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cers and court officials further exposed how commonplace racial prejudice was in Ferguson. Police Captain Richard Henke sent in on email, “We shouldn’t worry about [Obama] being president very long because what black man holds a steady job for four years?” There needs to be a stronger and more effective national coalition established to end mass incarceration in America. Ironically, and this is good news, there appears to be a convergence of commitments from both liberals and conservatives to stand together to tackle this social, political and economic contradiction that stands in the way of the U.S. becoming a more perfected union of democracy, freedom, justice and equality. The time to end mass incarceration is now!
The Way I See It
Time to End Mass Incarceration By: Insider News Racine Publisher Minister Yusuf Buckley Mass incarceration in the United States is counterproductive and disproportionately causes a long-term injury to Black Americans and others who remain trapped in poverty and disillusionment. How is it that the richest nation on earth and the most technologically advanced society now has the largest prison population in the world? Michelle Alexander’s brilliant best-selling book, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, provides a classic analysis of the twin problems of race and injustice. Alexander revealed how the so-called criminal justice system reinforces racial discrimination and bigotry aimed particularly against Black Americans and other people of color. Whether it is an “old” or “new” Jim Crow, the impact of decades of massive unjust imprisonment on the Black American community continues to be devastating. The “war on drugs” launched by the Reagan administration in the 1980s devolved into a “war on Black America” where the courts and prisons became institutions to expand the racial oppression of more than 1 million Black Americans. Incarceration rates in the U.S. quadrupled over this period. According to Alexander, mass incarceration in America targeted Black Americans and maintained by a “racial caste” system of laws, policies and institutions. Alexander explained, “The term mass incarceration refers not only to the criminal justice system, but also to a larger web of laws, rules, policies and customs that control those labeled criminals both in and out of prison. Once released, former prisoners enter a hidden underworld of legalized discrimination and permanent social exclusion. They are members of America’s new undercaste.” I agree with Michelle Alexander that this caste system needs to be successfully challenged. The challenge is how to end the mass incarceration caste phenomenon. What strategies will be effective to end this injustice? This is an important question today. Yet, there appears to be some reluctance in the current public discourse to address this issue forthrightly. There are some who state correctly that we have made considerable progress in America toward a more just and equitable society over the past 60 years. However, that’s only half the story. The reality in 2015 is that the issue of overincarceration and the lingering debilitating impact of the system of injustice that continues to negatively impact millions of Black American families should be a national priority. But it isn’t. Even as many of our national civil rights organizations add mass incarceration to a long list of other issues of serious consequence, there is not yet a national consensus that it should rank at the top of that list. The truth is that poverty, unemployment, internecine violence within our communities, poor health care, economic inequity, and inadequate education can all be traced to the short- and long-term suffering that mass incarceration continues to have on Black American families. Now is the time to move this issue to the top of the agenda. In the wake of the recent report by the U.S. Department of Justice about the systematic racial injustice in Ferguson, Mo., we should understand that what is happening there in St. Louis County is not limited to Missouri. The “caste” reality of judicial and correctional injustice is a national issue. Every state, especially where Black Americans are concentrated, you will find the largest manifestation of mass incarceration. The Justice Department report found that the consequences of mass incarceration in Ferguson went beyond just arrests; they also involved extracting large sums of money from those unjustly charged and jailed. Emails from police offi-
Can we find a better place than Martin Luther King Drive? Guest Comments Kenneth Lumpkin The mayor and county government has now determined that a functioning homeless shelter, inside of a church, created and maintained in a spirit of Christian brotherhood, is not appropriate for downtown. So, the decision has been made to close this sanctuary for the less advantaged, who just don't look good in beautiful downtown Racine. Folks might look at them and begin to wonder, is this really a “great place to live, work and play?” Better they're moved some place where they're less likely to be seen. Some place like Martin Luther King Drive, where the better quality citizens are less likely to encounter them. This is reprehensible and completely lacking in compassion. Admittedly, there are those in the homeless population who have problems that are uncomfortable to be around, which is how some become homeless to begin with. Mental health issues, substance abuse issues and petty crimes of despair are all things that can lead to homelessness, but moving that population to an already distressed and fragile area just to get them out of sight does nothing to help anyone. Other than those who want to pretend their own neighborhoods and business districts are safe and clean by using the inner city as a dumping ground for anyone they consider undesirable. St. Luke's Church is strategically located in a way that makes it well suited to serve the homeless population. It's near downtown, which is where most of the services that homeless people needs are located, such as government offices and the library, not to mention the moral strength of the church and even the sheriff's department should behavioral problems erupt. We wonder why residents of the area, parents who kids attend the school as well as nearby businesses were not notifiied of the plans. The sight that has been chosen to replace the church is across the street from a school, near a candy store that children frequent and next door to a tavern and in a building that was once a tavern itself. This is just one more example of indifference, if not outright disdain for the needs and concerns of anyone but the downtown “elite” and their city hall connections.
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The new image on the $5 bill will include civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., who gave his famous "I have a dream" speech on the steps of the memorial in 1963, and Marian Anderson and Eleanor Roosevelt. (The new timeline for Tubman's $20 hasn't been released, but reports indicate that it could come sooner than that.) But that left Jackson, a symbol of our nation's progress at the expense of the lives and livelihoods of indigenous and enslaved people, in a place of honor, while Hamilton-the first Secretary of the Treasury, for Christ's sake-got the boot. The long-awaited decision to replace the seventh
Tubman face to appear on 20 Dollar bill
president of the United States with Tubman followed months of outreach by the Treasury regarding which woman should be featured on a bill. Lew also settled a backlash that had erupted after he had announced an initial plan to remove Hamilton from the $10 bill in order to honor a woman on the bill. Jackson, a hero of the War of 1812's Battle of New Orleans, was president from 1829-1837. Harriet Tubman's legacy has gained much influence not only in her era but in the present as well. Tubman grew up working on a Maryland plantation and escaped in her late 20s. But he pledged that at least the designs for all three bills will be accelerated so they'll be finished by 2020 - the 100th anniversary of passage of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote. She died in 1913. The women last depicted on USA bills were first lady Martha Washington on the $1 silver certificate from 1891 to 1896, and Native American Pocahontas in a group photo on the $20 bill from 1865 to 1869. Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea are on dollar coins. The legacy that Harriet Tubman has rendered will resonate through time and space and now it is being heightened even more by her appearance in the new $20 bill. She will also be the first woman on USA paper currency in more than a century! The Treasury did, however, decide to keep First Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton's face on the front of the note.
Prince die at the age of 57 Nationwide — According to TMZ and other reputable sources, it has been confirmed that the artist known as Prince, (full name Prince Rogers Nelson) has died at the young age of just 57 years old. Sadly, his body was discovered at his recording studio compound in Chanhassen, Minnesota early Thursday morning, and TMZ has already obtained the emergency dispatch call for a “male down, not breathing.” Details on why he died have not yet been revealed, but it was reported that he had a “medical emergency” on April 15th while returning home from a show in Atlanta, Georgia that forced his private jet to make an emergency landing in Illinois. The very next day, however, he appeared at a concert where he assured his fans that he was ok. He told them, “Wait a few days before you waste any prayers.” His reps later told the media that he was battling the flu.
The Career of Prince
Prince became an international music superstar and legend in 1982 after releasing his breakthrough album “1999.” In 1985, he won an Oscar for Best Original Song Score for the film Purple Rain. Since then, he has sold more than 100 million records during his career, earned 7 Grammys, performed at hundreds of concerts around the world, and also performed at the 2007 Super Bowl in what many say was one of the greatest live performances of all time. In 2004, he was officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, and performed a legendary version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” to close the ceremony.
His Love Life
Prince was married twice — the first time to Mayte Garcia, one of his former backup dancers, but they divorced in 1999. Then he married Manuela Testolini (who is now married to singer Eric Benet), but they divorced just a few years later in 2006. At the time of his death, he was not believed to be married.
His Religion
Prince was raised as a Seventh-Day Adventist. But in 2001, Prince became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses following what he says was a two-year-long debate with friend and fellow musician Larry Graham (who is also a Jehovah’s Witness). Prince once told reporters that he didn’t consider it a conversion, but a “realization”. “It’s like Morpheus and Neo in The Matrix,” he explained. He was known to regularly attend Jehovah’s Witness meetings at a local Kingdom Hall, and said he occasionally went house-to-house to discuss his faith.
10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Prince #1 – He was a vegetarian. #2 – He was short. He was only 5’2″. #3 – He once danced on stage with James Brown when he was 10 years old. #4 – Michael Jackson’s hit 1987 song “Bad” was supposed to be for Prince, but he turned it down. #5 – He once had a crush on actress Kim Basinger. #6 – Reportedly, his favorite meal was spaghetti and orange juice. #7 – As a teenager, Prince played for one of Minnesota’s best high school basketball teams. #8 – In 1996, his one-week old son, Boy Gregory died from a rare genetic condition called Pfieffer Syndrome. #9 – In addition to being a singer, he could play up to 27 different instruments. As a live performer, he generally focused on guitar, piano, lead vocals and occasionally played bass guitar, drums and harmonica. #10 – He was very adamant about protecting his copyright and his image. He has sued YouTube, Twitter, and Vine, and recently had a spat with Apple Music and decided to release his last album exclusively with Jay-Z’s Tidal streaming service.
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Black Former “Apprentice” Contestants Hold Controversial Press Conference to Blast Donald Trump
Randal Pinkett, winner of the fourth season of Donald Trump’s reality show “The Apprentice”, recently gathered with several other former contestants on the show to speak out against Trump’s run for president of the United States. Other participants that attended the Manhattan press conference were Kwame Jackson, runner-up from season one, Tara Dowdell from season three, and Marshawn Evans Daniels from season four (who appeared via Skype). Pinkett made it clear that he disagrees with Trump’s views and the direction of his campaign. He commented, “As alums of The Apprentice, we have had the opportunity to work with Donald in various capacities, including as employees of the Trump Organization. Based on that experience and Donald’s campaign, we do not believe he is worthy of becoming president of the United States.” Evans Daniels chimed in also, saying, “Trump is passionately and strategically reigniting a dirty and divisive culture soaked in a history of prejudice, fear and hate. It is unpatriotic, anti-American, self-serving, regressive and downright lazy.” So what did Donald Trump have to say? Trump answered their criticism by saying, “How quickly they forget. Nobody would know who they are if it weren’t for me. They just want to get back into the limelight like they had when they were with Trump. Total dishonesty and disloyalty… They should be careful or I’ll play hours of footage of them individually praising me. Ask how successful they’ve been since they left. Six failing wannabes out of hundreds of contestants – so sad!”
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Two year old toddler shoots and kills mother with hand gun
Mayor John Dickert was joined by Bishop Lawrence Kirby, Pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Mark Freeman, Pastor of Second Missionary Baptist Church, Tuesday April 19, 2016, at the State of the City address given at City Hall annually. Bishop Freeman was recently appointed by the mayor to be a member of the City’s Police and Fire Commission. Bishop Freeman replaced Pastor Melvin Hargrove.
4th District Alderman Tracey Larrin, center, and 2nd District Alderman Mollie Jones, right, were sworn into office at the Racine City Council meeting held Tuesday, April 19, 2016. The two were elected for their first two year term in the April 5, 2016 General Election. Also shown is Sandy Weidner, left, who managed to hold on to the seat she has held for 16 years.
A 2-year-old Milwaukee, Wisconsin boy reportedly fatally shot his mother from the backseat of the car as she drove along a highway, sheriff’s officials said Wednesday, according to The Associated Press: The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department said Patrice Price, 26, of Milwaukee, died at the scene Tuesday morning. The child, who was sitting in the back seat, picked up a gun that slid out from under the driver’s seat and fired it through the front seat, striking Price, the department said in a statement, citing witness accounts. A .40-caliber gun was recovered from the floor of the back seat behind the driver, along with a security officer’s gun belt belonging to the victim’s boyfriend, sheriff’s officials said. Price’s father, Andre, told The Associated Press that the car belongs to his daughter’s boyfriend. Price’s 1-year-old son and mother were also both riding in the front passenger seat, the report says. The 2-year-old boy was not riding in a car seat in the back and it is unknown if he was wearing a seat belt.
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Obama Says Movements Like Black Lives Matter ‘Can’t Just Keep on Yelling’ LONDON — President Obama offered an indirect critique of the Black Lives Matter movement during a town-hall-style event here on Saturday, encouraging activists to engage with the political process and cautioning them that social change can be a slow and incremental process. At a meeting with young people on the second day of his visit to Europe, during which he championed a new trade deal between the United States and the European Union, the president took questions on a variety of topics, including Northern Ireland, transgender rights and racial profiling. After responding to a questioner who suggested that his administration had not done enough to address racial profiling at airports — a practice that Mr. Obama said he adamantly opposed — the president turned his attention to the Black Lives Matter movement. He praised the movement as “really
effective in bringing attention to problems,” but said young activists should be more willing to work with political leaders to craft solutions instead of criticizing from outside the political process. “Once you’ve highlighted an issue and brought it to people’s attention and shined a spotlight, and elected officials or people who are in a position to start bringing about change are ready to sit down with you, then you can’t just keep on yelling at them,” Mr. Obama said. “And you can’t refuse to meet because that might compromise the purity of your position,” he continued. “The value of social movements and activism is to get you at the table, get you in the room, and then to start trying to figure out how is this problem going to be solved.” Mr. Obama began his career as a community organizer working on local initiatives in poor neighborhoods in Chicago. Sometimes, he said, solving a problem
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means accepting a series of partial solutions. “You then have a responsibility to prepare an agenda that is achievable, that can institutionalize the changes you seek, and to engage the other side, and occasionally to take half a loaf that will advance the gains that you seek, understanding that there’s going to be more work to do, but this is what is achievable at this moment,” he said. It was not the first time that he has cautioned Black Lives Matter activists that social change cannot happen overnight. In a private meeting at the White House in 2014, Mr. Obama told a group of young black activists that change was “hard and incremental,” one participant said at the time. When some activists at that meeting said they felt that their voices were not being heard, Mr. Obama replied, “You are sitting in the Oval Office, talking to the president of the United States.”
Richard Hennig: I knew the real Deonta
Editor Note: Horlick High School graduate Deonta Lezine, who was shot on March 17, 2016 in Stevens Point, died days after the shooting, according to a news release from the Stevens Point Police Department. Lezine, 21, was shot in Stevens Point was a lifelong resident of Racine. Richard Henning, (above), a close friend says in the artical below that he is upset of the treatment of his death by media. One thing that definitely has saddened me aside from losing Deonta is how some media outlets have portrayed him. I’ve
received great advice to ignore negative and “toxic” comments regarding him, because they are worthless and can’t distort my view of him. They only cause frustration, and senseless anger. Everyone who loved Deonta knew who he truly was, and that is far more important than the opinion of anyone who never knew him. I spoke at Deonta’s funeral and had made note to everyone that I met Deonta in 2008 at the Racine Boxing Club in the basement of the Annex building. Being similar in height and weight we would practice and work on things a lot together. Over the next 6 months or so we were getting ready for both of our first bouts. I believe it was May 16, 2009. After looking at the match schedule for the day I noticed Deonta boxed the match right before I did. We talked for a while watching some fights that were previous to ours. Right before he walked away to get into the ring I wished him luck, he seemed calm and confident, the way all champions should feel. The bell rang and for the next six minutes Deonta’s opponent would feel the canvas against his back four times. The whole time I was witnessing this I could see his mom cheering for him and I never saw anyone look or sound so proud. He exited the
ring and I told him how awesome of a show he put on. He just wished me a similar outcome for my fight after his. As motivating as the sight of his fight was for me, I still lost, rather quickly. I was disappointed, but after that Deonta did a lot to help me with my skills and told me to take my “L” as a “Lesson” rather than a “Loss”. That was just the beginning though. Over the next five years I would watch Deonta go on to be a two time state golden gloves champion and a two time national ringside champion. In victory Deonta was selfless and acted without hubris. He didn’t mind passing around his trophy, one of his medals, or putting his golden gloves jacket over his mom’s shoulders. He’d even smile to take pictures with opponents he defeated. Honestly, no one could dislike him. Boxing would only be the start of our friendship. Well after high school we would still see each other everyday we could. I’m glad I had such an honest and selfless friend that was loved and trusted by so many people. He set a lot of good examples for kids involved in the boxing community, and Racine, working as a playground leader for a couple summers. I know he left a positive impact everywhere he went, and I can say I never knew such a good person with a
soul of gold. Deonta will be truly missed by his family, friends and loved ones. Fortunately, the person who is accused of shooting Deonta was captured by the police in Colorado. Gun violence has to stop in our city, state and country because people are dying senselessly everyday.
Community Women’s Club 2016 Scholarships Award Winners Jeffrey Urquhart, The Community Women’s Club, Inc. held their 34th Annual Scholarship Awards Program at the Meadowbrook Country Club on Saturday, April 23, 2016. This year’s program featured a fashion show presentation by Rita Mills, entitled “Classy, Not Trashy.” Mills is a highly esteemed fashion designer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has presented fashion shows in Las Vegas, NV, Illinois, California, Mississippi, and Ohio. Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 were awarded to three outstanding high school students. Students were chosen based upon their grade point average, let-
Bryce J. Allen ters of recommendation, financial needs, written expression and involvement in school and community activities. Jeffrey Urquhart, son of Jeff and Nicole Urquart, will be graduating from the REAL Charter High School. He plans to attend Tuskegee University where he was accepted into the Air Force ROTC Program. His career goal is to become an Aerospace Engineer – with a Military emphasis. Bryce J. Allen, son of Chisholm and Joanne Allen, will be graduating from William Horlick High School. He plans to continue his football career at either the
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Brianna Horton University of Illinois or UW-Steven’s Point. His career interests include the study of Criminal Justice or Sports Medicine. Brianna Horton, daughter of Maurice and Kimberly Horton, will graduate from William Horlick High School with honors and received the Corinne Reid-Owens Award. She plans to major in Sociology at Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Scholarship applications for 2017 will be available on February 1, 2017, and will be due on March 20, 2017.
Mollie Jones
Kenneth Lumpkin
Pastor Melvin Hargrove
Jone elected to two year term on City Council Alderman Mollie Jones, appointed by the City Council in August to serve the remaining months of Krystyna Sarrazin’s term, defeated Bob Anderson for the 2nd District Alderman position. Jones said during her campaign that she has served the district well and looks forward to continuing the job she has started. Jones said she would spend much of her second term seeking to attract small businesses to the area. Voters awarded her the opportunity to fulfill her commitment by electing her to a full two year term. Jones, a retired administrative assistant, and Anderson, a retired real estate appraiser, went head to head in the April 5 general election. Her 2nd district is bounded by Lake Michigan, Holborn Street, 21st Street and 11th Street, Racine’s 2nd Aldermanic District encompasses the stately historic homes of Main Street and College Avenue, as well as many low income neighborhoods Write-in candidate 4th District County Board Supervisor Kenneth Lumpkin, lost to Melissa Kaprelian-Becker. Lumpkin had held the position for a total of 18 years, Lumpkin accused his opponent of having been recruited to run against him because of his support of a minority business lawsuit against the city.. Matthew Hanser challenged current School Board President Melvin Hargrove in District 8, which is made up of 55 percent Racine, 43.5 percent Caledonia, and 1.5 percent North Bay residents. Hargrove was also defeated. He is the pastor Zoe Outreach Ministry and was the first African American to be elected president of the school board.
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Daja Thompson, 7, beams with joy from being excorted by her father Andre Thomas to Fine Arts School Daughter & Father Dance held recently. Thomas said, “His daughter enjoys dancing and singing, but most of all she enjoys hanging out with him. I just totally enjoy kids and being a good role model to my kids as well as other children.”
BOOTHS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR JUNETEENTH DAY JUNE 18, 2016 PLEASE CALL (262) 636-9235 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR STOP BY 601 21ST STREET RACINE, WI 53403 Page 13 Insider News Racine, May 1-31, 2016
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