I know I’ve told you how much I love love love living in Manhattan and as a forewarning this will probably not be the last time I do a little ode to my home. But I just finished reading Patti Smith’s memoir Just Kids and all I could think of for Kristy Eléna’s call of inspiration for this month’s FTF Event is the place I call home, NYC.
As I was reading Just Kids I kept thinking of New York in the late 1960’s and 70’s where much of the book takes place and I honestly can not imagine it. But really it’s not too long ago that the subway stations I frequent looked like this:
14th street and 8th avenue L train stop, 1977; click image for source
lexington ave line, 1974; click image for source
broadway local line, 1973; click image for source
And what about the intersections I walk everyday?!
west broadway and houston, 1974; click image for source
Same exact intersection and nearly the same view 34 years later.
west broadway and houston 2008; click image for source
So crazy!!! And I know this is not news to you but reading Smith’s experience in a NY that for much of us no longer exists had me pensive about my home. I really am inspired by the work and grind that people (including my parents) did to live in this place looong before it was the NY I know and love. I mean literally risking their lives to live in this city. The thought kind of takes my breath away and it’s why I am so grateful that I live here.
In Smith’s NY she is literally running into and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Allen Ginsberg and of course Robert Mapplethorpe while living nickel to nickel in apartments that were falling apart.
images from just kids; click image for source
I know some romanticize this era and say that the creativity in NY is long gone. And while I really am so fascinated and love the culture boom that happened in NY during this time, I still would live here in no other time but the present! There is still so much life in this city and while yes it’s shinier and definitely pricier the people who are here I think share many of the same dreams and are once again reinventing the city.
Last year there was a section in New York Magazine called “The New Collectivism” and when I read it I thought to myself THAT is MY New York.
There was a time where I felt New York had a too cool for school kind of attitude. So much so you could feel how slick it was but after the financial meltdown I really think the whole attitude has changed.
I believe right here and right now is focused on community and how to get it back and how to make it happen. It seems like the city is wide open and everyone wants to share their knowledge and passions. From free crafty classes at Etsy Labs to creatives bartering at Ourgoods, the city has become a space with open arms and I am so inspired by this!
free yoga in bryant park; click image for source
And I have to say even though I would love to have bumped into Jimi Hendrix I think I really do belong in the time I’m in…this time full of a different kind of inspiration of community and sharing :).
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Aww, loved this! You captured the city so perfectly, Jamillah, It’s so magical, especially the history of it and the way it’s grown, changed, but stayed the same. I sometimes think about other older countries – like England or Italy, say – and the reaches of history they have, the little reminders of times so far in the past. In a way New York is, to me, the epitome of the USA’s depth of history; it seems like every era has been captured there.
Hello my lovey dovey!!!!! I loved this. I love you. Your passion for our city ignites mine more.
I did the Bryant Park yoga last week!! (i went to 3 FREE yoga classes last week, The rain has deterred me from doing it this week, but neither here nor there) And I cannot wait to go to the Patti Smith Show with you at the wonderful Webster Hall. YAY, I LOVE NYC!!
Oh, and I can’t wait to see you again. Of course to see you and to get the book. Winky face. But really, where are you in my life?!?!?! I need to see you.
Aww <3 NYC 🙂 NYC in the 70s was pretty amazing and I agree with what you said, I love how we are getting back to community. I'll have to pick up her memoir!
I didn’t know you used to live in New York! I would love to visit someday, I especially want to visit during Fashion week and for events like the IFB Conference but there’s a list of things in my way at the moment. Anyhow I really, really love the before and after shots you put together. They’re so recognizable but at the same time completely transformed!
Ooo I really love your pictures!! I love NYC, and these are an awesome look back.
I love this post!! I so enjoyed looking at your pictures and reading your perspectives on NYC. I have never been there and I desperately want to see NY before I die so I consume posts like this. I love the yoga class in the park photo. I thought “How awesome that all those people are there focusing on their breath and the poses together >even though they probably don’t know one another!”
Thanks for sharing this> it is beautiful! And now I need to read that book!
Your post made me love New York even more! I have only been there once, just a couple of months ago, and it was crazily awesome. But so crazy that I did not have time to sit down and let the creativity of the city flow and take me with it. Well, I know for sure that there will be a next time, so I will prioritize then…
Very interesting!
Preaching to the choir- I am officially in love with your city. I can’t imagine what it was like in Patty’s days (and I STILL need to read this book) but I am equally enchanted by the NYC of today. Can’t wait to be back this fall!
I loved to see how much the city changed, it was only just today I was looking at photos in a department store from way back when, it was awesome to see how much it had changed.
I love love love this post sweetheart. You always give us stellar content. Truly. Can not believe I get to go there, AND see you. A dream come true, nothing less. xo
What a beautiful love letter to your city 🙂
New York is amazing, what a histotical place… would love to read Patti’s book as well. There seems to always be something happening in the city- free yoga is phenomenal & what a huge turn out.
What an awesome post..and the photos really paint the picture well. I am for sure checking out that Etsy link! Hope you are doing good, I saw your guest post over at Stephanie’s blog and it was great~Meredith xoxo
It’s so rare for people to say they would live in no other time than the present. I love that you think this way! It reminds me of Midnight in Paris. Have you seen that yet?
I love your inspiration very much! New York is such a diverse city and if I lived there it would be a great source of inspiration for me too!!
this is such a cool post! i love how you included the photos of how new york used to be. it really has changed SO much. very very cool post darling. thanks for participating in the event darling and i apologize for the belated comment. it’s been a busy few days since i returned from mexico!
Ohhhhhhh I <3 New York. LOVE.