Something different on Septempber 11th

by: Mae Singerman

Wed Sep 01, 2010 at 15:59:22 PM EDT

This looks rad! 

Reclaiming the "SI SE PUEDE!" (YES, WE CAN!) of Cesar Chavez Da Urban Butterflies (DUB) and the Dominican Women’s Development Center in Washington Heights will be holding the "SI SE PUEDE! Cultural Festival, which will focus on Immigrant Rights.

Join us and celebrate with us the immigrant communities that continue to strengthen this nation in all its dimensions- culturally, economically, spiritually, politically, etc.

LIVE Music (HIP HOP/ BACHATA/ SON JAROCHO/ REGGAE and much more) DJ, Visual Art, Arts and Crafts, Face Painting for the babies, and much more...

PERFORMANCES BY:

REBEL DIAZ* REYES DEL BAJO MUNDO * HACHE ST* BOCAFLOJA* NUEVA MELODIA* RAS CEYLON* WHAM!* JARANA BEAT* ... LIST IN FORMATION

There will be tents providing FREE legal services/counsel on immigration and housing issues. FREE HIV/AIDS testing... and tables with resources COMPLETELY FREE!

THIS IS AN EVENT ORGANIZED BY DUB IN COLLABORATION WITH: THE DOMINICAN WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT CENTER, IGLESIA SAN ROMERO DE LAS AMERICAS- UCC, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER YDANIS RODRIGUEZ, WASHINGTON HEIGHTS ARTIST MOVEMENT (WHAM)

12:00pm - 5:00pm
Highbridge Park (173rd and Amsterdam Avenue)

For more information: 646 942 2444 or 917 655 0552

Women: Not a Class of People, According to Wal-Mart

by: Suzanne Reisman

Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 16:56:12 PM EDT

A few weeks ago, I went on a shopping spree at Wal-Mart.  So many items!  So inexpensive!  But like any binge session, I am filled with regreat and shame in the aftermath.

My brain was so overloaded during my time in Wal-Mart that I forgot that they have been vigorously discriminating against female employees for years.  Despite statistical evidence that Wal-Mart pays women less than men for the same job, promotes female employees more slowly than male employees, and deepens salary differences over time even for employees who start off at the same pay level, Wal-Mart insists that women are not a class of people.  As a result, they cannot file a class action lawsuit to rectify the situation.

Like anyone with common sense, I hope that the Supreme Court will see that this claim is as insane as the price of a thermal undershirt I bought at Wal-Mart ($1!).  I may have only paid $1 for it, but the women who work at Wal-Mart more than made up the difference in price.  There's no such thing as a free lunch.  Someone always pays in the end, and the female employees have paid far more than their share.

Just another reason to love George Clooney

by: Laura Wintroub

Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 16:37:15 PM EDT

Five years later- Jewish Voices

by: Mae Singerman

Mon Aug 30, 2010 at 10:32:45 AM EDT

Thanks to the 85 oral history interviews and the 2700 digital objects collected as part of “Katrina’s Jewish Voices,” the story of how Jews experienced Katrina — the trauma, fear, and loss as well as the strength, resilience, and generosity — will be preserved forever.

Check it out here!

Grantee Victory!

by: Rachel Berger

Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 16:33:15 PM EDT

Make the Road New York is behind a new victory for tenants! New York City Council enacted new legislation that will help tenants access crucial information about their landlords.

Speaking about the Corporate Landlord Registration Bill, Council Member Viverito commented:

“Thanks to this legislation, tenants will have access to the names and contact information of the principal partners of these corporate entities that are increasingly the owners of our city’s residential buildings.  Additionally, these corporations will no longer be able to provide the City with the address of a mail handling facility instead of a real brick and mortar address where the true owners of the building can be reached.  I would like to thank Speaker Quinn and Housing & Buildings Committee Chair Dilan, as well as the advocates, particularly Make the Road New York, for their work on this legislation.”

Victory for Domestic Workers!

by: Rachel Berger

Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 16:24:59 PM EDT

The moment is finally here. Governor Paterson will indeed be signing the Bill of Rights into law this coming Tuesday at 11am!!

After 400 years in the shadows of slavery.....
75 years of invisibility and exclusion under US labor law.....
6 years of a hard-fought struggle in the New York State legislature.....
Domestic workers are finally gaining rights, respect, and recognition.

Join us for the historic ceremony at the new Harriet Tubman Memorial Plaza, a traffic triangle, at the intersection of Frederick Douglass Boulevard (formerly Eighth Avenue) at St. Nicholas Avenue and 122nd Street.

See you all there!!!!

Is this really the NYC I'm living in?

by: Rachel Feldman

Thu Aug 26, 2010 at 11:43:11 AM EDT

"'I have been driving a taxi more than 15 years. All my four kids were born here. I never feel this hopeless and insecure before. Right now, the public sentiment is very serious (because of the Ground Zero Mosque debate.) All drivers should be more careful.'"  

and hearing from Muslim friends that they are anxious or afraid or on-guard right now, I've felt that sinking feeling that is deep sadness combined with frustration and anger.   I have to admit, I got chocked up and I couldn't read the whole press release.

I don't often agree with Bloomberg, but his position on the Park 51 mosque and response to this attack, saying:

"This attack runs counter to everything New Yorkers believe, no matter what god we pray to,"

show that he can be a good leader, even when it is difficult or unpopular.

Dueling events highlight true meaning of MLK's dream

by: Josh Tulkin

Wed Aug 25, 2010 at 15:10:53 PM EDT

Martin Luther King III wrote a piece in the Washington Post today remembering his father's famous speech and reframing it in context of our challenging and complex political environment.

Forty-seven years ago this weekend, on a sweltering August day often remembered simply as the March on Washington, my father delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial. A memorial to him is being erected at the Tidal Basin, not far from where he shared his vision of a nation united in justice, equality and brotherhood.

This type of remembrance is common at this time of year, every year.  But this weekend will be anything by ordinary.  

Brief New Orleans media roundup

by: Laura Wintroub

Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 14:39:37 PM EDT

Lots of interesting stuff happening in New Orleans these days.  The upcoming five year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is nearly upon us, and the long-term effects of the oil spill remain somewhat unknown.  Add in a new mayor and a major city budget deficit, and the activity is more than palpable.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu addressed a gathering at the National Press Club last week.  Among other statements, he predicted that the joint recovery from Katrina and the BP oil spill will take at least another five years.  While that timeframe doesn't come as a surprise, it does reinforce just how much rebuilding work remains.

For other Katrina anniversary media coverage, check out this NPR guide to television retrsopectives airing this week in honor of the five year anniversary.  And for a jolt back to present day, today's New York Times has an article about the progress of the city's new defense system against future mega storms.

Lastly, for a look at what's happening locally, the Times Picayune just posted this listing of Katrina fifth anniversary events taking place throughout the city this week.  There's an incredibly rich collection of talks, tours, and service events planned.  Also included in the post are some of the photos originally published before, during, and after the storm.

Isaiah Fund Receives CDFI Fund Support

by: Laura Wintroub

Thu Aug 19, 2010 at 15:52:20 PM EDT

This morning, the Isaiah Fund, the interreligious, permanent disaster recovery loan fund that Jewish Funds for Justice hosts and manages, received a $100,000 Technical Assistance grant from the U.S. Department of Treasury's Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund.

Jeffrey Dekro, President of the Isaiah Fund, received the award from CDFI Fund Director Donna Gambrel, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Congressman José Serrano, and U.S. Treasurer Rosie Rios (Dekro pictured below with Serrano, Velazquez, and Gambrel).