Oakwood University

New York, NY 10012, United States

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The Bronx Documentary: A Narrative Report

By Group Two
November 10

Our group chose to create a documentary that would give insight into the lives of people living in
the Bronx. Although a lot is already known about the Bronx especially for its high crime rates and its
rowdiness, some implications about its existence are overlooked.
The team spent three weeks living in the Bronx to get a good grasp of its culture. An African-
American couple, Jimmy and Sarah, whom the group had initial contact with was kind enough to lend us
a place where we could stay. We formed our itinerary with them since they knew who to interview and
where to go to get the best information for the documentary. We spent three days roaming and
observing the Bronx on our own. In these days, we also took the time to integrate with the couple and
know a little bit about their history.
For three weeks, we saw not just the inanimate in the Bronx, but we got to know about the
struggles of the people living there. What we learned was that these people ended up there because
they had no other option. In one interview with Julio, a middle-aged Puerto-Rican man, he recalled how
his parents and grandparents were forced to live in the Bronx because they were displaced from their
homes in Manhattan due to the urban renewal projects. Back then, a lot of Whites lived in the Bronx, but
due to the rise in the number of colored people flocking the area, the former escaped to the suburbs,
which was not an option for the latter since institutional racism made it difficult for them to get mortgage
loans for suburban homes. Jimmy and Sarah also recounted their experiences and substantiated Julio’s
story. They remembered how fires blazed the Bronx for years as the number of colored people in the
neighborhood grew. The community as a whole was redlined because of its colored demographic. When
the financial crisis in the 70’s came, New York City closed the firehouses in the Bronx. The people in the
Bronx knew
that their demise was because of their color. Already evident in the community’s history, other interviews
with newer generations in the area confirmed that racism was still existing. The lack of basic social
services such as water and garbage systems built the community’s bad reputation.
For every interview the group made, we integrated with them for two days. Obtaining a first-hand
experience of their daily routine painted a clearer picture for the group on this community’s struggle with
racism. Because all of the interviewees were socioeconomically challenged, we were also understanding
enough to contribute to the food that the whole household can share.
The documentary project was an eye opening experience not only for the group but for everyone
else in school. It shows the grave toll of racism not just on individuals but on communities at large.