Answer:
He is a product of his surroundings
Step-by-step explanation:
The speaker compares himself to the neighborhood of Harlem, in the lines "It's not easy being a building / in Harlem / everybody looking at me / Me-who?" This comparison is used primarily to show that the speaker feels a strong connection to his surroundings and sees himself as a product of the environment of Harlem. He identifies himself as an integral part of this neighborhood, just as a building is an integral part of a community. The metaphor also highlights how the speaker is observed and judged by others, reflecting the idea that he is a representation of the place he comes from. Additionally, the comparison emphasizes the idea of the rapid change Harlem is experiencing and the speaker being affected by it.