It is time to take a few moments away from the
duplicity that motivates all political leaders. It matters not whether they are
heads of powerful nations or insignificant community officials.
AS anticipated Putin the minute he detected the
slightest weakness in America’s resolve has announced that he would veto any
Security Council resolution that would suggest that the UN could take military
action if Assad did not comply with the turnover of weapons to an international
body.
It matters not that JFK delivers an ultimatum to the
city via the clergy that if it is not permitted to build its apartments on the
Muhlenberg site it will withdraw all health service.
It matters not that our Mayor has her own financial
agenda and that the State oversight offices have never found it fit to call her to task
for just paying lip service to the requirement of a CFO. It matters not that
her faithful will support willy-nilly every cockamamie plan she proposes.
I could go on and on at all levels, but today that is
not the point of this blog.
Lost in the hubris of the Public Comments were Alex Tolliver’s
remarks about Chicago’s Bud Billiken Parade. This parade held annually is the oldest and largest African American parade in the United States. Since 1929, it has always been held on the second
Saturday in August.
The history (from Wikipedia)
of the parade and its significance follows:
Bud Billiken is a fictional
character created in 1923 by Abbott,
who had been pondering the possibility of adding a youth section to the
newspaper. While dining at a Chinese restaurant he noticed a Billiken. Some of the early Billiken columns were written by
Willard
Motley, who would later become a
prominent African-American novelist. During the early 1930s, names of
international youth appeared in the Bud Billiken section of the newspaper every
week. Between 1930-34, approximately 10,000 names appeared and were archived in
the Carter G. Woodson Regional Library of the Chicago
Public Library.[5] During the Great Depression, the Bud Billiken character served as a symbol of
pride, happiness and hope for black residents. The character gained prominence
in a comic strip and the Chicago Defender newspaper.
Although the character was
created in 1923, the parade did not begin until David Kellum initiated it in
1929 as a celebration of the "unity in diversity for the children of
Chicago". It has since grown to become a locally televised event—the
second largest parade in the nation. The parade, which began on August 11,
1929, now includes politicians, beauty queens, celebrities, musical performers,
and dozens of marching, tumbling and dancing groups. It has grown from a
locally sponsored event to one with major corporate presence and is seen as a
signal of the impending end of summer and beginning of the new school year. As
such the parade sponsors raise money for college scholarships for local youth”
I am suggesting that as
Tolliver wishes perhaps something of this nature could take place in
Plainfield, a community which is still predominantly African-American, with a
similar goal of helping the children. Black History month would be ideal,
except winter is not parade friendly.
At present every celebration
event, commercial or otherwise, seems to be aimed at one selected ethnic
population. They do not include all Latinos but only those of the Caribbean
nations that became free of Spain in 1812.
What we should consider for
the city is a program of “celebration” of all the various ethnic and perhaps religious
groups that form our city. Small minority segments of our community must also
be recognized. If there is pride in the city perhaps even the 4th of
July parade could once more be meaningful.
Anything of such nature would
take a committed community concerned government to bring about. Yes, the
citizenry must also be committed not antagonistic to others.
We have an inactive Human
Relations Commission it could be reconstituted and given a charge that would
make it proactive not just a name on a list. That would be more worthwhile than
another narrowly focused committee.
We do not have any the above
situations today; but if Plainfield will survive we will need a real change in
leadership. Another 4 years of same old, same old will not do.
There are many residents that could over a period of time if supported who have the capability of accomplishing such a project. But they would have to be free from petty hassling.
Oh, by the way Bud Billiken is native to Chicago we need some other motivator.
Old Doc, I agree. We in Plainfield will benefit greatly from a celebration of our diversity and cultural enrichments. I believe our future will be far more successful if we look for solutions together rather than as partisan groups. I invite you to visit my website and share any ideas you might have for moving our city forward. If you like - we can meet and discuss your ideas in person and how my administration, should I win in November may Put Plainfield First.
ReplyDeletewww.putplainfieldfirst.com
D. Scott Belin, PMP
When I moved to Plainfield, there was an event that the McWilliams administration had called "EthFest"--kind of like what you are proposing, Doc. Folks from dozens of ethnic groups participated in a great cultural event--there were tables of information, cultural activities like performances, a food fest, and arts and crafts. I think that another EthFest would be preferable to a parade--contained in a single location--perhaps at Hub Stine Field (or Cedarbrook Park, which is where one of the EthFests was held). I am not in favor of a parade--it is extremely costly, in terms of public safety, street closures, and clean-up. You only need to look at the expense of the Independence Day parade here (tens of thousands of $$$), or the parades in other cities, like Newark, Elizabeth, etc., to see how much money is spent on public safety. I think one parade a year (the Independence Day Parade) is enough for a city of Plainfield's size. I think a festival, with booths (such as was done at Hub Stine Field when we had the American Cancer Society walks) would make much more sense.
ReplyDeleteRebecca
Rebecca, push for it next year.
ReplyDeleteIf we are so proud of our diversity, why are we the only city (name another one) in the surrounding area that doesn't have a Menorah in front of city hall.
ReplyDeletethank u for posting on line ,regarding what I was trying to say at the council meeting I/e the BUD BILLIKEN day parade and Picnic, this can be what we need and a I had coming to Plainfield the queen city, one year I was appointed the 1st ward committee leader and with the help of our freeholder now. but then a 1st ward council person Linda Carter togather we did something in the 1st ward that had never happen before we put formed a ward outing. at the milt cambell field we had over 350 people families that attended.some from scotch plains. plus a wall street banker that I met that lived in the back of the park and he felt that this was something that he, would like to get involved in. many people don't know that the BUD BILLIKEN DAY PARADE.was and still is not just the was largest parade in America but was also a great healing day. to get meet new friends day. and share .if you remember at one time late 40's Chicago was call [little san Juan]this because it was the 1st city in the to open its arms to the Spanish speaking in great numbers the day was a great getting to know your fellow citizens north/south/east/west. throughout chicago we all came togather Presidents. major stars black Spanish, white. this is a day the full city laughed togather! with a very small cost$ to the city to end up in one place, a large city park that was shared by all. if you want to know more email me at summerstorm2@verizon.net it could be call the [queen city parade and pinic] ea year I/e Chicago style?? there a a lot of things we can do to make this City the QUEEN CITY great again all it need is IDEAS and not petty jealous after all we are Plainfield and should be proud about where we live
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