 1990’s caused the uptick of Haitians in the Brooklyn College community. Over the years, Haitian prominence in Brooklyn College has been a major catalyst in creating and popularizing the Haitian Creole courses offered to students looking to learn about the wonderfully diverse and prominent culture of the Caribbean.

The course is offered in four tiers: Tier I Introductory Courses include basic culture and civilization courses and two core courses that provide a basis for future electives, Tier II Genre Courses include courses titled Thematic Readings in five major literary genres (poetry, the novel, short fiction, theater, and the essay), Tier III Multidisciplinary Courses expand the study of literature beyond the traditional fields, focusing on special areas of interest in the contemporary world; women; autobiography; moral and religious concerns; historical and social concerns; and the arts, and Tier IV, Pivotal and Monographic Courses, offer the intensive study of a major author or body of literary works at an advanced level.

In addition to the Haitian Creole course, Brooklyn College has showcased its proud Haitian community through the Haitian American Students Association, a club that embraces and shares Haitian culture to both students of Haitian descent and students interested in learning more about Haitian customs and values.

This institution is currently setting the stage for young Haitians to overcome their economic obstacles and the political burdens that were placed on the community and thrive in the future to come.

NYC Police Department 70th Precinct

In order to reach our final destination, we begin by going north on Bedford Avenue. We then take a sharp left on Campus Road and continue on Campus Road for around 0.2 miles. Next, we take a left onto Avenue H and take the pedestrian tunnel until we reach Ocean Parkway. We take a right onto Ocean Parkway and continue on it until we reach Newkirk Avenue. Newkirk leads us to Lawrence Avenue where our final destination resides.

This site is important because it shows a major problem that the Haitian community faced and continues to face to this day. That issue is discrimination.

Discrimination has always been an issue for Haitians settled in America. Haitians were disliked not only for their color but also for their perceived identity as job thieves. Police brutality is also a prominent issue for Haitians settled in Flatbush.

After several accounts of violence displayed against Haitians in Brooklyn by members of the police force, the Haitian community finally reached its breaking point when Abner Louima, a Haitian immigrant and father of two, was arrested, stripped, and sodomized by two officers of the 70th Precinct in August of 1997. Haitians came together to protest not only the actions of the two police officers that brutalized one of their countrymen, but also against the large amount of racism that was prevalent in the police force under Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s leadership.

Today, statistics have shown that people of color have been stopped and frisked at an alarmingly high rate; the natives of Flatbush know this all too well. Racial discrimination and profiling by members of the NYPD continues to be a pressing issue for the Haitian community in Flatbush.

 

Thank you for coming on our tour. It was a pleasure telling everyone the issues surrounding the Haitian community, and I hope the stragglers find their way home.

We bid you all adieu! 

References

“About Us.” Canteens for the Children of Haiti. Canteens for the Children of Haiti, Inc.., 2015. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.

Baillou, Charles. “Angry Haitians march at the 70th Precinct in Brooklyn. (Cover story).” New York Amsterdam News 21 Aug. 1997: 1. Academic Search Complete. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.

Barron, James. “Haitians in New York Eager to Help, but Struggle With How.” Www.nytimes.com. New York Times, 13 Jan. 2010. Web. 17 Mar. 2016. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/14/nyregion/14nychaiti.html>.

“History Behind Kings Theatre.” Kings Theatre. ACE Theatrical Group, LLC, 2014. Web. 06 Apr. 2016. <http://www.kingstheatre.com/info/history>.

Motyka, Joan. “IN YOU’RE THINKING OF LIVING IN FLATBUSH.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 29 Jan. 1983. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.

“NYC DCP Census Fact Finder.” NYC.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.

Pierre, Garry Pierre. “NEIGHBORHOOD REPORT: FLATBUSH; Haitians Seek New Influence In Local Politics.” Www.nytimes.com. New York Times, 7 Aug. 1994. Web. 17 Mar. 2016. <http://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/07/nyregion/neighborhood-report-flatbush-haiti ans-seek-new-influence-in-local-politics.html>.

Semple, Kirk. “Haitians in U.S. Brace for Deportations to Resume.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 19 Dec. 2010. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.

Semple, Kirk, Julia Preston, and Deborah Sontag. “Worry Rises Among Haitians as U.S. Plans to Resume Deportations.” New York Times 20 Dec. 2010: 20. Academic Search Complete. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.

Sontag, Deborah. “Haitian Migrants Settle In, Looking Back.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 02 June 1994. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.

“The Newest New Yorkers – 2013 Edition.” NYC Population. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.

Wah, Tatiana, and François Pierre-Louis. “Evolution of Haitian Immigrant Organizations & Community Development in New York City”. Journal of Haitian Studies 10.1 (2004): 146–164. Web. 17 March 2016.