Audio by Adam » New York

“Black Gotham” 19th Century African American New York

adamphillips — Sat, 07 May 2011 19:04:55 +0000

While many Americans are familiar with black slavery in the South, and its role in igniting one of the 19th century’s most brutal wars, less attention has been paid to the black experience in Northern cities like New York where many ex-slaves and “freedmen” lived. A new book, Black Gotham by Carla Peterson, sheds some light on their story.

Blue Collar Ground Zero

adamphillips — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:24:03 +0000

A Dateline report recorded about two months into 2002 with the work crews tasked with clearing the debris from Ground Zero, sorting through it for human remains, and making it ready to be put on barges to be floated for disposal in Fresh Kill. The stress, sadness and nobility of the men there were quite amazing.

Death n’ Stuff at the “New York Times” Obit Desk

adamphillips — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:56:08 +0000

After articles about the President and “dog bites man,” the obituaries are among the most popular articles the New York Times features. Part news story, part profile, obits attempt to sum up a person’s life and significance, and no more. Indeed, how many “column inches” a person is expected in the paper to get when he dies is closely guarded knowledge at the Times. In this story, I crash the gates of Hell, and spend some time with the people who make the Obit Section work, and their overseers. As with many of my stories, Chopin is included at no extra charge.

Grassroots Group Helps Restore New York Estuary

adamphillips — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:24:30 +0000

Oysters may seem like humble shellfish, but ecologically, they tower above many other species. They are a tasty food source for a variety of creatures, including humans. But more importantly, oysters help to filter pollutants from coastal estuaries, places where fresh river waters and ocean salt waters co-mingle.Fourteen out of 20 of the world’s largest cities are built near estuaries, and urban pollution, development and other factors are now threatening these delicate ecosystems. In response, some grassroots groups, are using oyster beds to help restore and stabilize damaged estuaries. New York and New Jersey Baykeeper is one of them.

Original VOA posting of this story

Greenwich Village Chess Culture

adamphillips — Sat, 07 May 2011 18:51:37 +0000

It may have been even more true in the beatnik era, but chess continues to be the national sport of Greenwich Village. This is a feature about one of the last remaining late night chess parlors in the city, and its habitues.

Grieving New Yorkers Search for Their Loved Ones (VOA 9/14/01)

adamphillips — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:09:18 +0000

I was living in Washington at the time of the September 11th 2001 attacks, but was able to get the first train into Manhattan when the island opened on the morning of September 12th. I worked 17 hours a day in the week following, chronicling the human impact of the World Trade Center attacks on the city I love and have always loved. This story was one of several I filed in those first days.

Jewish Humor in America (VOA 1993)

adamphillips — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:53:20 +0000

A sound-rich look at the ways the Jews in America have influenced what Americans find funny, while expressing themselves and their take on life at the same time. Related posts: Profile: Jules Feiffer Profile: Art Spiegelman “Maus” Creator & Comics and Graphics Novel Artist The Pentacle and the Wand: Contemporary Witchcraft in America Related posts:

Labor Day: Everyday Americans Reflect on the Meaning of Work (VOA 2009)

adamphillips — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:24:12 +0000

Labor Day in America is a day most Americans associate with a three day weekend and a farewell to summertime. However, this national holiday is also a time to honor workers and the central place their labor has in our lives. For this report, Adam asked a range of New Yorkers about what “work” means to them.

Mister Spoons: Big Apple Flatware Virtuoso

adamphillips — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:22:05 +0000

There are hundreds of musicians, good and bad, tooting and strumming and bowing and belting in the New York subway system, but Mr. Spoons is sui generis. Not only is he fantastic at playing the spoons, he has an outsize character to match. I spent some serious time with him, and filed this report for VOA.

Nature and New Yorkers

adamphillips — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 00:42:07 +0000

There is nature IN New York, there is nature as TRANSMUTED through the sensibility of New Yorkers, and there is New Yorkers AS nature herself. This piece explores them all. Another love letter to my Gotham home. Related posts: Grieving New Yorkers Search for Their Loved Ones (VOA 9/14/01) Related posts:

Grieving New Yorkers Search for Their Loved Ones (VOA 9/14/01)