Gentrification Is Erasing Philly’s Black Horse Stables
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- čas přidán 6. 10. 2021
- The tradition of the Black cowboy has been kept alive, often in a rather surprising place-North Philadelphia. There used to be over 40 stables in Strawberry Mansion, but just last month creeping gentrification made Fletcher Street the last stable in the city.
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If the City was smart they would turn it into a historic site and it could bring in money to the city/people
I agree! It's Philidelphia though. Great city pride. Horrible city administration.
czcams.com/video/4fk0FQTO1CU/video.html
It's crazy. For what it does for the community, it pays for itself everyday. Instead of bringing life, joy, entertainment and money to the people it represents, the City chose to use the land for very short term profit to give developers easy money... who will spend their profits in already rich areas in other cities for decades to come!
My thoughts precisely, Mr. Dark Souls!
Give these young people a chance on working in tourism. I'm from Ireland and when I visit Philly, I want a tour from These guys on horseback!
Every big city in the country is basically owned by developers, no other people have enough money to stand up to them buying councilpeople. There are literally developers IN Philly's city council. It's a really hard fight
I'm a native Philadelphian. Born and raised. I remember the horses as a kid when I used to visit my grandmother and my cousins who lived in North Philly at the time. Everyone loved them. The kids especially, we would pet the horses when they would come down the street. Seeing this long lived Philly tradition being wiped out by the gentrification breaks my heart. It's not only this being erased, soooooo much of the city's history is being wiped out. Sections of the city that where historical in its own right have been torn down and very unaffordable housing went up. Gentrification is killing the city, wiping out what it means to be Philadelphian, killing our landmarks and traditions, killing what makes our city unique.
Did you move to Bel-Air cornball
#TryVeganPlease #TryVeganPlease
Meek Mill! Buy them some land brotha. Any Philly big shot, don't let the tradition die. This is dope.
Thanks for the encouragement we will keep pushing
@@phillyfishingshawn5161 Man this is so cool. This is exactly what Philadelphia’s cronies can use to their advantage as a positive community program, it’s so important to keep it, and why they aren’t using it to their advantage I don’t know. You guys don’t give up, if there’s anyway the rest of us across the country can help, start a campaign brother ! I would gladly donate what I can to keep this alive. Big ups to you guys from a horse lover in Oklahoma.
Same thing I was thinking, Philly has lots of black folks with money
Lol you really think he's watching this, let alone is gonna see your comment? Let alone actually listen to you? 🤣
@@Smorgasvord you never know. He just might be watching
What’s a better economic driver? A dull apartment complex that’s found everywhere or a historically significant and unique community? If a community center and museum is put adjacent to the stables, I would travel across the country just to see that. Who would travel even across the block to see an apartment complex?
Great points!
Thanks for the kind words sir, we will never give up
Who wants to drive through the ghetto to see that lmao
@@zuranku your more then welcome to drive through
People deserve a place to live. We shouldn't be using the government powers to artificially keep them out of a home.
I could see and feel the love on all the faces associated with the horse club. What a beautiful thing and a shame that its not expanding. Thank you and much love.
Thank you for the kind words we are holding on strong as well as changing the future of the kids in our club.
#TryVeganPlease #TryVeganPlease
Beautiful History. Philadelphia needs to be Restored
czcams.com/video/4fk0FQTO1CU/video.html
Where is that progressive DA featured on HBO? That guy seemed misdirected
They are restoring alright just with a touch of gentrification and racism. They own nothing and that’s just what the banks want. Poc powerless. 😕
This is a great story, and a thing to keep alive. PLEASE don't take this away from the city's youth.
They call them the black cowboys but these guys were always helping all sorts of kids including me a Latino American I remember them teaching how to clean the horses shoe by lifting the legs of the horses and scraping the dirt out of it. These guys taught me how to ride a horse I never rode on the streets but it would’ve been amazing.
This is an absolute shame that Philly is doing this. Although I'm not surprised with the people in power. We gotta keep up these kinds of historical places. RISE UP PHILLY!!! Let's let em hear us. We gotta get them some land.
What else do you expect from democrat Mayor Jim Kenney? These people screw up everything they get a hold of. Look what happened with LA, NYC, and now Austin TX. Unfortunately Philly is also facing the same misfortunes.
What happens when you keep voting Dem
@@Wulfieman yes I'm sure a republican mayor would eminent domain privately owned profitable land and redistribute it for public use
@@Vanya2893 Funny how your immediate reaction is to make the same statement but with the opposite party so as to try and discredit my initial statement. You do know that both statements can be correct and not cancel out each other right?
Would a rep mayor eminent domain private property? I highly doubt it, but at least the rep mayor isn't going to butter you a BS story on how he promises to help marginalized groups and those who have been disenfranchised when election season begins just so his party full of corrupt politicians can stay in power another 4 years.
If you think either party has your best interest at heart, you are a lost soul. They would both throw you to the lions den if it meant they would get what they wanted (money and power). Whoever says otherwise is either naive like you or is purposely wanting you to be misinformed.
Obviously, get some power.
That’s a sad shame that they infringe on these horses and the people who love and ride them. Places like this keep young kids out of jail and the system. As a fellow equestrian, I am saddened. I’m so sorry.😿💔
This is cool. I hope it doesn’t die out.
Needs to be more than hope
@@markgrant5396 true
czcams.com/video/4fk0FQTO1CU/video.html
I agree, that the area should be declared historic and city and state should do everything to preserve this legacy and keep it alive.
Thank you all for the kind words we will never give up!!
Is there a petition or works to create one? Vice could easily put together a fundraiser for this cause as well?
Having a horse stable in a modern city is stupid and will eventually die out.
@@2011blueman all opinions are welcome but please explain, we are changing the future of many kids who aren’t fortunate enough to have farms to learn on.
@@phillyfishingshawn5161 There are plenty of ways to improve the future of those kids. The important part is for them to see role models and to have a place to go. That said, the demise of those stables is inevitable just as was the demise of the carriage industry. When the eminent domain proceedings eventually happen, I'd suggest getting the city to offer a different program and facility for the kids in lieu of fighting it (which the city would eventually win).
@@2011blueman well we will never give up
@@phillyfishingshawn5161 Well good luck with it, but I'm a realist.
"Im 82 turn it around thats 28", what an OG!
"And the reason why they put it there is no accident"
We know that when the city ever gets wind of under-privileged people doing ANY thing that is positive and uplifts their people, they make it a point to shut it down anyway possible.
Such a sad situation.
Thank you for this comment ReauDog. :) Much appreciated.
Horsemanship teaches partnership, communication, responsibilty, this needs to be preserved. I wish I had this in my city
I don’t think ppl rlly realize that owing just 1 horse isn’t cheap. They eat a LOT & need a lot of space & medicine
WHAT HAS THAT GOT TO DO WITH ANYTHING?!🙄🤷🏿♂️ YOU’RE KINDA MISSING THE POINT!!
@@bezzyranx9839 these ppl need help that is what I’m trying to say I was so surprised when I saw they’re able to maintain all these animals I just thought about how expensive it must be for them cause just taking care for 1 horse AINT cheap now I imagine all of those
Sorry Bezzy just cuz it's a good thing doesn't mean it's practical to keep horses in the city. Vice rolls out a white female PHD student who immediately pulls the gentrification card, suggests the city (TAXPAYERS) make amends for the historical sin of red lining! By giving away urban land & funding for pony rides?... Canceling section 8 senior housing projects?... Not practical or realistic at all. Why can't an organizations BLM fund this sort of thing?
Shame on Philadelphia. This needs more media attention. Please share this on social media and with activists. Pressure the city to do the right thing, because obviously they have no moral compass on their own.
We ride horses in the streets on the east side of Indianapolis. Haven't seen the riders in the last three or four years but I saw it all the time in the summer growing up. I really hope it does not die out in Philly.
Yep.
Around 38 to 46 streets.
Meadows, Millersville to Sherman.
Washington park.
I grew up in west Philly. We never had these horses stables in my area. We only rode horses during block parties when they brought them over for pony rides.
This man needs a warehouse donated. Particularly one with a few levels of which the upper 2 could be for stables amd the bottom could be open to allow for daily exercise. Props to ya sir.
Horses just bring so much joy and help to deal with life in the best way. Love how well these horses look. Is there a way to support this community
You keep on taking things away from Urban neighborhoods. Not giving these young men anything to put their energy in or to strive for, and watch crime continue you to go up. Or is that the goal?
Make this a historic landmark for the City of Philadelphia. The city can then help take care of it, offer more programs for the youth generate some money to the community. Is there something in the works already? A petition I can sign and share? Link me!
Hope they can keep this tradition alive. So important to keep history.
We will never give up!
the reason why this started was because of Philadelphia was going though extreme urban decay to the point that residence of north Philly were living in third world conditions and were very poor. Whole neighborhoods were eventually demolished by city officials leaving a lot of empty lots and lots of trees and greenery started to take over the blocks....but if philly plans to go NYC mode(rapid gentrification) I dont see this surviving.
I really wish VICE would include some kind of link or donation information when they cover organizations like this, it would help these orgs orgs capitalize on the attention they get from the video.
They have been there since I was younger. I loved seeing the fellas ride, it always reminded me back home on the rez
As someone who has been in Philly and randomly come upon someone riding down the street on a horse without knowing that there were stables like these in the city, I must say I was in shock and was left very confused and almost in disbelief of what I saw. I'm used to young men in big groups of illegal dirt bikes and four wheelers recklessly driving through the city disrupting traffic, not young people like the ones in this video. It's sad that the city can't seem to do anything about the real problems in the city, but has seemingly effectively almost made these "cowboys" extinct.
Vice has a large platform
They could put out a fundraiser for this cause
@Paulie Walnuts exactly......they'd rather just make a video to profit off their struggle and their story.
These stables should be made historical landmarks of the city. Gentrification only benefits on portion of society and it’s definitely not the Black community.
I'm so sorry for gentrification. Can you please forgive us? Please?
czcams.com/video/JrTAmRJ6jY8/video.html
@@WhiteTransAreOppressed Can you sound more pathetic? Did you specifically do anything wrong to these black people? If so, keep apologizing. I'm white and I'll never apologize to anyone for being born white.
It's a dump,traphouse my dear.
@@Love_N_Let_Live The person is a troll, they are not actually apologizing.
I think if it were on the suburbs it may of been kept up more. Up keep of a horse is damn expensive now compared to 50+ years ago. A car is a lot cheaper to run in America. Horses should be in grass and riding out on trails, not in a city. Being a cow boy is still attainable. Just hard for people who don’t have capital. But I’m glad they are trying to keep up the history. If it goes I hope they have a black cowboy museum. It needs to be remembered for future generations.
They need tl buy up Philly. Philly has cheap areas, call Meek Mill to be an ambassador for these folks.
This is one of the cheapest/poorest areas of the city, developers are buying up these areas in back room secret deals in order to build luxury condos and move rich people in
And Wiz Kalifah!
Meek Mill could care less.
This tugged at my heart so much. Gentrifications redevelopment of communities of color is causing immense harm and erasing history.
If y’all get the chance watch concrete cowboy I believe is the name on Netflix. Gives you a wild view of what they have to deal with to preserve these generations.
It's sickening what the city of Philadelphia is doing and has done to Mr Ellis. Mr. Ellis has the respect of his community and respect for all the children he has mentored over the years. He's authentic and genuine, and you can just see how much he cares. Philadelphia should be ashamed but we know the folks who make the decisions don't care. They only see dollar signs!!
"My grandmother wasn't buying no horse. She wasn't buying nothing you couldn't eat!"
Uh...you can eat a horse! 😂😂😂
us americans find it taboo to eat horse
@@dreadhead5719
Really? 🐎🐎🐎
There is a community of black cowboys in North west Houston very much like these guys ! Acres Homes !! very common to see cowboys riding their horse/s to pick up their kid/s from school or go thru a drive thru for dinner !! Love it !! Absolutely Love it !!
Reject Modernity, Embrace Tradition!
Where can I purchase a copy of the book that was being looked at in the video? I'm including the history of stables in Philly during our Wild West Summer Camp theme for my daycare class and wanted to include the book in resources for the kids.
The City needs to give these Horsemen land.
money and racism are fueling these decisions to strategically buy land where these folks ride, it’s pathetic and sad
Racism? Derp.
Oh so are we suppose to ignore the obvious cultural appropriation of this so called tradition ? just because lil nas x has a country song it's not a free pass to appropriate other people's culture
Check out concrete cowboy on Netflix. Kid from stranger things is a really good actor.👍🏽
Omg, how cute is that girl in the Selena t-shirt?
But the us government, and all states' governments owe black people so much, and yet they're still taking more :'(
My grandfather had thee first and only carriage measum in Philadelphia!! Long live the black cowboy!!
This part of strawberry mansion on 27th street has new rehabs right across the street and new construction condos blocks from it. The lot they are in isn’t cheap and places won’t stay abandoned forever.
Is it really gentrification though is they were built on vacant lots the city owned though? They were never supposed to be there in the first place. They were just squatting with horses in some makeshift stables.
Im currently reaching out to civil right activists who can create a campaign to preserve this historical foundation and inspire new beginnings for new black equestrianism... they shut us out of these activities and agriculture for a reason but there are enough of us who can make even 1 time $5 contribution to allow institutions like this to thrive, expand and multiply. Im going to do all I can. I wish there was a Gofundme for this... i don't feel like its my place to start one but i can find people directly linked or working with the families involved to ensure that they receive the support and continue the prosperity and education along with the communal allegiance and comradorey... this story amongst countless others cannot be swept under the rug especially in inner city areas, where we know the blue print is manufactured to pin us against each other or tear/ break us apart from one another.
Truly hope they overcome , and survive
Horses are awesome
And those memories , and all else
Priceless
You are so great! Keep up, guys!
It’s sad to say , sucks that it’s affecting such a beautiful culture and community, but if you don’t own that land , you can’t say nothing . It is what it is unfortunately, they should come together and and buy some land and make it to where they have everything they need .
hopefully. Do note the history of redlining there
@@mofo78536 true
This is awesome, I hope Regardless of w/e happens they don't lose such an important part of their culture.
Thank you for the kind words, we’ll never give up
They need better building structures.
yea lol it definitely doesn't look up to code.
🤦🏿🙄THAT IS WHAT YOU TOOK FROM THIS?!🤷🏿♂️
This is awesome, they created something great for young kids and it’s being stripped away from them. Save the stables!!!
Cmon Historic preservation! Y'all I cannot with this city. Save the horse stables and riding club. 💓
So dope. Hat off to this man! Blessings
I had no idea this was a thing! That’s some really dope history I hope they can figure it out and stay
Eve, Kevin Hart, Meek Mill, Lil Uzi Vert and Beanie Siegel all need to pull together and save this history of Philadelphia.
I see this is really important for the community there. I've been mad about all these houses being made, knowing what its doing. Is there a petition or anything Philly neighborhoods can do to help ?
Have you ever seen kensington? I mean what are we suppose to let that spread throughout the city?
I was wondering the same thing
Democrat ran city since 1952. Vote for them again and I'm sure they'll stop it .... 🤣🤣🤣🤡🤡👌
@@Axvo420 Yep, I'm from the area. Kensington is tough because we all have mixed feeling about it. It's good and bad, but where are people going to go? Many rent so they have no choice but to leave if their landlord says it's time. My property tax tripples. We try by writing and it's been somewhat successful. There was the football stadium that was proposed in North Philly but we shut that down. But I'm not familiar with private contractors and kicking out realtors. I always find it hilarious they put Kensington under fishtown and call us "hip" and "upcoming" but covid hit the community really hard... things are worse.
I absolutely love this, I hope it keeps going. Riding is theraputic Physically and mentally . It got me through a lot of things growing up not just the horses but the people as well. I really pray they find a solution.
I absolutely love this. I truly hope that something can be done it's so depressing that this is being erased 😞 I love this history.
What do the shoes on the power lines mean to you? I've heard a few things and none of them good.
It is said: "Some times a cigar is just a cigar"
This is an incredible story to bring attention to thank you
I remember going to Temple seeing dudes on horses thinking “whoa, so many questions!”. Their horses looked happier than the ones pulling tourists around in center city 🥲
Allot of those horses where saved from pulling Tourists.
What incredible image seeing those kids coming down the street on horseback love it
I really hope that the legacy they’ve created continues to grow and prosper 🙏🏽🙏🏽
This stable is probably gonna be turned into a "authentic cafè"
I hope someone invests in this space. It deserves resources for a lot of work and I’m sure they’d make something amazing out of it
If you dont own those land gentrification is inevitable
amazing really to see a unique urban hallmark with so much historical value and additionally functions as a cool positive and productive haven for alternative learning and etc and within an hood in a city lacks similar outlets. Really hope this tradition is continued and hopefully grow further. The black urban cowboy is a beautiful thing to see
U could literally go to any corner bar in philly and have a great fucking time. And it's the only city where the cops are chill.
If I get rich, I'm going there and buying a big ass lot for them to put stables on. Hell, somebody needs to make a Kickstarter
Thank you showing love to my city and highlighting the FSRC
Does Baltimore have these 2? I remember them from the Wire
Any update ??? on this story ?? (April 2022 its been 7 months)
Concrete Cowboys 😯. I love that movie. I remember them mentioning Fletcher street.
Just got done watching concrete cowboy and didnt know this community exist. Thats crazy!
I’ve also heard certain stables have neglect claims against them for how the horses are kept! Made to ride in 99 degree weather lack of water lack of shelter in the cold etc.
Made me tear up... Ppl need hobbies creates a lot of balance for your life...hope they succeed.
It’s honestly up to the people of Philly, they voted those people in. The people with money are more important because they pay most taxes.
Pretty neither dem or rep care
The first shot of this video reminds me of my home in the Matanza Conurb
I think horses are happier in the nature than in a city.
Life may not be 100% perfect for these horses but anyone can see they are loved and well cared for.
I think the kids would be happier in nature rather then the city too. Get out of the cities you fools! You apparently don't have much to keep you there.
@@isaacgriffin5690 nahh. They are moving into the nicer quiet areas and fuckin it up with the same retarded voting habits..
Does anyone know who the instrumental jazz hop song that plays at the end of this video is by??
My mom rode horses growing up in Strawberry mansion ...I remember the stables on WILLARD ST💋💥
The city should designate the place as a landmarked area tbh
this video made me sing in mind old town road
This is beautiful 😍 i love this . The city needs to leave them alone that broke my heart to see the end result of those lots the horses needed.
I hope that helps the state keep history from being lost and offer the land to him so he will continue to keep students learning to care and love them self.
When I’m successful I’m going to buy land for them to carry on their legacy. This is beautiful and culture like this should be kept
Fantastic what a fantastic story. And that 82 years old gentleman passing on his knowledge of horses absolutely wonderful.
There might be some carefully crafted programs developed to either acquire land in the city, or raise funds for a horse ranch 40 minutes outside of the city. Its difficult to keep horses in the city. I worked in neighborhood stabilization and also assisted on a horse ranch. Its preferable to have 1 acre:1 horse ratio. I wonder if a funded program where kids could spend 1-2 days with the horses outside of the city limits could get funded. Or, to create a gofundme and aquire a large lot, if perhaps with a 20 year limitation - so the kids involved now could grow up through the program. A well thought out, carefully crafted proposal would be the first step.
I love this, this is the philly I love. I always wanted to check this spot out, my daughter loves horses and ponies. I hope this never goes away
It was not part of the equation. Many of them to this day never got over it.
I live not to far from there. I wonder if theres any way I can help. I'd vote on this in a second
Have you tried paying them a visit? I'm sure it would mean a lot. Peace to u😊🌈
@@iamshebeeloloindigenous I've been there before I ever seen this. It can be hard to see honestly because your slowly watching it get taken away. Tbh I think it will survive though
@@anthonycelli2911 Prayerfully so Anthony😊
I would love if the PRCA or other rodeo/horse organizations could put some pressure on the city or help these people in some way. This is good for everyone. Much love from your upstate NY horse people. Stay Strong, Stay active.
Who can we contact to apply pressure in support of these cowboys?
Denver has the same historical grounds facing the city’s over development. They found a way to commercialize it tho... NWSS grounds are probably worth a pretty penny now...
Proud to be born and raised in this city
A movie was already done on this with Idris Alba. There's enough Black people out there with money to save it but they don't. We don't stick together on anything so divide and conquer will always prevail.
True
Speak for yourself
@@Thunders6381 don't come in here being a clown. As a collective we don't and have very selfish ways. Knock it off.
What a travesty, there's nothing like working with and around horses to garner responsibility, maturity, understanding. The urban kids growing up around the Fletcher Street stable (and the stables that have vanished before it) have a unique opportunity. This little stable in the city is a gem. It's just plain wrong to doze it down. Criminal. So sick of greed and the money driven machine. Step back and see this for the good it is doing, people. Make it an historic site because it IS.
I can’t find this on FOX, Newsmax, AT&T Oan network…😯