On July17th, Midtown Community held a block party sponsored by MURC, for the 40th anniversary of the race riots in Asbury Park on Lake Ave. The sixties was a time where race relations were at its all time low. The city of Asbury and Neptune are pulling together to restore its community after 40 years.
It is a very slow process after the influx of drugs and guns in the community; a social ill that was not in the equation 40 years ago. We were reminded that Asbury does not stand alone in this problem that crosses over in the Neptune community as well. The violence and the lost of lives among young people reside in both communities.
The Deputy Mayor of Neptune, Kevin B. McMillan, gave a strong positive voice to represent community involvement, commitment, dedication of change in the black community. The block party gave a sense of unity among its residents that positive change can happen. The Mayor of Asbury Park Ed Johnson reminded the residents that change can occur. Unheard Voices will be keeping a close watch on the activities that go on in both communities. In the sixties people had to fight against racism only but now we have to fight police brutality, corrupts cops, racism ingrained in both police forces, drugs, guns, gangs and other social degradation that comes when living in a less desirable area in the community. It was stressed that it will take an entire community effort to get the job done.
It would have been nice to have more representation by public figures in both townships so that people could ask questions about issues affecting the community. The block party ended on a positive note. The people in the community are finally waking up and are learning that they do have a voice. Like the Deputy Mayor of Neptune said, after giving his proclamation, that technology has changed the face of our community. Unheard-Voices is one the faces of technology that will be around to hold officials accountable for their actions. Speak up and be heard.
Part 1:
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Part 2:
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