greater things

since i found that spot on carl miller boulevard (see previous blog), i have visited it multiple times. when i was driving someone home to south camden, i passed by it again and saw a man sitting on his porch. we pulled over and decided to ask him how he felt about the situation. he called the condemned homes "eyes sores" that prevented him from fully enjoying his home. he explained the government's tendency to cover up the issues in camden. one block up, there are apartments with fresh brick laid across the front of each building. previously, these buildings were falling apart. the city simply put brick over the deeper issues beneath the inability to maintain the homes. corruption runs rampant and infiltrates the very organizations who are supposed to "protect and serve."

i had the opportunity to sit in on a panel discussion that featured several individuals who have been a part of urbanpromise for years. each of these individuals represented an ethnic minority group. a good 90% of the audience was white. the audience had the opportunity to ask whatever questions they wanted, and the subject of violence came up. several of the members of the panel mentioned the negligence of the camden police department and/or new jersey police. several of them have been harassed by the authorities for no reason at all. because they fit the "profile," they were pulled over, physically and verbally harmed, and threatened. it blows my mind that the people who are supposed to be protecting and SERVING the city of camden are causing more harm than good. a couple of the panel members vaguely discussed having friends killed because of violence, but the majority chose to stay away from the subject or had never experienced it. there was, however, a young man in the audience from orlando, florida, who was visiting as a part of a work group. when asked about the orlando police, he said they have pure intentions and desire to protect people. my first thought? here is a white privileged male who has NO idea what he is talking about because those very individuals who are supposed to protect him look, talk, act, and probably think just like him. he doesn't know what it's like to not be given opportunities; they are practically handed to him. as this young man continued on his tangent about authorities, panel members' hands began to shoot up in disagreement. it's as if this young man was not even listening to what they were saying. these are real individuals who grew up witnessing corruption. that is reality. i almost felt bad for this young man from orlando, but i realized that so many of the people in the audience still see camden through a tinted lens. there were individuals from pennington, new jersey who came for a week. they live less than 20 minutes away from camden and they spent a week to focus on the city. if i lived that close, i would be here every day. they come for one week out of the summer to show their love for the city. we have become so desensitized and accustomed to our comfort that we do not wish to step outside of what we know to walk a mile in someone else's shoes.

now, i am not saying that camden is hopeless because the cops are awful and buildings are falling apart. camden is in the process of reclaiming its reputation. with a community garden and movie theater blossoming in south camden, there is hope. i find so much joy each time i drive (or dance in) an opened fire hydrant. laughter fills the streets in the middle of the day. people yell at each other from across the street, and though sometimes it can be profane, at least they are in touch with one another. they're a community striving for something more.

this idea of community was affirmed as i took a trip to camden printworks this morning. camden printworks used to be affiliated with urbanpromise, and though it is no longer directly under the organization's supervision, UP still purchases all of its shirts from camden printworks (fair trade!). when i went down there, i met a man named joe. joe grew up in urbanpromise; he was one of the first street leaders ("junior staff" as they used to be called). he discussed the many incredible things he learned and experienced through urbanpromise, then expressed his desire to give back. with a new executive director, this could have potential. you see, joe wants to mentor the young men affiliated with urbanpromise. he wants them to understand that they do not have to settle for a life of sex, drugs, and partying, but rather accept that they have the option of pursuing a collegiate and successful life. having made those mistakes in the past, joe is the perfect person to help these young men become incredible husbands and individuals in society. a person who has never had a drug problem cannot possibly relate to a drug addict in recovery, nor can someone who has never drank help an alcoholic. joe would be an incredible asset and addition to urbanpromise; he would stand among the honorable men who already work there, serving as another role model and potential father figure.

i only pray that urbanpromise will continue its turn-around rate. should this pattern continue as it has in the past, camden will be transformed. greater things have truly yet to come for the city of camden, new jersey.

this is a picture of the sky after an insane thunder storm. the weather has been so weird out here, but it was entertaining to watch people run through the rain. i thought it was absolutely beautiful and reminds me that God is still present in this city, though many believe otherwise!

this picture was taken a few days ago. stephen and i haven't had the most time to hang out, but when we do, he doesn't hesitate to act like my little brother. this day in particular, he felt inclined to brutally smack me with his glasses case. obviously, this was taken before that happened. regardless, i thought it was so great because are glasses are similar! it has been such a blessing getting to spend more time with him and strengthen the relationship we had last summer. this is one absolutely amazing 15 year old. i have no doubt that God is going to do incredible things through him. i am so proud of who he has become!