Do you know who this person is?
COMMUNITY
She’s one of 21 individuals your Milwaukee Community Journal will be honoring Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014 at its 38th Anniversary/Annual Jazz Brunch Celebration, which will be held at the Italian Confer-
JOURNAL
ence Center starting at noon with a reception, followed by brunch, fashions, and music by Christopher’s Project. There will be a raffle and exciting take home gifts and a fantastic silent auction.
There will also be a performance by the Roselettes and this year’s Golden Idol Winner. Tickets are $90 each (proceeds are tax deductible). For more information, call the MCJ offices at 414-265-5300.
www.communityjournal.net 25 Cents
VOL. XXXVIII Number 52 July 23, 2014
The Milwaukee
Garfield Avenue Festival a success!
BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN PERMIT NO. 4668
Election Watch ‘14
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
Milwaukeean Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson new internatl’ president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Buckhanan Wilson
CHARLOTTE (BlackNews.com)Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a business executive, was installed as the 20142018 International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA), an international service organization that was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African-American college-educated women. Alpha Kappa Alpha is comprised of more than 265,000 members in approximately 986 graduate and undergraduate chapters in the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Canada, Japan, Germany, South Korea and Africa. She was sworn in during a ceremony culminating the Sorority’s weeklong international convention held in Charlotte from July 12 - July 18. The installation took place at the Charlotte Convention Center before thousands of Alpha Kappa Alpha members, dignitaries, and loved ones. In ascending to the Sorority’s chief leadership position, Buckhanan Wilson makes history as the only member to serve four consecutive terms on its international board of directors. “I am humbled and excited by the opportunity to lead Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Its membership includes distinguished women who boast excellent academic records, proven leadership skills, and involvement in their local communities through advocacy and service. “Over the next four years, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will deliver an unprecedented amount of high impact, hands-on service programs in our local communities,” said Buckhanan Wilson. As the 29th woman to lead the 106-year-old organization, Buckhanan Wilson will guide policy, develop programs and set the leadership tone for Alpha Kappa Alpha members and chapters worldwide. Professionally, Buckhanan Wilson is a Senior Vice President at Goodwill Industries, where she is responsible for a $25 million dollar enterprise in southeastern Wisconsin and metropolitan Chicago. With more than 60,000 people served and 400 employees, she is one of the most senior officials at the largest Goodwill affiliate in the (continued on page 10)
BRIA GRANT:
10th Assembly District candidate not afraid to go against the grain for the benefit of constituents
U
By Jazzmine Haygood, MCJ Intern nlike many Democrats in the state Legislature, 10th District Assembly Members of the Garfield Avenue Festival, media and political figures opened the 17th annual Candidate Bria Grant emfestival Saturday on the street it is named for. The festival featured six blocks of Blues, Jazz, braces Parental School Gospel and the arts; with over 150 vendors and 16 bands. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp) Choice and Charter Schools as one of the ways to foster more successful educational Bria Grant outcomes for children.
“ACT-ing Up” on The Triangle!
The jazz group, Christopher’s Project, filled the air between Atkinson, Capitol, and Teutonia, also known as “The Triangle,” during the fifth annual Atkinson, Capitol, Teutonia (ACT) Business Improvement District #29 Saturday. Neighbors and business owners in the area enjoyed a day of community and fun. Attendees also learned about ACT BID and the businesses and organizations that belong to it. Aside from the food and entertainment provided by Christopher’s project and other groups, there was also a health fair. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
It’s that willingness to go against the party-line on public vs. private education that allows Grant to set herself apart from the other candidates running for the seat being vacated by Rep. Sandy Pasch. The primary election is August 12. Many Democratic legislators believe state tax dollars should be earmarked only for public schools. But Grant says that type of thinking no longer works, adding students and their parents deserve options that will result in higher academic achievements. “Getting rid of choice and vouchers will (also) dismantle existing community schools in the program that are performing well,” Grant stressed Grant, a single mother of two children, believes education creates an environment where high morals and values are fostered. This belief was fostered by her childhood experiences. Though Grant grew up in an environment where there was poverty, crime and few options for a bright future, she was still taught strong morals and values, which she used to overcome the obstacles that confronted her. A graduate of Milwaukee Spectrum, an alternative high school. Grant attended Springfield and Rust Colleges obtaining a Bachelor’s degree of Science in Human Services. She put her degree to work helping people who suffered from drug addictions, dysfunctional families, and criminogenic behaviors.
GOLDEN YEARS
Celebrating ‘Boomers’
Stock photo
PULSE OF THE
COMMUNITY
By Kathy Gaillard
This Golden Years’ column culminates The Milwaukee Community Journal’s (MCJ) recent series geared to individuals 55 and older. “Golden Years” fittingly ends as the newspaper pre-
(continued on page 5)
pares to honor some members of Milwaukee’s baby boomer generation. As the MCJ celebrates its 38th Annual Dr. Terence Thomas Scholarship Brunch, this year’s tribute pays homage to not only the many and varied contributions of the honorees—many of whom are 55 and older—but also showcases how outward focus, passion for a cause and healthy living can not only extend one’s life, but also make it more meaningful and joyful. This year’s brunch, “Inspiration Meets Aspiration: Fabulous, Fit, Fun and Fantastic: Uniting Generations” will highlight some of Milwaukee’s leaders, activists and pioneers, who made their mark in the city during the 50s and 60s. As the newspaper prepares to recognize these individuals, their imprint on Milwaukee’s community may not be well known or understood by younger generations, but their stories of determination, perseverance and historical implications are indelibly part of Milwaukee’s history and will be shared for
(continued on page 2)
Question and photos by Yvonne Kemp
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
“During the viewing of the documentary Hidden Colors 3 at the Brotherhood of Firefighters Hall, located on Good Hope Rd., we asked four individuals who saw the documentary: WHY DO YOU THINK IT’S IMPORTANT WE (AS BLACK PEOPLE) KNOW AND LEARN OUR HISTORY?”
CYNTHIA BARLOW: “Our history is important because we, as a people, must acknowledge what we have lost and are lacking in our community. We need to know that we were and still are kings and queens. If we knew our history, we wouldn’t settle for the condition we find ourselves in today. We would demand and expect more.”
NAOMI WILLIAMS: “As a future history major and staunch advocate for history as a major area of focus amongst young people, knowing where our story as Black people began is VITAL! Everyday, a piece of our roots are erased through the media with false information and misleading texts in the history books. It is up to us to arm ourselves with the knowledge of self and earnestly share and perpetuate the information there of. Ase’.”
EVERETT COCROFT: If we don’t learn, know, and share our history, we will be defined and subject to “his” story! Say it loud!”
MARQUIS WILBURN: “No. 1: Because if you don’t know your history, you are destined to repeat it. No. 2: Because if you don’t know who you are and where you come from, you won’t know what you’re capable of. No. 3: To get to know your ancestors (as a Black man or woman). No. 4: To learn TRUE world history...not just “his-story.” No. 5: To be brought back into remembrance and/or recall that you ARE GOD! (as a Black man or woman).”
The Milwaukee Community Journal July 23, 2014 Page 2
The end Ninth annual is near... Negro League
Participants in Saturdays UNCF Walk for Education come to the end of the road in Veterans Park on Lincoln Memorial Drive. The annual walk was the 30th that raises money for the fund that gives dollars to students to attend Hisrtorically Black Colleges and Universities. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
Celebrating ‘Boomers’
(continued from page 1) years to come. Over the past few months, the Golden Years column has explored topics and shared statistics that pertain to one of the fastest growing population segments in the United States—Baby Boomers—individuals born between 1946 and 1964. Boomers today represent more than 28% of the U.S. population. And, while the column has focused on such timely issues as online dating, downsizing and senior discounts, it has also raised awareness about such topical and relevant issues as grief, divorce, sexual intimacy and men’s health. As importantly, Golden Years has provided a platform for some of Milwaukee’s stalwarts to impart advice and wisdom from generations passed—sage counsel that has served them well as they took up the mantles of leadership and raised their own children. Sadly, the community and camaraderie that provided a stable foundation for many of Milwaukee’s community leaders, has diminished or become non-existent in some central city communities. Many seniors can share countless stories of living in neighborhoods where—if you dared misbehave—by the time you got home, your parents knew about it. Moreover, even if an adult other than your parent immediately corrected you for misbehaving or being disrespectful, children raised in the 60s and 70s could expect to receive additional reprimand once their parents learned of the offense. Over the past weekend, Facebook was abuzz as individuals engaged in an impromptu social media ‘game’ about Milwaukee of yesterday, posting comments under the hash tag #I’m so Milwaukee that I remember...” Facebookers joined in to post such memories as enjoying custard and sundaes at Pig ‘N Whistle on East Capitol, to shopping at Spartan’s on Green Bay Avenue, to summer concerts in Garfield Park (now Clinton Rose), to seeing the ‘creepy’ lady sit in the window every night on 12th and North Avenue, supposedly waiting for her suitor to
come home. It was nice to reminisce about a different era and the simple things that many of us boomers called fun. Not all the memories were pleasant. Baby boomers grew up during turbulent times—on the heels of Jim Crow’s south and in the midst of racial riots, the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., and open housing marches across the country. However, the 60s were also a time of Black pride, strong family units and values. It was a time when the faith community rallied families and neighborhoods to stand, protest and get involved—whether it was to fight for desegregation, voting rights or racial injustice. There was a strong sense of community that not only united people, but also facilitated a wave of first-generation college graduates. Parents, who may not have had opportunities to go to college themselves, encouraged their children to pursue higher education because they bought wholeheartedly into the notion that education unlocked the door to success and liberation. As we prepare to honor this year’s slate of individuals who have made their mark on Milwaukee’s landscape— the likes of Tyrone Dumas, Lois Redic, Dr. Arthur Mines, Eugene Smith and Patricia Dunn, to name a few—we recognize that were it not for their vision, leadership and determination, many of the battles fought and strides made during the 60s and 70s would not be so were it not for them. “Aspiration meets Inspiration” is fitting for The Milwaukee Community Journal’s annual signature event because, as we pay homage to the many individuals who worked to make a difference in the community, their inspiring stories should prompt the new generation—the event’s scholarship recipients—to aspire to build upon their legacies. Once again, on August 3, 2014, the symbolic mantle will be passed, as another generation takes up the helm and takes on the challenge to become as fabulous, fit, fun and fantastic as those individuals who are over 55 have so aptly done.
Tribute at Miller Park July 26
The Milwaukee Brewers will host the franchise's ninth annual Negro Leagues Tribute at Miller Park on Saturday, July 26. Former Negro League players Ted Toles Jr. and Nathan "Sonny" Weston will be honored during a tailgate reception at Helfaer Field, beginning at 3 p.m., along with a special pre-game ceremony at Miller Park. An autograph session with both honorees will take place during the first 45 minutes of the game on the Field Level Concourse near home plate. Toles Jr., 88, began his playing career in the Negro Leagues as a pitcher/outfielder with the Pittsburgh Crawfords in 1946, going 18-7 as a pitcher while batting .350. Later that season, he earned an invitation to tour with the Jackie Robinson All-Stars, where he played on the west coast portion of the tour. He also played for the Newark Eagles and was a member of the Cleveland Buckeyes' Winter League traveling team in 1947. Toles Jr. was signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1950 and played in their minor-league system, along with the Philadelphia Athletics' farm system. Additionally, he excelled as a boxer and track star. Weston, 83, was an outfielder and first baseman with the Chicago American Giants in 1951. Following a season in the Negro Leagues, Weston was invited to spring training with the Chicago White Sox, but was the team's final cut in the spring of 1952. He tried out for the Brooklyn Dodgers, but once again, was the final cut on a team that featured Hall of Famers Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, and Duke Snider, among other baseball greats. A native of East Chicago, Weston graduated from Bloom Township High School and worked at the Ford Motor Company Stamping Plant in Chicago Heights, Illinois for 42 years. (continued on page 11)
PERSPECTIVES
The Milwaukee Community Journal July 23, 2014 Page 3
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Sometimes you’ve got to let everything go--purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything, whatever is bringing you down--GET RID OF IT. Because you’ll find that when you’re free, your true creativity, your true self comes out.--Tina Burner
Hidden 3 deemed so Hate Groups Have No Place In Law fantastic that even a Enforcement…Or Do They? six-year-old could GUEST COMMENTARY understand the film
“This city is diverse, tolerant, it’s a welcoming For those who believe we have evolved into community.” a post-racial society where hate groups are By Michael H. Cottman, BlackAmericaWeb.com Given the disturbing pattern in the Fruitnow part of our collective past, think again. Hate groups are flourishing across the nation and its members are seemingly everywhere – inland Park Police Department, how many other closet KKK members are serving as police officers cluding local police departments. Two police officers with the Fruitland Park Police Department in departments down South – and across the country? According to The Southern Poverty Law near Orlando, Florida are no longer with the department because they were linked to the Ku Klux Center, which tracks hate groups and hate crimes, there are currently 939 known hate groups operating across the country, including neo-Nazis, Klansmen, white nationalists, neo-Confederates, Klan. Deputy Chief David Borst resigned from the Fruitland Park Police Department on July 10, after racist skinheads, black separatists, border vigilantes and others. There are 58 hate groups in it was alleged that he was affiliated with the KKK, the racist, hooded white supremacist group Florida alone, which is second in the nation behind California with 77. that terrorized African-Americans for decades with cross-burnings, fire-bombings and lynching, Since 2000, according to The Southern Poverty Law Center, the number of hate groups has instarting in the 1860s.(Borst, also the town’s fire chief, resigned that post, too.) After the state’s creased by 56 percent. The surge has been fueled by anger and fear over the nation’s ailing economy, an influx of non-white immigrants, and the diminishing white majority, as symbolized Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI conducted an initial probe, Police Officer George Hunnewell was also fired after it was alleged he, too, was associated with the KKK. by the election of President Barack Obama, the nation’s first African-American president. Shouldn’t police departments vet their officers more carefully? It seems to me that more thorFlorida Chief Deputy State Attorney Ric Ridgway told the Orlando Sentinel that the report conough background checks would reveal hate groups in a person’s past. The FBI found out about tained “a lot of fairly substantial evidence that tends to support” Borst’s and Hunnewell’s Klan membership. But he added that it’s not illegal to belong to the KKK “even if you are the deputy Borst and Hunnewell. It can find out about others. Borst, a cop for more than 20 years, denied any involvement with chief.” the KKK. Still, the Florida State Attorney’s office is investigating all arrests that Borst and Hun“It’s not a crime to hate people. It may be despicable, it may be immoral, but it’s not a newell were associated with to determine if racial prejudice played a role in their policing. crime,” he said. In an odd twist, according to the Florida Sun Sentinel, Hunnewell claims he was working unAt least one top cop in Fruitland Park, however, is playing down the controversy. “Since I’ve come here, I’ve been very, very hardcore and very strict on bringing this from the old culture into dercover to expose racism within his own department. Hunnewell’s ex-wife Ann, formerly a secretary with Fruitland Park police, claimed she and her a new professional culture,” Police Chief Terry Isaacs told The Southern Poverty Law Center. “I’ve former husband were assigned to infiltrate the Klan undercover by befriending another officer al- set strict guidelines as far as our ethics go, diversity training. I don’t allow any joking, any comleged to be a Klansman,” according to the Sun Sentinel. ments. I’m very strict on that. I was somewhat shocked. I did not expect that in 2014… We have “They never told anyone and had no documentation for the operation, but insisted former ponot had a racial complaint since I’ve been here.” Maybe not. But it’s hard to believe that a police chief who oversees a 12-man police departlice Chief Mark Isom could corroborate their story.” ment in a tiny town of 5,000 residents didn’t know that two of his officers were linked to the Really? This story sounds shady at best. Consider this: The situation involving Borst and Hunnewell marks the second time in five years that Klansmen have been found in the Fruitland Park KKK. Police Department. In 2009, Officer James Elkins resigned after photographs showed him wearIsaacs turned a blind eye — or he has terrible investigative skills. ing in a white robe and hood, and he later admitted he was a leader of the local KKK. In any case, it’s time to rid the nation’s police departments of racism, whether it comes wearing a hood and robe…or not. “We cannot nor will we tolerate any philosophy that is inherently morally corrupt or one that What do you think? espouses bigotry or any intolerance aimed at any groups or individuals because of their race, religion, ethnicity or gender or sexual orientation,” City Manager Gary La Venia told reporters.
We’re All Accountable to the Movement: Part Two
UNIVERSALLY SPEAKING By Rahim Islam
When we start to examine the economic and social state of the Black community in America, we’re the first to come up with idea after idea on how to we should be doing this or we should be doing that? But guess what? Nothing is happening and nothing of any meaningful way is getting done. In fact, over the past 50 years, at our pinnacle in this country representing the accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement, we’ve lost significant ground. In addition to The Emancipation Proclamation, Brown versus the Board of Education, and the Civil Rights Legislation of the 1960’s, there haven’t been any real legal challenges or gains in the path of more freedom for the Black community in America. Or maybe we’ve come to believe that we’re equal??? Recently, we did see a organized response led by the NAACP to challenge a national agenda to suppress the Black and brown vote which would had seriously threatened Barak Obama’s reelection in 2012. If they had been successful, it is my humble opinion, that we would have another person representing the office of US president. While most of the State courts reacted positively, we still having a major challenge brewing that could roll back our voting rights. It’s not winning the office that represents our power; it’s the vote and
Rahim Islam
the process that gives us our real power. The voting engagement allows us to keep the political pump primed and to use it to advance our socioeconomic agenda. It also becomes the foundation for any legal challenge as well. If we are to make the progress that we must have to change the trajectory of our people, we will need to have as much control of the political process that is legally allowed. On the federal level, we still need Black senators, and the optimal amount of Black representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. We must also maintain and/or retain the control of Black minority/majority cities of both the Mayor’s office and the City Council seats. We need local municipal judges, federal judges, state Supreme Court judges, etc. We will need to constantly address education, social, housing, economic development and civil rights programs. Never has been there been one single voice for the Black people. How do you think things get done? How did we get here? Let’s examine what happened during our captivity – from approximately 1500 – 1865. We challenged America to live up to its own creed and in doing so we became an example to the whole world. America’s luster while always great became greater because America had a very dirty, dirty secret (the enslavement of the African’s). Our ancestors, whenever they had the opportunity would SPEAK OUT against the injustices facing our people. While this might seem like not a
whole lot, it was extremely dangerous for Blacks during the entire period of chattel slavery to speak out because they were threatened with their very lives (many of our heroes mysteriously and/or publically were tortured, murdered, and incarcerated for life). There were numerous individuals who wrote and spoke on freedom for Black people. This helped begin to create public opinion and the formation of the Abolitionist movement. In addition to challenging what’s wrong (and nothing was more wrong than the institution of slavery), when you have the heart and courage to SPEAK OUT, your message and your courage is rewarded because you find out that not everyone agrees with and/or believes in the injustices perpetuated against the Black man and woman in America. Also, the more public opinion began to shift the more people could speak out without being punished. While nearly everyone with means in America was a direct or indirect beneficiary of the institution of slavery, slowly people began to distance themselves from direct involvement; this is the power of public opinion. With the combination of legal challenges, shifting of public opinion on the legitimacy of slavery, the abolitionist movement grew. Also during this same period we had a number of Black freedom fighters who took action and resisted slavery and used their capacities to CHANGE THINGS WITH THEIR HANDS. Whether one spoke out, or attempted to change things with their hands, both should be viewed as actions that must be taken to change and/or right the wrongs being perpetuated against our people – it’s the ACTION, it’s the MOVEMENT, it’s the CIVIC ENGAGEMENT that I’m calling your attention to. If this wasn’t done, America would look a lot different today for Black people. This didn’t happen overnight; these efforts created a climate for change in America and ultimately forced the domestic battle over the American institution of slavery which ultimately resulted in the Civil
War and Emancipation Proclamation. This is why politics is so important; this is why voting is so critical, but it cannot stand-alone. It only works when you have a collective agenda and you’re able to leverage and align your agenda with others that might not necessarily support you but share your agenda. Politics, No permanent friends or enemies but permanent interest. During the Reconstruction Period, there were a number of federally-initiated efforts developed to support the dismantling of the American institution of slavery. I always refer to slavery in America as an American Institution. Why you might ask? Because it was and to suggest that it was anything less would weaken America’s responsibility in this most horrific behavior and treatment of our people. By definition an institution is: (1) An organization, establishment, foundation, society, or the like, devoted to the promotion of a particular cause or program, especially one of a public, educational, or charitable character; (2) Sociology a well-established and structured pattern of behavior or of relationships that is accepted as a fundamental part of a culture, as marriage… It absolutely matters where you start and every fight waged by our ancestors to be treated fairly and equally like other Americans, was met with the most devious, hated, and mean-spirited resistance ever organized. Don’t get it twisted! You should ask yourself: Why? If you don’t know, you should do a little studying because you’re lacking some very basic information. The enslavement of our ancestors was a brutal and vicious institution that hurt us, I believe, permanently and it continues to haunt us today in every way. Slavery was a very profitable American institution. While the institution of slavery doesn’t exist today, its infrastructure (ideas, beliefs, values, and policies) has morphed into other American institutions. (continued on page 10)
By Taki S. Raton
“We had to keep putting more chairs out,” said Oshi Adelabu, retired firefighter and primary organizer of the Milwaukee premier showing of Hidden Colors 3. The final count at this 7717 location of the Milwaukee Brotherhood of Black Firefighters Hall on Tuesday, July 15 was nearly 200 people. And to this writer who was present, this number was magnificent given only a very brief social media promotional outreach surfacing on Saturday, July 12, just four days prior to the event. “I came out tonight to join the community in this premier showing of Hidden Colors 3 so that I can continue to pass on vital knowledge to our young brothers and sisters,” says Alfonzo Watkins. “I am a strong supporter of what they are doing here this evening at the Black Firefighters Hall to bring Hidden Colors 3 to us here in Milwaukee,” says Benjamin Watson. “I am extremely excited about tonight’s showing and look forward to receiving the knowledge,” he adds. Released June 26, with select premier viewings nationwide, “Hidden Colors 3: The Rules of Racism” is the third in a series of what has now become an ongoing documentary of films conceived and directed by Tariq Nasheed and produced through King Flex Entertainment out of Los Angeles. Hidden 3 follows the highly acclaimed “Hidden Colors 2: The Triumph of Melanin” released December 6, 2012 and the first installment, “Hidden Colors: The Untold History of People of Aboriginal, Moor, and African Descent” hitting screens around the country on its April 14, 2011 opening date. “I enjoyed so much Hidden Colors 1 and 2,” said Raymond Terry shortly before the start of the film. He shares that he is, “happy to know that there is a Hidden Colors 3 and I hope there will be a Hidden Colors 4. There is so much information and knowledge about us that has been distorted and hidden. I am just delighted to be here and very much look forward to this evening’s presentation of Hidden Colors 3.” In setting the stage for this third installment, Nasheed reveals that, “There has never been a real dialogue in American about race because whenever we start to talk about race, the conversation will venture into, ‘What’s wrong
MISSING CHILD
(continued on page 10)
Erick Hall is asking the community to contact him if it has any information about his 13-year-old daughter Kayla, who he has not seen in five months. According to Hall, Kayla’s mother was arrested for child abuse in 2009. In 2012, Hall said Kayla’s mother abandoned her into his care. A year later, Hall states, the mother petitioned and was given full custody and placement of Kayla. Though Hall’s daughter reportedly lives in Texas, her current location and health status are unknown. Hall says he has Kayla in a Halloween costume never abused children, nor are their any allegations of abuse against him. Yet, according to Hall, the Milwaukee County courts has not been helpful or understanding of Hall or his attempts in locating his daughter. According to Hall, multiple attempts have been made by Texas Child Protective Services and the Houston Police Department to locate Kayla. Anyone with information as to Kayla’s whereabouts should call 414-339-0624 or email bringkaylahome.com. For more information about Kayla and Hall’s attempts to find and regain custody of his daughter, go to: bringkaylahome.com.
THE MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY JOURNAL Published twice weekly, Wednesday & Friday
3612 North Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Phone: 414-265-5300 (Advertising and Administration) • 414-265-6647 (Editorial) • Website: communityjournal.net • Email: Editorial@communityjournal.net/Advertising@communityjournal.net MCJ STAFF: Patricia O’Flynn -Pattillo Publisher, CEO Robert J. Thomas Assoc. Publisher Todd Thomas, Vice Pres. Mikel Holt, Assoc. Publisher Thomas E. Mitchell, Jr., Editor Teretha Martin, Technical Consultant/Billing Dept./ Publisher’s Admin. Assist. Colleen Newsom,
Classified Advertising Jimmy V. Johnson, Sales Rep. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Taki S. Raton Richard G. Carter Fr. Carl Diederichs Rev. Joe McLin Rev. Roxanne Cardenas PHOTOGRAPHER: Yvonne Kemp
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 July 23, 2014 Page 4
Religious Quote: “Every word of God is
pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”--Proverbs 30:5
amazed everyone around her. As time passed, her illness worsened, paralyzing the bottom part of her body. Though our grandmother continued to fight, the pain became more severe. As the Godly, good-hearted woman she was, she continued to stay positive. Our grandmother remained spiritual; and despite the overwhelming obstacles she faced with her health, she read her Bible every night. She was an extraordinary Christian and inspirational woman.
Psalm 23- favorite scripture
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me ; your rod and
Granchildren remember Yvonne Coleman as a faithful Christian who cared for her neighborhood Yvonne Coleman
By Alexis and Alesha Solomon—Grandchildren of Yvonne Coleman Yvonne Coleman was truly a remarkable woman. Her selfless actions helped her to become the strong woman and incredible leader she was. More importantly she was a woman of God. She always amazed everyone around her with her positive attitude and strong faith in God. Her loving, generous and kind spirit touched everyone she met. For many years, our grandmother was a foster parent to dozens of children and adopted three. She was a strong leader and huge blessing to people in the community. She sheltered and fed many homeless men without asking for anything in return. Her church, New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, recently recognized her 25 years of selfless work with a “Strength and Courage” Award this month. As our grandmother had gotten older she faced many obstacles. For example, she took complete care of her son—our uncle, who was severely injured in an accident. Twelve years ago, she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma bone cancer, which resulted in a dramatic decrease in her health. Despite fighting through years of dialysis, she remained strong. Her positive attitude and faith in God
Ask God for wisdom!
The scripture readings assigned for this coming weekend are: 1Kings 3: 5-12, Psalm 119: 57-130, Romans 8:28-30, and Matthew 13: 44-52. The reading from 1 Kings gives us the wonderful story of Solomon asking God not for long life, nor riches, nor the life of his enemies, but for understanding, for wisdom. And God's promise was to give him a heart so wise and understanding that he would stand out as the wisest person up to that time and even into the future. Solomon was a wise man. But, like us, who have been given wisdom, we let our ego get in the way of true wisdom and do foolish things. Solomon was no saint. Nor are we, but the constant prayer we ought to utter is to seek true wisdom.
BREAD IN THE WILDERNESS
By Fr. Carl Diederichs, All Saints Catholic Church
The author of the Epistle to the Romans has captured the essence of wisdom when he says: "We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." The way I have been putting it over the years is: "it is not what happens to you that is important; it is how you handle what hap-
IN MEMORIAM
Pastor James L. Allen Senior, (shown above) founder, senior servant,leader of New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church holds the plaque he presented to Coleman for her faithful service to the church and neighborhood she lived in. (Photo By Yvonne Kemp)
,your staff, they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
In Loving Memory
pens to you." If we are prayerful and allow the Spirit of God to take possession of us, then what happens, good or bad, with be seen in perspective and as passing. With this in mind, the Gospel reading can be seen as a way of life for the wise person who does take every event, emotion, life situation and handles it with the realization that it is the how not the what. Jesus tells us what the kingdom of heaven is like and how we are to search for it. One commentator suggests we substitute "God's love for us is like" in place of the kingdom of heaven is like. I like that. If we keep our eye on the reality of how much we are loved, in spite of our own craziness and selfishness, we will center our life on the love of God for us and then, all our thoughts and actions will be imbued with wisdom and we will see the love of God for not only ourselves, but for all, even those we really dislike or even hate. The love of God is like a treasure buried in a field, a merchant searching for a pearl, and a net thrown into the sea that collects fish of every kind. In each case the "love of God' will compel us to seek it, to do what we must do to have it and keep it. And how do we keep it? By giving it away, freely, generously, wisely. "Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. For I love your command more than gold, however fine." (Psalm 119) It is not what happens to you that is important; it is how you handle it. Come, Lord Jesus.
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POLITICS
& G OVERNMENT
City•County•State•National
Election Watch: Bria Grant
(continued from page 10 Over the past two years, Grant has worked with Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) providing opportunities for High School dropouts to connect with a diploma and provide them paid work experiences in the community. Grant believes if education creates an environment where high standards are developed, children will grow into their gifts. By doing this, she believes, Milwaukee will have a more positive environment in which to teach youth not only the basics, but also non-traditional subjects such as civil rights, which will minimize the incidents leading to negative encounters with the criminal justice system. Grant’s educational philosophy would also benefit parents as well. They will have a greater choice as to where and how their education dollar is spent. On the subject of social issues, Grant sees crime, unemployment, mental health, and foster care as being inner related. A certified foster parent who has raised several teens, Grant says problems in the foster care system can no longer be “swept under the rug.” By identifying and addressing the needs of foster children, Grant says we can begin to “heal their hurt “ so they can successfully function within society. Noting the success of Milwaukee’s wrap-around program, Grant said greater resources need to be committed to foster care in order to successfully deal with other societal issues, such as crime. Grant wants to create strong re-entry programs for those who were incarcerated that will give them a fresh start in the community. Grant believes Milwaukee’s crack epidemic of the 1980s is now having an impact on the community’s level of mental health, negaitvely impacting today’s children and the development of their minds, as well as their bodies. “The mental health situation in Milwaukee is more dire than we want to admit, especially in the Black community,” said Grant.
“We have to get away from hidding the problem and bring it out into the open; make it possible for individuals with mental problems to have access to care.” Surprisingly, Grant is in favor of the state’s concealcarry law and open-carry, noting the law needs to be strengthened. “The law is for law abiding citizens. Criminals don’t care about the law,” Grant said. “ Individuals should carry weapons to protect themselves and their homes.” She added there is a need for a more stringent screening process that takes into consideration the mental health of those applying for concealed-carry licenses. Grant stressed there is a correlation between crime and jobs. “Most people cannot obtain jobs in areas outside the city because the county transportation system does not extend that far.” She believes that if the public transit system reached counties like Ozaukee and Waukesha, then more people would have jobs and less crime would happen in the city of Milwaukee, especially the Black community. She also believes there should be no discrimination against employees or future employees if they have a criminal record. Grant wants to establish programs to train citizens with the soft skills needed to keep a job. She would also create an environment within the city-and the community--that would attract new businesses. It would also lead more youth and elders to come together. Grant also stressed the need for increased homeownership, which fosters stronger neighborhoods. Grants said the next representative should be firm in his/her convictions, but willing to listen and when necessary compromise for the greater good. “When people see you fight for them, they will come together and strengthen each other. As representatives we should move away from politics and do what works best for our community. Fight for the people even if it means going against the script.” -Thomas E. Mitchell, Jr. contributed to this story.
City of Milwaukee Completely Repeals Taxi Cap Council’s unanimous vote implements 2013 court order that found cap unconstitutional
CITY HALL—Last year Judge Jane Carroll of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court declared unconstitutional the city of Milwaukee’s law imposing a cap on the number of taxicabs in the city. This morning the city finally complied with that order when the Common Council voted unanimously to completely lift the cap on how many taxicabs may operate in the city. In lifting its cap, Milwaukee becomes one of the freest cities in the nation for drivers looking to enter the taxicab market. The new law requires taxis to comply with basic health and safety requirements such as inspections and minimum insurance coverage. Long-time cab drivers like Ghaleb Ibrahim and Jatinder Cheema have been waiting for this day for years. In 2011, Ibrahim and Cheema joined a coalition of other cab drivers and the Institute for Justice, a publicinterest law firm, in filing the lawsuit that resulted in today’s Common Council vote. “This is the culmination of a long struggle against an oppressive and unconstitutional system” said Institute for Justice Attorney Anthony Sanders. “It used to be that because of the government-imposed cap, a Milwaukee taxicab cost more than a house. Taxi entrepreneurs can now afford to keep their house and open a business, too.” The law also offers a path for services such as Uber and Lyft to be recognized and licensed, increasing transportation options in Milwaukee. The former cap, implemented by the city in 1991, caused the price of a taxi permit to rise from $85 to over $150,000 on the secondary market. Under the law, the number of cab permits was fixed at about 320. However, in response to the cabbies’ court victory, the city voted last November to lift the cap on the number of cabs by 100. Then, this morning, the city moved to lift the cap altogether. “The unconstitutional cap is no more,” said Cheema. “Now, after driving in the city for more than a decade, I finally have the right to open my own cab company without having to buy permission from someone else.” Despite today’s victory for aspiring cab operators, the struggle for taxi freedom in Milwaukee is not over. The existing taxi owners, who have enjoyed the protectionism offered by the city’s cap for over 20 years, are not going away without a fight. They have vowed to sue to prevent the cap from being repealed. The Institute for Justice and its clients stand ready to intervene in any lawsuit that seeks to prevent the city from lifting the cap and to have the lawsuit dismissed. The Institute for Justice has helped open taxi markets in Denver, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Minneapolis, and for more than 20 years has been the nation’s leading legal advocate for the rights of entrepreneurs. For more information on the lawsuit to open Milwaukee’s taxi market, visit www.ij.org/milwaukee-taxis.
Council approves minimum hourly wage ordinance
The Milwaukee Community Journal July 23, 2014 Page 5
of three. He said the Council considers the wage approved today and the bump to $10.80 next year a significant increase over the next two years. “Approving this ‘living wage ordinance,’ as it has been called, was the right thing to do,” he said. “The Council and the city are taking a proactive and positive approach to ensuring decent pay for our workers. Our city is one of the poorest large cities in the U.S., and it is our duty as CITY HALL--On Tuesday, the full Comcity leaders to help improve the lives of mon Council adopted an ordinance (Counour citizens, and establishing this minicil file #131627 - attached) establishing a mum wage requirement for city workers minimum hourly wage of $10.10 for all city and others working on city-related and employees and employees paid under city supported projects is just one way we can service contracts. help fight back against poverty while The $10.10 rate will be in effect for this helping working families. year, and will then increase to $10.80 per Alderman Nik Kovac, chair of the hour -- as adjusted by the City Clerk on Council’s Finance and Personnel ComMarch 1, 2015 – to what will be the federal mittee and a co-sponsor of the wage measU.S. Department of Health and Human ure, said for far too many Milwaukeeans, Services’ guideline for a family of 3.5 in the working full-time also means living in Ald. Hamilton 48 contiguous states. poverty. “No one who works full-time Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, chair of the Council’s Ju- should be doing so at a rate that will leave their family in diciary and Legislation Committee, and the primary spon- poverty,” he said. sor of file #131627, said the city’s previous living wage “The average family size in the Milwaukee area is 3.3, was at $9.51 per hour -- the poverty guideline for a family (continued on page 11)
Why Incumbents GOVERNMENT Keep COMMENTARY Getting Reelected
POLITICS&
By Lee H. Hamilton
It’s no news that Congress is unpopular. In fact, at times it seems like the only real novelty on Capitol Hill would be a jump in its approval rating. So here’s the interesting thing: nearly three-quarters of Americans want to throw out most members of Congress, including their own representative, yet the vast majority of incumbents will be returning to Capitol Hill in January. In other words, Americans scorn Congress but keep re-electing its members. How could this be? The first thing to remember is that
members of Congress didn’t get there by being lousy politicians. They know as well as you and I that Congress is unpopular, and they’re masters at running against it — appearing to be outsiders trying to get in, rather than insiders who produce the Congress they pretend to disdain. Just as important, incumbents enjoy an overwhelming advantage in elections. They have a large staff whose jobs focus on helping constituents. They’re paid a good salary, so they don’t have to worry about supporting their families while they campaign. They get to spend their terms effectively campaigning year-round, not just at election time, and they are able to saturate their state or district with mass mailings. Incumbents get the honored place in the parade, the prime speaking position, the upper hand when it comes (continued on page 11)
“Sheriff & 10th Assembly District Candidate Forum” Tuesday, July 29th
A “County Sheriff & 10th Assembly District Candidates Forum” will be held Tuesday, July 29th, 2014 6:30 PM, St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 3114 N. 2nd St. The forum is sponsored by MICAH (Milwaukee Innercity Congregations Allied for Hope) and Grassroots North Shore. Persons attending the forum will be given an opportunity to ask questions of the candidates. “The reason for sponsoring this forum “Stated Rev. Willie Brisco, President of MICAH, is because the sheriff’s race and the 10th assembly District race will be determined by the outcome of the August 12th primary. “So the candidate forum is designed to encourage a high voter turnout on August 12th.” The 10th Assembly District is the district that has been served by Representative Sandy Pasch, who is retiring from the position at the end of the current term. Candidates for the office of County Sheriff are Chris Moews and David Clarke. The 10th Assembly District are David Bowen, Bria Grant, Sara Lee Johnson, and Tia Tarhorst. For more information contact the MICAH office at (414)-264-0805.
YOUTH&EDUCATION
The Milwaukee Community Journal July 23, 2014 Page 6
A D V E R T O R I A L
UWM graduate Camille Ridgeway
UWM’S
RONALD E. MCNAIR
POSTBACCALAUREATE ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM
gives flight to the dreams of students who are the first in their family to attend college
G
etting into the graduate program of your choice is a major accomplishment that takes time, effort and commitment.
Fortunately, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is here to help, through the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement program.
Inspired by the late Ronald E. McNair, physicist and NASA astronaut, the McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program awards grants to universities that prepare talented undergraduate students for graduate school and eventually PhD programs nationwide. UWM is one of more than 150 universities in the United States that offers this program to its undergraduate students. Many McNair scholars are the first in their families to have attended college, and most qualify as “low income” or Pell Grant eligible under guidelines from the federal government. Matched with faculty mentors, summer research opportunities and application support, McNair scholars do more than complete the graduate school application process. They also build a research resume and sharpen the academic skills that competitive PhD programs look for when they recruit new doctoral students. In applying to graduate school, you will need to craft a compelling statement of purpose – a personal essay describing the motivations and qualifications that make you an excellent candidate for advanced study in your chosen field. You will also need to line up recommendation letters, and complete a lot of additional paperwork. And all this comes after you’ve already done the hard work of researching what universities offer the program(s) you are
looking for and identifying your top choices. In addition to this application process, a major preliminary examination, the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) , is required of most graduate school applicants. The exam you’ll need to take, and the qualifying scores required to get into your preferred graduate program(s), vary depending on whether you’re applying for medical, law or business school, or an advanced degree in another field. This is where UWM and the McNair program can help, according to UWM graduate Camille Ridgeway. “The McNair program was amazing,” says Ridgeway, who earned degrees in international studies and economics this spring. “It was one of the components of my undergraduate education that I valued most.” A first-generation college student, Ridgeway set her sights on a foreign policy career early in her undergraduate education. As a McNair Scholar, she was paired with a mentor, UWM professor of economics Swarnjit Arora. Through that experience and an in-depth study of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Middle East, Ridgeway chose economics as a second major. “I learned to think of FDI as a gateway indicator that tells you everything you need to know about the health of a country’s economic and political situation,” says Ridgeway. The benefits of being a McNair Scholar continued throughout Ridgeway’s undergraduate career. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program provides financial and academic support to students applying for doctoral study. Ridgeway says the program’s ability to cover her graduate application costs, plus costs related to preparation and registration for the required GRE, helped get her through an expensive and time-consuming process. Assistance in crafting her personal essay/statement of purpose was invaluable. These advantages – research connections with top faculty, graduate school preparation and application funding, graduate school visits and more – are available to UWM McNair Scholars. For more information, call 414-229-6538, or visit mcnair.uwm.edu. The McNair program is located in Mitchell Hall Room 255 on the UWM campus.
As a McNair Scholar, she was paired with a mentor, UWM pro fessor of economics Swarnjit Arora. Through that experience and an in-depth study of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Middle East, Ridgeway chose economics as a second major.
One of the ads for the anti-marijuana campaign developed by Community Advocates.
Community Advocates Public Policy Institute Launches ‘Just Like You' Campaign asking Parents to Pledge not to Smoke Marijuana in front of their Kids to action, asking parents to pledge that they won't get high Compelling campaign around their kids. The pledge isavailable online on the campaign's official web page www.justlikeyoumke.com. seeks to change behavior "We are extremely excited about this thought-provokand engage parents ing campaign," said Cherry. "And we encourage parents
MILWAUKEE--Smoking marijuana is becoming less taboo in America as more and more states legalize the drug. But marijuana is still illegal in Wisconsin and a new campaign recently launched by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute aims to make parents think twice about getting high when their children are around. "The ‘Just Like You' campaign features compelling visuals of children using toys to mimic their parents smoking marijuana, challenging parents to think about how their behavior impacts their children long-term," said Robert Cherry, Director, Public Policy Institute. Research has found that parents smoke marijuana for a variety of reasons ranging from mood management to recreation, oftentimes when their children are around. But studies show that marijuana may be detrimental to children's developing brains. Furthermore, depending on the situation, marijuana use in the presence of minors can result in serious consequences like jail time, fines, and probation. The goal of the ‘Just Like You' anti-marijuana campaign is to encourage parents to change their behavior by emphasizing that smoking marijuana in front of children is teaching that same behavior. The campaign goes a step further with a specific call
to visit the website and take the ‘Just Like You’ pledge to have aconversation with their kids about marijuana. Having that talk could make all the difference.” The campaign emphasizes several key messages for parents, including: • When you smoke weed, you teach weed • You don't have to say "just say no." Just say something • Don't forget to explain the consequences From July through the end of the year, the ‘Just Like You’ campaign will use advertising and grassroots outreach to educate the community about this important initiative. For more information about the campaign, please visit www.justlikeyoumke.com.
“Research has found that parents
smoke marijuana for a variety of reasons ranging from mood management to recreation, oftentimes when their children are around. But studies show that marijuana may be detrimental to children's developing brains.”
KALEIDOSCOPE
Sista Speak... Speak Lord!
The Milwaukee Community Journal July 23, 2014 Page 7
the MCJ lifestyle & entertainment section
STRONG WOMAN
SELFLESS
Website for Black men’s health holds second annual Men’s Health Night; National radio personality Tom Joyner keynotes
WE ARE TENDER WE ARE ROLE MODELS WE ARE ORIGINAL WE ARE THERE WHEN IN NEED WE ARE GIVERS WE ARE CAREGIVERS WE ARE SURVIVORS WE ARE STRONG THIS DESCIBES WHO I AM AS WOMAN!!! Tara Pulley-“Always Keeping it Real”
Approximately 400 people were in attendance including an All Star line-up of national and local celebrities. They all came together to inform and inspire the Milwaukee community about the importance of men’s health, specifically addressing preventable health problems and early detection among African American men. Wheaton provided free health screenings to attendees. “If men know better, they’ll do better,” said Eric Von, Founder of Brain Brawn & Body, a website dedicated to the health and wellness of African American men. “Von served as MC for the evening. He added, “Black men need to know that we experience disproportionately higher death rates in all the leading causes of death and we need to take action.” Eric Ford, VP of Operations for Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group opened the event with a gracious welcome to the crowd.
It’s not easy to have the courage to make the best of a bad situation and keep on keeping on. Takes a strong kind of woman to know when she is being stabbed in the back by another woman, but she perseveres regardless of the evil that other women do. It’s not fair when as a woman you have to be both mama and daddy, cuz daddy just ain’t around. Bills keep rolling in, appliances keep breaking down, but you still find a way to get those shoes and that hair done!!! It is the smart woman that catches more flies with the honey of her words, to get what she wants from her man, vs. lacking
Caption: Panel -Eric Von, Founder of Brain Brawn.com, Ernest Colburn, RN Patient Care Supervisor, Wheaton Franciscan, St Joseph Campus, Darryl Davidson, City of Milwaukee Men’s Health Manager, Harry Lewis, LCSW Psychotherapist, Nena Stanley, MD, Adult (Internal) Medicine Wheaton Franciscan-ST. Joseph Campus, O”rell Willaims, MD, (Internal) Medicine/Hospitalist Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group, George Koonce Jr., PhD, Former Professional Football Player (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
“If men know better, they’ll do better!”--Eric Von
Brain Brawn & Body, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - St. Joseph Campus and WJMR Jammin 98.3 held their Second Annual Men’s Health Night Saturday, July 19, at Marquette University Alumni Memorial Union.
Ford stated, “It’s important that men have a primary care doctor who they see at least one time per year.” He added that nationally, 70% of men ages 18-44 just don’t go to the doctor and 10% of African American men do not have a primary care physician. “Having a primary care physician can help address health conditions such as prostate cancer, obesity, colon cancer or heart disease that can be easily prevented and treated with early diagnosis,” said Ford. Tom Joyner, Nationally syndicated radio personality, known as “The Hardest Working Man in Radio”, heard on Jammin 98.3, Monday through Friday during morning drive time, along with local comedian Marlin Hill brought fun and laughter to the event while reminding the men that health is nothing to joke about. Former Professional Football Player, George Koonce Jr., PhD. delivered the keynote address. A panel of Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group physicians and clinical experts discussed African American men’s health trends and behavioral health issues. They also provided prevention and wellness advice. The evening ended with a question and answer session - men talking to men - about the importance of addressing health issues.
Health & Wellness
Nationally Syndicated Radio Talk Show Host Tom Joyner
POWERFUL
patience and being attitude prone. Collectively as women, we need to recognize that each of us stands alone as a strong woman no matter what we come up against in life. I once asked a close male friend to use one word to describe me and he said…Powerful. This spoke volumes to me. Let it speak volumes to you as well, for every strong woman reading this is powerful in her own way. Sonya Marie Bowman “It Is What It Is”
POWER OF A WOMAN
I lift him up when he is down. I encourage her when she feels defeated. I coach them when they need to understand a life lesson. I share wisdom with those that seek guidance. I embrace him when he needs to be touched. I reminisce when we are feeling nostalgic. I laugh when I won’t to cry. I forgive when I don’t want to forget. I challenge myself when I don’t feel like competing. I seek Him when I need to be reassured. I pray for those who want to see me fail. I was created in God’s image My strength comes from His grace. Zelda Corona “Vision Represents Faith”
The Milwaukee Community Journal July 23, 2014 Page 8
The Milwaukee Community Journal July 23, 2014 Page 9
Buckhanan Wilson new internatl’ president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority The Milwaukee Community Journal July 23, 2014 Page 10
(continued from page 1) world. She has been a corporate leader for more than three decades, enjoying a distinguished career with companies such as the Xerox Corporation and S. C. Johnson Wax, where she was a marketing executive and the first African-American and one of youngest women promoted to brand manager. Her service in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority began when she was initiated in 1978 at Benedict College, a historically black college and university in Columba, South Carolina. She rose along the ranks from chapter
president to Central Regional Director, International Secretary, International First Vice President and now International President. She has also served as Secretary and First Vice President of the Housing Foundation and the Educational Advancement Foundation, which awards more than $100,000 in scholarships and grants annually. An Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Life Member, she was the chartering president of Upsilon Mu Omega Chapter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and later organized the chapterÂ’s nonprofit Diamond Jubilee Pearls Foundation.
In addition to her years of service to the sorority, Buckhanan Wilson is a member of The Links, Inc., the National Council of Negro Women and the Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. Buckhanan Wilson holds an MBA from Clark Atlanta University and graduated with honors from Benedict College, where she received a bachelorÂ’s degree in business administration and economics. She has two children: daughter Courtney Renee, a 2014 Spelman College graduate and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, and son Quinton Charles, a Hampton University senior.
“I am humbled and excited by the opportunity to lead Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Its membership includes distinguished women who boast excellent academic records, proven leadership skills, and involvement in their local communities through advocacy and service.”
Hidden 3 deemed so fantastic that even a six-year-old could understand the film (continued from page 3) with Black people?’” He adds therefore that as a result, African American people have been constantly searching for the “rules” in America regarding racism; what are the rules of acceptance by the dominant society; what are the rules in America so that Blacks will not have to experience racism.
Audience watches scene from the latest installment of the Hiddne Colors series, Hidden Colors 3. (Kemp photo) “But every time we learn one rule, we are told those rules no longer apply and that now there is another rule.” He would conclude moving forward in the film that there are no rules for the dominant society to accept Black people collectively as a group and that all the present rules and the structure of this society, “are there to keep you marginalized.” Hidden 3 cast members include director and co-producer Nasheed, legionary Hip-Hop artist, Nas, author Sharazad Ali, author and psychologist Dr. Francis Cress Welsing, comedian and activist Dick Gregory, Dr. Umar Abdullah Johnson, national certified school psychologist, author and educator Dr. Joy DeGruy, author and lecturer Dr. Phil Valentine, author and Hip-Hop artist David Banner, Dr. Kaba Kamene (aka Booker T. Coleman), educator and lecturer, comedian Paul Mooney, author and lecturer George Frazier, Dr. Carol Anderson, professor of African American History at Emory University, and Kahlil Gibran Muhammad, author and director of the Schaumburg Center in New York’s Harlem. The two-hour and 21 minute film slowly, methodically and very carefully sets the stage right at the beginning to explain the historical setting of the Black man and women in America under the veil of racism and White Supremacy. “So the narrative of Black people in the United States is that, ‘you know you come from these primitive savage people who had no history and everything you are, we made you…” posits Anderson in the opening seconds, then followed by Johnson’s remarks: “Strip the African of his knowledge of himself, you can then replace that knowledge with any falsification of consciousness that you desire. Once you take from me my knowledge of myself, you can then tell me those lies.” Upon being severed from the memory of our historical and ancestral foundations and further then being stripped of our true knowledge of self, the path is thereby opened for the falsification of consciousness and prescribed conditioning at home, in the church, at school and in the broader society for setting of the lies and myths about both who we and who others are. The soil is then ripe for the seeds of racism and White Supremacy to be planted within the total realm of our existence here on the kidnapped shores of North America. “Racism is what we are all living and breathing 24/7. There is never a moment, a second, a minute, an hour, a day in a year for the past 500 years where race has not been a dominant reality,” says Welsing. In its exploration of the dynamics of racism and marginalization, Hidden 3 divides the film into seven outlined discussion of rules from “Rule One” through “Rule Seven” followed by a presentation of “Solutions.” Such rules include respectively: Keep People Confused as to What Racism Is; Keep the Positive Contributions of Black People Hidden; Do Not Allow Black Women and Children to be Exempt from the Effects of White Supremacy; Use Compromising Blacks to Maintain White Supremacy; The
Black Population Must Always Be Controlled; Minimize the Effects and Significance of Slavery and Jim Crow, and Create Policies to Keep Blacks Economically Non-Competitive. “In watching Hidden 3, you get a clear understanding of what racism and White Supremacy is and how it affects us on a daily bases, and not just here in America, but around the world,” says Adelabu. Marquis Wilburn at the conclusion of the viewing shared that, “It was absolutely fantastic. I think that by far, Hidden Colors 3 is better than Hidden 1 and 2. Hidden 1 and 2 were both great. Hidden 3 was exceptional.” Kwabana Falson says of the film that, “I think every African And African loving person should have Hidden Colors 3 in their own personal library and to make sure that they and their children take time to see it, internalize it and move forward to implement the solutions of which are spoken at the conclusion. It was just an awesome film.” High school freshmen Nisea Thurman-Wamubu at the Firefighters Hall positioned that Hidden 3 will have a real impact on her. “I see a whole lot of how the system works and how it stereotypes Black students. Unlike a lot of my fellow peers, I have a strong sense of self love. So this film is very beneficial to my growth.” Rev. Nathaniel Stampley says that, “It is an excellent educational tool that must be shared with all Black people not only in America but around the world.” And businessman Terrance Johnson shares that the rule that stood out for him were the comments on economics. “I was drawn to the analysis of keeping Blacks economically non-competitive. One of the main points that I was left with is that as a community, we must learn to pull together our resources and our capital. We can sit around and talk all day. But until that money and resources unite in our best collective interest, nothing will happen.” And from this writer’s Thursday evening Harambee Radio & TV “MenThink” broadcast network, Carlos Carr from Community Talk Radio out of
Oshi Adelebu (standing at right) talks about the film Hidden Colors and the need to know our history. (Kemp photo)
Omaha, Nebraska messages in an email response that, “Hidden Colors 3 is the best of the series as it is focusing in on the real crux of our problems, ‘White Supremacy ‘and racism. If you do not understand White Supremacy everything else will confuse you.” And Anikwa Adekunle in Chicago says that, “Hidden 3 was so well done that even my six-year-old nephew could understand all of the rules.” But she adds that, “I would say that Hidden 3 appears to be the best because we were able to understand it so well and so readily due to the foundation laid by Hidden Colors 1 and 2. Yes indeed, our children and all African Americans here in 2014 should see this film.” Milwaukee’s marathon viewing of Hidden Colors 3 will again be shown Tuesday, July 29 at two locations – the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center, 3020 West Vliet Street and the Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum, 2620 West Center Street. Both showings will start promptly at 6 p.m. And bring your children. A panel discussion on Hidden 3 will be held the following Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center. Additional details will be forthcoming at the Tuesday marathon events.
We’re All Accountable to the Movement
(continued from page 3) If you’re one of those Black individuals that actually believe where you start is not important, I can show you ten millions ways why it does matter. What do you think the White community was doing while our ancestors slaved for nothing for 300 years? They were building, on our ancestor’s backs, the strongest and most powerful country in modern history and today America represents the leadership of the world? America is the world’s leader in finance, management, education, medicine, transportation, global trade, agriculture, manufacturing, technology, innovation, media, culture, and law government. Where you start matters! When we were finally freed from this vicious and barbaric system, most of America’s institutions were already built (i.e. law and government, finance and banking, health and education, etc.).
Some say we were freed from bondage because we were no longer needed. When we were freed, we were penniless, uneducated, and stigmatized not just by White people, but by our own people as well. How many times have you heard that there are limits to what a Black person can/should be able to do and to question this is, many times, considered to be uppity? Many Black people bought into (hook, line, and sinker) the concept of BLACK INFERIORITY. We were indoctrinated in numerous ways in the belief of BLACK INFERIORITY. Like many victims, we bore the burden that this was our fault and we were deserving of it (self-guilt). How many times have we heard how the victim is made to believe that they were deserving of the mistreatment. Black man and woman, we must study how this happened to us. I believe this is one of the reasons why the issue has been allowed to be tabled. Brothers and sisters, I don’t care what people are saying;
we must take a page out of the Jewish community’s mantra “Never Again and Never Forget.” We must never forget nor let anyone else forget what was done to us and we must begin to develop solutions that are truly designed to address both the structural and emotional damage done to our people. From the period of 1865 thru 1940, wars, the industrial revolution, Blacks were migrating to North and begin to populate many of our urban centers (north, Midwest, and West). Blacks were still adjusting to and learning the American system while fighting against alarming inequalities and for basic civil rights. During this period, we had a number of our heroes who took action and began to SPEAK OUT against these many injustices. During this period, the Black community was terrorized violently by the KKK throughout the country, and by laws and practices that questioned the concept of “freedom” supposedly achieved in 1865.
“I don’t know what the future may hold, but I know who holds the future.”
--Rev. Ralph Abernathy, friend, confidante and aide to Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Brewers host ninth annual Negro League Tribute at Miller Park July 26
Buzz&Spin
(continued from page 2)
Snoop Dogg Admits He Once Smoked Pot, Got High in a Bathroom at the White House
Article courtesy of Us Magazine via BlackPressUSA.com – Smokin’ up at POTUS’ house! Snoop Dogg revealed on his Internet talk show, Double G News Network, that he once smoked pot in a bathroom at the White House. It all started when guest Jimmy Kimmel asked the weed advocate, “Have you ever smoked in the White House?” The rapper, who was last at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in December for the Kennedy Center Honors Reception, admitted, “In the bathroom. Not in the White House but in the bathroom.”
On Sunday, July 27, Toles Jr. and Weston will be inducted into the Yesterday's Negro League Hall of Fame at the Mother Kathryn Daniels Center located at 3500 W. Mother Daniels Way on the grounds of Milwaukee's Holy Redeemer Church (COGIC), beginning at 1:45 p.m. The Brewers are once again partnering with the MKDC and the church as a sponsor of the annual induction ceremonies and other initiatives. This event is open to the public. In previous years, the Brewers honored outfielders George Altman and Lonnie Harris (2013); pitcher/utility player Mamie "Peanut" Johnson and outfielder Porter Reed (2012); pitchers Charlie "Whip" Davis and Johnny Washington (2011); pitcher Ollie Brantley and first baseman/outfielder Clinton "Butch" McCord (2010); infielder Harold "Buster" Hair Jr. and catcher James "Jim P" Tillman Sr. (2009); pitcher Eugene 'Dick' Scruggs and first baseman James 'Red' Moore (2008); and outfielder W. James 'Jim' Cobbin and catcher Arthur Hamilton (2007) as they were inducted into the Yesterday's Negro League Hall of Fame. During the Brewers' first Negro Leagues Tribute in 2006, Buck O'Neil, James Sanders and Dennis Biddle were each honored. The Milwaukee Bears, the city's 1923 representative in the Negro National League, played only one season before disbanding but featured some of the game's most influential men, including Hall-of-Fame player/manager John Preston "Pete" Hill.
Minimum hourly wage ordinance approved
(continued from page 5) so by raising the minimum for every person who works for a company which contracts with the city to a rate consistent with a family size bigger than our average, we are increasing the buying power and quality of life for workers – and the children of workers – in Milwaukee,” Alderman Kovac said. Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, a member of the Council’s Finance and Personnel Committee and also a co-sponsor of the
measure, said the Council’s action today is in step with President Obama’s national move to increase the minimum wage. “With additional money in their pockets workers can buy more goods and services, which helps their families and also helps stimulate our local economy,” she said. The other co-sponsors on file #131627: Alderman Michael J. Murphy; Alderman Robert J. Bauman; Alderman Tony Zielinski; Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II; and Alderman José G. Pérez.
Why Incumbents Keep Getting Reelected
(continued from page 5) to raising money; challengers have to fight for visibility and money. In fact, challengers are at a disadvantage at almost every point in a campaign. From building name recognition to arranging meetings to building credibility with editorial boards, donors, and opinion leaders, they’re trudging uphill. But there’s another reason incumbents keep getting re-elected that’s also worth considering: voters — that’s you and me.
Most Americans don’t vote, and those who do often cast their ballots for narrow or unusual reasons. They like the way they got treated by the incumbent’s staff, or they shook his or her hand at a county fair, or they like his or her stand on a particular social or economic issue. Whatever the case, they don’t look at an incumbent’s entire record: votes on a cross-section of vital issues; willingness to work with members of different ideolo-
gies and backgrounds; ability to explain Washington back home and represent home in Washington; skill at forging consensus on tough policy challenges. It’s really no mystery that incumbent members get re-elected. Their advantages are baked into the system. Lee Hamilton is Director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.
The Milwaukee Community Journal July 23, 2014 Page 11
The Milwaukee Community Journal July 23, 2014 Page 12