You might say that Friday night's protest of super-gentrification in the East Village was also a celebration of Die Yuppie Scum's 20th birthday . In trying to trace the roots of this rallying cry of rage, I found its earliest recorded use goes back to the 1988 riots in Tompkins Square Park , when it was hurled at the new residents of the Christodora House (along with bricks), painted on the walls of their controversial building, and propelled into the mainstream lexicon. By 1989, the phrase had made it onto T-shirts and was being spray-painted everywhere. It is currently enjoying a resurgence . How appropriate then, that this weekend's angry group of East Villagers, chanting "Die Yuppie Scum" as they marched through the neighborhood's streets, should end up on the doorstep of Christodora, face to face with the enemy, where they found their fiercest opposition of the long march. But first let me rewind, back to the beginning of the night. It started...
You know, in a way I kind of like this. A no frills joint that fixes computers. Basic signage too. It could have been way worse. It's no Sucelt but at least it isnt another "new" NYC cupcake joint or something.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...four...counting the umbrella, which is a portable device, in a sense...? The guy standing at the door looks to have two things in his hands...phone and PDA? (Or are those cigarettes?) Plus the umbrella under his arm. And the fellow walking by has headphones, which must lead to an iPod, portable radio or something.
ReplyDeleteyou're right, nothing would have made me happy. i am relieved it's not a fancy cupcake joint though.
ReplyDeleteTwo words: money laundering.
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