'BDC Focus' Issue 3 [English] by bronxdoc

BRONX DOCUMENTARY CENTER

Issue 3 Dec 2023

Free

Focus

HISTORIC SURGE OF MIGRANTS

WHAT’S IN THE AIR YOU BREATHE?

NARCAN SHORTAGE IN THE BRONX

BDC VOLUNTEER EDWARD GRATTAN

FEATURED ARTIST SONJA JOHN

BDC Youth Photo League

INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

NARCAN SAVES LIVES In the South Bronx, many residents can’t get it - or don’t know it exists.

BY THE INTRO TO DOCUMENTARY STORYTELLING CLASS (HIGH SCHOOL 1) Just after 5 p.m. on a cold November evening, near the chaotic Third Avenue–149th Street subway station in the South Bronx, Luis stood in a yellow raincoat, standing hunched over his belongings. He kept his hands clasped together on his stomach and flinched repeatedly while looking around, as if someone was watching him. Earlier that evening, he had used heroin. W“I need it, I just need it. Without it I feel like I’m dying,” Luis said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over two million Americans are addicted to opioids, and that over 80,000 persons nationally died of an opioid overdose in 2021, the most recent year that data is available. Over two thousand of those individuals lived in New York City. Down the block from Luis, Jose sat in a wheelchair, looking to the ground where orange-capped needles and blood-stained tissues surrounded him. Currently 45 years old, Jose has used opioids since he was 16. Jose, like Luis, said he wanted to stop using heroin. In part he blamed his surroundings--this area of the South Bronx, at the border of the Mott Haven and Melrose neighborhoods, registers one of the highest rates of opioid overdoses in the city, according to the NYC Department of Health. But for Jose, the effects of his addiction are just as important as his surroundings in explaining his continuing habit. The drugs haunt his mind, he said, driving him to use again and again.

Opioid addiction causes someone to rely on the drug like a lifeline, even if they know its harmful effects. As little as 2 milligrams, about the weight of a single grain of sand, can be addictive or fatal. If an addicted person attempts to stop taking an opioid, their body quickly enters into withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, vomiting, high blood pressure and panic, among others. These uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms are the primary factor for why people keep using the drug, despite wanting to quit. “The brain adapts…making it hard to feel pleasure from anything besides the drug,” according to a 2021 report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institute of Health. Or, as one South Bronx resident said: “[It] isn’t a drug, it’s poison.” Across the country, the opioid crisis has been worsening for decades. The NYC Department of Health (DOH) registered 2,668 individuals who died of an opioid overdose in the city in 2021 - six times as many as in 1999. The crisis has affected lower-income and minority communities the most intensely. Of all the boroughs, overdose death rates were highest in the Bronx, and three Bronx neighborhoods –Hunts Point-Mott Haven, Crotona-Tremont and Highbridge-Morrisania–experienced the highest death rates citywide. Black New Yorkers died at rates four to six times higher than other racial demographics. “These deaths are heartbreaking and many, if not most,

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INVESTIGATIVE REPORT are absolutely preventable,” said New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan earlier this year, when the 2021 data was released. This September DOH announced a multi-pronged plan to tackle the crisis. Among the actions taken was a recommendation that New Yorkers “carry naloxone and know how to use it.” Naloxone, also known by the brand name “Narcan,” is a medicine that rapidly reverses opioid overdose. If someone is experiencing an overdose and has stopped breathing, naloxone can resuscitate them. It’s typically found as a nasal spray and simple to use if one knows how: the tip of the nozzle is inserted into an overdosing person’s nose, and the dose is administered by pressing on a plunger. Naloxone has been shown to be incredibly effective, with different studies claiming that it can prevent death 75% to 93.5% of the time when correctly administered. But, despite the impact of the opioid crisis in “The Hub” (the area around the Third Avenue–149th Street station), a BDC Focus investigation found that many residents had never heard of naloxone. BDC Focus reporters visited 16 local businesses around The Hub. In ten of those establishments, no employees present had heard of naloxone or Narcan. Only one business had it: a pharmacy, where it was available for sale for over $50. Until recently, one needed a prescription to get Narcan from a pharmacy. But on September 1st, the drug became available over-the-counter nationwide. The New York State Department of Health publishes a list of certain pharmacies that sell naloxone to the public. BDC Focus reporters called 15 pharmacies near The Hub that were listed by the DOH as participating, and asked if they had naloxone for sale. Nearly half did not have the drug. In addition, the NYC Department of Health (NYS

Luis stands near The Hub. Earlier that evening, he had used heroin. © Mia Flores

DOH) has a program with certain pharmacies that allows them to give free “Overdose Rescue Kits” to any individual who requests one. There are three such pharmacies in the Bronx, and one is a CVS at 282 East 149th St, just two blocks from The Hub. A BDC Focus reporter asked about naloxone, and was told by a pharmacist that the drug had not been delivered in over five months. In response to a request for comment, the NYC DOH did not explain why the site had not been stocked with naloxone for nearly half a year. But a spokesperson told us that the pharmacy would be restocked with the life-saving drug by next month. The spokesperson also claimed that the agency had distributed over 37,000 naloxone kits in the Bronx in 2023 - but where exactly these kits were distributed was not made clear. Back near the subway station, Luis stood

On Melrose Avenue, a used needle lies on the street. © Andres Blanco

against the brick wall of a supermarket. At his side stood a cart stacked with bags filled with coats, shoes, shirts, pants and blankets. He recalled a time when someone used naloxone on him as he was overdosing and saved his life. The experience of overdosing had ”brought fear into my heart,” Luis said. But he admitted that with his heavy addiction, he wouldn’t be able to resist the craving that the drugs caused in him. It was something that deep down he knew had become a part of him. “It makes me feel normal,” he said. As the night went on, Luis remained at the street corner, talking to himself, struggling to keep his balance, occasionally greeting passersby. Just down the street, a group of men gathered, and prepared their arms to inject themselves.

The neighborhoods around the 3rd Avenue-149th Street Station record some of the highest opioid overdose rates in the city. © Ryan Plummer

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INVESTIGATIVE REPORT Bronx residents ages 55 to 84 had the largest number of overdose deaths.

35-54

334 Deaths

55-84

357 Deaths

15-34

WHAT IS NARCAN / NALOXONE? Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person during an opioid overdose. Naloxone works by blocking the effects of opiates on the brain and by restoring breathing. NALOXONE IS A SAFE MEDICINE. IT ONLY REVERSES OVERDOSES IN PEOPLE WITH OPIOIDS IN THEIR SYSTEMS.

95 Deaths

Bronx residents ages 55 to 84 had the highest rate of overdose death

THERE ARE 2 FDA-APPROVED FORMULATIONS OF NALOXONE: INJECTABLE & PREPACKAGED NASAL SPRAY.

Different studies claim that naloxone can prevent death 75% to 93.5% of the time it is correctly administered.

35-54 96.5%

55-84

108.6%

15-34 23.1%

75 - 93.5% STUDIES FIND NALOXONE IS 75-93.5% EFFECTIVE

Latino/a Bronx residents had the largest number of overdose deaths.

Black (non-Latino/a) 277

White (non-Latino/a) 80

Latino/a 413

BDC Focus reporters called 15 pharmacies near The Hub that were listed for selling naloxone. Nearly half did not have the drug.

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INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

Overdose Deaths Among NYC Residents, 2021 Bronx residents had the largest number of overdose deaths.

BDC Focus reporters visited 16 local businesses around The Hub. In 10 of those establishments, no employees present had heard of naloxone or Narcan.

786

586

447

387

146

Bronx residents had the highest rate of overdose deaths.

70.6 residents per 100,000 died of a drug overdose in 2021

Source: NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner & NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene’s Bureau of Vital Satistics.

BDC Youth Photo League

ABOUT

WHO WE ARE Driven by a shared commitment to documenting critical issues using the journalistic techniques honed in our classrooms, BDC Youth Photo League students, alumni, and staff have collectively produced this publication. Through their lenses, they capture the essence of our community, shedding light on untold stories deserving wider recognition. At the core of the League’s ethos lies the belief in community-based journalism created by students actively listening to the voices and stories of the people. With dedication, these aspiring photojournalists have ventured into the corners of our community, delving into its multifaceted narratives. They illuminate the triumphs, struggles, and resilience of the individuals who call this place home. “FOCUS” is a testament to the power of photography as a medium for storytelling and positive change. It serves as a reminder that through empathetic observation and the genuine connection between photographer and subject, we can create a more inclusive and understanding society. The Bronx Documentary Center (BDC) is a non-profit gallery and educational space. The BDC Youth Photo League is a documentary photography, video, and college success program serving middle through high school students. Learn more at bronxdoc.org.

MASTHEAD Editors-in-Chief: RICARDO J. PARTIDA + PAMELA Y. ROZON | Copy Editors: MIKE KAMBER + TERRY SHTOB Writers: PAMELA Y. ROZON +ITZEL ROBLES + FRIDA CHICAIZA + IXOYE MOGUEL + HS1 + HS2 Photographers: BDC YOUTH PHOTO LEAGUE STUDENTS + BDC STAFF / VOLUNTEERS High School Teaching Artists: DANIELA LÓPEZ AMÉZQUITA + ANYA BROIDO + GIACOMO FRANCIA + MIKE KAMBER + RICARDO J. PARTIDA + CARLOS DE LA SANCHA + EVAN SOLIS Middle School Teaching Artists: SIGMUND SOSIEWICZ + STEPHANIE ESPINOZA + ITZEL ROBLES Printer: PAMELA Y. ROZON • Designer: KATIE KHOURI • Cover Image: JOSHUA CAPOTE • A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MARTY ROGERS, COMMUNITY LEADER AND FRIEND • The BDC Youth Photo League is made possible, in part, by the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, H.T. Ewald Foundation, Rea Charitable Trust, Pinkerton Foundation, Joy of Giving Something, The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation; by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council, and by City Council member Rafael Salamanca; the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature; the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation; and the William Talbott Hillman Foundation. All digital photos taken on DSLR cameras were taken with equipment generously provided by Fujfilm.

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BDC SENIOR PHOTO LEAGUE FEATURE

Barbara Flaxman

BY FRIDA CHICAIZA + ZULEYKA MENDEZ Barbara Flaxman was born in Newark, New Jersey on September 25, 1941. She lived in Hillside, New Jersey as a young girl, and when she was around ten years old her family moved to Tucson, Arizona. The move was a big change from urban life, and Barbara remembered thinking that she might have to go to school on a horse. As she grew into an adult, Barbara moved around a lot. She studied public administration at the University of Arizona. She then worked as a social worker outside San Francisco, where she met a man who then became her husband, then moved to Connecticut to work in publishing. Eight years ago she retired and moved to the Bronx. Although she originally wanted to move back to Arizona, the East Coast had become her home. “I just felt very, very, very comfortable here,” she said. Barbara has been a part of various programs around New York City. She joined the College at 60 program with Fordham University at Lincoln Center, alongside with learning photography and printmaking at the Bronx Museum. Over the years, Barbara has experienced a lot of loss. Her father died when she was young. Later, her husband, mother, and sister all passed away, leaving her the last living member of her family. But despite her losses, Barbara feels happy today. “I love my life. I’m not afraid to go out and find something to do. To go by myself, to ask friends to go with me.”

Yolanda Ramirez

BY IXOYE MOGUEL + RYAN PLUMMER Yolanda Ramirez is a true Bronx native. “I was born in the Bronx, I lived in the Bronx, and I’m still living in the Bronx.”Yolanda currently lives in Coop City. She’s been a special education teacher at the Department of Education for more than 30 years. When she retired, she decided to start traveling. She has been to more than 8 countries in her lifetime, including Morocco, Portugal, India, and Nepal. Yolanda loves to read, meditate, do yoga, and be outdoors. She also enjoys helping those in need. During Covid-19, she helped her husband, a nurse, by being by his side as he struggled with the pain of losing his patients. She is also very opinionated and knowledgeable about various different issues in the Bronx. Yolanda talked about how the current fentanyl epidemic has been taking its toll on the Bronx community, and believes Narcan should be readily available everywhere in the city. Over the years, she has experienced different drug epidemics of the Bronx such as crack, heroin and now fentanyl. Yolanda has been able to recognize the patterns between these epidemics stating that, “[As] long as people are willing to buy, they’re willing to supply.” As a lifelong Bronx resident, she was very entertaining to listen to and educated us on the environment around her.

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BDC VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

MEET BDC VOLUNTEER: EDWARD GRATTAN BY ITZEL ROBLES + PHOTOS BY EDWARD GRATTAN

Edward Grattan, 32, originally from El Salvador but raised in Missouri, has called the United States home since the young age of six. Recently, Grattan has started as a volunteer at the Bronx Documentary Center (BDC), coming in to help once a month or more depending on what exciting events the BDC puts on. His enthusiasm for immersing himself in the diverse array of events hosted by the Bronx Documentary Center is evident, spanning from exhibitions to film screenings to panel discussions. Reflecting on his time in New York, Grattan says, “In the last two years that I’ve been in New York, the BDC has been one of the places I’ve frequented the most.” Grattan’s connection with the BDC goes back to his college days at the University of Missouri. He became familiar with the work of the BDC through the ‘True False’ film festival at the University; it left a lasting impression on him, transforming his perception of photography. Fast-forward a decade later, and Grattan decided to relocate to New York and began to volunteer at the BDC. Alongside his volunteer work, Grattan actively participates in various workshops that enrich his skill set. He’s taken part in the journalism workshop led by seasoned photojournalists Mike Kamber and Victor Blue. He also participated in Brian Young’s printmaking workshop,

allowing him to reconnect with an art form he explored during his high school years. He expressed admiration for Young’s mentorship and said, “Learning from someone like Brian Young is invaluable.” As he continued to immerse himself in the art of photography, Grattan discovered a growing passion for the craft. Grattan says, “I didn’t find [a camera] as a tool until my mid-20s.”. Grattan initiated his photographic journey by collaborating with NGOs and nonprofits, non-governmental, learning more about immigration and documentation issues. He used his lens to tell stories that showed his active involvement in emergency response and long-term support for asylum seekers on Lesbos in the Aegean. Capturing the lives of these asylum seekers struck a chord for him, given his family’s deeply-rooted history with the immigration experience. “Immigration is a huge part of my family’s history,” said Grattan about his newfound interest in

photographing the lives of immigrants, “I wanted to do it more in-depth.” Throughout his time at the BDC, Grattan has enjoyed seeing artists discuss their work in person rather than viewing their images in a book. The BDC’s Latin American Photo Festival left a strong impression on him, introducing him to a range of Latin American artists and their work. Grattan now travels between multiple projects in El Salvador and NYC. He’s documented life, politics, and social issues in his home country while dedicating himself to smaller-scale projects in NYC. “The Bronx Documentary Center is a catalyst for a lot of people. You get opportunities to do workshops, and portfolio reviews, and they offer a lot of resources…I try to bring people to the BDC as often as possible,” Grattan says, “I hope people come to this space and realize how unique and supportive it is.”

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BDC VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT “The Bronx Documentary Center is a catalyst for a lot of people. You get opportunities to do workshops, and portfolio reviews, and they offer a lot of resources…I try to bring people to the BDC as often as possible,” Grattan says, “I hope people come to this space and realize how unique and supportive it is.”

BDC Youth Photo League

INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

FLEEING HARDSHIPS: THE SOUTH BRONX EXPERIENCES A HISTORIC SURGE OF MIGRANTS BY HAZEL ANN ABDON PHOTOS BY ARWEN POLANCO + ANDREA ORTEGA + NYLAH MYERS + JOSHUA CAPOTE

PATH DHS on E 151st Street. © Nylah Myers

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INVESTIGATIVE REPORT Over the last year a historic wave of more than 100,000 immigrants has been arriving in New York City. Individuals and families are fleeing poverty, violence and government corruption in their home countries. New York City is currently receiving about 10,000 asylum seekers each month. Their presence in New York is making the city’s already existing lack of housing worse. As a result, city officials claim that there is an escalating crisis that will cost $12 billion over three fiscal years to New York’s taxpayers. According to Mayor Adams, the cost of supporting recent immigrants is leading to massive budget cuts to schools, libraries, and police recruitment. He recently stated that “Our compassion may be limitless, but our resources are not.” New York City is handling this historic migrant crisis by providing 200 emergency shelters where families can sleep and receive referrals for healthcare and education enrollment. In September 2023 an estimated 20,000 migrant children were enrolled in city public schools. In addition, 11 Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Centers are now open across all five boroughs to help recent immigrants with a range of services and resources. Many recent immigrants are also eligible for Medicaid, Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus A (CHPlus A). Some other programs help newcomers become eligible for Child Health Plus B (CHPlus B), Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP), and Emergency Medicaid.

Many immigrants say they are coming to New York seeking asylum from dangerous events in their home countries. Diana Batioja, a 24-year-old Colombian mother, migrated to the Bronx with her family 15 months ago after her husband was threatened by a gang in her home country. Their journey took 17 days. The family flew from Colombia to Mexico, then rode a bus for 2 days to the U.S. border. Afterwards, they paid a guide, known as a coyote, to smuggle them into the United States. In New York, Diana and her family are relying on shelters for a place to sleep. Recently however, Diana received a 60day notice warning her that their time in the shelter is almost over; they may possibly be forced out on the street as Christmas arrives. City officials say that the cost of housing and caring for immigrants is depleting the city budget. According to Mayor Eric Adams, New York City’s 2024 budget will have a $4 billion dollar shortfall over the next year and a half due to money spent on the new migrants. This has forced administrators to close libraries every Sunday and education officials have announced they are slashing $547 million dollars in school funding; there may be more reductions in coming months. The NYPD has also announced a hiring freeze. Sanitation budget cuts are also rumored. Communities in the South Bronx are handling this historic wave of migrants with the help of nonprofit organizations such as the Mexican Coalition, which is attempting to provide a lot of resources to low-income immigrants. These resources include food aid, workshops centered around self-care and legal support. According to Jairo Guzman, the founder of the Mexican Coalition, many who were

Tatiana, Sofia, and Alex outside of the PATH DHS on E 151st Street. © Maya Sanchez

10,000 NYC is currently receiving about 10,000 asylum seekers each month.

20,000 In September 2023 an estimated 20,000 migrant children were enrolled in NYC public schools.

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INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

Alex with a blanket to stay warm, outside the PATH DHS. © Andrea Ortega

unable to obtain federal aid benefits seek help from community non-profit organizations. Mr. Guzman mentioned, for example, that these recent immigrants “don’t have easy access to health insurance.” Therefore, his organization provides the immigrants with workshops to identify and prevent illnesses. A lot of immigrants that reach out to the Mexican Coalition “do not have authorization to be in the United States,” Mr. Guzman stated. He added that, “We invite lawyers to come to our agency, and then have immigrants consult with an immigration attorney who can provide them with information.” However, many longtime Bronxites resent this new wave of immigrants Numerous people interviewed in recent weeks on the streets of the South Bronx said that newly arrived immigrants are increasing competition for housing and job opportunities.

Alejandro, who was selling toys for kids on 3rd Avenue and 149th street, said he immigrated to New York 20 years ago. He said that the recent immigrants have made it difficult for him to find jobs in New York City. “Well right now there are no jobs. So many immigrants are arriving that they are taking away our jobs. They keep telling me that there are no jobs and then I have to make an effort to go out and sell to survive.” A woman street vendor, selling shoes and toys on the sidewalk near Lincoln Hospital, said she had immigrated to the Bronx 29 years ago. She also finds that the newly arrived immigrants make it impossible to obtain jobs. “They are taking people’s jobs. I feel betrayed that the recent immigrants are receiving better treatment. I had to start from scratch.” However, many recent immigrants also find their lives difficult in New York, with

few job opportunities and expensive housing. On a cold winter night, at the corner of 151 St. and Walton Ave in the Bronx, a family of three from Colombia had recently arrived at the PATH DHS shelter in New York. They were covered in layers of clothing, carrying their only child, Sofia, and struggling with suitcases. Alex, the father, said he had been tortured by Los Urabeños, a large criminal organization, and his brother was murdered by this same gang. “We came here because we would be killed otherwise”, Tatiana said as she and Alex held five-year-old Sofia. “We are at a starting point in creating our life again. Beginning again is complicated and even more difficult with children. So we are starting.”

Learn more about the Mexican Coalition at coalicionmexicana.org

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INVESTIGATIVE REPORT “We came here because we would be killed otherwise”, Tatiana said as she and Alex held five-year-old Sofia. “We are at a starting point in creating our life again. Beginning again is complicated and even more difficult with children. So we are starting.” Diana, recently migrated to the US from Colombia. © Maya Sanchez

Tatiana and Sofia arriving at PATH DHS. © Andrea Ortega

Mother and child at an orientation with the Undocumented Women Fund. © Arwen Polanco

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INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

BY PAMELA Y. ROZON PHOTOS BY SIGMUND SOSIEWICZ A step outside one’s home in the South Bronx reveals streets packed with large trucks and cars, honking loudly at one another, as smoke fills the air and pours into our lungs. It’s not unusual to see large apartment chimneys pumping smoke into the blue skies, and children in playgrounds mere inches away from traffic. The Cross Bronx Expressway is one of the leading causes of air pollution in the Bronx. It was built between 1948 and 1963, and designed by controversial urban planner Robert Moses. The construction caused dozens of apartment buildings to be demolished, with thousands of people displaced. An average of 300 trucks every hour and tens of thousands of cars per day enter the expressway, causing tons of exhaust fumes to enter the

Stroke

Public Health Impacts of PM2.5

Lung disease

Asthma exacerbation

Cancer

Cariovascular disease

surrounding communities. The Congestion Pricing Plan, proposed with the aim of cleaning air pollution on city streets, was introduced near the end of March 2021. The program will charge tolls as high as $23 to discourage drivers from entering Midtown and Lower Manhattan, areas known for being the city’s center of finance, tourism, and entertainment. Although many would assume this to be a positive plan, the details of the plan completely ignored the consequences low income communities would face if implemented. In order to avoid the tolls, drivers will make their way to the city’s center through the Cross Bronx Expressway, resulting in an estimated 5% increase in air pollution. This plan would also increase the number of trucks on the expressway by 50 to 700 per day. Leslie Vasquez, the Clean Air project organizer at South Bronx Unite, an established nonprofit that works to improve social, economic and environmental conditions for South Bronx communities, says this plan would disrupt a community that already struggles with intense health problems from poor air quality. “We are afraid that congestion pricing will worsen our traffic and will worsen our air quality. We have a fear that, because certain areas will have higher tolls, those cars and trucks will be redirected to our highways in the South

Bronx,” said Vasquez. “Now, we want to be able to track the air quality during this year and the air quality during the time that congestion pricing is in effect.” This September South Bronx Unite has partnered with QuantAQ, an air quality monitoring provider, and will install 25 MODULAIR sensors in Mott Haven, Port Morris, Melrose and other areas known for their high rates of air pollution. These sensors will provide public air quality data,

with minute-by-minute changes in the concentration of particulate matter and other gas pollutants. This data will aid clean air advocates in providing evidence of the harmful effects of certain policies and help change those policies if necessary. Measuring air pollution in the city often focuses on levels of PM2.5, which is fine particulate matter. These are particles that can be liquid or solid, and are small enough to enter the bloodstream

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INVESTIGATIVE REPORT through the lungs. Once inside the bloodstream, health problems can occur, such as respiratory and circulatory issues and a shorter life expectancy. Currently, these levels contribute to 2,000 deaths and 5,150 emergency hospital visits yearly in NYC. Fourteen percent of PM2.5 comes from traffic in NYC, and each borough experiences these concentrations differently, with 50% more in low income neighborhoods than in more affluent areas. Hunts Point in the South Bronx is nicknamed “Asthma Valley” for its dangerously high rates of respiratory disease. According to NYC.gov, the Melrose neighborhood has the second highest rate of health problems resulting from PM2.5, the first being East Harlem. “There’s indoor air quality and there’s outdoor air quality,” said Diana Hernandez, a tenured professor in the School of Public Health of Columbia University. Hernandez is a Bronx native who studies the environmental impacts of housing with a focus on energy inequality. According to Hernandez, NYC has an older building stock which relies on inefficient ways of creating energy. During the winter months, the sounds of banging and air fizzing are the norm in many of New York City’s older apartments, because they still use steam heating. Steam heat was very popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The steam would rise on its own, and as it cooled the resulting condensate would return to the boiler to be reused. These steam heating systems require a lot of water to function, run on fossil fuels and take a long time to heat up. The fumes that are expelled from these ancient heating systems are contributing to the fact that more than 70% of NYC’s carbon emissions are caused by buildings. Accompanied by the massive amounts of CO2 and PM2.5 emissions by the Cross Bronx Expressway, this is yet another form of air pollution which causes the South Bronx’s high rates of respiratory diseases.

“We have poorer air quality than other parts of New York City. It’s also not coincidental because we’re also predominantly people of color, predominantly working class,” said Valesquez. The future of air quality in the city is not all negative and bleak; many small victories have been won over the course of the last decade. In 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul has created a $10 million commitment plan for clean transportation in the Bronx which aims to have electric public transportation vehicles in the city. There has also been a $12 million Heat Recovery Program which will modernize buildings and focus on projects to make buildings more energy efficient. The Congestion Pricing plan has yet to be approved, as politicians have been discussing how to lower the environmental and public health impacts that may arise. Although change has been slow in terms of improving NYC’s air quality, there are many initiatives currently taking place focused on environmental health for the South Bronx.

Other

Traffic 14%

Non-Road 21%

Sources of PM2.5 in NYC

Commercial Cooking 38%

PM2.5—or fine particulate matter— are tiny particles that pollute the air & result from everyday urban activities like driving.

Size of PM2.5 Buildings 22%

Size of red blood cell

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BRONX ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Sonja John © Michael Young

SONJA JOHN

eye, and it became a habit for her to carry a sketchbook at all times. It’s the same path through the museum that she follows to this day, and now Sonja creates her own handmade journals where she continues sketching new ideas for future paintings.

BY PAMELA Y. ROZON

“I started making the work that I make now because I couldn’t picture a place where somebody like me could find a home.”

“As soon as I could hold a pencil, I’ve been drawing,” said 29-year-old artist Sonja John. Her love for art started when she was about five years old, with her father catching her in the act of drawing on their apartment walls with a black sharpie. When she grew a little older, he would take her to a museum every week. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, carrying a sketchbook in hand alongside her father, Sonja would follow his path, starting in ancient Egypt, moving on to ancient Greece, and finishing up in Europe. She would draw anything that captured her

Growing up as a queer and multiracial kid in New York City, she was enveloped by a sense of loneliness. Among her peers in school she was considered too ethnic, but when visiting the tropics of Jamaica or the Philippines she seemed too American. When visiting her family in Jamaica, she gained a deep appreciation for nature and animal life. In the mountainous valleys, far away from tourist spots and resorts, she found refuge. As she was growing up, she delved deep into honing her craft, resulting in her

acceptance to the Rhode Island School of Design, one of the most prestigious art schools in the country. After graduating in 2017, she continued her career in the arts, landing jobs in museum education, studio assisting for different artists, framing art for major museums (like the Museum of Modern Art) and more. In 2021, she applied for a job at the Bronx Documentary Center and became the exhibition assistant, where she led tours of different exhibits, trained volunteers, helped build frames, and filled a range of other duties. “We are primarily concerned with how humans change, alter, or occupy these spaces, without thinking about humans as being part of that environment. I don’t want to separate humans from the environment, but I also want to show the environment itself as its own active space of agency.” Most of Sonja’s work involves themes of community, environmentalism and

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BRONX ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

belonging. Her current work focuses on mural paintings that engage themes of environmental activism. She recently worked on a mural commissioned by the Center for Cultural Power, a women of color, artist-led cultural organization, for New York City’s climate week. The project, titled “We are nature defending ourselves,” was live-painted at NYC’s Javits Center. It was created to draw attention to people who were directly impacted by the Maui wildfires that happened in August, 2023. The mural depicts Sonja’s sister and nephew, who both live in Maui. She describes her work as dreamlike and celebratory. She enjoys creating art that depicts imaginary oases that provide a sense of belonging. Inspired by her family home in the Caribbean and her identity as a queer multiracial artist, she hopes her art provides others with positivity. A lot of Sonja’s work relates to the physicality of

“I started making the work that I make now because I couldn’t picture a place where somebody like me could find a home.”

literally putting her being into the work. She says, “I like to put my whole body into my work,” and this determines the way she creates her paintings. Bigger works of art take less time in comparison to smaller paintings, as she is fully engaged in the process, with every stroke or movement within the work being calculated. She creates her own stencils, patterns, and frames. It’s as if every work is its own performative dance, with the process itself being just as important as the final paintings. “When I draw, it’s not just putting pencil to paper. Drawing is any activity that allows me to reason with the world that I live in. It’s a method of thinking for artists,” said Sonja. “ I really believe in art as working in service to a bigger cause.

Follow: @sonja__jay / @sonjajohncuratorial

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STUDENT WORK

BDC Youth Photo League

STUDENT WORK

BDC Youth Photo League — Middle School —

Lead Teaching Artist: STEPHANIE ESPINOZA Teaching Artists: SIGMUND SOSIEWICZ + ITZEL ROBLES + DANIELA LÓPEZ AMÉZQUITA

BDC Youth Photo League

STUDENT WORK

BDC Youth Photo League

NEWS

“Through Our Eyes: Youth Photography at the Bronx Documentary Center, 2013-2023” documents and celebrates the work of our youth photography program. The photobook is a compilation of students’ award-winning photos of the Bronx from the past decade.

Order the book here

Opening Reception: January 19, 2024 6:30PM The B&W Silver Gelatin Printing Workshop Exhibition, hosted by the Bronx Documentary Center. Curated by students of acclaimed photographer and master printer Brian Young, this collection showcases the meticulous process and beauty of analog photography. Each piece represents the journey from capturing a perfect negative to creating a striking silver gelatin print. This exhibition is an ode to the depth, texture, and unique character of traditional film photography, offering a contrasting perspective to the digital age. It invites viewers to immerse themselves in the art of monochrome imagery, where each print is not just an image, but a story told in shades of grey.

Expose for the Shadows

BDC Youth Photo League

BDC YOUTH PHOTO LEAGUE’S DOCUMENTARY

La Red de Pueblos Transnacionales

La Red de Pueblos Transnacionales is a non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to uplifting the Indigenous-immigrant communities in the South Bronx through weekly community-led educational workshops, transnational organizing, and activism. The organization’s main focus is on using education, language support, and art as a tool of advocacy; examples include facilitating indigenous textile teach-ins to preserve Indigenous culture and creating know-your-rights workshops to assist the larger community. La Red has created a newspaper titled El Molino Informativo as well. We interviewed people who help with the day to day operations and serve the community at La Red. This includes Maru, the Executive Director, Luis, a Community Organizer, and Regina, La Red’s social worker. As part of BDC’s Youth Photo League video class, we captured shots that highlighted the essence of joy and hope this organization brings to the South Bronx. From shooting the mural outside of their shop during the cold winter months, to attending their art workshop that brought smiles to almost all of the children, learning more about this organization left us inspired and energized to continue this documentary. We particularly enjoyed entering this colorful space each time and being welcomed with motifs that represent Indigenous culture and seeing Huarache, the community cat, roaming around this space.

BDC Youth Photo League

BDC YOUTH PHOTO LEAGUE’S DOCUMENTARY

A new documentary by the BDC Youth Photo League’s Video Documentary Storytelling class.

Scan the QR code to watch the documentary

BDC YOUTH PHOTO LEAGUE

OPINION

CASTLE IN THE SKY Castle in the Sky is one of my favorite movies by director Hayao Miyazaki. It shows the dangers of human and technological involvement within the environment while following an engaging story of two young kids. The animation and plot line are two aspects that make this movie my favorite and why it is able to be loved by all ages and groups of people.

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WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FILM?

KNIVES OUT My favorite film at the moment is Knives Out by Rian Johnson. I adore the subtle hints present throughout the movie along with its overall theme and characterization.

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SITARA: LET GIRLS DREAM My current favorite film is Sitara: Let Girls Dream by Sharmeen

Obaid-Chinoy because it raises awareness on child marriages throughout South Asia. It’s an important topic to discuss because even in today’s society, child marriage is impacting a lot of young girls and their dreams.

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AFTERSUN My favorite current film is Aftersun by Charlotte Wells. This movie was very interesting; I enjoyed the simple yet multifaceted relationship between the father and daughter. I would definitely recommend this movie if you’re looking for a good movie to cry to!

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PHOTOS BY

PAMELA Y. ROZON

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THE HOSPITAL OCCUPATION THAT CHANGED PUBLIC HEALTH CARE My favorite film from video class is The Hospital Occupation That Changed Public Health Care. The documentary was really interesting because it showed how the Young Lords invaded the Lincoln Hospital and changed the course of health care history. The amount of archival footage was incredible to watch and I loved the film.

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