October 2, 2008 at 19:40:10

A Norcross Civics Lecture?

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By mahdi ibn-ziyad (about the author) Page 1 of 1 page(s)

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The Courier Post (C-P 9.29.2008) report of George Norcross lecturing Camden's black leaders on how best to turn Camden around is the biggest farce I've read in some time.

Norcross, the "unelected" South Jersey super-power broker, big business boss, hospital fundraiser and Democratic Party kingpin --- a man who thrives on murky backroom wheeling and dealing, assorted political skullduggery and the Machiavellian arts of taking no political prisoners --- has the nerve to lecture gullible black religionists and others as to what to do about turning Camden around.

Instead of talking about real economic and political power-sharing with his black hosts he delves into the broad platitudes of communal volunteerism and do-it-your-self improvement schemes that every civic minded person or group already knows about. Rather than the old, condescending song and dance reserved for loyalist black folks (that usually ends in misdirection while Norcross and his cronies somehow manage to secure major funding for projects in the waterfront area, the downtown core, the universities and the expansion of Cooper Hospital) why can't King George steer some serious bucks towards the impoverished neighborhoods and hard working community organizations, including religious institutions, that are already in motion trying their best to redevelop Camden?

Where's the big bundle of well funded faith-based programs envisioned in New Jersey almost a decade ago, or must the faithful continue to make do with trickle down crumbs from the master's well stocked table?

Besides Norcross' theatrics that are full of sound and fury signifying more of the same dribble, the real scare is that the gullible African American clerics (who lack a tangible understanding of black liberation theology and its emphasis on black political empowerment), led by an equally gullible, but wily mayor and her loyal Democratic black-elected establishment don't seem to have a clue as to how to organize and use the right of self-determination to assist themselves and their communities in ways not beholden to Norcross their great benevolent puppet master.

Why didn't they demand that Norcross mention that real political power has been taken from Camden's elected officials and re-vested at the state level. Is it because Norcross himself helped to engineer this cowardly city takeover several years back with the participation of some of the same loyal religionists and black Democratic Party hacks he now lectures on the virtues of civic responsibility?

Less we forget local control of civic affairs by duly elected officials is the democratic-seed element in the overall politics of self-improvement and self-determination. That's the right path to politically correct civic virtues

Please can the drama!!

Dr. Ibn-Ziyad has demonstrated an abiding concern for racial justice, humanitarian and environmental issues and has been active as a member or leader (1988-present) in the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (Washington, DC), the (more...)

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