And we’re back! I’ve spent the last month and a half reading, writing, refreshing my thinking and getting out of the Camden burn-out rut that seems to be affecting so many folks (who, largely, do far more than I do for the city!). Of course, Camden itself has continue to haltingly step and occasionally roil its way forward. There’s news all throughout the city — more thoughts coming about Whitman Park, Subaru, and, yes, education — but I want to start on a solemn note. Last night I went to Camden One Love’s inaugural event: Stop the Violence. For those who missed it, it was both heartbreaking and powerful, inspirational and challenging.
Camden One Love is a new organization that burst onto the scene last night. With Tawanda Jones the most visible face, and Pulitzer-prize winning photographer April Saul behind the scenes, the group put together a strong first showing. Tawanda’s Camden Sophisticated Sisters was the clue that kept the event together, drawing people in from across the park, and keeping them in their seats as a host of speakers addressed violence in the city. The group was fantastic, even putting together a special performance for the event.
Camden One Love’s rally was notable, not just because of the way it drew in residents, youth, patrons of the park and even the Camden High football team, but of the diversity of voices and perspectives that took the stage. It was a refreshing change from the scripted Camden — one which talks incessantly about the “three-legged stool” of education, safety and development as if repeating the three words ad nauseum could stop violence, close budget gaps and lift people out of poverty. Instead, the loosely run Camden One Love event lifted a cornucopia of voices and perspectives.
At one poignant moment, the mood turned somber as a father stood at the open mic to talk about losing his child. Three Camden High football players put their arms around his shoulder, and took the mic when the father faltered, full of emotion. At other times, a strain of black conservative thought took prevalence, criticizing and linking everything from cell phones to short skirts for perpetuating violence. Parents were chastised and parents were comforted. Youth were chastised and youth were comforted. Facebook sensation Vida (more on this Camden voice to come) gave an excoriating speech that touched on everything from personal responsibility to critiques of the Metro Police and tax subsidies. Activists like Gary Frazier talked about living a life of crime and turning away from it. Fringe City Council candidates like Cornell Garnett talked about systemic issues and the prison-industrial complex. A host of non-profits came to the mic — part of an explicit strategy to link Camden residents to resources — places like 220 Inc LC which gives school supplies and focuses on youth voice and views, Chris Williams’ boxing program in Centerville, Sean Brown’s Young Urban Leaders, United Mother’s Stand — a group for mothers who have lost a child to violence — and the Camden Teen Pageant. There was a sharp nostalgia for the days when fights were solved with fists, not guns, when gangs were local not national and international. And there were calls for a return to religion, with perhaps the funniest being the line, “if your kids can do the nae-nae, then your kids can do the pray-pray.”
The voices felt neither scripted nor cohesive, and through them all was a thread of heartbreak.
I wish that there was answer, some outlook, or even some cohesive lesson to take from the rally. But that is rarely how new community organizations work. Camden One Love was just started a few weeks ago. Last night they showed the ability to organize and get media coverage. Now they must start the slow, brutal, process of putting together a strategy (and likely, resources and a coalition) to address the deeply rooted issues in Camden that are connected to violence. Yesterday was a starting point for that — an unscripted, diverse, and community relevant starting point. A starting point that oscillated between block party and vigil, motivational speakers and local art. It was a starting point that holds promise.
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