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Written by Amy Paulin

Published: 24 January 2021

Created: 24 January 2021

Last Updated: 28 January 2021

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Shirley Chisholm(The following was written by State Assemblymember Amy Paulin)
Since 1976, February has been celebrated as National Black History Month. We use this time to honor the brave activists who fought against racial discrimination and oppression, as well as the artists, leaders and innovators who’ve left an indelible mark on our nation. As we reflect on these pioneers, we must keep in mind that the battles fought by these trailblazers of history are still being fought today.

While the struggle for equal rights and fair treatment cannot be pinned down to any one location, New York State is home to several key landmarks and milestones in Black history. During the Dutch and Indian War in 1644, the farms of 11 Black freedmen spanned most of central Manhattan, eventually earning them enough money to buy the freedom of their still-enslaved children. Later, historic Weeksville, Brooklyn, became the largest pre-Civil War community of free Black Americans in the United States. Many of the stops on the Underground Railroad were also located in New York, including abolitionist and freedman Frederick Douglass’ house in Rochester, the last stop on the Railroad before Canada. Harriet Tubman, one of the most prominent and effective conductors, helped hundreds of enslaved people escape their captors and settled in Auburn, N.Y., later in her life.

From poet, playwright and novelist Langston Hughes, to anthropologist and writer Zora Neale Hurston and prolific composer Duke Ellington, New York was also the birthplace of the Harlem Renaissance, which is widely credited with revitalizing Black culture through art, music and writing. The far-reaching effects of this cultural explosion would later influence future activists such as James Baldwin, a Harlem-born novelist and essayist who tackled both Black liberation and the struggles of the LGBTQ community in his writings.Langston Hughes

More recently, New York served as the home of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. In addition to representing New York’s 12th Congressional District for seven years, Ms. Chisholm became the first Black candidate to run for President of the United States, as well as the first woman to run for her party’s presidential nomination.

Despite all the progress made by these influential activists, artists and politicians, racism and discrimination still permeate American society. While over 400,000 Americans have now lost their lives to COVID-19, it’s clear that Black people are disproportionately affected by the virus. Black Americans were infected and died at a rate 1.5 times their share of the population, with the number jumping to 2.5 in Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin and Michigan. This disparity points to a deeper entrenched issue of health care inequality. The New York City Commission on Human Rights also released a report featuring testimonials from Black New Yorkers explaining that racism was “inescapable and emotionally taxing” in their day-to-day lives.

In 2020, protests surged across the country in the wake of the police murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, occurring in more than 400 cities and towns across all 50 states and led to a surge in the Black Lives Matter movement. Black Lives Matter began in 2013 as a social media hashtag created by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the 2012 death of Trayvon Martin. These courageous activists, even when faced with a militarized police response, never wavered in their commitment to end horrific police brutality and violence against Black communities. In New York, the Assembly Majority took quick action to show that we won’t stand by while this violence occurs and passed new laws to help hold bad police officers accountable, promote transparency and begin rebuilding trust between communities and the police.

Kamala HarrisWe have just seen history being made with the election of Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black woman to hold the position in the United States. History has also been made on Capitol Hill. In 2020, a record number of Black women were elected to Congress, which builds on the history made in 2018 when a record 57 Black Members were sworn into the 116th Congress. , In addition, we’ve begun to see monuments to controversial political figures and Confederate soldiers come down, as communities across the country reckon with the racism and violence that stains our nation’s past and present.

Black History Month serves as a time to not only honor and remember the victories of the past, but to motivate us to continue on the path toward true equality. Together, we can continue the work started by these pioneering activists and finally bring their goals – and our country’s founding ideals – to fruition.

As always, my door is open. If you have any questions about this or any other community issue, please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact my office at paulina@nyassembly.gov or at 914.723.1115.
Amy R. Paulin

Footnotes
nps.gov/afbg/learn/historyculture/african-burial-ground-in-history.htm
weeksvillesociety.org/our-vision-what-we-do
harriet-tubman.org/moses-underground-railroad
womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/shirley-chisholm
npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/09/23/914427907/as-pandemic-deaths-add-up-racial-disparities-persist-and-in-some-cases-worsen
thecity.nyc/2020/6/9/21286102/black-new-yorkers-describe-racism-as-inescapable-in-quietly-released-human-rights-report
ipsos.com/en-us/knowledge/society/Protests-in-the-wake-of-George-Floyd-killing-touch-all-50-states
library.law.howard.edu/civilrightshistory/BLM
thehill.com/homenews/campaign/524263-record-number-of-black-women-elected-to-congress-in-2020
fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL30378.pdf
cnn.com/2020/06/09/us/confederate-statues-removed-george-floyd-trnd/index.html

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Written by Stacie M. Waldman

Published: 05 February 2021

Created: 05 February 2021

Last Updated: 05 February 2021

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Danielle, Jeremy and Maya Moving is always a big and stressful decision. Moving during the COVID-19 pandemic is even more difficult. Selling and buying properties under COVID rules is tricky, finding COVID safe movers is another complication and conducting closings via Zoom is challenging as well. If the house needs work, scheduling painting, renovating and deliveries during COVID are more obstacles to overcome.

Then, when you’re new in town, how can you make friends with your masked neighbors? How do you meet new people when your kids are in the house, engaged in remote or hybrid learning with limited after school activities? Playdates are complicated, birthday parties small and the suburbs can feel isolated.

Read about some newcomers to Scarsdale and how they overcame challenges to get settled in their new community, We were introduced to the moms of some families who recently moved to Scarsdale and here are their stories:

Lauren moved to Heathcote from the Upper East Side where she was born and raised. She has two kids ages 4 and 2 and works as a lawyer and licensed social worker.

Danielle moved to Quaker Ridge in November after leaving the city and briefly experimenting with New Jersey. She is married with a 2-year-old and has a baby on the way.

Minisha, also lives in Quaker Ridge, where she moved after 20 years in Manhattan. Minisha is a physician in private practice on the Upper East Side. She partially commutes and partially works from home. She has three children, ages 12, 10 and 7.

Zoya moved from Queens to Edgewood. She works as Allergist-Immunologist at Montefiore and has a 22-month-old and works as an

Mira is new to Fox Meadow and comes from Chicago. She has two kids, ages 12 and 10, and works for JPMorgan Chase.

Here is what they shared:

(Q.) What have been some positive experiences you’ve had since moving to Scarsdale?

Lauren: Local programs like Mohawk Day Camp, Westchester Reform Temple and Kids in Sports have been excellent with their communication, kindness and positive spirit. We have made friends with others who recently moved here- the shared experience of moving to a new town in the midst of a pandemic with young children leads to quite a bond!

Danielle: I will never forget the welcome we received here. Our family lives either out of state or out of the country so community was important to us. We hesitated to leave the city for fear of feeling isolated but we were so wrong. For weeks, we had dinners sent to us, wine deliveries, and endless doorbell rings from genuine, lovely people. We love living in a neighborhood like that.

Minisha: We didn’t know what to expect moving in a pandemic, so I made a concerted effort to engage on local Facebook groups and contacted friends of friends. We’ve met some lovely families who have welcomed us with open hearts and arms. In retrospect, moving during this time was nice in a way because everyone’s life slowed down to a pace where they may have been more open to meeting one on one, or had the time to do so. We’ve gone on nature walks with new friends, dined outside a few times, enjoyed firepits and sledding... These are things we wouldn’t have done or had in the city.

Zoya: We have really enjoyed getting to know our neighbors via backyard chats and discovering new restaurants like Wood and Fire. We love shopping at DiCicco’s. We have also enjoyed strolling through Scarsdale Village and our neighborhood with our son.

Mira: Neighbors went above and beyond to welcome us when we moved in, from stopping by to introduce their families to dropping off an orchid and bringing home-baked cookies. They even shared electricity over the 10-day power outage by running a cable across the street so we could run some essentials like our coffee pot and Aerobed as we awaited our moving truck! I met amazing moms who organized play dates and sports meet ups for our kids to connect before school started. La Renaissance Bakery gave my daughter a sampling of French cookies to "acclimate her" to Scarsdale. Irish Bank and Vega even provided a welcome drink to us.

(Q.) What has been the most difficult or frustrating for you?

Lauren: In some ways I still don't have my bearings here - I don't know where the local movie theater is, where my kids would have birthday parties, or even what it's like inside friends' homes or my kids' school. Like all parents I am anxious about school in the months ahead when my son starts kindergarten in September. I’m looking forward to outreach from the elementary school for my son as he prepares for kindergarten.

Danielle: Seeing how this pandemic is affecting people’s health and livelihood. We have been fortunate to stay relatively healthy, but many have not. It is challenging to stay diligent while pregnant, not being able to see family for many months, all while having fears of sending kids to school. My heart is really with those who are suffering or have lost loved ones.

Minisha: Keeping the kids’ morale up while not in school full time. Their city friends are back full time and that’s a little frustrating for them but they’re happy we’ve re-located and doing really well. I know they’d love more regular social interaction, especially being new to town. They’re involved in sports, but it’s limited now, and we haven’t gotten to experience the version of Scarsdale we chose pre-pandemic. That’s out of our control, of course. Overall, we feel blessed to have found a great house in a wonderful community with lots of new friends.

Zoya: Learning about home ownership and all of our new responsibilities here has been our biggest challenge. We are making progress!

Mira:Finding venues for the kids to safely integrate into the community, finding outdoor spaces to play and hike with our dog, and creating safe play environments with other kids - don't we all have that challenge in COVID times!

(Q.)How has the pandemic complicated moving to a new town?

Lauren: In general, it is hard to meet people at a time when I am creating a new life for my family. Everyone has been friendly and I feel fortunate to have made genuine connections on behalf of and through my children. Everyone is isolated now, particularly during the winter, so it can be challenging to get to know people. I hope to build on the connections I’ve made and help others do the same.

Danielle: We are currently remodeling our house and there are lots of delays with personnel and materials. COVID has made almost every element of the job more challenging, from furniture to faucets as everything is backordered for months. I know people will see this and relate- the impact on our supply chain has been pretty astounding.

Minisha: I thought it would be more challenging than it was, but people reaching out to us has made all the difference. This is going to sound strange, but as a working parent, acclimating to new schools was almost easier in a way for me because I know that while I’m at work there aren’t lots of school activities and parent meetings that I’m missing. Once things are back to normal, I’ll have my bearings and I’ll be better equipped to be more involved. I was very involved in my kids’ previous schools despite working full time.

Zoya: It has of course been very tough to meet new people. The community events and casual chats that used to occur pre-COVID are all on hold now.

Mira: We are new to the community and have to earn trust of others without the pre-pandemic ways of socializing in order earn that trust. Our neighbors have been nothing short of amazing.

(Q.) What are your favorite things about Scarsdale, thus far?Lauren, David, Luke and Eva

Lauren: First, community. While I very much look forward to meeting new people and exploring new places when the pandemic is over (or at least better), I feel lucky that we have been welcomed. Our neighbors, parents of our kids' classmates, our realtor and others we've met are truly warm and thoughtful. I have lived in cities my entire life and I appreciate that Scarsdale can feel like a small town in terms of a close-knit community while not feeling too small.

Second, programs/events. We were Scarsdale Pool members this past summer and it was great. I look forward to a more "normal" season when kids can take swim lessons and there will be a more relaxed atmosphere. My son has participated in the town's soccer programs and it’s been a lot of fun. Third has to be the chicken parm (and friendly staff) at Meritage!

Danielle: The community and the people, the beautiful, picturesque town with great restaurants and everything you could possibly need, as well as a relatively easy commute to Manhattan.

Minisha: The people, the beauty and the pride that the residents have for Scarsdale.

Zoya: The wonderful school system that our son will soon grow into and the proximity to the city. We are looking forward to nicer weather so we can start enjoying Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway. We really look forward to meeting more people in our new town!

Mira: Neighbors who care and connect; culture that embraces diversity and open conversation; amazing resources across the school and community.

Do you have tips to provide to your new Scarsdale neighbors? Share them in the comments section below.

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 09 January 2021

Created: 09 January 2021

Last Updated: 09 January 2021

Hits: 3345

Gish Jen will discuss her newest book, The Resisters, at an online event sponsored by the Scarsdale Library, on Thursday night January 14 at 7:30 pm. Sign up here:

Some authors don’t fall neatly into a genre. Their books cannot fit tidily into a designated section of the bookstore or be catalogued as women’s fiction or immigrant literature. One such author is Gish Jen, who is not easily categorized as a person or as an author. Born to native Chinese parents, she grew up in Yonkers and then moved to Scarsdale where she had few Asian peers. She found herself surrounded by Jews and was deeply influenced by Jewish writers such as Saul Bellow, Bernard Malamud, Grace Paley and Philip Roth. The daughter of immigrants she was encouraged to pursue a lucrative profession, but left Stanford Business School to become a writer. Her work reflects these dichotomies and cultural contrasts, and in her own words she is a novelist, a humorist, a political commentator and an adventurous, complicated writer.

Her early books chronicled the experience of Chinese immigrants in the U.S., offering a hilarious take on the misunderstandings between cultures and generations. In her second book, “Mona in the Promised Land,” Mona Chang has moved to Scarsdale where her parents run a pancake house and she falls in with new Jewish friends. 

“It is 1968, the dawn of the age of ethnicity: African Americans are turning Chinese, Jews are turning black, and though some nice Chinese girls are turning more Chinese, teenaged Mona Chang is turning Jewish, much to her parents’ chagrin. The Chang family has just moved to posh Scarshill, New York, where the rhododendrons are as big as the Chang family’s old bathroom, and no one trims the forsythia into little can shapes. This takes some getting used to, especially since there’s also a new social landscape, with a hot line, a mystery caller, and a Temple Youth Group full of radical ideas.”

In fact, in fifth grade, the Jen family did move to Claremont Road in Greenacres and there Gish Jen discovered the library at Greenacres ElementaryGish and Family in 1968 School and fell in love with books. She says, “In Yonkers, no one discussed what they were reading, but in Scarsdale, Jen says, “books were important.” Here she also explored what it meant to be Chinese American, with enlightened adults, teachers and friends. She remembers being a minority in a welcoming neighborhood with liberal neighbors. Did her Scarsdale education influence her career choice? As she moved through the schools, she remembers amazing high school English teachers and wonders, “Had I not grown up in Scarsdale, would I have become a writer?” She remembers Scarsdale as “an inspiring place to be.” 

Was there discrimination against the Chinese when she was growing up in Scarsdale in the 1960-70’s? Yes, Jen concedes there was some, but it did not color her memories of her years here.

From Scarsdale, she went onto Harvard and graduated in 1973, then did a year at Stanford Business School before attending the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop where she earned her MFA in fiction in 1983. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, the Atlantic Monthly and in The Best American Short Stories of the Century, four times. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship and delivered the William E. Massey Sr. Lectures in the History of American Civilization at Harvard.

As a writer, Jen says she feels very lucky to have the freedom to experiment in her writing and is “unafraid to try something new and be responsive to the times.” She’s written novels, a collection of short stories, non-fiction cross cultural studies and an analysis of the roots of the independent and interdependent self.

In her eighth and most recent book, “The Resisters,” Jen has returned to fiction, but written a book that’s in a genre of its own. She calls The Resisters “a post-automation surveillance state, feminist baseball book.”

In this dystopian, futuristic tale, Jen envisions an era in which automation has made many jobs obsolete and “surplussed” a subclass who no longer have an occupation and a “netted” class of the privileged. Society is ruled by “Aunt Nettie” who uses technology and surveillance to collect information, manipulate the Surplus and exercise control. Climate change has submerged the landscape, leaving the Surplus to live on plastic houseboats to make way for the netted to occupy limited dry land.

We spoke to the author from her home in Cambridge and she explained, “This book is about the way technology can exacerbate all our existing problems…. how technology can be an enabler.”

Gish Jen: Photo by Romana VysatovaJen is wary of home technology such as Alexa or Nest that record users ‘conversations and movements, saying, “In this country we assume a friendly government. We need to think hard about that. You would not want terrorists to have that information. You have to think again about what you are giving to various entities and how that can be used. Can we assume they will never be running on our government? What kind of risk are you taking? The more they know about you the more they can manipulate what you want.”

She questioned why we permit invasive technology to run our homes and our lives. She said, “We like to think that we think independently, but technology can manipulate you. To what degree does technology serve us – or is it using us?” What are the possible solutions? Jen says, “We have to ask ourselves those questions. We are in the process of working out our relationships with technology. I think we need more legislation to control it.”

She explained that she wrote the book in the first year of the Trump administration when it was clear that “our democracy” was at stake. She said, “It is horrifying to me that I imagined the Capitol being mobbed,” (Which actually happened the day before our interview.)

Jen points out that, as in her previous books, “The Resisters” remains the story of a family, a pair of “Surplus” parents who adore their only child Grace, a girl with a golden arm. Grace is a baseball star, and baseball is a uniquely American game. The book also examines race as most of the “Netted” or privileged class is white, which the “Surplus” are Coppertoned. But these familiar themes are overlaid by an examination of how “automation” or “technology” has come to control these characters’ behavior and lives. Many parents can relate to Jen’s depiction of the college drop-off scene, but in this book, the father sweeps the dorm room with a device detector to see if it is bugged.

In her latest book, Gish Jen again emerges as an astute interpreter of modern life and the risks that accompany our surrender to the convenience of modern technology. And like all of her books, it is a compelling read, with a suspenseful story, that is both amusing and insightful. 

Jen will read from The Resisters and speak at an online event sponsored by Scarsdale Library on Thursday January 14 at 7:30 pm. Sign up here!  And purchase your copy of “The Resisters” at Bronx River Books in Scarsdale.