#muralmondays: The Bronx is Breathing

“There are places like this in every major city in America. Places that everyone has given up on. Except for us.”

 #MUSE On this day in 1977, President Carter visits The Bronx with Mayor Abram Beame and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Patricia Roberts Harris. Their first stop was Washington Avenue between East 168th Street and East 167 Street where they greeted residents.

Their second stop was Charlotte Street between E169th and E170th, which would become a focal point in urban development for many years to come. President Reagan would visit the site in 1981 and President Clinton in 1997. In 1977, the street looked more fit for a war torn country than a US city. 

The frequent fires caused by landlords cashing out on their properties through insurance fraud was now on the nation’s radar. During Game 2 of the 1977 Word Series, ABC aerial cameras zoomed into a large fire in the South Bronx which Howard Cosell would reference on five occasions throughout the game. Although he never said the phrase, many attribute this commentary as origin of “The Bronx is Burning”. 

Since the wild year of ‘77 things have turned around in The Bronx. Although, Black and Brown lives still are marginalized in many ways, much progress has been made thanks to organizations such as The Point CDC.

#MURAL “The Bronx is Breathing” is a mural that adorns the wall of The Point Community Develpment Corporation @thepointcdc located at 948 Garrison Ave in the Bronx. This exact wall was the former site of the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez mural who donated funds to the organization as well as heating oil to Bronx residents in the 00’s. As every politician has opponents, Chavez’s mural was vandalized and there was a petition to have it removed. “The Bronx is Breathing” is created world renowned muralist and New York native Andre Trenier.

#MOVES This mural is walking distance (1 mi.) from @flavalounge a Caribbean restaurant with a party-themed menu. They have fire jerk wings and the Flava punch is as strong and sweet as the staff.