How long does it take for sure, definite, realistic progress to come in Camden? Although I’m not completely finished with Camden After the Fall my readings up until now have provoked me to write about the complete incapacity to run this city. The first thing that irked me was all the building going on by the waterfront. When corporations like RCA Victor and Campbell Soup are able to have more voice in the city than the people are, democracy is not doing it’s job. More to the point, however, is the scandal surrounding the St. Lawrence Cement Company, which provided even more proof that money conquers all.
With air quality about as bad as it could get already, Gladys Blair did not think it could get any worse… That is until the St. Lawrence Cement Company proposed to build a new plant in the area around Blair’s house. Living in the Parkside area of Camden it was inevitable that Blair would have respiratory illnesses with the municipal waste plant built there in 1977, the trash-to-steam incinerator built not too long after, and, (completing the trifecta) I-676 which spews diesel fumes from cars and trucks daily. So when the proposal came out in 1999 for SLCC to build this new ecological dump it goes without saying that Blair and others were a little fed up. The residents were quickly swayed though with a promise from the company to provide them with complete compensation for their homes. Soon Blair and other fellow residents of Parkside lowered their insecurities and defended the SLCC against environmental groups. However, all hope was lost when the SLCC offered forty households a mere $300,000 to relocate. I personally have to say, businesses have the quickest way of killing someone’s spirit. Soon the Parkside residents had no choice but to protest the injustice that they had to suffer under.
Over the course of a year the Parkside residents and the SLCC went through lawsuit after lawsuit, appeal after appeal, ending up with yet another victory for money. The SLCC was able to run their plant that spewed out over 60 tons of fine dust annually along 848,771 tons of slag.
It seems to me that people, and many communities in this case, are thrown completely to the wayside when it comes to money. But, without the people in the cities how do businesses continue to have so many fiscal benefits?! If these businesses just continually gave as much money as they received the communities and businesses alike may grow larger and more prosperous. For no one to care about the communities well being is a dangerous path to follow. Over the years the total disrespect given to people’s well-being in Camden has ultimately led, and will continue to lead, to poor civil and social programs. So the question I pose is this, how far can they go? How far can the businesses, the local and state governments, and the state led programs go before there is absolutely no hope for social responsibilities?
For the most part, I agree with what speakyourpeace1 has to say. In our corrupt society, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I believe this is one of the major flaws in capitalism. Because every man has the opportunity to better themselves, we see that the community begins to suffer. Selfish behavior becomes more pronounced and the ability for us to give cheerfully becomes strained.
During service this past Sunday, my pastor talked about the act of giving and thanksgiving. I find that I too am guilty of being selfish at times, not willing to donate to every person who asks for a donation. Yet, what does that say about mankind? Have we all become mindless drones set on just accumulating and accumulating more and more things? I believe America was founded for the pursuit of happiness. Yet, in today’s world, we have equated happiness with objects and money.
I think that at times it isn’t that the government doesn’t want to help its people. I mean our offices are meant to represent us and provide the best care for its people as possible. Yet, when a city like Camden is in such shambles, no one knows how to alleviate the situation. This isn’t to give the government an excuse for their inaction. The government needs to make a cohesive plan that will help lift Camden’s people out of poverty. The only way that this can occur is if the educational system is completely revitalized. More schools need to be built because education is the only way to success. It is the grand equalizer of race, sex and creed. Right now, many people in Camden don’t have the skills necessary to be successful in today’s society. So, we must give them the means to do so. Like in New York City and Los Angeles, Camden’s mayor must invest more funds for schools. Thus, when these children grow up, they can rise out of poverty.