Author Archives: Johanna Mattsson
Response: A Muslim Leader in Brooklyn, Reconciling 2 Worlds
I appreciate the way Andrea Elliot organized her article, “A Muslim Leader in Brooklyn, Reconciling 2 Worlds.” She drew the reader in by including a personal account of Sheik Reda Shata. This made me curious to learn more about him and to understand what the larger picture of the story was: is his story common? How do others compare? Elliot continued her article by providing an overview of Muslims in America. I think she strategically placed the nutgraph in this subsequent section as she discussed just how many Muslims live in the United States. After introducing the various degrees this population’s lifestyle, she referred back to Shata and how he compares. In addition to Shata’s personal story and how it fits into the larger picture, I also appreciate how Elliot frequently jumped back in history, discussing how Shata got to the United States and progressed from there. When discussing mosques, Elliot used a similar method of introducing an overview of the mosques, followed by Shata’s relation to them. She also used dialogue to further build Shata’s character. Rather than simply describing Shata’s thoughts, she said, “’ “Islam is supposed to make a person’s life easier, not harder,” Mr. Shata explained.’” Her choice to end her article with a quote was effective, considering the powerful nature of what Shata said: ‘”Here you don’t know what will solve a problem,” he said. “It’s about looking for a key.”’
Protected: Conflict Story Sources/Questions
Protected: Conflict Pitch
Battle in Black and White
The article titled “Battle in Black and White” discusses Amy Fox’s grandparents fight for racial equality in World War II veteran housing in Manhattan. The nutgraph, which begins with “It was hard to imagine…,” addresses the arc of the story and places the issue in context: the efforts of activists fighting for racial equality in housing. In writing this conflict story, Fox incorporated herself into the article: an efficient tactic as it added an emotional component to the story. In addition to interviewing people, such as Stuyvesant residents, she did a significant amount of library research and referred to magazines, such as Esquire, to conduct her research. To compile information, she consulted a variety of sources, including her grandparents’ story and information from the chairman of Metropolitan Life Insurance and Stuyvesant residents. I particularly appreciate Fox’s use of specific details, such as the $3,000 cost of a 2-bedroom apartment, as this provides more concrete material for the reader to confide in.
Stephanie Kotsikonas: Born to Write
Stephanie with her poodle, Daisy.
NEW YORK—“Words are so great; writing is amazing!,” a passionate 19 year old said as she held on to her pen and notebook, reflecting on her dreams of becoming a writer.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Stephanie Kotsikonas spent her childhood years wondering what she would be when she grew up: an archeologist, a veterinarian, or a forensic anthropologist. “I went through a whole span of things I wanted to be,” adding, “I knew I didn’t want to be stuck behind a cubicle all day!”
Throughout her childhood, Kotsikonas was always writing; it was something she loved to do. “But no one had ever told me I was a good writer,” she said.
“I was lost; I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Kotsikonas said as she reflected on her early years. In the eighth grade, however, she earned a writing award. She brought this skill with her to high school where she worked for the school’s newspaper. “I wrote a running series on the ‘60s,” adding, “I love the ‘60s.” Her passion and skill awarded her yet another writing recognition in high school. “I thought, ‘Maybe I can do something with this,’” Kotsikonas said, coming to the realization that writing is both a skill and a passion of hers.
Kotsikonas’ talent and love for the trade solidified her plans of becoming a writer; she is now pursuing a journalism degree as an honors student at Baruch College. She thrives on the freedom of “literary” and “narrative” writing. “As long as you’re grammatically correct, there are no rules,” she said with a wide smile and sparkle in her eye.
When asked if she has encountered any challenges on her path to becoming a writer, Kotsikonas said, “I am too hard on myself,” adding, “I illogically compare myself to bigger writers.”
Although Kotsikonas is quick to choose “literary” and “narrative” writing as her favorite genres, she also enjoys writing about human rights.
In addition to writing, Kotsikonas said she “love[s] to travel” and has considered a career as a travel writer. After attending Greek school for 7 years as a child, Kotsikonas can now speak and write in the language of her home country. As she completes her journalism degree at Baruch, Kotsikonas hopes to study abroad and is particularly interested in learning German.
“I even know a Beatles song in German!”
The Battery Conservancy: Protecting Manhattan’s Green Space
NEW YORK—In a city dominated by concrete buildings and skyscrapers, public green space is both rare and essential for the 8.5 million people who call New York City home and the millions more who come for work.
According to Crain’s New York, however, “Most conservancies in New York City have modest revenues and struggle to keep their parks at a standard of care that New Yorkers rightly expect.” The Battery Conservancy, on the other hand, overcomes challenges to keep its educational programs running and its park pristine, accrediting donations and volunteers for many of its operations.
Melanie Simmerman, the conservancy’s director of institutional funding, said, “We have opportunities for individuals, small groups, and for our corporate partners to volunteer in The Battery and Battery Urban Farm.” On November 7, the organization addressed its “trusty volunteers” on Twitter, writing, “We need your help planting bulbs.”
The Battery Conservancy, a nonprofit in downtown Manhattan, works to protect and improve the neighborhood’s 25-acre public park: The Battery. Serving as an oasis for wildlife and humans alike, the conservancy “fill[s] the neighborhood (and city’s!) need for public green space,” according to Nicole Brownstein, outreach coordinator for the organization.
The Battery welcomes “over six million people, including residents, workers, students, and tourists from around the world annually,” according to the park’s website. Up until October 2014, the park was home to Zelda, a wild turkey known and beloved by residents and visitors alike. On its Facebook page, the organization wrote, “The Battery Conservancy staff is deeply saddened to announce that Zelda, our beloved wild turkey, has recently passed away.” Dawn Penny Russell wrote on the group’s Facebook page,”Loved seeing her walking around. Tourists were always so shocked to see a turkey walking around in Manhattan.”
In addition to designing, building, and gardening in the park, the organization provides a myriad of other services. “We also offer educational programming to local public schools, rent out farm plots to public schools, and have other public programming opportunities within the confines of our urban farm located in the park,” said Brownstein. The conservancy also manages the gangways for water taxis and the Ellis and Liberty Island Ferries.
Brownstein described fundraising as one of the biggest obstacles facing the organization, a seemingly common challenge for conservancies in NYC. “Since we are a public space, there is a false perception that we are city-funded.” The organization relies on “private donations and corporate sponsorships, with some funds from the Parks Department.” Brownstein added, “We hold two annual benefits that raise the majority of the money we need to operate the park, and we also have an end-of-the year appeal to our entire park community.”
In addition to funding, nearby construction also poses a challenge for the organization, according to Brownstein. The subway lines running beneath the park were nearly destroyed by Hurricane Sandy and are now being reconstructed. This project, in addition to the creation of a new Battery Bikeway that will run from Eastern to Western Manhattan, has left portions of the park under construction.
In her 2014 TED Talk, former New York City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden said, “Cities are fundamentally about people, and where people go and where people meet are at the core of what makes a city work. So even more important than buildings in a city are the public spaces in between them.” The residents and workers in this neighborhood benefit from the public space that is cared for by the conservancy. Agla, who works and lives in Battery Park City, admires the scenery of the park and enjoys bringing her daughter there to play. Callum Booker, who spent his summer working in the neighborhood, said, “I would utilize the park quite often.” Russell also reviewed the park on the group’s Facebook page, writing, “Gorgeous park with lots to see and do. Just breathtaking!”
In addition to serving park-goers, the conservancy caters to other organizations. Growing over 100 types of vegetables, the conservancy provides schools and nonprofit organizations, like food pantries, with fresh produce.
Despite the challenges of fundraising, nearby construction, and the death of its beloved wild turkey, The Battery Conservancy continues to “rebuild” and “revitalize” the park that was originally populated by Native Americans and the Dutch.
Brownstein said, “Our vision for the future is to make our park even better, expand our programming to reach broader audiences, and to ensure that this space is kept clean and beautiful.”
The nonprofit protects and improves green space in downtown Manhattan.
Protected: Community Service Pitch
Liebling Response
I enjoyed reading Liebling’s account of Hymie, the tummler. Rather than simply describing Hymie’s characteristics, the author portrayed the character by showing rather than telling. By using concrete examples of Hymie’s various experiences betting money and opening night venues, for example, Liebling revealed a great deal about Hymie’s character: he knows what he wants and how to get it.
After reviewing Liebling’s account of Hymie, it became apparent that the author’s descriptions were rooted in numbers: whether it was the cost of rent or how many basements there are “that cannot economically be used as anything but nightclubs” (107). This contributes to the objectivity of the article as numbers are concrete and often more accurate than mere opinions (if the numbers are contextualized and not influenced by an agenda, that is). In doing so, Liebling seems to approach Hymie with an objective lens since specific examples, numbers, and dialogues are more concrete than vague descriptions incorporating one’s opinion.
Although Liebling is, for the most part, objective, he does include a few subjective sentences, namely “Hymie is not a bad fellow” (109). To decrease his subjectivity, however, Liebling usually defends his opinions. I appreciated Liebling’s honest and straightforward account of Hymie since he did not sugar coat nor add unnecessary, fluffy language to his writing. On the other hand, it was also not overly charged with emotion or passion; it was a collection of statements rooted in evidence. This is best illustrated on the bottom of page 112: “Hymie thinks most of his customers in those days were temporarily insane.” In addition to making such bold statements, Liebling ensures to back up his opinions or accounts of others’ opinions, such as he who “had the quaint conceit of carrying only fifty-dollar bills” (112). Although this can be considered rather subjective, concrete evidence can help back up an author’s claim when it concerns information that is more subjective in nature.
Hard Times Along Gasoline Alley
How does the writer document hard times?
The writer documents hard types by including quotes from characters who suggest they will do all it takes to make ends meet. By utilizing meaningful quotes, such as “Where’s my tip?,” the author illustrates what is important to people during this time. Since they are concerned with earning tips and finding any work they can get, the characters’ dialogue and lifestyles suggest times are hard. The author describes their lifestyles by including various descriptive details: “At three stops along the way, they can be seen making a living, or at least a few extra dollars” and one person “sometimes sleeps on the A train.”
How and where does the writer bring money into his story?
The writer brings money into the story by discussing a variety of factors: the workers’ salaries, how much they pay for rent, and how much they spend on cars, etc. He provides perspective on salaries by suggesting “an eight-hour workday can land a gas pumper about $50, and for the more energetic ones, maybe more,” for example. He also describes how one man had spent $200 on his truck: a vehicle that would serve useful when “picking up mattresses left on the street and delivering them to a refurbishing business that would pay him $15 for each one.” When discussing money, the writer frequently contextualizes salaries and costs, comparing prices to what services at other venues, like garages, would cost, and how one worker “earns about $150 a day, which helps him pay the $950 monthly rent for his one-bedroom apartment nearby.”
Do you think the lead is effective?
If so, why? I think the lead is effective because it provides a general sense of what the article is about without giving away too many details. Although the reader knows the article will focus on someone who works hard and pumps gas, it is not disclosed who exactly these people are nor what the other “hustle[s] along the strip are”; these mysteries inspire me to keep reading. The lead is effective in catching my attention and raising questions in my mind without revealing too many details.