I’ve been a native of Jersey City all my life, 25 years to be exact. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly that makes up Jersey City, especially since I grew up in Ward B’s West Side/Duncan area. I’ve seen this city transform into what most would call “progressive” (depending on where you visit or even live) but those of us that have seen the true gritty Jersey City we know that’s just fancy lingo for gentrification. Natives that have lived here 20+ years are being pushed out because they’re not able to afford the cost of living, taxes that seem to keep skyrocketing as well as hipsters moving in and benefiting off our misery. Let me clarify this, by no means am I against outsiders coming in or seeing our city prosper; what I do have an issue with is seeing places like Ward E’s downtown solely benefit from this so-called progression while the rest of the wards are left in the dust.

A couple of days ago I had the unfortunate displeasure of reading an article forwarded to me by my boyfriend titled “The Truth About Jersey City”. This piece circulating the internet was written by the infamous Jersey City “Culture Blogger”, Lynn Hazan, better known as @chicpeaJC in the social media realm. He was angry and couldn’t find the exact words to express what it was he was feeling and asked me to read it and formulate an opinion. I carefully read the article three or four times analyzing each word – I found myself getting more and more displeased and rather offended by the so-called truths. I discussed it with him and asked what it was exactly about the article that particularly upsets him. The answer resonated with me as well as many others commenting on all her platforms, it’s contradictory and rather hypocritical of her to write such an absurd article.

I do not know Lynn personally, nor do I follow her on social media because I believe she helps sell Mayor Fulop’s vision to bring opportunities to Jersey City, but only if you live in downtown. In the article she mentions how she’s been writing about Jersey City for more than 3 years stating how she’s curated it as “the picture-perfect place to live.” It appears Lynn has finally taken off those rose-colored glasses and explored places beyond the “sixth borough”, facing the harsh realities that those of us living in the neglected areas such as the heights and Bergen-Lafayette communities struggle and cope with every day. However, it begs the question, is it too little too late?

“I have a platform, people listen to me.” You’re right Lynn, we heard you loud and clear. But are you really listening to us? Do you really understand our struggle? Those of use coming from these abandoned communities don’t think so. You talk about how a conversation needs to happen but when we express our righteous indignation to these hypocritical thoughts you sort of throw in our faces how you started one program. The Content Creators Academy; although that’s a great start, it’s not enough. We deserve so much more, not for you to mock us and ask what we have done for our community. We survive the struggle every day. Some of us are single mothers or fathers, working one or more jobs to keep food on the table and a roof over our family’s heads. Some of us unfortunately don’t have time to protest what’s going on around us or time to go to community meetings.

I don’t have as much of a platform or following as Lynn, however I recently realized how important it is to be vocal in a professional manner regarding what truly angers me about this think piece, among many other things going on in my city. Although she still hasn’t gotten back to me, she posed a rather insulting yet interesting question to the curious folks expressing their similar thoughts of displeasure as mine. She asked, “what are YOU doing to instill change?” That is my sole purpose in starting this blog.

While I do a lot for my city I reflected and realized sometimes I think I’ve done enough but there’s still way more work to be done. I got a lot of positive feedback from kind strangers all over the internet expressing to me how I have “echoed their true spirits” as someone wrote to me. Many a time I felt I am too outspoken and a little too brazen – but these concerned and gracious strangers taught me how important it is to be vocal because you never know when someone else is thinking the same things but may not always have the voice or even the courage to express themselves. So, to the Jersey City community, natives and those who have just moved in recently I challenge you all to be vocal, let your voices be heard, stick up for what you feel is truly unjust and do more for our community.

For those that have the time and are interested in letting your voice be heard let’s join today February 22, 2018 at 6:30 PM for the 2018 State of the City Address being held in the Council Chambers at City Hall where there will be a discussion about enhanced affordable housing resources, expansion of special needs recreation programs, as well as many other interesting topics. It is free and open to all and I look forward to seeing you all there.

Mel.

