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topic_interest is exactly
survive
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2020-06-22
Outside on the streets of Staten Island and Brooklyn
These photos depict some of the events and activities I was part of during the summer of 2020. I marched to protest the killings of innocent black men by police, I attended a street festival held in honor of Eric Garner (on the anniversary of his death), I worked at a Brooklyn Greenmarket doing "covid support" (a very stressful job), and I visited the peaceful grounds of Snug Harbor, wearing my favorite polka-dot mask made by a friend. -
2020-04-15
Twelve Families
It was almost a month since the last one that I went out, to run for errands in a nearby grocery store. Upon passing by, I saw this sign in front of a gate going to a narrow pathway. On ordinary days, it is not noticeable because of the vendors that stayed to earn their living in a busy place like Baclaran, but knowing how many families were actually living in a small space is an alarming situation in the midst of a pandemic caused by a virus that can easily be transmitted from an infected individual through close contact. The ability to survive is [also a] continuous struggle during these times, as the pandemic limits the movement of people, including the capacity to work. Many people lost their jobs that were the source of their living, and has been dependent on the subsidies given by the government, either by cash or in-kind. But for most, it is not enough. The pandemic is teaching us how to be resourceful and resilient on what is available, just to meet our needs. It also pushes other people and the government to extend their help, with the efforts and hopes that one day, we may be able to help one another without prejudice, or loyalty that may only benefit a few. In these times, these twelve families were some of those who are calling out for help.