Author Ivan Sanchez's new book, Next Stop: Growing up Wild-Style in the Bronx, due out next week, details the violence and crime he experienced growing up on the streets of Kingsbridge during the late 1980s and 90s. The Daily News interviewed the author, who now lives in Virginia.
The article reports that Mr. Sanchez used the real names of some of his old, crack-dealing friends.
Maybe this wasn't such a good idea?
“I’ve received a lot of death threats,” he told the News. “And I have reasons to fear for my life.”
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8 comments:
Just what we need -- another "wild streets of the Bronx" book that keeps visitors and potential investors out of the borough. I have lived in 4 out of the 5 boroughs and spent my late/70s, 80s childhood in the North Bronx and its just so sad to go back. There has been so little positive development in the Norwood and Kingsbridge neighborhoods and books like this continue to frighten people away.
Anonymous, you're an idiot...read the book and then see if you feel the same way.
I plan on reading it and I am not questioning Ivan Sanchez's talent or authenticity. My point was just that these stories are consumed by people who have not lived in the Bronx and the unilateral portrayal of the borough continues to frighten people away. Although Adolfo Carrion has been amazing in attracting new businesses, investment in the borough has stagnated. I am specifically thinking about the Kingsbridge Armory Project and the decline of the elementary school I attended. Ivan Sanchez escaped to Virginia. Many of my friends from the borough escaped to Arizona, California, Maryland, other parts of the city. There is a reason for that. If the Bronx wants to continue to thrive then it needs to be able to retain residents who are are invested in their communities and attract visitors. I am rooting for the borough, I really am, but I continue to be disappointed in its image and how this impacts its future.
If you disagreed with my post you could have written about some of the positive aspects of this post rather than dismissing me as an "idiot."
Hello All:
Ivan Sanchez here... The author of Next Stop: Growing up Wild-Style in the Bronx.
I didn't write the book to scare potential future investors away... I wrote the book to educate people about the how & why these issues still exist 40, 30, 20 years later... Get it?
How are we ever going to make a positive change in these communities if we don't first take an honest look at why we've ended up here?? This book was my attempt to look inside.
In addition, I've spent a great deal of the money coming back to the Bronx to speak to the youth...
I've been to Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, MS 399, Columbus HS, Cardinal Hayes HS & Jane Adams in the South Bronx just to name a few...
I haven't charged a penny for my time...
It's time for everyone to wake up and get serious about resolving these issues!
Ivan Sanchez
www.isanchez.com
ivan@isanchez.com
Ivan - Original poster here. Just finished your book and while I don't completely disagree with my original post, and I admire your stand on looking at these issues and attacking them head-on. I also admire your community activism and your attempt to reach our youth. That said, I grew up on Sedgwick Avenue right around the same time as you did. I attended public schools and know every corner that you have talked about in your books. Our experience in the Bronx was quite different -- there was a lot of beauty there as well and I wish that you had a chance to experience it as I did. There is a lot of ignorance around the Bronx and the potential that it holds. I only hope that the coming administration makes it easier for our Black and Latino youth to dream big. Kudos for turning your life around and I hope for nothing but beautiful things for you and your family.
The book was pretty terribly written. I am a Boricua too and this book seems to propagate the worst stereotypes.
H - Thanks for the kind words... It's been a long time - actually I've never heard - since I heard someone say my book was terribly written... I think it's cute... When you write your memoirs and have them published by a major publishing company please forward me the link so I can buy the book. I'll judge you honestly, same as you're judging me.
Sorry it was a horrible read for you... Send me an address and I'll mail you the $14.00 plus tax!
Peace,
Ivan Sanchez
well i haven't read your book yet but i cant wait.. I grew up on Sedgwick and kingsbridge and i still here and i lost plenty of friends(r.i.p maso,porky,alamo) to the streets right on those same streets you grew up on... I've seen crazy stuff going on and i'm only 25 years old so i can imaging all the stuff you seen that you talk about....kingsbridge all day
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