LOVE WINS - And so did the Knicks!

 

Words and Photo F LoBuono

The most common complaints against so-called awareness or recognition months are, “why are they even necessary? And “Don’t they separate people instead of unite them?” Well, a recent experience I just had clearly demonstrates the need.

As I public service I often “LIVE” stream events and make photographs from Nyack and the immediate area to be seen on Facebook. I also cover breaking news events like the recent “Tunnel Incident” in Nyack that are sometimes used by other local media outlets.

On a recent Sunday, I was particularly busy. There were 2 major parades in Nyack; the first being the annual Nyack Fireman’s Memorial and the second to follow, The Pride Celebration. I prepared my video gear to cover both. As they were staggered, it was possible to give each of them my full attention. And so, I did.

I have covered The Fireman’s Memorial Parade many times in the past and it is a solemn, respectful march through the streets of the village to honor those members who have gone before. This year’s was no exception. All the fire companies in the village had their best fire-fighting trucks shining like new dimes lined up on Broadway for pre-parade inspections. And not to be outdone, the volunteers who man those vehicles proudly posed beside them, glowing with pride in their impressive uniforms. One by one, the companies marched through the town, accepting the adulation from the crowds who lined the streets on their way to Oak Hill Cemetery for a ceremony at the Fireman’s Memorial located there. It was everything it was designed to be.

I streamed the parade LIVE and made some photographs that I shared on Facebook. Of course, the response was overwhelmingly positive. And rightly so. People have enormous respect for these brave volunteers and are always willing to show them.

After a reasonable period, the streets of downtown Nyack were converted for the Pride Celebration. Now, I call it a celebration because that is a more accurate description. Yes, there would be a parade but there would be so much more. There would be vendors and music, making the event a combination street fair/parade. And the mood was deliberately festive and celebratory because THAT’s what it was designed to be. The Gay community, as spearheaded by its organizer, The Rockland County Pride Center, constructed the event to welcome EVERYONE and to share in the openness that Gay Pride is all about. Where so much of that world had been reduced to “the closet” it was like a breath of fresh air to not only acknowledge their existence but to revel in it. And revel they did!

Again, as was fitting for the day and THIS event, there were some whose appearance and demeanor might have been seen as “outrageous” by more conservative observers. But I also witnessed MANY families with young children thoroughly enjoying themselves. Some young kids even wore Pride flags as capes. All in all, it was fun and safe. In other words, it was everything that it was meant to be open – tolerant – educational - fun.

So, I streamed my video and shared my photos again on Facebook. Overall, the response was very positive. Most people saw the event for what it was and enjoyed the freedom it represents. However, there was a significant minority who still found fault in it. Some were “shocked” that parents would subject their children to such “debauchery.” Words like disdain and disgust are not too strong to describe their feelings. There was also a fair share of religious fanatics who objected in the name of Jesus, too. Personally, I find that sad and counter to true Christian teachings.

 In a separate but connected and equally disturbing incident, one Facebook commentator objected that on my podcast, BEING FRANK, I should have a local fireman talking about volunteerism featured on the same program with someone from the gay community sharing his experiences! The message was clear.

This eventually inspired me to create a separate Facebook post stating my position that I approached each event with equal enthusiasm. I did this because they ARE both equal in every sense of the word. All these people are members of the same community and contribute, each in their own way. Not everyone can be a firefighter. I am not. And they deserve our great respect. But I contribute to my community in every way that I can. And why would the gay community be any different? Are there NO gay firefighters in Rockland County? Really? If a gay person came to save you (as they DO), would you still object to their existence?

Yet, there are still those who cling to fear through misunderstanding. I challenge anyone with any doubts about that to observe those posts on my Facebook page. It’s public. You will find them if you look. And that, my friends, is why we still need Pride Month. The fight is not over. But remember the Pride slogan: Love Wins. Always.

 

 

 

 

BEWARE THE ALGORITHM

 

F LoBuno

THE ALGORITHM. You have heard the term (it is ubiquitous these days) but do you truly understand it and ALL the ramifications associated with it?

It may be fair to say that everyone uses some form of social media whether it be Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or any other internet service. Of course this means scrolling through the information provided by those platforms. Occasionally we spot something that we think is worthy of more attention. So, we stop to look more closely. And when we do, “The Algorithm” strikes. It is one of the more important and controversial applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Most simply put, it uses mathematic formulas to determine where your preferences lie and then, going forward, precedes to flood your flow of information with like-themed content. In other words, Big Brother Is Watching – and they want your attention.

But “Beware of what you wish for, because sometimes you get it.” Allow me to elaborate. I love history – all kinds of it. So as a scroll through my Facebook feed, if I see something that is related to history, I tend to stop and investigate further. Now, this aspect has been wonderful. I have learned so much about the world and how we have functioned within it through the centuries. And I will continue to investigate and learn in this manner.

Now, here is where the “good thing – bad thing” comes into play. I also fancy myself as a student of human nature. With that in mind, I found myself interested in police bodycam footage, particularly of DUI (Driving Under the Influence) traffic stops. One of the things that was most fascinating to me was how the excessive use of alcohol can transform normal, intelligent human beings into raging, irrational, insufferable lunatics.

Consistent with “The Algorithm” my feed is now barraged with police bodycam DUI videos of screaming maniacs. And I must be honest; I must fight at not becoming obsessed with them. The power of The Algorithm is strong. Now this has a two-fold negative effect. First, it takes me away from other, more valuable information that if you take a little time to find, can still be rewarding. Second, it constantly reinforces the worst side of human nature. At some point I must quell a building rage at people that I do not even know! That is bizarre. My partner, Amanda, even warns me not to get too caught up with it because it changes me when I do. And she is right. I feel myself actually getting angry at these boorish people!

This is the challenge of social media – the Yin Yang of it all. We can learn so much from the Internet and it can bring us to new heights of communication. But it can also be a deep rabbit hole where hatred, bigotry, and racism flourish will equal vigor. It seems to me that the value of social media comes from its ability to connect and inspire. But I suppose like all things in life (here’s that Yin Yang thing again), it has a dark side, too.

Recently an incident in Nyack highlighted this dichotomy. During a school trip to Nyack’s Memorial Park, a group of schoolgirls from Monsey somehow (EXACTLY how remains to be determined) managed to find their way into a large drainage tunnel that is connected to the park. At some point, they went too far and had to be extricated by emergency personnel. No one was seriously injured and, miraculously, all of the girls (estimated at be about 40) emerged unharmed and smiling.

Now, I know this because I was there recording with my cellphone when they were rescued by EMT’s, the police, and others from an emergency exit nearly a half-mile away from where their journey began. Without judgement except to ask HOW this might have happened and acknowledging the success of the rescue, I posted the video to my Facebook page. As of this writing, that video has been viewed nearly 70,000 times! There have also been hundreds of comments on the thread that was created. And in keeping with the theme of this article, many of the comments have expressed, despite the strange circumstances, relief at the successful outcome of the whole affair. First responders were also rightly lauded. However, there was also a shocking amount of negative responses that were hurtful, ugly, bigoted, and mean-spirited.

It leaves one asking, “how could anyone produce that kind of vitriol from a situation whose outcome could have been so much worse?” Well, one just needs to look at my video to discover why. It seems by appearance (and later confirmed) that the girls were from religious school in the ultra-orthodox community of Monsey, NY. This very fact seemed to outrage people before virtually any of the facts behind the incident were even fully known! One can only assume that these people harbor a deep bigotry that simmers between the surface and “The Algorithm” allows to be expressed. The fact that rage, yes rage, was heaped on teenage schoolgirls is not only deplorable, it’s cowardly.

Now, I live in Nyack and Rockland. I am fully aware of the increasing tension between the growing, insular, ultra-orthodox community and the rest of the County. I am concerned about that for many reasons, one of the biggest of which is the use of The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) as a cudgel by that community. And I have voiced that opinion in many forms. However, THAT is a completely different issue. THIS is about the safety of CHILDREN. Judging from some the comments posted, it’s fair to ask would the response have been as vicious, this “targeted”, if it had been a bunch of Catholic school boys? I suppose some even thought they were being “funny.” They were not.

It is certainly reasonable to question how this happened and who should ultimately shoulder the responsibility. No one should be “laughing” this off or simple dismiss it out of hand. However, remember, Beware The Algorithm: if you put hate in, you will get hate back. If you look for the worst in people, you will easily find it.  And haven’t we all had just about enough of that?