AT&T donation to support expansion of MPS high school grad program
COMMUNITY
Standing, left to right: Dextra A. Hadnot, AT&T director of government affairs; Ralph Hollmon, Milwaukee Urban League president and CEO; Scott T. VanderSanden, AT&T Wisconsin president; Mayor Tom Barrett, John Kissinger, Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board-Chairman of Board; Hugh Herman, curriculum specialist for Milwaukee Public Schools; Joan Ward, a contract manager with Jobs for Americas Graduates; Wylbur Holloway, Director of Youth Services for Milwaukee Area Workfoce Investment Board. (JAG Students seated, left to right): Reginald Williams, Washington High School; Vera Fonville, North Division High School; Takiya Eiland, North Division High School; Stacy Cooper, Washington High School; Shemar Moore, North Division High School. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
VOL. XXXVIII Number 42 May 14, 2014
The Milwaukee
Donation of $30,000 will help more at-risk youth graduate high school
ing to career advancement opportunities. MAWIB has received $30,000 in funding, as part of a $1 million national contribution from AT&T, to allow the nonprofit to expand JAG’s high school graduation program within MPS. JAG reaches a wide-range of young people. AT&T’s contribution has expanded the program to reach 25 students who dropped out and want to return to school to obtain their GED, HSED or high school diploma. This is the first time JAG-Milwaukee has served this population. The 25 students participating in the Alternative Education component attend North Division High School, and
JOURNAL
Milwaukee community leaders joined together with AT&T and the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program recently to announce a $30,000 AT&T contribution that has expanded the JAG program to add an Alternative Education component and reach at-risk high school students in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). Administered by the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board (MAWIB), Milwaukee’s JAG program is a longstanding, successful model for helping young people stay in school through graduation, pursue postsecondary education and secure quality entry-level jobs lead-
www.communityjournal.net 25 Cents
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BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN PERMIT NO. 4668
Russell Stamper II sworn in as alderman Courier Mayor Tom Barrett talks editor-in-chief for the 15th district at city hall ceremony Lynda Jones- about jobs and expanded W I S C O N S I N ’ S L A R G E S T A F R I C A N A M E R I C A N N E W S PA P E R
Reyes passes
Lynda Jones
Former Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Russell Stamper, Sr. shares a hug and a smile with his son, Russell Stamper, II after the elder swore in the younger as the new alderman for the 15th district, during a sepcial swearing-in ceremony held in the Common Council chambers before their regular meeting Tuesday morning. The council chamber was packed with well wishers and community figures who came to witness the ceremony and congratulate Alderman Stamper, who also participated in the meeting with his fellow alderman. He voted with his colleagues to approve a resolution condemning the kidnapping of over 200 Nigerian school girls by a terrorist group. (Photos by Yvonne Kemp)
A private service was held recently for Milwaukee Courier Editor-inChief Lynda Jones-Reyes who passed away Saturday, May 10. She was 52. Jones-Reyes was the oldest daughter of Courier Publisher and WNOV 860 radio station owner Jerrel Jones and Earnestine Jones. A native of Milwaukee, JonesReyes was a graduate of the University School of Milwaukee. She also participated in the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism’s summer program during high school. She went on to earn a BA in Journalism at Marquette University. Jones-Reyes was the editor-inchief of the Milwaukee Courier Newspaper. Although she achieved the position in 2004, she was a lifelong member of the Courier family. When she was three years old, her father founded the Courier. Jones-Reyes lovingly referred to the paper as her “other sibling” and from the age of six could be found there, assisting and eventually leading the staff. She was dedicated to her craft and an active member of the Black publishing community throughout her career. In a press statement, Cloves Campbell, National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) chairman, expressed his sorrow upon hearing of Jones-Reyes’ passing on behalf of the Board of Directors of the trade organization which represents America’s Black press. “Lynda was very active in NNPA events and conferences up until recently. She was always an eager par(continued on page 3)
PULSE OF THE Nigerian girls, we asked four individuals at the YMCA Mother’s Day fashion show COMMUNITY and brunch if enough progress been made as far as the status of women and girls Question of the Week: “In light of the kidnapping of the 260
Photos and question by Yvonne Kemp
BETTY HAYES: “No. Women are the backbone of nations, including the USA even more so. Our histories are the result of women birthing children who will run the world.”
in this nation and around the world?”
HAZEL LINDSEY: “No, women are treated unfairly throughout the world...less recognition, they work for less pay for doing the same job that men are doing.”
Cease Fire Sabbath
By Thomas E. Mitchell, Jr.
Ask any Black community observer, activist, law enforcement officer or political figure what would stem the epidemic of gun violence in our community and they will tell you unequivocally: “a job with a family supporting wage.” So it doesn’t come as a surprise that a week before Mayor Tom Barrett kicked off his Cease Fire week with Black faith-based leaders at Tabernacle Community Baptist Church, he talked about the creation of a transitional jobs program which Mayor Barrett would create 25 full-time positions for street maintenance, especially fixing potholes in city streets. There are already 75 full-time employees patching up potholes. Funding for the transitional jobs program is coming from the state and the state Department of Children and Families TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) grant. The city will give $283,500 in a Community Development Block Grant. The money will be given to UMOS--United Migrant Opportunity Service and the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board. The funds will allow 25 individuals to be hired for six months. The salary for that period will be $10.10 per hour. Those 25 who will be hired will start work June 3. It’s hoped that at the end of the six months, the workers will have gained valuable job skills and have a job history to fall back on that would draw prospective employers. “It will help people get into the career pipeline; get skills and become certified,” Barrett said during a phone interview. The mayor added the program is aimed at individuals who are aging out of the child welfare and foster care systems, as well as those coming out of prison. “It puts them in a position to be more attractive to the private sector.” The 25 jobs are reportedly part of a total 1,000 transitional, subsidized job initiative that is part of the new “Transform Milwaukee Jobs” program, part of Gov. Scott Walker’s “Transform Milwaukee” initiative. The cost is $8.5 million and will focus only on hiring individuals who live in certain areas of the city.
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Empty Nesters—
GOLDEN YEARS
Now What?
File Photo
By Kathy Gaillard
ROBERT MAYS: “No, because we as people are slow to change. But if we keep asking the question, maybe we can start to see a change.”
CHRISTOPHER ADELL: “There is some support in place. President Obama, the churches, our youth departments and other services. But we still have more work to do!”
Most parents are happy that, after having children under their roof for 18 years—with the blink of an eye— they move out and on their own. However, for some older adults, having a child move out comes with mixed feelings of sentiment and adjustment, particularly for married couples. There is a sense of loss, anxiety and concern for the child and, at the same time, parents must become accustomed to being alone with each other again. With a growing number of Baby Boomers, come a greater number of empty nesters. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 36 percent of boomers say they will downsize or move once they become Empty Nesters. In addition, more than 55 percent of Empty Nesters plan to move when they retire, with 36 percent of those planning to move more than three hours away upon retirement. There is also a growing trend in American households where parents may actually find themselves longing for an empty nest. U.S. Census Bureau statistics show that the number of young men—age 25 to 34—living at home with their parents has increased by five percent over the past six years, and
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The Milwaukee Community Journal May 14, 2014 Page 2
POLITICS & G OVERNMENT
City•County•State•National
State Action Needed To Solve Milwaukee’s Foreclosure Crisis
W
By Sen. Nikiya Harris
ithout a doubt, becoming a homeowner is imbedded in every family’s American dream.
Homeownership has become a symbol of success and economic security in our society, but lately, it’s gotten harder and harder to turn that dream into reality.
Sen. Nikiya
The economic downturn in 2008 put many families into holes too deep to climb out. Six years later, Milwaukee is one of the many cities in the country still feeling the impact of the crisis, as families across the city struggle to regain their footing. Last year alone, despite 5,000 Milwaukee homeowners facing foreclosure, Republican lawmakers ignored the cries of thousands of struggling families and refused to take action to fix the housing crisis in our state. While Milwaukee has traditionally been the economic engine that powers growth to all corners of the state, Scott Walker and his Republican colleagues haven’t given the city, or its problems, the respect it deserves. In fact, when it comes to the housing foreclosure crisis, Republicans have done more harm than good. In 2012, Scott Walker used more than $25 million in settlement funds intended to assist troubled homeowners to offset his own $143 million budget shortfall. Rather than helping get Milwaukee residents back on their feet, Walker pocketed this money to bolster his own budgetary shortcomings.
Republicans also ignored the housing foreclosure package introduced by Representative Evan Goyke and myself, a series of five bills that would have helped fix the devastating problem of foreclosed and abandoned properties in Milwaukee. Republican committee chairs did not even entertain a public hearing on any of these bills to hear how everyday citizens’ lives are affected by the foreclosure crisis. According to a recent study by the Haas Institute, 40% of homes in the city of Milwaukee are still financially underwater, meaning that families’ Harris homes are worth less than the mortgages that they took out on them. Some families are feeling the pain more than others, like those residing in zip codes 53218 and 53209, where over half the homes are underwater. The crisis has transformed Milwaukee into a skeleton of its former self. In a few short years, neighborhoods that were once anchored by strong families, renters, and public and private employees are now starting to echo from the empty buildings and streets. These abandoned and foreclosed homes are a high risk to public safety, with our city stretched thin to beat back the escalating violence and vandalism in areas that were once thriving neighborhoods. Without state action, city leaders are left with little resources to help these destabilized communities and our neighbors will continue to be left footing the bill. Partisan politics aside, we need to work together to find solutions to provide relief for our struggling homeowners. We need to protect our neighbors from violence and the devastating abyss of abandoned properties. Tackling big problems is never easy, but working together is the only way we can solve our economic crisis and put the American Dream back in reach.
PERSPECTIVES
Courier editor-in-chief Lynda Jones-Reyes passes
The Milwaukee Community Journal May 14, 2014 Page 3
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Don’t be in such a hurry to condemn a person because he doesn’t do what you do, or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn’t know what you know today.”--Malcolm X
Milwaukee alderman blasts Clipper owner for comments about Magic Johnson, praises Johnson for investing in our community C O M M E N T A R Y
Having now learned the full story about Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling and his remarks about legendary sports icon Earvin By Alderman "Magic" Johnson, I am left stunned with utter disbelief and disgust. As Mr. Sterling rambles on with some harebrained notion about Magic’s lack of a contribution to African American communities throughout the nation, Sterling’s willful ignorance is evident right here in Milwaukee. Mr. Johnson left a legacy in our city with his acquisition of the old Capitol Court Mall, which he transformed into the largest retail development in the city, the Midtown Shopping Center. Anchored by the Starbucks that Magic still owns, he gave the City of Milwaukee a gift with his vision of investment in a blighted property, and created more than 1,000 jobs with his catalytic development. No one can question how much Mr. Johnson's vision has impacted the community surrounding the Midtown Shopping
Center development. When many investors and brokers were looking elsewhere for a return on their investments, he saw value in the African Joe Davis, Sr. American community and gave the area an economic boost—and a long-term identity. Although Mr. Johnson has no equity investment in the current development other than the legendary Starbucks, when customers visit the retail development, their reactions range from awe to pride. I grew up as Magic Johnson dazzled the world with championship after championship, in addition to NBA and playoff series MVP honors. Yet he always remembered his African American and Midwestern roots. So when a repugnant racist and bigot like Donald Sterling tries to destroy the image of a legendary African American icon who recognized value in our city, we should all remember that Mr. Johnson believed in us and put his money where his heart is.
FIRST PERSON
BAEO founder Dr. Howard Fuller speaks to attendees at recent conference of education organization
“General” Fuller gives his BAEO “warriors” their marching orders
we know far too many of these preFor 14 consecutive years, hundreds cious gifts are not receiving one of the of parents, activists and politicians things they need to give them a shot at have attended the annual Black Ala decent life. That thing is a quality edliance for Educational Options sympoucation.” siums. Attendees did not gather to “deterWhile there, they join with brethren mine what the return on investment is and sisteren from dozens of cities to By Mikel Kwaku Osei Holt for helping our kids. We did not come learn about the plight of minorities in America’s urban educational centers, to this place to reassure each other that “It is easy to talk about all of the issues facing our strategize to increase much needed are amazing and awesome. children, and wring our hands and be all militant while we“We quality educational options for the nacame here because we know tion’s low income students, and how to you are down here. The real question is, how militant that some of our children come to us in maximize parental involvement in the the 9th grade and literally cannot are you going to be when you go back to Hartford, Mil- read!” academic process. Participants also learn about innova“We came here because we know waukee, Memphis, Louisville, Jackson and New York? tive strategies to close the achievement that in so many schools in this country, Our children don’t just need a convention in New Or- the needs and interests of our children gap, participate in workshops to sharpen their advocacy skill sets and, are secondary to the needs and interest leans. They need action when you go back home. for emerging leaders, to secure inforof the adults who control those educamation on college readiness. They need some of you to have grown a backbone or tional enterprises.” For many repeat attendees, the symThe symposium is important bestrengthen your backbone while you’ve been down posium serves as a family reunion of cause many educators teach in schools they would never enroll their own chilsorts, as well as a venue to recharge here in NOLA eating gumbo and catfish.”--Fuller dren in, but “demand that low income their batteries for the battles that await them back in their respective hometowns. and working class families send their kids to those schools so that the staff can The 2014 symposium was no different. Over 700 people were in attendance get paid a salary that allows them to put their own children in private schools.” for three days at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Orleans, home to one of the While those scenarios are important, Fuller said it was his hope that those in nation’s most encompassing charter school networks. attendance “came because you want to be a warrior, a fighter for change once Over the course of the three day symposium, participants heard from some of you leave here. “It is easy to talk about all of the issues facing our children, and wring our the nation’s foremost educational leaders including Rod Paige, former U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Andre Perry, founding dean of Urban Education at Dav- hands and be all militant while you are down here. The real question is, how milenport University, and gospel star and minister Dr. Marvin Sapp, founder of the itant are you going to be when you go back to Hartford, Milwaukee, Memphis, Grand Rapids Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology. Louisville, Jackson and New York? Each brought a unique message to the event, offering insight on their respective “Our children don’t just need a convention in New Orleans. They need action efforts to bring about quality educational opportunities to their communities, or when you go back home. They need some of you to have grown a backbone or as in the case of Paige, the nation through the No Child Left Beyond legislation. strengthen your backbone while you’ve been down here in NOLA eating gumbo But as informative and inspirational as each of those speakers ( and dozens of and catfish.” others who headlined various workshops) were, it was the words of former MilThose in attendance have a responsibility to return home and look in the mirror waukee Superintendent and Black Alliance founder Howard Fuller’s that res- and be brutally honest about what we are currently doing or not doing to dig ouronated long after the closing ceremonies. selves out of the educational nightmare that is the reality for so many of our chilIn his address, Fuller asked the impassioned audience to reflect on why they dren, he continued. Parents must support, love and set expectations for their children; not be their traveled from cities near and far to attend the symposium. “I am pleased that for some of you this was your first trip to New Orleans. I friends, he said. Students must be willing to push themselves, and not settle for poor grades. hope you enjoyed it,” he said. Educators must do all in their power to push students. “I hope many of you made new friends and established new connections. I Clergy must provide moral leadership and elected officials need to be courahope you enjoyed listening to the various speakers. I hope you like being in this hotel. But, at the end of the day if you are leaving here without a renewed com- geous. “I am hoping more of you will leave here seeing yourselves as leaders of the mitment to fight for our children, then either we failed you, or you failed us.” Having attended all 14 symposiums, Fuller said he leaves each event reener- struggle for the present for our children, not just their future. They are here now. gized, having learned something new. The symposiums also reinforce the reasons They need us now. “But our children need leaders who are not scared. We need leaders who will he and other members of BAEO commit themselves to the often thankless job of speak truth to power.” steering a national educational revolution. Those are marching orders I can relate to. “So why do we come here?” Fuller asked rhetorically. “We came because to Hotep. BAEO our children are in need…they are our most precious gift from God. And
((continued from page 1) ticipant and her personality would always light up a room. Our condolences go out to Gerald Jones’s family and the entire staff at the Milwaukee Courier. Lynda will be sorely missed by us all.” Community Journal Publisher Patricia O’Flynn Pattillo expressed her and the newspaper’s condolences to the Jones family. “Lynda was a committed communications' servant who has worked diligently to continue the legacy established by her father and their family. She will be missed.” Prior to her work as Editor-in-Chief at the Milwaukee Courier she resided in Atlanta, for several years, working as the editor of the Atlanta Courier Journal and a licensed realtor. She then relocated to Chicago in 1989. During her fifteen years in Chicago, she worked in real estate development and owned several businesses. Mrs. Jones-Reyes is survived by her loving husband, Alex Reyes; children Alexis and Ari Reyes, all of Milwaukee, WI; parents Jerrel and Earnestine Jones, Brown Deer, WI; siblings Stacey Solakian, Alexandria, VA: Jerrel Jones, Boston, MA; Ernest Jones, Madison, WI and Mary Ellen Jones, Brown Deer, WI; and beloved niece and nephew Eleanor Solakian and Samuel Jones.--Article courtesy of Urban Media News
Mayor Tom Barrett talks about jobs and expanded Cease Fire Sabbath
(continued from page 1) The mayor also pointed to his “Clean and Green” program as another transitional jobs avenue. Like the street repair jobs, the “Clean and Green” jobs-though seasonal--can lead to permanent employment in urban forestry and with the Wisconsin Conservation Service (WCS). Other possible job opportunities for unemployed transitional individuals includethe mayor noted: Neighborhood Ambassador program and garage deconstruction work with community based organizations. Cease Fire Week is an expansion of Barrett’s annual Ceasefire Sabbath, in which he calls upon Milwaukee’s clergy and faith-based leaders to promote a common message of peace and non-violence during their weekend services. The highlights for this week include a Ceasefire Community Walk Saturday, May 17th. The mayor, the Milwaukee Clergy Coalition and community stakeholders will walk to bring attention to non-violence and safety for all of Milwaukee's neighborhoods. The walk will begin at 9 a.m starting at Tabernacle Community Baptist Church, 2500 W. Medford Ave. and concluding at the Northside YMCA, located at 1350 W. North Ave. Prewalk warm-up exercise in the church gymnasium at 8:45 a.m. provided by Northside YMCA. That same day, there will be a Gun Buy Back starting at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tabernacle Community Baptist. It’s being sponsored by National Salvage, Miller Compressing, United Milwaukee Scrap, Midwest Forman Recycling, Master Lock and the Milwaukee Clergy Coalition. On Sunday, May 18th 10th annual Ceasefire Sabbath will be held, in which Milwaukee's clergy and faith-based leaders are called upon to promote a common message of non-violence from their respective pulpits.
Dean Baquet becomes executive editor of the New York Times Article courtesy of the Associated Press via TheGrio.com
SIGNIFYIN’
Dean Baquet
NEW YORK — The New York Times on Wednesday announced that executive editor Jill Abramson is being replaced by managing editor Dean Baquet after two and a half years on the job. The company didn’t give a reason
THE MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY JOURNAL
for the change. Abramson and Baquet had both been in their current positions since September 2011. Baquet, 57, who would be the first African-American to hold the newspaper’s highest editorial position, received a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting in 1988. “It is an honor to be asked to lead the only newsroom in the country that is actually better than it was a generation ago, one that approaches the world with wonder and ambition every day,” Baquet said in a statement released by the newspaper. The move comes amid a continued shift in the Times’ focus, and that of the newspaper industry overall, toward digital products and away from traditional print papers as print circulation and advertising revenue declines. (continued on page 8)
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MCJ STAFF: Colleen Newsom, Patricia O’Flynn -Pattillo Classified Advertising Publisher, CEO Jimmy V. Johnson, Sales Rep. Robert J. Thomas Joan Hollingsworth, Sales Rep. Assoc. Publisher CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Todd Thomas, Vice Pres. Taki S. Raton, Mikel Holt, Assoc. Publisher Rev. Roxanne Cardenas, Thomas E. Mitchell, Jr., Editor Troy A. Sparks, Kia Marie Green, Mang. Editor Sports Editor Teretha Martin, Technical PHOTOGRAPHER: Yvonne Kemp Consultant/Webmaster Josephine Joki, Billing Dept./ Publisher’s Admin. Assist. Opinion and comments expressed on the Perspectives page do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or management of the MCJ. Letters and “other perspectives” are accepted but may be edited for content and length.
RELIGION The Milwaukee Community Journal May 14, 2014 Page 4
A
RELIGIOUS QUOTE: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”--John 15:5
Are pastors afraid to criticize their congregations?
Article courtesy of AllChristiannews.com · MAY 9, 2014
ccording to Charles Obadiah Baldwin, founding pastor of Crossroad Baptist Church, Pensacola, Florida, the reason many pastors don’t speak up about the sinful world that we live in is because they are afraid they will lose their popularity and success if they do.
BROOKFIELD, WI – The staff at Wisconsin Memorial Park invites the public to its annual Memorial Day observance weekend. All events are free. The events will be held Saturday, May 24—Monday, May 26, 2014, at 13235 W. Capitol Drive in Brookfield. Over the course of the three day weekend, a variety of special, reflective and honorable service moments will take place. “The cemetery will be an “Avenue of Flags.” From Friday through Monday, there will be over 1,500 flags flown on our grounds in honor of those who have fallen in service to our country,” says Kelly Coleman, general manager of Wisconsin Memorial Park.”
Quality Service... a tenured tradition sincere concern at your time of need.
Offering pre-need, at need and after-care services to families in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and other communities throughout our state.
Services scheduled for March 19 to March 26, 2014
The former presidential nominee File Photo in the 2008 U.S. elections for the “Pastors have become so concerned with gaining Constitution Party went on to say that pastors are taught while they are the approval of their congregation that they forget studying in college or Bible seminary to preach that to be a Christian, one must stand up that success in their ministry means and fight for what you believe...” everything. He adds that in the way they act, dress, talk and think, you believe, according to the 62-year-old preacher. The host of a daily one-hour radio program continues most pastors fit the profile of successful CEO’s rather that, when these successful pastors preach sermons, there than spiritual ministers of their flock. is no mention of the heroes of the Bible who stood up for Pastors have become so concerned with gaining the aptheir faith, no matter what extraordinary odds were proval of their congregation that they forget to preach that to be a Christian, one must stand up and fight for what (continued on page 5)
Wisconsin Memorial Park Hosts 2014 Memorial Day Observance Weekend
In Loving Memory
The weekend’s schedule of events is as follows: Saturday, May 24 11 a.m. 620 WTMJ will be at the cemetery for a live remote Hot dogs and refreshments are FREE from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All “donations” will benefit Operations Not Alone, a charity that uses donated funds to purchase supplies and nonperishable food items as well as material to make blankets for deployed soldiers. Sunday, May 25 9:30 a.m. Marine Corps League’s memorial service in the Garden of Eternal Life Monday, May 26 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. War memorabilia display by Tom Staats, historian and collector 10 – 11 a.m. Fifth District VFW memorial service: Procession in front of the Great Memorial Building of VFW Veterans, scout troops and Civil Air Patrol 11:30-11:45 a.m. Annunciation Greek Orthodox memorial service in the Great Memorial Building’s Chapel of the Chimes Parents of Murdered Children will be selling hot dogs (continued on page 5)
Hardy, Robin Y. Age 50 yrs. May 7, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Thursday 10AM at Holy Redeemer COGIC 3500 W. Mother Daniels Way. Visitation Thursday 9AM at the CHURCH until time of services. The family is served by: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)4626020
Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)4626020
Scales, Joann Age 63 yrs. May 13, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Monday 11AM. Visitation Monday 10AM until time of services at:
Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier Elder, Shirley A. 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462Age 62 yrs. May 7, 2014. Funeral serv- 6020 ices will be held on Tuesday 1PM. Visitation Tuesday 12 Noon until time of services at: Families served by:
Northwest Funeral Chapel O’Bee, Ford & Frazier
Milwaukee 6630 W. Hampton Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53218 Telephone: (414) 462-6020 Fax: (414) 462-9937
Racine 800 Barker St. Racine, WI 53402 Telephone: (262) 637-6400 Fax: (262) 637-6416
Are pastors afraid to criticize their congregations?
The Milwaukee Community Journal May 14, 2014 Page 5
(continued on page 5) against them. The author of, “Romans 13: The True Meaning of Submission,” goes on to say that one of the main reasons Christians don’t make a stand against corrupt, evil governments, is a misrepresentation of Romans 13 by most of today’s clergymen.
In his book, Baldwin explains that the verse has been twisted out of proportion to make most Christians think that they should obey the government, even if they are making wrong and blatantly evil decisions. He adds that it was never God’s intention for His faithful people to follow blindly into the acceptance of
sin and evil leaders. According to Baldwin, most pastors avoid getting into political issues because they are afraid of the whiplash to their successful careers. He adds that they often make up excuses like, it is not God’s will that they engage in politics or that is not the mission of the church, to avoid
being seen to be controversial or taking a Biblical stand. Baldwin believes that the only way out of this, for faithful Christians, is to find a pastor who is not afraid to stand up for God and what is right and leave the successful pastors to rot in their own corruption.
Wisconsin Memorial Park Hosts 2014 Memorial Day Observance
(continued from page 4) at this event. Noon – 1 p.m. Brookfield Civic Chorus 1 – 2 p.m. Knight Wind Ensemble The schedule is subject to change. Please call Wisconsin Memorial Park to confirm events at 262-901-4121. Wisconsin Memorial Park is proud member of the Dignity Memorial network of providers in Brookfield. The Dignity Memorial network of providers has several initiatives to honor and support our nation’s veterans and active
military. The initiatives and programs include the Veterans Planning Guide, the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program, educational veterans seminars and special pricing for members of veterans service organizations. The Dignity Memorial network of more than 2,000 funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers is North America’s most trusted resource for funeral and memorialization services. Dignity Memorial providers offer an unmatched combination of products and locations serving families with care, integrity, respect and service excellence. For more information, visit www.WisconsinMemorialPark.com.
Empty Nesters—Now What?
(continued from page 1) the rate for women in that age group has risen by two percent. This trend has labeled these 20- and 30-somethings as the Boomerang Generation for their inclination to bounce back to mom and dad's house after college graduation. In some cases, the children ‘fail to launch,’ or never even leave home. Experts point to the economy as the primary reason for the trend. Statistics reveal that there are about two million college-educated people older than 25 without jobs in the United States. When couples have children who do ‘launch’ many of them view the “empty nest” as a second honeymoon. However, the reality is that once the ‘honeymoon’ phase of being empty nesters is over, many couples face challenges as they attempt to become reacquainted. Most Empty Nesters agree that the secret to rediscovering or rebuilding marital relationships once the children are gone is to develop common interests, find something to share and make the relationship a priority. When children are being raised in the home, the chasm between married couples may widen because the focus of activity is on the children—parenting, being involved in their lives and activities, and all things that come with parental responsibilities.
Once the children are gone, one parent needs to take steps to participate in an activity that the other may already be involved with, or a couple may jointly decide to take up an interest or hobby that appeals to both of them such as cooking, golfing, bowling or volunteering. Without a common foundation, growing old together joyfully and gracefully can signal the death years of a marriage. Empty Nesters may confront challenges as they try to reinvent their marriages. For example, at this point in life, many couples are exhausted. They may be emotionally drained and feel disconnected from their spouse, and there is a tendency to jump in and “get busy” doing all those things they had been postponing to avoid facing the challenges of this new stage of marriage. Here are some tips to help Empty Nesters smooth the transition from married with children to become happy and satisfied Empty Nesters: Slow down and rest. Pause, take naps or go to bed at early. You will be better able to refocus on your marriage when your life comes back into focus and you are well rested. Recognize that this is a time of transition. Transitional times can be stressful but they also provide an opportunity to redefine your relationship and to find new fulfillment, intimacy and closeness.
Celebrate! You graduated from the active parenting years. Although it is normal to experience some sense of loss at this time of life, you can counter those feelings by celebrating where you have come from and enjoying the future. Have some fun. Do not feel pressure to make immediate decisions about your future until you have some perspective. Take it slow. Unfortunately, some spouses who are disappointed with their marriage bolt right out of the relationship as soon as the last kid leaves home. This is a time when the divorce rate soars. Get to know each other again and re-energize your relationship. Once you have made it through the initial transition into the empty nest, try to focus on some of the long term challenges of the ‘second act’ of your marriage. The empty nest years of your marriage can be a time of incredible fulfillment, no matter what challenges you previously faced. This is the perfect time to reinvent your relationship, renew your friendship, and create a vision for the rest of your marriage. Instead of looking backward at what was missed along the way, look forward to what can be accomplished with the years that lie ahead. These can be the best years of your life!
YOUTH&EDUCATION The Milwaukee Community Journal May 14, 2014 Page 6
New Jesuit High School Will Serve Milwaukee Area Students Starting Fall 2015, Stith Named President
The Midwest Jesuits of the Wisconsin and Chicago-Detroit Provinces and the Cristo Rey Network today announced the opening of a new Catholic, Jesuit high school to serve students in Milwaukee. The new school will be located in the St. Florian’s school building at 1215 South 45th Street. Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, following the highly successful Cristo Rey Network® model, is uniting with Milwaukee community and business leaders to provide underserved students with a faith-based, college-prep, leadership-focused education. “This new school represents a few firsts while standing on a strong foundation of proven success,” said Jesuit Father Tom Lawler, provincial of the Wisconsin Province. “It is the first ministry of the new province of the Midwest Jesuits, it is the first Cristo Rey school to partner with a Jesuit university, and it is the first coeducational Jesuit secondary school in Milwaukee. At the same time, Cristo Rey builds upon the 450 years of Jesuit education worldwide and 150 years of Jesuit education in Milwaukee.” A feasibility study was conducted to determine the need for a new high school based on the limited quality high school options for those who can’t afford private school. The feasibility study process began in August 2012 with sponsorship from Marquette University’s College of Education, as well as support from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, St. Florian’s Parish, the Jesuits, and the Cristo Rey Network. “As a Jesuit institution, our leadership of the feasibility study signifies our support for K-12 Catholic education in the Milwaukee area,” said Bill Henk, dean and professor of Marquette’s College of Education. “With the high demand for a diverse, educated work force to build the region’s future economy, Marquette’s involvement in this important initiative makes perfect institutional sense.” “We have spent nearly two years conducting a feasibility study to ensure that Cristo Rey and its model are the right fit for students, their parents, and the community,” said Anne Zizzo, a trustee at Marquette University who co-chaired the feasibility study committee and has been a member of the volunteer transition board. “We are thrilled the Cristo Rey Network, Jesuits, the business community and donors have re-
Jahi Brown, a graduate of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, talks about the advantages of a Jesuit education and what it’s done for him.
sponded to the educational need of the community by bringing the successful Cristo Rey model to Milwaukee,” said Zizzo. “After an extensive search, we have named Mr. Andrew Stith the first president of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee.” Stith, who led the Milwaukee feasibility study, brings considerable experience as an educational leader, having previously served as the founding Vice President for Advancement of Cristo Rey Kansas City prior to his work in Milwaukee and is a Marquette University Graduate. Stith now will be focused on preparing the school to open with a class of freshman in the fall of 2015. “I am excited about the tremendous potential of this new school for the young people who will attend. Our goal is to provide students from modest means with a high-quality, values-based education
rooted in the Catholic Jesuit tradition of academic excellence and leadership development,” said Stith. The feasibility study included surveys of 466 students, 92 parents, and interviews with 100 community/education leaders, all of which demonstrated overwhelming support for opening a Cristo Rey model school in Milwaukee. With the proven support, a school site was selected, the minimum start-up funding was secured, and letters of intent were acquired from local businesses to provide work-study jobs for the school’s first class of students. In April 2014, the school was approved by the Jesuits and the Cristo Rey Network. The Cristo Rey model includes a longer school day and year, an expectation that every student should go to college, and a requirement that each student participate in a work-study program to gain professional work skills and a glimpse of potential future careers at Milwaukee area companies. To date, approximately 28 companies already have signed up to be partners in this endeavor such as Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek, Manpower Inc., and Robert W Baird & Company. “There is much preparation work to do in the next year including building our enrollment, planning our academic and extra-curricular programs, raising additional funds, and working with local businesses to secure student jobs for the workstudy program,” said Stith. "Milwaukee needs a Cristo Rey school because the students in Milwaukee's communities deserve what I had,” said Cristina Garcia, a 2007 graduate of a Cristo Rey Jesuit High School (Chicago) and 2011 graduate of Marquette University currently studying law at Chicago Kent University. “They deserve teachers who push them and they deserve a job that challenges them. Students will feel at home and families will feel involved in their child's education. “Milwaukee is a beautiful city with a lot to offer and I hope that Cristo Rey can show students in Milwaukee what it has taught me about my potential." Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee will be the 29th Cristo Rey Network® school in the United States and will open its doors in the 201516 school year, with an anticipated enrollment of 100 freshmen. The school will add a new freshman class each of the following three years, enrolling 400 young men and women at capacity.
State organization of NAACP Branches to hold education summit May 17
The NAACP Wisconsin State Conference of Branches will present, “19542014, The Changing Face of Public Education: An Education Summit for Wisconsin,” in recognition of the 60th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education and its pivotal role in ensuring education equity for African Americans. Argued before the United States Supreme Court by then NAACP Legal Defense Fund Chief Counsel, and future U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall in 1952, the unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional on May 14, 1954. The Education Summit will focus on the education issues Wisconsin’s children of color are experiencing today, ranging from Expulsion & Suspension to the needs of Gifted & Talented students. Speakers including representatives from the U.S. Department of Education, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, as well as local School District Superintendents and other noted educators will provide insight into the future of public education in Wisconsin. “Wisconsin’s Misplaced Priorities: The School to Prison Pipeline” will open the day, followed by a variety of concurrent of workshops targeting both Adults and Youth will be presented throughout the day. Delivering the Keynote Address will be Dr. Demond Means, Superintendent of the Mequon-Thiensville School District and Chair of the WI State Superintendent’s Task Force on Wisconsin’s Achievement Gap. This statewide event will be held at Aldrich Middle School in Beloit, Wisconsin, home of Wisconsin’s oldest NAACP Branch, on Saturday, May 17, 2014 from 8am – 2pm. Advance registration is recommended at www.naacpwi-edusummit.eventbrite.com, the cost is $30 for Adults, and $10 for Youth and includes lunch for all participants.
KALEIDOSCOPE Green Soldiers Can Green Milwaukee
the MCJ lifestyle & entertainment section
and threats to fisheries. They view disaster recovery, coordinated public works and timely, accurate and actionable solutions – all in a days work. Our military use an arsenal of both aging and state of the art tools to thwart, mitigate and resolve some of the same infrastructure, severe weather responsiveness, power generation, diesel emissions and waste management threats urban centers strain to grapple with. Soldiers are already trained to address toxic threats, reBy Simone Lightfoot A couple of times a year, I look forward to making the cycling, commercial inlands, distributed and centralized baseload power, retrofitting governtrek over to George Washington Uniment owned vehicles, securing and versity in partnership with Veteran’s patrolling international waterways Campaign - to instruct a class of miland border crossings. itary personnel and veterans how to They are experienced managing run for political office. critical public structures exposed to While the classroom experience is great pressure and large amounts of always rich, I get the best insight water like bridges, retaining walls, after hours relaxing and shooting the docks, public marinas and downtown breeze with military officers and enwaterways. listed personnel from the Pentagon, Milwaukee for example, could the White House, the Army, Navy, benefit from infrastructure profesAir Force, Marines, US Coast Guard, sionals that understand building perUS Army Corp of Engineers and the formance, environmental National Guard. remediation and lifecycle costing. But over the past few classes, one Simone Lightfoot Those with experience increasing and restoring water increasingly striking phenomenon persists and that is the high-level of green jobs and training soldiers of today treatment capacity, constructing and deconstructing facilhave – not to mention compared to when I served over ities, water management and low carbon, renewable construction practices. twenty years ago. Soldiers understand strategic crossroads, synchronized Whether constructing vital infrastructures for the safety and stability of nations or simply understanding that operating systems and how to align multiple campaigns green value is measured by what is not lost, there is a nat- (operations) in a complex, resource-constrained environural correlation between the expertise of military person- ment. Our men and women in uniform could help city, nel and the green needs of urban centers across the Great county and state leaders further bridge those inextricable Lakes Region. In fact, they should roll out the welcome connections between turnkey solutions, intact ecosystems and thriving cities. mats and recruit qualified returning veterans. Visit the National Wildlife Federation’ Great Lakes ReCities like Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati and Cleveland along with Columbus, Toledo, Gary, Indi- gional Center at http://www.nwf.org/Regionalanapolis and Buffalo are precious population centers that Centers/Great-Lakes.aspx US Air Force veteran Simone Lightfoot heads up Regional house the regions cultural and economic vitality. They remain critical to our broader, collective success address- Urban Initiatives for the National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Region. She integrates the work of the NWF with the reing shared interests. gions urban green efforts including air and water quality, susThings like public policies, energy efforts, waste mantainability, climate change, solid and hazardous waste, agement, wildlife preservation, invasive species, air qual- recycling, environmental justice, water conservation, invasive ity and sewer systems to name a few. species, aged infrastructure, mass transit, wind energy, commuToday’s soldiers understand land-use, transportation nity college trainings and new economy jobs. Her territory inlinkages, establishing baseline standards, environmental cludes Chicago, IL; Indianapolis and Gary, IN; Milwaukee, WS, targets, blight, crime and policing in an urban center. Cincinnati, Toledo, Columbus and Cleveland, OH, Detroit, MI They have experience working with pollution, contami- and Buffalo, NY. She can be reached at 313.585.1052 or slightnation, water levels, zebra mussels, agriculture, runoff foot2004@yahoo.com
The Milwaukee Community Journal May 14, 2014 Page 7
Baquet
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In its most recent quarter, the Times Co. saw overall advertising revenue rise for the first time in three years, jumping 3 percent to $158.7 million. The company’s print and digital advertising rose compared with the same period a year ago. The company also added digital subscribers and increased home-delivery prices. At the same time, the company posted a small profit that fell slightly short of Wall Street analysts’ expectations. Arthur Sulzberger Jr., the newspaper’s publisher and chairman of its parent company, calledBaquet the
AT&T donation to support expansion of MPS high school grad program
(continued from page 1) of the 25, 64% who were previously at-risk to not receive a high school diploma or equivalent will graduate this year. North Division’s Principal Stanley McWilliams is a strong supporter of the JAG program. North Division Senior and Salutatorian Takiya Eiland tells her story of overcoming the odds to receiving a college scholarship offer from Rust College Holly Springs, Mississippi. “I am so grateful to AT&T for supporting the JAG program,” said Takiya Eiland. “Because of their support, I am not only going to graduate high school, but also be able to pursue my dream of becoming a defense attorney.” “We are thrilled to have expanded the JAG program at North Division High School to help more students graduate or return to school to earn their GED,” said John Kissinger, MAWIB Chairman of the Board. “Through activities like mentoring, post-secondary exploration and academic support, this program helps students stay on track and graduate high school prepared for college and careers. I want to personally congratulate Ms. Eiland on her success.” Students participating in the program receive 15 hours of on-site instruction each week. Students are provided with individual academic tutoring, as well as assistance with investigating post-secondary school options. Other JAG activities include job shadowing, field trips, writing resumes, filling out job applications, exploring career options, mock interviews and community service opportunities. “The JAG program is a great way to not only help more Milwaukee students graduate high school, but also prepare them for college and career opportunities,” said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. “We are excited to see this successful program expand in MPS thanks to this publicprivate partnership.” The $30,000 AT&T donation was announced at the JAG Career Development Conference, an annual competition to showcase the work readiness skills of the JAG students. Activities include six job readiness competitions such as etiquette and public speaking, which will be judged by representatives from Milwaukee’s business community. “MPS is proud to continue with the JAG Program,” said Dr. Gregory Thornton, MPS Superintendent. “Connecting students to jobs is an important part of education and the JAG Program is an important partner in this work.” AT&T and the AT&T Foundation have provided approximately $4 million in funding to JAG and its local affiliates since 2008. This support is part of AT&T Aspire, AT&T’s $350 million commitment to education. With more than 1 million students impacted since its launch in 2008, Aspire is one of the nation’s largest corporate commitments focused on helping more students graduate from high school ready for college and careers. “We are very proud to support local efforts to keep our youth in high school and prepare them for success after graduation by helping expand the JAG program in Milwaukee Public Schools,” said Scott T. VanderSanden, president of AT&T Wisconsin. “As a company, AT&T is committed to investing in education and helping our young people succeed in academics and careers.”
best qualified journalist to take on the job in the Times’ newsroom. “He is an exceptional reporter and editor with impeccable news judgment who enjoys the confidence and support of his colleagues around the world and across the organization,” Sulzberger said in a statement. Sulzberger added that Baquet was closely involved with Abramson in the Times’ digital transformation over the past six months. Baquet originally joined the Times in 1990 as a reporter and held positions including deputy metropolitan editor and national editor. He left the paper for the Los Angeles Times in 2000, where he served as managing
editor and then editor. Baquet rejoined the Times in 2007 and was Washington bureau chief before becoming the managing editor for news in September 2011. Prior to his first stint at the Times, Baquet worked at The Chicago Tribune and The Times Picayune in New Orleans. While at the Tribune in 1988, he and two other journalists won the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting, for looking into corruption in the Chicago City Council. He was a finalist in the same category in 1994. Baquet succeeded her as managing editor after she was named to the top editing spot.
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MCJ SPORTS
The Milwaukee Community Journal May 14, 2014 Page 10
Michael Sam Gets Drafted and the NFL Has Issues by Dave Zirin
Michael Sam
The best Twitter joke this year was W. Kamau Bell trying to start the hashtag #letshaveanuanceddiscussion. Having a nuanced discussion, one tweet at a time, is only slightly easier than being that damn camel trying to make it through the eye of a needle. Saturday, as the last rounds of the NFL draft played out on multiple television channels and the names of players scrolled across the screen, nuance was the last thing many of us wanted to exercise. Michael Sam, the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of Year who told the world he was gay last February, was going undrafted, eventually picked 249th in the
seventh and last round. This in and of itself was history. No SEC DPOY had ever gone that long before being selected. In fact, no SEC DPOY in the last ten years had even lasted past the second round. The reasons for this are on one level complicated. Michael Sam had a terrible NFL combine. He is a “tweener” neither big enough to play defensive line nor quick enough to be an every-down linebacker. He projected even before he “came out” as a mid-round pick. But all of that being said, Michael Sam fell down draftboards because of the slow steady drip of groupthink that became a flood and took over the process.
A public had been prepared to not view this weekend as anything historic. d If Michael Sam’s sexuality’s being an inhibitor to his draft status is not your starting point for understanding .all of this, a I believe you’re lost without a compass. This is not to rargue that all general managers in the NFL are homophobic. It’s not about what kinds of prejudice lurks in the dhearts of individual executives. n It’s about a systemic problem in an NFL that loathes kindependent thinkers, fears political controversy, and hates “distractions.” The homophobia exists in an institution that equates being gay with being “controversial,” or “political.” Not realizing this is their problem, not Michael Sam’s. This is the NFL imbibing and regurgitating the same backward logic that keeps people in the closet, scared to tell their family and friends who they are, and doing hor-
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This is not to argue that all general managers in the NFL are homophobic. It’s not about what kinds of prejudice lurks in the hearts of individual executives. It’s about a systemic problem in an NFL that loathes independent thinkers, fears political controversy, and hates “distractions.”The homophobia exists in an institution that equates being gay with being “controversial,” or “political.” Not realizing this is their problem, not Michael Sam’s.
rible damage to themselves and the people close to them. This is why we can talk until the cows come home about whether Michael Sam is a “tweener” as a player, about his poor combine performance, and all the rest of it but don’t get at the root of the issue. This is why we can praise NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell—yes, Roger Goodell—for being out front in supporting and welcoming to Sam when he came out, but we also need to understand what happened. As sportswriter Howard Bryant said, Michael Sam is threatening to the institutional biases that exist in the
league precisely because he was brave enough to try and control his own narrative. For a league built on idealized notions of machismo and toughness, for a league that speaks in military jargon like they would’ve been the first one to storm the beaches of Normandy if given half the chance, they were a profile in cowardice this weekend. They were scared. It is the same fear that you see when they announce that they want to police and punish players for saying n____, but are scared to do anything but continue to promote a racial slur as the name of one of its teams.
It is the same fear you see when they aggressively promote tackle football for kids—with ads particularly aimed at moms—during the Super Bowl while their own data comes in at a taxi-cab meter pace about how playing tackle can cause permanent brain injury in children. It is the same fear you see when they suspend one of their best players for smoking weed. What NFL bosses want, need and crave above all else, is control. Michael Sam represented a loss of that control because he dared—I will say it again—to try to control his own narrative. That is the NFL’s problem, not Michael Sam’s. That has nothing to do with his forty-time at the combine. And that, in my view, is the starting point for understanding why Michael Sam lasted until pick number 249. Dave Zirin is the author of Game Over: How Politics Has Turned the Sports World Upside Down (New Press).
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