Mayor's Message:
Black History Month is a Time for Celebration
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Dear Jazz,
Every year when February rolls around, and we highlight and celebrate the stories of black excellence, someone inevitably asks, "why is it necessary to celebrate Black History Month? Shouldn’t we celebrate all US history regardless of color?
The answer is not complicated, and it should be apparent. Black History Month is important because it reveals vital parts of US history that have been
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omitted, ignored, erased, or overlooked. It elevates the culture of people who have been downtrodden and made to believe that they are "less than." It allows our black and brown children to learn about people like themselves who excelled and rose above challenging situations to leave their mark upon American and world history. If we are genuinely one United States of America, we must tell the stories of all the people who live here. Black history should be taught in our public schools and other academic institutions. Although Black history is American history, it has long been whitewashed from the pages of the books that have traditionally been used in public schools all across America. Because of this fact, we must find other avenues to share our history and to demand that it becomes a part of the curriculum of our public schools.
Another common question is whether or not Black History Month is still relevant? Is it still a vehicle for change? Do our children grasp its significance, or is it just another way to gain credits during the Spring semester? Has Black History Month become a time when television and the media stack their black material to gain ratings? Or is it a once valuable concept whose goals have already been achieved?
Black History Month is still relevant until we no longer have to make an effort to remember and run the risk of forgetting. Every country's story is told by what they choose to celebrate. For too many Americans, their first family memory in this country is forever tied to the heinous and miserable act of slavery, an inconvenient truth that many would now like to forget or downplay. However, at the same time, some people glorify the Civil war and the founders of this republic, some of whom were active participants in man’s inhumanity to man; the trading of innocent souls that were once treated as chattel. Black History Month allows us to celebrate our ancestors who, although enslaved in body, were elevated in mind and spirit and found ways to leave indelible marks upon the pages of history. Their stories must be told and re-told until our children and their children no longer have to wait until they get to College to learn about it in an elective class. Black history must be a part of every child's education from Kindergarten through twelfth-grade graduation and beyond.
Black History Month is essential because the Black community still needs to draw inspiration and guidance from the past. This inspiration serves as a beacon to guide them as they navigate a world that still vilifies and treats them as inferior. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's exhortation to dream, unite and fight for racial justice still has the power to reach and inspire successive generations.
The creativity of Madame CJ Walker is the legend whose story excites and motivates all who hear it. Who would not feel moved to continue to fight after listening to Emmitt Till's mother share her story of sadness and perseverance?
Poets like Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes gave words to the pain and suffering buried deep in the black psyche. Their ability to voice the struggle gives hope that is passed along as the Black story is told.
Black music has its roots in the sounds of the drums used by the enslaved to communicate important messages. The rhythms beat out on slave plantations were immortalized by legends like Louis Armstrong, Dinah Washington, Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Same Cooke. They cradle our souls with their haunting voices and melodies, which must never be forgotten.
The stories that must be told are the stories of pain and struggle, perseverance and triumph, which should challenge us to dream, aspire and build on the solid foundation laid by our ancestors. Our White brothers and sisters must open their hearts and minds to the experience of Blacks in this country and be able to relate to Black history just as they do to the Mayflower and Plymouth rock stories passed down from generation to generation.
The City Council and I recognize our Black community's tremendous contributions to Plainfield and the Nation. We are committed to honoring and uplifting the history and hard work of those who have transformed our Queen City for the better. It begins by creating a Plainfield that is inclusive and firmly represents the people that live and work in our community.
It includes creating and fostering spaces like "Black Lives Matter Plaza, " formerly City Hall Plaza. The plaza serves as a clear statement that the City of Plainfield and its residents stand firmly in solidarity with the rest of the nation, remembering the countless number of black and brown lives lost to human rights abuse. Additionally, in Summer 2021, we named a new school under construction “the Charles and Anna Booker school in honor of our local legends and longtime civil rights activists.
Black History Month is as essential today as in February 1926, when Carter G. Woodson, a Black Historian, first created Negro History Week, believing that his role was to use black history and culture as a weapon in the struggle for racial uplift. It is vital and will remain important until the stories are taught and recounted every day and not just one month of the year.
Creating One Plainfield. One Future
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
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El Mes de la Historia Negra
Es Un Momento Para Celebración
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Querido Plainfield,
Cada año, cuando llega febrero, y destacamos y celebramos las historias de excelencia negra, alguien inevitablemente pregunta: "¿Por qué es necesario celebrar el Mes de la Historia Negra? ¿No deberíamos celebrar toda la historia de Estados Unidos independientemente del color?"
La respuesta no es complicada, y debería ser evidente. El Mes de la Historia Negra es importante porque revela partes vitales de la historia de los Estados Unidos que han sido omitidas, ignoradas, borradas o pasadas por alto. Eleva la cultura de las personas que han sido oprimidas y se les ha hecho creer que son "menos que". Permite que nuestros niños negros y marrones aprendan sobre personas como ellos que sobresalieron y superaron situaciones desafiantes para dejar su huella en la historia estadounidense y mundial. Si somos genuinamente un Estados Unidos de América, debemos contar las historias de todas las personas que viven aquí. La historia negra debe enseñarse en nuestras escuelas públicas y otras instituciones académicas. Aunque la historia negra es historia estadounidense, durante mucho tiempo ha sido blanqueada de las páginas de los libros que tradicionalmente se han utilizado en las escuelas públicas de todo los Estados Unidos. Debido a este hecho, debemos encontrar otras vías para compartir nuestra historia y exigir que se convierta en parte del plan de estudios de nuestras escuelas públicas.
Otra pregunta común es si el Mes de la Historia Negra sigue siendo relevante. ¿Sigue siendo un vehículo para el cambio? ¿Comprenden nuestros hijos su significado, o es solo otra forma de obtener créditos durante el semestre de primavera? ¿Se ha convertido el Mes de la Historia Negra en un momento en que la televisión y los medios de comunicación apilan su material negro para ganar calificaciones? ¿O es un concepto que alguna vez fue valioso cuyos objetivos ya se han logrado?
El Mes de la Historia Negra sigue siendo relevante hasta que ya no tengamos que hacer un esfuerzo por recordar y correr el riesgo de olvidar. La historia de cada país es contada por lo que eligen celebrar. Para demasiados estadounidenses, su primer recuerdo familiar en este país está ligado para siempre al atroz y miserable acto de esclavitud, una verdad incómoda que a muchos ahora les gustaría olvidar o minimizar. Sin embargo, al mismo tiempo, algunas personas glorifican la guerra civil y los fundadores de esta república, algunos de los cuales fueron participantes activos en la inhumanidad del hombre hacia el hombre; el comercio de almas inocentes que una vez fueron tratadas como ganado. El Mes de la Historia Negra nos permite celebrar a nuestros antepasados que, aunque esclavizados en el cuerpo, fueron elevados en mente y espíritu y encontraron formas de dejar marcas indelebles en las páginas de la historia. Sus historias deben ser contadas y recontadas hasta que nuestros hijos y sus hijos ya no tengan que esperar hasta que lleguen a la universidad para aprender sobre ello en una clase electiva. La historia negra debe ser parte de la educación de cada niño desde el jardín de infantes hasta la graduación de duodécimo grado y más allá.
El Mes de la Historia Negra es esencial porque la comunidad negra todavía necesita inspirarse y guiarse en el pasado. Esta inspiración sirve como un faro para guiarlos mientras navegan por un mundo que todavía los vilipendia y los trata como inferiores. La exhortación del Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a soñar, unirse y luchar por la justicia racial todavía tiene el poder de alcanzar e inspirar a las generaciones sucesivas.
La creatividad de Madame CJ Walker es la leyenda cuya historia emociona y motiva a todos los que la escuchan. ¿Quién no se sentiría movido a seguir luchando después de escuchar a la madre de Emmitt Till compartir su historia de tristeza y perseverancia?
Poetas como Maya Angelou y Langston Hughes dieron palabras al dolor y el sufrimiento enterrados profundamente en la psique negra. Su capacidad para expresar la lucha da esperanza que se transmite a medida que se cuenta la historia negra.
La música negra tiene sus raíces en los sonidos de los tambores utilizados por los esclavos para comunicar mensajes importantes. Los ritmos que se escuchaban en las plantaciones de esclavos fueron inmortalizados por leyendas como Louis Armstrong, Dinah Washington, Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald y Same Cooke. Acunan nuestras almas con sus inquietantes voces y melodías, que nunca deben olvidarse.
Las historias que deben contarse son las historias de dolor y lucha, perseverancia y triunfo, que deben desafiarnos a soñar, aspirar y construir sobre la base sólida establecida por nuestros antepasados. Nuestros hermanos y hermanas blancos deben abrir sus corazones y mentes a la experiencia de los negros en este país y ser capaces de relacionarse con la historia negra tal como lo hacen con las historias de las rocas de Mayflower y Plymouth transmitidas de generación en generación.
El Concejo Municipal y yo reconocemos las tremendas contribuciones de nuestra comunidad negra a Plainfield y la Nación. Estamos comprometidos a honrar y elevar la historia y el arduo trabajo de aquellos que han transformado nuestra Ciudad Reina para mejor. Comienza por crear un Plainfield que sea inclusivo y represente firmemente a las personas que viven y trabajan en nuestra comunidad.
Incluye la creación y el fomento de espacios como "Black Lives Matter Plaza", anteriormente City Hall Plaza. La plaza sirve como una declaración clara de que la Ciudad de Plainfield y sus residentes se solidarizan firmemente con el resto de la nación, recordando el incontable número de vidas negras y marrones perdidas por el abuso de los derechos humanos. Además, en el verano de 2021, nombramos una nueva escuela en construcción "la escuela Charles y Anna Booker en honor a nuestras leyendas locales y activistas de derechos civiles de larga data.
El Mes de la Historia Negra es tan esencial hoy como en febrero de 1926, cuando Carter G. Woodson, un historiador negro, creó por primera vez la Semana de la Historia Negra, creyendo que su papel era usar la historia y la cultura negras como un arma en la lucha por la elevación racial. Es vital y seguirá siendo importante hasta que las historias se enseñen y cuenten todos los días y no solo un mes del año.
Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro
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Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
Ciudad de Plainfield
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BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT | |
Fire Department Promotion Ceremony | |
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On Thursday, February 3, The City of Plainfield promoted one of its bravest. Fire Fighter Casey Kostick attained the rank of Lieutenant. Lieutenant Kostick has served Plainfield in the Fire department for 16 years. He started at the young age of 16 as a volunteer before getting hired in 2013.
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, Fire Director Kenneth Childress, Council President Barry Goode, Council Vice President Charles McRae, and Councilwomen Joylette Mills-Ransome and Terri Briggs-Jones, recognized Lieutenant Kostick for his dedication to the community and his passion to serve.
"Bravery is not the absence of fear but action in the face of fear." The City of Plainfield is honored to have Lieutenant Casey Kostick serve in our Fire Department and will continue to support his journey among the ranks of Plainfield’s Bravest!
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PLAINFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT
NOW HIRING
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The City of Plainfield is thrilled to announce that our Police Department is now accepting applications for the position of Police Officer. To apply, you must follow the New Jersey Civil Service Commission application for entry-level Law Enforcement Examination titles.
Applications and all requirements must be met and submitted by 4:00 pm
on February 28, 2022
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
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KEAN TUITION PROMISE: FULL RIDE TO COLLEGE | |
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The Kean Tuition Promise program covers up to FULL TUITION AND FEES for eligible students to attend Kean University and fulfill their dream of earning a college degree. The scholarship and grant package is awarded for four years of study for those who qualify. Unlike loans, the Program provides money for your college education that DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPAID. Limited packages are available.
Use Code: KEANPROMISE to waive $75 application fee
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SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS
GPA: High School GPA 3.2 or higher
Income: Family Gross up to $65K annually
Citizenship: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
Residency: NJ resident for at least 1 year prior to 1st day of class
Class Level: College Freshman starting full-time in Fall 2022 semester
HARD DEADLINES
Priority Deadline: March 1
Standard App. Deadline: May 1
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Love Plainfield Initiative | |
¿ How Do You Show Love For Plainfield? | |
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A MESSAGE FROM UNION COUNTY:
Union County Child Seat Inspection Program Available for Residents
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After a small hiatus due to the rising positive Covid cases, Union County will once again kick off their Child Seat Inspection Program on Wednesday, February 2, 2022.
Earlier this morning, Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams and Commissioners Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded and Bette Jane Kowalski visited the inspection location, where Commissioner Mouded had two of her children’s car seats installed.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our children,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “Statistics show that motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of deaths of children over the age of six months in the United States. So ensuring your child’s car seat is properly installed is of highest importance.”
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A MESSAGE FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY:
Murphy-Oliver Administration Announces New Program for Struggling Homeowners
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TRENTON, NJ –
Governor Phil Murphy and Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez Scaccetti today announced $3.8 million in FY 2022 Transit Village grants to help municipalities advance transit-oriented development projects that reduce reliance on vehicles and encourage usage of mass transportation. This year’s grants represent the largest amount of funds provided in a single year for the Transit Village Program. Grants were awarded to 14 municipalities in nine counties.
“Our administration is committed to reducing the effects of climate change, and one of the best ways to do that is improving public transportation to reduce our reliance on cars,” said Governor Murphy.
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“This year we dedicated substantially more funding to the Transit Village program to redevelop areas around our transit facilities by providing housing and business options within walking distance.”
“The increase in Transit Village grants means more communities will be able to fund projects that promote economic growth near rail and bus stations,” said NJDOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “Initiatives like the Transit Village program ensures our entire transportation system is modern, accessible, and equitable, benefitting all New Jersey residents and visitors.”
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A MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
President Biden Announces More Action to Reduce Gun Crime and Calls on Congress to Fund Community Policing and Community Violence Intervention
February 3, 2022 | Speeches and Remarks
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Today, the Biden Administration is announcing additional actions to reduce gun crime and make communities safer. This plan builds on the steps the President has taken since the beginning of his Administration to stop the flow of guns being used in crimes, bolster federal, state, and local law enforcement, invest in community-based programs that prevent, interrupt, and reduce violence, expand opportunity, lower recidivism, and increase funding for community policing.
The President is committed to serving as a strong partner for communities on the frontlines of the fight against crime. That’s why his American Rescue Plan gives cities and states historic levels of funding that they can use to put more cops on the beat, and invest in community-based violence prevention and intervention programs.
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HELP US TAKE CARE OF OUR CITY!
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT- IT APP
Available in IOS and Android Mobile Phones
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Exercise your civic duty-- be the eyes and ears of our City! Your reports can greatly increase the quality of life in our Plainfield community. Let's work together to keep our city safe- If you see it, say it with ReportIt. | |
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Use the app, or text
reportit to 63975
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the City of Plainfield are committed to making it as easy as possible to report concerns in our city. To that end, we've partnered with REPORT IT, which is now live in Plainfield and ready to be used as an important supplemental reporting tool.
Report it makes community reporting easier than ever! Residents and visitors can download the app by scanning the barcode above or by going to your phone's app store. Your reports will be submitted to the appropriate City department, and the department will work towards resolving the matter.
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PLAINFIELD IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
Download The City of Plainfield Business Guide
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Plainfield is rich in its cultural diversity, with ten historic districts,19 historic sites, and over 120 ethnic eateries, and an abundance of delis, and grocery stores, pharmacies, shopping stores, residential homes, and buildings, and much more.
Click the "Business Guide" image to see the full list.
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Call us at: 908.753.3015 or
E:communications@plainfieldnj.gov
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|THE CITY OF PLAINFIELD NJ|
515 WATCHUNG AVENUE | 908-753-3310| MONDAY-FRIDAY | 9 A.M.- 5 P.M.]
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future | | | | |
