Challenging The Definition of All-American & Why I’m Volunteering For Nyack News and Views
I care deeply about my community, locally and globally.
I live in the Hudson Valley, in Rockland County, one of the most diverse and dynamic regions in America. My children live in Rockland, and my grandchildren were primarily raised in Nyack, New York, long considered one of the great All-American towns.
All-American, not just because of its historic roots, its beautiful natural scenery from Hook Mountain down the Hudson River, its architectural masterpieces spanning many decades, its charming shops, iconic public buildings, its park complete with a bandstand, its concerts, its highly rated public schools, its short commute to NYC, and its art scene, including the Edward Hopper House among many other galleries.
All-American because it is an extremely diverse and welcoming village, and part of a diverse county and region. (According to census data, Rockland is 63% white, 19% Latino, 11% Black, 6% Asian, and 1% Native American, AAPI, and other).
Housing prices in Nyack have increased significantly in recent decades, creating challenges for many families, and given a compassionate and skilled local government, neighborhoods are being protected and preserved, including ensuring affordable housing which is important to maintaining Nyack’s diversity and ensuring that the community is accessible to people from all walks of life.
The Village of Nyack, the community, the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, and the Rockland County Community Development Office all work together to help Nyack maintain its diversity.
And yet, the community has been victimized by right wing extremists and others, including Nyack High School which has been forced to deal with antisemitism, racial threats, and attacks against LGBTQ students.
Thanks to the activism and strength of parents, these threats are not taken lightly, and in fact seem to strengthen the resolve and action, including supporting non-profits like The Rockland County Pride Center, Center for Safety and Change, People to People, and others.
All-American is an evolving term, and in my mind All-American is all about diversity, equality, and inclusion which itself is now under attack by the current administration, even as they attempt to dismantle 500 years of history, the U.S. Constitution, a woman’s right to choose, and many more freedoms we’ve fought so hard for.
All-American is a coat of many colors, and a river of stories – from the Underground Railroad to The Fellowship of Reconciliation, which my late husband Tom Artin was a member of; in fact, he covered one of the world’s first summits on the environment held in Sweden many decades ago.
Today, I proudly share that I have joined Nyack News & Views, a publication I have leaned on for 15 years, to support their expansion as they serve as an independent media organization with principles.
Unbiased journalism provides accurate, balanced, and comprehensive information, enabling people to make informed decisions on social issues, politics, health, education, and the future of their local, national, and global communities.
When citizens have access to factual, high-quality reporting, they can evaluate issues critically, leading to more thoughtful choices.
By prioritizing facts and transparency, quality journalism helps combat the spread of misinformation and “fake news.”
By focusing on issues that matter to the people in the community, quality journalism motivates people to engage in civic life, whether by voting, advocating, or participating in community activities.
As a counterbalance to biased, partisan, and increasingly AI-generated reporting, quality journalism elevates us all.
Please join me in following and subscribing to Nyack News & Views, whether you live in Nyack, in Rockland County, in New York, or anywhere in the world if you want to see and feel what quality and compassionate journalism looks like and feels like.
Let’s protect and promote the true notion of All-American and the lives and happiness of all Americans.
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Cynthia Artin is a member of Nyack News & Views Advisory Board.
She has several other roles, including Senior Managing Director at Genesis Business Humanity, a global network of business and philanthropic leaders supporting promising technology companies based in Israel; Executive Director of Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation; and co-founder and Managing Partner at Genesis BH Digital.
