What do you think of when you hear -The Bronx. Maybe you think violence, gangs, poor people, HIV, kids making trouble, graffiti, unsafe. I confess that is what I thought before I went there and experienced it myself.
I spent two nights and two days in the heart of the south Bronx. Never did I fear for my life. The last night we were there we walked home after dark from a youth service that we were at. While on the way home someone shouted to us- “This may be a bad place, but we are not bad people”. That one sentence really mad me think about the Bronx and about stereotypes. Not 5 blocks away from the Bronx lives people in million dollar plus Town Homes. And guess what they never step foot inside the Bronx. Why is that? Stereotypes.
Everyone thinks that the Bronx is an unsafe place. No I’m not saying that isn’t but what I am saying is don’t judge before you have witnessed it first hand. 90% of people I met or saw were super friendly. Everyone said hi and stopped and talked to each other. Grandma (the lady that owns that house that we stayed at) sits on her from stoop most days and greets those who walk by. She always greets them with a “How are you?, I’m blessed” accompanied with a smile.
Thinking back on what that young man shouted to us while walking home. I believe that that is so true for the Bronx. That the place, the streets, buildings are bad. But the people who live there aren’t. Yeah some may have lost their way and aren’t doing what they should but deep down they aren’t bad people. They care for each other and for their city. The enemy has a foothold there and is always attacking.
I believe with all my heart that the Bronx will one day be the place that people will what to live. It has beautiful architecture, more parks then any other part of New York City. Already it has cleaned up and real estate is rising. Please join me in prayer for this place and its people.
