Amy Zerba
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Likes stories and how they're told; talks about journalism and tech daily, both as a deputy editor at The New York Times and because it’s the future.
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Articles by Amy Zerba
What Toni Morrison’s Words Meant to Readers
For many of you, her characters, settings and words have had a lasting impact. Image Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye,” “Sula” and “Beloved” were often required readings in school. The New York Times asked readers to reflect on Ms. Morrison’s work and relate which of her stories or passages had an affect on their lives, and how. For some, it was her characters, like Pecola Breedlove in “The Bluest Eye,” who struggled with identity.
What Did Toni Morrison’s Books Mean to You?
Her powerful language, memorable characters, moving dialogue and vivid descriptions had a way of resonating with readers. Share your memories with us. Image Toni Morrison was the author of 11 novels as well as children’s books and essay collections. What was your favorite? Toni Morrison’s novels explored the black experience in America, particularly for black women. Slavery, racism, class, violence, family, friendships and love were among the themes that figured in her books.
New York Today: Behind a Police Department Scandal
It is one of the worst scandals to rock the New York Police Department in years: A retired police detective was arrested and accused of running a prostitution and gambling ring that brought in millions of dollars across the city. It was a business in which the ring leader relied on a group of police officers to protect the enterprise and foil any planned raids, according to the police.
New York Today: A Back-to-School Preview
“An entrance exam has always been and remains a valid means of successfully identifying these students. Not all students do well on exams given for entrance into a specialized school. This is no reflection on their intelligence or ability to perform academically.
The Test That Changed Their Lives
The experience of taking the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test — the sole means of getting into eight elite public schools in New York City — is one that students aren’t likely to forget. For some, it meant months or years of demanding test prep courses and practice drills. For others, it meant just showing up on the day of the exam — because, well, everyone else was taking it.
New York Today: Remembering McCain
Americans paused over the weekend to absorb the death of Senator John McCain, a Republican who represented Arizona in Congress for 35 years. He was 81. The outpouring of love and respect for the senator began trickling in on Friday, a day before his death, when his family announced he would no longer be treated for brain cancer, which he had been battling for more than a year. New Yorkers joined the chorus of voices to express their sorrow and share what he meant to them. “He was truly a gift.
Should ‘Fearless Girl’ Statue Stay or Go? Readers Debate Art’s Meaning
The sculptor of the “Charging Bull” statue near Wall Street wants the facing “Fearless Girl” sculpture to go away, saying that the original meaning of the bronze bull — freedom, peace, strength, power and love — has been lost. The artist, Arturo Di Modica, said his statue’s message had become negative with her there.
New York Today: A Goodbye to Ringling Bros.
“One of the highlights of my childhood was looking forward to going to the circus at the original Madison Square Garden and for many years afterward. The three rings of acts were magical. I loved watching three trapeze shows simultaneously. The excitement of the audience during the triple somersault was palpable. Clowning was also an art.
New York Today: A Presidents’ Day Preview
Consider heading to Washington Heights on Saturday to explore the Morris-Jumel Mansion, which served as a military headquarters during the Revolutionary War and later was the home of Aaron Burr, our third vice president. And with the temperature expected to reach 50-something that day, it would be a lovely time to take a historical tour around Washington Square Park, named after our founding father, or through the nearby Union Square Park, beginning at the Abraham Lincoln statue.
What Are You Thankful For?
By NICOLE FINEMAN and AMY ZERBA | Nov. 23, 2016 | 1:17 The Times asked readers what they were most thankful for this Thanksgiving. Responses ranged from the presidential election being over to health, family and the Chicago Cubs.
Growing Up in New York, the City That Never Naps
— Beth Dunfey, 43, of Ditmas Park, about her son, Thomas Nisson, 5 Riding on an uptown A train approaching 125th, a French couple asked my husband where to get off for Times Square. He explained that they had missed the stop, would have to get off and go back downtown.
The New York Times
The Times asked readers to send in photographs from their own New York childhoods. The New York in these images is a world without fear and with all of life in front of it. By AMY ZERBA and JOHN LELAND
New York City As a Kid
“Being from Brooklyn, anytime we traveled to the city was a big thing for me, especially when I got to be anywhere near the Village,” said Jerry Farmer, 45. “It’s a very good chance we were out at some culturally rich happening, like some SoHo art space we walked from and to, but I’m sure I didn’t care. My biggest thing was looking fresh and being surrounded by all those beautiful people, doing everything in the world. Everything used to happen in that park as far as I was concerned.
Hillary Clinton Addresses Bombings
PhotoHillary Clinton on Monday.Credit Stephen Crowley/The New York Times In the wake of the Chelsea explosion, Hillary Clinton tried to project steely experience in fighting homegrown terrorism and portrayed her opponent Donald J. Trump as a gift to the Islamic State in its recruitment efforts. “I’ve been clear, we’re going after the bad guys and we’re going to get them,” Mrs. Clinton told reporters at the White Plains airport, near her home, on Monday.
Should English Be a Requirement for a Taxi License? Cabbies Tell Us
If a driver wants to speak to customers about other social topics, like politics, he may not be able to do so. But to get to the destination, I don’t think it will be a problem. It will be an opportunity for the driver who speaks less English. And he can make a reasonable income and he can raise a family, too. Less English will not be a problem for driver and the rider, because the GPS system helps the driver in where they want to go.
Preparing for an Active Shooter Scenario
By AMY ZERBA and AINARA TIEFENTHÄLER | Jul. 31, 2016 | 1:13 The New York Police Department’s counterterrorism team, known as Critical Response Command, demonstrated how officers train to respond to an armed attack.
New York Today: All Hail the Heat
You’ll need all the water you can get. Columbus Circle is closed to traffic and 1, 2, 3, A, B, C and D trains are bypassing 59th Street in both directions, after a man who the police believe threw a suspicious object at a police car barricaded himself there in an S.U.V. Remember that big, colorful parachute you played with at kindergarten field day?
What Do Most People Want? To Be Heard
Ways to improve listening in the workplace and outside of it. This scenario at a job or outside of work can be quite common: A person is talking to a group of “listeners” and members in the group are either glued to their phones or typing away on their laptop, a few are honestly taking notes. As I glance around I see splintered digital conversations everywhere and wonder, “Is anyone actually listening?” This scene can easily spill into one’s personal life as well.
Advice for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
Geri Taylor, who has Alzheimer’s, and her husband, Jim, in Connecticut. The two have vowed to live the most fulfilling days they can while they can. Alzheimer’s not only alters the lives of people with the disease but also the lives of those who care for them. The journey can be just as emotionally and physically demanding for caregivers, but that mental and physical stress is often overlooked because the focus is on the patient.
Readers’ Responses to a Woman’s Journey Living With Alzheimer’s
More than five million Americans are believed to have Alzheimer’s, a majority of whom are 65 and older. The wicked disease slowly robs individuals of their memories as family members and friends try desperately to understand their loved ones’ behavior and emotions. That journey and shared experience was repeated in readers’ comments to a New York Times article about Geri Taylor, a 72-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s who is learning to adjust to her worsening condition.
Wishes for the New Year
By AMY ZERBA, AINARA TIEFENTHÄLER and SOFIA PERPETUA | Jan. 2, 2016 | 1:19 From Times Square to the web, we asked people to tell us their wishes for 2016.
The Secret to a Long Life
Here’s the secret to a long life, from those who’ve lived them.
Readers Respond to Success Academy’s ‘Got to Go’ Student List
Readers were divided in response to an article about the creation of a “Got to Go” list of students at a Success Academy charter school, part of New York City’s largest charter network. Last December, the principal at Success Academy Fort Greene, in Brooklyn, singled out 16 students he said were disruptive and hoped to see leave.
Readers Respond to Article on the Death of George Bell
Others thanked the public officials, investigators and others who, never having known Mr. Bell, invested time and effort in shepherding his earthly leavings to the crematorium, the auction house and his inheritors. But amid the flood of responses that found universal lessons in George Bell’s story were a handful that focused on the man himself.
Readers’ Summer Highlight Reel
The New York Times asked readers on Twitter and Facebook to finish the sentence, “The best thing I did in New York City this summer was.” Here is a selection of the responses.
‘The Heart of the City’
Costumed characters and visitors said the pedestrian plazas in Times Square were a great place to relax and people watch. Removing them would be sad, they said.
A Guide to New York’s $15 Minimum Wage Proposal
A wage panel recommended on Wednesday that the minimum wage be raised for employees of fast-food chain restaurants in New York State to $15 an hour. At a rally later in the day for workers and their supporters, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said, “there is no doubt we are headed in the right direction.” But questions remain on what exactly is next. A few answers: When would the proposed change take place?
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