The lost neighborhood under New York's Central Park

Before Central Park was built, a historic black community was destroyed.
Help our reporting on hidden histories. Submit a story idea here: bit.ly/2RhjxMy
If you’ve been to New York, you’ve probably visited Central Park. But there’s a part of its story you won't see.
It’s a story that goes back to the 1820s, when that part of New York was largely open countryside. Soon it became home to about 1,600 people. Among them was a predominantly black community that bought up affordable plots to build homes, churches and a school. It became known as Seneca Village. And when Irish and German immigrants moved in, it became a rare example at the time of an integrated neighborhood.
Everything changed on July 21, 1853. New York took control of the land to create what would become the first major landscaped park in the US -- they called it “The Central Park.”
In the Vox series Missing Chapter, Vox Senior Producer Ranjani Chakraborty revisits underreported and often overlooked moments from the past to give context to the present. Join her as she covers the histories that are often left out of our textbooks. Our first season tackles stories of racial injustice, political conflicts, even the hidden history of US medical experimentation.
Have an idea for a story that Ranjani should investigate for Missing Chapter? Send it to her via this form! bit.ly/2RhjxMy
Sign up for the Missing Chapter newsletter to stay up to date with the series: vox.com/missing-chapter
Explore the full Missing Chapter playlist, including episodes, a creator Q&A, and more! • Missing Chapter - Vox
The Institute for the Exploration of Seneca Village History website: projects.mcah.columbia.edu/sen...
The exhibit on Seneca Village through the Central Park Conservancy: www.centralparknyc.org/progra...
Check out the 1856 before and after Central Park plans at the New York Public Library, as well as dozens of other Central Park maps and archives: digitalcollections.nypl.org/i...
Read the full report on the 2011 Seneca Village excavations: s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/a...
Read the New York Times’ coverage of Seneca Village: www.nytimes.com/2019/11/28/op...
Read The Park and the People by Elizabeth Blackmar and Roy Rosenzweig for a comprehensive history of Central Park, including Seneca Village: www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/...
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[@Vox]

hi everyone, thanks for checking out the first Missing Chapter episode of 2020! we've got a lot more reporting planned this year, so if you want to stay up to date with the latest in the series you can sign up for the Missing Chapter newsletter: vox.com/missing-chapter . -Ranjani

[@SIStefanov]

Hey, Vox. A quick question. Why did you omit the part about the villigers having been compensated for their land?

[@ikolayi]

Where did they go?

[@gracezb1]

please talk about rondo in the twin cities!!!!!

[@jonnygee489]

6:30 notice how they actually call the Ebons the “pleasing” ones in contrast to the Celtics? A lot of people don’t realize that the Irish in NYC were treated worse than the freed blacks at this time.

[@blackknight7017]

norton says this is a dangerous web site

[@PossibleBat]

I don’t think the info panels put in the park should be temporary, they should stay there forever, it’s the history of that land

[@SpadeNya]

I think they may only be temporary to find more permanent marks, such as marbled plaques. Those plastic signs aren't as high price as nyc would prefer, I'm sure.

[@lorrainemagarian7697]

I agree

[@jerr0d06]

I think the temporary status is just until they can decide on what should be done, maybe a statue, maybe a museum, maybe a bronze plaque, maybe something else.

[@Acadian.FrenchFry]

I agree!

[@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113]

New Yorc Kity's Homeless Elite are going to use them, as Pillows and/or a source of elite heat, which cannot be bettered, temporarily, at least.

[@fn3516]

''It's not just African-American history, it's American history''

[@prabhsodhi5402]

Truly said

[@Deusemais526]

Words to live by

[@arab2770]

Luciana Rodrigues you should see the Middle East

[@13gudadod]

@@arab2770 why?

[@rusu989]

then why make a fuss about being african-american history in the first place? this practice has to stop,just call it american history or history period. just show the demographics and the audience will understand.

[@michaelbradford6990]

" It's not just Black American History, it's American History." Wonderful closing remark by Cynthia Copeland! Thank you for that - Had Irish ancestors there. There's a LOT to be learned just from this one story - among hundreds just like it.

[@User_92020]

AMRICAN HISTORY X Good movie 🎥👌

[@inthegarage342]

My sentiments exactly. Great closing statement. Everything in this country is "American" history. The good, bad and indifferent. Own it and move forward wiser.

[@hus390]

@@inthegarage342 I wish we can move forward but the race-baiters are hindering that. 🤦🏽‍♂️ I'm Black and they are ruining the fabric of the nation by constantly rehashing the past or blaming every contemporary problem on it.

[@inthegarage342]

@@hus390 Your right.. It starts with me and with you. This is our America and we have to let go of it before they can take it. All colors and backgrounds are gonna have to communicate. Even if its agreeing to disagree. If something doesn't change pretty quik, America as we knew it will be a thing of the past. It sounds like you've done your homework. Stand strong on what you know my friend.

[@rene3759]

@@hus390 people keep rehashing the past because alot of the past has been covered up or rewriten to suit a certain agenda. Also the past doesn't exist in a vaccum the past affects the present the same way the present affects the future. If the US wasn't so adamant on miseducating people and hiding things in people wouldn't get so mad and frustrated about having to relearn and clarify things. You need to clear and clean out the closest before putting new things in.

[@Blabette]

I’m so thankful we have people like those two women who devote their time to finding out about our past like that.

[@aaronsanchezz]

I mean they have pictures... you can clearly see the buildings were not middle class compared to the rest of ny at the time especially... those expensive items were most likely stolen from rich new Yorkers.... just as now if u opened up a section 8 apartments in nyc you would probably find gold chains and jewelry, expensive jordans, Gucci, and cash... doesn't mean they are middle class...

[@amateur_football9751]

Seems to me they put too much emphasis on the raze of the people who lived there, its simply unimportant

[@ZalamaTheDragonGod]

​@@amateur_football9751 Would you say the same thing about slavery with that logic, as they obviously explained why poor whites and blacks were put under pressure to migrate to the underdeveloped side of the city. The newspaper literally called it "N***** Village". Obsessing over the mention of a fact is actually what's going on here, and I find it suspicious. Let's do better

[@eyeswideopen7199]

​@@amateur_football9751America has a history of teaching Black people didn't have neighbors or thriving cities...so mentioning the race of people is very important if we are going to teach true history.

[@futurehofer1564]

I thought there was literally a underground village based off the title lol

[@FaithandNova]

Lol

[@yj1nnie999]

Same

[@kristina9605]

Same cause I saw a video about the current village under Las Vegas by vice lol

[@user-ii4rq5ko3x]

Same 😂 but satisfyingly found the actual story more interesting.

[@09crafty09]

Yeah. I'm unhappy with the video.

[@notyourmum7883]

working class community: exists the elites: *it’s free real estate*

[@JuiiceBoxxx93]

Literally

[@jala5293]

not your mum well they actually payed them about 18 times what the lots were going for before the park

[@300fans]

Well, yeah, because the property was worth a lot more now.

[@debbiemarquis3231]

The Trumps

[@india6299]

J. A. E. Which they probably wrote off in Taxes or just found a loop hole to get out of paying them all together.

[@maatcaballero7047]

Just when I thought my mom (Cynthia) couldn’t get any cooler, my boyfriend stumbles across this video. So proud of this incredible woman. Love you CC!!! 🥰🥰

[@melissanoyb]

Thank you for educating me today on something that I wouldn't have ever guessed. I'd wondered how Central Park once looked and how it had been developed. I am so saddened that the original occupants were not ADEQUATELY compensated, or even compensated at all. Those brave pioneers should of had houses given to them, ideally surrounding the park, so they too had something to hand down to their descendants.

[@terencelee7761]

housing in the form of projects and penitentiaries along with "the war on drugs" was the compensation for the indigenous or african American.

[@melissanoyb]

@@terencelee7761 Terence, I hear you. It's so sad (understatement). I have (we all have) free healthcare here in Australia. We have pretty much, zero guns. (I saw one once on my friend's farm.) I waited nine years for my rent controlled one bedroom (with a study area) apartment (with free water and two verandahs aka 'balconies'). It was a long wait, especially when I officially became too ill to work anymore. But I got it. It's mine for life. My neighbour is a First Nation's Indigenous Australian. But I think out of the white people here, he might be one of two dark skinned people here. He came straight from jail. What I'm saying is, I think maybe, the only reason I survived lots of my adventures is because I am white, and most importantly, I was not ashamed to use services available to people that struggle. Indigenous Australians don't like asking for help and waiting. It feels "embarrassing and gives me shame" apparently. Which is also sad. His people were here first. He shouldn't feel bad to get good things offered from our government. I wish America would hurry up and adopt (and expand intelligently) the free healthcare/welfare system that our colonial countries use. (Think Canada, the entire United Kingdom, New Zealand etc). The stress taken from life because of these back-up systems can't be empathized enough.

[@rjd-kh8et]

The residents of Seneca Village were compensated, but not fairly.

[@SgtDuster]

@@melissanoyb I hear you. I'm Canadian myself and I found that trying to sell this idea to Americans is quite challenging to say the least.

[@ianstuart5660]

​@melissanoyb Very correct, I'm in Canada and the horror stories I hear about US Healthcare is very tragic!

[@chee-shepnelson9867]

The real deep history of manhattan island are native Americans. The Native Americans that inhabited manhattan island were Lenape people. They called manhattan island manahatta, which meant hilly island.

[@coffeehugger]

Someone has to say that!! Yes.

[@barbryll8596]

Thanks for including this info

[@plandemic1393]

I didn’t know that ty for educating me!

[@albertoaguilar9773]

Did they disappeared? Is there any present day famous person who has Lenape heritage?

[@ShafiqHusaynmusic]

@@UCoD9LkcndQRjc17Dn1lNUcA They are trying to change this history and now call thee Indigenous Americans ARE NOT AFRICANS.

[@jimmyshrimbe9361]

The fact we had to learn this through archeology is extremely disheartening.

[@onceformallyknown]

James Angius history is written by the winners, why you shouldn’t trust what’s taught in school

[@faulltw]

@@onceformallyknown And of course this video must be true because it is on the internet, right?

[@jimmyshrimbe9361]

@@onceformallyknown you're wrong.

[@onceformallyknown]

James Angius not really, i was taught in my southern states that slavery barely happened and that was about a decade ago, maybe you had a different experience.

[@TurboZarya]

coop I’m in high school in Tennessee and we are taught that slavery was a huge deal and there was a lot of tension over it in the 19th century.

[@jasminerogers9096]

This makes me even more proud of my people. But breaks my heart. We’re called degenerates and lazy. But when we have our own things, the world continually takes them away. Jealousy. Hatred.

[@jesseredic]

They don't want US to have nice things cause it would ruin THEIR characterization.

[@guesswhoscomingtoyoutube]

@@jesseredic I don't think you understand how CORRECT you are.

[@slayin9331]

It ain't jealousy. Nowadays its hatred for killing people including their on race.

[@slayin9331]

Yall wouldn't be called lazy if yall actually stopped teaching the young kids to steal. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@jasminerogers9096]

@@slayin9331 It’s clear that you’re simply racist. Even if you’re trying to troll you’re still a racist. And idk what response you were hoping for, but we’re just going to ignore you from now on.

[@fty-ys4ni]

If you’re interested in more stories like this, look up Bruce’s Beach in Manhattan beach, CA. It’s infuriating how the dark past of a lot of our local cities is becoming public.

[@ladarrellmurchison6574]

The family got the beach back 🥰

[@eastend.zulu.]

@@ladarrellmurchison6574 just saw that. That’s amazing

[@gissellest333]

Thanks

[@ricansoldier787]

She said it the way it should be said, “ it’s not just African American history, it’s American history.”

[@uknownlight]

Yea but most people wouldn't talk like she does especially alot in the majority

[@catedoge4998]

Well duh

[@uknownlight]

@@catedoge4998 who u saying duh too

[@catedoge4998]

M3CA Hakiri the op

[@neotomoe]

Cate Doge ok

[@kemboi69]

It’s amazing how many stories like this exist and simply get buried because it would mean acknowledging that history is more complex and messed up than we were taught in school. And by amazing I mean sad and unfortunate.

[@BrandonP43]

just like the modern society, the world back then was just as terrible. Somebody would come around and ruin hundreds of peoples lives simply because they have more money. But back then there was no internet to expose wealthy people like that. The world has failed the people of Seneca Village, and many other integrated middle class neighborhoods by forgetting the true stories.

[@euphdude0812]

No one wants to recognize that racism is an universal problem. It’s easier to blame the confederacy.

[@Michelki17]

One small example. I believe in America people are told they won world war 2. Over here in Europe atleast in the Netherlands the allied forces did. Not to mention the russian ransacking off Berlin.

[@drechillin2154]

They did the same with highways

[@helldronez]

@@BrandonP43 yeah imagine how easy to get away from mass murder back in old days, hmm.

[@2passportsandpostcards]

The older I get, the more I realize how much history I need to learn. Bittersweet to learn about this, as Central Park is one of my favorite places in the city.

[@suedoyle4526]

I’m an Irish person and I never heard this before. Those poor people who finally got a chance to have something of their own to have it taken from them. All there hopes and dreams that they worked so hard for just gone 😥

[@EternamDoov]

Weird flex but okay

[@sormck]

​@@EternamDoov It was said in the video Irish people lived in Seneca village too...

[@aaronsanchezz]

Like the English did to you?

[@chelseal8448]

Wow, imagine how many POC families would be in the upper class by now if their properties weren’t demolished.

[@cheenjoopearl]

@@yukijames1321 African Americans are not immigrant families subsidized by the government to succeed and "do well".

[@itaska86405]

Good point.

[@colors6692]

About the same as today!

[@rypdx]

Yuki James the problem is black people are Not immigrants. Well at some point they were like All of us but I think he means immigrants as in the ones who jump the border to work on construction sites and slowly build their lives until they can settle

[@Spiritfba]

@@yukijames1321 You mean the ones who are wealthy enough to come over here with seed capital? Or did you mean 60 years ago when someone could still thrive working for a factory or shop?

[@ThatKindaGuyTravel]

It's a shame that something that brings joy to millions of New Yorkers and Tourists has such a sad and dark history.

[@crispybaguette8670]

ThatKindaGuy Travel I see what you did there because it was a black town “dark history”

[@jamesultron854]

@@crispybaguette8670 I dont think they were going for that 😬

[@readerzulu2654]

@@jamesultron854 Yeah I think so...

[@ilikefoodcrazy]

The whole world is a sad and dark history if you look far and deep enough.

[@tonybyrd7969]

You mean all of Amerikkka, This is just one story of thousands.

[@JesterTBP]

I have an ancestor that was pivotal in the creation, well, more the funding, of Central Park. I have always been proud of that fact. Now I just feel sick to my stomach...I had no idea... Thank you for this video.

[@sheeesh404]

It’s not your fault, but you can undo that damage by spreading stories like these

[@coyoteroadkill]

I had read they had to clear out squatters living in a swamp to make the park. I thought that was mean enough. It struck me as odd that land so close to the city would have been ignored that long. Kudos for digging up the truth, literally.

[@thecoi7672]

These people had PRIME real estate that could have shaped the lives of generations to come for the rest of theirs and their children's children's lives. I wonder how many of these descendants are incarcerated in New York? That would be an interesting find as well.

[@ellierc6710]

Exactly. As soon as there was progress seen and betterment being had, here come the elite with the smack down. It’s the same old cycle. As soon as people start doing better, the elite muscle to stifle it all...

[@ellierc6710]

Also integrated marriages in 1820!!!!!! Can you IMAGINE what that would have accomplished if it had been allowed to carry on BACK THEN???? Omg this video legit made me tear up....progress just SQUASHED.

[@sarisbeldominguez6424]

I was just aking the same, what happened to those people. I want to know.

[@s.b.4242]

Direct reparations are owed

[@ebayerr]

The Coi : Eminent domain

[@Grimmcatz]

The exhibitions on Seneca Village should be there PERMANENTLY

[@TheRockinDonkey]

My sentiments exactly

[@johnsot8]

Why? Just because?

[@johnsot8]

@@TheRockinDonkey Why just because?

[@Grimmcatz]

@@johnsot8 Yes, just because. Because it's part of the parks history as well. I seen a comment that they are still there, but my question is.. Why not?

[@TheRockinDonkey]

@@johnsot8 As Jesse said, it's a part of the park's history, one that people would like to gloss over and whitewash. Why shouldn't they be permanent?

[@jamesbushman801]

"It's not just African American History, it's just American History." - Cynthia Copeland

[@lltipsy]

the only owners of the land are natives not europeans neither africans

[@beordiish3664]

​@@lltipsy The only owner is GOD!!!

[@dm23music48]

Wow, they straight up seized their land that they properly purchased and owned. That's some tyrannical ish...

[@Kikiuni]

There’s actually a lot more African American history like this in NYC. They just discovered a park in the Bronx, was actually a burial for slaves. Then, there’s Weeksville in Brooklyn a free black neighborhood in Crown Heights people forgot about. A discovered cemetery in East New York. An old town in Staten Island.... And much more.

[@nm4113]

i live about 2 blocks from the East NY cemetery. I had to work, but my grandmother went to the dedication ceremony

[@Kikiuni]

nm4113 I would’ve loved to go to that! I went to Thomas Jefferson. They never talked about it. I was walking with a friend when we discovered it.

[@sarah3796]

I want to know more.

[@Kikiuni]

Sarah bearah You can! The thing about it is, you gotta take the time to research it yourself. A lot of things like this is kept hidden.

[@blackaccount1368]

The whole country is build on the graves of the native indians. .

[@MrLITTLECESAR]

History that’s not being taught in schools🤷🏻‍♂️

[@sareneharmony4718]

Of course not, all the indoctrinated history in government school institutions is falsified on purpose.

[@MarcosGarcia-xg1rf]

Too specific, I wouldn’t of cared in high school. Take these courses in college. That’s what it’s there for right?

[@tramycao9562]

S C racist

[@plandemic1393]

Marcos Garcia i would care

[@plandemic1393]

S C im interested. ww1 and 2 are all over the place this is way less talked abt thats why

[@deltanaruto100]

I love feeling informed from watching a random doc. Feels like walking out with new perspective. Bless

[@ShammaAzmi]

When I was in my 20s I worked as an elderly care worker. There was an elderly gentleman who saw that I was a POC and he talked about all the POC he had lived around and heard their stories. He then said to me "what have we white men touched that we have not destroyed." I still remember him to this day.

[@carlsilverman754]

Guilt Trip...Blacks in Africa enslaved other Blacks btw...thats hidden and forgotten get real

[@owenedwards118]

Wow that is powerful

[@evanfinch4987]

yeah ok liar

[@tim8241]

Thanks Vox for putting this out! This is really a "missing chapter".

[@billyanderson3372]

no probem!

[@smith2354]

@@billyanderson3372 Why are you responding on behalf of Vox? It's not like you contributed to the making of the video in any way

[@ytcorporate9237]

@@smith2354 To be fair, why not?

[@campkira]

let face it.. you don't really owned a american land... just temporary ownership.....

[@supernatural5354]

They should have mentioned the Seneca tribe.

[@alphabettical1]

As a Canadian, this reminds me of 'Africville' in Nova Scotia, a community similarly destroyed. Was this community at least paid for their land?

[@billyanderson3372]

Back then, I don't think they paid them a recompense for their land. Those were hard times and you had to either accept it or face consequences. Thats the difference between Americans and Canadians.

[@Kiwibirdman1701]

XNDR342 yeah the city built a housing complex for them but it wasn’t the same community and many had trouble adapting.

[@AnonymousUser77254]

They were compensated

[@billyanderson3372]

@@Kiwibirdman1701 Many people are asking why they destroyed their land, well if you think about it they placed a park instead of offices.

[@kutter_ttl6786]

@@billyanderson3372 Those who owned property were compensated for the land. The city carried out a tax assessment that placed the value of a plot at $700 (about $20 600 in today's dollars) so that was what they were paid. One of the saddest part of this whole land grab is that no record exists of where these residents went so there could be thousands of people who know nothing of their heritage.

[@angemedin]

That's just unbelievable, I'm glad I know what happened there today, so many respects for the families who lived there. I wish we knew more ❤️

[@glendawells6778]

Wow this was unbelievable! Thanks for this to all involved. What a story!

[@theevil7755]

History isn’t perfect it’s important we don’t sugar coat it

[@HistorywithMrMink]

I agree completely! It's not always pretty, but the truth needs to be told.

[@rcpmac]

Eminent domain is a compensated taking of property to benefit the whole. Are you objecting to that? Should, for instance, no more highways be built? Those residents were compensated for their property. The class or social status of the residents was irrelevant. In Seattle, million dollar properties are being removed to accommodate public works.

[@thisismyapple6858]

Amen

[@guitarguy4372]

@@HistorywithMrMink History creates otherwise peaceful individuals to become vengeful. Racism is a pendulum that swings back and forth. If America gets peace from this racism pandemic it is going through, you will see the resentment grow and power change. Will the African-Americans be lenient on the European-Americans? I think not. Thier pride is too much. There will never be peace in America, unfortunately. That is not my opinion. That is just what history suggests will happen.

[@thegreatcalvinio]

The rich New Yorkers were already playing Sims 4 back in the 1800’s...

[@jonsamuels9245]

Powerful statement!

[@doccentralstation2592]

Jon Samuels A joke about a city coming and snatching away a community is very powerful!! Right

[@AndyIscool-nn8el]

Doc Central Station relax

[@suprememasteroftheuniverse]

Sim City 2000, kiddo.

[@cristosl]

And you thought it just grew out of the ground when you were born?

[@jameshogue123]

I called my African American history class ( in the 1990s), American history the missing chapters. Love the channel so far!

[@Bsmilan19992]

Beautiful closing statement. Everyone should agree this is American history

[@hus390]

It's indeed American history. But can we move forward. I'm black and the race baiters are ruining relationships. I hate talking about the past.

[@michellemarch2339]

It’s can’t be historical if it’s present….

[@rbatista20]

I wonder why they never taught us this or even talked about this in school. This was informative.

[@nothanks8305]

Because rich whites are still doing it and denying it. "The winners write hisory"

[@hookyhook6006]

@@nothanks8305 unfortunately, you’re right, that’s why we have activism to teach us.

[@a-10wartaboo77]

It’s not that important and we should learn more important things in class like the affects of the Chinese exclusion act or the Spanish flu that

[@rbatista20]

Philip Eng in my school they talked about Chinese exclusion act and a bit of the Spanish flu. But never did we speak about the migration of slaves in New York and what they did for work after being slaves.

[@Dakidpepe]

America tell us what we wanna hear & hide their black past.

[@eatntell]

typical America: when things start to get right something magically appears and stops that

[@brightsalot]

Clayton Krichinak people with money stop it 😔 every time

[@adamd6648]

That’s literally everywhere now which is so unfortunate.

[@captrodgers4273]

@@adamd6648 something=GOVERNMENT

[@adamd6648]

capt rodgers yea....

[@uknownlight]

Yea black wall street

[@JohnD0129]

This was a wonderful educational video. I had no clue. Me and my family was just in New York and Central Park was by far one of my favorite places. I had no clue. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@gregorylichtenson757]

Thank You Angel...Everybody should watch this ..Be Humble NYC

[@BubblesPleasant]

wow I never knew this ! Born in N.Y. Never learned this in school! This is amazing ! Thank you for sharing

[@laccless]

Prolly bcs it’s extra subjects not full classes

[@jasmine_daville]

Wow.

[@StarDust_2077]

Same… never knew

[@nnoir]

@@laccless it would be an extra subject bc they want it hidden. putting it in the curriculum of an obscure course is just another way of hiding it.

[@laccless]

@@nnoir no country wants to show weakness. you think they talk about mass genocide in bosnia or serbia?

[@DubbyDubois]

“Pull yourselves up by your bootstraps” they say. how when you steal our boots every time we get new ones? 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@IgnasV]

To be fair, this was done under democrat governor.

[@badseedent4827]

@@IgnasV democrats republicans left wing right wing both from same racist bird

[@joyontheleft]

@@IgnasV that changes literally nothing

[@CalShanahanSF49ers]

@@IgnasV there wasnt a political party called democrats at this time, simply YT people.

[@blueflowers2023]

Dubby you said it pefectly. White people did the same thing to "the black wall street, " Rosewood and many other thriving black communities. I dont know why black people even bother with this racist country that has never respected them.

[@litzypizarro5414]

As someone who lives in NYC, I truly appreciate learning more about the history behind this city.

[@instinctofapredator9009]

I commend you guys for uploading this video. This had much interesting information.

[@Drezzedtokill]

And that’s exactly what happened at the CHAVEZ RAVINE before the DODGER STADIUM in Los Angeles . They destroyed the Latino community on the hill to make way for the dodger stadium 🏟 . Some of the people there had been living there for 100 yrs .Threw out original homes of the first latino families ever in La promising all kinds of stuff .

[@jonathanblaze1648]

Yes. Chavez Ravine.

[@adamrunyan1983]

It's called change and it's always happening.

[@ijugreen]

Blu Skiez my mom always says we should listen to our elders tell us stories about the past.

[@dhammupandit3582]

@@adamrunyan1983 how about someone bulldozes your home and calls it change?

[@gonnagetyou365]

that’s sad man.. they always want to erase history in hopes to erase how progressive and advanced we really are as a people.

[@Swukelz]

The definition of “Hippity Hoppity this is now my property”

[@adagu3]

The Lenape, Manhattan's original inhabitants who called the island Manahatta (because of the hills) should also be acknowledged they where pushed out of there land mainly to Oklahoma

[@bethany7157]

Thank you for this. We have lots we could learn from our ancestors and this shows that racism doesn’t have to be something that is taught. But being taught peace, acceptance and an alliance through similar hatred of those who were pushing them out!

[@IzayanaNicaragua]

I wish we could know where Seneca Village inhabitants were displaced to.

[@campkira]

normally.. they just take the land gave some money and kick them out...

[@StevenTorrey]

Census reports might be able to trace people, as well as newspaper accounts.

[@IzayanaNicaragua]

Daniel Chang Go ahead and enlighten me! Where should I expect to view your full report/research.Thanks!

[@TheCastedone]

@@campkira until proven true...they likely didn't receive the money owed or the value it meant to these people of Seneca village

[@pseudopuppy160]

I. Matamoros google / Wikipedia actually tells you what happened, including their compensation, the impact on local businesses, & a breakdown of land owners / renters etc. I literally googled your question & found some great sources. Well worth researching & reading if you’re willing to invest a bit of time. :)

[@geoben1810]

I'm a proud native New Yawka! born and raised in Queens N.Y.! I don't understand why I have never heard of Seneca Village. It's history that definitely deserves to be remembered. 👍

[@bloozy7350]

Because Europeans wanted people to forget

[@jamesmcinnis208]

America loves a victim story.

[@Toyota4Life]

To be honest Queens New York is really not related

[@jamesmcinnis208]

@@Toyota4Life Not honest.

[@Toyota4Life]

@@jamesmcinnis208 just feel like queens is not important like Bronx Manhattan and Harlem

[@Ren-ww1ip]

Sad this still happens today. Look what happened in Brooklyn to build a sporting stadium so many people where forced out. Hey but the Nets have a place to bounce a ball and play a game.

[@AnnBiscuit]

Priorities

[@BlackoutPatriot]

Exactly,it's not like they didn't already have one to begin with

[@Mob-es9jm]

Money moves mountains, unfortunately.

[@420johonig]

This video was amazing. I never knew any of this. I wish we learned this stuff in school. Thanks for the content

[@Toyota4Life]

Why would the American white school system want to make white people look even bad of course they skipped over this

[@steffsilverstam8439]

The rich elite... No properties of theirs has ever been moved or destroyed due to developments. If so, they have been compensated ten times over... “It’s a small club and we ain’t in it” - George Carlin

[@coreenaburke5775]

Exactly just like they murdered and pushed out the native Americans before them. I find it terribly sad!.

[@Falsealarm.]

If you got two option 1. Is to remove half of the city to build the park Or 2. remove the 1600 community outside the city to build the park

[@keepitsimple4629]

Steff Silverstam, amen!

[@cathleenmckay389]

Actually, the rich elite of Cleveland on Millionaires Row were forced out because the city wanted to commercialize the area. Historic mansions were torn down and now the entire area looks mostly abandoned 🙄 It does happen, not often but it does.

[@suprdez3617]

@@coreenaburke5775 Are you gonna ignore the fact the tribes would fight and murder each other for land? Or are whote people the bad guys for somoene thats has happened in every race in literally every point in history

[@intreoo]

I know it’s a park, but they could reconstruct a small segment of the village as an exhibit for people to walk around and explore physically, similar to Hanok villages you see in Korea. These are integral parts of American history

[@tbthom7691]

I wholeheartedly agree however that would mean America has to truly start admitting the atrocities it has bestowed upon everyone else that did not fit the mold.

[@Voron_Aggrav]

in the Dutch City of Arnhem we've got an Open Air museum that's basically a walk through history of the region, would indeed be a great way to show and acknowledge things, though I Doubt it'd happen seeing how long America has been kicking the ball forward, Today we're still seeing issues from the 50's and 60's being unresolved and still being relevant sadly

[@thubtenmunsel8873]

This is a fantastic idea, a powerful teaching tool. I’m glad it’s mentioned that this isn’t a one off. I attended an event in Washington DC where they acknowledged stolen African-American land turned into a park, Lafayette-Pointer Park. Dependents of the families attended, it was a powerful and moving event. A small gesture, but hopefully it will start encouraging more cities to acknowledge and teach the history of destroying and displacing African-American communities.

[@Ana-lf9qm]

*African American history

[@Voron_Aggrav]

@@Ana-lf9qm no... American History, as it's supposed to be the same sodding thing, even if y'all over there don't seem to agree upon it on both sides of the debate, Irish-American, African-American, Italian-American and all the other cultures of immigrants and Native Americans all their history is part of the American History that shaped up to what it is today, a very dark history that should be owned up to and be remembered so you can do better

[@dawngrogan1232]

This is INCREDIBLE! Thank you. 💜

[@deidrelockwood3392]

Wow. So sad, but eye opening. Thank you so much.

[@bigswings2414]

Forgetting about the atrocities your country has done because “it was so long ago” does nothing. We live with the ramifications of the people before us. I am sorry for Seneca Village

[@Miquelalalaa]

Big Swings This was not an atrocity. Stop being hyperbolic.

[@DrLaurelWeaver]

Seneca Village was a dump

[@GreaterThanGodLike]

@@DrLaurelWeaver so you were there?

[@blanco7726]

Yes being sorry makes all the difference

[@GreaterThanGodLike]

@@blanco7726 no understanding and acknowledging the past is what matters no one cares if youre sorry

[@chromxrobinandcorrinxcamil9031]

........... I didn’t even know there was originally a village there.

[@themango9644]

Learn something everyday

[@LadyPinkster]

Yep, unfortunately this rarely gets told in our textbooks

[@vivigesso3756]

We should turn the entire state of California into a park.

[@Silverstorm173]

Same here it gets me wondering how many cummunity have been destroyed

[@DawnNLN-ee2kh]

Who Cares!???

[@digitalmedia1715]

Thank you for the information. I appreciate this clip!

[@shadizaytfriend8559]

Thank you for showing this

[@ryanfarndale871]

I never took into a fact that a lot people didn’t have toothbrushes. I just completely overlooked that

[@NyrobiSims]

🧐🧐🧐

[@TheArtkaw]

People also didn't consume that much sugar until recently.

[@redbrixanimations]

TheArtkaw I’m eating cookies while watching this right now 😝

[@Y2Kvids]

@@redbrixanimations Cookies don't have visible sugar.

[@flyandshy00]

@@TheArtkaw Sugar doesn't harm you, fluoride does. People eat lots of fruits in warm climates but don't have teeth problems because they are not poisoned by drugs, fluoridated water, toothpastes.

[@confusednditsy]

I’ve lived my entire life in NYC and had never heard of Seneca village. Thank you for this video, a lot of food for thought.

[@iceleb452]

There should be of contents like these in YT. This is so educational!

[@francissobotka8725]

I heard about Seneca village years ago and this video taught me alot .

[@maryethequene240]

"It's not just African American history, It's just American history." We need more of that in today's society.

[@RandomPerson-go5sn]

I never liked that way of separating history. Black Americans are Americans. They are not apart of the United States. To segregate history and black history is to do just that, segregate.

[@gtas321]

I'd rather not erase African American history

[@AlexS-oj8qf]

Then drop the "African" part of your identification.

[@AlexS-oj8qf]

@H Ma Who embrace it as their identity?

[@playablue]

H Ma racism bigotry prejudice and ala white supremacy

[@wisnubaeee]

Wow, now im imagining if their neighbourhood never been demolished. They would live inside the park which is kinda cool

[@iwrotethis4712]

They would be paid to buy property in another place

[@13gudadod]

They would probably give up living there bcuz of the noise

[@joecramp2987]

The whole of new york has neighbourhoods that existed before which have been demolished. Most of them are buried under skyscrapers and apartment blocks

[@billyanderson3372]

I think the park would have been smaller with a district called Seneca park today.

[@raixbox360]

and be a multi-mulltionaires

[@montyb10009]

This was very eye opening. Thank you.

[@jestinrobinson5115]

I hope this gets more people thinking about how many communities around America were taken and used for pleasure. I’d like to add that the park was absolutely essential to the mental health of New Yorkers. It was so dense with people stacked on top of one another packed into little apartments. all and all, what an amazing story and I’m glad we have been gifted with this information

[@alijanes2016]

They don’t ever want us to build generational wealth smh 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@Loui3626]

Be they know the power we’ll have. Anything a black person does becomes a trend, now add money to that? America would literally shut down if every black person had generational wealth.

[@maggiemae5582]

Tulsa oklahoma 1921

[@stattusgroov3tube134]

You figured it out. You get a cookie 😊 🍪

[@stattusgroov3tube134]

@@Loui3626uh ok......

[@timclemons8719]

Jhopeful __ no it wouldn’t they would spend just like always and most would be poor before they even passed it on to the next.

[@tpmiranda]

How is it that settlements are buldozzed *just like that* without compensating the household with the value of the property or a similarly valued property in a new vacancy? This is literally robbery of people's value!

[@David-dx5wz]

It’s called eminent domain it happens to white people all the time too. It’s not a race issue but a class one. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing tbh

[@chillin5703]

_america_

[@billyanderson3372]

1950s mah dude. Times were difficult back then.

[@AnonymousUser77254]

Tiago Miranda they were compensated... It took a 5 second Google search to find out.

[@briano9397]

The problem isn't with compensation on eminent domain. The problem is what the women says near the end, owning land and passing it down is how people build generational wealth. Getting 1820 market value does nothing for the black Descendents of Seneca village.

[@Godislove00797]

Thank you for doing this video. Very informative.

[@alvarog.3231]

Beautiful content. I had no idea. Thank you!

[@FitBabe]

“Pull yourself up by the boot straps!” But you took my boots.

[@TheHonestPeanut]

And you keep breaking my limbs.

[@JK-gu3tl]

No reason to not believe in capitalism. It's the government that's the real villain as usual. At least, we have Eatonville (FL).

[@TheHonestPeanut]

@@JK-gu3tl we have every reason to not believe in capitalism. yeah our government is bad and corrupt and destroying the country but we have libraries full of evidence that unchecked capitalism is not only bad for a country but deadly. And before you act like being anti-free market is pro- communism, no.

[@JK-gu3tl]

@@TheHonestPeanut America will need the free market in order to recover.

[@TheHonestPeanut]

@@JK-gu3tl only made everything worse for everyone but the very rich every time it's been tried before. Its completely illogical to think it would work now. So no.

[@martindavidjoshua]

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. ' (George Santayana-1905)

[@laccless]

If you have triplets give one away -Hannibal Buress

[@mariohuerta6188]

Very fascinating! Thanks for sharing! Kinda bummed for them.

[@TenheadLife]

Thank you so much for educating me today

[@Prettybabymo]

I swear I learn more on YT than any type of class!!!!

[@kamikazestryker]

School can only provide a small portion of History. You know there are alot more to discover, about all the Human History.

[@francescapowell1538]

That’s why they want children to continue to go to school. They can brainwash and force feed them the information that suits them best to keep people behaving in the manner they want. Knowing only few will go out and do the additional research themselves. Guess they didn’t count on information technology (YT) to actually pass on real information and make people question what is or ISN’T being taught at school.

[@karlax5009]

This happened in St Louis too. Where the arch currently stands there apparently was a thriving black neighborhood until the late fifties and early sixties when it was repossessed to build the arch.

[@greg_1492]

Anyone who watched Ken Burns documentary on NYC in the 90's would have know about this and other neighborhoods destroyed by this park. The park has a fascinating history. Even the landscape architectural design deliberately separated different classes of people. It's unfortunate the NYC did this again under the unqualified eye of Robert Moses in the 1960's and 70's.

[@daniellescrochet]

Did you even live through the 90's if you didn't watch a Ken Burn's documentary?

[@greg_1492]

@@daniellescrochet That’s true, you could not escape a ken burns documentary if you tried.

[@DylJ]

Thanks for sharing this part of history I love learning new this, it's quite sad that this happened to the land owners I hope they were paid what the land is worth.

[@lavoidgaskins5967]

I was born in, and lived my first 18 years of life in NYC, and I NEVER heard of this. Feeling some type of way

[@thehoneyeffect]

They hid this history for a reason

[@AndyIscool-nn8el]

Lavoid Gaskins r/wooosh

[@lavoidgaskins5967]

@@thehoneyeffect sad

[@ixon4330]

We need a movie about this! Don’t know if there’s one already but someone should do it.

[@johnsot8]

Then write the movie.

[@ixon4330]

I would but too many movie projects for now and I do sci-fi not historical movies, plus it has to be someone quite known and active from the community to make this a percutant coup. Or just a good movie would do it, though.

[@sameolelinedudes947]

Ava Duvernay would be perfect

[@bombcaryah]

@@ixon4330 history has purposely been tainted to hide the elites filthy movements, the world is built on a lot of skeletons and all is about to be outed!

[@ixon4330]

@@bombcaryah true

[@geraldtimberlake6709]

Great story, thank you for sharing this information.

[@lexpaulson]

Brilliantly told. A vital story. Thank you !

[@ruhishaeesha]

I did a whole essay about this!!! 🥺🥺❤️ happy this came out

[@UnPuntoyComa]

America: Full respect to private property is one of our fundamental and most important values Also America:

[@pixelcount350]

@D-Beat & Techno He's saying America is a hypothetical nation build by lying cheat degenerates.

[@UnPuntoyComa]

@D-Beat & Techno is a rethoric figure to show the incongruence of the fundamental values of America. They say their country is based on the fundamental respect to property right, but at the same time they have no concern on violate them when they are from non-hegemonic population.

[@viktorvlasov483]

@D-Beat & Techno Information can't be more structurally consistent and understandable. If your state supports mentally challenged with money, I recommended you not to miss opportunity.

[@viktorvlasov483]

@D-Beat & Techno both, and I think I'm doing moderatly well.

[@draggonsgate]

This just popped up in my feed. What an amazing, and tragic piece of history. Is there any information on what happened to the residents of Seneca Village following their eviction?

[@KhmerH20]

i feel like the more i know more of history, the harder it is to enjoy things. i don't know how i can get out of this but it's necessary to learn.

[@LioninAHut]

Imagine if African Americans continued holding those properties; how much wealth did they lose over the centuries? Tens of billions, including interest.

[@Andy-bh8hw]

You can say that about literally every piece of land in the world and about any race that once upon a time inhabited it

[@moglo5056]

@@Andy-bh8hw don't use facts and logic here.

[@Andy-bh8hw]

@@moglo5056 facts and logic is what us intelligent people use

[@siphokazileratomalinga2969]

They would have found a way to ensure the area is worthless. You know how they operate 🤷

[@ertegin]

@@Andy-bh8hw clown

[@abryannahjames4315]

new york state doesn't teach this in school. at least i never learned this-

[@sebaschan-uwu]

It's not really that important tbh It's just a fun fact

[@bleach12386]

David Butler right, and we don't learn about him in school.

[@lordhumor6541]

They don’t care about us...documentaries are becoming more informative than what they teach in school. next time I walk through Central Park, I will give praise

[@controversialhappiness3404]

This sort of thing happens in cities constantly and has happened for millennia. It's awful for the people and the area, but in the grand scheme of urbanism - worthless

[@Emira_75]

Sebaschan 706 it’s important in the same way thanks giving is important for Americans, it’s just a tragic historic event that was induced by ignorance xenophobia, racism and the upper class greed for expanding land and business

[@spankees2971]

The area on which the village once stood should have two or three buildings created exactly as the dwellings looked, showing period pieces within. A sort of open air museum, something I believe native New Yorkers and tourists would enjoy seeing.

[@helpingothers1741]

Black ppl should own it and the money it makes should go to the Black communities

[@elizabethhair9017]

Fascinating upload thank you, is there video of the Seneca Excavations please ?

[@ShowMeYourKitties0]

This was very interesting! I feel like the Seneca park sign should be permanent because it’s apart of New York’s history and a lesson for the next generations regarding what happened.

[@georgeb.wolffsohn30]

And be part of the New York education department standard curriculum.

[@aaronsanchezz]

I mean they have pictures... you can clearly see the buildings were not middle class compared to the rest of ny at the time especially... those expensive items were most likely stolen from rich new Yorkers.... just as now if u opened up a section 8 apartments in nyc you would probably find gold chains and jewelry, expensive jordans, Gucci, and cash... doesn't mean they are middle class...

[@Matt_Curlew]

There are thousands, maybe millions of places like this around the world. Old neighborhoods get destroyed for something new. It's just part of normal history and development. It still happens everywhere. I thought this video was very interesting but don't make it bigger than it is.

[@bethhirst1406]

As an English woman I never even knew this part of New York’s history! Thank you for uploading this to educate more people like myself. I shall definitely be telling people I know about Seneca Village.

[@gregw4303]

That’s really interesting 👍🏻 I wonder what would have happened if it was left as hills, rather than buildings. As the video says, this has happened across other cities.

[@lindamannix1247]

Thank you . This Was so interesting !

[@planetearth1705]

The greatest story is that without wealthy elites and without government interference , ethnically different people get along without bigotry.

[@dteachout147]

Lol... sometimes, don't blame wealth for the world's problems

[@planetearth1705]

d teachout not blaming the wealth, blaming the power hungry manipulations of people who think they are superior to us and want to control us like cattle. Keeping us divided and against each keeps them in power.

[@dteachout147]

@@planetearth1705 the elites are the same as us... just richer, ie more ability. Were all the same, sinful, and etc. No?

[@dteachout147]

Let me put it this way... humans are never equal in influence or power, so your argument that some ppl have more power causes the problem is wrong. Humanity itself is the problem

[@planetearth1705]

d teachout ok, when people with power manipulate they have already decided we don’t matter. Will there still be elements of racism , sure but left alone to deal with their own day to day survival most people will look beyond that but when the manipulations of the powerful who seek control are injected to cause division for their agenda, more wealth, more power, more control then the level of discord and bigotry will increase because it is the agenda of those who know United we stand divided we fall. It’s a lot more complex then just power or money but it is generated by those who have wealth and power. Those two things are never satisfied.

[@jakelane8107]

Imagine how different all of America would be if this community got to prosper up until modern times

[@jonnym4670]

look up a video on bronx in the 1980's

[@BelleLopez312]

Amazing how Laborers, Shoemakers and Waiters were able to buy a property. Savings 101. Inspiring. Eminent Domain is brutal.