Addressing School Segregation: A Youth Perspective

March 04, 2019 by Zac Martin in trelliscrew, school diversity

One of the girls on the panel story resonated with me because many of her experiences were similar to mine. She stated that after the Trump election she began to receive backlash from her own classmates because she was one of the only minorities in her PWI. She also expressed how her teachers didn’t do anything to stop the comments nor did they comfort her. This destroys one's experience at schools because many minority students face microaggressions because of the color of their skin. Conversations like this can help integrate schools like PS 321 and create a safe space for all kids. When addressing stereotypes and diversifying schools will help gain different perspectives and genuine experiences especially in a diverse city like New York.

Teenage perspectives on Precinct Meetings

February 25, 2019 by Zac Martin in trelliscrew

Now when it came to the atmosphere of the room, I felt that it was a little bit tense, as if the people coming in as well as the officers, expected some sort of conflict, so both sides went into it with their guard slightly up. Now when the people of the community stepped up to share their complaints to the precinct officials about certain officers and issues in their neighborhood and I felt as if it was overlooked and went through one ear and out the other.

Hearing the Concerns about a Changing Neighborhood

January 04, 2019 by Zac Martin in trelliscrew

Notice how I keep using quotations for affordable housing because the city justification is that it’s based off your income, but in many situations NYCHA [New York City Housing Authority] residents live in 1 parent households or are seniors.

Art and Activism - Hearing the Cries and Concerns from NYCHA residents

October 30, 2018 by Zac Martin in trelliscrew

More that 470,000 New York City residents live in public housing around the five boroughs, meaning that 1 in 18 people in the city live in one of the NYCHA [New York City Housing Authority] residences.

With the news cycle talking about immigration caravans, displaced children and voter suppression, [all important issues] what many don’t know is that…

10,000’s of our neighbors are going without heat, hot water, are being poisoned by lead paint in their apartments, all while not being given access to the same legal and social support that most private citizens take for granted

Police and Community Relations - A Youth Perspective

October 17, 2018 by Zac Martin in trelliscrew

I tend to believe that these communities need the most help with the relationship with the police officers because of the lack of communication. While at the meeting I was wondering if maybe putting up poster within each neighborhood would help with more residents of Red Hook and Gowanus. They also mentioned that they have neighborhood policing to help the police and community’s trust and engagement with the community.

I never knew what this was until today, which made me realize why there was so many police always by my house. Yet, on the other side I also believe there's a double intention because I don’t always see the same police officers, and because of the little to no trust in the community.