In the fifty-seventh year of its existence, the Rosedale Civic Association is quite proud that Rosedale has successfully moved from the brink of racial polarization in the early 1970’s to its presently distinctive condition of cultural pluralism and exemplary racial integration, with an impressive program of community beautification and an ambitious plan of economic development.
This article is a summarized retrospective analysis, reviewing and
assessing how in Rosedale, good people from all races and different
religious backgrounds (long-term Caucasian residents as well as new
residents from diverse racial and ethnic groups) worked collaboratively
to defy the “odds of doom and failure”, to prove the expert social prognostications
to be “wrong”, and to help Rosedale remain the desirable, very attractive
and continuously improving suburban enclave found before one crosses
into South-Eastern Nassau County.
Many sociologists, social researchers and specialists in the contemporary
history of the five boroughs of New York City have perplexedly and surprisingly
found that, in spite of their earlier prognostications, Rosedale has
become and continues to be “A Strong Community of Harmony”.
Yes, their studies had adequately analyzed the negative impact of the
“Five Towns Mall” on the 243rd Street business strip in Rosedale, and
they had accurately concluded that the “Green Acres Mall” initially
hurt very badly the Merrick Boulevard commercial strip of Laurelton
and Rosedale.
Consequently these social scientist and environmental analysts felt
that they could also predict the outcome of race relations in Rosedale,
when the first wave of the contemporary multi-ethnic demographic changes
started in the early 1970’s. These experts had so far accumulated a
proven record of accomplishments. Indeed most of their predictions during
the 1960’s and 1970’s had fully materialized. Co-Op City changed the
demographic landscape of the North Bronx; Lefrak City in Elmhurst, after
a long period of glowing reputation, would lose some of its early special
cachet; Rochdale Village would have a positive impact on race relations;
Harlem would be gentrified; Park Slope which was one wholly Caucasian
community would become a safe heaven for bi-racial young families while
Starrett City would actively strive to fully achieve its vision of balanced
community.
However, contrary to their mid-1970’s predictions of racial chaos for Rosedale, a distinctively harmonious Rosedale Community has emerged, and the situation is still evolving so well that person of all races and diverse ethnic backgrounds are now eager to become Rosedale residents. Interaction with other people, different from one’s background in the areas of race, ethnicity, cultural norms and practices, educational systems, musical interest and hobbies was a truly difficult challenge for the majority the Caucasian population of Rosedale in late 1960’s and 1970’s.
Of course there were legitimate concerns, unfounded but for normal fears about the un-known and the one regrettable firebombing incident of a black home in 1974. Sadly, the mainstream, media interviewed only the few “loudmouth bigots” who had formed the racist and avowed anti-minority organization: R.O.A.R.” but had no followers. However, like the media, the social; researchers also forgot to talk to luminary community icons such as the late Kenneth Haslam who in 1946 had co-founded the Rosedale Civic Association; devoted civic leaders such as George W. Wien, now 92 years old, who continues to practice and teach the fundamental norms of Christian brotherhood; then new minority residents such as Judh Grand Champ, Guy Lallemand, Robert Proctor, Irnel L. Stephen, and the late Mr. Gibbs, who were committed to stay and fight for social justice; D. King, Mrs. Mc. Claren, D. & G. Glee, Mr. DeBriano, Mrs. Rowser, Mr. Williams, R. Jackson, T. & S. Arrindell, Mr. Leibernick, Mabel Jackson, Mr. Striggles and Mrs. Jordon, the principal co-founders of the North Rosedale Community Association (NRCA), which covered the area known as “The Triangle”, bounded by Hook Creek Boulevard, Brookville Boulevard and Merrick Boulevard; the late John DiMotta who would later engineer the successful merger of the North Rosedale Community association into the Rosedale Civic Association in order to ensure greater effectiveness of civic efforts and an increased coordination of Rosedale’s available resources.
In those tumultuous years in the mid 1970’s, working in collaboration with the leadership of the 113th precinct which at the time covered the Rosedale community, the Rosedale Civilian Patrol coordinated by a Rosedale resident off-duty police detective put an end to the intimidation motorcades planned by R.O.A.R. This coordinated effort subsequently resulted in the dissolution of R.O.A.R., and the birth of our current Rosedale Civilian Patrol-one of the most active civilian patrols in NYC.
Unfortunately outsiders from all venues did not get the true pulse
of the state of race relations in Rosedale during the 1970’s. They were
unable to monitor the hard work of the members of the Board of Governors
of the Rosedale Civic Association, and they could not assess effectively
the outcome of those endeavors with the supportive cooperation of other
progressive groups including the Rosedale Clergy Association. For instance,
during the presidential tenures of John DiMotta, Paul Mader, and Jim
English there were deliberate efforts made to foster greater and more
active community involvement. There was a measurable response from several
dedicated Rosedale residents and many special friends of Rosedale with
varying educational levels and diverse racial backgrounds. This pattern
has continued during the current presidency of Fredrick J. Kress, with
much success. 
There are thousands instances of efficient and effective hard work by community residents, such as: the advocacy work of Joyce Lawrence, the re-vitalization of the Rosedale Civilian Patrol by Don Herzberger and Mary Maynard; the volunteer work of Author and Loretta Panebianco; the efforts of Civic Association Corresponding Secretary of Kathleen Richards, who was also very active for many years in the PTA at PS 38; the more than 25 years as Chaplain of the Civic Association by The Very Revered Dr. Aubrey N. Bougher; the current service as Operations Coordinator of the Rosedale Civilian Patrol by Sunday Di Peolu; the thoughtful suggestions of Civic Association Vice President Hopeton Thomas; and the assistance of dependable Civic Association member Barbara Morris, Neighborhood Reporter for the Laurelton Times, and whose home address happens to be in Laurelton.
Rosedale has successfully met the challenge of adjusting to changing populations with different cultural norms and practices, yet with the same aspirations to live the “American Dream” of home ownership. Throughout this evolution, the Rosedale Civic Association has remained as the catalyst to ensure improved racial interaction while it promoted greater human understanding. The Rosedale Civic Association continues to work in building bridges and facilitating meaningful connections throughout our great city, for a better Rosedale.
The over-all experience, which is still unfolding, has made Rosedale
a terrific place to live, work and play in an environment of wide and
deep cultural diversity. This has now become one of the most immediately
visible strengths of the community of Rosedale.
To enhance further the special attributes of Rosedale as a model community
of peaceful racial integration, the Rosedale Civic Association is consistently
contributing to the over-all atmosphere of mutual respect, reciprocal
appreciation, higher levels of sensitivity, and a greater sense of racial
harmony. It is proud to have assisted in the actual triumph of enjoyable
racial co-existence. The Rosedale Civic Association has also engaged
all the local elected and appointed public officials in the ongoing
campaign to make certain that Rosedale, as a residential community with
a growing economic base, receives an appropriate allocation of resources
and gets “its fair share” of public services.
The Rosedale Civic Association recognizes the importance of economic development necessary to maintain and enhance the suburban-like quality of life resulting in a model quaint and harmonious multi-ethnic Rosedale. It intends to work collaboratively with all organizations and groups interested in the further betterment of the Rosedale Community. Your participatory involvement is also required, and will be greatly appreciated in the preservation of Rosedale as the “GEM” it has become for our enjoyment and the pleasure of our future generations.
(Reprinted from the November 2003 issue of the
Rosedale Civic Association Newsletter) Rosedale community territory