Writing About Lives

Sometimes this neighborhood feels more like Columbia than Harlem.

Each day I look out of my window and see the Cotton Club on 125th and Riverside.

This world that we inhabit is neither all Columbia, with smiling undergraduates nor all
Harlem, a gritty, urban dwelling and once the cultural capital of black America. Instead
it’s Harlumbia, a delicate mixture of both. Earlier today Columbia’s public safety
division sent out this chilling reminder:

The Public Safety Department has been made aware of two recent assaults that have
taken place near the Morningside campus. In both cases, the victims were attacked,
but no property was removed by the assailants.

In the first incident, on April 1, 2007 at 8:30 p.m., a student was attacked from behind
as he walked on Morningside Drive near W. 115 St. The suspects jumped him from behind
and placed him in a choke hold. The victim was able to escape, and it is believed that t
he suspects fled into Morningside Park. The victim was able to provide a partial description
of two of the suspects:

#1 male/ black/15-16/5’6″/short curly hair/
Wearing a blue backpack

#2 male/black/15-16/5’6″/large dark puffy jacket

In the second incident, on April 3, 2007 at about 8:05 p.m., a Barnard affiliate was
assaulted as he walked on W. 123 St. between Amsterdam Ave. and Morningside Ave.
Two suspects attacked him from behind and placed him in a choke hold. The victim
provided the following description:

#1-male/black/late teens/5’8″/med. build, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt with white
lettering.

#2-male/black/late teens/5’8″/ med. build, wearing dark clothing

If you have any information concerning these crimes please contact the 26 Pct. Detective squad.
If you are traveling at night, please remember to use the Columbia University Escort Service.

At some point in the future I plan to muse here for a bit about my experience living in Harlumbia.