The Quadrangle

Issue date: 11/1/06 Section: Perspectives

The High Bridge, once a symbol of Bronx grandeur, is now a symbol of decay.

"One of the great advantages of attending Manhattan is its proximity to New York City. Although nestled in the suburbs, Manhattan College is a stone's throw away from one of the finest classrooms in the world." This can be found in the second line of the school's website about its terrific location. There is no mention that by New York City, they imply the borough of Manhattan, besides the fact that they refer to the corner of 242nd Street and Broadway as the suburbs.
Why is there such neglect for The Bronx?
The Bronx has a certain stigma; there is no way around it. Many Jaspers have told people they go to Manhattan College, a small liberal arts school in Riverdale. Many probably neglect, however, to explain that it is in The Bronx; that is just the way it works. Students, faculty and administration alike embrace the fact that this school is situated in one of the richest neighborhoods in the world, atop an affluent hill that overlooks one of the poorest areas in the country.
There was another murder within walking distance from Manhattan last Friday. This time, it was an alleged murder-suicide involving a couple and their four-year old child. The child was shot in the face.
A woman was almost raped across near the Riverdale townhouses semester. Days ago there was an attempted robbery of a Mount student right outside of campus following what seemed like only days after news of three murders rocked the borough.
News from the New York Times reported that there were 88 murders between August 20 and September 9, 13 more than the same period last year.
The New York City division of United Way dedicates millions of dollars and much of its focus attempting to bring literacy, food, sobriety, health insurance and HIV protection to the same borough that we turn a blind eye to as we pass through on the 1 train on our way to midtown.
With all of this happening only a few feet from Manhattan College Parkway, a short walk from our comfortable dorm rooms, where is the response from the community?
Lois Harr and the volunteers at Campus Ministry should be applauded for all that they do for the homeless and others in need not only in this city, but also in neighborhoods all over the world. It should not go unnoticed that they go on trips throughout the city to conduct a homeless census and give out all the food that they can.

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