Mayor's Message:
Juneteenth – Commemorating the End of Slavery
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Dear Jazz,
We are familiar with the dark and shameful part of our history when Black people were enslaved. European settlers in North America used African Americans as a source of forced labor for centuries. Our ancestors labored on plantations, were deprived of freedom, forced to endure harsh conditions, and subjected to brutality and abuse, and for what? Because of greed and ignorance on the part of the white "ruling" class. People of color were not even considered human; we were property that could be bought, sold, beaten, abused, killed, or thrown away at their whim.
When I think back to these times, the overarching question that comes to mind is "How? How could anyone have the heart to dehumanize Black people the way they did? How could you look a whole race of human beings in their eyes and treat them like animals? Although the color of their skin was different, it was apparent that they were fellow human beings. They cried when they felt pain; they experienced love, compassion, and anger like anyone else. So how could the oppressors harden their hearts and abuse a whole race for so long?
In 1863, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation declaring all enslaved people in the states engaged in rebellion against the Union "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." But President Lincoln's actions didn't free the approximately 4 million men, women, and children held in slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation only applied to the enslaved individuals in the Confederacy, not those who resided in the Border States that remained loyal to the Union (source).
It wasn't until June 19th, 1865, when Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and all slaves were finally free.
Juneteenth, short for June 19th, marks the day our nation heard our ancestors' cries and finally took a definitive step toward a God given equality. Known today as the oldest celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery, Juneteenth is a time for prayer and remembrance of our roots, celebrating how far we have come and reassuring us that we matter. On June 17th, 2021, this country took a further step toward equality and officially declared Juneteenth a federal holiday.
But despite our advances, I still ask, "How?” How is it that despite the many laws in place for equality, people of color continue to face discrimination? How is it that after more than a century, we continue to be viewed as insignificant in the eye of our nation? We were unjustly enslaved, oppressed, and segregated. Our nation's history is plagued with instances of cruelty towards people of color, and yet we are still perceived as a dangerous race. A few months ago, not far from here at Bridgewater Commons Mall, two kids, one fair-skinned and one black had an altercation. The fair-skinned child sat on a nearby seat while both responding officers kneeled on the back of the child of color. Both kids actively participated in the fight and were equally at fault; why did the responding cops decide that the black child was more dangerous?
Our nation has to do better. We may have more liberty, but we are yet to be free. We won't be free until we no longer have to plead and march in protest for the safety of our people. We won't be free until there is equity and equality for ALL people of color. We won't be free until justice is handed down in equal measure for black and white persons in this country. We won't be free until all children, black and white, have the same educational opportunities. We won't be free until we are no longer penalized by lending institutions for being Black. We won't be free until there are no more incidents of racial profiling and brutal behavior by some law enforcement officers toward Black people. We won't be free until our Black and brown communities have the same advantages, resources, and amenities as the white communities. Until then, we are still not free.
I am grateful that Juneteenth is now a federal holiday and recognized as a celebration of progress because it affirms that change is possible despite the darkest part of our history.
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future | | |
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
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Juneteenth – Conmemorando el Fin de la Esclavitud | |
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Querido Plainfield,
Estamos familiarizados con la parte oscura y vergonzosa de nuestra historia cuando los negros fueron esclavizados. Los colonos europeos en América del Norte utilizaron a los afroamericanos como fuente de trabajo forzado durante siglos. Nuestros antepasados trabajaban en plantaciones, eran privados de libertad, obligados a soportar duras condiciones y sometidos a brutalidad y abuso, ¿y para qué? Debido a la codicia y la ignorancia por parte de la clase blanca "dominante". Las personas de color ni siquiera eran consideradas humanas; éramos propiedades que podían ser compradas, vendidas, golpeadas, abusadas, asesinadas o desechadas a su antojo.
Cuando pienso en estos tiempos, la pregunta general que me viene a la mente es "¿Cómo? ¿Cómo podría alguien tener el corazón para deshumanizar a los negros de la manera en que lo hicieron? ¿Cómo podrías mirar a toda una raza de seres humanos a sus ojos y tratarlos como animales? Aunque el color de su piel era diferente, era evidente que eran seres humanos. Lloraban cuando sentían dolor; experimentaron amor, compasión e ira como cualquier otra persona. Entonces, ¿cómo podrían los opresores endurecer sus corazones y abusar de toda una raza durante tanto tiempo?
En 1863, el presidente Lincoln firmó la Proclamación de Emancipación declarando que todas las personas esclavizadas en los estados involucrados en la rebelión contra la Unión "serán entonces, a partir de entonces, y para siempre libres". Pero las acciones del presidente Lincoln no liberaron a los aproximadamente 4 millones de hombres, mujeres y niños sometidos a esclavitud. La Proclamación de Emancipación sólo se aplicaba a los individuos esclavizados en la Confederación, no a aquellos que residían en los Estados Fronterizos que permanecían leales a la Unión (fuente).
No fue hasta el 19 de junio de 1865, cuando los soldados de la Unión desembarcaron en Galveston, Texas, con la noticia de que la Guerra Civil había terminado y todos los esclavos finalmente eran libres. Juneteenth, abreviatura del 19 de junio, marca el día en que nuestra nación escuchó los gritos de nuestros antepasados y finalmente dio un paso definitivo hacia una igualdad dada por Dios. Conocida hoy como la conmemoración más antigua celebrada del fin de la esclavitud, Juneteenth es un tiempo para la oración y el recuerdo de nuestras raíces, celebrando lo lejos que hemos llegado y asegurándonos que importamos. El 17 de junio de 2021, este país dio un paso más hacia la igualdad y declaró oficialmente Juneteenth como feriado federal.
Pero a pesar de nuestros avances, todavía pregunto: "¿Cómo?" ¿Cómo es que a pesar de las muchas leyes vigentes para la igualdad, las personas de color continúan enfrentando discriminación? ¿Cómo es que después de más de un siglo, seguimos siendo vistos como insignificantes a los ojos de nuestra nación? Fuimos injustamente esclavizados, oprimidos y segregados. La historia de nuestra nación está plagada de casos de crueldad hacia las personas de color, y sin embargo, todavía somos percibidos como una raza peligrosa. Hace unos meses, no muy lejos de aquí, en Bridgewater Commons Mall, dos niños, uno de piel clara y otro negro tuvieron un altercado. El niño de piel clara se sentó en un asiento cercano mientras los dos oficiales que respondían se arrodillaban sobre la espalda del niño de color. Ambos niños participaron activamente en la pelea y tuvieron la misma culpa; ¿por qué los policías que respondieron decidieron que el niño negro era más peligroso?
Pero a pesar de nuestros avances, todavía pregunto: "¿Cómo?" ¿Cómo es que a pesar de las muchas leyes vigentes para la igualdad, las personas de color continúan enfrentando discriminación? ¿Cómo es que después de más de un siglo, seguimos siendo vistos como insignificantes a los ojos de nuestra nación? Fuimos injustamente esclavizados, oprimidos y segregados. La historia de nuestra nación está plagada de casos de crueldad hacia las personas de color, y sin embargo, todavía somos percibidos como una raza peligrosa. Hace unos meses, no muy lejos de aquí, en Bridgewater Commons Mall, dos niños, uno de piel clara y otro negro tuvieron un altercado. El niño de piel clara se sentó en un asiento cercano mientras los dos oficiales que respondían se arrodillaban sobre la espalda del niño de color. Ambos niños participaron activamente en la pelea y tuvieron la misma culpa; ¿por qué los policías que respondieron decidieron que el niño negro era más peligroso?
Estoy agradecido de que Juneteenth sea ahora un feriado federal y reconocido como una celebración del progreso porque afirma que cambio es posible a pesar de la parte más oscura de nuestra historia.
Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro
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Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
Ciudad de Plainfield
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LOCAL NEWS
CITY OF PLAINFIELD OFFICES CLOSED
IN OBSERVANCE OF JUNETEENTH
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PLAINFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT
SWEAR'S IN TWO NEW RECRUITS
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On a beautiful spring afternoon, the Plainfield Fire Department welcomed two new recruits to its rank.
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp administered the oaths of office, assisted by Deputy Fire Chief Walter Thompson. The Mayor remarked that he especially enjoyed ceremonies like this and promotions for Plainfield's Public Safety Departments. Mayor Mapp pledged to provide all the resources necessary for them to do their jobs effectively.
Council Vice President Charles McRae, Councilwoman Joylette Mills-Ransome, Councilwoman Ashley Davis, Councilwoman Terri Briggs-Jones, Fire Director Kenneth Childress, and members of the Fire department were on hand to congratulate and welcome the new recruits, Netu James and Demetrice Hardin.
Mayor Mapp also recognized the retirement of Deputy Chief Walter Thompson and thanked him for 26 years of outstanding and distinguished service.
On behalf of a grateful community, thank you Deputy Chief Thompson, and welcome new recruits to Plainfield's Bravest!
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NJ LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN 2022
FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS
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On Friday, June 10th the Plainfield Police Department participated in the NJ Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The torch run kicks off the Special Olympics summer games.
Receiving the torch on behalf of Plainfield was Lieutenant Nuno Carvalho who was surrounded by members of the police department Iboth as runners and supporters. Our elected officials were on hand to support this worthy initiative - Assemblywoman Linda Carter, Council President Barry Goode, Council Vice President Charles McRae, Councilwoman Joylette Mills-Ransome, Councilwoman Ashley Davis and Councilwoman Terri Briggs-Jones.
We are One Plainfield. One Future.
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SAVE THE DATE - JULY 4TH PARADE, CONCERT AND FIREWORKS RETURN TO THE QUEEN CITY! | |
Union County Board of County Commissioners will host an emergency COVID-19 food distribution event on Saturday, June 25th beginning at 10:00am at Gerald B. Green Plaza located at 200 West 2nd Street in Plainfield. | |
Love Plainfield Initiative | |
¿ How Do You Show Love For Plainfield? | |
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A MESSAGE FROM UNION COUNTY:
Third Annual Juneteenth Flag Raising to be held at the
Union County Courthouse
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The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to invite the public to attend the third annual Juneteenth Flag raising ceremony on Sunday, June 19, at 10:00 a.m. in front of the Union County Courthouse, located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth.
“The raising of the Juneteenth flag gives us the opportunity to educate the public about the history, power, resilience, and unbroken spirit of Black Americans over the course of the month of June,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “I have a strong connection to Juneteenth, as my dad was born and raised in Galveston, Texas, and much of my family still lives there. I am thankful to be a part of Union County, where we continue to commemorate and honor this very special date in history.”
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A MESSAGE FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY:
Governor Murphy, Senate President Scutari, Assembly Speaker Coughlin, Announce Historic $2 Billion Property Tax Relief Program
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ANCHOR Expansion Builds on Program Announced Earlier This Year, Making Over 2 Million Rebates Available to New Jersey Residents
TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Scutari, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin announced the expansion of the ANCHOR Tax Relief Program, making the relief program one of the largest in state history. ANCHOR, which stands for Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters, was announced by Governor Murphy in March as part of his Fiscal Year 2023 (FY2023) Budget Proposal. The expansion of the program will increase this investment from the nearly $900 million proposed in March to over $2 billion and will reduce property taxes for over 1.16 million homeowners and 900,000 renters beginning in FY2023.
“I am proud to stand alongside Speaker Coughlin to announce the delivery of $2 billion in direct property tax relief, which will provide over 2 million rebates to New Jersey households. This is a truly historic tax relief program for our state,” said Governor Murphy. “Today we take a step forward on this administration’s promise to make New Jersey a stronger, fairer, more affordable state for our middle-class and working families.”
"It is extremely important to ensure that these programs are sustainable and any additional tax cuts and investments continue beyond this fiscal year and I know I have that commitment from the leaders to do that," said Senate President Scutari. "While we're announcing a two billion dollar program today, I continue to look forward to additional targeted programs helping middle-class taxpayers."
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A MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
Memorandum on the Establishment of the White House Task Force to Address Online
Harassment and Abuse
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MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
SUBJECT: Establishment of the White House Task Force to Address Online Harassment
and Abuse
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to improve efforts to prevent and address online harassment and abuse, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Policy. Technology platforms and social media can be vital tools for expression, civic participation, and building a sense of community. But the scale, reach, and amplification effects of technology platforms have also exacerbated gender-based violence, particularly through online harassment and abuse. Online harassment and abuse include a broad array of harmful and sometimes illegal behaviors that are perpetrated through the use of technology. Women, adolescent girls, and LGBTQI+ individuals, who may be additionally targeted because of their race, ethnicity, religion, and other factors, can experience more severe harms from online harassment and abuse. Online harassment and abuse take many forms, including the non-consensual distribution of intimate digital images; cyberstalking; sextortion; doxing; malicious deep fakes; gendered disinformation; rape and death threats; the online recruitment and exploitation of victims of sex trafficking; and various forms of technology-facilitated intimate partner abuse. In the United States, 1 in 3 women under the age of 35 reports having been sexually harassed online, and over half of LGBTQI+ individuals report having been the target of severe online abuse, including sustained harassment, physical threats, and stalking in addition to sexual harassment. Globally, half of girls report that they are more likely to be harassed through social media than on the street.
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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 to be resolved.
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future | | | | |
