THE ASBURY VOICE

Journal of the People

You are not voiceless but are often unheard

We can change that together

September, 2020 # 13

Keep

an eye out

for Kokopelli's

message

In This Issue:

Introduction and Purpose

Part II - The Effects Police and Prison have

on Family and Domestic Violence by Jennifer Lewinski

It's Time to Stop Celebrating Columbus Day - Teretha Jones

Kokopelli - Charles Trott

Ride the Tide by Linda Almgren

Well I'll Be John Brown! by Lorraine Stone

Letters to the Editor

Rumors and Rumblings (new)

Hold Rev Gil in prayer

Did you Know...

Archives

Introduction and Purpose of The Asbury Voice

CLICK HERE

A Three Part Series

on the Recent Conversation

on Police and Prison Abolition

Conducted by the Asbury Park Transformative Justice Project on July 2, 2020

Part II:

The Effects

Police and Prison have

on Families

and

Domestic Violence

by Jennifer Lewinski

Hurt people hurt other people. People that are hurt are the people who are committing what we think of as crimes, or however we define crime, which is different for some of us. When abuse happens in the home, for a lot of people, the first response is to call the police, because you have to get away from the person who is abusing you, and to do that you need to put them in jail. It seems reasonable to think that the person abusing you will be removed from the house, and then you would be safe. But that is widely over simplified. And most women do not call the police.

There are a plethora of reasons for that. One of the big reasons, which is important for women in black and brown, impoverished and low income communities, is the fact that calling the police puts everyone in your immediate area in danger. The police are dangerous. Anyone could fit the description of the person that you called the police on. Because the system is inherently racist, we know that people are in danger. Calling the police for a domestic violence situation is very often more dangerous than the situation you are confronting. At least when it is your abusive partner, it is the devil you know. You know how to deal with that situation.

To illustrate this, I am going to share a part of my own story and part of someone else’s. I was in a relationship that became physically abusive after two years. I was very surprised when it actually began. I understood that this person I loved, and had loved for years at that point, was severely traumatized by being in prison. Having that understanding, it allowed behavior that was unacceptable. As it continued, I was trying to figure out how I was going to try to get out of the relationship. I knew that calling the police, wasn’t an action I could take.

By calling the police, this person I loved, even though he was hurting me, would be going back to prison and become more traumatized. I did not know how long he would be in prison if I called. But he would eventually be coming back at some point, with anger at me for putting him back in prison. I would be putting my life in danger. So I stayed in the relationship, until it was no longer possible to continue in it. And one day, I defended myself when he attacked me in the kitchen, and I cut him.

My neighbor called the police, the police came and took him to the hospital and took me to jail. I was fortunate enough not to lose my job, but it put my housing situation in an interesting position. We did live together and his name was on everything, including the lease. This was where he lived. You get an automatic restraining order, when there is a domestic situation. The one who gets the restraining order is dependent on whomever the police places the blame. Technically I was not allowed to go back into my home. I went to jail for a couple of days and then was fortunate enough to have a family that could bail me out. There was cash bail allowed at the time, which is no longer available in New Jersey. If it happened today, I would stay in jail until my court date.

So I went home to him and he was angry that I had cut him and all the other stuff that surrounded our relationship. My belief only was strengthened that the police is not the way to handle this kind of situation. I then called the domestic abuse hotline, because I knew it was going to happen again. They responded that since I had a felony charge for defending myself in my house, that I could not go to their safe house. So I remained with him, since I did not have anywhere else to go, He could come and go as he pleased, because technically it was his house.

So even when I found the strength and ability to get him out of the house, I could not afford all the bills. He did creep in my windows on a couple of occasions and I couldn’t call the police, because the restraining order was against me, If I called the police because he was now stalking me and coming into the house, I would have been the person who was breaking the law. And I would go back to jail. Eventually all the charges were dropped because he was not talking to the police and neither was I. So they had no case to take to court. And the charges went away. Now, if I get a background check, it still comes up that I had a violent felony weapons charge - the prairie knife in my kitchen, when I was defending myself.

So the idea of abolition, in this particular circumstance, would be to have someone else to call. There would be a community person who helps with accountability and mental health issues and trauma. There would be resources for trauma counseling available for both of us. if resources were available for me at that time to leave the house, then going to jail would have been avoided all together. That would have given me a community resource to call. It would have helped me leave the situation. I was in Asbury Park at the time and none of those things were available.

It’s Time to Stop Celebrating Columbus Day

by Teretha Jones

It is time to end Columbus Day and stop celebrating the crimes of Columbus in Asbury Park. It is time to stop glorifying a person who enslaved and murdered people, destroyed cultures and terrorized those who challenged his rule. An analogy to this is the reverence of the Confederate flag for some southerners or white nationalists. Asbury Park is the land of the original Lenni Lenape People. Today approximately 73% of the City’s population is comprised of Black and Indigenous peoples. Christopher Columbus represents genocide to all Black and Brown indigenous people. We want to honor our communities of color demanding sovereignty, recognition, and rights.

Columbus Day is based on a story that is historically wrong and oversimplified. Columbus never set foot on mainland North America, what we call the United States today. He encountered the indigenous Lucayan Taíno/Arawak on what is present day San Salvador Island in the Bahamas. Natives found him while he was lost at sea. Columbus actually thought he was in the East Indies. Furthermore, he was not the first European explorer to arrive in the North American continent. The Vikings, led by Leif Erikson, sailed to Newfoundland, Canada in 1000 A.D. There are also theories that the Africans arrived in the Americas before the Vikings, as well as the Chinese and Polynesians

African Americans and indigenous peoples have endured white supremacy and institutionalized racism in the United States, also known as Turtle Island, since Columbus first arrived on the continent. He stole and claimed the land for Spain, despite it already being indigenous land. He committed vast atrocities such as genocide, rape, mutilations and a variety of other sins. His behavior was so atrocious that he was arrested and sent back to Spain in chains in 1500. Columbus was a horrendous person who enslaved the indigenous peoples. He was the first to send these people, as slaves, to Spain. Shortly after Columbus arrived, European diseases such as smallpox, to which Native Americans had no immunity, came as well. The outcomes were devastating. Entire nations of people, by the millions, were wiped out. Many cultures died with them.

It’s time to abolish the celebration of Columbus Day. This change is necessary to remove the spotlight from a man who has committed countless atrocities. It also recognizes the suffering indigenous people faced because of him. Our new generation of Indigenous advocates are pressing to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Why would Americans want to continue celebrating Columbus or reject efforts to change the holiday’s name? Unfortunately, Columbus supporters believe the false stories. Many also argue that renaming the day or making other changes, degrades the role of Italian Americans in creating American society. We must remind those pushing this skewed premise that this continent is built off the backs, sweat, tears, blood and bones of African and Indigenous peoples of these lands. To those Italian Americans I would ask why not have a day to recognize your accomplishments and contributions?

Renaming the day would result in two main benefits. First, it would help fight the undeserving fame Columbus has been given. Second, it would change the spotlight to highlight the terrors indigenous people have faced. Maya Angelou said “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better." Continuing celebration of Columbus Day, the symbol of genocide, sends a message to Black and Brown people that we don’t matter.

THOSE SYMBOLS THAT KOKOPELLI POINT TO ARE ADINKRA SYMBOLS THAT CAN BE FOUND ON THIS SITE

CLICK HERE and Click Here

CHARLES TROTT

Another

Piece

of Artistic

work

Charles

Trout

Ride the Tide

by Linda Almgren

Ride the Tide...

Tsunamis of

Liberty...

Afraid not of

The destruction,

But the corruption..

Anarchists

The Anti Christs,

Who wow

The flaccid crowd,

Awaiting

To be inflated

With any air-head’s

Revolution

Of Utopia.

It is time for incarceration-

Criminals arrested..

Anarchists,

Ignorant mayors

And governors...

Allow the police

To keep the peace...

Punish those who

Violate public trust ...

All the

Corrupt, deranged, megalomaniacs...

Voted in

To their lives of sin

And greed..

Publicity...

Duplicity...

Not just corrupt cops

But the mobs

Bad politicians..

Today’s

Faux saints of our NATION...

In the HOLLYWOOD of

CONGRESS.

Fighting for

Their rich lives..

And not for us...

USA!

USA

Well I'll Be John Brown!

By Lorraine Stone

‌

Gifts made by John for Lorraine

[Thanks to Jessie Ricks for these photographs]

“No, I'm John Brown,” he'd often respond. Or he'd say it himself in response to something outlandish. Either way, just his name would start us off with a laugh, and we'd be off and running to heaven knows where!

Once we met at the amazing El Lobo Negro Art Gallery, sometime in the 90s, John and I were fast friends, co-conspirators, colleagues, ace-boon-coons, and sometimes diametrically opposed. We never figured out how we managed not to meet during our formative years here at the shore - he in Eatontown and me in Asbury and Neptune. Of course we knew a lot of the same people, especially being close in age. Oh, but he was the oldest. In fact, he used to call me little sis, when he was being nice. Yeah I was Aunt Esther to his Fred Sanford. (You old heathen)!

John Richard Brown was born and raised in Eatontown, NJ, educated in the local schools and graduated from Monmouth Regional High School, Tinton Falls. He held a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and a Masters in Community and Regional Planning, also from the University.

John was truly a Renaissance Man with many, many interests and loves. Professionally he worked for the National Parks Service as a Park Ranger at Sandy Hook, a Procedures Analyst for New Jersey Natural Gas, Wall Twp. from which he retired, and Housing Services Director for the Asbury Park Housing Authority, among many others.

But his favorite "job" by far was proprietor/curator of El Lobo Negro Gallery of the Arts, the nexus of the arts. John and his wife, Doris Spinks welcomed artists, musicians, singers and the general public into Black Wolf's lair from 1996-2006. And everybody showed up on Friday night because there was live music, chicken wings and a jam session at the end of the evening! And love. Yeah everybody knew your name. Better than "CHEERS".

It wasn't easy running a business in Asbury in those days. The city looked pretty desolate. Many businesses were shuttered and foot traffic was low. That's when Dina Todd was working for the City. Todd is now the president of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PACCI), Asbury Park. In those days she remembers visiting El Lobo and having long

conversations with John about the business. She was also a frequent participant at the Friday night sessions.

Half way through the evening when the musicians took a break, John would remind the crowd (and yes, there was always a crowd) that El Lobo was an art gallery not an art museum, so the art from many cultures on display was for sale. And if a picture or poster caught your eye, John could do the framing right there on the premises. John and Doris were always on hand to answer questions or give direction.

As with any successful show, the Friday night session had a theme song, created by local and loved musician, Asbury Park native, Dorian Parreott.

John's interests seemed never ending. Actually, his love of history created another vocation through Still H20's enterprises: Heritage Ltd. He presented lectures centering on Afrikan/Native American cultural connections. As a "Mystorian" John presented information and stories about indigenous people, notably about the local Lenni Lenape and Cherokee nation, from which his own heritage sprang.

So in 2017 when the United Aniyunwiya Nation (UAN) was introduced to the area, John/Black Wolf joined forces with with Chief Ananago Flying Eagle to begin building the new nation. Chief recalls that John had a lot of history about indigenous people.

"When I began to share with him our long history in the Americas it really sparked something new in him," the Chief said. “It gave me joy to know he was officially part of the nation before he transitioned. He always wanted to see people coming together and brought people to UAN.”

Tashee Wolf, also of UAN calls John, our Mystorian, our spirit elder and educator and he remembers his very distinct laugh as one of the great things about him.

In fact John created a lecture series " for the purpose of re-education to historical truths regarding Native Americans.” John was also the editor of the organization's online newsletter, Smoke Signals.

Certainly the most important thing to John was family. He was predeceased by his parents, although he had a close relationship with his mother into her 90s. He was also predeceased by two brothers. Survivng are sons Winston and Christopher, both of Alabama and a step-daughter Raj Kaur, Holmdel, one brother and two sisters, several grandchildren, nieces and nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.

John was also a member of numerous organizations. Certainly most beloved, along with UAN, was PACCI. President Dina Todd says John became an enormous contributor to the Chamber.

"John had a profound wealth of knowledge on several topics, which he freely shared,” Todd recalls. “He was not only an educator but an avid learner and a researcher."

Among his many projects, he loved his garden both flowers and vegetables, paddling his canoe, and making knick knacks from found objects, making jewelry AND TALKING.

Two things he left undone were the book he was writing on African-Americans at the Jersey Shore, and an El Lobo Negro reunion. The closing of the gallery left a huge void in many ways, certainly artistically and musically. But even more it was the end of a place to gather, laugh, talk and check in with the community. That void has never been filled. There's nowhere to go to hear jazz or R and B, no place for young musicians and singers to go hone their skills. A reunion might help bring some closure, even as we struggle to bring some closure to the loss of El Lobo Negro himself.

Dina Todd put it simply, but so well "His presence will be deeply missed."

John's daughter is planning a memorial, perhaps on Zoom. I'll keep you posted.

Letters to the Editor:

A 4 YEAR OLD GIRL WAS SHOT

Yesterday a 4-year-old child was shot in the leg outside of her home in Asbury Park, NJ. I have been trying to formulate my thoughts and feelings around this. I do not know this precious child personally, but my heart still hurts for her and her family.

Frederick Douglass said that “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

This child was shot by a man, likely a broken man, it is not an excuse but rather the root of so many issues in our community. We cannot put up new buildings with pretty doors and think that it will change the pain or mind-set of broken people. The work of repairing broken men and broken communities most be intentional and on-going.

Now this final thought is not one that is meant to place blame on anyone. No One on City Council pulled that tiger. But this thought came to mind because this is Asbury Park that I am referring to.

Asbury Park has been very intentional and successful at making this city a safe home for the LGBTQI Community and intentional about its efforts to buildup that community and this I celebrate. But hear me out, I think just as much effort if not more needs to be put into building up the Communities of Color in this city. While this city has become a safe haven for some it has become unaffordable for others. This unaffordability has added to the lack of self-worth some folks already suffered with. Yes, we need jobs, yes, we need resources, but we also need COMMUNITY BUILDING.

Repairing broken men is not easy, it is hard, very hard. But I have to believe it is possible. And I believe it is possible here in this city. Why? Because this city has already proven it can do that, just not yet within all communities. I beg of you focus on unifying rather then gentrifying. We will get a better outcome for the ENTIRE CITY!

Nicole D. Harris

Amen,Sister Pastor. Girlfriend. There must be a healing of the broken hearts and spirits of the Westside. Sadness Iives there inspire of a great park, fun playground and good music. There is new housing, which most longtime and low income recipients will not occupy. And of course, no jobs. So the lack and loss and frustration remain. What do we do. Help us Pastor, teacher, socialworker. WHAT DO WE DO?

Lorraine Stone

If you wish to support Kamauri and her family Click Here

We welcome your response to these letters - write to theasburyvoice@gmail.com

Double-check that you're registered, find out where and when you can vote, make a plan and tell your friends. Set a reminder on your calendar, and make sure you actually vote.

Rumors and Rumblings

There are lots of folks who live here in Asbury Park who think it is the capital of rumors and rumblings. So we at the Asbury Voice have decided to publish some rumors and rumblings as we hear them. Let the rumors see the light of day! Let the rumblings be dispelled!

This week we heard:

1. The city boxing ring (located above Public Works on Main Street) has been closed. Because there was such controversy about building it, along with tossing out city records to make space for it, we wonder why it is now being closed?

2. Why are police patrolling the boardwalk in golf carts? Most people want to see our police walking their beat and not being run over by them.

If you know the answer to these R and R questions or want to help clear the air around them, write to us at theasburyvoice@gmail.com

Rev. Gil has been hospitalized in New Brunswick, NJ.

Let us hold him in Light and Love

Here is his address if you would like to send him a card:

16 Goodale Circle

New Brunswick NJ 08901

Did You Know

[This portion of our newsletter many times comes from sharings in the Asbury Dialogue Group - We are grateful to many people like Kerry Butch, Duanne Small Polli Schildge, and Jennifer Sorios who have contributed in this way]

... THAT KERRY MARGARET BUTCH AND FELICIA SIMMONS HAVE ANNOUNCED THEIR CANDIDACIES FOR THIS YEAR'S CITY COUNCIL ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 3.

CLICK HERE

... that THE JERSEY SHORE RIDE FOR FOOD JUSTICE is back on Sept 12 Click Here

... about a series of short videos on a "A Conversation About Race"

quite awesome. Click Here

... that there is a free Racial Justice Project event: Reparations: The What, How and Why AP Now on Zoom Wednesday, Sept 16th from 7 - 9 pm Click Here to find out more

... that the NJ State Assembly and NJ State Senate passed Bill S232 on August 27th, an Environmental Justice Bill, ten years in the making and the first of its kind in the nation Click Here

... that the League of Women Voters of NJ presented in a collaborative effort "The Fierce and Flawed Battle for the Vote" which includes a significant part by our own Lorraine Stone. Click Here

... HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE Click Here

... about FREE RIDES in Asbury Park to go to doctor's visits or food shopping Click Here

... that there is a new restaurant that opened at 1504 Springwood Ave - Soul Sistahs Southern Cuisine

... that FREE COVID TESTING for the Asbury Park Community is available at AP Transportation Center Click Here for More Information

... that Cooperate Asbury will have its first Book Club at the Asbury Book Cooperative(ABC) Tuesday September 15th at 7pm!

Tell your story in THE ASBURY VOICE. The staff of The Asbury Voice hope that you are receiving and enjoying our email Journal. We try to tell stories about “us” that are not normally published. We would like to print some of your Pandemic experiences, Racism in Policing experiences, or any other stories you would like to share. So tell us in approximately 200 words. We’d like funny, sad, sweet, hard, simple or convoluted stories to share. Please send them to theasburyvoice@gmail.com

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All articles we print are the experiences and opinions of the authors. An editorial board reserves the right to make any changes they deem necessary to submitted articles that will keep The Asbury Voice from any liability. Authors will be informed of these changes to give them the opportunity to change or withdraw the writing.