UL Chapter 26

UL: Ch.26: From Cuenca, Ecuador to New York, USA: Families and Transnational Lives

Thesis:

            Vicente travels to New York leaving his family behind in Ecuador to seek better opportunities in the United States to support them.

Summary:          

            Vicente left Ecuador for the simple reasons of not being able to seek a good and stable job. He explained that it was basically all through connections to have a good job. His parents thought that by getting an education would help them, but it got them nowhere. Vicente’s only option was to leave to the United States. Though it was hard to get through the anxiety of leaving family behind he had no other choice.

            Once he moved to New York things became different. Vicente had to worry about other expenses and send less money back home. He stopped calling as much as he used to. He was very undecided about his life. He enjoyed living in New York and couldn’t see himself moving back home.

Personal Reflection:

                        My opinion on their chapter is that once you move to a place with so much excitement as New York there is no going back especially where Vicente came from. I do think he should’ve had more consideration for his family and trying to help them out given the circumstances they were living in.

UL Chapter 25

UL: Chapter 25: Transnationism, Old and New: New York Immigrants

Thesis:

            Immigrants from different countries who immigrate to New York have better ways of communicating with people over time and seek better opportunities for the present and future.

Summary:

            In this chapter it explains over time how immigrants travelled back and forth from their home countries back into the United States. As the years passed by the prices of transportation such as steam ships increased. Immigrants also faced racism and lack of acceptance. Work was hard to find and when they did find work it was long hours of hard labor for little pay.

            Communication channels were also made for immigrants to continue to be updated on what’s going on. People can also listen to the radio and turn the dial to a Spanish station for example. Calls made to countries have also became relatively easier and cheaper with prepaid phone cards.

Personal Reflection:

            It’s crazy to think that people went through such lengths to send money back home and travelling back and forth. I’m thankful for today’s technology and the different ways of communication. I don’t think I could be able to survive without it.

Low Chapter 3

Low: Chapter 3: Prospect Park: Diversity at Risk

Thesis:

            The diversity in Prospect Park and which group of people go to do different activities.

Summary:

            This chapter explains the difference of whites and blacks visiting national parks. As explained the text blacks usually like to stay with their communities which white people don’t. Page 48 states “The social life of Prospect Park in both rich and diverse. The park is a site of cultural self expression for certain groups, including African/ West Indian drumming and dancing, Haitian roots music, and an officially sponsored yet very diverse pop music concert program.”

            The people who visit the park all had different values for visiting the park such as relaxing, appreciating nature and wildlife, and childhood memories. The user activity shows who does what when visiting. Whites were the most to walk in the park, Hispanics were the most to do cook outs, Blacks were the most to hangout and ride their bikes in the park.

Personal Reflection:

            I’ve been to Prospect Park for cookouts with family and birthday parties. You do see a variety of different people doing different things. The landscape of the park is very beautiful and relaxing.

Low: Chapter 6

Low: Chapter 6: Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park

Thesis:

            Accommodating the users of Orchard Beach.

Summary:

            Orchard Beach is located in the Bronx. The biggest group that uses this park are Hispanics. Many of the managers who work for the park also had strong ties to the park and good memories they had with their families. This park also struggles with a low budget and is short staffed which keeps the park from being well maintained.

            The Latino community dominates this park. On summer days concerts are held, family gatherings and other activities. Stated on page 139 “The fact that the park management is not in a combative relationship with it’s users contributes to this development. Park management accommodates the Latino community through a healthy mix of organized events and by honoring visitor-initiated activities with spaces of their own.”

Personal Reflection:

            I’ve visited this park once and I thought it was disgusting when I first saw it. I literally walked from the parking lot through the picnic area and also to the boardwalk, but nothing else. There was a large field that I found pretty nice and comfortable. I enjoyed the people around me. It was like for once people came out to have a good time. Maybe I’ll enjoy it a little more the next time I go.

Low: Chapter 5

Low: Chapter 5: Jacob Riis Park

Thesis:

            The budget of maintaining the park to accommodate people who use the park.

Summary:

            Jacob Riis Park has an interesting history. The man it was named after was a photographer and took pictures of the urban poor of New York City. He was a strong advocate of parks and recreational activities for the poor as stated in the chapter on page 102. The park is located in Queens, but closer to Brooklyn than most of Queens.

            At Jacob Riis Park people of different ethnicities visit and because of issues such as citizenship and language barriers it is difficult to ask for certain things. Also, the budget to maintain the park is too low to build indoor showers and changing rooms in the bath houses; to accommodate people better and to make sure it is in use.

            This chapter also explains the different people who occupy different areas of the park and beach. The Hispanics usually favor the picnic area. There is also a section of the beach where gays, African Americans and Italians occupy the beach. Some of the areas of the park are deteriorated, but are slowly being renovated.

Personal Reflection:

            I’ve never been to Jacob Riis Park, but always heard about it. From what I read it seems like a great way to picnic, tan and take a dip in the water. Since I have family that lives near Gateway I’ll probably visit sometime next summer.