Brooklyn midwife faces online backlash over Bunco club, accused of colonial violence
Online commenters in Bed-Stuy branded a white midwife’s Bunco-dice event as gentrification and ‘colonial violence,’ prompting a broader debate about community spaces in the neighborhood.
A Brooklyn-based midwife found herself at the center of a storm on a neighborhood Facebook page after she posted an invitation to join a Bunco Club in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Ellen Christy, 30, who works at a health facility that serves residents of Jamaica and the surrounding area, posted in May seeking women living in Bed-Stuy to join a social, dice-based gathering. The post read in part, “Hi all – seeking women living in Bedstuy to join a Bunco Club!” and included a selfie with several women who appeared to be white.
The post quickly drew more than 100 responses, but the reaction was not supportive. Online commenters accused Christy of gentrification and cultural appropriation, labeling the effort a form of “colonizer” activity and even a “Colonizer Cee-Lo Club.” Several posters questioned whether a whites-only social space could be safe or welcoming in the neighborhood, and others used dismissive or hostile phrases as the discussion escalated. The thread was eventually taken down after mounting backlash, and a screenshot of the original post circulated online, fueling continued debate about motive and impact.
Some commenters invoked race and local history to condemn the effort. One user wrote, “deleting your post, and all of the labor that we did to educate, is colonial violence. so that tracks,” while another declared, “The dice game is literally genocide.” Others suggested Christy’s post reflected nefarious motives or a broader pattern of white residents attempting to carve out spaces in Black neighborhoods. In several responses, participants tied the controversy to broader debates about gentrification and safety in Bed-Stuy, referencing past incidents and long-standing community tensions.
The exchange occurred online in the same thread where Christy’s post had been shared. The original post stated it was a sign-up for a Bunco Club, with a link to an online form that asked a few questions, including “Do you live in Bedstuy? If no, what neighborhood do you live in?” and “Why do you want to join this club?” The form also allowed applicants to share social media links if they were comfortable doing so. In addition to questions about location and intent, the form noted that social media links were optional. Christy did not indicate any formal requirements to join beyond replying to the post and completing the form, according to the notes accompanying the online thread.
The online furor was unusual in tone for a local social club invitation. In separate comments, some participants warned against making assumptions about character based on race or neighborhood, while others pressed for clarity about who would be included in the club and what rules might govern participation. The clash underscored how social media can amplify tensions around neighborhood change, even over a seemingly simple activity such as a monthly dice game.
Context about Bunco and related dice games provided additional perspective for readers. Bunco originated in 18th-century England as a family- and community-friendly dice parlor game, while Cee-Lo—another dice-based game with its own complex cultural history—has roots that stretch into inner-city communities. Some commenters drew parallels to the broader history of dice games and cross-cultural exchange, attempting to separate the activity from modern claims of cultural ownership. Historians note that dice have a long history dating back to ancient civilizations, with various games evolving in different regions over centuries. The goal in presenting these facts was to offer a neutral backdrop to the discussion, rather than to argue for any specific interpretation of the incident.
Christy, who works as a midwife at a medical center serving Jamaica, Queens, could not be reached for comment. In an interview with a student publication during her training, she spoke about discovering the importance of midwifery and reproductive health, saying that the field’s potential to improve perinatal outcomes inspired her to pursue the profession. Her current role in a North Brooklyn–area post does place her within a broader network of care in communities that have long been shaped by shifting demographics and ongoing conversations about community spaces and belonging.
The episode has raised questions about how neighborhoods shape social life and how online conversation can influence perceptions of inclusion and exclusion. Advocates for inclusive community spaces say inviting neighbors to participate in social activities can strengthen ties and reduce isolation, while critics argue that even well-intentioned efforts can feel exclusionary if they do not actively reach out to diverse residents. This incident illustrates the ongoing conversation about who gets to shape local culture, who has a voice in community life, and how social media can magnify disputes that might once have remained private discussions.
In Bed-Stuy, residents and observers will likely watch how the conversation evolves as more people weigh in on questions of belonging, intention, and the role of social spaces in a changing urban landscape. Christy’s colleagues and local residents have expressed a range of reactions, and no formal statement has been issued by the hospital or affiliated organization at this time. The debate surrounding this Bunco invitation is a reminder that culture and entertainment in dense urban neighborhoods often exist at the intersection of tradition, change, and how communities choose to welcome new members while preserving their history and identity.