Maurice Bailey Interview 08/09/2025
Photo by Randi Rosenbaum
Maurice Bailey Interview Transcript:
NATASHA: Hello, I am Natasha Fearon and I'm here with Maurice Bailey at the Park Slope Old Timers Reunion at 4th Street and 6th Avenue on Saturday, August 9th, 2025. Can you please spell your name for us?
MAURICE: M-A-U-R-I-C-E B-A-I-L-E-Y.
NATASHA: What's your relationship with Park Slope or to Brooklyn?
MAURICE: Everything. Everything. Brooklyn is the place I was born and raised. 2nd Street, 6th Street, 8th Street, 10th Street. I lived in Park Slope for exactly five years and it never left me. That's why I keep coming back.
NATASHA: Do you have a particular powerful or important memory of Park Slope or Brooklyn you’d like to share?
MAURICE: Just having the block parties we used to have and coming to the park and we were creative, man. We used to build our own go karts. We used to play our own games. Not like today. We did games. We created our own fun. These kids don't know what they're missing.
NATASHA: Why did you decide to come to Park Slope Old Timers Reunion today?
MAURICE: To see my people. The people that I care about and love and the people that I haven't seen in years.
NATASHA: What are some things you think more people should know about Park Slope or Brooklyn based on your experiences?
MAURICE: It's the best borough out here. It's the best borough out here. Nobody can beat Brooklyn. Every place you go to, any state you go to, the first thing they're going to talk about is Brooklyn.
NATASHA: What are your hopes for the future of the neighborhood and Brooklyn?
MAURICE: Well, I don't want to get political, but I would like to see more of my brothers and sisters. That's it.
NATASHA: Thank you.