September 1, 2023

The Faces of Brooklyn

As our website says, we present the best of Brooklyn, from its art, music, culture, and so on. Brooklyn is much more than these things however. Brooklyn is made by its people, the Brooklynites! Here at Brooklynites.nyc we shine a light on the faces of Brooklyn.

Shaun Andrews was one of the many faces of Brooklyn.

Shaun Andrews was a life-long resident of Brooklyn until recently. Growing up in Gravesend for most of his life, he learned a thing or two in the School of Hard Knocks. When I met him, he lived on the corner of Ocean Avenue and Avenue I in Midwood, with his beloved cat, Deesha. Sadly, Shaun was feeling pressure from multiple fronts, such as high rent and lack of job opportunities. He made a bold decision. Shaun decided to move to South Carolina, which is as far from Brooklyn as you can get physically and culturally.

We reminisced over memories while drinking berry-flavored hard seltzer and chowing down on sashimi. Though Shaun no longer lives in Brooklyn, once a Brooklynite, always a Brooklynite!

One of many faces of Brooklyn, Shaun Andrews. A man in his early 30s wearing a grey bandana headband and grey tie-dye t-shirt. — Shaun Andrews, one of many faces of Brooklyn!

Here is a conversation we had.

DS: Where and when were you born?

SA: I was born in Lutheran Hospital in Bay Ridge in February, 1990.

DS: What did you picture yourself doing when you grew up?

SA: Race-car driver or something like that. Like something that would actually be cool.

DS: Where did you see yourself living when you grew up?

SA: I had no way of knowing, so I didn’t really think about it much.

DS: Why are you headed for South Carolina?

SA: It’s because I have no future here, because living here with the money I was making was like pushing a bolder up a hill over and over again.

DS: What is your favorite memory in Brooklyn?

SA: My favorite memories are a tie between when I made it into the fraternity and when my friend set up the surprise birthday cake for me back at my old house for my 30th birthday.

DS: Fraternity for where?

SA: Sigma Alpha Mu at Brooklyn College.

DS: What will you miss about Brooklyn?

SA: The food, the convenience stores, and the easily available weed.

DS: What are you looking forward to the most with your move down to South Carolina?

SA: That my money will last a lot longer down there than it does up here and the people are less insane.

DS: Any plans for the future other than moving?

SA: Just making sure I’ve got money and actually having a life for the first time in 10 years.

Shaun was one of the many faces of Brooklyn, but as stated previously his Brooklynite card is valid for life, no matter where he goes. He will probably be longing for a genuine NYC bagel or pizza in about a month. Best of luck to you on your South Carolina adventures, Shaun.