The start of spring season in Brooklyn falls on a different day than the rest of the boroughs. The year’s favorite season is celebrated on April 29th this year by the admiration of Cherry Blossoms in Botanic Gardens. Sakura Matsuri, Brooklyn’s spring Cherry Blossom Festival, is more than just visually appealing scenery to decorate your social media profile; it’s a celebration of Japanese culture. For $30.00 per ticket ($25.00 for students) you can watch, participate and indulge in over 60 events.
Sakura Matsuri, Botanic Garden Brooklyn April 29th, 2017 – Amirai Mathias, 18, cosplay as a character from the Japanese anime, “Naruto”.Sakura Matsuri, Botanic Garden Brooklyn April 29th, 2017 – Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden.Sakura Matsuri, Botanic Garden Brooklyn April 29th, 2017 – Sohenryu Tea Ceremony for Families at the BBG Tea Center in the auditorium.Sakura Matsuri, Botanic Garden Brooklyn April 29th, 2017 – Soumi Shimizu teaches the art of tea.Sakura Matsuri, Botanic Garden Brooklyn April 29th, 2017 – Corey, 23, Lloy, 23, Wesley, 23, Kyle, 23, Shanice, 23 (left to right) cosplay as various characters from different Japanese anime.Sakura Matsuri, Botanic Garden Brooklyn April 29th, 2017 – Jeremy Horland teaches origami to families.Sakura Matsuri, Botanic Garden Brooklyn April 29th, 2017 – J-Music Ensemble performs jazz music inspired by Japanese anime and video game theme songs.Sakura Matsuri, Botanic Garden Brooklyn April 29th, 2017 – Religious Shinto shrine dedicated to “INARI”, the God of harvest and protector of plants.Sakura Matsuri, Botanic Garden Brooklyn April 29th, 2017 – Main Stage, Cherry Esplanade.
Poverty, inequality and drugs are few of the main problems in Colombia throughout the years. Some of the more current problems in Colombia include the political issues and the Zika virus. However, the largest controversy continues to revolve around the relationship between the Colombian government and the rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed forces of Colombia (FARC). FARC was founded in 1964 during the Cold War and they follow a Marxist-Leninist ideology. FARC started off as primarily poor farmers who sought out for equality.
After voters rejected a peace treaty between Colombia’s government and FARC in October 2016, the Government then went through congress to agree to a newly revised treaty in November, most likely with the disapproval of the people.
Where does one get their news from when the media is primarily controlled by either the wealthy or one of the two main political parties? Colombia was ranked 128th in 2015 on the Reporters without Borders freedom scale, so it’s safe to say that it’s a dangerous place for journalist coming from abroad. Some Colombians in the United States do not believe that the media paints the full picture.
Brayan Cano, 26 year old youth soccer coach for the New York Star Premier, moved to the United States when he was 10 years old for a chance at a better life and more opportunities than his family thought Colombia could offer. Cano is one of the ones currently living in the United States that feels the media isn’t entirely reliable. “In Colombia it’s a lot of corruption so the news and the media are always going to show you what is going to get them ratings and more views. So, they might report on big events but they never get deep within the issue. Like with the whole FARC situation, not once have I seen them go into the poor neighborhoods or to the voters who were most affected.”
Bray Cano, 26
LuizCarime Baez, 49 years old, is one of the ones to move to the United States who was directly affected by FARC.
Like Cano, Baez, moved to the United States with her family when she was 10 years old, in search for a better life. Nearly 20 years ago Baez’s uncle was kidnapped by the rebel group for 30 days. He was deprived of his land and most of his savings.
Many believe that only the voices being heard are the ones in power. Those in power are either the ones with money or guns. Baez, however, finds the media in Colombia to be reliable, even from the perspective of someone living in the United States.
Baez says, “I believe Colombia resources are reliable. We have a variety of sources, we have freedom of speech and we are not controlled by the government.”
The divide between the audiences of the Colombian media is as evident as the divide between those in support of the peace treaty and those who are not. What is not as evident is the future state of Colombia.
Colombia is named after Christopher Columbus. Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela are the three countries that came from the split of Gran Colombia in 1830. The current population of Colombia is 47,220,856. It is the second most popular South American country, following Brazil. The official language of Colombia is Spanish and the dominant religion Roman Catholic. Life expectancy at birth for the total pollution is 75.7 years; 72.6 years for males and 79 years for females (98th highest in the world). The average age is 29.6 years old; 28.7 for males and 30.6 for women. Population growth rate for Colombia is 1.02 percent; 105th in the world. The ethnic groups of Colombia are: 84.2 percent mestizo and white, 10.4 percent Afro-Colombian, 2.4 percent Amerindian and 2.1 percent unspecified. The current president, as of August 7th 2010, is Juan Manuel Santos and the vice president is German Vargas Lleras. Presidents are elected by the majority vote and serve a four year term. Presidents used to be able to reelect for a second four-year term, but due to a recent change, starting 2018 presidents are only able to serve one four-year term.
Colombia is the fifth largest Latin community in New York City. Colombians started migrating to New York in the 1960’s and is predominately in Jackson Height, Queens. Most of Colombia’s media is run by for profit companies. The media gets most of its money from advertisements, mainly from the government and wealthy people. Many claim that Colombia is one of the, if not the, most dangerous place in Latin America for journalist.
Poverty, inequality and drugs are few of the main problems in Colombia throughout the years. Some of the more current problems in Colombia include the political issues and the Zika virus. One of the largest issues in Colombia is the conflict between the Colombian government and the rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed forces of Colombia (FARC). FARC was founded in 1964 during the Cold War and they follow a Marxist-Leninist ideology. FARC started off as primarily poor farmers who sought out for equality. After voters rejected a peace treaty between Colombia’s government and FARC in October 2016, the Government then went through congress to agree to a newly revised treaty in November, most likely to the disapproval of the people.
I would like to focus on the aforementioned topic for this class. Try to dig a little deeper and speak to those who are currently living in Colombia and find out why the majority of the people voted against the initial treaty between the Colombian government and FARC. Also, I would like to find out their thoughts on the government bypassing the votes of its people and agreeing to a revised treaty on their own. I would like to also speak to Colombians who have immigrated to New York find out why, if their decision or family decision has anything to do with conflict between the guerrilla organization and the government. Would also like to know their experiences living in Colombia and how it compares to living in New York, if it’s what they expected.
As of right now I have a source who moved to New York from Colombia with his family 16 years ago. He is willing to link me to sources and family members who are still currently living in Colombia. I was told by the source that their media outlets in Colombia are biased in favor of the government, which makes sense since most of it is for profit. The media outlets don’t explain in detail the reasons as to why the people opposed the initial treaty, so I hope to gain that perspective. Some issues I may face will be the language barrier. My source is willing to translate but sometimes things get lost in translation and can only be explained thoroughly in the language that the issues apply to. Another issue may be gaining perspective from anyone in an organization that supports FARC or anyone in some type of significant position in Colombia.
As much as I would like to use photography as my media, it would be difficult for this assignment as the issue is more so abroad than domestic. However, I will like to include some type of photojournalism.
