Where is their statue?

This article by Eric Kiefer reports the unveiling of a statue "honoring George Floyd outside (Newark) City Hall." This was a most disappointing move in a city that is only in the last 25 years showing significant signs of recovery from what is often called the "Uprising" or "Rebellion" of over 50 years ago. This writer has always been of the opinion that regardless of what occurs elsewhere, the people and leaders of Newark were beyond misbegotten acts that would further tarnish the image of Newark. This was especially in light of the occupant at 920 Broad Street being a leader of educators. Clearly, this was a faulty assumption.

A monument promotes the community's values. A monument says, "this monument represents what we hold dear, what we aspire to, what we want ourselves and our children to imitate. What values are represented here? What does this monument, in this case the highest form of a monument, a 700 lb. life-like bronze image of a person, say the people of the City of Newark hold dear, aspire to and want themselves and their children to imitate? Is the person a Newark native who makes Newark proud to say they are "one of us"? This brings to mind people like musicians Wayne Shorter, Paul Simon and James Moody, vocalists Melba Moore, Tawatha Agee and Connie Francis and actor/actresses Michael B. Jordan, Dana "Queen Latifah" Owens and Jerry Lewis. Also fitting this bill would be millionaire/philanthropist Raymond Chambers, author Stephen Crane and sportswriter/NBA analyst Brandon Robinson. A look at this very meager list of people born, reared and/or making their home in Newark reveals lives that regardless of favorable or adverse beginnings, they persevered, they overcame obstacles and they left or have established a legacy that itself honors them and the city they called home. Their contributions to their profession, to their neighbors and to their progeny is inspirational and aspirational. How are the children of Newark to be inspired by George Floyd? How many parents encourage their children to aspire to be like George Floyd?

Beyond these listed above, are there people in Newark's own history who loved Newark, contributed to Newark and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of people in Newark. Just from memory aided by very brief research for the particulars, the following come to mind:

• Dr. Amiri Baraka - Activist, writer, Poet Laureate of New Jersey, father of Newark's fourth Black mayor, Ras Baraka; while this writer disagreed with Amiri's politics and rhetoric, there was no doubt that he loved the city, its people and shed blood , putting his own life on the line on behalf of Newark's people. He along with Robert Curvin and Clement Price negotiated on behalf of the irate citizens to end the 1967 uprising. Unlike Governor Mario Cuomo, whose son dubiously renamed a bridge for him, no one would question Mayor Ras Baraka authorizing a statue in his honor.
  
• Dr. Clement Price - Professor, historian, Rutgers Board of Governors member, State of New Jersey Historian. Highly accomplished; served on President Barack Obama's first transition team. Worked with Amiri Baraka negotiating the end of the 1967 uprising.
  
• Dr. Robert Curvin - Educator, Civil Rights Activist, mayoral advisor. Born in Newark, reared in Belleville, returned to Newark. This man is the spokesman in one of the iconic photos from the 1967 riots speaking through a megaphone, calming the protesters. He was the third negotiator working with Clement Price and Amiri Baraka to end the riots and protests.
  
• Mayor Kenneth Gibson - First Black mayor of Newark.
  
• Senator Wynona Lipman- First Black woman New Jersey State Senator, representing the 29th legislative district largely comprised by Newark.
  
• Commissioner/Councilman Irvine Turner - First Black elected official in Newark; became an uncompromising voice for integration, desegregation and Black participation in elective politics. His ability to deliver votes made him one of the most powerful members of the city administration, which he used to benefit others. One could easily make the case that but for Commissioner/Councilman Irvine Turner's work there would be no Mayor Kenneth Giibson, no Senator Wynona Lipman, no Representative Donald Payne, Sr., as all of these successes were closely linked to the ideals and efforts of Commissioner/Councilman Irvine Turner.
  
  Maybe this development should not be so surprising, since another murdered criminal is commemorated at the place where he met his violent end. There is a sidewalk plaque commemorating the murder of mobster Dutch Schultz in 1935. Perhaps he only got a plaque because he was not Black. At least his was a death that actually occurred in Newark.
  
  I was born, reared and educated in Newark. I can introduce so many more numbers of teachers, police officers, mothers and fathers and just plain folk who in some way contributed to the uplift of the people of this city. Some did this in just going to work and lovingly rearing children, some did it by starting and operating successful businesses. Some did it by making the city's children literate and prepared to successfully pursue their dreams. Many more continue to do this.

Where is their monument outside City Hall?