Popular Blog Provides Window Into Harlem

The Manhattan blog scene exists, for the most part, as a kind of tribute to the city-that is, to the lower half of to the city. But obscure finds and rare sights exist outside of Greenwich Village, and the rising population of Harlem-based blogs is all too eager to fill the void.

One blog in particular, Bagel in Harlem, has gained popularity in the blogosphere of late. Created in October by East Harlem resident Rachel Natalie Klein, Bagel in Harlem contains community news briefs-anything from the recent racial implications surrounding the death of a white NYU student to postings of nearby apartments for sale. The site lacks narcissism many attribute to blogs, as Klein poses careful discussion questions rather than her particular musings on the issues. For this, her readers reward her with their answers.

But Bagel in Harlem's popularity may also stem from Klein's curious perspective. The charmingly upbeat 34-year-old is white, Midwestern, and Jewish, and she's writing about gentrification.

Dressed for downtown in black with jeans, Klein looks both lost and completely at home on 125th Street. Her Harlem apartment on 127th between Fifth and Madison avenues is the endpoint of a five-year journey through seven different apartments. Over the years, she's migrated north, beginning in the East Village and making her way up to Columbia and now to East Harlem. With 1,000 square feet of rent-stabilized space, it's no surprise Harlem is the best fit.

"I definitely felt inspired. I've lived in several apartments in New York, but when I got here I started writing," Klein said.

Still, there were problems. Shortly after moving uptown, Klein found Harlem weak in the bagel department. Hence the creation of Bagel in Harlem, originally a kind of chronicle of Klein's attempts to find a decent bagel in the neighborhood.

Months later, the blog's focus has expanded exponentially. Klein's most recent posts address debate over Harlem's charter and public schools, the opening of a bowling alley in the neighborhood, recent alleged hate crimes, and, at the top of the list, real estate and gentrification. With this last subject, Klein is in a sensitive, if not simply ironic, situation, and she knows it.

"I'm a Jewish girl from the Midwest, and I'm trying to be as objective as possible, but what's objective for me isn't the same for a neighbor," she said. "My expectations, along with my pocketbook, spell trouble for residents. I recognize my presence in this process. I'm bringing my friends here, spending my money here."

But Klein's humor and dependence on local wisdom for authority land her in her readers' good graces. Each of her entries, especially the more recent ones, is full of responses from residents. The latest post has brought an onslaught of discussion about race in Harlem that's articulate, honest and, for the most part, respectful.

"I'm hearing from old-school residents here, and when they're participating, that's powerful," Klein said.

Though the blog has expanded far beyond bagels, she's still on the prowl. In a cafe on 125th Street and Fifth Avenue, owner Rich Dennis stopped by the table. While the cafe offers sweet potato and Tanzania muffins (Marcus Garvey meets Starbucks), plans for bagels were in the works.

"How close are you?" she asked. "Another two months," Dennis replied. "Another two months!" Klein exclaimed.