Street Vendors of NYC
What comes to mind when asked, create a list of what is iconic in New York City? Rockefeller Center, Carnegie Hall, Wall Street, Lincoln Center, the Apollo Theater the Statue of Liberty, and the list can go on. However, in how many of these lists will we read “street vendors”? Now, more than ever, a community of street vendors is becoming prominent in one of the world’s greatest melting pots. Though a little bit cliche, most immigrants migrate to the USA in the hopes of a new beginning- the opportunity for a different and less oppressive future. NYC, in particular, presents its 2 million residents a chance. Whether one ends up in an office, or a gallery, or a cafe shop– New Yorkers are united, whether they like it or not, by this hope. For some it means providing for their new family, for others it may be living out their dream as a musician. Street vendors, like the city they work in, are a reflection of this vision. They may not feel like they belong to a community and feel more isolated in their competitive field rather than connected, organizations such as the Street Vendor Project, are working to make sure these vendors have a community to go to. As we all hustle and bustle in one of the most diverse and fast-paced cities in the world, we should all remember that despite our individual needs and dreams, we are all fighting for but sharing this one hope.
