Why isn't anyone Posting?

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

It is amazing that so many people wanted a Forum without censorship, yet no one is posting. If you take away the Housing Authority threads and number of viewers of that thread this site would be "Dead". For two days there have been no new posts.

While I will reserve most of my concerns about Newark until campaign time, we need to give 5 reasons credit for creating this venue for us and USE IT.

Let's talk about issues NOW instead of 2006, 2010, or 2014.

p.s. I find it interesting and pleasing that none of the burbians who rant on NJ.com followed us here :D

[counterattack]

you are right but once again that shows you the sad state of affairs in our city which by the way your father is somewhat responsible for, we can only have conversation if we are fighting one another and not true dialogue or debate.

[5Reasons]

You'll know when Newark's "democracy" is mature when we can all disagree with each other and STILL get along. Today's political environment is to combative to produce a healthy discourse.

For example, I am a STRONG supporter of the arena. I should be able to have a reasonable argument with those that are against the arena and then afterwards go to Sights with them and, well...... you know what I mean.

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

That is the convenient cop out for folks.

We have numerous problems which occur in EVERY major urban city across America, yet in Newark somehow critics believe Sharpe created the following:

Drug Use/Abuse/Associated Violence - Sharpe's never used drugs, didn't create them, and never sold them...why don't we blame our president...an admitted Cocaine user and rehabilitated drunk. Hell, the DEA even admits they can't stop the flow of drugs into this country...But let's blame SUPERJAY!

Gangs/gang violence - Sharpe's never been in one or promoted them...and hired Ras Baraka who has always made a sincere effort to curb gang violence.....BTW there was a truce so Sharpe should get a "Little" credit for having his administration support Ras' efforts.

Unemployment - Everyone can't work for city hall. There have been no layoffs since he's become Mayor, while more Police and Firefighters have been hired. Hell, Guliani was Mayor of the year after Sept 11th, but today NYC has a 50% unemployment rate for African American males. Billionaire Bloomberg laid off 2,600 NYC workers last summer. On top of that companies are hiring illegal immigrants under the table who work for peanuts in unsafe conditions. Gotta be SUPERJAY'S fault!

Black on Black Crime - We do it to ourselves! Especially the younger generation. Sharpe hasn't beaten anyone up except Cory :eek: .....wait a minute...wouldn't that be "Black-on-Oreo?" :confused:

Education - Sharpe attained a PH.D. and taught for over 20 years in the Newark school system. Yet, I still haven't heard of any of his students committing any heinous crimes. Sharpe has not hired or fired any of the teachers in the NPS, nor does he have the power to create the curriculum. I know his three sons all have high school degrees, because we were forced to do homework right after school. Hell, I even graduated Law School...(didn't get through the Bar Exam...must be Sharpe's fault :confused: )

People should be responsible for their own actions. Parents should be held accountable for interest in and support of their childrens' education. Lastly, nationwide economic factors DO effect Newark. Getting a new Mayor doesn't mean jobs suddenly appear or that discrimination ceases to exist.

We are in a state which is heavily Anti-Newark. Non-Newarkers argued that NO PUBLIC MONEY SHOULD GO TO NEWARK ARENA. Yet, turned around and said let's spend 1 BILLION on XANADUDU!

Please respond.... :D

[counterattack]

I am though blaming him for lack of leadership, and what I mean about this is that instead of him being mayor and bringing the city together he has fed into this take sides type of politics that has divided this city, and has done nothing in promoting the concept of passing the torch it is just ego politics and all of them are guilty of it.

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

We do not have any racial problems and people go into whatever part of Newark they want to freely. In the past, Blacks and Puerto Ricans couldn't walk up bloomfield avenue or into North Newark. That is not the case today!


Sharpe has been 100% loyal to Newark and no one can contest that. The people voted him in and they will vote him out if they feel he is not doing the job.

So, instead of blaming him, point the finger at those who could vote but didn't, and respect the voters who did vote for him because they were the majority and he is who they want running this city.

And it is amazing that folks NEVER blame those who commit crimes against others in this town. If you RAPE someone it is NOT the Mayor's fault. If you KILL someone because they are dating your ex-baby momma it is NOT the Mayor's fault. If you STEAL a car from the mall or suburbs then get chased by the police it is not the Mayor's fault. If you BUGLARIZE your neighbor's apartment (because you know they aren't home), it is NOT the Mayor's fault.

There will always be divisions in a city this large. Some large cities have republican/democratic systems for running for Mayor.

In politics you WIN or you LOSE. THERE is no middle ground.

p.s. politics is not limited to public office. politics is everywhere!

[black4rob2]

For example, I am a STRONG supporter of the arena. I should be able to have a reasonable argument with those that are against the arena and then afterwards go to Sights with them and, well...... you know what I mean.


I am definitely all for that. As a matter of fact lets skip the debate :D :)

[NHASoldier]

It seems to me that winning or losing in politics only applies to us folks. For the white majority, politics is seen as a way to continually empower the majority. When white politicians find themselves on the losing side, they getted slapped around. They may have to eat less. Black folks are starved to death, with the exception of the few who can reinvent themselves through making thier own deals. White politicans know that they may find themselves on the outside one day in many of our urban centers, so they don't allow their own to die.

Sharpe will go down in history as a very good mayor, but he has missed his opportunity to be a great mayor, simply because he has not created and empowered black institutions. Where are our major accouting firms? Law Firms? Public Relations firms? Developers? how many of our black professional class participated in and benefitted directly from the Arena bond deal? I think it's wonderful that he has created employment opportunities for us. White millionaires were created in Newark during Sharpe's time. What about the African American millionaires?

What are your thoughts about this?

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

For years I grew up listening to folks say "if you want a good attorney, accountant, or whatever get a white guy, because they have the connections". How many african american athletes and entertainers have black agents to manage their 6-7 digit salaries? Very FEW! Please tell me the name of Puff Daddy's attorney and/agent? I bet you they are not black!Name one White millionaire Sharpe created? They had money well before coming into Newark and if they didn't have money they went to BANKS where they got loans based on their own credit history.

When the city practically GAVE away land 10 - 12 years ago not ONE african american in this city bought land and built houses on it.

You wrongfully believe that the city is supposed to give out money! When the city did give out small business loans guess what happened? 1. Blacks didn't complete the projects the loans were applied for, 2. they were deliquent in paying back the loans (if they did at all), and 3. there was a huge news article blasting the city for giving out the loans and failing to enforce collection.

Developers go to BANKS to get money for projects, not city hall, which at most can only give tax abatements and/or land at reduced cost. ALL construction costs and insurance are obtained and provided for by the developers themselves.

When is it the Mayor's job to create MILLIONAIRES. Last time I checked his job was to run municipal government. I would be happy with everyone making at least $42,000 without dependance on section eight. A better question is for you is to name 1 african american millionaire made by any other Mayor in New Jersey? If you want to earn a million play LOTTO or go to a bank and apply for a loan.

In the Ironbound, the Portugese have opened their OWN BANKS. They don't need city hall and never have. They create their own wealth by reinvesting in their own community.

Many white folks have money and connections before getting into office. Corzine and Lautenberg made millions in their own companies before getting elected.

The fact that the mainstream business community doesn't support black businesses should not be blamed on Sharpe. To my knowledge, there aren't any african american owned companies traded on the NYSE. WHY? BECAUSE THE GENERAL PUBLIC DOES NOT SUPPORT AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESSES. And if we don't support our own there is NO WAY they will ever reach high regard.

You have sought the easy way out...Blame Sharpe or (BS) :D Its sad you talk about making millionaires when the median family income nationwide is only $42,000. Millionaires are few and far between, so to say a Mayor should make a few folks 25 times richer than the median average is a joke ;) Drink some coffee, I think you are dreaming.

[5Reasons]

I agree that Sharpe will probably go down as a very good Mayor but not great; however, it is just plain wrong to say that Sharpe hasn't done his share for expanding wealth in the black community. Everytime I drive past one of these "cookie cutter" homes that everyone critizes (notice that Mr. 5 has NOT critized these homes?) I see black construction workers and other skilled labor workers that I doubt would have had the same opportunity to ply their trade in burbalandia.

In the future, the critical question that people will have to sort out is whether Sharpe's pro-corporate welfare strategy, which has given away land and given obnoxious tax breaks to billion dollar corporations and public agencies, was worth it? I mean, you've seen the data, FEWER Newarkers work in Newark today than they did when Sharpe James took office. It's been 20 years and the great residents of the West Ward are still waiting for the "trickle down" effect.

Then the question becomes this - Could Sharpe have progressd this City without overusing corporate welfare? Obviously, someone like Jmax would say no.

Either way, my primary concern is for Newarkers in the neighborhoods. And, it's pretty clear, what the 'hood needs is an infusion of real capitalism. I refuse to believe that in black neighborhoods, the only capitalistic institutions that can thrive are fast food restaurants, pharmacies, hair and nails joints and store front preachers. Oh, I forgot the boot leg CD and clothes as well as the 3rd rate supermarkets designed to kill us long before we hit eligiblity for social security.

The question is, can we infuse real capitalism and create markets in the 'hood? Can we supplant the dominant government and bureaucratic class with a dominant business class? That, my friends, I just don't know.

[myhomenewark]

The bottom line is that a large percentage of post-slavery, American-born black folks don't realisitically see themselves as being the captains of their world, empowered and able to make a difference for themselves. It doesn't help when we see people like Lucas taking advantage of the game on the backs of the poor (and not even applying for all the money he could to help public housing residents, whatup with that?). There are others... like the city hall folks who know just what to say the placate the ignorant masses while gilding themselves with riches far beyond what they're worth. They have no real respect for helping poorer Newarkers either. There seems to be no responsiblity/accountablity on a massive scale to teach black folks how to fish. Maybe this country is just too racist that its just can't be done for people of color. White folks have always been able to do it for themselves.
Bootstraps are for the ignorant.


Teach markets and capitalism in school as the primary thrust of education. Modify everything, including our post-slavery religion, to be about bringing more people along, not just following someone with fancy words and a big mouth. We can start there.

P.S. I believe that things become habitual and it's hard to break habits. We could lock up all the cigarette smokers, but at what price? We could sew the mouths shut of all the overeaters and keep them from getting fatter. Or we could place the dollars in programs that help people with these emotional problems that manifest themselves into the physical. I'm not an expert in any of these things (perhaps obviously). I do know that my people are not inferior (irrespective of the collusion of much of the black middle class who'd rather talk about ghetto n*gg_s than offer encouragement), and what ever ails them can and must be fixed.

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

:D