If you were around Greenwich Village anytime during the end of June, chances are you caught glimpses of flashy colors, costumes and rainbow flags. Gay Pride festivities in New York span an entire week, with parties, parades, rallies, and festivals to celebrate and commemorate a landmark event in gay rights.

This year’s “Pride Week” was awe-inspiring not only in terms of the celebrations put on by the LGBT community, but also in the wider political context of this year’s festivities– especially the parade. With marriage equality a pivotal topic of contention between the gay community and conservatives, this year’s festivities were decidedly more pointed at the issues gays still face, rather than fun and frivolity. It was a widespread hope amongst the gay community that this year’s parade would sway some of the silent or indecisive voices on the issue of gay equality in their favor. The hope for change was even stronger this year than most; adding to the weight of the event was the 40 year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which took place on June 28, 1969, and spawned the Gay Rights Movement in The Village. The riots were, at the time, the gay community’s only response to continued police harassment and raids of known gay bars. Read the full story

Aren’t you glad summer’s finally here? The recent reemergence of the sun makes me crave days at the beach and nights spent camping. But the recession means that for many (hell, most of us) a vacation simply isn’t that feasible this year.

We should consider ourselves lucky if that’s the worst recession can do. It’s hit a lot of people a lot harder. Every year, the number of families who are homeless skyrocket at the beginning of summer. This year has been particularly bad. People from 10 000 families will become homeless in New York alone this summer, an increase of more than 28% from last year. At last count, that number had already hit 9420—9420 moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and children on the street in one city. That’s A LOT of people—so many, that if you wanted to meet them all, one a day, it would take you more than 27 years.

But numbers are just statistics. They don’t tell the whole story. People do. Like 11 year old Arielle Figueras, who completed fifth grade one day and was in a shelter with her family the next. Or the Dixon family, who were evicted in April, have been separated in various homes since then, and are now reunited on the streets. Families who had found short-term solutions—like staying with relatives or asking the landlord to temporarily take pity on them—are booted out now that the weather is warmer and the kids are out of school and underfoot. Read the full story

Education as we know it is changing. Remember sitting in class and having your teacher yell at you for listening to music? No longer! If Run-DMC has their way, teachers will not only be encouraging music in the classroom but will be bringing in rap and hip hop of their own.

Darryl McDaniels, a member of the pioneering rap group Run-DMC, was invited by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to attend a conference at the Summer Teacher Institute last week. While there, he spoke to teachers that had gathered from across the country about the importance of using rap as a way in which teachers could better connect with their students, saying that rap made school more interesting, relevant, and personal for students. All I can say is, why wasn’t Run-DMC saying this to my teachers when I was in school?

But seriously, he’s got a point. While he admitted that rap can be “raw,” he also pointed out that it is a form of social commentary and as such has the potential to become an educational tool and a medium of expression for kids who might not have another outlet. In his own words, “real hip-hop is information, education, communication and motivation, whether you’re rich, poor, black, white, Puerto Rican. Hip-hop is the total expression of the existence of what it’s like to be alive on the face of the earth.”

So look out students. This September, it could be your teacher that busts into the classroom with a few Run-DMC lyrics of their own:

One thing I know is that life is short
So listen up homeboy, give this a thought
The next time someone’s teaching why don’t you get taught?
( From Run-DMC:  “It’s Like That”)

Read the full story

Where is my money going?

We’re paying more for everything in NYC- including our subway fare going up on May 31st to $2.50 for a one-way ride and to $103 for a monthly pass and now their saying they’re probably going to have to raise it again in June because they didn’t get enough money in state tax revenue- this is a new change, but there’s consistently increasing expensive things like just trying to get a gallon of milk for under $5 anywhere. We’re not saying that we have a problem paying for things- but if I’m paying I want to make sure my money is going to things that actually affect me- like our healthcare and education.

So for the first time in a long time, I can say I support the President’s budget because that’s what it does- it goes to programs I care about.

Check out www.rebuildandrenew.org for more info.

-Jessica L. Pierce

In January, 99Problems broke news on a budget crisis within the New York public transportation system and potentially drastic rate hikes and service cuts (”Too Broke To Go To Work“). Much to the dismay and agony of many New Yorkers, those rate hikes and service cuts are becoming reality. On Wednesday, March 25th, they were approved by the MTA.

So, New Yorkers and tourists everywhere…here’s what we can look forward to:

-increased price of a single ride from $2 to $2.50 and monthly fares by 20%

-elimination of two subway trains and more than 33 bus services completely

-longer waits for trains and more people on them

-thousands of jobs lost, more dangerous subway stations

There is currently a plan in the NY State senate to pass a new budget that will prevent these changes from taking place. This plan is currently stalled and the Brooklyn League of Young Voters Education Fund is asking for all New Yorkers to speak up and demand fair treatment for lower and middle income residents.

Send a message to New York’s elected officials!

Asthma, the high cost of education, the high cost of food; Annie’s experience in Harlem is ridiculously common. Many of our biggest cities have the biggest problems, concentrated in the communities who have the least amount of clout with the politicians who regulate our lives. For that reason, Majora Carter is an inspiration. She started the Sustainable South Bronx organization to take on industrial pollution in her community and succeeded in changing her landscape and the lives of her neighbors.

Majora Carter stands up for what she knows needs to happen. Selected as an Olympic torch bearer in 2008, Majora Carter got kicked right out of the parade when she revealed a Tibetan flag she had concealed in her sleeve and made a defiant gesture for the world to see.

Solidarity and the unity of our common desire to live in peace and prosperity: we have to work together!