When people ask me where I live, I often say, “Essex.” Why? Well, because if you think “identity” is a distraction, wait until I tell you about zip codes. Zip codes are the easiest way to do oppression without seeming like a bad person. In the US, your zip code is what hegemony uses to stereotype you, limit your movement, target you for defunding or funding, and in places like New Jersey, it can even determine what public job you can apply for. The labor markets in New Jersey are among the most de facto stratified labor markets in the country, and its many zip codes with mayors that essentially volunteer allow de jure segregation to be an acceptable and unquestioned practice.
For the Working Class to have solidarity, we need to free ourselves from the tyranny of the zip code, and for the Essex Community, I would like to start with Bloomfield Avenue. How can we change it from one of the deadliest streets in the country to a place that brings us together as a community??
To begin this conversation, we start on October 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Montclair State University in the CCOM Presentation Hall (Morehead Hall, 1 Normal Ave, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043). This 193-seat theatre will host the New Jersey premiere of Close Encounters of the 34th Avenue Kind: The Story of NYC’s Best Open Street, along with a panel on the topic.
If Bloomfield Avenue is a commons, what would it take for everyone to feel they belong here?
It will be in the 3-practices format, which is based on these principles:
I’ll be unusually interested in others.
I’ll stay in the room with difference.
I’ll stop comparing my best with your worst.
Our panelists will include SOMA Bike Bus, Maplewood Bike Lanes, Bike JC, ROUTE, NJ Transit, Bloomfield Urbanist Society, Transit Newark, VELO Bloomfield, Montclair Bike Walk, Hudson Complete Streets, immigrant rights groups, and Stronger Montclair.
We hope you’ll join us for this free event and the start of a conversation we will continue.
Please register HERE as seats are limited.
Some of our conversations with panelists.