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All good in the hood




The Bronx has always been known for it's poverty and several other factors that led to the decay of the Bronx in the late 20th century: migration of ethnic groups after WWII, economic changes, crime etc. 300,000 residents moved out of the area and entire city blocks' full of buildings were abandoned and destroyed.

But since the 90's it's been revitalised. Of course there is still much improvement to be made but it is definitly alot better than it used to be!


On the streets


  • The most common ethnic groups in the Bronx are African American, Hispanic and Indian and so excluding the guys and gals I live with, it is rare to see another white person on the street.

  • Black plastic bags are the tumble weeds of the Bronx.

  • Pollution is everywhere. New York's mass production and effects of mass population is felt in the lungs - but you get used to it so it's all good. Also, I think I've only seen the streets clean once since I've been here - they don't get many tourists here so they don't see the need to pay the council to clean to streets on a regular basis.

  • You can hear the vibrations of cars passing by from 808 beats blasting through the subwoofers at any hour of the day or night.




Grocery shopping

  • On our way to ALDI we are always passing stores fronts blasting Latino hot hits that you can't help but move to.

  • When you gotta feed 28 people everyday it's fair enough that we get some strange looks.

  • When people see a few young white girls wheeling around a trolley full of food people make comments like "Damn! Ya'll can put it away!" When we tell them we are living with 25+ people they're keen to hear more about our living situation, and then BOOM *evangelisation* - otherwise they just remain confused.



Poverty

  • Homeless people are seen throughout the streets, on the doorsteps of churches or on street corners.

  • The more urbanisation spreads out of the city and onto the outskirts eventually it becomes impossible for some to afford a roof over their head.



Housing


  • I can't tell you how many people live in the projects (government housing) but the Bronx are full of them! They're about 15-20 stories high and the buildings are so packed I struggle to work out how many rooms are in each building.

  • They don't seem very pleasant to live in. A group of us were delivering meals to people living in the projects and some of them would fearfully answer the door, peaking through the slightly opened door before they saw us with food in our hands. Then they'd smile and show sincere gratitude.

  • If it wasn't for government funding most of them would be living on the streets so thank God they can have the privilege to at least have a roof over their head.






The people


While living here, most people I've met have been very open. A lot of them have time to take out of their day to be present with you if you open up a conversation.


The people are not as bad as the media portrays them to be - and that's the problem with poor communities trying to rebuild themselves after losing so much. They are labelled by the reputation of the past from which the're community comes from.


These people are strong, they have incredible perseverance and a lot of them draw it from their faith. They know what it means to suffer with purpose; with the Lord, to grow as people by courageously taking on whatever curveballs are thrown at them.

I have a lot to learn from them and I've gotta say: I feel priviliged to be living here.


The Bronx and the people within may come across as a little rough around the edges but once you get past that you come to realise that these people have hearts of gold. And the reality is, it's all good in the hood.

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