‘Subway Takes’ sparks outrage as guest jokes that white people should be banned from sitting on stoops in Brooklyn
A recent episode of the internet comedy show 'Subway Takes' has sparked controversy after guest Arooj Aftab suggested that white people should be banned from sitting on stoops in Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy neighborhood. Aftab's comments, made during a subway ride with host Kareem Rahma, were met with shock and criticism online. The discussion touched on themes of gentrification and cultural appropriation in historically black neighborhoods.
- ▪Arooj Aftab joked that white people should not sit on stoops in Bed-Stuy because they are 'aesthetically not as good.'
- ▪Host Kareem Rahma expressed shock at Aftab's comments but agreed with her sentiment about aesthetics.
- ▪The neighborhood of Bed-Stuy has seen a significant demographic shift, with the black population decreasing from 74% in 2000 to 40% in 2023.
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US News ‘Subway Takes’ sparks outrage as guest jokes that white people should be banned from sitting on stoops in Brooklyn By Natalie O'Neill Published May 21, 2026, 5:59 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google Her “take” is off the rails. The popular internet comedy show “Subway Takes” sparked outrage Thursday after a guest quipped that white people should be banned from sitting on stoops in Brooklyn because they’re “aesthetically not as good.” During the episode, Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab offers up the controversial “take” as she rides the New York City subway with comedian host Kareem Rahma. “White people should not be allowed to sit on stoops in Bed-Stuy,” Aftab declares, as Rahma responds with shock. “Wow, 100 percent ….
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