This #affordabilitycrisis has got me feeling like #Brooklyn ain’t really for #BKLYN _ites anymore. Every day I’m hearing another friend announce their departure from their home turf. New Yorkers are supposed to be able to survive anywhere right? Ironically, except for in NY. As a Brooklyn Native, I feel like one of the last of the Mohicans out here. When I meet people and tell them I was born and raised #NYC, they react like I’m an endangered species like “wow, a real life NY Native”.
I’m realizing that most of the new people that I meet are transplants and it makes me cherish the relationships that I have with my fellow native New Yorkers. I especially love that I have the opportunity to collaborate with New York City’s brightest up and coming artists as an educator for MoMA Teens program. There’s something so special about NYC, Brooklyn in particular -but I guess the whole world knows that already.
In 2010, I shot and directed a music video for ‘#BedStuy’ a track by fellow Brooklynite, Robert Cave aka #SpecBoogie. It premiered at MoCADA Museum for their #gentrificationofbrooklyn art exhibit. Rob and I easily came up with the concept that we wanted to make a film showcasing the people, businesses, and relics of the neighborhood before they disappeared. This song and video were so timely since #gentrification really revved into full swing that year. The vintage photographs interspersed throughout were taken by Rob’s dad in the 80s.
I love my borough, I love this video and I smile every time I watch it. I’m so glad we made this film.