Newark needs a face-lift. Considering the size of the city, it would be a major cleanup effort, taking time and a lot of money; certain parts of Newark are still recovering from the damage the riots caused years ago. Still, we need to take more pride in what we have and where we live if we are to maintain Newark’s nickname, the “Renaissance City.”
I’m impressed with the construction of multifamily homes all over the city and the programs that give lower-income families the opportunity to own them. It’s certainly a step up for residents and an improvement in the look of the city. Not only am I excited about the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Newark Bears Stadium, I await new construction throughout the city and the completion of highway improvements that are steadily making their mark.
But beyond the visual disarray of most of our city’s homes and structures, Newark is flooded with dysfunctional families and single-parent homes that have birthed troubled youth. Still, who said just because you are born and raised in a city such as Newark that your chances of a successful outcome in life are little to nil? One of the biggest challenges this city faces is turning its youth away from the past and focusing on how they can form their future.
There is a statewide cry for welfare reforms to protect children in abusive homes. Genuine, in-depth state involvement, community volunteers and quality foster homes are critical to help guide these families away from the poverty mentality that has haunted Newark’s families for generations.
I’ve heard many complain and voice plans to move out of the city once an opportunity presents itself. To those with similar plans, I ask, “Are you affecting your surroundings? Or are your surroundings affecting you?” Regardless of the limitations presented to you throughout the course of your life, it is possible to be successful. Recognize that life, where you live and wherever you are, is what you make of it. You make Newark. Newark does not make you.
Personally, I don’t have any plans to move out of the city of Newark. I was born and raised in north Newark. I have had the opportunity to live in Puerto Rico during my last year of high school and to live and travel in Europe during my sophomore year of college. Although I took advantage of the exposure to different nvironments and other cultures, I couldn’t wait to come back. Newark is the only place I feel comfortable calling home.
The affection I have for the city of Newark lies in its people and the celebration of who they are and where they come from. The immense diversity found here represents every corner of the globe.
Newark is a city where diversity is celebrated with everything from carnivals and parades to museum exhibits. Events such as the Puerto Rican Day parade and the Portuguese feast are held annually. Countless exhibits are held at the Newark Museum throughout the year honoring various events and commemorating people from the past, such as artists and poets. Art displays give pride and recognition to the elementary and high school students of Newark—the future of this city. Compared to other parts of this country Newark is where you can be yourself, practice your culture and your religion and not really have to worry about being discriminated against.
The city is an everyday celebration of who you are when you are able to speak your native language—whether it is Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Arabic or Creole. Or, when you’re able to practice your religion—whether it is Roman Catholic, Baptist, Islam or Pentecostal. Life in Newark is a reflection of the American freedom that is promised to those wishing for a better life for themselves and their families. In this city, you should not have to give up who you are in order to live a prosperous life and take advantage of better opportunities time zones away from your native land.
I urge the community to appreciate and take advantage of what Newark has to offer. As a 26-year-old woman born and raised in Newark, I am proud to say that I’m from the Renaissance City. I’m a college graduate, with graduate-school ambitions in the sciences. Although I lead a career as a chemist, this is one scientist that believes in God. When questioned over the irony I respond, “I believe that God created science, and it’s up to us to understand it.”
I believe that God has great plans for this great city. Not only does God want to see an outward change in Newark, He wants an inward one as well. We need to remember that the residents of this city are the ones who make Newark what it is. It’s not the location on this earth, and it’s not the buildings that form the skyline. It’s us. And that’s why we need to work from the inside out. The problem lies in this city’s spirit.
As time has gone by, Newark has lost its spiritual edge. We’ve taken spirituality out of homes, prayers out of our classrooms and subsequently shunned God out of our lives. Newark’s problem is a spiritual one. You cannot solve a spiritual problem with a carnal solution. No matter how much money you invest into rebuilding this city it is worth nothing if the people don’t have the spirit to maintain it. Newark needs to recognize that true success will come when we stop looking to man to make decisions we should be looking to God to make.
He calls us to lead a relationship with Him through prayer. He wants us to be reborn into a life that depends on Him for everything. He wants us to learn how to listen to Him when He speaks. Newark cries out for change. But how long until we realize that change will only come when we revitalize our spirits, bringing God back into our everyday life.
Keep in mind I said bring God into our lives, not religion, and not a particular faith for that matter. God is God no matter what name you’ve given Him, what you practice or where you come from. All I’m sure of is that He wants to bring Newark into a whole new dimension and rebirth—revitalizing the city and giving true meaning to being the Renaissance City.
Celines Garcia is a Newark resident.
