This seminar has offered me a lot of insight into the problems facing New York, though I have noticed these problems before but this class made me pay them more mind. I learned a lot about the housing and rent crisis happening in NY and through directly speaking with store owners I was able to gain first hand accounts of people who were struggling under the tight grip of rising rents and property taxes. Most importantly, this course showed me just how little power and representation the community has over decisions made that directly affect them and their businesses. Community boards are rendered useless, and people are displaced from their lives. It’s important for people to get involved with their government to work towards a solution. I learned about civic tech and how much it can benefit people and I think back to the speakers at Civic Hall who seemed thrilled to be able to help as many people as they could with their technology. I entered this course with a very bleak outlook on New York and the many problems that it faces, however this course has provided me with a glimmer of hope in terms of the future.
