Clark, NJ and racism (Cranford, Colonia: tax, shop, to move)

[scorp200]

Originally Posted by CuCullin

So every person who says its racist "knows someone who" or "heard" something. I'd call that a trend.

I never spent any time in Clark. Seeing as I heard it from a resident I trust the info.

[Older&Wiser]

What is wrong with you folks....." I heard from someone......", "My brother used to say", "put out fires on the lawn of the newly moved in black family. Ok this was YEARS ago,"When I was a young kid", "I used to work in Springfield and a guy who grew up in Clark said ". Have you guys ever heard of first person current information? This is how BAD rumors start.

[victorianpunk]

Well, when I was little...I mean NINE YEARS OLD, I had someone throw a beer bottle at me and yell "N--------!" from his speeding car while I played at a friend's front yard who's family had recently moved to Clark...the family, all white, did not stay there that long.

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by scorp200

I never spent any time in Clark. Seeing as I heard it from a resident I trust the info.

I have spent time in Clark, as I lived there.

[scorp200]

Originally Posted by CuCullin

I have spent time in Clark, as I lived there.

Well, it's not like anyone's going to come on here and post that they are big racists! I mean, the question was asked, so hopefully someone with direct experience will see it and answer it - until then this is all we get! I'm not in touch with the guy I talked to, or I'd ask him to come on here and post in detail.

The town has a reputation for "driving while black" police pullovers. That's just undeniable.

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by scorp200

The town has a reputation for "driving while black" police pullovers. That's just undeniable.

Thats because that part is true. Thats why I said it was exaggerated. Like many towns in this area, unfortunately, yes, people who aren't white are probably going to be looked at, pulled over, etc. No, there will not be clan meetings to decide if they get burning crosses or hangings.

[kalim2008]

Actually, my dad said (hearsay I know) that Clark police tend to shadow cars with blacks in them until they left the township, and if you look at the town profile, it's got 0% blacks.

• White Non-Hispanic (92.7%)
• Hispanic (3.7%)
• Filipino (0.8%)
• Two or more races (0.7%)
• Chinese (0.6%)
• Other race (0.6%)
• Asian Indian (0.6%)
• Korean (0.5%)

All I know is that it's got a bookstore at exit 135 that I frequent, although it's kinda smaller than other chain bookstores, and there are black customers...

[novillero]

Originally Posted by kalim2008

Actually, my dad said (hearsay I know) that Clark police tend to shadow cars with blacks in them until they left the township, and if you look at the town profile, it's got 0% blacks.

• White Non-Hispanic (92.7%)
• Hispanic (3.7%)
• Filipino (0.8%)
• Two or more races (0.7%)
• Chinese (0.6%)
• Other race (0.6%)
• Asian Indian (0.6%)
• Korean (0.5%)

All I know is that it's got a bookstore at exit 135 that I frequent, although it's kinda smaller than other chain bookstores, and there are black customers...

I lived in a nearby town when growing up and heard all these rumors too.

The bigger question is why would you want to move to Clark if you are black? To test the rumors? Not me, especially if I had a family!

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by kalim2008

if you look at the town profile, it's got 0% blacks.

Its inaccurate.

There are (as of the 2000 census) 44 black people, only 0.01%, but not 0.

Isn't it great how rumors control people so well?

[mike0421]

Legend has it (and I can't substantiate it) that Spencer Christian, who used to do weather for ABC 7 in New York, was the victim of the cross burning incident, back in the early to mid 80s. A had a friend who lived in Colonia who told me about this. Again, that was over 20 years ago.