Multimedia Reporting Fall 2017

Park Slope, Brooklyn is the neighborhood I was born and raised in. The neighborhood is full of brownstones and 3 story apartment buildings until recently. Now big developments are coming in and building higher than ever. Thats nothing new. What is, however, is a very special store to my family closing. Our neighborhood bodega.

This is the place where my grandfather had a beer in the back with his friends before he passed away. This is where my mom gets her coffee in the morning. The building the bodega is located in was just sold and after over 20 years, the owner is closing his doors at the end of the month.

This story also ties into that recent story about two guys who wants to create a virtual store named bodega. However, just because it has that name does not mean thats what it is. I want to explore the feelings of my neighborhood bodega owner and dive into the future of these type of stores.

 

UPDATE: My radio story was done on Melody Lanes bowling alley instead.

NFL players kneeling during the national anthem has been one of the most controversial topics not only in sports, but in all of America over the past year.  The conversation was once again thrust into the national spotlight after President Trump called the kneeling players “sons of bitches” during one of his rallies last month and suggested that those who do kneel should be released by the owners.  This led to over one hundred fifty players kneeling that weekend, causing strong reactions one way or another from fans.  My pitch is to go to MetLife Stadium on a Sunday when either the Jets or Giants play and interview real fans before the game to get their opinions on the situation as a whole, including the player who started all of this (Colin Kaepernick) and Trump’s tweets.  By talking to people at the stadium, I hope to get an idea of what local everyday fans in our area think about the issue.

Recently Forbes released an article stating that Adidas has taken over Jordan brand as the #2 most popular sneaker Company in the U.S only behind Nike.

I would like to document this news story because it is interesting take on how the culture of footwear has shifted a little. With my Podcast, i plan on interviewing customers at not only at my store where I work, but at my local mall and go into an Adidas store and ask people what about Adidas at this moment makes them so prominent in the industry. Also a good take on the podcast would be why they believe Jordan Brand is slipping and what they can do to make a comeback.

While I was in route to another event that I had planned on shooting pictures of, I ran into the beginning of small parade which caught my interest. It was the Hudson County Dominican Parade, which I didn’t know existed until that day. I’ve been to the parades in Manhattan in the past, and although the city’s is fairly bigger, there was an intimate element that I appreciated in this experience.

I got my camera out and walked the parade route, which was from 80th Street, all the way to 42nd Street. While I was walking the almost 40 blocks to get to the end of the parade, I snapped some photos that document the preparation of the parade, the workers, and the people who are attending.

https://rolandocruz.exposure.co/small-parade-big-hearts

I hope you enjoy.

For my radio assignment, I plan to document the Diwali celebration in Times Square on Saturday, October 7th, 2017. I would like to document this event, because it is my first time attending and I find it interesting to get familiar with a culture that is different from mine. When I researched the event, it seemed exciting and vibrant. Diwali is also known as the “Festival of Lights” and is celebrated to honor Rama-chandra, the seventh avatar (incarnation of the god Vishnu). 

I want to hear what people think of this event whether or not they are knowledgeable of the holiday/event. I want to know what their thoughts are and whether it’s their first time attending. I don’t plan to be selective, I would just like to receive anyone’s intake since based on the photos, anyone would find the event magical. The event is also entirely free and welcome to anyone.

Documenting Baruch’s Candle Light Vigil:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19iU1rz2lCgwgHa5QGX8zSHHwVH3K4cDu693_IP54Nog/edit?usp=sharing

 

My apologies, I thought that this was due this Wednesday, the 4th.

Here’s what I have so far.

https://rolandocruz.exposure.co/small-parade-big-hearts

 

I’ll complete it shortly.

A Walk Through 29 Rooms.

<iframe src=”https://teamaregaston.exposure.co/cubas-30year-letter?embed=true” style=”width:100%;height:550px;margin-bottom:5px;border:solid 1px #ccc;border-radius:2px;”></iframe><br><a href=”https://teamaregaston.exposure.co/cubas-30year-letter”>Cuba’s 30-year Letter</a> by <a href=”https://teamaregaston.exposure.co/”>Teamare Gaston</a> on <a href=”https://exposure.co” style=”text-transform:uppercase”>Exposure</a>

 

With all of the talk about Cuba and its travel status, it only seemed fair that I share this story about two brothers separated by politics and injustice.

My time in Cuba was meant to be an escape from the city yet it turned into a  favor. Without disclosing too much, I can say that from a young age I have known about the United States’ justice system more than a child should know. From my time spent visiting family members at facilities, I have gotten to know some of the inmates as well as their stories. One inmate in particular always stood out. His name is Paito and he has been incarcerated since 1984, resulting in him losing connection with his family back in Cuba.

After finding out that I was going to be visiting Havana, Paito requested that I take a letter to his brother, Lazarus,  if he still resided in Varadero , a small town just outside of Havana.

Fisherman walking along the coastal wall.

The rough sea seen from the coast in Havana.

The old Theatre in Havana’s central.

 

While Havana was a spectacle of untouched culture and history, the communist influences can still be seen throughout the island from billboards lauding the revolution, to streets named after generals who played key roles in the revolution. Tank in Revolution Square.

Che Gueverra’s Portrait on the side of a building.

 

After exploring Havana my travel guide and I made our way to Varadero to the address given to us. Upon arriving we noticed the unusual amount of Santeria shrines outside of homes. Dilapidated mansions lined what were once crisp white marble streets. Zapata street.

Looking among the wreckage of the houses, the only lively home was being guarded by five small, sadly diseased looking dogs.

Kujo

 

Stepping into the property a tall man came from around the home and asked who we were. Without hesitating I asked him if he was the brother of Paito, sending him in a flurry of tears and fast questions.

“Is my brother alive?!”

“How do you know Paito?! Oh god please tell me my baby brother is alive.”

He became so overwhelmed his sister came from upstairs and had to pull him back inside.

Lazarus taking a seat trying to calm down.

Marina, Paito and Lazarus’s sister.

Lazarus listening to our travel guide explain why we are here.

After learning of his brother’s incarceration, Lazarus rushed to the backroom and pulled out old photos of Paito exclaiming how his brother was always a trouble maker but not a bad person. Political tension between the U.S. and Cuba has made it so that inmates arrested on U.S. cannot be extradited back to Cuba.

Old family photo.

Lazarus’ son, a high priest for the Yaruba religion listening to our tour guide.

Cuban woman overlooking the balcony.

After establishing a way to send one another letters, Lazarus and his family offered to a blessing for us in their Yaruba fashion.

Dated picture of the family.

Giant statue of Jesus Christ where Santeros usually congregate.