Submitted by garySilver t3_xsje7s in yonkers
Are any of you aware that Yonkers is the last city in America to institute desegregation. It's very well depicted in the 6 episode mini series on HBO called "Show Me a Hero".
Comments
garySilver OP t1_iql3qhz wrote
The desegregation isn't in the way u would think. As far as black only or whites only. Or anything like that. It focuses more on the govt suing Yonkers into allowing low income housing in the more suburban areas and forcing the schools to diverse the majors subjects they taught. And i don't blame u for feeling the way u do as a new Yonkers resident. Over the last decade the city has done a great job highlighting many of the things u mention. However, i grew up and still frequent the projects and has been a teachers assistant and worked at a daycare in Yonkers. And I can tell you everything is skewed. Their are radical differences between the "good" neighborhoods and bad and the same for the schools. It all depends on what part of the town u live in. Do you or have u visited the Getty square area? Or any streets named after a tree? Elm, oak, walnut?
whodattguy t1_iqldtov wrote
I have visited those areas but haven’t spent enough time to really understand the dynamics. I hope to volunteer in some organizations downtown but my calls aren’t being returned.
garySilver OP t1_iqlec8v wrote
It's hard to experience it as an outsider. I would say you're best bet is to use the library and nepperhan community center as your main resources
spyro86 t1_ir08hub wrote
Half of the politicians that we currently have had members who are in the KKK. Museum in Manhattan has a plaque that was found in one of their meeting places in Yonkers with the names of very prominent families here who are still in politics who happen to still run the city
garySilver OP t1_ir10dj5 wrote
Which museum? Are u talking about the Spano family?
spyro86 t1_ir2cfpw wrote
Schomburg. They host little exhibits. Was donated by a realtor who lives on Buena Vista that was found in the attic of one of the houses they had bought to flip.
whodattguy t1_iql16yo wrote
Last city in America? I highly doubt that. Maybe at the time when the documentary was filmed.
Good to create awareness anyway.
As a person of color who moved here recently, I love Yonkers. I know that there are real issues in many communities but overall it’s fantastic and I don’t see enough pride in its residents.
Yes, there’s crime but that’s concentrated in an important but relatively small area of Yonkers.
Yes, there is transfer tax and income tax here but property taxes are much lower than your neighboring towns/cities which makes up for it.
Yes, the school system is poorly rated but ask any teacher and they’ll tell you that it’s heavily influenced by standardized test score of 1) students who don’t have English speaking parents that can tutor their child or 2) students of lower economic means with parents that have to work as much as possible to make enough to survive. Less support at home equates to lower grade. But, that doesn’t mean that you have bad teachers. I see that there are plenty of high achieving students who go on to great schools. I know the issue isn’t just that simple but your child can thrive here if you provide the tutoring and support. I don’t blame the parents that want peace of mind. All I say is look at the issues critically.
Yonkers has the some of best malls, pizzeria, movie theatre, supermarket, and entertainment in the area. If not, there’s no reason why you can’t venture over to a neighboring town. You’re close to all that Westchester has to offer and so close to NYC as well.