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An Open Letter to Mayor Michael Bloomberg: Remember the Poor
Dear My Friend, Mayor Bloomberg,
In the summertime, as a child, I used to play in the streets of Hollis, Queens. As we played, there were always kids hanging out on the corner. Most of those kids that stood on that street corner of Hollis and 205th either died or went to jail. So, yesterday I was looking forward to joining you at the press conference announcing the expansion of New York City's Summer Streets program, because I know that good programs will keep kids playing in the streets, rather than standing on the corner.
As I stood there and listened to all of the city officials, including you, tout the various programs of Summer Streets, I realized that we should be spending as much energy on programs for the poor and disenfranchised as we do on the programs on Park Avenue and in other affluent neighborhoods in the city. I think it is wonderful that the city will be closing streets throughout all five boroughs during the summer; however we need to make sure that the people who live in the poorer communities have free programs as well. We also need to make sure that the information to participate is easily accessible for those communities. We respect the city's interest in servicing the tourists and more affluent New Yorkers and we recognize these programs, in some way, benefit the entire city. However, frankly speaking, the poor do not benefit enough.
With the horrific economic conditions that have devastated our communities, we all know that times are tough. However, during these tough times we would expect our leaders to give those who need a hand, two hands. I have been a friend and supporter for many years, and will always give you credit for the excellent job you have done in areas like education and the environment. As your friend, I urge you to create more and enhance the existing programs that you have already created for those who are suffering in poverty. Let's make sure that we do not create two New York Cities; one for those with privilege and access and one for those who are living in struggle.
During this long, hot summer, we need more programs that will keep our young people from literally killing each other. Just last week, I met with the leaders of the Bury Da Beef coalition who asked for my assistance to stop an escalating street war that is going on right now in my old neighborhood in Queens. They are fearful that with the summer in full swing, the violence will not stop across the city. And without anything for the kids to do, I am sorry to say, it definitely won't. As we all don't want more trouble in our city, I strongly recommend that the city makes more of a commitment to support programs that are community based and community-run, like Bury Da Beef, LIFE Camp or Man Up, amongst many, many others.
Lastly, let us be honest, that if we do not help those who are suffering in poverty, they will eventually rise up and put many elected officials on the same unemployment line as they are on now.
Your Friend,
Russell Simmons
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The poor, who is concerned about the poor? Sure, well-meaning individuals and organizations function to do all possible in assisting the impoverished with the stresses and strains of being thus burdened. Such people are as they ever were -- towards what is good, what is necessary, what is worthy. Good empathetic people have always existed in varying numbers and they always will. However, the poor is not sexy. However, the poor is not some cause célèbre that indicates one’s own worldliness. Poverty is an old crusty story. Ho hum. Those faceless people who are now dead, whose blood ran red through city streets in the summer heat to a ghetto beat; those people who fill county jails while corporate and political criminals cool their heels and polish their nails; those people who are homeless, drug addicted, mentally afflicted, abused and restricted; those people who are taking the elevator down from middle class; those people who are losing their jobs and their homes; those people who get outsourced and evicted; those people we leave alone; they are on their own...those people are of no concern -- forget them...let them burn in the fire of their failure. They have existed for ages. Finger the pages of history and they will be there...dying, crying, suffering and gaining nothing for their time but a whole lot of obstacles, pain, scorn, and the grime of living below or at the poverty line. The poor are out of sight and out of mind.
"The poor are out of sight and out of mind."
...as a concern of the masses or the aggregate.
I decided to put forth the actual view that exists concerning the poor, the unspoken dirty little truth. I am convinced it will take private efforts to stem the tide of poverty ignorance and generational despair within this modern society. That has become my focus in terms of developing solutions. I think the government (or leadership) can play a role, but I also think it is wasteful to wait on government to make addressing this long standing problem a priority (MLK died with a poverty campaign on the agenda). If you want something done you have to do it yourself. That is the American way. I agree with that and contrary to the haters, this brother is not looking for outside assistance in addressing systemic needs. I am all about self-actualization. I conceptualize solutions that I originate, that I control, that I manage, and that I offer to address these problems. I am starting out with little knowledge and (relatively) scant resources. But I have the passion and I have a vision. That’s all I need. That is all I ever needed to achieve anything of substance in life. This next phase is to be all about sowing the seeds of love for crops of prosperity for the masses. The future never looked brighter. The road is long but the journey is worth it.
I agree with Russell. I would also like to see the other four boroughs become independent and not shackled to Manhattan where most of the revenue is spent where the wealthy live. NYC is way too large and the cost to keep it afloat is unattainable. I look forward to more Brooklynites, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island stand up and say we want to become independent.
Thank you.
I find this ironic coming from Russell Simmons who once and still promotes rappers that talk about killing, bling, and that verbally abuse Black women. Rap music was once fun, instructional, and encouraging....until with your help Russell ,the "gangstas" took over!
What have your friends like Diddy, DMX, and Jay-Z have exactly done for the poor? Do they give to charities? Do they visit or donate to the Boys and Girls Clubs? All they seem to do is spend their money partying. And you're waiting for Bloomberg to do something?
If this "open letter" was from someone like Oprah Winfrey,who ironically people like you have described as "acting white", and who actually DOES give money to causes, I'd take it more seriously. Charity should begin at home, with you BRO!
"A society seeking more justice is a society needing less charity." -Ralph Nader
Hey, during Katrina, it was Chavez that sent in help for the homeless poor in NY.
Read a great quote yesterday;
Todays pig is tomorrows ham.
Btw Huffington Post, Can we get try out another "Editor-In-Chief of the Global Grind?
I have nothing against Russell, he is a great business man and does speak out on a range of issues.
However I think readers would love to hear from some other thought provoking New Yorkers / World Citizens.
I would love to see Chuck D or Brian Lehrer in this role. I'm sure others who read this blog will name others.
Thanks,
Remember the Middle Class Russell!
The "Poor" CAN afford to live in New York.
The Middle Class cannot.
Bloomberg has continued to make this city a town of extremely rich and poor. Russell, African American families like your parents were able to come to communities like Hollis, Queens and live the American Dream. Today, they cannot because of Bloomberg's disregard for the middle class. This is not about class-warfare, it's about being honest about what is really going on in New York City under Bloomberg's watch. No one wants to be poor, and a responsible society should address the many economic disadvantages of the poor. However, I would bet that most people on this forum who live in this city would agree that their are plenty of services and outreach in this city for the poor, as there should be! I'd bet that most of your middle managers and operational staff cannot afford to own even a condo in New York City. I notice my earlier post was deleted, although I did not commit libel against anyone in my post.
Not to take anything from your post. But when the middle class is feeling heavy financial pressure, the poor are being crushed. I have been both poor and middle-class at different times in my life. Even through recent years of extended unemployment and unexpected medical financial burdens, I am grateful that I am no longer so poor that there is literally no food in the house with two small babies in a major recession and no prospects for work.
The middle class does need help now. But, as Russell said, right now the poor need two helping hands.
To which I agree with the first responder to your comment. I have left New York since 1982, joined the military and later settled in California. I will always consider New York home to some extent, but I have to agree with Russell here. While I understand where you are coming from, the poor in most cases are left out and hardly spoke on, on a variety of issues. I was engrossed with this last election more than I have any other. And though I am pleased that Obama won, and strongly believe that he is the right person for the job and also currently doing his very best for the prosperity of the United States, at no time I remember him mentioning anything about the poor during is campaign, and if he did, it was on a very minuscule scale, neither did I hear John McCain mention the poor, It was always about the "middle class". I often wonder if the poor has been forgotten. For the record, there are a lot of poor people in the United States, more so than the middle class, and for that matter around the world. So, please remember the poor...I second Russell Simmons.
you too remember the poor
Thank You, for the article Russell and your right we should remember the poor. Right now the poor are growing because our middle class have been depleted, they are now the ones going to the pantries and they were the ones giving to the pantries. What New York and all the other surrounding states need is Living wage jobs, that is the bottom line. I am fed up with these politicians who get in office and forget the people and turn right around and do the oppisite and expect the people to serve them, they are to serve the people. Right now, the people aren't begging they want a hand up so that they don't have to worry if their lights are going to get cut off or if their gonna loose their homes. Right now, we need jobs so people can feel like they can manage their daily lives.
The lion does have a heart? Russell what you described is going on in every major city in America. And I agree it is time for the poor to rise up and vote all of those phony self serving politians out of office. Most of them aren't working on the behalf of the so-called 'vulnerable' population anyway. It's been far too long that the voiceless go unheard. Thank you Mr. Simmons for not forgetting and underestimating the poor.
Charity is a choice not an obligation...go for it
I respectfully disagree.
As a human and a citizen that benefits from society, I feel that it is an obligation.
Why don't you people stop waiting on the government to bail you out and get together and actually do something. You New Yorkers are the whiest people I've ever heard. Oh do this for us we want a hand out. Thats how you sound to the rest of the country. You have your heads so far up each others rears thinking your the greatest city. Please! Our tax dollars go rifling through your economy for what? What do you actuallly give back to the rest of the country. Why don't you get your precious preachermen, and churches to actually use some of the tax free money they get to actually open after school and projects for your poor people to go to . Whay don't you stand up for yourselves instead of asking for hand outs!
In reality, New York City helps support New York State and other states, particularly in the Deep South, that can't pay their own way. I guarantee that tax dollars from Bubbaland don't come here. Remember the terrorism funding that bought lawnmowers in Montana while leaving world-class landmarks in NYC unprotected? Yeah, we NYers are very whiny; remember how we bitched about 9/11? We can't do anything ourselves.
Poor people aren't asking for handouts--they're asking that some of the tax money that gets taken from them by the city, state and feds come back to their community. Bloomberg, with a couple exceptions, has been government by the rich for the rich. Poor people in this country are taxed far more heavily than rich people, yet somehow when rich people get tax money, like corporate welfare, it's not a "handout." Repugs make me tired.
Way to kill em with kindness!
I second that. I hope Bloomberg remembers the MTA track workers. I've been seeing a lot more of the MTA workers recently and sometimes I discuss things with them. I brought up the air quality in the subway with an MTA worker and she told me she coughs up black stuff. It's right out of a Charles Dicken's novel.
I have a favorable impression of Mayoral candidate and Comptroller, Bill Thompson. He appears capable and formidable.
Another candidate works hard on behalf of NYC's neighborhoods and small businesses - Reverend Billy Talen. He deserves more media because he'll definitely entertain and challenge conventional wisdom.
http://www.voterevbilly.org
I'm not necessarily against Bloomberg, but he'll really have to snap out of his bureaucratic trance and show some inspiration. With President Obama at the helm, a lot of excuses for governors and mayors are now gone. NYC should be seeking federal funds for infrastructure rather than just begging Albany for crumbs.
What'll you do if he doesn't remember the poor? Vote against him?
Sounds like a plan to me, nothing to do with friendship strickly business, if anyone should understand that it would be Bloomberg.
Uh... Yeah. They're eligible to vote too, you know.
You also seem to forget, or perhaps never knew, that the poor rub shoulders with the middle classes and the rich every single day. It's the geography of the vertical city. And New York has a very long history of riots, dating back to before the Civil War, fueled by summer heat and anger at the wealthy. Mob violence is what made the city a beacon of social programs and charitable institutions. Guess we need another round of "I told you so" recriminations to get the city back on track and away from the suburban Republican carpetbagger mindset.
AND THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE CONTINUES!
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