Race Relations Are Addressed In Princeton Community Dialogue

Candace Braun

Members of the Princeton community gathered at the Suzanne Patterson Center last week to discuss race relations in Princeton, and how to deal with recent problems among town youths. The community dialogue, a follow-up discussion to one held in November, was sponsored by the Princeton Human Services Commission (PHSC).

Education, parental concerns, police involvement, economics, and housing were among the topics that were addressed in small group sessions at the February 16 meeting. Race relations, however, received the most attention from the participants.

"This is an issue I've grappled with for as long as I can remember," said Andree Marks.

Others questioned why Princeton appears to be having more problems in recent months than it has had in the last several years.

"I've never in my life felt the way I feel here," said Ivonne Clark, a Latino and liaison to PHSC. "There is always that sense that someone is looking over your shoulder," she said, alluding to the mistrust she senses from retailers while shopping in downtown stores.

Lucy Pervin, a student at Princeton High School, said that while she doesn't feel there is a conscious effort to separate students at the high school, "when it comes to academic classes, there is a definite line drawn." Youths need to be able celebrate their cultural differences together, she said.

Former Township Mayor Jim Floyd said the biggest problem is that Princeton continually has discussions about the issues without ever taking action to resolve them.

"Twice a year we beat ourselves up over something we go out the next day and commit," he said, adding that tolerance and understanding need to be taught throughout the community.

April McElroy said she feels that the biggest problem in Princeton is denial of the problem: "There are people who have been here for years who don't understand the issues here."

According to Cleo McCray, the biggest battle to overcome is to stop being concerned about what other people think and how other people act, and to live by example.

"I don't expect everyone to like me," she said. "You have to look at a situation through black eyes and white eyes."

Finding A Solution

Susan Conlon, teen services librarian at the Princeton Public Library, said that Princeton should look to the youths themselves to answer the questions they have on why things are the way they are. She told residents that she is currently part of a group of people putting together a Youth Council to discuss how students feel about the issues that exist in Princeton.

"I think we need to ask kids what they can contribute. Teens have a lot of time on their hands," she said, adding that the best solution is to "harness their energy and engage them in a constructive way."

Mr. Floyd recalled that when he was mayor one student sat as a representative on each of the Township's committees in order to stay involved in town events and to offer a youth perspective on issues. This is something that Princeton should consider trying again, he said.

Residents also suggested that education on race relations would be the best way to combat the existing problems. Mr. Floyd said that state legislators should get involved in the process by lobbying for educational reforms that would force schools to teach students about minority education all year long, not just during Black History Month.

"Go where your power is: in your money and in your taxes," said Mr. Floyd.

A teen center, a parent center, and a family center were all mentioned as ways to bring together community members in one space to share together in common interests. One resident suggested going to look at the teen center in Summit, which has been successful for several years.

However, educating residents on race relations in Princeton was decidedly the most important goal.

"Maybe 200 people in our town know what's really going on here," said Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand. "Now we have to let the rest of the community know."