Author: m.oliveira

By now, everyone in New York, the United States, the world and the universe know that Donald J. Trump will be the 45^th President of America come January 20^th.

Trump becoming the President-elect has received many mixed reactions, from those that love and support him and those who oppose and berate him. Whether you like him or not, one thing is certain… he will be the next President of the United States.

“Trump no va se nada en este pais” (Trump will amount to nothing in this country) said Jaime Soto, 38. “I don’t understand how he won the election, I just don’t.”

Soto is a hard working construction worker that camps out at the local home depot at five in the morning trying to find work so that he can provide for his family.

“I don’t have one of those nice jobs where I work in an office and make a lot of money, but, I am proud of what I do.”

Soto migrated to the United States from Mexico in 2002, hoping he could land a good job and send money back to his family in Mexico. “This isn’t what I thought it would be, but I can’t complain.”

Trump becoming the next president of the United States has Soto worried. “I am not an American Citizen. I don’t have the benefits they do. I don’t want to leave this country. I don’t want to be kicked out. What about my kids? They need a father!”

Soto like many other Mexican immigrants are facing an uncertain future with Trump taking office. The uncertainty at times according to Soto can be overbearing.“I know what I will do tomorrow, but what about the next day and the day after that… I just don’t know anymore.”

With Trump taking office in less than two months, his name remains polarizing throughout all parts of the United States.

In Sunset Park, many of the reactions are no different.  Sunset Park has a very vast immigrant community. Almost 75% of the population in Sunset Park have come from a different ethnic background.

Whether they are Hispanic, Latino, Asian, etc. each provide diversity to a community that embraces it heavily.

Trumps election victory hasn’t resonated well with many in this community as it should. Trump is a man who at one point called all Mexicans “rapists and criminals.”

Those within the community say Trumps animosity towards Mexicans leaves them feeling unpleasant. “When he first announced he was running, I knew it would be trouble, I just never thought he’d make it this far,” said Leon.

“I never imagined this country being run by an imbecile,” said Ricardo Islas.

Islas works at a local deli in Park Slope, where he deals with produce and the art of sandwich making.

“I don’t love my job… I love the people that come in everyday”

Islas along with his wife and daughter immigrated to the United States in 2014 in hopes of seeking better pay and financial security.

“In Mexico, we would work and work hard. I only had money to pay the bills and nothing else… Mexico is my home, but I couldn’t live there anymore. America was always a place I wanted to go and one day I told my wife that I couldn’t take it anymore and that we need to go.”

Islas enjoys life in America, but surely misses his family in Mexico. “In Mexico, family is very important. No matter what happen they are always there. It’s hard not having them around.

That being said, Islas is worried about the future he and his family have in this country. “If I knew Trump would be president, I don’t know if I would have come. Maybe… but I would not have been happy.”

Islas along with his family are hoping for the best at this point. “We can’t do anything now. We have no money to go back to Mexico. So we’re just going to sit here and wait.”

Many individuals in the community share the same views as Islas. Over the span of a few weeks, Trump has changed many people’s futures from uncertain to unknown. He has changed the way Americans, eat, sleep and breathe all in the span of a year and a half.

Trumps campaign began way back in June of 2015, where Trump amidst all of his new supporters promised to “Make America Great Again.” With that the Trump train set off, with hopes of landing the presidency in November of 2016.

With each passing day came tons of media scrutiny, questionable decisions and hypocrisy and yet, Trump remained a man unfazed.

Most of the media had built Trump’s campaign up as a joke, nothing Americans should take seriously, but yet here he was winning almost every republican primary around America. Trump, the unconventional nominee, made a statement.

By May 3^rd 2016, Trump had locked up the presidential nomination, a whole two and a half months before the Republican convention, which was supposed to determine the nominee.

From there, Trump campaigned across America until the November 8^th election. Going in, Trump was supposed to lose handily to Hilary Clinton, instead she was the one who lost handily to Mr. Trump.

The result was a complete and utter shock to many around the nation. Protests and riots started almost immediately. These individuals would not accept living in a “white America.”

Sunset Park resident Rosa Leon, 44 has this to say “I’m scared for myself and my children… It feels like the world is ending.”

Leon has lived in parts of Sunset Park for almost 15 years and is very frustrated with the outcome of the election.

“I came to America twenty years ago to make a better life, looking back I should have just stayed home. How this man was given this power by the American people? I don’t understand and I will never forgive them.”

Leon came to America in 1995, with her two brothers. They had family that had immigrated here in the early 90’s and new this was a great opportunity to do something special.

“You know in Mexico, you hear all about how the United States is this and the United States is that, well I wanted to be part of that United States and that is what I did.”

Leon’s first job was at a nail salon. “I knew I couldn’t choose what I wanted to do, so I took the first thing that opened up.”

From there she went on to get married and had two kids, Ramona and Jacqueline.   Now twelve and ten respectively, the girls attend P.S. 124. “I’m so proud of my girls. They are smart and beautiful, I love them so much.”

Leon now wonders what the future holds, “I know they’re American citizens but I’m not, thinking I might be separated from them… I don’t think I can do that.”

Leon’s life may be uplifted right before her very own eyes, all because of Donald Trump. “If I could, I would spit in his face and tell him how much Mexicans hate him. He is horrible and deserves nothing, nothing at all.”

Leon’s feelings of frustration can certainly be sympathized with as she is not alone. Eric Tapia, owner of Pablito’s on 5^th Avenue in Sunset Park expressed his displeasure for Trump as well.

“I remember coming to this country with a few dollars to my name, that was hard. But I had hope, hope that something better will come from all of this for me and mi familia. Now Trump takes that hope away.”

Tapia came to America in 1998 from Mexico, with hopes of starting his own business. “I never thought I’d enter the restaurant business and I also never thought I would make it to the Estados Unidos, but here I am”

Tapia like many other citizens, struggled in Mexico. “My family was dirt poor. If you didn’t like the food, you still had to eat it. if you had a hole in your sock, mi abuela would stich it up,” said Tapia. “If we were lucky we would get two meals a day. Being a poor skinny boy was not fun.”

Tapia worked in construction for his first few years in America, while living with two of his brothers and their families. They lived in Sunset Park, where in 2013 one of the local coffee joints closed down. Tapia knew this was the perfect time to start a business.

“The space was big enough and with the rest of my brothers, we could afford to take on the place, we just needed an Idea. My brother Frederico thought we should bring the Mexican Culture here and we couldn’t agree more.

Opened for two years, Tapias restaurant has thrived, especially within the Mexican community. “I love coming here. The food is great and everyone is just like you. It feels like home,” said Islas.

Tapia takes much pride from his work. He is happy he has made it this far and only hopes to expand. “For me, I am not satisfied with this place. I want to expand, I want to hire more people, I want to do everything I can to be even more successful.”

However, with Trump as the President to be, Tapia believes much of his progress can be stalled. “This idiot believes that all Mexicans are bad people, well let me tell you something Donald Trump, tu es basura, no es nada para mi y mi familia.”

“How can you be the President of the greatest country of the world and be against culture. We make America what it is and when he realizes that, then I can respect him as a man,” said Tapia.

Islas, Leon, Soto and Tapia are prime examples of people that live in Sunset Park and are against Donald Trump. Now can you imagine what the whole country has to say about Trump… the rants would be endless.

As for Sunset Park, it will continue to grow, not only as a city, but socially and physically as well. It is one of the most diverse cities in Brooklyn.

In regards to the election, it may have come and gone, but it’s still one of the most talked about topics in America and it’s been a month since it took place. .. Even Romney didn’t demand a recount!

Nonetheless, Donald Trump will assume office in less than two months and Love him or hate him America, meet Donald J. Trump the 45^th President of the United States.

 

By now, everyone in New York, the United States, the world and the universe know that Donald John Trump will be the 45^th President of America come January 20^th.

Trump becoming the President-elect has received many mixed reactions, from those that love and support him and those who oppose and berate him.

“Trump no va se nada en este pais” said Jaime Soto, 38. “I don’t understand how he won the election, I just don’t.”

Soto is a hard working construction worker that camps out at the local home depot at five in the morning trying to find work so that he can provide for his family.

“I don’t have one of those nice jobs where I work in an office and make a lot of money, but, I am proud of what I do.”

Soto migrated to the United States from Mexico in 2002, hoping he could land a good job and send money back to his family in Mexico.

“This isn’t what I thought it would be, but I can’t complain.”

Trump becoming the next president of the United States has Soto worried.

“I am not an American Citizen. I don’t have the benefits they do. I don’t want to leave this country. I don’t want to be kicked out. What about my kids? They need a father!”

Soto like many other Mexican immigrants are facing an uncertain future with Trump taking office. The uncertainty at times according to Soto can be overbearing.

“I know what I will do tomorrow, but what about the next day and the day after that… I just don’t know anymore.”

With Trump taking office in less than two months, his name remains polarizing throughout all parts of the United States

In Sunset Park, many of the reactions are no different.  “I’m scared for myself and my children” said Rosa Leon, 44. It feels like the world is ending.”

Sunset Park has a very vast immigrant community. Almost 75% of the population in Sunset Park have a different background.

Whether they be Hispanics, Latinos, Asians, etc. each provide diversity to a community that embraces it heavily.

Trumps victory in this election hasn’t resonated well with many in this community as it should. Trump is a man who at one point called all Mexicans “rapists and criminals.”

Those within the community say Trumps animosity towards Mexicans leaves them feeling unpleasant. “When he first announced he was running, I knew it would be trouble, I just never thought he’d make it this far,” said Leon.

That is the sentiment many have within the community. Many are terrified for their futures, as they should be.

Over the span of a few weeks, Trump has changed many people’s futures from uncertain to unknown. He has changed the way Americans, eat, sleep and breathe all in the span of a year and a half.

Trump’s campaign began way back in June of 2015, where Trump amidst all of his new supporters promised to “Make America Great Again.”

With that the Trump train set off, with hopes of landing the presidency in November of 2016.

With each passing day came tons of media scrutiny, questionable decisions and hypocrisy and yet, Trump remained a man unfazed.

Most of the media had built Trumps campaign up as a joke, nothing Americans should take seriously, but yet here he was winning almost every republican primary around America.

Trump, though unconventional made a statement. By May 3^rd 2016, Trump had locked up the presidential nomination, a whole two and a half months before the Republican convention, which was supposed to determine the nominee.

From there, Trump campaigned across America until the November 8^th election. Going in, Trump was supposed to lose handily to Hilary Clinton, instead she was the one who lost handily to Mr. Trump.

The result was a complete and utter shock to many around the nation. Protests and riots started almost immediately. These individuals would not accept living in a “white America.”

Rosa Leon has lived in parts of Sunset Park for almost 15 years and is very frustrated with the outcome of the election.

“I came to America twenty years ago to make a better life, looking back I should have just stayed home. How this man was given this power by the American people? I don’t understand and I will never forgive them.”

Leon came to America in 1995, with her two brothers. They had family that had immigrated here in the early 90’s and new this was a great opportunity to do something special.

“You know in Mexico, you hear all about how the United States is this and the United States is that, well I wanted to be part of that United States and that is what I did.”

Leon’s first job was at a nail salon. “I knew I couldn’t choose what I wanted to do, so I took the first thing that opened up.” From there she went on to get married and had two kids, Ramona and Jacqueline.

Now twelve and ten respectively, the girls attend P.S. 124. “I’m so proud of my girls. They are smart and beautiful, I love them so much.”

Leon now wonders what the future holds, “I know they’re American citizens but I’m not, thinking I might be separated from them (pause)… I don’t think I can do that.”

Leon’s life could be uplifted right before her eyes, all because of Donald Trump.

“If I could I would spit in his face and tell him how much Mexicans hate him, I would. He is horrible and deserves nothing, nothing at all.”

Leon’s feelings of frustration can certainly be sympathized with as she is not alone. Eric Tapia, owner of Pablito’s on 5^th Avenue in Sunset Park expressed his displeasure for Trump as well.

“I remember coming to this country with a few dollars to my name, that was hard. But I had hope, hope that something better will come from all of this for me and mi familia. Now Trump takes that hope away.”

Tapia came to America in 1998 from Mexico, with hopes of starting his own business. “I never thought I’d enter the restaurant business and I also never thought I would make it to the Estados Unidos, but here I am”

Tapia like many other citizens, struggled in Mexico. “My family was dirt poor. If you didn’t like the food, you still had to eat it. if you had a hole in your sock, mi abuela would stitch it up,” said Tapia. “If we were lucky we would get two meals a day. Being a poor skinny boy was not fun.”

Tapia worked in a restaurant for his first few years in America, while living with two of his brothers and their families.

They lived in Sunset Park, where in 2013 one of the local coffee joints closed down.

Tapia knew this was the perfect time to start a business.

“The space was big enough and with the rest of my brothers, we could afford to take on the place, we just needed an Idea. My brother Frederico thought we should bring the Mexican Culture here and we couldn’t agree more.

Opened for two years now, Tapias restaurant has done relatively well, especially within the Mexican community. “I love coming here. The food is great and everyone is just like you. It feels like home,” said Ricardo Islas.

Tapia takes much pride from his work. He is happy he has made it this far and only hopes to expand.

“For me, I am not satisfied with this place. I want to expand, I want to hire more people, I want to do everything I can to be even more successful.”

However, with Trump as the President to be, Tapia believes much of his progress can be stalled.

“This idiot believes that all Mexicans are bad people, well let me tell you something Donald Trump, tu es basura, no eres nada para mi y mi familia.”(you are trash and don’t mean anything to my family and I

“How can you be the President of the greatest country of the world and be against culture. We make America what it is and when he realizes that, then I can respect him as a man.”

Soto, Leon, Tapia and many others have vocally shared their displeasure for Trump, however, that’s not to say no one in Park Slope supports Trump.

Take James Dreval for example, his family emigrated from Russia to the United States in the beginning of the twentieth century.

His Grandfather worked in the farming industry up until the great depression and eventually fought in World War two.

His Grandmother played a vital part as well as she became a part of women’s transition into the workforce.

From there has family migrated from Louisville to Sunset Park, where Dreval’s family have lived for the past 34 years.

Furthermore, Dreval’s father was a stock broker during his hay day and his mother was a first grade teacher.

Dreval went on to somewhat follow in his father’s footsteps as he has went on to become a financial advisor at Chase Bank

“My family has a very rich history. Over the last one hundred years, we have made a very large impact on this country. This country gave everything to my family and for that I will never forget that,” said Dreval.

Dreval, 30, has lived in Brooklyn for a majority of his life, except for when he attended Penn State University. Dreval is a third generation American, who doesn’t forget his roots.

“I have family in Russia that I always talk too. I am here because of them.”

Dreval is happy with Donald Trump being the future leader of America.

“I’m happy for America. We finally did something right. For a while their it looked like we were rolling down a hill.”

Dreval added “Everyone believes Trumps a bad man, but honestly all they really should do is give him a chance. I know he’s said nasty things, but I doubt he’ll actually do all that shit.”

Now just because there is one success story, it does not take away from the fact that many immigrants, especially Mexicans are scared for their lives.

Leon, Soto and Tapia are just three people that live in Sunset Park. Now imagine what the whole country has to say about Donald Trump, the opinions are endless.

As for Sunset Park, it will continue to grow, not only as a city, but socially and physically as well. It is one of the most diverse cities in Brooklyn.

In regards to the election, it may have come and gone, but it’s still one of the most talked about topics in America and it’s been a month since it took place. .. Even Romney didn’t demand a recount!

Nonetheless, Donald Trump will assume office in less than two months. Love him or hate him America, meet Donald J. Trump the 45^th President of the United States.

The longform article I chose to read came straight from longreads called “The Life and Murder of Stella Walsh, Intersex Olympic Champion.”

This piece details the life and death of Walsh, as well as the secret she kept from everyone. It starts out with Walsh’s murder and subsequent secret reveal. It then reverts back to her early years and many of her illustrious accomplishments.

What I liked about this article’s structure was the way it was able to jump from topic to topic seamlessly. He’d introduce new characters when it was appropriate and did a fine job of including every last detail into this piece.

He looked at both sides with an open mind. He didn’t interject his opinion into this piece visually. From what Rob Tannenbaum gave us, we have to determine our selves which side he chose.

Overall, it was a very good read, a LONG one for sure. It brought a story that was forgotten for a while back into the spotlight, with a 2016 twist.

https://blog.longreads.com/2016/08/18/the-life-and-murder-of-stella-walsh-intersex-olympic-champion/#

Scratch my previous idea, I think I’ve come up with something better. For this final, I’d like to do a feature on illegal immigrants. Being an illegal immigrant in America is obviously challenging. These individuals live their day to day lives in fear, knowing that at any moment they can be sent back to their home countries. In essence, they live life “on the edge.”

Furthermore, I would like to target a specific community in Park Slope, Brooklyn(Sunset Park to be exact). I would like to focus on individuals as well as the small businesses that are owned and run by many of these individuals. I would also like to focus on the demographics of this particular neighborhood. As well as how the many different cultures mesh in a community such as this one.

If certain individuals are interesting than others, I may just focus on just those individuals.

Point to prove: With all this chatter going on about illegal immigrants taking “our” jobs and many other proclamations,  my main focus is to prove that these individuals have a home in America. I will be looking to prove that with so many hardships like language barriers, money and racial issues, that these individuals belong in a place like America

Mishandled and Misguided: Why Crucifying Josh Brown is Not the Answer

Domestic violence. Two words that many individuals fear in our society for a variety of different reasons. Whether it be denial or an individual’s choice to stay quiet, domestic violence is real, especially in today’s world.

Recently, domestic violence allegations have been made against now-former Giants Placekicker Josh Brown.  Brown had been arrested in May 2015 under charges of battery and domestic abuse. However, those charges were dropped immediately and the story went quiet for months.

Brown’s allegations of domestic violence came into the spotlight once again in October of 2016, when the Kings County Sheriff’s office in Washington confirmed that Brown’s allegations of domestic violence were true. The documents have Brown admitting to physically and emotionally abusing his ex-wife Molly Brown on more than twenty different occasions.

Brown had been the kicker of the New York Giants for three and a half seasons. He made many memorable field goals and had become a fan favorite. However, those same fans that cheered him began bashing him in the blink of an eye.

Many around the world were outraged. From ex-football players to news personalities, each had something to say that would only crucify Brown even further.

Baltimore Raven’s wide receiver Steve Smith said it best “If your ex-wife was my daughter, yo ass would be on IR (Injured Reserve).”

Domestic violence is not tolerated in our society. Brown’s actions were disgraceful, distasteful and downright absurd.

However, with much regret I’d have to say that I believe that the best thing the media and everyone else can do, is to leave him alone. He needs time to think about his actions without being under constant watch and scrutiny.

Of course, the argument will be made that since he’s a public figure, we must cover him as he represents himself, the Giants and the NFL. But, from what we’ve seen from previous cases before like Greg Hardy’s, the extra media attention can be detrimental to another athlete, let alone another human beings mental health.

Domestic violence is a very sensitive. However, the constant abuse Brown is taking from fans and media personalities is unsettling.

Brown doesn’t get involved in everyone else’s personal lives so why should we get involved in his? What happened to “privacy?”

It’s been a few since the new reports came out and reporters are still having at it. They can’t seem to let the Giants or Brown breathe.

When someone who isn’t famous commits a crime such as this one, it makes the news for a minute and is never heard from again. So what makes Brown so special?

Again I would like to point out that Brown’s actions were completely unjust, but, he is just like everyone else. Everyone make’s mistakes, they are entitled to them. Brown made his and warrants a second chance.

Famous domestic violence cases in sports include names like O.J. Simpson and Ray Rice are brought up constantly. Simpson was a part of “the chase” and the most covered trial of the 20^th century. Rice beat his wife in an elevator, was backed by his team (the Baltimore Ravens) and then released the minute a new video of the abuse leaked.

On the topic of franchises, the Giants or the Ravens are foul for the way they treat these players. For months they back these players, but as new information is released to the public, they drop these players like a sack of potatoes.

These players get treated like rugs. When it’s old or damaged, you go out and get a new one. .

It shows that the NFL is all about perception and capitol. The minute a player’s value tumbles, they are no longer needed.

The NFL definitely has to step up in light of this situation as Brown’s case has damaged the credibility of the league immensely.

Currently, Brown is currently seeking the help he needs to become a better man, for himself, his kids and the rest of his family. If the media were to continue to throw insults his way, they have the possibility of ruining any progress Brown will make in his attempt to better himself.

“When I heard about this, all I could think about were his kids. The sad part is now they’re going to be the ones who are mocked and bullied at school because of what he did. It’s really sad” said Marilda Silva, 42.

Silva had suffered through many years of during her past marriage. “I stayed because I didn’t want my kids to grow up without a father. I didn’t want them to think that their family was broken. It got to a point where it was so bad. I thought I was going to die. So I left and went to my sister’s house,” said Silva.

Silva does not follow football, but she does believe that his status as a celebrity should have no effect on this situation. “What he did is wrong. Men like him aren’t men, they’re cowards,” said Silva “He’s getting all this attention, like this is what these guys want. Everyone’s going to remember his name, but no one remembers my ex-husbands name, the media is a joke.”

Molly Brown and Ms. Silva are not alone. 1 in 3 woman suffer from domestic abuse yearly, and that number has only been rising. It’s unfortunate, but domestic violence plays a predominant part of the society we live in today.

As for Ms. Brown, we can only hope that she recovers fully from all of the abuse Brown had dealt her. It’s a traumatic situation and just like Mr. Brown, she needs time to be herself.

As for Josh Brown, everyone will continue to bash him. They have every right to as he’s a “hot” name in the sports world. The problem I find is that those people who continue to nag Brown are just as wrong because bullying another bully is not the answer.

Josh Brown’s actions were disgraceful, disgusting, pitiful, the list could go on… However, continuing to destroy this man is not the answer. Instead we must let him live and learn from his mistakes alone, with time we can only hope he makes better of himself, so that his kids don’t have to worry about their dad.

 

 

For this final pitch, I would like to document my sister’s high school basketball team that made it all the way to the state championship years back. Though they lost it was an outstanding achievement. Never had a team from my high school made it to a state championship game. The team was comprised of major players including a 4-star athlete. For this assignment I would like to do a “Where are they now piece?” where I would document their current lives, see if basketball is still a mainstay in their daily lives, as well as seeing if the term “peaking in high school” is legitimate.

My sister was the manager of that team, so I could get into contact with the coaches and former players rather easily.

Domestic violence. Two words that many individuals fear in our society for a variety of different reasons. Whether it be denial or an individual’s choice to stay quiet, domestic violence is real, especially in today’s world.

Recently, domestic violence allegations have been made against now-former Giants Placekicker Josh Brown. Brown had been arrested in May 2015 under charges of battery and domestic abuse. However, those charges were dropped immediately and the story went quiet for months.

It was not until July of 2016 where the story began to make national headlines. The NFL at the time suspended Brown one game for his arrest. The key thing to remember is that they didn’t suspend him for allegations of domestic abuse (which would result in a 6 game suspension for first offenders), they suspended him for his arrest.

Brown’s suspension came and went. By week two of the NFL season, Brown was already back on the sidelines with his teammates, kicking field goals, which he had been doing for the past fourteen seasons.

Brown had been with the Giants for four seasons and was a fan-favorite. He had kicked many memorable field goals throughout his stint with the Giants. However, on October 20^th, the same fans that had cheered Brown for his prowess on the football field, had turned their back on him.

Brown’s allegations of domestic violence had been confirmed true by documents released by the Kings County Sheriff’s office in Washington. The documents have Brown admitting to physically and emotionally abusing his ex-wife Molly Brown on more than twenty different occasions.

Many around the world were outraged. From ex-football players to news personalities, each had something to say that only seemed to crucify Brown even further. Baltimore Raven’s wide receiver Steve Smith said it best “If your ex-wife was my daughter, yo ass would be on IR (Injured Reserve).”

Now, domestic violence is something that should not be tolerated in our society, especially in today’s age. Brown’s actions are disgraceful, pitiful and downright awful. However, what gets me aggravated is that all those fans that cheered Josh Brown when he kicked game winning field goals, were the ones who ripped him the most.

Obviously domestic violence is no sensitive matter. But how can you judge someone you may not even personally know. We have all these fans and journalists ripping Brown and the Giants (who backed him throughout his situation until they released him on October 25^th) for the way they handled the entire situation. But who are these people? Who are they to Brown or the Giants?

It’s something that expands into our daily lives. We are told that to be successful that we have to be humble or thankful to be successful, but why? Who said you have to?

Brown doesn’t get involved in our personal lives so why should we get involved in his? Just because he’s a celebrity? What happened to privacy that we all preach but clearly Brown can’t seem to get any. It’s been over two weeks since the new reports came out and reporters are still having at it. They can’t seem to let the Giants or Brown breathe. It’s about time to get over it.

Again, I’d like to reiterate that in no way shape or form are Browns actions tolerable. However, I believe that the best thing would be to leave him be. He needs time to think about his actions without being under constant watch and scrutiny.

When someone who isn’t famous commits a crime such as this one, it makes the news for a minute and is never heard from again. So what makes Brown so special?

When thinking of domestic violence in sports cases like O.J. Simpson and Ray Rice are brought up constantly. Simpson was a part of “the chase” and the most publicly scrutinized trial in the 20^th century. As for Rice, his case is more recent as he had beat his Wife in an elevator, was backed by his team(the Baltimore Ravens) and then got released the minute a new video came to be revealed.

What makes this situation even worse in my opinion is that these franchises like the Giants or the Ravens for months and then as soon as new information hits the public and the team is on the cusp of being ripped apart by the media, these players get released like they did not mean anything to them. It just shows that the NFL is all about looks and making money. The minute a player’s value tumbles, they are no longer needed. In other words, “they’re just a piece of meat” said Dimitri Badette, a former high school football player.

“What Brown did is a joke. I’m a Giants fan so I used to back him every Sunday. He was one of the best kickers in the league and now I’d bet he isn’t going to play again. Such a waste of talent” said Badette.

Badette’s not wrong. It’s difficult for anyone to make it to the NFL so for Brown who is a veteran to waste his talent is sad. He should have thought about what he did because now it’s not like anyone’s going to call him and offer him a job.

“When I heard about this, all I could think about were his kids. The sad part is now they’re going to be the ones who are mocked and bullied at school because of what he did. It’s really sad” said Marilda Silva, 42.

Silva had suffered through many years of during her past marriage. “I stayed because I didn’t want my kids to grow up without a father. I didn’t want them to think that their family was broken. It got to a point where it was so bad. I thought I was going to die. So I left and went to my sister’s house,” said Silva.

Silva does not follow Football, but she does believe that his status as a celebrity should have no effect on this situation. “What he did is wrong. Men like him aren’t men, they’re cowards.” Said Silva “He’s getting all this attention, like this is what these guys want. Everyone’s going to remember his name, but no one remembers my ex-husbands name, the media is a joke.”

Molly Brown and Marilda Silva is not alone. 1 in 3 woman suffer from domestic abuse yearly, and that number has only been rising. It’s unfortunate, but domestic violence plays a predominant part of the society we live in today.

As for Brown, everyone will continue to bash him. For what he did is unjust. The problem is those people who continue to nag Brown are just as wrong. Those who write about Brown may receive a pay check, but not Brown is unemployed. By continuing to destroy him the chances of him getting another job whether it be in the NFL or at a supermarket lessens by each passing day.

Brown may have been a bully, but it’s not right to bully another bully as two wrongs don’t make a right.

Recently, Josh Brown, Kicker for the New York Giants was released from the team because new information had come to light in the domestic abuse case against his wife. In May of 2015, Brown was arrested after the police were called to his home by his now Ex-wife Molly Brown. The charges were dropped a mere five days later, but signs of abuse were present and were bound to leak eventually, which they did. Amid “pre-mature”evidence, the NFL suspended Brown for only one game of the 2016 NFL season. Since the NFL took a stricter approach to Domestic Violence cases after the Ray Rice debacle, the punishment seemed “easy” for a man that had reportedly beaten his wife multiple times.

Brown did his time and was able to play again relatively quickly. Then new information arose last week and the story hit the internet like wildfire. After five days, the Giants finally released Brown. By then, the damage had already been done. The Giants and the NFL have come under major fire for the way they handled the situation. Many compare the situation to Ray Rice’s and are demanding commissioner Roger Goodell to resign.

For my Op-Ed, I will interview woman effected by Domestic Violence, but also try to get the athletes point of view and whether they believe what is happening is right. I’d also like to investigate as to why the Giants took so long to release Brown as they had known about his case even before they had resigned him in the offseason.

“Black Lives Matter”. Those are words being uttered by many individuals across the nation. Whether it be people of color, Muslims, Latinos or Caucasians, men and women alike have taken a stand against racism in America.

For a country that has made strides over the past few centuries, the last decade has set the United States back tremendously. With names like Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray and many others dominating media headlines for many of the wrong reasons, many across the African American community wonder, “Am I next?” and “When will this stop?”.

Those are questions that seem impossible to answer at this current moment, as just last month Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott headlined news outlets everywhere as the latest Africa Americans to be slain at the hands of the law. “When will enough be enough?” says Markell Waters, a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.

In order to understand the movement, we must understand its origin. The movement began to catch traction on the internet after George Zimmerman was acquitted in the murder of Trayvon Martin. The ruling spread like wildfire across the nation as many people were outraged that an innocent young man was gunned down and the justice system completely whiffed the trial. The Zimmerman Trial brought back memories of the Casey Anthony trial as she too was acquitted of a crime that many say she committed.

None the less, the Black Lives Matter movement was born when Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi took to the internet to discuss their frustration with the ruling in this case. These women came up with the moniker “Black Lives Matter” and to this day, the moniker is only getting stronger and stronger.

Fast Forward to the present day and the Black Lives Matter movement is everywhere. Whether online or on the news, these ladies along with millions of other people have begun to speak out. They hold many friendly protests and stand up for what they believe in.

The Black Lives Matter movement has reached out too many social media outlets, including Facebook, which has a Black Lives Matter group that represents New York.  Two prominent members that I interacted with in the group were Markell Waters, 21 and Spencer Smith, 23.

Both of these Individuals have completely different backgrounds as Mr. Waters family is from Jamaica, while Smith’s family is from Haiti. Mr. Waters is a resident of Long Island, New York, where he attends NYIT as an art major, while Smith is from Queens, New York, where he has hopes that he will be the next big rapper to come out of the area.

Though these two have completely different backgrounds, here they were in the same Facebook group, fighting for the same cause.

For Mr. Waters, he is tired of what is transpiring in this country. “Every night before I go to bed, I pray to God for a better tomorrow for those of us in the community and yet I feel like my prayer is being answered backwards” says Mr. Waters. His mother and father came to this country in the early 90’s in hopes of starting a family and having a better life. Now Mr. Waters will not deny that America has given him the opportunity to express himself freely, but he will say that being someone of color is tough. “It’s like being under a microscope. Someone is always watching you, whether you like it or not”.

People of color have always been discriminated against. As the decades go by, the criticisms of these people seems to only get worse. Take it from Mr. Smith, who for half of his life has been called a thug, criminal and even a vigilante. “When I walk into a supermarket, all eyes are on me. When I walk into Foot Locker, all eyes are on me, When I’m at work, all eyes are on me. When will there be a day where no one Is watching me?” Smith admits that he hasn’t been a saint, but, neither have people of so many other colors, so why is it that he says he is the only one that gets in trouble? “It’s because I’m black. Being born black is gods greatest gift, but also his greatest sin”.

These two men have been supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement since 2014 and don’t see themselves quitting anytime soon. “They can take everything from us, our homes, our jobs and our dignity, but they can’t take away our pride. They can kill as many of us off if they have to, even if they do, we will still find a way.” says Smith.

For these men, the movement shall never die. They don’t view it as a pastime or something to do. They have made the movement apart of who they are and try to educate the masses as best as they can. “The movement is only getting stronger. They can tell us to stay quiet as long as they can try, but soon they’ll have no chance at stopping us” said Mr. Waters.

These are tenacious young men who are fighting for what they believe in. Both of these men have traveled far and wide. Smith has attended gathering in Pennsylvania, while Waters has gone all the way to Georgia, where he has relatives who also fight for “What is right”.

“No matter where you are, you can look around and someone will always be different. The problem with our society is that people are scared of different. But, I’ve learned that in this lifetime, different is normal and that’s how I choose to live my life” said Smith.

In all ironies, Smith and Waters have actually met on several occasions at rallies throughout New York City. They have become good friends, and look forward to meeting up each time. The odds of Smith and Waters meeting would probably be between zero in a million had it not been for the movement.

Not only has the movement educated the community, it also brought them much closer together. “Everyone here is a part of my family, so if someone messes with any of the guys and gals in it, it’s on” said Mr. Smith. The movement clearly isn’t temporary, it’s here to stay.

With demonstrations across the nation, someone is bound to listen and relay the message to someone else. It’s a never ending chain-reaction that will only get stronger as the days go by. We can deny them all we want, but until something changes, they won’t stop. Mr. Smith and Mr. Waters are just two of the millions of colored citizens that have had enough with the system. They want what is right and won’t stop until they get it.