{"@context":"http://iiif.io/api/presentation/3/context.json","id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/iiif/1v5bc3tm2j/manifest","type":"Manifest","label":{"en":["Manuela Agudelo Oral History"]},"logo":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/organizations/logo_images/000/000/010/original/Aviary_QPLlogo_192x192.png?1578574261","metadata":[{"label":{"en":["Description"]},"value":{"en":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSummary of Full Interview\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eManuela Agudelo is a dancer, choreographer, model, activist, and cultural producer. She is also the founder of KALEIDOSPACE, a Queens-based art collective focused on the intersection of community, art and activism. Manuela was born in Colombia, and has been living in Jackson Heights, Queens, since she was four years old. In this interview she speaks about her experience with the 34th Avenue Open Street. She feels the Open Street has expanded access and opportunities for connecting with neighbors and producing arts and community events. Thanks to the Open Street, she has seen relationships form, projects begin, and new ideas flourish. It’s a safe space where she comes across interesting things and people. In 2020, after her grandfather passed away, she and her mom bought rollerskates and started skating on 34th Avenue, and this helped in their grieving process. Manuela hopes that in the future the Open Street won’t lead to further gentrification, and that it will encourage connection, equity, and an inclusive community center. \u003c/p\u003e"]}},{"label":{"en":["Rights Statement"]},"value":{"en":["\u003cp\u003eCC BY-NC-SA Contact digitalarchives@queenslibrary.org for research and reproduction requests.\u003c/p\u003e"]}},{"label":{"en":["Source Metadata URI"]},"value":{"en":["http://digitalarchives.queenslibrary.org/search/browse/40592"]}},{"label":{"en":["Date"]},"value":{"en":["2021-11-28 (created)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Type"]},"value":{"en":["Audio"]}},{"label":{"en":["Agent"]},"value":{"en":["Manuela Agudelo (Interviewee)","Bridget Bartolini (Interviewer)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Source"]},"value":{"en":["Recorded as part of the 34th Avenue Open Street Oral History Project."]}},{"label":{"en":["Coverage"]},"value":{"en":["2001-2021 (temporal)","Jackson Heights, Queens, NY (spatial)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Language"]},"value":{"en":["English"]}}],"summary":{"en":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSummary of Full Interview\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eManuela Agudelo is a dancer, choreographer, model, activist, and cultural producer. She is also the founder of KALEIDOSPACE, a Queens-based art collective focused on the intersection of community, art and activism. Manuela was born in Colombia, and has been living in Jackson Heights, Queens, since she was four years old. In this interview she speaks about her experience with the 34th Avenue Open Street. She feels the Open Street has expanded access and opportunities for connecting with neighbors and producing arts and community events. Thanks to the Open Street, she has seen relationships form, projects begin, and new ideas flourish. It\u0026rsquo;s a safe space where she comes across interesting things and people. In 2020, after her grandfather passed away, she and her mom bought rollerskates and started skating on 34th Avenue, and this helped in their grieving process. Manuela hopes that in the future the Open Street won\u0026rsquo;t lead to further gentrification, and that it will encourage connection, equity, and an inclusive community center.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"]},"requiredStatement":{"label":{"en":["Attribution"]},"value":{"en":["\u003cp\u003eCC BY-NC-SA Contact digitalarchives@queenslibrary.org for research and reproduction requests.\u003c/p\u003e"]}},"provider":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/aboutus","type":"Agent","label":{"en":["Queens Public Library"]},"homepage":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/","type":"Text","label":{"en":["Queens Public Library"]},"format":"text/html"}],"logo":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/organizations/logo_images/000/000/010/original/Aviary_QPLlogo_192x192.png?1578574261","type":"Image"}]}],"thumbnail":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/collection_resource_files/thumbnails/000/148/846/small/Screenshot_%2863%29.png?1644243831","type":"Image","format":"image/png"}],"items":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846","type":"Canvas","label":{"en":["Media File 1 of 1 - Manuela_2021.11.28_Interview1_01.mp3"]},"duration":3142.10933,"width":640,"height":360,"thumbnail":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/collection_resource_files/thumbnails/000/148/846/small/Screenshot_%2863%29.png?1644243831","type":"Image","format":"image/png"}],"items":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/content/1","type":"AnnotationPage","items":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/content/1/annotation/1","type":"Annotation","motivation":"painting","body":{"id":"https://aviary-p-queenslibrary.s3.wasabisys.com/collection_resource_files/resource_files/000/148/846/original/Manuela_2021.11.28_Interview1_01.mp3?1644243737","type":"Audio","format":"audio/mpeg","duration":3142.10933,"width":640,"height":360},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846","metadata":[]}]}],"annotations":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412","type":"AnnotationPage","label":{"en":["Full Transcript [Transcript]"]},"items":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/1","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Hi, my name is Manuela Agudelo and I am from Jackson Heights, Queens. I'm 24 years old, and I am an artist and activist based here.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=0.0,9.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/2","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: How long have you lived in Jackson Heights?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=9.0,12.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/3","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: So, I moved to Jackson Heights when I was four years old, with my mom. And I've lived here for the past 20 years--right, because I'm 24. Yeah, twenty years. And it's been such a special time living here and seeing how it's transformed and grown, and all the amazing things I've been able to do with my artwork and with my activism because of having the extra space. The Open Street has been really awesome. The access to that has expanded the possibilities of what I could do for my neighbors.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=12.0,41.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/4","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: How so?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=41.0,42.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/5","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: So, the first thing I can think about is that whenever we have these free accessible art events, we often walk through the street, in the Open Street, and invite people that we see. I feel like there's a lot of neighbors that I've never met before, and the Open Street expanded my opportunities to access them and see what they needed and see what they liked. With the Open Street, I was able to see that there's a lot of young kids that roller skate, and I've been able to talk to their parents and talk to them about learning new things with roller skating, or encourage them. I also have been able to share my books or things that I have at home that I'm no longer using. I've sat out there and shared my things for free and given access to the art supplies and, you know, gently used books, even some ice skates I had. I used the Open Street to share these items, and it blessed a lot of families. Cause a lot of kids came and grabbed some glitter, some chalk. And I feel like I was able to expand the opportunity of connecting with new neighbors, because before I used to walk down 34th Avenue and not look for my neighbors, and now I walk through 34th Avenue looking to make new connections and to meet new people.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=42.0,115.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/6","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: You said that it's also a place where you can connect with people and let them know about arts activities that you're doing?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=115.0,124.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/7","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Yeah. Kaleidospace is an arts collective that I founded with my friends in 2019. And pre-pandemic, in 2019, there wasn't an Open Street. So I had never even opened my mind to the possibility of doing things outdoors or to connecting with people in the outdoors. I always thought I had to have a venue. And come 2020, when I started doing these events outdoors, I would walk through the Open Street to invite my neighbors. And I connected with so many neighbors and it produced so many opportunities. I connected one of our members with a neighbor who's a filmmaker and a writer, and now they're making a film, and they're both from Jackson Heights. So now we're creating artwork within our community.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=124.0,168.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/8","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: You know, walking through the Open Street, I've met different people who do different projects for the community, like the literary project that happens on 82nd Street at the church [Saint Mark's Episcopal Church]. I got to meet someone who runs this little program there with poetry from people from Queens, different stops on the 7 train. And I met people who have like a speed skating group. And I met all these guys who were speed skating together, and I got to skate with them. I've met so many people. I see the kids taking their neighborhood walk. I've seen the poetry of the kids from P.S. 212 exhibited in the little gardens. I've seen the gardens come to life. People care about the gardens now. There's flowers in the gardens. And there's kids playing next to the flowers, and protecting the space. And it feels like such a safe and beautiful space.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=168.0,224.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/9","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: It feels kind of like when I used to watch movies when I was little and I would see suburbs and how people would spend time together in the suburbs. But this is better because we have access to our really amazing neighborhood and all of these local businesses, and nothing is too far. And I feel like if I would've grown up with that, it would have been so special. Because every time I wanted to go out and do something, I had to make it to the park, or I had to make it to Flushing Meadows [Corona Park] to ride my bike, or something like that. It was less accessible. I never grew up with parents that drove. Like, my mom never drove and I still don't drive. So I think that this really brings the access to outdoor space that suburban communities have the privilege to enjoy. And I feel like we have that access now.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=224.0,274.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/10","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And a lot of these children, which are a lot of children of immigrants or immigrant children who probably experience a lot of desire to be outdoors, they now have access to this outdoor space and they don't need to go that far, that sometimes they're just in front of their building, so it's more accessible and it's safer. And I also think it's safer because it's also close to the park. So if there's a runaway ball or something, you know, there's less of this chance of having so much car activity. And I just think it's really protected all of us, and it's expanded so many opportunities to do things. And yeah, I just, I love it. That's really been special. I wish I would've grown up having it.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=274.0,321.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/11","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Yeah. I'd love to hear more about what it was like when you were growing up. How did you used to get to school?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=321.0,331.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/12","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Oh, yeah, that's a big one. So like, when I was growing up, I would walk to school and I always, I mean, as a woman, I've always felt really scared when I walked, because I'd be afraid that like--cause I've gotten catcalled a lot, especially when I was in high school, and I went to school here in Jackson Heights. So, walking to school or walking back from school, I'd always be very on edge and afraid that there was going to be some man bothering me or trying to get my attention. And that happened many, many times. So I've always been very on edge. And during college, I had a lot of really scary experiences. And it was really frustrating to feel like I had to carry a weapon or carry pepper spray or something.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=331.0,378.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/13","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: I mean, I still have those things, but it's still, it's felt like an incredible relief to walk through the Open Street instead of just the regular street, because now there's always a family that I can count on that's looking out for me, or I can count on someone jogging or someone being around that makes me feel safer. Like, there's definitely a stronger family presence, and a stronger presence of children and other women, or other families just exercising, or taking a walk. A lot of elders taking walks. That's a big thing I've seen, too. I've seen a lot of elders taking their jogs or taking their walks. And I feel like, now I get to smile at them and see them. I feel like I didn't see them before at all.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=378.0,425.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/14","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And this really forced us to slow down. I feel like we in Jackson Heights, we run to our apartment and we run back to the train and maybe we see each other at the park, but we never saw each other on the journey in between. And now on the journey in between, I feel like we're seeing each other, we're saying hi to each other. And it's really encouraged people to connect during the pandemic in a very safe way. And I've just, I've seen so many relationships form and projects begin and ideas start because of this avenue. I feel like we expanded something really powerful.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=425.0,463.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/15","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Like I said, the suburbs gets to enjoy that all the time. They have driveways and dead end streets where their kids ride their bikes, and they know that it's an enclosed community. So they know all the people in the neighborhood. I feel like the Open Street allowed for us to have that without losing our city life and our connection to the city and our connection to the neighborhood. So, yeah, I feel like it's been interesting to see that. And I feel like we watch our kids more now, because I know that when I'm on the Open Street, I'm watching that like a bike doesn't hit anybody or that like, I'm looking out for everybody in a new way. And I feel like we got to do that for each other. And it's cool. It's like we all get to keep each other safe in a different way.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=463.0,503.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/16","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Yeah. So it sounds like now it feels like the best of both worlds with the benefit of the space of the suburbs to be outside, like in shared open spaces, but then also all the benefits of the city, and of a neighborhood like Jackson Heights.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=503.0,525.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/17","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Exactly. And I feel like it it's something that not just Jackson Heights has done. I've walked through Sunnyside and they're doing it [Open Streets]. They're doing it in 14th Street, by Union Square. They've done it in a few places. And I feel like it's encouraged us to walk more, to walk to places and to take the time to enjoy that walk. And I feel like I didn't know the value of taking a nice walk before then. A lot of the times when I'm having a hard time or a bad day, I can walk through the street and listen to some music. And I feel really safe because the street isn't empty with, like, that eerie feeling of something happened to me, because 34th Avenue was really quiet before, very quiet. And I'm sure that that's comforting to some people, but I feel like it felt really lonely.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=525.0,584.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/18","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And it felt, especially during the winter months, when it gets really cold, the streets were really dead. They didn't feel alive with people. And I really, really appreciate that. Even when it's cold now, I still see people exercising. I still see people hanging out with their kids, and the nannies pushing the strollers and the moms stepping out and vending and taking care of their families. They can do that all in one now. They don't have to feel like they're so separated from so many communities. And it expands so far across, like it reaches almost Corona, which I wish we could connect with that community too, to bridge our communities. But yeah, I'm really grateful for it because it's helped me feel safe and it's helped me with my mental health and it's encouraged me to roller skate. So, it's been great.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=584.0,639.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/19","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Could you say more about how it helped with your mental health?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=639.0,643.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/20","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Yeah. I feel like walking through the avenue and being able to look up--I know that sounds really weird, but like, being able to look up at the sky, and the fact that Jackson Heights doesn't have any tacky telephone wires through 34th Avenue, and I could just see the trees and the sky, it really brings me a sense of peace and nature. And now, since I'm not afraid that something's going to hurt me, I can walk through and look at the sky. And that may seem really, really simple, but I've done it a few times and it really, it feels so liberating. I mean, of course I'll look when I need to cross the street, but when I'm walking down the center of the street, I can look up and there's the trees and the sky, and I kind of am able to be in a bubble of just listening to my music and being in this space where I'm not rushing.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=643.0,703.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/21","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And I feel like the street being open eliminated this rush that I'm always in. And as New Yorkers, we're always in this rush. And the street made me realize like, oh, there's space for me to be able to do that. It's no longer like this really limited park. Cause Travers [Park] is amazing, and I grew up in that park, but the park started getting really crowded and really packed because it was our only open space at some point. So whenever the community decided to open up the street, the park was less congested. And I feel like it brought this sense of ownership and protection over the community that we didn't have before.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=703.0,746.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/22","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: I feel like it made people more politically active and more aware that they can speak up for things that they want in their space. And that they'll be listened to, and that we can host whatever it is that we need and share whatever it is that we need. And I feel like it's no surprise to me that the protests happened and the pandemic happened and all of these really intense moments happened, and we have community fridges, we have free community libraries popping up all over the spaces in Jackson Heights. We have community fridges, we have these libraries, we have the street, and people are sharing so many things. I'm not the first person that's put out these really great items for the community to have. And, you know, it's so nice to see that. It's so nice to see that people just genuinely want to be nice to each other.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=746.0,799.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/23","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And the gardens have been so special, and meeting the people who build the gardens, how proud they are of the gardens and how--you know, I can't remember what his name is, he's such a nice guy, but he does the gardens. And he was saying like, \"People are so angry, and they're mad that the kids are taking the flowers. But if they think the flowers beautiful, let them take the flower, I'll plant another one tomorrow. It's okay. The garden is ours and eventually we all will take care of it, you know?\" And I thought that that was such a great way to think of it. Cause I'm like, wow, how far have we gone that we think that when there's all these things that they're untouchable, like you can't touch it? Like, that removes this idea that it belongs to all of us. So, I loved his very laid back response to that, because he's the one who plants the garden and he's not even the one who's upset that the gardens are kind of getting like, some kids are like grabbing some flowers and touching them. And he's like, well, it's our garden. And he also invites people to garden with him, and that's been really sweet.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=799.0,869.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/24","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: I'm like, wow, we didn't even have that before. You know, we didn't have these pretty gardens before. The pretty gardens were in the fancy buildings that have gates around them. I would always walk around the fancy buildings in Jackson Heights and I would hear, Oh, this is the Garden District. And I'm like, Well, clearly it's for these co-op buildings that are really fancy. And that's very exclusive. [INTERRUPTION]","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=869.0,897.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/25","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: So, Jackson Heights is known for being a garden district, but I never grew up in a fancy building where I could access said gardens. The gardens all have these gates. And yeah, they have these beautiful fountains, and you can see them through the grates and you can kind of see people enjoy them, but they're pretty empty. And nobody's really there as much as like--you know, I mean, I've never experienced being inside of them. So I never got to enjoy that. And I feel like the Open Street removed that gatekeeping, removed that barrier. And it allowed for me to enjoy the gardens. And it allowed for me to enjoy the space that the more affluent members of Jackson Heights already have access to in these fancier buildings. It allowed the people who don't have access to those things to enjoy more space.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=897.0,944.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/26","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Because I've been into a lot of different buildings, right? A lot of the fancier buildings in Jackson Heights, they have gardens, they have garages, they have a bike room. Some of them have playrooms. Some of them have gyms. Some of them have access to things that we could never imagine. I've never lived that way. And I find it so special now that we gave that access to everyone. You know, I feel like a lot of people who are complaining about the Open Streets right now, lack to see that there are families that might live ten people in a one bedroom. You know, that's the reality of the other side of Jackson Heights that people don't talk about. So, those people need somewhere to go. And how great is it that we can share the Open Street now? That they can go outside and get the air they need and the space that they need. And then of course, they have to go back to a more crowded apartment.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=944.0,996.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/27","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: I live with a lot of people as well. I live with at least six, or I've lived with up to ten people. And how precious would it have been in those times, when it was more crowded in my apartment, to have an Open Street to go to? And now, I still live with my whole family and I still find a lot of peace in going to the Open Street. Sometimes I have meetings on the Open Street, you know, sometimes I sit on the curb and I'll talk to my family. And I see a lot of people do that. Like, they'll call home and they'll FaceTime their families from the Open Street.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=996.0,1032.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/28","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And they'll take a break from everything that they're doing to enjoy rest. And I feel like with a city that's so work-focused, an open space to rest is such an important part of taking care of your physical health and your mental health. And I feel like, again, more affluent spaces understand that. Because fancy buildings in Manhattan and Queens and wherever, they have a gym, they have a lounge, they have movie theaters, they have all these fancy spaces to rest and to lounge. And a lot of these essential workers and immigrant people and undocumented people and all these people of color and people who, whatever, like anyone who's marginalized, they have a lot less access to that. They have less access to physical space. And that comes from so many different things, starting with colonization and stealing land. And now we're all trying to scramble to take care of whatever we can to take care of our families.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1032.0,1096.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/29","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: It's like this Open Street gives us back a little bit of that land, I think, in a sense. And I feel like, you know, planting things, it just, it allows us to reclaim that ownership. And I really hope that we can battle a lot of--oh my gosh, I'm sorry. My nose is so itchy, like right here [laughs]. Yeah, I hope that like, as a community, we can use this as an opportunity to prioritize those communities that need the space the most, because one of my fears with the Open Street is that it will become such a hot, fancy thing that it ends up gentrifying the space. And I'm afraid of that. I'm really afraid that we'll change the narrative of what the Open Street is doing right now.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1096.0,1153.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/30","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Because right now it's great. And it's accessible to a lot of different families, and a lot of people of various backgrounds and economic backgrounds. And I specifically like it because I feel like it services those lower income families really well, who really need extra space because they might have limited living space. I really appreciate that. I'm just afraid that, you know, it becomes a fancy linear park and then people want to move close to this park, and then they want to move to Jackson Heights, and then we have a lot of gentrification, and then those families that we've started off servicing might have to leave because they're getting moved out. And we're already seeing a lot of gentrification in this neighborhood, you know, that we have a Target, four Starbucks, and a Chick-fil-A. And that's concerning, because the neighborhood I grew up in was very beautiful the way that it was, and it didn't need all of these very fancy things.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1153.0,1205.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/31","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And I feel concerned. I feel concerned that it's going to move us out. I'm concerned that the face of Jackson Heights is just becoming less and less diverse and inclusive, and it's becoming a lot whiter and a lot richer in the space. And I worry, you know, that those families that made Jackson Heights what it is, will not get to enjoy the fruits of all of their labor. Cause they're the ones who built all of these things. And they're the ones who have run the economy here in a really real sense. And they keep everything going. I really hope that we can prioritize them as we make decisions for the neighborhood. And it's not just, you know, a lot of affluent white families that have a louder microphone to speak and are heard more and have more access to the resources that they need to make these changes happen.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1205.0,1263.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/32","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: I hope that those families know that whenever they make a decision, they are impacting the entire neighborhood of a lot of people who can't vote, a lot of people who can't speak up, or are afraid to speak up, right? So, whenever somebody makes a decision, they should know they're not just making it for themselves and that they should try to take into account a lot of other people, because those people don't even know that they can--I talked to a lot of people during this year and they don't even know how to go about advocating sometimes. And it's been my job to inform them. And I've loved to do that. But I really encourage anyone who has any kind of privilege in the neighborhood to use that platform wisely. And to know that they carry that responsibility, that they have to educate themselves on who they're displacing.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1263.0,1314.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/33","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And yeah, just the idea of this Open Street, it just really triggers a lot of things about, you know, land rights, and who has access to this land and who doesn't. And just to have a really nice reminder that all of this is land that we shouldn't even be on. And that this land, it belonged to a lot of different communities, a lot of native communities, and specifically here in Queens, I cannot remember what the groups are, but specifically here in Queens, we should always be thinking of that when we're talking about space. And I feel like that's something that's not talked about with the Open Street yet. I know that we did land acknowledgements at our events. But I feel like that's not enough, and we should think really wisely about that. And like, how can we serve the right people? How can we serve the people who need it the most when we do have access to space? Because a lot of conversations end up being about, like, permits and rights and authority. And it's like, well, can we even deconstruct that further and think, you know, the land was meant to serve people and it's already stolen and we're already doing stuff on it. So how do we continue that conversation? You know?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1314.0,1394.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/34","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: That was all really interesting. Thank you. I also tend to be really wary whenever there's like a so-called beautification or improvement project. With the Open Street, I feel like the way that it started off, it was like, the city decided that there's going to be this Open Street program in all the five boroughs, but yet it still feels really grassroots, like people just mobilized to take care of it and to do programs--","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1394.0,1424.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/35","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And to keep it.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1424.0,1424.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/36","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Yeah. And I feel like it has been really beautiful to see people in the community just taking ownership of it, and being a place where everyone comes together. But I also have this fear, like, okay, now it's wonderful, but what's going to happen? Is it going to become something that like drives up rent, that increases--","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1424.0,1445.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/37","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Right? Because people now want to live close to it, you know? Cause it's like a cool thing. Yeah. I feel afraid of that. I just feel like that is, you know, I feel like it's a concern that's worthy of being brought up. And I feel like there's a lot of narratives. Like, there's people who don't want it at all. There's people who had a protest to move it to 37th Avenue. You know, there's so many different narratives. But I feel like at the end of the day, most of the people who are enjoying it the most, like there's a percentage of them that don't even know how it happened. Because I talk to them all the time, they're like, \"Oh yeah, this is cool. I love it.\" But like, they don't know how it happened. They don't know who did it. They're just the ones being affected by it.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1445.0,1498.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/38","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And I feel like it takes more work, but we really need their input on what those people want. And it's important to figure that out, you know? And I feel like a lot of the voices are either the people who own cars--which obviously can own a car and can drive away and can find more space whenever they need--they've been complaining a lot like that they don't like it as much. And I always think like, well, they can drive away [laughs]. That's literally my immediate thought. I'm like, you can drive away and go anywhere and take your family or take yourself, and find space.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1498.0,1538.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/39","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And, you know, I don't have a car. This is my space. And I imagine whatever I want on my walks. And I find a lot of healing and care. I feel like that's something that I want to keep. I just hope that it doesn't get erased with, you know, more police presence, or like making it a space that's no longer ran by people. Cause I love that it's neighbors. I love that part. I love that it's neighbors volunteering to put out the gates. I love that people can still park their cars. You know, that's really nice. I like how it is right now. I really hope we don't change it. Cause I feel like the idea of making it like a linear park, it sounds beautiful, but it's gonna turn into like the waterfront where the buildings cost a lot of money to live there.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1538.0,1584.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/40","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And I don't want that. I want it to be the highlighter yellow vest, people moving the gates. I like that I can help my neighbor when they need to park their car, I'll move it for them. Like whatever, they still need to park their car. I like that it's still parking space for them. And I like that, you know, it's safe, and it's great. I just don't want it to be something I'm afraid of. Cause I feel like when something's really nice, it turns into a commodity, and capitalism turns it into this opportunity to just exploit everything. And I hate that. I really want it to be the safe space that it is right now.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1584.0,1621.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/41","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Yeah. We'll see what happens. Okay. So I would like to talk more about your roller skating. Can you tell me the story of how you started roller skating?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1621.0,1637.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/42","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Yeah. So, in 2020, my grandfather passed away, and he was the first death in my family. And around that time when he passed away, my mom started speaking a lot about different memories that she had. And one of my mom's favorite memories was how he was really afraid of anybody roller skating. So for my cousins, he taped them to a bunch of pillows and made sure that they wouldn't get hurt. Yeah, he like, tied them to pillows, all over their--like a bunch of pillows in the front, pillows in the back, pillows on their legs, so that if they roller skated, they wouldn't get hurt. Because that was really important to him; he always wanted to protect us. So when my mom wanted roller skates, he was like, \"No, you're going to hurt yourself.\" And I guess she never got to accomplish that dream.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1637.0,1686.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/43","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And she went her whole life as a professional dancer and a hairstylist, and she did all these different things, but I guess she always wanted to try roller skating. So when he passed away, she decided, I want to try this thing that I never got to try. And she asked me for a pair of roller skates. I went online, and I saw that there was a global roller skate shortage, because everyone picked up roller skating during the pandemic. And I found a website that led me to a store in California, and I ordered the skates, and it took it three months to come. And it was this insane mission to get these roller skates. I didn't know if this was going to work out or not, so I decided to order the skates in my size and just see if they would fit me, if it was a scam or not, you know, just try to--and they were meant for my mom, cause we have the same shoe size anyway, but they were meant for her, truly, but I was concerned that it wasn't really going to work out.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1686.0,1750.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/44","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And yeah, so it took a while. And then when it finally got to the house and I saw the box, and the box was like blue and pink and it looked like a boombox, I thought, \"Oh my gosh.\" And then I opened the lid of the box and there were these yellow roller skates with sparkly pink wheels. And I just had the most explosive feeling in my heart. And I was like, \"I need to put these on, I need to put these on right now.\" So I put them on right away and I started skating in my house, and then I ended up skating down the stairs and out of the building and then zooming through 34th Avenue, which is a hill, which was very dangerous. I didn't have a helmet on; don't do that [laughs].","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1750.0,1796.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/45","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: But yeah, I just skated it all the way down. And I didn't care. I think my shoelaces were untied. I just had this complete moment of carelessness, and I was like, \"Wait, there's an Open Street. I can just go on there right now and just fly! I can fly right now!\" [Laughs] It's like, great. I barely tied them. I did put on a helmet. I like fell into the snow--there was snow. Don't skate when there's snow out. It's not a good idea. But I just did it. And it was super liberating. And I just remember being cold, but sweaty and red and like, having this desire to just do something super adventurous and I, all of a sudden, have the space to do that. Like I didn't have to walk to the park, put them on. I just put them on my feet in my living room and went straight to the Open Street. And I haven't taken them off since. I still have those exact same roller skates.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1796.0,1844.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/46","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: I got my mom a different pair, because those are mine. I didn't give them back to her, but I got her a new pair, and now we roller skate together, and she loves it. It's also been really helpful for her. And yeah, roller skating has like totally changed my life. It completely transformed how I view movement. It really helped me see how you can connect with others through movement in a really unique way. And it's also a really cool outdoor and indoor sport. I've also encouraged a lot of girls in Jackson Heights, whenever I see them roller skate, I teach them, I give them tips, and I work with them to teach them new things. And it's cool to see that I'm not the only one who picked it up, but it's also special to see other women do it, and young women and girls do it, and to take up space in the Open Street, and to take up space in the parks, which, you know, skate parks or skate spaces are generally very male-dominated. So it's been nice to see a lot of girls on their skates and encourage them. And yeah, it's definitely made a lot of opportunities for me. I practice on the Open Street, at I.S. 145. I practice in the neighborhood and I feel like it's really been an exciting addition to my life, and a really healthy thing for my mind and my body. And yeah, I love it so much. I'm glad that the first time I put them on, I got to experience it on the Open Street and see a lot of different people.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1844.0,1930.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/47","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And I see a lot of older folks in the neighborhood and they're like, \"Whoa, you're taking me back in time. Those are old school skates. Those are from when I was younger, man. I used to--\" and they'll tell me stories of how they used to skate. You know, that's happened to me on the Open Street. Like, I'll be skating and then I'll have, like, an older woman come up and be like, \"Oh, I used to have this pair of skates, and I would skate and like\"--you know, a lot of people get really happy and they smile. And that's been nice. Like, I don't think I ever smiled at my neighbors that much before. I feel like we would maybe wave at each other very, very rarely. But now I know so many neighbors and so many people in the neighborhood. And it's been really exciting to see that and to see the new neighbors, and old ones, and meet people with their dogs and like, you know, it's been so special.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1930.0,1981.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/48","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Yeah. It sounds like you've met a lot of people.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1981.0,1982.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/49","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: A lot of people. Yeah.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1982.0,1985.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/50","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: And has that mostly been people who you met on 34th Avenue?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1985.0,1994.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/51","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: I mean, I've met a lot of people on 34th Avenue, especially when we're inviting them to our events. And we host these little tables where we have like chats with people and we have some of our artwork exhibited and we tell them about our collective. During the farmer's market we would do that a lot. We would set up a table, exhibit our artwork, and talk about Kaleidospace and what we do and what we are, share about our fundraisers, the projects that we're doing. And we've met a lot of amazing people. We've met the people who run the Queens World Film Festival. We've met local people who work in film and in fashion, people who are painters and hair stylists and bakers, and just random people who appreciate art. And you know, some parents, some people who wanted to connect with us because they liked what we're making, we're doing, and they want their kids to see it.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=1994.0,2049.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/52","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And it's been really cool to do that, just to like stand out there and know that people do want to talk. People do want to socialize. People do want to know what's going on in their neighborhood. People want to support local businesses. And like, that is really cool. It's really nice to see that we didn't have to, I don't know, like, we didn't have to have the barrier of booking a whole venue for a day and inviting people. We just stood there and were present and shared our work, and people were happy to come up to us and talk to us. And that opened a new door to us because we realized how many people in our neighborhood like what we're doing and appreciate it and want to connect further. And now we're doing projects with more neighbors and we're establishing more connections and being present for more people in the space and providing more free programming.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2049.0,2106.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/53","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: That's what I think has been the biggest impact of 34th Street. They have encouraged people to do things for free, a lot of things for free. Events for free, Zumba classes. You know, just so many things that are either free or a very accessible price. And that serves everyone. But it mostly will always serve people who are in more need and have less resources. And that to me is a really awesome way to use your neighborhood. Because yeah, I guess these really rich white dudes who own the buildings in our neighborhood, they're never around. And at the end of the day, these are our buildings that we take care of. These are our kids that we take care of, our dogs, our plants, our gardens, our street. And I feel like that's something that activism has really embedded in me. And I really hope that we can preserve that heart of ownership, of communal [unclear] ownership, that it's not just one person's space.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2106.0,2169.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/54","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And that's why I think it's so important to continue keeping the Open Street, because the people who are complaining about it are like, Oh, I moved here because I wanted something quiet. And it's like, Well, you're not the only one living here. You live in Queens, you don't live in Long Island. You live in Queens with a lot of people from different spaces. And they were being quiet because they thought they had to be quiet. And now we get to talk to each other and like, that's beautiful. You know, everything with moderation, obviously, respecting everyone's boundaries and all that. But it's just really special to see all the things we were able to do and accomplish. And it hasn't even been two years--I don't even know how long it's been here, but it's accomplished so much, so much good, and it's made everyone feel safe and taken care of. And I'm grateful that there's no police presence with the Open Street. I'm grateful that it's all neighbors, that it's neighbors opening and closing and taking care. Yeah. I think that's it. I feel like it's great [laughs].","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2169.0,2227.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/55","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Yeah. And it's neighbors taking care of the gardens, too. You mentioned the gardens a couple of times-- you mean the places, the little--","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2227.0,2237.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/56","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Little islands.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2237.0,2237.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/57","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Yeah, on the median, in between the two lanes of traffic, or where traffic used to be. What were those medians like before the Open Street?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2237.0,2250.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/58","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: I didn't even think about them. Like the medians, the little islands in between in the Open Street, they didn't mean anything before. I feel like they were there just in case you need it to stop in between cars or something. But it just, they didn't really serve a purpose. Now it's like, I've seen little girls have tea parties on these little islands. I've seen them do their homework. They lay out a blanket and they do their homework, and they have tea parties, and they read their books, and they play with their dolls. And I've seen the poetry of these elementary school students exhibited in the gardens, and I've seen really cute dogs hanging out. And there's a really old dog in the neighborhood named Jackson, and he's like really old, so he kind of just lies down on the median with his dad, and everybody gets to meet the dog and the kids, and I see these moms call their families back home on the curb and they watch their kids play, and then they talk to their family.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2250.0,2312.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/59","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Now it's become a really special place. And before it wasn't. Before it was a piece of concrete. So the Open Street transformed this piece of concrete into a community center. I want to say it's like a community center, because it's a multi-purpose, multi-use space. And it's so special to have it through summer and winter. I really love that. I feel like it makes it so much safer, you know, with all these stories of women jogging and getting murdered because they were jogging or existing. I love that I see all these people jogging, and that we all can protect them as they're jogging, or that we can all watch the kids as they bike, as they roller skate. You know, I've seen more than one time people looking out for each other now, because it's no longer like this piece of concrete, it's become something super precious and sacred. And now it holds life. It was just concrete before. Now it has a garden. And now people care about the garden. The kids make signs and tell us to take care of the garden. These things didn't happen before, and now it's accessible to all of us, and it's not just a piece of concrete anymore. I just feel like that really transformed so many things for everybody.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2312.0,2384.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/60","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Yeah. And the Open Street started in May of 2020. So, it was just getting warm then. And I remember last year when it started getting cold, I was like, \"What's going to happen to the Open Street? Like, is it going to survive or is it just gonna wither and die? Are people going to stop using it during the winter time?\" But people really did keep using it. People are always out there.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2384.0,2408.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/61","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Yeah. I've noticed that there's so many neighbors that jog and I'm like, that's encouraging. I feel encouraged to exercise and encouraged to use it. You know what's nice now? I feel like my route used to be different and now I always prioritize walking through the Open Street because I feel like there's more space to be. And to get to where I'm going, I get to see how the sun hits all the buildings so beautifully on 34th Avenue. And I'd never seen that before. We have such beautiful historic buildings, and while I walk through 34th Avenue, I get to see that. And I've seen people painting. Like, there's these still life painters, and they set up their--we have a really beautiful cherry blossom tree, I think it's between 81st and 80th on 34th. And when it blooms, it's so pretty. And I saw this man painting the tree on the island on 34th Avenue. So, I'm like, it's a garden, it's an art studio, it's a tea party. It's so cool. It's just so different. And I can't believe I get to live next to that. You see, the suburb wouldn't have that, you know, there's so much flavor and cool stuff happening. And I love that.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2408.0,2480.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/62","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Yeah. It feels like there's always cool things happening. And so you will go roller skating even when there's snow out?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2480.0,2491.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/63","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Well, you're not supposed skate or get your wheels wet, so, you know, I messed up my wheels after that [laughs]. But I learned that. I learned that. So, I'll skate in the cold. That's fine. And it's nice that I can use the Open Street for that. And I'll skate when it's hot, or even when it's cold, but obviously when it's raining, I can't skate.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2491.0,2516.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/64","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Yeah. Can you tell me more about what it feels like when you're skating?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2516.0,2521.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/65","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Yeah. I feel this incredible sensation of like all of this kinetic energy, and that I can glide through this concrete, like I never had before. Like I'm floating and passing by all these people and I can see more things and connect with more things. I really feel like I'm flying. I really feel like I'm locomoting in this way that--it just doesn't feel like when you walk at all, it feels like [pause] it feels like flight. It really feels like flight. I feel like there's a lot of people who describe it that way, but it's the most adjacent thing I can find. It feels like you're soaring, and it feels like everything around you is moving with you. And the scenery just keeps changing. It's like when you put those, you know, in films when they used to put a paper and use it to show locomotion in a car, even if the car wasn't moving, it kind of feels that way.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2521.0,2586.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/66","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Like your kinesphere of like a visual--like you get to see the movement of everything with you. And I love it because I get to listen to music while I do that, and dance on my skates while I'm moving and going somewhere. And, you know, that's not the same as walking. I feel like I really, really enjoy that. I love seeing my neighborhood while I'm skating. And it feels nice that a lot of people say like, \"Oh, I have to find a place to skate.\" Or like, \"Where do you skate?\" And I'm like, \"I skate in my neighborhood most of the time.\" You know, I don't have to leave my neighborhood. And if I don't have to leave my neighborhood, I won't. I can skate here. And when I want to connect with someone, I'll find a kid and I'll teach them and they get so excited. And, you know, I've learned all my tricks in my neighborhood. I've learned how to skate backwards, how to skate forward, how to jump on my skates. All the things I know how to do, I learned them right here. And that's really nice, to know that you have access to that.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2586.0,2644.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/67","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Yeah. The roller skates you got for you and your mom, after your grandpa passed away, it sounds like that was helpful in the grieving process.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2644.0,2653.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/68","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Yeah. I think space was really helpful in the grieving process, cause he passed during a cold season in November. And generally my mom and I have a lot of difficulty with the sun setting so early and with the cold; it feels really lonely and hard to deal with when it's cold and dark. And we were dealing with the loss of someone we loved so much, and it's the first loss in our whole family. So during that time period, I really appreciated the Open Street cause I felt a sense of togetherness with other people. And I felt a sense of liberty and space from my home, because I wanted some alone time, and I wanted to grieve alone, and I wanted to have space to do that. And I loved that I could just step out of my building and it's right there. You know, that's so special.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2653.0,2711.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/69","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And I feel like I never had access to that growing up. I didn't have a lot of space. I grew up in a single parent household, but I lived with so many members of my family. It took me a long time to even get my own bedroom. And all those things really make your space feel very restricted and small. And during this grieving process that I needed more space, I was able to access that. And it was so special to not have to pay a fee, to be somewhere and skate and feel that freedom that I so badly needed.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2711.0,2752.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/70","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And other than skating, though, I also got a bike during the pandemic. And my grandfather was a cyclist. So every time I would skate through the Open Street, I would always imagine my grandpa with me. And my grandpa walked through 34th Avenue many, many times with me. And my grandpa's favorite thing to do is walk and go to the park and talk to people. And I feel that I can access that part of his spirit with the Open Street. Cause I would always walk with him, and he loved to talk and talk and talk and meet new people. Every single day that was his routine. He would wake up at 5:00 AM. He would make my grandma coffee, and himself coffee. He would get ready and he would go out and walk for hours and talk to people at the park, come back for lunch, and go to bed early. And that was his routine. And he would walk on 34th Avenue with me a lot when he would visit from Colombia.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2752.0,2803.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/71","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And the avenue--I just, I can imagine him in the avenue. I can imagine him talking to everybody and like, you know, sitting in the island and talking to everyone. And he would have loved that so much. So when I bike through 34th, I imagine him a lot, you know, and the way that he would socialize with everyone. I imagine him socializing a lot and enjoying that so much, because his favorite thing to do was to walk and to go to the park and to socialize and share stories with people and make jokes. And he would strike up a conversation with a squirrel or a tree, you know, he would talk to anything and everyone, and he was so silly and fun. And I feel like the Open Street really cultivates that space for people who are older too, you know, they get to connect with each other. And this was a really hard time for a lot of older people because they had to be so isolated, and they're already members of society that get isolated so much. So it was nice to see a lot of that. I'm excited that it serves different age groups.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2803.0,2868.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/72","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Your grandpa sounds like such an amazing person.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2868.0,2872.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/73","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: I miss him a lot. He's awesome. So awesome.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2872.0,2876.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/74","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Yeah. Your mom sounds awesome too.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2876.0,2881.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/75","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: [Laughs]","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2881.0,2881.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/76","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Well, Manuela, thank you. Is there anything that I didn't ask about that you'd like to include in this first interview?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2881.0,2893.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/77","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: I hope that the Open Street can encourage a really inclusive community center to pop up here in the neighborhood, and I hope that it's something that's accessible to everyone. And that it's something that supports the overall essence of Jackson Heights without disregarding its most important foundational members. And I hope, I really, really hope that these conversations we keep having encourage a lot of like, again, the affluent white people who are in our neighborhood that we share a space with, I hope that it encourages them to see their privilege and put people like us in front and try to prioritize us in a way that really proves the allyship that a lot of them swear to have. Because I feel like so many of them will say that they love the diversity and that they love these things, but they're not going out of their way to talk to us or to ask us what we need.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2893.0,2956.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/78","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: And I feel like this project is really important for that reason. And I really like that I get to share all these things with you and I hope that, you know, we'll be listened to, because I know that there's a lot of needs that need to be met and people want to say them. And I really hope that this encourages that connection, as opposed to like further dividing us and having there be, you know, animosity or anything like that. I hope that it helps us have conversations where, you know, we're already doing so much labor and work. And I hope that those allies and members that are around us, that swear that they're allies and swear that they're here for us, I really hope that they can step up to the plate and really further educate themselves where they need it, and share their resources where they have them.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=2956.0,3005.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/79","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: I've met people on 34th Avenue that are really great white allies that have shared their resources and been supportive. And I appreciate that a lot. And I hope that that's something that can continue to happen so that we can actually really, really use the space for what it's meant to be used, and support the community and--what's word--I really hope that it can encourage the distribution of wealth in a really important way. I feel like it's already happening, and I hope that we can continue to do that and that we don't lose sight of what's most important, which is striving for this equity in our neighborhood, and in our overall country and stay in community, like in a larger sense. But I hope that the Open Street can continue to do what I feel like it's done, which is that distribution of wealth and space and resources, and helping us all have an equal playing field.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=3005.0,3060.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/80","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: I really hope that we can have that space open up those conversations for justice and equity, and that the marginalized communities of color that make this neighborhood what it is, that they can lead the conversation and that they can get the mic for longer. I've seen that happen a lot with the Open Street. I see a lot of well-meaning white community organizers, they take the mic for a long time and they speak a lot. And I feel like, although it's not what they they're meaning to do, that's still like an act of oppression, because we never get the mic. And when we do, it's not always respected. So I hope that those members can see their impact and see that they should always check in with other people around them. And especially the members of color, like ask them how they think things are going, you know? And when you open up those conversations, we can really start to heal. And just knowing, being more self-aware of the space that we're taking, and like any of us making sure we're passing that space to each other so that it's not just about us, you know, it's about all of the people around this. Yeah. Yeah. That's it.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=3060.0,3138.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/81","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Bridget Bartolini: Thank you, Manuela. I really appreciate you.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=3138.0,3138.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846/transcript/35412/annotation/82","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Manuela Agudelo: Totally.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/21/collection_resources/64187/file/148846#t=3138.0,3142.10933"}]}]}]}