This image of this guy in a logo-laden T-shirt..has attracted a lot of anger on Facebook from people who have taken offense to the ‘Ghetto Chopper’ decal attached to a handgun.

The project is being attributed to two guys and their ‘SmallAlbanytoons’ promotion..with the names Chip Fasciana and Dana Toons attached..according to the Facebook posting. I don’t know these fellows or whether the shirt ‘model’ is one of the two gentlemen. The shirt refers to what you might call the ‘runt’ of the local Price Chopper grocery stores…the one at Delaware and Myrtle Avenues..which for years has served Center Square, Park South, the Mansion neighborhood, the South End, Arbor Hill and West Hill communities. It serves a racially diverse clientele and since the time I arrived in Albany, nearly 40 years ago, has gone through some distinctly tough times as a store. It was in very rough shape in the mid 70’s, but the Golub Corporation has made improvements. Just not the ‘spectacular’ updating recently seen in Guilderland, Latham, or even Watervliet.

People began calling it ‘ghetto chopper’ many years ago. But I never did. I live near there, I used that store, and I know I don’t live in a ‘ghetto’. The presence of minorities as customers is apparently the foundation of that moniker. But this public project, which attaches a handgun to the ‘ghetto chopper’ name, referencing the gun violence that periodically occurs in Albany’s inner city neighborhoods, appears to be the source of ‘uptown Albany’ ..or suburban chauvinism..or just outright racism. I don’t object so much to the name as much as to the gun image. And it also comes with a HUGE product listing. So if you wish, you may buy anything from socks to water bottles to baby blankets, key chains and jackets. The product availability..with this new logo..was astounding. I’ve included it here so you can see for yourselves.

http://www.cafepress.com/smallbany/11819757

Now I know some may view this ‘Ghetto Chopper’ thing as just a ‘funny’ ‘clever’ ‘hipster’ thing, but I don’t see it that way. Several people who saw the image on Facebook weighed in with displeasure and agreed with me..in fact they brought it to my attention. The ‘gun’ logo is not something the City of Albany needs as officials, and the community, continues the struggle to remove the horror of gun violence from these streets. It’s not prudent to exploit this ongoing tragedy all for the purposes of trying to be ‘cool’.

The Golub corporation already has it’s hands full dealing with the reaction to the decision to re-brand ‘Price Chopper’ as ‘Market 32’. I’m sure Neil Golub is not thrilled by the arrival of this entrepeneurial invasion.