It’s been way too long since I’ve posted anything about Hoboken. Sorry I haven’t written much. I’ve been busy with things outside of Hoboken (gasp!).
Today’s rant is brought to you by the makers of Hoboken411. Hoboken411 is one of - if not THE premiere website for all things Hoboken. Although I haven’t met the person(s) who run the site, I get the sense that he really cares about the community - or at least enough to make a living off of it by promoting the things that go on in it or are important to it. I normally scan the articles for anything major and stay away from the comments. But that’s changed recently and I’m actually sad to report that not all Hobokenites are who I thought they were. Many (but not all) of the commenters I find on 411 are, in my opinion, not the nicest of people - some, I feel, are downright racist and bigoted.
In the article on the new NJ Transit Bridge, someone called the Newport Center Mall area Hinduport - an obvious and (I’d say) derogatory reference to the Americans of Indian decent that live there. Forgetting the fact that ethnicity had nothing to do with the conversation at all, I found this to be done in more than just bad taste. Other people made references to the people who shopped at the Mall believing they bred homelessness which would spill into our “gentrified” town. I distinctly remember seeing a comment on how this new bridge would let people from Jersey City come to Hoboken and “rob us” more easily. And while cooler heads called many of these classless people out for their appalling comments, very few did. Even more troubling is how rudely people are treated in other conversations.
In the Russo endorses Obama article, the conversation easily led to hate speak posted in the comments; it became a race to see who was the first to say something politically incorrect. And when Hoboken was in the middle of its own election fiasco, all the wild, wild, wests came out and said some heated words that were rude (at best) and derogatory, disparaging, and (perhaps) defamatory (at worst). It was clear that the commentors were engaged in an all out war.
Regardless of one political officiation, it doesn’t take much to be polite to someone who you disagree with; its called respect for one’s opinions. And for as “monied” as Hoboken can be - with its 500k to 3m condos and luxury cars everywhere - there isn’t a lot of class in this town. There is just no reason why someone has to belittle an ethnicity or bigoted in any way in a an urban environment such as this. If you don’t like your neighbors’ heritage, I’d say you’re better off moving the segregated south of 40 years ago.
That kind of hate speak is something I don’t want in Hoboken and I hope that the comments left by a few classless individuals is not indicative of the population. But there is a reason the saying “One bad apple spoils the bunch” exists…
It’s true.
Ironically, the waterfront walkway bridge will actually go nowhere until Newport’s developer completes / provides access to the final 1,000 feet on the Jersey City side.
Well Hello Everybody! Guess what? I’m coming over from Ireland, and I’m heading to Hoboken for Saint Patrick’s Day! Lips O’Loonacy!
sadly, hoboken for the past 10 years has been way too yuppie friendly. The even sadder part is that it’s yuppie infection is spreading to NYC. Call me weird but i thought diversity was a GOOD thing.
Hi,
I understand what you are saying about Hoboken411, and you are right, it’s gotten ridiculos. It’s worse at Hobokenx; what isn’t over the line is deleted by the board moderator because he is completely beholded to his advertisers.
I’d like to change that. I am starting a new board, http://thejcboard.com, which I hope will not be like the above. The board contains news, current events, and a section that details fun and interesting events that are happening around New Jersey. People will have to log in to post, and you can block people, which should eliminate a lot of the nastiness that happens on other boards. Also, I won’t delete comments to please advertisers. There will be one general rule: If my 7 year old niece would know it is not a good thing to say, then you shouldn’t post. Differnt points of view will be encouraged.
Please consider linking to my board.
Hey… What do you know about my commenters?
I have over 14,000 registered users, and you’re saying most are racist? You might as well walk around town and call EVERYONE a racist.
The fact that you’ve already admitted you hardly read the comments makes you a very “not qualified” individual.
hey perry the brain gone bad of hoboken411.. your 14,000 registered users are all multi ids which half of them might be you and other half would be from your other half . so stop talking .
no one wants to read hoboken411 anymore get the grip. start looking for a job.
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Отлично написано! Буду много думать…
Как всегда на высоте!