Gangs of the South Bronx Documentary Double Feature
Posted April 21, 2008 by molly_fair in Events
If you are in NYC you should come out these rare screenings of the 70's documentaries Ain't Gonna Eat My Mind (dir. Tony Batten, 1972) and 80 Blocks from Tiffany's (dir. Gary Weiss, 1979) depicting the Ghetto Brothers and Savage Skulls- legendary gangs that originated in the South Bronx.
The Ghetto Brothers were founded around 1967 by Benjamin "Yellow Benjy" Melendez and his brothers. They were infamous for transforming from a gang into a an organization that lead community service initiatives and helped organize the pivotal 1971 Bronx truce among all other prominent gangs following the murder of their peacekeeper Black Benjie. The Savage Skulls were one of the most notorious gangs at the time, and headed by Filipe "Blackie" Mercado. Despite their scorn for revolutionary politics, they once fought alongside neighbors and members of the Young Lords in an epic street battle against the Fort Apache cops in retaliation for beating a Savage Skull member.
Friday, April 25th, 7:30pm: Special Guest Benjy Melendez, founder of the Ghetto Brothers presents Ain't Gonna East My Mind & 80 Blocks from Tiffany'sSaturday, April 26th:
The 51st State, 7pm
Original TV program featuring Ain't Gonna East My Mind and studio debate with Benjy Melendez and filmmaker Tony Batten
80 Blocks from Tiffany's, 8:30pmSunday, April 27th, 7:30:
Special Guest Filipe "Blackie" Mercado, former president of the Savage Skulls presents 80 Blocks from Tiffany's & Benjy Melendez presents Ain't Gonna Eat My Mind
Maysles Cinema
343 Lenox Ave./Malcolm X Blvd.
Between 127th and 128th Streets
$7 Suggested Admission (Limited Seating Available)
Box office opens 1 hour before showtime
Comments
Everybody thinks hip hop started with Herc, but the truth is if it wasnt for the ghetto brothers putting together that peace summit it never would have happened, gangs would have been bopping straight into the 80's. let's not forget Herc's outdoor party occur'd in 73' the peace summit happened in 71'a full 2 years before. A Bambatta was at that summit which planted the Zulu Nation seed. we must remember those brothers and sisters who fought in those ghetto wars and recognized the fact that whitey didnt give crap about them and decided that peace was the only way."Hey man let's throw a jam". B-boy culture came out of gang culture, which probably came out of jail culture.
Let's not forget the Porto Rock niggas, we where thier from day one, Chuck D got it wrong it's not a black thang but a street thang, Boogie Down Bronx Thang, nobody reps hip hop like the X.
Peace Out
One
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Ques: What are you guys doing now, I would love to hear about that. I'm from Teller Avenue and I remember the Savage Skulls in 145X park, sheridan Avenue, etc. I know alot of young brothers need help with staying out of trouble. Please email me so that we can converse about some helpful topics. Peace and Blessings
Posted by: Bea at May 21, 2008 2:36 PM