History

Let’s Stop The Bleed Together!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The tragic killing on Aug. 5 of 14-year-old local resident Ángel Miguel Mendoza Hernández in the Williamsbridge Oval park in Norwood, allegedly by an armed gang, shocked the community and lead to numerous calls for the installation of better lighting and security cameras in the Oval, and while every measure taken to date to address safety for all is, of course, valued, necessary, and appreciated, it won’t, unfortunately, bring Ángel back.

An Overview of Puerto Rico’s Political Status and Future

By GENE ROMAN
Puerto Rico’s political future is never far from the minds of its citizens and in recent months, its political status has, once again, been the subject of debate. Puerto Rico (the “Island”) is a territory of the United States. The U.S. acquired the Island from Spain in 1898, and it has belonged to the United States ever since. In 1917, Puerto Ricans became U.S. citizens. Everyone born in Puerto Rico is a citizen of the United States, but Puerto Rico is not a state; it continues to be a territory.

UPDATE Mamdani Asks Voters to Reject Islamophobia & See Him as Candidate “Fighting for Every Single New Yorker”

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Democratic mayoral nominee and still the frontrunner according to the latest polls, Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (A.D. 36) was back in The Bronx on Friday, Oct. 24, for another press conference, this time, held outside the Islamic Cultural Center of The Bronx, located at 371 E 166th Street, north of the Melrose section of The Bronx, as he asked voters to reject tired Islamophobic tropes and reiterated that he aims to be a mayor “fighting for every single New Yorker.” Members of the press corps included international media outlets from the UK (BBC), France and Germany.

Morris Park Hosts 48th Annual Bronx Columbus Day Parade

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY
An nor’easter may have kept some spectators at home, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of attendees nor participants in the 48th Annual Bronx Columbus Day Parade which took place in Morris Park on Sunday, Oct. 12.

UPDATE Bronx Democrats Endorse Mamdani for Mayor

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Democratic mayoral nominee and Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (A.D. 36) was back in The Bronx on Sept. 2 when he was joined by a majority of Bronx elected officials from the Bronx Democratic Party, alongside New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York City Public Advocate Jumanne Williams as they gave the candidate their formal endorsement in his upcoming bid to win the mayoral general election on Nov. 4.

UPDATE Fordham Manor: “The Bear” Writer Alex O’Keefe Is Suing the MTA after Metro North Arrest

By SÍLE MOLONEY
After Alex O’Keefe, the award-winning screenwriter of Hulu’s “The Bear,” who is Black, posted on social media that he was allegedly arrested following a complaint made by a White woman about the way he was seated while aboard a Metro North train to Connecticut on Sept. 18, the screenwriter has since said he is suing the MTA and has released a video extract of the encounter.

Op-Ed: Missing Voices from NYC’s Post-9/11 Fallen Service Member Memorial

By JOSEPH A. BELLO
Memorials are sacred spaces. They offer a place for remembrance, reflection and connection, while also educating future generations. An example of this is the Queens Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a decade-long project spearheaded by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32 and then–Borough President Melinda Katz.