Guest op-eds, City Limits bloggers and reaction from readers
‘The limited Open Streets we have are not distributed equitably. There are no active Open Streets in any of the six community boards that have the fewest residents living near parks. Of all the active Open Street miles in operation today, only 2.2 percent are in the Bronx.’
‘SoHo is a picturesque, architectural gem of a place to live and work…But it is also an impossible mess of traffic, mini skyscrapers of garbage bags, and elbow wars of crowds in the street and on the sidewalk.’
‘Women of color like myself have historically been marginalized from politics and public discourse. When local politicians don’t share any aspect of my identity with me, it can feel like girls like me aren’t meant to be a part of public life.’
‘The number one priority for both city and state government right now must be to create a humane, accessible trauma-responsive center in New York City for the small population of women and gender-expansive people that will remain incarcerated.’
‘The trauma and isolation of the pandemic has taken its toll. In The Bronx, we experienced disproportionately high numbers of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Until the mental health needs of our participants are addressed, it is difficult—if not impossible—for them to secure and retain employment.’
‘If we don’t get public charging infrastructure right, our national push to transition away from conventional cars will quickly fizzle.’
‘Expanding supportive and affordable housing for homeless families in New York City would immediately save lives and dramatically improve health outcomes for families of color in the long-term.’
‘Businesses across the state and nation are experiencing a significant labor shortage. The key to solving this crisis rests largely in our ability to maximize the untapped potential of our most vulnerable and disadvantaged residents. That starts by offering thousands of undocumented individuals, many of whom are holding essential jobs that keep our city running, a pathway to citizenship.’
‘Failing to pay serious attention to Asian American candidates and voters is a mistake. There are 1.3 million AAPI New Yorkers who make up 15 percent of the city’s population.’
‘The protective mechanisms that the city built after Sandy did little to stop what New York experienced the night of Ida, bringing into sharp relief not just that climate catastrophe is here, but that it will take different forms, demanding different kinds of preparation.’