User:Kayjay428/Grouppagetwothebend

Consisted of three streets, Bayard, Orange, and Mulberry. These streets came together to form the infamous “Bend” that was photographed and documented 1896, by Jacob Riis. “The Bend” was a very poor and unkempt area located in the lower part of Manhattan, in New York City back in the 1800’s. “The Bend” was known for being one of the most corrupt and most dangerous areas in New York City. The streets were crowded with people living on top of each other in very small living spaces, crime rates were at an all time high, and food was scarce and rotten. This was a major issue that was not being tended to because according to Riis, the slums of New York City are for the weak. This was not entirely true because during this time the US was being over populated with immigrants and there was no space for them to live. This caused for major concern because along with the shortage of living space. There was a major shortage on food and supplies as well; people bartered what they had in exchange for spoiled vegetables and meats were distasteful and unappealing. People just coming into town were living on the street and in common areas. Alleyways were full of gangs and thieves openly committing crimes without any kind repercussions. The more well off communities, however, did not care until Riis began publishing books and articles on the chaos taking place in these areas of the city. Riis urged that the entirety of wealthy communities should get involved and start rebuilding these areas because they were partly to blame for all the poverty being created on the other half. Riis released his book, How the Other Half Lives, showing how life was for the poor at that time. Riis described “the Bend” in his book as a culmination of the corruption, violence, and poverty that plagued this dangerous area. He urged that a reform needed to be made before situations got worse. Eventually the information provided by Riis eventually aided in having the most of Mulberry Bend was destroyed and turned into Mulberry Park in 1897.