Community Journal Publisher Patricia Pattillo among Milwaukee Media Hall of Fame inductees
COMMUNITY MCJ Publisher Patricia Pattillo
Milwaukee Community Journal Publisher Patricia O’Flynn Pattillo will be one of eight outstanding journalists and media professionals who will be inducted into the The Milwaukee Press Club’s Milwaukee Media Hall of Fame on Friday, October 23, 2015. Aside from being the founder of the Community Journal, the largest circulated publication in Wisconsin, Pattillo is also the first female president of the NNPA-Black Press of America.
VOL.XL Number 5 September 2, 2015
JOURNAL
“This year’s inductees are a very impressive group of journalists,” said press club president Mark Kass. “I have followed them for many years and always respected the work they did to inform our community. “We look forward to this important Milwaukee Press Club event and the opportunity to be inspired again by these distinguished professionals as they highlight their memorable experiences." The other 2015 inductees to the Wisconsin Media Hall of Fame are:
The Milwaukee
Mary Fran Cahill, long-time editor, designer and writer for The Milwaukee Journal Martin Kaiser, editor emeritus of The Milwaukee Journal and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; during his 18 years as editor, the newspaper won three Pulitzer Prizes and was a finalist six additional times Gerald Kloss, memorable, long-time columnist, satirist, critic and reviewer for The Milwaukee Journal who was known for his “Slightly Koss-eyed” column
Mark Zoromski, news producer and director of news planning for WITI-TV and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee journalism producer, where he started the national award-winning UWM PantherVision Jim Cullen, (deceased), managing editor at WTMJ-TV Scott Feldmeyer, (deceased), long time print and broadcast journalist known for his investigative work (continued on page 6)
www.communityjournal.net 25 Cents
BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN PERMIT NO. 4668
WELCOME BACK STUDENTS!
Once again, the alumni and staff of North Division High School welcomed back its students for another school year of academic endeavors. North was one of several schools in the Milwaukee Public School District to “roll out the red carpet (at north, the carpet was blue”) for its students as they begin the 2015-2016 school year. MPS Sup., Dr. Darienne Driver, State Sup. of Public Instruction Tony Evers, and Mayor Tom Barrett helped mark “Day One” of the school year for tens of thousands of MPS students attending traditional calendar schools.
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
PULSE OF THE
COMMUNITY
Photos and question by Yvonne Kemp QUESTION OF THE WEEK: We asked some North Division alumni and staff: “Why do you go to such lengths to welcome back North students of today BACK TO SCHOOL?”
MARCHELLE ODOM: “We at North go to such lengths to welcome back our students so they understand they are important to our community and to us as educators. This process builds self-esteem and community between students, parents, staff and other community members. We feel empowered by their presence and we want them to feel empowered by ours.” SHAWN GRAHAM (Business Ed. teacher): “We go to such lengths (of welcoming back students) because it’s important to begin the process of building relationships right away. We want to show our NDHS students that we are excited to see them and want them to know we are looking forward to contributing to their educational process.”
WILLIAM YATES (Alumnus): “ I think it is important that this future generation of young leaders know that we (the elders) support them in their education.” SALEEM EL-AMIN (Alumnus): “The life of the student is spirit keeping the Blue Devil spirit alive. We can’t stop now!”
SIGNIFYIN’ By Mikel Kweku Osei Holt
Fair housing march, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, 1966 (James Groppi, center). Wisconsin Historical Society. (Photo courtesy of recollectionwisconsin.org)
Crossing the “Mason-DixonLine” Remembering the Opening Housing Marches to the city’s Southside
An Armenian acquaintance recently revealed how he offered water to Black marchers during the 196768 open housing campaign and chased away a small band of racist thugs who were intent on assaulting a handicapped Black youth.
The Armenian risked his own well being, he said, because he lived the words of Jesus the Christ and thus supported our quest for integration. As a dark skinned Armenian, the WWII veteran said he knew discrimination first hand and cited several examples, including how he watched in confusion as he and relatives had to wait hours for treatment at a local clinic while White patients were given priority. The Armenian’s act of heroism took place 48 years ago this week during the early stages of the 200-day marches from the North to the Southside to protest Milwaukee’s legal system of housing segregation. The Open Housing Marches were a page in local history that cast Milwaukee in the forefront of civil rights campaigns that challenged this country’s system of racist apartheid. My history lessons, including that chapter, to young African Americans of
Services held for former Harambee Exec. Director Sherman Hill
(continued on page 3)
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 1, in Evansville, Ind. for Sherman Hill, the former executive director of the Harambee Ombudsman Project, Inc., and the cofounder of Father’s Inc. Hill Sherman Hill passed away Aug. 24. He was 71.
The Milwaukee Community Journal September 2, 2015 Page 2
THE PULSE
The WHO•WHAT•WHERE• WHEN of YOUR Community!
F o r m e r l y
t h e
4 W
C o m m u n i t y
When Rick Huerta, Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor with the Wisconsin Athletic Club needed a high energy group to motivate the Mexican Fiesta Walk and Run participants, he choose none other than the Riverside University High School Mighty Tigers Cheerleading Squad (shown above and at right). The Fiesta Walk/Run was sponsored by Mexican Fiesta Scholarship Foundation in conjunction with many local health organizations to bring awareness of Obesity and Diabetes. Fiesta's Walk/Run and warm up was held at the Summerfest Grounds in Milwaukee Sunday, August 23. (Photos by Cy White)
H a p p e n i n g s
Comunity organization to give out hygiene kits and offer free haircuts
“A Cry for Help Foundation LLC mission is to cultivate the less fortunate along with vibrant communities by connecting creditable organization and likeminded people with the skills, information, and services they need to make a living." Our goal as A Cry For Help Foundation on September 12th 2015, is to feed 500 less fortunate people, give them hygiene kits, which will include; toothbrush, toothpaste, 1 towel a bar of soap, lotion, powder, deodorant and mouthwash. Also on this day we will be have barbers that will be donating free haircuts for those that are the homeless. Day one events will be held at The Big Easy 2053 N Doctor M.L.K. Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53212. On day two September 15th 2015, so far we have two different barbershops that have donated one hr. of time to hair cutting for those that are homeless. We will be at Masters Hands Beauty Salon and Barbershop at 4510 W. Burleigh Street from 9am to 10am and at Marv’s Barbershop at 6157 W Appleton Avenue from 11am to 12 noon. The Ultimate goal is to eradicate this way of living through continuously talking about the issue, actively aiding homeless individuals and working together with others to feed and give aid to the homeless. Donations for this event can be dropped off at Bee Bee’s gift 4512 W. Burleigh Street or go to our gofundme link at http://www.gofundme.com/562canzs.
PERSPECTIVES SIGNIFYIN’: Crossing
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
The Milwaukee Community Journal September 2, 2015 Page 3
the “Mason-Dixon Line”
(continued from page 1) today, are often met with amazement and disbelief. But I find it necessary to include in my presentations because it lays the foundation for the Milwaukee we live in today. Back in that era, Black Milwaukeeans were not allowed to live beyond an artificial boundary of approximately Keefe Street on the north, Juneau on the south, and Third Street on the east and 20th Street on the west. Legal covenants forbid Black Milwaukeeans from buying or renting homes beyond those boundaries, insuring that Milwaukee’s standard as the northern most southern city would remain intact. (Interestingly, nearly a half-century later, Milwaukee is still considered the most segregated city in the country, although the current status is based on the percentage of African Americans living in the suburbs vs. the city. Ironically, one of the most segregated suburbs is Waukesha, which was a hotbed for abolitionist activity prior to the civil war. Indeed, the Waukesha Freeman newspaper, started as an anti-slavery publication.) In an effort to tear down Milwaukee’s walls of apartheid, Vel Phillips, the city’s first African American alderwoman, introduced the first of five consecutive fair housing ordinances in 1962. Each of those bills was rejected with Phillips casting the only affirmative votes. In 1966, a recently discharged army veteran, having bravely fought in Vietnam to uphold democracy and justice in that foreign country, was unsuccessful in his attempt to rent a house on Capitol Drive for himself and his family. The owner explains he couldn’t rent to him because of the covenants, and even if he could, “what would the neighbors think?,” it was reported. The incident led to a protest (actually, Black activists demonstrated in front of the homeowner’s house singing Christmas carols—a true irony if ever there was one). Demonstrations were also held in front of the homes of White aldermen who represented Black constituents but had cast negative votes against the fair housing bill. Responding to a complaint filed by the veteran, and expressing support for Phillips’ efforts, NAACP youth council members Prentice McKinney and Dwight Benning organized the first march across the 16th Street viaduct to the segregated Southside on August 24, 1967. The 250 marchers led by McKinney and Benning were met by 13,000 (that's right, 13,000!) bigots carrying signs telling them not only to return to their ghetto (they called it the ‘core’ back then, as in rotten apple
THE MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY JOURNAL
core), but also to pack their bags and return to Africa. Some of the signs and racist epithets directed toward the marchers, along with bottles and rocks, were not as judicious. Some say television camera crews on the scene during that tense episode, interrupted the assembled cops’ naps and forced them to lob tear gas in the direction of the marchers to disperse the crowds. The marchers returned to the Youth Council headquarters, called the Freedom House on North 15th Street, only to learn the police used a rumor of a sniper in the building as an excuse to bomb the building, burning it to the ground. Of course there was no sniper to be found. Oh, this isn’t in the history MPS teachers read to your children? Well, allow me to turn the page. It gets better—or worse—depending on your point of view. The next day, then-Mayor Henry Maier issued a proclamation banning the youth council from any further marches. Unintimidated, the civil rights group staged a rally at the site of the burned building. Under Chief Harold Breier’s orders, police converged on the scene and arrested 58 of the civil rights activists for “illegal assembly.” (Obviously, someone forgot to tell the mayor and police about the U.S. Constitution.) Unscathed, the council calls for a rally at St. Boniface Church on 11th and Center Streets during which activists decide to march in violation of Maier’s proclamation. But the marchers, over 400 strong, are confronted by police several blocks away from the church. This time approximately 200 are arrested. The next day, Syd Finley of the NAACP and Father James Groppi of St. Bonifice Church, lead another march. This time they make it one block before police attack, lobbing tear gas amidst the marchers. Undaunted, the council calls for national support and receive letters of support from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., among others. Reportedly, King was in the process of reworking his schedule to make a stop-over in Milwaukee after leading demonstrations in Memphis. You know the rest of that story. But several thousand-freedom lovers did respond to the appeal for support, showing up for one of the largest marches in city history. This time over 5,000 marchers walked across the viaduct (nicknamed the Mason Dixon line by Black Milwaukeeans) where they were met by rabid racists, who police allowed to continue throwing bricks and bottles as they looked on. Courageous is not a strong enough word to describe the marchers, which included young Black children who received an education they would
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/Webmaster 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 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.
never forget. For 200 days, they marched into the belly of the beast, but despite the righteousness of their cause, the council again rejected a new Phillips’ proposal to end housing segregation. Ironically, it was the death of King that turned the racist tide. After his assassination, and partly to quell riots and to smooth the tempers of ‘Negroes’ who had had enough, the U.S. Congress passed a federal fair housing law, forcing Milwaukee to do the same. I obtained some of the aforementioned history through research. Other parts were from personal observations, as I was one of the marchers. In truth, as a preteen, I didn’t fully understand or appreciate the significance of our crusade. My grandmother lived directly across the street from St. Boniface Catholic Church, and I was curious about the hundreds of Black folks who attended the meetings and rallies. I was awestruck by the goings on, and further impressed with Phillips, who the media tried to push to the background in its effort to promote a White guy, Father Groppi, as the leader of the historic campaign. The implication was that Black folks needed a saintly White man to lead us ignorant colored folks to the Promised Land. For the record, the marches were started by the council, organized by the Commandoes (an offshoot of the NAACP that didn’t believe in turning the other cheek), and Phillips, who risked not only jail (which she became familiar with on a couple of occasions), but also disbarment because of the mayoral proclamation. People have asked me how I morphed into a philosophy of Black Nationalism over the years. Well, the foundation was formed as I marched with activists during those two years. What I saw across the bridge convinced me that I would never live among those bigots, and avoid utilizing any Southside business. I still carry a scar from a rock thrown by an unknown bigot. I now wear it as a badge of honor. But it was the images of hatred— racially inflammatory signs (one of the reasons I detest the adjective/noun ‘nigger’ to this day), taunts and threats that would forever taint my worldview. For many years, a majority of Black folks shared my opinion about living in the area we hoped to integrate, but in the last decade, more and more (mostly poor) Black folks have moved over there. So did the “southerners” have a change of heart? Most won’t say, and others have moved further south or to surrounding suburbs. What is alarming is a thesis written by former WTMJ radio newswoman Sherry Preston several years ago. As part of her master’s project, she interviewed a Southsider who as a youth carried a racist sign, and me, a young Black boy who innocently believed people could see beyond race and bigotry. Preston asked the Southsider if he had repented, grown from the experiences, began to abide by his Christian beliefs. He hadn’t and said Black people were still savages and should be caged like the animals we are. Black people are lazy, sex crazed and violent, he said, as evidenced by our high incarceration rate, out of wedlock birth rates and the gap between Black and White academic achievements. Hell no (!), he didn’t want to live with or around us. So much for Martin Luther King’s dream and our quest to integrate with the good—albeit confused or misguided—folks on the Southside. What the hell, at this point in my life, I would rather spend time congratulating the Armenian than trying to change the heart of the bigot anyway. Hotep.
Remember when…
Gene Baker and Ernie Banks were baseball’s first Black double-play combo By Richard G. Carter
“Cool Papa Bell was so fast, that one time he hit a line drive up the middle that hit himself slidin‘ into second base…” Lou Myers, “Cobb” (1994)
When the Braves brought major league baseball to Milwaukee from Boston in 1953, countless Black fans finally had a chance to cheer for their very own local heroes. And we flocked to brand new County Stadium to root for the likes of Hank Aaron, Billy Bruton and Wes Covington -the fabled A-B-C outfield. With the young power-hitter Aaron in right, speedster Bruton in center and slugger Covington in left, all of us were proud as punch. They were the talk of Black Milwaukee. The Braves, of course, went on to play the New York Yankees in the World Series in 1957 and 1958 -- beating the fabled Bronx Bombers the first year and narrowly losing to them in the second. In ‘57, the ensuing victory celebration brought much of the city -- especially downtown -- to a standstill. Indeed, it was the largest outpouring of people since the end of World War II. But 10 years earlier -- in the late ‘40s -- many here were starved to see big league ball in person, and would drive to Chicago to watch the Cubs in Wrigley Field and the White Sox in Comiskey Park. I was luckier than most, since my father, the late Sanford Carter, had been a star in the old Negro Leagues and loved to take me along. Prior to1947 -- when Jackie Robinson broke major league baseball’s color line with the Brooklyn Dodgers - Black players “barnstormed” in the Negro Leagues and
Major League Baseball’s first Black double-play combo: Ernie Banks (left) and Gene Baker (right). (Photo courtesy of Getty Images) the Mexican League. And their popularity was astounding. Teams such as the Chicago American Giants, Homestead Grays, Indianapolis Clowns, Kansas City Monarchs and Birmingham Black Barons, among others, attracted big crowds in major league cities. Blacks and Whites jammed Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium, New York’s Yankee Stadium, Washington’s Griffith Stadium and the Chicago venues, to see Josh Gibson
Justice or Else
I must begin by saying that I wholeheartedly support Minister Louis Farrakhan’s call to gather in Washington, DC on October 10, 2015 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Millions Man March and to kick off a national movement for justice titled “Justice or Else.” In spite of the “supposedly” gains that Black people have made in America, in my humble opinion, the purpose and reason for this call is needed today more than at any time in our history. I will not only attend, I will do all I can to make sure that the event is successful. I am working in Philadelphia, Milwaukee and on a national level to contribute both time and resources and I am hoping that you will do the same. Why? Not because I’m a follower of Minister Farrakhan, but rather, I’m a supporter of Black Leadership and I will support any mobilization effort that will not only shine a spotlight on the oppression of Blacks in America, but also, like the Million Man March, it will produce the a sincere and profound level of “Black” pride which is sorely needed now more than ever. I support this effort because we need a “national” Black voice and “national” Black leadership. I’ve written on many occasions questioning the purpose of marches but I really wasn’t faulting the march,
vigil, or memorial, what I really was questioning was the strategy or lack of strategy to win what the purpose of the march was supposed to cure – knowing that it will require more than a march to change the conditions that the Black community faces (but let’s be clear, there is a real role for public marches). It is no question that one of our biggest strengths is our numbers (we are a very large minority). However, we are unable to achieve the unity without utilizing the tool of mobilization. There are some in our community that question the value and success of the Million Man March – I’m not one of them. Even though I was not able to attend the event 20 years ago, I can quote a thousand reasons why the march was successful and regret that I did not attend (I did support and attend the Millions More Movement in 2005, the 10-year commemoration of the Millions Man March). As I have tried to articulate on a number of occasions, a march by itself is not enough, but the Million Man March demonstrated our power and our beauty – it showed the “real” potential of the Black community. In addition, the theme of the Million Man March was about “atonement”, we were all instructed to go home, and change things ourselves
(continued on page 8)
and many organizations were established because of the Millions Man March. It was not the Minister or the Nation of Islam’s responsibility to do work needed in our neighborhoods; that responsibility falls on the people of their community and that responsibility will never change. In some cities the Local Planning Committee (LCO), which was represented by a number of organizations coming together to work as a unit, stayed together and some things were done jointly but so many of things happen individually. The Million Man March was extremely successful because it represented an extremely large voice for the Black community. A big voice is essential to the movement; a big voice becomes a defender for the Black community; a big voice become allows the Black community to begin winning the “public” opinion which critical to the trajectory for change. I liken having a collective voice being equivalent to being a big wind that is strong enough to shake the apple tree (America’s Resources) and cause the apples to drop from the tree – when we mobilize, we create a BLACK VOICE, and we create BLACK POWER. Once the apples fall from the tree, we must be able to pick up the apples (infrastructure); take the apples and make applesauce, apple juice, or apple pie out of the apples (infrastructure); and then we must be able to deliver the final product to the market (infrastructure). That is why I say that the march itself, while needed, it’s not enough. We need both the VOICE AND THE INFRASTRURE. The Minister has wisely widen the (continued on page 8)
RELIGION
The Milwaukee Community Journal September 2, 2015 Page 4
SALVATION ARMY HELPS WINGS CELEBRATE PEACE IN THE STREETS
WINGS (Working to Inspire Nurture and Grow for Service) held their 10th Annual Peace Rally and Picnic on Saturday, August 29th at Lindberg Park, 3629 N. 16th St. The event focused on stopping violence in the community with prayer and awareness. Joining Faithe Colas, community relations director of The Salvation Army (at the microphone) were The Salvation Army Chaplains. The Salvation Army Chaplaincy program is a joint partnership with the Milwaukee Police Department and provides a ministry of presence at homicide incidents in neighborhoods. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
St. Mark auxillary holds Back-To-School $20 Shoe Certificate Giveaway
Members of St. Mark AME Church’s Geraldine Bradford Women’s Missionary Society recently held a Back-to-School Rally inside the church’s Gillespie Fellowship Hall. The church auxillary also provided free $20 shoe certificates while supplies lasted to area parents to purchase shoes to prepare their children for returning to school. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
Taking “Know Your Rights” to the Street
Senator Lena Taylor (second from left) wanted to inform everyone in my community of their rights this past Saturday; because all too often people are misinformed or misled into incriminating themselves, or simply giving up their rights. A little knowledge can go a long way; and a great deal of residents turned out to Greater New Birth this last weekend to ensure they had all the knowledge they could get related to their rights in the Wisconsin Criminal Justice System. (Yvonne Kemp photo)
Every perfect gift is from above
Today we have readings that point us to what is and what is not faithfulness to God’s commands. The first reading is: Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-8, the second reading: James 1: 17-18, 21-22, 27, and the Gospel: Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23. In the first reading, Moses is speaking to the people about how to live; they are to keep God’s commands, but not add to them. Unfortunately, over the centuries, the religious leaders did start adding to them and it took Jesus to sift through the reality of what God wants and what the leaders think God wants. James is very clear about what he sees to be important for God. First of all, all we have is from God. “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” What a power incentive to be generous! It is God working through us. The word of God has been planted within us and that word in us has the power to save our souls. But, we must be “doers” of the word and not hearers only. That would be a deception for us to think that we do not need to act on the word, but hear it only. And what are we asked to do? We are not asked to fast or pray, we are asked “ to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” In today’s world we still have orphans and widows. At the time of James, orphans and widows were the most vulnerable for exploitation. They were without hope since they were no longer under the protection of the father/husband. Today we would include along with orphans and widows many others of God’s children who are exploited, used and abused. Where should we start? I think we start with self-examination of how we think about poor and deprived people in general. We may not be Mother Theresa or Pope Francis, but we are blessed as
BREAD IN THE WILDERNESS
By Fr. Carl Diederichs, All Saints Catholic Church
much as they are with the presence of Jesus in us. We have the “Words” of everlasting life. So, why do we skirt around the issues of poverty and wealth, a living wage and poverty wages, racism and sexism, immigrants and the homeless and not feel the urge to do something? Or even blame the poor for their plight? If we are not formed by the Word and let the Word enter us and change our hearts and minds, we can
continue to worship God while at the same time dishonoring God by our actions and words. “For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come.” We pray for each other, for a melting of our hearts. We pray for a new openness to others who are suffering. We pray for each other to be “doers of the Word.” God of all creation, we honor you with our lips and our actions, especially for the poor and powerless.
Are Black Americans the Most Religious -- and Virtuous -- of All? By David Briggs, article courtesy of The Huffington Post, originally posted Feb. 27, 2015
In a nation where rising numbers of people are dropping out of organized religion, one dynamic religious movement continues to display remarkable strength. The black church. Several studies and surveys reveal black Americans retain remarkably strong levels of religious beliefs and practices. And that spiritual core is having an impact on community life in areas from health to economic empowerment. Just how much of a difference was illustrated in a study measuring racial differences on moral behaviors. Researchers found that blacks scored higher than whites on seven of nine virtues. The results indicated that, compared to whites, blacks were more humble, more
In Loving Memory
Earnestine O’Bee-Founder
grateful to God, felt more compassion for strangers and were likelier to provide emotional support and tangible help to people they do not know. The only virtues in which race differences were not observed involved compassion and emotional support shown to family members and friends. The study analyzed data from a 2013 national survey of 1,535 adults ages 50 or older. The black church is not without its concerns. Many black churches are struggling to attract younger generations. Issues such as the role of women and the rise of suburban megachurches siphoning members from smaller inner-city congregations also demand new responses in a new age. Yet while many predominantly white mainstream
(continued on page 9)
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.
J.C. Frazier, Funeral Director
Lowe, Alfonso Sr. Age 62 yrs. August 28, 2015. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 4, 2015 at 11AM. Visitation Friday 10AM until time of services at: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Neal, Lula Mae Age 94 yrs. August 28, 2015. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 11AM at Lamb of God Baptist Church 8415 W. Bradley Rd. Visitation Saturday 10AM at the CHURCH until time of services. The family is served by: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Jackson-Gilmore, M. Age 69 yrs. August 20, 2015. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, August 31, 2015 at 1PM at: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
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
The Milwaukee Community Journal September 2, 2015 Page 5
BUSINESS CORNER
COUTURENAILARTISTRY The Milwaukee Community Journal September 2, 2015 Page 6
Business Corner Profile:
Couture Nail Artistry is a business founded on the principles of God first, and healthy skin, nails second and fashion/style is last. Hailing from Milwaukee, Couture’s’ Founder, Janel Thomas, has made a name for herself in the Milwaukee, Illinois, and Virginia as one of the top nail artists around. With a bit of Milwaukee and Chicago flavor, a little bit of East Coast flare, she brings class and charisma to the nail game with bold designs and fresh new ideas. Over ten years of experience has given her the ability to deliver a level of craftsmanship and artisanship like none other. She takes Nail Artistry to a completely new level...a level of high fashion and couture style. Janel is always looking forward to meeting new people and building new clientele. Her belief is that it is extremely important to educate each client and ensure that no matter what, healthy nails and sanitation are the highest priority. Many discount salons do not care about the health of a clients’ nails. They typically do not sanitize all of their tools and tend to reuse things from client to client without proper disinfection or sanitation. Their concern is typically the speed at which they can get through numerous clients throughout the day. Though Janels’ services are time efficient, health and educating the clients are key to ensuring that each client is
satisfied at the end of his or her nail service. Tools are cleaned and sanitized after each client and anything that can carry disease that can’t be disinfected is thrown away or given to the client for personal use. Janel’s products are free of harsh chemicals like MMA and she uses high quality products to ensure the best service possible.
(continued on page 9)
John W. Daniels, Jr. Recognized for Civic and Legal Prominence
John W. Daniels, Jr., Chairman Emeritus of Quarles & Brady, a national law firm, has recently been honored for both his civic and legal leadership and his impact on corporate law. Daniels was selected by LawDragon, the leading legal periodical of attorneys, as one of the premier 500 lawyers in the United States. This rare recognition was done in testament to Daniels' career as a corporate and real estate lawyer. Daniels, among other things, served as the first diverse national Atty. John Daniels president of the prestigious American College of a Real Estate Lawyers. He and Ben Wilson, the chairman Beveridge & Diamond, instituted a national effort with major law firms and general counsel to significantly increase diversity in corporate legal engagements. A national Network of the finest African-American lawyers has been created, including experts in the most complicated legal areas. This is an unprecedented effort in the United States. In addition, Daniels, the chairman of V&J Foods, one of largest family owned African-American companies in the U.S., was named Mr. Executive as part of the business Hall of Fame initiative in 2015. This recognition was extended because of his impact on growing and developing business enterprises. Daniels is a Harvard Law graduate and the chairman of Aurora Health Care, Inc. the largest health system in Wisconsin with revenues exceeding $4.5 billion.
MCJ Publisher to be inducted into Media Hall of Fame (continued from page 1)
Jackie Loohauis-Bennett, (deceased), features writer for The Milwaukee Journal and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel who pioneered coverage of Summerfest, covered the Milwaukee County Zoo and Public Museum, the Great Circus Parade, history and archeology. Relatives, friends and co-workers of the inductees, as well as members of the Milwaukee Press Club and the general public, are invited to attend. The event will take place at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in the Woodland Dreams Ballroom at 1721 W. Canal Street in Milwaukee, with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. The induction ceremony will begin immediately after dinner. Tickets are $65 per person; tables of eight are available for $500. For additional information about the Milwaukee Press Club and previous inductees to the Milwaukee Media Hall of Fame, visit www.milwaukeepressclub.org and click on "Honors." To sponsor the Hall of Fame dinner or other Press Club events, contact Joette Richards at (262)894-2224. The Milwaukee Press Club, founded in 1885, is the oldest continuously operating press club in North America. Proceeds from Milwaukee Press Club programming benefit the MPC Endowment, Ltd., and its scholarship fund.
KALEIDOSCOPE
The Milwaukee Community Journal September 2, 2015 Page 7
MCJ Contributor Asada Jones and Andrea Riley
the MCJ lifestyle & entertainment section 2015 Milwaukee Film Festival Announces Cream City Cinema Lineup The Milwaukee Music Video Show debuts as new program
MILWAUKEE – Thursday, August 27, 2015 – The 7th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival, presented by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, announces its Cream City Cinema lineup. Now in its 7th year, Cream City Cinema showcases the best new work from Milwaukeebased filmmakers and awards one local filmmaker with a $5,000 cash award. “The quantity, and importantly, quality of submissions this year was astounding,” shares Jonathan Jackson, Artistic and Executive Director for Milwaukee Film. “With 177 submissions, a 31% increase over last year, it is clear that our film community is on the rise.” This year’s Cream City Cinema includes two featurelength fiction films ( Neptune, Take the Dog ), three featurelength documentaries ( 30 Seconds Away: Breaking the Cycle, Clarence, Yoopera! ), and four shorts programs: The Milwaukee Youth Show —the festival’s fourth annual showcase for local filmmakers ages 18 and under, two installments of The Milwaukee Show as well as the debut of The Milwaukee Music Video Show . “Milwaukee’s music scene has long been vibrant and we believe the Milwaukee film scene is close to becoming its equal. What better way to celebrate this than by foregrounding a program that is the product of both artistic communities,” continues Jackson. Presented by: John Axford Sponsored by: WUWM 89.7 FMMilwaukee Public Radio and UWM Department of Film 2015 MILWAUKEE FILM FESTIVAL CREAM CITY CINEMA Show some hometown pride and local support at our an nual showcase of the best new work from Milwaukeearea filmmakers. One of these local creatives will receive a cash award of $5,000 from our jury! 30 Seconds Away: Breaking the Cycle (USA / 2015 / Director: Faith Kohler) Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKuEcbEF5Vg Milwaukee's homelessness problem is examined by no less an authority than former federal prosecutor and Marquette graduate Faith Kohler in 30 Seconds Away , a vital documentary examination of this issue from all sides of the argument. Spending time with those struggling to survive on the streets as well as with the justice system and Milwaukee police stuck between trying to enforce the law and care for these forgotten members of society (through means such as our local Homeless Outreach Team), Kohler paints a powerful and empathetic portrait of an evergrowing problem with no easy solutions. Clarence (USA / 2014 / Director: Kristin Catalano) Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roC08SxNY9Q Meet Clarence Garrett, an AfricanAmerican WWII veteran who had to put his own dreams of a higher education on hold to put his four children through college. But at the ripe age of 85, Clarence decides to enroll in the University of WisconsinMilwaukee and finally get the last 52 credits that will earn him his bachelor's degree. However, medical complications from an earlier cancer scare threaten to derail his graduation dreams from becoming a reality. Clarence is
an inspirational portrait of an indomitable spirit, a documentary that proves it's never too late to finish what you started. The Milwaukee Music Video Show A program that proves the local film scene is every bit the equal of that of our thriving local music scene, the Milwaukee Music Video Show plays host to a variety of musical acts (Vic and Gab, Webster X, Field Report, Sylvan Esso, Victor DeLorenzo of the Violent Femmes) and the wildly creative local filmmakers who bring their varied soundscapes to visual life. Fun, creative bursts of energy occur as these artistic disciplines combine, a toetapping, headbanging, hipswaying celebration of local art displayed on the majestic big screen of the Oriental Theatre. “Calliope Casino" (USA / 2014 / Director: Victor Buell IV) Field Report “Wings” (USA / 2014 / Director: Blackbox Visuals) GGOOLLDD " Boyz" (USA / 2015 / Directors: Ryan Bingham, Tony Hunt) Greatest Lakes " Nothing Left" (USA / 2015 / Directors: Brian Steinseifer, Josiah Werning) Kane Place Record Club " Sunshine" (USA / 2014 / Director: John Roberts) Lex Allen “ This is Our Year” (USA / 2015 / Directors: Damien Gram, Cody LaPlant) Maritime " Milwaukee" (USA / 2015 / Director: Bob Purvis) The Midwest Beat " High Life" (USA / 2014 / Director: Jon Salimes) Sam & Margot " Burn It Down" (USA / 2015 / Director: Brendan T. Jones) Sylvan Esso “ Dreamy Bruises” (USA / 2014 / Directors: Timm Gable, Bob Purvis) Tigernite “ Witch” (USA / 2015 / Directors: Kyle Arpke, Eric Arsnow) Uncle Larry " Pieces" (USA / 2014 / Director: Billy Judge Baldus) Vic and Gab " Love of Mine" (USA / 2014 / Director: Betty Allen) Victor DeLorenzo " Carry Me" (USA / 2014 / Director: T.C. De Witt) WebsterX " Doomsday" (USA / 2015 / Directors: Damien Klaven, Cody LaPlant) Wooldridge Brothers " Drive Through Summer" (USA / 2015 / Director: Robb Fis cher) The Milwaukee Show I Perennially one of the festival’s hottest tickets, this first of two installments celebrating our wealth of homegrown filmmaking talent includes styles ranging from documentaries to fiction to experimental films—be it the story of a man with a giant thumb for a head, a documentary following the weird world of sport drumming, or the story of a rock band that goes head to head with an invading UFO! Beautiful Orifice Boy (USA / 2015 / Director: Vincent Maslowski) The Daffy Strut (USA / 2015 / Director: Andrew Megow) The Death Drive (USA / 2015 / Directors: Michael Bourne, Kyle V. James) Destiny (USA / 2015 / Director: Rubin Whitmore II) DOG*WALK (USA / 2015 / Director: Kristin Peterson)
Fast Company (USA / 2015 / Director: Jack Davidson) It's Cold Up North (USA / 2015 / Director: James J. Roufus) The Life and Times of Thomas Thumb Jr. (USA / 2015 / Director: Ryan Fox) The Sonatina (USA / 2015 / Director: Kate Balsley) The Milwaukee Show II The second installment of our local celebration brings us even more diverse styles and voices from the local film scene, with stories ranging from a documentary about a Kenyan sound engineer’s work in African crisis zones to Orson Welles’ “War of the Worlds” broadcast com ing to life in our very own public museum, and even a claymation short about a cathating grump saddled with an affection seeking kitten. Again (USA / 2015 / Director: Natasha Scannell) Lemon (USA / 2015 / Director: John Roberts) Mothers For Justice (USA / 2015 / Director: Erik Ljung) Notes from the Interior (USA / 2015 / Director: Benjamin Balcom) Parting (USA / 2015 / Director: Sitora Takanaev) The Sound Man (USA / 2015 / Director: Chip Duncan) We Interrupt this Broadcast (USA / 2015 / Director: Kurt Raether) The Milwaukee Youth Show It’s not just the adults making stunning contributions to our local film scene, as this wideranging showcase aims to prove. After you take in the diversity of viewpoints and styles crafted by our eminently talented youngsters (documentary, fiction, animation, live action, music video, and PSAs are all covered here), you’ll be excited for the next generation of Cream City Cinema! Awakening (USA / 2015 / Director: Mikayla Bell) The Brooklyn Bridge (USA / 2015 / Director: Marcelo Quezada) Crazy He Calls Me (USA / 2015 / Directors: Julia Mutranowski, Eden Raduege) Fusion (USA / 2015 / Directors: Alex Meeth, Ethan Suhr) Gettysburg (USA / 2015 / Director: Sam Pike) Happy Cookers (USA / 2015 / Directors: Youth from the Fitzsimonds Boys & Girls Club) In the Victim’s Voice (USA / 2015 / Directors: Tasha Kappes, Kirsten Klieben stein) A Perilous Poisoning (USA / 2015 / Directors: Sam Pike, Hanxiou Wang, An drei Conrad) Scorched Earth: A British Soldier's Memoir of India's Partition.... (USA / 2015 / Director: Megan Sai Dogra) They Never Came Back (USA / 2015 / Director: Alondra Mercado) Urban Ecology: A History (USA / 2015 / Director: Serbata Tarrer) What is Milwaukee to Me? (USA / 2015 / Directors: Youth from the Milwau kee Visionaries Project) A Work in Progress The Painter (USA / 2015 / Director: Tyler Pelzek) What is Beauty? (USA / 2015 / Director: Raven Miller) Neptune (USA / 2015 / Director: Derek Kimball) Trailer: https://vimeo.com/77970830 Set on a small island off of Maine's coast in the late 1980s, Neptune is a comingofage story marked by a lush setting and beautiful cinematography. Obsessed by the disappearance of a young boy her age who washed out to sea, young orphan Hannah takes over the boy's former position on a lobster boat, working alongside his grieving father. Having been a ward of the local church since an early age, Hannah begins to chafe at her limited upbringing,
Local Singer does Etta James Proud!
Thursday August 27th the Etta James Tribute was held at The Hamilton in Milwaukee. The sold out show began with the hilarious Savannah Cartier as the MC. She warmly welcomed the crowd and instantly made everyone comfortable with Riley performher easy natured humor. Fol- ing one of lowing her was the beautifully James’ hit smooth voice of “Jersey” songs. Shawn Webb. He opened the show with three songs that put the crowd in the soulful seductive mood, perfect for the entrance of “Mrs. Etta James” played by Milwaukee’s own Andrea Riley. Riley sang three of James’ chart toppers included “At Last”. Riley says she did the performance so that her childhood idol’s amazing talent and achievements would be remembered. “ Etta James is a very powerful woman. I wasn’t going to let her legacy go down the drain” Riley states. Surrounding Andrea through her performance was the talented Vertical Dance Company with a wonderfully choreographed interpretive dance. The young girls varying in age gracefully moved within the show venue providing a spectacular visual for the audience. The tribute was put on Tam Lawrence and Exposure Magazine. Lawrence is a prior Milwaukee resident who returned with the sole purpose of bettering the community “It was a delight to see people come together and embrace one another. This was all about bringing people together. It doesn’t just take the politicians and the government to instill change it takes the citizens to say “I want change’” she says. Lawrence will be putting on shows the last Thursday of every month at a new and more spacious venue that is yet to be named. “My dream and hope is the succession of bring love and spreading love throughout Milwaukee” Lawrence says. --Article by Asada Njuguna
Universally Speaking
The Milwaukee Community Journal September 2, 2015 Page 8
(continued from page 3) tent by focusing on justice, not just for Black people, but also for all people no matter who you are and what your nationality is. As the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King once said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to injustice everywhere.” Which I interpret to mean that we all should be fighting against injustice because injustice is like a disease and unless it’s eradicated, it could easily impact those who feel protected now at some later date. Dr. King also said that “silence is equivalent to betrayal.” We can no longer be quiet about the injustices that we see every day. How many times can we see the report of an unarm Black teenager gun down by the armed police; how long can we see government continue to build new prisons while we close schools; The leadership that the Minister is providing takes extreme courage and sacrifice – something he has been doing for nearly sixty years. We know this man; we know his commitment to Black people and the struggle that we face in America. His leadership shouldn’t be in question and if it is we must asked ourselves why. The media will have you to interpret his message as anti-White or anti-Jewish but nothing could be further from the truth. How can the Black community be beholden to the media that does nothing to promote the greatness of Black people but just the opposite, the media tries its very best to support and sustain White supremacy and Black inferiority – everywhere you turn, the media depicts the Black man as sub-human. As Malcolm X once said that, the most powerful institution in America is the media because it has the power to make right wrong and wrong right. The media also has the power to tell you who the Black man should support; who the Black man should follow; and who the Black man should be taken as its leader. Since when can we trust the American media? You can book it! - If a Black person publically challenges America for its racist and oppressive actions against Black people, America will not promote this person as someone Black people should accept as their leader unless they are dead. Dr. Martin Luther King who they have portrayed, not as the revolutionary that he was, but as a pacifist with a dream; and 2) Malcom X who was an absolute freedom fighter but fail to recognize the person that catapulted Malcom into prominence – the Hon. Elijah Muhammad. When both of these men were alive, the media vilified them and when that wasn’t enough, they would employ the FBI, IRS (cointelpro) to further complicate their lives and interrupt the movement. These tactics continue to be used to confuse and divide the Black community. No, I don’t agree with everything the Minister does or says. Nor do I always agree on his methods, but I’m not dwelling on what we disagree on (very little), we must focus on what we agree on and what we agree on far outweighs what we disagree on – it is the media that plays out our differences into division. What we must come to grip with is that we must really “reflect” on the media’s portrayal of those Black men that act independent and not afraid of calling it like it is and speaking the “truth” to power; speaking “truth” to the American power structure which continues to significantly oppress the Black community. This call to action is critical for a number of reasons – one of the biggest reasons is that we have the opportunity to re-establish the Black voice, re-establish the Black movement. Yes there were “con” with the Million Man Movement but there were cons with every mass effort that we’ve undertaken (nothing is perfect). Not only did the Million Man March leave something on the table, this is similar to every effort of this kind. We must not confuse the limitations of not have 20/20 vision and now we become Monday morning quarterbacks. There is no bigger struggle in all of life that the struggle for justice – to me, this is the purpose of life. The struggle for justice is not a destination or a sprint. The struggle for justice is on-going and it’s an attitude that we must incorporate in everything that we say, do and believe in. The self-determination of Black people must be the single most important issue that we have and we must do all we can to unite around that mandate across all sectors of our community (i.e. generation, income, gender, etc.). This
Gene Baker and Ernie Banks were baseball’s first Black double-play combo
(continued from page 3) -- who hit 972 home runs -- Leroy “Satchel” Paige, James “Cool Papa” Bell, Buck O’Neil, Luke Easter, Don Newcombe, Willie Mays, Roy Campanella, Monte Irvin and others. In 1951, the Chicago White Sox signed Orestes (Minnie) Minoso as their first Black player. But the Cubs didn’t make the move for two more years. In 1953, they signed Ernie Banks and Gene Baker -- the very first Black double-play combination in the major leagues. Banks was the shortstop and Baker the second baseman. The iconic Banks -- who passed away early this year -- was the team’s first Black player, and came to be known as “Mr. Cub.” He was far more celebrated over his long, successful career than was his double-play partner. Yet, it was 28-year-old Baker -- a fancy-fielding shortstop --who was designated to break the Cubs’ color line in 1953. Baker had been signed by the Cubs in 1950 and sent to the minor league Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League, where he excelled. The level of play there was so high it was known as the ”Third Major League.” Baker was seen as a hot prospect, was more highly touted than Banks and the Cubs were mainly interested in the latter to serve as Baker’s roommate. But he was slowed by a minor injury when he and Banks -- fresh from the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League -- arrived at Wrigley Field on Sept. 14, 1953. Thus, the 22-year-old Banks -- also a shortstop -- became the Cubs’ first Black player. And he did so well that by the end of the season, he had established himself as the team’s shortstop of the future. Baker’s first game action came was as a pinch-hitter on Sept. 20. Owing to Banks’ continuing fine play at shortstop, Baker was slotted into an unfamiliar role as a second baseman. And in 1954, he helped turn 102 double-plays while hitting .275, with 13 home runs and 61 runs-batted-in. The popular, slick fielding pair was dubbed “Bingo and Bango” by Bert Wilson -- the Cubs’ legendary, play-by-play radio announcer. Breaking ground as the big leagues' first Black double-play combo, they clearly lived up to the hype. Despite distinguishing themselves as a duo during the following two seasons on mediocre Cubs’ teams, the pioneering pair was broken up in 1957 when Baker, dogged by injuries, was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. When injuries continued to hobble him, he caught on as a scout and coach -- becoming one of the first Blacks to coach and manage a minor league team. In yet another milestone event, Baker accidentally became the first Black man to manage a major league team. It happened on Sept. 21, 1963, when Pirates’ manager, Danny Murtaugh, was thrown out of a game for arguing with an umpire. Baker’s historic tenure lasted for the last two innings of the game, and has largely been forgotten. But my father, Sanford Carter -- a fine Negro Leagues player -- didn’t forget. From time-to-time, after we no longer had to journey to Chicago to watch big league baseball, he’d remind me as other Black players went on to fame and glory. Finally, two years before his passing in 1999, Baker was asked by a Chicago sports writer how it felt when he was sent in to pinch-hit for his first big league appearance. “My main thought,“ he said, “was that I should have been up years before.” Milwaukee native Richard G. Carter is a freelance columnist
is not just for today, this is forever – we must come to understand that it never ends. If I just listen to some people, they seem to think that if were very good, our oppressors will relent and give in and end their oppression. While the thought of that is insane, it could never happen now because the oppression has been transferred over to institutional and structural oppression (its everywhere and part of everything) and its deeply rooted in Blacks inability to own (wealth disparity). As Malcom X said “the oppressor will never feel the pain of the oppressed.” We must remove this from our thoughts and think only of ways to end our oppression - not slow it down; not soften it; not to change it so it looks different; WE MUST DO ALL WE CAN TO END OPPRESSION. We must come to understand the natural order of the creation and as Frederick Douglas once stated that “Power concedes nothing without a demand; it never has or never will.” What does that demand look like? How does that happen? Justice or else should be the cry of all people, especially Black people in America. There is nothing else – you either have justice or injustice and if you have injustice you or obligated to fight to end to eradicate it. Our entire beings from the inception has been made in the image of the Creator in that we are naturally aligned to do what is right versus what is wrong. The human being has a natural receptor to understand right from wrong and this is feed by everything in nature. The human being is built for the struggle of right (truth) against wrong (falsehood) and justice is a derivative of right (truth); you cannot have justice without being right; you cannot have justice without having truth; and you cannot have either without Black leadership. Whether we accept it or not, Minister Farrakhan is a leader that other Black leaders and Black people must support. When we support Justice or Else, were not supporting Minister Farrakhan nor are we supporting the Nation of Islam, we are supporting Black Leadership, which is a prerequisite for Black Power.
When we support Justice or Else, we are supporting Black power and Black unity both prerequisites for achieving justice. When we support Justice or Else, we support the visual beauty of Black people, which is a prerequisite for uplifting and strengthening the Black spirit. When we support Justice or Else, we show the American superpower and the world that no one group has real control of the people without doing right by them (justice) – we show them that there is a higher power above them. When we support Justice or Else, we are supporting the biggest Black national voice on the biggest stage that we have and if we are successful, we can return home and leverage this event to sustain the voice and momentum to begin to work on aggregating and unifying ourselves locally. We live in a democracy and in a democracy everyone, if you want to “win,” you must have leadership and/or a leader. Every group has representation and every idea if it has to win amongst other ideas, must have leadership. In a democracy, you must have leadership or you perish. This is truer when you are at the bottom of the food chain (economic ladder). Our leaders continue to fail us by not doing the very basic things needed – they must be united. We see division at every level. We have very little Black leadership because we lack Black unity. We will not have Black unity until the leaders begin unite – this is real leadership. Everyone agrees that if we keep doing the same thing that we have been doing, we will get the same outcomes – creating a collective is absolutely the way to go. The call to DC will require just a little sacrifice that will contribute a heavy dose of unity that could save our entire race, yes save our entire race. If you don’t want to struggle for freedom, justice, and equality for yourself and future Black children, then as Marcus Garvey said “go home” and I say stay home while I and other go to Washington and mobilize with others who believe in Justice or Else.
Film Festival
(continued from page 7)
plagued by mysterious dreams that appear to be calling her out to sea. Take the Dog (USA / 2015 / Directors: Carol Brandt, Andrew Tolstedt) Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tLVHapGWjw Three punkers pack up their dog and make their way from Milwaukee to California for a brother's wedding in this freewheeling roadtrip from codirectors Andrew Tolstedt and Carol Brandt. Brothers Tim and Jack (along with Tim's girlfriend, Leah) make their way to their brother Patrick's wedding, cutting a boozesoaked swath as they cross the country. Tensions flare and bonds are tested as what it means to be a brother, boyfriend, and responsible adult are all put under the microscope before they reach their final destination, with no guarantee these relationships will last
until journey's end. Yoopera! (USA / 2015 / Director: Suzanne Jurva) Trailer: https://vimeo.com/97005866 What do you get when you combine the cultural heritage of Yoopers — those born and raised in Michigan's Upper Peninsula — and the classical tradition of opera (or oopera, if you’re Finnish)? You get Yoopera! , an exuberant documentary about a group of people gathering together to tell their local and family history in a beautifully artistic fashion. We follow the commission and production of a major opera for and of the people, maintaining the legacy of family stories and celebrating the history of people who eked out a living in the beautiful and remote U.P. Visit mkefilm.org for information on the film festival and the organization, membership, special events.facebook.com/MilwaukeeFilm ), Twitter ( twitter.com/mkefilm ), Instagram ( instagram.com/mkefilm ), and the Milwaukee Film blog ( mkefilm.org/news ).
COUTURE NAIL ARTISTRY (continued from page 6)
At this time, appointments are preferred but walk-ins are definitely welcome. Therefore, if you are looking for a great place just to relax and be yourself then you have found the right place. Call and schedule your appointment today and be sure to ask us about our monthly specials. Right now she is located at the End Zone Barbershop – 3607 N Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212. You can visit her online at www.couturenailartistry.com and reach her by phone at 414737-1226.
The MCJ is ONLINE! Go to communityjournal.net
The Milwaukee Community Journal September 2, 2015 Page 9
Are Black Americans the Most Religious -- and Virtuous -- of All? (continued from page 4)
churches suffer severe membership losses, black Americans appear to be keeping the faith. Compare the religious lives of black and white Americans: •Seven in 10 black Americans read the Bible outside of worship; just 44 percent of white Americans open Scripture on their own, the Bible in American Life study showed. •The 2012 General Social Survey found nearly half of blacks reported praying several times a day; just 27 percent of whites prayed with the same frequency. •Fifty-one percent of blacks, compared to 37 percent of whites, strongly agree that they have a personally meaningful relationship with God, according to the Portraits of American Life Study. •Fifty-nine percent of members of historically black churches reported attending services at least once a week; nationally 39 percent of Americans reported attending with similar frequency, according to the 2007 Pew U.S. Religious Landscape Survey. •The percentage of white religious "nones" -- individuals with no religious affiliation -- rose from 15 percent in 2007 to 20 percent in 2012, while there was no statistically significant change among black Americans, Pew religion surveys found. That high degree of personal faith matters in maintaining vital religious communities. A study analyzing data from the National Survey of American Life found that non-Hispanic whites
“In a separate study, researchers found that blacks who were more frequent churchgoers and religious volunteers were more likely to have greater self-confidence and less likely to feel overwhelmed by personal challenges.”
Image by ValeriaRodrigues Public Domain
are significantly more likely than African Americans to never attend services and to not have a denominational home. A major reason: Individuals who are not involved in religion are less likely than others to engage in activities such as reading religious texts, prayer and looking to God for strength, the study finding suggested. A strong faith also leads to other positive outcomes, research indicates. For example, the study on moral behavior revealed that "blacks are likely to have higher virtue scores than whites because they are more commit-
ted to their faith than whites." In a separate study, researchers found that blacks who were more frequent churchgoers and religious volunteers were more likely to have greater selfconfidence and less likely to feel overwhelmed by personal challenges. The findings can encourage health care providers to work together with faith communities to take advantage of "the inoculative potential of black churches," sociologist Gary Oates of Bowling Green State University reported. Another area where research suggests black churches are taking a leading role is in economic empowerment. Forty-two percent of black Protestants said their place of worship encouraged them to start a business. That percentage is nearly three times as high as the 15 percent of evangelical and mainline Protestants who reported hearing similar encouragement, according to the 2010 Baylor Religion Survey. In one sense, the research findings should not be too surprising. Study after study finds a relation between vibrant religious communities and places where individuals have a strong faith and feel their spiritual needs are being met. What is more surprising is that so many predominantly white churches have not made spiritual growth a priority. In particular, it seems a missed opportunity that the spiritual gifts of black Americans and the black church are often hidden or ignored. Or buried under stereotypes that focus disproportionately on political activism or emotional worship. In the latest issue of the journal Sociology of Religion, sociologist Sandra Barnes of Vanderbilt University advocates for greater, more nuanced research on the evolving role of religion in the lives of African Americans and the relevance of the black church in contemporary America. "The Black Church has always been complicated, the black community more heterogeneous than described in academic and mainstream sources, and its prophetic witness more dynamic than not," Barnes noted. It also has a lot to offer the larger religious landscape -- and the nation -- if we choose to pay attention. David Briggs writes the Ahead of the Trend column for the Association of Religion Data Archives.
The Milwaukee Community Journal September 2, 2015 Page 10