Identity Crisis

I am having an identity crisis.

But this is ok, because so is everyone else.   Just start reading any article about parenting, politics, or Brooklyn for that matter, and this will become readily apparent.  To paint it in broad strokes, humanity is feeling crappy about not knowing which neat little category it belongs in.  We feel crappy about it, because if we could just put ourselves in one little box, we would be clear about what we should do, everyday.

For example, I have been asking myself  "what kind of mom am I?"  Am I a tiger mom or a mom who is devoted to attachment parenting?  Answering yes to one of these would allow me to feel confident about how I deal with the little one. There is a distinct way I should "be" if I am a tiger mom.  Likewise if I am an attached parent.  If I am a little bit of both....well, you see how life gets confusing.

This sort of angst happens with communities as well.  Bedford Stuyvesant is a perfect example at the moment.  Right now, our community as a whole does not fit into any clear category.  We are all at once a transitional area, a neighborhood threatened by gentrification, and a neighborhood excited by the prospect of landmark status.   Although I was not able to attend the Community Board 3 meeting this week (Thanks Bed Stuy Patch for the great coverage!),  it appears the most controversial portion of the evening was an update on a new pedestrian mall planned for Fulton and Marcy.  Although the mall would "showcase local performances, include some trees and other greenery, a possible statue and an art installation", there were many residents at the meeting who wondered why more wasn't being done to bring commerce into that area, and therefore increasing job opportunities.   Identity crisis.

Although the word "crisis" has negative conotations, the reality is that this sort of "crisis" helps us to gain a better understanding of who we are.  We figure out what we really want, what is important, and use that to create our own unique little category. 

When I started this blog, I wasn't sure what my blog's identity would be... would I focus on parenting and life as a working mom?  Would I use the blog as a platform for raising awareness about Bed Stuy activities, issues and people?  Well, I think I have decided that this blog will focus on...both.  Focusing on one would be easy, but I have stuff to say about both.

So, send me your community events, announcements, whatever you think our fair residents should know about.  I commit to posting them when I get them.  And about once a week, expect an entry about raising a little one in Bed Stuy.  Finally, I love to read....so some entries will be reflections on what I have read this week about parenting or Bed Stuy, and links to all the good stuff.  It's going to be messy, but I think it will be interesting!