Evelyn Perez-Ortiz – ARTS IN NYC

Raising Awareness About Immigrants’ Rights

October 23, 2018October 23, 2018 Evelyn Perez-Ortiz 0 Comment Public Art

I have always lived in Sunset Park, a neighborhood with many different cultures. Whenever there are rumors that La Migra (ICE, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is walking around from door to door looking for people to deport, my neighborhood becomes terrorized and sometimes completely deserted as people are afraid to leave their homes in fear of being stopped and deported by ICE. A few months ago, some of my friends and neighbors that were freaked out when they heard the rumors that ICE was in our neighborhood and the police officers were helping them. For a complete month, stores closed early and the streets were empty by 9 pm. People were so afraid that some of them stop showing up to work. It’s unfortunate that people have become afraid of the police. It is much worse when people are so afraid of the police that they do not report and file complaints. There have been so many workshops, meetings, and news stories on how undocumented immigrants have rights and how they should act if ever stopped by the police or ICE.

“Cop Watch,” a mural located on the corner of 5 Ave and 44st, a place where many people walk pass by on a daily basis. I am getting allergy shots weekly, so I have been walking past this mural more than often. I have become more aware of the small details. “Cop Watch” was painted by Angel Garcia and students from Sunset Park High school in 2016. Sunset Park Cop Watch designed and commissioned the mural. I became aware of this mural while I was watching the news two years ago. The mural definitely adds a pop of color to a very boring wall. The mural looks fresh as new and it continues to add a pop of color to the neighborhood. It was obviously meant to last and the mural seems to have been created with red paint as the background. The mural is very noticeable, even though it is small compared to the rest of the wall that only has another piece of art, but it still appears a bit empty. The mural is still noticeable at night as there is a light that shines on the mural.

Protega a su Comunidad (Protect your Community), is written above the arms and hearts. The mural wants to unite the community to protect one another. Sabe sus Derechos? (Do you know your rights?), is written under the broken chains. Many immigrants still do not know their rights and this mural is supposed to raise awareness about their rights. Grabe a la policia (Record the police), is written at the bottom. People know of police brutality because there have been so many videos of such thing occurring. The mural lists the rights that immigrants have in Spanish as most of the neighborhood is composed of Hispanics. There are six rights that are listed:

1) You have the right to record the police.

2) Do not open the door to the police or ICE. Ask for a warrant.

3) If the police stop you, ask, “Am I free to go or am I being detained?”

4) If the police start to search your personal items, shout, “I do not consent to this search!”

5) When arrested, ask for a lawyer and do not say anything without them.

6) When you record the police, write down the officer’s name, badge number, time, date, and location.

The mural is definitely eye-catching with the vibrant colors, but the things that were painted are also remarkable. The chains appear to be broken apart and it seems to symbolize that the fear of having police contact is gone now that people know their rights. The hearts and arms seem to symbolize that the community is one regardless of the different cultures. The mural has many diagonals that point to the important question: Do you know your rights? Overall, the mural is supposed to allow the community to know their rights and feel safe whenever they interact with the police, which is something that the neighborhood needs in a time like this.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

September 19, 2018September 19, 2018 Evelyn Perez-Ortiz 3 Comments Film Reviews

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before was released this past August and is based on the novel, “To All the Boys I’ve ever Loved Before,” by Jenny Han. However, the romantic-comedy film was directed by Susan Johnson. The stars of the movie are Lara Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart, Israel Broussard, John Corbett, Trezzo Mahoro, Madeleine Arthur, and Emilija Baranacand.

The movie tells the story of a 16-year-old Korean-American girl, Lara Jean (Lara Condor), who writes love letters to her all of her crushes that she has ever loved before. She writes five letters in total and has each letter addressed. However, she has them hidden away in a box that she keeps in her room. No one knows about the letters until suddenly the letters are mailed to her crushes and some of them confront her. This all leads to her and an old crush, Peter (Noah Centineo), to sign a contract to consent to fake dating as a way to prove to another old crush, Josh (Israel Broussard), that she’s over him. Plus, it’s a way for Peter to win his ex back. It seems like a great plan until things turn upside down.

Most of the film correlates with the novel which is amazing because most films nowadays are nothing like the novel. It’s fascinating that the screenwriter, Sofia Alvarez, tried her best to keep most of the film relevant to the novel. She did an exotic job combining the storyline with flashbacks. The setting of the scenes makes the film feel even more real. The fact that there’s a lacrosse field included in a time when lacrosse has become so popular makes it more relatable. The lighting also adds more feel to the film as in most scenes there’s literally spotlight on Lara. As if no one has noticed that she’s the protagonist, but it allows the viewer to only focus on her.

The transitions from scene to scene flow so lovely. The actors did an impressive job portraying the characters’ emotions, making the characters come to life. Lara’s narrative allows one to have a deeper connection with her. The inlook into her thoughts are helpful to understand the plot and adds more life to her character. The film creates this tension that makes the viewers sit at the edge of their seats.

There are many things that are presented in the film that are relatable; from feeling embarrassed when your old crush finds out that you had feelings for them to having a strong sister bond. The film specifically highlights many topics that teenagers can relate to such as coming out of the closet and feeling invisible at school. In addition, the film also highlights the importance of talking issues out. As Peter and Lara Jean continue to fake their relationship, they open up to each other about their lives. They try so hard to make their relationship as believable as possible which leads them to become closer and honest with one another. The irony.

A big metaphor that one can see in the film is the fact that Lara Jean’s ability to drive is being compared to her taking charge of her life. At the beginning of the film, Lara Jean is afraid of driving herself and her younger sister to school, but by the end of the film, she drives by herself. Therefore, makes the metaphor complete by showing that she has now taken charge of her life and her emotions. Another metaphor that can be seen throughout the film is the fact that her messy room is also being compared to her life. In the beginning, Lara’s room is messy, but at some point, she starts to clean her room. This also symbolizes the fact that she’s now in control of her life. If Lara Jean would’ve explained herself to all of her old crushes, most of what appeared in the second half of the film would’ve never happened.

Besides the plot of the film, the leading actress, Condor, makes the film stand out as there are not that many films with Asian leading actresses. Condor playing Lara Jean’s character makes the experience so much more powerful. The novel never explicitly states that Lara is Asian. It’s great to see that there’s some diversity included. On that note, it’s interesting that none of her crushes are Asian; thus, makes the film not fit into the stereotype. Aside from that, the fact that one of the characters is part of the LGBTQ+ community makes this film the greatest.

Overall, the film allows the viewers to have this hope to fall in love. It may sound cliché, but the way that the idea is illustrated is unique. This is a film that everyone must watch. The ordinary of the characters makes the film extremely attractive.

Art to Fresh Eyes

September 5, 2018September 19, 2018 Evelyn Perez-Ortiz 0 Comment Cabinet of Curiosity

By: Amber Khemlani, Anastasiya Chabotsk, Nicolas Florimonte, and Evelyn Perez-Ortiz

Our cabinet focuses on the objects that are prevalent in all of the students’ lives at Brooklyn College, especially for freshmen, who have just embarked on their new journey as curious college students trying to survive their first year in this new environment. After being accustomed to their cozy high school buildings, considered all-knowing after four years of seeing the same walls and doors, it may seem terrifying to enter a land of unknown. This cabinet familiarizes students with the day to day life at Brooklyn College with things that are necessary for making it out alive; even with the academic pressures and rigors.

These photos exhibit the parts of Brooklyn College that students need to energize themselves such as the water fountains, vending machines, the microwave, and the ATM when money is short, studying is long, and the stomach is craving bubble tea. There are also photos of items that help students get through their day and make their lives at college easier such as the printer and the bulletin board that has all of the events posted on it. And, where would we be without our id’s, cards that freshmen keep in a clean and safe spot while older students tend to lose, damage, smudge, or fail to renew. These facilities ease students into their new lives of being adults on their own to face the world.