Brooklyn and Queens... the two boroughs have distinctive features that define and highlight their neighborhoods. Queens residents rely on buses more so than trains because most working class families travel in the depths of Long Island. The only way to arrive at Long Island is by buses of the Long Island Railroad which many people have expressed as being too costly.
Being so dependent on buses can have its faults. If anything is occurring outdoors or traffic, buses will immediately be affected by it. However, trains are underground. A commuter who relies on the train are no immune to being late however, these occurrences occur fewer than those by buses.
A possible way to solve the problems with buses being late or not running regularly like those in Brooklyn is to talk to the assembly person of South Ozone Park as well as address the head of those people who oversee the routes of the Q7 buses.
After speaking with daily commuters on the Q7 bus. We have come to an understanding that complaints have been made regarding the infrequency of the bus route at night as well as its unreliability especially during the cold seasons.
Personally I think that addressing these higher officials and bus drivers with only complaints and no sound proof or reliable data will not result in beneficial solution. It would be best to do a month long research on the times that the Q7 buses arrive at their expected location and if their times are in fact prompt. Moreover, commuters as well as residents wold be ask to sign a petition vouching that they too have encountered the "not so nice" hourly waiting for buses. Only to be distraught and having to pay for a cab when they already have a monthly or weekly limited metro cards.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Mother's Day
WOW! Everyone, Mother's Day is right around the corner, so what do you plan on getting your mom?Now I am definitely not being biased but Mother's Day receive more recognition than Father's Day. Maybe it is because the years have produced a large number of single mothers than single fathers of two family homes.
It is often a tradition that on Mother's Day, mothers receive gifts from each child with prices ranging from inexpensive to costly. However, no matter the price of the gift its value is priceless, it signifies the love the child feels for their mother.
Expensive Buyers: For those of us whose income is on the high-end can afford to purchase jewelry from stores like Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Tiffany's etc. The price of jewelry from each company ranges however, one can guarantee to walk out with a sparking beautiful piece like a necklace, bracelet, anklet, earrings or even a sleek watch.
Inexpensive Byers: People who fall under this category may not necessarily have access to a large sum of money thus they may settle for cards, stuffed animals and chocolate. Either way the love that they have for their mothers does not depreciate. It is still evident and is blooming. Children fall under this category as they may make their mom a card in school or buy her a rose, telling her "You're the Best Mom in the World."
My Community
- Map of your community and name of your community (Google Earth)
Federal
Hillary Rodham Clinton, wife of former president of Bill Clinton is the current Senator of New York. Currently she is participating in the presidential campaign against fellow Democrat Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama with hopes of winning the Democratic election to go on and become the first female president of the United States.
The Governor of New York City is Governor David Patterson. He was born on May 20, 1954. He is the first legally blind and the first black governor of New York. He assumed office on March 18, 2008. After former governor Elliot Spitzer resigned in the wake of a prostitution scandal and using state funds to purchase their time. Governor Patterson is only one of two black governors in the United States. He has been an advocate for granting voting rights to non-citizens as well as a proponent of embryonic stem cell research.
The 108th Mayor of New York is Michael R. Bloomberg. He was born on February 14th, 1942 in Boston, and raised by middle-class parents in Medford, Massachusetts. He attended Johns Hopkins University, where he paid his tuition by taking loans and working as a parking lot attendant during the summer. Elected into office just 2 months after 9/11, he was able to lead the city through the pain and cut crime 20%. In 2005 Bloomberg was re-elected for another term as Mayor.
City Level
The Council Member for South Ozone Park, District 28 is Thomas White Jr. who is a pledged Democrat. Councilman White is the Chair of Economic Development. He is also a member of key Council committees including: Housing and Buildings, General Welfare, Environmental Protection and Cultural Affairs, Libraries& International Intergroup Relations. Also he is the co-Founder and Executive Director of J-CAP, one of the largest and most effective alcohol and substance abuse residential treatment programs in New York State.
Assembly woman Vivian E. Cook was born in Rock Hill. South Carolina on May 23, 1937. For over 25 years Cook as served as a District Leader Queens County. She is an activist for community improvement secured funding for various building and reconstruction projects. Her efforts helped in building a park at the Baisley Park Extension/150th Street and in rebuilding the Charles R. Drew Memorial Park, 140th Street Park, Rochdale Park and the tennis courts and recreation building also located at this site. She has helped develop community housing programs that provide residents with affordable homes. She has also obtained improved benefits, housing, and medical services for senior citizens.
South Ozone Park is a quiet neighborhood. Predominantly Indians, African Americans and a large concentration of Caribbean people live here. The community is very clean and has the Van Wyck and the famous Aqueduct race track. Similarly, the historic Baisley Pond Park sits in the middle of the community. Neighbors are very family oriented and usually keep to themselves. The children and teenagers are not usually outside. Maybe they go to their friend's houses in neighboring communities or even Brooklyn. The best place to go shopping is on Jamaica Ave, which is teeming with independent clothing stores and a movie theater, Old Navy, Gap, Marshall's etc.
The only problem about the neighborhood is the bus service. The Q7 's service is limited after 4'00 which is the normal time for school kids to finish their day. I work therefore I don't get home until after 9'00pm. There are only two buses that run in an hour after rush hour. Thus if you were to miss the 8:26pm bus then you would have to wait for the 8:56pm bus.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Liberian Immigrants in New York City
QUESTIONS
Frankly, I think that the violence in Liberia is similar to that in Darfur's Sudanese region, being that people of color are still being oppressed and their rights are suppressed as the dominant race try and eradicate their culture (ethnic cleansing) and make them feel inferior.
- How do you thing the youths in America can help the displaced refugees from Liberia? ( What kind of activism will it take from us to garner them a prosperous future)
- Being that you did your dissertation on Liberia, have you visited the nation?
- From personal experience and in depth research how can you surmise the economic state of Liberia and it's social infrastructure?
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Isaac Wallace-Johnson
Isaac Theophilus Akunna Wallace-Johnson (1895-1965) was a West African trade union organizer, nationalist political leader, journalist, and pan-Africanist. He was born to Creole parents in Wilberforce, Sierra Leonne. Granted that during his early life blacks were still considered inferior, missionaries were sent from the United States to 'teach and civilize' Africans with the word of God. This 'civilazation' occurred through the construction of Catholic churches and mission schools, which is where Isaac Wallace- Johnson was educated. However, he abandoned his secondary education and became employed in an attempt to support his family. He worked in various commercial establishments until 1913, when he became a clerk for the colonial government.
Wallace's oratory and organization skills were exceptional and propelled him to a leadership position at the Customs Department in Sierra Leonne where he organized the first trade union.
In 1914 he called for a strike and was immediately fired. the years passed Wallace took on more jobs that enabled him to voice his opinions and vehemently oppose the injustices that occured in Sierra Leonne. Whether it was publishing his own editorial in various newspapers or joining a cul-de-sac, he managed to speak his mind. Quickly, British officials castigated him and deemed him a trouble maker. He was incarcerated however he managed to attract a large crowd who related to him and the changes of independence he wanted to occur in Sierra Leonne.
As the years passed the British officials continued to cause problems in Wallace's life and dterred some of his followers, however until his death on May 10, 1965, at the age of 70, in a car crash in Ghana while attending the Afro Asian Solidarity Conference, Wallace still managed gain the respect of other Pan Africanist and more importantly the people.
What did I discover?
Similar to Jamaica's national heroes and heroine, Isaac Wallace-Johnson has done a lot for Sierra Leonne's independence and its fight against the British. It was his voice and his fight against injustices in order to uplift his nation and people which made him a household name in Sierra leonne. Thus, it is evident why his statue was erected and why his fellow Leoneans are thankful for his achievements and the obstacles he overcame to propel the country forward to liberty.
Citations
African American Lives
February 13, Channel 13 at 9pm
1) Who is Dr. Henry Gates?
Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. is among a lists of many things. He is a literary critic, educator, scholar, writer, editor, and public intellectual. Currently he serves as the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor at Harvard University, where he is Director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research. In addition he s the host and co-producer of African American Lives and African American Lives 2 in which he details the lineage of predominant African Americans through genealogical resources and DNA testing.
African American Lives has led Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. to insurmountable discoveries of his ancestry. Since the program's first series airing he has learned about his European ancestry and in the second installment viewers learned that he was descended from the Irish king, Niall of the Nine Hostages. Also, he learned of his descent from the Yoruba people of Nigeria. In 2006, Gates was inducted into the Sons of the American Revolution, after he traced his lineage back to John Redman, a Free Negro who fought in the Revolutionary War.
2) Choose one of Dr. Gates interviewee and discuss the following: historical events of his/her family and their historical significance.
Unlike many slaves who gained freedom after the Civil War, Don Cheadle's ancestors were not free. In fact, Cheadle's ancestors were owned by the Chickasaw Freedman's, former slaves of the Chickasaw Nation. His ancestors were enslaved by Native Americans. His ancestors were one the few African Americans who were not enslaved by Caucasians. Thus, when the Civil War ended the Chickasaw refused to liberate their slaves. They were a self governing nation thus they were not subjected to the laws Americans abide by.
Friday, January 18, 2008
I See the Promised Land
"Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent. "
—"I See the Promised Land,"Speech in Memphis, Tennessee, April 3, 1968
Martin Luther King Jr.
My Thoughts
Frankly, I think that this quote is universal and everyone can live their life by the lessons Dr. King addresses in this speech. The only way that change can occur is if you work hard and diligently at it. Although change is inevitable you cannot sit around and expect it to go in your favor. Thus if your back is bent which means that you are lazy then the changes that will occur you will not like. You are the architect of your own life.
Questions
What is your interpretation of Dr. Kings speech?
What do you think Dr. King did for African Americans?
Do you think that if Dr. King was not assissnated or he did not deliver his 'I have a Dream speech ' then the racial injustices that plagued our ancestors would still exist?
Monday, January 14, 2008
The stress and anxiety of college applications
The college application process can be very strenuous and nerve wrecking. Teenagers all over the world who are in the process of applying to college have to write numerous essays detailing their likes and dislikes, extracurricular activities and also their academics. However, anxiety kicks in when students actually send out their applications and have to wait a month or two for acceptance letters to find out if they are a prospective student in the Universities which they applied.
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