Disciplines

Jewish Studies

Abstract

Summarized by Gabriella Luongo

Steven Lawson, born in 1945, was raised in the Bronx, New York, in a working-class Jewish family. He grew up on Morris Avenue in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood and describes his childhood as vibrant, safe, and deeply shaped by urban community life. His daily world included local public schools, neighborhood parks, and weekend dances at community centers such as the YM/YWHA, along with frequent trips to nearby movie theaters. He recalls being immersed in the popular music of the time, especially doo-wop and early rock and roll, which reflected the social and emotional atmosphere of his youth. Although Lawson and his family moved around the Bronx multiple times, it always felt dense and energetic, and he consistently experienced a strong sense of comfort, belonging, and freedom.

Lawson also reflects on his Jewish identity as primarily cultural rather than religious, describing himself as an “atheist Jew.” He explains that he grew up in a culturally Jewish household where religious observance was minimal, limited mainly to celebrating holidays and little else. While he occasionally encountered what he describes as mild or “gentlemanly” antisemitism, he emphasizes that it was not a defining or oppressive force in his life.

In discussing his intellectual development, Lawson explains that his upbringing was somewhat sheltered and that his broader awareness expanded during and after the Civil Rights Movement, which ultimately led him to study history. This academic path continued at City College and Columbia University, where commuting from the Bronx and exposure to graduate-level study shifted his trajectory. Although he initially considered becoming a public school teacher, he ultimately pursued academia and left the Bronx, teaching at institutions including the University of South Florida, UNC Greensboro, and Rutgers University.

Lawson also reflects extensively on the transformation of the Bronx over time. He describes its mid-century character as a mixed working and middle-class Jewish borough, which later shifted through waves of demographic change. He discusses the decline of local institutions such as schools and commercial life, as well as the broader effects of poverty, disinvestment, and segregation. At the same time, he acknowledges ongoing efforts toward revitalization and expresses cautious hope for a more economically balanced and mixed Bronx, while recognizing the challenges posed by gentrification.

Across the interview, Lawson returns to broader themes of education, social mobility, and historical consciousness. He concludes by expressing enduring affection for the Bronx, noting that although he left at age 27 and now lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, it remains a foundational place in his identity and memory.

Keywords: Bronx, Jewish community, working-class childhood, Grand Concourse, YM/YWHA, doo-wop, City College, Columbia University, Jewish identity, antisemitism, University of South Florida, UNC Greensboro, Rutgers, urban change, gentrification, oral history, education, Yankee Stadium, Zionism, Israel

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