Month: February 2022

Recently there was an attempt to rezone Industry City in Sunset Park around 2015 but was rejected in 2020. This was mainly because many of the people who lived in Sunset Park was opposed to the idea as rezoning Industry City would be yet another attempt of gentrification in the area. 

The rezoning project was an attempt at neoliberalism in Sunset Park that led the people that lived in the area, mainly minorities, to actively speak out against it. They ended up succeeding but even when they did, what they faced was similar to what graffiti artists faced in Dickinson’s text. During and after the rezoning process, rhetoric by the media was used to create a specific narrative that benefited neoliberalism. 

The media when speaking on the decision would focus on the loss of job opportunities and the overall misfortunate failure of the rezoning. While the decision was a victory for many of the residents who wanted to help protect their neighborhood by stopping the continuing attempts of gentrification in the area. Especially as many of the development in Industry City would not be aimed at the neighborhood’s demographic. Gentrification is also a serious issue in the neighborhood as Sunset Park has already been recognized as a neighborhood in NYC that is undergoing gentrification. 

The usage of rhetoric, especially about neoliberalism in the city, is important as outsiders will learn on the issue based on the media. Therefore, focusing only on how the loss of neoliberalism means the loss of jobs while ignoring and disregarding the negative implications it will have on the neighborhood and its residents, leads outsiders to side with neoliberalism, even if subconsciously. Similarly to how the media in the city would try to criminalize graffiti artists while praising neoliberalism as the savior of the city at the time. 

First off to begin this, I believe it is inevitable when living in a big market cities like (New York city, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc.) that neoliberalism would be constructed. Since many people always want what is new and the lastest feature, I’m sure they would do the same with the places they live. I say this based off my experiences and what I see from a far regarding the older buildings or stores they have took down near my area to construct something new. It seems like if it profits them, then it will get done even if it affects a certain group of people. So yes I have witnessed the effects of neoliberalism as a resident of New York by seeing public areas or resources for the public turn into privatization. You would think that laws are made in favor of the people but sadly it does seem like it isn’t. Since my mother recently had her problems with Medicaid and how they didn’t guarantee long term care. However, as I said earlier if they see profit from it then they will indeed continue with it. The landscape of New York has definitely changed since I’ve lived here because so many places that I grew up going to has been changed to other businesses, and many new renovations have occurred as well. Many public parks and public places where people would go have been turned into private which will make people pay to get in.

Observations that relate to the Dickinson’s text would be that since the city was turning into a more business look and those who have private companies would prosper rather than the actual citizens. I would connect this to my observations because of the laws that seem to not benefit the people as they previously intended too.

Throughout my life, as a resident of New York City, I have witnessed the effects of neoliberalism and noticed my own community change with it. Starting off with health insurance, although there are programs built into the system to help low income communities be able to receive the care and help they need, you need a social security to be eligible to apply. Most low income communities are filled with immigrants in search for a better life. Privatization of insurance companies don’t only make it harder for these low income communities to apply for insurance, but make it a financial barrier for them as well.
With Covid-19 and the pandemic as a whole, everyone was affected disregarding your social class. Having insurance as a financial barrier families lived though an extremely tough experience, and were in debt coming out of hospitals. Covid-19 tests that were once free are now on the market for profit. I had an experience where I went to get COVID tested, standing on line for hours only to be told that the tests have ran out. Having to get tested by any means, I went to a location in Manhattan and there were about 8 people on line.

School, a public industry for all children to receive an education has also been turned into a neoliberal practice. Depending on the school you go too, the cost varies. Private investors in these schools have a heavily weighted opinion when it comes to the school making decisions as well. Families who can afford to send their children to these private institutions or pay for a tutor to pass exams made for these schools are put at an disadvantage. Education is valuable in New York City.  Neoliberalism affects communities not fit for the image of New York City.

Like in the passage by Dickson, she mentions how graffiti does not compliment the image of New York. Following this, society put a negative stereotype on black and Latino men, calling them criminals and thugs. This only goes to show economic value is more important in the acts of neoliberalism than the health or happiness of its citizens.

Within my time in New York City, I have witnessed the effects of neoliberalism throughout my time in the city. An example of the effects of neoliberalism is when I used to go to a park near where I lived at the time. There were usually ice cream trucks and people with icee trucks as well. The ice cream trucks were from a private company while the people that sold icees were typically independent and were just trying to sell their icees to the people in the area. Typically, an ice cream truck would pass by the park and it would get a good amount of people that wanted to purchase ice cream from the truck. The icee truck sometimes would sometimes walk around the park so that they could get money as well. However, the ice cream truck did not want the icee truck to go to park when they were around so that they could end up making more money. The ice cream truck was a part of a company while the icee person was independent and it resulted in the ice cream truck having more power within the situation. It is an example of neoliberalism due to the fact that the ice cream company did not take into consideration the food that the people wanted or the business of the icee truck, showing how private companies can have power over certain places. This connects to one of the arguments made in Dickinson’s text which was that New York City in the 1970s was being transformed into a city that revolved more around private companies and business people rather than the citizens themselves. It shows how the city focused on being more of a city that focused more on business people and it connects to the ice cream truck and the icee truck example. The ice cream truck was a part of a private company that wanted to have power near the park and they did not allow the independent icee truck to sell their food as well which did not take into consideration the icee truck and the people who wanted to buy from the icee truck.

The landscape of New York has also changed throughout the years. I have seen a lot of different construction occurring in certain places across the city. Some of them involve improving sidewalks which has been something that I have seen multiple times. The construction can take time and it can limit the amount of vehicles that can pass through the road which can cause more traffic and having to take other routes. I have not witnessed a public or social service being replaced but I am aware of the New York housing for lower income people being less accessible due to less funding. It shows how it is not one of the bigger concerns for the city and it affects the lives of lower income people. The meme in general means that going against the norm or what is accepted within society is looked down upon until it can be of use or something can be gained out of it. The article showed that graffiti on trains were looked down upon but in today’s world people put certain things inside of trains to promote companies which shows that it is done for something to be gained out of it.

As a resident of New York, I have witnessed the recent effects of neoliberalism. The pandemic has exposed just how present neoliberalism in our society. For instance, the covid-19 tests. At first, all tests were free of charge; regardless of which type of test you requested. This was encouraging New Yorkers to get tested and stay safe. More recently, however, I noticed how many tests now come with a price. In order to get tested to travel, for example, you usually have to get tested within a certain time frame, such as 48 hours before your flight. In order to get the results within that time frame, many testing sites charge you an amount of money. This shows how something that was once open to the public for free, has been privatized to those who could afford it. Since I’ve lived here, I’ve seen New York change in many ways. Certain parks have become closed to the public, and only those who have status or money can have access to those parks. People with money buy land like this just to limit access, so that people with power are surrounded by other people with power. I believe New York is a great example of how power wants more power.

Another public service that has been limited is Medicaid in New York. Recently, certain laws were added that make it more difficult for New Yorkers to get Medicaid benefits for long-term care. Medicaid was made to help out New Yorkers and make healthcare more affordable for them, but these laws do the opposite.

In Dickinson’s article, she argues that the government in New York had privatized public spaces not only to limit graffiti, but also to make a profit. This is exactly what goes on today, as an attempt to make certain areas in New York appeal to the upper class. The people doing this wanted to make sure the people in business had everything they wanted – which is what happened with the example of the park I previously stated.  Overall, I feel like neoliberalism in New York City is growing day by day.

Hello my name is Javon. I am a Sophomore at Baruch and I am a Business Major.

.                                                                            A piece of art that represents me is this picture of a basketball court. Yes it may seem just like any other court but this is where long lasting relationships are built. Basketball teaches you the value of teamwork but it also instills a lot of valuable life lessons into you. With basketball I’ve learned how to use my voice, the importance of hard work, and how to persevere through hard times. I’d recommend playing sports to any child/ adult because it can take you very far in life.

 

Hello, my name is Talha Sial. I’m currently a freshman at Baruch and intend on majoring in marketing management.  A piece of art or picture that I chose to represent myself which symbolizes me as a person and one of my biggest passions is basketball. I have learned a lot from the sport and many life lessons both on and off the court. Basketball is a sport which I absolutely love and is one of my biggest passions. I am always playing basketball whenever I get the chance and during my free time. I try to play every day if I get the chance. The feeling I get playing basketball is amazing, benefiting me in multiple ways. Also the added bonus of meeting new people and forming bonds and relationships through the sport. I chose this picture because I love the sound of the basketball going through the net. The swish sound of a ball going through the net  is so satisfying. Also the fact I find basketball therapeutic. Whenever I am in a bad mood or in any situation I can always count on going to a basketball court with my headphones on, getting shots up to get my mind off whatever is bothering me and to ease down.

Hey 🙂 My name is Valeria, I am 19 years old. I was born and raised in Brooklyn. I am a Marketing Major with a minor in Psychology. I think the combination of both interests would be a great mix for knowing how to market and design products. I’m still trying to figure out what direction I want to go with marketing specifically, but I do know I want to be in the beauty industry. Specifically makeup and fragrances. The art piece I included is significant because it solidified the type of career I wanted and what I wanted to do with it. I have always had a deep interest in makeup and perfumes but never really saw a way to make it something I wanted to do long-term, that could provide the type of lifestyle I envision for myself. My overall dream campaign or milestone would be to redesign Dior’s Fragrance Line, I think that it’s time for a change in who the campaign targets and who represents the brand. Bring in a fresh face that is relatable to the different people who use colognes and perfumes. I would be able to use psychology to know how to attract customers and make it feel more personal while knowing exactly where to put ads and how to design them. Overall this piece of art influenced what I see myself doing with my life and the type of changes that I want to bring to brands that will change the connotation of brands forever. 

 

Hello, my name is Denis Qehaja. This is my second semester at Baruch and I am currently majoring in finance.

I chose this image of me looking over lower Manhattan, not just because I think the view from here is spectacular, but also because of what it represents. To me, the number of tall buildings in this picture symbolizes how much of our life is governed by the will to create something new, something to marvel at. I always think about the sheer amount of effort that had to be put into developing this city into the major financial hub it still is today when looking at this picture. There had to be architects who designed the buildings, people who had to secure funding to ensure these buildings can exist, and most importantly, the people who had to actually build them. This process is no walk in the park; indeed, it takes a considerable amount of time, upwards of a few years, to finish the construction of these buildings. Knowing this gives me a key insight into life: nothing comes for free, and if I want something to be done, I’m going to have to put in the effort to make sure it happens. Of course, life sometimes wants me to believe everything is up to luck, but I know better than to give in to this belief. This photo serves as a reminder to me that nothing exists in a vacuum; what I am staring at is something that had to be built from the ground up, but still actively changing.

     Hey, my name is Sydnei I’m 18 and from Long Island, New York. I recently just moved to the city so the commute to school would not be two hours every time I have class. I’m a marketing major but I want to minor in Black studies. The piece of art I chose is one of my favorite albums. The album is “The Divine Feminine” by Mac miller. Most of the time when you see me doing anything, I’m listening to music, which is what I’m doing while I’m writing this blog. Music means so much to me, even though i can’t sing or even play an instrument, production and lyrics and how they just work together is just so cool to me. So if I do decide to stay on the marketing track, I would most likely do it in the music field. However, I chose this piece of art because not only is the album itself amazing, the qualities of the divine feminine mean a lot. Some of the qualities are things like intuitive, accepting, forgiving, etc. For the past few years I have been trying to gain some of these qualities to better myself in many ways and live more positively. To my luck having these specific qualities do make me feel like a better person, not only from others perspective, but from my own personal perspective. I recently even did something really cool. I got the album cover tattooed onto my ribs. The pain wasn’t horrible but the tattoo was very worth it!