Art & Violence in the Capital City

TRENTON- Even as the city of Trenton is not solely a community riddled with violence and destruction, that violence must be talked about at some point or another or else we may risk ignoring the pink elephant in the room.  

Indeed, given the amount of senseless violence here in the city, I thought it would be fitting to discuss, in my humble opinion, one of the most powerful creative forces or outlets known to mankind. Drum roll please, what I'm referring to ladies and gentlemen is ART.

Art is defined by Oxford Dictionaries as "the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture,  producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power".

Given the definition above, one can sense that art can take on both transformative and cathartic dimensions. Even though my educational background and specialization is in industrial and organizational psychology, I undoubtedly recognize the positive psychological effects that art can have on a community beleaguered by senseless violence and other societal ills (poverty, failing school systems, and high unemployment).

Indeed, evidence shows that artistic engagement can lead to improved moods, emotions, and psychological states (see Stuckey and Nobel, 2010 for more info). Moreover, it has been said that art can possibly curb stress levels and depression.

Even as there are many passionate supporters of the arts, there are still those that view it as vandalism when it is used in public spaces for murals and graffiti art. 

Despite what the critics have to say, I am grateful that there is rich art right here within the city. Every year Trenton holds its well-known outdoor art gallery event,  Art All Night. The city also holds various workshops and classes on art at the Art Works building located downtown. We also have the Trenton museum, Mill Hill Playhouse Theater, and numerous murals throughout the city. Even recently, a new art exhibit entitled Trenton Art Puzzle, emerged that showcased artwork from over 200 individuals at the city's BSB Gallery. 

It is art that acts as a form of inspiration and ultimately a constructive way to communicate about life around us. Lauren Della Monica echoed this point when she said that artists have traditionally used their work "...as tools for documenting social, political, and economic conditions". 

All one needs to do is take a stroll through the city and one can see all the beauty, creativity and imagination that exists here. For without art, there is no way to imagine an alternative universe or way of being. Art does not accept the status quo. Oh to the contrary, it resists or challenges it. Where others only see problems, artists or creative types see opportunities. Opportunities to improve and enhance the community. Artists or creative types see the opportunity to rise to the occasion, shake things up, and ultimately make a difference when everything else around them appears to be coming apart at the seams. In sum, artists do not curse the darkness. Rather, these individuals have the courage to light a candle, no matter how dark things get. 

So, I encourage you, dear reader to flex your artistic or creative muscles, think outside the box, and be a part of the solution. Don't accept the status quo. Let us use our creative powers to leave the world a little better than we left it. Whether its volunteering at your local community center, giving art lessons, or creating a space where people can come to enrich or enhance their lives, all of these things can make a difference. 

For more on the artistic resources that the city has to offer, click here.

Trenton: What's Going On???

TRENTON- Its been a while since my last post,  but boy oh boy have there have been some things going on in the Garden State's capital city lately. As the old saying goes, some things change, but at the same time, some things stay the same. 

For starters, just this summer, Art All Night 2018, a well-known arts and music festival, was abruptly put to an end one evening when suddenly a mass shootout broke out leaving one dead and many wounded. In the midst of this, a new mayor has also emerged coupled with a few new council members. Even in the middle of all this political change, we still see senseless violence in the city. 

Just a few Saturday's ago, Trentonian correspondent, Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman, reported that Eric Rue, 34, was shot and killed at Championship Bar in the city. This young man was less than a year younger than myself. Others were hurt and wounded while the city was celebrating its community back to school events. 

This state of affairs leaves many wondering "what's next?" or "why stay here?" or perhaps even the proverbial "Trenton can't have nothing!" declaration. In any event, something is amiss within the city and a change definitely needs to come as Sam Cooke famously sung. 

The new mayor, Reed Gusciora, has suggested that we need to increase the size of the police force, others have stated that we need better parenting, while others are saying we need more after-school activities or nonviolence education programs. Despite the merit of these ideas, I think a multi-pronged approach is needed. 

In my estimation, the way forward will consist of all the above mentioned ideas, plus more.

In order to adequately address the violence in our midsts, I think we will also need to protest and petition our local leaders and/or work with community activists on creative ways forward. Civic and community engagement is critically important. Moreover, I believe we will also need to establish more partnerships among civic and political groups as this can foster more ideas and creative thinking. Additionally, I am all for encouraging more volunteering with at-risk youth as the youth sometimes need someone to show them that someone really cares and is committed to helping them stay on the right path.

I think another area to focus on is ensuring that illegal weapons do not end up in the hands of the wrong people. One way of doing this is through a gun buyback program. For more information on gun buyback programs, click here.

I also think we need to somehow address barriers to jobs and education as idle hands are a devil's workshop. Lastly, I think its going to be imperative that we provide more educational opportunities for parents.

The main reason that I am highlighting the importance of a more collaborative rather than individual effort to curb the violence in our community is to underscore how critical teamwork is when working on any meaningful endeavor. Indeed, there is wisdom and truth in the saying that, "teamwork makes the dream work". In order to move the needle and make a difference within our community, we will all need to play a role in ameliorating this plaguing social problem.

So, I urge members of the community to band together, protest the status quo, and create a better Trenton free of violence and mayhem. It won't be easy, but with commitment and determination, I am confident that we can achieve real change together.

Hell Hath No Fury Like A Nation Scorned

By Neisha Kelly

Black America is scorned.

We are sick and tired of turning the other cheek. It is like backing a cat in a corner and telling it not to attack. If black lives matter, "when will the senseless genocide of the black man cease?"

The black man is becoming extinct at the hands of those that are there to serve and protect. Is anyone policing the police?

The days since the no indictment verdict of Darren Wilson have been infused with anger, backlash, and outrage. We as a people are disappointed in our judicial system. It has adopted a shoot-first and ask questions later defense.

How many more of our men will succumb to someone’s innate fear?

The fear-mongers are hiding behind the justice system. When President Obama gave his speech Black America went numb and deaf. We are so tired of the backpedaling we want justice and peace is that too much to ask for.

I want you to know that I am not some angry person writing from a place of vengeance. But I want my nephews and god-son to know that their lives do matter. I am holding them a little closer at night.

I wrote a poem to honor Michael Brown.

Holding you a little Tighter Tonight

I am holding you a little tighter tonight
We are both hurting inside
We hurt because our people hurt
We hurt because when there is no justice, there is often no peace
I am holding you a little tighter tonight
Please hold me a little longer too
These tears that are falling so fast I cannot catch them
They are overflowing like a damn that cannot be stopped
Pouring out me of me like rain that brings floods
We are hurting
We are angry
We are disappointed
We want to be avenged

Yet violence is not the answer
So let me hold you a little tighter
A little longer
For tomorrow is not promised
Freedom of speech is such a farce
We cannot speak what we feel
We cannot shout how badly we hurt

Who will listen?

I am holding you a little tighter tonight
I pray I can hold onto you and have faith that these wrongs will be made right
Until then stay safe and secure in my arms
As I hold you a little tighter tonight!

When will black lives matter? Why is society so terrified of the black man? Why is he seen as such an ominous presence? I guess it goes back to the concept that we hate what we don’t understand. Fear runs deep on both sides of the law. Tensions run deep and distrust of the judicial system is at an all-time high.

How many more lives will be lost due to fear? The black man is an endangered species in our world today. He is being cut down at marginal proportions. Yet we are asked to trust our judicial system to work for all equally.

Tears roll down my face as I am disappointed that our judicial system stands back and allows black lives to be systematically annihilated. There is genocide in Black America and if this epidemic continues it will wipe us out completely. Who will save us?

How did the no indictment verdict leave you feeling? Do black lives matter? Share your thoughts below.

Neisha Kelly is the intrepid author of the blog, "Cultivation of You".

To Pay or Not Pay Sick Leave? That is the Question...

TRENTON-- What in the world are we doing? Are my eyes deceiving me, no it can't be??? Can it??? Not too long ago, I was reading Dan Dodson's blog and an article from the Trentonian that mentioned how there possibly could be a ballot question, put before the city's electorate this November, that would ask voters whether ALL, not some, but ALL, private Trenton small businesses, have to pay their employees sick leave.

When I first came across this news story, I thought to myself, what the heck are we talking about, this can't be a wise move in the city of Trenton, a place that boasts not of excellent schools and a low crime rate, but rather a failing school system and an unacceptable crime rate. I mean quite frankly, the last thing people would call Trenton right now is Club Fed, a place people are pushing and shoving to gain access to or invest in.

But I said to myself, before I draw any conclusions, I felt the need to step back and reflect on what this ballot question could mean from the perspectives of the different parties involved.

On the one hand, first I thought of the perspective of an employee from your typical privately owned Trenton-based business. This poor guy or gal may feel like they have been completely left in the lurch because they have been put in that unfortunate position where they sometimes have to choose between working while sick and paying rent or even risk calling out thereby jeopardizing their employment.

I mean I can definitely understand where they are coming from because who really wants to be in a position where you can't afford to get sick, believe, you, me, that type of situation stinks! So, it makes complete sense from their perspective to speak up early and often about this important measure. Labor groups and other coalitions like the SEIU, the CWA, New Jersey Working Family Alliances and New Jersey Citizen Action have all backed this initiative to ensure that small business employees receive sick pay.

However, if we shift perspectives and look at things from the lens of  your average run of the mill business owner, it sounds as though these individuals are singing from an entirely different sheet of music. Indeed, small business owners at the end of the day want to maximize profit and minimize cost, point blank, period. These merchants aim to save money at any cost and may justifiably feel that they are already pay enough in taxes and fees to the city and that they should not pay City Hall one more red cent. From this perspective, I can't knock these small business owners. I mean, who really wants to pay more taxes and fees?

In a Trentonian article written by Carols Avila, one local business owner, Vincente Barrientos, echoed this sentiment when he said "We work with our employees when they need off for health reasons but to impose this law on us in addition to the many other taxes, fees and expenses we have makes it difficult to run a business in this city".

Nevertheless, no matter what way you look at it, this measure has already started to catch wind in other municipalities like Newark and Jersey City as these two localities have both already  made this a policy. On top of this, two states, California and Connecticut have passed laws ensuring their workers can earn paid sick days. It is claimed that these local or statewide initiatives will somehow influence or set national policy. The bill in question specifically calls for allowing workers to accumulate an hour of sick leave for every 30 hours that they work.

After reviewing the pros and cons, I still don't think this is a wise move for the city of Trenton. To make small businesses compensate their employees for sick pay seems like the morally right thing to do, YES I get it, but at the same time, it still puts an undue burden on mom and pop shops who then may have to let go of some of their workers or find some other way to make up for the lost revenue that goes toward dishing out the sick pay.

On top of this, the city may without realizing it, push out or drive away existing businesses to other municipalities who do not impose the sick pay requirement. Why should we drive away these businesses that have loyally kept their shops here during some pretty hard times? And in the process, if you look at it, the city may also discourage others from starting new business here with this policy. If we here in the city want to really encourage others to invest here, then we cannot let this bill pass.

Lastly, for those that argue that since other states and municipalities have passed this type of measure why shouldn't Trenton, I say that Trenton is not the same as those other localities. Trenton has its own unique challenges that have to be addressed before we can impose yet another requirement on our small businesses. This is a big reason why it is so important to vote and let our voice be heard on this issue.

As things stand, City Council has voted to suspend consideration of this ordinance for paid sick days. They have instructed the Mercer County Board of Elections to arrange a referendum on the issue in the scheduled election on November 4th. For more details, click here.

A New Day in the City of Trenton

TRENTON-- Ladies and gents the mayoral and city council races are now things of the past. Indeed, the ballots have been counted, the parties have been had, and lo and behold, Tony Mack's era has finally ended. Mayoral elect Eric Jackson takes the throne July 1. It's a new day in the city of Trenton, or at least, we would hope so.

To be sure, the last thing Trenton needs right now, is politics as usual. No more corruption. No more pay-to-play politics. We need elected officials that uphold the highest degree of ethical standards. Alas, the city cries out for a new brand of leadership. A brand of leadership that knows how to honestly acknowledge the peaks and valleys we face, but still has a bold and compelling vision to get us to the mountaintop. A brand of leadership with a practical step by step plan to make things better. A brand of leadership that knows how to enlist the help of others. A brand of leadership that solicits the thoughts and ideas of the people to make the overall community better.

I sincerely hope that Eric Jackson and the new council members will demonstrate some of these qualities of leadership. Lord knows we need them to. Yet at the same time, we as everyday citizens have a responsibility to play here. We bear the responsibility of holding our elected officials accountable for their action or inaction on issues that are matter to us. Indeed, we cannot sit idly by while our great yet beleaguered city crumbles. I know its hard to stay involved and engaged in the everyday politics of our city, please believe me, I know, I work two jobs, and go to school, so I hear you. But we as everyday citizens can be leaders in our own right as well. We can set a positive example by simply going to work everyday, taking care of ourselves and our families, voting, reading, staying active, etc. There's no reason we can't be a part of the solution.

I know what you may be thinking, I don't know where to start, but trust me, there is wisdom and truth in the saying that even a thousand mile journey always starts with the first step. My first step may be volunteering, your first step may be mentoring a child. Another's first step may be cleaning up their block once a week. The options are endless, but I hope you get my underlying point which is to say that the choice is yours and mine.

Meet the Candidates Trenton Style Starts With Christine Donahue

TRENTON- - With the mayoral and city council elections quickly approaching, one recognizes how important it is to sit down with some of the candidates running for public office in the city of Trenton to learn more about them and their ideas for making a Trenton a better place to live, work, and play.

Check out the first video with Council At Large Candidate Christine Donahue below:

Where Is Trenton Headed???

TRENTON-- The Bible says that without a vision, the people perish. Indeed, the city of Trenton  at this time needs new vision, new direction, and better leadership.

As the Trenton City Council and Mayoral races quickly approach, I am left wondering who are these candidates and what are they all about? What direction do they want to take the city in? What plans do they have to address issues of crime, education, and jobs?

After attending Trenton Elections meet the candidates forum last year at the Big Easy, I caught glimpse of what some of these candidates were all about.  However, there are new candidates in the race now.

So, I think now is the time to raise some more important questions to the candidates currently on the ticket so that voters can be armed with more information as they prepare to make a very important decision come Election Day.

Questions like:

• "Where are we headed as a city as the mayor has recently been found guilty on corruption charges in a court of law?" 
• "Who will take Tony Mack's place? 
• "What experience, if any, will the new mayor have?" 
• "How important will the next mayor's character and integrity be?" 
• "What about their leadership skills?" 
• "Indeed, how important will it be for the next mayor to be able to reach across the aisle and work with others from different parties?" 
• "How significant will their understanding of budget issues be in our voting decision?"
• "How important will their positions on the other key issues be?"
• "Is Trenton ready for its first Hispanic mayor (Paul Perez)?" 
• "Is the city prepared for its first female mayor (Kathy McBride)"?

Now, with these last two questions I recognize that they may seem irrelevant because as Trentonian columnist LA Parker said in a recent op-ed post, voters need to "disconnect from race and gender" and instead make an informed decision about who the best candidate is for the next mayor of this great yet beleaguered city.Alas, critical decisions do need to be made here. Without a shadow of a doubt, the stakes are high. The people need direction, jobs, opportunity, and an overall better Trenton if they are to flower and flourish.

Lastly, I end this blog where I began by asking "Where is Trenton headed???". Lord only knows. Only time will tell...Stay tuned for more to come.

Jay Z Performs In Brick City But What About Trenton

TRENTON-- As hip hop mogul Jay Z Shawn Carter goes on tour to showcase his new album, Magna Carta...Holy Grail, in the new year, one can't but help take note that he has found some time in his busy schedule to perform in the tri-state area i.e. New York, Pennsylvania, and of course New Jersey.

Needless to say, this is good news for the local economies of Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and Newark. Jay Z's mainstream appeal will undoubtedly attract a great deal of attention and consumer spending in these areas.

Even as one celebrates Jay Z's tremendous success and upcoming tour, one has to raise serious concerns about his decision to perform in Brick City but not in Trenton. 

Now don't get me wrong ladies and gentlemen, I recognize that, yes, Mr. Carter has come a mighty long way since roaming the gritty streets of his beloved Bedstuy Brooklyn neighborhood to now being an internationally known hip hop icon. This man went from selling his music outside the trunk of his car to being a veritable household name. Indeed, Jay Z's success and prosperity is nothing to sneeze at or overlook. Even I have to admit that I, too, am a personal fan of Mr. Carter. 

Lo and behold, I vividly recall listening to many of Jigga's classic LPs, Reasonable Doubt, The Black Album, The Life and Times Of Shawn Carter, etc during my younger years and even to this day. To put it simply, the man's record speaks for itself. 

However, I do take issue with Mr. Carter deciding not to take a pit stop in Jersey's State Capital, yeah I said it, "why can't Jay Z perform right here in Trenton, New Jersey, a place he says "grew him" on his vintage Blueprint album. (Disclosure: Jay Z actually says that it was East Trenton that raised him).

Granted, both the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia and the Prudential Center in Newark are larger than Trenton's Sun National Bank Arena, but hey, there's still money to be made here in the State's Capital, don't let the naysayers tell you otherwise. Even though we face a record number of homicides this year along with a failing school system, and high property taxes, Trenton still has a lot to offer.

As a resident of this city, I can definitely attest to its strengths and virtues, not simply its weaknesses. Now of course, I know what you maybe saying to your self, dear reader, "what's this guy smokin...doesn't he know that Trenton is simply bad news, you got you're mayor under federal investigation and to top it all off when you go to the public library, you have to ask for toilet paper to use the restroom", but hear me out for a moment.

Most people may not know this, but Trenton is home to a deep and rich history. Just this past weekend, I was reminded of this history as Trenton Police required residents like myself on Warren Street to move their vehicles so that the yearly reenactment of the Battle of Trenton March could take place. For those that don't already know, in 1776, General George Washington and his army crossed over the Delaware River and defeated Hessian mercernaries in what became known as the Battle of Trenton according to the History Channel. 

Along with this rich history, Trenton is home to a number of really good people and organizations that are doing positive things, now as we speak. People like Rev. Simeon Spencer at Union Baptist Church, filmmaker and author Will Foskey, Educator Baye Kemit of the Garvey School, Special Parents Advocate Nicole Whitfield, Hip Hop Recording Artist Big Ooh, and entrepreneur Tracey Syphax are just to name a few. The efforts of these individuals may get overlooked in the mainstream press, but trust me they are moving and shaking things up here in the city. 

So I challenge and invite you Mr. Carter to take a trip to Trenton and 'show some love' to a place that helped in your own words grow you. Even though others may have written off the city doesn't mean you have to...Come back home Hov and I promise you, Trenton will show you some love...

Daryl Brooks Runs For Council

TRENTON-- Longtime Trenton activist Daryl Mikell Brooks has announced that he is running for City Council at Large. Brooks, a two time failed United States Senate candidate and a vowed member of the Tea Party, declares that if elected, he will fight to overcome the foreclosure crisis, reverse economic disinvestment and  foster opportunities for viable youth development, family stability, and educational and economic advancement for all according to a press release. Along with this, the Trenton native says that if elected he will make it a priority to get corporate funding to reopen four shuttered city libraries that were closed due to budget cuts last year.

I think even though Brooks is running in a non-partisan election, his candidacy raises an important question: why aren't there more independent voices in local politics? Sure, some may say fundraising obstacles, organizational backing, and other issues prevent independent candidates from being serious contenders in general elections, but I think Brooks and other independent candidates also face the challenge of trying to win over a constituency that is historically loyal to the Democratic Party despite the dilapidated conditions of inner city communities. Indeed, high levels of unemployment, a dismal high school graduation rate, crumbling infrastructure, and an ongoing public safety issue are all problems that continue to plague inner city communities like Trenton.

Candidates like Brooks hope to turn the tables on the conventional way of doing things in Trenton. In a brief interview, Brooks claims that he is disappointed with current leadership and how they lack vision for the 21st century. He is a member of the Tea Party, a political group that many people in the Trenton community are suspicious of mainly because of its criticism of the Obama administration. However, according to a Tea Party website, they stand for “limited government, fiscal restraint, and individual liberty”, some things that may actually help inner cities like Trenton if they were applied.

In this sort of climate where inner cities face tremendous challenges, I think now is all the more time to hear alternative visions and viewpoints that might actually work. I think it will do us a lot better than staying politically loyal to a party that has not substantially turned things around for the better while they have had power. Ladies and gentlemen, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Feel free to disagree and chime in on this larger discussion about improving the city of Trenton...

For more information on Brooks and his candidacy, click here.

Under Construction: Reflections on Change

TRENTON-- Just this past week, as I was doing my daily rounds, I noticed construction workers still digging in and digging up parts of North Warren Street. In the span of only a couple of days, these workers have turned this North Trenton street into a one lane pathway leaving neighborhood residents with one less place to park their vehicles and forcing pedestrians to walk around or circumvent the rubble.

Despite the current inconvenience that this new construction presents, I think something can be learned from it and I wanted to share with you my thoughts. First and foremost, I've learned that anytime something needs to be fixed or changed, sometimes you have to do some digging to uncover what the real problem is. Simply staying on the surface may not unearth the real problem. In other words, you don't want to just treat symptoms of an issue, when the problem may run much deeper than that. So you may have to dig deep and find some things you may not expect, but that's okay, because it's necessary to solve or fix your problem.

A concrete example of what I'm trying to say can come from my own experience. As a younger man, when I started college at Mercer County, my grades were terrible because quite frankly, I did not enjoy reading or writing, nor did I see their necessity at the time. When I was younger, I thought it was the teacher, or the books were boring, or something outside of me that was causing my poor grades, but as I dug deep and started to really look at the situation, I found that I was the culprit. I did not put in the time to read, pay attention in class, or do the work and I had to accept the reality that I did not like to read or write. By digging deep and looking at the facts objectively, I realized that I needed to change and quick if I didn't want to flunk out of school, and guess what, I changed, I began to love reading and writing to the point that I became a blogger or citizen journalist.

Another thing I have learned from the construction on Warren Street is that change or transformation takes time. The construction workers on Warren Street just started about two weeks ago and it doesn't look like they will be done any time soon. So, change doesn't happen overnight. All one needs to do is look at the process of losing weight ( a process I am presently going through, too much soda and one too many donuts, but I digress). If one looks at the process of losing weight or getting in shape, it takes significant effort and time. Sure, there may be fad diets out there that promise overnight results, but I tell you the truth, real change takes time. Rome was not built in a day, neither will your change effort. But if you're serious and have made a commitment to change, you will see yourself through it, no matter the setbacks and obstacles.

Lastly, the construction on North Warren Street has taught me that changing can be uncomfortable. In the case of the construction on Warren Street, I see that residents and visitors alike now have one less place to park their vehicles. In the case of pedestrians, they now have to travel around the rubble to get where they are going. Yet despite this discomfort or inconvenience, it doesn't alter the need for change. The street still needs work whether we like the inconvenience it brings or not. Indeed, change can be painful, but this pain or inconvenience does not impact its necessity.

So, all in all, the construction on North Warren Street, has shown me the importance of change and that with change comes the virtues of discovery, patience, and perseverance which can all lead to growth. I think this information can help anyone (myself included) that is wrestling with change in their life, their community, or in their workplace. I leave this with you to ponder and engage with. All responses are welcome.

Tycoon Visits Princeton But What About Trenton

PRINCETON-- As well-known millionaire and media giant Steve Forbes swept through a nearby town (Princeton) not too long ago, it made me think, what, if anything, will tycoons like Steve Forbes do for the city of Trenton, a city riddled with crime, joblessness, and despair?

Now don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting that well-off individuals like Steve Forbes owe inner cities like Trenton anything. I am simply saying that with all the wealth, opportunity, and access individuals like the Forbes Magazine giant has, there might be something they can do to assist communities like New Jersey's state capitol.

Forbes was at Princeton University giving a talk on the tax and monetary sins of the West.

Now I came to this point after considering recent events involving another wealthy person. Not too long ago, Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg dipped into his treasure chest and gave Newark public schools a handsome amount of money. In light of this, the question for me becomes, why can't individuals like Forbes and others like him open their hearts and quite frankly, their wallets, to help out an ailing city like Trenton.

That question remains unanswered, but I am willing to take a stab at it for the time being.

My response to that last question begins with what I and many others are seeing in the papers everyday. In light of Trenton's recent history, it doesn't seem to be a worthwhile place to invest in. I mean come on, unless you're living in a bubble, you recognize that our beloved state capitol has seen better days. 23 homicides last year, a dismal high school graduation rate, and an unacceptable amount of blight or abandoned properties all show that the Garden State's capitol city is not exactly prime real estate that everyone is dying to get their hands on.

Let's call a spade a spade, Trenton is not headed in the right direction. And unless we (those that live here currently) or others (outsiders like Steve Forbes) take action, we can only expect things to get worse. Bottom line: Investors are unlikely to invest in a losing horse that seems to be going in the wrong direction. They simply don't see an attractive return on investment.

Having said that, the question now becomes, how do we become that place where not only wealthy individuals like Steve Forbes want to invest and help, but also everyday people. For me, I think the first thing we need to do is stop blaming the government for our problems, sure budget shortfalls adversely affect our communities in terms of programs being cuts and public service layoffs, but I'm a firm believer that if there is a will, there is a way to make things better, even if your 'money is funny' or your 'change is strange'.

We don't need the government need to give us funding to ensure our homes are in order. I do believe we (myself included) can take ownership of some of these problems we face. I don't think we need to always solicit or reach out to local or state government to get things done in our community when we already have human resources (everyday people) in place that may be able to fill that gap or void that exists.

All in all, I think by taking action and becoming a participant, we will be in a better position to improve the quality of life in our communities. Along with ending the blame game, I think its also important to stop criticizing the powers that be, for the unfortunate state of our city. Indeed, local officials bear some of the burden and responsibility for the mess we find ourselves in, but I also think there is room for we as everyday citizens (myself included) to take some sort of responsibility for the condition of our communities.

My way of taking responsibility is to post blogs, create community forums, and engage others in a meaningful conversation that will hopefully generate ideas to make things better. However, I recognize that your skill set may take you in an entirely different direction than mine.

Ultimately, my point is that whatever your skill set is, it can be used somewhere in the universe to alleviate a social problem that afflicts all too many members of our community. So I invite one and all to get involved and become a participant in this human drama called life. Instead of being a passive spectator that idly watches as our communities turns to shreds, why not be a participant that contributes to the solution. I leave you with that question and invite feedback from others.

Anwar's Reflections Honors Dion Clark

TRENTON-- Anwar's Reflections-- a Trentonian affiliate-- sat down with East Trenton community activist Dion Clark Saturday morning to discuss his lifelong commitment to community service.

Recently, Clark said good bye to his life of activism and community service after suffering a heart attack at the age of 49.

While working in the community, Clark has run for political office and consistently fought for quality of life issues like eliminating urban blight and keeping elected officials accountable. Along with this, Clark demonstrated his commitment to the community by not missing a single City Council meeting. Rain or shine, the East Trenton native was there.

In the past, Clark has been recognized by individuals like State Senator Shirley Turner, Congressman Rush Holt, and others for his work in the community.

Clark is Anwar's Reflections first ever recipient of the Community Servant of the Year Award for his work and dedication to the community.

In an exclusive interview, Clark said that he has always sought to be "a good neighbor" to others when doing work in the community. He said this desire ultimately came from the way he was raised. Clark went on to say that despite walking away from his life of activism, he hopes others will pick up where he left off and keep working.

For access to Anwar's Reflections exclusive interview with Dion Clark, click below:

Anwar's Reflections Says Show Must Go On After Thief Makes Off With Empty Laptop Bag

TRENTON-- As the city of Trenton as a whole grapples with crime and other social problems, I too have my own story of misfortune.

This evening my car was broken into. The unknowing criminal made off with a black computer bag filled not with a laptop, but with used library books, pens, and an old notebook (my PC is in the shop getting repaired).

What makes this story more unique is that the incident occurred in the heart of Downtown Trenton, just steps away from the State House, who would've thought???

Needless to say a police report will have to be filed and a broken rear  window will need to be replaced. Now granted, I should not have had my laptop bag in the back seat visible to the naked eye and things could be worse (I could have been physically harmed), but as I type this blog from my cell phone, I say to myself, what does this isolated incident say about the overall state of affairs in the city of Trenton.

Indeed, it seems as though poverty is a very real thing here in the state's capitol. Along with this poverty comes its constant companions, i.e. drug abuse and crime. In this particular climate, it seems as though the old saying, 'desperate times call for desperate measures' holds true, but nevertheless, there comes a time when one can no longer remain silent about things that matter.

Alas, the question becomes: where do we go from here as a city: chaos or community? Lo and behold, it seems as though it is just these sorts of unfortunate events that make me want to bring different members of the community together all the more and have a real discussion about where we go from here.

As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "now is not the time to cool off" and return to business as usual. Rather, now is the time to take positive action and talk about things we can control. Now is the time to speak about service and solutions.

Are you with me? Will you join this conversation?

Anwar's Reflections 2012 Year In Review

TRENTON-- As the year 2012 has become no more, it seems fitting to reflect on what happened during the last twelve months. Indeed, this last year saw a number of changes and developments locally.

For one thing, 2012 saw Trenton Mayor Tony Mack arrested by the federal bureau of investigation, otherwise known as the FBI for his alleged involvement in a extortion case.

On top of this, last year, four city public libraries were closed, then turned into mayoral learning centers run by part-time volunteers. And the drama doesn't stop there, this past year, we also witnessed a mass layoff of city police and what would seem to be a seeming uptick in violent crime (although we had the same number of homicides as we did in 2011).

With that violent crime came the untimely death of Tre Lane, a 19 year old aspiring social worker whose life was tragically cut short. Along with Lane's death came 23 other homicides for the state's capital.

On top of these developments, we also witnessed the state cut Trenton's funding to the point that there was a shortage of toilet paper of all things that affected both local senior centers and city police. These and other budget problems left residents all across the city wondering what's next.

On a lighter note, President Barack Obama was re-elected and was subsequently honored with a presidential bust at City Hall. However, that event was not without its own form of drama as well.
Indeed, residents and Council members voiced concerns over the financing of the bust in light of budget constraints. (Disclaimer: I know it goes without saying that I have neglected to include many other worthwhile stories that happened this year but for the sake of brevity I have to keep it short).

Alas, any time one reflects on the past,  it seems as though the next question inevitably becomes where do we go from here. What implications, if any, will the year 2012 have for this upcoming year? Will the mayor be convicted or cleared on all charges? Will the City get its financial house in order? Will the city's libraries be reopened? Will the cities violent  crime from go up or down? What will President Obama do this year after being re-elected?

Lo and behold, all of these questions run through my mind as I reflect on what's to come during 2013. Indeed, heaven only knows what lies ahead as things unfold in this human drama we call life.

But what I do know is that I thank each and every one of my followers and supporters over the last almost 2 years for reading my work and watching my video interviews, this blog is nothing without your ongoing support.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2013.
I'm looking forward to better serving you as readers and followers.

If you would like to hear an audio version of this blog recited by Anwar Salandy, click below:

Listen to internet radio with anwarsreflections on Blog Talk Radio

Trenton Area Volunteer Organizations

TRENTON-- In preparation for Anwar's Reflections Martin Luther King, Jr. panel discussion on community service scheduled for January 23rd at 6 pm at Mercer County Community College in Trenton, here are some groups and organizations that might have some volunteer opportunities available if one is interested in helping out and being of service:

Trenton Area Soup Kitchen

Address: 721/2 Esher Street, Trenton, NJ 08609
Phone: 609-695-5456 - or with hearing or speech impairments can call 800-852-7899 for NJ Relay service.
Contact: Peg O’Halloran @ 609-695-5456 X-109
Website: TrentonSoupKitchen.org

Habitat for Humanity of Trenton

You can go to their website to volunteer
Or need more information
Website: Habitatta.org

The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey

Address: 635 Clinton Avenue, Trenton NJ 08609
Phone 609-695-6274
Website: chsofnj.org

Big Brother Big Sister of Mercer County

Address: 535 East Franklin Street, Trenton NJ 08610
Phone: 609-656-1000
Email: friends@bbbsmercer.org
Website:

Boys & Girls Club of Trenton & Mercer County

Address: 212 Centre Street, Trenton, NJ 08611
Phone 609-392-3191
Website: bgctrenton.org

Trenton Free Public Library
Friends of the Trenton Public Library
Address: 120 Academy Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
Phone 609-392-7188 – Director Kimberly Matthews
Email: friendsoftpl@gmail.com
Website: trentonlib.org

Chamber of Commerce for Mercer County Region
Contact: Rob Kantenwein, Director of Operations
Email: rob@volunteerconnectnj.org
Website: mercerchamber.org

For more information on other activities surrounding Trenton's King Week 2013, visit Restoring Freedoms website by clicking here.

Youth Are In Search For Solutions

TRENTON-- With recent news reports indicating that Mayor Mack is still under investigation by the FBI and with violent crime still plaguing our streets, the city finds itself in quite a quagmire. Marches, rallies, vigils, and summits have all been tried, but issues remain. The State Police has even stepped in to work with the City Police Department to help patrol the streets since a third of the city's police force was laid off last year due to budget constraints according to the Trentonian.

At a recent City Council meeting, community activist Duncan Harrison has called for hiring part-time police officers to address the city's violent crime. While others have advocated for a reduction in the mayor's pay since things have not turned around for the better since Mack was inaugurated in 2010. At that same City Council meeting, an impassioned city women and concerned mother said that she and others were more than willing to be of service when it comes to volunteering with the children in the community.

Needless to say, there is a lot of talk circulating, but what about solutions. As the city grapples with its reported 22 homicides, concerned residents like Jasi Edwards have put together a Youth Pep Rally that promises to be different than previous rallies. Edwards says that "this time our elders will not speak, the youth will speak so everyone has a sense of what's on our minds being that it's not our elders that are doing the crimes, it is our peers; people in our age group".

The event is scheduled to be held Sunday, December 2nd from 3 to 6 pm at the CYO East State Street Center, located at 794 East State Street.

According to a press release, Edwards and other young folks in the community seek "to help decrease the gun violence and crimes in our historic city by committing ourselves to getting programs back into our schools and community centers; also, opening businesses in Trenton to create more employment for our city’s residents".

During the event, there will be guest speakers and live performances by the community's youth. General admission is $5. Children 3 and under can attend for free.

For more information on the event or how to get involved, contact Jasi Edwards at 609.356.2337 or by email jasimikaee@ymail.com.

Anwar's Reflections Hosts Senate Debate To Combat Voter Apathy

TRENTON--"Anwar's Reflections"-- a Trentonian affiliate, in association with Occupy the Hood NJ will be hosting a U.S. Senate debate October 17th at Mercer County Community College from 4 to 6 pm to combat voter apathy.

This debate was born out of a concern for voter apathy.Voter apathy refers to a situation where eligible Americans choose to boycott participation in elections, for whatever reason.

This November 6th, the President, U.S. Senators, and different members of the legislature will all be on the ballot.

According to Real Clear Politics, 56.2% of the people say that the country is going in the wrong direction.

Indeed, as more and more citizens wrestle with unemployment, rising prices, and a lack of healthcare, it would seem that for this year's election, the stakes could not be any higher. However, whether people will actually turn out this year is another question. Alas, even as it is recognized that voter turnout has increased over the last three presidential elections according to CBS News, there is still this nagging sense that more and more people are showing a lack of interest in politics or the political process due to busy schedules, cynical resignation, or perhaps even due to their sheer confusion about how the voting process works, it makes one wonder how many people will actually turn out to vote.

And to make matters worse, across the nation, there have been changes made to voting laws that could potentially affect "minorities", the elderly and student populations. Many of these laws require that voters present identification at the time of voting. According to TechnicianOnline Staff Writer Lindsey Rosenbaum, "these laws were mainly implemented by Republican congressmen in an attempt to fight voter fraud, but some voting rights advocates see this instead as voter suppression targeting main Democratic demographics". For more on this issue, click here.

With these sorts of issues looming, "Anwar's Reflections"-- a Trentonian affiliate, in association with Occupy the Hood NJ, have decided to hold a U.S. Senate debate at Mercer County Community College's Kerney Hall located in Downtown Trenton October 17th from 4 to 6 pm. 

The event is designed to raise awareness about the upcoming election and to encourage involvement in the democratic process. Information on how to register to vote will be available for those that need it.

During the debate, we will be discussing a variety of issues affecting Mercer County and urban centers like Trenton. We will address issues like jobs, workforce development, and the role of government. If you are interested in submitting debate questions, click here.

Greg Pason of the Socialist Party, Inder Soni, Kenneth Kaplan of the Libertarian Party, and Daryl Brooks of the Reform Nation Political Party have all confirmed that they can attend. Democratic Senator Robert Menendez and Republican candidate Joe Kyrillos have also been invited, but as of today, they have not confirmed their attendance.

Food and refreshments will be available.

For more information on the event, contact Anwar Salandy at 609.968.6114 or email him at anwarsalandy@ymail.com.

Local Firebrand Takes Another Shot At Public Office

TRENTON-- Local activist makes yet another bid for U.S. Senate this November. Longtime Trenton resident and political firebrand Daryl Brooks sat down with Anwar's Reflections--  a Trentonian affiliate-- to discuss his candidacy Tuesday afternoon.

During the nearly one hour interview, Brooks spoke about issues like education, jobs, and immigration.

The political malcontent took no time in calling out a number of community leaders and activists for what he deemed to be their failure in addressing issues like crime, education, jobs, and prisons.

From West Ward Councilman Zachary Chester to Trentonian talk show host Darren Freedom Green, Brooks took no prisoners as he spoke about the city's crisis of leadership. Brooks went on to say that these leaders are too busy singing, dancing, and having 'cookouts' to tackle today's problems. He said today's leaders are weak and "have no ideas".

Aside from the community's woes, Brooks also spoke about two hallmarks of his political campaign, immigration and education.

The outspoken activist is no stranger to running for political office. In the past, he ran two senate campaigns that proved unsuccessful. Over the year's, the local activist's political career has been marred by a 1995 conviction for lewdness, endangerment of a child, and assault. At that time, Trenton, NJ police and prosecutors claimed that Brooks flashed two adolescent aged girls. Since day one, Brooks has maintained his innocence.

After being released from prison, Brooks published an audiobook chronicling his life. Over the years, the Trenton activist has made it a point to fight for issues affecting the prison industrial complex, violence, and other forms of injustice. He is currently a member of the Tea Party and has affiliations with Occupy the Hood NJ and Occupy Trenton.

For more information on Brooks or his campaign, visit his website by clicking here.

Please see the video below to see Brooks take to task community leaders: 

For access to the entire interview, click below:

MCCC Gets A Touch Up

TRENTON-- Local community college unveils new changes at their Trenton campus. Anwar's Reflections-- a Trentonian affiliate-- attended Mercer County Community College's (MCCC) Special Open House and Celebration Thursday afternoon at their downtown James Kerney Campus to take a tour of the new facilities.

As a former student and MCCC alumni, I felt the need to stop by and check out the changes the College has made.

From reviewing the campus, the College has added a new one-stop registration and advisement center known as The Commons. On top of this, a new career center, science labs, and study areas were added to the current building. Across the street from the College lies Trenton Hall, a facility with new classrooms, a study lounge, an art studio, and a Fashion Design Laboratory.

During my tour, I was guided by two of the College's nursing majors that said they liked the new changes. According to the College's website, students can now complete their associate's degree in Liberal Arts entirely at the Downtown Trenton Kerney campus.

The College was originally an Evening Drawing School, but then turned into MCCC in 1966. The school then expanded its reach by constructing the West Windsor campus six years later in 1972. With these changes and enhancements, the College sought to build upon this history by better meeting the needs of the community.

MCCC President Patricia Donuhue said, "With expansion and improvements downtown, we will be able to  serve more city and county residents, including state workers that are interested in evening or lunchtime classes".

Kerney Campus Provost Monica Weaver went on to say that the College is "bringing programs that have a direct link to the economic success of our region".

During the College's celebration ceremony, both current students and alumni spoke about the impact that the College has had on their education.

As a former student, I can definitely say that I think the changes were well needed. For years, the downtown campus lacked a feel and look of modernization. So on an aesthetic level, I think the changes are both stylish and attractive. From a community need standpoint, I think the addition of Trenton Hall will definitely help train and educate tomorrow's leaders in skills that are actually needed in the workplace.  Trenton Hall is designed specifically for Fashion Design and Art majors, but other students can use the facility as well.

Its highly important that we train and educate people so that they are equipped to handle 21st century jobs. I think MCCC's changes are a good move in that direction.

For more information on the College, call (609) 586-4800 or visit their website by clicking here.

Please see video below:

ARC CLIENTS DEFY ODDS AND SHOOT FOR THE STARS

TRENTON-- What happens when you are dying to tell you and your friend's stories, yet no one has taken the job so far? Well, Trenton residents and Arc Mercer clients Marlene Brockington and Tammi Weiger did only what seemed logical to them. They took action.

Marlene and Tammi both have cerebral palsy, a physical disability caused by brain damage, that has left them bound to wheelchairs for much of their lives.

Despite their physical limitation, for the last year, these two inspirational young ladies have been co-editing the Respite Reader, a newsletter the Arc Mercer publishes once a month as a part of their Aftercare Program.

The Arc Mercer is a local organization that specializes in helping individuals with developmental disabilities
realize their goals. Over the course of the last year, Brockington and Weiger have been realizing their dreams of being editors despite the odds. In their capacity as co-editors, they have been busy drafting questions for interviews, editing submissions, and shooting videos with their smartphones.

These two editors work closely with the Arc Mercer staff to brainstorm and come up with story ideas, but Recreation Manager John Morton said that members of the staff in no way change their words once they submit their work .

Anwar’s Reflections—a Trentonian affiliate— was invited to the Arc of Mercer in Trenton last week to take a peek at what these two young ladies were up to. During my visit, I was given the opportunity to interview them.

Upon arriving at the facility, I was greeted by both editors. During our nearly thirty minute interview, the ladies were all smiles.  They say they enjoy working together and that the best part of their job is doing the fashion stories.

Arc Staff Manager, Brandon King, said that, "Every day Tammi is ready to go, its just amazing to see the growth of these two young ladies".

The newsletter includes interviews, special features, and other articles.

For more information on the Arc Mercer and their Aftercare Program, contact John Morton at (609) 989-9211 or by email at jmorton@arcmercer.org.

For access to the interview, please see below: