By: Valerie Cruz
On Monday, February 17th, Bergen Community College’s Black History Month Committee and Hotel Restaurant Management Department held a “Lunch and Learn Event” in the Technology Education Center. Attendants feasted upon menu items such as vegan sausage, French toast, roasted chicken and other palatable options. New Jersey’s Education Association (NJEA) President and Gubernatorial Candidate Sean Spiller was the guest speaker of the event titled, “Empowering the Legacy: Black Labor, Progress, and the Path Forward.” His attendance was made possible by Professor Mecheline Farhat, Assistant Professor of Political Science.
As part of many Black History Month events lined up for February, this lunch focused on the significant contributions and effects of Black labor, the importance of affordable housing in all neighborhoods, the current politics of division taking place, and the steps that can be taken moving forward.
Opening remarks were given by Wilton Thomas-Hooke, Bergen Community College’s Chief financial officer. Before introducing Spiller, he reminded the audience, “Black history is American History.”
Spiller began his speech with a brief synopsis of the Civil Rights movement and Black History, specifically in the context of labor, economic justice, and education. “We are living in a time where people are being written out of our history books,” Spiller said. He called upon the audience to “stand up” and be proactive voices in the community. Spiller reflected, “This country was built on free labor. This country was built on the labor of slaves.” He brought light to the issue that wealth in America has only been an opportunity for a “select few” despite the significant contributions of African American labor and that of other minorities.
Spiller contends that truly diverse communities and schools will only come about as the product of real effort to desegregate New Jersey’s communities. His answer to the issue of segregation between communities is affordable housing. The stigma which certain communities uphold in regard to affordable housing disproportionately affects African Americans and other minorities; this subsequently hinders their opportunities for economic and educational growth. According to Spiller, the segregation of schools and communities remains evident upon closer examination. He commented on the probable opinions of folks in privileged communities, such as “I’m not racist, but certainly I don’t want kids from Newark coming into my town.”
Spiller emphasized the success of a united people, discussing the divisive politics taking place in the current climate of the United States. Some examples included the administrative attempts to erase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and the scapegoating of immigrants and LGBTQIA+ people. Targeting vulnerable demographics, Spiller said, opens the gateway to spreading hatred and misinformation. Spiller identified these as strategies to keep people divided. Stressing the significance of unity in these “scary, overt times”, Spiller concluded his speech by reminding the audience that the present is not the time to bow out in silence. Instead, he advises that “[we] honor their [Black Americans] work with the work we do.”
There was a brief question and answer session with the NJEA president after his speech. Two people were able to ask him questions pertaining to Wayne, New Jersey’s affordable housing slots and media in today’s climate.
Following the question and answer were the closing remarks given by Dr. Deborah Manning, Dean of Multicultural Services and Activities. She closed the event by thanking everyone who made it possible. Feeling touched and inspired by Spiller’s words, Manning reiterated, “Black History cannot be erased…We persist, we move forward.”
