by Eric W. Schoen
It is 50 years since the tragic death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On the balcony of a hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. I was 8 years old at the time and remember how upset my parents and the nation were at the tragic death of the civil rights leader.
Several years earlier Dr. King visited Temple Emanu-El here in Yonkers. Those that were there are long gone, but I remember dad telling me of the tight security around King’s visit. He entered the Temple through a side door. Mom didn’t want dad to go, but he felt strongly that he had to.
On announcing the death of King, Robert Kennedy said,
‘What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness; but love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or they be black.’
What did Martin Luther King, Jr. fight for? To allow blacks to use public utilities and schools, the same ones reserved for whites. He fought against discrimination in employment and housing. He fought for blacks to fully exercise their right to vote. He sought to raise the public consciousness of racism and end racial discrimination and segregation in the United States. While his goal was racial equality, King plotted out a series of smaller objectives that involved local grassroots campaigns for equal rights for African Americans.
Fast forward 50 years. The United States in 2018 is terribly divided. You have to be careful chatting with friends or sitting at the dinner table with family not to ‘offend’ anyone with your political positions or beliefs. Look at how disgustingly negative and divisive political ads right here in Westchester broadcast on television for an open New York State Senate seat are!
Is the Justice System fair to all? Or do the rich get better representation than those without money to pay an attorney, relying on a public defender.
Look at the decrepit conditions of the Public Schools in Yonkers, a district over 80% black and Hispanic. Then look right next door to Bronxville or Scarsdale. I am not blaming the condition of the Yonkers Public School buildings on racism but would parents in Bronxville or Scarsdale allow their children to attend high school at Gorton High School where when it rains, it pours right in the school building. Every study of Gorton High School shows the building must be torn down and replaced.
You can’t blame the current public officials for the state of Yonkers Public Schools buildings. They got that way because of neglect and priorities being placed by city officials in places other than the education of students in the city.
We hear about and see pictures of public housing in New York City where broken boilers fail to provide heat during cold wintry days. Apartments long in need of repair. So what does government do. All of a sudden after years of neglect monies are allocated, far less than what is needed to rehabilitate aging public housing. Public housing that people pay good money to live in.
Voting. Russian meddling? Machines that can’t be counted on to give an accurate count. Hanging chads one day, insufficient numbers of ballots at polling sites the next. Lack of early voting in New York State while 37 other states have some form of it. Rules for changing parties and getting your name on the ballot that only the rich and politically sophisticated understand.
In 50 years yes, we have come a long way but we have a long way to go. Let’s use the 50th Anniversary of this most tragic event to do something good. Volunteer to teach a child to read or guide a child as he or she prepares for college. Volunteer at a book sale to raise funds at the library or contact the Volunteer Center in Westchester to see how best your skills can be used.
And let’s tone down the volume and try to reach consensus on things important to us and our country. For that’s the way we will Make America Great Again!
Briefs:
Good news for the Yonkers Public Schools employees who last week as they prepared for Easter and Passover had their paychecks deposited into their accounts, the money taken out and then put back in later in the day. According to City Spokesperson Christina Gilmartin, there was a glitch in the city system in the timing of when the money was transferred to the employees’ banks. There is a small number of cases in which the City will work with the employees and the unions to recoup money for any reversal charges.
Many of you noticed that in Mayor Spano’s State of the City Speech there was no mention of the status of the New Firehouse in Getty Square. Again according to Ms. Gilmartin, ‘A contract to demolish the old firehouse was awarded about a month ago . Work should begin within the next few weeks. Bids to build the new firehouse have been received and the winning bid will be awarded momentarily. We would expect construction to begin by May or June.’
In my list of things to do last week, I forgot to mention the wonderful programs, free of charge at the Yonkers Public Library. Shame on me as President of Friends of the Yonkers Public Library for forgetting. YPL.org will list all programs by library (Will, Riverfront, Crestwood). Friends of the Library is sponsoring 2 programs in April at Will. “Gypsy Music: Celebration of Myth & Tradition”- a Concert At Will Library April 22 at 2 p.m. And The Pelham Larks, women’s singing group April 29 at 2 p.m. Volunteers needed for our Giant Book Sale April 14 and 15 at Will Library. Email friendsofypl@aol.com
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Listen to Eric Schoen and Dan Murphy on the Westchester Rising Radio Show Thursday’s from 10-11 a.m. On WVOX 1460 AM or download the SIMPLE RADIO app for free from the APP STORE.
