“Our Neighborhoods Are Now The Hood, Cause Nobody’s Actin Like Neighbors”
Kids in The 80's playing in a fire hydrant
I remember being a kid, 5 yrs old visiting my grandmother, spending my days playing in the streets on the block my father grew up on in Queens, It was like sesame street minus The Muppets (and before Crack), kids of all ages everywhere free to play stick ball, tag, kick the can, double dutch, skelly. At that age I spent many of my days unsupervised, riding my big wheel up and down the block and getting into the normal urban childhood adventure. We played allot, we were free to engage in childhood independent fun. There was no one watching us, cause the whole block was looking out for us, we were everyone’s kids, if anyone even a child noticed something fishy going on, the news would make it’s way to an adult and the situation would be taken care of.
A Skelly Game
And this is my point, it seems like, as time has gone by, in the aftermath of crack, we’ve in the most part lost the “Neighborhoods” that used to be the building blocks of this city, the block parties, and stick ball games that unified us, and insured that we knew our neighbors names greeted them as we passed on the street, or that we stopped to reprimanded someone else’s child when we saw them doing wrong. So much has changed since those day’s , the affects of that change are often discussed and criticized in circles ranging from family discussion to educational panels. We seem to be doing allot of talking, but little talking where and when it counts. A simple Hello to your neighbors on a consistent basis will lead to the repair of the torn fabric of our community. Years ago, when I moved into my apartment in Bed Stuy after college, I remember, wanting to know my neighbors,I would sit at the top of my stoop and watch the kids run up and down the street. One day I decided to sit on the bottom step of my stoop and read a book, with in an hour a group of kids ranging from 5-7 yrs old stopped to ask me if I could help fix their bike, next thing we were talking for hrs about all types of stuff. That convo, over time, lead to me meeting their older siblings and cousins and eventually their parents, and ultimately solidified my relationship to the street where I live.
Young men & Boys on my street Playing Playstation on a stoop
Through the years that relationship lead to less litter on my street, less crime, the ability to stop kids in the middle of questionable activity in order to educate them about the inappropriateness of their behavior. It also earned me an extended family and a few young men i now consider my little brothers. And now when I sit on my stoop in the summer, I see kids playing, running up and down the block with the same childhood freedom to explore that filled my New York City childhood. It may take some time, yet if we dedicate ourselves to where we live, and to the ones with whom we can connect with (the babies) where we live, we can collectively resuscitate our communities..
Peace, live to change something
-daoud
The Babies Are The Greatest!
Tags: Teach The Babies
Teach The Babies, Word from The Creators | Daoud *Brooklyn Sheikh* March 30, 2009
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By Dahkillah, March 30, 2009 @ 10:19 AM
That’s peace. As someone who witnessed that first hand and participated, I definitely see the effect it has on a community. This is truly necessary for young people moving into neighborhoods in urban areas. Regardless of your background or which affinity group you identify with, to a lot of these kids you are an intriguing mystery. Open yourself up and allow them to unravel the mystery! Let what you have learned and brought with you to that block spread to their minds.
By Mahdi-Allah, March 30, 2009 @ 10:45 AM
Peace God, I remember those good days! Civilize means to teach the Knowledge and wisdom of all the human families of the planet Earth.
Matthew 22:36-40 (King James Version)
36Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38This is the first and great commandment.
39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
By Kahshanna, March 30, 2009 @ 11:34 AM
Nice…I remember leaving the state of CA for the first time to visit my Granny Mimi in Chicago when I was seven. As females, and visitors, my grandma made us stick very close to home. I remember envying such freedom as what you write about…it’s good to hear strong male voices talking about the sweetness in life, like being neighborly. Rock.
By Salahadeen, March 30, 2009 @ 12:03 PM
I miss those days all the time my man. On our blocks was the playstreet closures all summer. they were the best things to happen to us. You have inspired me to sit on the stoop this weekend. thanks.
By Rasupreme, March 30, 2009 @ 12:27 PM
Yes indeed. What you are talking about here is the soul of the community. I think its missing in most neighborhood. Everyone is looking out for self (if that!) It seems we have lost the intelligence to police our own community. Instead our communities have been infested with cops who are alien to our way of life. This creates a disconnection, ultimately friction between the two (the community and law enforcement.)
I agree, most of this is the result of the crack era. A certain criminal code of ethics was employed in our community (like mind your business, stop snitching, f*ck the police, etc.,) yet this destructive way of thinking has not been reciprocated in honoring the lives of the babies, and the community as a whole. It seem we as a community are paying respect and homage to an ideal that doesn’t respect us or our well being.
I can go on for days. However, I agreeing with Daoud is saying…”know thy neighbor!” Stop saying f*ck the police (other than the crooked cops,) and say “Peace” when you see them. Just that word alone will ease some tension. Whether it be a so-called “thug,” police or neighbor. Say Peace. They only fear you because you fear them! Eliminate fear, demand respect.
By anikalani, March 31, 2009 @ 11:55 AM
i still heart the block. recently i took amir to play with some friends down the street. they played outside by themselves on their scooters and skateboards. i noted it because it is something that so rarely happens. also when i started using the park across from me to do yoga i used to get clowned hard!!! i continued though, enduring the ridicule. this led to neighbors then watching me, then asking if they could join me, to then all the neighbors within a 4 block radius looking out for me when i had an accident. they notice if i haven’t been out there in a while and ask about it. you see pairs of men, women and kids exercising together now. there is still quite a road ahead for recovery of our communities post crack. however the ability to relax, be yourself and extend yourself goes a long way in deprogramming discomfort and community distance. thanks for the pics and the piece!
By JMel, March 31, 2009 @ 11:02 PM
DARN.
I Remember those DAYS.
Although Im not from your part of the world.
It was the same vibe,
The same Atmosphere.
Kids Playing, No hating,
chalkin up the floor.(the old Folk Disaproving)
WOW.
It amazing.
Ima Write sumit like this.
Great inspiration.x.
By Tisha, July 13, 2010 @ 9:10 PM
I just wanted to ask you where you got the pic of the kids playing Skelly. I believe one of them is my cousin. I would really like to know. Thanks so Much!!