High school Quote by B. Ruby Rich
““New York city wasn't yet the post-Giuliani, Bloomberg forever, Disneyland tourist attraction of today, trade-marked and policed to protect the visitors and tourism industry. It was still a place of diversity, where people lived their lives in vibrant communities and intact cultures. Young people could still move to New York City after or instead of high school or college and invent an identity, an art, a life. Times Square was still a bustling center of excitement, with sex work, "adult" movies, a variety of sins on sale, ways to make money for those down on their luck".””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “New York City: The End of an Era”, 1995
Describes pre‑gentrified NYC as diverse, vibrant, and full of informal economies before tourism dominance.
In simple terms: NYC once thrived on diversity and informal work before tourism took over.
Key Takeaway
Preserve cultural diversity amid commercialization.
Themes
urban change
culture
gentrification
tourism
informal economies
Mood
nostalgic
critical
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- city planning
- community activism
- heritage tourism
Key Concepts
urban sociology
cultural preservation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can cities balance tourism with resident needs?
- What policies protect cultural neighborhoods?
A Different Perspective
Commercial pressures can erode local culture.
