1. The Bronx is highly vulnerable to the effects of urbanization, which is shown through the instillation of the Bronx Expressway in 1948. This mile long highway system is responsible for isolating communities, the removal thousands of working class families, and devastating the local economy. In addition, the increased traffic levels has catalyzed respiratory and cardiovascular problems within the Bronx community, which has been linked to an increased COVID 19 mortality rate. Once serving as a model for streamlined, urbanized travel, the expressway in turn deeply harmed residents and its ramifications still linger today. The lessons learned from the Bronx serve as a cautionary tale, prompting us to consider the multifaceted consequences of our infrastructural decisions and their lasting implications for the communities they touch.

1) While Urbanization has led to the growth of New York and the surrounding tri-state area, communities especially those with people of color declined. Due to policies like redlining which limited the amount of financial help in Latin and Black communities, as well as the Bronx expressway built by Robert Moses which displayed 60k people and split up diverse communities. These developments in the Bronx declined in the 1960s and 1970s and already crumbling buildings led to fires that destroyed much of South Bronx and led to the destruction of a once diverse community with many leaving except for the mostly Black/Hispanic community that still live in the Bronx.
2) The Bronx rebuilt itself through the community of Black and Hispanics who stayed in the Bronx through community action. The remaining community banded together by cleaning up the streets and holding fundraisers, one of these fundraisers in 1973 would become the birth of hip-hop DJ Kool Herf played the first mix of what would become a new genre. The arts like Hip Hop and street art would also play a role in revitalizing the neighborhood as they spread awareness of about the community and led to revitalization efforts to protect important cultural sites.
3) I loved the street art which played a role in bringing attention to the poor conditions of the community and was an outlet to express these feelings for people who didn’t have any other outlet to show them. New York street art would play a role in modern art as it helped to inspire the biggest contemporary artists like Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Bansky.

The rich and diverse culture of the Bronx is evident throughout the communities perseverance amidst a decade of tragic fires and the continuing detrimental effects of the Cross Bronx Expressway. These persistent efforts to nurture all aspects of art throughout these demanding eras have not been diminished. The Birth of Hip Hop and the growing uses of wall art and graffiti are proof that art and culture bolster community identity and pride. Art and culture in the Bronx harbor shared experiences and ideas native to its origins. These crafts serve as tools for preserving cultural heritage and passing it on to future generations. These elements not only enrich the lives of residents but also contribute to the resilience of the borough as a whole. As it is evident throughout all of the provided content, the Bronx is a borough dedicated to its close-knit community and to sharing and expressing its truths through art.

A) The building of the Bronx Expressway, and the subsequent driving out of residents, frequently on the poverty line and/or people of color, is part of a disheartening pattern of development which takes advantage of marginalized groups. It is reminiscent of the construction of interstate highways in Cincinnati, OH that drove out blocks of low-income citizens and left them without a place to live. It is also reminiscent of the housing crisis that occurred in St. Louis in the early 1950s, where federally funded housing for marginalized people was disastrously underattended and led to even worse housing issues for the people who were promised a better quality of life. The construction of the Bronx Expressway, its disruption of the community and lives of the neighborhood people, and its following detrimental health effects for the people who live near it reminded me of the pattern of injustice toward low-income and communities of color that so frequently occurs without enough attention to its detriment.

B) Redefining the narrative to one of rebuilding is incredibly important for expanding the lens of the Bronx fires. The story of the people reconstructing their community is very uplifting in the way that it showcases the community rebuilding itself in spite of neglect from the city and the government. It creates a narrative of hope, prosperity, and determination that helps to counter the single story of a city that faced such destruction.

C) To me, the most enthralling part of the arts movements in the Bronx is the birth of hip hop, specifically the way it melded different art forms and included many aspects of different cultures. The inspiration hip hop takes from such a wide range of sources to create a cohesive culture that so many people find to be an avenue of self expression is amazing. The way that hip hop culture contains for just music, or just dancing, but so many different artistic elements is a testament to the fact that it is a culture that has outlets for all artistically inclined people.

After you engage with the content for Urban Plunge Day 2, we invite you to give your own reflection or respond to any of the questions below:

1. What has been the impact of urbanization on Bronx communities?
2. How did the Bronx rebuild? What is your reaction to how Bronx residents activated their power as changemakers?
3. What is your favorite artistic piece from our section on art and culture? What role do art and culture play in communities?