Abstract The paper investigates racism with specific reference to the Brooklyn suburb of New York and taking into account the population groups and the manner in which civic leaders react to the African-American race groups. The paper looks at how the media portrays this racial group and finally the writer sets forth suggestions as to how the situation can be improved.
From the Paper "Naturally, any commentary on how African-Americans in Brooklyn are perceived leads inevitably to the question of how they portrayed by the local media. I was unable to find local statistics that revealed the number of African-Americans working in management or high-profile positions on local television, but I would have to concur with Kanye West's criticisms in the past that African-Americans are shown in a generally negative light by the media (Gold & Collins, 2005); specifically, there is a predisposition among many in the media to downplay white offenses (like stealing) while failing to do the same for African-Americans. For my part, I have often looked at the local news and puzzled over the fact that so many of the criminals shown on television are African-American - even though I know full-well that Caucasians and Asians are hardly uninvolved in criminal activity. It is this image of African-Americans - especially African-American men - as criminals that cause us to be ignored by local cabbies and passed over for job openings. "
Abstract The paper explains that the "Old Brooklyn Bridge" is positively aglow with color and light; the painting is alive and active, its linear composition is stellar, and the palate reminiscent of the industrial age in which it was born. The author points out that she sees the painting with increasing awareness and a deeper understanding of the artist's intent, now understanding, in Berger's words, that art becomes "a record of how X had seen Y.? The paper reveals that the clearest structure the author could discern in the background was a strategically placed depiction of the bridge's recognizable towers.
From the Paper "Reflecting further on Berger's ?Ways of Seeing,? I recalled his section on perspective. One of the most remarkable aspects of Stella's painting is its linear perspective. The lines representing the suspension cables of the bridge converge in space. The most notable conversion occurs at the very top of the canvas, where at least two of these beams intersect. Had I not known they were suspension cables I might have thought they were beams of light or just abstract lines. Yet although Stella approaches an abstract rendition of the Brooklyn Bridge, this painting is not what I would call abstract."
Tags: industrial, perspective, intent, tower, color
Abstract This paper outlines Rosemarie Garland Thomson concept of 'dirt' and applies it to r Jonathan Lethem's novel "Motherless Brooklyn". The author points out that Douglas' concept is that society dreads things that fall outside its normative schema and disabled people are one of these 'things'. The paper relates that, applying Douglas' concept to the novel, it is evident that some of aspects of her work are more applicable than others.
From the Paper "The conjunction of Mary Douglas' theory of 'dirt' visa-vis society's treatment of the abnormal and aberrant with Jonathan Lethem's fine novel, Motherless Brooklyn, offers an uncommon opportunity for insight and understanding into the uneasy place occupied by disabled men, women and children in a society preoccupied with physical comeliness and 'beauty'. This paper, quite simply, explores the existence of Douglas' theory of 'dirt' - specifically the five strategies she believes societies employ in dealing with those who are anomalous - in Lethem's novel and suggest which characters, if any, incorporate the disabled into the larger mainstream world; this paper also explores what the existence of various strategies in the text suggests about the representation of disability in a society uneasy with such difference."
Abstract This paper introduces and discusses the novel "Motherless Brooklyn" by Jonathan Lethem. Specifically, it discusses the novel's setting, inhabitants and neighborhoods, and how they portray a truly "motherless" community. In "Motherless Brooklyn," author Lethem creates an atmosphere that any reader can quickly discover. The paper shows that the flavor and very essence of Brooklyn are captured in a way that makes the reader more sympathetic to the people and places of the community, and how Brooklyn has evolved over the years from neighborhood to one of the most important New York boroughs. It concludes that Brooklyn will always be different, and no mother will ever claim the community for her own.
From the Paper "Anyone who has never visited Brooklyn might just think of it as another New York borough, but Lethem's descriptions and clear love for the area show this is not the case. Again, he notes there are rules regarding how each race sees each other, but they are not the rules that most people think of when dealing with the differences between cultures. They are more prejudiced, and yet they create a blend between cultures that is hard to see just about anywhere else. Lethem notes, "It was a form of racism, not respect, that restricted blacks and Asians from every being stupid like a Mick or a Polack. If you weren't funny you didn't quite exist" (Lethem 68)."
Abstract This paper gives a cross section on Brooklyn, discussing physical location, population per square mile, household income and racial census. The author explores crime in both Brooklyn and Queens and reasons for its decreasing rates.
From the Paper "Crime rates in Brooklyn have decreased over the past years. In a period of 10 years from 1993 to 2003 the crime rates in Brooklyn dropped by a huge 63 percent. The total reported incidents were only 44,648 while in 1993 this figure was way above 80,000. A mega change was seen in the motor vehicle theft rates that fell by about 44 percent thus forming only 33 percent of the total crimes committed. Its crime index is approximately 19 crimes per 1000 inhabitants which is much lower that the entire city's crime index being at about 29 crimes. In a study in the year 1998 it was observed that 2 percent of a 15 year old black or African American is likely to get killed before he reaches 45 (U.S. Bureau of the Census). "
Abstract This essay is a detailed biography of the American novelist, Bernard Malamud. It describes some of his most famous works and the themes behind them. The essay speaks about Malamud's hard childhood and upbringing in Brooklyn, New York. It describes his family and how they are portrayed in his novels.
From the Paper "Bernard Malamud was an American novelist and short-story writer. Born to poor parents in Brooklyn, New York he was educated at the City College of New York and the infamous Columbia University. Making something of himself, from 1961 he taught at the Bennington College. A Jew, Malamud has touched upon them in every novel and short story in great detail. Although his first novel, The Natural released in 1952 is a fantasy about a star baseball player, most of Malamud's writing as in his second novel, The Assistant written in 1957 is concerned with Jewish themes and reflects the sad, impoverished Brooklyn scenes of his childhood. The Fixer (1966), for which Malamud received a Pulitzer Prize, is a poignant novel (based on a true story) of the suffering of a Russian Jewish workman sentenced unjustly to prison. "
Tags: Bernard, Malamud, America, novelist, Jew, Brooklyn, NY
Abstract This paper discusses how it has been proposed that total quality management (TQM), a tool used in industry, can be applied to law enforcement in general, and to community policing in particular. It uses the example of Precinct 94 in Brooklyn, explaining their particular problems. It discusses and defines in-depth the concepts of community policing and TQM and then examines whether this method is a realistic solution to the problem.
From the Paper "Community policing has become a significant area of focus in police work in recent years as urban and suburban departments have fought increasing levels of crime. The effect of community policing has largely been positive, with crime rates reduced substantially in some areas (New York City, for example) and with positive reactions from both law enforcement agencies and the public at large. Despite the progress that has been made, critics charge that community policing is a vague concept that can encompass everything from merely hiring additional officers to having officers take a proactive role in preventing crime rather than simply reacting to it."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze two works: "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" by Bret Harte and "To Brooklyn Bridge" by Hart Crane. Specifically, it discusses what reasons the two main characters have for conforming (or not conforming) to the norm in these two works. The characters in these works symbolize America, both the best and the worst. They also symbolize how society expects much from its citizens and how some people, no matter how hard they try, simply cannot conform to the norm and fit in to a society that will only accept them on its own, quite demanding terms.
From the Paper "Conforming to the "norm" is one way people manage to get along in society. Society certainly does demand a lot from most people ? ethically and politically, and those who do not openly conform to society's rules are often cast out or seen as outsiders. In both of these works, the main characters must conform to society's rules to survive. In "Brooklyn Bridge," the main character is really the bridge itself, and Crane portrays it in a mystical or God-like way, as if it is an image to be idolized, just like the Statue of Liberty nearby in New York Harbor. More than conforming, the bridge becomes a symbol of America at its best. It is symbolic of a society on the move, inventing new technology and rushing toward the future."
Abstract This paper is a college admission presentation to Brooklyn College. It is written in the form of a speech geared towards high school students, in which the presenter attempts to convince the students of the merits of attending the college.
From the Paper "Greetings! If you are still wondering about where to go to in college, let me tell you a little bit about our college up in the City University of New York. Brooklyn College, one of the eleven senior colleges of CUNY, is the first public co-educational liberal arts college in the entire city of New York. It was established by the Board of Higher Education of New York in May 15, 1930. And by May next year, we will be celebrating the College's 76th year. But it was only in 1961 that we became one of the member units of CUNY."
Abstract The paper defines gentrification as turning old, decaying neighborhoods inhabited by minorities into wealthy, exciting and sparkling new communities in which the original residents cannot afford to live. The paper discusses how new businesses that move in are affected by gentrification. The paper examines Winifred Curran's "Gentrification and the Nature of Work: Exploring the Links in Williamsburg, Brooklyn" where she shows how small-scale manufacturing and blue-collar work in Williamsburg has been displaced by gentrification. The paper also discusses Jason Patch's work on the embedded landscape of gentrification.
From the Paper "Very little has been written on the blue-collar workers that remain in the central city. The work they have done and their presence, despite the assumption that deindustrialization is complete by policymakers, make up a crucial element of the neighborhood, an element that would be removed if gentrification is allowed to continue, tearing out the heart of the lifeforce that makes Williamsburg what it is. Manufacturing is still a viable sector of the urban economy that is increasingly at risk of displacement, she argues, and because of that the conversion of industrial space to residential use is simply due to speculative real-estate pressure. Gentrification is encouraging industrial displacement in this transitional area of Brooklyn, which in turn is leading to the degradation of blue-collar work that remains there, and to the increasing informality of work."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that obesity is a serious problem facing the citizens of America today that could lead to a variety of problems down the road, health problems that could further strain the health care industry and ultimately affect the future economic viability of the United States. The writer looks at obese individuals and the related ensuing diseases and health issues and presents a project that focuses on the citizens residing in Brooklyn, NY and in particular the Borough Park Community. The project concentrates on assessing and educating those citizens who are most at risk or are currently suffering from the effects of obesity. The writer concludes that the project seeks to develop solutions that impact not only the local community of Borough Park, but will also influence and impact communities around the nation, and ultimately around the globe.
Outline:
Literature Review
The Plan
From the Paper " The situation is that many of the nation's citizens are eating a less-healthy diet and a diet that is rich in fats and sugars. This type of diet can lead to obesity and the problems associated with being overweight. Diseases such as diabetes and hypertension are prevalent in high-risk individuals such as people suffering from obesity. Assessing the problem as it pertains to Borough Park is the primary goal of this project. Once the assessment is finished, then a further objective would be to create an educational program that will allow for nutritional instruction designed for this specific community and its citizens."
Abstract This paper discusses the emergence of social drama's after WWII and examines Elia Kazan's "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" and "On the Waterfront" as examples of this new trend. The paper discusses how these films addressed problems like poverty, organized crime and racism.
From the Paper "Films of Elia Kazan as Social Dramas
Although a few films at the turn of the 20th century addressed social issues, it wasn't until the 1950s that social dramas, or message films, became it's own genre outright. These films expressed power lessons about the human spirit, or focalized on social issues that directors and writers wanted to shine a light on, (Dirks, Drama Films). No director took this genre farther than Elia Kazan. While there are arguments about his movies, such as A Streetcar Named Desire being produced because it was based off of a play, and therefore "presold," it also brought attention to social issues that became America's focus after WWII, (Kawin: 2008, pg. 220). Message films developed as a popular genre due to his work on movies like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and On the Waterfront. Through these films, with Kazan's excellent direction, audiences of film began to question society and seek social changes."
Tags: American film, Elia Kazan, On the Waterfront, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Abstract This paper describes the life of Mary V, an woman who is remembering back to her childhood and youth in Brooklyn during the hardships of the pre-War and Depression eras. It details domestic life, political life, social life, her education and other personal experiences through the eyes of a young girl.
From the paper:
"Mary Veronica English was born on April 7, 1921 to a middle class family in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up she attended a Catholic grade school that was run by Nuns, who were very strict. Any form of disobedience would result in a ruler being slapped across her back, however that rarely happened. She was growing up at a time when corporate punishment was the norm in schools. The age-old adage of "spoil the rod and spoil the child" was one that was used throughout the society. The society was still patriarchal and the parents---mainly the father, ruled the family. The children were obedient and religious and went to Church every Sunday. The people lived in close-knit communities and regardless of the fact that the Nuns ruled by the ruler, she liked most of the nuns and thought they taught much better than the public schools, because they took more time with each student."
Abstract This paper explains that, although the use of slavery became a legal system in the United States, there were still many free Americans who were against slavery and often assisted people of African descent attempting to escape their life of slavery. The author relates that the Underground Railroad was a name given to a system that, despite the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, was ran by a vast network of people, mostly abolitionists, which helped runaway slaves escape to the northern states and eventually to Canada. The paper questions if the Brooklyn house said to be owned by Harriet Truesdell, a supporter of the Underground Railway and believed to have been one of the possible 'stations' of the Underground Railroad network should be preserved.
Table of Contents:
History of Slavery in the United States
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad in Brooklyn
From the Paper "Although it was claimed that the Underground Railroad has numerous stations and stretched to several states from the south to the northern states and while it is clear that New York has a role in the movement, it is still not clear as to whether or not Brooklyn was one of the areas that the Underground Railroad used during its movement. It might be possible that there were houses in Brooklyn that were used as 'stations' for fugitive slaves but there are no clear evidences that would prove this. This might be a result of the different methods that the movement was using to keep their actions undetected."
