Posts Tagged ‘pioneer Valley’
I was at a networking meeting a few nights back in Northampton MA, and a speaker used the term “Tofu Curtain”. Now I thought that it was a funny phrase and thought he was joking. The more I thought about it the more I wanted to know. So digging around this is what I found.
First Aron gave his take on the Tofu Curtain:
In the northern half of the Pioneer Valley, there is an abundance of relative affluence and worldly idealism. But in the southern part of the Valley, we find grinding social problems, right in our own backyard. The coexistence of these two realities, separated by the Holyoke Range (or “Tofu Curtain”), is an egregious disparity that amounts to a social justice issue for many. This group formed, as I understand it, to figure out how to mobilize the formidable resources in the northern part of the Valley (financial and otherwise) to deal with these local issues, and help reconcile these glaring differences. We hope to match up socially and environmentally responsible investment expertise with entrepreneurs and innovators with a similar objectives. We also recognize that the Tofu Curtain is a little simplistic. There are disturbing disparities in the northern, more rural parts of the Valley as well.
So what’s going on with your scene in Western Mass? It sounds like a real freak show. There are fat kids, bearded ladies, & cows with holes in ‘em. There’s this psychological “Tofu Curtain” that surrounds a central psuedo-liberal, pseudo-utopia of three college towns in one stupid valley. To the west there’s hills – dotted with tiny hippy holdouts, summer homes for the rich (BILL COSBY!!), a couple rustspots, & some genuine newengland hillbillies. To the east is a giant valley that was flooded for a waterworks project (Quabbin Reservior) by the fat cats in Beantown, punishing the ancestors of Shay’s Rebellion. (You could start inserting footnotes here, mr. editor.) [Naaah. -- ed.]
I loved living in the coops – what a stimulating environment. We had wonderful house parties, using my borrowed tiny Bose shelf speakers (and yes, they really worked – the sound filled up the room!). I worked in the kitchen – switched to the ‘carney’ kitchen after my first recipe in the veggie kitchen was a souffle calling for separating 65 eggs! The houses were divided into veggie/carney sides, and the corner where the switch from carney to veggie occurred was called the ‘Tofu Curtain’
Inevitably, the crime that occurs around a college depends on the town or city around it. With Springfield’s long, quiet blocks and sporadic street lighting, who would argue safety isn’t a concern sometimes? Locally, though, federal data offers an interesting look at crime as it relates to the “tofu curtain,” the term sometimes used to describe the class divide between the wealthier, academic Hampshire County and the low-income Hampden County.
The Holyoke Range, a relatively small mountain range in western Massachusetts, USA, which separates the Pioneer Valley from the Springfield metropolitan area.
This name reflects the juxtaposition of the areas to the north and south of the range. The relative wealth, educational level, smugness and quality of life of Northampton and Amherst, Massachusetts to the north – and the urban decay, teen pregnancy, street violence, drug use, and poverty of Holyoke, Chicopee, and Springfield Massachusetts, a mere ten miles to the south.
A Tofu Curtain may exist in other areas, such as Princeton, New Jersey and New Haven, Connecticut (home to Princeton and Yale Universities, respectively). However, this is the most dramatic example of a physical barrier which approximates the socioeconomic divide.
Northampton is a happy liberal utopia. If you want a teen hooker and an 8 ball, you should cross the Tofu Curtain and go to Holyoke.
This blog is not usually focused on local people, but the person was a special one for Northampton. Bonnie Ascher.
I knew her only as Bonnie. I was told that I would meet her when I moved to Market St. When you are forewarned about a person before you meet them your antenna sticks up. Well I forgot about it until after a few weeks on Market St when I went to the dumpster behind my house. Bonnie was on me like white on rice. She was wondering what I was doing in Stuart’s dumpster (she also shared it) Well I explained in a long winded manner that I was a new tenant in the building. And I was going for my first dump run. She asked me my name and what I did for a living. She said she doesn’t remeber names but only what they do in relation to other people or their location. So from then on I was called Genius. She loved to talk to me about my schooling. So I took the time to tell her. She always looked me directly in the eye.
Well I only knew her for a year but will never forget her. We on earth will miss you Bonnie. I have captured some parting thoughts people have said from another site HERE
October 29, 2009
As a downtown resident, Bonnie was someone I could count on seeing each and every day. Somedays it was just a hello, other days she asked after other folks. I for one will certainly miss running into her. My thoughts are with you.
~ Michael, Northampton, Massachusetts
October 29, 2009
I am sorry for your loss.
I knew Bonnie for years because she would come into my workplace frequently. When I was pregnant with my twins, Bonnie gave me a fantastic book, “Super Baby Food” about making your own baby & toddler food – I used that book constantly and then gave it to another friend with a baby.
She will be missed by many.
~ Rachel, Easthampton, Massachusetts
October 28, 2009
Beckie,I’m very sorry for the loss of your mother.My thoughts and prayers are with you.Your friend,Michelle
October 28, 2009
Jeanette and family:
I was very sorry to learn of Bonnie’s death. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Best wishes to you.
David Robinson
North Haven, CT (formerly of Longmeadow and Springfield)
~ David Robinson, North Haven, Connecticut
October 28, 2009
To the Ascher Family, Iam sorry about the loss of your daughter, Bonnie.
You will be greatly missed Bonnie! Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
From everyone at Spoleto
