Op-Ed: Newark Web Radio Founder Sounds Off On Trump

NEWARK, NJ — Editor’s Note: The following op-ed comes courtesy of Brittany Jade, founder of Newark-based Public Radio For All. To reply, contact eric.kiefer@patch.com

“Last week Donald Trump awoke in his gilded penthouse, picked up his blackberry and decided, on a weekend honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to attack civil rights hero, activist and House Representative, John Lewis.

“Trump was reacting to statements Rep. Lewis made on Meet the Press, stating:

• I believe in forgiveness. I believe in trying to work with people. It’s going to be hard. It’s going to be very difficult. I don’t see this president-elect as a legitimate president.
• I think there was a conspiracy on the part of the Russians and others that helped him get elected.
• That’s not right. That’s not fair. That’s not the open, democratic process.
• When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something. You cannot afford to be quiet or to be silent. We have to continue to work, continue to speak up and speak out.

“Considering the fact that multiple intelligence agencies have confirmed that there was, in fact, Russian interference in the election, I would say that John Lewis is simply doing what he has done throughout his life, bravely speaking out and standing up against injustice.

“I wouldn’t expect Donald Trump to be familiar with John Lewis’ life and amazing history of service and action. While Lewis was busy leading the first Freedom Rides, registering poor southern African Americans to vote and getting beat within an inch of his life during the Selma Civil Rights March, Donald Trump was deferring military enlistment. We can’t expect someone who has no history of service to anyone or any cause (unless you count leading the racist birther movement) to understand the life that Rep. Lewis has lived or the sacrifices he has made.

“As I look toward the next four years, I can't help but to think of a commencement address John Lewis gave at Lawrence University. This section in particular will guide my resistance to this incoming administration.

• ‘You must find a way to get in the way and get in good trouble, necessary trouble. To save this little piece of real estate that we call earth for generations yet unborn,” Lewis said. “You have a moral obligation, a mission and a mandate when you leave here to go out and seek justice, for all. You can do it, you must do it. Find a way to get in the way.’

“The results and future consequences of this election are painful. As Secretary Clinton said in her conceding statements, they are going to hurt for a long, long time.

“Make no mistake that Trump and his cabinet of billionaires are a threat to women's reproductive rights, LBGTQIA rights, voting rights, basic human and civil rights, education and immigration reform and basic competency and decency.

“Now more than ever, it is important to heed the words of John Lewis and find some good trouble to get in to. Educate yourself. Protest. Contact your house representative's and senators. Support organizations that fight for the rights that will be seriously threatened by the incoming administration.

“Create and support challenging and provocative art like the creators of the PES Feminist Incubators Space right here in downtown Newark. Use digital tools for organization and resistance like the Indivisible Guide and join their local chapters like Indivisible Essex.

“One of the most important things you can do is empower diversity in our media spaces. That is what we are doing at my organization Public Radio For All. We are a new online radio station based in Newark that features an eclectic music mix as well as reporting and storytelling by and about people in minority communities. In addition to our on-air programming we are creating an after school program to teach young Newark students a comprehensive radio production curriculum so that they can report on their own lives and communities.

“The future is uncertain and frankly kind of scary but if there is one thing that has brought me hope it is seeing the ways in which people are mobilizing, organizing, educating and standing up for what is right and what is just.

“Be safe, take care of yourself and others and please find a way to get in the way.”

Photo: Brittany Jade

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