Brooklyn Buzz recently published an opEd, which is fueling discussion about the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), gentrification, homeownership, and political distrust in Brooklyn.
A new Brooklyn Buzz Op-Ed is drawing attention for its sharp criticism of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and what the author describes as a growing disconnect between progressive political messaging and the experiences of some longtime Brooklyn residents.
Written by a Bedford-Stuyvesant homeowner, the commentary was sparked by remarks made by community advocate and former District Leader Renee Collymore following a Rent Guidelines Board hearing. But the article quickly moves beyond that moment and into a broader critique of how some homeowners view the current political landscape in Brooklyn.
For the author, Collymore’s comments simply put words to concerns that many residents have discussed privately for years.
More Than a Housing Debate
The Op-Ed centers on a statement Collymore said she heard during a Rent Guidelines Board hearing, where she recalled white liberals shouting that people should sell their homes.
The homeowner argues that those words carry a different meaning for people who have spent decades investing in Brooklyn neighborhoods.
The opEd states, “They hear a suggestion that maybe their time in the neighborhood has passed. They hear the idea that someone else’s vision for the community matters more than the people who stayed when the neighborhood was struggling.”
That perspective forms the foundation of the author’s argument that conversations about housing are often also conversations about power, ownership, and who gets to influence the future of a community.
Why the Author Distrusts the DSA
The most politically significant part of the Op-Ed is not its discussion of gentrification. It is the author’s claim that the DSA has a credibility problem with some homeowners and longtime residents.
The writer repeatedly argues that trust has been damaged by actions they view as inconsistent with the movement’s public messaging.
One example involves Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest and community organizer Samantha Johnson in the 57th Assembly District.
Johnson sought to challenge Souffrant Forrest for her Assembly seat. According to the Op-Ed, the author’s view of the race changed when Souffrant Forrest challenged Johnson’s petitions.
The author wrote, “That is why I was surprised to learn that Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest challenged Johnson’s petitions.” The homeowner added, “but as a homeowner watching from the outside, it raised questions for me about consistency. So the DSA candidate can do it but others can’t.”
The author argues that many progressive activists have spent years criticizing ballot challenges and procedural tactics when used by establishment politicians. Seeing a DSA elected official use the same process caused the author to question whether the movement operates by a different set of rules than it publicly promotes.
A Different View of Gentrification
The Op-Ed also challenges what the author sees as an incomplete discussion about housing policy. Rather than focusing solely on affordability and tenants, the writer argues that political leaders spend too little time discussing homeownership and generational wealth.
The author went on to say, “What I hear far less often is a discussion about the role homeownership plays in preserving generational wealth for Black families.”
That sentiment reflects a debate that has become increasingly visible in neighborhoods such as Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights.
Over the past two decades, both communities have experienced dramatic increases in property values, rising rents, new development, and significant demographic change. While some residents point to economic growth and investment, others have raised concerns about displacement and the long-term impact on Black homeownership.
The Op-Ed falls firmly into the latter camp.
A Political Challenge for Brooklyn Progressives
Whether readers agree with the author’s conclusions or not, the article highlights a challenge facing progressive politics in Brooklyn.
The DSA continues to maintain a strong base of support among many voters. At the same time, critics argue that some homeowners and longtime residents feel increasingly disconnected from political conversations surrounding housing, development, and neighborhood change.
The author concludes with a statement that leaves little doubt about where they stand: “One thing I do know is I’m NOT selling my house, so don’t ask, not even as a so-called ‘friend’.”
As debates over housing, development, affordability, and political representation continue across Brooklyn, the questions raised in the Op-Ed are likely to remain part of the conversation.
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