The 1% Visits El Barrio; Whose Community? Video by DeeDee Halleck Censored and Banned by MNN will air on MNN on THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, @ 1PM on Channel 34. … But just in case they censor the broadcast, here is the Youtube link: youtu.be/QEbMTGEQ1xc.webloc The Hypocrisy of each of the “Politicians,” so-called “Community Leaders” and “Activists” is that they all shake my hand and want to be photographed with me during the annual 3 Kings Day Parade in El Barrio. – Yet not one of them is politically connected, or brave enough, to allow DeeDee and myself entrance to the community opening ceremony. Also, please note the hostility that these visitors display at even being questioned as to their affiliations with the El Barrio Firehouse MNN Media Center. Finally, there is a 10-million dollar grant for the Youth Channel?... Where’s the money? THE BIRTH OF DIGITAL APARTHEID IN EL BARRIO An Open Letter to the Board of Directors of Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN), et al. Date: April 05, 2012 From: Jesús Papoleto Meléndez, poet; El Barrio community resident. To: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF MANHATTAN NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK, 537 West 59th Street, New York, NY 10019: Mr. Dan Coughlin, Executive Director ; Ms. Iris Morales, Director, El Barrio Firehouse C.M.C. ; Mr. Norris Chumley, Chairperson ; Carolyn Foley (Secretary of the Board) ; Marva Allen ; Vanessa Cordova-Corwin ; Peter Franck ; Christopher Gordon ; Terry Lawler ; Zenaida Mendez ; Eileen Newman ; Nan Rubin, member ; George C. Stoney, member ; Lewis Toni ; Shawn Van Every ; Re: Dismissal of Jesús Papoleto Meléndez by Ms. Iris Morales from the “Community Builders Training” Pilot Program, currently underway at EL BARRIO FIREHOUSE COMMUNITY MEDIA CENTER. Delivery: via Email to Mr. Coughlin, on behalf of the Board; + Certified U.S. Postal Service, + Signature Confirmation requested; CC (Email): Ms. Iris Morales, Director, El Barrio Firehouse Community Media Center. Pending: CC (Email): Mr. Scott M. Stringer, Manhattan Borough President ; CC (Email): Mr. Bill de Blasio, NYC Public Advocate . Attachment: Copy of Dan Coughlin’s email to DeeDee Halleck, as forwarded to me. Dearest Board Members: I am writing to bring your attention to the current injustice of my expulsion from the Community Builders Training Pilot program, perpetrated by El Barrio Firehouse Community Media Center director, Ms. Iris Morales, and to demand that you provide an explanation as to the justification for the director’s action. On Friday, March 23rd, 2012 I met with Ms. Iris Morales, director of the EL BARRIO FIREHOUSE COMMUNITY MEDIA CENTER, and facilitator of the “Community Builders Training” program in order to discuss my further participation in said program. This meeting had come about as a result of my attendance, much to the dislike of Ms. Morales (as she later stated to me), at the scheduled MNN Board meeting at the Firehouse on Wednesday, March 14th, which many of you had attended as well. To be sure, I was instructed by mandate via an email to be present, which had been forwarded to me by DeeDee Halleck, as was originally sent by Dan Coughlin, Executive Director of MNN, on behalf of the Board, listing me as a speaker on the agenda. Since I did have a scheduled class of the Community Builders Training program to attend, which was occurring at the same time as the meeting, I was conflicted, but decided to attend the meeting nonetheless, although I am not a qualified spokesman for any committee. I do, however, assert my right to support any committee’s right to be heard by said Board. After the Board meeting on March 14th, I returned upstairs to the class to continue following the lesson being presented by facilitators, Ana and Stephanie, on the 3rd floor of the Firehouse. At that time Ms. Morales went downstairs to the Board meeting – which, by that time, had adjourned without a parliamentary motion to do so – then returned to the classroom shortly afterward. She asked to speak with me directly, and when I approached her from where I was seated, she requested that we “go outside.” I grabbed my coat and followed Ms. Morales as she hurried down three flights of stairs and out onto 104th street, outside of the Firehouse. Once there, she whipped around and began yelling at me, berating me for having attempted to attend the meeting. At first I did not understand her annoyance, but as she continued with her rampage upon me, I began to get a gist of her complaint – which still did not make any sense to me. She brutally and falsely accused me of being a mole, a spy, a double-agent, a traitor, and an “Individualist.” I resented her accusations (except being called “an Individualist”), but did my best to try to calm her down and “explain myself to her.” But she was livid and adamant! I felt very sorry over the whole matter, but knew immediately that I was being targeted, or set-up for some confrontation with Ms. Morales. The entire experience was quite embarrassing, upsetting and unwarranted. So abusive was Ms. Morales’ tirade at me, on a public street – in my neighborhood – that a married couple (friends of mine) on their way home, came upon the scene and, believing that they had inadvertently stumbled upon me involved in a lover’s quarrel, inquired as to my well being. Students from the Community Builders program emerged from the Firehouse session, and began passing us by in the street. I had to return to the classroom to retrieve my books and backpack, and left believing that Ms. Morales and I had parted ways amicably, actually saying “Good night” to each other. On Wednesday, March 21st, I attempted to return to our scheduled class, however, I was refused entrance into the Firehouse by the Security guard, Antonio, who informed me that “I was not needed in class today,” and my name was not printed on the day’s Sign-up sheet. I didn’t understand. I had not received any message prior to this effect. This statement came as a complete surprise to me at the time. Antonio said that Ms. Morales would be down shortly to explain. When she arrived, she told me that this session was only for those students who had passed the “Camera test-out,” which had been conducted on Monday (March 19th) of that week, and to which I was not required to attend since I am currently camera- (and producer-) certified by MNN. I asked Ms. Morales, “wasn’t this the scheduled “Final Cut Pro” session?” to which she answered in the affirmative, and reiterated that I was not needed. I asked if everything was all right, to which she replied, “yes.” I then informed her that I would see her on Monday (March 26th —the following class session), to which she replied that I should give her a call. I was astonished by her remark, but asked her to give me a day on which to call her. She said that she would be available on Friday (March 23rd). I went home, and on Thursday I emailed a request to meet with Ms. Morales. She emailed me with details for a Friday, 4:30PM meeting. I replied to confirm. I arrived at the El Barrio Firehouse about 4:10PM in the afternoon on Friday, March 23rd, to meet with Ms. Morales, after having visited my mother in the Bronx, who is 85 years old and suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. I innocently believed that Ms. Morales wanted to meet with me to apologize for her behavior in berating me in public. I wanted to find out what was troubling her so, and how would her feelings impact my continued participation in the pilot program. I signed in as usual, and waited for Ms. Morales. The Security guard, Antonio, called upstairs to inform her of my arrival. When she came down to the lobby, she directed me into the George C. Stoney Community Studio on the first floor of the Firehouse. Inside the studio, Ms. Morales drew a chair and sat facing the doorway. I followed suit, sitting across from her with my back to the entrance. Once we were seated opposite each other, Ms. Morales let into me again with the same anger as she had displayed on Wednesday, the night of the Board meeting! She threw a three-page, stapled document at me, and demanded that I explain every point on it – specifically the aspect of the statement that referred to the Youth Channel and the use of the Firehouse facility in El Barrio. This document was the official statement from the New York Coalition of Community Media; a group of media activists, educators and television makers who believe deeply that democratic media is a key element of empowerment and justice in our society, and with whom I am associated as a community activist and poet. I support the Coalition’s right to be heard, and to make its presentation in front of the Board, and that was the original intent in the Coalition’s attendance at the March 14th meeting, but was never realized. Nevertheless, I tried reasoning with Ms. Morales, explaining that I need not agree with every damned point of the Coalition in order to support the Coalition’s right to self-expression and a redress of their grievances, and that this position of mine had nothing to do with my participation in the pilot training program. But she disagreed! She stated, “I could not have it both ways” – that is, be in the class, and have an opinion regarding MNN policies and support the Coalition! That is to say, that I could not continue to be politically concerned with the well being of my community, and participate in the pilot program as well. Of course, this pissed me off! We got into an argument concerning loyalty and blind allegiance. Ms. Morales stated that she had presented me with the opportunity to confer with Mr. Coughlin when she had initially interviewed me for participation in the pilot program on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. Yes, at that meeting between Ms. Morales and myself, I had brought up the subject of the Coalition’s concerns – but not the actual concerns – as I’ve stated, I am unqualified and disinterested in doing so. However, I explicitly reiterated to Ms. Morales my position – that the Coalition needed to be heard by the Board – and that this was an ongoing issue, which had preceded her appointment to the Firehouse. I had emailed her on December 24th, 2011, upon learning of her appointment, to congratulate her, and requested to meet with her at her earliest convenience. Ms. Morales had stated then, that she would get back to me after assuming her new position with MNN. And, yes, Mr. Coughlin had come downstairs to where we were meeting, and I cordially greeted him, and we shook hands – an activity which I do not partake lightly. Then, Mr. Coughlin returned upstairs. And that’s it. Am I now to ascertain that that was my one and only opportunity to address Mr. Coughlin with the Coalition’s concerns? That certainly was not the intention of my meeting with Ms. Morales. No, sirs, I simply wanted to bring the controversy to Ms. Morales’ attention, and then get on the way with whatever she wanted to discuss next – which was, of course, my possible participation in the exciting opportunity offered through the Community Builders Training Pilot program. During our argument, I patiently tried to tell Ms. Morales that I wanted very much to be on her side, and support her in the Firehouse’s success in our community. I suggested that, perhaps, we were being set-up to have discord between us (It seemed obvious enough to me.); that maybe her anger at me was misdirected. Why hadn’t she questioned Mr. Coughlin, whose naming me explicitly on the email [see: Attachment] which he had sent to Ms. Halleck, compelled me to attend a meeting which I had not wanted to attend, and – although the meeting was, by law, open to the general public – Mr. Coughlin had decided to “limit” the number of the general public that might attend by disallowing the Coalition members from attendance. But Ms. Morales would have none of it! She jumped from her seat and came up on me, screaming that she had provided me with an opportunity to address these issues, while I begged to differ from my chair. To say the least, our argument grew quite robust! The Security guard, Antonio, ran into the George C. Stoney Community Studio, approaching me from behind, and came upon the scene: there was Ms. Morales looming over me, in my personal space, continuing her tirade. I saw the look of incongruence on Antonio’s face, but, nevertheless, he exclaimed; “Are you okay, Iris?” I looked up at Ms. Morales, and she down to me, while she replied, “yes.” I looked up to Antonio, and seized the opportunity to assure him that I would leave the premises before I would allow anything physical to occur between Ms. Morales and myself – regardless of how loud our conversation grew. With that said, he left the studio, Ms. Morales sat down again, and continued to argue. Finally, I asked Ms. Morales, then “what would be the outcome of our conversation today?” She replied that I was no longer a member of the Pilot program. I was disappointed and dismayed; I couldn’t believe it. What, really, had I done to deserve this? Surely, I hadn’t accidentally, or otherwise dropped a camera on the floor, nor had I flung one out of a window. In fact, I was unaware that I had traded my community concerns for the loan of a Sony PD170 digital camcorder. Really, is ideological capitulation a prerequisite for involvement in MNN programming? If that is the case, I don’t think that that’s correct, politically or otherwise – nor would it be a welcomed complement in addition to the plights of our community. Ms. Morales should have felt proud that someone like me – in fact, me – would dedicate freely his time to participate in this seemingly groundbreaking program. I am a well-known poet in- and outside of my community; a founding member of the Nuyorican poets’ movement, with a life-long dedication to the free, self-expression of our cultural, political and social reality. My literary record bears this out. In addition, and more importantly in this case, I am a very helpful, supportive, thoughtful, considerate, knowledgeable, and patient teacher. I have taught in the classrooms of public schools of various school districts, as a poet, for more than 40 years. I am a unique asset wherever I’m involved and apply myself. And, while I have been expelled from the training program, I have continued to help several students with their Field-shoots, as part of their final project assignments. Personally, I do not have any issues with Ms. Morales, except these; that is, my exercise of a 1st Amendment guarantee that is active everywhere, not just in some places of convenience, and the fact that she insulted me so needlessly. I believe that people have a right to disagree, and while I might disagree with someone, I will nevertheless fight for their right to be heard. Given Ms. Morales’ illustrious history in the radical political scene, she should know this well. I also believe in my father’s adage, as told to me as a child: “Sometimes it takes a fight to make a friend.” With that, I’m still hopeful that things might yet work out between us all. In any event, I wish her a productive and democratic future at the Firehouse. Still, I do not understand Ms. Morales’ arbitrary justification for my expulsion. Without a doubt, some unfortunate statements were uttered by each of us, but that is in the nature of an uncontrolled argument, wherein one party feels bullied, abused, disempowered, and unfairly victimized by the other party’s flaunting of some unknown sense of authority. Ms. Morales’ capricious behavior – that is – her attitude toward, and attack upon me were unprofessionally disrespectful – both, on Wednesday of March 14th, as well as on this occasion. So, whatever I may have retorted, she surely provoked and thusly deserved. I am left to wonder if by now there doesn’t exists a “fear-factor” in the classroom atmosphere, the specter of a tyranny that haunts the Firehouse now, wherein I am referred to in hushed tones, or through concealed facial gestures, rather than outright free speech, reference, mention, or even question as to “What happened to Papo?” What explanation, if any, was offered to my fellow students for my sudden disappearance from class sessions; did I just fall off the face of the Earth? Or did I simply stop caring about the program? While I feel that I have been made out to be a pariah here; some kind of “Black Sheep,” persona non grata, and estranged from prior associations with classmates still involved in the program, I do not believe this is so much a personal issue as it is a community relations issue. You should realize that, in the final analysis, it is not “Papo” who was denied “Leadership Training” – it was “a represented segment of the East Harlem Community” that was denied – because, “where one is hungry, all are hungry; where one suffers oppression, all suffer oppression,” and that is always The Truth to be found within any denial of such. As the Board of Directors of MNN, you should know that for the last few years now, upon learning of the Firehouse project, several community artists and myself have been engaged in propitious conversations regarding what might occur here. We had hopes; we had dreams and aspirations. With great anticipation, we envisioned a user-friendly state-of-the-arts digital studio in our community, for community use – especially for use by its local and long-dedicated artists. We were desirous of creating a positive addition to MNN programming from el Barrio throughout greater New York. I was interested in studying the new aspects of Final Cut Pro, to see how we might create more artistically motivated shoots, and exploring further CGI and post-production techniques. We also discussed the exciting possibility of using our community and existing locales within the community as “location” opportunities, and facilities for “live studio” audience-shoots outside of the Firehouse. And when it was announced officially that Ms. Morales was appointed as Director, we were doubly enthused. But now, I see that association is in serious jeopardy. This, as it may turn out ultimately, may be another false hope for us. Is this what is to be inferred from your Mission Statement: “MNN is dedicated to the exercise of First Amendment rights through moving image media (but not through dialogue and community consensus, I can only conclude), and creates opportunities for communication, education, artistic expression and other non-commercial uses of video facilities (but only, if you cooperate with being co-opted)…?” So, I don’t see where my exclusion from this program reflects the purported spirit of your Mission. And this now becomes a salient point of contention for me; I cannot stand by and allow for my community to lose out because of my lockout from the Firehouse facility. It’s like: You opened a Pizzeria in my community, and when I go inside, you brusquely inquire of me: “What in Hell do you want?” “Well, what in Hell do you think I want? – I want a damned slice of pizza; You say you make pizza, don’t you!” To be absolutely clear with you, members of the Board, I have been victimized here; I have been vilified with what seems like a deliberate and evil intent. To be sure, an attempt (successful, or not) has been made to scapegoat me, and besmirch my character; to lower my standing in my own community, and altogether exclude my participation in the activities embodied within the promise of the Firehouse’s new designation of service in our community’s future. But what seems a promise, may in fact be based upon too costly a condition – the price of which it seems I’ve paid. “The feet of my loyalties” were put into a fire of controversy, seemingly ignited by Mr. Coughlin’s determination as to who would be allowed to attend the Board meeting. Of those signaled out by him were myself; Ms. Kym Clarke, who had recently suffered a death in her family; and Ms. DeeDee Halleck, who had fallen down a flight of stairs that week, suffering two swollen eyes and a chipped elbow – yet, she still managed to make it to the meeting. And I, too, was grieving the recent passing of my life-long friend and fellow iconic poet, Louis Reyes Rivera. Yet, how was I not to attend under the circumstances: that I was explicitly compelled by the Executive Director, and the possibility of the two other designees’ inability to attend? I say, question the motives of Mr. Coughlin – with whom I once shook hands. It is my understanding that when Ms. Morales went downstairs (on March 14th), she was informed that I had, indeed, attended the meeting. At that point, in my opinion, Ms. Morales should have exclaimed: “Well, didn’t you invite him; so, what’s the big deal?” And, I believe, that could well have been the end of it, and I wouldn’t have had to expend so much of my creative energy and time, penning the accounts of this pathetic episode to you. You should understand that with the continued onslaught of gentrification in El Barrio, less and less seems to belong or pertain to, or have any relevance with regard to the original, or long-standing inhabitants, who, for the most part, have homesteaded El Barrio as a cultural community for all of these preceding years. Our community is sick and tired of “talking to the Hand” when it comes to a redress of grievances, or a decent consideration of basic concerns. At every turn, we are losing control, and voice within our community-based organizations and institutions – long established by us, in many cases – yet, now being “taken over” by arrogantly hostile interlopers proclaiming their enterprises for “the betterment of the community,” but “you” can’t look inside the box to examine the contents of the purported gift. If this is the kind of political social activism MNN is bringing uptown, as far as I’m concerned, you can keep your ruddy butts downtown. You cannot be allowed to become the governors of Digital Apartheid in El Barrio. This, as it pertains to you now, must give us pause, whereas the irony of this metaphor is endless… In conclusion; Whereas I have witnessed as this Board has shamelessly disregarded every opportunity for the decorum of Parliamentary Procedure; and has abused the protocols for Robert’s Rules of Order; and in general dismissed the 1st Amendment guarantees of the U.S. Constitution; as well as New York State Cable regulations, and Open Meeting requirements of NY State; I, therefore, take sole and full responsibility for the details portrayed and the statements made herein, and for the dissemination of the same as mine, and true to the best of my knowledge; and, further, do not care what your opinion is of this affidavit. However, in an effort of “Good Faith,” I will allow you until Thursday, April 12, 2012, 5:00PM, to respond via Email to: [email protected] to this Open Letter. After that, I may elect, at my discretion, to post this Letter in its entirety, including said attachments and DeeDee Halleck’s YouTube video of the MNN Board meeting of March 14, 2011: to my Facebook Wall, and onto my Web presence and Blog; to the Pending CCs, and wherever else I may deem applicable, so that the Community-at-large may become aware of the statements I’ve made herein, and that I may, through such revelations, absolve myself of the injustices perpetrated upon me, and regain my sense of self-dignity – which, to be sure, has been besmirched by this affair – in my community. Bienvenidos to El Barrio! Respectfully, Jesús Papoleto Meléndez, poet; Community resident ATTACHMENT: [#1 of 1} Fwd: Request for Agenda Item MNN Board Meeting Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: Dan Coughlin Date: March 10, 2012 2:02:31 PM EST To: DeeDee Halleck Subject: Re: Request for Agenda Item MNN Board Meeting Dear DeeDee, The Chair of the MNN Board has asked me to respond to your email: MNN appreciates your interest and dedication to community media, past and present. The MNN Board delegates specific issues such as the ones you and your colleagues raised with the Board in December to either the MNN administrative team or to the appropriate Board subcommittees for review and policy recommendations. Regarding the Community Media Grant Program, the Board has already voted to authorize a new program with substantial funding. The MNN Board has specifically tasked the MNN Program, Marketing and Community Outreach Committee with gathering feedback on community education and outreach grants. The Committee is organizing a structured meeting this April to which all former MNN Community Media Grantees will be invited. This is the best forum for you to raise your views on community outreach, education and grant programs. Paper Tiger will receive an invitation in the mail. The Board looks forward to hearing a full report from the Program Committee on all the ideas and feedback presented at the April meeting. In the meantime, the Board chair has added your name, that of Jesus Papoleto Melendez and Kym Clark to the door to attend the next MNN open Board meeting. Only those people whose names are given in advance will be permitted to attend. The meeting will be held at 7:00 pm, Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at the MNN El Barrio Firehouse Community Media Center, George C. Stoney Community Studio, first floor, at 175 East 104th St. The Chair will make 10-15 minutes available to you to address the Board on the subject of the community grant and outreach, should you still feel that your concerns have been unaddressed. The Board will not be able to respond or engage in a dialogue at the meeting. Going forward, the only way to communicate to the MNN Board Chair is via regular mail to: MNN Board Chair c/o Executive Director Manhattan Neighborhood Network 537 West 59th St. New York, NY 10009 Sincerely, Dan youtu.be/QEbMTGEQ1xc.webloc
Posted on: Wed, 07 Aug 2013 13:06:09 +0000
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