Columbia University's Gym Crow
Partner organized a catered get-together for teaching assistants at the park today. People gathered in front of the water feature at the lower end of the park, a pond home to a weeping willow, an egret, and dozens of turtles. A department professor asked students to pose for a group picture. As he addressed the crowd, an old lady on a cane approached. "Welcome to the park", she said.
Professor felt like explaining what was happening, "We're a group from Columbia University, many of us have been working remotely for a year and is the first time we meet in person for many of us." The lady spoke up, "Well enjoy because if it were for Columbia, this pond wouldn't be here – They wanted to build a gym!", and retreated to a nearby bench. I approached her to fill in gaps.
Lady in question was Setsuko "Suki" Ports, lifetime resident of Harlem and famed community activist. Incident happened in the 60's, Jim Crow time. Columbia had gotten approval from the city to build a sports complex on park grounds. Calls to have the facility made available to Harlem residents were resisted out of racial motivation. Columbia lawyer argued facility couldn't be shared because guns would be stored in the facility due to the institution's ROTC program. Construction was stopped after Suki and fellow activists stood in bulldozers' way to prevent further damage to the site. Incident is remembered as "Gym Crow". Her story keeps adding color to Columbia's history of inharmony with surrounding space and community.
✎ Connection to