On February 18, 2016, the Bronx Library Center invited Bob Gumbs to discuss his book about Bronx history, Before the Fires: An Oral History of African American Life in the Bronx From the 1930s to the 1960s. He discussed how the Bronx has changed over the years, highlighting the cultural aspects of the Bronx in the mid-20th century, the importance of schooling in his life, and the racial segregation that impacted Bronx life. His parents immigrated to New York City from the Caribbean Islands in 1942. They landed in the Morrisania neighborhood in the Bronx. He mentioned his love for the Bronx, though he currently lives in Harlem. The book was written from an oral history project that originated from the African American studies department at Fordham University. 300 interviews were given to Bronx residents, 17 of which are recounted in the work. 

Arts

Music thrived in the South Bronx in the 1950s, known as the "Harlem of the Bronx". There were many plays and clubs in the Bronx where emerging artists performed. Arthur Crier (1935-2004) was a singer and songwriter who performed at the Apollo, Freddie's and Blue Morocco. He recounted that Morrisania was a good place to learn about music. Jimmy Owens performed for the Jazz Arts Society, which was started by Bob Gumbs. When people moved to the Bronx, they brought their musical culture with them. For instance, calypso came from the Caribbean Islands, jazz came from Harlem, and rhythm and blues arose in the South.  Hip hop originated in the Bronx.   

School

Gumbs experience growing up in the Bronx was that schools were safe. Also, interestingly enough, the schools were racially integrated, but the neighborhoods were not. The schools were supposedly better in the neighborhoods that were largely populated by Jewish families. Schools gave out free instruments to students to use. James Pruitt became a teacher at Morris High School, which was one of the first schools to become racially integrated. He grew up in Harlem then moved  to the Bronx during the Great Depression since housing was cheaper. 

Race

The south Bronx used to be largely Jewish, but all of that changed. In the 1930s, African Americans and Hispanics began to immigrate to New York City. They settled in the Bronx since they were looking for affordable housing. However, Blacks were not allowed to live on the Grand Concourse, and they were also excluded from a swim club. A White Castle restaurant was picketed because it did not employ Blacks. Race riots occurred in Harlem, but none happened in the Bronx. Gumbs was largely insulated from racial tension when he was growing up, but many members of the audience remembered the discord that was caused by problematic race relations and the influx of gangs and drugs into the Bronx in the 1950s.

Before the Fires: An Oral History of African American Life in the Bronx From the 1930s to the 1960s by Mark Naison and Bob Gumbs, 2016

Books about Bronx history