The West Village tour was the one that caught my eye. These neighborhoods have a lot of history to them which shaped the way New York really is today. There are a lot of things that I’ve learned from the video and would like to point out some interesting facts that I readout. First,  the “Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom” on Central Park in 1916, allowed women to come together to help end and prevent war from happening, taking place during WWI they used this platform to allow them to defend their rights and help them promote economical and social justice. Second, the plaque of Mark Twain was held at 14 West 10th Street where he lived from 1900 to 1901 for his novel “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” which was more of an imaginational novel and one of the biggest novels that really shaped America’s vision to be able to create the world of their own adventures connecting friendship and truth. Since publishing novels and papers were a big thing at the time, most of his novels changed literature the way it is today. I would also like to throw in there the “The Village Voice” on 61 Christopher Street on July 3, 1969, supporting gay rights and covering the culture and politics as well. Lastly, the opening of the Oscar Wilde Bookshop on 15th Christopher Street which was the first bookshop that opened its way in Gay Liberation movements allowed all gender and race to enter.  Most of these places have a lot of history to them, If I had to write a future paper or project that deals with social media I would probably look at some historical places that improved the way technology has taken the world today.

The one that I decided to pick is taking the tour at Union Square. The one thing that I learned from watching the video tour was when Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux were able to redesign union square park to make the space more available. Specifically to have more gatherings available for the people. It also served as a theatre district from the 1860s to the 1880s. Steinway hall was an auditorium that was built in 1866. It was considered as the largest concert hall in the United States at the time. The reason why is because Steinway Hall can fit 2500 people. The Mora Portrait Studio was opened in 1870 by Jose Maria Mora. Jose Maria Mora was a young Cuban refugee and the photos served the stars of the opera on stage. The photos were so popular that he was making $100,000 a year in 1878. The labor activism and the other progressive causes lead to Emma Goldman’s Mother Earth which was published in 210 East 13th street in June 1907. Going on to 66 Irving place there was a place called Pete’s Tavern. It was a favorite watering place called O’Henry. The bow arch structure in Madison Square Garden served as an indoor arena. This was designed by Stanford White in 1890. Stanford White was murdered in a rooftop garden restaurant by millionaire Harry Thaw. He killed him because of an affair White had with Thaw’s wife, she was an actress called Evelyn Nesbit, which became known as the trial of the century. A journalism project that I would like to do in the future that deals with social media is to try exploring other countries. 

Since I work in the East Village, i thought it’d be interesting to take a look at The East Village “tour”. One of the few things I’ve learned throughout the video was about the tenement museum on 97 Orchard street which was founded in 1988. In the mid 1800’s, the lower east side was once known as “little Germany” and is currently one of the largest Chinatowns. Next, I’ve learned about Thompkins Square Park which was opened in 1834 and was named after Daniel D. Thompkins vice president of United State under James Monroe. Lastly, we have the McSorley’s Old Ale House which is oldest Irish saloon in NYC and was opened in 1854. What’s interesting was that they only began to admit women to enter the pub in 1970.
The way I might expand my OpEd is first, gather additional information about my topic, educated myself about the pros and cons. By then, I could reach out to individuals who has similar interests and start a website or even form a non-profit.

(My OpEd is connection between poverty and childhood education.)