Mark Zuckerberg Just "Believes" In Newark, NJ

Yesterday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that he would be donating $100 million to the Newark on the most important political stage, The Oprah Winfrey Show. Excuse us if we're skeptical, but we wondered why Zuckerberg chose Newark when he was born in White Plains, went to Harvard, and really has nothing to do with New Jersey whatsoever. He cleared it up on the show, saying, "Newark is really just 'cause I believe in these guys," speaking of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory Booker. It also turns out that Zuckerberg originally wanted the donation to be anonymous. Right!

Booker reportedly called Winfrey last week and said Zuckerberg "wanted it to be anonymous," but Winfrey managed to talk him into coming onto the show. But wherever the grant comes from, Christie says it is much needed (especially since they botched that $400 million education fund). Always with a flair for drama, Christie described a scene at a local gym as parents were waiting to see into which schools their children would be sorted. One mother allegedly told him, "I knew that when his number got picked out [for a good charter school], it was the difference between him going to college of going to jail." However, there might be some problems.

Education Law Center head David Sciarra said it would be "improper and illegal" for Christie to give Booker the authority to make decisions about the Newark Public Schools. Sciarra said, "I have no doubt appropriate legal action would be taken on behalf of the residents of Newark to challenge such a move in court...We’ve had numerous contacts from parents and community and parent leaders concerned over giving any kind of power to the mayor." Won't somebody please think of the children?!

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By Jaya Saxena in News on September 25, 2010 11:08 AM

Comments [rss]

potsmoker

In reality, Zuckerberg is not "giving the money to Newark", rather, he is setting aside $100 million of Facebook stock to create a "foundation" he calls Startup:Education. The Newark School District will then approach Zuckerberg's "foundation" on a regular basis, hat in hand, begging drips from his coffer and, if they are teaching the students the things that Zuckerberg wants them to think and molesting teacher staffs the way Christie likes, then he will dispense a portion of the "foundation's" funds. To be paid to one of Zuckerberg's corporate friends for the fraud they call a new "educational system"!

John L

First of all, I don't care why Zuckerberg did it, the point is he's doing it and the kids from Newark will benefit.

Second, I really wish New York had a mayor like Cory Booker. But the powers that be would never allow a do-gooder like him to take office.

whitecastlerock

100 Million-that's ashtray money to politicians...

NlGGAZ

"I don't have a Facebook!" is the new "I don't have a TV!". All hipsters take note.

Guest

no note taking necessary -- i'm two steps ahead already. i mean, i am on facebook, but i'm hardly ever there. so if someone asks, "what, you don't have a facebook? so you think you're cooler than all the rest of us?" i always say , "yes! i! do!"

makeoutclub all the way.

freddynyc

Hmm, and I thought his "philanthropic" act was used to counter his portrayal as an asshole in the new movie...

emilydickinson

Corey Booker is the only politician I've ever met who actually takes the job of governance seriously, by putting the city first. He remembers politicians are there to serve the people, nit the other way around. He's lived in Brick Towers, a scary set of projects in Newark, for 8 years (What other Mayor of an urban city would dream of doing that?). He has made real changes to the police department, and the way city contracts work. The guy is on the ground 24/7 doing his thing. I'm certain Zuckerberg selected Newark because if anyone is going to do something worthwhile with your 100 mil, it's Booker.

Jamie McDonald

Actually, Jane Byrne (a white woman) tried moving into Cabrini Green when she was mayor of Chicago, but she only lasted about three weeks.

Kelles

what? Doesn't everybody believe in Newark???

random transplant

I believe in Newark. They've always pumped out lots of talent & culture, and put up with far more than their fair share of lean years.

Zuckerburg choose Newark public schools instead of New York Charter schools which are all the rage - that is a high value return for philanthropy but less effective for PR purposes. Go him.

....Oh, and the founders of Teach for America went to Harvard too. Seems like a fairly spiteful contention to have about a huge charity contribution.

Kelles

Not that this is totally related but New Jersey reportedly missed out on a $400 million federal grant because of 'clerical' error. Had they received that money, I wonder how much of it would have actually went to Newark? Would they have gotten that much (25%ish)? Probably not

Guest

i would also like to know how someone can just "poof" $400 friggin' million. i wouldn't like to use this unique ability on myself, but it's still good to know and i swear i wouldn't use it on some rich people i really don't like all that much.

i promise.

Guest

no, it only existed 2 years ago, when i was there last time. and 5 years before that, when i was there... and so on.

handsomedevil

I figure he became interested in Booker because he is young and webby. See kids, twittering does work!

And it is smart publicity to coincide w/ the release of an unflattering movie. Not that he really needs to care what anybody thinks.

Guest

zuckerberg would not be twittering.

JacqueMehoff

what's wrong with booker making decisions for his schools, don't mayor bloombag has his flunkie make the decisions for him? Cory booker came out the winner here, he said everything that needs to be said. I hope he makes it, unlike christie who ran on a campaign of demonizing the teachers union and still doing it.

want to see what NJ can look like in a few years, look to california. they used to have an excellent school system, too.

Guest

have you ever seen the documentary on booker? it convinced me that maybe there are a few good politicians.

JacqueMehoff

no, but anyone who runs against Sharpe James, twice, is OK in my book.

Guest

sharpe was portrayed as a whacked-out cartoon-y villain. the "cartoon-y" part had to do with the documentary presentation. "whacked-out" and "villain" didn't.

Guest

"Newark is really just 'cause I believe in these guys,"

...and i also believe in my upcoming movie -- see, it's like a double bind! i can't fail!