BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND PEOPLE ARE STILL DIVIDED.

In the month of February, as many people know is black history month. Though we are still faced with many different challenges in the United States, we must not romanticize about the past civil rights issues. What I mean by that, we do not need to do things such as marching over the Edmund Pettis Bridge because Dr. Martin Luther King and A. Philip Randolph among others, forward that movement, which spear headed the Voters Rights and Civil Rights Act. What we must do as a people and or communities is band together and protect the rights which were fought for us. The justice system is flawed and need revamping. Strategically, voters’ rights to vote are being stripped by unconstitutional guidelines that the right wing Republican Governors are instituting in certain states. Today urban communities still are dealing with the issue of modern day racism. Racism is not sick, have aids, broken leg or cancer, racism is alive and well. People in leadership remain reluctant to implement strategy to bridge the gaps in the communities abroad and locally.

What am I talking about? Well, on January 30, 2012, I had the pleasure of attending the NAACP meeting. I am very active in the community attending meeting whether it is council, school board and NAACP meetings. On that particular day I wanted to address the president of the Salem County Chapter NAACP. I wanted to let him know that I have no personal quarrels with him or other members of the organization.  As an activist, I have an issue with the organization and their disinclination approach to not just civil rights issues in Penns Grove, which I have previously, wrote about but civil rights issues county wide. How can you call yourself a civil rights organization and not deal with civil rights issues? I made mention to a meeting that local clergy and I had a meeting with the County Superintendent, Robert Bumpus on January 27, 2012. The president of the NAACP was apathetic to listening, as he was more concern getting out the meeting early, perhaps to catch a television show.

The president identified that Woodstown School District only having one African American in the whole entire school system. So my question was since the president is aware of the lack of minority teachers throughout the county, why has he not made a push or some type of sit down meeting to bring this issue to a demise? A woman from the NAACP Education Board said to me that she was offended by my letter to the editor. So I said, "I am offended that this Salem County NAACP organization; a civil rights organization, do not address civil rights issues or any type of issues in the county." Yet the organization was so ebullient, when it came to organizing for an award ceremony for black history month, in which that is the only time the Salem County Chapter NAACP can say they are doing something. In my opinion, it is sad that the organization cannot organize to address the injustices of the communities county wide.

Now I see why Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., said "If the negro wants to be free, he must move down into the inner resources of his own soul and sign with a pen his own Emancipation Proclamation." Malcolm X also said, "We need a self-help program." Perhaps, they knew that leadership will one day falter again, when it comes to the people that are under oppression of injustices. As long as this method of leadership continue, crime rate, school drop-outs, teenage pregnancy will elevate. The so called civil rights organization; Salem County NAACP will continue to host parties to give out awards to some that are less deserving of an award, like the president of the Penns Grove-Carneys Point School District. I was appalled when I heard that he was getting an award, all I could do is say to myself, for what? The school district is considered an underperforming school district by the state, he has not implemented a strategy to attack the illiteracy problem in the community yet he will be awarded. Where are the fruits of his labor? What family or student, have benefit from any type of intervention? The students have not benefit from his leadership. I would have felt better if the NAACP said that the janitors of Penns Grove Carneys Point School District will receive an award, at least I can testify to their contributions.

Since this is black history month, we must understand that Martin Luther King Jr., was not assassinated so we can remain silent about the injustices, Medgar Evars was not shot in his back, coming from NAACP meeting, so that civil rights organizations, such as Salem County NAACP, can remain apathetic to the people issues or struggles. Yes this is a problem that cannot fix itself overnight. We must band together and put our egos down so there may be a vicarious victory for the communities of Salem County and other communities abroad. Frederick Douglass said, “Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.”

There has to be unity in the community to suppress the conflicts that keep community divided. Leadership must step up in regards to community outreach. We cannot be afraid to speak up for what is right, for what is just and for what is the truth. Until leadership in the Salem County NAACP step up, I have to shine light in dark places, I will speak when other people will not talk, I will continue to speak a word when others are scared and I will walk where others are coward. I believe the younger generation, my generation, must step up to take on leadership roles in the community. If people have not watched the news, the masses of the people are rising up and dethroning the leadership of the old. Look at the country of Egypt, London and occupy Wall Street movement in the United States. The people are simply saying, "We are fired up and we are not taking the mistreatment no more because we want to be free. That is why we celebrate Black History Month. Black history was not made by those who gave up and disenfranchise themselves from the people of the community which they lived. Black history was made by those who refuse to lose and by those who were told they could not have their freedom.

Ida B. Wells-Barnett said, “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”


 No Justice, No Peace!

Walter L. Hudson Sr./Chairman

Community Awareness Alliance

Penns Grove, New Jersey 

ACTIVISM: YOU CAN NOT RENOVATE A SCHOOL WITHOUT RENOVATING E...

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YOU CAN NOT RENOVATE A SCHOOL WITHOUT RENOVATING EDUCATION

In order to address a problem, you have to first recognize that there is a problem. A forum was held on January 23, 2012, to address the need of certain deterations inside the Penns Grove Middle School. Also what was on the agenda was more student participation in extra-curricular activities. This forum was orchestrated by Greg Wright, who is the President, along with Dr. Massre who is the District Superintendent. What was sad about the forum, there was not a word mentioned on quality education and accountability of teachers along with administration, for the success of our studuents. Mr. Wright went on to say that he wanted more student participation in sports and other matters. What about wanting better education or more seniors enrolling in college and trade school?

It was evident that the president of the school board and superintendent was only worried about fixing tangible issues and not educational issues. Mr. Wright made several references to being part of the school board for 19 years.  I made mentioned to the Penns Grove Carneys Point School District, the fact that the district are considered part of the 200 school districts in New Jersey that is "Title 1" or "Underperforming" schools, the fact that 70 to 72 percent of the district 3rd and fourth graders perform significantly low on the reading portion of the NJASK test, this all under the 19 year tenure of President Greg Wright. In the Last 10 years of his 19 year tenure students test scores have become worse.  Instead of implementing a corrective action plan to help aid in the educational malfunctions, Mr. Wright and Dr. Massre are only concerned about how many more students can play a sport.

I asked a question to Mr. Wright, "What has he employed in his 19 year tenure as a school board member, which encourages the students’ best interest in education?" He had no response. I am slighted as a parent and activist by someone who was voted on the school board by the people for the people, can be so negligent in realizing the true essence of education. A student ticket to a successful life is through education not sports, although sports may build great social skills within that student. Sports can be an extra accolade to college but if you do not have the academics it is impossible. Some people are quick to point the finger of accountability towards parents, we also can point that finger of accountability back to the people who we voted on the school board to help make a difference in turn they are a disservice to the community.

That is not to mention the issue of non-hiring of certified minority teachers that have been overlooked. Mr. Wright also mentioned that in public session, that in closed session he brought up the issue of minority teachers. Statistics show that the issues of non-hiring of minority teachers have been an issue that dates back further than 19 years ago. Now that Mr. Wright have been on the school board, what makes the people think he will execute change now when statistics shows he has made no efforts thus far? In Delaware a catholic school called Salesianum Catholic School, graduates 99 percent of their 300 senior class. All 99 percent of the students that graduate go to college. Studies show that it cost the same amount of money to run a public, catholic and private school. So what is Salesianum Catholic School doing that Penns Grove School District is not doing? A wise man said that if you find that somebody is more successful that you, it is obvious they are doing something you’re not doing.

Renovating a school without correcting the education issue, is like fixing four flats on a vehicle in which the engine have gone bad. Where will you go? Nowhere perhaps. We have too much complacency on the school board and we as a people and or community need to make our voices heard at the voting poll. We need new and young leadership for the 21st century of education as Dr. Massre would say. Right now we have 21st century education with 18th century idealology at the helm of the Board of Education. Young leadership equals new vision for education in our children.

Albert Einstein said, "We cannot correct the problem with the same attitude used to create it."

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Penns Grove-Carmeys Point School District Can Not Continue the Status-Quo!

In the wake of my previous letters to the editor, I have raised the issue of Penns Grove-Carneys Point School Board's continuous status-quo, of not hiring qualified and certified minority teachers from the community within. I have yet to receive a definitive answer of a plan of action, to promote more certified minority teachers in the school district, so that the ratio of teacher to student population can match. Fact of the matter, the community of Penns Grove is an inundated population of African and Latino Americans.

As a parent and activist, I am open to dialogue in regards to this issue. I have been asked a question such as why am I speaking on this issue? My answer to that question is because I am a parent and activist. I believe through the statistics that I have researched and mentioned there has been unfair mistreatment to the certified minorities whom have applied for the position of teacher. To my surprise I had a talk with my fifth grade teacher. She disagreed with my arguments in defense to one of the candidates. I explained to her that it was nothing personal against that particular candidate, however, there are other candidates who are a minority, that live in the community and have worked with the students, whether it was coaching, after school programs or mentoring programs, that are just as qualified, or more than the candidate that was going to receive the position. The board recognized a discrepancy and decided to "retable" the position.

There are a lot of people in the community that feel the same way as I do. All I want is for the school superintendent and board president to reform the way hiring is conducted. That could happen by providing outside independent personnel to conduct the hiring process. I believe this will promote better and fair assessment in the hiring process, as well as eliminate the possibility of favoritism or nepotism. The superintendent structured the district to where the principal of each school, aid in the hiring of the teacher position at each school. For instance, the Lafayette-Pershing (Half day Preschool and Kindergarten) School, has a kindergarten teacher position open. Three of the candidates, the principal already have a working and personal relationship with the principal. One of the three candidates has worked under the principal supervision, when the principal was an assistant principal at Field Street School. My question is; who is to say that one of the three candidates will get the position as teacher, not because they are qualified, but due to the fact the three candidates already know the principal? That would not be fair to other minority candidates whom do not know the principal. So how can there be an assurance of a fair and unbiased assessment?

Early in December, the United States Attorney General, Eric Holder and United States Educational Secretary, Arne Duncan mandated that race can be considered in education. Also, mandated, you cannot have diversity without dealing with the factor of race. As a community; parents, activists, clergy members and other community leaders must pack the school board meetings and encourage "the powers that be" to implement a cultivating hedge of resources around our children. I have studied the structure of the school board and instead of the school district operating like an educational institution; it is operated like a business. For example, a business has a board of directors, schools have a board of education, business has ceo, schools have superintendents, business has managers and schools have administrators.

Until the school board reform the way our children are educated and minority teachers are hired, I will continue to speak on this issue. The people that do not attend the school board meetings need to know what is happening within our school district. As an activist, I will continue to speak about any and all injustices in my community and other communities abroad, especially education. I will shine light in dark places, I will speak when other people will not talk, I will continue to speak a word when others are scared and I will walk where others are coward.

This issue of quality education and fair treatment in minority hiring may not be on the school board agenda but it is definitely on mine.


Walter L. Hudson Sr. / Community Activist

Chairman of Community Awareness Alliance

Penns Grove, New Jersey