I haven't read through all the responses to this writing, but since I haven't read a reference to the bus driver incident you speak of I direct my comments toward that specifically.
Speaking as someone born and mostly raised in your lovely new neighborhood (the rest of the time I was raised throughout brooklyn) I have some thoughts to share but let me analyze your details;
The bus driver wouldn't open the door? Was he "sticking it to (you) because you're white?
Doubt it.
Let me suggest an alternative theory. What happened to you used to happen to me all the time and I have always been a black guy, and the bus drivers (i've encountered) are usually black people. They are strict and occasionally merciless. They will tell you if asked that they only have to pick a person up when that person is standing at the bus stop. Which is designated only as that area from the bus stop pole going back toward the curb and indicated (usually by that yellow line on the curb.
Your writing indicates you were at or near the bus stop contemplating your varied transportation options. Well, that was your chance. The bus driver decided you blew it. When you walked over to the bus at the red light, you were no longer at bus stop, hence he wouldn't let you or me or anybody else who had their chance to board the bus moments earlier, on that bus then.
Interestingly, I watched a young brother, with dreds walk nonchalantly up to the bus stop, on Atlantic and South Portland just a few days ago for the very same B45. He was so cooly walking he hadn't actually gotten to that area indicated by the yellow line on the curb. The bus slowed down, the dred sporting brother didn't speed up, and then the bus did. He was left yelling and pleading and I sat watching and wondering where he was from.
Sure you've been here before but I extend a "Welcome to Brooklyn" to you just the same.
(PS I just noticed the last poster address the bus driver issue as well, funny what we don't notice in life isn't it!)
I haven't read through all the responses to this writing, but since I haven't read a reference to the bus driver incident you speak of I direct my comments toward that specifically.
Speaking as someone born and mostly raised in your lovely new neighborhood (the rest of the time I was raised throughout brooklyn) I have some thoughts to share but let me analyze your details;
The bus driver wouldn't open the door? Was he "sticking it to (you) because you're white?
Doubt it.
Let me suggest an alternative theory. What happened to you used to happen to me all the time and I have always been a black guy, and the bus drivers (i've encountered) are usually black people. They are strict and occasionally merciless. They will tell you if asked that they only have to pick a person up when that person is standing at the bus stop. Which is designated only as that area from the bus stop pole going back toward the curb and indicated (usually by that yellow line on the curb.
Your writing indicates you were at or near the bus stop contemplating your varied transportation options. Well, that was your chance. The bus driver decided you blew it. When you walked over to the bus at the red light, you were no longer at bus stop, hence he wouldn't let you or me or anybody else who had their chance to board the bus moments earlier, on that bus then.
Interestingly, I watched a young brother, with dreds walk nonchalantly up to the bus stop, on Atlantic and South Portland just a few days ago for the very same B45. He was so cooly walking he hadn't actually gotten to that area indicated by the yellow line on the curb. The bus slowed down, the dred sporting brother didn't speed up, and then the bus did. He was left yelling and pleading and I sat watching and wondering where he was from.
Sure you've been here before but I extend a "Welcome to Brooklyn" to you just the same.
(PS I just noticed the last poster address the bus driver issue as well, funny what we don't notice in life isn't it!)