Category Archives: Response

Jerry, the Newsstand Man

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Over the summer, I worked at International Center of Photography at the Point as an assistant teacher.

One of my students, Charles, came to class one day and told us about a Newsstand Man he had photographed. He interviewed him about his life and well-being. The following story is Jerry’s (the Newsstand Man) story told to Charles:

Jerry Delakas is an honest, hardworking man who has been running the Astor Place Newsstand for the last 24 years, and is now facing eviction. Jerry has very much become a fixture of the neighborhood. He is a friendly and familiar face to residents, tourists, and schoolchildren. What Jerry enjoys most is watching the the world go by as he lovingly attends to his post.

A native of Cephallonia, Greece, Jerry’s work as a merchant seaman brought him to the US in the 70s. He attained his “American Dream” by being his own boss running the newsstand. In over 20 years of work, he’s been witness to the striking transformation of the city and of his neighborhood in particular.

But, Jerry’s days are numbered….

The city is attempting to evict him from his stand because he doesn’t have the required license. The previous owner of the license had allowed Jerry to run the stand and left it to him in her Will. Now, the City of New York stipulates that their arrangement is invalid, and refuses to grant Jerry the license to be proprietor of his own stand.

At 64 years old Jerry is in a precarious position. He is now relying on the support of the community: friends, neighbors, concerned citizens of the world and activists alike.

We can save Jerry with the support of people like you!

www.change.org/petitions/help-jerry-keep-his-newsstand

To view pictures of Jerry visit Charles flicker here.

Banned Books

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Last year one of my little fifth graders came in my classroom and asked me what masturbation meant. I first asked her to repeat the question to make sure I was hearing correctly, then I asked her where she heard the word.

It’s in this book I’m reading

What’s the title?

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Oh, I replied. Can I see the book?

She gave me the book and I told her to first let me scan the book and then we could ‘talk’. For the rest of the day I was wondering how to handle this situation. Finally, at the end of the day she came back for her book. I told her to first give me more time to read it. I thought maybe she was reading a book that was not written for her age bracket but then I found out the total opposite. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is written for people her age!

To say the least, I never explained what the word meant neither did she get her book back. Instead I gave her Ellie McDoodle Have Pen, Will Travel by Ruth McNally Barshaw.

I learned from Courier-Journal.com that this week is supposed to be Banned Book Week. Fight against censorship and free speech they call it…who’s fighting to keep our children innocent?

 

100 Moments

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This year, if he was still alive, Gordon Parks would have turned 100 years old.

I went to Harlem, 135th Street, and visited the  Schomburg Center to view the Gordon Parks photo exhibition titled, 100 Moments. Each moment I spent in the center was inspiring.

I think the most encouraging part for me was listening to the short documentary of Parks life. I took some notes on his views of photography and his work. Listening to the video made me understand why I love his work: I find myself, he said, speaking for poor people who can’t speak for themselves…and in that way I speak for myself.  He continued, I am an objective reporter with a subjective heart. My emotions, he said, get in the way but I don’t allow them to dominate.

When I was in High School, I wanted to meet him but never got the chance as he died the year I graduated.

The photo I enjoyed the most is titled: Music: That Lordly Power 1993. Maybe it spoke to how I was feeling right then. I know it’s an image I am not going to forget.

Kudos to Deborah Willis who put together a brilliant show.

For Closure

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In West Farms Square there is a new sculpture titled “For Closure” by artist Gabriela Salazar. It is a 26-feet-tall artwork made from locally salvaged doors and resembles a house of cards.

I ran into these young women and asked them to pose for me. And they were just A*W*E*S*O*M*E. You will see more photos with these DIVAS but before that here is some history of the Artwork.

I took the following excerpt from the artist’s website:

It is meant to represent the fragility of the housing market.

“A lot of people already talk about financial collapse so I don’t necessarily expect the piece is going to bring more attention to that, but I do hope it humanizes that experience a little bit, reminds people that all these homes are actual people’s lives,” said artist Gabriela Salazar

The temporary art work was brought in through a partnership between the Bronx River Art Center and the Department of Transportation’s Urban Art Program.

“For Closure” will be on display for seven months.

I think “For Closure” is in the perfect spot. I see my neighborhood changing everyday. So many businesses are closing down and there is an increase of homelessness in the Bronx. Homes are going up everywhere but it seems more are moving out of the neighborhood than moving in.

Just this week when I was passing out ‘Saving Kayton’s‘ flyers, I ran into a mother with three children who asked me about helping her find an apartment. She seemed very desperate.

Speaking of  ‘Saving Kayton’s‘ I am still working on the project. I spoke to Bronx officials and emailed friends and family hoping for the story to fall into the right person’s hands…now we just have to wait. It’s sad that we have to fight so hard for a store with such history and good quality to stay in our neighborhood. However, if landlords don’t care enough  about single mothers with children then why would they care about a store?!

Best Friends

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Artist: Gabriela Salazar

Sculpture: “For Closure”

Models:

Tiffany Sarpong

Eva

Nana

Rachel

Elizabeth

Deborah

Erina

Tony, he who answers Questions

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While in Philadelphia, I got lost and almost stayed there until Sunday!

Anyway, that’s not what I want to write about. I want to write about a conversation between a stranger on the Septa, me and my sister.

It was only us three in that car on the train.  We noticed Tony board the train right away because he was wearing a bright red.

My sister and I were snapping pictures of each other and at first Tony was just watching us then he asked us where we were from.

Wow, New York?

Yeah. 

I never been. I’ve been in Philly all my life.

All your life? Like, you never left?

Well, I traveled before. but only south. I was born and raised in Philly. 

He began to tell us how he liked Philly and how the neighborhoods were changing. We spoke demographics for a while then I asked him something my sister and I were talking about…

Tony, we notice that a lot of men wear full beards…is there a reason?

He looked cautious. His neck went low into his shoulders and he whispered Muslims.

I have no idea why he said the word Muslim like that. There were young people in the next car and a guy who had a beard…but they didn’t look like they were Muslim!

All of them are Muslim?

All.

But then that makes almost everyone here Muslim.

All of them.

But-

Yeah, it’s the Muslims. 

He was still kind-of speaking weird. We would have continued, but our stop came. We still wonder if almost all the men in Philly are Muslim.

John and David are Brothers

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I just got back in from the City of Brotherly Love… I met so many people and went more places than I planned to go…inspiration comes when you need it the most.

I ran into two handsome young men in Philadelphia (actually I ran into a lot of handsome men…it was just awesome. So many black men with great style…), both willing to pose for a picture. One is older and more calm while the other is younger with a lot more energy; however, John and David are brothers.

Can you guess which on is John and which one is David??

Please note the neck tie and the small beard…is this a fashion statement or a religious belief? It’s different from the red shoe laces matching the red plaid shirt.

And just in case you are wondering, that red thing he is standing next to, is a life-size monopoly piece.