Anwar's Reflections And Others Convene In Trenton To Talk MLK And Going Forward

 TRENTON-- Tuesday and Wednesday evening, Anwar's Reflections-- a Trentonian affiliate--sat down with a variety of individuals from the community to have a real discussion about where we as a community are headed in light of the many social problems inner cities like Trenton face. Issues like violence (24 homicides in 2012), poverty (i.e., an 11.6 unemployment rate), and education issues (48% high school graduation rate in 2011).

These discussions came the day after the nation took a moment to nationally recognize slain civil rights leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
During his lifetime, Dr. King raised the fundamental question: Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? Indeed, this became the central focus of our discussions Tuesday and Wednesday night.

During the events, one individual, Raul Polo Cortes, a well-known poet, said that we need to come together and get involved.

While Ms. Simms, a concerned Trenton resident said that she had her pen and paper ready to take down any viable solutions members of the community forum had about going forward.
On the following night, Willingboro resident and military veteran Rance Robeson said that we need to work with others to improve the community and honor the life and legacy of Dr. King.
New Black Panther Party Spokesperson Divine Allah said that he is going to continue to do what he is doing in the community and stick to his principles.

Community activist Kieanna Childs Alexander said that we need to make sure we understand our history so that we never forget where we came from.

Writer Will Deshair Foskey said that we need to be fearless as we try to improve our communities.

All of the panelists said that we need to do more than just repeat the marches, rallies, and demonstrations that took place during the Civil Rights Movement to galvanize or energize the public.
The panelists went on to say that we need to take other steps to improve the community. Playwright

Rashad Walker said that we need to set up a concrete action plan to deal with community issues.

Others said that we need to work with and speak to our lawmakers and city council members to address social ills.

I , as the moderator, went on to say that we need to capitlize on our unique skill sets and get involved in whatever ways those skill sets can be utilized. For instance, if you have knack for tutoring, why not be a tutor? If you have a gift for mentoring, then why not mentor, and so on.

Overall, the discussions shed light on future directions but still need to be more specific in terms of addressing current issues like education, public safety, and quality of life problems.

Neikel Butler from the Boys and Girls Club brought poets from her poetry program and they recited their work.

The discussions or community forums will continue. Stay tuned...

For access to video coverage of these community forums, 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.

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