When in Manhattan... by Oliver Peterson

Our Fair City

My first “When in Manhattan” column was published on November 14th, 2003. I covered the Modernism Show at the New York Armory and did my best to include the Hamptons and the things we might care about. I was working on my MFA at Southampton College and this, my second published article, was a real feather in my cap. When the editor praised the piece and added two large pictures to highlight it, I was overjoyed. Getting published in Dan’s Papers was one of my first goals as a writer. At the time, the Manhattan article was going to be a one time shot, but I got lucky. The paper assigned me a couple more. They were pleased with the results and before long I was asked to be an official, full-fledged columnist. With this new title came a nominal pay raise and, for the most part, complete freedom to cover and discuss whatever I chose. Over the years, the editors and I have clashed only a handful of times and, to their credit, they were usually right to request I tone down some of the more abrasive content or omit various personal items that had no relevance to the chosen topic. With a background in creative writing I often write about myself. There’s a fine line columnists must tread. We should allow for a bit of personal essay while avoiding the temptation to dive head first into the waters of self-indulgence. With that said, I have never had a problem tossing in what usually adds up to more than a dash of my favorite spice – me. Loyal readers of “When in Manhattan” (if there are any) should know where I grew up, went to school, what I like to eat, my wife’s name, my dog’s name, my favorite bands, books, hobbies, artists and my plans for the future. Readers walked alongside me, step-by-step, as I prepared for my wedding in 2004-2005. They read about my honeymoon. I hope they went to see the things I wrote about and walked the same rooms, corridors, streets and sidewalks that I walked.

New York City has undergone major changes throughout the last decade or so. My frustration with widespread gentrification and what one might call anesthetizing of our neighborhoods has never been a secret. I believe in progress and I support change, but it’s difficult to watch the town I love lose much of what defined my experience. Sure, they don’t sell dope on every corner in the East Village today, but it comes at the cost of a diverse and authentic cultural sprawl. We’ve recently seen the closing of the seminal punk venue CBGB’s, the relocation of the Fulton Fish Market, the rebirth of Times Square in all its Disnified glory and a massive influx of upwardly mobile, young professionals Downtown. It’s now rare to find a “scary” street in the Big Apple, even past midnight. I realize these things might not sound negative to most, but I’ve always loved New York for its edge. Regardless, the city remains close to my heart. Gotham is the city of my birth and will forever capture my imagination and inspire nostalgia and longing. The United States has been called a “melting pot” and New York is the epicenter. It maintains the crown as a capital of commerce, fashion, fine dining and the arts. It is a cross-cultural Mecca, where visitors can experience a true taste of what the wider world has to offer.

This will be my last column for Dan’s Papers. I’m not sure what the fate of this section will be, but I’m moving on. I thank each reader and supporter of my work over these four-plus years. Manhattan, like me, may be in flux, but it’s the greatest city in the world. Don’t forget that. And don’t take it for granted. It looms steadfast in its majesty. It will forever be there, close and available. Don’t put off the trip ‘til next week or the one after that. Stay diligent in your visits. There are always new things to see, and adventures, lessons and growth to experience. Maybe we’ll cross paths again. Perhaps we’ll share a seat on the Jitney and never know what we’ve enjoyed together during these great years.