Category Archives: Assignment Four – Community

This is the Lower East Side Manhattan.

The LES is a microcosm of all NYC. It was once home to thousands of poor immigrants looking to better their standard of living but instead they were ostracized; subjected to racism, no power, no equal rights. But over time thanks to people like Jacob Riis, who helped spread their story of injustice and expose through photographs the reality of their living situation, things did change in LES. Jewish people started to own and operate their own businesses, and they became successful. Artists started moving into the neighborhood for the low rents and great location. Musicians hung out at the local bars. Now developers are building luxury condos. The Lower East Side has everything, grunge, elitism, fashion, food, and nightlife. This is the LES today.

Philadelphia, “The City of Brotherly Love”, is one of the most historic cities in America. It was the prime location of early American history and the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence. Although times have changed since then, the all American image can still be found anywhere you go to within Philadelphia. With it’s attractions, landmarks, and the famous Philly cheese steaks, one can find a lot to do when they visit. Symbols of freedom and American traditions are still found on every corner within this diverse community.

Bensonhurst is located in South Brooklyn, along the west end line. Traditionally known for its Italian community, the face of Bensonhurst has changed over the years. Today, there is a vibrant community of Italians, Chinese, and Pakistanis mixed throughout the neighborhood. These new cultures can be seen in the life along 86th street, one of the most well known shopping streets in Brooklyn. So too can the cultural comparisons been seen in places like parks or at the churches in the neighborhood.

The Oyster Fest of Oyster Bay takes place once a a year on Long Island. Its a festival where families go to spend a day. Kids can have fun on the rides, while parents can enjoy the art stands and food and beer. I went to the festival in late afternoon, so it was packed. I tried to get photos of everything that makes up a neighborhood and the festival from kids to families to students.

Places such as food stands are what make up a community, some have been there for years and its something that someone can go to for years.  Things like fun rides and pony rides are what make up a childhood. Also a community is about safety, a police officer and a bus are ideal in a community with kids and families. The event attracted people from all ages and thats how the community came together.

The Tag Sale is a biannual event that takes place in the Berkeley Towers’ Co-op recreation room located in Woodside, Queens. The co-op’s Board of Directors and Social Committee wprk in unison to secure the two sale dates of every year: one in May and another in November.

Twice a year participating Berkeley shareholders rent tables for $15  to sell new and used nic nacs, furniture, rugs, paintings and handmade goods. This is also a day where the Berkeley Tower community socialize with one another as well as open their doors to the public.

The biannual Tag Sale is also advertised in the Woodside neighborhood’s local newspapers like the Woodside Herald and the Queen’s Gazette.

Essay:

For this project I attempted to depict the community of Inwood as largely Dominican. The Dominican immigrants have brought with them their culture and integrated it into American culture. There is thus a cultural overlap. There is something very brightly colored and optimistic in tone about the Dominican Republic as is with many Caribbean countries, a kind of joyful friendliness that is evident in the murals and the colors of the storefronts. There is a strong patriotic sentiment towards both the Dominican Republic and the United States but the language and customs of the Dominican Republic always come first. The signs are almost always in Spanish first, many stores are named after the country or bear the Dominican flag, and yet many times the American flag is still present. Sadly I was unable to follow a specific family but I attempted to present a variety of persons and scenarios in order to depict the Dominican community.

On any given afternoon, you walk into what could be the most beautiful professional dance studio just about anywhere. While the daze of entrancing, glimmering chandeliers begins to subside you find yourself wondering what you’re doing standing in the doorway. Ribbons of energy swirl through the room along side the rhythms of Salsa, Tango, Paso Doble, one right after the other. There is something slightly unusual though.

Everyone in the room is under 25 with most being even half a decade shy. The instructors, secretaries and manager, not a single person an exception to the rule. This is not always the case, however, they are the shining stars that compose 90+ percent of the company. Talented, ambitious young men and women who are world champions and masters, leaping back and forth extending their hand, skill and smile.

Over the years DanceWithMeUsa(.com) has grown into NYC, their first two studios were in Long Island and New Jersey respectively. The staff have become a team which exists outside the studio walls and was brought together by the musical sanctuaries. This room filled with a heap of suns can say dancing never gets boring. When not competing, teaching or attending school in search of higher education, DWM staff have gone from strangers to coworkers to friends to family. They change their professional shoes for their socialite attire and Jive on arm in arm into the night.