"A pedestal is as much a prision as any small, confined space."

A pedestal is created to elevate an object to a higher level over other things.  Placing this object upon the pedestal is like a create special box or force field around it, making it untouchable or taintless.  Many years ago when society was male dominated, women of "class" where placed on such pedestals, where they were thought t be of higher regard than woman of "lower class" then them.  All along not realizing they were actually just being caged in a box placed up high, confined to what society said they were worth.  Much like a prision.  You are set apart. Confined in a space, created just for you.

-Jaclynn Moret

"The moment you think you understand a great work of art, it is dead for you."

Not understanding something creates intrigue, therefore, feeds a person's curiosity about the object of their interest.  Trying to figure something or someone out is exciting and can be stimulating.  Wanting to read into every detail of that object and analyzing it to the best of your ability gives it that much more value to you.  Often times this need to solve it's mystery can awaken you and bring you to life.  The more unique and complex the more alive you become.  To finally crack the code and understand this wonderfully made complexity, it loses it's life.

-Jaclynn Moret

"This is what it means to say, Chinatown"

Trash all over the sidewalks and street, consant yelling in Chinese, cars honking, traffic jams, and the smell lets not forget that. This is my hometown, a disgusting pile of cultural trash. I have to listen to these people every single day of my 17 years of living here. The annoyance is building up and I just can't take it anymore. The people who live think they know everything. They think they're gods to their friends and family, but what I see is a person just wanting to be noticed and heard. We call these people FOB's (Fresh of the boat). As quoted from my father "You can take the people out of China, but you can't take the China out of people." My friends that come by Chinatown tell me, "This place is amazing. You've got food, activities, people, and life. I would love to live here." Boy are they wrong. My friends don't understand that the people who live here are Fresh of the boat. They don't know any better. The life style the Chinese live are different then in the states. They treat where they live like junkyard, full of trash. But even though the annoyance is building up, this is still my home and my roots. I grew up here and I have to accept it even though I hate the neighborhood a lot, deep down I love it at the same time. This is what it means to say "Chinatown".

- Alexander Huang

This is what it means to say.... Brooklyn

This is what it means to say…..Bedstuy. You take great pride in where you come from, you don’t snitch, and you always mind your own business. This is what it means to say “get down, they shootin!” This is what it means to see the entire Marcy Projects look deserted when patrol cars come through. This is what it means to be in the second grade playing outside with your friends and little tiny crack containers at your feet. This is what it means to say addiction, eviction and conviction. This is what it means to cry when you hear that someone you grew up with gets shot in the head over drugs, the same drugs that killed the men in our lives. This is what it means to say you got to be tough because everyone around you is rock solid and tears are just rain drops. This is what it means when we say HELLO BROOKLYN and don’t forget to say hello hardships, hello heartache, hello fist fights, hello shootouts, hello to the drug dealers and hello to the crack heads. This is what it means to strive for better. Hello Brooklyn.

Fatima Garnett

"Dependency is death to initiative, to risk-taking and opportunity. It is time to stop the spread of government dependency and fight it like the poison it is."

"Dependency is death to initiative, to risk-taking and opportunity. It is time to stop the spread of government dependency and fight it like the poison it is."

Everyday people in our society depends on government assistance to the point it has become a demanding need. Their head has been poisoned to think they don't need to get up and make a living for themselves. Tax-payers money have found an easy resort in their hands. As a working tax-payer, it's aggravating to know that your hard earned money is going to people who just sits on their behind and enjoy the easy access to money. Don't give me wrong, there are people that are working and receiving the government assistance because it is hard to make ends reach. I understand their argument, but what is the argument for those that just 'sit-back-relax' and in it just for the money?

For instance, one customer placed a crib, stroller, and mattress on layaway. She came back a week later to take out her layaway but ended up voiding the whole transaction, and then insisted on getting a copy of the void so she can send to her social-worker. Sending "proof" ought to show she cannot afford to pay for these kind of necessities, but, yet she managed to be rocking the latest Kilroys', Louis Vuitton bag, and a pair of true religions on her behind. Oh, she's being true to her religion, huh? The perfect and legit example of a loafer, and prime example that their need to be a stop to spread of government dependency.

This is What It Means to Say Barbuda

Being from Barbuda means pink sandy beaches and no, we didn’t import the sand. It’s a place where you can actually see the stars at night while suffocating from the OFF! spray that’s apparently not doing its job. It means taking a 19-seater to and from Dadli, the sister island to see any other part of the world and when returning, spending an extra 10 minutes in the air as the airport officials scramble to get the donkeys off the strip. It means walking around Codrington and hailing up everyone you pass on the street by name, even if they were tourists. Then, returning home after that long walk to land turtle and/or dear meat, now that’s finger licking good! Living in Codrington means running out of sugar and being able to put your hand over the fence to beg an ounce and get a pound in return. Another fun fact about living in Codrington, you can actually leave your house without your keys, wallet and/or sweater, a simple luxury I long to enjoy. Being from Barbuda means walking into church late and interrupting the congregation, showing up in something absurd and stopping the sermon. Since we’re already on the topic of church, I’ll tell you my last fun fact revolving around that. It means when anyone is getting married or being buried the whole village would show up, invitation or not, so you better be expecting some party crashers. To you, it may mean a place that needs development but it’s a place that I hold dear to my heart and I call home, Boo-yard!

- Lindsey Burton

This Is What It Means to Say San Antonio

The polished, privileged white kids in the Northeast, who go home to their mommies and daddies -- doctors, lawyers, the sons and daughters of established businessmen. Bordering the neighborhoods of Ginobili, Duncan, and Bowen -- kids who had the talent and were blessed enough to make it big.

Move a little Southwest. Fiesta colors plaster every ragged building, even if it isn't quite yet fiesta. Burritos, carne asada, tortas -- the best you'll find before crossing the border; that border that repels those with sense and those who lack ties to a perhaps beautiful, loving land. That border that divides a people and brings about hatred.

All over town, you see black and white, black and silver. Colors of a team that have become gods, revered by all despite Black, White, or Brown.

Friday night lights, pick-up trucks, and red cups in the hands of all -- whether you're 18 years old or 80.

This is what it means to say San Antonio.