So, a few months ago, when the Newark Teachers Union took out billboard ads across the city condemning the spike in gun-related violence, I understood that it was a response (however misguided) to the pain the community was feeling at the time.
But this is getting ridiculous.
Since then, the campaign has only grown bigger. Almost anywhere you go throughout the city, billboards and public transit bus banners plead, “HELP WANTED: Stop the killings in Newark now!” Here’s a glimpse of the ad from one of the highways past the city:
Katie Wang at the Star Ledger recently covered Newark business owners’ reaction to the campaign: Merchants and mayor say billboards are hurting business.
Arthur Stern, chief executive of Cogswell Realty, the developers of the luxury high-rise apartment complex at 1180 Raymond Blvd., was so frustrated by the billboard that he decided to rent the space out with his own advertisement.
One of the six billboards is located in Military Park on Broad Street, facing the apartment complex.
“We felt it wasn’t very helpful with regard to our marketing efforts for 1180 and the general image of the city,” said Stern.
Wang notes that the Teachers Union backed a political rival to Mayor Booker during last April’s election, suggesting the ad campaign is a political tactic. The massive Associated Press coverage of the union’s adamant unwillingness to take the ads down would seem to be politically driven, because there’s just no other way to interpret the signs. Let’s take a look:
- Help Wanted: Okay, fine, Newark is looking for help. To do what? And from whom?
- Stop the killings in Newark now! Got it. Help Newark stop the killings. Sounds good. Where do I sign up?
- Paid for by the Newark Teachers Union, Joseph Del Grasso, President Huh? But how do I help stop the killings?
Every sign throughout the city says the same exact thing, with no actionable steps to take to help reduce Newark’s crime problem. This leaves one to wonder: who is the intended audience for these signs? Is it suburbanites? Doubtful, we’re not telling them how to help, so they keep driving. City residents? Maybe, but there isn’t a phone number or website to get more information, so we’re left being confused. Oh, well, maybe it’s the thugs doing the killing. They’re the ones who have direct control over the situation to stop the crime, right? But it’s just not likely that a billboard telling them to stop is going to change anybody’s mind who’s tangled up in a turf war or drug deal.
Or maybe it’s the city government—and I think this is the right answer. The NTU is publicly ridiculing the city administration’s apparent inability to contain crime. But, rather than work with City Hall to try to turn their neighborhoods around, they’ve wasted tens of thousands of dollars airing their dirty laundry in a massive FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) campaign. The question behind the question is, what do they hope to get out of it?
I’m keeping my eye on the discussion at Newark Speaks, hoping to find an answer.
10 Comments
It simply does not help anything. Newark does not need an image-bashing tool as it is hard enough for the city to shake its current image. I see one of the signs on a billboard by McCarter highway. One of the major highways that enter and leave the city, traveled by people who don’t even live there. If you were a business owner, would a sign like that make you want to operate in the city? How irresponsible of the teacher’s union. It is selfish, and disgusting.
As a citizen of Newark, this billboard is embarrasing to me and the entire community. And what’s even more embarrasing is the fact the it is paid for by the Newark Teacher’s Union. It must cost a few thousands to even have to billboards up. That money should be invested elsewhere. Maybe it can be used to start up a Anti-Violence Program in the city of Newark, or donated to the Newark PD so they can use it towards some kind of prevention program. GOD THEY CAN DO SOMETHING ELSE WITH THAT MONEY! How about using the money towards SCHOOLS!? I dont get it. That Joseph Del Grosso is one retard. And I am surprised Cory Booker is allowing this.
I agree they (ntu and administration) need to work together find a common ground. Oh I have one what about the children this is petty politics not to mention the fact pyschology says people do the opposite of what there told. Which in itslef is strange but I digress our children are falling behind and between the gangs the drugs and unemployment and drop out rates they need to put answers to last friday’s test on the boards if they really want to help
I agree that those billboards have to come down. They are visually jarring and the message is even more of a jolt to the senses. When driving or walking by one of thsoe ads, one wonders: what is going on in Newark to drive these people to take out an ad campaign to plead for justice?
I can understand some small logic in this. ‘Stop the killing’ sounds like a counter message to ‘stop snithcin’, which stifles the workings of justice in murder investigations. Those billboards, however, make the entire city look like a lawless jungle. Like we’re a bunch of caged animals reaching through the bars to civilized society, begging for help to solve problems we should—but cannot—get hold of.
The mayor is not allowing this. The NTU is not under his control and he puts on a very icy, controlled angry demeanor whenever the subject comes up.
My point is this: the war of the ads has only begun. You’ve noticed the bus ads by the Center for Union Facts haven’t you? This will only escalate until the business leaders and neutral community members force an end to this.
“Like we’re a bunch of caged animals reaching through the bars to civilized society, begging for help to solve problems we should—but cannot—get hold of.”
Oooh, vivid analogy.
I once rented out an apartement to incoming teachers who are members of Teach for America. I evicted them for chronic use of marijuana, and my guess is that they are still teaching in the system.
This is a sad indictment of the quality control of TFA in its recruitment / training methods. I would hate to see these guys become member of the NTU so they have a big shield to hide behind.
If these guys are indicative of the teachers in the system, the NTU should just shut up and clean house!
From the author of this post, to everyone who replied, you are all missing what this is really about. These black and white billboards are nothing in comparison to the propaganda ads that are being launched by the anti-NTU “Teacher’s Union Exposed” campaign. One of these absurd billboards are right above the Lukoil near the Harrison bridge, across from Bears Stadium. The argument on this billboard is that the city spends double digit thousands of dollars per each diploma awarded and blames this on the NTU. This makes no sense. Furthermore, the organization that funds this campaign is an anti-union non-profit that obviously has enough funding to threaten the NTU through ads that please the eye and make no sense. There is no link clearly articulated by this organization between low test scores and union activity. Moreover, there is quite a dearth of arguments to pose against the state curriculum and public school practices in terms of their uncanny ability to silence and repress the critical thinking abilities of inner city youth.
The leader of the NTU at my public HS, one of the finest in Newark, mentored me throughout all four years eventually recommending that I attend an upstate NY liberal arts sister ivy college. This college had not seen a person like myself and my mark will be on it because of the efforts of teachers who are leader of the NTU that encourages my critical thinking and cared enough to guide me to the best school possible. Newark isn’t only a place for failures and unions are certainly not to blame!
If the non-profit org is trying to please the eye…its working. My issue isn’t so much with the NTU spending money on ads when it could’ve went elsewhere, its more like how the ad is presented. HELP STOP THE KILLINGS IN NEWARK seems more like a police crime watch ad. I don’t even recall this ad leaving any kind of contact or any info related. The president said he tried more subtle ways to bring Newark murders to light as if it was some sort of long-standing secret.
I was born and resided in Newark mostly all my life. When my son entered Barringer High School in 2005, I saw drastic changes toward my son. My son was not attending school and I was very concerned. To my surprise, my son was absent approximately 45 days in one semester. I found this information because I had called the school. I questioned the secretary as to “Why didn’t anyone called me to inform me of my son’s absenteeism?” Her response was that there was a shortage within the secretarial staff. I was furious because I didn’t receive any calls from any teacher, truant officer, or even from the Principal!!! My solution to my problem was to move out of Newark. I tried every possible solution to find that special someone to make a difference in my son’s life and help him succeed through some coping skills in order to obtain a High School diploma. I am proud to say that he did graduate at another High School. But it saddens me that if I’d stayed in Newark my son would’ve been another statistic of being a “drop-out student”. That’s why when I read the billboard it didn’t surprised me at all.
The only way the schools will become accountable is if more parents take the same interest in their children as you do, Lady. It’s a shame you had to move out to help your son get ahead, but if the schools don’t shape up, a lot of parents should consider following your example.
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