Have the people of Newark become invisible?
The renewal of Cami Anderson’s contract as state-imposed schools superintendent in Newark reveals some unpleasant truths many in the city and state may not want to face. The progressive wing of the state Democratic Party is all but dead. Support for public education among elected officials is waning. The political power of both the city’s clergy and its public employee unions is non-existent. The election of Ras Baraka as mayor did nothing to stop or even slow down the “One Newark” plan. The privatization of the city’s schools will continue unabated.
And, to Chris Christie, the governor of the state, the aspirations of the people of Newark are like mud stuck on the bottom of his shoe–he can just scrape it off on the nearest curb and keep on walking.
Cam Anderson’s victory–her considering it a loss, as far as I’m concerned, is just urban legend embraced by those who were embarrassed by that victory–also means this: The regard and respect public officials are expected to demonstrate for the people they serve simply do not apply to the people of the state’s largest city and probably not to the residents of most cities. And that’s probably because so many urban residents are people of color and poor.
Let’s face it: This country can elect an African-American president but, Have the people of Newark become invisible? | Bob Braun's Ledger: