What’s become an annual tradition returned to Princeton last weekend, the Joint Effort-Princeton Pete Young Sr. Memorial Safe Streets Weekend.
The event has been the creation of John Bailey, who grew up in Princeton and South Brunswick, but now lives and works in Denver. Begun as a basketball game, the event has grown into a full three days of events that celebrate the best of what has traditionally been the home of Princeton’s black community.
A photo exhibition by Romus Broadway, “John Witherspoon Community Historical Reflections,” opened at the Arts Council on Thursday, and a basketball clinic followed Friday morning. Friday evening, there was a program and reception honoring black women at the First Baptist Church. Saturday began with a fitness class and a community discussion on the future of the John Witherspoon community.
Later in the day, the community gathered for music and a block party, and Sunday was the culmination of events with the Pete Young Sr. Memorial Basketball Games and awards named in honor of former Princeton mayors Jim Floyd and Mildred Trotman.
Many individuals and businesses contributed to support the event, held on a warm and sunny weekend.
The opportunity to celebrate this community’s contributions to Princeton are not without caveats, however. While the weekend events brought people together, warnings continue that the community is dwindling.
The Saturday discussion, with Mr. Floyd and local historian Shirley Satterfield on the panel, raised some of the housing issues that are forcing out families that have been residents all their lives.
“Many families have been forced to sell their homes they owned for generations in order to accommodate commercialized gentrification,” Ms. Satterfield said.
But Princeton Councilman Bernard Miller said, “There is no question in my mind that there is a commitment on the part of all of the elected officials to maintain diversity in this community, all kinds of diversity.”
The town has a commitment to provide more affordable housing, and we look forward to the 56 units the AvalonBay development will bring. But it will take more to be able to keep the neighborhood together.
The community needs to continue to express its needs.
As Mr. Floyd said, “No one will hear you if you don’t speak up.
