Neighborhood demographics change: it's part of the evolution of neighborhoods. A community that fails to attract newcomers is a community that is stagnant.
The latest chapter in the drama of ethnic change is Staten Island. The New York borough is now experiencing growing pains as Russian-Americans flock to the area.
Russian immigrants have long settled in Brooklyn, particularly neighborhoods like Brighton Beach and Sheepshead Bay. As their children come of age, many are now branching further out, especially to Staten Island.
The move does not come without resentment from long time Staten Island natives. The tension recently peaked over a community center proposed for a neglected property in South Beach. The center was perceived as something for the Russians, instead of a project that would benefit the whole community as a whole. Locals were not shy about expressing their displeasure at a recent civic meeting.
As is often the case, natives seem quick to forget that they too were once the newcomers. Surely there was a previous generation of Staten Island "natives" who didn't care for the influx of Italian-American and Irish-Americans who now see themselves as Staten Island's long time residents.
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