Monthly Archives: February 2012

Vatisha Smith

 Rich No More

The Great Debate

If someone makes at least $300,000 a year, are they rich? What exactly does it mean to be rich? With the recent emergence of the economic crisis, this question is becoming a heavily debated issue. If you ask a so-called member of the 99%,

A lone occupier holding down the fort. Photo by V. Smith

you will certainly get a different answer than from someone who may be considered a member of the 1%.

Who and How Much?

The New York Times recently published an article on income in America. For some, it was an eye opener about who makes the most money. For others, it only created more questions about wealth in this country. The article found that most individuals deemed the top earners in the US, have an income of at least $300,000. Encompassed in that group were physicians, attorneys, financial managers, and the self-employed. The article received huge responses because many people including myself, see the RICH as professional athletes, CEOs of corporations, and entertainers. We do NOT look at our primary care physician as rich. Even television personalities, e.g., reality TV stars are considered rich.

He say, She say.

Why have many of the top 1% earners in this country, vehemently denied they are rich? In the past it was considered rude and low class to discuss money. How much you had, how much you were able to accumulate, and especially how much you spent. Now it’s become a different story.  The well to do are everywhere we look. Television, Magazines, the Internet. Rich is shoved under our noses at every turn.

Village rental for over $18,000 a month. Photo by V. Smith

If you own more than one home are you rich? If you own more than one luxury vehicle are you rich? If you are able to go on exotic vacations, and buy designer clothes on a regular basis are you rich?

What if you live modestly but have a large investment portfolio? Many would agree that earning $300,000 certainly makes you better off than someone making $30,000 a year. However, what if you make $300,000, but are heavily in debt?

View from terrace at this duplex penthouse. Photo by V. Smith

The debate can go on and on, not to mention the discussion of who is rich versus who is wealthy. That is a different discussion altogether.

A perfect mix between being a socialite event and a debut of her beautiful new Fall/Winter 2012 line, Charlotte Ronson’s show at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week was nothing short of an elaborate spectacle. From The star-studded front row that included hip hop mogul Russell Simmons, his daughter Angela Simmons, Nicki Hilton, DJ’s Chelsea Layland, Becka Diamond and Johnathan Chaeban, to the collection itself that spoke volumes, it was easy to admire and swoon over every aspect of the entire show.

Front Row Photo by Laura Rossi

Music to set the Mood

The designer’s twin sister and DJ for the show Samantha Ronson provided awesome tunes for the runway. She reverently mixed quite the variety, ranging from “Sleigh Bells” to “M83”, to “the Kills”, to “M.I.A” in a seemingly effortless and entertaining fashion. Speaking of fashion, which is after all, the underlying theme of the event, the collection did not fall short to please.

Patterns Run Rampant

The Show Begins! Photo by Laura Rossi

The show boldly opened with a sleek camel and leather-blocked bomber jacket matched with a form fitting leather pencil skirt, which then transitioned into sheer blousy tribal prints, leather-striped tapered trousers, chiffon paneled skirts, thick knitted sweaters and tweedy separates.

Model Walking the Runway Photo By Laura Rossi

Leather and chiffon were major aspects throughout the collection. The colors stayed true to the typical fall-palate of beiges, dark greens, plums, and black. An interesting aspect to the collection would have to be the tight fitting hooded sweaters in two-toned cable knit patterns, which channeled a very ski-trip-in-Sweden vibe that worked well for the collection.

The Designer Herself! Photo by Jane Doe

Ronsons move toward a wholesome, more refined aesthetic worked very well in her favor. Ronson made pieces more form fitted while sharpening her silhouettes to accentuate the female body. The modern and versatile collection provides a great variety and is filled with cute staple pieces that every woman needs in her closet.

My Mom Did Not Want Me To Have A Pet

Whenever I asked my mom for a dog, I wasn’t at all surprised when she replied with a resounding, “NO!” We played that game for three years until I finally stopped asking. Her mind was made up and there was nothing I could do about it. Then, two years ago in October, there was a knock on my bedroom door before my brother poked his head in and asked me to follow him into the living room. Next to the sofa, shaking with fright, was the tiniest silkie I had ever seen. I dropped to my knees and gently picked him up before my brother told me that “Johnny Boy” didn’t belong to me. He’d bought it for his girlfriend.

Johnny Boy Lounging In His Bed. Photo: Candia Vieira.

Luckily for me, his girlfriend’s parents were against having a pet in their home and didn’t even budge an inch when they saw Johnny’s cute little face and tail wagging back and forth. They just wouldn’t give the little silkie a chance. Thanks to her parents, Johnny Boy finally found a home. With me! I guess I sound a tad bit mean, but I was the best thing that ever happened to that dog. The vet reminds me of that every year, when he marvels at Johnny’s strong legs and muscles.

Until She Met Johnny Boy And Fell In Love

I’m rushing ahead of myself here. Let’s rewind to my mom’s first meeting with Johnny. And oh what a first meeting it was! I’d assumed that she would allow me to keep him because he was just too cute to resist. However, I was wrong. When she saw him, her cheeks turned a dangerous shade of red and she promptly told me I had to get rid of him. I cried and begged her to let me keep him at least for a few weeks until I could find him a home. She agreed, but only on one condition. He was to stay in my room and out of sight.

The Author's Mother And Johnny Playing Around. Photo: Candia Vieira.

Surprisingly, she grew fond of Johnny rather quickly. I forgot to mention that she has a soft heart for someone who kept denying me a pet for three years. By the end of the first week, she was allowing Johnny to leave my room and roam around the house and when the “few weeks” were up, she was reluctant to let me find him that home I had promised her. The inevitable had finally happened. She’d fallen in love with a dog.

Fashion for Fun (Photo by: Jakob Layman)

Fitting In

Two years ago, I sold everything I owned except for two small suitcases, bought a one-way plane ticket, and came to New York City. After spending the first 22 years of my life as a tan, blonde beach resident in sunny Jacksonville Beach, Florida, I was ready for the exciting pace of big city life.

I swore to all my friends I was going to land in the city, dye my hair black and immediately start smoking cigarettes. I wanted to “fit-in” and look the part of a New Yorker. Well, two years later, my hair’s still blonde and cigarettes are $12 a pack. Needless to say, neither “blending” method ever happened.

What I’ve learned in the time I’ve spent in this obnoxious place that 8.4 million people call home, is that every stereotype the rest of the world casts on New Yorkers (let’s face it, the island of Manhattan is not part of planet Earth), is just a misunderstanding of what it means to live here.

Just New Yorkers being New Yorkers. Photo by: Danielle Mulder

Standing Out

There’s no need to fit-in to a city where individuality is what makes each of us a New Yorker. And the collective of crazy characters who fill our streets that aren’t afraid to stand out, is what makes this place so special. So for now, I’ll hold on to my blonde roots (no pun intended), and semi-clean lungs.

New Yorkers aren't better than everyone else, we just dress like it. (Photo by: Jakob Layman)

By: Shane L. Sullivan

The official results

Mitt Romney, Photo: Darren McCollester

On February 11, 2012, Charlie Webster, head of the Maine Republican party, announced that Mitt Romney won the Maine GOP caucus. Official results read: Romney, 2190 votes; Ron Paul, 1996; Rick Santorum, 989; and New Gingrich, 349. Many people across the country, particularly Ron Paul supporters, are claiming that the caucus was rigged and that a clear winner cannot yet be determined.

The problem 

Speculation of the results’ authenticity stem mostly from the fact that only eighty-four percent of precincts’ votes were tallied. In the official results, many towns in Maine are listed as having zero votes collected including all of the towns in Aroostook County and most of the towns in Waldo County. The Washington County caucus was cancelled and postponed until Saturday, February 18 due to predictions of a snowstorm. A storm did not come.

Why this is unfair

Ron Paul addressing a crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Photo: Chip Somodevilla

Though the votes may be recounted in the future and Washington county voting has been rescheduled for Saturday, Webster says that even if the new results put Ron Paul in first place and Romney in second, Romney will still be considered the official winner. Clearly, the official winner should be based on all of the counties’ votes and not just the ones said to have been correctly collected before the official deadline.

By: Shane L. Sullivan

The Internet’s effect on U.S. music sales

The popularity of Internet users in the United States more than doubled from 1999 to 2009. Evidently, the amount of revenue generated by music sales in the country has decreased by roughly the same amount.

How has this affected the public?

“The New York Violinist” performs and sells her music at the Union Square subway station and online at newyorkviolinist.com. Photo: Jeff Gaydos

With this great boom in Internet popularity, more people have resorted to downloading music free of charge from various music-pirating websites instead of purchasing music at record stores. This drastic decrease in revenue may be lowering the amount of money made by major record companies and popular artists, but at the same time it is greatly increasing the popularity of artists contracted by independent record labels. The Internet is becoming a much more popular medium for lesser-known artists to promote themselves and gain a wider audience.

The statistics

In 1999, there were an estimated 100,125,500 Internet users in the United States and the country’s total music sales revenue was roughly 14.6 billion dollars. By 2009, the number of users had risen to roughly 239,995,600 and music revenue had decreased to only 6.3 billion dollars.

Why is this happening?

Bill O’Sullivan, singer of the heavy metal band “EGGNOGG” says, “Without Internet exposure, I would have no fan base at all and probably wouldn’t be making music.” Photo: Shane L. Sullivan

I cannot speak for the general public, but the reason I choose to pirate music is I cannot seem to find any new music I like on television or the radio. I don’t find any of today’s popular music appealing. It seems like the majority of people making popular music today are making it primarily for profit and not for self-expression–much to the delight of their record company employers. People like me are turning to the Internet to find new music because radio has failed us. Independent artists are offering their music cheaper online and in many cases for free.

The New York City transit system exposes its riders to an array of sensory experiences: crying children, unpleasant smells, and blaring mariachi bands. What the cynical New Yorker may not always notice is the vast display of art that lies underground in many of the city’s subway stations.

According to MTA’s website, one percent of the budget for “eligible” city-funded construction is spent on art projects to improve the aesthetic of public spaces and incorporate details of the above ground communities.

The Art

"Vasi" 2011 Faceted Glass by: Callie Hirsch. Photo By: MTA

Beneath Central Park at the Fifth Avenue/ 59th Street station on the N/Q/R line, is a menagerie of glass mosaic animals that can be found at the Central Park Zoo. The artist, Ann Schaumburger, completed the project in 1997.

Fifth Avenue/59th Street. Art by: Ann Schaumburger. "Urban Oasis." 1997. Photo by MTA

In addition to murals, paintings, and bronze sculptures, artistic architectural elements are incorporated in some of the city’s stations to enhance the visual appeal. At 14^th Street/Union Square artist Mary Miss uses the color red to highlight original beams, structures and glass encased art that dates back to 1904 when the station was originally built.

Grand Central 42nd Street. Art by: Daniel Sinclair. "Fast Track." 1991. Photo by: Danielle Mulder

New Yorkers can expect even more visual stimulation in the future as more stations are renovated. So for the cost of a “card swipe,” commuters can enjoy a unique selection of art and history, as well as get to their destination (and without delays . . . hopefully).

The Face He Showed To The World

Our Savior Jamaica in February 2012. Photo: Candia Vieira

It had been a beautiful, unseasonably warm day. Not necessarily unusual for the first day of February but mind boggling when one takes into account how cold the past few days prior were. What wasn’t out of place on a day such as that was the Rev. Robert “Bob” Fritch standing on the steps outside of the church, greeting the few who were entering it and the dozens of passersby hurrying home from work. The smile on his face betrayed the deep sorrow inside of him. The twinkle in his eyes hid the turmoil of the past week. At exactly 8 p.m. he smoothed down the front of the beige robe he wore and entered the church with an even brighter smile.

The Rev. Robert Fritch Preaching On Easter Sunday, 2011. Photo: Taken From The Church's Website, www.oursavorjamaica.org. All Photos Are Contributed.

The Face He Couldn’t Hide

Inside, he sat still as he waited for the moment he had been dreading to arrive. When it did, he rose and sighed. It had indeed been a tough week. He spoke of a conversation he had with one of the members on December 17, 2011. He’d told her how relieved he was that there had been no deaths that Christmas season in his church. As he wiped the sweat from his forehead, he looked at the congregation, the twinkle in his eyes gone. Apparently, there had been nine deaths since that day in December. As he spoke of each death and what it meant to him, his voice grew more solemn and tinged with regret.
Finally, he pointed towards a giant projection screen that had been stationed in front of the pulpit and told us that we would be listening to a sermon about death by Pastor Harry Schenkel, who was well known by the congregation. When the Reverand took a seat and lifted his head to the screen there was a slight sheen in his eyes. Moments later, there was hardly a dry eye in the room.

Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle has an ankle lock on fellow wrestler Mr.Anderson at a recent Impact Wrestling Live Event. Photo: Mark Hulser

What is TNA Wrestling?

 TNA wresting, known as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling was first created in 2002, right after World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) bought rival companies World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling. Even though WWE was the premiere brand of wrestling, TNA felt that over time it would be able to create a WCW style company. They have been able to find diamonds in the rough in professional wrestlers to work for them such as A.J. Styles and Robert Roode. The company’s expansion has also allowed them to scoop up talent from rival WWE and Independent Organizations like Ring of Honor. These names include some of the most well known wrestlers in the world, including Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle and former WCW Legend Sting. Yet the company, now into its 10th anniversary, has struggled to find its niche.

 The Changes

Hulk Hogan takes time to stop and sign autographs for some wrestling fans while promoting TNA wrestling. Photo: Mark Hulser

 The first seven years of the company had been ok, but even with top shelf talent in Kurt Angle, Sting, and Samoa Joe, the ratings were still not even close to what WWE was pulling in. There would also be live untelevised events that would only sell about half of the seats. A WWE event, regardless of it being untelevised always either sells out or is nearly sold out to this day. So on October 27^th 2009, TNA received a much needed boost. The legendary Hulk Hogan and former WCW Head Eric Bischoff were brought in to give TNA a makeover. Drastic changes were made throughout the company. Examples of those changes were turning the original six-sided ring into a standard four-sided ring and changing the entire focus of the company. New names were brought in and current stars were either given their walking papers or given a new gimmick. The biggest gamble was putting TNA Wrestling on the same time as WWE Monday Night Raw. Unfortunately, even with the help of Hogan and Bischoff, TNA has still not even made a dent in WWE’s ratings and at one point was forced to move their weekly show back to Thursday nights.

Why Are These Changes Not Working?

Wrestler Jeff Jarrett (White and Gold Trunks) has his counterpart Crimson in a headlock in front of a suspect crowd at a recent live event in Brooklyn. Photo: Mark Hulser

It is very hard to determine why these changes have not produced the expectations of TNA brass. Every few months, it seems as if more changes are made and the changes appear not to be the right moves. Whether it is shaking up the storylines, or bringing TNA on the road to other states besides Florida (which is where they are based), nothing seems to make an impact on ratings.  Recently, TNA decided to change the name of their wrestling program to Impact Wrestling. The reason for this change was because WWE decided to drop the wrestling name from their company all together and now consider themselves an entertainment industry. Their message is the right message, conveying that TNA is still a wrestling company so they can appease wrestling fans all over. Only time will tell if TNA can muster up something that can change their fortunes in years to come.

By Jodi-Ann Morris

The year was 1926. Carter G. Woodson was the son of former slaves. Within him sparked the idea of “Negro History Week.” After fifty

"I'm proud to be Black...."

years of celebrating this dynamic culture, in 1976 “Negro History Week” evolved and blossomed into Black History Month. Eighty years after “Negro History Week” sprouted into being, this flower of cultural appreciation has continued to grow into a worldwide celebration. Every February, the beauty, stains, blood and tears that have held and strengthen the African culture in America and other countries are revisited and symbolically honored.

Weeds in the garden

However, as the months and years after the Civil Rights era fade into the yellowing pages of history, the importance of this month has become less valuable to some members of this present generation. The echoes of personal upliftment and the drive to “emancipate yourself from mental slavery” (Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley) have fallen on deaf ears for some youths of my generation.

"De-weeding"

They are quicker to point and blame the system for their downfall than tapping into their own reservoir of strength and knowledge. Though, to some extent, one understands that some of the bitter images of history that have diffused into the reality of their world is the base for their sentiment.

Blooms of Hope

Then again, with much hope, all is not lost for those whose blood is innately crossed and tied with the African ancestry. That hope of creating more strength by building a more esteemed culture seems to have crossed the threshold.  There is a growing amount of young persons who are starting to become more aware and appreciative of their history. The works of men and women like Woodson, Martin Luther King and Angela Davis have charmed the spirit and hopefulness within them. That seed of desire to blame others and ignore their talents have dried up and has been replaced by a beautiful bloom of self-reliance and courage.

United by blood

All text and photographs by Jodi-Ann Morris.