We're one Bronx, we're Democrats, but politically different

Anthony Rivieccio

I am asked all the time, from different people and different generations…” Are we all one Bronx?

And that always leaves me troubled to relate this answer: “Yes, we are one of the poorest Boroughs in the Nation. Yes, we are 61 neighborhoods. I also believe there are many things, while being the same, makes North Bronx residents and businesspeople different”

Mostly, I would suggest, many are ” Democratic conservatives” or Conservative Democrats” Or like I always like to say: The North Bronx is a different animal than The South Bronx”

Now that doesn’t mean that we don’t like The South Bronx. Many of us, including myself, grew up there! I lived and grew up on Fox Street in 1974 and Tremont Ave in 1977, and ( was ) a proud Member of the local gang The “Devil Disciples”

But like with most Bronxites at that time, the Bronx was burning in The South, and many were migrating to The North. But realistically, this migration has always happened, since the 1920s.

Why? The Bronx wasn’t burning in the 1920s? It was thriving. What had always been different, why people moved up north, was that Bronx citizens, regardless of race, always wanted a better quality of life and believed they could find it up north.

They believed they could find: cleaner streets, better environmental quality, less crime, more of a small town neighborhood feeling. . As The Bronx evolved from the 1920s to today, from mostly Jewish & Irish to Puerto Ricans to multi ethnic, from Republican to Democrat, this run for ” northern quality of life” has always been a Southern Bronxites dream.

As the attached map shows from ” Politico” in regards to the current Presidential & State elections, the Northern Bronx is shown to be Democrat but ” conservative” .

And even at times a bit ” progressive”, to go with their Democratic conservatism. In recent years, Alessandra Biaggi (who we supported) won the 34th State Senate ( west- east) District. New Congressman Jamaal Bowman, taking the place of Eliot Engel. Of course, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz rules the roads of Riverdale.

And in the East, even conservative Democrats like New District Leader Irene Estrada & Allerton State Assembly candidate, Gene Defrancis, all show that “The North, from East- to West, have and will continusly learn how to share together, disagree with certain viewpoints, but all treasure their ” North Bronx Quality of Life”.

Yes we’re lucky! From Wave Hill, Van Courtlandt Park, Mosholu Parkway, Pelham Parkway, New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx Zoo, Pelham Bay Park. Yes we’re lucky!.

But that doesn’t mean the South Bronx isn’t rich in gold. That’s where all the development money is going. And new leadership seems to be sure that they maintain a ” certain quality ” of life as well. Southeast legislators like Luis Sepulvia and Councilwoman Vasessa Gibson have been pushing for cleaner buildings and ” greener ” open spaces. Even Fordham Road City council candidate ( 15th) Oswald Feliz ( who our organization supports) , believes it’s about time we tackle air pollution and the problems within The Cross Bronx Expressway

And as you can see, most of the map is ” dark blue”. More established Democrats. More progressive Democrats.

Yes, we are one Bronx. We are a Democratic borough. We need to understand the new progressive principles while trying to preserve ” quality of life tidbits” in all 61 neighborhoods, so we can love our ” 1 Bronx” even more. Another reason why the 2021 City Council Elections are so important.

Anthony Rivieccio has been founder of The Northwest Bronx Democrats , a community & political organization since 2003. Their target areas are: Fordham, Kingsbridge , Kingsbridge Heights , Bedford Park, Norwood , Allerton.