Friday, May 30, 2008
Middle Class Suffers from Economic Downturn
After hours of labor at his job, Joshua Allen still has to depend on a local food bank to fill his stomach.
Allen, 52, visits Yorkville Common Pantry on E. 109th St for a hot meal after work. He holds a labor job at a pharmaceutical company in Queens.
He said he has seen the number of people who visit the food pantry increasing every year, even among the working class.
“The economy is really bad. you have the family to feed at home, so you come to soup kitchen,” he said.
Working-class Americans receive hard blows of the continuing economic downturn. The soaring prices of food and gas make those who live paycheck-to-paycheck hard to adjust to the worsening economy.
And not to mention those who try to reenter the job market after being incarcerated or homeless. (See our multimedia presentation.)
Greg Colman, an economics professor at Pace University, said the economy is growing very slowly, which affects the job market.
“The number of new jobs created each month has been negative and has declined in the last three or four months,” Colman said. “The population always gets bigger and more people want jobs – this is bad for the economy.”
During economic meltdown, the less educated usually get hit the hardest, he added, referring to those with minimum-wage jobs.
Manhattan, the highest cost-of-living city in the United States, now has shocking gas prices that make low-wage earners grit their teeth.
The national average price for regular gasoline is $3.95 per gallon, but in Manhattan, a person has to pay $4.20, a jump from last year's $3.20.
From May 6 to 298, the retail gas prices hit record highs for 232 days in a row, according to Triple A’s website. It was not until the 29th the prices started to drop. Crude oil prices have only recently dropped from their peak price of $135 barrel. Yesterday crude oil prices dropped $4.41 to from $130.04 to $126.62.
In Omaha, a nonprofit homeless shelter has given out more gas vouchers than before. The shelter, Open Door Mission, has also seen some new faces – many of them have jobs and homes. In April, it served 51,000 meals – the highest number since it was established 50 years ago, according to a Tuesday report by KETV, an Omaha news channel.
New York City's homeless population has risen significantly. 2007 was marked the worst year of NYC family homeless since the Depression, according to a 2008 study by Coalition for the Homelessness.
Sheila Corrales, a senior case manager at Yorkville Common Pantry, said she has felt the blow of recession. The pantry is funded through private donations to serve 2,300 families breakfast and dinner each week.
The problem, she said, is the number of the clients is increasing while the amount of donation is dwindling.
Just working few blocks away from the pantry, Allen said he appreciates the hot meals provided by the pantry and the staff who smiles at him when he walks in.
“I hope they don't shut down with the budget cuts, not just for me but everyone else,” he said.
Middle Class Suffers from Economic Downturn
After hours of labor at his job, Joshua Allen still has to depend on a local food bank to fill his stomach.
Allen, 52, visits Yorkville Common Pantry on E. 109th St for a hot meal after work. He holds a labor job at a pharmaceutical company in Queens.
He said he has seen the number of people who visit the food pantry increasing every year, even among the working class.
“The economy is really bad. you have the family to feed at home, so you come to soup kitchen,” he said.
Working-class Americans receive hard blows of the continuing economic downturn. The soaring prices of food and gas make those who live paycheck-to-paycheck hard to adjust to the worsening economy.
And not to mention those who try to reenter the job market after being incarcerated or homeless. (See our multimedia presentation.)
Greg Colman, an economics professor at Pace University, said the economy is growing very slowly, which affects the job market.
“The number of new jobs created each month has been negative and has declined in the last three or four months,” Colman said. “The population always gets bigger and more people want jobs – this is bad for the economy.”
During economic meltdown, the less educated usually get hit the hardest, he added, referring to those with minimum-wage jobs.
Manhattan, the highest cost-of-living city in the United States, now has shocking gas prices that make low-wage earners grit their teeth.
The national average price for regular gasoline is $3.95 per gallon, but in Manhattan, a person has to pay $4.20, a jump from last year's $3.20.
From May 6 to 298, the retail gas prices hit record highs for 232 days in a row, according to Triple A’s website. It was not until the 29th the prices started to drop. Crude oil prices have only recently dropped from their peak price of $135 barrel. Yesterday crude oil prices dropped $4.41 to from $130.04 to $126.62.
In Omaha, a nonprofit homeless shelter has given out more gas vouchers than before. The shelter, Open Door Mission, has also seen some new faces – many of them have jobs and homes. In April, it served 51,000 meals – the highest number since it was established 50 years ago, according to a Tuesday report by KETV, an Omaha news channel.
New York City's homeless population has risen significantly. 2007 was marked the worst year of NYC family homeless since the Depression, according to a 2008 study by Coalition for the Homelessness.
Sheila Corrales, a senior case manager at Yorkville Common Pantry, said she has felt the blow of recession. The pantry is funded through private donations to serve 2,300 families breakfast and dinner each week.
The problem, she said, is the number of the clients is increasing while the amount of donation is dwindling.
Allen said he appreciates the meals provided by the pantry and the staff who smiles at him when he walks in.
“I hope they don't shut down with the budget cuts, not just for me but everyone else,” he said.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
William Faulkner: The Bear
William Faulkner’s highly acclaimed essay The Bear is an outstanding piece of literary work; however, I would like to focus on one of the many life lessons that Faulkner so expertly teaches us all.
During one of the earlier hunting trips Sam and the boy were out looking for a bear, but they heard a deer. The boy’s gun was up and hammer back as he waited for an opening to shoot the deer. But, he was too late; some other hunters got their shots off first. It was in that moment the life lesson presented itself.
Sam said to the boy, “Now let your hammers down…. I want you to learn how to do when you didn’t shoot. It’s after he chance for the bear or the deer has done already come and gone that men and dogs get killed.”
In that instance Sam taught the boy the importance of restraint and self-control. As much fun as shooting at the deer would have been the boy chose not to because of the high level of danger. Furthermore, the boy’s ability to safely drop the gun’s hammer reiterates the importance of those two qualities.
These lessons can be and should be applied to most if not all situations. Just as the boy planned on shooting the deer so we plan on doing many things. And just as the boy exercised self control during the entire event so we must also exercise self-control at all times.
During one of the earlier hunting trips Sam and the boy were out looking for a bear, but they heard a deer. The boy’s gun was up and hammer back as he waited for an opening to shoot the deer. But, he was too late; some other hunters got their shots off first. It was in that moment the life lesson presented itself.
Sam said to the boy, “Now let your hammers down…. I want you to learn how to do when you didn’t shoot. It’s after he chance for the bear or the deer has done already come and gone that men and dogs get killed.”
In that instance Sam taught the boy the importance of restraint and self-control. As much fun as shooting at the deer would have been the boy chose not to because of the high level of danger. Furthermore, the boy’s ability to safely drop the gun’s hammer reiterates the importance of those two qualities.
These lessons can be and should be applied to most if not all situations. Just as the boy planned on shooting the deer so we plan on doing many things. And just as the boy exercised self control during the entire event so we must also exercise self-control at all times.
The Empire State Building
It’s a city within a city that dominates the skyline from the block of fifth and thirty third. The Empire State Building – in all of its 1,453 feet – remains a highlight for the hundreds of daily tourists willing to pay the adult price of $17.61 to take the elevators to the observatory deck on the 86 floor.
Known locally as the ESB, it offers a panorama scene of the city second to none, but for the locals and college students living down the block at the Herald Towers, Walgreens – located in the ESB on street level – is much more valuable. There isn’t a view in the world that matters much when midnight roles around, homework abounds, and a student’s belly growls and head begins to droop. Walgreen snacks and caffeine are the only remedy.
Like any good shop in NYC Walgreens never closes, but even more important for this city of eight million is a sign outside that reads, “For your convenience we speak the following languages: Spanish, Italian, Indian and Chinese.”
Ms. Barrientos, a Walgreens clerk with hablo espanol printed on her nametag said, “During the school year we get a lot of college students late at night.”
In its own small way Walgreens represents the wide array of languages found in New York City, yet even with their multilingual emphasis there are still a few things to avoid. For example, not a single soul in NYC – no matter which of the forty plus languages they speak – buys much from their “fresh produce” rack. The rack, in English, reads “Fresh Daily Produce,” but everybody in any language knows the only thing daily about that fruit is how many days it’s been sitting out.
The fruit is a no go, but the Krispy Kreme donuts sold in the corner behind the counter will melt in any mouth. There’s your big apple ESB advice of the day: avoid the fruit, buy the donuts, and speak some Spanish if you want.
Around the corner from Walgreens the Empire State Building houses the Heartland Brewery, a bar and restaurant good for a romantic night out for locals in love – like an endearing elderly man who kissed his wife’s cheek at a quaint window table for two – or tourists taking a break from the sights and sounds on 5 street. Heartland’s exterior is a long row of windows that wrap around the corner of the ESB allowing tourists and locals alike to enjoy watching a never ending stream of people and yellow taxi’s wiz and weave their way through traffic. For people who enjoy people watching there is no greater place.
While they aren’t the most popular places for the bountiful number of New York City tourists an authentic ESB experience won’t be found at the observatory deck, but instead will be made by staying up late and on street level, grabbing some coffee and candy from Walgreens and maybe a beer from the Heartland.
Known locally as the ESB, it offers a panorama scene of the city second to none, but for the locals and college students living down the block at the Herald Towers, Walgreens – located in the ESB on street level – is much more valuable. There isn’t a view in the world that matters much when midnight roles around, homework abounds, and a student’s belly growls and head begins to droop. Walgreen snacks and caffeine are the only remedy.
Like any good shop in NYC Walgreens never closes, but even more important for this city of eight million is a sign outside that reads, “For your convenience we speak the following languages: Spanish, Italian, Indian and Chinese.”
Ms. Barrientos, a Walgreens clerk with hablo espanol printed on her nametag said, “During the school year we get a lot of college students late at night.”
In its own small way Walgreens represents the wide array of languages found in New York City, yet even with their multilingual emphasis there are still a few things to avoid. For example, not a single soul in NYC – no matter which of the forty plus languages they speak – buys much from their “fresh produce” rack. The rack, in English, reads “Fresh Daily Produce,” but everybody in any language knows the only thing daily about that fruit is how many days it’s been sitting out.
The fruit is a no go, but the Krispy Kreme donuts sold in the corner behind the counter will melt in any mouth. There’s your big apple ESB advice of the day: avoid the fruit, buy the donuts, and speak some Spanish if you want.
Around the corner from Walgreens the Empire State Building houses the Heartland Brewery, a bar and restaurant good for a romantic night out for locals in love – like an endearing elderly man who kissed his wife’s cheek at a quaint window table for two – or tourists taking a break from the sights and sounds on 5 street. Heartland’s exterior is a long row of windows that wrap around the corner of the ESB allowing tourists and locals alike to enjoy watching a never ending stream of people and yellow taxi’s wiz and weave their way through traffic. For people who enjoy people watching there is no greater place.
While they aren’t the most popular places for the bountiful number of New York City tourists an authentic ESB experience won’t be found at the observatory deck, but instead will be made by staying up late and on street level, grabbing some coffee and candy from Walgreens and maybe a beer from the Heartland.
We wish to inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families
“The dead bodies looked like pictures of the dead. They did not smell. They did not buzz with flies. They had been killed thirteen months earlier, and they hadn’t been moved. Skin stuck here and there over the bones, many of which lay scattered away from the bodies, dismembered by the killers, or by scavengers – birds, dogs, bugs,” wrote Philip Gourevtich after visiting Nyarubuye, Rwanda.
The story of Rwanda reminds us of all the great failures of mankind. In these situations the failings of mankind come in two categories. First, the actual act of genocide demonstrates an extreme lack of human restraint. Humans failed to restrain their personal actions. Second, and this is where the United States and other advanced nations come in, is the failure of those who knew to intervene but chose not to. Humans with the ability to restrain evil willfully chose not to.
The problem of human restraint and the lack of responsible action can be found all throughout history and cultures and contexts. Both of those problems can be solved when people with the ability to exercise human restraint and responsibly restrain others place themselves in volatile areas. Specifically, those people are journalists. Responsible journalists practice restraint in every sentence, interview and story, and the power of the press gives them the ability to restrain the actions of others. Therefore, the most appropriate response to the past acts of incredible inhumanity is to place journalists in the present day places most likely to explode.
The story of Rwanda reminds us of all the great failures of mankind. In these situations the failings of mankind come in two categories. First, the actual act of genocide demonstrates an extreme lack of human restraint. Humans failed to restrain their personal actions. Second, and this is where the United States and other advanced nations come in, is the failure of those who knew to intervene but chose not to. Humans with the ability to restrain evil willfully chose not to.
The problem of human restraint and the lack of responsible action can be found all throughout history and cultures and contexts. Both of those problems can be solved when people with the ability to exercise human restraint and responsibly restrain others place themselves in volatile areas. Specifically, those people are journalists. Responsible journalists practice restraint in every sentence, interview and story, and the power of the press gives them the ability to restrain the actions of others. Therefore, the most appropriate response to the past acts of incredible inhumanity is to place journalists in the present day places most likely to explode.
Frank Sinatra Has a Cold
With his expertly crafted winding prose Gay Talese crafted one of the great master pieces of “new journalism.” Frank Sinatra comes to life in the multi-page article through Talese’s use of rich descriptive words, personal anecdotes, and eye witness accounts.
Talese – to the disdain of many, but to the praise of others – varied his writing style from the accepted norms of journalistic reporting to a much more literary style of story telling. He was not the first writer to use the “new journalism” style of reporting; however, he was one of the most well recognized.
Talese revealed Sinatra’s somewhat authoritarian presence right from the beginning through his use of the story of the two blonde’s, Nancy and Ava, as well as his portrayal of the pool room episode. Talese made it clear that Sinatra did as he wanted and expected others do the same.
This unconventional style is frowned upon on in many circles; however, there are many things that mainstream news writers can learn from this approach. First, every once in a while this literary style can and should be used to convey certain meanings and nuances in an article. Second, this style is not required to consume entire stories; however, it can be helpful in spots. And finally, it is important to remember that style can and should be used as an amazing tool to accurately convey meaning.
Talese – to the disdain of many, but to the praise of others – varied his writing style from the accepted norms of journalistic reporting to a much more literary style of story telling. He was not the first writer to use the “new journalism” style of reporting; however, he was one of the most well recognized.
Talese revealed Sinatra’s somewhat authoritarian presence right from the beginning through his use of the story of the two blonde’s, Nancy and Ava, as well as his portrayal of the pool room episode. Talese made it clear that Sinatra did as he wanted and expected others do the same.
This unconventional style is frowned upon on in many circles; however, there are many things that mainstream news writers can learn from this approach. First, every once in a while this literary style can and should be used to convey certain meanings and nuances in an article. Second, this style is not required to consume entire stories; however, it can be helpful in spots. And finally, it is important to remember that style can and should be used as an amazing tool to accurately convey meaning.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)