Have you heard of these bus tours of the Bronx? These tours operated by “Real Bronx Tours” are not your typical tours though, these are tours geared toward showing the “ugly side” of the Bronx. The tour guide says things like “You shouldn’t walk through here alone” or “This is known as pickpocket park”, as well as other unbecoming statements regarding the neighborhood.
As a man that grew up in the South Bronx, I acknowledge that there are problems with my home borough. Lord knows I experienced quite a bit out there as I grew up. Yet I find it highly offensive and unprofessional for a company to give a bus tour of these neighborhoods while selling how nasty and violent they are. It is an exploitation of the worst kind and these people are clearly lacking in taste.
The Bronx is not all nasty, it also has a rich history which has given us the likes of Edgar Allan Poe, Sandra Sotomayor and Colin Powell! In fact I was recently a few blocks away from where I grew up for a wonderful performing arts event at the Bronx Museum of Art. By the way, this little girl pictured above was also showing some of her work at that “ghetto” museum. We are not savages, and we are not up for display.
Due to pressure from politicians and the community overall, the company has allegedly shutdown and stopped advertising these “ghetto tours”, but the fact that they even took it there is extremely disgusting. The company should be boycotted for this terrible offense against the people and the neighborhood. Even though it appears that the tour is cancelled, if you or anyone you know hears anything about this, please let us know.
Just a life long New Yorker sharing the journey through my lens. Please take note of a post’s date. The views I express here are subject to change and evolving as I grow and learn.
That is just so wrong in so many ways. 🙁 Very sad that people feel the need to belittle others.
Agreed. I don’t support violence, but you know, if there were ever any bus tires I’d like to see stabbed…… Lol….