Summary(1:38) Living with three generations of family, college age kids. Parents retired to Puerto Rico, returned after earthquakes, stuck during pandemic -- (2:45) Born and raised in Bed-Stuy -- (3:20) Candidate for NYC mayor, former chief executive of Bronx anti-poverty group, campaign began as pandemic hit -- (5:00) Fundraising work -- (6:33) Desire to partner with Food Bank For New York City -- (7:27) Mutual aid has long history in marginalized communities -- (8:45) Worked in mutual aid in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria -- (10:18) Neighborhood changes through gentrification -- (12:03) Bed-Stuy Strong organization -- (13:45) Reconciliation of the two Bed-Stuys -- (14:58) Relationships between mutual aid groups -- (16:03) Bed-Stuy Strong commitment to community -- (16:13) Importance of political education, secondary to meeting human needs -- (17:22) Inequities in city -- (18:56) Crisis has highlighted racial dynamics. Hopes in future essential workers are recognized.
NoteAudio interview conducted on May 16, 2020, by Zoe Grueskin. Collected for the Covid-19 Oral History Project through Our Streets, Our Stories, an oral history project of Brooklyn Public Library. This project is a partnership with Services for Older Adults and the Brooklyn Collection.
SubjectQuarantine ; COVID-19 (Disease) ; Epidemics ; Coronaviruses ; Food Bank for New York City ; Fraternal organizations ; Gentrification ; Food security -- United States
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TitleOral history with Dianne Morales conducted on 2020 May 16.