Dear Readers,

I hope you’re all well! I don’t say that lightly. Thank you for your patience, and for sticking with us during what we know, you know, has been a pretty crazy, and unprecedented time for everyone. After two and half months on hiatus due to circumstances related to the pandemic, this year’s seventh edition of the Norwood News is out now. Indeed, that is a story in itself (but for another day). We’re happy to be back, and to share plenty of interesting community news with you, so let’s get to it!

 

After months of lockdown due to COVID-19, it was only fitting that our return cover story should demonstrate the fighting spirit of the Bronx. The amazing comeback kid, 107-year-old Julia Bizzarri, a lifelong Yankees fan, certainly embodies that spirit. As the number of global coronavirus deaths surpasses the half million mark, and as several U.S. states see a new spike in cases, causing closures after re-openings and all the chaos in between, we recount how Bizzarri gave the killer virus the boot, and marvel at how one woman has borne witness to so many historical moments, and continues to live through even more.

 

Some say nobody could have imagined how the first half of 2020 would unfold, it so often felt paranormal. Yet, as Bronxites continued to mourn the loss of now 3,319 loved ones to COVID-19, as Bronx unemployment rates for April trumped all other boroughs at 16.5 percent, and as the strain of both the pandemic and the PAUSE order permeated throughout the community, it was clear something had to give.

 

The Black Lives Matter movement did not miraculously catapult itself to the forefront of every elected official’s agenda in the space of a few short weeks because of the horrific killing of George Floyd. There had been so many similar tragedies before him, and sadly, there have been many others since his death. It happened not only because his death was another example of excessive use of force by police against unarmed African Americans, but because of centuries of under-appreciation by the white community of the broader, and frustratingly obvious inequalities and impediments, like redlining, faced by Black people every day in America.

 

In our story about Norwood Neighbors Against Racism, we look at how four local women are educating the next generation on the importance of equality, grassroots activism, and advocating for one’s own community. Meanwhile, in the first of a two-part feature, José. A Giralt shows how such inequalities have impacted the lives of certain Bronxites, while David Greene follows the evolution of localized Black Lives Matter protests into a sustained, central Occupy City Hall movement.

 

Of course, voters also had their say on Jun. 23. We provide an overview of the lead-up to the New York State primaries, as well as some reaction from voters on the night itself.

 

One of our two new summer interns, Auréole Ribes, joined Bronx Toastmasters of Riverdale to uncover the art of effective communication, while Isaiah Mathewson, our other intern, assisted with the crime beat, an area of reporting that has seen a sharp rise across the Bronx in recent months. You may miss our regular staples – Neighborhood Notes, and Out & About. We also miss Judy Noy, our expert coordinator of these features, and proof-reader extraordinaire. We hope to re-instate them in future editions.

 

It would be remiss of me not to take this opportunity to thank former Editor-in-Chief of the Norwood News, David Cruz, for his instruction, his inspiration, his good humor and his vast knowledge of journalism and community reporting that he so generously shared with me when I was an intern here last summer. David is already breaking stories that are critical to New Yorkers in his new role as Editor-in-Chief at The Gothamist. I miss his wackiness and, of course, I wish him every success.

 

I would also just like to thank the entire Norwood News crew, and everyone at Mosholu Preservation Corporation for supporting me on this uphill climb these last few months. The news cycle got so manic, it was challenging to focus on what was most important. I apologize if I haven’t been able to respond to every email and story tip but please keep sharing your thoughts with me at smoloney@norwoodnews.org. It’s purely just a question of time (or lack thereof). My goal is to work with my colleagues to produce engaging and quality news stories that are important to you, our readers, so please keep me on my toes!

 

A final word of thanks to all our front line workers for all you have done, and for all you continue to do. For now, there’s some other news in there too so check out the latest edition of the Norwood News, and read all about it!

 

Stay well,

Síle Moloney
Interim Editor
Norwood News