A novel twist on the basketball story with Mexican mothers in the Bronx who take over the courts every afternoon to shoot some hoops. Basketball is traditionally a woman's game in Mexico and these women in the Bronx sound quite experienced. This piece highlights the cultural and gender clashes on the courts between the moms and the kids. Great sound, great interviews. The only criticism is focusing more on the women and finding out more about them and their world outside of basketball. But a great feature for news magazines especially for the summer.
The reporter uses an ordinary situation to share a multi-layered story.
It's inspirational to hear of the Mexican women making new friends and establishing a social outlet through basketball. The sound of the ball bouncing and people playing on the court mixes well with the interviews.
The conflict with the boys over ownership of the court gives the story direction, but doesn't point to any resolution or leave the listener moved by either side.
The piece could have been more compelling if it focused solely on women, maybe highlighting the experience of one woman and how the community basketball changed her life, or asking the women and boys how they intended to share the court; if either party might involve the city in enforcing regulations or somehow come to an agreement to divide court time.
Overrall, it was a creative use of everyday life to tell the story of these different cultures sharing a common interest.
Comments for Mami Basketball
Produced by Sylvia Maria Gross
Other pieces by Sylvia Maria Gross
Rating Summary
2 comments
Dmae Lo Roberts
Posted on June 26, 2004 at 08:10 AM | Permalink
Review of Mami Basketball
A novel twist on the basketball story with Mexican mothers in the Bronx who take over the courts every afternoon to shoot some hoops. Basketball is traditionally a woman's game in Mexico and these women in the Bronx sound quite experienced. This piece highlights the cultural and gender clashes on the courts between the moms and the kids. Great sound, great interviews. The only criticism is focusing more on the women and finding out more about them and their world outside of basketball. But a great feature for news magazines especially for the summer.
Jennifer Cecil Moore
Posted on June 07, 2004 at 06:04 AM | Permalink
Review of Mami Basketball
The reporter uses an ordinary situation to share a multi-layered story.
It's inspirational to hear of the Mexican women making new friends and establishing a social outlet through basketball. The sound of the ball bouncing and people playing on the court mixes well with the interviews.
The conflict with the boys over ownership of the court gives the story direction, but doesn't point to any resolution or leave the listener moved by either side.
The piece could have been more compelling if it focused solely on women, maybe highlighting the experience of one woman and how the community basketball changed her life, or asking the women and boys how they intended to share the court; if either party might involve the city in enforcing regulations or somehow come to an agreement to divide court time.
Overrall, it was a creative use of everyday life to tell the story of these different cultures sharing a common interest.