Civil Rights Play Hits MCCC

WEST WINDSOR-- Local playwright kicks off Black History Month with a showing of 1960: Black at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theater last week.

Rashad Walker, a Trenton resident, wrote, directed, and acted in this original stage play that chronicles each year of the Civil Rights Movement that occurred in the 1960's.

In the play, Walker explores non-violent demonstrations, interracial marriage, the death of civil rights leaders, black militancy, desegregation, and other issues.

This was not the first showing of the play. It was originally performed at Walker's alma mater, Rider University in 2010, with an all-student cast. This time around, Walker brought back many of the actors from the original play, but at the same time he has brought on some new faces as well.

This showing brought out a good number of people on a Saturday afternoon. Through interviews, everyone said they enjoyed the play for both educational and entertainment purposes. Audience member, Latonda McCleese, said her son was in the play and that she enjoyed it. She went on to say that despite there being some serious parts in the play, they were still able to lighten the mood. Another audience member Greg Wallace said that he gives the play a 10 and said Walker takes the audience on a journey through the Civil Rights Movement while at the same time keeps them engaged and entertained.

In the past, the Trenton born playwright has said in an interview that he was motivated to write and direct this stage play because "he wanted to educate people". Walker went on to say that at the end of the day, he wanted people to understand the significance of some sacrifices and contributions that individuals made during the Civil Rights Movement.

The play's actors include Reggie Walker, TJ Converly, Caitlin Fair, Rance Robeson, Allen Sexton, Sherlita McCan, Kareem Moseley, Darraine Gibson, Jarrett Minor, and Destyne Pitts.

The play will be featured again February 19th and February 21st at Caldwell College at 7:30 pm.

For videos of the play and interviews with the cast and audience members, click below:

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?