An Evening With Former NJ Governor Thomas H. Kean At Rider University

Professor Ben Dworkin with Governor Tom Kean

LAWRENCEVILLE--Tonight, Anwar's Reflections attended Rider University's event, The State of Politics Today, where former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean gave a speech followed by a question and answer session in the University's Mercer Room. The event was sponsored by the Rebovich Institute of Politics. During the former governor's speech, Kean gave an overview of how politics has evolved or changed over time. He noted how historical and economical changes have changed people's perception of politics. He argued that in the beginning politics was seen as one of the most noble professions, now unfortunately it is seen differently. He argued that events like the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Kennedy have led to great disillusionment and cynicism on the part of the populace. He said that people have gone from being optimistic about politics to becoming pessimistic and cynical because the two political parties we have now, no longer know each other. Politics in his estimation has become hyper-partisan. Kean argued that this sort of "social scene" has led to a new brand of politics that makes it all too easy to demonize one's opponent and thereby not listen to them. During his speech, he called for a different brand of politics that resembled his era, where people have the courage to listen to each other while at the same time respectfully voice their disagreements. The event was attended by a variety of people in the community that were willing to chime in and give their thoughts.

One of the audience members, Sue, a nurse from Lawrence Township, said that the governor's speech was "enlightening". She went on to say that she came to the presentation in response to the current state of politics. She stated that, "In the current political climate, I've noticed that there aren't enough women in politics, I'm a real advocate for that. There's a real need for more women in politics. I think events like these expose the public to a variety of angles and attitudes that are informative".

Another audience member, Blake, a Rider University student, said that he enjoyed the presentation because Governor Kean "stuck to the issues and was very well-spoken". The student went on to say that this event was important because "he [Governor Kean] makes it very apparent to the listener how politics has changed over time compared to the politics he's he's used to when he was younger. I think this speech has made us take a second look at how politics has changed over the years compared to what he's used to"

Another Rider student,Clyde, said that he enjoyed the presentation because Governor Kean "gave direct answers that may fix a lot of the issues affecting people now if they just listen to what he has to say".


According to Tom Little, a student at the College of New Jersey (TCNJ), the presentation was "enjoyable" Little went on to say, "He [Governor Kean] talked about a whole lot of things from national policy to state politics. I really enjoyed all the questions and answers today, I really learned a lot about history and it just makes you more appreciative of having a governor that is willing to come down and give you his opinions on current issues facing New Jersey and the country in general" The TCNJ senior went on to say that he thinks thats "the Governor makes a point when he says that regardless of the challenges we face and the partisan nature of politics today we all have to work together in order to solve our problems, Clearly, he's a big believer in that, he has a track record to prove that, you have to stay in the center, you got to work together to fix problems in this country. I think his talk today is relevant given that he's right, you don't have a lot of people in the center today, and we need that moderate or centrist position to solve a lot of our problems".


According to Professor Ben Dworkin, chairperson of the Rebovich Institute of Politics, this sort of event is relevant because "we invite the public and encourage them to participate in the dialogue". He went on to say that he thinks this event is important because "if we are going to solve problems, we first must understand what the problem are. My objective here as director is to try to raise the level of political discourse in New Jersey and you can do that if everyone starts from a certain grounding of what's going on, of what the issues are. So many people say I'm uncomfortable with my property taxes, I'm uncomfortable with the quality of life in whatever city or municipality in which I live and aren't sure why. Why is that way? How did we get here? What are the ideas out there? They want to see a change and want to see how. We try to educate folks. We try to bring individuals like the governor to talk about these matters. I think this sort of event elevates what politics can be, what are the opportunities out there to talk about these matters in a reasonable way? So much of our political discussion is down in the gutter, the name-calling, the hyper-partisanship, if we can raise it a little bit, and have a more erudite and smarter discussion, that's what a university should stand for and I think we set a standard for that here at Rider. When we do this, I think we have a better chance of moving forward

Anwar's Reflections will be sure to keep you up to date on any future developments.

Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois: A Conversation At MCCC

TRENTON--Last night Anwar's Reflections attended Mercer County Community College's (MCCC) Black History event, an interactive conversation between two intellectuals, Professor of African American History, Eric Watson and MCCC Vice President of Academics, Dr. Guy Generals. The dialogue was moderated by Professor of Communications Alvyn Haywood. The purpose of the discussion was to explain and explore the major differences and similarities in thought between scholar W.E.B. Dubois and educator Booker T. Washington.  The event was held in Kerney Hall located at MCCC's James Kerney Campus in Downtown Trenton. The audience consisted primarily of students, but faculty members and others from the local community were also in attendance. As a matter of fact, one audience member, Diane Joseph, a MCCC student that is currently taking African American History, is quoted saying that she attended the event because her professor was one of the speakers and wanted to hear his perspectives on the matter at hand. She said, this type of event is important because it "brings us all together to learn about an important part of Black history".

Another MCCC student, Musso Richardson said, "I think events like this are good for the younger generation because there's a lot they don't know about our Black history, having these kinds of debates will give them a chance to learn a little bit more than they learned in high school. You know a lot of students are taught that Blacks were only slaves, but these sorts of events show them that there are great things Black people did besides being slaves".

Another audience member, Judith Smith Parrot, a teacher of adult education at MCCC, said that she brought her students with her to expose them "to a part of African American history, especially the opposing views of W.E.B Du Bois and Booker T. Washington. I think these events are very important not simply for African Americans but for everybody". 

Manager of the bursar's office at MCCC, Lutia Brown Joseph, said that this type of event is important "because its about time we educate the youth because they have lost their knowledge of their ancestors. Right now we have Pan-Africa in this society. A lot of our students fail to realize that there's a little bit of Africa in all of us irregardless of what your ancestry is. Talking about these great men and women that have gone before us and have paved the way for our type of education, I think it is important to bring this type of forum to the general public, everyone was invited, students and the general public".

Dr. Guy Generals, VP of Academics, said I think events like this "expose students to ideas and hopefully provocative thoughts that might encourage them to pursue their studies in a more serious manner. I think seeing folks like myself and Eric and Professor Haywood in a casual setting talking about serious ideas is important to instill in them the concept that education is pervasive. It doesn't end or begin in a classroom, you can be social about it, you can be friendly about it, it's something you have to be prepared to talk about it, but its something that can be done in the classroom as much as it can be done outside of the classroom".

Professor of African American History Eric Watson was quoted saying that the event "cultivates a intellectual climate on our own campus, we want our students to be engaged both inside and outside the classroom. This sort of event provides a relaxed environment where students can challenge one another and challenge the faculty members. We like to reinforce the notion that learning doesn't just take place just between the two and half hours that they have African American history. I also think that its important for students to be exposed to our vice president of our college and gives them an opportunity to see that he is an African American male who is interested in issues that impact them. I think that's very rare in colleges today where an administrator engages with a faculty member like this in a public setting, I think its a good thing".

Professor Watson went on to say that he and the College intend to have more events like this. He said, "as our community begins to expands here at Mercer County Community College, we want to do something thematic around different months for different groups. I would like for us to focus more attention on gay/lesbian issues on campus , Latinos, Asians. We really want to make it an inclusive environment for all of our students".

Anwar's Reflections will be sure to keep you up to date on any upcoming events at MCCC.

Audience Feedback For The Play, 1960-BLACK

LAWRENCEVILLE- Last night Anwar's Reflections attended 1960: BLACK, a play held at Rider University in the Yvonne Theater. Overall, the show was a success. Many people in attendance said they enjoyed the play and thought the play was very much needed. As a matter of fact, one audience member, small business owner Leon Alexander, said the play "reminded him of the times that [he] went through in the 70's  because [he] grew up in Alabama". He went on to say, the play is "very important because young people need to see what went on back in the day, just to take a map and let the youth know what we went through, to see the struggle we went through to get where we are today".

Another audience member, blogger and Rider University alumnus Camille Alexander of Paproxi.Com, said this is her second time attending the play.  She said the play is "awesome" and that this play is so important because it "showed us a missing link in the past. It showed us history from the perspective of the student and I think that is very much needed today".

Another Rider University graduate, Thai Jones, said she came out to the play for the second time around to support her friend and mentor, playwright Rashad Walker. Jones said the play is important because "the art of the griot is being lost and there aren't that many great playwrights that are focusing on this sort of history".

One audience member, Eugene of Trenton, said he "loved the concept of the whole 1960's Civil Rights Movement. He [Rashad Walker] touches on all the facts of the aspiring civil rights leaders of the past. He [Rashad Walker] also touches on the effects the movement had on other Blacks during the movement.  I'm just feeling how he touches every aspect and every point that took place during that time".

At the end of the show, playwright Rashad Walker, said he plans on "taking the show on the road and having more showings of 1960: BLACK". Anwar's Reflections will be sure to keep you up to date on any future shows.