After the recent succession of blizzards this past month, each time the weather forecast includes snow I worry. Then, on mornings like this when I wake up to sunshine streaming into the bedroom and reflecting off the light dusting of snow, I remember how beautiful the winter is.
Time for a steaming hot cup of cocoa and a cozy blanket. Happy Friday, Brooklyn!
Last Monday, Brooklyn saw the 43rd annual West Indian American Day Carnival parade through the streets of Crown Heights to a crowd of more than two million revelers. For lovely shots of the renown parade, be sure to check out the New York Post, Gothamist, and this Flickr group!
But what caught my eye over the weekend were these beautiful portraits from Chris Farling, who managed to find serenity amongst the chaos and capture lovely images of one of the most colorful (and quintessential!) Brooklyn events. Check out his work below, and head over to his Flickr stream for more!
Earlier this month, Nick over at I Love Franklin Avenue posted a four-part series on his experiences as a juror in a recent homicide case. While I’ve always found his Crown Heights-centric blog provocative and thoughtful, this series is exemplary — citizen journalism at its finest and its most heartbreaking. He tells the story of how Steven Ingram, a homeless Vietnam Veteran, was beaten to death near the Albany Houses in Crown Heights — all because he was a convenient target.
Nick speaks at eye-opening length about the prevalence of violence against homeless populations in Part I; the continued victimization of the homeless has catalyzed the National Coalition for the Homeless to seek protection under hate crime laws. But what he concludes is wholly unsatisfying and disheartening, but true: that “it is our collective apathy, a crime of disinterest, that allows this hate to find expression so easily and so frequently.”
The whole series is a must-read if you can spare the time. And if you’re a photographer or a writer: use your tools and talents! They’re invaluable. The words and images you create are indeed powerful and speak volumes when others cannot.
“Executive Clemency,” by Reuben Radding:
Untitled by Vitaliy Piltser, and “Woman on C Train” by Natalie Behring:
“Homeless Woman: Coney Island,” by Rob Hoey:
“New York’s Somethingest,” by [mementosis]:
While I play around and experiment with cross-processing, you should head to little spot on Union Street just west of Nostrand (map) in Crown Heights called Super Wings, which recently won the “Best Wings in Brooklyn 2010″ crown this year.
Of course, I may be a tiny bit biased since it’s just up the block from my new digs, but it’s delicious nonetheless. Ginger Buff wings with lava sauce all the way, baby!
