Live Earth: New York vs. New Jersey

On 7/7/07, in 10 different concerts all over the world, eco-conscious musical artists joined together to spread the word about the climate crisis and what we can do about it. In this Al Gore-fueled fight against global warming, stars and spectators alike banned together to tell everyone who failed to heed the warnings that they were prepared to save our planet. The overwhelming popularity of the Live Earth concerts as well as the intense emotion felt by many spectators present to hear the powerful, moving messages from some of today's musical icons was apparent.

While all of the pro-Earth concerts shared positive messages and high-energy atmospheres, each one was very different in its performers and its quirks. I attended the Live Earth concert of New York, interestingly enough held in Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

There is a historical and almost primitive rivalry that has existed between New York and New Jersey, carried on by the inhabitants of each. New Jersey drivers are terrible; New York drivers are terrible; New York smells in the summer; New Jersey smells all the time; New York is way more exciting; New Jersey has fewer taxes. You might have heard some of these statements made before. Indeed the New York-New Jersey animosities are deep-seeded, for even at a concert to save the Earth and unite its inhabitants (crucial to our survival, echoed by the warning "Divided We Fall" emblazoned on the Pink Floyd's flying pig), certain comments were made.

"Does this say 'New York' on it?" asked one concert-goer of the free bandanas being handed out at the entrances. Each white bandana sported a lime-green, Mercator map projection of the continents, with the words "Open your mind" in bold, black letters. Since the concerned concert-goer was attending the Live Earth concert of New York, the bandana naturally said "New York" on it. However, this did not satisfy the free-merchandise-hoarder who quipped "New York? It should say New Jersey! That's where the concert is, isn't it?" As a New Yorker present in the East Rutherford coliseum, I thought, "Oh no, those dirty Jerseys are at it again."

After thinking about this for a while, I'm almost reluctant to say that I understand this woman's woes. For years I have thought of New Jersey as a stinky suburb of New York, a place in which New York can house it's nasty utilities facilities, hold a great number of sporting and entertainment events, and get cheap gas. However, I realized that the denizens of New Jersey are people too when Jersey native Bon Jovi greeted the crowd with "Hello, New Jersey," with the intent of recognizing his Jersey brethren. Post-Live Earth, I ask myself if I will ever overlook New Jersey again; my answer: Fouggeta