Poverty in Newark - Anonymous Post

I lived in Newark, NJ (the hood) most of my life. I come from a family that lived in poverty and I believe there are several factors as to why poverty is so prevalent in urban communities like Newark. There are limited resources available to those that seek to get out of the poverty state that they’re in. I believe that a lot of people in Newark do not have the will to get out of their situation. I’ve experienced that when you’re constantly surrounded by depression, drugs, sex and alcohol it begins to consume you. There is almost no exposure to any other alternatives in the “hood.” 

Newark is a city with a reputation for a high level of crime and violence. There is always a story on the news about a kid getting shot here, and a gang member there. Why are these things such a constant in Newark? The young people in Newark are more products of their environment than the media portrays. 

What are the options for the youth in Newark? Where are the Boys and Girls clubs? Where are the recreation centers for them after dark? Where are the mentors for them? Where is the food and clothing for them? They want attention, and the gang leaders give them that. Yes it’s negative, but its attention they don’t get from home or from the positive working class they interact with on a regular basis. 

I was watching a documentary on the Sundance Channel recently called, Brick City about the city of Newark filmed in 2008. One of the episodes was surrounding the Central High School student body. The Vice Principal had an sleepover for the young men. He was standing there and took a poll of this class of boys. He asked them, “How many of you either do not live with your father or don’t know who he is?” Sadly about 80% of the boys present raised their hands. So I say yes there is a reputation that exists, but when is the change going to come? Without a change or a way out the youth will continue to join gangs. In gangs they face unreasonable pressures to be drug dealers, murderers, and to cover up emotional weaknesses. They’re forced to be what is necessary so they can continue to be respected and appreciated. This is one of the reasons an overwhelming amount of people in Newark turn to sex, drugs and alcohol. 

I don’t know where and when it came about, but being expressive in emotion is frowned upon in the urban community. Saying that I need help in dealing with the emotions that I’m feeling about my life is frowned upon. I know people that could use some type of mental health assistance but will never admit it or seek help. There is really no acceptance to being weak or emotional without someone labeling you in a negative way. Most of the women and men in the urban community want to be so “HARD.” So we struggle with everyday pressure to be better and deal with our issues and everyday life in the “hood.”  

That’s when sex, drugs, and alcohol come into play. If you’re not praying to God for some type of sign around here, then there’s a blunt, a drink, or someone to have sex with in order to keep your mind off of things. This is why the welfare offices are tumbling over in paperwork and recipients are lined up out the door. I’ve seen it so many times that as a teenager they began drinking, smoking and sexing and eventually becoming adults doing the same. Once you become addicted to these things, how do you stay focused on graduating from high school? How do you set goals for yourself? It’s just a destructive wheel. The people of Newark that are in these situations aren’t given any alternatives either. Through exposure there’s opportunity. 

I don’t think that the people of Newark, Detroit, or Chicago chose to be hopeless. We are the ones who watch the TV shows and picture ourselves in the “lime-light.” But the closest and most common resource is selling drugs, selling ourselves, and the system of welfare.  I think a solution can be to go into the high schools and ask the young people what are their dreams? What do they struggle with outside of the school? Then put programs, assistance and counseling in place to deal with those issues. Include the parents, offer job training to the parents. There should be counseling for the parents and their kids so that they’ll have a better understanding of one another. Make counseling and lifestyle workshop requirements for the people on welfare. 

I live here and it hurts my heart everyday I’m on the bus riding up Springfield Ave. I have friends and family I talk to everyday, who sound more and more hopeless.  Someday I hope to be in a position to make a change in my community.  To the politicians use your money and power to make the difference. Give cities like Newark some money; bring professionals here to make a difference. We want to be successful too!!