Clark, NJ and racism (Irvington, Westfield: low crime, home, schools)

[novillero]

Originally Posted by 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.

Funny, that exact rumor was in Cranford too.

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by novillero

Funny, that exact rumor was in Cranford too.

And neither of you think that maybe, just maybe, in the 80's, an incident at this level would have made the news, considering an employee of ABC was involved?

I'm floored.

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by CuCullin

And neither of you think that maybe, just maybe, in the 80's, an incident at this level would have made the news, considering an employee of ABC was involved?

I'm floored.

Probably not. Perhaps there was a level of hyperbole attached to the story. I will say however, that mass media combined with the internet today would make any related story more visible today. Media broadcasts in the early 80s were more dedicated to what I would call 'hard news'. You know, tax negotiations, budgetary matters, international news etc. Today, a 'hot button' issue such as race, attached to a news story would be far more displayed prominently in the tabloids. Example: remember Bernard Goetz and the shooting incident? Could you imagine how differently that story would be handled today, as opposed to 1984?

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by mike0421

Probably not. Perhaps there was a level of hyperbole attached to the story. I will say however, that mass media combined with the internet today would make any related story more visible today. Media broadcasts in the early 80s were more dedicated to what I would call 'hard news'. You know, tax negotiations, budgetary matters, international news etc. Today, a 'hot button' issue such as race, attached to a news story would be far more displayed prominently in the tabloids. Example: remember Bernard Goetz and the shooting incident? Could you imagine how differently that story would be handled today, as opposed to 1984?

Yes, but point being, every single one of these posts has contained nothing but gossip and rumor. Its a bit disturbing, if you ask me.

[novillero]

Originally Posted by CuCullin

Yes, but point being, every single one of these posts has contained nothing but gossip and rumor. Its a bit disturbing, if you ask me.

So, the point being, given the massive amount of rumors, would you recommend any black friend of yours to move to Clark? Or if a black friend asked for your thoughts, would you just say "go ahead, friend, they are just rumors."?

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by novillero

So, the point being, given the massive amount of rumors, would you recommend any black friend of yours to move to Clark? Or if a black friend asked for your thoughts, would you just say "go ahead, friend, they are just rumors."?

All you have to do is read my posts in this thread, and you'd know what I've already said. Followed; sure. There aren't many black people in town, and as long as that continues to be the case, the older generation of cops (for the most part) will continue to do it. Will they be strung up on their front lawn, alongside a burning cross, like some of the ridiculous and utterly asinine comments on this thread?

Absolutely not.

I've long been a believer that as long as people recognize racism, they give credence to it. There were black students in Arthur L. Johnson... were the persecuted and attacked? No, they were actually regularly going out and having fun with the popular crowd.

Get over your desires to spread ridiculous rumors, and grow up already.

[southtoms]

check the star ledger archive 1978. yes they did burn a cross on the peoples front lawn

[JG183]

ahhh, Klu Klux Klark...

don't drive thru if your vehicle has tinted windows !

[taurus430]

Some people like to look for trouble, maybe in Clark because they know it might be predominately white. I've heard of things like blacks coming into Clark intentionally to shop etc, for what purpose, because it's mostly white? Who cares. If you're worried about racism, whites and the Cops, stay in your own town if you have no business in Clark. and I don't live there either. I think this thread can agitate.

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by taurus430

Some people like to look for trouble, maybe in Clark because they know it might be predominately white. I've heard of things like blacks coming into Clark intentionally to shop etc, for what purpose, because it's mostly white? Who cares. If you're worried about racism, whites and the Cops, stay in your own town if you have no business in Clark. and I don't live there either. I think this thread can agitate.

I always thought anyone in America had the right to go anywhere in America that they wanted, and that the real agitators (racists, cops or, in the case of Clark, both in the same package) have no right to impede such movement. At least, that's what I always thought. There should be no towns in this country that are off-limits to anyone.