Chinatown in NYC, like in many cities across this country are some of the best examples of community -- community looking out for their own. They have always had a very unique way of sticking to themselves… Almost instinctively knowing they would never get a fair shake -- they decided to it all themselves. Being "outsiders" they were (are) able to see and experience the injustices that occur on a daily basis to everyone of us, who are not on the "inside."
And although they have had their problems with gambling, gangs, drugs and organized crime (like most big cities), that is just a tiny portion of the community. In general they are people, like you and me, striving for a better life, for themselves and their children.., and a bank like Abacus (I have walked by this place a gazillion times), is not only their first choice -- it is their only choice!
They are the only neighborhood in Manhattan that has survived (fought off) gentrification… While the sense of community has all but vanished from NYC.., Chinatown refuses to sell-out, turn their backs on the people that helped to build there community -- this makes them an easy target for the rich and powerful.., and the jackasses like Vance who do the bidding for them, hoping one day to become one of them -- the elites.
By operating on the fringes in order to serve the community they have created, they are vulnerable to attacks like this, when someone running for elected office needs some headlines and to fatten their coffers, instead of going after the real criminals that rob this city (and fund their campaigns) blind -- they pick the easy target, the people that don't have any juice in the system, no strings to pull, no connections -- no way to defend themselves in a corrupt system that has blatantly been bought and paid for by the same people that hope to eventually vanquish Chinatown and build more skyscrapers made of steel and glass, that only serve to reward themselves and the banks that fund them…
It is unfortunately, just one of many gross injustices that take place daily across the globe -- making decentralized places like Steemit, things like the blockchain and cryptos ever more important, if we are ever to see any real change.., or any real justice. At least, a place (a world) where everyone gets a fair shake.
P.S.,
Cyrus Vance, Jr. is a pig!
Well said. I hope we can do better.