Checking In With the American Conversation About Gentrification

A sign goes up in a rapidly changing New York neighborhood. It contains this joke. On Facebook, a reasonable demand for an apology: “This is racist at worst and insensitive at best.”

A survey of the responses:

— “Cruelty”?!? Really? Don’t make everything a race issue, princess.

— ^^ Agreed. Sickening — Typical transplant bullshit. Go elsewhere with this — we don’t want this here. Honestly, I’m so sick and tired of all the nubies that need to act up like this — Here’s a thought: MOVE TO FLORIDA. IT’S VERY HIP AND SUPREMELY IRONIC THERE.

— Phew almost went off topic there. Anyway, this sign does not offend me.

— This is stupid. Find something serious to get upset about. Why do you young leftists always have to go around starting protests left and right over non issues.

The problem isn’t the real problem. The real problem is talking about the problem! And it looks like we’ve almost cracked it, together.