Although the problems South Buffalo faces today are a direct result of poverty and its rapid influx into our neighborhood, I want to recognize the dilemma of community connection as another cause in the decline of this area.
As we transition from a middle-class singularly ethnic neighborhood to a lower income ethnically diverse neighborhood, we can see the cost these changes have had on community life. This is not to say ethnic diversity is a bad thing but rather recognizing it as a “game-changer” in an area that once so identified with a specific culture. The dynamic has changed and those who once felt an undeniable connection to the area are leaving because they don’t feel it’s “theirs” anymore. I don’t want this to be misinterpreted as blaming race for community disintegration but in the case of South Buffalo the change in demographic has certainly been a factor in the loss of community identity. Which leads me to my point, If we’re not the “Irish” neighborhood and we’re not the “Catholic” neighborhood, What are we? And how do we bring people together again?
Exactly!
This community is going to continue to struggle as long as it doesn’t stand together and hold the people accountable that are responsible for and that contribute to South Buffalo falling apart.
People in South Buffalo need to get over this racism garbage. I would rather live next door to a nice black family than a trashy white family any day. Although it does appear that the majority of the black folks moving into South Buffalo are ghetto, judging by the porches and street corners. Either way we don’t need ghetto scum bags taking over S.B. black or white.