The five stories in this issue do not presume to represent the New York black experience in total. What they do presume to capture are the encounters five black writers had with people in several of New York's black communities.
“On December 22, 1984, at about 1:30 in the afternoon, Bernie Goetz boarded a southbound number 2 Seventh Avenue IRT train at 14th Street and his life changed forever. So did the lives of Darrell Cabey, Troy Canty, James Ramseur, and Barry Allen.”
“Too many people who profess to like rap don't distinguish among its many historic and stylistic differences. Only by placing Rakim in context do you appreciate his mastery”
Since he registered to vote in 1969, Trump has had more than 40 separate opportunities to vote on Election Day. But when it comes to stepping into a voting booth, Trump falls silent.
“New Yorkers don't easily accept ballplayers. They almost always come from somewhere else, itinerants and mercenaries, and most of them are rejected. Those who are accepted seem to have been part of New York forever. Hernandez is one of them”
“On Sunday, April 5, the Fox Broadcasting Company will launch its attack on the Big Three’s primetime programs. Is America ready for FBC? Is FBC ready for America?”
“The intense public interest surrounding this case now extends beyond the early prurient reactions, beyond the photogenic face of Robert Chambers, beyond the upscale setting. The death of Jennifer Levin touched a nerve, particularly after the defense began trying to excuse it”
