Crusin' The 50s In a Volatile East Harlem (3)

By Miriam B. Medina

(Continued from Page: 2)

The familiar sound of loud Latin Rhythmic music blasting through the open windows and doorways of apartment dwellings in Spanish Harlem would penetrate the ears of reluctant inhabitants and passersby. Puerto Ricans have always loved their music. For many of the Puerto Ricans in "El Barrio", dancing was a distraction from the frustrations of their daily lives. It did not matter how tired they felt or how miserable their lives were, as soon as their bodies reacted to the frenzied rhythm, they would become rejuvenated, literally dancing until they dropped.

The weekends were their time to go to the local nightclubs. As musicians played their instruments to the greatest tunes in Latino music, the partners, skins flushed with perspiration, would revolve around the dance floor, whirling around each other. Their hips and shoulders would sway while their feet marked the beat to the music. The young busty Latin women would heat up the atmosphere as they moved seductively, swaying their curvaceous hips to the beat of the drums. Occasionally, a flirtatious remark made by an intoxicated male dancer would set off a verbal confrontation between both men. This would lead to an absolute street fight filled with switchblades and broken bottles, as others would rush to their defense.

Those that did not go the nightclubs would stay home and have their own wild and loud parties. These parties would continue to the wee hours of the morning, much to the displeasure of the neighbors who wanted to sleep.

It was becoming increasingly difficult for the Jewish and Italian vendors, as Puerto Rican grocery stores, barber shops, religious shops and restaurants began mushrooming all over East Harlem. Tensions accelerated as frustrated Jewish and Italian merchants witnessed the shifting of their clients, who were now soliciting their competitors. After several verbal and physical confrontations, including a riot, many of the Jewish merchants decided to keep their shops, but they adapted to the new inhabitants, willingly accepting the Puerto Rican businessmen, even learning Spanish. As a result of the projects, East Harlem changed, with the increased presence of African American and Latino populations. To a certain extent, the elimination of 1500 retail stores left 4,500 people unemployed. Thus, a steady migration of Italian Americans began moving away from East Harlem, moving onto private property in the suburban areas of New York City.

Despite their fierce antagonisms, and in defense of ethnic identity during those volatile years of the 1920's through the 1950's, these two distinct groups, Italians and Puerto Ricans, remained mixed, but in different ways, in the texture of East Harlem.

In comparison, East Harlem now is a mere shadow of what it was during the 50's. With the arrival of a vast amount of new, diverse immigrants who have made East Harlem their home, can we safely assume that this once turbulent territory has finally reached a plateau of normalcy and peaceful coexistence? Or will further prejudices substitute for the old ones? What is your opinion?

Miriam B. Medina is an Expert Author at Platinum Level at EzineArticles.com

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox.com
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Crusin' The 50s In a Volatile East Harlem (2)

By Miriam B. Medina

(Continue from page: 1)

The Young Puerto Ricans were reluctant to enter the labor force, not only after seeing their parents discriminated against, but also after witnessing their parents disappointment. It was required that the applicants should have some knowledge of the English language, even though it was for an unskilled job. The unemployed parents, in turn, would put pressure on their teen-aged son to help out. These young men knew from experience that if they followed in their father's footsteps, it would only encourage more of the same consequences to occur in their own lives. They would end up working unskilled low-paying jobs with no possibility of advancement.

"Hell no man, that's not for me!" they would say.

It was easier to hook up with a gang or to organize one, which gave them a sense of worth, belonging, and one of respect, something that most of them were not able to get at home. Gang life meant solidarity and toughness in a tough, discriminating neighborhood.

Gang violence was a scary reality during the 40's and 50's. The East Harlem atmosphere became explosive. Rumbles between the black Dragons, Italian Dukes, Puerto Rican Viceroys and the Italian Redwings erupted daily. The wide-spread, never ending battles were fought in order to establish and maintain domain and honor between the Puerto Ricans and Italian teen-agers. They dominated the already tensed area of East Harlem. These rumbles were initiated by whichever group that was asking for a fight, whether it was over the boundaries of their turf, establishing claims over streets, parks, testing their manliness or, as usual, petty things like rumbling over their ladies.

The girls had the support of the gang, and if any of them were insulted, which in many cases the stories were fabricated just to provoke a war, her honor would be defended. Even if the gang knew she was a whore. The Greasers, anywhere from fourteen to nineteen years old, would strut with their chests pushed out, carrying zip guns, ready to shoot just in case, baseball bats and switchblades at the ready. It made them feel real macho, smart and tough, boasting of their readiness for a good rumble, knowing that no matter how scared they were, they would not admit it. Racial slurs flung back and forth starting fights, many times resulting in death or hospitalization, with crushed heads and heavy, crippling injuries. Young men cut by switchblades, beaten by tire chains or shot by bullets. Some members of the gang would accumulate piles of gravel-filled milk bottles, bricks, cinder blocks, iron scrap and whatever else they could get to use like missiles and hide them on the roof tops before a fight. Anything was fair with no rules.

To be continued: Crusin' the 50s In a Volatile East Harlem (3)

Miriam B. Medina is an Ezine Author at Platinum Level at EzineArticles.com

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox.com
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Crusin' The 50s In a Volatile East Harlem (1)

By Miriam B. Medina

The 1950s were the most significant, productive, vital years in American history. Many pivotal social and technological changes revolutionized the American society during the Golden Age. World War II was over. The American economy exploded. Industrialization peaked. There was expansion of higher education, suburbanization and government assistance to veterans in the post-World War II years. These conditions provided favorable factors for economic advancements. Targeted to the urban working-class, who generally desired a better lifestyle for themselves, the intense construction of thousands of residential houses began. These suburban homes reflected the new domesticity of post-war prosperity. Not only was it a boom year of plentiful bounty, it was also a decade that birthed rock and roll, a decade where young actors like James Dean, Marlon Brando, Sal Mineo, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis became big-time favorites and role models among the youth. American icons.

So while significant changes and economic improvements were going on throughout the United States, what was happening in the area of East Harlem, New York? During the 1940's and 1950's, the area of East Harlem was a mixture of Irish, Italians, Puerto Ricans and a small percentage of people from the Jewish community. There were also a few African American families and some other ethnic groups too, but it was minimal in population. Nevertheless, it was enough to create an atmosphere of tension, especially following the years of the Great Depression and World War II. This strain was progressively heightened within the mixed ethnic groups. East Harlem contained the largest established Italian community, a community that grew substantially during the 1920's into the 30's and 40's.

As a result of commercial air travel taking off in 1945, a one-way ticket from San Juan to New York all of a sudden cost less than $50, so the steady stream of Puerto Rican migration which had begun during World War I reached a vast population; Circa 70,000 to 250,000 people within the years of 1940-1950. As the Puerto Ricans continued to move to East Harlem they encroached communities that were already established, and began forming their own distinctive neighborhoods, establishing their own values, traditions and cuisine. By the time the 50's rolled around, the Italians and Puerto Ricans numerically dominated the area of East Harlem. The Puerto Ricans became such a significant and visible presence in East Harlem during the 50's, that the area gained the familiar name of "Spanish Harlem". At the same time, the Puerto Rican people began saturating the East Harlem district. Both Italians and Puerto Ricans found themselves in a constant battle, competing for housing as well as educational and employment resources.

To be continued: Crusin' the 50s (2)

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Miriam B. Medina is an Expert Author at Platinum Level at EzineArticles.com

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox.com
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Brusciano, Italy News/Events: Italian (27)

dott. Antonio Castaldo, Sociologo e giornalista, Brusciano, Italia

"Renato Di Rocco presidente della Federazione Ciclistica Italiana e vicepresidente del ciclismo mondiale incontra il team femminile “Tranchese Cycling” di Brusciano e visita la “Magnum” di Marigliano che ha compiuto i primi trenta anni di attività."

Lunedì scorso è passato per la nostra zona Renato Di Rocco, presidente nazionale della Federazione Ciclistica Italiana e neoeletto vicepresidente dell’Unione Ciclistica Internazionale al rinnovo delle cariche nell’occasione dei Campionati del Mondo di due mesi fa. Di Rocco ha fatto una visita di cortesia, ma anche di riconoscente attenzione, alle emergenti realtà del mondo ciclistico del Sud Italia che tra Brusciano e Marigliano, in provincia di Napoli, offre il positivo connubio tra il gesto atletico, tutto al femminile, con la Tranchese Cycling di Domenico Tranchese, e la realtà produttiva e commerciale, suo sponsor, la trentennale azienda Magnum della famiglia Esposito, fondata dal papà Pasquale e continuata dai figli guidati dal giovane e saggio Geppino.Esposito.

Il cordiale incontro presso la Magnum a Marigliano era simpaticamente affollato di vari rappresentanti dell’associazionismo ciclistico campano con vecchi testimoni e giovani promesse. Le prime ad esultare ed a mettersi in posa per la storica foto ricordo con Di Rocco sono state alcune atlete della Tranchese Cycling: Lucia Auriemma, Sara Di Costanzo, Federica Tranchese e la new entry, Nunzia Amato. In questo periodo la squadra al completo, team manager Domenico Tranchese, vicepresidente Gaetano Di Costanzo, dirigente e curatore del sito web Trancesecycling.net, Antonio Esposito, con il nuovo preparatore atletico Pasquale Cerasuolo sta svolgendo la preparazione invernale presso il Centro Sportivo Delphinia di Castello Di Cisterna. Per loro, dopo la crescita ed i successi di questi anni è previsto, nell’anno 2011, anche il debutto nell’agone ciclistico internazionale.

Il presidente FCI Di Rocco al giornalista Antonio Castaldo che ha seguito l’intera visita ha dichiarato “sincera attenzione al centro sud, una realtà che ci incuriosisce ed alla quale guardiamo con ottimismo. Per questo, raccogliendone i positivi segnali, esprimo l’incoraggiamento e l’apprezzamento per gli sforzi prodotti dalla Tranchese Cycling che raccoglie meritevolmente lusinghieri risultati. Mentre siamo grati al generoso sponsor, l’azienda Magnum, che si distingue in una dimensione nazionale che privilegia calcio e motori e troppo spesso si dimentica del ciclismo. In Italia abbiamo 3800 società ciclistiche, 116.000 tesserati, 12.000 giovanissimi, 68.000 agonisti. Promuoviamo, col ciclismo, il rispetto dell’uomo e della natura ed al primo posto mettiamo la lotta al doping, per cui auspichiamo la piena uniformità sui controlli mondiali”. Fra i tanti presenti all’incontro vi era l’Assessore alla Pubblica Istruzione del Comune di Brusciano, Francesco D’Amore, ciclista amatoriale, papà del giovane vincitore dei Mondiali di Ciclismo di San Sebastian nell’anno 1997, Crescenzo D’Amore. A seguire, Antonio Granato, direttore sportivo della “Ciclistica Bruscianese”; Nunzio Egizio, presidente della neonata “Pro Bike Team Brusciano”; Antonio Panico e Luigi Terracciano pionieri amatoriali; da Marigliano, Salvatore Ambra, direttore generale degli “Amatori Magnum D’Aniello”; da Pomigliano D’Arco, Felice Esposito, una roccia di ottimismo, che quest’anno ha conquistato con i suoi 60 anni il titolo di Campione Italiano Centro Sud Supergentelmen.

Tutti gratificati da questo incontro, in particolare le giovanissime atlete della Tranchese Cycling che sono tornate a casa assai ricaricate dalle premianti parole di stima, incoraggiamento e fiducia ricevute dal presidente nazionale FCI e vicepresidente del ciclismo mondiale, Renato Di Rocco.

CON PREGHIERA DI PUBBLICAZIONE- AVVERTENZA:L'Associazione LA CASA DI PAT e IESUS rispettano le norme sulla privacy ex art.13 legge 675/96- D.LGS 196/30 2003. Il messaggio non è da considerarsi Spam, include la possibilità di essere rimosso. La nostra e-mail non contiene pubblicità né promozioni commerciali ma informazione culturale. E' inviata in Copia coperta a iscritti, indirizzi segnalatici, pubblici, dell'annuario Stampa, giornali, da elenchi resi pubblici da utenti o pervenutici in Cc. Le comunicazioni sono sporadiche e riguardanti esclusivamente ambiti di ricerca e di studio, tematiche sociali, culturali, artistiche e della solidarietà umana. Buon lavoro.

Press Release: 11/20/09

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net

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Communications and the Cell Phone Addiction Part II (d)

By Miriam B. Medina

(continue from previous page)

So here we are in the 21st century, with the most advanced medium of communicative technology for homes and businesses, as technology has filled in the gaps from the technology of the 20th century by introducing new, more innovative forms of communication. It is truly an era where people rely entirely on advanced technology for its everyday existence.

Though there are numerous examples of the existing range of communicative devices which I could continue to elaborate on, I prefer to resume my first analysis on the use of cell phones today, examining some of its features to which many have become addicted.

The first mobile phone call took place on June 17, 1946 when a driver in St. Louis, MO., withdrew a handset from under his car's dashboard and placed a call. By 1948, wireless telephone service became available in almost 100 cities. The first truly portable cellular phone was unveiled to the world by Motorola in 1983. It was called the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X. It was approved for use in the United States by the FCC.

What was at one time expensive and limited, a tool for only the elite to use, today having a cell phone is common and widespread. The impact of its unique design allows it to fit into a pocket or in the palm of your hand, where you can speak or text messages to another person while you walk about, unrestricted. This is what makes it so much different and more freeing than being tied to a computer, though on a desktop you are connected to everywhere on the Internet via email, you are still limited to the desk area.

The disadvantage of cell phone service is that it weakens the basic human relations and personal interactions. This may result in creating a barrier between people and the existing community.

As a friend recently told me, electronic devices such as cell phones and modes of communication have replaced the personal warmth in relationships of a one on one contact with a human life. Though email connection is always used because of its convenience and can be sent to any number of recipients, I must agree that it does not reveal the sense of a real-life conversation. On the contrary, the cell phone, with its full contents and communicative abilities has become an essential part of most people's lives. Nonetheless, as I previously stated, cell phone conversations in public are extremely annoying, embarrassing and interruptive. As a result of this, I believe text-messaging by cell phone users has become the biggest revolution in communications.

Teenagers and some adults use text messaging because they find phone conversation extremely uncomfortable, they don't know what to say, whereas with texting, they have more time to think. Statistics say that "the average teenager sends nearly 3,000 texts a month." Yikes. That can create one hellacious bill! Parents need only know two words in this day and age to stay out of the poor house; unlimited texting.

Parents keep in touch with their children off at college using cell phones, which is the favorite method of choice instead of the land line phone. Not only do they use the cell phone, they also communicate via email and instant messaging. Regular mail is used only by a minute portion of society these days. Although parents feel more comfortable visiting their children in person at college, sometimes this desire is often met with resistance.

Cell phones are terrific and extremely convenient, but they also can take over and become detrimental to most people's quality of life, especially when its use becomes an addiction. For instance, when you got your first cell phone, you were so excited that you could not wait to send out your phone number to all of your friends and relatives. Since then, they, including mom, call nonstop at all hours of the day, even at work, flooding your voice mail with crazy long drawn out messages. Are you searching online for new ring tones to use, because the music you previously selected has become down-right maddening from the frequency of the calls received? I'll never listen to Baby Got Back again. Cell phone use is so much a part of one's daily life, it becomes your best friend, your constant companion. There is always an insatiable need to talk. Are we becoming cell phone junkies? Do you know that some people even take the thing to the bathroom so they can talk while they sit on the throne. We have become emotionally attached to it to the point of obsession. Sometimes one imagines it ringing when it is not. It is a natural body reflex to reach for your phone, because this is what the body is amazingly programmed to do when there is addiction. Ever look for your phone when someone else in the crowd has the same ring tone and their phone rings? You're always checking your pocketbook or pants pocket to see if it's there. Your last act before going to bed is to put your cell phone in the charger to extend the life of the battery, so your conversation doesn't get cut short and you feel like your world has ended. You even feel naked if you leave the house without it. You'll do without food in order to pay that bill to keep it active. Just like parents who brag about their kids, cell phone users brag about their latest features and upgrades. Sometimes after using my cell phone at home, I forget where I put it, which triggers a panic attack. Thank God I have a landline phone where I can call it's number, and when it rings, what a relief to find it. Cell phone addiction is becoming more prevalent in the 21st century, and it probably will get worse as new technology keeps replacing the old. It's surprising how much valuable time is spent between checking messages and making calls, time that we once used long ago for making new friends, having face to face conversations, or observing nature and the people that surround us. And cell phones are supposed to s-a-v-e us time, not steal it from us.

But that's the real problem with society today, we spend so much time obsessing over our cell phones and who called and who texted and who said what or reading that funny forwarded joke or picture, that we lose track of what's important, the people on the other end of the line, or more aptly, on the other end of the satellite. Soon we'll be text marrying, saying our I do's from hundreds of miles away at the lovely price of.10 cents per minute, which is so much cheaper than getting everyone together.

Perhaps cell phones are tearing us apart more so than bringing us closer. Simply text I'm lonely and I need some human interaction to 555-1212 if you agree.

I'm just kidding.

But standard text rates probably do apply!

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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Communications and the Cell Phone Addiction Part II (c)

By Miriam B. Medina

This is part two of a two-part series about the many uses and the history of the cell phone. In part one; we covered a brief history of communications technology as it evolved, from ancient times up until the 19th century. Now we get to the current boom of technology that has everyone talking to people far away, wherever they may roam.

So, let us get back to our story.

In the nineteenth century, the first electrical communication devices (the telegraph and then the telephone) made significant strides in technology with respect to communications covering distance with more speed. In the United States, the first practical telegraph was invented by Samuel Finley Breese Morse. This form of communication was so efficient and successful that there was no longer a need for the pony express. And no, they didn't shoot all the ponies and make them into glue. The economic development of the United States benefited from the intertwining of the telegraph and the railroads. Plus, there was a sudden surplus of horses. Two birds with one stone.

On February 14, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell, a successful teacher of the deaf, filed for a patent for the telephone which revolutionized communications. But this was no state of the art hand-held device that was Blue Tooth ready. It was more like two cans and an elongated electrical wire, but it conveyed voices farther than they'd ever traveled in mankind's history. This device was demonstrated at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876, attracting considerable attention.

Then came the Radio, which was equipment based on a new electrical communications theory. Radio broadcasting began to evolve en masse in America during the Roaring Twenties. The radio and the automobile were two of the leading consumer products of the 1920's, in fact. For many families, radio was a luxury which they just could not afford. Without the radio, those who lived in the rural areas, namely farmers, were as isolated from all communication as were the Pilgrims. As a result of the ensuing economic boom brought about after World War I, higher wages were paid, profits were made and the items that were considered luxuries before the war were able to be purchased. At the end of the day, families and friends would gather around the radio to listen to the nation's most popular nightly comedy radio show, "Amos and Andy." The show first aired in 1926. Radio stations began mushrooming all over America after that, the programs being paid for from advertising dollars.

Now with the purchase of a radio, farm families from even the remotest corners of the country were brought into direct and daily contact with the rest of the nation. With just a twist of the dial, entertainment, sports, religion, latest news and music could be heard.

"In 1925, the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) released statistics indicating that of the 26,000,000 homes in the United States, 5,000,000, or 19.2 percent, had radio receivers, though the number of broadcast listeners was estimated at 20,000,000. In his Historical Dictionary of the 1920s (1988), James S. Olson notes that sales of radio went from $60 million in 1922 to $843 million in 1929."

The radio had a very high priority in just about every household as a form of entertainment from early morning until far into the night. Since then, television, computers, the internet, cell-phones, pod-casting, and much more have played an integral form of communication in our lives, as well as revolutionizing the use of leisure time. But radio was the first real electric communications addiction for personal use.

To be continued:)

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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Communications and the Cell Phone Addiction Part I (b)

By Miriam B. Medina

(Continue from page: 1)

In today's modern age of advanced technology and mobile phone use, 2011, I can't help but wonder how man used to communicate his thoughts.

The cave dwellers would shout warnings to all the tribe within earshot. Others would use hand signs or devices such as a horn, bells, a signal fire, a flag made of cloth or a hollow tree drum. Evidence of communication would be seen through paintings of animals and animal hunts found on cave walls, possibly serving as a hunting lesson for younger members of the tribe. Symbols representing pictures of people, places, animals and things have also been found, recorded for posterity thousands of years ago. The oral tradition of storytelling was the most effective form of communication to be passed from one generation to the next. Naturally, as it is today with human communications, distortions and embellishments would be added along the way. For instance, let's say Uncle Louie was a frail old man coughing and gasping for air on his death-bed, by the time the tale was retold a few times, Louis became a beautiful, strapping young hunter who tragically died an untimely death, leaving behind a legacy of a record-breaking number of slain bison. Geeez...what a way to go Uncle Louie!

The early American Indians were also highly tuned to body language and nonverbal communication. It was the most effective way to communicate because it made expressive use of their hands, arms, legs, and feet. For example, when it was the hunting season for the bison, which was their main food source, they would head out to the large grasslands where the bison fed and lived off the land. As long as there was a herd nearby, the hunters knew that they would be able to keep their tribe and families well fed. After scouting the area and finding a suitable location near a water-course, which would also put the tribe in view of the wild bison that frequented there, the hunters and their families would break ground, setting up tents and kindling fires. The hunter's robe was their way of communicating to the tribe with respect to the bison. If a group of bison were noticed in the proximity of the camp, they would throw up their robes in a certain way to indicate that others should halt. Displaying the robe a different way would indicate the immediacy of an approaching enemy. However, if one of the three hunters had died in an attempt at killing a bison, in order to communicate this message to the tribe, the two survivors would run towards each other, and upon passing, one of them would throw themselves on the ground. Today this is called stealing a taxicab from someone in Downtown Manhattan on a busy day, but back then it was a way to communicate death in bravery.

Transportation was a means of communication between people. The early settlers in America depended particularly on its use for social and economic development.

Traveling in the wilderness was extremely difficult because the only roads that existed back then were the narrow paths that the Indians made. Eventually, with years of communication, these paths were widened to allow horse and wagons to travel over them. Human carriers, whether they traveled by foot or horse were used to convey long and complicated messages, verbally or by letters. Since transportation was limited mostly to water, the early settlers would gravitate toward the Atlantic Coast because of the convenience of receiving their supplies consisting of farming implements, heads of cattle, horses, seed, families and letters from their homeland, which usually arrived by water.

Most humans have a need to communicate.

For the woman of Early America who lived on farms and in other rural communities, the quilting bees were the only form of interacting socially. This gave them a break after working all week on the farm, to exchange gossip and receive practical tips. Nothing like taking a break from a week's worth of laundry, cooking and farming with some nice, relaxing hard labor! And all we have are arcades, sporting events and coffee shops.

With the coming of the Railroads, people were brought together from East to West and vice-versa, thus increasing the communication between all inhabitants.

Cultures of the past were preserved by scholars who painstakingly reproduced data by hand. Thus the relatively slow speed hand-operated printing press made its appearance, followed by the motor-driven presses which were more effective and popular. Subsequently, books, publications and newspapers became available to many more people, stimulating literacy. As a consequence of the international trade and domestic, commercial and agricultural extension, the need for improvement in mass communications was in considerable demand.

In 1824, Louis Braille, invented the Braille method, which was a tactile writing and reading system used by blind people. In 1867, Christopher Sholes, Carlos Glidden and Samuel Soule invented the first practical mechanical typewriter machine. And as you can see, communications technology seriously began to evolve. In the next part of this series, we'll follow how that technology continued to evolve in modern times, resulting in that little mobile device that most people keep attached to their ear at all times, the mobile phone.

See Part II.

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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Communications and the Cell Phone Addiction Part I (a)

By Miriam B. Medina

This is part one of a two-part series about the many uses and the history of the cell phone. In part one; we'll follow a brief history of communications as it evolved, from ancient times until the 19th century.

Today, everywhere you look people are talking into a mobile device, aka their cell phone. Even in places where they are not allowed, people always manage to find a way to use the sometimes annoying communication tool. Cell phones have become an essential communications tool, too. They are utilized by all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, genders, academic and economic levels. For someone who is being abused and stalked, in a moment of danger, the cell phone can save his or her life, but there are new challenges as well as problems that are associated with this innovative mobile device. The cell phone serves many purposes, and no, it's not just a mobile video game device or a device to store catchy ring tones on. Not only has it become so crucial to our communication needs through speaking and text messaging, it can also capture and hold an image from the moment and can alert you to news, help you find better traffic routes and so on.

But the fact is, there are times when it becomes so irritating and uncomfortable to hear cell phone users and their loud, laughing, raucous, annoying conversations as they dominate public places. Do you care what someone you don't know will be having for dinner tonight with stinky Aunt Emma, what clothes they are going to wear, or whether their employer is a pain in the butt? I know I don't care if they have a bad hair day or that they are suffering from hemorrhoids, and I don't want to hear the details of how they'll be implanting that suppository. Does it matter if Jennifer's mother-in-law (who she apparently hates) is coming to visit, or whether Sue was unfaithful to Joe, and is now pregnant and needs to get an abortion pronto. If I want to hear that type of stuff, I'll turn on Jerry Springer. I certainly don't want to hear about it while I'm standing in line at the bank.

This type of behavior places those within listening reach in an awkward position. Plus, cell phones are terribly distracting, especially when driving. It is the primary cause of accidents. Intexticated is more than just a word made up by the police, it's a dangerous habit that kills people. I just can't imagine how people are able to type text messages while driving. Statistics show it's like having a few drinks before getting behind the wheel. Also, people rely so much on their cell phones that they forget all about the minutes and expenses that are associated with its use. Yikes! They hit the roof when they learn how much they have to pay for their monthly bill, yet they are the ones ignoring the terms of service. Oh well, the joy of small sacrifices. Have you noticed that there are now signs at the receptionist desk when you go to the Doctor's office, to please turn off the cell phones? There are too many people totally addicted to cell phone use, even 30 minutes of having to shut it off is pure torture to them, inducing enormous stress and anxiety. I watch them as they twitch nervously in their seats, running outside now and then to the hall for their quick fix, drool sliding down their twitching mouths as you hear the bzzzz... vibrating in their pockets. Unable to answer, they storm off 'To the bathroom.' Even through the walls you can still hear "Hey what's doin'? These individuals are continuously checking their phones for voice mails and text messages, and if there aren't any, their self-esteem takes a nose dive.

To be continued: Communications and the Cell Phone Addiction Part I (b)

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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MAIN BLOG DIRECTORY-January 2011

Table of Contents (2)
A.) Getting To Know Mimi (B.) N.Y.C. History (C.) Italian Harlem(D.) Spanish Harlem (E.) Black Harlem (F.) New York State
(G.) Tenement Living: Social Issues Of Urban Life
(Poverty, Crime&Vice, Homelessness, Group Conflicts, Diseases, Gays&Lesbians: Gender Identity, Domestic Violence, Drug&Alcohol Abuse, Police Brutality )

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Table of Contents (3)
(H.) Chit-Chat Over Coffee Swirls

Table of Contents (4)
(I.) Jewish Knowledge (J.) Self-Improvement (K.) Historical Facts On England & United States

Table of Contents (5)
(L.) Miscellaneous (M.) Timetables (N.) Ethnic Groups (O.) Legal Talk(P.) Entertainment: Backward Glances (Q.) Immigration

Table of Contents (6)
(R.) Women__Bio Sketches, Feminine Fancies, Recipes, Kitchen Talk.(S.) Worship

Table of Contents (7)
(T.) A Little Taste of History, (U.) U.S. History-Transportation, (V) U.S. History-Panics, Economic Depressions, Business Matters

Table of Contents (8)
(W) El Rincón En Español (The Spanish Corner: ) .
This section is dedicated to articles of historical facts, poetry, self-improvement, human interest stories etc. written in Spanish.

Table of Contents (9)
(X) So Mr. President, What Did You Do During Your Term in Office....? (The Series)

Table of Contents (10a) In Italian
(Y) Brusciano, Italy News/Events: Dr. Antonio Castaldo, Journalist

Table of Contents (10b) English Section
(Y) Brusciano, Italy News/Events: Dr. Antonio Castaldo, Journalist

Table of Contents (11)
(Z) The Italian Niche
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Table of Contents (12a)
Pensieri di uno scrittore italiano: dott. Antonio Castaldo
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Table of Contents (12b)
Thoughts of an Italian Writer : Dr. Antonio Castaldo
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Table of Contents (13)
I) "El Rincón Borinqueña"

Table of Contents (14)
II) Arts and Entertainment

Table of Contents (15)
III) Architecture
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Table of Contents (16)
IV Education
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Table of Contents (17)
V Wisdom: Thoughts From the Indian Masters
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Table of Contents (18)
VI Understanding Music
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Table of Contents (19)
VII Creative Writing

Table of Contents (20)
VII New York City Neighborhoods

Table of Contents (21)
IX Memories (Brooklyn, Manhattan and Personal)
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A Healthy and Successful New Year To All in 2011

According to the traditional Holiday schedule, spectacular New Year's Eve celebrations have been held in Times Square since 1907. Each and every year more than million revelers flood the area on December 31st, oblivious to the bitter cold as they watch and cheer the descent of the famous New Year's Ball. As the glittery orb starts its descent at 11:59 pm from atop the flagpole at One Times Square, the revelers unite in one voice, counting down the final seconds of the old year.

Promptly at the stroke of midnight, the New Year is welcomed in with the traditional singing of Auld Lang Sine as it is played amidst the revelers joyful, ear-splitting shrieks of Happy New Year, horns blow, there is plenty of hugging, kissing, crying amidst a sea of confetti. If you were ever there to witness the spectacle and partake of the joy in person, you would cling to the memory of the greatest human link you ever saw for as long as your heart beats.

The commencement of a new year not only brings hope to the minds of the people, but most of all, it gives us motivation and a desire to welcome opportunity and a fresh start, pushing us to become better and happier human beings. I wish the best to all of you.

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Mimi

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The Human Connection, Part II A Positive Outlook on Life (3))

By Miriam B. Medina

As a concerned parent, you need to build strong human contact with your child and talk to them about alcohol and illegal drugs. You need to explain to them how these substances can affect their studying habits, causing grades to decline by affecting memory and learning skills. You want to show how substance abuse creates problems amongst relationships, friends and families. If the child or young adult has hopes of going to college, explain to them how drugs will interfere with their educational goals. Parents have a remarkable impact on their child's decision as to whether or not they will use drugs.

When you love a child, you need to get into the habit of talking with them every day. The more you know about your child, the easier it will be to advise the child to gravitate towards more productive activities and friendships. It's crucial not to be critical. Positive reinforcement and encouraging support are more effective in influencing children's behavior than criticism. If you are successful in establishing clear lines of communication with your child about routine events, she, or he, will be more likely to seek your input on more pressing issues.

Not only should you have direct communication with your child, but you need to get involved in their activities and praise his or her accomplishments. You will be amazed at how much this quality time-sharing significant activities, whether it is reading a book, playing a game of your child's choosing or going on an outing, is essential to building a strong parent-child relationship. When a child feels the love and support of a parent through the many phases of their childhood, where they can express themselves without fear of rejection or recrimination, a strong foundation is built, one that reinforces the basis of their not turning to substance abuse as a way of dealing with stress.

One most important factor in establishing effective human contact is to keep reassuring your child, teen-ager or young adult that you will always be there for them no matter what. Whether you believe it or not, they ARE listening to you, and it will mean so much to your child to hear you say that. Not only should you say you love him or her unconditionally, but you MUST follow the words up with love. Give them a hug once in a while, which represents a sense of security and connection. Human warmth is the first physical contact that brings its own special kind of reassurance to both parent and child. Help them take possession of their life once again, rebuild their confidence and self-esteem, and in so doing you will make them feel safe and sound in the human connection, benefiting them in important relationships for the rest of their lives.

So in order to establish that strong human connection that will give you a positive approach toward a happier existence for this coming year, start by demonstrating your respect toward another person. Sincerely show an interest in listening to what he or she is revealing with regards to issues that need to be resolved that concern the both of you. In most cases, arguments between family, spouses, or lovers are intensified because of the disrespectful and insensitive manner in which these issues have been handled. It is important to maintain empathy and support of the other person's situation while trying to find a constructive way of resolving those issues. In applying this technique, you are exercising discipline in self-control which will give you a good grasp of the situation at hand, taking the edge off of a potential hostile encounter. If you are not in agreement with what is said, please try to exercise wisdom and patience instead of being sarcastic, self-righteous, or a blame shifter, because negative criticism deflates and destroys self-esteem. Instead of becoming closer, this will cause the schism to be widened and the hurt to cut deeper. The effectiveness of your message will depend on what you had to say, the manner in which you said it, and whether or not the other person understood its meaning. So, if you are in a relationship worth saving, and if both of you are willing to work at it with a genuine enthusiasm and strong commitment, then good luck and best of success to you. After all, in the New Year, if you work to affect positive change, anything is possible.

Miriam B. Medina is an expert author at Platinum Level at EzineArticles.com

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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The Human Connection, Part II A Positive Outlook on Life (2)

By Miriam B. Medina

Do sparks fly when you, your spouse, or the kids come together? Are there family problems or generation gap issues that are overwhelming you and you don't know what to do?

The home is where the greater part of one's life is spent with family. The home, intended to be a safe haven for sharing extraordinary moments of love and happiness, sadly, for some, has become a battlefield of aggression and hostile thoughts, a dysfunctional place whose residents do not benefit from peaceful human connections. Spouses co-exist in constant conflict. Children are in a never-ending battle with their parents. In some cases, the element of intimidation and control is evident through verbal, mental and physical abuse. Children who come from a highly stressful home environment are inundated by it, destroying their chance to deal with their own emotions. Parents, who are always in conflict, can not be a role model to their children if they have not properly learned how to use the skills of emotional intelligence.

Many parents set themselves up for major disappointments, with lofty expectations that they want their children to respond to, failing to realize that their child's character is different from their own. They have hopes and dreams of their own. This contributes to the problems and the conflicts that grow between them like a cold wall separating the family into lonely, cold, isolated mental and emotional chambers. How is love and respect supposed to grow in such a barren environment?

Everyone wants to be loved and accepted as a worthwhile human being. Unfortunately, in some tragic situations, for individuals afflicted with alcohol or drug abuse, the concern and attention that he or she gets from family and friends when hurting themselves is interpreted as caring and love, as it is usually only seen when a drug or alcohol induced crisis arises. So in order to continue receiving any attention at all, alcohol and drug abuse becomes a way of life for them. Little does he or she know that eventually people do get tired of being supportive, especially when the individual avoids professional help or treatment?

Substance abuse by our teens and young adults has been a paramount concern to our nation for years, growing to epidemic proportions across America, resulting in premature deaths, violent behavior, as well as permanently mentally handicapping a number of hapless addicts. Not only are the youth consuming alcohol, smoking cigarettes and experimenting with illegal drugs, they have also included the pharmaceutical abuse of prescription drugs and over the counter medicines. "Pharm parties", known also as pill-popping parties, are organized among the youths, where fistfuls of prescription drugs, which have been collected from their family medicine chest, are swallowed regardless of consequences. Potentially lethal combinations of alcohol, drugs and painkillers have sent many young Americans to emergency rooms after they have overdosed and some are tagged D.O.A., to an anguished mother's heartbreak.

To be continued: Page: 3

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The Human Connection, Part II A Positive Outlook on Life (1)

By Miriam B. Medina

In this article, part two of a two-part series, we will discuss the opportunities that the New Year presents us, and, now that we've identified and figured out how to eliminate negative thoughts and emotions, we will discuss ways to improve our lives substantially, and allowing us to connect to and have better relationships with other people in our lives. But first, if we are to be able to love others, we must accept our own value and love ourselves. It doesn't matter what we may have accomplished in life, many "successful" people are miserable, and it doesn't matter what others think of us, we should above all love ourselves unconditionally. Therefore, everything that happens to us or is a result of our own emotions, actions and thoughts is of considerable importance when it comes to playing a role in the growth and development of any human connection. Simply put, we are entirely responsible for whatever we think, say and do. We can choose to be happy or we can choose to be miserable. And by ignoring this fact, that we are master of our choices and actions, we can make ourselves become incapable of love and incapable of making those who we connect with happy.

Start by expressing thoughts of gratitude toward another person's efforts. When you praise someone else, you are raising the confidence of that person as you are only noticing the quality that exists in them.

So remember men, compliment your wife for the way she dresses and the effort she puts forth to maintain her home and children. Wives, remember to praise your husbands for the hard work that they do. Also, don't forget to tell him how grateful you are for the way he has provided for you and the children. Employers don't forget to praise your employees for their hard work and the dedication they give to the company, or for going that extra mile beyond the scope of their employment. Most of all, praise our country instead of denigrating it. Praise our leaders who are doing their best to make this a safer world for its inhabitants and a better place to live for you.

Some people are hesitant to compliment others when they feel a sense of insecurity about themselves. They feel as though bringing another's accomplishments to light will magnify their own failure to produce similar accomplishments. Hidden deep within us is an incredible and inexhaustible source of innovative ideas. They are simply waiting for us to make use of them. Start erasing all self-limitations and stop making excuses. You may have imposed these limitations upon yourself over time, but now it's time to move on to successful accomplishments. One does not need to impersonate another person's success in order to feel fulfilled or accomplished in life. We all have the knowledge and expertise that we can rely on, to produce the same successes and even more. So stop bemoaning the past and being afraid of the future, and start thinking positively now. Uncover those hidden talents that lie within you and develop them to their potential for your benefit, become a person who has definiteness of purpose and clearness of direction.

To be continued: Page: 2

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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Pensieri di Uno scrittore italiano: Gli “Anormali da Palcoscenico” con “Le Voci di Dentro” (2)

dott Antonio Castaldo, Sociologo e giornalista, Brusciano, Italia.

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Il folto amicale pubblico del “Teatro Gloria” di Pomigliano d’Arco ha apprezzato la messa in scena degli “Anormali da palcoscenico” applaudendo generosamente. Cito dunque tutti quanti, per la menzione d’onore, nel rigoroso ordine di presentazione redatto nella brochure ufficiale, personaggi ed interpreti, tecnici e consulenti: Donna Rosa, sorella di Pasquale Cimmaruta, Luigi Milosa; Maria, la cameriera, Angela Di Maio; Michele, il portiere, Fulvio Velotti; Matilde, moglie di Pasquale Cimmaruta, Rossana Mennone; Pasquale Cimmaruta, Simone Borrelli; Carlo Saporito, fratello di Alberto, Sergio Cusano; Alberto Saporito, Enzo Arena; un brigadiere, Vito Porricelli; Elvira, figlia di Pasquale Cimmaruta, Maria Merone; Luigi, figlio di Pasquale Cimmaruta, Marco Di Vaio; Capa d’angelo, Pasquale Toscano; Zì Nicola, Angelo Capone; Teresa Amitrano, moglie di Aniello, Maria Mosca; Aniello Amitrano, Marco La Montagna; Agente di P. S., Nicola Petruolo. Musiche originali di Angelo Capone e Luigi Fusco; Consulenza artistica di Angelo Capone; Consulenza tecnica di Vito Porricelli e Nicola Petruolo; Aiuto regista, Fulvio Velotti; Assistente di scena, Luigi Fusco. Regia di Enzo Arena. La rappresentazione teatrale è stata dedicata a Sebastiano Cerciello, detto “Zio Bruno”, poeta dialettale del mondo fantasmagorico della Festa dei Gigli di Brusciano.

Ai giovani che si sono impegnati in questo lavoro teatrale voglio testimoniare la mia stima e consegnare loro un mio personale ricordo edoardiano. A Montalcino, provincia di Siena, il 9 luglio del 1983, con la conferenza spettacolo “L’Attore e la Tradizione” Eduardo De Filippo fece la sua ultima apparizione teatrale in pubblico. Io ebbi il piacere di assistervi, quale partecipante ai seminari formativi del “Festival Internazionale d’Arte Montalcino Teatro Stage’83” dedicato alla “Tradizione Teatrale Italiana”, prodotto con il patrocinio dell’Istituto del Teatro e dello Spettacolo Università di Roma, con la cura dei docenti Ferruccio Marotti e Paola Quarenghi, e la collaborazione della Regione Toscana, la Provincia di Siena, il Comune di Montalcino ed il Ministero del Turismo e dello Spettacolo.

Di quel momento serbo uno scatto fotografico in bianco e nero e la dedica del maestro “in ricordo”, per me e per ognuno di quel manipolo di allievi provenienti da tutta Italia, accorsi a perfezionarsi nell’arte del teatro.

Dai materiali lasciateci in dote con quella irripetibile esperienza traggo uno stralcio: “Anche se da giovani ci sentiamo la forza di sollevare il mondo e farlo girare a modo nostro, non vi pare che la forza di miliardi di esperienze fatte da altri che poi sono noi, perché uomini come noi ci possano aiutare? Io sono convinto di sì. E sono convinto che perfino per confutare un’esperienza del passato e negarla, questa esperienza bisogna averla approfondita e perfino amata. Se si usa la vita che continua, la tradizione nel modo giusto, essa ci può dare le ali. Certo se ci si ferma al passato diventa un fatto negativo, ma se ce ne serviamo come di un trampolino, salteremo molto più in alto che se partissimo da terra”. Parola di Eduardo.

dott. Antonio Castaldo
December 24, 2010

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Pensieri di Uno scrittore italiano: Gli “Anormali da Palcoscenico” con “Le Voci di Dentro” (1)

dott Antonio Castaldo, Sociologo e giornalista, Brusciano, Italia.

La “Compagnia Teatrale Anormali da Palcoscenico, fucina di teatro sentimentale fondata nel 2001”, come si legge nella brochure di presentazione, ha messo in scena una pièce teatrale di Eduardo De Filippo (Napoli 24.5.1900-Roma 31.10.1984), “Le voci di dentro”, presso il “Teatro Gloria” di Pomigliano d’Arco, lo scorso 17 dicembre. Il gruppo di giovani attori, guidato da Enzo Arena con il piglio e l’intraprendenza evocanti la figura dell’antico capocomico, con questo lavoro raggiunge il rispettoso traguardo della ventesima produzione ed introduce brillantemente la compagnia nel suo decimo anno di attività. Questa realtà nasce dalla formazione teatrale, seguita presso il locale liceo classico, sotto la direzione laboratoriale dell’attore Nello Mascia e la supervisione del prof. Vincenzo D’Onofrio presidente del Teatro Pubblico Campano. Dopo quella esperienza, i lungimiranti ragazzi e ragazze, appena acquisita la maturità classica, decidono di costituire una compagnia teatrale composta da 15 elementi di Pomigliano d’Arco e dell’hinterland della provincia interna di Napoli.

De Filippo scrive “Le voci di dentro” nel 1948 ed è lui stesso, poi, ad inserirla nella raccolta “Cantata dei Giorni Dispari”. In questa opera si rappresenta la trasognata realtà di Alberto Saporito che su indizi onirici è convito dell’avvenuto omicidio di un suo conoscente da parte dell’intera famiglia Cimmaruta del suo condominio. La sua denuncia comporta l’arresto di tutti gli accusati che ben presto, per mancanza di prove concrete, vengono rilasciati. Il dubbio che si sia trattato di un sogno che “sembrava così vero” attanaglia il Saporito che a questo punto teme la vendetta dei Cimmaruta. In casa Saporito, c’è un fratello, Carlo, che cerca di approfittare della situazione, con il carcere imminente di Alberto per calunnia od occultamento di prove, per svendere quello che resta delle attrezzature dell’antica attività di famiglia, quella di “apparatori di feste” ed uno zio, in perenne stato di afasia ma con la via pirotecnica comunicazionale il cui codice è chiaro solo al nipote Alberto.

Non più ristretti dalla Pubblica Sicurezza i Cimmaruta, zia e nipote, cameriera e signora, compreso il capofamiglia Pasquale, ad uno ad uno, sfilano in casa Saportito al cospetto dell’esterrefatto Alberto il quale ascolta le loro reciproche accuse. Ognuno additato quale sicuro autore di un omicidio che ormai andava svelandosi essere frutto fantasmatico di una mente reduce da un sogno.

In questo bailamme, Zì Nicola riacquista per un solo momento la parola per chiedere “ nu poco ‘e pace” e morire subito dopo sulla sua palafitta, staccato da quel mondo e da quella umanità in cui non si riconosce più.

Lo stesso Alberto Saporito incomincia a tirare le somme di questa amara ma significativa esperienza rivolgendosi ai Cimmaruta: “Io vi ho accusati e voi non vi siete ribellati, lo avete ritenuto possibile. Un delitto lo avete messo fra le cose probabili di tutti i giorni; un assassinio nel bilancio familiare! La stima, don Pasqua', la stima!...La fiducia scambievole ... senza la quale si può arrivare al delitto”.

La coscienza individuale, a tratti schiarita invano dai multicolori suggerimenti di Zì Nicola, scossa ora dal ritorno alla realtà di Alberto Saporito, è chiamata a vincolarsi ad un impegno nuovo, quello di abbandonare l’ipocrisia, la malvagità, il sospetto ed il disamore che spesso accompagnano l’apparente perbenismo.

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