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VOL. XXXIX Number 18 November 26, 2014
The Milwaukee
Grand jury does not indict Officer Wilson, Ferguson erupts 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
“A riot is the voice of the unheard...”--MLK
“While we understand that many others share our pain, we ask that you channel your frustration in ways that will make a positive change...”
(Read whole quote in Perspectives page’s “Quote of the Week”)
BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN PERMIT NO. 4668
Former DC Mayor Marion Barry Dies at 78 Ben Nuckols, Associated Press via “blackpressusa.com”
--Portion of statement by Brown family
Police move in on the crowd of protesters Monday night in Ferguson. Article by Rebecca Rivas of the St. Louis American
FERGUSON, MO.--After three months of hearing testimony and viewing evidence, a St. Louis County grand jury chose not to indict Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of unarmed black teen Michael Brown Jr. St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert M. McCulloch announced their decision
Monday, November 24 in a courtroom in Clayton, the county seat. The grand jury reviewed a 1,077page St. Louis County police report and heard testimony from both Wilson and Canfield Green residents who witnessed the shooting on August 9. Police officials have said that Brown and Wilson had an altercation inside the police car, before the teen
reached for Wilson’s weapon. However, according to some eyewitnesses, the teen had surrendered – with his hands up in the air – at the time of the fatal shooting, regardless of whatever altercation preceded it. McCulloch said many of the witnesses most familiar to the public gave testimony that conflicted with the physical evidence or changed their testimony, whereas witnesses
Michael Brown whose testimony was found more credible by the grand jurors have never been interviewed by the media. Brown’s parents, Lesley McSpadden and Michael Brown Sr., were given a phone call on Monday briefly alerting them to the grand jury’s announcement, according to an MSNBC report. “While we understand that many others share our pain, we ask that you channel your frustration in ways that will make a positive change,” the Brown family said in a statement. President Barack Obama quoted their statement in remarks from the White House after the decision was announced, but Unruly elements among the crowd in Ferguson had already started setting fires and trying to destroy police cars as Obama
spoke. This month, Brown’s parents were part of a delegation of human rights advocates and organizations who presented a 13-page brief on police violence at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. “The killing of Mike Brown and the abandonment of his body in the middle of a neighborhood street is but an example of the utter lack of regard for, and indeed dehumanization of, black lives by law enforcement personnel,” the brief stated. Anticipating an announcement from the grand jury this week, many schools near Ferguson cancelled classes, and the police established barriers in downtown Ferguson and Clayton to control protests. Many (continued on page 7)
Putting the “giving” in Thanksgiving into Action
Alderman Wade co-sponsors turkey giveaway event
Milwaukee Alderman Willie C. Wade (above center), United Milwaukee Scrap and the Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Club of Milwaukee recently joined forces to sponsor a Turkey and Ham Giveaway benefitting the Mary Ryan Boys and Girls Club in the Sherman Park neighborhood. This community initiative provided 10 hams and 10 turkeys to families in need for Thanksgiving. With Wade are (left to right): Charles Jordan of the Mary Ryan B&GC, Art Arnstein from United Milwaukee Scrap, Milwaukee Cnty Sup. Khalif Rainey, and Lisa Vincent of the B&GC. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway and Health Screening at Heritage Health Center
Milwaukee Bucks Guard Jerryd Bayless (pictured above second from right) hands a turkey and fixings to community resident Tony Driver during a Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway and Health Screening Saturday at MHS’ Martin Luther King, Jr. Heritage Health Center location at 2555 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. Bayless, through his “The Bayless Foundation” joined Milwaukee Health Services (MHS), Inc., 34 Ways to Assist Foundation, and Molina Healthcare in hosting the event, which attracted a number of community and media notables such as Cassandra McShepard (far right, front) and Jammin’ 98.3 radio personality Shatavia B. (far left front). (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
Thanksgiving 2014: Being thankful inspite of...
Despite the disappointing inquest verdict in the Michael Brown shooting that cleared Ferguson, Mo. Police Officer Darren Wilson in his death—and the forthcoming decision in Milwaukee’s own “Brown case,” the death of Dontre’ Hamilton at the hands of a Milwaukee police officer (the decision of which, alas, is expected to be the same as what occurred Monday in Ferguson). The mood of many people in Milwaukee and around the country seems to be one of loss and reflection on the difficult journey that has been 2014 in terms of what has been occurring in our streets and community, and the recent elections that shifted the balance of political power into the hands of conservatives who do not have our best interests at heart. While its understandable our community is finding it hard to see anything to be thankful about, we DO have a LOT to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
MCJ COMMENTARY
For one, we’re alive; and as the saying goes: “Any day above ground is a good day…” Many of us have our good health, we’re employed (though probably working more than one job to make the ends meet… but those ends are meeting), or self-employed…and making it work, with the help of family and wives…or husbands (and “significant others”) who are filling in the gap while “handling your ‘business!’” It’s rough out here, for sure! But, we’re making it work despite the obstacles before us as a community and a people. And that’s the key! We must realize in this time of thanks and reflection we DO have a lot to celebrate this Thanksgiving
and we have to begin valuing and standing on the blessings of the past year. Yes, there are those who are less fortunate who are struggling mightily to get their heads above water…and keep them there. But we can and should help them realize things can and will get better, with faith in God and ourselves to make it a better 2015. We can make a difference for ourselves and others by utilizing our gifts to the fullest and helping those realize their own. Thanksgiving is about counting our blessings, yes, but it’s also about being a blessing to others as well. May this Thanksgiving be a blessing to all of you, and that YOU be a blessing to the “least of these” among us! From the staff and management of YOUR Community Journal, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
PULSE OF THE COMMUNITY
Photo and question by Yvonne Kemp
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
We asked four attendees of the recent Center for Teaching Entrepreneurship’s annual Harvest of Hope dinner...
“What are your plans for Thanksgiving!”
JOSHUA TAYLOR: “I am spending time with family and thanking God for all of His blessings.”
FREIDA WEBB: “Help cook and enjoy dinner with family and friends, as well as count my blessings and be thankful.”
STEVEN F. HUNTER: “this is interesting (in that) I brought the holiday up (to my family) and it was unanswered. We recently lost our matriarch and patriarch, and it hovers as the first Thanksgiving without them. It’s new at this point how to celebrate without them.”
PATRICIA THOMPSON: “My Thanksgiving plans are to spend time with family and friends at a church event.”
Marion Berry
WASHINGTON (AP)— Divisive and flamboyant, maddening and beloved, Marion Barry outshone every politician in the 40-year history of District of Columbia self-rule. But for many, his legacy was not defined by the accomplishments and failures of his four terms as mayor and long service on the D.C. Council. Instead, Barry will be remembered for a single night in a downtown Washington hotel room and the grainy video that showed him lighting a crack pipe in the company of a much-younger woman. When FBI agents burst in, he referred to her with an expletive. She “set me up,” Barry said. Barry died Sunday at 78. His family said in statement that Barry died shortly after midnight at the United Medical Center, after having been released from Howard University Hospital on Saturday. No cause of death was given, but his spokeswoman LaToya Foster said he collapsed outside his home. Speaking at a 4 a.m. press conference at United Medical Center, the city’s mayor-elect Muriel Bowser called Barry an “inspiration to so many people and a fighter for people.” “Mr. Barry, I can say this, lived up until the minute the way he wanted to live,” said Bowser, who had served with Barry on the D.C. Council. The year was 1990, and crack cocaine had exploded in the district, turning it into the nation’s murder capital. In his third term, the man known as the “Mayor for Life” became a symbol of a foundering city. Federal authorities had been investigating him for years for his alleged ties to drug suspects, and while he denied using drugs, his late-night partying was taking a toll on his job performance. The arrest and subsequent conviction – a jury deadlocked on most counts, convicting him of a single count of drug possession – was a turning point for Barry. He had been elected to his first term as mayor in 1978 with broad support from across the city. With his good looks, charisma and background in the civil rights movement, he was embraced the dynamic leader the city’s young government needed. The Washington Post endorsed him in each of his first three mayoral runs, although the 1986 endorsement was unenthusiastic. Barry’s six-month term in federal prison was hardly the end of his political career. But it forever changed how it was perceived. To some, he was a pariah and an embarrassment. But to many district residents, particularly lower-income blacks, he was still a hero, someone unfairly persecuted for personal failures. Barry returned to the D.C. Council in 1992, representing the poorest of the city’s eight wards. Two years later, he won his fourth and final term as mayor. The electorate was starkly divided along racial lines, and Barry advised those who had not supported his candidacy to “get over it.” “Marion Barry changed America with his unmitigated gall to stand up in the ashes of where he had fallen and come back to win,” poet Maya Angelou said in 1999. Barry’s triumph, though, was
(continued on page 5)
African Culture represented at Holiday Folk Fair
The Milwaukee Community Journal November 26, 2014 Page 2
THE PULSE
The WHO•WHAT•WHERE• WHEN of YOUR Community!
F o r m e r l y
t h e
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C o m m u n i t y
H a p p e n i n g s
Wisconsin Black Chamber and Black Men’s Forum to hold “Real Black Friday” bazaar day after Thanksgiving
The Wisconsin African American Women’s Center, The Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce and The Black Men’s Forum will host “The Real Black Friday: Putting Our Money Where Our Mouth Is” bazaar, the day after Thanksgiving. This “Real Black Friday bazaar” will be at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center, 3020 W. Vliet St., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To quote the Godfather of Soul, James Brown: “Like a dull knife just ain’t cuttin’ it, you just talking loud and saying nothing,” many Black people give lip service to supporting Black people in business, but often do the opposite of what they profess when they spend their money. This Black Friday, the community will have an opportunity to put their money where their mouth is by supporing the multitude of Black vendors who will be selling
MILWAUKEE LINKS TO FEATURE FASHION AT EMERALD LUNCHEON
Camille Morgan, coordinating curator of “Inspiring Beauty: 50 years of Ebony Fashion Fair” traveling exhibit, will be the featured speaker at the Milwaukee Chapter of the Links, Inc., annual Emerald Luncheon Saturday, December 13, 11 AM, at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, 333 W. Kilbourn Av-
items to put under your Christmas tree and give as Kwanzaa gifts. According to the organizers of the event, we as Black people can never build a strong economic base if we keep spending our money outside of our community. Let’s make Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving November 28th, a real Black Friday where we consciously spend some of our dollars with ourselves. Black men this flyer is especially for you because we are the ones that is always doing the most talking about building our own businesses and developing a strong economic base. We can start this Black Friday and begin to make it happen. Those still interested in being a vendor can contact Josephine Hill at 933-1652.
enue. Morgan is an independent curator and arts administrator. She has been noted for past exhibits including Versailles ’73: An American Sportswear Tradition is Born and Dreams in Jay-Z Minor: New works from Amanda Williams and Krista Franklin. She is currently Exhibitions Cuatorial Coordinatoar for the Reva and David Logan Center for the arts at the University of Chicago. Some of the fashions in the exhibit will be featured at the Links Luncheon.
MATC to hold winter commencement Friday, Dec. 12 at Panther Arena downtown Milwaukee Area Technical College will hold its winter commencement at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 , at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, 400 W.
Milwaukee Postmaster Announces New Posting of Job Openings
The Milwaukee Post Office will post more of the new City Carrier Assistant (CCA) positions. Jobseekers in the community are encouraged to build their online profile and apply at http://usps.com/employment. The posting will open on Friday November 21, 2014 and close at midnight on Sunday - November 30, 2014. The CCA is a new category of noncareer employee and is the path to possible future employment as a fulltime mail carrier with Postal career employee status. Starting pay is $15.30 per hour. CCAs will be appointed for a term not to exceed 360 calendar days. At the end of the term, CCAs are eligible for reappointment for another 360-day term. CCAs will enjoy benefits including salary increases, vacation time, and an opportunity to enroll in a health benefits plan after 360 days of employment. Positions are posted online at http://usps.com/employment. All applications must be submitted online. Immediately after an application is accepted, applicants will be directed to information to assist in preparing for the Postal Entrance Examination 473. Although this is the only test support material made available by the Postal Service, applicants might also choose to acquire additional test practice material from outside sources such as a library, bookstore, or online search. A minimum score of 70 (excluding veterans’ preference points) is required to be considered for the position. Higher scores are given hiring preference, so it is very important to be prepared and do well on this exam. To be considered for employment, an applicant must also have a valid state driver’s license, demonstrate and maintain a safe driving record, and successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening.
Kilbourn Ave. Nearly 800 students will graduate from associate degree, technical diploma, apprentice and adult high school programs. Kimberley Motley, an attorney who has worked in Afghanistan since 2008, will serve as the keynote speaker. Motley is the first Westerner to litigate cases in Afghanistan’s criminal courts. She focuses on criminal, commercial, contract, civil and employment matters, with a special emphasis on human rights cases. Motley graduated from
MATC in 1997 with a paralegal associate in applied science degree. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a juris doctor degree from Marquette University. Dr. Vicki J. Martin, MATC president, will officially confer the degrees; and Melanie Holmes, chairperson of the MATC District Board, will address the assembly. For more information, contact Archie Graham at (414) 2976870.
Performers representing Masai Culture performed at the recently held Holiday Folk Fair at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis. (Photo by Cy White)
CTE hold annual Harvest of Hope Dinner
Redona Rodgers (seated center) executive director of the Center for Teaching Entrepreneurship, was joined by board members and student participants at the CTE’s 23rd annual Harvest of Hope Dinner held recently at the Italian Community Center on East Chicago Street. With Rodgers are (standing left to right):James Kirk, Dayvionia Green, Qaio Qaio Liu, jasmine Oparah, the events keynote speaker Derrius Quarles, founder of the Million Dollar Scholar; Morgan Sommers, Cybria Williams, Zakeya Green, Maria Norris and Joshua Taylor. Seated (left to right): Douglas Kelly, president of the board for CTE, Rodgers, and John Salemi, vice president and district manager for US Bank. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
The Brewers Community Foundation recently teamed up with “Koos for Kids” to donate over 350 brand new winter coats to students at Metcalfe Elementary School. Standing with the kids in their brand new coats are (left to right): Katina Shaw, senior director of community relations and family liason, Dean Steger, Jill Hanel, Brewers bullpen catcher Marcus Hanel, and Cecelia Gore, the foundation’s executive director. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
Brewers Community Foundation and “Koos for Kids” team up to donate coats to local students
Through the riots, see the pain, and learn from the lessons of Ferguson
To date there is no decision from the District Attorney in the Dontre Hamilton case, and it's been nearly seven months since Dontre's death. Watching what is happening in Ferguson, we hope that we are collectively taking notes here in Milwaukee. It has been especially striking to see how much Our hearts go out to the Brown preparation has gone into readyfamily and to the people of Ferguing for the verdict in Ferguson son. and how little has gone into helpLast night's announcement of ing the community to heal. the grand jury's choice not to Transparency of process and charge Darren Wilson, a Ferguson systemic change are essential in police officer, with the death of Milwaukee. Mike Brown was a major blow to Throughout any process or inour hope for justice, and to the vestigation all affected parties similar hopes of millions of have to feel heard and that their Americans. concerns are being addressed. Although the verdict may not Long-term, systemic changes are have been what many wanted, needed, including new laws and Michael Brown there is much to be learned from better police training, in the hopes the lesson of Ferguson, and as we of preventing additional incidents watch the unrest, we should also like Milwaukee's Dontre Hamilsee the hurt and pain. ton case. We know there is hurt and pain We believe we need to spend because we have learned of the more time thinking about how we witnesses' accounts who say Mike can heal in Milwaukee and how Brown was mere feet away from we can effectuate meaningful, Officer Wilson, facing the officer systematic, systemic with his hands raised in the air change in the wake of the and imploring, "Don't shoot, I'm Hamilton case. Ferguson received unarmed." In Milwaukee we have a grand jury verdict in less than seen the pain and the hurt in the four months; our community has faces been waiting for a Dontre Hamilton of the family of Dontre Hamildecision for nearly seven ton, the 31-year-old Milwaukee native and resident months. We hope the District Attorney comes out shot and killed by former Milwaukee Officer with the findings in the Hamilton case soon so that Christopher Manney earlier this year in Red Arrow Dontre's family can begin healing. Park.
Joint statement from Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Ashanti Hamilton and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II
PERSPECTIVES MCJ EDITORIAL
Violent response to Michael Brown verdict shows America still a nation ignoring the cries of the unheard
On this page as our quote of the week (and in the front page lead photo), we use a little known quote from civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is from a 1966 interview he did with legendary CBS News Correspondent Mike Wallace reflecting on the sea change taking place at that time in the Civil Rights Movement. The movement was going from the stance of non-violence advocated by Dr. King and other civil rights leaders of the era, to an increasingly angry stance of “Black Power,” Black pride and revolution being advocated by a younger cadre of activists (identified as “militants” by the mainstream media) impatient with the non-violence ideology; angry and distrusting of a system determined—as they saw it—not to share power and deny equality. Dr. King said the riots of 1965 and 1966 that were ignited by this anger, and the riots that were to follow in the next two years, was a symbol of the impatience and frustration experienced by the new generation of “freedom fighters.” King told Wallace the cry of “black power” was a reaction to the reluctance of “white power” to make the changes necessary for true justice to be a reality in America for “the Negro,” as we identified ourselves at the time (even that identifier was quickly being replaced by “Afro American”). Said the “Drum Major for Peace”: “I think that we’ve got to see that a riot is the language of the unheard.” What has occurred in the last 24 hours in Ferguson, Missouri after the grand jury decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown mirrors what Dr. King said decades ago. The rioting, looting, and burning of buildings and cars in that Missouri town and the surrounding area is the voice of the unheard, the disaffected, angry, distrustful Black youth of today. Like the militant youth of yesteryear, Black young people of the 21st century are demanding change and are willing to “use any means necessary”—including rioting—to regain what their parents had, but let slip away through apathy, the shadowy maneuverings of the “powers-that-be” within the system, and the open resurgence of “white power” as represented by ultra-right conservative government and the wealthy two percent, who use law enforcement agencies (and a few vigilantes emboldened by “Stand Your Ground” and “Castle” laws) in America’s cities as their “storm troopers” to maintain what they see as “order” (or should that be the “old order” of White Supremacy that King went toe-to-toe to overcome). While we understand the whirlwind of pain, anger and frustration the verdict has produced, we join with Michael Browns parents and others in the civil rights community in calling for peace and calm; to take the anger they are feeling and channel it more constructively in making changes in the system, especially the judicial system and law enforcement agencies that see Black life as cheap and unimportant. Hopefully the youth, who have taken the reigns of the movement in Ferguson and similar incidents across the country, will take heed, take a step back and join with their elders and long-time soldiers in the struggle, to strategize and enact a plan of action that will lead to changes, not only in the system, but within our own communities as well.
THE MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY JOURNAL Published twice weekly, Wednesday & Friday
3612 North Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212 Phone: 414-265-5300 (Advertising and Administration) • 414-265-6647 (Editorial) • Website: communityjournal.net • Email: Editorial@communityjournal.net/Advertising@communityjournal.net MCJ STAFF: Patricia O’Flynn -Pattillo Publisher, CEO Robert J. Thomas Assoc. Publisher Todd Thomas, Vice Pres. Mikel Holt, Assoc. Publisher Thomas E. Mitchell, Jr., Editor Teretha Martin, Technical Consultant/Webmaster Billing Dept./Publisher’s Admin. Assist.
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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.
The Milwaukee Community Journal November 26, 2014 Page 3
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I contend that the cry of ‘black power’ is, at bottom, a reaction to the reluctance of white power to make the kind of changes necessary to make justice a reality for the Negro. I think that we've got to see that A RIOT IS THE
LANGUAGE OF THE UNHEARD.”--Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. in 1966 interview with CBS’ Mike Wallace
UNIVERSALLY SPEAKING
By Rahim Islam
The Black Male: A Targeted Group, Part 5
Rahim Islam In the previous parts of this article, I’ve tried to articulate that the impact of slavery is directly linked to the struggles of the Black man in America (targeted). I continue to argue that the American institution of slavery has had a much bigger impact on our people than we’ve been taught to fully appreciate, unlike other groups, their group struggles are memorialized through ceremony, pageantry, religion, and culture (the Black holocaust, considered the worst, is not even mentioned). I’ve tried to articulate that our boys are at a serious and real disadvantage, which continues throughout their lives as the result of post-traumatic slavery syndrome and the on-going socialization process of our boys. I was born to a father who was just three to four generations removed from the American institution of slavery, 350 years coupled with nearly 70 years of Jim Crow and KKK terrorism) that was inflicted against our ancestors. I consider this period one of the most barbaric periods over the past 4,000 years of mankind’s history mainly because of the length of the persecution (300 years) and the brutality of the persecution. I contend that our people, specifically Black men, while undiagnosed, suffer from extreme levels of low self-esteem, depression, and poverty as a result of slavery. For those who think that I’m smoking something, let’s do the math; unlike what they try to portray, we are closer than we tend to believe. I was born in 1957 and considered the fourth generation since the Emancipation Proclamation (1863). My father was born in 1932, three generations from slavery; my grandfather was born in 1905, two generations from slavery; and my greatgrandfather (I didn’t know) was born in 1885 is only 20 years removed from slavery. We are closer than we realize. While most of my article has focused on the psychological effects of slavery, equally as damaging is the generational inheritance of poverty, which social experts link directly to every social and emotional ill facing our community today. Stated differently, if poverty is not a direct cause of many social ills we face, it, at least, exacerbates our condition. Being born into poverty is an extremely difficult thing to overcome. I ask you to consider the collective wealth of our ancestors at the time they were freed from slavery in 1863, and reported that, prior to the emancipation of our ancestors, free Blacks (representing approximately three to five percent of our population) owned approximately onehalf of one percent of the nation’s wealth and today, with 100% freedom, we still only own one-half of one percent of the nation’s wealth. Why? Just like wealth, poverty is inherited as well. The wealth disparity between whites and Blacks isn’t a gap but the “grand canyon” and while not often discussed, it as massive today as it was in 1864. Our ancestors were freed into acute and abject poverty while, at the same time, the slave masters where the owners of America’s massive wealth, industry, and global economic position as the direct result of the bondage of our ancestors. Today, some estimate America’s wealth at nearly $60 trillion with nearly 85 percent being transferred generationally (the majority can be traced back to slavery). Let’s try to unpack what this means to our argument. It means that where you start matters. Our start has to begin when we were freed. Today, the white community and some in the black community will have you believe that we’re all equal and we all
should be viewed as equal. This is a preposterous position and is only used to obscure the real truth about the massive disadvantage that our ancestors and their children have inherited). For the most part, we have inherited poverty and coupled with structured racism, as a group, we aren’t better off economically since slavery. This has had damming impact on the Black man. I want to dispel the misconception that all white people benefited economically from slavery. Nothing can be further from the truth. This is why there is so much hostility amongst many whites when the discussion shifts to affirmative action-efforts to attempt to repair the economic wrong perpetuated against our ancestors. Today, most, if not all affirmative action efforts have been silenced or reversed and the debt owed to our ancestors remains unpaid. Slavery did produce massive and extreme levels of wealth for a select number of white families. However, there is an imbalance in the distribution of wealth even amongst white people as well. Today we find a movement growing that seeks a better distribution of wealth called “the 99 Percenters” (based on the fact that 40 percent of wealth in America is held by 1% of the population). Even with this news, whites are doing far better than Blacks economically. Generally speaking, all white people benefited indirectly (white privilege) from slavery by controlling not only the wealth and what that wealth could produce, but by being in control of each and every American system and industry that systematically locked out our ancestors significantly impairing their abilities to compete (i.e. Jim Crow Laws, racism, discrimination, etc.). The fact remains that blacks are last in every positive economic statistic and are still the last hired and the first fired, with our Black men taking the brunt of this inequity and injustice. Black families live in poverty and too many of our children continue to be born disproportionately into poverty, more than any group. Poverty continues to cripple and undermine the self-determination of the Black community and has wreaked havoc on the Black man. The sad economic reality for many Black men can be seen in the high level of underemployment and unemployment for the most needed and employable segment (ages 18 -35). While the national unemployment levels hovers around six to seven percent, traditionally, our black men experience unemployment levels at nearly 50 percent. This is absolutely crippling to our community and especially our men. The nation’s economic crisis has deeply affected the Black man. Skyrocketing foreclosures, homelessness, job layoffs, economic disinvestment, failed education system, and shrinking tax base has pulled the rug out from under many Black families, particularly those Blacks living in low-income communities, which represents the majority of Black people. Even our so-called middle class ranks at the bottom of the group and isn’t a true representation of private or public sector employment. The majority of the Black middle class is employed in the public and non-profit sectors (i.e. government, education, civic groups, etc.), which impedes economic self-determination of Black people. This is important because no one can inherit a government job. EVERYONE I KNOW, including myself and my family, was born into low or very low-income families (poverty or near poverty). What is the current and long-term impact of this type of poverty? What are the psychological ramifications when a man is unable to provide for his family? What does he communicate to his children especially his sons? It’s called trauma and it represents the worst form of trauma because its kills ones spirit. Many of our men who have been under-employed long-term and the unemployed have been labeled lazy and unwilling to work. I cannot count how many times I’ve heard,”just pull up your bootstraps.” The stereotype is that our men are just lazy. If all we have to do is work hard this would suggest that there are jobs in our community that we just won’t take (B.S.).
I liken our condition to the experiment that a social scientist conducted nearly fifty years ago to show the power of “illusion.” The experiment had a mouse that was allowed to see and smell the perfect yellow cheese only to have it snatched away when the mouse was allowed to gain access. After several tries at going after the cheese with the same result (snatching away), when the mouse was set free and able to get the cheese, it refused to go after the cheese anymore even though it could see the cheese and could smell it too. For too many Black men in America, economic participation has become an illusion and many of our men no longer seek to participate and for that they are labeled as lazy and criminal. This economic reality (poverty) has had significant ramifications for our children with many of our children going to bed hungry and/or malnourished. Also, things have been bad for so long, the trauma that it produces in our men has resulted in anxiety and become a foundation for drug and alcohol addiction and/or negative social behavior. Poverty has and continues to undermine the Black man. In addition to the obvious legacy of poverty that is all encompassing (to this date, this issue hasn’t been, not only rectified and/or repaired, but not even addressed); I maintain that our people sustained serious psychological harm that continues to impede our progress today. How? Poverty alone can create havoc on a family and community especially when it’s compared to the economic prosperity one can see right across the street (tale of two cities). If poverty was all that Black people had to contend with, though monumental, it wouldn’t be as crippling as it is now. I ask you: How was our people supposed to overcome this massive emotional, physiological, and economic disadvantage, or do you foolishly believe that it’s a nonissue? When was the healing to take place?? Due to the lack of treatment and/or acknowledgement of the abuse that was perpetuated against our ancestors we, as a group, developed some very harmful behaviors that continue today. While there remain numerous scars from slavery, none runs deeper than the emasculation of the Black man and his leadership role as a provider and protector of his family and community along with emotional trauma that we project onto our boys; poverty is directly linked to this trauma. Our children are exposed to the highest level of instabilities (i.e. poor work ethics and values, criminal behavior, incarceration, hopelessness, alcoholism, drug addiction, domestic abuse, emotional abandonment, etc.) and what do weexpect?!? Do we expect that all of a sudden, the sons of these men, will spread their wings and fly, like magic? This type of trauma is mentally and socially crippling and children, especially boys, are a reflection of their fathers. If their fathers feel hopeless, they will feel the same hopelessness. If their fathers are addicted it’s a good chance they too will become addicted. I clearly remember my father taking me to the bar and making me drink straight gin. I remember that it burned so bad that I threw up and was sick for the whole day. I believe this and other factors contributed to me drinking and smoking marijuana at the early age of 10 and by age 12 I was smoking marijuana every day. Needless to say, I didn’t compete with the other children in school. By age 18, I, like many of my peers, was a functional addict, addicted to smoking marijuana and snorting cocaine (I also dabbled in snorting heroin and freebasing cocaine). I say functional, my father, in the beginning, was a weekend alcoholic, until he started doing heroin, which ultimately destroyed his entire life. Two of his brothers overdosed and, during this period of time, my oldest brother and sister ran away from home with no consequence or even discussion (I didn’t know what happened to them. I would later learn that they found my mother and moved in with her). This left my brother and me to live with my father in a heroin shooting gallery for nearly 3 years with no heat, electricity, or water (I WAS ADAMANT THAT I WOULD NOT ABANDON MY FATHER).
During my twenties, I was extremely fortunate that my brother and I acknowledged that we were on the path that we vowed we would not travel (become a junkie like our father) and when I turned 30, I went cold turkey and have not put an intoxicant in my body since (nearly 30 years sober). I now can be all I can be and owe much to my father and his life, struggles, and even his early death. I was significantly impacted negatively and severely traumatized by my childhood and the sad reality is that most of our children are trapped in this vicious cyclone. There is an old saying that children will not listen to what you say but what you do. So if our parents are telling us to do the right thing and they aren’t doing themselves, our children will follow the bad behavior that we try to dissuade them from. After my father divorced my mother (I was around 5), he attempted to raise me and my three siblings by himself. Much of the dysfunction around male/female relationships that I learned, I learned from my father. He used to tell me that I should treat my sister with kid gloves but his behavior was, in many instances, hateful to women. It seems like every other month, I had a new step-mother (some were actual repeats). These women weren’t just bed partners for my father, but they lived with us (here today and gone tomorrow). Many were homeless and drug addicts themselves, so I didn’t see the best role model for women. What did I learn about women, how to treat a woman, how to support a woman, and most importantly how does the relationship of man and woman happen? Ultimately, what I learned is that the relationship wasn’t to be valued. It meant nothing to me. Like all children in a divorce, I was traumatized by the breakup of my parents. Broken families create broken children no matter what the income level or the age of the children. Not only did I blame my mother for the breakup of our family (for years I resented her) but I also could never trust a woman for fear that she would abandon me like my mother (this dysfunction has followed me even till today). I was extremely fortunate to bury years of pain that was held against my mother. I used to ask myself, how does a mother leave her children? I spent so many nights crying for my mother and she was nowhere to provide her son (I was a baby) the warm hug that only a mother can give her child. For years I just didn’t understand women (I guess I still don’t, but getting better). How could I with the socialization process that I was born into? There was no healthy modelling between a man and woman in my house and I adopted many of these pathologies (socialization). Later when I became a teenager I went to live with my mother who had two additional children with two different fathers and I can tell you that I was unable or unwilling to navigate and manage all of the drama (my drama and my mother’s) this presented. Not only did I despise the man she was with but I also found it difficult to love her children (my brothers). In her later years, prior to her death, she explained to me that she had only one option to leave because of the violence that my father exhibited (I wrote in my last article that the only memory that I have of my mother and father being together was seeing my father whip my mother with a belt) and I know that she loved me more than any other adult in my life. I was able to bury both my mother and father with the peace and the understanding that going forward I would spend the rest of my life living up to the hope and strength of their struggles which were directly linked to their growing up. I share my personal story and it makes my heart swell up as I write. I cry because the pain is still there and I’ve learned how to bury these feelings (I will pass this dysfunction to my children if I don’t become aware of the hurt). I also write and share my personal story because I know that I’m not much different from so many of our people. This is an epidemic in our community and we will not heal unless we come to know that we have been hurt and the Black man is a targeted group.
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
RELIGION
The Milwaukee Community Journal November 26, 2014 Page 4
Christ the King and Molina Healthcare team up to administer food, flu shots and the ACA
Faith Community Calls Ferguson Grand Jury Decision “A Moral Failure” Clergy Leaders Vow Continued Organizing Support for Youth Activists Seeking Justice for Mike Brown and Urge Governor Nixon and President Obama to De-Militarize Law Enforcement
WASHINGTON, DC-- In response to today’s grand jury decision against charging White Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting death of 18year-old African-American youth Michael Brown, faith leaders with the PICO National Network, released the following statement: “Today’s decision is deeply disappointing, but it comes as no surprise. It is another unconscionable blow to the St. Louis community and communities of color across America who have suffered through painful patterns of police abuses, discrimination and aggressive policing tactics at the expense of human life. Our children, our brothers and sisters, our loved ones have died at the hands of unrepentant law enforcement right in front of our eyes and enough is enough. “Not indicting Officer Darren Wilson highlights a clear pattern of injustice and sends this community a message: the Ferguson Police Department and St. Louis County officials do not value Black lives. Michael Brown’s body was riddled with bullets and left lying in the street for more than four hours. The police response to a grieving and traumatized community was shocking and shameful: tear-gassing peaceful protesters, selective arrests, violations of the constitutional right to free speech and assembly, pointing military-grade weapons at unarmed young people, running police cars over Brown’s memorial, using dogs to intimidate community members, even urinating on the site of the shooting. In America, this should be a disgrace and does not look like the will of God. “The unwillingness to hold a public trial of Darren Wilson is rightfully seen as a moral failure and a reflection of a biased judicial system that dehumanizes and devalues
the lives of Black youth. St. Louis County Prosecutor McCulloch took a standard process designed to protect the public by determining whether there was probable cause in a murder case, and turned it into a charade to protect Darren Wilson from public accountability. In the face of this denial of justice, we say, Black lives do matter and as people of faith who stand on God’s word to love each other, we will not stand for the dehumanization of any of God’s children. “We are here to support peaceful protesters against another round of heavy-handed police violence. We are here to urge Governor Nixon, President Obama and Attorney General Holder to use all their powers to de-escalate the militarized police response to non-violent demonstrations. We are here to call on the Department of Justice to charge Officer Wilson for violating Michael Brown’s civil rights, as well as oversee negotiations between local community organizations, local faith leaders and law enforcement officials and require all St. Louis County law enforcement agencies follow the rules of engagement set up by its taxpaying residents. “As people of faith, we have a moral obligation to demand justice for the Mike Browns in this world and to stand firm for human dignity, respect and peace when people are being abused. Justice requires action and GOD requires justice. We are committed to standing with the community of Ferguson and its courageous youth as an extension of our religious ministries.” Abou PICO: PICO National Network is the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States. PICO works with 1,000 religious congregations in more than 200 cities and towns through its 60 local and state federations. PICO and its federations are nonpartisan and do not endorse or support candidates for office. PICO urges people of faith to consult their faith traditions for guidance on specific policies and legislation. Learn more at www.piconetwork.org.
Members of Christ the King Church and Molina Healthcare came together recently to give away turkeys and all the fixings, administer free flu shots and enroll individuals for the Affordable Care Act health insurance initiative. Helping give out food, flu shoots and health insurance were (left to right): Joanie James, Molina Healthcare community connector; Jefferlyn Harper-Harris, CTK mission ministry co-leader; Sandy Smith, CTK misson ministry; and Lurean Nelson Slocum CTK wholistic health. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
Zion Hill MBC gives away Turkeys for “Turkey Day”
Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church gave out Thanksgiving baskets to designated families at the church, located at 1825 W. Hampton Ave. Girl Scout Troop 1789 helped give out the baskets of food. Shown above (left to right) are: Morgan Taylor, Jamarie Staten, recipient Almeka Ray and daughter Jamiaya Staten, Makayla Sampson, and Shanteah James. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
Jamal Bryant Spearheads Coalition of Black Churches in Announcing A National Economic Mobilization Protest: #HandsUPDon'tSpend! Baltimore Pastor/Activist Rev. Jamal Bryant calls for Economic Mobilization regardless of the Darren Wilson verdict
BALTIMORE, MD. - Dr. JamalHarrison Bryant, Pastor and Founder of Empowerment Temple Church and President of the Empowerment Movement, announced the launch of a new national economic mobilization effort titled #HandsUpDon'tSpend. This strategic collaboration is anchored by faith-based denominations from across the country that have united to demonstrate the power of the African American dollar! The Empowerment Movement, a non-partisan organization, is supported by the AME Church, AME Zion, COGIC, Progressive, Bible Way Churches, Full Gospel, Gospel Music Workshop of America, CME, United Covenant Churches, Harvest Churches, Fellowship of International Word of Faith, Church of God, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Congressional Black Caucus. Tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in this economic mobilization effort which encourages supporters to refrain from spending during the most highly-anticipated shopping time of the year; Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, through Cyber Monday. The #HandsUpDon'tSpend Campaign will kick off Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27 and conclude, Tuesday, December 2, 2014. Retail establishments nationwide. In a public announcement yesterday Dr. Jamal Bryant stated, "Police brutality has no place in modern law enforcement. However, American history continues to repeat itself. Exactly one year after the death of Trayvon Martin, Black America is once again pleading for the justice system to uphold the principles of justice and equality for countless victims including Michael Brown, Eric Garner and John Crawford. "We have come to recognize that petitions and marching have not changed the landscape of our justice system," Bryant announced. "Neither has it changed the alarming rate of police brutality cases against African Americans in
Rev. Jamal Bryant
America. Therefore, we have decided to shift the impact of our power to what the government understands - the almighty dollar."
Dr. Bryant was heavily involved in the Trayvon Martin case as the families' advocate and spiritual advisor. Today, he serves in the same capacity for the family of Michael Brown. In addition to prayer, protest and voting campaigns, Dr. Bryant has initiated the #HandsUpDon'tSpend Campaign. According to Bryant, the intended message to those who join in the movement is, "Flex your power by not shopping during the busiest shopping period of the year - #HandsUpDon'tSpend!" In support of the #HandsUpDon'tSpend campaign the Empowerment Movement will also be supporting the WalMart workers protest on Black Friday.
“Seek the Lord while he may be found: call him while he is near.”--Isaiah 55:6
In Loving Memory Quality Service... a tenured tradition sincere concern at your time of need.
Ernestine O’Bee, Founder
Offering pre-need, at need and after-care services to families in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and other communities throughout our state.
Bennett, Anthony W. Age 56 yrs. November 21, 2014. A Memorial service will be held on Monday, December 1st, at 1PM at: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020 King, Alma V. Age 90yrs. November 18, 2014. A Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 25 at 11AM at: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020 Mack, Harlon B. Age 59 yrs. October 29, 2014. A Memorial service will be held on Friday 1PM. Family will receive guest from 12 Noon until time of services at: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020 Smith, Nathaniel Jr. Age 82 yrs. November 17, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 17, at 11AM at Cross Lutheran Church 1821 N. 16th St. Visitation Saturday
J.C. Frazier, Funeral Director
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 Benton, Alice D. Age 91 yrs. November 12, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 21 at 11AM at St.Mark AME Church 1616 W. Atkinson Ave. Visitation Friday 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 Childs, Vanessa L. Age 55 yrs. November 8, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday 1PM. Visitation Tuesday 12 Noon until time of services 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
POLITICS &G OVERNMENT
City•County•State•National
City of Milwaukee Youth Council calls on Common Council to boost youthsupporting businesses
The City of Milwaukee Youth Council will ask the Common Council to do more to help promote youthfriendly retail businesses in the city. Zeynab Ali, a newly-confirmed Youth Council member, said she and other members of the Council will hold a news conference to discuss an MYC resolution on the issue at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26 in the first floor rotunda at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St. The resolution, already approved by the MYC and part of the full Common Council agenda for its meeting Tuesday, November 25 (9 a.m. in the third floor
Council Chamber), also suggests options of boycotting those retail venues that discriminate solely based on age. Council member Ali said she believes the resolution is important as it “reflects the true position on the issue” held by a majority of high school age students in the city. “As law abiding citizens and consumers who buy goods and services, we believe we should not be treated arbitrarily as though we cannot be trusted or that we will inevitably cause problems at stores or malls,” she said. “Our rights should be considered, and we are asking businesses and locations to afford us some trust and to show some faith in Milwaukee’s young people, and that’s the discussion we hope to bring about with this resolution,” Ali said. Please follow the Youth Council on Twitter @mkeyouthcouncil or via the MYC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mkeyouthcouncil/.
Create your family health portrait on Thanksgiving: National Family Health History Day
The Milwaukee Community Journal November 26, 2014 Page 5
ASK YOUR ATTORNEY...By Personal Injury Attorney John P. Casey
Protecting Shopper Safety During Black Friday Black Friday has expanded into Thanksgiving Day, thanks to shopper demand and store owners’ willingness to open doors earlier.
Whether or not you approve, the extended shopping period has helped tamp down some of the chaos Black Friday became known for over the past decade.
Shopping on Black Friday 2013 was much more civil and safer than in previous years with “only” one death and 15 injuries, according to BlackFridayDealthCount.com which tracks death and injuries related to the day. Despite the positive trend toward civility, Black Friday weekend is still a time for store owners and other businesses that cater to shoppers to seriously consider their role in the safety and protection of their customers. A friend of mine who recently started her own business asked me what defines “Shopping Injuries” and what is
A
cting Surgeon General Boris D. Lushniak, M.D., M.P.H. recently declared this Thanksgiving day, November 27, as the eleventh annual Family Health History Day. Over the holiday or at other times when families gather, Americans are encouraged to talk about and keep a record of the health problems that seem to run in their families.
Ninety-six percent of Americans believe that knowing their family history is important. Yet, only one-third of Americans have ever tried to gather and write down their family's health history. The Surgeon General’s My Family Health Portrait tool is a free resource that helps people collect and privately share their family history information through a secured system. “We are taking an important step in helping Americans identify opportunities for preventing serious disease and conditions,” said Lushniak. He added, “This year, I am pleased to announce updates to the technology behind the My Family Health Portrait tool that will make it easier for people to record their family health history information and to share it with
she liable for if a customer should have an injury on her premises. “Shopping injuries”is a broad term and, fortunately, most of what make up shopping injuries are non-life threatening. However, more serious injuries can and do include spinal injuries, neck injuries, head trauma, broken bones, fractured knees and death. Shopping injuries may happen in many ways,including: • Slip and Fall injuries – among the most common and are caused by wet floors, poorly maintained carpets, area rugs that trip, unmarked stairs, or poor lighting. • Overcrowding injuries – such as trampling due to crowds. • Head and body injuries – from overstocked items or displays that fall. • Parking lot injuries – from failure to remove ice and snow, aging and cracked surfaces that cause tripping or parking lot automobile accidents. • Shopping cart injuries – when an errant cart hits a person or tips over and falls on someone. Store owners, protect yourselves. Under Wisconsin Premises Laws, you must exercise reasonable care to see (continued on page 7)
their health care providers.” This year, the My Family Health Portrait tool has three new features to offer: Optional modules that help determine if an individual is at increased or average risk for colorectal cancer and diabetes in an easy format to share with health care professionals. Mobile-friendly access so users can manage their family health history information wherever they are and whenever they want on their mobile devices such as tablets. More ways for users to save and manage their family history information to personal digital storage sites that use secured information transfer methods. By collecting health information from relatives, individuals and families are taking the first step towards preventing diseases or health conditions. Family history cannot be changed -- but sharing the history with health care providers can help to identify strategies to reduce risk for diseases like diabetes and heart disease in the future. Making healthy choices is important for everyone, but it is especially important for those at higher risk because of a family history of disease. More information on the Surgeon General’s My Family Health Portrait is available at the Surgeon General’s My Family Health History Initiative webpage.
The Milwaukee Community Journal November 26, 2014 Page 6
World Diabetes Day Breakfast at Northwest Y
School board's actions cut benefits liability by $2.6 billion over last 6 years
Efforts allow for more resources to be directed to classrooms and students
In recognition of World Diabetes Day recently, the YMCA and Children’s Hospital held a free breakfast and open house to highlight the importance of eating healthy to prevent type 2 diabetes. The event was held at the Northside YMCA, 1350 W. North Ave. There were free diabetes screenings, eductional presentations and community vendors’resources. John Anderson, a cyclist and runner with Team Novo Nordisk. Shown above are members of Children’s Hospital (left to right):Blia Lor, Ella Jah, Lindsey Neumuth, and Anthony Smith. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
Decisions by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors to make changes to benefits and other changes have reduced the district's long-term liability for other postemployment benefits (OPEB) significantly, according to a report presented during the Board's November meeting. Since 2007, the OPEB liability has been reduced by a remarkable seventy percent (70%). "The McKinsey Report, an independent study commissioned by the Governor and Mayor in 2009, highlighted benefit costs to retirees as a significant financial challenge for MPS," said MPS Board President Dr. Michael Bonds. "The Board has worked diligently, often making tough decisions even prior to Wisconsin Act 10, to dramatically cut the OPEB liability. “This has improved the district's
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Bob Evans CEO honors his Milwaukee family with UWM scholarship
Davis Family photo: Left to right: Peggy Davis, Bev Bangert, Henry Davis, Jr., Dolores Davis, Steven Davis, Teresa Valent. Screenshot photo: Steven Davis in his Bob Evans office in Columbus, Ohio.
H
enry and Dolores Davis never had the opportunity to go to college, but they now have a scholarship named in their honor, thanks to their five children – all University of WisconsinMilwaukee graduates.
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Alumni Association recently awarded their youngest son, Steven A. Davis, its Lifetime Achievement Award. Davis, who is now chief executive officer of Bob Evans Farms, Inc., in turn celebrated the hard work and encouragement of his parents in his acceptance speech for the award and announced the scholarship. Henry Davis died in 2013, but Dolores Davis was present at the Nov. 14 Alumni Association Awards event. “They saw a vision for their children,” said Davis, who earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from UWM in 1980. “They
were my role models.” Henry Davis not only worked hard, but also was active in his community and church, said Steven Davis. Dolores Davis had received a scholarship to attend Cardinal Stritch College (now University), the first African-American woman to do so. But because of her own mother’s illness, she made the difficult decision to turn down that opportunity to help raise her siblings, said Davis. “She became the wind beneath the wings for others.” Davis became interested in business thanks to the encouragement of one of his teachers at Messmer High School. Following in the footsteps of his older siblings, he found encouragement and support for his goals at UWM. “I had four high achievers ahead of me,” he said proudly. “At UWM, I not only got the chance to study business, but to work in business,” said Davis, who has spent his career using innovation to transform retail foods into nationally known brands. The UWM Alumni Association gives the Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize an alumnus/alumna for exemplary
achievements over the span of a lifetime. Like many UWM students at the time, Davis not only worked his way through school, but also was able to participate in internships with local companies such as Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. “I was able to apply what I was learning in class to what I was doing with the company.” As a working student, a key resource for Davis was the university’s 24-hour-library. Often he’d go to class, work, nap and then head to the library at midnight or 1 a.m. to study. Davis attributes the broad, general background he received in business along with supportive faculty for his career success. Two of his professors took the time to write strong letters of recommendations when he applied to the University of Chicago, where he earned a master’s degree. In addition to heading Bob Evans, Davis worked with Kraft Foods for nine years and Pizza Hut for 14 years. He also sits on the board of a number of companies, including Walgreen’s and Marathon Petroleum. In 2005, Black Enterprise Magazine named him one of the 75 Most Pow-
erful Black Men in American Business. Davis lives in New Albany, Ohio and he and his wife Lynnda give back to the community. She is very involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and he serves as a board member for the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital, Operation Feed, which supports the Mid-Ohio Foodbank, and Jobs Ohio. (Ohio governor John Kasich videotaped a message shown at the Alumni Awards ceremony congratulating Davis on the award and thanking him for his leadership in Jobs Ohio.) The scholarship Davis and his family established will provide support for other first-generation minority university students. Henry and Dolores Davis provided him the encouragement, Davis said, and UWM gave him the opportunity: “UWM is where the American dream really does happen.”
Michael Bonds "The Board has worked diligently, often making tough decisions even prior to Wisconsin Act 10, to dramatically cut the OPEB liability. “This has improved the district's financial outlook and allowed us to redirect dollars back to the classrooms, with a focus on improving student achievement."
--Board Pres. Michael Bonds financial outlook and allowed us to redirect dollars back to the classrooms, with a focus on improving student achievement."
The firm of Gabriel, Roeder, Smith and Company has completed an actuarial valuation for the district every two years for the past six years. The 2007 GRS OPEB valuation projected the actuarial liability to be $3.78 billion in 2013. The most recent OPEB valuation by the firm finds the actuarial liability to be $1.2 billion. This means the district has reduced the long-term actuarial OPEB liability by $2.6 billion. The most recent change involved a move to Medicare Advantage for eligible retirees, which cut liability by $250 million. Other actions which the Board has taken to reduce long-term liability include freezing a supplemental pension for current teachers, eliminating supplemental benefits for new teachers, and changing the benefit structure for some part-time employees. Bonds explained that the Board will continue to explore ways to make operations effective and efficient while putting more resources into classrooms.
Grand jury does not indict Officer Wilson, Ferguson erupts
(continued from page 1) businesses in Ferguson and Clayton are boarded up as if preparing for an imminent natural disaster. For months, protest leaders and area elected officials have tried to work with police to establish common ground rules – especially after law enforcement made international headlines for their aggressive use of force and military equipment during August protests. St. Louis City Mayor Francis Slay said that the Unified Command – which includes the St. Louis County Police, St. Louis Metropolitan Police and Missouri Highway Patrol – agreed to 11 of 19 “rules of engagement” established by the Don’t Shoot Coalition. The command agreed to avoid use of excessive force and to communicate with protest organizers to de-escalate the situation. But they did not agree to refrain from entering churches deemed as “safe houses” for protestors or avoiding the use of tear gas, riot gear or armed vehicles. Wilson is white, and Brown was black. The Ferguson protest movement is diverse, but it focuses on a national pattern of white police officers shooting and killing black males who are unarmed (or where there is controversy over whether they were armed). The group that has rallied around the accused police shooters is virtually all-white. This made the racial composition of the grand jury an issue of concern. The grand jury who heard the testimony in the Michael Brown Jr. case consists of nine white and three black members. Seven are men and five are women. Nine of the 12 jurors had to agree on charges to hand down an indictment. Those charges could have included murder in the first degree or second degree, or voluntary or involuntary manslaughter. Throughout the protest movement, the chant, “Black lives matter,” has been a dominant thread. The movement has united “fair-minded citizens who want a society that guarantees the human and civil rights for all, not just those with the right skin color or the resources to pay for it,” said Jamala Rogers, a longtime activist and a leader with the group Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression. “On the other side are those who feel like the status quo that upholds white rights must be protected at all costs,” she said. Since August, the diehard faces on the protest frontlines have largely been African Americans in their 20s – many who have taken a break from college or work to lead the movement fulltime. And longtime activists like Rogers – who have been fighting for an end to police brutality their entire lives – have provided a strong web of support, resources and leadership. Aside from leading the chants on the streets, the young leaders have also driven the movement on Twitter and social media. Every day, 20-year-old Ferguson resident Alexis Templeton posts on Twitter, “I hope no one kills you for being black today.” And she frequently voices another statement that has been shared among African Americans – from residents to Missouri Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson – since Brown’s death. “It’s not only problematic that you aren’t paying attention,” she states, “but it becomes more problematic when I don’t bring it to your attention.” Capt. Johnson said he feels has been quiet on issues of discrimination for too long, in a recent interview with The St. Louis American. In public forums with the Department of Justice, many Ferguson residents said for too long they have been quiet about corrupt and discriminatory practices among their local police officers. Longtime Ferguson resident Kimberly Hoskin and her mother Loistine said they were not surprised to hear about Brown’s death and the unrest that followed. “Ten years ago, we could have told you that they are going to kill someone and there’s going to be a problem because Ferguson does what they want,” Hoskin said at a September public meeting with DOJ representatives. Brown’s death has brought these issues of oppression to a boiling point, she said, and what you see now are the people finally speaking out.
Reaction to grand jury verdict by Black civil rights organizations and political figures
"The grief and frustration of the American people is justified and understandable, especially as we struggle to address the highly polarized relationship between law enforcement and young black men. The unnecessary loss of Michael Brown's young life should urge all Americans to recommit to reconciliation during this dark time. As we reflect on the grand jury’s decision, let us move toward honoring the dignity and value of Michael's life. The Brown family continues to be in my thoughts and prayers." -Cong. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin
“The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is troubled by the grand jury decision today. Although not deterred, the Lawyers’ Committee will continue to work with legal and community partners to seek justice for Michael Brown and his family, and work on ensuring that systemic change is brought in Ferguson and nationwide to address excessive force by law enforcement against people of color, particularly African American youth, who are routinely targeted by law enforcement.”
-Barbara R. Arnwine, President and Executive Director, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
“The NAACP is deeply disappointed that the grand jury did not indict Darren Wilson for the senseless and tragic death of Michael Brown. While we are frustrated, we stand committed to continue our fight against racial profiling, police brutality and the militarization of local authorities. We will remain steadfast in our fight to pass the End Racial Profiling legislation. And we stand in solidarity with peaceful protesters and uphold that their civil rights not be violated as both demonstrators and authorities observe the “rules of engagement.” The grand jury’s decision does not mean a crime was not committed in Ferguson, Missouri, nor does it mean we are done fighting for Michael Brown. At this difficult hour, we commend the courage and commitment of Michael Brown's family, as well as local and national coalition partners." -Cornell William Brooks, NAACP President and CEO
“The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and Black Women’s Roundtable are seriously troubled by the grand jury’s decision not to indict Darren Wilson for the violent and senseless killing of Michael Brown. It’s been a long road traveled in the civil rights movement, but the slaying of Michael Brown, followed by this decision, makes it clear that we can’t take off our marching shoes yet. We’ve got to keep the movement moving until injustice like this is only heard about in the history books. We pray for Michael Brown’s family and urge the public to engage in peaceful protests.” -Melanie L. Campbell, President and CEO, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and convener, Black Women’s Roundtable
“Today’s announcement makes clear that the systemic bias and dysfunction in our justice system that led to Michael Brown’s death extends all the way to the courthouse. We send our condolences to the Brown family and the community of Ferguson for today’s announcement that there would be no justice for this shooting death or the wounds it inflicted on the community. We will continue to partner with law enforcement at all levels to correct the systemic bias that exists at every juncture of our justice system and causes young men of color to be killed or unjustly targeted and subject to heavy-handed sentencing.” -Wade Henderson, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights “We are deeply disappointed with the grand jury’s failure to indict police officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown. The tragedy of Mr. Brown’s death at the hands of Officer Wilson, as well as the overwrought, often unconstitutional and overlymilitarized response to protests in Ferguson are harsh and painful reminders of the work that we all must undertake to fulfill America’s promises of racial equality and justice.” -Sherrilyn Ifill, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, President, Director-Counsel "Today’s decision by the grand jury to not indict Officer Darren Wilson in the horrific killing of Michael Brown is disappointing, but not the end to the struggle for justice. Now more than ever, it is critical for the U.S. Department of Justice to take a leading role in changing policies that allow the police to target innocent people and engage in brutality against Americans. Michael Brown was an unarmed African American with his entire life ahead of him, and we must honor his legacy by continuing the fight against racial profiling and excessive use of force." -Farhana Khera, Executive Director, Muslim Advocates “The National Bar Association is disappointed, yet not discouraged by the Grand Jury’s decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson. The message sent to this country today is that it’s okay to shoot and kill an unarmed individual of color. The problems with police brutality is nothing new but the combined efforts of the civil rights organization is something this country has not seen in a very long time. With the combined efforts and the manpower of the National Bar Association, we plan to keep our sleeves rolled up until there is change.” -Pamela Meanes, President of the National Bar Association
The Milwaukee Community Journal November 26, 2014 Page 7
KALEIDOSCOPE
t he M C J lif es t y le & ent er t ainm ent s ec t ion
Sista Speak...Speak Lord!
MENU
Options
Life is a buffet filled with a menu of choices. Choices select the path we will take. Many things will be presented to us along our path. Discernment will be crucial, for everything on the path that looks good, will not be good for us.
A la carte
Braising laugher Baked on smile Fresh attitude Lightly breaded physique Spicy persona Sweet and salty inspirations Crisp visions Bon Appetit! Zelda Corona
It is not enough to simply opt to wish. We must choose and act according to our faith. God did not give the angels free will. He favored us with the power of choice. Are you choosing the right options from your menu of life? Sonya Marie Bowman
Thanks and Giving
We are in a time in which we are giving Thanks to God more and Giving more to those less fortunate. We are learning what is a need and a want. We are learning and understanding cultures that are different. We are designing our own Menu in this Life… My Menu is: Continue to put God first, be more understanding of differences in others, give more and live life to fullest… What's your Menu??? Always Keeping it Real Tara R Pulley
Protecting Shopper Safety During Black Friday
(continued from page 5) that your premises are reasonably safe from dangers or hazardous conditions. Ensure that your customers enjoy a festive and fun shopping experience by being proactive to maintain a safe environment. Remember to: • Keep extra salt around for your sidewalks. Use it generously. • Shovel regularly when it snows. • Clean up any spills promptly. • Post easy-to-read and understand signage to encourage safe flow of foot traffic. • Clearly mark exits • Ensure stairwells are well lit and with adequate railings. • Make sure fire alarms are functioning. • Create a well-lit environment by replacing lightbulbs. And, shoppers, you bear responsibility, too. Remember to wear appropriate footwear for wintery conditions; watch where you are walking (remember, shoppers are distracted while looking for the best sales or people-watching); try not to overload on bags while
walking to the car. If you do fall and are seriously injured, make a mental note of the condition that caused the fall, contact the management, insist on an accident report, and call an ambulance for care. Liability in most shopping injuries is decided if there was a hazardous condition and if the store owner knew or should have known of the hazardous condition, but failed to correct or make the condition safe. “Premises Liability” law is far more complex than can be explained in the confines of this article; the law compares the actions of the owner of the property and the customer to determine who is at fault for the injury. Holiday shopping should be fun, not dangerous. Be careful out there!Good luck and Happy Holidays. About the Author: For nearly 25 years, Attorney John P. Casey has been practicing personal injury law, successfully representing the wrongly injured. Visit www.casey-injurylaw.com to schedule a free consultation. Or contact Attorney Casey directly at: caseyesq@jcaseylaw.com or by calling: 414.272.5564 or 800.779.5280 Toll-free.
The Milwaukee Community Journal November 26, 2014 Page 8
The Milwaukee Community Journal November 26, 2014 Page 9
Put your classified ad or legal in the newspaper with its finger on the pulse of Milwaukee’s Black community! Call 265-5300!
The Milwaukee Community Journal November 26, 2014 Page 10