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Newark was once a prosperous industrial hub of the east coast. For the last
fifty years it has suffered from a slow deterioration, an exodus of its most
productive citizenry and a departure of those once most profitable
companies due to deteriorating economic conditions and higher than average crime rate.
Conversely, in the period between 1988 and 1998, according to National Crime
Prevention Council's (NCPC), Six Safer Cities: On the Crest of the Crime
Prevention Wave, Newark has experienced a 44 percent drop in overall
crime. Nevertheless, it still continues to suffers from what is referred to as "urban blight" where
higher level of poverty, unemployment, crime, lower educational levels
and/or training skills, lack of decent, safe and affordable housing continue
to devastate the community. The city of Newark is attempting to get out of despair return to its former status along with assistance from
state and federal agencies under Enterprise Zone Program, is attempting
reverse this trend through tax breaks, and incentives for business along
with a reinvigorated housing and development program which leads to
sustainable community development. However, as happens with many social and
economical programs, actual results are not
necessarily the same as envisioned by its planners. Often, corruption, waste
and "social morass" engulfs and sidetrack the objective of such programs.
Although, the city of Newark
is showing signs of "renewal" due to visible development programs including
transportation infrastructure and commercial property development in the
enterprise zone, to make sustainable development
possible with initiatives such as: renovation, revitalization,
development, business creation, job training, poverty and crime reduction, "it must integrate environmental stewardship, economic
development and the well-being of all people—not just for today but for
countless generations to come. This is the challenge facing governments,
non-governmental organizations, private enterprises, communities and
individuals." (IISD) Such sustainable development
is “only
successful when it is part of coordinated,
comprehensive and sustainable long-term for physical, environmental, human
and community development”, according to United States Department of
Agriculture: Rural Development Office of Community Development.
To make the Newark Enterprise
work and to accomplish and improve its community,
city and federal officials and residents must work cohesively to address
very complex issues such as poverty and crime that still continue to plague
the city and community at large. For example, a safety stop
sign resting in a sand filled spackle bucket at a skewed position, inverted
180 degrees at an intersection must be taken care of or the public safety is
jeopardized. Additionally, refuse discarded on the sidewalk and masterless
pet running around must also be
taken care of. These kinds of social and economical
issues are simply not addressed and irrepressible. Therefore, appropriate
social responsibility actions must be initiated to revitalize and to create
a sense of community that is self reliant, safe and prosperous. Such social
responsibility that demonstrates a solid commitment and a strong working
relationship with local and community development organizations.
Factually, the living conditions have not
radically changed over the ten year period when asked a same
questions (How did the living conditions changed over the ten year period?)
to three residents and/or employees that work in this area. Thus, a
general commonality can be achieved.
Paul T., a
51-year-old man who is employed as barber in Irvington and resides on Murray
St. and also a Vietnam veteran says "nothing is changed, they made the outside
look better but for the most part it is still rotten to the core."
Similarly states Jose R. a government employee, whose delivery route
is in this area (Jefferson St.) Over a cup of coffee near his truck and
asked him how long he was delivering to the area. He replied, "12 years I
have been on this route, and I have to say honestly, although I don't live
here, I don't see anything different. True, I've seen a few new shops opened
but what they tell me they are forced to pay in rent and other municipal
taxes to continue to do business there make it financially unprofitable."
Lastly,
a middle-age black female teacher was asked for opinion on the
quality of life and if she has seen a change in the attitudes and education
of her students. She replied under anonymity, "if the parents would just
take an active part in a learning process of their children, our jobs would
be heck of a lot easier but sadly the parents just don't seem to care. And
you can see that attitude manifest itself in the children. It's really sad
but I have to continue to do my best, although I can't reach all of them, if
I can get just one and show him that he/she can become anything if they work
hard enough at it, that's why I stay."
Indeed, Boarnet (1996) also found "no evidence that the urban enterprise zone
program in New Jersey had a positive effect... and was ineffective in
achieving its goal of improving the economic conditions in and around the
zones."
In conclusion, this documentary project demonstrates that
Enterprise Zone in Newark, NJ still experiences some growing pains from its
birth process of reconstruction and renewal of its community. After ten
years of assistance through Empowerment Zone Program, Newark despite its
trials and tribulations still has a long way to go in its revival. Only
hard work, perseverance, and a strong collaboration with city officials can
break the never-ending cycle of poverty, despair, dependence and
hopelessness.
References:
Boarnet, M. (1996). Enterprise Zones
and Employment: Evidence from New Jersey: Journal of Urban
Economics, 40, 198-215.
IISD. (2002). About IISD. Retrieved May 2, 2002, from:
http://www.iisd.org/about
NCPC. (1999). Six Safer
Cities: On the Crest of the Crime Prevention Wave (Vol. 2). Retrieved May 2,
2002, from: http://www.ncpc.org/newsroom/7_30_01.htm
USDA. (2002). Rural
Development: Office Of Community Development U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development. Retrieved May 1, 2002, from: http://www.ezec.gov
(Anonymous, personal
communication, April 19, 2002)
(R. Jose, personal
communication, April 19, 2002)
(T. Paul, personal communication, April 19, 2002)
This has been a very
interesting and fact-finding documentary. Although my initial intention was to
capture positive effects of the enterprise zone, but once I visited the
community (and literally felt sick) I have instead decided to refocus my study to capture harshest realties facing
enterprise communities. Indeed, with the more research I
have done into the history, politics, and interviews with some of the
residents of Newark, with my photographs and how I interpret the meanings, I
hope that some day the people of Newark's Enterprise community will be able to share in the “American Dream”. It is eventually up to them
to decide if they want change or stay in a situation they have been for many
years. I wish them well... |
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