Mary Burke is community’s choice to be governor of Wisconsin!
ELECTION WATCH 2014 2014
Compiled by MCJ Staff No offense to the other candidates running for respective state and national offices; but we believe the ONLY race our community is paying any serious attention too (aside from Congresswoman Gwen Moore’s relection bid—which is a guaranteed win for her, in our opinion) is the race for the governorship of the state of Wisconsin. Just listen to the radio, watch television, read the newspapers or go online. Citizens of this state (especially those of us who live in Milwaukee
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YOUR YOUR Community Journal ENDORSES...
Mary Burke
and other areas of the southeastern part of the state) are reading, listening to, watching, or following on
VOL. XXXiX Number 14 October 29, 2014
The Milwaukee
Twitter and Facebook, or hearing about on Black talk radio is the race between conservative Republican incumbent Gov. Scott Walker and Democratic challenger, businesswoman Mary Burke. Current state polls have the race at a dead-heat. But we get the feeling from talking to voters and grass-roots political pundits in our community, that people are ready for a change… a change for the better. And the person who will bring about the change—in their opinion—is Mary Burke.
JOURNAL Gov. Walker
Over the last few months we’ve been running articles by and on Burke and what she will do as gov-
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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
President Obama Comes to North Division High School to energizevoters and support Mary Burke
Milwaukee Health Services introduces its new COO Kenneth Waller to community
Kenneth Waller
Milwaukee Health Services Inc. (MHSI) introduced Kenneth Waller as its new Chief Operations Officer during a community reception held Monday, October 27, at The Big Eazy, located at 2053 N. Martin Luther King Drive. “We are very excited about Kenneth’s relocation to Milwaukee to join our team,” said Pamela Clark, Corporate Communications Specialist. “We look forward to his positive contributions in our pursuit of Patient-Centered Medical/Dental/Behavioral Home care while we provide a fiscally strong health center with emphasis on Milwaukee’s urban underserved communities”. Waller joined MHSI last September 15. Prior to joining MHSI, Waller was the Regional Practice Director in one of New Jersey’s multisite Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC). In addition to Community Health
PULSE
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OF THE
COMMUNITY Photos and question by
Yvonne Kemp
Rahim islam, president and CEO of Universal Companies and the primary convener of the recent Town Hall Meeting, with community activist and civic leader Martha Love before the start of the meeting, that was held at the Universal Academy for the College bound, Daniel Webster Campus, located at 6850 N. 53rd St. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)
Town Hall meeting explores the “State of Black Milwaukee”
the recently held “Truth and Treat: A Safe Halloween Alternative” event at the Northwest Family Activity and Events Center, we asked four attendees who accompanied their children, “is it still important for children in the Black community to celebrate Halloween given the dangers in our current society? Why or why not?
TAMMI HAYES-MCGOWAN: “No, I believe we as African Americans should know the origin of the Halloween celebration. Granted, many adults were brought up to take part in the celebration as fun and sharing treats, but there is a demonic connotation that is accociated with it, which puts our children in harms way. What looks like fun can oepn a door of evil in our lives and the community in which we live.”
District 5 Board Candidate Charlie Fox is counting on his years of varied experience to win election
Charlie Fox
Themed the “State of Black Milwaukee,” the gathering was presented by Universal Companies and Pastors United. Minister Gregory Lewis, president of Pastors United shared the purpose and tone of this Thursday, October 23, 2014 meeting. Noting a host of challenges facing Milwaukee’s Black community and our population nationally, Lewis asked, “What are the obstacles and impediments to our advancement? How do we acquire land, tools, resources and the use of our labor to enrich ourselves?” He probes the inquiry of how can Black people work together to build community and how do we overcome being a now “obsolete and abandoned labor class?” What is equal opportunity and freedom and how can these variables be measured and how do we strengthen our own political leaders, he continues from the podium. “Why do we keep on going backwards?” Lewis asked, “Why can’t we have our own economic development structure in our own community?” Our dollars, he says, don’t even bounce once in our own neighborhoods. “Why don’t we have a community like Chinatown, and Little Havana, or Jew Town and Little Mexico or Little Italy? Where is our sense of community?” “We’re going to talk about these things here tonight,” he adds. Additional concerns that the community is not doing include teaching our children about wealth; remaining a burden on the larger society with food stamps and welfare as opposed to generating our own wealth; developing and economic, political, education and media system that we can control. “The purpose of this meeting tonight,” he concludes, “is to build community; to build trust and to seek accountability in one another. This is the start of the conversation and we are going to be serious about moving forward with our purpose.” Moderated by Eric Von, the stage panelist included an impressive range of
FINTRESS HARRIS: “I believe that the celebration of Halloween is still important. I feel that there is enough that’s being taken away from kids these days, and as our dangerous society exists, then we, as parents and role models, need to approach holidays not just Halloween, and be aware of the pitfalls and evilness that lurks.”
BILLY TRAMMELL: “Yes, because it is a tradition. As a parent, I (you) have to figure out a safe place--or environment--for your child to celebrate Halloween.”
The K4, 2nd through 5th grade students from the Universal Academy for the College Bound proudly proclaimed not only the college that they visioned to attend, but also the year of their graduation falling mostly in the 2030, 2031 average anticipated year. Just simply outstanding and quite inspiring.
But the rest of the evening posed a more poignant tone at this the first Community Conversations Town Hall Meeting held at the Universal Academy for the College Bound, Daniel Webster Campus located at 6850 North 53rd Street.
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QUESTiON OF THE WEEK: During
BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN PERMIT NO. 4668
Listening to fifth District County Supervisor Candidate Charlie Fox talk, one can’t help but believe that the semi-retired quality assurance/organizational consultant has more than enough qualifications to represent and positively impact constituents in the district. Fox regaled a reporter about his life and experiences: Growing up in the South, especially in West Texas, starting a Wisconsin tax reform organization at age 23, working with all levels of government, helping start-up or reorganize struggling 501(3)Cs like the Ebenezer Child Care Center, work on or manage political campaigns on a local and national level. He and his wife serve meals to homeless men at St. Benedict Catholic Church, something they’ve done for 20-plus years. There he has made friends with homeless men, some of whom have helped him with his ongoing, 33 year mission of restoring his home on McKinley Boulevard. Asked why he wants to be a Milwaukee County Supervisor, Fox said “it’s not the money; I can make more than $25,000 (which will be the reduced pay of county supervisors due to legislation that reduced staff sizes, pay and hours...but not the responsibilities). “I could fish and live off of Social Security. But I don’t fish and I have too much brain left and a lot of energy,” Fox said chuckling. “It’s an opportunity to continue serving people,” Fox said, adding the importance of serving others was “pounded into me at an early age.” It’s why, he said, he chose the profession he did. Fox said he chose a long time ago to live in the diverse area boarded by Marquette University, the old Con-
MCJ Exclusive by Taki S. Raton The evening opened with 29 beautiful African American students gracing the stage in their blue and kaki uniforms. President Barack Obama turned out the base for Gubernatorial Candidate Mary Burke Tuesday at North Division High School. Burke supporters and those who love the President cheered on the Commander and Chief and Burke, who is challenging incumbent Scott Walker. Both Cong. Gwen Mooreand Mayor Tom Barrett also got the crowd fired up. (Photos by Yvonne Kemp)
ernor if she is fortunate to be elected November 4. She is a strong advocate for business development, good schools that are adequately funded and equipped, an increase in the minimum wage, workers rights, job creation (which seems to be the number one issue with Black voters), and a strong healthcare system--especially for women and children. Burke also believes in increasing the access and affordability of a college education and reducing the burden of massive student loan debt. (continued on page 3)
SANTOASHA HARRIS: “I feel that the Halloween celebration is still important; and as long as the good part of society continues to celebrate and conduct it in a controlled atmosphere.”
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Town Hall meeting explores the “State of Black Milwaukee”
The Milwaukee Community Journal October 29, 2014 Page 2
UNiVERSAL COMPANiES FAMiLY OF SCHOOLS
The Black Male: A Targeted Group--Part 1
UNIVERSALLY SPEAKING
(continued from page 1) Milwaukee community leaders, thinkers and practitioners to address key issues raised by Lewis. Dr. Michael Bonds positioned that we must clearly understand the role of institutional racism and citing a published source concluding that the outlook for Black Milwaukee is, “very bleak.” “We have the highest incarceration rate in the country, the highest infant mortality rate and that this is our seventeenth year of having the highest housing loan rejection distinction,” he says. Bonds add that many of our community based and cultural organizations are Rahim islam gone and that, “this is not by coincidence. This is by design.” The MPS School Board President and Associate Professor in the UW-M DeI have written many times partment of Educational Policy and Community Studies posits that Milwaukee that the instability of the is the fourth poorest city in the nation and that we have a serious lack of leadBlack community is tied to ership in our communities. “It is my hope that this dialogue can begin to turn things around.” He believes the instability of the Black that, “We have the talent in this room. But until we get control of the economic family, which is also linked base here, buy homes and transfer wealth back to our children, we will remain to the instability of the in the same shape for yet another generation to come.” Black man. Moderator Von injected that a many present would say about this Milwaukee The Black man has been a target meeting that, “this has been done before; that it’s been done many times before.” since being enslaved for some 450 But he adds that there is nothing wrong with making, “an attempt, after an at- years. Nearly every demographic tempt, after an attempt to get it right and that is what we are beginning again screams out loud that something is seriously wrong with the Black man in here tonight.” America. When did this start? Is the Von informs the audience that, “these issues that we are confronted with here Black man, by nature, a broken and inin this city deserve no less attention,” and that, “our future demands that we ferior specimen? If you examine the give it our best, not just today, but every day. We have gathered a few of our Black male incarceration rate (school deepest thinkers, our foremost planners and profound producers to probe their to prison pipeline); health disparities, minds and to share in thought about the things that matter most in our commu- massive long-term unemployment and underemployment (over 50% for Black nity.” men ages 18 -35), two-thirds of high He cautions that that the evening will probably not produce solutions to the school dropouts are Black men, and problems that plague Black people. But he says that, “we will have begun the high levels of violent crimes (i.e. murprocess of making Milwaukee a better place for African Americans to live, to ders, aggravated assault, robbery, agthrive, and to do better. We all want to be better; we all want to live better, we gravated robbery, etc.,) are committed want to exist in a better environment so that we can have a better chance of en- by Black men. Black men are the most vulnerable of all racial/gender groups joying life the same as so many others do.” on the planet. Von then asked forum panelist Randy Crump of Prism Technical Management I know what you're saying. How can and Marketing Services, just where are we missing when it comes to the con- Black males be a target? How are the nection between education and improving our economic condition and is this issues facing Black men directly condisconnect a major stumbling block. nected to our legacy of slavery? Let me “There is a disconnect between education and economics, but there is a bigger explain how. For those who say, "Why are we disconnect on attitudes because our kids don’t see what the future holds for them going back to one of the worst times in and they give up on their education,” sight’s Crump. American history?", " Why is it releHe adds that the young people have to be educated, but that such an education vant today?,” do the math. Between does not have to include a college degree; that there are such fields as carpentry, 1941 and 1945, Jews were targeted and electrical and plumbing and mechanics. methodically murdered in the largest “We have got to find solutions and we have to pursue these solutions like genocide of the 20th century. Every arm of Germany's bureaucracy was inthere is no tomorrow,” he positions. Minister William Muhammad of Milwaukee’s Mosque #3 commented that, volved in the logistics of the genocide, turning the Third Reich into "a genoci“The condition of Black Milwaukee is pretty evident but in reality, it is no difdal state.” In total, approximately 11 ferent from anywhere else in the country. We are just in the top ten. The forum million people were killed, including here tonight reflects the value of bringing our people together and let our unity one million Jewish children alone. work towards solving our problems.” A network of facilities in Germany He spoke to the recent anniversary of the Million Man March where the ques- and German-occupied territories were tion arose of how can we overcome the principle of Willie Lynch where he uses used to concentrate, confine, and kill Jews. The persecution and genocide fear, distrust and envy for control purposes. were carried out in stages. “These are the principles that are functioning within us right now and we have Initially the German government to overcome this. We have to recognize the godliness in each other. But before passed laws to exclude Jews from civil we can recognize the godliness in each other, we must first recognize the god society, most prominently the Nuremthat is within ourselves. This will help us to overcome the envy and distrust berg Laws of 1935. While these atrocities were vicious and insensible, the that we have for one another.” Bro. William informs us that the Hon. Elijah Muhammad said that politics Jewish community, to their credit, has never let the world forget not only what without economics is a symbol without substance and that our economic base is our real political leverage. The Jews are a good example, he reveals. “The Jews are a small group relative to numbers, but they hold strong political influence because of their economic base and because of their unity. If all you have is a vote and you have no unity or no economic base, then you have no leverage to hold your Published twice weekly, Wednesday & Friday politicians accountable,” he adds. Forum member Bria Grant said that, 3612 North Martin Luther “Some of the issues affecting MilwauKing Drive, Milwaukee, Wi 53212 kee is our lack of trust for one another and this lack of trust lies between the Phone: 414-265-5300 (Advertising and Administration) • 414-265-6647 older and younger generations.” She (Editorial) • Website: communityjournal.net • Email: Editorial@communiadds that we as a community here in tyjournal.net/Advertising@communityjournal.net Colleen Newsom, MCJ STAFF: Milwaukee must be more purposeful Classified Advertising Patricia O’Flynn -Pattillo and come together. Jimmy V. Johnson, Sales Rep. Publisher, CEO “We must put our pride and our ego CONTRiBUTiNG WRiTERS: Robert J. Thomas aside and come up with our own Taki S. Raton, Richard G. Carter, Assoc. Publisher agenda. Other people’s vision has not Fr. Carl Diederichs, Rev. Joe Todd Thomas, Vice Pres. benefited us and it is more than past McLin Mikel Holt, Assoc. Publisher time that we begin to do and build for PHOTOGRAPHER: Yvonne Kemp Thomas E. Mitchell, Jr., Editor ourselves,” she says. Teretha Martin, Technical Unfortunately, this writer’s taping Consultant/Webmaster Billing was not able to pick up many of the Dept./Publisher’s Admin. Assist. comments shared in the auditorium Opinion and comments expressed on the Perspectives page do not necfrom the stage and regretfully did not essarily reflect the views of the publisher or management of the MCJ. Letrecord at all the very strong closing
THE MiLWAUKEE COMMUNiTY JOURNAL
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ters and “other perspectives” are accepted but may be edited for content and length.
Germany did to them but how other countries were complicit in this crime against humanity. In addition to thousands of movies, books, and incorporated ceremonies that honor the victims and the resistors, they will attack and/or address anyone that attempts to trivialize or minimize the impact the Holocaust has had on the Jewish community and its descendants. The American institution of slavery (America's Black Holocaust), the legal institution of chattel slavery that existed for nearly 300 years. Starting with the capture and trans-Atlantic passage of millions of Africans from the shores of West Africa, with untold millions dying in the process, being subjected to worst and barbaric conditions ever perpetuated against a people over such a long period of time. In addition to being torn away from its native culture, which was systematically removed over several generations and forced displacement and disruption of the Black family, chattel slavery, unlike other forms of slavery, is the worst form of slavery because it binds the enslaved offspring into perpetuity. Our ancestors were viewed and treated no better than animals for several hundred years. Blacks are being urged to forget slavery and to forget the terrorism of Jim Crow that specifically targeted Black men. Some estimate nearly 50,000 Black men were lynched during this period with millions of dollars of property seized and or destroyed to enforce White superiority and fear. I'm not here to argue which holocaust is the worse, but like the Jewish community, the Black community can't let America and the other beneficiaries of the American institution of slavery ( America's Black Holocaust) off the hook. Because the institution of slavery took place over hundreds of years impacting numerous generations of our ancestors, the legacy of slavery is much more ingrained and profound, especially as it relates to the family roles and the socialization process. Using the Jewish logic, the American institution of slavery (America's Black Holocaust) should be a prominent and healthy discussion and description of the America story and should not be relegated to an event type of footnote. What we don't realize is that while we might not speak about slavery, it reigns in our hearts and in our minds on a daily basis. Dr. Joy Leary, in her book titled, “ Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome,” states that slavery was one of America's
most lucrative institutions and was the cornerstone on which American wealth and power were built. Like wealth and power that has lasted until today, so does the psychosocial consequence on Black Americans. Many White experts (i.e. psychologists, social scientists, researchers, etc.) know very well the ramifications of slavery but continue to act as if the current state of affairs for so many African Americans is the result of their own doing and their own ineptitude. Nothing could be further from the truth! The effects of slavery are very much alive and well. There are many historically correct and factual representations about slavery, but until recently, little has been done to examine slavery’s impact on the Black community, especially the Black family; specifically the Black man. What's so intriguing is that study after study now reflects on the legacy of slavery and the inability of Blacks to let go of the remnants of slavery, especially those that influence our value systems (i.e. religion, culture, economics, politics, education, etc.). Probably the most serious effect of all was the impact that slavery had on the Black family. The family is the very foundation of healthy, constructive, personal and community life. Without a strong family, individual life and community life are likely to become very unstable. The destruction of the Black family was accomplished by destroying marriage, fatherhood (leadership), and motherhood. Slavery did away with fathers because it had no use for them and when our men attempted to take on the role of the father, they were emasculated, sold away, physically harmed or killed, directly by the plantation owner who always made it known to everyone, specifically the woman and her children that only he was the man. Fundamentally, the obligations of marriage were extremely inconsistent with the conditions of slavery and could not be performed by the Black slave. A husband promises to protect and provide for his wife and children until his death. But what can such promises made by slaves mean? The legal relationship of the owner and the slave renders them void. The Black could not protect himself let alone protect his wife and children. The laws of the United States gave the slave owner unlimited control and full possession of his person. In the minds of the slave owner, the slave had no soul; he was not human. The Black man was valued as a workhorse and a stud. The more work
the slave could perform, the greater the production output, the greater the profits for the owner. His manhood was defined by his ability to impregnate a woman. The virtue of fatherhood was considered a threat on the plantation and resulted in branding the Black man as a trouble maker that resulted in physical punishment or death. After several generations of such unnatural treatment, Black men adapted and began to resist the role of being a true father and leader. Equally as destructive as the role of the father during slavery is the disrespect a Black man receives as a leader of his family or in his community. Analogous throughout nature is the most certain way to destroy life by cutting off the head. From the turkey, to the cow, to the human being, the most immediate way to bring death to a body is to remove its head. Slave narratives and historical accounts are full of descriptions of atrocities brought against any Black man who demonstrated any form of leadership. Slave owners realized that their power and control over the slaves was dependent upon the absence of any indigenous leadership among the slave. Any slave was taught to view with suspicion natural leaders who emerged from among themselves. These Black men were identified as uppity or arrogant and were branded as the trouble makers. Brothers and sisters, we have been programmed to think that these facts are not pertinent, but if we would reexamine our condition, we would see that everything is on us. If this type of treatment had occurred over a 4-5 year period, maybe we could believe that it isn't a contributing factor. But this treatment occurred continuously for nearly 350 years, not including over 50 years of Jim Crow following the emancipation. Black men are the most vulnerable of all racial/gender groups. In subsequent parts of this article I will elaborate the current systemic and structural attacks against Black men and Black boys. Stay tuned...... Don't be silent on November 4th, get up, get out, get someone and GO VOTE! Also tune in to 860AM WNOV all day for ELECTION CENTRAL. Rahim Islam is a National Speaker and Writer, Convener of Philadelphia Community of Leaders, and President/CEO of Universal Companies, a community development and education management company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Follow Rahim Islam on FaceBook(Rahim Islam) & Twitter (@RahimIslamUC)
The Community Journal’s Endorses...
(continued from page 1) Though he survived a recall election and has been touted as a presidential hopeful for Republicans in 2016 for the “reforms” he’s instituted in Wisconsin with the help of a Republican controlled state legislature, Walker is vulnerable. Though he has touted creating 100,000 jobs, he’s 150,000 jobs short of his bold proclamation of creating 250,000 jobs…and that was supposed to happen by the end of his first year in office. That’s a tough promise to keep given the fact that upon taking the oath of office, he immediately stopped the state’s participation in the federally funded light-rail system, killing hundreds of jobs for individuals in Milwaukee—many of whom were from our community. During Walker’s first term, the state has gone the opposite of its motto, it has gone “BACKWARDS” in family income (a drop of nearly $3,000 a year). Wisconsin is last in Midwest private sector job growth, and is facing a projected $1.8 billion structural deficit in the next budget. Many families are working harder, but have less to show for it in the form of a wage increase or an increase in the minimum wage, which Walker is against. And that tax cut the governor boosts about in his commercials? The only ones experiencing a tax cut are the financially affluent in the state, who are either generationally wealthy or are top executives at state based corporations and companies who supported the governor in his two election campaigns. As for Parental Choice, which used to be the crown jewel of state Republicans? It’s now another luxury for the rich. The governor expanded the program to include upper-income families that could already afford to send its children to private schools without the program. Burke wants to give people in the state a fair shot in the form of good schools, safer neighborhoods, higher wages, jobs, small business growth, reducing taxes on the middle-class and the working poor, an affordable secondary education and the chance to have a secure retirement. More importantly, Burke is committed to aiding the state’s largest city, Milwaukee, which has been the political and economic whipping boy for Walker, who blames the city for the state’s ills—past and current. For our community—the Black community—the choice is very simple and right: Vote Mary Burke for governor! CONGRESS—
The only congressional race that impacts Black Milwaukee is the race for the District Four Congressional seat currently held by incumbent Gwen Moore, who has done yeoman’s work on behalf of her constituents despite the impediments placed before that body by Conservative Republicans in the House of Representatives. Whether it’s been worker’s rights, women’s rights, healthcare, economics or national security, Moore has been on the right side of the majority of the issues. Her opponents, Republican Dan Sebring and Independent Robert Raymond have no connection that we’ve seen to the community except, perhaps, attending a Community Brainstorming candidates’ forum. STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL— Though she hasn’t been to the community, let alone the Community Journal to share her views on issues pertaining to law and order, we endorse Susan Happ to succeed J.B. Van Hollen, who chose not to seek another term as the state’s top law enforcement officer. From what we’ve seen in commercials (we nor the community haven’t seen him in the central city) Brad Schimel seems to be a clone of Van Hollen in attitude when it comes to people of color and the law. STATE ASSEMBLY— State Senators Lena Taylor and Nikiya Harris Dodd are not on the ballot this go around, leaving the Black candidates in the state Assembly to take front and center in the election. Candidate David Bowen (10th Assembly District) and incumbent Mandela Barnes (11th Assembly District) have no opponents and should win easily, as should 12th Assembly District incumbent Fred Kessler, and 18th Assembly district incumbent Evan Goyke. Both Goyke and Kessler (who are white) represent districts with large Black populations. The only Assembly incumbent representing the community with an opponent is LaTonya Johnson of the 17th Assembly District. She’s being challenged by Eugenie Stackowitz. As for Secretary of State, we predict it will be Douglas La Follette who will again be reelected to an office that no longer has the governmental impact it once had. MILWAUKEE COUNTY SHERIFF— The choice is obvious…incumbent County Sheriff David Clarke. MILWAUKEE COUNTY BOARD— In the special board election to replace District Seven Board member David Bowen, who stepped down to run
The Milwaukee Community Journal October 29, 2014 Page 3
The Milwaukee Community Journal October 29, 2014 Page 4
The Community Journal Endorses...
(continued from page 3) for the state Assembly, we have a difficult choice. Martin Weddle, a Black candidate who is a Legislative Policy Research Analyst and Legislative Aide, and Charlie Fox, white candidate who has a long history of governmental and political activism. To us, this race is a toss-up. During an interview with the MCJ, which is in this week’s edition, we found him engaging, knowledgeable about politics and committed to service and the community. He’s lived in our community for some 30 years and has numerous connections with prominent Black activists. Both candidates would do a good job representing the district. Both have similar ideas. During a recent debate, both candidates agreed on almost everything as it relates to the issues impacting the district. Whoever wins, both men should work togeter after the elections for they jointly strengthen the community in ways that can only strengthen them for future elections.
Charlie Fox banking on his experience and commitment to service
(continued from page 1) cordia College site, Cold Spring, and the Upper Heights. Though multicultural, the “L”-shaped district has some of the poorest areas, even though it runs the gamut from well to-do east-siders to middle and working poor families. Even with the reduction in pay and staff, Fox said he will treat the position--if elected--like a full time job. His platform is simple and addresses the needs of his district: Public transportation, gun violence and crime and vacant homes. In public transportation, Fox wants a balanced transportation system and called for the creation of a Regional Transit Authority, which will enable everyone to access family-supporting jobs, retail and health services. Fox said programs are needed that further cooperation among all levels of law enforcement as it relates to quelling gun violence and crime. Fox called on county government to work with banks, businesses, housing programs and local governments to again make vacant homes family-occupied.
In Loving Memory
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 Ernestine O’Bee Funeral Director Founder Services scheduled from Oct. 22 to Oct. 26, 2014 Johnson, Alyson R. Wade, Rose Age 54 yrs. October 22, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Oc- Age 90 yrs. October 22, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 29, at 11AM at Mt. Zion Healing Temple 4300 N. Green bay Ave. Instate tober 29 at 11AM at Wisconsin Memorial Park "Chapel of Chimes" 13235 W. Wednesday 10AM at the CHURCH until Capitol Dr. Visitation Wednesday 10AM time of services. Visitation Tuesday 3at the "Chapel of Chimes" until time of 7PM(Family will receive guest from 67PM) at: services. The family is served by: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Piggee, Zelma A. Age 93 yrs. October 23, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11AM. Visitation Wednesday 10AM until time of services at:
Thomas, Shirley A. Age 61 yrs. October 26, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 1, at 11AM. Visitation Saturday 11AM until time of services at:
Families served by:
Northwest Funeral Chapel O’Bee, Ford & Frazier
Milwaukee 6630 W. Hampton Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53218 Telephone: (414) 462-6020 Fax: (414) 462-9937
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IMPORTANT REFERENDUMS YOU MUST VOTEON NOV. 4
The Milwaukee Community Journal October 29, 2014 Page 5
When voters vote November 4 for political offices, they must also LOOK AT THE BACK of their ballot sheet. There they will find five referendum items that will impact how transportation and election campaigns will be funded, healthcare, the minimum wage and the future of the position of Milwaukee County Executive.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “In the
end, that’s what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of CYNICISM or a politics of HOPE?”--President Barack Obama
Voters have good reason to vote against Scott Walker
By Urban News Media
There are seven days left to go until Election Day and Scott Walker is in the toughest fight of his political career with the polls showing a dead heat in the last week of the campaign.
Awful jobs numbers and a massive $1.8 billion budget deficit brought Walker's first term into focus, allowing voters to question if Wisconsin needs another four years with Scott Walker as governor. A look at Walker’s entire term reveals more than enough reasons for voters to reject another four years. During Walker’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign, he issued a promise to the people of Wisconsin to create 250,000 new private-sector jobs by the end of his first term in office. As the first term comes to close, the governor isn’t even halfway through to his promise on job creation. Wisconsin lags behind the rest of the nation in job growth and is in last place in private sector Midwest job growth through Walker’s first term - 10th out of 10 states. 2013 was the worst year for private sector job creation in Wisconsin since the great recession, and 2014 is on pace to be considerably worse. During Walker’s time in office, the state’s annual private sector job growth lags behind the rest of the nation, averaging 1.35% growth compared to 2.2% growth nationally. Wisconsin would have 70,000 more jobs today if the state had simply grown at the same rate as the national average over Scott Walker’s term. Walker’s first term has been more harmful than helpful for workers and Wisconsin families. The governor’s first budget included record cuts in direct state aid to public education, slashing $800 billion from the public education budget. In the face of a dire skills gap, Walker’s first budget cut funding for vocational and technical colleges by 30 percent -leaving the tech college system at 1989 funding levels. For nearly four years, Scott Walker has experimented in creating jobs with policies and ideas we know don’t create jobs. Instead of investing in workers, Walker opposed a modest raise in the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. He even said he doesn’t believe the minimum wage “serves a purpose,” although the proposed increase would give more than half a million Wisconsin workers a raise and a boost to the state’s economy. Unfortunately for working families, Walker’s focus has been on those at the very top during his first term - and there's no indication that a second Walker term will be any different. Walker issued huge tax cuts for those at the very top, giving 60% of the cuts to those making over $100,000. For the average Wisconsin family, with a household annual income between $50,000 and $60,000, Walker’s lopsided tax cuts amount to just $2 per week this year. While dishing out massive tax cuts for those at the top, Walker issued tax increases aimed at putting the squeeze on nearly 140,000 working class families. Walker increased taxes on the middle class by $69.8 million, while forking over $610 million in tax breaks to businesses over his term. Between budget cuts and fiscally irresponsible tax plans, Walker created huge budget deficits. Wisconsin faces a projected deficit of $396 million in the current budget, and a massive $1.8 billion projected structural deficit heading into the next.
(Mary Burke
Deficits that will likely grow even larger as state agencies make budget requests for 2015 - 2017. Since 2010, Walker has managed to work against Wisconsin families and run the state budget into the ground at the very same time. His most high-profile bill signings -repealing the Equal Pay Enforcement Act, partisan voting restrictions, mandatory transvaginal ultrasounds - have been controver-
sial and unrelated to creating jobs or giving Wisconsin families a fair shot at economic security. That's where a Mary Burke governorship would be different than four more years of Scott Walker. Mary is committed to giving each and every Wisconsin citizen a fair shot at success. She'll do whatever works best to provide opportunities for the people of Wisconsin. Above all things, Mary Burke is committed to pulling our state out from the hole Scott Walker spent nearly four years digging. Walker’s first term record doesn’t warrant any reason to election him for a second. As a governor, he’s run Wisconsin into the ground and let our state fall far behind the rest of the nation. Walker shouldn’t have a chance to dig a deeper hole for Wisconsin families and workers.
The Milwaukee Community Journal October 29, 2014 Page 9
New efforts to change stereotypes and encourage African-American young men
The Milwaukee Community Journal October 29, 2014 Page 10
“This effort is a merger of two initiatives aimed at black youth to help them be successful,” says Jim Hill, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs. The collaboration grows out of Saving Black Boys – an initiative that Gary L. Williams director of the Black Cultural Center and the Institute for Intercultural Research started at UWM several years ago – and efforts on the part of Student Affairs to recruit and retain African-American males and assure they graduate. Williams’ initiative, which included a forum in 2012 and a summit for African-American Youth in 2013, aimed to address challenges such as a soaring high school dropout rate, a pipeline that often ran straight from school to jail for many; few job opportunities; and a society that often viewed these young men as intimidating or uneducable. The goal of AAMI is to combine the efforts of UWM faculty, staff and students with those of other community initiatives to engage and empower the community to change biases and empower these young men to help reshape their future. This year the group is joining with the city of Milwaukee, Community Advocates, Center for Youth Engagement, and many other community organizations to host a kick off for Boys and Men of Color Week (Oct. 26-Nov. 1). This opening event will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Oct. 27, in the UWM Student Union Ballroom. The AAMI is also planning another summit on Dec. 17, anticipating that 600 middle and high school young men will attend.
In addition to the Division of Student Affairs, UWM’s African American Student Support Services, Black Cultural Center, Institute for Intercultural Research and Inclusive Excellence Center are all involved in the efforts. And, a new group, Brother to Brother, will involve UWM students in outreach and mentoring to African-American high school students. In addition to MPS, the Wauwatosa, Racine and other local districts have requested information, says Hill. “These young men can talk to students about making the transformation from high school to college.” One of the key supports UWM can provide to these efforts is the research and evaluation component, says Hill. “With the limited resources available, it’s important to find out what’s working and what’s not.” Related research projects on black male joblessness, black male incarceration and organizing local resources and priorities are already underway through the Center for 21st Century Studies, the Research Center for Urban Education Leadership, the UWM Center for Economic Development and the Employment and Training Institute, It’s also vital that UWM builds a connection with these young men, says Williams. “They need to see that they have options and there are people who care for them and who can provide them with what they need to have success.” The AAMI group would eventually like to expand its efforts to include Latino young men. “The percentage points may differ, but young black and brown men face many of the same challenges. They’re not graduating from high school and too many are involved with the criminal justice system, Hill notes” The committee leadership for the AAMI effort includes members from a variety of different areas of campus. They are: Decoteau Irby, assistant professor of administrative leadership in the School of Education; Jim Hill, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs: Monique Liston, Women’s Resource Center; Emmanuel Ngui, Zilber School of Public Health; Jeffery Roman, Community Advocates; Robert Smith, Global Inclusion and Engagement and Cultures and Communities; Simone Smith, Institute for Intercultural Research; Warren Scherer, Inclusive Excellence Center Gary L. Williams, associate professor of educational policy and community studies. For more information, email sobmymke@uwm.edu.
(continued from page 1) Centers, Waller has 10 years of experience as a director and/or program management leader within non-profits serving disadvantaged communities. Waller’s educational background includes an MBA with emphasis in Health Systems Management. He is board certified in healthcare management. Waller is currently a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives. The mission of MHSI is to provide accessible, quality,
primary and related health care services to Milwaukee residents, with the continuing emphasis on medically-underserved families and individuals. MHSI operates the Martin Luther King, Jr. Heritage Health Center at 2555 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and Isaac Coggs Heritage Health Center at 8200 W. Silver Spring Drive. For more information about MHSI, please contact Pamela Clark at (414) 267-2655 or pclark@mhsi.org --Article compiled by MCJ Staff and MHSI
UWM is working to change the stereotypes and the prospects for young African-American males through a collaborative effort called the African American Male Initiative.
Milwaukee Health Services introduces new COO Kenneth Waller to community
Town Hall meeting explores the “State of Black Milwaukee”
(continued from page 2) statement of Universal Companies President and CEO, Rahim Islam. Bro. Islam did in fact mention that this forum is, “just the beginning” and that others will be planned for the future. And there was really no intent to interject thoughts into this writing, but this writer left the forum with very disturbed feelings. I left with the impression that we here in Milwaukee have absolutely no clue as to how America’s multicultural pluralistic society functions. Such an exploration has been discussed in many articles under this MCJ byline. Other groups of color in Milwaukee and in America do not have these issues and granted, other folk do not have our unique and peculiar “Willie Lynch” history. But further, if we are trying again, and again, and again, and again with the same agenda – and with the same leadership - we will of course get the same results if we are doing the same thing over and over and over again with the same people at the helm. Indeed, all other groups within their own respective communities – to include the Anglo communities – all operate on a “Race First” premise or a commitment to their own first, foremost and always. That is why in the opening when Minister Lewis asked about Chinatown and Little Havana and Little Italy and such, this comes from a Race First cultural agenda. Nearly everyone talked about economics, but no one talked about culture. No people can have an economic base without first having a strong and impenetrable cultural base. Culture precedes economics. And since Minister Lewis was quoting the thoughts of Dr. Claude Anderson, it was Dr. Anderson who said two points to this discussion. First, you cannot have an economic base without a community in which to move your money around and Black folk do not have a community with its own businesses that we have built and control. He says we don’t even have our own intact neighborhoods – we just have a “hood.” That’s why our money is not “bouncing” anywhere because there is nowhere to bounce it. And second to the point of “Race First.” Anderson writes that all cultural groups in America and indeed in the world are nationalistic. “Nationalism,” he says, “helps
groups build communities, mobilize for power and control resources. It allows cultural groups to function as nations within nations,” and that within our pluralistic society, nationalism is necessary and is a prerequisite for a sense of community. Black people in the integration 70’s went totally against this cultural prerequisite that we were speaking to in the 60’s and earlier with Elijah, Malcolm, Garvey, Woodson, and Booker to name a few. This writer has often quoted Joel Kotkin (“Tribes – How Race, Religion and Identity Determine Success in the New Global Economy”) and others who cite that the Elijah’s, Malcolm’s Garvey and Booker’s vision were more closely aligned with how America and world groups operate pluralistically with their emphasis on group economics, culture, family, and the control of their own resources and institutions. Kotkin notes that the traditional African American civil rights agenda ran counter to this practice and as a result is the source of Black community powerlessness and decline. Black folk nationally selected to go in an opposite direction and we now see some 40 years later where that has led us. You can’t make a mistake and incur the natural and predictable consequences of that mistake and then blame other people for those consequences that you yourself brought upon yourself. All the answers that we need are in our history. And again, no one from the forum, with perhaps the exception of Bro. Minister William Muhammad, made any references to history. It would be our esteemed ancestral warrior scholar and historian Chancellor Williams who said that: “To be ignorant of history is to be ignorant of what you are trying to do now. History will show you where we have been, how we arrived where we are, whether we have traveled the best routes, and it will indicate - if we pause to reflect long enough - the best route to travel from this point in time." The future of our 29 beautiful young children at the opening of the Thursday community town hall forum and the future of our babies throughout Milwaukee’s African American residence may very well be determined by the choice that we as Black adults, parents and community members make today from this point forward noting the historical routes evident.
The Milwaukee Community Journal October 29, 2014 Page 11
Chair of Congressional Black Caucus, Marcia L. Fudge, to keynote CBC’s 25th annual James Baker awards
U.S. Congresswoman and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Marcia L. Fudge will be the keynote speaker at the Community Brainstorming Conference’s 25th annual James Howard Baker Award and Celebration, Friday, Nov. 21, at the Radisson Milwaukee North Shore Hotel, 7065 N. Port Washington Rd.The James Baker award winner has not yet been chosen. Cocktails & Social Hour: 5:30 PM. Dinner/Program: 6:30 PM. Tickets for the event are $30.00 (checks or money orders). Tickets can be purchased at: The Milwaukee Area Work Force Investment Board (MAWIB), 2342 North 27th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Call (414) 270-1700 or (414) 507-2123 after 4:30pm and weekends for more information. Chairwoman for the event is Dr. Pamela Malone.
ELECTION Celebrate Civil WATCH
First Person
Cong. Marcia L. Fudge
Rights on Nov. 4th
The only way to end these discriminatory laws and By Congresswoman Barbara Lee Earlier this month the Supreme Court launched another practices is to vote on November 4th for candidates that in a series of attacks on the voting rights of all Ameri- support restoring and protecting the voting rights of all Americans. cans. The court allowed Texas’s controversial new voter ID Right now, there is a bipartisan bill to correct some of law to stand, a decision that will rethe damage done by the Shelby decistrict the voices of African Amerision. While the bill is far from percans, Latinos, seniors, the poor and fect, it is a step in the right direction. students. Sadly, the House Republican leadSince the Supreme Court overership refuses to hold a hearing or turned a key provision of the Voting vote on the bill, despite broad biparRights Act of 1965 in the Shelby tisan and public support. We can pass case, there has been a systematic and this bill (H.R. 3899) but there are coordinated effort to impose restricthose, in positions of leadership, that tive and discriminatory laws and are afraid of minority, young and practices to suppress voter participaolder voters. tion amongst minorities and the They want to turn back the clock socio-economically disadvantaged. to the days of poll taxes and Jim As the heirs of the civil rights Crow. As a community and nation, movement, we cannot allow these as- Cong. Barbara Lee we have come too far to allow the saults to stand. clock to be turned back. We must be defiant. We must stop these regressive practices. We must stand up to those that want to turn back the It falls upon us to stand up: at the ballot box and in our clock and restrict OUR right to vote. communities. Voting rights are bedrock of our democracy. A right Each of us must do our part by voting and encouraging that people marched for in Selma, suffered fire hoses for our friends and families to vote. in Birmingham and bled for in Neshoba County. As we continue to fight for greater economic opportuToday, we, as a nation, must honor their sacrifices and nity, an end to institutional racial biases and a brighter fuembody the courage of our civil rights leaders. The ballot ture for our children, we must not forget the last box, on November 4th, is where we make our stand. generation’s victories. In the 50 years since Freedom Summer, our country They won us the right to vote; we must preserve it for has made tremendous progress towards greater equality. ourselves and our children. This starts November 4th. Yet, racial discrimination is far from over, especially in Congresswoman Barbara Lee represents California’s voting rights. We have seen this discrimination in voter 13th Congressional District. She served as chair of the ID laws, limited early voting and biased attempts at re- Congressional Black Caucus for the 111th Congress districting. and serves as co-chair of the Congressional Black Cau-
The Milwaukee Community Journal October 29, 2014 Page 12
Photo Op of President Barack Obama’s visit to North Division High School to support Mary Burke
The Milwaukee Community Journal October 29, 2014 Page 13
P h o t o s
b y
Y v o n n e
K e m p • K i m
R o b i n s o n • S c o t t
P o l l a r d
The Milwaukee Community Journal October 29, 2014 Page 14