Guest Blogger: Steve Greenstein

Many times I have gone to the Actors Temple and I say I live in
Newark...I am usually greeted with a face of why? Followed by
distorted views about the city, and many negative comments. If you
watch the powerful media, there is no wonder why, a killing gets lots
of press.
The fear factor sets in, and a whole city is labeled one big inner city
violent ghetto. You have to look past the headlines, and see we live
in many different America's. On July 5th I attended the New Jersey
Symphony concert right here in Branch Brook Park, followed by fire
works. All for free in a beautiful park designed by the Olmsteads of Central Park fame..
Later in the week I attended a free concert here in Essex county, the
Great Harlold Melvin and the Blue Notes. The awesome black soul group of the
70's which great hits like "The love I lost.." and the classic " If
you don't know me by now"..The park was filled with Blacks, whites, hispanics all
grooving to the geat tunes..Middle age folks breaking out in dance
steps on a hot summer night under a bright moon.

I have taught school in Newark for ten years as a parallel career to
being an actor. I have taught at Arts High and just about every
elementary school in the Ironbound section of Newark. I know the city, and that is why this latest killing on the news has gotten to me so deeply. On Friday a
young black woman, a graduate of Arts High and now a teacher was
gunned down outside a restaurant. Twenty seven years old, a life
infront of her. A gifted musician as well and a stellar person. Wrong
place, wrong time. A Black cop, off duty gunned down outside a pizza
joint a month ago.. random senseless...I could go on and on..but why
break our hearts. I have a beautiful vegetable garden here in Newark.
Every year awards are given out to residents from all over the city.
Its a great ceremony attended by so many people of different faiths and
races.

Newark is a diverse city. FIve colleges, Portugese, Brazillian, and
Hispanics communities are here form all over latin America. The
National Hockey league, the best Jewish deli..Hobbies serves awesome
cornbeef to hungry Devils fans on cold winter nights. A great museum,
minor league basball and five star restaurants.

Yet, and as politically incorrect as this may sound the victims
of most of the crimes are black, killed by other blacks. However, this
is rarely mentioned. The violence tends to be in a certain
neighborhood.The entire city is seen by outsiders as a living hell and
they have never stepped one foot here.

Where is Al Sharpton? Jesse Jackson, and yes the first Black President
Mr. Obama. Why does he not visit these areas and call attention to this
horrible situation. It goes on and on..and yet I have not seen any
civil rights leaders visit Newark, make a march or form a
demonstration.
On August 2nd it will be national night out on Crime. I hope the
problems in the Black community are brought to a forefront, and people
can really confront this issue. The president has been invisible on this.
With unemployment twice the average in black neighborhoods, what is the
future? I have taught so many kids in some of the most toughest
schools. That woman that was killed on Friday was a success story,
yet she lays in a morgue. It is all too senseless. We need to speak
out.