Break It Down Underground

Making Money Foot Over Hand by David Goodman of the New York Times reveals insight on the break-dancing street performers in Manhattan. Goodman chose this group of young performers, who come from the South Bronx neighborhood, to represent the many others that follow this lifestyle. These young men take their skills to the streets because it's the best way to earn some extra money and it keeps them out of trouble. He quoted one young performer saying that he earns money by dancing instead of having to resort to "stealing and robbing". The review highlights the good intentions of the performers: the main performer, Chubbs, uses the money he earns to support his girlfriend and baby; the dancers see each other as a community that offers support and inspiration; younger dancers show respect for the veteran dancers.

Goodman also notes that not everyone who comes across these performers welcomes the entertainment. Some see them as a disturbance. The New York City Transit doesn't allow it on the subway. He spends little time discussing these "negative" points.

Goodman's audience are the people that ride the subway on a regular basis. He is trying to make commuters see that there is more to these street performers than just causing commotion and trying to "panhandle" their spare change. He includes the history of break-dancing and mentions its world-wide spread popularity as a sense of credibility for this activity. His review speaks more of the people behind the art of break-dancing than the art itself. He writes about the soul of the matter.