New York Story: The Crackhead Next Door
Published April 25, 2006
Out of the five boroughs of New York City, the Bronx is the one that many folks still consider "beyond the pale." The area did indeed become very dangerous starting in about the 1960s or '70s. But from roughly the 1920s through the '50s, the Northwest Bronx area where my boyfriend BG now lives was a very fancy place to reside. People who had endured cramped Manhattan quarters flocked to the area where spacious Art Deco buildings were readily available. Though many others moved to the 'burbs as soon as they could afford to leave the city, other folks settled in the north Bronx or the already-tony section of Riverdale or affluent Westchester County, both located slightly further to the north. But as time went on, the Bronx fell on hard times, and those who could afford it soon moved elsewhere. Though today the Bronx is experiencing a mini-Renaissance, the area still can't quite shake its rep as the city's baddest, toughest, and poorest borough.
Today, BG's northern Bronx neighborhood is similar to what the Lower East Side of Manhattan was like when I first lived there - lots of new immigrants and struggling working-class people. Though the neighborhood still has some drug activity, BG's building had always seemed safe and perfectly hospitable. (The south Bronx, which for decades was a hellish wasteland, is seeing the beginnings of a slow influx of artists, museums, galleries, cafes featuring poetry readings, and other cultural developments.) BG's neighbors were unflaggingly courteous and friendly, and we experienced virtually no hostility or discomfort of any kind. The cost of living — not just rent but groceries, appliances, and toiletries — is a lot cheaper too, since the local shops didn't have to pay the horrifyingly high commercial rents that Manhattan stores are forced to. Plus the area encompasses several universities, a major shopping area, the New York Botanical Gardens, and the Bronx Zoo — and is an easy commute into Manhattan (about 40 minutes to midtown by subway).
At the time of the "crackhead incident" described below, BG had been in the Bronx going on seven years. Although he'd occasionally hear a fracas on the street late at night or see some drug paraphernalia in the back hallways, things were mostly mellow. When I visited there, I was quickly lulled into complacency by the apparent safety of it all.
- New York Story: The Crackhead Next Door
- Published: April 25, 2006
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Culture
- Filed Under: Culture: Business and Economics, Culture: History, Culture: Home and Garden, Culture: Society
- Part of a feature: New York Stories
- Writer: Elvira Black
- Elvira Black's BC Writer page
- Elvira Black's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
Sounds like New York has not changed that much at all - except maybe for the ethnic mix and the prices...
I enjoyed reading this, Elvira. It sounded a lot like the home I ran away from.
Dave:
BG doesn't have a gun, but he carries a knife with him (except when he has to go to the VA, because they have metal detectors there). He learned this lesson shortly after arriving in NYC in the late 60s/early 70s, when he took an apartment down in the bowels of the wild and hairy Lower East Side of Manhattan. He was assaulted twice--once by a guy who put a board with nails in it to his face and demanded his money.
But that area has since become gentrified, and the only thing the residents worry about now is their ever-rising rent and the noise on the street from all the people spilling out of the myriad clubs and restaurants that now line the newly trendy streets there. New York--go figure.
Thanks Ruvy--actually NYC has changed quite a bit, especially in Manhattan, which is pretty safe, prosperous, and tourist friendly. It's almost like Disneyland! But there's still crime, though not nearly as much as in the "wild west" days of the 70s and 80s. That was a very scary time in the city.
Elvira, I spent a fair bit of time in Manhattan in the 70s and 80s. I'd like to apologise for all the trouble I caused.
;-)
Christopher:
And now you're in Spain, no? There goes the neighborhood...
;-)
They wanted we English in Europe for some reason - the fools!
*puts finger to mouth like Dr Evil*
mwuahahahahaha!
oh yeah, here it's el barrio.
Christopher:
Un Anglais Andalou, non? Quel Dada! (Pardon my fractured French).
I just love to spin tales of el barrio....
Hola Elvira,
no hablo francés pero si, soy un inglés andaluz.
Saludos de Torrox
Cristóbal
Christopher:
I only know a smattering of French and even less Spanish, but I read you loud and clear. Comment #8 was a lame attempt at a little surrealist humor. Un Chien Andalou (the Andalusian Dog) was a groundbreaking Dadaesque film co-created by one of the most bizarrely fascinating Spaniards of all time, Salvador Dali. (It featured, among other shockers, an eyeball being "cut.") You probably knew that already, but in any case, it was a lame attempt to be "clever" and "urbane."--lol. And no, I was not comparing you to a dog--quite the opposite--you are more like a comment god to me.
I really wish I knew Spanish--it would certainly help in BGs barrio. Maybe I'll take it up. Love the sound of Cristobal!
Cristobal, dios de los comentarios! Has a nice ring to it...
Elvira, I did study Spanish in school. Unless you can do a jíbaro accent, it won't help you all that much, except in understanding what is being said (about you).
Ruvy:
I suppose formal Spanish might not be sufficient to translate more colloquial/regional dialects, slang, accents, etc., but I imagine it might help a bit. I don't get the impression people are talking about me, but actually if they are I think I might rather not know what they're saying (lol). Funny thing is, that even though BG and I don't look Latino, sometimes folks will start talking to us in Spanish, which at least makes me feel more at home. But then again, Latinos range in appearance, just as Jews do--some being blond haired and blue eyed, etc.
Elvira, can you and BG say Glock in Spanish? Should I buy you one? Cause I care.
sr
sr:
Um...Un arma de Glock? Oh wait, that might be French. Actually, that one needs no translation.
I just try not to wander out too late at night, and not hang out near the windows. But nah, I don't feel too unsafe in the Bronx. Thanks for caring!
Elvira,
Pleased to know your still around.
Stay safe.
sr
sr, my friend, I'm pleased to know you're still around too. Watch out for the anti-smoking nazis.
The city was such a cool place to visit when I was a kid. My grandparents lived on a street in the Village that had a feast on it every year...nice little italian neighborhood...it's all gone now...neighborhood doesn't look anything like it used to back in the day...I'm not even sure if they still do the feast of St. Anthony any more.
Andy:
Yes, as far as I know the Feast is still in full force, but the neighborhood has changed drastically. There's only a shell of the Little italy that was. A lot of the expansion is from Chinatown, which is moving northward more and more. But the Bronx's Little Italy is still going strong.
Thats quite unfortunate, I went to 711 this mornig to notice a car full of crackheads. Obviously I park next to them to get a reaction, they all start starring at me and talking sh**.
These people should know, that straight people can be alot more violent than drugged out people. I wish I had a frag grenade to throw in their car window. These people are like cockroaches, come out at night and scurry away when they know theyre about to be killed.
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Of course, BG could invest in a gun, but then he'd probably be arrested instead of the crackhead because basic constitutional rights don't apply in NYC.
Dave