The New Politics of Racism in Suburban New Jersey, Pt. 2

Section 2

Middletown And The Facts

Middletown Township, New Jersey is the second-largest municipality in Monmouth County, which includes 58.7 square miles. In fact, Middletown is the 16th largest community in New Jersey and is easily larger than many of the state's smaller cities.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the median income in Middletown is $96,190 per year, and the median family income is $110,944 per annum. The municipality was founded Oct. 31, 1693, and was a largely pro-British/Tory haven during the American Revolution (1775-1783). Later, the community was incorporated on Feb. 21, 1798.

Middletown is so large it has several towns or villages within it, which have their own unique identity: Belford, Navesink, Port Monmouth, Oak Hill, Lincroft, River Plaza, Leonardo, Lincroft, Locust, East Keansburg and Fairview. Famous residents include news entertainer Maury Povich and Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi, among others. It is the hometown for Knowshon Moreno, the NFL running back; the infamous former Giant Christian Peter; and ABC Anchorman Brian Williams.

New Jersey is popularly known as the most densely populated state in the union with 8,791,894 residents. Of those residents, racial groups breakdown as 6,029,248 Whites; 1,204,826 Blacks; and 725,726 Asians, among others. These numbers were courtesy of the Federal Government's 2010 Census.

Notoriously Conservative and Republican Monmouth County is home to 630,380 people; 520,716 residents are White; 46,443 are Black; and 31,258 are Asian.

Then to Middletown, considered the "gem in the crown" of the county: Once pristine farmlands, as late as 25 years ago. The sprawling township has since dedicated itself to becoming a bedroom community and housing area for monied New York and North Jersey executives who are seeking a bit of the country for their families.

The township itself is home to 66,527 residents, again based on the 2010 Census, which comprise 23,962 households and 18,235 families. Now, the numbers get incredibly interesting to me, as I am not one who normally shucks off societal demographics to luck or chance. Middletown is comprised of 93.89 percent Whites, with 62,456 people; there are .10 Blacks, with 67 residents; 2.6 percent Native Americans, which number 1,730; .01 Asians, with 8 residents; 855, or 1.29 percent, Pacific Islanders.

Ok, let me get this right: In New Jersey -- the most densely populated state in the union -- there is a community where Blacks coincidentally number one-tenth of one percent of a population, while Pacific Islanders (let's face it, all are welcome but it's not something one normally sees every day) represents the better part of 1.3 percent of the population in that same community. Well, if I were to believe that, I would have to suspend reality a bit -- like I was watching one of those Science Fiction or Horror movies in the theater. But, this is life, so it seems an odd thing to do.

So, Middletown was a Tory hangout at one time, which means it was decidedly not an 'everyman' kind of place. And, ever since its founding, the municipality has been basically White -- without interruption. Now, when there was mostly farmland, that is one thing: Farms are owned by farmers, largely handed down from father to son, that kind of thing. Yet, in the last quarter-century, what is the chance -- or the truth -- behind a town that has still (in the 21st century) not become diverse, if not for purposeful action on the part of at least some long-term leaders in the community, past or present? To say that Middletown's more than 93 percent White demographic was not, in my view, an accident, a coincidence or any of that nonsense. Middletown is not diverse because, yes I am saying it, the government and many quarters of the population want it that way and make positive actions to do so.

This is very acute: It is not even like wealthy minorities live there. Middletown has become a publicly funded "All White" zone and, as far as I am concerned, the very concept of such a place is patently un-American.

There are two public high-schools in town, Middletown High School North and South, respectively. It is so rare to see a place -- anyplace -- in this case the MTHS South and North athletic teams -- take to the floor or field with largely all-White teams, so they are an anomaly. I suppose the 'line' is that this is just how things shook out; I don't believe that at all. I cannot recall teams that were often exclusively White, except when Knowshon was recruited his senior year to play for South (as it was already clear he was headed to Univ. of Ga. and probably the NFL).

I ask this: If there was no rule or requirement that kept Knowshon from joining an otherwise all-White football team, why is there not more diversity on these teams? For that matter, with larger Black populations in the neighboring communities of Keansburg, Aberdeen, Keyport and Highlands -- how come none of those non-White athletes or students ended up attending a Middletown school? Or, was Knowshon welcome because he was a star athlete and only one person?

Yes, I believe that was what it was. I live in this world, complete with a BS detector that is fairly prominent. I could wear it as a hat.

For decades, Middletown has made no secret of the fact that they pay communities throughout the state to take their COAH (Council on Affordable Housing) responsibilities from the state agency. Why? Because residents in Middletown from the mayor to children barely old enough to attend school know that affordable housing means poor people, and poor people means diversity becoming a part of their very Antebellum demographics.

I have always likened Middletown to a gated community, only one that is supported by the State Government. It has its own special rules about who can live there, or who cannot, it seems. It 'so happens' everyone who does live there is largely (almost exclusively) White: Now, there is a blast from the past.

Today, I wanted to discussed some of the numbers before we go further into this subject. I will examine little bits of this community until there is enough for the reader to make a judgment, in my opinion. While this method lacks the thoroughness of the Socratic Process, examining any topic from several different angles does sometimes afford one a clear view of an object.

As always, thank you for stopping by, hope to see you tomorrow and -- seeya later, alligators!

--- Rev. Jim Purcell, MPS, CPSP1