As COVID-19 cases begin to surge across the country, again, questions surrounding when life will truly return to normal rise along with it. And yet, our current plight is anything but a mystery. Did we really think we had this thing beat in less than four months? Was reopening such a good idea? As New York State’s numbers, once the epicenter of the pandemic, continue to decline the only thing that everyone (well,...
During my high school days, I competed in three sports. I was pretty busy and staying out of trouble, for the most part. One of the sports I competed in but had not planned to was wrestling. I tried out for basketball, which I loved playing. During the tryouts, I ran into the wrestling coach in the hallway. He said to me, “When you get cut from basketball, report to the...
This summer’s 4th of July celebrations across the country will certainly look different than any year before. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, most major firework displays have been cancelled to prevent large gatherings that could spread the virus. While many states have elected to forgo public firework displays altogether, some have attempted to innovate. New York City’s famous Macy’s 4th of July fireworks have been “reimagined” this year, and they are taking place over the...
From the moment I first heard it, I’ve never forgotten this quote attributed to Mark Twain: “I apologize for such a long letter – I didn’t have time to write a short one.” This bit of wisdom became a guiding force for me as a writer. Which is not to say that I’ve only written short pieces, but I always do aspire to be more economical in my writing. Although I don’t...
On June 15, 2020, the United States Supreme Court declared that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects gay, lesbian and transgender employees from being discriminated against on the basis of sex. The decision has sent a crucial message that LGBTQ+ individuals deserve protection from discrimination in our country. And, perhaps most importantly, the ruling serves as a beacon of hope for young people struggling in the face of bullying and unaccepting loved...
North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has two new members on its Board of Directors: Nassau County residents Jeffrey Greenblatt and Jacklyn A. Zitelli. Jeffrey Greenblatt, who co-chaired the Guidance Center’s Trivia Night fundraiser this year, is Assistant Regulatory Counsel at PSEG Long Island. He received his J.D. from St. John’s and his B.A. from the University of Michigan. “Long Island is a special place,” said Greenblatt, who lives in Syosset...
While trauma is often viewed as a single, specific incident, trauma can also be accumulated over time. One of the most poignant examples in the United States is racial trauma experienced by people of color. These individuals are often subject to racism in both direct and indirect ways as they navigate life under a system that has largely been built against them. Psychology experts have indicated that trauma stemming from systemic racism can...
Something’s been bothering me. It’s been festering since Memorial Day Weekend. It was crystallized for me the other day when I turned the corner after walking just a few blocks from my home on my way to the neighborhood grocery store. As I turned the corner, I spotted some activity in front of the new lunch spot that had just opened the day before. The menu looks appetizing: cheese steaks, burgers, salads,...
Since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, protests have occurred in all 50 states demanding justice for Floyd and an end to police brutality. The movement has gained international momentum, with Black Lives Matter protests occurring across the globe. Young people, in particular, have been showing up in large numbers to anti-racism protests being held throughout the country, demonstrating that the next generation is dedicated to the development...