Comments are closed on this post
If there is a vigil for 49 gay people who died in a mass shooting, must the May shooting deaths of three men in Plainfield be part of it?
If there is a vigil for 49 gay people who died in a mass shooting, must the May shooting deaths of three men in Plainfield be part of it?
Some say yes.
-After a moment of silence for the Orlando victims at
Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Councilwoman Tracey Brown requested the same
for the three Plainfielders killed in May.
-At a vigil Friday for Orlando, Councilwoman Gloria Taylor
preached awareness of injustice to gay, straight, white, black, poor and other people.
- In a blog comment, Mr. X found fault with officials who
took part in Friday’s vigil for Orlando but did not attend a press conference where
activist Salaam Ismial spoke on deaths due to gun violence in Plainfield.
Over the years, there have been similar arguments made when
the atrocities of the Holocaust are mentioned without also speaking of the
atrocities of the Middle Passage.
Is it possible to express grief and sorrow over harm to one
population without including all others?
There is enough heartbreak in the world today that we could broaden the list of victims to those beheaded in the Middle East; residents of whole villages slaughtered in Africa; innocent airline passengers killed by suicidal pilots; children called "collateral damage" in drone strikes; women raped and killed around the world; and all others traumatized by "man's inhumanity to man," a phrase that overlooks the harm inflicted by aunties and mothers who force young girls to undergo sometimes fatal genital cutting.
So where to start and where to end?
At each funeral we mourn loss of a loved one singularly, yet with a universal emotion. If my neighbor should lose a loved one, her grief in no way diminishes mine in my time of loss. Plainfield's LGBT community lost many of its dearest members in days when the world didn't care. The vigil for Orlando was an occasion for all Plainfielders to support the LGBT community now mourning the loss of 49 members through a hateful act.
It was no disrespect to others. Similar vigils were held nationwide and beyond, specifically.in support of the LGBT community's loss. The Plainfield vigil was organized by a local group and some officials took part. For most everyone at Friday's vigil, the mass shooting of almost 100 LGBT people, 49 fatally, demanded a show of respect for those lives. It ended with Plainfielders of every identity reading out the names of those killed in Orlando.
It meant no disrespect to others.
--Bernice
So where to start and where to end?
At each funeral we mourn loss of a loved one singularly, yet with a universal emotion. If my neighbor should lose a loved one, her grief in no way diminishes mine in my time of loss. Plainfield's LGBT community lost many of its dearest members in days when the world didn't care. The vigil for Orlando was an occasion for all Plainfielders to support the LGBT community now mourning the loss of 49 members through a hateful act.
It was no disrespect to others. Similar vigils were held nationwide and beyond, specifically.in support of the LGBT community's loss. The Plainfield vigil was organized by a local group and some officials took part. For most everyone at Friday's vigil, the mass shooting of almost 100 LGBT people, 49 fatally, demanded a show of respect for those lives. It ended with Plainfielders of every identity reading out the names of those killed in Orlando.
It meant no disrespect to others.
--Bernice
Well written Bernice and I concur with you 100% . But that still doesn't absolve the elected officials and their Laissez afire attitude when comes to local killings as though that's just business as usual. In closing I'm only echoing the feelings of the many. who feel that they have been once again let down by those who are elected to address the issues that plague our community. I don't expect them to solve the problems. But at least don't be so disconnected from the problem that you fail to hear the pleas of the people. striving for peace progress and prosperity for all. Mr. X
ReplyDeleteThe disrespect did not come from hosting, attending, or speaking at a vigil for the Orlando tragedy. The disrespect came from officials who were so eager to attend and express concern for one tragedy but did not have the time or energy to express sympathy for a local tragedy. A tragedy they have a civil and legal responsibility to address.
ReplyDeleteNot enough is being made of the mayor's cold and indifferent statements about murders of black youth in his own city and the fact that he did not show up to the discussion about initiatives in support of at-risk youth. Attention to civil problems should NOT be dependent on how political valuable the concerned population is.
Richard Stewart
Richard you are still in love with creating your own facts and nonsense I see. I think it is interesting that you are making assumptions about what the Mayor did or didn't do related to the tragic shooting deaths of the Plainfield residents. I think it is interesting that you point this out without knowledge but do not acknowledge his efforts, along with Mr. Riley, to reduce the number of violent crimes in the city - by dramatic numbers. I also think it is interesting that you state that he didn't show up for the at-risk youth conversation - one which was added at the last minute to a council agenda. A real conversation should be had but should be organized in a way that allows for a proper agenda and proper notice for elected officials and citizens to attend.
DeleteAlso - I find it interesting that nobody mentions that Gloria Taylor didn't seem to make an appearance at the March to stop the violence. This from the lady that made time to attend the Orlando Vigil - as if she is a supporter of the gay community. For those that don't remember she was the one that mentioned that the South Avenue development was designed to attract those of an "alternative lifestyle" - and it wasn't mentioned with a positive tone. By the way - was Diane Toliver in attendance at the March? Didn't see her. I did notice Baby Campbell attended - he must be getting ready to run for something yet again. Nice job tossing out some of that Trump hyperbole - always good to make stuff up out of emotion versus finding out what the facts are first. Hopefully you don't do that in your legal work also.
I will make this quick as possible:
DeleteI think it’s interesting that you failed to give your name, probably because you do not want to associate yourself with your own comments.
I’ll point you to the following article about the mayor’s public comments. No need to assume on my end, its recorded for anyone, including you, to read. http://nj1015.com/after-4-homicides-in-2-months-nj-mayor-doesnt-want-media-focusing-on-negatives/
Reduction of crime is not the same as showing support to those who died. One has nothing to do with the other.
I believe the vigil was last minute but the mayor found time to attend that. I didn’t know the mayor needed advanced notice to have an open discussion.
Your inclusion of Gloria and Diane is just a sad attempt to deflect attention away from the mayor’s comments. I did not hear any public comments from Gloria and Diane about how “I am not focusing on the negatives” and “There are murders in every city in New Jersey”. Try explaining away those specific comments from the mayor instead of just going off on a tangent.
Trump hyperbole.. Really?? Mudslinging is to be expected from people who hide in the shadows.
Lastly, I find it interesting you reference my legal career (again) and try to take a swipe. Must be out of jealousy for me attaining something you clearly could not. Don’t worry about my career, I am doing fine :-)
SIGNED,
Richard Stewart
Richard, you are a one trick pony. You focus on the negatives of one side and ignore the complete and utter hypocrisy and failure of leadership on the other side. While Mayor Mapps comments could have been much better phrased, it isn't incorrect to focus on the positives in a community with respect to the press. Also my inclusion of Gloria and Diane was to demonstrate that they, like their friends on the Council, are all talk and no action. Putting together a poorly organized demonstration, not notifying the public so they can attend and show support and likely not even inviting the Mayor and then ranting about a lack of support is ridiculous. The apparent meeting last night is a great example - comment posted on here around 2:00 for a 5:00 event - late notice and time is too early for most people. Many of your friends have been on the council in positions of authority long enough to have done many things to address at-risk youth - tell me what they have done other than point fingers and show up at the 11th hour to show their support - typically for some fool that is pilfering funds from youth programs i.e. Parks and Rec under Sharon. Rivers, Toliver, Taylor, Robinson-Briggs are all failures to their constituents - they haven't raised a finger to produce meaningful results. Brown gets some credit for trying but she is alone in that group and hasn't got a clue what her job as a council member is. I will also toss your mentor and recruiter Jerry Green in that bucket as well - what has he done other than hand out jobs? This is what you should be talking about - and to ignore the failure of Jerry and his minions while jumping all over Mapp for a poorly phrased comment in an interview is standard hypocrisy and yes Trump hyperbole.
DeleteLet’s not forget the genocide in Darfur, Rwanda, Uganda etcetera, all in an effort to eliminate an entire race of people. The list could go on and on about the injustices of the world. When it comes to gang-related killings right here in our own backyard, in my opinion this type of violence is not necessary born of hatred as much as a lack of resources, pride for self and community and most important, quality education. Self-proclaim activist like Mr X should put some focus on our school system. And instead of pointing the finger we should be working together with our school system, police officials, city administrators and clergy. Usually, educated men of color are less likely to engage in gang activity resorting to gun violence.
ReplyDeleteRCH
RCH - well said. Unfortunately, Mr. X and some of his friends are more interested in pointing fingers, playing Monday morning quarterback and impeding any meaning results.
DeletePeople that parse words and play on knee jerk reactions and emotions are not usually driven to find solutions. Their main involvement is to place blame. It is a sad situation. Hopefully they are outnumbered by those that would like to help make a difference.
There is a unity summit tonight at Ruth fellowship church. ALL are Welcomed
DeleteStart time is 5:00 pm look forward to meeting and greeting my fellow residents of this beautiful city.
You know you are doing the very thing you are complaining about. Pointing fingers and placing blame on Mr. X because you do not like what he said. It's quite ironic...
DeleteAll you mayor apologists need to take the blinders off. He is human and he makes mistakes. He made a mistake with his comments, should apologize, and move on.
You have no problem singing to the high heavens about his accomplishments (and he does have some) but lose your minds when someone calls out his errors.
Richard Stewart
Richard - you are full of it. I am not a Mapp apologist, I am a realist and a pragmatist that doesn't like lines in the sand and negative rants from people just for the sake of hearing themselves speak.
DeleteNice of you to include the "and he does have some" regarding his accomplishments. Interesting since I don't think I have ever seen a blog post from you that is even remotely supportive of anything this administration has done. Why don't you share some of those accomplishments with us - unless your mentor Jerry would be too upset about that. We wouldn't want you to lose your job over saying something positive.
News reports indicate the shooter had gay relationships. In other words, he was a member of the "gay community." What exactly was the purpose of the vigil?
ReplyDeleteYou apparently don't understand a thing about gay people. The shooter was NOT a member of the "gay community". He had unresolved sexual identity issues and until someone accepts their "gay" sexual issues and is comfortable with themselves, they are not part of the "gay community". Gay is about acceptance of one's sexual identity and accepting the decisions others make for themselves.
DeleteAnon - 5:14 - news reports reveal that you are a clown. First, the FBI announced yesterday that there is no evidence yet that he had any gay relationships. And secondly, if he was gay then the vigil isn't null and void - it would be to support the community after a "gay on gay" mass crime. This would be similar to the march as a result of the shootings in Plainfield "black on black". It is to show support and the background of the shooter makes not germane. That is of course unless you are a clown.
DeleteApparently, since you have to insult me, you do not understand. I won't try to explain it, but my response was to some who suggested this was gay on gay crime. It wasn't, so get your facts straight before being insultive and perhaps, anti-gay.
DeleteWell written Bernice. You need a "like" button for the comments. I do not know any of the commentors here, however I do know that education is key to solving some of our problems. While vigils, marches and unity meetings are great, but I would invite everyone to attend Board of Ed meetings, get involved in the schools, why our drop out rate is so high and we have a graduation rate of 80%. Look at PAAAS, 100% graduation rate and 100% going on to higher learning. How many of our "at risk" youth attended any of those events? Get out in the street, meet them, ask questions and try to find out why they are where they are. I find one of our problems is that no one is asking the youth what THEY want. We as adults cannot dictate what WE think they should do or have based on what our youth was like. Not all of our youth are going to college, so lets find out what they truly want to do with their life. I don't drive so I walk every where, when I see them I talk to them, ask what they want (and tell a lot of them to pull their pants up). Some are lost, but I do believe they can be found again.
ReplyDeletegreat
ReplyDelete