I grew up in East New York Brooklyn in the 80s and it was not easy. Thank God I was able to buy my wife and kid's a beautiful home in the suburbs. They'll never know the struggles their mom and dad went through. Best day of my life was watching the hood vanish in my rear view mirror as my family and I drove off into the sunset never to return.
Brooklyn Bred i hear that man. .Nothing wrong that. Take care of them boys..they are blessed to have a father who wants better for them. To many of our young brothers come up with no father figure and it leaves a void in their life. these guys busy runnin around being simps..have kids with a woman they dont plan on being with so automatically the 2 adults wont be a mother and father family unit...and the cycle continues . Be blessed bruh..wish u the best ..you doing what a real man does handling his business takin care off business.
I'm white and spent 3 days in Brownsville shooting a documentary for a college project. The shit I saw there was ungodly, thought I was in a 3rd world country. It was like having a front row seat to the game of life.
Born in Harlem 1972... Lived in The BX from '74 to '91. Then moved to Brownsville in '91. Thatford ave. Not too Far from the Plaza. Crazy times on those Streets.. Best times in HIP HOP!!!! Left Brownsville then moved to EastNY. Euclid ave. 💪 (A-train). In 2005... I grabbed my family.... We packed our bags... Left NYC and never looked back. Salute to the Place that Raised me, but we had to move on for a Better Life. It's been 15 years since I've lived NYC.
Having projects near each other is not the cause of fights. People need to learn to love n live peacefully, start from within themslves..then the projects would be fine
The gangs and drug trade decide who owns each building and the turf. It makes sense that there is beef project to project as the peddlers get greedy and their name pops
I can see how growing up in the projects can make a young person feel marginalized and like society has abandoned them and that they have no value. Like the kid said on the video "there are too many projects" and that is part of the problem. It is institutionalized housing, bleak and in another world..a world apart from mainstream society. In Manhattan you have projects but they are mixed in with people from all walks of life, rich & poor and the kids have a better chance of being exposed to different cultures and disciplines that can stimulate them to reach out and imagine a different future for themselves. When all you see is project...project..project - that is where their value system is developed. That being said, individuals within the community have to take control of their destinies and refuse to fall victim to the master plan that was set for them. In eras past, families and communities were stronger and there was a line that would not be crossed. Fathers, take care of your sons...educate, strive for success Each one Teach One!
Thank you for your comments. I can clearly understand the pain agony & frustration. Some neighborhoods have become war zones. Hopefully one day will all get free together and Live✌🏾Out!!
Dag, yall did all the classics, south side (skully all day), the hole (I always got crossed over), Van Dyke Community Center (loved playing the drums they had in there), PS 150 (so many memories), and the Library (I met so many cool kids there, that library saved my life, no lie. I actually began my Illustration training there. I studied for free in the Heritage house on the second floor with Ms. Dean (Forever Loved) and Mr. Lucas for 10 years. They schooled me on how to make it out of the hood for good, but return to give back). Much respect to you guys for doing this video, I really appreciate it.
My boyfriend is from Brownsville. He use to tell me stories about things happening ...he took me there this past summer..& I was even scared to look to hard. These bruthas AINT LYING 😂
I gave Vandyke projects 21 years of my life and damn it was hard. More bad times than good but it shape me into the person I am today. The beef is not because of the projects being so close. The beef is because of the mentality of the people who reside in the projects. My daddy was a DJ for the block parties in the late 80's and we had a blast. I'm glad I moved away and gave my children a different experience.
Yo, Sonny keep up the good work man. I was trolling through RUclips and came across this joint. You have been trying to shed a glimmer of hope on Brownsville for years. I appreciate that. I'm sure many others do as well. One of the things that i know for certain is that goodness starts at home. When you teach a child to be a good person when he/she is young they will not depart from that. I know this because I grew up out there , too. Young people living in those congested communities areas need to have an emotional and mental overhaul. I believe it will take a joint effort between parents or guardians and their children. Keep in mind that it will be difficult due to the fact that a large percentage of young people there are living in single parent households, or being raised by an ex-drug addicted parent or a grandparent who may be way too old to discipline them or keep on top of a active and emotional teenage. When we cast a light on the fact that probably 85% of the young people beefing and killing up their peers are literally "crack babies.," or "children of "crack-babies." Which means the probability of not learning properly, or rationalizing proper is greatly increased. It's a fact that many seem to ignore. There's also a need for mental healthy screening in those communities because there needs to be family and individual deprogramming that needs to be done as well. As far as the proximity of the various housing complexes, you are 100% correct. There are way too many people in such a small and concentrated area. Does that make people criminals, no. However, it does increase the probability of them being frustrated, with increased chances of getting into conflict. Many of the young people there (not all) do not have reasoning skills and have great difficulty articulating themselves beyond urban vernacular. Therefore, they can't see an end to a conflict when it arises (other than to pull out a gun and end someone's life). Far too often I hear young people (there and abroad) claiming the areas (rep'n the areas) they live in as if they were living in palatial estates. They literally take a personal stake in a place that has no love or respect for them. That in itself speaks to the fact that there is a mental disconnect between truth and fiction; reality and the alternate reality they've created in order to survive the harshness and unfairness of living in areas like Brownsville. In closing, I'm praying for the people of Brownsville that GOD will send a Fresh Wind upon them. One that will cause them to remember who they are, and to repent. Then that He will breath on them again and another Fresh Wind will pass over those young people and that they will begin to walk, talk, and behave in the way of young princes and princesses, with pride and dignity. My prayer is that our older men (30s, 40s, 50s,) will stop being silent sleepwalkers and start being peace-talkers. Oh yeah, as for the non-Black guy who commented that he spent 3 days in Brownsville to complete a college project and likened the experience to being in a 3rd World country. If that statement was the truth, he should literally have left Brownsville ashamed. Not for the people who live there, but for his ancestors who built these non-floating brick slave ships that don't sail, but stretch up to the sky and jail thousands of residents in sub-standard conditions, for profit and for the control of power). He should be ashamed that those people were and are still so very fearful of Black youth. Not because they are violent, but because they grow up being strong, successful, powerful Kings and Queens who master everything they do and touch. That's why there's always so many road blocks set in front of them. The people in Brownsville don't need sympathy. Nor some random college student claiming to do a report on them like they are some soft of lab mice. What they need is to believe in something higher than themselves that will not fail them (GOD), they they need people on this earth who will treat them with fairness, with love and with compassion. Next they need opportunities to further and/or complete their education, job skills, some need drug treatment programs and real protection from the people who are supposed to protect and serve them. It won't take a day, it won't take a month, it won't take a year. It took many years to program these people to be so self-destructive. it will take a little time to begin the process of restoration of faith and truth in them. They are Kings and Queens who need to be reminded that there is value in them being here. Thanks for this video, Sonny. One day we should brainstorm to bring something else that's need to the people of Brownsville. God bless you, Brother. You guys stay safe. Stay Awoke. Shout out to Money, too.
I grew up in Tilden projects. I'm white. I never had need because im white. If you from the hood you from the hood. I had plenty of fights, and I had the respect of all my people's in the projects. I never got mixed up in gangs or drugs. I joined the army, went to college, became an officer and had a long successful career. Now I'm 40, retired and living good. I made it out. A lot of people I know didn't. It's sad to see Brownsville will never change
Thank you, for people trying to understand a world they did not live through, this is a great introduction. I wish more than anything that people can connect beyond differences, as deep as skin color, or as shallow as a dividing street/building. Keep sharing knowledge.
Just visited Brownsville first time ever. I'm from Los Angeles but live in D.C. now and as a hobby I visit Black communities across the world to see what life is like. Visiting Brownsville was huge for me. Since visiting, can't stop thinking about Brownsville.
I seriously don't see a better documentary than this on RUclips or TV about the projects. True, this guy aint a saint, I dont doubt that. But this is very very REAL, what they are showing is very REAL, there isnt the drama that TV puts on. I just wish more documentaries like these were made. Sonny needs to be contracted
I appreciate the efforts of sonny Townsend an His man Money. This gives outside people a truly good glimpse into the world of the upside down bla Brownsville Bklyn I commend Sonny an his Staff for Putting a lens to what's really going on in the Brownsville section of bklyn. Why is it that no one wants to go there. When you don't feel safe for you and your family its time to go. A Bklyn brownsville reputation is not always a good thing to have especially when after so much turmoil it becomes the land of the forgotten and the land of the least. P.S. Sonny Thank You for your Videos.
I grew up in that neighborhood,this was back in the day, what happened?We looked out for each others,if we acted up the adults beat our butts,they kept us out of trouble.We had respect for our projects,we were a family.I grew up in the Brownsville Projects.
My parents grew up in these projects in Brownsville. My Dad in Seth Low houses and my Mother in Glenmore plaza in the 60-70s. It was so different back then. My cousins and I would visit my grandma and play in the playground of Seth low houses and feel safe. But the last time I visited my great Aunt before she passed away about 8 years ago , they were shooting in broad daylight in glenmore plaza. We pulled out of there so fast. I really hope this violence ends and that more opportunities are presented to the people of this community so that they can have hope and greater purpose for living. No one should have to live like this.
I'm from DC South East & me & my man went to the Ville at his families house in the projects trying to catch some shut eye before we rolled. & my word no lie they was shooting literally all night long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It didn't even make sense as if it was like they was just shooting just to shoot it was like a war outside.
"Had niggas thinkin I was from Uptown for real had so much hustle plus I was down to ill like a Brooklyn nigga straight outta Brownsville down & dirty down to fight to round thirty". Son this vid got me open my dude. I live in Bmore now it's wild out here too but they tore all the high rise down and relocated them people way out. Lookin at these joints got me on some reminiscing ish son word! I miss Brooklyn but I would never raise a kid there it's different from when we grew up...
This ias a great INSIDE documentary.!! More. I lived in East NY. AND BACK THEN was f'd up when I lived there...burned out buldings. etc. Keep up the work Brh.
I'm a project baby, I grew up in Brooklyn where shit was always going off, days I couldn't sleep cuz of them shooting and so much shit going on out side, I'm glad we moved out to Los Angeles, Brooklyn will forever have a place in my heart 🖤
YO this was something i wanted to see for a long time. im from west L.A. moved to east L.A. to South central the hood were is rough and hard. but i always wondered how it was in new york ghettos like queensbridge, south bronx and Brooklyn. Got first glimps of Brownsville Brooklyn .. Good work
I have absolutely no idea of what it's like to grow up and live in these places but I have all the respect for these guys. They are true ambassadors and deserve all the credit. What strikes me though is how people in these places seem to be very territorial - this side is Brownsville and over there is Tylden - so what? Names of groups of buildings?? What if they called the whole of East New York Brownsville - would that sort some of the problems? This is not to say that I agree with concentrating so many housing projects in one small place. I work as a town planner myself - in a totally different place to NYC, and know integration, or whatever you want to call it, is one of our biggest challenges.
im from brownsville houses in the middle i take alot of pride in that people think i exaggerate on my hood we the heart of new york city in street orah and nyc is the heart of the world do your research...ABG all day good looking sonny t.
Much props to your brothas who made this video. Thanks for taking viewers inside to a place that not many can go. I also enjoyed the way you both reported on stuff with a message or a question. That was dope.
Respect off the top dear brothers. Look up, “The Mouse Utopia Experiment” 1968-1972 by: John B. Calhoun. I hope this reaches you both in great health and happiness.
I respect this guy seriously I mean I live in East New York and the block that I live on I have never heard a gunshot and I've been living here for 13 years.
Im from a medium town in Florida. The only person that died from gunshot, when I was a kid, dude off'd himself. I can't imagine living in such a dangerous environment
This hits home. Shout out to you and Money Sonny; my cousin Larry and I grew up right alongside y'all at 301 Sutter Ave. I lived on the 5th floor, Larry lived on the 21st. R.I.P. to your brother Sean, aka Big Herc; he was a great dude, everybody loved him. Stay positive, and school these youths and try to keep them off that path to destruction.
Sonny Townsend thank you for sharing this video, it's kind of relevant to where I'm from in London I grew up in blocks just like these, some now been demolished to pave the way for high flyers being business people and foreign investors, its ethnic cleansing. I'm from a n east London hood, made it out of there and proud of what I achieved....but most of all is my hood runs through my veins regardless of where I go. I visited NY back in Feb and felt no way walking through project housing, didn't get bothered in the slightest, my visit wasn't just for touristic purposes, I saw the huge divide between the rich n poor just by standing on Brooklyn bridge...eye opening for sure
yeah I'm gud I'm known in all of the projects was once a thug myself and hung out with thugs from all of the P's out there.I use to go and chill in any building dudes use to say oh that's Sonny yo Wass gud Sonny.If you look at my Ole timers videos you will see I get mad love out there... thanks for asking tho
unfortunately wherever theres low income housing theres gonna be violence, drugs etc, my dad lived in rockaway back in the mid 50-60's and he remembers when they finished building redfern pjs and other pjs and he couldnt believe how quickly rockaway changed, it went from like a nice summer spot to one big ghetto, its unfortunate and kids mindset is getting worse and worse bc its easier to pull a trigger then to fight and majority of them time its not even worth a fight let alone murder
This video in a nutshell It’s sad, a lot of people can’t walk through the projects, & the projects are close to eachother. Also, it’s sad. It’s sad. Sad. Projects.
I can't speak to much on them other projects. But you was not walking through Brownsville houses like that back in the 80s without being escorted by someone or robbed by someone. Brownsville was treacherous back in the days. You better know.
Too close o each other.. that is what creates a ghetto! So right on!. I am late to this blog (by years) but I grew up in Brownsville and nothing has changed in last decade.
lived 3 yrs. in tilden houses on the livonia ave side. left out in 79, live in newport,rhode island now. my 1st cousin still lives there from childhood. still know people from my building 275 livonia. i still walk through with big gold chains and no one has ever tried me yet. niggas know who and who not to phuck wid.
this brother is a cool dude..i drive with a bullet proof backpack in my ride at all times because of all the many guns put to my head mostly by DT's on they BS and(driving being black) and just by all the shootings and gun blasting i run across all the time in all the bklyn hoods..seen at least 6 people killed right in front of me.the 80's was the worse..survived almost getting shot 6 times in one week around nostrand and dean st in 84" just walking to the A train going to work.still love the hell out of brooklyn. making 61 in bk is a blessing.keep up the good work sonny
I am 40 years old. I was born in Van Dyke Projects in 1972. I remember my days of going P.S. 150 on Sackman Avenue right there in the middle of Seth Lowe projects. I went to Junior High School at JHS 263 Esther Clark Hunter!!! Back then you fought a nigga with your hands. Your knuckle game had to be on point. Now niggas want to put a burner in your face. Things have DEFINITELY CHANGED!!!!!
I'm surprised at how quiet it is. It doesn't look too scary or intimidating. Although I probably still wouldn't want to walk through there in case a big group of people walk out of one of the buildings.
lol, it does, but that's the really scary part though. Most of the people who hang out side are just waiting for a target. People who live there know this, so most people stay inside, or stay on thier block. Plus, it seems kinda chilly in the video, the summer time is where it really gets crazy.
They need to tear down the projects. Brownsville is isolated from the rest of the city. The L train and the 4 don't connect . Atlantic Ave , New lots , Pennsylvania Ave eastern park way .it's boxed off.
Thing is, if they tear down the projects where do the people live? Then the violence spreads all over the city. Fix up the projects, but don't tear them down
Please be advised that Brownsville Brooklyn many years was very bad, however I now reside there & it's much better place. Its not the projects, it was the people & the drugs. I'm not in the projects, but the police is getting rid of the garbage. You can walk freely here at anytime.😃
In the place I live, we have our housing projects scattered around the city. It has resulted in less crime. People don’t avoid certain areas of their own city, we don’t associate a particular type of house with crime, there is less violence and people have more opportunities to educate and better themselves. We don’t oppress one area, we invest in every school equally.
its a good place to be from like a boot camp for the world and like frank Sinatra says if you can make it there you can make it any where its up to you new York new York but ill never go back I was getting a sinking feeling in my stomach just looking at this video I felt car sick or like a stranger in a strange land smh neva go back peace out I was horrified by this video
I like how you actually take the time to show the people what a lot of people don't see these days, if they only knew how it was on what your reporting on and have a understanding what folks go through these days, see that's 100% real there and that's what fox news or any of them station don't report....but you aight........you should do more things like this and keep it 100 kno what I mean
It so crazy to see this I’m a teenager and Lived for 10 years It like being in a time machine - honestly the schools are so bad The public school ones Like he said I went to PS 284 But What is saved my life was charter school
I ve been in da Ville Late Plenty of times I grew up out there We chilled on the bench broke day chilled in all of the pJ's in da Ville ..Check out Pt 5&6 and see the luv I get in da Ville...
What a very interesting video. Unfortunately, I can't write too much because of RUclips's limit, but I'll list some reasons as to why things are like this: 1) Too many young people have kids way too early; no protection. 2) Young men/women don't graduate high school. Most don't attend college. 3) No role-models; people who can make enough money often get out. 4) Young people resort to selling drugs. 5) Each person competes with another. 6) Violence. 7) No job opportunities/no businesses come.
Thanks for making this. I really appreciate it. I always had this fascination with New York (not from there), especially the hood. Do you guys still live in Brownsville? Peace and Love
Yo I subbed just because of this video and I'm only 5 min in. That's real❗ Walking through there AND knowing the history is what's up. That's a lot of project in one area. Largest in BK. Mother Gaston all the way.
I grew up in Brooklyn Albany projects I left back in 1979 and haven't turned back yet but not until the people who live in these dilapidated neighborhoods decide for themselves that they want better will it ever get better peace
I grew up in East New York Brooklyn in the 80s and it was not easy. Thank God I was able to buy my wife and kid's a beautiful home in the suburbs. They'll never know the struggles their mom and dad went through. Best day of my life was watching the hood vanish in my rear view mirror as my family and I drove off into the sunset never to return.
Thats whats up man..good for you and your family.
Appreciate the love bruh. My heart will always belong to BK but want a better life for my sons.
Brooklyn Bred i hear that man. .Nothing wrong that. Take care of them boys..they are blessed to have a father who wants better for them. To many of our young brothers come up with no father figure and it leaves a void in their life. these guys busy runnin around being simps..have kids with a woman they dont plan on being with so automatically the 2 adults wont be a mother and father family unit...and the cycle continues . Be blessed bruh..wish u the best ..you doing what a real man does handling his business takin care off business.
james myers W
Wat suburbs u moved to
I'm white and spent 3 days in Brownsville shooting a documentary for a college project. The shit I saw there was ungodly, thought I was in a 3rd world country. It was like having a front row seat to the game of life.
bruce Hester you should upload that documentary
upload it, bro
bruce Hester what did you see?
Was it SAD?
Born in Harlem 1972... Lived in The BX from '74 to '91. Then moved to Brownsville in '91. Thatford ave. Not too Far from the Plaza. Crazy times on those Streets.. Best times in HIP HOP!!!! Left Brownsville then moved to EastNY. Euclid ave. 💪 (A-train). In 2005... I grabbed my family.... We packed our bags... Left NYC and never looked back. Salute to the Place that Raised me, but we had to move on for a Better Life. It's been 15 years since I've lived NYC.
Damn you been around 💯💯💯
Can you rank all these places where you have lived from the worst to the least bad
Where do bloods stay at in there
Having projects near each other is not the cause of fights. People need to learn to love n live peacefully, start from within themslves..then the projects would be fine
Copy that what does the building have to do with anything
The gangs and drug trade decide who owns each building and the turf. It makes sense that there is beef project to project as the peddlers get greedy and their name pops
What you expect to happen. It's more people in them projects than all of Pittsburgh.
ya if we lived in a perfect world where everybody is beautiful inside. Gimme a break he was telling the truth.
Damn I luv the hood. Just a shame the hood don't luv me back...
thanks for the tour homie i appreciate you, there will come a time when we will all walk in peace..love...respect.
Ricardo Gonzalez you prefer jazz ricardo haha,nice comment.
I hope you are well dear brother and this finds you and those you love in great health and happiness😎
And its improved ALOT since the 80s and 90s
I can see how growing up in the projects can make a young person feel marginalized and like society has abandoned them and that they have no value. Like the kid said on the video "there are too many projects" and that is part of the problem. It is institutionalized housing, bleak and in another world..a world apart from mainstream society. In Manhattan you have projects but they are mixed in with people from all walks of life, rich & poor and the kids have a better chance of being exposed to different cultures and disciplines that can stimulate them to reach out and imagine a different future for themselves. When all you see is project...project..project - that is where their value system is developed. That being said, individuals within the community have to take control of their destinies and refuse to fall victim to the master plan that was set for them. In eras past, families and communities were stronger and there was a line that would not be crossed. Fathers, take care of your sons...educate, strive for success Each one Teach One!
Thank you for your comments. I can clearly understand the pain agony & frustration. Some neighborhoods have become war zones. Hopefully one day will all get free together and Live✌🏾Out!!
"lets go money we got more projects to go to"
😅
Dag, yall did all the classics, south side (skully all day), the hole (I always got crossed over), Van Dyke Community Center (loved playing the drums they had in there), PS 150 (so many memories), and the Library (I met so many cool kids there, that library saved my life, no lie. I actually began my Illustration training there. I studied for free in the Heritage house on the second floor with Ms. Dean (Forever Loved) and Mr. Lucas for 10 years. They schooled me on how to make it out of the hood for good, but return to give back). Much respect to you guys for doing this video, I really appreciate it.
My boyfriend is from Brownsville. He use to tell me stories about things happening ...he took me there this past summer..& I was even scared to look to hard. These bruthas AINT LYING 😂
Ms Renee let me take you shopping ma
I Won't Look Them In The 👀 Eye As Well, So 😔 Sad
@@anitaarcher4730 they be raping old women over there 60 70 years old you’re no exception keep walking ma
They kept it REAL and cared enough to make a video to inform people and possibly get others involved to help; especially the younger generations.
I gave Vandyke projects 21 years of my life and damn it was hard. More bad times than good but it shape me into the person I am today. The beef is not because of the projects being so close. The beef is because of the mentality of the people who reside in the projects. My daddy was a DJ for the block parties in the late 80's and we had a blast. I'm glad I moved away and gave my children a different experience.
Yo, Sonny keep up the good work man. I was trolling through RUclips and came across this joint. You have been trying to shed a glimmer of hope on Brownsville for years. I appreciate that. I'm sure many others do as well. One of the things that i know for certain is that goodness starts at home. When you teach a child to be a good person when he/she is young they will not depart from that. I know this because I grew up out there , too. Young people living in those congested communities areas need to have an emotional and mental overhaul. I believe it will take a joint effort between parents or guardians and their children. Keep in mind that it will be difficult due to the fact that a large percentage of young people there are living in single parent households, or being raised by an ex-drug addicted parent or a grandparent who may be way too old to discipline them or keep on top of a active and emotional teenage. When we cast a light on the fact that probably 85% of the young people beefing and killing up their peers are literally "crack babies.," or "children of "crack-babies." Which means the probability of not learning properly, or rationalizing proper is greatly increased. It's a fact that many seem to ignore. There's also a need for mental healthy screening in those communities because there needs to be family and individual deprogramming that needs to be done as well. As far as the proximity of the various housing complexes, you are 100% correct. There are way too many people in such a small and concentrated area. Does that make people criminals, no. However, it does increase the probability of them being frustrated, with increased chances of getting into conflict. Many of the young people there (not all) do not have reasoning skills and have great difficulty articulating themselves beyond urban vernacular. Therefore, they can't see an end to a conflict when it arises (other than to pull out a gun and end someone's life). Far too often I hear young people (there and abroad) claiming the areas (rep'n the areas) they live in as if they were living in palatial estates. They literally take a personal stake in a place that has no love or respect for them. That in itself speaks to the fact that there is a mental disconnect between truth and fiction; reality and the alternate reality they've created in order to survive the harshness and unfairness of living in areas like Brownsville. In closing, I'm praying for the people of Brownsville that GOD will send a Fresh Wind upon them. One that will cause them to remember who they are, and to repent. Then that He will breath on them again and another Fresh Wind will pass over those young people and that they will begin to walk, talk, and behave in the way of young princes and princesses, with pride and dignity. My prayer is that our older men (30s, 40s, 50s,) will stop being silent sleepwalkers and start being peace-talkers. Oh yeah, as for the non-Black guy who commented that he spent 3 days in Brownsville to complete a college project and likened the experience to being in a 3rd World country. If that statement was the truth, he should literally have left Brownsville ashamed. Not for the people who live there, but for his ancestors who built these non-floating brick slave ships that don't sail, but stretch up to the sky and jail thousands of residents in sub-standard conditions, for profit and for the control of power). He should be ashamed that those people were and are still so very fearful of Black youth. Not because they are violent, but because they grow up being strong, successful, powerful Kings and Queens who master everything they do and touch. That's why there's always so many road blocks set in front of them. The people in Brownsville don't need sympathy. Nor some random college student claiming to do a report on them like they are some soft of lab mice. What they need is to believe in something higher than themselves that will not fail them (GOD), they they need people on this earth who will treat them with fairness, with love and with compassion. Next they need opportunities to further and/or complete their education, job skills, some need drug treatment programs and real protection from the people who are supposed to protect and serve them. It won't take a day, it won't take a month, it won't take a year. It took many years to program these people to be so self-destructive. it will take a little time to begin the process of restoration of faith and truth in them. They are Kings and Queens who need to be reminded that there is value in them being here. Thanks for this video, Sonny. One day we should brainstorm to bring something else that's need to the people of Brownsville. God bless you, Brother. You guys stay safe. Stay Awoke. Shout out to Money, too.
I use to cop in Brownsville and Purple City back in the 80's.
Michelle's Side Tell them crazy 80s story's man. I love hearing about the 80s
SAY WHAT ! ARE U 4 REAL ?
If I can get a dollar for every time he said the word sad
Lolol or everytime he said projects
maybe the season is not really for parties.
Stfu thats how we talk
My Sun did over do it
I grew up in Tilden projects. I'm white. I never had need because im white. If you from the hood you from the hood. I had plenty of fights, and I had the respect of all my people's in the projects. I never got mixed up in gangs or drugs. I joined the army, went to college, became an officer and had a long successful career. Now I'm 40, retired and living good. I made it out. A lot of people I know didn't. It's sad to see Brownsville will never change
john harkins yeah cuz they brainwashed
Thank you, for people trying to understand a world they did not live through, this is a great introduction. I wish more than anything that people can connect beyond differences, as deep as skin color, or as shallow as a dividing street/building. Keep sharing knowledge.
Respect
Just visited Brownsville first time ever. I'm from Los Angeles but live in D.C. now and as a hobby I visit Black communities across the world to see what life is like. Visiting Brownsville was huge for me. Since visiting, can't stop thinking about Brownsville.
I seriously don't see a better documentary than this on RUclips or TV about the projects. True, this guy aint a saint, I dont doubt that. But this is very very REAL, what they are showing is very REAL, there isnt the drama that TV puts on.
I just wish more documentaries like these were made. Sonny needs to be contracted
***** .
I appreciate the efforts of sonny Townsend an His man Money. This gives outside people a truly good glimpse into the world of the upside down bla Brownsville Bklyn I commend Sonny an his Staff for Putting a lens to what's really going on in the Brownsville section of bklyn. Why is it that no one wants to go there. When you don't feel safe for you and your family its time to go. A Bklyn brownsville reputation is not always a good thing to have especially when after so much turmoil it becomes the land of the forgotten and the land of the least. P.S. Sonny Thank You for your Videos.
I grew up in that neighborhood,this was back in the day, what happened?We looked out for each others,if we acted up the adults beat our butts,they kept us out of trouble.We had respect for our projects,we were a family.I grew up in the Brownsville Projects.
My parents grew up in these projects in Brownsville. My Dad in Seth Low houses and my Mother in Glenmore plaza in the 60-70s. It was so different back then. My cousins and I would visit my grandma and play in the playground of Seth low houses and feel safe. But the last time I visited my great Aunt before she passed away about 8 years ago , they were shooting in broad daylight in glenmore plaza. We pulled out of there so fast. I really hope this violence ends and that more opportunities are presented to the people of this community so that they can have hope and greater purpose for living. No one should have to live like this.
Hey fatima
Hey Ms. Brown
I'm from DC South East & me & my man went to the Ville at his families house in the projects trying to catch some shut eye before we rolled. & my word no lie they was shooting literally all night long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It didn't even make sense as if it was like they was just shooting just to shoot it was like a war outside.
When because it don’t seem that bad anymore
"Had niggas thinkin I was from Uptown for real had so much hustle plus I was down to ill like a Brooklyn nigga straight outta Brownsville down & dirty down to fight to round thirty". Son this vid got me open my dude. I live in Bmore now it's wild out here too but they tore all the high rise down and relocated them people way out. Lookin at these joints got me on some reminiscing ish son word! I miss Brooklyn but I would never raise a kid there it's different from when we grew up...
just saying...
I love these dudes!!!!
These dudes are slow mentally
I'm from East Flatbush i remember the block parties in Brownsville sad.
No bull I remember the block parties back in the 80's
Good shit Sonny & Money keep bringing the awareness..Much Love!!!!
This ias a great INSIDE documentary.!! More. I lived in East NY. AND BACK THEN was f'd up when I lived there...burned out buldings. etc. Keep up the work Brh.
I'm a project baby, I grew up in Brooklyn where shit was always going off, days I couldn't sleep cuz of them shooting and so much shit going on out side, I'm glad we moved out to Los Angeles, Brooklyn will forever have a place in my heart 🖤
I grew up in Brownsville Brooklyn NY , Howard Houses in building 300 mother Gaston Blvd my grandparents apartment 1 e .
too many projects damn
I FEEL U MY BRO, I'M LIVIN ' IN THAT WORLD .
There a hood and there is project his tour is mosly in pj.
I love New York City The 5 Borough's are thoro The Bronx especially
@@harrywinnz6171 Crooknam all-day💯💯💯
"les go money!" lmao
YO this was something i wanted to see for a long time. im from west L.A. moved to east L.A. to South central the hood were is rough and hard. but i always wondered how it was in new york ghettos like queensbridge, south bronx and Brooklyn. Got first glimps of Brownsville Brooklyn .. Good work
This is what journalism is all about. Great video
I SALUTE THE BOTH OF YOU BRAVE MEN FOR SENDING OUT A POSITIVE MESSAGE.
Time really appreciate what these brothers are trying to do. I relate to what they spoke on in the past from my years in Tilden as a youth.
bars.
I lived there for 17years i am glad i got out of that dump.
“It’s to many projects, that’s why there to much beef” it sad.
I love Brooklyn but the best I did was move my sons have a house and a yard I will say this some of the best times I had was in the projects.
BROWNSVILLE NEVER RAN NEVER WILL...
Why do you want to stay there in poverty?
I have absolutely no idea of what it's like to grow up and live in these places but I have all the respect for these guys. They are true ambassadors and deserve all the credit. What strikes me though is how people in these places seem to be very territorial - this side is Brownsville and over there is Tylden - so what? Names of groups of buildings?? What if they called the whole of East New York Brownsville - would that sort some of the problems? This is not to say that I agree with concentrating so many housing projects in one small place. I work as a town planner myself - in a totally different place to NYC, and know integration, or whatever you want to call it, is one of our biggest challenges.
If you mind your business you can walk anywhere !
For 20 min they repeated the same thing 😂😂😂 it was fun cruising the hood again tho #riverdale440 glad I got my son out cause y’all right too much beef
All of those projects turned damu when banging started in the Ville in 97-98 but that brought them together for a few month's
im from brownsville houses in the middle i take alot of pride in that people think i exaggerate on my hood we the heart of new york city in street orah and nyc is the heart of the world do your research...ABG all day good looking sonny t.
Much props to your brothas who made this video. Thanks for taking viewers inside to a place that not many can go. I also enjoyed the way you both reported on stuff with a message or a question. That was dope.
Respect off the top dear brothers. Look up, “The Mouse Utopia Experiment” 1968-1972 by: John B. Calhoun. I hope this reaches you both in great health and happiness.
Ahhhh that's my father Moneyyyyy
oh word? Tell him this video is classic and that they should do an updated version with a better camera and a steadier hand!
really? damn thats crazy
CHEERS FOR SHOWING THE HIGHS N LOWS THERE,FROM THE UK
I respect this guy seriously I mean I live in East New York and the block that I live on I have never heard a gunshot and I've been living here for 13 years.
I used to be a community organizer in Brownsville. Thanks for taking this time to record and post this video. What you are doing is very important.
Im from a medium town in Florida. The only person that died from gunshot, when I was a kid, dude off'd himself. I can't imagine living in such a dangerous environment
MsAKALady I would love to take you to dinner
Thank you for giving insight. I’m black from the UK 🇬🇧 And find this fascinating. Keep doing your work!
This is where you would live if you’re Caribbean family didn’t go to England 😂
This hits home. Shout out to you and Money Sonny; my cousin Larry and I grew up right alongside y'all at 301 Sutter Ave. I lived on the 5th floor, Larry lived on the 21st. R.I.P. to your brother Sean, aka Big Herc; he was a great dude, everybody loved him. Stay positive, and school these youths and try to keep them off that path to destruction.
124 grafton street
Wonder if he was safe after filming this.
depends on what you mean
Sonny Townsend thank you for sharing this video, it's kind of relevant to where I'm from in London I grew up in blocks just like these, some now been demolished to pave the way for high flyers being business people and foreign investors, its ethnic cleansing. I'm from a n east London hood, made it out of there and proud of what I achieved....but most of all is my hood runs through my veins regardless of where I go. I visited NY back in Feb and felt no way walking through project housing, didn't get bothered in the slightest, my visit wasn't just for touristic purposes, I saw the huge divide between the rich n poor just by standing on Brooklyn bridge...eye opening for sure
yeah I'm gud I'm known in all of the projects was once a thug myself and hung out with thugs from all of the P's out there.I use to go and chill in any building dudes use to say oh that's Sonny yo Wass gud Sonny.If you look at my Ole timers videos you will see I get mad love out there... thanks for asking tho
Sonny Townsend stay blessed 💯👌🏽💪🏽🙌🏽❤️
@@datsmyshyt9714 u 2
you can listen to jazz and hiphop. peace,love,unity and having fun.
Blessings brother for your work. I think in time they will overstand the negatives they trust. Blessings from Fort Greene Bklyn.
haha dude in the red funny
lmfao...
Good,to see you stepping up with this sonny,your brother saved my ass when we were kids,and he didnt even fuckin'know me!!!
unfortunately wherever theres low income housing theres gonna be violence, drugs etc, my dad lived in rockaway back in the mid 50-60's and he remembers when they finished building redfern pjs and other pjs and he couldnt believe how quickly rockaway changed, it went from like a nice summer spot to one big ghetto, its unfortunate and kids mindset is getting worse and worse bc its easier to pull a trigger then to fight and majority of them time its not even worth a fight let alone murder
I wanna go there and sell girl scout cookies someday!
This video in a nutshell
It’s sad, a lot of people can’t walk through the projects, & the projects are close to eachother. Also, it’s sad.
It’s sad.
Sad.
Projects.
I can't speak to much on them other projects. But you was not walking through Brownsville houses like that back in the 80s without being escorted by someone or robbed by someone. Brownsville was treacherous back in the days. You better know.
yep u better know someone and they better be someone well known
M.O.P Ante up Brownsville standup
nice vid...big up m.o.p master ace smooth the hustler
Too close o each other.. that is what creates a ghetto! So right on!. I am late to this blog (by years) but I grew up in Brownsville and nothing has changed in last decade.
lived 3 yrs. in tilden houses on the livonia ave side. left out in 79, live in newport,rhode island now. my 1st cousin still lives there from childhood. still know people from my building 275 livonia. i still walk through with big gold chains and no one has ever tried me yet. niggas know who and who not to phuck wid.
saez Tate I’ll fold you
this brother is a cool dude..i drive with a bullet proof backpack in my ride at all times because of all the many guns put to my head mostly by DT's on they BS and(driving being black) and just by all the shootings and gun blasting i run across all the time in all the bklyn hoods..seen at least 6 people killed right in front of me.the 80's was the worse..survived almost getting shot 6 times in one week around nostrand and dean st in 84" just walking to the A train going to work.still love the hell out of brooklyn. making 61 in bk is a blessing.keep up the good work sonny
mr bezo God Bless You Brother I love you God Bless
Let's not forget about 10 Amboy an up the hill 430 cat's couldn't come through there at one time we started the robbery game on pickin ave
That's were we all went shopping pickin Ave
Remember ProspectPlaza up da hill that they tore down.......M.O.P side of da ville
Excellent mini documentary guys. You should do another episode that shows what the inside of the apartment buildings look like.
This documentary is real ...I use to live on NewYork Avenue
East New York Ave
M.O.P!
Yes sir
Reality Video, God Bless You Guys For Your Efforts To Want Change. I Pray Things Get Better In Jesus Name 🙏!! Lord Have Mercy.....
I am 40 years old. I was born in Van Dyke Projects in 1972. I remember my days of going P.S. 150 on Sackman Avenue right there in the middle of Seth Lowe projects. I went to Junior High School at JHS 263 Esther Clark Hunter!!! Back then you fought a nigga with your hands. Your knuckle game had to be on point. Now niggas want to put a burner in your face. Things have DEFINITELY CHANGED!!!!!
I'm surprised at how quiet it is. It doesn't look too scary or intimidating. Although I probably still wouldn't want to walk through there in case a big group of people walk out of one of the buildings.
Do you mean, "big group of black people?"
Haha no I meant people
lol, it does, but that's the really scary part though. Most of the people who hang out side are just waiting for a target. People who live there know this, so most people stay inside, or stay on thier block. Plus, it seems kinda chilly in the video, the summer time is where it really gets crazy.
IT IS SO TRUE SONNY YOU ARE VERY INTELLIGENT. VERY WELL DONE DOCUMENTARY. IT IS SO SAD BUT YET SO REAL
thanks much luv
Respect to the makers of this video..
Keep it up brothers..
They need to tear down the projects.
Brownsville is isolated from the rest of the city.
The L train and the 4 don't connect .
Atlantic Ave , New lots , Pennsylvania Ave eastern park way .it's boxed off.
Thing is, if they tear down the projects where do the people live? Then the violence spreads all over the city. Fix up the projects, but don't tear them down
They tore down Cabrini Green in Chicago...that’s not the answer
They tore down Prospect Plaza up da hill on Saratoga Ave..M.O.P side
No ones out in the street?? People too scared to go out?? Just the way your governments like it.
True
HELL YEAH, THAT FUCKIN' SUCK !
It’s cold outside
Spin Brownsville P’s leave JayDee on his knees
A friend of mine from Newyork told me about Brownsville crazy shit I think some of the realist one's come from New York City
Please be advised that Brownsville Brooklyn many years was very bad, however I now reside there & it's much better place. Its not the projects, it was the people & the drugs. I'm not in the projects, but the police is getting rid of the garbage. You can walk freely here at anytime.😃
I think you should read a book called “The color of law” before you call economically disadvantaged people garbage.
Marcy could not compare to Brownsville back then or now.. Marcy dudes say Brownsville dudes are Grimey
wonder how many from the projects visit the library
Actually a lot more than you think,not everyone is drug dealers,and addicted to something or even trying to get into trouble.
The library was the only way I could use the internet when i was a kid
In the place I live, we have our housing projects scattered around the city. It has resulted in less crime. People don’t avoid certain areas of their own city, we don’t associate a particular type of house with crime, there is less violence and people have more opportunities to educate and better themselves. We don’t oppress one area, we invest in every school equally.
its a good place to be from like a boot camp for the world and like frank Sinatra says if you can make it there you can make it any where its up to you new York new York but ill never go back I was getting a sinking feeling in my stomach just looking at this video I felt car sick or like a stranger in a strange land smh neva go back peace out I was horrified by this video
So true man so true
These guys aint lying
@Beverly Huttinger You're not lying.
@Beverly Huttinger thats what happened in times square back in 80s
Beverly Huttinger I mean they already doing it to Brooklyn and the bronx looks far superior than both
I like how you actually take the time to show the people what a lot of people don't see these days, if they only knew how it was on what your reporting on and have a understanding what folks go through these days, see that's 100% real there and that's what fox news or any of them station don't report....but you aight........you should do more things like this and keep it 100 kno what I mean
It so crazy to see this
I’m a teenager and Lived for 10 years
It like being in a time machine
- honestly the schools are so bad The public school ones
Like he said I went to PS 284
But What is saved my life was
charter school
Cool video and cool reporters
I ve been in da Ville Late Plenty of times I grew up out there We chilled on the bench broke day chilled in all of the pJ's in da Ville ..Check out Pt 5&6 and see the luv I get in da Ville...
What a very interesting video.
Unfortunately, I can't write too much because of RUclips's limit, but I'll list some reasons as to why things are like this:
1) Too many young people have kids way too early; no protection.
2) Young men/women don't graduate high school. Most don't attend college.
3) No role-models; people who can make enough money often get out.
4) Young people resort to selling drugs.
5) Each person competes with another.
6) Violence.
7) No job opportunities/no businesses come.
They should have named the whole projects by one name e.g Brownsville projects it may have been hard to beef each other then
nah, they'd use the building numbers instead.
Queensbridge still beef each other it makes no difference
Thanks for making this. I really appreciate it. I always had this fascination with New York (not from there), especially the hood. Do you guys still live in Brownsville?
Peace and Love
yall did a great job. This was an amazing tour.
Need to have some thing for the kids to do like a community center and work from there
Shannon Briggs the former heavyweight champion is from Brownsville.
So is mike tyson
Yo I subbed just because of this video and I'm only 5 min in. That's real❗ Walking through there AND knowing the history is what's up. That's a lot of project in one area. Largest in BK. Mother Gaston all the way.
These guys are my heroes. I mean that.
I grew up in Brooklyn Albany projects I left back in 1979 and haven't turned back yet but not until the people who live in these dilapidated neighborhoods decide for themselves that they want better will it ever get better peace