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My Good People,
I was so glad to see so many of you this morning (despite the cold weather) at the NYPL! How many of you have actually been to that branch before today, and for what reason? I spent most of my childhood there.
By now I am guessing you figured out that the exposure to oral histories and the training, was for you to get a sense of what your projects will look like, and what the LARGER project will become once you pioneers have collected the first set of food stories. Below, please take some time to share with me/the rest of the readers & your classmates your experience with the interview you were listening to/about the person/about the transcription process. Take us through the person you listened to and their stories, and how this experience might work to inspire/inform your research for your food history projects.
2nd. What did you think about the tour? In my humble opinion, those tours take you to a different place in your mind; teach you things you automatically want to find out more about, but others find it not so interesting. I wanted you to go on the tour to give you a crash (visual and physical) experience in history. So talk to me about that!
This afternoon I have plans to sit with your exploration tasks and hope that you enjoyed doing them. Please note that if they aren’t submitted via email by 5 pm today, they won’t be considered for grading. I’d be interested in hearing some thoughts about your experience working on that task.
Have a great weekend!
-Dr.B.
March 7, 2017 at 12:08 am
On Friday, we visited the NYPL. Although I had never been there before, I really enjoyed it. I can’t believe I have never been there before considering how close it is to both school and where I live. I really enjoyed listening to the oral histories and the training. Especially because I don’t like reading, listening to the interviews was a lot more entertaining for me. I fell as though it was more beneficial for me because hearing the person speak about a place, food, or other person also gives more details about how that person feels about those things.
The oral history I heard was from Earleen Jackson about Harlem. She grew up in South Carolina, near the largest slave market. Earleen’s father worked at a church. When Earleen was 12 years old, her mother passed away. Her mother was a very influential person to her and she was a very spiritual person who pushed education. When she was 17.5 years old, she moved to Harlem around 125th street and 5th avenue. She talked about places in her neighborhood that she loved to go to, for example, the Apollo Theater and Sylvia Restaurant. Earleen also talked about how she would love to party. There were many parties in Harlem and everyone knew each other.
Earleen talked about how she would make $35 a week, and after paying for transportation she would be left with $32 by the end of the week. Earleen was asked about the libraries in her neighborhood and she said that there were two, but that they were in schools. There were no individual libraries one could go to. In addition, Earleen spoke of how most of the neighborhood consisted of African Americans as opposed to Caucasians. Earleen said that in the more modern Harlem, Caucasians have bought a lot of the stores that were owned by African Americans at the time. She said she wishes that people from the neighborhood who made it big in the NBA or anywhere, came back to buy the stores and preserve the culture. Earleen still loves Harlem, but she claims that it is not the same party place it used to be.
Earleen also noticed stylistic differences between modern Harlem and the Harlem she grew up with. Nowadays, Earleen sees girls with their breasts and butts exposed, wearing very small shirts and skirts, as well as pants. Earleen said that back in her day, women never wore pants. She also mentioned that the skirts women would wear came below the knee and that no breasts and butts were exposed. I agree with Earleen in that the way some women dress nowadays is very inappropriate.
I really enjoyed touring the library. It was much bigger than I expected and looked beautiful. Wayne and I were amused by the size of the library and the details in its design. Just looking around made me want to learn more about the architecture of the building. Seeing all of the old books there and the people studying made the environment so peaceful and enjoyable to be in. I thought it was very cool that many authors of literary and nonfiction works cite the NYPL as a source in their works. Next time I read something of the sort, I look forward to checking the sources to see if the NYPL is cited.
Another cool fact that someone told Wayne and I was that the Map Division was used by the Allied military intelligence during World War II, to research the coastlines of the countries in the theater of combat. I think something that was really cool for me was how old a lot of the resources in the library are. Wayne and I took a look at some of the books and when we touched them, we couldn’t help but be delicate with them. It must be a privilege for someone to have their work stored in the library. Walking through the library and looking at the artwork definitely visually made me feel like I was walking through the past. Being surrounded by the books and the many scratched up, but well maintained tables made me feel like I physically experienced history.
March 8, 2017 at 1:27 pm
My first time ever visiting the NYPL was this past Friday. The NYPL might be the most fascinating library I’ve ever been to.
We started off the morning with an oral history training session. The training we did will obviously serve much help as I work on my project for class, when I gather data from my interviewee about the Israeli food Humus. In my opinion, the large Community Oral History Project that the NYPL is continuously working on is honestly an amazing idea. With a group effort from the contributors in the community (which, I guess, now officially includes myself), we are working on documenting and celebrating the deep history of the city’s communities by compiling the stories of people who have experienced them first hand. It’s such a smart idea, especially because it is strictly based around auditory interviews, making it much easier for the listeners to grasp what’s at hand.
The person I listened to during the training session is Kathleen O’Connor-Bater, interviewed by Slyvie Kande. The interview wasn’t about any topic in particular, but rather simply about what Kathleen’s experience and lifestyle was like in Harlem and her opinions of the neighborhood.
Kathleen moved to Harlem by herself in 1985 when she began a graduate program at Colombia University. On the weekends and whenever she had time off from school she would love to wander around Harlem to experience the neighborhood. She always had the feeling that Harlem was very much an “international place”- the sidewalks were constantly filled with street vendors selling artwork from Africa, carpets, and all other sorts of items from various cultural backgrounds. Another thing she loved about Harlem was the vibrant energy. The people on the streets, the events, the parties in the middle of neighborhood are just some of the many things that gave her this feeling of the neighborhood. When Kathleen was finishing up her graduate program she became aware of a specific section of Harlem called Morningside Gardens. She moved there and after some time she became very comfortable with the area. Soon she got married and the couple started going to the Grace Gospel Chapel. This is when they really started to feel that Harlem was their home. The community became so meaningful to her that she actually wrote a poem called “Thunderstorm Over Harlem”, which describes the drama all over Harlem. Kathleen is currently teaching at State University of New York (SUNY) Old Westbury. The commute is over 31 miles.
The training session and listening to Kathleen’s interview in particular will definitely be helpful for the interview component of my food history project. First of all, just how Sylvie Kande interviewed Kathleen about her overview on Harlem, I think what may be helpful for me would be to ask my interviewee for a quick overview of Israel and his/her feelings about the country. Also I realized that the questions that Sylvie asked were very vague. I think this made me realize that I will probably be better off being more precise in my questioning, unlike Sylive, in order to receive the information that I want to gather in the limited amount of time I have (10 minutes).
The tour of the library was very nice. First and foremost, the library is beautiful. None of the other libraries I’ve been to compare to the elegance of NYPL. The libraries that I’ve been to are honestly just pretty basic and not too exciting. However, the NYPL caught my eye the moment I turned the corner Friday morning onto its block. It’s symmetrical structure and dominance over 5th avenue are really astounding. Personally, I’m not into interior design, but the artwork and ceiling structure was very cool. I know visiting this library is something my mother would love to do, since she is obsessed with interior design and layouts. Knowing her, she would probably take over 200 pictures, trying to get inspiration to improve the design of our own home back in Long Island.
March 8, 2017 at 4:43 pm
On Friday March 3rd, I had the honor of listening to the interview of an an artist, a man named Charles.
Raised in California, Charles attended colleges in California and Virginia, studying drawing and painting.
Despite his fascination with the arts, Charles’ early years landed him a job in the technology field. Eventually, after working in California some time, Charles found that business wasn’t going as well as he’d hoped. He moved to New York, where he experienced poverty and was forced to find a different way to make ends meet. He moved to Harlem, which he still considers to a prime location for artists, and began his career as an artist.
Charles’ art attracts the attention of people who pass by on a daily basis. He reflected in his interview that he appreciates the fleeting compliments he hears whispered between people who stroll past just as much as those of people bold enough to express their adoration to his face. Charles’ time in Harlem has exposed him to a different kind of success. He is not a wealthy man, but a hardy one, who is currently striving to bring Harlem artists together in a collective, or to form a studio. Along his journey, Charles has had his fair share of friends and acquaintances to color his path. He expressed gratitude towards Keiko of Mama K’s Kitchen (who let him display his work outside her restaurant) as well as other artists, who inspired them with their work (especially one artist whom created African masks).
For me, Charles’ interview was interesting to listen to, though it had no shock-factor. It was a simple conversation with a man trying to survive. If anything, the interview garnered my respect. The consideration that a neighborhood changes overtime and the few people who witness that change has changed my perspective on my research. I plan to visit Sunnyside with more of it changes in mind.
The New York Public Library is a beautiful building and a pleasant space to work in (I’ve brought my laptop to work with and a book to read there once or twice). Touring the building was interesting, though no facts about the place particularly caught my attention. I’ve visited the library a few times, once or twice on school trips, and find that the library speaks for itself with intricate ceiling murals and wood embellishments. Its history is most attractive to me in its physical form.
March 8, 2017 at 10:33 pm
Visiting the NYPL on Friday was an awesome experience. Despite living in New York all my life, I have never visited the inside of the library. During nice weather in the city, I have always taken joy in sitting on those famous stairs, eating my lunch there, and even snapping a few pictures with the gorgeous building. Oddly during these occurrences, it never struck me to roam the inside of the library. neither did it strike me to wonder what lay within the beautiful structure. Little did I know of the extensive research, special programs, discussions and multitude of resources that the library provided.
First walking into the library I was awe struck by its immense beauty. Most public libraries in my neighborhood are small and quite dingy. They are not stimulating or motivating environments for learning or even reading. Roaming around the library and its many different rooms was incredible. The rooms were quiet and large, with a swarming amount of people doing some form of work, reading or research. I thought it would be a great place to do some of my college work. If I ever needed to find a place to focus in the city, I know knew where to turn to.
I couldn’t help but wonder about the history that surrounded me in the library. What kinds of research and interviews have been conducted over the last one hundred years in the very building I was standing in? There were notable and historical pieces that surrounded me, pieces that contribute to New York’s culture and society. The library is a landmark not only for its works and achievements in the past but in the present and future as well.
Some specific things that I noticed while walking around the museum were the details in everything there. The statues, drinking fountains, ceilings, paintings were all constructed with fascinating embellishment. The attention to detail made it more of a museum than a library. While supporting such exquisite beauty, the library also boasts notable history, such as its help during WWII, or its possession of Columbus’s original letter where he remarks his discovery of the New World.
In listening to my interview for research, I learnt many things. It prepared for conducting my own research based on interviews. I paid close attention to the questions asked so that I can mimic them. I learnt how an interviewer has to keep a conversation going with the person whom they’re interviewing. I realized how easy it is to miss important details said in an interview, that is why a transcript is required if I want adequate results.
The interview I heard was about a woman who was from Chicago, and moved to Washington DC, and then to Harlem. The main purpose of the interview was to conduct research on Harlem. Even though the woman interviewed did not grow up in Harlem, she spoke with a strong connection to it. There was passion in her tone and details in her description. She spoke about her apartment and her neighborhood with affection. She relayed her experiences with neighborhood people, people she had grown close to. She spoke about mom and pop stores, small restaurants, even laundromats that she frequently visited. It all sounded very home-y. Another aspect she spoke about was Harlem’s proximity to the center of Manhattan. She said it was a twenty minutes commute to anywhere she wished to be in Manhattan. The best part was living there is cheaper than most places in the city.
March 8, 2017 at 10:45 pm
I was initially hesitant about listening to an oral history because I am the type of person who gets distracted really easily when I have to listen to others speak. I prefer reading to listening so I was unsure how I would stay engaged by the oral histories. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that not only did I like the oral history that I listened to but I was transfixed by the story the whole 30 minutes. Listening to the story of the woman, I could almost visualize her life in Harlem and see the transformations occurring in her life as she grew up. The oral history I heard was Jamila’s( I can’t remember her last name) story of growing up in Harlem. What I loved about her story was that even though it had been years since she lived in Harlem, she remembered small details of her life that made her story uniquely her own in the whole Harlem history. With her specific anecdotes about her life, her interactions with her environment that resulted in her experiences, I could almost visualize her life growing up in Harlem. Jamila’s story is the quintessential 80s Harlem childhood story. I if you wanted to capture the childhood in Harlem during the late 80s and early 90s, all you had to do was listen to Jamila’s story and listen how she captured the life of an average black girl in Harlem during the late 80s and early 90s.
Jamila grew up in Harlem where she was raised by her father by her father after her mother had died at an early age. She relates that growing up on the streets, she always felt safe in the neighborhood because there was always someone who knew someone that she knew. For example, the guys who hung out on the street corner where she and her friends played double-dutch were always be the same guys and the aunts on the streets would always be the same aunt, giving her the feeling that she always had someone to go to for help if something went wrong. I found this to be extremely interesting because normally when we learn about the history of Harlem during the 80s and 90s as an outsider, we negatively think of this time as unsafe. However, a person who lived in Harlem during this time as a child told us differently; she viewed this environment as home. It shows how we have to look different perspectives of scenarios before we put our labels on it.
Jamila also talked in detail about the childhood games that she played with her friends. She relates playing double-dutch with her friends. She relates the complexity that the children assigned to this simple game such as choosing their rope turners for best rope turns, developing the correct rhythm to turn the ropes, and most importantly choosing the right song that distinguished them from the other groups on the streets. She played other games besides double-dutch such as kickball and dodgeball that, she reminiscences, children do not play anymore because they are more interested in their phones. I totally agree with this experience
During the oral of the oral history, Jamila talks about her growing maturity that she measured with her changing hair styles. As a black person, she relates to having hair that needed a lot of maintenance and care to prevent it from becoming damaged. When she was a young child her mother used to style her hair into braids. All the other girls in her neighborhood wore braids since braids were a symbolism of childhood. She relates that everyone was envious of the girl who would get her hair treated to become straight because it made the girl look mature and marked a girl leaving her childhood for the more exciting teenage years. When she finally got her first treatment to straighten her hair at the age of 13, Jamila knew that she had finally left her childhood, with its braids and innocuous double-dutch games.
I related to Jamila during her oral history due to the similarities in our experiences growing up. Listening to her talking about the double-dutch games that she played with her friends in the neighborhood reminded me of the jump rope games that I used to play with my friends during recess in elementary school. Listening to her talk about the importance of her hairstyles in her life related with me, as I remember my changing hairstyles over the years and how the changes shaped me into the person that I am today. Most importantly, I loved listening to Jamila’s story because through her I got an intimate invitation to view Harlem from the perspective of a average young black girl. I think listening to the oral history was extremely helpful in providing me with an example of an oral history. I was worried that my oral history might be not exciting enough or not broad enough to cover a person’s life but listen to this oral history showed me that I do not have to focus on these issues. I will let the person tell me their story in their own terms while I guide them with the right questions. As Jamila’s story demonstrated, I don’t have to worry about capturing the whole life of a person in a single sitting. A specific, detailed segment of a person’s life tells as much about their personality and experiences as does a broad history of their life. With this newfound knowledge about how to conduct an interview for an oral history, I am more confident in undertaking this task
I liked viewing the library because the architecture of the library always takes my breath away no matter how many times I visit this library. As a previous comment mentioned, no other NYPL branch can compares to the elegance and rich history of this library branch and I feel fortunate to have such easy access to this library. The library has a historical feel to with its elaborately designed rooms but it makes sure that regular people can feel comfortable in the library by providing quiet rooms, children’s sections, and computer access for everyone. Furthermore, I knew that this library had important historical manuscript and artifacts but I did not know that the library houses over 15 million items which includes old manuscripts from all over the world, contemporary novels, comic books, and even baseball cards. Most importantly, however, I liked that no matter how big and famous this library has become, it has stayed true to its roots of a library for the everyday person.
March 8, 2017 at 10:49 pm
Obviously, the advantage of posting first is that one does not need to read through everyone else’s ideas and struggle to find something new to contribute. However, I found that my classmates’ written thoughts helped me formulate my own response to the post, which is why I have decided to answer the required questions as I respond to my classmates’ ideas.
First of all, Asimina, I found it interesting that your interviewee exhibits a strong sensitivity to the lack of modesty in current fashion styles, and even shares her unorthodox opinion with potentially millions of listeners. Even more fascinating is that you agree with her point. Jewish girls adhering to the traditional code of modesty, are supposed to conceal their figures and not draw attention to their bodies. As a religious Jew, I’m happy to hear I am not the only one who notices society’s blatant lack of modesty. Additionally, you touched on the architecture of the building, in addition to its size, detailed designs and sheer beauty. When I was walking around with Josh and Rachel, we noticed all of these ideas – just how gorgeous the interior is and how much time and effort must have been invested to make the library not only functional, but also beautiful. As you mentioned, the library is smack in the middle of town. I could easily get off the 7 train one stop early and visit the library when I need a quiet place or want to show a friend one of the wonders of New York City. The only time I had been before was in tenth or eleventh grade when I went to get a library card, so that I could access their online databases. I’m kind of wondering where they keep all the books…I know you said you saw some, but I was kind of anticipating rooms and rooms with tens of thousands of books to choose from. Maybe when I return I will find out how I can access this fantastic resource. Great post Asimina!
Next, Ariel: I like how you begin by describing the Community Oral History Project a bit, and explain why it is a fantastic tool for preserving memories and experiences of the common person in communities around New York City. This whole project really reminds me of the efforts by Yad Vashem and Project Witness to record oral histories of Holocaust survivors. After all, if it’s not done now, they will die out and the younger generation will not have a connection to their past. Personally, my grandfather was born in Germany in 1933 and his family escaped in 1938. Since the majority of survivors were the age of young adults or the middle-aged, most will be gone in a few years. Reading your post, I remembered the sense of confidence and trust the librarians empowered me with by allowing me to assist them.
Lastly, Steph: by far my favorite part of your post is the last couple lines: “…find that the library speaks for itself with intricate ceiling murals and wood embellishments. Its history is most attractive to me in its physical form.” Your language is beautiful and establishes that you viewed the library with a trained artist’s eye. Well done!
The interview I listened to was about a woman who worked as a guidance counselor in the Rice School in Harlem until a few years back when it closed down. The school was Catholic and only for boys. She describes how the population of the school changed from being primarily white – filled with the Italians and Irish students, to a mostly Hispanic and African American group. This change occurred as the neighborhood became more diverse. She ran the cooking club after school and encouraged students to open up about themselves – she says it was more difficult to get the boys to talk than it was for her when she worked with girls previously. I found it very cool that some of the current basketball greats, such as Kemba Walker and Felipe Lopez, went to the Rice School.
One thing that struck me about the interviewer, was her excellent listening. This is not something so noticeable because it is the very lack of interruption that enabled the guidance counselor to share so many details of her relationship with Harlem. For the interview Rachel and I plan to conduct, I think it would be helpful to plan ahead of time what to ask so that we can maximize the quality and quantity of the information the sushi chef will share with us. Additionally, listening closely, without needlessly interrupting our interviewee, will help us have a productive interview.
March 8, 2017 at 11:50 pm
I have visited the Schwarzman Branch of the NYPL maybe a couple of times, but I don’t remember exactly. I believe one time my mom and I went in to meet up with a church friend, who works at the library, and we then headed over to Roosevelt Island together. I do know that my mom’s friends met up with us to look at some sort of art show/exhibit in the library, but my mom and I ended up watching a ping pong tournament next-door at Bryant Park instead.
As for the interview, I listened to Tommy Parker, a freelance photographer and Dallas, Texas native who recently moved to Harlem to continue pursuing his career by doing a lot of event and personal photography. He has done photoshoots for politician Charlie Rangel and various fashion shows, such as Young Fashionistas. Parker had only lived in New York for 7 months prior to being interviewed, but Harlem is now his home. He loves Harlem and all that it has to offer, especially how open, genuine, and close-knit the people are. What he loves the most, however, is the rich history behind everything: people’s lives, the buildings and architecture, and pretty much anything else Harlem has to offer. He has little to no complaints about his current neighborhood, although he would prefer more nightlife and more blues & jazz. Parker believes that over the next five to ten years, Harlem will grow really busy and undergo major changes, including a lot more buildings. He thinks sooner or later, Harlem will start looking like Midtown.
This oral history training experience can provide more insight into how I should conduct the food history project interview and what I should look to obtain. As of right now, I plan on interviewing my dad; he is an executive director in the heart of Chinatown with many connections and knowledge of the inner workings of the city and of its Chinese-American inhabitants/their culture.
On another note, touring the library allowed me to actually observe what it had to offer and the history behind it. Rather than just dropping by to meet up with someone or to make a quick stop before heading elsewhere, I actually paid attention to my surroundings. However, my phone’s camera did not seem to enjoy the lighting, and none of my pictures turned out too great. What really made me think, however, was how busy the NYPL was. I wondered if people who came to read/study ever got distracted by all the visitors walking in and out. Although there is a designated quiet area, it wasn’t as peaceful as it is in less touristy libraries.
March 9, 2017 at 12:28 am
Last Friday, the class visited the main branch of the NYPL which I have been to once. The first time I visited the branch was to do research for my IDC class last semester. I was trying to find research material about Wave Hill which was essentially my final project for the class. The funny thing about my first visit at the library was that it was super close to my summer internship. The library was literally a couple of blocks away, but I never recognized it as being there. My first encounter with the library was filled with awe. The architectural design of the library was grand and profound and it took up most of the space along Fifth Avenue. The steps and the pavement of the grounds were carefully planned and executed. Along the railings, the material was well maintaining and the sculptures of the lions just added another depth to it. My first impression of the library was the reference of a mansion. A grand place where the wealthy lived and had their lavish events. The overall size and height of the place was enormous and something I have never seen before. I guess this is the reason why so many tourists come and pay a visit. This branch compared to my local branch is incomparable. Everything about the 42nd branch just capitates and entices a person to become curious of what it beholds.
Our morning in the library started off with an oral history session. The oral history I listened to was from a man named William Prosser. Prosser is originally from Atlanta, Georgia and that is where he spent most of his life. His family was there and that is where he grew up with all his distant relatives. They were one big family. Prosser states that in the South, the culture and community is based on food. Food is what brings everyone together. Every Sunday, all the family members would cook huge feasts that consisted of mashed potatoes, collard greens, fried chicken and don’t forget the biscuits. These weekly feasts were what gathered the locals to talk and discuss their daily lives. There was a lot of love involved as the foods made were all made from love. It was the love that made the food taste good and the company of the locals that made this event very special. In 1982, Prosser moved to Harlem to stay with his sister. He first job was a comedian, but he wasn’t popular. At the gigs he performed at, he would always get “booed” at, but he kept coming back because he felt that people were paying attention to him. Throughout the interview, Prosser talks about his connection with food and how he contributes back to the city. He is a baker that bakes for the community and works at different places. It was unclear if he had a store because he mentions that he bakes at different places each day. However, Prosser explains that his passion for baking is to give back to the community. He loves to give back because it brings joy and smiles to people’s faces. When people eat his pastries, he wants them to feel happy. He says, he does this charity work is a way to show his love and not for ill intentions.
Regarding the Harlem aspect, Prosser settled in Harlem because it reminded him of home. The community, the people and of course the food. He knows all the best spots to get the best fried chicken, biscuits, mash potatoes and etc. He even knows exactly the precise time to get it. He also mentions that Harlem is unique in its own ways especially during the holidays. All the ethnicities come together and celebrate just like how it was back at home.
This oral interview really opened my eyes in terms of how I would conduct my interview. In some parts of the interview, the interviewer did not sound enthusiastic about the questions he asked. He did express excitement by learning about another person’s life. Additionally, some of the questions were very vague and there were moments of silence. For my interview, I will do the opposite and try my very best to stay focused and enthusiastic about the interview. I would ask specific questions that exactly pinpoint the feedback I want.
I really enjoyed the library tour. The library itself was gigantic and each hallway brought you to a different place. There were 3 floors and each floor house a different department that was specific to a study of research. On the third floor, there was the general research library which visitors could take out books for library use only. On the first floor, there was a research library as well. I noticed a lot of architectural designs that were astounding and magnificent. The ceilings were very high up and most of them had artwork that displayed a religious connection. There were also chandeliers that brightened up the entire room and the vibrant gold colors contrasted the walls beautifully. One thing I have to mention is that it takes 30-45 minutes to get a book. The library is so huge that the books have to be brought from a different section of the library to get to the patron. Most of the books are antiques and must be handled with care. I have to say that this branch is truly an astounding work of architectural design. No wonder so many tourists come. The sight is just too grand to describe that one must go see for themselves. It truly brings one to another dimension.
March 9, 2017 at 1:31 am
When I was a child, I found books to be boring, so I never bothered to visit the library. The only library I have ever been to was the Seward Park Library during class fieldtrips. This class outing allowed me step foot in the New York Public Library and open my eyes to an important aspect of society. I was uncertain about being introduced to the idea of oral history initially because I saw myself as a subpar listener at best. I was nervous that I would not be attentive enough to capture all the details from the stories that people tell through these interviews. Fortunately, my worries were false and I found myself engaged and interested in learning and understanding the surprising stories of who seemed like ordinary individuals.
My seat had a fifteen-minute long interview regarding a man of Harlem origins. He credited his attitude and accomplishments to his upbringing and his childhood. He recognized how his mother raised him when he was young, leading him into independence and responsibility. He would always listen to his mother, he would stay at the same spot after school every day to wait for his mother to pick him up, or he would follow the exact path that his mother has showed him. In the discipline, he also became more aware and attentive of his surroundings and became more independent. Outside of his time spent with his mother, he also emphasized on the importance of imagination and creativity as a child. It really expands their mind, and allow them to develop unique ideas. The ideas may or may not be practical, but it is a great exercise for the mind.
As a child, he would spend a lot of his free time in Riverbank Park. He would create games with his friends such as racing with scooters down the path. They would also imagine themselves hiking and travelling and navigate around the bushes. Or they would pretend to be camping and collect materials as if they are preparing to settle in the area. He recalls that since he pretended to camp so often, when he became a boy-scout, he was one of the best in the city. There was one instance where he fell behind with his partner while marching across the George Washington Bridge. Anxious that they would get to the camping site last, they daringly hitchhiked with a stranger.
He had such a positive and warm upbringing in Harlem that he chose to stay in the area to help it develop and maintain. He began the “145 Street Project” which gave opportunities to local young boys and girls to do community service. The children would go around cleaning the blocks. He claims that he is absolutely passionate about Harlem and hopes to continue and expand his projects to help his hometown even more.
I toured around the library with Asimina, and we were able to have a discussion regarding how we felt as we walked around. Personally, I felt overwhelmed by the intricate building designs, the vast amount of knowledge that existed in the form of books, the paintings, and the great history behind the library. I saw stories of books that towered over me, and I even recognized some of the names such as the Encyclopedia and Who’s Who. There are knowledge regarding nearly everything and everyone in the world all in one room, and I was standing in that room. I looked up and the architecture and interior designs continue to fascinate me. It was really unbelievable because many wouldn’t see all of the contents while standing outside the library, but even if they were inside, they would still be in disbelief because of how incredible it sounds.
March 9, 2017 at 10:43 am
This is what i wrote for the exploration task. it basically has what this prompt asks for so i will post it up here.
One of my favorite places to get halal food is a place called “Gyro 96”, a very small eatery where a few Greek immigrants sell cheap gyros and plates of meat or falafel and rice. The place is basically a hole in the street side where there is a kitchen with a few cooks and someone taking orders. One of the people who works there is a lady named Melina. When I interviewed her, for this task, she told me a lot about her food and her immigration.
She explained that she initially moved to New York City on a student visa for Hunter College. She went to college to be a writer and had a hard time finding employment, so she worked as a kitchen assistant to an old friend of her parents. Perhaps she was trying to sound impressive, but she claimed to be a natural from the start, and realized she enjoyed making food more than writing. She and a few of her other Greek friends with a talent for cooking pulled their money together and opened a small shop on 96th street that grew very popular. She said she makes this food because it is the type of food she ate a lot growing up and hopes that others will also enjoy eating it. She said it brings her joy when she sees people happily eating the food she and her coworkers made. When I asked if she thought of her food as ‘authentic’ she said it is as close to what she had growing up as one can get outside of Greece.
March 9, 2017 at 4:13 pm
Unfortunately, last Friday I had food poisoning and was unable to attend the trip to the NYPL. Believe it or not, I have never visited that site, despite having lived their my whole life. That seems to be a common theme with New Yorkers and landmarks of our city. However, after reading posts from classmates and their experiences, it became clear what their experience resembled. It is incredibly humbling to hear about the history of people and how their story came to be. Living in New York City, I think it is incredibly important to be culturally aware of those around us. Our wonderful city is built upon differences and the backgrounds that we bring to the table. Our city in an of itself is divided into their respective neighborhoods. We have places like Harlem, Chinatown, and Little Italy. Each place is like its own individual city, but together the city is cohesive and wonderful. Food has always been an important part of culture. In New York alone, we have a whole neighborhood dedicated to gourmet restaurants (Hell’s Kitchen). All throughout the city, you can find restaurants ranging from Michelin Stars to back alley mom and pop stores that have the best food of its kind.
March 9, 2017 at 4:25 pm
On Friday, our class visited the New York Public Library, where we learned, through real interviews part of a bigger Voices of Harlem project, the stories of individuals living in Harlem and the online transcription process. In my case the latter was more engaging.
The transcription process is really neat. We listening to an interview, added tags based off what was mentioned, and then summarized key elements of the interview. The interview I listened to was by Sylvie Kand interviewing Robert Weiss. I was very excited about this considering my last name is Weiss, so perhaps this guy was going to speak about his Jewish roots in Harlem or something of the like, rather he was a divorced, self-employed video maker originally from Philadelphia, and after living on the Upper West Side for some time, he decided, with the recommendation from his broker, to move to Harlem, along with his two kids. His story was quite mundane. He did not really go into detail about why he liked Harlem so much, except for the “restaurants” and his cheaper and nice apartment. I was unimpressed by this interview because of the lack of substance, but the transcription process I thought was really cool. We got to follow an interview and tagging it at specific, key points, and I thought that was a really efficient way of understanding an interview. I am definitely excited to do that with my own interview.
Due to my newfound apprehension about recording an interview in the case that it may be boring, I am going to go with a much different approach when interviewing. Rather than asking broad questions and having the interviewee speak about their experience, I am going to maybe pinpoint specific questions so they speak more specifically rather than broadly. I also think it is important to direct the conversation without interrupting the speaker. I think it’s also good to start with less personal and try to build a sense of trust throughout the interview so you can get at more personal details, something that was missing from the interview I listened to. My biggest fear is that the interview will be boring or not representative of the actual feelings and narrative of the person being interviewed, and I think a way to combat that fear is by being able to ask the right amount of personal questions, without being too intrusive, and maintaining a trust between you, the interviewer, and the interviewee.
Being that the trip was the first time I have ever been in the New York Public library, I was enamored by the sheer beauty of the architecture and the care that is given to the building, but I definitely was not surprised being that this is a New York City landmark. Like GCT, and various other New York City landmarks, I am constantly awe-stricken and humbled by the class and the menacing architecture of these buildings, but I am also worried of the disconnect between the way we cherish these buildings and continue to preserve them, and the average New Yorker’s relationship to these institutions. It is no doubt beautiful in its very Classical design, but that was interesting to the bourgeoisie and upper echelon of society at the time. People can definitely appreciate this style for what it is: a throwback to the early New York City days, which is really a throwback to European luxuriousness, but does that engage the average New Yorker today like a library should? I don’t really think so. Though on the tour, the tour guide, and I have heard others too, spoke about how the library is still always being used, I would probably argue, though I have no empirical evidence, it is being used by people who need to get work done, rather than attracting New Yorkers of all ages and all occupations. Maybe because of its lack of technological abilities, though they said they are working on this and progressing, or maybe it’s because the idea of the library is quite archaic and is not as needed now as it once was. I am not so sure. What I do think is awesome about the library is the events they have daily, open to the public. The educational ones are interesting, but specifically the interesting speakers they bring in almost weekly is an untapped resource that us college students should be taking more advantage of. Every so often they host debates and bring in significant academics and the like to debate. It is usually free and open to the public. This is something I will definitely be utilizing more in the future.
March 9, 2017 at 5:36 pm
This was my second time visiting the NYPL, but this was definitely my favorite of the two. The first time I stood inside because my bus was delayed and it was rather cold outside. So it was refreshing to actually be able to walk around the library and learn more about its history. The building itself is huge and truly beautiful on the inside. It was much different than the library by my house which is a small and messy two story building packed between a Laundromat and a grocery store.
Upon arriving to our classroom within the NYPL I was unsure of what exactly we would be learning about oral history in a building that is full of books. To my surprise some staff of the NYPL was in charge of an amazing project that explores the voices of New York that cannot be found in books. I was tasked with listening to a twenty nine minute oral history of Harlem from a young woman who loves New York. Before starting to listen, I must admit that I was worried that I would not be able to stay focused for almost half an hour of listening about one particular area.
I proved to be wrong because a few minutes into the interview all I wanted to do was listen more. The interview explored Kristen’s opinions about Harlem itself and how it compares to the city and America as a whole. Kristen explained that she had graduated Villanova and wanted to figure out where to spend her future. She had visited Harlem previously to see relatives and fell in love with the area. Once she moved there she was surprised to see how the area was quickly changing. Kristen discussed how gentrification was occurring at a fast pace in the area but many local Harlem people still filled the streets on any given day. While she agreed that Harlem is an amazing place she also exclaimed that it can be a dangerous place sometimes, a fear that many newcomers have. She explained that cat calls and long stares are prominent when she walks home through Harlem, but wanted to make it clear that it does not faze her and she thinks that the neighborhood is rather amazing as a whole. She discussed a Whole Foods being built, sushi restaurants opening and a new yoga studio a few blocks away from her apartment.
For me this interview was rather interesting because last semester I rented an apartment in Harlem and was able to relate too many of the things being discussed in the interview. Harlem, I agree is an amazing area and should definitely be visited and not feared by people from all over New York. Speaking of history, I was amazed by the history and beauty of the entire library. To me the interior of the library mimicked that of an old and rich European castle, with the tile work and gleaming ceilings.
The oral histories that we listened to online will definitely help me with my upcoming project because it showed me that small and simple questions, when added up tell a captivating story. Sometimes it is the small moments that are usually passed by that can really unravel a specific story and make a project worth doing. This will help in the creation of my project to make it fun and interesting.
March 9, 2017 at 5:44 pm
On Friday, I listened to Jacques Schwarz-Bart, a jazz musician, tell his story, his history, and his influences.
Jacques was born in a French-speaking town in Guadeloupe; the name of the town translates to “abyss.” He describes how coming from this literal and figurative “abyss” had a continuously profound impact throughout his life. (On a side note, I found it rather peculiar that a town would name itself with such an ominous name; nonetheless, it seemed to fit Jacques’ story like a movie’s backstory). His father was a Holocaust survivor, and he felt that death was always around him. As a child, he partook in risky deep sea diving without oxygen masks. He found the danger to be exhilarating, with the peril furthering the thrill. In hindsight, Jacques notes how fortunate he is for not having any hearing problems, as many of his friends who dove with him lost theirs. He attributes his successes as a musician to his great ear for music.
Jacques always loved listening and playing jazz, able to play the saxophone, flute, horn, guitar, and percussion. He was fortunate enough to be admitted into the Berklee School of Music, where he specialized in the tenor saxophone. However, he does not attribute his success as a musician to his formal training; rather, the best training he received was from listening and watching the greats of jazz – especially Louis Armstrong.
Jacques concluded his interview with destigmatizing voodoo – specifically, voodoo music and art. The roots of jazz are deeply imbedded in voodoo music; moreover, because of the significant impact jazz has had on many other genres of music, the influence of voodoo is seen in music today. Jacques wants people to know that voodoo is not just poking dolls with needles. He also discusses the impact of voodoo art on modern art. The cubist movement has its roots in voodoo. Similarly, Pablo Picasso’s art shows influences from African art.
Listening to Jacques was very inspiring. Without the NYPL Community Oral History Project, his story never would have been shared. This experience with oral history taught me lessons on conducting these types of interview. Questions should be thought-inspiring, not simple yes-or-no’s. With the right questions, the interview naturally unfolds, with the narratives just flowing.
Exploring the NYPL was like walking through Hogwarts. Every corner of the library was breathtaking, from the lions on the front steps to the vast reading rooms. The NYPL expanded on the concept of a library, as it serves the community a multitude of purposes. Classrooms like the one we were in allow for community education. Research rooms allow for diving into history and learning new information. Silent reading rooms provide inspiration and tranquility. Visiting and touring the NYPL proved to me why it deserves to be a historic and cultural landmark.