NYDN Speaks To Neighbor Who Was Attacked And Called Slur At Church Ave Station

The man who was assaulted and called a racial slur at a neighborhood subway stop last weekend has spoken out.

Randy Aveille, who is white and was punched in the face and called a “cracker” by a black man at the Church Avenue B/Q stop on Friday night, spoke with the New York Daily News about the incident yesterday.

Police have classified the attack as a bias attack. After punching Aveille, his assailant allegedly said, “go ahead and pick up that white cracker. He doesn’t belong in this neighborhood — this is a black neighborhood.”

Aveille told the Daily News that he has lived in the area for about a year. He said that he was already aware of tension related to changing demographics in the Ditmas Park area.

“I think (current residents) are feeling pushed out,” Aveille told the Daily News. “My fiancée and I have walked to the train, and we’ve heard people having conversations about white people moving to the neighborhood.

“It’s not the first time I’ve gotten the vibe, but (those weren’t) directed to me,” Aveille said. “You never think it’s going to happen to you, (but) I guess everybody who gets attacked thinks that.”

Friday’s incident has sparked a lively conversation among readers about gentrification in Ditmas Park, what constitutes “racism,” and to whom this neighborhood belongs.

What do you think?