A publication of the Youth Power project at Make The Road New York

Issue 18 summer 2008

Youth take action on immigration, education budget cuts, Sean Bell verdict, and more . . . Jóvenes toman acción en inmigración, recorte del presupuestos de educación, el veredicto de Sean Bell y mas… Make the Road New York* promotes economic justice, equity and opportunity for all New Yorkers through commu- nity and electoral organizing, strategic policy advocacy, leadership development, youth and adult education, and high quality legal and support services.

*Caminante, no hay camino. Se hace el camino al andar. Searcher, there is no road. We make the road by walking. --Antonio Machado, Selected Poems, (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1982).

Email Word On The Street at [email protected]

Youth Power at Sean Bell verdict protest. might not have done anything illegal. The police to police brutality. My First Protest overreacted because 50 shots is a lot, and they should The reason I wrote this piece is because I hate have known someone was going to die. how cops take advantage of their power and use it Why I rallied Two of the cops were charged with manslaughter against people of color. You can’t shoot at a guy 50 and one with reckless endangerment. The police times and try to make up lies to get out of trouble. I for Sean Bell were trying to move the trial out of city and it didn’t hate how Sean Bell had to leave this world. He was work. In this case, there was no jury, only a single just about to get married but he got shot and died for by Philip Simmons judge made the decision. The cops should have been no reason. I like how Al Sharpton tried to help the punished because they had no right shooting at Sean black community out and how much he cares about t w a s No v e m b e r 25, 2006, a t a n i g h t c l u b Bell 50 times and they could have done the right people. I liked writing this piece about Sean Bell in Jamaica, Queens. It was the start of a new thing by just getting them out of the car. Since the because it shows how cops act and react, and how Ibeginning for 23 year old Sean Bell. He and his shooting Al Sharpton has organized protests to help Sean was a good person and after he left the world two friends just came out of Sean’s bachelor party out Sean Bell’s family and the black community. He people were with him not against him. I feel that and were having fun when five undercover cops thought that what happened that night was wrong. everything should work out for the best and Sean came and shot 50 times at their van and two of them Yes, I believe that the people who protested against Bell R.I.P. and cops should get what they deserve got hurt and one was killed and the person who was the brutality used against Sean Bell helped the case and go to jail. killed was Sean Bell . The undercover cops thought and supported the family. I just read in the newspaper that it happened that Sean and his friends had a weapon. They didn’t I think the police tried to move the case out of before on February 4, 1999 when I was seven years and that’s why there have been rallies and protests. city because they thought they were going to lose old the cops shot Amadou Diallo 41 times because The cops were coming to make arrests on people for in the city. I think many people in the city were not he pulled out a wallet and they thought that it was a drugs and prostitution, and Sean got caught up in on the police’s side and that the jury was going to gun and they killed him. That started everything, but what the cops were doing because he was in the make an easy decision convicting them. But they I guess the cops didn’t learn the lesson. This stuff is night club that night partying. When the cops only had one judge because the police made it seem just out of hand because the cops were charged with approached, and Sean tried to ride away the cops like any jury would be biased against them. So to the manslaughter. I think a rule for the police should be shot at them. They shot at them 50 times because police, having one judge would be fair and if there cops should be trained better and it will help because supposedly they thought he was holding a gun. They was a jury, it would have been a victory for the Bell’s they will think before they do something. shouldn’t shoot at a suspected criminal because they and other families who have lost people they loved I read a New York Times article about the Sean Bell verdict and that the police officers were found not guilty. When the family arrived at the court no one thought they would lose but the judge said the cops are not guilty because there was not enough evidence to prove that the cops had done something wrong. The judge said that the witnesses for the case were just not believable, and he added that at times the testimony of those witnesses just didn’t make sense. I think the verdict ended in a bad way because some of the Bell family walked out of the court very upset, and people thought the judge had to be on the police’s side. I really think that the judge chose the police because they serve the law. The judge stated, “the people have not proved beyond a reasonable doubt that each defendant was not justified in shooting.” He also said that the men were not guilty of all of the eight counts, five felonies and three misdemeanors against them. Mayor Michael Bloomberg responded to the ver- dict. “There are no winners in a trial like this,” he said. “An innocent man lost his life, a bride lost her groom, two daughters lost their father, and a mother and a father lost their son.” Bad stuff – I feel for the Bell family. I went to the rally the day the verdict went down at the court house in Queens. I went to support him and to interview people to see their points of view. I got to see how people love and care about Sean Bell. Writer Philip Simmons (left) at Sean Bell rally. It was fun; I got to tell the people that the police made a wrong decision and the people want justice. People want to stop cops’ nonsense. I interviewed a lot of people and folks rapped and said what they had to say. Other youth from Make the Road showed their respect and had posters, and some of the youth from Make the Road made a speech. The rally was trying to show how much people care about the people in this state, and that the police need to stop thinking they can do what they want to people. I loved the rally because I got to speak to people and I got to show how much I care about Sean Bell. It was my first time at a rally like this. My parents thought it was good to go to sup- port a person that was killed by police brutality and they just wanted me to do the right thing. I knew some of the kids from Make the Road. It was fun to be with them and to see how much they care. I was not nervous at all because I think being nervous kills your personality and I wanted to talk to people and get their opinions. I expected there to be more people, but there were about three hundred. It felt good to be there because it was my first time and I got some of my best interviews. I talked to former teachers, I got to get a tee shirt and it said “I Wont Be Silent.”

Philip Simmons is 15 and attends Newtown High School. summer 2008 3 Women Wage War Against War One on one with a peace seeker by Marisol Milano

a m writing a b o u t t h e w a r b e c a u s e i w a n t Since the Iraq war started, the United States has How did code pink start? to know why the soldiers are killing innocent been affected by war. In my opinion, the war has CODEPINK Women for Peace started as a women’s I civilians. The soldiers shouldn’t kill civilians in disrupted the education, the jobs, and the families in peace vigil in Lafayette Park outside the White the communities that they are fighting in. They America. The Iraq war has affected individual lives House in November 2002. should be fighting against terrorists, not going to the as well. We lose more troops each day. Every soldier towns, terrorizing innocent civilians. I know some needs to come home now. Everyday we are losing How did you find the group to begin soldiers do not want to go into the Iraqi’s towns kill- between 10-20 troops and lots more are wounded. I with? ing them. I think the Iraq war is wrong because war think the war is dangerous because there is nothing I joined the group in March 2003 a few weeks before isn’t the way to find peace in the world. I think the but violence in Iraq. The military, air force, and the the Iraq War. My first event was an anti-war demonstra- way to find peace is to try to help each other instead navy have the ability to use nuclear weapons. The tion outside Senator Hillary Clinton’s office in Manhat- of fighting each other. I think that the president soldiers make trenches to protect themselves from tan on International Women’s Day (March 8th) needs to BRING our soldiers home NOW. It’s been danger, and when it rains the trenches full up with five years too long for the soldiers to be in Iraq and water and it gets hard for the soldiers to move What kind of work do you do to try to I believe the American troops are tired of being around. Some troops watch out for enemies, while stop the war? there. I think so because I have a cousin that was in others take a rest. Some soldiers keep pictures of CODEPINK specializes in using street theater and the Marines who said that the troops wanted to come their families with them so they can have them by non-violent direct action to get our anti-war and home to their families and children because the their hearts. The more we fight, the more our soldiers pro-peace message onto the streets and into the troops miss them. I think that while the soldiers are die. Over 315 billion dollars has gone to the war. media. We also do counter-recruitment work, Con- in Iraq all they think about is their families and their Not enough of it goes to the nurses who are treating gressional phone-a-thons, activist trainings, and children. Over 4,000 American soldiers have been the wounded. They need medical equipment and voter education. killed in the past five years; almost 30,000 of our food because they sometimes find themselves out of American troops have been injured on account of the supplies. I think most of the money goes to weapons, What kinds of actions/events do you war. Over 1,000,000 Iraqis have died over the past such as tanks. I think these weapons are very danger- do to stop the war? five years as a direct or indirect effect of the war, and ous and can hurt a lot of people. This war has got to Our actions range the gamut from phoning our over 4.5 million Iraqis had been displaced from their end; it’s been way too long for the soldiers to be in elected representatives to disrupting political events homes. Iraq. with anti-war flyers and banners. I think that the government should spend the This paragraph is for the young people who want money on education in America in order to get more to or are thinking of joining the army, navy and air What do you do before the actions? books and computers for schools and after school force. I think you need to think very carefully before We spent a lot of time thinking about our message programs, etc. The American public was deceived by you sign any forms or contracts and think about what before actions, and work very hard on our visuals the Bush Administration in their motivation and you’re getting yourself into. Before young people (costuming, props, banners, posters, and flyers). intent in invading Iraq. Most Americans do not want join the army, navy, and air force, make sure you our troops in Iraq. Families of soldiers also don’t know what you’re getting into. Don’t sign anything What kind of events are coming up? want them there, and I believe that the troops do not unless you know what the truth behind it is. On March 8th CODEPINK NEW YORK CITY is want to be there either. Iraqis especially don’t want To get more information about the war, I inter- running a day of activist training workshops at our troops to be there. Our troops are the subject of viewed Nancy Kricorian, a member of CODEPINK, Columbia University. The event is open to the public daily attacks and they are living in conditions of an activist group that is against the Iraq war and and we have scholarships available for local public hardship. here’s what she said: school students. Go to www.codepinknyc.org or e-mail Nancy at [email protected] for more information.

What are your plans to stop the up coming conflicts? We keep bringing our message of peace to the streets of our cities, into the halls of Congress, and into the main- stream media. We say LOVE THE TROOPS/HATE THE WAR. We also say, “Diplomacy NOT BOMBS.”

Do you think this kind of work is going to be successful in stopping the war? We believe that the American people are tired of this war and occupation that are costing thousands of lives and billions of dollars that should be spent on better things than bombs and tanks. We believe that eventually the war and occupation will end and we will keep working for peace for as long as it takes.

Marisol Milano is 18 and a graduate of the Bush- wick School for Social Justice.

CODEPINK member Nancy Kricorian (right). Writer Marisol Milano.

4 WORD ON THE STREET Baseball Passion A Simple Sport That Unites People by Kelvin Ramirez

a m 18 y e a r s o l d , a m f r o m t h e Do m i n i c a n keep loving it because it is part of our culture and teams were founded all around the Dominican Republic and have been living in New York for part of our traditions. Republic and became popular in the country. Today i 2 years. Baseball is one of the most popular Baseball is normally played in many different baseball is the main attraction in the Dominican sports in the world. I started playing baseball when countries. The Dominican Republic is one of the coun- Republic to all the audiences and fans that like I was like 7 or 8 years old. I first played in my tries where Baseball is the official sport. Dominicans sports. Dominicans love Baseball; it is kind of a neighborhood. I was living in the Dominican Repub- have a feeling of love for the spirit of baseball and they belief that every person from the Dominican Repub- lic. When I was 13 years old I went for the first time need to play the game since they watch it in the neigh- lic has played Baseball. to a Baseball field. I was really scared when I first borhood and on T.V. Basically it is seen as the culture Baseball is popular all around the world. The saw boys playing and the coach screaming, I took of the country. Is Baseball more popular in the Domin- people support baseball all over the place because it some days to adapt to this kind of environment and ican Republic than the United States? Every child in makes people come together and makes people to start to see the others players as friends to me. My the Dominican Republic has played baseball. It can be believe that hatred between each other can disappear coach was smaller than I was by that time, but he in the streets or on a baseball team; no matter where, when a game takes places. There are many sports that was more in the world of Baseball so he knew a lot they have done it. Dominicans do not have such tech- people play all around the world but the most excit- about baseball compared to me. When I really knew nology as the United States, but many people in the ing of all is baseball. It is still growing around the him we were friendly with each other, also we made Dominican Republic are more able to play it and have world because all the fans who dream of becoming fun comments and at the same time I tried to push more free time. United States people work too much players keep improving it by playing it and making it myself to get better. Because my country is famous and live far away from families and friends, but in the interesting, and breaking the records of the those in this sport it is easy to see boys and girls playing Dominican Republic the people really live near to their players from past times. To me, the world without this sport any place. Baseball got my attention families and they are really close to each other. There baseball would not go on because it is such a big part because I saw since I was a kid a lot of baseball play- are no problems to make a baseball game. It is not of my life. Baseball depends on players and on their ers on T.V and also because I was born with this kind about who is better, it is about the culture, traditions fans. Everybody knows that baseball is for having fun of feeling that I have to play Baseball and show what and values. Dominican sports are not as popular as but the reality is that money plays an important role. I got on my inside. Baseball is popular because it baseball is because many people have seen baseball as The players play it because they get paid and they was a sport that comes from a long time ago, and the the only way to become really rich: this is the dream of have fun at the same time. My dream was to become people love it; you get excited when you see your every young boy in the Dominican Republic. a baseball player and even though I am not playing in favorite player or when your team wins a game. Baseball came around to the Dominican Repub- the big leagues, I feel that I have already been in the The spirit of the country also contributes to lic in the 1880s. Many people say that it was because big leagues because of the passion that it makes me make people come together even if they do not know of some Cubans that migrated to the Dominican feel during each game that I watch and I play. each other. A baseball game is one team against Republic. After many years the first teams were cre- another, so when two teams come together the peo- ated, and these teams were named Los Tigueres del Kelvin Ramirez is 18 and attends International High ple start to talk about baseball and their teams, so Licey and Los Leones del Escogido. Later many School Carnesie. this is a way where people share their selves. After I got to New York I never had played Baseball because of the temperature and the small amount of time that I have. In the Dominican Republic I could play Baseball any time that I wanted to, also the people are more talkative so you are not scared or embar- rassed to talk to other people that you never have met. When I hear the word Baseball it sounds to me like power, strong, ability, join, try your best and help others. For me Baseball is the best sport ever. Baseball is a sport that originated in many differ- ent countries, but came together as one to make it even better. In the United States Baseball originated actually before the civil war in 1861-1865. The base- ball expert John Thorn believes “Baseball without records is inconceivable,” which means that by mak- ing new records that overcome old records this makes baseball more interesting. The United States has their heroes like Babe Ruth, the first one to hit 60 home runs and one of the most memorable players because of his records and amazing contribution to Baseball. In the year of 1871 the first professional baseball league was born in the United States, and then later on in the 20th Century the eastern United States began to introduce professional Baseball teams. In the 1950s baseball teams spread all around the country. Segregation was a part of the United States and African American people were separate from white people, so in Baseball the only players were white people during the years of the early 1900’s. By 1947 the first African American Baseball player got into a real Baseball game. His name was Jackie Robinson. It was critiqued by many people because at that time the African American people were treated differently from white people. After this event happened, many Baseball players from all around the world started to come and play Baseball in the United States. Such players were Dominicans, Koreans, and from other countries where baseball was popular by that time. Baseball has become a sport and also a business throughout the United Baseball in Bushwick States, but the people love it as it is and will still summer 2008 5 Education The Wrong Man Dropped Out Budget Slashed I talk to Edwards’ campaign advisor NYC Kids Lose Out by Leonel Nunez by Emanuel Valentin

The way I found out about this man is through my people who where doing very well and call on them In January, the city and mayor Michael Bloomberg parents. This man was on the campaign running for to practice better policies and better programs. lowered the current budgets of every public school president till he dropped out, but he is a man of I hope [Obama] will be realistic about the way in New York City by 1.75% – a $180 million deficit words and a man of stature. The way he explains his power works in Washington so that if he becomes the for all the schools. Even with this extreme cut Mayor work makes you interested in what he is going to do nominee and becomes President, that he’ll be enough Bloomberg is planning for more dramatic cuts in the next and how he does it gets you excited. Before, I of a fighter to understand how to use the power of the up and coming school year – $428 million less than actually was going for Barack Obama till my parents presidency to accomplish his agenda. He deserves a what the city had promised. sat down with me and explained why they were vot- lot of credit for inspiring people. I just want him to be On March 19, people came from all over by the ing for this spectacular man. The reason for me being able to be realistic about what he can deliver. And thousands to protest the cuts outside City Hall. Teach- a Barack Obama supporter is because before I used with Senator Clinton, I think she’s more prepared to ers, parents, administrators and students chanted to think everything he said or came out of his mouth be president. I don’t share as much, or see eye to eye “Keep the promises” in English and Spanish. One of made sense. The reasons my parents wanted to vote with her on as many of the issues. I do trust that she the “promises” was to put more money into the educa- for a different man is because when this other man does know what she wants to do as president and she tion system. The city and state government both talks to the people they understand what he says and knows how to get it done. So on the one hand, her promised last year to increase spending on public he actually states his point. For example: “I began experience and realistic approach is her strength, but schools. my presidential campaign here to remind the country on the other hand I don’t think she sees much of a The energy at the protest was high. The crowd that we, as citizens and as a government, have a need for the degree of changes I’d like to see in the cascaded up Broadway for blocks. Everyone from moral responsibility to each other.” country. I don’t feel overwhelmingly strong about all the boroughs united for a common cause, wearing I know right now you’re wondering who this either of them. I do hope both of them will do their neon pink and green hats with the slogan “Keep the spectacular man I have been talking about is, well his part to carry on some of the agendas of the Edwards promise” printed on them. name is John Edwards. He was running for president campaign fought so hard for. Schools all over the city are suffering. The larger but later on in the race he dropped out for no good the school, the more money is lost to these cuts. The reason at all, well that’s what I thought. After he What interested you most about John school I attend, New York Harbor School, a fairly dropped out I started talking to a couple of people who Edwards? small school, lost over $61,000 in the 2007/08 school voted for him and we even got into contact with the Well, I’ve known him for about 10 years, and he’s an year, according to the teachers in my school. Due to person helping him run his campaign. I think the rea- incredibly genuine and honest person. He has a how sudden it was—completely overnight—schools son people were not that focused on Edwards is remarkable spirit. He is a fighter. He has a life expe- have been cutting back with no planning. Schools because people were more interested in having a rience that inspires me and he embraced any people have had to cut after school programs and lay off woman as president or having a black man as presi- that I know and care about and treated them with teachers and they don’t know what will come in the dent than in the real issues. Below is my interview incredible respect. And he was willing to take on following school year with more cuts proposed. with Chris Chafe, John Edwards’ campaign manager. hard fights. He was fearless The impact is being felt in our neighborhood. I spoke to Mike Gonzalez, the Bushwick father of two Why was John Edwards the best can- I still think even now Edwards would have been a kids, ages 5 and 11. He feels his children aren’t get- didate for U.S.A.? great man for America and for every individual. But ting a good education. He told me his family “lives He was not afraid to face things being experienced even though he lost he left a great impact on people on a budget and things are hard. Inflation of gas and by a majority of Americans. He was not afraid to talk and probably on generations to come and on me. food prices, everywhere. My son goes to I.S. 116 about the fact we have a large group who are strug- and isn’t getting the proper education in math and gling in this country and a small group who are Leonel Nunez is 17 and attends Bushwick School reading. My son is struggling and because of this I doing very well and he was not afraid to take on the for Social Justice. have to leave and move to Florida.” Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Chancellor Joel Presidential candidate John Edwards (left) with campaign manager Chris Chafe Klein propose that all the money lost is due to the economic hardship of the city. I feel that with all the cuts that have happened within the city’s school sys- tem the economy will not get better. Since the economy is in recession it won’t help to mess with the country’s future with less money. We the youth, as the leaders of tomorrow are being under-resourced as it is, and will not be able to better this situation in the future with out the proper education.

Emanuel Valentin is 16 and attends New York Har- bor School.

Rally against education budget cuts, City Hall, March 2008.

6 WORD ON THE STREET 9/11 Bangladesh Estaba en Ecuador by Arif Hossain by Braulio Bijay

Bangladesh is a country in south Asia. It is bordered Bangladesh is divided into six administrative divi- Mi nombre es Braulio. El 11 de Septiembre yo me by India on all sides except one, with the small bor- sions, each named after their respective divisional: encontraba en Ecuador. Ese día fue para mí muy der of Myanmar to the far southeast and by the Bay Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi and triste porque muchas personas habían muerto. Éste of Bengal to the south. The name Bangladesh means Sylhet. Dhaka is the capital and largest city of Ban- es un ejemplo de los actos terroristas que han pasado “Country of Bengal” in the official Bengali lan- gladesh. Bangladesh has lots of national symbols, en el mundo. guage. In this language, “bangla” means “Bengal” like the Royal Bengal Tiger for animal, oriental Muchas personas se encontraban trabajando and “desh” means “country.” In 1971, Bangladesh Magpie Rabin for bird, Hilsa for fish, white water tranquilos en oficinas en las Torres. Esa tarde 4 avi- separated from Pakistan. After a liberation war, with lily for flower, jackfruit for fruit and kabadi for ones habían sido secuestrados. Muchas de estas help from India and the Soviet Union, Bangladesh sports. Like other countries, Bangladesh has its own personas estaban trabajando tranquilas cuando ellos was born. Before 1971, people of Bangladesh were calendar called the Bengali calendar. Bangladesh has se dieron cuenta de que el primero de los aviones a part of Pakistan. lots of things, which can catch the attention of peo- secuestrados se estrellaron en la torre principal. Más Bangladesh is one of the largest Muslim coun- ple from other countries, for example: Cox’s Bazaar, tarde el segundo de los aviones se estrelló en la otra tries in the world. The two major religions practiced the longest seashore of the world, World Heritage torre. En ese momento muchas de las personas se there are Islam (83%) and Hinduism (16%). About Sunder Ban (a forest), Sompor Buddha Bihar and encontraban en los elevadores, muchas de estas per- 96% of Muslim Bengali are Sunni while just over Shat Gamboges Masjid (holy places where all the sonas se lanzaban por las ventanas para no morir 3% are Shi’a. Some of the religious festivals of Mus- Muslim people go to pray). quemados. lims are the Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Eid-e-Mila- Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Ban- Para todas las personas este día fue una trage- dunnabi, and Muharram, which all the Muslim peo- gladesh. In 2000, the International Cricket Council dia muy grande, porque muchas personas perdi- ple celebrate. There are other religious groups in gave the Bangladesh cricket team Test status and eron muchos familiares y muchas personas que Bangladesh, such as Buddhists (0.6%) and Chris- allowed them to play with other national teams. trabajaban en las torres dejaron hijos de muy corta tians (0.4% and mostly of Catholic). Although cricket is the popular game in Bangladesh, edad. Todas las personas que se encontraban cerca Sunni Islam and Shia Islam are the two major Kabadi is the national sport. Other popular sports de las torres tenian que evacuar el lugar porque denominations of Islam. About 85% of the world’s include football (soccer), field hockey, tennis, bad- todas sus vidas corrian peligro, porque las paredes Muslims are Sunni and 15% are Shi’a. They both minton, handball, volleyball, chess, carum, and de las torres se habían venido abajo. También believe in one god, prayer, the Prophet Muhammad Kabadi. Cricket and baseball are similar to each porque habia mucho polvo y ésto podía enfermar a as the last messenger, and the requirement to per- other, but there are some differences. One of the dif- muchas personas. Todo ésto afectó a las personas, form Hajj once in a lifetime. After the last Prophet ferences is that each baseball team has nine players las cuales se encontraban en el lugar que ahora se Muhammad died in 632 C.E., people started to fol- and each cricket term has eleven players. llama la ‘Zona 0’. low the first four caliphs who ruled after the death of I have been in New York for 2 and half years. It En los atentados terroristas del 11 de Septi- Muhammad (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman Ibn Affan, is a great chance to be in the United States because embre del 2001 en New York muchas personas and Ali), but some people reduce the legality of the this is a country where you can be safe, get free edu- salieron afectadas en diferentes formas: unas first three caliphs and believed that Ali is the second- cation, medication and more. Bangladesh is different murieron o perdieron a un ser querido y otras se most divinely brilliant man after Muhammad. People from the United States in a lot of ways. The weather enfermaron por los gases y por el polvo de las who follow the four caliphs are Sunni and people in Bangladesh is always hot and here it is sometimes torres. ¿Cuál es el beneficio de hacer atentados who follow only Ali are Shi’a. hot and sometimes very cold. The USA has a strong terroristas.? The culture and religion of Bangladesh are transportation system, which makes life easier and Actos terroristas sólo han tenido un mal efecto totally different from the United States. There are faster. Although the United States is a great country en personas porque un acto terrorista puede desatar lots of religious rules, which you have to follow, for me, still I miss my native country, Bangladesh. una Guerra que usualmente afecta a las personas y otherwise you will get punished. In most of the The thing I miss most in my country is my relatives no a los gobiernos y otros malos efectos que occuren. schools, boys and girls have separate classes and dif- and my friends. I also miss the tradition, culture and Es tiempo de que tengamos conciencia y nos una- ferent schedules. Also, girls have to cover their food of Bangladesh. I can get the same food here mos para detener estos problemas que están whole body with clothes, even their face so no one from my country, but the flavors are not the same. destruyendo nuestras vidas. can see it. They cannot reveal themselves except to También para así todos sentirnos seguros en el their husbands, relatives and children. This is so they Arif is 17 years old and came from trabajo y en las escuelas, porque cada día que sali- can be protected from men believed to be immoral. Dhaka, Bangladesh almost 3 years ago mos de las casas no sabemos si vamos a llegar con vida a casa. También ésto no es justo porque por un problema que hay en este país, todas las personas que vivimos en él tenemos que pagar los daños hechos; como por ejemplo, en lugares donde hay muchas personas uno tiene que ser rebuscado para ver si no llevamos armas y todo ésto no es justo, porque es como que si estu- vieran desconfiando de nosotros. A la vez lo entiendo, porque como siempre hay amenaza de peligro algu- nos sienten que no corren peligro pero otros como yo no creemos que ayude mucho.

Braulio is 15 years old and came from Ecuador 2 years ago

May 1, 2008, Immigrant Rights Rally

Education budget cuts protest, June 5 2008 summer 2008 7 Dominican in New York Colombia Conflict By Robinson Sepulveda Adjusting to the American Dream I’m from Colombia and I have been in this country for almost two years. I came to this country with my moth- by Kilver Solano er. We decided to come to the U.S to seek a better future for us both because in Colombia there was nowhere to go and the opportunities were not as good as the ones in I came to the United States from the Dominican The things I miss about the Dominican Republic this country. And the education was inferior. So that is Republic on December 25, 2005. I came to the United are the people like my friends, my mother, the food, why we decided to come to the U.S. States with my sisters. I came here because my family and the beach. In the beginning it was very difficult for me to thinks that they want a better future for me and my In the Dominican Republic I used to go camping adjust and I think for almost everybody that has arrived sisters. I came to the U.S in an airplane. I was scared with my friends, and hang by the Yucca River. The in a new country, but cannot speak the native language, because I’ve never been in an airplane before; that Yucca River is a river that is located in the capital. A that it’s difficult. Everything was very different from my was my first experience in an airplane. When I arrived lot people of people go there because it is a nice country, especially the fact that there are a lot of differ- at JFK I was like, where am I, because the place was place. There are trees and no houses around there. I ent cultures in this one nation. In my country where I a lot different than the Dominican Republic. I came to use to swim there with my friends. My mother is in used to live, almost all of the people were local. Most of live with my cousins. The climate was different, the the Dominican Republic. It has been 2 years that I the migrants in my country live in Bogotá, the capital, people were different, everything was different. Even don’t see her. I talk to her every day. I was sad when but used to live in Coli in the southeast of Colombia. In my family here was different from my family in the I separated from my mom. I miss the neighborhood NYC the first type of culture that I saw was Arab peo- Dominican Republic. My family here was more I used to live in, Los Mina in the capital. I miss the ple. I felt very curious about them because I have the unfriendly; they didn’t like me because I didn’t speak mangu, the quipe and the chimichurri. experience of people from other countries. But then English. But then when they started to know me they When I grow up I want to be a reggaeton artist. after some time, hard work and a lot of study, I dedi- changed their attitude with me and I started to like I like Daddy Yankee. I want to be a reggaeton artist cated myself to learn English fast and to acclimate America little by little. because I like to make up raps. American music is myself to this country. I put a lot of effort into learning At first I did not like America because I did not different from music in the Dominican Republic. I English by watching TV and listening to music in Eng- speak English and I got into a lot of problems because got opportunities to be an artist here because I make lish, and also by taking extracurricular activities after of my language and I had family problems. I tried to some music and people like it. The difference is that school. get a job and they said to me you can’t work here here you need more money to be a artist, to rent a Colombia is a country located in the north part of because you don’t speak English. I remember that I studio, and make the beats, and in the DR it costs a South America and is the only country in the world that got into a fight with my cousin because he thought lot less than here. In the DR people listen to all kinds has two oceans and a sea. And we have all the climates that I was talking about him in Spanish. I was 15 of music. in one country – unbelievable isn’t it! In this precious when I came here, now I am 17. Before I came here I I am writing this article about Dominicans in country there have been 40 years of continuous fighting, thought the U.S was a country where people were New York because I am Dominican and I want to because the illegal guerilla armies including the FARC friendlyand cool with each other. Maybe its like this, know how other people feel about being here during (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and the but not in the way I thought. My first week here was the Dominicans Independence Day. Also I wanted to ELN (National Liberation Army) are trying to take over boring because it was Christmas and in my country know about the different lifestyles of the two coun- the country by force. To this day, Colombia is still in the the people play in the streets with each others and here tries. Dominican Independence day is February 27, middle of this war. (Fortunately, this war did not affect everybody is on their own in their own way. the day people in my country fought the Haitiian me at all because it was happening in another part of the I had a lot of conflict with kids in my neighbor- people because they wanted to take over the Domin- country and where I live it is a calm place.) hood; they tried to beat me up because I didn’t speak ican Republic. A group of people made a plan to These paramilitary organizations control cocaine English. Maybe in the beginning they didn’t like me fight on this day, and they won. Here in New York drug trafficking and have become involved in terrorism but then I gained their respect by standing up for people only fly the flag, and in my country they do a and kidnapping people. According to the US Depart- myself. I fought one of then to make them see that I parade to celebrate this day. ment of Justice, the FARC produces over 50% of the was not scared of them. I feel that America gave me world’s cocaine and uses the profits to support their opportunities such as learning English, getting a better Kilver Solano is 17 and attends International High organization. The ELN is responsible for 4,000 kidnap- economic situation, and getting a better education. School Carnesie. pings every year in Colombia, according to the national census. They select the people in the country that have Writer Kilver Solano (right) with friend Robinson Sepulveda money and status in the community. They also target political figures with power in the country in order to extort money from them. But now these illegal armies have been weakened by constant attacks on their head leaders by the Colombian army, thanks to military aid from the U.S. This war has taken the hope of the almost 44,087,000 Colombians in the country. Although people want things to change in Colombia, people do not help the illegal militias anymore because they are scared of get- ting in trouble with the government. The economy of Colombia is in trouble right now. Most of the country’s money is spent on fighting this war and the economy has also been affected by corrupted politicians that steal the money from the taxes paid by Colombians. And there are also a lot of unemployed people in Colombia. Soldiers in the illegal armies are getting pain $500 dol- lars per week. In 2006, 11.1% of the people in Colombia didn’t have a job (according to the national census). They have to face this war almost everyday of their lives. This war especially affects the people that live in rural places where the war is taking place now. These people have to suffer the violation of their human rights. They have been displaced from their homes where they have lived most of their lives. Well I am really glad that I am I am in the U.S because me and my mother did not see a very bright future in Colombia and I think it was the best decision because now I speak two languages and I have more chances to graduate from high school.

Robinson Sepulveda is 16 and attends International High School Carnesie.

8 WORD ON THE STREET Indoor Air El camino a la Prisión desde la escuela Pollution Dos sistemas que se nutren del uno al otro Your House is not safe! by Emmariany Serrano by Jonathan Munoz

One of the main reasons why I chose this La disputa que se ha estado teniendo desde endo con los contras: topic was to inform people about how big of a hace ya varios años respecto a la educación *Los estudiantes sienten el temor de ver problem indoor pollution can be. I learned ha ido incrementado el número de personas policías. about indoor pollution from my ELA regent afectadas por estos problemas educacionales. *El temor de la violencia que los policías exam in which we had to write a report from Los recortes de presupuesto en el sistema puedan implementar hacia ellos. an article about this topic. I was really shocked educacional sigue y sigue viéndose, la *El cambio de su convivencia. when I read the article, because I never actu- decisión que se toma en el estado de NY de *La sensación de estar encerrados. ally thought about the air inside my house tomar el dinero de la educación y dejarla sin *El estar vigilados. being more dangerous than the air outside. I presupuestos es un hecho que está afectando *El sentirse criminales. had some big questions, such as how does this a todos los estudiantes de New York y de los *La desconfianza y la pregunta de por qué happen? Does indoor pollution affect the Estados Unidos, estos han buscado miles y hay tanta seguridad? human body physically or mentally? If the air miles de maneras para lograr parar esta situ- *El no poder portar celulares. indoors is polluted, how can we stop it? ación que está llevándose las ilusiones y sue- *El tener que despojarse de todo lo que What causes air pollution? ños de estos jóvenes emprendedores que solo tienen puestos para poder pasar por los detec- One of the things that may cause indoor buscan tener y asegurar un futuro, una carre- tores de metales. air pollution is the lack of ventilation in a ra, una vida y una familia. Este dinero toma- *La tardanza para entrar a clases mientras house. This causes the pollutant in the air to do y recortado del sistema educacional está los requisan. increase. Pollutants come from substances siendo utilizado en las escuelas, pero está *Que les quiten sus pertenencias. that we have and use in the house such as air- siendo utilizado de una forma diferente a la *El mal trato de los policías. fragrance, pesticide, heaters, wet carpet, cual no muchas personas ni mucho menos *El racismo de parte de los policías. tobacco products, carbon monoxide, stove, estudiantes están de acuerdo. Todo este *La desconfianza de los policías. wood, etc. These products release substances recorte de presupuesto ha sido implementado *Las requisas diarias. that will stay in the air for a long time if there en la forma física de las escuelas alrededor *La monotonía de la cárcel. is no ventilation. del estado de New York por eso hoy en día *El querer dejar la escuela. Why does it happen? vemos mucha más seguridad en las escuelas. *La violencia por parte de estudiantes y Indoor air pollution happens often because Pero a pesar de que esta acción hace más policías. many people aren’t aware of the problem. seguras las escuelas y la estancia de los estu- *Problemas legales ya que cualquier prob- They don’t know that products they use daily diantes en ella, también hace sentir incon- lema tiene que ser solucionado con la policía might be harming them. The reason why peo- forme a todos estos. Y se entiende pues no es de New York. ple aren’t well informed is because the com- fácil ni confortable estar rodeado de policías *La falta de recursos en las escuelas debi- panies that produce these products want to todo el día en el colegio, ni mucho menos ser do a los recortes de presupuesto. keep making big profits. If the customers sospechoso por cualquier movimiento. *El recorte de becas. knew that what they are buying could hurt El problema con estos métodos de seguri- *El recorte de ayudas financieras. them, they would probably change their dad es que hacen sentir a los estudiantes una Estas y muchas otras cosas son las que mind. breve pero especifica muestra de cómo se afectan a los estudiantes diariamente debido Indoor air pollution happens often in siente estar encerrado en una cárcel, de cómo a los recortes hechos a el presupuesto de housing projects. This is because the apart- es la convivencia con policías todo el día todas las escuelas así q porque no tomar ments might be in bad condition, in need an armados y dispuestos a implementar la fuerza acción. exterminator or there may be mold in their que sea necesaria para entre palabras ”calmar Muchas campañas y organizaciones así home. However, the landlord sometimes cualquier situación peligrosa”. Antes de que como estudiantes se han armado de valor y doesn’t do anything to help or also might use toda esta problemática con la seguridad se de emprendimiento para hacer un cambio a pesticides from stores that might be really viera, en las escuelas el mayor método de esta situación. Hay miles y miles de personas toxic. seguridad eran los “security guards“que son dado apoyo y soporte a las acciones que se How does it affect your health? las personas que controlaban la seguridad y han estado haciendo desde hace varios años Indoor air pollution might affect one’s el orden dentro de las escuelas, pero con la así como marchas, huelgas, protestas, teatro, health right after being exposed or years after. nueva reforma que se está dando, los nuevos así como también el emprendimiento del hip A human’s reaction to the exposure depends security guards están siendo entrenados por hop, el cual ha sido y sigue siendo uno de los on their age and medical conditions. Instant policías de la ciudad de New York (NYPD) fuertes de esta campaña. effects can be irritation of the eyes, nose and mas hay q contar que la implementación de En NYC tenemos una declaración “bill of throat, headaches, dizziness, and exhaustion. detectores de metales, la limitación de comu- rights” en la cual se describen nuestros These problems can be easily cured by getting nicación debido a la prohibición de los celu- derechos y nuestros deberes educacionales, fresh air and avoiding being exposed to the lares, ipods, etc. Está dando así mucha más pero con esta situación en la que el sistema pollutant. Long term effects might occur after similitud a esta sensación que estos estudi- gubernamental nos tiene a todos los estudi- years of being exposed to the indoor pollut- antes tanto rechazan que es estar dentro de antes, nos da a entender que estos derechos ant. Some of these effects are respiratory dis- una prisión. ya no serán nuestros en muy poco tiempo. ease, heart disease, and cancer. These effects Esta implementación de seguridad en las can be debilitating or fatal. escuelas como todo en la vida tiene sus pros Jonathan is 16 years old and came from How can it be solved? y sus contras asi que viéndolo desde ese Colombia 2 years ago My personal suggestion is to try to venti- punto de vista se puede denotar que sus pros late the air indoor daily. Even if you don’t serian: feel the effect happening immediately, it will hurt you in the future. Try opening the win- *La seguridad de los estudiantes aumen- dow once in a while because the air inside ta. your house might be more dangerous than the *La confianza de los estudiantes para air outdoors. Something that might also help venir a estudiar es más grande. clean the air indoors is to get plants in your *La cantidad de problemas y violencia house or office. Plants help absorb pollutants podría disminuir. in the air. *Se tendrá un mejor control con la port- ación de armas, navajas y demás formas de Emmariany is 16 years old and came from the violencia y de armas para matar que se pueden Dominican Republic 5 years ago llegar a ver en una pelea. May 1, 2008, Immigrant Rights Rally Así se pueden ver los pros, ahora procedi- summer 2008 9 Interview with an System Failure ex-juvenile offender Why are youth so criminalized? On Friday, May 23rd I went to Harlem. It was a cool place to be and I went there for a reason. I went there by Erika Ruales to see a really cool kid; his name was Joshua Lane and he is 18 years old I went to go visit him at a place called the Correctional Association of New On any regular day of any month and during any Report. This is way more money than what they York. The Correctional Association of New York is a year in New York City there is a big percentage of use for a teenager in a year of school. What they place for teenagers that have been involved in the teens under the age of 16 that get sent to a juvenile should be doing is getting all this money they are juvenile justice system and now they want to be a detention center. I am a teenager, aged 15, who wasting and put the money in the schools and try better person and work to educate youth about the has seen a lot in life and who is writing the story to get kids to study. Maybe if they wouldn’t waste juvenile justice system. This program does a lot for any teenager would tell you. All the things that I so much money on juvenile detention they could those kids that have or have not committed a crime. am going to write in the following article are true. put more work into the school system and maybe Joshua is a nice kid. I went to Harlem to talk to Trust what I say because I see it happen firsthand, more kids can start going to school and have more him about what had happened to him four years ago. as I am walking in the streets of Brooklyn. I special programs so students wouldn’t get bored. He told me a lot of things, and I thought, “ooh wow, remember last year in New Jersey I saw a teen- According to the Correction Association of New I thought this would never happen to a young person, ager getting arrested. I saw a teen, a cop and a York, 95% of teens that go into juvenile detention but I guess it does.” Well Joshua got locked up for mother. I saw that the cop had his hands on the are Latino and black and the other 5% of kids are stealing – that’s what the cops who arrested him said. kids’ arms and was putting the kid inside the car. white. Well the reason why there are more Latino Meanwhile, what he told us was that he didn’t steal The mother was crying and trying to help her and black inmates may be because people are nothing and the cops made up stories. Well this is child, but there was nothing to do; all the mistakes really racist. It is not always black people and how it happened. He had slept over at his friend’s had been made. Latinos who are doing the bad. house and when he was coming back he got pulled When I saw this at first, I looked at the kid and In New York and California the legal age for over by the cops. They were looking for three guys, the mother and just kept on walking, but then I got juveniles is 15 and under. In New York if you are but they took him and his friend. The suspected rob- a feeling and I turned around and thought to arrested and are 16 or older you are treated as an bers were black and so was Joshua. Just because you myself, what if that was one of my family mem- adult. This means they will put young teens in are black doesn’t mean that you did the wrong thing, bers? It would have been the same way for me, so adult jails. Well this is a big problem. They are but they took him to a juvenile detention facility that day I started thinking I should write about treating teens as adults when they are teens, like called Spofford. In the police car the cops hit him and these kinds of problems going on with us teenag- sixteen. If you see the word ‘teen’ in it, then when he told the other cops they didn’t believe him. ers today. Teenagers at first don’t really realize they’re not adults. By throwing kids into adult He had to stay in Spofford for 8 days. He said that what the consequences may be when they are jok- jails it affects the teenagers who would start to while he was there it was not good. It was bad and he ing or fooling around. They say, “No, nothing is commit bigger crimes because they would get the would never want it go through that again. There was gonna happen, come on, let’s go.” Most of the same ideas from the adults in those jails. nothing to do but watch TV and they barely let the time it’s just a joke, but then sometimes there is a These teenagers that are in trouble need more inmates move around. He also said the food was big problem. Things don’t go right, but they don’t help than you think. They need to be listened to nasty and that you had to take a shower with other realize the problem until it’s too late. Sometimes and they need someone they feel safe with. They people and they all had to get naked in front of each teenagers make mistakes and they do not mean to need more than to just go to a juvenile detention other. He said that he had to pay $2,500 bail to get cause harm, but no one thinks they are saying the center and get locked up. So parents, listen to your out. truth. kids. It may look like nothing is going on, but as He was really cool, and he looked really sorry for I read an article called “Girls in Lockdown” a teenager is when most of the problems start. what he did, even though he didn’t do it. I really by Gamal Jones in the New Youth Connections. It enjoyed doing this interview with him because I got my attention because it talks about how a teen- Erika Ruales is 15 and attends High School of learned a lot of things about what kids go through in ager would be treated in a prison. A young girl by Health and Human Services. juvenile detention and how terribly, and disrespect- the name of Juanita who had gone to prison tells fully the system treats them. us the story of her life. She went to prison for a real reason, but there was no reason for anyone to Writer Erika Ruales with Joshua Lane. treat her like they did in prison. In Ithaca, New York at the age of 13 she was arrested for con- spiracy and reckless endangerment. In the deten- tion facility, when Juanita was having a really bad day and she didn’t feel like eating, a staff member came up to her and asked why wasn’t she eating. She didn’t say anything back to him. The staff member took this as a sign of disrespect, and when she went to throw away her food the staff member looked at her and cursed her out in front of her peers. According to a report by the American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights Watch, what they did to Juanita wasn’t nearly as bad compared to what they did to many other kids in prison. The report claims that officers have sex with the girls in the prison, and there have also been reports of kids who had burns on them and broken limbs and concussions while imprisoned. I feel when I read this article that I would never have thought that this could happen to any of these kids who are in prison. I mean, everyone makes mistakes – it’s not like they would be even the 1st or 2nd person to make a mistake, and no one should or needs to be treated this way. Juanita got out of prison and now she never wants to be back there again; she has so many bad memories of prison. There are three main juvenile detention facili- ties in New York City: the Horizons, the Cross- roads and the Bridges. The average annual deten- tion cost for youth in secure detention in 2007 was $201,115, according to the Major Management

10 WORD ON THE STREET Better at Basketball A story of passion By Caleb Simmons

f i r s t p l ay e d b a s k e t b a l l w h e n i w a s f i v e some lay-ups drills and after all of that I play some NBA, which I find pretty boring and uninteresting. years old. My twin brother Philip is older than games. I think I am improving and getting better for I me by three minutes. He is both funnier and basketball tryouts. Sometimes I go places so I can’t What team do you like? Why? more serious than me. He gets all the girls and is train seven days a week but if I had the chance I would Growing up, I was a big Knicks fan, but I haven’t more outgoing. train everyday because I want to get better with any liked them very much for years now. I don’t really When we were six my brother and I were bug- chance I have. But you have to be committed and you have a favorite team in either college or pro basket- ging my father to put up a basketball hoop. He have to want to get better to make it to any team. ball. I just enjoy watching a good game and I usually finally did and he installed it in our backyard. We find myself rooting for an upset. have a house and it came with a backyard that we Because I wanted to learn more about basketball could share with our friends. It was in Bushwick I interviewed David Lieber, the coach of the Boys How did you become to be a coach? where I still live now. Varsity at Friends Seminary in Manhattan, a Quaker I applied for the job as coach at the same time I Starting when I was eight I didn’t really play k-12 private school. He is also the coach of a clinic applied for my full-time job at Friends. I work in the ball. Me and my brother used to play with our friends for 6 and 7 year olds in Brooklyn called 78th Pre- admissions and financial aid office. I said I would on the block. But as the days were going by our cinct Youth Council. take the office job only if I could also coach. That friends started moving away one by one. We outgrew was 18 years ago and I’m still here. our miniature basketball hoop. My friends who Do you like coaching? Why? didn’t move got interested in football and we started Yes, I like it very much. I love working with kids on What are the most important things to play that. I got better in that sport and I beat my basketball, and I also love the competition. There is to think about when you are playing brother and he got mad. Meanwhile my brother nothing like the feeling you get after a great win. or coaching the game? played basketball still and became a better player. He The most important thing is to give your best effort has better crossovers and a better jump shot. Did you ever coach another team? and to feel that, win or lose; you’ve tried your best. Now seven years later, I am in high school and I was an assistant coach for one year at Oberlin Col- Also it is important to keep it in perspective. I always my school has a basketball team but no football lege, in Ohio. But I’ve been coaching at Friends for tell the kids I coach that their academic responsibili- team. I want to try out. That’s why I am playing bas- 18 years. ties come first. ketball again, to try to get better by going to the park and learning tips from my peers. Are you any good at basketball? Do What tips you can give me to make I wasn’t good back then. My brother was always you play any other sports? the basketball team? better than me and I have never beaten him. I want I was pretty good in my day. I played at Oberlin Col- Play a lot! When I was your age, I played until it was to beat him and make him feel stupid. lege for four years. I still play in a pick up game dark outside - even in cold weather! I have loved the NBA ever since I was twelve. I every week, and can still shoot pretty well, but I’m fell in love by playing the videogames like NBA not as quick as I used to be, and I don’t jump so well. Could you ever come and teach me Live and 2K Sports and by watching it on television. Anymore. Now I also play in a competitive fast pitch any moves because I really need it? My favorite team is the Dallas Mavericks. I like softball league, which I enjoy very much. We can work that out... them because their players are superior. When I watch them on television I feel like I’m in the game. Do you watch basketball on TV? Caleb Simmons is 15 and attends EBC Bushwick My favorite player on that team is Dirk Nowitzki. He Yes, especially college basketball. I prefer it to the High School for Public Service. is one of the best players in the NBA because of his leadership and determination to win a NBA champi- onship. I like the EBC team because of how they work as a team and they play in Bushwick. Last season they had a bad record, 4-12, but this season they improved and became 12-4, the opposite. On their team they have the best player named Jose Stable. He averaged 33 points and 19 rebounds on the sea- son. They were one game short to the City Champi- onship. I am not good now. I want to learn to play better and be the best I can be. I want to learn every- thing there is to learn. One day I hope to be on the varsity EBC High School team and to be the leader like Jose Stable. Plus I want to prove all of my friends wrong. My friends always say I suck and I am never going to make the team because of how I play in the park or anywhere else. The things I want to work on are my ball han- dling, jump shot, lay ups and my defense. The way I am going to get better is by going to a summer camp to get experience. Probably if I make the school team and get good stats, I can go to college to play ball. Then there might be a chance I will get drafted to the NBA. At first I wanted to get better quick before basket- ball tryouts. But then my peers told me to take time and practice hard because you don’t get better quick, it takes time, but after your challenges with hard work then you will see that your practice made progress. My peers said a little practice won’t do it, for example if you practice 30 minutes and say “I’m done,” that is not enough. It takes every day of your free time and you basically have no time for yourself. I practice two hours a day if I can. My practice routine is I dribble Writer Caleb Simmons shoots hoops. around the park and do some shooting. Then I do summer 2008 11 Mi Amiga Immigrant Options y las Drogas What is the Dream Act and Instate tuition? (A work of fiction) by Aaron Truong by Oscar Bermúdez Mi nombre es Oscar Bermúdez. Estoy en un pro- The name “Dream Act” stands for Development, mented students. grama de periódico en la escuela Pan América Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act. The In order for undocumented students to qualify International High School y éste es mi segunda idea of this proposal is to help undocumented for assistance under the DREAM Act they must vez en escribir un artículo. Éste artículo es sobre young immigrants obtain a temporary residency have: cómo los jóvenes están en las drogas. A veces me that would create a path to citizenship for them, • Arrived to the U.S at the age of 16 or younger; he preguntado por qué están en las drogas o tam- allow them to pay instate tuition, and enable them • Been living in the U.S for 5 or more years; bién en las pandillas (gangas). to apply for financial aid. Undocumented college • Graduated high school or earned a GED in the Yo creo que es por los problemas familiares students are paying a high amount of tuition for U.S.; o porque ellos se quieren creer los mejores, pero college and some drop out because they can’t • Been between the ages of 18 & 30 at time of afford it. This problem has been happening all bill enactment; and over the United States except the 10 states that • Have no criminal record. Yo tengo un have the in-state tuition law. The 10 states are There are about 2.8 million students graduating California, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mex- from U.S high schools every year. Some of them ico, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wash- will go to college, some join the military, some will una amiga ington. be choosing their career(s) and some will become In-state tuition is a law that helps all undocu- citizens. Every year about 65,000 undocumented que se esta mented students pay the same tuition as other students graduate from high school and meet the citizen students. In order to benefit from this law, criteria for assistance under the DREAM Act. recuperando students must have lived in the state for more than Unfortunately, most of them will not be able to go a year, or graduated from a high school or received to college unless this legislation is passed. de esos a GED in one of these states, regardless of their It’s definitely an important issue for me to the legal status during this time. know because it will help me when my friends or problemas... What about students who don’t have a GED or people that I know apply for college; if they have didn’t graduate from that state?? An example this problem, I’ll help them. no saben que se están haciendo el mal ellos mis- would be if a student just came to live in New It’s also important for students to know this mos. Algunos les hacen caso a las malas influen- York and s/he applied to a college, s/he will have information whose parents are living in their native cias. to pay out-of-state tuition, which is at least twice countries and the students have to rely on them- Yo tengo una amiga que se está recuperando the cost. S/he will have to pay 2 or 3 times more selves. In this situation, for students who go to col- de esos problemas. Ella sufrió por maltrato than other students because s/he didn’t graduated lege, it’s very important for them to know because familiares y ella dice que estuvo en las drogas a from a New York high school. Documented stu- otherwise, they’ll be overcharged. los 13 años cuando vivía en Canadá. Ella tuvo un dents will pay the normal tuition, but some of Parents have to care because they might have padrastro que la afectó mucho y cuando hablaba them borrow the money from the government children who go to college and are being over- con su mamá, ella no le prestaba atención a lo since they’re legal. On the other hand, undocu- charged. If everybody knows and cares about it, que su hija decía. mented students cannot borrow money from the this issue will possibly be solved faster and easier, Mi amiga le decía a su mama que los amigos government because they don’t have the legal I believe. Basically, if you live in New York and la invitaban a salir y la mamá le decía: “Está status. Without the legal status, it’s difficult for you have a high school diploma or a GED and you bien, ve con tus amigos”. Pero ella no sabía la some undocumented students to apply for college are undocumented, make sure when you go to apply clase de amigos que tenía. Después sus amigos le because they don’t have the money to pay the for college that they don’t overcharge you. comenzaron a dar drogas a escondidas de sus tuition, and without the permanent status, the padres. Después comenzó a robarle dinero a su government can’t give them financial aid. In the Aaron is 15 years old and came from Vietnam 3 mamá para comprar drogas. Ellos reunían dinero U.S. there are currently about 1.7 million undocu- years ago entre ellos mismos para comprar a otras personas que tenían mucha droga. Ella hacía eso para sentirse mejor o para estar alejada de su familia. Ella se sentía distraída sin saber dónde estaba, se sentía frustrada de no haber recibido el apoyo de sus padres. Después, su mamá y padrastro decidieron que se fuera a vivir con su papá para que él la entendiera. Ahora ella trata de olvidar lo que le pasó y se siente muy bien sin cosas malas. Ella va al parque todos los días para distraerse, y a la escuela para salir adelante.

Oscar is 14 years old and came from Ecuador over a year ago

May 1, 2008, Immigrant Rights Rally

12 WORD ON THE STREET SPECIAL SECTION: Gentrification in Bushwick and Beyond . . . Seniors at the Bushwick School for Social Justice have observed gentrification all around them over the last several years. From the L train to the new construction on every corner, students con- sidered why these changes have occurred, how gentrification will affect the neighborhoods, and what can be done to preserve the rights of community members. Some students have also studied gentrification in other parts of New York City, and in post-Katrina New Orleans. What the HECK asked them why they moved the restaurant and they replied and said, “Some people just say it’s Wil- is GENTRIFICATION? said, “After a while rent was getting expensive, like liamsburg because they think it’s cool. But we defi- By Jennifer Echeverry $4,000-$6,000 a month!!” The restaurant that they nitely know this is Bushwick.” currently have that is located in Bushwick was a Not only does gentrification happen in New Have you learned about gentrification yet? Maybe bodega 10 years ago. They rented it from their friend York City but also in many different parts of the not. I never knew what was up until my economics three and a half years ago when they were building world. Who would’ve thought Vermont went through teacher taught me about it. It’s actually a pretty inter- the restaurant. Their rent now is $2100 a month this also? esting topic to learn. I know you’re thinking, who which isn’t that bad compared to Williamsburg. cares? Yeah, I also thought the same, but think about We also asked them if they felt that the neighbor- The Menu At it: you don’t want to be kicked out your home so rich hood of Bushwick was safe? Meg and Paris both North East Kingdom people can move in or do you? Lets say your parent/s agreed and said that they don’t feel that it is safe By Levi Weekes are working a minimum wage job and out of the blue enough because there isn’t enough police patrol. the rent goes up to $4,000 a month. I don’t think Also, two of their employees were mugged. It’s a North East Kingdom has delicious starters, including mom and dad can really afford that when they’re very dark area at night because there are not many the garlic oven fries for 4 dollars. The menu also working for very little money. businesses or residences. A year ago, there were features a soup of the day with bread for 6 dollars. Do you know what gentrification means? Prob- prostitutes hanging around the area. Meg and Paris The owners explained to us that there is affordable ably not! So I’m going to tell you. believe that there haven’t been many changes in the food for students and expensive food as well. From Gentrification is when rich people move into the neighborhood for as long as they have been working 4 dollar fries to 15 dollar Le Quebecois and a Berk- neighborhood and the current residents, who aren’t there. shire pork loin for 18 dollars, the menu varies in able to afford higher rent, are forced to move out. Another question we asked was, “How do you price. This can mean the current residents have to move to feel about gentrification?” Meg said that in New The owners explained the main section features an even poorer community with even higher crime York City it was always a constant issue for them. the most expensive food on the menu. The main sec- rates, and local businesses might have to relocate, or Where they used to live in Williamsburg, it was a tion also has the biggest portion of food. The main close down and maybe be sold to new investors. As Hasidic neighborhood that resisted new residents. section has house-smoked salmon filet, poached sal- you can see, gentrification can create social and eco- She felt that a negative effect of gentrification was sify salad and fresh dill for 17 dollars – a full meal. nomic problems for the residents who have been that people were being pushed out. Meg felt that Fort The menu has a good selection of sandwiches and an kicked out. Greene is an example of a neighborhood that has acclaimed banana cream pie for 6 dollars. To make this topic juicier, my classmates Levi held on to its identity even as it gentrified. I feel the prices at North East Kingdom are rea- and Micheal and I went to investigate this problem Meg and Paris also mentioned that in Vermont, sonable. The food sounds good, even though there is by going to a restaurant in Bushwick named North where they are originally from, there was also gen- not much food for vegetarians like me. The deserts East Kingdom. We interviewed the owners of this trification during the 70’s-80’s. We asked if they sound great. restaurant, Meg and Paris Smeraldo, who are origi- think that the area where their restaurant is located is The menu connects to gentrification due to the nally from Vermont. They had their restaurant in in Bushwick or Williamsburg, because some people items on the menu and the name of the dishes. You Williamsburg before relocating to Bushwick. We call parts of Bushwick East Williamsburg. They don’t see the majority of the food on the menu in a local restaurant in Bushwick. In Bushwick you would find Spanish dishes at restaurants because of Meg and Paris Smeraldo, owners of Bushwick restaurant Noth East Kingdom the area’s Hispanic population. Gentrification Outbreak!!! By Shaniqua Mann, Paris McCullough and Stephanie Abreu Have you seen a recent change in your neighbor- hood? What you’re seeing is gentrification. What is gentrification, you ask? Gentrification is when a shift of class and race changes the culture in your neighborhoods. It is also when your neighborhood upgrades with new buildings and business, and this causes rents to rise. Bushwick was mostly a Hispanic and black neighborhood before gentrification. Jose Lopez, 22, an organizer for B.R.A.G (Bushwick Research and Action on Gentrification) has lived in Bushwick for 19 years now. When he started high school, he noticed white people would get off at Bedford, Lorimer, and Morgan on the L train. They wouldn’t go past those stops. By the time he was a senior, he saw that white people were getting off at Dekalb, Myrtle and Halsey as well. But Jose didn’t have to experience rents rising then because he lived in the projects with his mother and then when he did live on his own, he moved into a dorm. Projects have stabilized rent. Because of this recent gentrification, you now see new buildings being built in Bushwick that are very expensive. The new apartments are being sold for about half a mil- lion dollars. Loft studios go for $250,000. It seems like sooner or later we will have to move out of New York and go to states with cheaper rent. summer 2008 13 If you feel gentrification is hurting your neigh- without disturbing the community. In other words, trification to negatively affect a community; instead, borhood, you can try and stop it. B.R.A.G started in they don’t want to disturb the peace. he wants it to benefit them. the summer of 2006 and about 30 to 40 people have The neighborhood is full of factories, warehous- Kenan has been a victim of gentrification which joined. Before joining B.R.A.G., “Most of them es, restaurants, and apartment buildings. There is also shows that it’s not only blacks and Hispanics who didn’t know what gentrification meant.” says Jose. multiculturalism, where you see different cultures suffer when it comes to eviction. He was pushed out “They would say, yeah I know what GENDERfica- appreciating each other and the neighborhood they of an apartment on First Avenue in Manhattan tion means, it has to do with men and women.” live in. Opposite from the building is an elementary because lawyers, Wall Street business people, and Neighborhoods other than Bushwick face gentri- school where you always see young children playing other professionals who make a lot more money took fication, including many Puerto Rican neighbor- in the schoolyard. Adjacent to the school is a hotel over his old neighborhood. Kenan knows what it hoods in New York. We can try and stop this by and a high school, the Grand Street campus. To many feels like to be evicted and that’s why he doesn’t joining B.R.A.G. people, gentrification may be negative but others want people to be kicked out of their homes. He believe it can have a positive effect on a community. would rather develop his work in abandoned build- Gentrification: If I was a musician I would definitely rent ings or warehouses that are not being used; this is Coming To A Neighborhood Kenan’s space. Only club members and musicians what to me makes Kenan a “good gentrifier.” If he Near You are going to be renting out the space. There is no was trying to develop places that were already occu- specific kind of ethnicity that will be connected to pied, that would make him a bad gentrifier. By Erick Sanchez this building because there are all kinds of musicians An area that is abandoned and is being improved Gentrification is coming soon to your neighborhood. who are working on becoming famous. might attract wealthy people who are looking for a Gentrification in Bed-Stuy is happening now. Gen- It will cost $600-$1,000 to rent out the rooms for place to live. Since Bushwick is near the L train trification is when people in one neighborhood who recording/rehearsal space. Kenan is looking forward which is connected to Manhattan, this might create a have lived there for years get kicked out because to renting his space to different types of people. He negative impact on the neighborhood. The reason property values are going up, and rents are increas- will also work on employing people to modernize why is because the more wealthy people that move ing. You may see this in your neighborhood already. the building. He knows that his project will improve in, the more landlords will raise rents and push out As of right now, gentrification is happening in the community and will try his best not to leave a low income people. Then instead of this project cre- my neighborhood. I live in Brownsville and I see this negative impact in Bushwick. He will rent space to ating diversity it will be a more gentrified neighbor- happening all around me. The New York Magazine people who can afford it so there shouldn’t be a hood. Hopefully this won’t happen and the neighbor- article, “The Tipping of Jefferson Avenue,” discusses problem with people getting evicted. hood will stay at peace. the Bed-Stuy area of Brooklyn. A couple from Lon- When Kenan was asked about his opinions on There are positive effects of Kenan’s project but don bought a house in the area after other local gentrification he stated it was too complex to answer. there may also be some negatives. A positive is that couples tried to buy it at an open house. They paid On the other hand, he did mention he considered his project will open up more job opportunities for $820,000 to get it – and this is in Brooklyn, not Man- himself to be a gentrifier. Kenan believes charging unemployed people who have experience building, hattan. Many people have lived here for years and high prices will make business successful. Kenan is cooking, bartending, etc. Another positive is that now they are being kicked out when the neighbor- different from the average person in Bushwick. having his business in Bushwick will make the hood is getting better. “This neighborhood has come Some might describe him as a hipster from Manhat- neighborhood more secure. back,” longterm Bed-Stuy resident Brenda Fryson tan. He seems like a very kind person who hopes to A negative may be that prices on property taxes told New York Magazine. Ms. Fryson believes that improve neighborhoods like Bushwick. He may act will go up, which means there will be higher prices the neighborhood has improved. “And it’s not and look physically different from people in Bush- on rent. This will make it bad for people who have because white people have come here,” she said, wick but his multicultural attitude is a thumbs up been living in Bushwick all their lives. Another “but because of the tenacity of the people who have sign for Hispanics and blacks. He doesn’t want gen- negative may be that the musicians or the workers lived here all along.” Many of the Brooklyn neighborhoods are expe- Kenan Gunduz is renovating a Bushwick brewery. riencing this currently or it is soon to happen. But one of the main reasons it’s happening is because people who live in Williamsburg feel it’s getting too expensive, so they start to move to the next neigh- borhood. The subway lines play a big part, for example the L line. Now the biggest question of them all, and I find it to be the most important, is what can we do to stop this? As of right now there are some Brooklyn resi- dents coming together to make the neighborhood better. In Bed-Stuy the neighborhood came together and took care of each other. This may be the best way to bring gentrification to a slow end. Voice of a Gentrifier By Jennifer Rosario, Rosmark Palen and Alejandra Saldivar The Lower East Side, Williamsburg, Fort Greene, and now Bushwick. Gentrification is spreading non- stop throughout New York City... Kenan Gunduz, a Turkish immigrant, is a real estate developer in Bushwick. Although he has only been living in New York for 15 years he has been quite successful with his career. He used to play music, now he does rental/sales of apartments and even does project and construction management. He is working on reconstructing the Goldenrod Brewery located at 260 Meserole Street. The old brew- ery is being turned into 10 rehearsal and recording studios so that once it is completed concerts will take place on the first floor. There will also be restaurants, cafés, music stores and an instrument repair shop. The Goldenrod Brewery is 150 years old and the time period for completing the project will take 2 years of construction work. Morgan Avenue is a huge industrial area and new owners are trying to make it commercial. One of the owners of the building is looking forward to renting space to musicians and club members. Therefore upcoming artists can have a place to store their equipment and record their music

14 WORD ON THE STREET that are connected to this building might want to live Bushwick Community Needs people fled Bushwick between the years of the late closer to their rental space or job. This will cause 1960s and early 1970s. Bushwick was being changed landlords to want to evict their tenants so that they By Sharoyd Strickland from a beautiful area to an abandoned area. can receive more money from the wealthier people. The Bushwick community is very big, and is made The FHA scandal left all of Bushwick almost This might even make the neighborhood a better up of a lot of people, businesses, and opportunities. empty. A lot of the stores, schools and churches were place for the wealthy, just like what is happening on Sounds good right? Well not quite. The Bushwick closed because of all the money the FHA collected. the Lower East Side, Williamsburg and Fort community still needs a lot of work done. The Bush- The real estate agents used payoffs to secure inflated Greene. wick community has parks, but it has no open air mortgages. But the real criminals were the real estate “The wealthy are taking over” is what many markets, it has buildings but not all the right build- agents. They were robbing all the money from peo- Hispanics have said, but let’s just hope this doesn’t ings. You get where I’m coming from? ple who actually wanted to buy homes. happen to Bushwick, because then more low-income The Bushwick community parks need to have The real estate agents stole $25 million that the people will not have a place to live. open air markets. Without the open air markets there government could not recover. A lot of the families isn’t any possible ways of making good business in that were inspired to buy homes were struggling to Gentrification in Bushwick the parks. See, if we were to have some open air even live in their own neighborhood where they markets in the Bushwick parks it would improve the grew up. The mortgages were really high. This was By Josue Grajales community. It allows people to make money, and it happening in a lot of communities like in East New Bushwick is experiencing gentrification, which is can also benefit the people by giving them some- York, Brownsville, Sunset Park, Bedford Stuyvesant when a neighborhood is being restored or upgraded thing to eat when they’re hungry and something to and Crown Heights. In all of these neighborhoods by middle-class or affluent people, which results in drink when they’re thirsty. the same issues were going on. lower income families moving out. Blocks around First things first, the Bushwick community Because of this scandal, Bushwick was aban- Woodhull Hospital include some of the most expen- needs a place where they can have meetings about doned and marked as a bad neighborhood. Immi- sive apartments for rent in Bushwick because it is what the Bushwick community needs. People of the grants from other countries were able to move into near the border of Bushwick, which is a better neigh- Bushwick community can come together and talk these “bad” neighborhoods. Now a lot of people borhood than places like Knickerbocker Avenue about what they feel will be the best for the Bush- have made it better than it was before when it was which are cheaper and have more Hispanic and black wick community. abandoned. The white rich people want to take over residents. The Bushwick community is made up of a lot of a neighborhood that our minority people have built The average rent a family can afford in Bush- talented adults and children, but they have nowhere up. And it has taken a lot of effort to try to make wick is $544 a month. Studios and one-bedroom to show what they can do or practice their skills. An Bushwick a safe environment. We hope the people apartments in Bushwick cost around $1200, and example of what Bushwick needs is a recreational who made Bushwick great don’t have to leave Bush- two-bedroom apartments cost about $300 more. The facility where the people of the Bushwick community wick because of gentrification. three- and four-bedroom apartments in the best parts can come together and do educational, athletic and of Bushwick cost around $2000-$2500. Those are arts programs together. Nowadays, a lot of young How to Prevent Gentrification areas of Bushwick that already have been gentrified kids are into gangs and other bad stuff, and I feel the By Luis Molina and Latonia Lovell so the lower income families that really need apart- only way this might have a chance of changing is by ments can not afford them so they are forced to live giving the kids something entertaining to do. Do you think that it’s fair when people who have in small apartments where there isn t enough space There is also a need for more healthcare and been living in their homes for over 10 years are to live. educational services in Bushwick, considering Bush- forced to leave? In many communities gentrification A lot of the low-income families are going to be wicks’ high rates of obesity (28%), diabetes (14%), has been happening. Gentrification is the restoration forced to move out. Most of the low-income families asthma (9%), and HIV/AIDS (14%). A lot of kids and upgrading of deteriorated urban property by live in two-bedroom apartments. In Bushwick over a nowadays complain about their weight, how sick middle-class or affluent people, often resulting in thousand two-bedroom apartments are rented out, they feel, and some have HIV/AIDS. So I think that displacement of lower-income people, according to while just 686 three-bedrooms and 147 four-bed- we should have some kind of program where kids the American Heritage Dictionary. Although this rooms are rented out. This shows that a lot of fami- learn about their problems and what they can do causes the remodeling of building and gives them a lies are living in small apartments. Gentrification about them. The only way this can be solved is by higher value, the rent becomes too high for the lower makes it hard for them to afford to live in a suitable building some more badly needed recreational, arts, income people to afford. There are many ways to place. and healthcare facilities in Bushwick. help prevent gentrification. We strongly believe gen- I compared Bushwick to the Upper East Side, a trification is an unjust situation and must be wealthy and mostly white neighborhood in Manhat- Why Mortgages stopped. tan. I chose that neighborhood because that is how Sunk Down To Vacant To start, rent stabilization is one way to control Bushwick could turn out after gentrification. The Homes In Bushwick! gentrification. Rent stabilization allows landlords to raise rent for their tenants only a certain percent average family on the Upper East Side can afford By Mawi Roberto $2136 a month for rent, which is a $1592 difference every year. Instead of allowing the landlords to raise from Bushwick. The Upper East Side is 88% white, What would you do if you lost $200 million? Well, the rent at any time, they’re limited to raising it once 6% Asian and 6% Hispanic. Bushwick is 67% His- that happened with mortgages in Bushwick in the a year. Right now 6-family buildings and up have panics, 28% blacks and 20% whites. 1970s. $200 million disappeared into thin air because rent stabilization. However 2-5 family buildings I worry that if Bushwick gets completely gentri- of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). There aren’t rent stabilized so there is no one regulating fied all the low-income Hispanics and blacks will was a scandal in which the money was taken from their rents. have to leave and many will become homeless. the people of Bushwick, and because of the scandal Additionally, creating a good landlord incentive program is another way to reduce gentrification. One Vigil for Affordable Housing, May 2008 reason gentrification is occurring is because the cost of living is rising and so is inflation. The landlords of the buildings may not be able to keep up with their mortgages and taxes so they tend to raise the rent of tenants. The good landlord incentive program rewards landlords who are doing a good job. They receive tax breaks, grants or loans and lower interest rates on their mortgages. Once this program is put in place there will be no need to raise the rent. Finally, the community land trust is another great strategy to reduce gentrification. The commu- nity land trust stops advertisement of available prop- erties outside of the neighborhood. This keeps the outsiders from buying buildings in that specific neighborhood. People in the community would be the first to rent or buy these homes. There are many ways to prevent gentrification. Rent stabilization controls rents and makes the neighborhood affordable to the people. The good landlord incentive program benefits both landlord and buyer. Also, community land trusts attempt to prevent outsiders and affluent people from taking over a community. If you are interested in getting summer 2008 15 involved in fighting gentrification in Bushwick pay for the rent. As time progresses the rents are ris- activist who does anything and everything for the please call Jose Lopez, Bushwick Residents Against ing everywhere. It doesn’t matter where your store is community. He is known for the things he has done Gentrification organizer at Make the Road New York located or what it sells, rent goes up constantly. and accomplished for the people. at 718-418-7690. The Papa and Sons grocery store is located on In 1959 John Powis became a priest at St. Bar- the corner of Flatbush Avenue and Lincoln Road. It’s bara’s Catholic Church here in Brooklyn. Since the Bushwick’s Housing War also on the same block as a new coffee shop and early 1960’s he has helped Brooklyn’s low income restaurant that just opened. This gives the bodega neighborhoods change into better places. And in By Tamisha Coleman and Vanessa Olmedo competition to see who can sell more. Papa and Sons 1963 he moved to Brownsville where he helped with There’s a lot going on in Bushwick. Thirty years is trying to attract customers from Lefferts Gardens overcrowded schools. He also played a big role with after the blackout riot, things are starting to happen to buy at their store. The owner says he gets all types public housing, making sure the landlords or owners all over again. The first major luxury residential con- of customers, like Blacks, Hispanics, Arabs, Cauca- of the buildings are doing what needs to be done to struction is for sale in Bushwick. It’s located on sian, Jamaicans, and Haitians. keep the rent affordable for the tenants who live Grove Street just off Myrtle Avenue. At the same Even though the store at most times has what the there. Father John Powis has protested against many time many Bushwick residents are finding it difficult customer requests, this variety of customers often problems which had to be addressed and corrected. to make ends meet. New investment in the neighbor- requests different items and it is hard for a small His most memorable moment was when he and hood means new residents. Soon enough we won’t bodega to meet these needs. For example a lot of another activist fought against the mayor to keep be able to recognize our own neighborhood. Rising white people go into the store and ask for soy milk. street fireboxes and succeeded in doing so. Another rents are everywhere, soon many won’t be able to Even though at times the store may not hold certain one of his memorable moments was when he took live here. “This is a continuation of Williamsburg,’’ items the owner doesn’t like to say no to the cus- over the Board of Education in order to make some says a real estate agent. We ask what’s going to hap- tomer, but customers also wanted items to be sold at changes. pen next? a low price. Father John Powis believes that gentrification is Bushwick is facing something that has never People also make suggestions about how the store a bad idea. Its not right to run tenants out of the happened before. “This has happened so fast’’ says should look. The owner agreed and is planning a new building they have been living in for years so the Robert Marrero, a legal services attorney. Rents were look and expects it to ready by the fall, in order to building can be renovated into something more all around $600 for a studio or one bedroom. That’s attract more of the new people in the neighborhood. expensive that can only be afforded by wealthy, what owners were getting. Prices have doubled, and upper class people. The tenants who were living in are just now about $1200. The rents are becoming so 49 Years of Activism: the building will have to find another place to stay. high that people will never be able to save for a Father John Powis Those who don’t find a place to live will either down payment for their own home. The cost of liv- Fights For Change become homeless or find a shelter that they can live ing is rapidly increasing. This is definitely challeng- in. The rent in rent stabilized buildings increases a ing Bushwick, since it is considered one of the poor- By: Jason Flores, Alina Perez and Bryant Mejia certain amount every two years. Despite this, the est neighborhoods in Brooklyn. landlords still want to raise the rent. It doesn’t make sense that housing prices have You would think that a 75 year old man would be Father John Powis only wants what’s best for the gone up the way they have. In the Village Voice home watching TV but that isn’t the case with Father community in the future. He doesn’t like the idea of article “The Second Battle of Bushwick,’’ written by John Powis. Father John Powis is a truly dedicated gentrification and wants that to change. He prefers Tom Robbins, a 51 year old man living on Menahan Street falls through the rotting floor in his building Vigil for Affordable Housing, May 2008 which he has been living in for 15 years. A few weeks before Uribe’s accident, his wife Altagracia had an accident on her own. She slipped on broken tiles on the bathroom floor and fractured a rib when she fell. An accident wouldn’t be a surprise since city housing code violations records show that inspectors cited rotting floors throughout apartment. There were 259 housing violations. Two-thirds of these violations were hazardous or immediately hazard- ous. Bushwick has been cited for more housing vio- lations than any other neighborhood in New York City. Residents are suffering from neglect and at the same time are being pushed out of their homes. Owners want many Bushwick residents to leave but it won’t be so easy for many. In the article a land- lord standing in front of Gladys Melendez’s apartment says, “I don’t want your money, I want you out.’’ Many people left, but Gladys and her roommate said they wouldn’t leave no matter what. Owners are even willing to pay their tenants to leave. Tanya Morales, a Bushwick resident, rejected her landlord’s offer to give her $4,000 to leave. That is not enough to take you out of place you call home. All tenants ask for is the timely repair for leaks, moldy walls, broken win- dows and holes. Owners are asking for too much money for housing that has lots of problems. As you can see there’s a lot going on in Bush- wick. Things are changing so quickly and soon enough we won’t be able to recognize our own neighborhood. The price of housing has gone up so quickly in the past couple of years. A neighborhood that ranks in the top ten poorest areas in the city shouldn’t be going through this struggle. People are already struggling to pay a month’s rent. Tenants have the right to renew their lease. Owners do not have the right to kick their tenants out early. They want to raise up rent, but we are all protected with rights but not everyone knows about them. Gentrification By Jason Rojas When customers go to the store they expect to find what they want. Store owners have to meet these requests because this is how they get their money to

16 WORD ON THE STREET how life was in the ’60s because those were the good Health is a very important part of life. The right of any landlord to evict tenants. times and people didn’t have to worry about these Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will not Rents charged in controlled apartments are set problems as much. The city cared more about the only help improve Bushwick but will work to and adjusted on registrations filed by owners. The people but now they think that wealthy people mov- decrease lead poisoning which affects children. In rent control law allows DHCR (New York State ing in is a good idea. Father Powis also believes that Bushwick, the health department will coordinate its Division of Housing and Community Renewal) to Obama is the better candidate for president because lead reduction through its Bushwick District Health determine how much rents can be increased, based he wants to make changes that would greatly help Office. Helping decrease lead poisoning in Bush- on an assessment of what it costs owners to operate the community. wick will also decrease the deaths of many children their buildings plus a reasonable profit. In New In conclusion, Father John Powis has spent a lot affected by this problem. This can be a big problem York City, rent control operates under the Maxi- of his years helping the community around him and he for everyone’s health so they will try their best to mum Base Rent (MBR). An MBR is established for will continue to do so as long as there is something to make the community as safe as possible. This will each apartment and adjusted every two years to fight for, to make things fair for all people. He feels become fun for children and adults because now they reflect changes in operating costs. Owners who tired now, but he says all his work is worth it. will not worry about their health, and they will feel certify that they are providing essential services safe that the Heath Department made a change. and have removed violations are entitled to raise Interview With a rents up to 7.5 percent each year until they reach Bushwick Resident Is There a Link Between the MBR. Tenants may challenge the proposed By Yasmely Taveras Education and Poverty? increase on the grounds that the building has viola- What Role Does tions or that the owner’s expenses do not warrant an Marta Moreno has lived in Bushwick for 20 years. Gentrification Play? increase. For New York City rent controlled apart- By Luz Taveras ments, rents can also be increased because of What problems do you see in Bush- increases in fuel costs and in some cases to cover wick now that you didn’t see before? Education rates in Bushwick are lower than on the higher labor costs. Now there are more gangs in Bushwick, no jobs, and Upper East Side. Is there a link between poverty and Like rent control, rent stabilization also provides the rent is more expensive. education? The education rates change once you go other protections to tenants and limitations on the from one part of New York City to another. The pov- amount of rent a landlord can charge. Tenants are Your family lives in Bushwick? erty rate in Bushwick is 28%. In Bushwick 4.5% of entitled to receive required services, to have their Yes, all my family lives in Bushwick, except my son residents have not even finished 9th grade – 16% leases renewed, and may not be evicted except on that lives in the Dominican Republic. have an education of the 9th grade or lower. 22% grounds allowed by law. Leases may be renewed for have some high school education. 38% have gradu- a term of one or two years depending on what the Do you want to live in Bushwick all ated. 13% have completed some college but only tenant chooses. your life? 5.7% have graduated from college. Only 7.3% of In my opinion rent control does not help stop Yes, because all my family lives in Bushwick and I Bushwick residents have a Bachelor’s degree or gentrification because landlords in some situations want to be with my family. higher. The average income for people in Bushwick are not able to keep control of their building due to is $23,104. lack of money. Rent control stops the landlord from How has the population changed in On the Upper East Side the poverty rate is only charging tenants high rent. This policy, meant to Bushwick now? 6.2% while their average income is $75,472. 96% assist poorer residents, harms far more citizens than Now there are more Hispanic people and less white have graduated from high school or have higher edu- it helps, benefits the better-off, and limits the free- people. cation and 75% have a bachelors degree or higher. dom of all citizens. Rent stabilization in my eyes They live better and have access to better public seems to help a little bit because it attracts more than Do you work in Bushwick? education. The average income on the Upper East just upper class people to a neighborhood. Rent sta- No. My husband works in Bushwick. Side is much higher than the average income of bilization seems to be the best thing for landlords in people in Bushwick. There are more educated people a today’s world. It makes housing costs not too high Where does your husband work? and less drop-outs on the Upper East Side. and not too low; the prices benefit both the landlord He works at Food Bazaar Supermarket. Gentrification plays a big part in all of this and the tenant. because it shows that education does relate to pov- Improving Bushwick Housing erty. The percentage of people with low-incomes The New Gentrification by Rashaad Khan and Lianny Olivo that live in Bushwick is much higher than in many By Diana Mojica and Erika Caba other places. In this neighborhood families are not The Bushwick area has multitudes of low quality able to raise money to contribute to the schools, and Gentrification happens when upper and/or middle buildings that need to be improved. The Bushwick so the schools and teachers have less and the educa- income families buy and renovate houses and stores Initiative is a program that will help re-construct tion rates are much lower. The spaces in school and in deteriorated urban neighborhoods. It increases many old buildings, produce vacant land in deserted number of schools are low as well. There is not property values but often displaces low-income areas and improve the Maria Hernandez Park in Bush- enough space or teachers to educate the children that families and small businesses. Around the city many wick. This program was created by the HPD, Depart- live in Bushwick. But on the Upper East Side where people are in trouble because before they used to pay ment of Housing Preservation and Development. the income is double what it is in Bushwick, they less rent for big spaces, but now the owners are kick- Major Bloomberg, Department of Housing Pres- have the money and space. They have the teachers ing out those people to renovate those apartments ervation and Development Commissioner Shaun and things that are needed to educate their children. and increase the rent. Donovan and State Assembly Housing Chairman Vito The neighborhoods where there is less money Gentrification is spreading to new neighbor- J. Lopez want to improve housing and insure that coming in have less educated people and the biggest hoods throughout NYC. To illustrate, Alexander and Bushwick is a safe environment to live, work, play, rates of drop outs because not much attention is Sophie Liu had a small two-bedroom apartment for and shop. This plan to improve the neighborhood is a being paid to those that need it the most, and it has 33 years, and were only paying $385 monthly. But good thing because Bushwick is in crisis. Old build- always been that way. the owner of this apartment wanted them to leave it, ings need repairing and the rent is too high for low- so he can raise the rent to $3,000. According to a income families. Improving Bushwick will not only Rent Control and study by Time Out New York, for one-bedroom be enjoyable for kids and adults, but it will welcome Rent Stabilization: apartments below 96th Street in Manhattan and in newcomers. If Bushwick is improved with affordable A Solution to Gentrification? Downtown Brooklyn the rent is typically between housing then it will be easier for people in the com- $1,200 and $4,000 per month. The study shows that munity to pay the rent. These politicians are trying to By Daquan Stephens rents have increased in some places, displacing the make the community a better place and make it safe Rent control sets up laws that help control the prices people that have lived there for a long time, and enough to actually make people feel good. of renting residential housing. Rents were controlled receiving an influx of high and middle class families. Lopez wants to improve Bushwick for those that through the efforts of local rent anti-profiteering Many neighborhoods are pushing out poorer people want a better place to live. Lopez wants to join the committees and public pressure. In the early 1920’s to welcome the richer people. Sometimes people Bushwick Initiative program and work with the many cities adopted rent and eviction laws. think that gentrification is good because it improves community to not only make it safe, but affordable There are 55 municipalities that have rent con- the look of the neighborhood and because the popu- for families that want to come and have a better com- trol. The biggest and most well known of these is lation grows, but it also has a negative effect and that munity. With this plan, Bushwick will have more New York City. is that many people are forced to leave their homes affordable housing. Lopez said, “This unique col- In order for an apartment to be under the rent because the rent is too high. laboration will allow for the presentation and revital- control law the apartment and tenant must have been As the residents change, so do the businesses. ization of one of the poorest areas of Bushwick and living there since July 1, 1971. Once a person vacates New big businesses are coming in. Businesses like the city as a whole. I look forward to working with their apartment, the apartment becomes subject to the Gap, Banana Republic and Starbucks are taking this administration so that Bushwick is a safe, vibrant rent stabilization. Rent control limits the rent a land- the place of older businesses. These businesses also and affordable place for families to live.” lord may charge for the apartment and restricts the attract new residents to the area. Those old residents summer 2008 17 can’t pay $1,200 for a one-bedroom apartment. But New Yorkers. That is bothering the low income have owned for over 70 years or been passed the owners of these new businesses don’t think about families of the neighborhood because now they will down to them. Some have history in their hous- these people. In the West Village, where rents rap- have to look for another place to live. Clinton Hill is es; these homes have been in the family for gen- idly increased in the ’80s and ’90s, luxury high rises also known as one of the only integrated neighbor- erations. are being constructed that, according to some, threat- hoods, which means that it is not only a place for On New Lots Avenue they moved everyone out en the look of the neighborhood. New residents and white people, but is the home also for Hispanics, of the projects to rebuild and charge higher rents. developers look at how fresh the neighborhood African Americans, Jewish people and some other “The Tipping of Jefferson Avenue,” an article in looks, and don’t necessarily think about the people races. In such a diverse neighborhood even low-in- New York Magazine, tells how a couple from Lon- in the neighborhood. In our opinion, communities come white families suffer from gentrification. don came over here to have a home. They bought a are better before they are gentrified because the cost I think gentrification is not really a problem. It foreclosed home for $820,000: the highest price in of apartments is not as expensive and the community just depends on the way people being affected by it the neighborhood. is focused more in the lower class people. Bushwick look at it. So what did people in the neighborhood have to is also a victim of gentrification. We can see how I would say one of the positive aspects of gentri- say about it? Gloria Boyce, a Bed-Stuy resident, many people from other parts of the country or state fication is that there’s less segregation in the neigh- who witnessed as the neighborhood went downhill are moving to Bushwick and now different busi- borhoods as new races and classes move in. They and has since become more expensive, says it’s nesses are opening. can learn from each other about their hardships that “terrible, because our young people can’t come The new gentrification is pushing poorer people they go through day after day. back.” She feels gentrification is going to kill the into more distant neighborhoods. New residents and Another good aspect of gentrification is when community. As more people buy houses at high businesses are taking their place, making rents go up the people with high income and better education prices, rents and property values are increasing. to a level too difficult to pay. These businesses are start moving into the neighborhood the living gets a Soon the neighborhood will no longer have the the ones who every day count on our presence and lot better because all of the property gets more value. same cultural or community atmosphere. But Boyce our money. We don’t think a lot about the low-in- If homeowners want to move, they can sell their is not going anywhere. “When they take me out of come people that are displaced by gentrification, the property for a higher price. here, they’ll take me to the undertaker,” she said. people that each day wake up with the concern of The last good aspect of gentrification is that She is a community activist who has lived there whether they will be able to afford to stay in their when rich people move in the living gets more expe- some 70-plus years. home. As we can see, the new gentrification is not as nisve, and when it gets expensive, the drug dealers, So the next real question is, is gentrification good as it looks. While the appearance of the neigh- gang menbers and drug addicts start to leave the good or bad for the community? In my opinion, no, borhood might improve, the low-income residents neighborhood and people start feeling safer. Their gentrification is not good. It’s putting less privi- may not get to enjoy it. kids are able to safely go out more, which keeps leged blacks and Latinos out of their homes. The them from becoming computer addicts. value of the community goes up, but so does the Gentrification’s Up Sides rent. Rent is already high in New York. People are By Naief Perez Gentrification in Bed-Stuy barely making enough for the cost of living now. I By Allysa Gibson think people should get active in their communities One of the latest examples of gentrification can be and try to put a stop to gentrification. All it’s doing seen in the Brooklyn neighborhood, Clinton Hill, In the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, is pulling apart communities and breaking up gen- which has been taken over by a mix of high income black people are being put out of homes they erations of memories.

Vigil for Affordable Housing, May 2008

18 WORD ON THE STREET Change in Harlem what they’ll be building won’t be what made Harlem gling to pay rent and bills. Many families are going By Carlos Rivera the most popular African American community in to have to work double jobs to pay bills. the country. In conclusion, Harlem’s 125th Street should not During the past couple of months there has been a lot Throughout all this there has been a man trying be rezoned. Harlem could be lost forever. Either we of controversy about the gentrification that is occur- to stop the changes. He is a real-estate lawyer from preserve or lose our history. ring in low-income neighborhoods, especially in Queens named Adam Bailey. Mr. Bailey has pro- Harlem. In the past year there has been dramatic posed that 125th Street become “Harlem’s Historic Working to destroy Harlem changes in low-income communities. There has been Zone” to help protect the old business owners and By Malik Price and Kiki Richardson a lot of controversy also because many tenants are tenants who are being evicted so developers can put not able to pay the higher rent prices. Tenants in in a shopping mall. He feels it’s wrong to evict ten- To destroy Harlem is like destroying someone’s life. Harlem have recently organized rallies to stop the ants and close businesses. He says, “Where do these Harlem has been home to many African Americans changes in their neighborhood. people go? They will not go to Starbucks or Nike or families and businesses. For many in Harlem rent The recent changes in Harlem have been draw- Sears.” has been getting too high for low-income families to ing many arguments from both sides, as both sides People in Harlem are happy he is helping but pay. The first question that comes to their minds is, have different views of how the neighborhood they are also concerned because he is white and where are all of us supposed to go? No one knows, should change. The tenants and business owners people think that he doesn’t know how it feels to be but Pastor James D Manning will not put up with it from Harlem feel that gentrification will destroy the in this type of situation. He has responded by saying, at all. history of the neighborhood, and the rent will be too “Just because I’m not black doesn’t mean I’m not a Pastor Manning is fighting to try and save Har- much so they will be forced to move. They feel if good advocate and I can’t understand what you’re lem because he believes that whites are trying to these changes occur that it will destroy Harlem, and going through.” destroy it. Manning is 61 years old and has been liv- if they are forced to move out they will have no Mr. Bailey is still fighting to stop all the changes. ing in Harlem for 27 years. He believes everyone where to go because similar changes are occurring in He is going to take this problem to other political should do a rent strike which he thinks would force other neighborhoods across the city. venues so he and the people of Harlem get their property owners out and the property would be The tenants have a good point because some of voices heard. inherited right back to its rightful owners. Everyone them have been living and working in the area their As he’s fighting, gentrification is still occurring does not agree that a rent strike is the best way to whole life and it would be wrong to destroy their in different low-income neighborhoods. Hopefully it handle things. Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright says presence in Harlem. The history in Harlem is really will all stop and the minorities can live in peace that Manning’s behavior is reckless, and telling precious and important cultural events have hap- again, without fear of being evicted or having their people not to pay their rent is just irresponsible. But pened there, including the Harlem Renaissance. neighborhood taken over by shopping malls. Wright believes Manning has a point and knows that Famous people have been associated with Harlem, Manning represents the anger and fear felt by some such as musicians Louis Armstrong and Billie Hol- Should Harlem Change? long time Harlem residents. Still he believes with- holding rent is just not the answer. liday, and the powerful activists Malcolm X and By Darcel Coleman W.E.B. Dubois. This is important because they Manning also believes that everyone should helped make Harlem what it is and it will be messed The Harlem we love may never be the same. Many boycott the shops, restaurants, doctors, banks and up if people come and destroy their legacy. feel 125th Street should remain as is. It has a lot of churches. His followers hand out flyers that call for The people who are developing Harlem feel that history, and to destroy homes and businesses would this boycott but every time they have their meetings, they are doing the right thing. They say they are leave people unhappy. But others feel as if 125th police officers stand in front of the church because of going to help by making some affordable housing in Street should be totally changed through rezoning, the threats they receive. Many have not stepped up to the neighborhood. They also say they are going to filling the area with new buildings that will be 29 the plate to boycott, fearing that it will create many just change the neighborhood a little, while preserv- stories high. problems for everyone in the community. ing the historic parts of Harlem. Harlem is the heart of Black culture in the Manning wants to prevent more white people Many people think this is not enough. The United States. Artists like Billie Holiday and Ella from coming into the community and making the affordable housing would be affordable for the Fitzgerald performed at Harlem clubs and theaters rents so high, forcing many blacks out of Harlem. wealthier New Yorkers, not the present tenants. And like the Cotton Club and the Apollo. Writers from When Manning says that Harlem is turning into a by building new buildings, they won’t be preserving Zora Neale Hurston to Langston Hughes became drought zone he feels like blacks are the water that history – they’ll be destroying it. I say this because Harlem literary legends. From the Great Depression makes Harlem what it is. until the 1980s, high poverty, high unem- Manning also puts down the Reverend Al Sharp- Vigil for Affordable Housing, May 2008 ployment and high crime rates made ton because he feels not even Sharpton cares about Harlem sometimes a tough place to live. what Harlem is turning into, and what the white Redevelopment in the 1980s revived developers are doing to move blacks out of their interest in the neighborhood. As the homes. James even goes on to talk down about rap Manhattan real estate marker boomed, artist Jay-Z for not talking about it. I guess Manning the abandoned buildings in Harlem were feels that he is trying to fight a war all by himself replaced with new housing and office with no help. But others say he just wants attention. buildings. Harlem was rebuilt and began After reading about James David Manning, we to be restored to glory. wanted to know more, so we decided to follow up The Harlem community feels the with an interview that was conducted over the phone. rezoning is wrong. Redeveloping Harlem We asked him a couple of questions that we really could change the style, the history, even wanted to know. the way businesses are run. Many people We asked him, what was he really trying to want to know how they will survive. accomplish in his community? James said that he Many families are worried because prices was trying to rebuild his community and make it will rise. “People talk about gentrifica- affordable for low-income African American fami- tion, but this would be Katrina-fication lies. James also said that he was trying to keep Afri- done by a swipe of a pen rather than a can Americans in their homes that they grew up in. hurricane,” Craig Schley, the head of Vote He continued by saying that creating a boycott is People, a group formed to oppose the not easy because many people may not want to join plan, recently told the Village Voice. him, but he is hoping the boycott will be successful Residents have rallied to save their and make a big change in Harlem, so that the African neighborhood. People of the community American residents can stay. feel the rezoning should not be done. It’s The last question that we asked James was where taking away the Harlem that they have does he see Harlem in five years? He said he hopes always loved and known. the community will have done a complete turn In the future these changes will around. He said all he is asking for is to lower the affect Harlem in many ways. Prices of rent so that low income families are allowed to live apartments will be expensive so that comfortably and to stay in the neighborhood where families won’t be able to afford the rent. they grew up in. Manning says he doesn’t mind the Businesses will become fancier, making whites moving in and living there, but he doesn’t it very expensive for anyone to afford want them to start building things that only rich anything. Many single-parent families white people can afford. will be greatly affected by this because We agree that the way James is trying to save they have only one income, and are strug- Harlem is the wrong way. We fully understand what summer 2008 19 James is trying to do but we have to side with live there as much as the middle income people a group of wealthy people took the initiative to Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright that telling Harlem who will move in. It is taking advantage of Hur- rebuild. residents not to pay their rent is just irresponsible. ricane Katrina. The positive aspect of gentrification is that it can We also think Manning should not try to talk down HUD promised the people of New Orleans help create jobs and attract businesses that invest in about others because we think if he were to ask any 5,000 units of mixed income housing but now HUD their community. The negative aspect of gentrifica- of the men that he says he’s not getting help from to says they can’t afford it. I think they would rather tion is the ridiculous rise in prices and the fact that support him they might be willing to help him. use the money to build condos for rich people long-time New Orleans residents have to move out We are happy to see that James has not given up rather than for middle-income people. It’s kicking of their own community. It also increases the high and are proud to see him want to take action. We just out the poor and making the area another rich area. rate of homeless people because they cannot afford think he should find a better way to solve the problem. GENTRIFICATION!!! the huge prices. HUDs demolition strategy is part of a long cam- The government says they will help the evacu- Facts about Gulf Neglect paign to dismantle the public housing system that ees, but evacuees do not see any help on the way. It looks as if the government wants to wait until there By Luis Peralta and Celenia Pena began in the 1970’s. HUD believes that the concentra- tion of the poor in public housing, which they see as is not any way for these people to return to their Did you know that the government has been extrem- segregated ghettos, condemns the residents to a per- homes. The government is not implementing what it ly disorganized in sending help to New Orleans? manent cycle of poverty, crime and drugs. The nation- promised, and it is doing things that are not helping They have been consistently disorganized since al Low-Income Housing Coalition says that HUD the less privileged survivors of Katrina get back to Katrina hit back in August of 2005. This is mainly began its demolition program in earnest in the 1990’s their homes after the storm. because the delivery of life-saving shelter and sup- by encouraging the destruction of 100,000 units. We feel the government doesn’t want to help New plies had been dramatically stalled; truthfully it’s Since then 78,015 units have been destroyed. Orleans’ residents in the first place. In the past there ridiculous. Where will low-income people go if nothing is have been many hurricanes in the Gulf Coast that did As a result of the lack of government assistance, affordable? People are going to have to be more plenty of damage to the city’s levees, which should kids’ access to education has decreased. Louisisana’s political, get involved with programs dealing with have warned the government to rebuild the levees so state-run recovery school district in New Orleans the community, protest together as a group to get the citizens could be protected in the future. But when was short for teachers in 2007 by 70%. people to pay attention that this is happening, to try Homeland Security warned government officials Enrollment for Louisiana’s state public colleges to make changes so that there will be less gentrifica- about the category 5 storm it was too late to take any and universities from the Fall 2005 to Fall 2006 tion and poor and middle-income people will have a action on fixing the levees. They had no choice but to dropped by 12%. Students who are in school in New place to live. warn the residents in the town to evacuate. Orleans are forced to learn in packed classrooms with On Sept. 1, 2005, Bush told Good Morning few special education services and a lack of books. Gentrification: America, “I don’t think anyone anticipated the Healthcare after Katrina has also been rough. Aftermath of Katrina breach of the levees.” We aren’t here to down play Did you know that due to the lack of help, its been the President but is he serious? extremely difficult to get healthcare? People in the By Joyetta McMullen and Samuel Abodunrin It seemed like everything happened so fast, but area have started a movement called the solidarity in reality everything happened as planned. The gov- movement where people write letters to the gover- The government continues to lie to the hard work- ernment isn’t stupid. It knew the levees were worn ment to pass the KIN solidarity campaign. ing citizens of New Orleans. In 2005, the winds away from past hurricanes, and sometimes the levees The KIN solidarity campaign is part of the Katrina and waters of yet another hurricane crashed into hardly survived them. It seems like they were wait- Infomation Network. KIN is a collaboration of groups the Gulf Coast of the United States. This was not ing for hurricane season to come around again and in the Gulf and across the country that are dedicated a routine tropical storm, this was Hurricane destroy New Orleans. to building power for greater accountability in the Katrina. She swept away levees, homes, commu- After Katrina, Richard Baker, a Republican recovery of the Gulf Coast. KIN has launched a cam- nities, memories, and 1,577 lives were lost. While member of Congress, said, “We finally cleaned up paign to call attention to the ineffective actions during Katrina was wiping away lives, the government public housing in New Orleans. We couldn’t do it, the recovery effort. was facing a steady stream of instability within but God did it.” That goes to show us how much the The Gulf region is pretty much still a mess our nation at war. richer class cares about the poorer class. because it has not received adequate government A year later, just half of homes in New Orleans To this day there are many New Orleans resi- assisstance. Nothing is organized and the help they had access to electricity, and power outages were dents without jobs or homes to go to. Some cannot have received is not very good. frequent. Only 18% of public schools were sched- afford to return because the home insurance has uled to re-open in 2007, and only 17% of public increased about 40%. There are still many residents Tenants Fight Gentrification transportation was running, which is not good. living in trailers waiting for help from the govern- Gentrification took place in New Orleans when By Charlotte Dinguis ment, and I guess they are going to continue to wait. In the article called “Defending the Public Housing Activist and Resident Jamie ‘Bork’ Loughner,” I learned how a woman took matters into her own hands to stop gentrification. A housing activist and disabled individual, she decided to taken matters into her own hands and with two other people to occupy a public housing project that was supposed to be demolished. She did this for the expressed purpose of stopping the demolition of public housing and to send a message to the New Orleans city council. She used chains to chain herself to the B.W. Cooper apartment buildings. She was sentenced to prison for up to five years because the district attorney claimed the chains and locks she used were designed to look like a bomb (she had no actual explosives on her). The message of this action is that if you are by yourself fighting for change you might not get noticed or you might get into trouble, but if you’re with a group of people that are also going through the problems, then it will get noticed that you’re not the only one. And maybe because of this the govern- ment will help change the situation that’s causing people so many problems. The Department of Housing and Urban Devel- opment (HUD) is saying it wants to to demolish New Orleans’ four largest housing developments and replace them with “mixed-income” buildings. This will drastically reduce New Orleans public housing by 82%, with a loss of $762 million for public housing. I think this is wrong because the Post-Katrina devastation in New Orleans, Spring 2008. people who were living there have the right to

20 WORD ON THE STREET Lunch Letdown Bad school lunch at 10 a.m. makes it hard to learn by Janine Pizarro

I went to I.S.347. I ate school lunch while I attended The food looks so old. They serve pizza and cheese school lunch I end up at the end of the day with a junior high. From my experiences I believe junior burgers and fries all the time. The fruit and milk is stomach ache or I feel really nauseous. School food high lunch was far better than what I received in high okay, but the main courses are not okay. It’s the kind has other bad effects on the body. It can make you school! I loved pizza and grilled cheese the most. of thing you can have maybe once a week, but it’s throw up, can make you overweight, and can give My feelings changed about school lunch when I was not healthy all the time. Also, I think they’re not you high blood pressure and high cholesterol. in the 8th grade because it wasn’t working for me to really cooking the food but just heating it up. We should at least talk to the principal or board of keep eating school lunch because I started getting I think school lunch should be a little tastier. It education’s school lunch committee to tell them that sick of having the same things all the time. I ate more should be freshly prepared and not just reheated. we need new lunch foods for our kids so they to end lunch in the junior high school cafeteria than in high Then I can tell myself that there is a possibility for up in the hospital because they have food poisoning. school because the staff served different foods more school lunch to change and they can make it taste The kids in New York City public schools would be than in high school. better instead of having some kids eat this disgusting healthier if the school could listen to students to see At the time when I first started high school, food and other kids don’t eat at all. We should have what we have to say about school lunch and have lunch was ok but I had a family issue when my nutritious and healthy food, because I’m thinking students have the privilege to pick out their own grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. That’s this food doesn’t taste healthy or nutritious at all! foods! I feel bad for some of these students who are in when I stopped eating school lunch because I lost Kids like rice, we should have that sometimes for these schools who are ending up in hospitals for food interest in everything, especially school lunch! lunch, and other foods that kids like from their poisoning because the food is no good or because the It’s a problem and kids now think the food homes for breakfast: eggs, bacon, cereal, pancakes, students ate the food because they were hungry. I’ve should at least change and taste better than it does and waffles, and for lunch: healthier sandwiches heard some really interesting stories about students now! I don’t feel hungry if I don’t eat breakfast but with whole wheat bread, tuna, ham and vegetables. talking about their schools and whether they think now we have lunch like at 10 o’clock in the morning School lunch is so disgusting, not just in my their school lunch is good or bad! School lunches are because Bushwick campus was changed because I school but probably in other schools they kind of not all that bad but what I and other students are trying guess they wanted different campuses to be separat- serve the same thing all the time. I mean come on, to say is that we should have the school listen to us ed. I think that’s a little early to eat lunch but if I we should at least have at only two days of leftovers and see what foods we like: don’t eat lunch or breakfast later on in the day I get instead of like everyday! In 1992, in Public School 1. Rice and beans hungry! If it stays the same I don’t think I would 306 in East New York Brooklyn, 30 kids and many 2. Mashed potatoes ever eat lunch at school again, but if does actually others were complaining about stomach pains, nau- 3. Vegetables change I would at least try to see the difference. sea, and headaches and were taken to the hospital 4. Different kinds of meats Ninth grade and 10th grade lunch just doesn’t taste because they became ill! This is really unfair. People When I don’t eat I can’t really focus on what I’m the same from last year’s because it’s so disgusting. don’t necessarily get sick, but when I don’t eat supposed to do in class because my stomach starts hurt- ing and I get very hungry! Its not a great feeling to have; I know that for a fact. I go to school everyday without eating because when I get up in the morning breakfast isn’t for me. And in school I don’t like to eat lunch because I don’t like the food. But I do eat dinner when I get home. So I don’t get all the nutri- ents I need all the time. All students who have gone through what I am going through in school know we should at least have some foods that kids enjoy– healthy food not junk food! Students need healthy food to grow because it is important if we want to focus in school to improve our work, and not get sick or end up in the hospital. I think it is hard for most students to learn when they’re hungry because they would be complaining in class or they prob- ably won’t feel good because they’re not eating right in the morning or in the afternoon dur- ing school! I deal with being hungry all the time, but it isn’t good to feel hungry all day, every- day, be cause I know that I want to learn and try to focus on what I’m doing. I’m amazed that the Department of Education doesn’t want to treat young people well and help us to become healthy and have foods that will help us learn and grow. They should sit down with us, and try to listen to us and hear that we are begging for: healthy, fresh foods.

Janine Pizarro is 15 and attends the Bushwick School for Social Justice summer 2008 21 Malcolm X Xenofobia Infidelidad El defensor El miedo a los Por que las de la igualdad inmigrantes personas lo hacen? by Lourdes Méndez by Mauricio Gamarra by Lesly Roldan

Yo comencé a tener interés en Malcolm X hace un La xenofobia es uno de los prejuicios con recelo, Siempre he estado interesada acerca de la infidelidad mes. Él era un hombre que luchaba contra el racis- odio, fobia y rechazo contra los extranjeros, o, en y el daño que crea. Me puse a investigar las inqui- mo y no le gustaba la discriminación contra las general, contra los grupos étnicos diferentes. En la etudes que tenia de porque los jóvenes son infieles. personas. última década del siglo XX se manifestó muy Que llevan a que sean infieles con su pareja a Malcolm X nació en Maja, Nebraska mayo 19 en agresivamente en la mayoría de las sociedades y en quienes dicen amar, como se siente el haber engaña- 1925. Sus padres fueron Louise Norton Little y Earl lugares donde habitan diferentes grupos étnicos. do a su pareja y a la misma vez lastimándolas. Little. Malcolm fue el fundador de la organización de Como el racismo, la xenofobia es una ideología del Unas de las primeras inquietudes que rondaban UNIDAD AFRO-AMERICANA que ayudó a liberar rechazo y exclusión de toda identidad cultural en mi mente eran: ¿Por que las personas son infieles? a los afro-americanos. ajena a la propia. Después de preguntarles a varias personas, en su Sus tres tíos fueron asesinados a manos de hom- mayoría estudiantes de la escuela Pan American bres blancos, mientras el cumplía su condena por PERJUICIOS Internacional High School. esto fue lo que me dije- robo a mano armada de 8 a 10 años dejó las drogas y La xenofobia se basa en los prejuicios históricos, ron: muchas veces es por la inmadures de la pareja o empezó a estudiar. lingüísticos, religiosos, culturales, e incluso por no saber entenderse entre ellos mismos. Mucha gente no sabe que… nacionales. Esto paso para justificar la separación En algunos momentos la infidelidad es ocasionada En 1953 cambió su nombre de Malcolm Little a total y obligatoria entre diferentes grupos étnicos, por tomar decisiones apresuradas, como haber elegido Malcolm X. con el fin de no perder la “identidad propia”. esa pareja por algo superficial como su belleza, Durante esta época fue investigado por el FBI Combinando estos prejuicios con el poder posición social, su color, religión o su nacionalidad. tras declararse a si mismo comunista. económico, social y político la xenofobia de la Esas son varias de las razones por la cual los Su muerte fue el 21 de febrero a la edad de 39 mayoría, rechaza y excluye a extranjeros e inmi- jóvenes le son infieles a su pareja. Por estos errores años en Manhattan, mientras él estaba comenzando grantes; esto pasa a la medida en que los naciona- es que están las personas sufriendo hoy en día. su discurso, alguien le disparó en el pecho. les ven en ellos un competidor por los recursos Algunos dijeron que los adolescentes solo pien- Malcolm X para mi significa un hombre existenciales. En los Estados Unidos estos últi- san en el momento y no en el futuro. No esperan a luchador que perdió su vida porque quería cambiar conocer mas a sus parejas con quienes van a com- la injusticia contra las personas, y luchar por la partir. A veces por la inconformidad. no han encon- igualdad para todos. xenofobia se trado el sentimiento que ellos andan buscando para comenzar la relación que ellos tanto anhelan. Muchas Lourdes is 14 years old and came from Ecuador basa en los veces la relación se pierde por la rutina. less than a year ago Según otros testimonios, estos son los factores prejuicios que influyen en esta situación: “A mi en lo personal me da miedo el noviazgo a la "antigüita", de manita sudada y de ir el domingo a históricos, noviar con chaperón y todo eso, porque a diferencia All about how de la unión libre, llegas al matrimonio sin conocer lingüísticos, realmente a tu pareja. Esto conlleva a DIVORCIOS, I almost died INFIDELIDAD y todos los demás problemas.” religiosos, “Bueno mi opinión es : por no tener una relación sólida con : valores, derechos, confianza, comuni- (A work of fiction) cación, la clase social, diferencia de edades. Y los culturales, distanciamiento en la pareja son por engaños y by Nelson De Jesus secretos en la pareja.” Many years ago I went to visit my uncle who lived in E incluso Mis compañeros no quisieron revelar su identi- the Bronx near the river. When I got there he wasn’t dad, pero si dejaron una buena conclusión. En mi there. I waited for him, but he never came back. nacionales concepto por lo que e investigado para tener una While I was waiting, a man came that wanted to kill buena relación en una pareja se necesita: conversar me. He was trying to kill me because I reported him mos años se han presentado muchos casos de todos los días sin llegar a ser molestosos en el for drug trafficking a long time ago. He was put in maltrato hacia inmigrantes con documentos como momento de la conversación, de la mejor forma jail for 15 years. Back then he said to me: “ I will hacia los que no los tienen. posible ,demostrándole a esa persona que es impor- take revenge… ”. The man was from Boston and he tante .Conversando de temas que al trayecto del día a was 29 years old. Ejemplos de maltratos sucedido , conversar de inquietudes, sentimientos, At that time I was a well-recognized architect in o derechos que les son desacuerdos , opiniones, ideas, planes etc. Manhattan. I had graduated From Long Island Uni- negados a los trabajadores Un conejito no te dejes llevar por las apariencias versity. My family and my friends had a nickname inmigrantes como ya saben esas siempre engañan ,primero for me. It was Moreno, but my real name is Nelson - Derecho a seguro de salud. conoce bien a la persona (costumbres ,genio, etc.), De Jesus. Also at that time I had three children with - Acceso a la educación superior para alumnos a woman from Italy. We were living together for 10 indocumentados. Lesly is 14 years old years. - Explotación laboral. While I was in the building he took out a dag- - Leyes de deportación y detención para inmigrantes. ger in his hand and tried to stab me. He couldn’t - Políticas de perfil racial May 1, 2008, Immigrant Rights Rally hit me because I took the dagger and I hit him - La registracion obligatoria de inmigrantes de ori- fast. He fell to the floor. He rapidly stood up and gen árabe y surasiáticos hit me with a piece of wood that was there. He hit De verdad al buscar todo sobre la xenofobia me me because I was turning my back and immedi- dejo muy triste. Primero porque soy inmigrante. ately I fell down and was unconscious. While I Segundo tengo diferentes costumbres que otras per- was unconscious he began to burn the building sonas. Tercero porque ahora me doy cuenta de todo and went out immediately. lo que sufren las personas afectadas por la xenofo- In an instant the firemen came. They were in the bia. Pero este tipo de discriminación puede terminar building and they found me on the floor. They put me si uno piensa mejor antes de decir algo que pueda on a stretcher and took me to the hospital. The doctor dañar a otra persona. said that in few days I would recover and I was going to be okay. From those days onward I started to write Mauricio is 15 years old and came from Bolivia a history about how I almost died. less than a year ago

22 WORD ON THE STREET Otro Asesinato REDEMPTION SONG Racista de la by Eda Balen policía by Freddy Astudillo En la canción “Redemption Song,” Bob Marley Los viejos piratas, sí, roban i; quiere decir a todas las personas que ya no explo- i vendido a los buques mercantes, El 25 de noviembre del 2006 Sean Bell fue agregado ten mas a las personas de color como si fueron minutos después de que tomaran i a una lista creciente de personas asesinadas por la esclavos. Marley canta que no abusen de las per- del hoyo insondable. policía de New York. sonas en su trabajo porque ellos solamente traba- pero mi mano fue hecha fuerte Bell era una persona deportista. Fue asesinado jan para dar alimento y techo a sus hijos. No por ‘ y del Todopoderoso. un día antes de su casamiento. podemos discriminar a las personas inocentes remitimos en esta generación Sean Bell salio a un club nocturno, “KALUA”, porque no importa que hacemos, ni de donde triunfante. donde acababa de celebrar su despedida de soltero, vengamos, sea de Somalia (África) o Nicaragua no ayuda usted a cantar cuando tres policías ocultos abrieron fuego contra (Mezo America) lo mas importante en esta vida es ¿estas canciones de la libertad? - Sean Bell y sus dos amigos. Bell murió en la escena que luchemos por todos, y no hay que pensar en es todos lo que tengo siempre: del crimen. Sus dos amigos José Guzmán y Trent uno mismo. El mensaje de esta canción es muy canciones del rescate; Benefield fueron llevados al hospital en condiciones bueno porque el quiere que todos seamos libres y canciones del rescate. críticas, donde fueron esposados y atados en su cama no estemos sufriendo mucho. con grilletes. Escuchando esta canción de Bob Marley, me emancípate de esclavitud mental; Los 31 tiros, incluyendo la bala fulminante, hizo recordar cuando yo tenia 12 años, y yo dis- ningunos pero nosotros pueden liberar nuestras mentes fueron disparados por un solo policía (Michael Oli- criminaba a un niño, porque el era negrito. Cada no tenga ningún miedo para la energía atómica, ver). Bell y sus amigos estaban desarmados y los vez que me buscaba para jugar conmigo, le decía por que ningunos de ellos puede parar el tiempo. policías no fueron atacados de ninguna manera por – “eres un negrito, no te acercas a mi” y el estaba Por cuánto tiempo matan a nuestros profetas, los jóvenes. sufriendo por mi culpa. Cuando tenia 13 años abrí ¿mientras que estamos parados a un lado y miramos? ¡ooh! El veredicto en el caso de Sean Bell fue dado por un mis ojos y me pregunte – “porque hay que dis- algunos dicen que es justa una parte de ellos: juez y no por un jurado. Este decidió que la versión de criminar a este niño? - es un niño, es inocente.” tenemos satisfacer a de libro. los policías fue mas creíble que la de los acusadores, Comencé a reflexionar que no era justo discrimi- no ayuda usted a cantar estos solo desplegaban una duda razonable para la cual nar a las personas por su color, y también, porque los acusados (policías) tenían una justificación. tuvo que sufrir porque el era negro, si también yo ¿estas canciones de la libertad? - Debido al veredicto del caso de Sean una comu- soy negra? ‘ cause todos lo que tengo siempre: nidad de mayoría blanca, salio a protestar a pedir Mucha gente discrimina a una persona por ser canciones del rescate; “justicia” en una forma pacifica y organizada. 216 negro, pero no es justo explotarlo y forzarlos tra- canciones del rescate; personas fueron arrestadas por detener el trafico y bajar mas horas, como si aun fuera un esclavo. canciones del rescate. entre estas personas se encontraban Nicole Paultre Hay que trabajar si, pero no hay que abusar. En la prometida de Sean y su madre. Pero aun no hay mi país, Nicaragua, muchos niños tienen que tra- rotura de /guitar justicia para el caso de Sean Bell. bajar porque la mama no puede. Los niños traba- Sean Bell fue asesinado sin motivo alguno. Un jan duro para sacar adelante a su familia y a sus emancípate de esclavitud mental; caso mas en el que se ve la negligencia de la policía hermanitos. ningunos pero nosotros puede liberar nuestra mente. y del sistema de justicia de la cuidad de New York. Bob Marley utilizo su música y la letra de sus ¡wo! no tenga ningún miedo para la energía atómica, Se hará justicia? Que les pasara a los policías? canciones para cambiar la mente de la gente para la ‘ causa ningunos de ellos-uno puede -uno para -uno el tiempo. que haya otro mundo, menos racista. Por ejemplo, cuánto tiempo matan a nuestros profetas, Freddy is 15 years old and came from Ecuador a en su canción Búfalo Soldier, canta “ El era ¿mientras que estamos parados a un lado y miramos? year ago tomado de África, traído a América, luchando en sí, algunos dicen que son justos una parte de ellos: la llegada, luchando para la supervivencia.” En tenemos que llenar el libro. esta frase quiere decir que la gente sufre mucho no usted ayuda cantará para llegar a este país por un mejor bien estar, y ¿canciones dese de la libertad? - May 1st aun así cuando están aquí, están sufriendo igual. ‘ cause todos lo que tenía siempre: canciones del rescate - Workers and Eda is from Nicaragua and has been in the Unit- todos lo que tenía siempre: ed States less than a year. canciones del rescate: Immigrants Rights estas canciones de la libertad, canciones de la libertad by Juan David Taborda

Education budget cuts In the march of the first of May we saw many protest, June 5 2008 undocumented people fighting for their rights. It is not fair that people that are undocumented are treat- ed differently. In my opinion, I think that everyone should have the same rights even if they are undocu- mented. I don’t think that it is right that people are looked at as criminals only because they are immi- grants. I think that the march was really great because there were many people involved and I felt like the community was united. I feel a connection with the immigrants because I understood more of what immigrants go through. As an immigrant I felt that May 1st was my day because it is the day when immigrants are given credit for being hard workers. Something that I thought was awesome was that there were many organizations working together for immigrant rights. One of the reasons why I went to the march was because I thought that it would be interesting since it was my first march. In conclusion, I felt inspired and good that I went to the march. I think that it was the best experi- ence that I had and from now on I will go to all the marches.

Juan is 15 years old and came from Colombia 4 years ago summer 2008 23 Amidst the Receding Waters A youth conference on education organizing in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina by Adilka Pimentel

It was Friday March 7, 2008, at five o’clock in the States at the convention. We met with other youth The other tour guide who was the driver spoke morning and I was carrying my luggage down three from New York, California, West Virginia, Missis- about people that he had lost in the hurricane and flights of stairs to the front of my house. I was sippi, Philly, Washington D.C, and many more how difficult it was to cope with the way things were greeted by a very cheerful Oona, and a very tired yet places. Even though we had all come in different size in the present state. We drove through the entire excited looking Danilo and Quinn, who were already groups and had different backgrounds, we all knew Ninth Ward. We saw how some of the houses were loading their bags and suitcases into the trunk of that by the end of the trip we were going to learn a still not occupied by anybody. Some of the houses Oona’s car. They helped me load my things and I sat lot and take back a lot of information with us to our had rust lines due to the flooding that reached the top in the front. I was on my way to the airport for the home towns. From day one we knew we were in for of the doors and went above windows. You could see very first time. The butterflies in my stomach were an experience of a lifetime. At first there was a lot of the markings FEMA had put on the houses that told out of control and I was very anxious. We pulled up shy energy but after the first major ice breaker we whether they had found anyone inside when they at La Guardia airport and boarded the airplane and were able to talk with each other and get a general searched the house. One of the most disturbing we were on our way to New Orleans. We were going feel of the cities we came from. A lot of people were things I saw was when houses that were right next to to New Orleans for a convention on Youth Education interested in what I had to say about New York and each other had drastic differences. One house had a Organizing to move our local campaigns forward its problems. New York was to them “one of the car and was inhabited by people and the house right and to see if it was possible to build with others on a most amazing cities they ever heard of,” however, next to it was destroyed and flooded. Quinn James, national level. we all shared similar problems. who was one of the youth leaders from Make the New Orleans was, in my opinion, a city that was One of the first things we did when we got there Road NY, said he was grateful to be one of the peo- structured according to income. While driving to the was take a bus tour of the city. We were all inside a ple who was able to travel to New Orleans but was hotel I laid my head against the glass window of the tour bus and had two different tour guides. One was upset when he saw the conditions of the city. He bus and the scenery became a slide show. I was able a teenage girl that was around the age of 16 and the said, “It was inspiring because it was a lot to take in. to see the ruins left behind due to Hurricane Katrina. other one was an elderly man, who was also the bus You see a whole group of people from different There were houses that had been abandoned and driver. Both were African American. The first guide places in the United States and everyone is putting in looked like they had not been occupied in months. I was the teenage girl and she gave us a brief overview their all; it makes you want to do more. To see the had visions of children playing running around and of the school systems in New Orleans, post-Katrina. city was devastating and to think that it’s been a playing fetch with the neighborhood dog. Just as She spoke about how certain parts of the city had while since Katrina happened, and some parts are quickly as that daydream entered my mind it was “war” against each other and they were very territo- still flooded was frustrating. People are always talk- overcome by screams of misery, and by the thought rial about the north and the south side. Due to the ing about putting in all this work but they haven’t of floating bodies and the smell of desperation. danger of crossing a foreign territory most students rebuilt the city yet.” People struggled to survive, because of the late reac- went to school in the same neighborhood where they Sarah Landes, an organizer at Make the Road tion of our government to this national emergency. live. After Hurricane Katrina, young people had to New York also was with us. “One of the things that Back in the bus, as the minutes passed, the scenery deal with going to schools in the neighborhoods they shook me the worst was when we were taken to see started to change and as we pulled up to the W Hotel tried so hard to stay away from. Students had to the largest housing projects in New Orleans. The I was in shock. I couldn’t believe how much had just travel into other neighborhoods and attend classes entire area had been sectioned off by fencing, and as changed in the last twenty minutes. I was standing in where they were either repeating a course or they we went by, there were workers throwing people’s front of grand luxury. There were sky scrapers and were completely unaware of the subjects they were belongings over the balconies. The housing seemed fancy buildings surrounding the hotel, and I just kept taking. They often found themselves in all-white to be in good condition. There were huge piles of thinking about how major the difference was. We classrooms where the teachers and students would peoples things everywhere. This is years later!” We had just driven by people living in tent communities make racist comments to them. In most cases the had been told that the people who lived there were set up underneath the freeway overpass, and now we teachers would tell the new students to try and catch told to move out immediately after the hurricane, were here. up on their own and it was discouraging, so many of and they were not allowed to get their things. The There were people from all over the United the students ended up dropping out. land has now been taken over by big developers

24 WORD ON THE STREET because it is good property and the largest area of Post-Katrina devastation in New Orleans, Spring 2008. affordable housing will be torn down. “The attack on the city’s public housing projects is just one of the examples of the exploitation of New Orleans after Katrina. There is a clear agenda here, that includes dismantling the public school system, eliminating public health clinics and hospitals as well as closing the projects because they exist on land that is perfect for redevelopment of luxury housing. Privatization and paramilitary were words thrown around fre- quently when talking to organizers fighting to reclaim the rebuilding of New Orleans,” said Sarah. While at the hotel we also had to be broken up and put into different workshop groups. There were many groups to choose from but we all had to attend at least two. People from Make the Road NY, attend- ed an immigration workshop run by one of our fel- low Urban Youth Collaborative organizations called DRUM and we attended a School to Prison Pipeline workshop run by people from Mississippi. In the immigration group we were able to read and speak about immigration issues in New York, and people from other states were able to put in their own stories and we were able to relate and compare and plan how to take action against all the unfair treatment of immigrants. The Mississippi workshop was a bit big- some schools had military personnel that were walk- way of life; united we are more powerful, whether its ger and had a lot of information that all the people in ing around the schools with AK 47s and had Hum- doing local work in our states or national work the room were able to relate to. We all spoke about mers parked out in front of the schools. In the transi- across the U.S. our experiences with the public school systems and tion into charter schools, the school system is New Orleans is a powerful city and is symbolic how we were seeing overpolicing in our schools becoming privatized and schools are being run by in the sense that united we can overcome struggle. throughout the country. corporations that either run prisons or build weapons Seeing New Orleans made me notice just how divid- The public school system topic was actually one for war. It was very intense and sad to know that ed the “United” States are. We all face similar issues, of the most disturbing and common problem all the things like this were happening and no one was some more drastic then others, but if we joined groups were facing. In New York City, one of the really informed about it on the outside. together then we could overthrow the main cause of issues we are facing is mayoral control. We found On my trip to New Orleans I came across two our downfall and its not us, it’s the bigger hand. out that in Washington D.C they were also getting very important and inspiring quotes that were posted It also made me realize just how powerful New ready to face the idea of mayoral control as well. in two rooms that held workshops. One of the quotes York City is alone. New York was the biggest group Mayoral control in the schools is when the mayor was by Mary McLeod Bethune, and it stated “we of all the other cities and regions. When people from handles everything that deals with the public school have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must other places heard that we were New York they system. In New Orleans not only did they have to have the courage to change old ideas and practices so exclaimed that compared to the places they came deal with traveling into other neighborhoods and sit- that we may direct their power toward good ends.” from, New York was like a whole little country on its ting in classes where they were not given the proper This quote was inspiring to me because it’s giving own. I was surrounded by different accents and dif- chance to learn, but they were placed in a hostile people the encouragement to give the youth a chance ferent shades and personalities and we were all dif- environment. Most of the New Orleans schools were to finally prove that they are powerful and they can ferent and unique in our ways but we all shared the being turned into charter schools and they were organize to make change. same passion. That passion was basically the ability being patrolled by organizations that resembled The other quote was by poet William Butler to strive for a better future for the generations of Blackwater. (Blackwater is a private security organi- Yeats and it said: “Education is not the filling of a students that are to come. All the groups wanted to zation that was contracted by the US government to bucket but the lighting of a fire.” Both quotes were feel and see changes in the system. With the power provide safety services in the Iraq War. They were very powerful and got me determined to keep doing of organizing, and the strong voice of the youth we also hired after Hurricane Katrina.) In New Orleans the work that we are already doing. Organizing is a all will be able to make change.

NYC Urban Youth Collaborative in New Orleans, Spring 2008.

summer 2008 25 Internship La Homofobia Members Assembly by Gurcharan Singh by Valeria Ruiz An event by MRNY “I am supposed to help them…” This was the first ¿Qué es la fobia? Las fobias son miedos irracionales by Kevin Intriago thought that erupted in my mind when I was told about que pueden afectar de varias maneras a gente perfecta- my internship and its goal. mente saludable. In February, Make The Road held a member Hey! I did not tell you anything about me. I am ¿Qué es la homofobia? La homofobia es un assembly where some 700 community members from YCC-Young Citizens Center, an organization in miedo intenso y sin razon a los homosexuales. Requi- called on local leaders and elected officials to my school whose main aim is to help the community ere de la ignorancia para promover el temor y el odio resolve the problems that Latinos, immigrants and alleviate its problems. Being an intern with Make the hacia los homosexuales. low-income New Yorkers are facing every day, Road New York (MRNY) is a huge part of it. The main La homosexualidad es un tema que está afectando ranging from bad housing to health insurance. objective of MRNY is to help immigrants in low-in- a muchos jovenes y adultos en todo el mundo. Hay At the assembly I heard and saw several cases come communities and support their struggle for equal muchas personas que siguen en el closet por miedo a that were in the auditorium of the Ganesh Temple rights with equal opportunities. Right now, I am learn- rechazos o simplemete por miedo a que les hagan algo in Flushing, Queens. These are the same cases ing about the DREAM Act and “in-state tuition,” an o destruyan su vida familiar. El 28% de los jóvenes that are on the streets every day. One of the exam- issue that affects millions of immigrants. I have come homosexuales son forzados a salir de las escuelas, y ples was Dora Macareno from Mexico, who to know more about the hidden discrimination against muchos de ellos sufren agresiones, incidentes. Más del immigrants in the education and work systems. 80% nunca reportan los incidentes por miedo a ser I am Gurcharan, a 16-year-old student at Interna- señalados o en casos extremos se suicidan por la deses- tional High School in LaGuardia College. Well, I also peración, el miedo al rechazo o simplemente el She was went to middle school at IS 145 for just two months miedo. when I came to this country in April of 2006. I am actu- Por desgracia, la gente homofobica se la pasa per- ally from India, a country in south Asia, which is on the petuando ciegamente ideas falsas sobre los homosexu- asking city road to progress but still has a lot to cover. In India, ales que pueden llegar a ser muy hirientes. many cultures have existed since 9,000 B.C., but in the Algunos pueden necesitar ayuda profesional para council past they lacked unity and compatibility. Like other quitarse el miedo a los homosexuales, así como algu- civilizations, India ruled over adjoining civilizations nos necesitan para curarse el miedo a las alturas o a los and rulers were desperate to expand their influence and elevadores, o simplemente a los animales, etc. leaders territories. The blending of many different people El ser humano, por naturaleza, siente miedo o aroused many different demands on the country. More- temor hacia lo desconocido. over, people in power started using their enemy’s help Mitos: about when to defeat their own brothers and countrymen. This is 1. No es ‘normal’ ser homosexual o tener sentimien- what happened when the British came into our country tos homosexuales. Es normal ser homosexual y tener she will and ruled over India for 300 years. They left from fear sentimientos homosexuales. Los sentimientos son of the growing violence from Indian youth and revolu- iguales, todas las personas son iguales y al ser homo- tionaries, but also the nonviolence advocated by Mahat- sexual es una persona más y es una igualdad más, un see her ma Gandhi had great impact over the world and helped derecho más y un respeto más. India gain independence. 2. La homosexualidad es una enfermedad mental. Now, besides trying to work at the Jackson Heights No es una enfermeda ser homosexual, es una enfer- family back office, I also help the recently arrived immigrants with meda ser homofobico. their English at Pan American International High 3. El sida (AIDS) es un castigo de dios a los homo- together School. They are shy, but you know that to get along sexuales. No, si fuera así por qué parejas heterosexu- with someone unknown is not easy. Slowly they are ales tienen sida y por qué niños inocentes que no son getting familiar with us and we with them. There is a lot homosexuales lo tienen. asked about access to school in the city of of information to cover among us in little amount of 4. La homosexualidad es un pecado. No, dios no New York. time. Nonetheless, I will try my best to get along with dijo que ser homosexual es un pecado el dijo: “amaos Another example that I learned from the them and let them share their problems. I am putting in unos a los otros”. assembly was the question from Lucia about her my effort to help other immigrants like me because it 5. Uno mismo escoge ser homosexual o heterosexu- brothers. Lucia is from Mexico. She was asking does not matter if we are different racially, we still have al. Todos nacemos con una identificación y no se city council leaders about her brother and when something in common: being immigrants. By coming hacen. she will see immigration reform to help bring her here, I have learned different things from my peers 6. Las causas de la homosexualidad son la mala family back together. about their tradition, culture, beliefs and other things I crianza y/o los problemas familiares. La homosexu- I went to the member assembly at the temple. was unaware of. Seeing my fellow mates, I have found alidad no se debe a la mala crianza ni a los problemas I saw many different people there. There were that in this world humanity and trust still prevails. The familiares. Todos escojemos lo que queremos. cameramen, newspapers, journalists, politicians, students at Pan American International High School, 7. La homosexuales no contribuyen en nada a la organizations and community people. Make the who do not know me well, have trusted me and treated sociedad. Los homosexules sí contribuen por que Road New York was the one that put the assembly me the same as their friends. ellos trabajan como la gente ‘normal’ y hacen cosas together. We wanted to help the immigrant people I think they understand me and I will try to help como gente ‘normal’. who can’t afford houses and have other issues. them too by crossing the boundaries of languages. El odio hacia los gays y las lesbianas es obra de I heard some Congressmen talk about the However, achieving this goal – to interact with others humanos, no de dios. Como casi cualquier otro grupo, importance of immigrants, and that they are com- – is demanding physically and mentally too. This par- la mayoría de las mujeres y hombres gays son gente ing up with solutions to help the uncounted prob- ticipation or involvement of mine has changed my buena, interesados en el futuro de su nación y del lems that immigrants are facing. viewpoint about tasks a bit: everything is challenging mundo. No piden favores especiales, simplemente until you get along with it. piden el respeto y los derechos que todos debemos Kevin came from Ecuador less than a year ago I do not how to express my gratitude for MRNY, disfrutar, sin miedo a los ataques verbales o físicos. which has provided me with inestimable knowledge and ongoing information about my surroundings that I GLOSARIO May 1, 2008, Immigrant Rights Rally am still learning. It has given support to the growing Bisexual: que tiene atracción sexual por cualquier leader within me (though I don’t consider myself a sexo. leader). Also, it has increased my potential to express Gay: hombre homosexual/ my views and ideas orally. It has given me quite a lot Lesbiana: mujer homosexual and in return; I should try to stay with them longer than Heterosexual: que tiene atracción sexual hacia el sexo I had planned to so I can learn and earn more through opuesto. this great organization. Finally, I want to share one Homofobia: miedo irracional hacia los homosexuales more point, that this organization has helped me realize Homosexual: tiene atracción sexual hacia su mismo that there is a lot to share and care for among all of us. sexo.

Gurcharan is 15 years old and came from India 2 Valeria is 16 and came from Colombia less than a years ago year ago

26 WORD ON THE STREET Eder Lujan LAS DROGAS Youth and Cuales nos Health Care (A work of fiction) afectan mas! Why don’t young people have health care? by Josué Alvarega by Marco Mendez by Felicia Feliz

Eder Lujan nació en Honduras, estudiaba en la Uni- Las drogas, una enfermedad que muchas perso- Frequently, adolescents, even more than adults, do versidad Francisco Morazán. Desde pequeño, él era nas van adquiriendo día a día y los más prob- not receive the healthcare that they need. According un niño muy tranquilo y obediente con sus padres. labes para llegar a usar drogas somos los to the American Medical Association, one of the Al entrar a la universidad para poder ser doctor, jóvenes, ya que estamos expuestos a las influ- main causes of why adolescents are not going to get lamentablemente cayó en las drogas y el alcohol. encias de persona que tratan de llevarnos a medical help is because they are afraid. Most of Sus padres no lo podían creer. A los 17 años lo arre- tomar drogas y alcohol. these adolescents are afraid to go to the doctor. staron por haber sido encontrado consumiendo dro- A continuación tenemos un resumen de dos They think that the doctor could divulge to their gas y haber golpeado salvajemente a su mejor amigo de las principales drogas que se consumen a parents confidential information about personal matters. a causa de las drogas. diario y a corto tiempo son las que mas afectan However, federal law permits adolescents in diverse Él estuvo en la cárcel por 3 años, después salió de a los Jóvenes. situations to obtain medication, without the participa- allí y aprendió que no era fácil estar encerrado en la tion or the knowledge of their parents or tutors. cárcel alejado de su familia. Aunque salió de la cárcel LA COCAÍNA The law defines a minor, or child, as a person y recapacitó, su familia no lo aceptó porque pensaron ¿Por qué la gente usa cocaína? that is below 18 years old. Minors have some rights, que no era el mismo de antes, respetuoso y cariñoso. En la mayoría de los casos, la gente la usa such as the freedom to go to the doctor confiden- Eder, al ver que su familia lo ignoraba, decidió irse para subir la euforia o la energía o simple- tially and check if they are pregnant. lejos a seguir con sus estudios y para cumplir su sueño mente porque se sienten más seguros de sí Some situations are delicate, especially when it de ser un gran doctor. Pero tenía miedo de volver a mismos. La cocaína se puede inhalar o se la relates to reproduction. Most adolescents are influ- repetir lo del pasado, se sentía muy mal y tenía mucho puede fumar en forma de crack. enced by their parents. They prefer to not do any- miedo de volver a caer en las drogas. Intentó pedirle El efecto puede durar de 15 a 30 minutos o thing about the problem that they are facing, for ayuda a sus padres, pero era inútil, pues ellos lo hasta 10 segundos, ésto hace que las personas example, with pregnancy, because they think that the ignoraban porque ya no confiaban en el. Él se sentía la usen una y otra vez convirtiéndose en adic- tan miserable que no deseaba existir. Al transcurso de tos, el uso de la cocaína puede ser reconocida los años, conoció a una mujer llamada Paty mientras por varios factores como: pupilas dilatadas, The law caminaba en la calle. Ella al verlo tan triste le pre- nauseas, dolores de cabeza, sudor y otros. guntó si lo podía ayudar y él le comentó lo que le estaba sucediendo. POPPERS defines a minor Ella comenzó a tenerle confianza y reconoció que El ‘oro’ de las sex shops. Líquido amarillo que Eder era un chico muy respetuoso. Al transcurso de los se inhala. Produce excitación sexual y eufo- as a person días lo ayudó. Eder había perdido su trabajo, casa, sus ria. amigos y su familia, se sentía muy solo. Se lo llevó a Estas drogas son muy comunes hoy en días that is below su casa y le dio ropa para que se cambiara, a la semana en los jóvenes. A veces se venden en tiendas de siguiente le consiguió un trabajo para poder ganar sexo; tienen un olor dulce y frutal. Produce dinero y seguir con sus estudios en la universidad. En excitación sexual pero también taquicardia, 18 years old el transcurso de los meses recolectó toda el dinero para seguir con sus estudios. doctor is going to tell their parents. Eder siguió en la universidad, pero desafortuna- La Make the Road New York is an organization that damente calló nuevamente en las drogas. Él llegaba helps people that don’t have documents go to places a la casa tarde y borracho, el dinero que estaba that can charge them less for services. If they need ganando lo tomaba para consumir drogas y beber Cocaina, any help about anything, a staff member of Make the alcohol. Ella se sentía muy mal por todo lo que le Road can help them. They can also help you enroll estaba pasando con él. directly into Medicare, Child Health Plus and Fam- Paty decidió llevarlo a un programa que ella par- y los ily Health Plus for people that qualify. ticipaba, pero él se negaba a estar allí. Él decía que no On May 22nd, Make the Road New York’s necesitaba estar en esos programa. Un día, ella se office in Jackson Heights held a “Feria de Salud” sentó con él a platicar sobre las drogas. Finalmente lo poppers (Health Fair) to help people get to know about convenció. Después de todo eso, él terminó sus estu- dolor de cabeza, vómitos y a veces desmayos. medical rights. At these Health Fairs they give free dios y consiguió trabajo en el hospital como doctor. Al Los efectos duran poco y después te sientes tests for diabetes, HIV, and other things. They also ver a pacientes que pasaban por lo mismo que él había muy cansado y deprimido. Los poppers pro- give information about Medicare. And there are pasado, recapacitó. ducen adicción física o sea quien lo usan se always games, raffles and some music so the com- Después de algunos años le propuso matrimonio a vuelven locos si se lo quitan. munity can feel comfortable. Feel free to come to the Paty. Ella al escuchar esto no podía creerlo, ella tam- Al popper le llaman oro líquido porque es next one in Staten Island and learn about your bién sentía algo por él y se sentía afortunada y muy amarillo, pero beberlo es mortal por eso se lo healthcare rights as an adolescent! feliz, ya que por fin él entendió los consejos que ella le inhala a través de vapores. daba. Al transcurso de los año, se casaron tuvieron Los poppers también afectan muy rápido al Felicia is 16 and came from the Dominican tres hijos, también abrieron su propio centro de reha- cerebro. Republic bilitación y se dedican a ayudar a otros que sufren lo Este articulo lo escribí para que los jóvenes que Eder sufrió a causa de las drogas. tengan presente que a veces una droga no es la May 1, 2008, Immigrant Rights Rally Sus hijos están estudiando para poder trabajar con mejor salida a los problemas sino que necesita- ellos. A sus hijos le gustaba ese trabajo y ahora Eder es mos pensar en una solución también. Escribi- muy feliz con sus hijos y su mujer. A veces me pre- endo sobre drogas gané un poco de madurez y gunto, si todo el sufrimiento que pasó, fue una prueba al buscar la información aprendí mucho de las para el ser feliz. Mi consejo sería que piensen mejor personas que usan drogas porque ellos sufren antes de hacer algo que te puedas arrepentir en el mucho por depender de algo que a veces no futuro, piénsalo primero y recuerden que nunca están pueden tener y han llegado hasta prostituirse solos y siempre habrá alguien que piensa en ti, alguien por conseguir drogas. que tú no te imaginas. Así como le paso a Eder: él Decidí resaltar estos dos tipos de drogas creía que nadie lo quería, que él era inútil y por pensar porque son las más adictivas y mas peligrosas eso no quería seguir viviendo. Nunca pierdas las espe- para los jóvenes. ranzas, Dios tarda pero no olvida, recuerda, piensa siempre lo que hagás y ojala no te afecte en el futuro. Marco is 16 years old and came from Ecuador less Piénsalo, sí. No te arrepentirás de hacer el bien. than a year agow summer 2008 27 Mountain School New beginnings at a new school by Rosa Guambana

For the fall semester of my senior year I had the covering the sky with tiny holes through which the married couple with two young children, who also great opportunity to go away to a program called The light beamed . happened to be our teachers! My English teacher was Mountain School of Milton Academy. It is a high One night I went up the hill called Garden Hill, the dorm mom and the teacher of the outdoor program school independent semester program that allows above my dorm. It was really dark and the moon was was the dorm dad. Every night during check-in they you to live on an organic and self sustainable farm in bright. I went to Garden Hill just to lie on the grass used to bring us snacks. They were like our real par- Vermont. At the end of the program the 45 students and look up at the starry sky. The big dipper was ents. Going to bed early was a main priority to them, who lived together for four months had to write a right above me and I saw a shooting star! I got this and of course keeping the dorm clean. We had an open final reflection to our experience there. I wrote about beautiful feeling. I could only hear the breeze mov- relationship and talked about everything. how I loved this once-in-a-lifetime experience, but ing between the tress. The crickets sang and the wind I noticed that before the Mountain School I lived was not sure how had it changed me because I was blew over my face like a refreshing touch. It felt like by Thoreau’s idea: “Moreover, I have tried; it fairly, not away from it yet. Now, after about four months I the night was not just a stage of the day but real. It and strange as it may seem, am satisfied that it will try to describe how this experience changed felt like it could talk and touch through the wind. doesn’t agree with my constitution,” meaning that me. Minutes up in Garden Hill were like hours of yoga. whenever I tried something new and failed, I used to Applying to The Mountain School (TMS) was a I learned so much about myself at TMS. It was a quit without hesitation. That attitude changed at blind decision. I didn’t know much about it, besides great opportunity to go step out my comfort zone and TMS. I tried things I never ever dreamed about, like that Amita, one of the the the Youth Power Project experience new things. I had been so used to being Solo. Solo was an activity where everyone had to organizers, highly recommended it. After applying I around the same people all the time. My friends are spend three nights and days on their own in the doubted I would get accepted; after all, it is a pro- the same ones from freshman year, of course I still woods. At this point in my life I would say that solo gram for really smart kids from mainly private have the same family, and I lived in the same com- was the scariest thing I will ever do! Picture this: you schools. I didn’t fit that criteria. However, I did get munity since I was 9 years old. Most of the people I are dropped along a creek line in a huge forest with accepted and got full tuition which is about $20,000 interact with daily are Hispanic. I have been in the your sleeping bag, food for three days, a tarp to build for the semester. same school since freshman year and it is not very shelter, your extra clothing, a small stove with When I arrived at TMS it was a completely dif- challenging academically. Going to TMS meant matches, an orange flag, and a compass so you won’t ferent environment from home. First of all, it was meeting 45 different kids from all over the U.S of get lost. Along the creek line they give you a com- real farm, it was in a pretty small town, and everyone different ethnicities and adapting to a new home. pass degree and that is your point. Every morning was really friendly. I fell in love with it immediately. It was not easy. It was academically changeling you get up and follow your compass with the I loved the nature aspect of it and living with kids and at times emotionally too. Time management assigned degree and go down to the creek line to put about my age. became a big issue. I had to get my work done but I your flag up. The flag system is used to tell the staff While living in such an enclosed environment also wanted to explore the farm and get to know that you are ok. When the staff comes by to your you can easily lose track of time. However, the trees everyone. I didn’t wan to bury myself in books but I point along the creek and see that your flag is up then were like calendars. Every day the leaves on the was unfamiliar with most of the work being taught in they will know that you woke up that morning to put trees had a different shade. It as easy to tell when a class so I had to do a lot of studying. I naturally got it up and that you are ok and they put it down. The new season started because of the change in color stressed easily, so trying to adapt to a new life style same routine happens in the afternoon. You walk to leaves. When I arrived the leaves were dark green. was extremely stressful. your point and see that the flag is down, that tells you Then they turned light green, then orange, then yel- However, it was TMS as family who helped me that they are aware that you are ok. You have to put low, then brown, then the snow covered the ones still reach the finish line successfully. I lived with ten girls the flag up and go back to wherever you built your left, and finally they all fell off the trees. in a dorm called Underwood. We built a really strong shelter. They check the flags in the afternoon and The sky is beautiful during the night in Vershire. bond even though we were all different. There were when they see the flag up then they know that you During the night it got extremely dark but, the stars nights that we spent most of the night up just talking were there that afternoon. They put the flag down made the sky shine. It looked like a black sheet was and drinking jars of coffee. Our dorm parents were a and the same routine will happen in the morning. If they find a flag up when it was supposed to be down, then they will follow the compass degree assigned to that point and go look for you to make sure you are ok. The whole point of solo is for you not to interact with anybody during those 3 days and 3 nights. So everyone tries not miss the flag check. I didn’t have a watch during solo which was a great thing. For the first time I was able to enjoy the day without worrying if I have enough time. My day started when the sun light was too bright to ignore it. I made my ramen-noddles in my little stove whenever I felt hungry. I walked around for a bit and most of the day I spent in my hammock just staring at the sky. The night was the scary part. I could hear wild turkeys walking around and the leaves falling in top of my tarp made a scary sound. The air moving through the trees made a loud noise like the tree was about to snap. The darkness is already scary but being alone in the forest, how frightening is that? One morning I was woken up by footsteps making cracking noises with every step right outside my tarp. I thought it was prob- ably one of the teachers coming to check up on me. When I poked my head out of my shelter, there it was– not a human, but a huge moose. Its horns were long and he just stared at me directly into my eyes and kept going down hill. I was in shock. I couldn’t even reach for my camera to take a picture. Everyone wanted to see a moose and I was the only one who saw it, so I think I am pretty lucky. After completing Solo the feeling of accomplishment can’t be explained in words, you just feel it. Writer Rosa Guambano (bottom left) with fellow Mountain School students. I also tried running the 5k, which if I had been back home I wouldn’t have ever tried it. The physics course was another challenge. Physics for me was like a combination of math and science in another A Brief Wondrous Review language. For my luck, my physics teacher was amazing. He gave extra tutoring early in the morning before breakfast. With his help, the help of my other A Dominican writer on a Dominican’s writer’s novel classmates, and long nights of physics reading, I was able to understand it. It was a real sacrifice and to be by Giovanni Matos honest, I didn’t enjoy it. However, now that I’m back at my home school physics is so much easier because I’m ahead of everyone. Though everyone may know someone who is Molina destroyed hundred of thousands of lives, and Now I can look back at my accomplishments Dominican, I’ve found that not much is known of I never knew about it. Now I know the depth of and not have regrets of failure. I have learned to be the culture: the food, the way in which Dominicans hatred that can come from power, and the suffering more confident and to live my life without the fear speak, the pasttimes, the games, or the trends. Basi- of an entire nation of people. of failure. Like Mary Oliver says in Wild Geese, cally, the entire Dominican culture and its cruel his- This is one of the greatest pieces of fiction I was “You don’t have to be good ….You only have to let tory is unknown to the greater world. I myself am ever blessed enough to pick up. It is nothing like the the soft animal of your body love what it loves. Tell half Dominican, but being raised on the Puerto Iris Johansen thrillers about the trials and tribulations me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Rican side of the family, I lack the basic knowledge of Eve Duncan, the forensic sculpture, that I fell in Meanwhile the world goes on.” I agree with her, I of the Dominican culture. Through most of my life, love with. It had a much deeper feel to it. It starts out don’t have to be the best at something, I just have to no one would believe I was Dominican, because I as a story of a young geeky kid, who couldn’t get laid do what I love. It is also true that we can complain don’t show the basic characteristics of a Dominican. if you paid someone to do it for him. But as you see as much as we want but the world “goes on”. There- And my Spanish was pretty agonizing to listen to. how the road was paved for his existence, and how his fore, with my experience at TMS I learned that life But I always knew who I was and where I’m from. family’s curse developed, you begin to see what the offers many opportunities, and instead of complain- My mother’s family is from Penuelas, Puerto Rico, story is really about: from the downfall of the House ing about life we should search for these opportuni- and my father’s family is from Cotui, Dominican of Cabral, to Beli’s wrong choices leading to the can- ties and make the best out of it. Republic. I would say that in order to understand the efields, to Oscars never-ending search for true happi- I also learned that as we grow older we forget how culture of a place you’ve never been to, or probably ness beginning and ending where Beli’s did. Through to be ourselves and forget the simplicity of happiness. won’t go to, you should pick up a book. And that’s pure strength and perserverance, we can see that noth- Personally I used to live by Williams Wordsworth’s what I did. ing is impossible, no matter how difficult it gets. idea, “I cannot paint what then I was.” I used to believe I was introduced to this book by a close friend Because if you still have thoughts of what else you that I couldn’t ever be what I used to be a few years who told me that she thought of me while reading it. can do to fix a situation, thats means it’s not over yet. back. This semester I learned that is not true. I was So I was intrigued, though a little bit skeptical. The Struggle is a part of life, and the family Cabral is the able to be a kid once again as I rolled down hills, Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is a tale of the shining example of that. From imprisonment, to acci- dressed up on Fridays, and on Saturdays played silly different members of a Domincan family in New dents, to drownings, to burnings and beatings. From games as country dancers or even crime detectives. Jersey, and at some times in the Dominican Repub- running away, to unhappiness, to attempted suicides, I learned to be passionate and let my heart lead lic. This novel showed me things about my people but all ending in love. my way. The freedom to make your own decisions at that I didn’t know, and emphasized on the things I Oscar Wao goes from being the fat, ugly, dark- TMS helps you develop confidence. The confidence did. This is the story of ajdusting to the American skinned Dominican teen who couldn’t get a piece of in myself lets me know that my heart and mind are culture, and survival in the concrete jungle. A story culo unless he was fantasizing about it, to a man who making the right decision. That is who I was at The of love and hate, and the thin line between them. Of grew up and knew what he needed in his life. He Mountain School and I hope to stay like that. Over struggle and acceptance. Of the choices life presents, knew real love at the end of his life, and was willing there I didn’t have anything to influence me but like to be yourself, or to be what everyone wants you to die for it. Oscar Wao was unlike any man you or I myself. Material things didn’t matter. The only to be. A comingof age story. A true heart touching may know. Do you know the difference between things that mattered were learning from each other love story. being brave and having courage? When you’re brave, and appreciating the simplicity of life. I want to pre- Junot Diaz serves us a portrayal of Dominicans, you aren’t scared of anything. You will fight the serve my experience forever because so far it’s the in they’re most truest form, and shows us that noth- dragon, and slay it because thats’s what you do. But most real one I have. ing comes easy, but you can still do what you have having courage is when you know you might lose, I highly recommend this program to all the high to do, and hopefully you’ll be happy at the end. As that shit could get real heavy, but you grab your balls, school juniors and seniors. At first when you hear a young Dominican writer from Jersey, he is the hold your head up high, and do it anyway. Oscar was the word “farm” you might lose interest but you epitome of what you can do if you work hard and one of the most courageous mother****ers ever to won’t know what else there is to it unless you go. strive to acheive your goals. As a young aspiring walk this world. And I am proud to say we come from Take a chance and apply because in some way it will latino writer, I was proud to see that Junot was show- the same island. No one, and I mean no one has half change you. Maybe you won’t get a totally new and ing a different side of the Latino community. With the cohones that Oscar grew, or one fourth his heart. clear vision of who you think you are, but experienc- his slang usage that only a Latino could understand And at the end, at the very end, even when everyone ing a completely different world will at least give without looking it up in a Spanish-English diction- said, don’t fall for a puta, Oscar Wao followed his you a few hints. ary, and putting the term, “being real,” to proper use, heart, and was the happiest man on Earth. while also capturing every facet of the Dominican Rosa Guambana will attend Syracuse University in individual, he gives a clear cut view on who we are, Dedicated to Oscar Wao, I am proud to have known the Fall. and why we’re here. The historical context in the you, if only through paper.. novel is vast in that it showed me the reign of the Writer Rosa Guambano (middle). Trujillato, one of the world’s most tyrannical regimes. Giovanni Matos is 19 and the youth coordinator of The cruel, cold heart of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Word On The Street.

Junot Diaz

summer 2008 Photograph by Lily Oei 29 From Bushwick to College Ups and Downs by Jennifer Dewgarde

When I was in my last few months of high school, all had been taken away. I was now on Academic Proba- I met on my way to get a turkey burger. He was such I could think about is whether or not I was prepared tion and in danger of being kicked out of college if a sweetheart to me, and he ended up in my sociology for college. I had to complete my FAFSA for finan- my GPA didn’t go up. I had to improve next semes- class. He is also very intelligent and I always see him cial aid, and that alone gave me a headache. Why ter. I had to make a comeback. with his laptop. He has a Jimi Hendrix shirt I adore can’t college be free just like high school? There In January, when I returned from winter break, I because of the purple color. I met so many other great should never be a price on education, it should be had only four classes. I was procrastinating too much, friends, it’s too long of a list. Okay, I’ll name one given to all people who will accept and embrace it. plus I came to class late occasionally. I never studied more. I met Alex hanging out in the first floor lounge. My college is St. Francis College, located in for any of my tests. I was also visiting a counselor to She is quiet but very sweet and very smart. She always downtown Brooklyn on Remsen Street. I had a very help out. I had to study more and stop procrastinating. receives good grades on her music tests. I love my difficult time choosing a college. I had to figure out I was ready to make a few changes. My new classes smart friends. what would be the best setting: suburban, urban or were Music, Math 105, Sociology, and Speech. My There will be events ahead, but for now I am country. I decided to stick with the urban city life. I music teacher was Mr. Fontana. I love the way he enjoying the summer. I am very upset because I will also wanted a college that has my major: biology or teaches, he is so funny. He also gave the class a helpful have to repeat math when I return to school. I got an veterinary medicine. The population of my college study guide to prepare for the next test. I passed my A as my final grade in Speech (YAY!), a B+ in soci- played a major role in my search too. I didn’t want to first test with a 92. I was overjoyed. I had studied like ology (yay!), a B in music (Yay!), but an F in math go to an overcrowded college because I would receive crazy the night before and I passed! The test grades (frown!). I thought I would pass math, but math very little attention with the massive amount of stu- went down eventually because I stopped studying as became more challenging this year. I should have dents in one tiny classroom. I decided a college with a much. My final grade in music was a B. I was happy. gone to tutoring, but I never did. I still owe money, small population would best suit my needs. My #1 Sociology was fun as well. I liked Mr. Marciglia- so I can’t register for summer and fall classes yet. I choice was always St. Francis. The only difficulty with no, he was funny as well. He taught the class sign won’t let it annoy me too much. I will take things applying to St. Francis was my financial aid. Mom was language – the type that is ok here, but is bad in other one day at a time and think about the fact that I am a stubborn. I asked her for her tax returns from working countries. When you wave in West Africa, to them it few steps closer to becoming a future veterinarian. as a nurse, but she refused to give them to me. I told means they have five kids and they have no idea who For those of you who want to go to college, you her I needed it for college to apply for financial aid, the father of any of them are. If you do the “thumbs- can do it. Make sure you got a part-time job to save and that I didn’t need help either. I was distraught, I up” in another country (I think it’s France), that means up money for school. If you have a 4.0 high school wasn’t sure how I would get the financial aid I needed “up you’re a--,” so when class ended everyone went average with a full scholarship then you are one to apply for school. Mom said she didn’t like people around and did the “thumbs-up” and waved our hands lucky person (and I envy you). There are online sites getting in her business. Gee, thanks Mom. = [ to other students – it was hilarious!!! that offer scholarships like Fastweb – please make a Eventually Mom ended up giving my college The best experience of being at St. Francis is note of that. Another important thing is to study – counselor Tunisia her social security number, but it meeting so many cool new people. When I attended don’t procrastinate!! In high school you can remem- wasn’t enough. I guess I was okay after that. I filled out St. Francis the first day, I only knew my friend Jas- ber things off the top of your head. In college there my TAP and it was over and done… for now. The day mine Roberts from Academy of Urban Planning. That is too much to remember, so you have no choice but I got accepted to St. Francis was a happy one. I found would soon change. I met one of my first college to study (buy a planner and record important dates). the envelope in the mail and it looked big. My first friends, Marleny, in math class. I love that girl – she is I have been asked numerous times what college thought was, “Oooooh big envelope!” I opened it and so cool, smart and beautiful. She accepted me for who is like. Those were just a few tips to keep the future the first word I saw was “Congratulations.” I was soooo I am and wasn’t quick to judge me. It’s people like her college kid on the right track. Oh yeah, and if you happy. I showed the letter to Mom, and she looked at who win a place in my heart. The next person I met don’t want to wake up early in the morning that’s me and laughed. She looked at me weird though, with was Jesse. He is cool, great with technology and fine – you can schedule your classes for later in the bug eyes. I guess that was her way of saying she was smart. Jesse is the person I can go to when I have day. That’s right, you heard me, you can pick your happy. Everyone in my family and high school were trouble in any subject. Who knows, he might be rich classes as long as they relate to your major. There are overjoyed. I was the first student in the history of Bush- one day. I met Shanna while hanging out in the lounge always people around to help you out, so don’t hesi- wick School for Social Justice to receive an acceptance with Jesse and Jasmine. I adore her – she has funny tate to ask. I congratulate all of you on your way to letter, since BSSJ just opened and I am part of the very stories, a lot of energy, and good taste in the subject of college. Study hard and be positive! Shout out to the first graduating class. YAY ME!!!!! alcohol (LOL). Brittney occasionally hangs out in the class of ’08! Unfortunately, before I graduated from high lounge. I love her for being herself and she seems very school, trajedy struck my family. Mom passed away confident. I love her attitude towards fakes and other Jennifer Dewgarde is a graduate of Bushwick School on May 11, 2007, a month before I was to graduate. not-so-important people. She makes me laugh. Patrick for Social Justice and attends St.Francis College. I felt my world come crashing down. I felt so much pain and heartache. Mom wouldn’t be at my high Writer Jennifer Dewgarde school graduation; she wouldn’t get to see my jour- ney through college or my college graduation. I will be the first of the Dewgarde children to graduate from college. I felt like maybe that was the end. No it wasn’t … I went to St. Francis because I want to achieve something in life: I want to make Mom proud. Well, I feel like I failed her. I passed only four classes by the end of my first semester. My first grades were horrible; I had only passed two out of my four classes. At the end of the semester I passed four classes. I did better, but my average remained at a 1.0. I had an X for Speech (that means I stopped coming), a C for Math, an F for Music, a P for Fresh- men Seminar (that means I passed), and a D for Philosophy. I felt miserable, I felt ashamed, I felt like maybe college wasn’t for me. I thought about taking off from college for a while. Then I realized I couldn’t stay home because me and my brother couldn’t get along. This was because I was scared to get a job and I didn’t cook. My brother thought I was being selfish, but I was just going through a rough time, and so were my brothers. I realized I was in trouble because my loans

30 WORD ON THE STREET Our Voices Me, myself and I By Joselyn Ruiz You Are All Of This To Me By Marisol Milano I stand as one isolated, but at the same time I know what is right and wrong You’re the thought that Learned how to woman up in life and stand up for myself starts my morning, the Respect myself before respecting others, The Traitor conclusion to each day. Proud of who I am, me, myself and I. You are all that I do by Robert Moore and everything I say. From the little girl I was, now I have developed A man The mind of a young lady You’re the smile on my face Had come to town Who looks out to the future each day, the sparkle in my eyes. Dressed in pure white robes Become something greater in life The warmth that’s in my heart, With a silver staff Walk with my head held up high, the fullness of my life. And a gem upon it Me myself and I. He was the kindest You give a hand when I need help, And most noble My dream is not to become a quitter the friendship that we share. Served all Dilemmas won’t get in my way My friend, my love, my only Rich or poor I’m still me and there is no stopping it shoulder to lean on. Strong or weak Different and random but that’s what makes the person I am He served as a Life is full of mistakes that I have picked up and learned from You’re my silly, mature, caring, Medicine man Don’t depend on others to solve my own, thoughtful, bright and honest guy. With various herbs Me, myself and I. The one who calms me down, And techniques when I need to cheer up. With a soul A fighter who goes for the championship As pure as No stopping me from defeating the world You’re the joy in my life An angel Because guess what, an ever-constant in my soul. He was the soul of our town That’s just me, myself and I. The voice that makes me smile The one who lead us the happiness in my life. Lead us to hope We looked to him You are all I’ve wanted, In our dire need You are all I need, You are all I’ve dreamed of, And yet You are all of this to me. He was nowhere to be seen Music When the fires consumed by Iris Martinez. All in its path Our crops Sometimes at night when I have things on my mind Stood not a chance I drift away to a land that I designed The bandits had come The land that’s attached to my feelings At your shadow He was nowhere The land that always knows what I’m thinking by Lorena Ulloa With their hordes The clouds are music notes They destroyed The river waves are cd’s What is it you see? He was nowhere My land is my place or savior Your reflection of who you are or Then we found him You can’t find that sh*% on TV. what people want you to be Leading the marauders With my music blasted loud Is who you are somebody you have Our pleas meant nothing I slowly drift away to hide from the world? As he slayed us My life is my music Because you’re too weird Slayed us all And with it I will stay and who isn’t these days The traitor I love my music I can’t live without it But sometimes you have to give up Laughed Music’s like my drug I can’t breathe without it. who you are for who you must be And got what he wanted So why not use it? It might help you out And you wish that day never comes The riches Music is my savior when I am in doubt. The money I like hip-hop and rap and reggae too And our land I like the way they sound when they don’t know what to do. My life I like to listen to music late at night So that no one can see me cry. Finding it I love music loud to the point where I can’t hear by Lorena Ulloa This way I feel like no one is really near It saves my life every time I’m sad Most people spend their entire life looking for happiness Because I do stupid things every time I’m mad. And most don’t know when they have it I have many issues, that is true Somehow it doesn’t feel right I listen to music when I don’t know what to do Even though people are so happy for you I feel like music is my gift You’re not as you wished to be I will give my life for a little piece of it. Though it’s hard to realize, you’re telling yourself a lie Music, sounds, and that wonderful noise Music’s my life---that is my choice Country, folk and metallic rock Music is the best, you find it on any block Music is a therapeutic thing Is love as clear as glass? It makes people happy and it makes people sing by Lorena Ulloa Through music people talk about life Everyone loves music so don’t think about it twice. Beautiful and shiny So what is music? But at one point it falls Is it just a sound? Shatters into thousands of pieces Is it something you find under ground? Sometimes you wished you had never loved Is it a joke for people like you? But the saying it’s better to have loved and lost I know music Than never to have loved at all, I know it’s true! They probably haven’t been hurt as much as I have The Youth Power Project at Make the Road New York sees young people as our organization’s and our community’s most valuable resource. The Project has highlighted for our organization the enormous opportunities generated by fostering and supporting youth-led community organizing efforts, and integrating young people into the membership of our orga- nization. Currently working with community residents aged 14-21, the Youth Power Project has three linked objectives: •To support young residents of our communities as they develop into neighborhood leaders and leaders within the membership of Make the Road New York; •To foster and sustain youth-driven community organizing; and •To support young people in actualizing their own personal, professional, and educational ambi- tions.

Youth Power at Sean Bell verdict protest.