I wrote this blog post almost a year ago. It’s been sitting in our drafts folder ever since… I guess you could say it took time for me to have the courage to post this article.
But…The truth shall set you free.
I’ve been writing about Jersey City for the last three plus years. I’ve been painting it as a place filled with sunshine and rainbows, with “awesome” places to eat, “awesome” stylish peeps, a burgeoning social scene, an amazing city to raise your families, super fun events, etc. If you aren’t from Jersey City and you read my blog, you would think it’s almost the picture perfect place to live.
It’s not. Aside from the Downtown area parts of the Heights and Bergen-Lafayette and JSQ the reality is much different. Every other day, there are violence, shootings, drugs, poverty, kids who are going hungry to school, teenagers who aren’t graduating high school. JC natives being pushed out of their homes because they can no longer afford to live in the only city they’ve known their whole lives. Imagine that? How would you feel? I would be angry too.
I would criticize this “ChicpeaJC” blogger. Who does she think she is? writing about the city that I was born in? What does she know about Jersey City?
I’ve been criticized many times for not covering these things that are happening around us. At first, I grew defensive and my response was always, “Well, I’m a culture blogger, I want to write about positive things that are important in a community.” I knew deep down that they were right and I needed to do more. I just didn’t know how and I didn’t want to admit that what I was doing was only contributing to the problem. Living in denial benefits no one but the privileged. I guess you could say I am one of those people.
I have a platform, people listen to me. I have a big responsibility to people in my community. I can’t just write about the beautiful aspects of it. A conversation needs to happen. It’s the only way we can make things better. Especially with everything else going on in the world, change can happen in our own communities.
I thought that by interviewing people like Pamela Johnson, who runs the Jersey City Anti-Violence Coalition, or writing about vigils and unity walks, asking natives how they felt about the changes, volunteering etc that I did my part. I realize now I haven’t done enough and I need to do more. My first step is writing about it, exposing the truth about what’s happening in this city, the divide between old and new, and the massive gaps in our socioeconomic state.
Just the other day, I was talking to a young mom who just moved here from Brooklyn with her husband and toddler. Super sweet lady, but totally clueless. She had no idea that there was a world beyond the shiny Jersey City that I show on my platforms. She didn’t know that just two days ago, a teenager was shot in the streets just a few blocks away from her new brownstone apartment, or that a body was found right across the street from where she brings her toddler in for art class. She even said “Jersey City reminds me of Brooklyn.” I cringed.
I am writing about top 5 places to get burgers, stories about artists, and local businesses while there are people starving around us, people who have nowhere to live.
A year ago, I had the privilege of being Principal for the Day at a local school, and it was a huge eye-opener to the state of some of the schools in this city. The principal was telling me that kids often come late and hungry to school. That kids miss school on a regular basis.
I visited PERC shelter a few months ago and the rising rate of families that are homeless is astounding.
I moved to Jersey City 8 years ago. I am not a JC native, I live Downtown, and I am not going to deny that I am lucky and privileged to be able to send my child to a good school, I have food to eat, and I have a home. I am not worried about where I am going to sleep at night.
Even in the last 8 years, I’ve witnessed Jersey City change so much. I am not saying these changes are negative, not at all. I am the first to enjoy a new restaurant opening, a new shop, and having options of new things to do and people to meet. The issue is ignoring everything else that’s going on while all these changes are happening.
I started ChicpeaJC as a hobby and never realized it would grow to where it is today. I want to give back to this community that I’ve grown to love so much, and I no longer want to paint this picture of Jersey City that it is perfect. There are people and children who need our help.
We can’t stop people from moving in, that is just the nature of an urban city, especially one that is so close to Manhattan. But people moving here need to take responsibility. If you’re going to move to a new city you need to take interest in it, in the good and the bad. You need to shop local so that the small local businesses here can thrive. You need to support local music and arts, and take interest in local government. You can’t move to a city and use it as a place to sleep and save money on rent. It’s not fair to those who’ve been here all their lives and can now barely afford to stay here.
Gentrification. I hate this word, and I’ve been denying using it all these years.
I look back and realize that my biggest critics were right. I am the poster child of the new Jersey City, the JC Make It Yours, the We are Jersey City. I was part of both campaigns, by the way. I really have nothing against what they were trying to do. Again, it’s business, but I do not want to be that person anymore. I don’t want to lie. I don’t want to hide behind shiny billboards with hashtag slogans. I want to start this conversation and be open about what’s going on around us, or else it will never be better.
All of us who live in this city are responsible for each other, whether we were born here or moved here recently. We need to come together as a community and help make things better. There is so much the Mayor and members of council can do. There is so much they can control on any given day. As they say, it takes a village. Sitting on social media and sharing negative articles isn’t going to help anyone. Seeking out those who need help will. Whether it’s local shelters who need supplies for the winter, youth mentorship programs who need mentors, volunteering to be a Big Brother or Big Sister… there is so much we can do. There are so many incredible local organizations who are making a difference. But it’s not just about volunteering and giving back, it’s being aware that these things are happening around us.
I started Content Creators Academy because I feel socially responsible to do something that could make a change in someone’s life, starting with our youth. They need a place to go to after school, where they can be, where they can create, where they can feel safe. This is what I know, I’ve come to learn that a lot of these teenagers crave a creative outlet. They are on social media, they are interested in culture, music, and fashion, so why not give them a safe space where they can do all that with the guidance of mentors who can influence them while also teaching them valuable skills that can be used for their future.
If you just moved to Jersey City and are reading this, I urge you to get out of your bubble and really take a look at your new home. Visit other neighborhoods, talk to people, take action. You never know what you will learn, and you never know what or who might just inspire you.
I will continue to spread light and empower/inspire my readers by writing about the positive things happening in our city. But just know that this conversation will not end here. We all need to take responsibility for what is going on around us and make sure we continuously talk about it.
This is great. Definitely the truth.
At last you are talking about it. I’ve lived in JC for 15+ years and I’ve had to give up my downtown apartment cause I can’t afford it anymore. I’m moving to the Square and know that I’ll be priced out of there too in a couple of years. Hate living my neighborhood but gentrification has won.
Thank you! I grew up in JC so this was refreshing to read.
This was a very incredible piece, a very revealing piece and a very honest piece. I’ve read and supported many of your blogs. I understand the idea behind your blog and Ive always appreciated your support of the urban culture, particularly, in our city. I have always had a profound respect for you and your many ventures because for a long time there, it seemed like all we knew of , was the bad that the city offered and it was refreshing to know that someone was out there on the hunt for all the positive and for all the positivity that we can enjoy and create in the city. But it is absolutely undeniable that the issues you mentioned with regard to gentrification and poverty and homelessness and lack of Education and lack of jobs are taking a heavy toll on the people who built these communities that are now sustaining new generations of people. It is always said that you must understand your history so that you can know where you are going and everyone sharing in our community and becoming new members of our community should as you said understand the history both rich and Rancid so that we can truly learn how to coexist and create a better standard of living for our families loved ones friends and Neighbors. So thank you again for finally publishing this piece and for giving us the opportunity to find ways to come and get her to act on the issues that you’ve highlighted once and for all. Thank you very much.
Bravo, and thank you
Lynn, thank you for acknowledging what long time inhabitants of JC have known all along. There are many wonderful things happening in our city but let’s face it : downtown is NYC’s 6th borough There are also awful things happening here. And you eloquently stated them in your essay. To ignore them is not going to make them go away. Iam 65 yrs old and have lived here most of my life. I raised my children here. I am a retired teacher having taught in the JC Public School system. I have watched the city go thru cycles of change. It is my hope that with this acknowledgement the inner city will receive the same care, and develop like the rest of our city.
As downtown residents, homeowners in particular, are confronted with their own challenges it is my hope that they will work with those in this city less fortunate to help make JC a real home to all walks of life. Living in a bubble is unhealthy. There is so much the privileged can do to help improve the lives of JC residents everywhere. I hope that your blog will be the beginning of a new JC which believes in speaking about all areas of misfortune.
Regards,
I have lived in JC since 1971. You know my history as an Hip Hop Icon and activist. You know the power off my spirit, my art and my voice, you’ve written about it, but never reached out to me for anything ever. If there is some way I can help this city, these people or this world reach out to me. I am here. Bro. Ernie Paniccioli
I am extremely happy to hear you finally make this statement. I stayed away from your blog or sharing anything you’ve done in simply because it was not reflective of the Jersey City I am apart of. I am a community leader, I have volunteered, partner ed with the city to get our youth exposed to nature and the outdoors and done many great things like others here but we seem to go under the radar. Much of our efforts unnoticed. I would always ask, “why doesn’t she cover these types of stories”, “why doesn’t she highlight other communities and the work we are doing to combat violence, crime, poor education, food deserts”. I understand you’re a culture blogger but culture comes in many forms and sometimes it’s not so shiny. But thank you, thank you for finally taking notice and acknowledging the grit and grime too, making your followers aware of what’s happening around the ENTIRE city. I appreciate that. There’s work to do!
I really admire you having put this out there for others to see. I am born and raised in JC the heights to be exact. I moved out sophomore year of high school but always manage to return for work. Like they say you can take the girl from the city but you can’t take the city from the girl. Well see most people moving here your right only.move here for cheaper rent and honestly care nothing about my hometown. It sickens me to see how people are so blindsided by the truth of our city. There is an actual life and real world outside of Paulus Hook and the waterfront, there are other schools beside charter schools and Montessori schools. I have worked at luxury apt building and had people tell me how upsetting certain things where because they pay 5000$ a month rent, well lucky you. You know what’s crazy not even those buildings are safe. People have died in some of those building as well and clearly not from natural causes. The real people of the city are lucky the can afford a 1 or 2 bedroom apt in the slums for a family or 4 or more. Now I work in one of the busiest hospitals around, you guessed it…. A TRAUMA CENTER and it’s amazing what comes thru that door, if people only new this is what’s happening all around the city. It just saddens me how oblivious people actually are. Hell just walk up to journal square and go thru the bus or path station you will see some of the poverty, not all but some. I hope everyone gets involved but I know deep down most of them will never care because Manhattan and hoboken is a hop skip and jump away. Also, for the record Jersey City IS NOT THE 5TH BOROUGH.
Great write up Lynn.
I have lived downtown my whole life. Watched the changes, new faces, mom n pop stores close to make room for artsy fartsy stuff.(LOL) Rent increases, overcharged gyms. Church closings. It’s sad to see my old friends have to move away because it’s just too damn expensive. I do enjoy the changes but i get annoyed at the arrogance od the newbies. Some, not all, can be very rude. I have always been an outgoing and empathetic type of person. I like meeting new people and learning about them, so seeing foreigners in my town excited me, but certain encounters with them left me floored.
I think you should start interviewing the natives from all corners of the city, along with the newbies.
Lynn – I am so proud of you, your insight, and your ability to articlulate what many of us feel. Thank you. It is a call to action for all of us.
Good topic.
If you are really interested in helping with these issues you must get with someone who is serious about grass root economic development. The vast majority the issues which plague the community are economic based. I have only heard from very few groups groups or individuals so far in this city that has been trying to promote such a plan.
I have personally spoken with several politicians, and community group and nonprofit leaders, and though I hear some good ideas, however no one idea that actually manifest any statistical nor actual difference in the conditions of violent crime rates and over all crime and poverty.
This is great. I am born and raised in Jersey City and would love light to be shined on the actual activities happening in our City.
Yaaaaas!!! Finally! I’m old JC, born and raised here and while I love many of the new shops and positive changes, I hate that only Ward E is the “start child” of the city. The rest of our city should be nurtured just as much! You’re right…many folks are being pushed out of their city and I for one refuse too !
Nowhere in the world is safe picture perfect place to live.
I’ve lived her all my life. It’s great now. Reminds me of when I was little growing up.
It’s a big city. There will be the good and bad naturally
Awesome social insight. I live in the New Orleans area, I.e. Metairie. The people of the city are also being pushed out by higher rent and the bigger problem here is transportation. Gentrification is not all bad but it does need to take into consideration that separate is not equal, and luxury residences can co-exist with affordable living options when everyone respects the same right to a decent place to live in addition to a decent wage for all of jobs that need to be done to make a community.
Really enjoy your words and perspective.
Thank you. You have spoken very profoundly about our current situation.. I am a jc native. I moved away and moved back. I absolutely know the location of each picture posted.. You are absolutely on point. We all have a responsibility to contribute to this place we call home. I hope you’re able to generate more actively involved.
Thank you so much for speaking “The Truth About Jersey City!!!” I came of age Downtown, and I miss the sweet and beautiful people of yesteryear. Once upon a time if I spent 15 minutes waiting for someone at Grove Street, I’d know at least 7 people who walked by. And not only did I know them, but I would ask about their grandmother’s surgery, their brother’s new car, or their dog’s puppies – entire Jersey City families were here. It wasn’t a fancy place, but there was a strong sense of community, and a soul that seems to have disappeared. I knew lots of amazing elderly people – neighborhood legends – many born and bred Downtown. If nature had taken its normal course, they would have been replaced by the next wave of seniors. Instead, families who’d been here for generations were priced out, the village elders disappeared, and rich (and uniquely Jersey City) oral traditions vanished with their departures. As you’ve probably noticed, my attachments to this town run deep, and I could go on, but it’s getting late, so I’ll return to my initial reason for writing this note – to thank you for acknowledging Jersey City in its entirety: the good, the bad and the ugly, along with the haves and, most importantly, the have nots.
Lynn, thanks so much for sharing this with us. Only in the last year or so, since i began working with Church World Service and Jersey City Together, have I come to appreciate the systemic problems that confront this city which I love. I’ve been a resident for 23 years and I’m embarrassed it’s taken me so long to recognize this. You’re doing everyone a service by raising awareness of how the rapid changes we’re seeing are imperiling our most vulnerable residents.
Glad to have seen this.
Thank you for this Lynn! I too want to give back to the community, to show that I care about our youth and what happens to them. Especially our young women. You’ve covered so much truth and although it may be ugly, it needs to be said.
I’m a 60s baby and I grew up in the projects and in the downtown area, to be more specific, Wayne st. Now things are definitely different now from when I grew up there and I can agree. It is all for the better but crime, violence and kids going to school is everywhere, we need to find a way to change that, all over, not just jersey city!
Don’t get me wrong. I love jersey city and I go back as much as I can, but it will never be the same!
This article really hit home for me. I was born and raised in downtown JC. On 4th street. I walked down to #5 every morning with my grandfather and passed by the bodega on the way to grab a snack for school. I spent my days playing on the block with kids of all types. There were a few problems with the bar around the corner and a few “bad” apples, but we lived happily. I graduated top of my class in 05, and moved on to county prep high school. After 23 years of residence on 4th street my parents had to move from 4th, because the owners wanted to sell (again) and are now in low income housing (where the new requisite is a credit score of 700 after a new company bought it out….. how is that possible for most low income families??) my parents have lived in jersey city since the 80’s when they first came to this country. And now they’re stuck in an area they don’t like because that’s all they can Afford. I moved out two years ago with my 5 year old. I tried living near bayonne in 2014 but had negative ezperiences and decided to try union city. After union city, we decided to leave jersey as a whole and move to Charlotte. I do agree we must do something, because it’s happening here too. I’ve seen it in the last two years I’ve been here. And I can’t move again. My children don’t deserve it. I don’t deserve it. I will fight for Charlotte because it is our new home. I just couldn’t keep up with inflation in JC. it breaks my heart because that was all I knew and loved. I do love some of the area it’s beautiful what Newark avenue now looks like. But at what cost? I can’t live there anymore I can only shop there. I am not against change. But I am when it affects others in a detrimental manner. Thank you for what you’re doing.
Very awesome article! I lived in Jersey City for a few years and moved away. Definitely miss it even more after reading all this. So many memories. Was actually looking at places to move to in Jersey City this past weekend. Reading your article definitely makes this decision and transition much smoother. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for writing this, Lynn.
I was born and raised in the “other” Jersey City (West Side Avenue area, near Lincoln Park and the Duncan Projects) and remember when downtown was actually the blighted area, with rats and garbage filling what’s now “The Gold Coast.” Change began in the 1980s, when Newport came along. At first, it was a curiousity, then we started to see how people’s eyes were opened up to the possibilities of Jersey City as an alternative to living on the other side of the Hudson. It was exciting, and the promised light rail stretching westward meant that we would see some of the benefits, too, but when the progress and revitilzation stopped at roughly the top of the hill on Montgomery , then it became disheartening. Greenville and other areas were forgotten.
I’ll admit to a bit of snobbishness at first to these new residents who couldn’t name another Jersey City Mall except for Newport, or who had no idea what Roosevelt Stadium was or why it was important in American history. To them, it seemed , Jersey City was just a tiny corner of the Hudson River waterfront, nestled between Hoboken and the Statue of Liberty. It bugged me and many like me, who grew uop where I did, places that still faced high crime and poverty on a daily basis.
As I’ve gotten a bit older, and have visited downtown and seen firsthand how genuinely committed folks are to wanting to revitalize the city I love, I’ve dropped my defensive attitude. The rising tide lifts all boats, as they say, and if the name “Jersey City” is going to mean “fun and family freindly” then hopefully investors and realtors will realize that there’s another area on the Hackensack River side that needs attention, too, and Is just waiting to be developed into the next lucrative and desirable part of Jersey City.
Thanks to you, Lynn, and to the others like you who have adopted Jersey City and highlighted the good things about us. The bad news is out there for folks to see, but left unchecked it would be the only image people have of Jersey City. With your help, and the cooperation of residents in other parts of the City, we can drown out the bad news and change things enough that the frequency of terrible instances goes down as much as it did for NYC in the late 90’s.
– Chris Lucas
You just gained a tremendous amount of respect from me! Be a part of this city as you are becoming! Yes, there are 2 sides to Jersey City. See it, embrace it. The city will love you back I promise. Keep doing good.
Amazing essay, Lynn! You did the right thing and, in so doing, you will be of great help to so many people. Keep going! It’s the best thing you have written ( though I do love so many of your other writings) and it took a lot of courage. Thank you so much!!
I figured I would share a few things that are working on combating a variety of injustices in our city. Jersey City Together continues to work for more “actual affordable” housing, improvements in our education system, holding landlords accountable for poor living conditions and intimidation etc. You may already know about JC Together but figured I’d mention them. Also, i work as the community service director at Saint Peter’s University. We have a food pantry and clothes closet where we distribute food, clothes, toiletries and household items to those in need. We also have a Campus Kitchen, where we recover surplus cooked food that would be thrown out from cafeterias and dining halls and deliver to shelters and individual families. In roughly 3 years we have saved 42,000 lbs of food and served 40,000 meals. If you ever encounter people who could benefit from our programs please spread the word to reach out to the office of Campus Ministry at SPU for more info. I look forward to your future posts.
Lynn,
Great article. If you really want to see the other JC, make an appt. to see Public Safety Dir. Shea and ask to ride along with the police on a few weekend evening tours in the West and South districts. There is a whole other world out there.
Good Luck and Keep up the good work,
Larry
Lynn….. I read your article entitled “Gentrification” with great interest ! I was eager to find out why you were hesitant to post it. After finishing it, I just had to write to you and give you my feedback.
Don’t ever hesitate to tell the truth as you see it ! It is what makes you who you are. You were not handed the platform from which you publish Chicpea. You earned it by exploring issues and reporting on them with your style and from your heart ! Don’t ever change and be proud of who you are and what you have achieved !
Everything you wrote in your article is indeed true ! Jersey City has changed not only since you moved there, but also throughout the many decades since my Family lived there since the early 1900s. I myself moved out in 2002, but I still have great pride in my Native hometown. I read your Chicpea and I go to the Facebook Group site called “If You Grew Up In Jersey City” quite frequently to reminisce about old Jersey City !
Many areas of Jersey City have been built up and improved greatly! However as you stated in your article, other areas have gone drastically downhill ! Many people who come to this city or any other City for that matter don’t take pride in their neighborhoods, their community or even this great Country ! Unfortunately that is becoming the new norm. That is why our Country is going the same route as my dear Jersey City.
It is with great sadness that I state my opinion! Our Society wants wants wants and too many people nowadays just take take take. They don’t want to give back like past generations. We have distanced ourselves from GOD, the rule of law and just good old fashioned respect for your fellow human being! Neighbors don’t know neighbors and way too many people are much too busy caring about their own self interests than they are about humanity or the welfare of their own communities ! Forgive me for going off on a tangent, but you really hit the nail on the head with your article. There is no need for you to apologize for merely stating the obvious and unequivocal ” Truth”!
No matter what our political party, our religion or our ethnicity….. we must unite together and not be divided by the powers that are trying to further divide us and destroy the greatest Country in modern times !!!
America needs to realize and appreciate the freedoms and opportunities that we possess and build upon them rather than tear them down…. !!!
I totally agree with your statements. As a member of the local NAACP there is so much more we can do and need to do….IF only we can learn to work together As A Team…Seems like those in power are out for themselves. Not many have a heart for the People. We as concerned citizens need to come together and develop a Plan.
And so many families are Living from Paycheck to paycheck That’s why every Saturday I come out and give out free clothes to my community
Hey ChicpeaJC,
You had me at “All of us who live in this city are responsible for each other”. I moved into Paulus Hook 20 years ago because it was the best place to stash my sailboat and sneak in some late night sailing while selling real estate on the UES. Even in those pre-boom days living downtown (oh, I should have stayed!) it was easy to avoid the complicated truth of segregated living that plagues our American life. And as you rightly denote, some of our neighborhoods are home to noxious levels of violence, poverty and trauma that children and adults have to bear daily right here in JC. Twenty years later, l have worked in political fundraising and now in the not for profit arena. I am proud to be part of the Urban League of Hudson County, which has made its home in Greenville, providing childcare vouchers for low and moderate families as well as support services for seniors. youth programs and training for early childhood professionals. Even we, part of a national movement begun in 1910, find it hard to cross an unseen divide when it comes to raising critically needed funds and partnering with leaders who are driving remarkable change downtown.
I applaud your courage, your voice and I invite your readers who, like myself cringe at this tale of two cities to consider giving to local community organizations which are doing the work to support healthy family and child development right here in our community. We need folks who care enough to help in small ways and large. PI will be happy to hear from anyone who would like to support and be part of that change. Sincerely, Kevin Jones kjones@ulohc.org
You have my attention Ms. Hazan. I’d like to” peel back the onion” to hear more. Learn more. About what you think should become the conversation and course of action that will make a positive difference in the lives of non-downtown denizens of JC. We are here. We need input. We want engagement, and we want to make and see a materieal and cultural improvement in the quality of life in our neighborhoods. I an encouraged by the light you will shine on the benighted borders beyond the downtown perimeter . Anxiously awaiting your series of insightful blogs! E.D. – Bergen-Lafayette.