MCJ March 4, 2015 Edition

COMMUNITY VOL. XXXIX Number 32 March 4, 2015

The Milwaukee

PULSE OF THE COMMUNITY Photos and question by Yvonne Kemp

“Men Who Empower Men” Your Community Journal unveils its 2015 theme focusing on the issues and accomplishments of our Black men

Annual Black Male Teach-In at MLK Elementary school

RETIRED MFD CAPT. ORLANDO C. RICE (21 YEARS): “I have participated in the male teach-in for 21 years. Given my purpose and Jehovah’s gift that he provided me to help our future leaders.”

March l, 2015 officially began the 2015 MCJ theme that will culminate with our annual JAZZ BRUNCH Anniversary celebration on Sunday, August 2, 2015. For months, we examine what an appropriate theme should be.

Community issues and concerns that demand increased coverage through articles, photographic highlights, speakers and consultant/contributors usually lead our preferences.

Solutions that can be accentuated and lead to identifiable change, strategies for further examination, or the involvement of other organizaDr. Ramel tions, ie., churches, governmental agencies and residents are the ultimate change-agents that strengthen and build our community. So, we are driven to seek solutions, and solutions become our objective.

The deaths of Black males, under circumstances involving multiple police departments, throughout the country; the legacy of over-representation of incarcerated Black males; the early involvement of young Black males in criminal justice systems ; along with the history of stereotypical fear of Black males, locally, again awakened an under-radar issue that continues to plague Black families. Clearly this issue is not going to go away, soon. Its ugliness continues to raise its head. Circa, lynchings, Em-

mett Till , today!

Very soon the findings on the Michael Brown investigation from Ferguson, Missouri will be announced.

Early discussions infer there will be no findings of any civil rights violations by Darren Wilson, the officer who shot Michael Brown.

However, the results on the Ferguson, Missouri police department revealed, this week, reported many practices that could have led to divisive attitudes toward the police department and the residents of Ferguson, particularly Black males.

Other investigations continue Smith throughout the United States, and presumably many changes are already being made in police departments, such as body cameras and community/police relations training.

These deaths, while yet painful, can not be in vain. As is typical of change, these policies must be reviewed, massaged and managed or old habits again prevail.

In all of the negatives about Black males, little has been said about the positives of Black males in their families, their communities, their professions.

Their influence is unquestioned and desired. Many men empower men, everyday! We know that good men grow (continued on page 2)

MCJ photographer Yvonne Kemp receives Black Excellence award

CAPT. MICHAEL WRIGHT (FIRST YEAR): “It is important to show ‘proof’ that you can do it! I was blessed to have a male figure in my life and nothings more important (than that)!

JUDGE DEREK MOSELY (FIFTH YEAR): “It’s important that youth see that there are lawyers and judges that look just like them. If I can do it, they can do it. It’s important that our youth see that there are positive Black male role models living in this city, who are ready and willing to help you make it.”

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK: We asked four Black male participants in the annual Black Male Teach-In at MLK Elementary: “Why do you participate in the male teach-in and why is it important Black men do so if given the opportunity?”

ATTY. ROY B. EVANS (INVOLVED IN TEACH-IN SINCE ITS INCEPTION 21 YEARS AGO): “It is my God-given responsibility to treat every child as a student and teach them the importance of acquiring knowledge.”

JOURNAL www.communityjournal.net 25 Cents

Twenty-six Black professionals from a multitude of occupations volunteered their time and talent to Black male students at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School recently. The Teach-In give young boys an opportunity to interact with professional Black men who serve as rolemodels and mentors. (Photos by Yvonne Kemp)

Milwaukee Community Journal staff and freelance photographer Yvonne Kemp was introduced recently as one of 32 local individuals from the community to receive a Black Excellence award from the Milwaukee Times. Kemp is the second MCJ recipient of the award. The other is MCJ Editor Thomas E. Mitchell, Jr. who received the award last year. (Photo by Robert Bell)

US Justice Department Will Not Bring Federal Charges Against Darren Wilson

By Diana Ozemebhoya Eromosele, courtesy of theRoot.com

As is the case regarding George Zimmerman, the Justice Department announced Wednesday that it will not bring federal charges against now-former Police Officer Darren Wilson for fatally shooting Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., the New York Times reports.

The Justice Department released an 80-page report detailing its investigation and found that while several witnesses were adamant about where Brown’s hands were right before he was shot, their accounts were inconsistent with “the physical and forensic evidence.”

“Although some witnesses state that Brown held his hands up at shoulder level with his palms facing outward for a brief moment, these same witnesses describe Brown then dropping his hands and ‘charging’ at Wilson,” the report continued.

More than half a dozen witnesses came forward in the days after Brown’s shooting and said that they saw

Brown’s hands in the air, as if to surrender, right before Brown was struck down by Wilson’s bullets. A St. Louis County grand jury, however, did not indict Wilson, a decision that ignited a firestorm of criticism against the excessive police violence used in African-American communities.

Attorney General Eric Holder visited Ferguson after the shooting and vowed that a separate federal investigation would look into whether Wilson violated Brown’s civil rights. But Wednesday, the Justice Department “said forensic evidence and other witnesses backed up the account of Officer Wilson,” the Times explains.

Wilson told police that Brown reached for his gun during an altercation inside his patrol car and that he thought Brown was charging at him right before he shot Brown several times on the street.

A separate Justice Department report found that the Ferguson Police Department harbored racial biases and had a culture of abuse and racism.

The Milwaukee Community Journal March 4, 2015 Page 2

Recent Free Pancakes at IHOP campaign to support Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin again a success

On Tuesday, March 3, Wisconsin IHOP restaurants once again offered each guest a free short stack of their famous buttermilk pancakes on National Pancake Day. This family-friendly tradition aimed to raise needed funds and awareness for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

The one day campaign will begin at 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.

For the tenth consecutive year, IHOP restaurants® nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of its famous buttermilk pancakes on National Pancake Day in an effort to raise $3 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals programs nationwide.

For every short stack of buttermilk pancakes served on National Pancake Day, IHOP guests are encouraged to make a voluntary contribution to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. IHOP hopes to raise $3 million this year, with a goal to bring the total amount of funds raised to nearly $16 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities. To find a local IHOP or to donate online, visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.

Participating IHOP restaurants in the Milwaukee area benefiting Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin: Brown Deer • Milwaukee - Miller Park Way • Milwaukee – Layton Ave. • Milwaukee – Fond Du Lac Ave. • Racine • Kenosha For every short stack of buttermilk pancakes served IHOP guests were invited to make a voluntary donation to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to celebrate this “Decade of Giving.”

Since 2006, IHOP National Pancake Day has raised approximately $16 million to provide life-saving treatment, programs and medical equipment for child patients — including the 23,000 children treated annually at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

“We applaud IHOP’s local efforts to raise funds for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Funds raised on National Pancake Day support many of the special extras that only happen at a pediatric hospital. Further, funds support research, which informs the incredible care kids receive, expediting cures. We know that the best care for kids is the care that’s closest to home and supporting Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin on National Pancake Day is one way you can ensure that the best care continues to be accessible to all kids in Wisconsin,” said Jeff Stewart, Chief Operating Officer of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Foundation.

In the weeks leading up to National Pancake Day, participating IHOP restaurants have sold “Miracle Balloons” for $1 and $5 to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The balloons will be available through National Pancake Day, and all proceeds will go to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Guests who purchase a $5 Miracle Balloon will receive a $5 discount coupon that can be used during their next dining visit.

National Pancake Day Fun Facts: • IHOP served over 1 million free pancakes on National Pancake Day 2014 and pancake lovers donated nearly $3 million to children’s charities.

• At Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, last year alone, 23,616 pancakes, waffles and French toast sticks were

made for kids…some of those included special smiley faces that raised spirits and brightened patients’ days • All of the free pancakes served on National Pancake Day 2014 would create a stack measuring 1.125 million feet tall – as tall as 900 Empire State buildings!

• Since the inception of National Pancake Day in 2006, IHOP has raised nearly $16 million and given away more than 27 million pancakes to support charities in the communities where it operates.

• For more information, to find a local IHOP or to make an online donation to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, visit www.IHOPpancakeday.com.

Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is the region’s only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. The hospital, with locations in Milwaukee and Neenah, Wis., is recognized as one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the United States.

It is ranked No. 4 in the nation by Parents magazine and ranked in all 10 specialty areas in U.S. News & World Report’s 2014-15 Best Children’s Hospitals report. Children’s provides primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers.

In 2013, Children’s invested more than $105 million in the community to improve the health status of children through medical care, advocacy, education and pediatric medical research. Children’s achieves its mission in part through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations and is proud to be a member of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. For more information, visit the website at chw.org.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations — including all those made on IHOP National Pancake Day — stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care.

Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity's Miracle Balloon icon. Its fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit's mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children's hospitals need community support, and learn about your member hospital, at www.CMNHospitals.org.

For over 55 years, International House of Pancakes, LLC has been a leader and expert in all things breakfast and a leader in family dining. The chain is highly competitive in its menu offering, serving 65 different signature, made- to-order breakfast options as well as a range of meals under 600 calories.

Beyond offering “everything you love about breakfast, SM” IHOP® restaurants have a wide selection of popular lunch and dinner items, as well. IHOP restaurants offer guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service.

As of September, 2013, there were 1,602 IHOP restaurants in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, the Philippines and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Under the licensed name IHOP at HOME® consumers can also enjoy a line of premium breakfast products available at leading retailers. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based International House of Pancakes, LLC and its affiliates.

International House of Pancakes, LLC is a whollyowned subsidiary of DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN).

For more information or to find an IHOP restaurant near you, please visit www.IHOP.com. Follow IHOP on Facebook and Twitter.

Mayor Tom Barrett stands with Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn and several Milwaukee aldermen with the new Police Ambassador Class. (Photo by David Kuta)

Mayor Barrett, Chief Flynn and Common Council Members Welcome 2015 Police Ambassador Class MILWAUKEE – Wednesday morning

Mayor Barrett, Chief Flynn and members of the Common Council welcomed and swore in the first class of Police Ambassadors at the Milwaukee Police Department Academy. The MPD Ambassador Program is expanding on Compete Milwaukee’s focus on traditional transitional jobs.

The MPD Ambassadors will be assigned to District Stations, the Academy, Communications, and Office of Community Outreach and Education, based on their interests. The 18-25 year olds recruited for the program will work 20 hours per week with a mentor and Police Aides, as well as receive four hours of education each week at the Milwaukee Police Academy.

“This is one way Compete Milwaukee is innovative and creating new job opportunities,” said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. “We are giving these young people an introduction to law enforcement and the chance to have a positive impact on their community.”

The MPD Ambassador Program is designed to achieve multiple goals: Goal #1: Provide meaningful work experience to young adults who are interested in pursuing careers or continuing their education in public safety or criminal justice.

Goal #2: Utilize as another tool for encouraging diversity in hiring of Milwaukee Police Officers.

Goal #3: Expand on and strengthen current MPD community partnerships.

Goal #4: Individualized guidance and

growth through paired professional and peer mentors.

Goal #5: Strengthen opportunity for young adults to learn from the MPD and MPD to learn from young adults through a two-wayambassadorship model.

“Having these ambassadors as a part of MPD can be successful on many levels,” said Mayor Barrett. “Not only do these young people gain work experience while learning about

careers and opportunities in the criminal justice field, the MPD staff have a chance to connect on a deeper level with young adults in the community.”

Compete Milwaukee, included in the 2015 City of Milwaukee budget and approved by the Common Council, is a workforce development strategy led by the City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board (MAWIB).

Men Who Empower Men

(continued from page 1) good men....so the newspaper shall continue to report on the outcomes of the 2014 investigations and the situations that demand rectifying. And we shall simultaneously applaud our men: “Men Who Empower Men”.

These role models are on the job, daily. Many you have seen on our front pages, many you have not, yet all are guiding, protecting, supporting, strengthening and building our families. And yes, their positives far outweigh the negative reports you see on the television nightly. That minority in mug shots or theft video shots does not our community make. “Men Who Empower Men” will demonstrate the Black male majority that not only we applaud but wish to highlight, to emulate!.

Follow, Dr. Ramel Smith, each week for the next twelve weeks. He guides us psychologically on a journey of self discovery, a prelude to the 2015 Honorees you will also meet throughout this 2015 focus.

Complete the 2015 Honoree ad in this week’s paper . We want to salute our Best. Who do you suggest? Mail in, or phone and give your nominee and share why he should be considered. We will list some of your recommendations, each week.

Reader, Anntoinette Ervin-McKee has recommended Public Safety Charge Officer Mosley. Ms. Ervin-McKee said: “Mr. Mosely is a man of peace and understands how to mentally and emotionally keep a grip on life. He is a leader who speaks peace and humility. He makes a difference in the lives of teens, who have the unfortunate circumstance of being introduced to the Juvenile Detention Center, by mentoring and giving words of knowledge and encouragement to them and their parents.” Who is your nominee for consideration?

PERSPECTIVES

GUESTBy COMMENTARY Antonio Moore

Incarcerated Black America: Past, present and future

For forty years, the United States has hidden the consequence of its dark racial history at the center of the War on Drugs. That historical consequence has now hardened into a box of mass incarceration that has trapped black America. This proverbial box is so full it is now bursting at the seams, and seeping out are the screams of men like Eric Garner and countless others that simply cannot breathe under its pressure. A past riddled with repetitive efforts to create a class-based system divided by color has been recast through a lens of criminalization.

The lasting effects of longstanding racially biased policies hidden away in boxes of steel, locked behind prison bars across this nation, are the lives that prove this point.

The faces in large part are black, but just as important are the legacies behind these lives. These prisoners of this war are marked not just because of their dark skin color but also because held within their American familial lineage is a cycle of bondage that has come in several different forms.

From an era of inhumane chattel slavery that lasted into the early 20th century to an extensive period that followed during which many AfricanAmerican men existed in a slave-like status as prison labor during a period of convict leasing, the use of criminality to reform bondage in a more acceptable frame was finally perfected through the War on Drugs.

You must look along both historical and economic lines to understand the roots of mass incarceration. The foundation began in the 1600’s with the use of slavery to subjugate, and that form of bondage existed for hundreds of years. It was followed by implementation of Jim Crow laws, creating a period of color-based separation of advantage and opportunity that lasted well into the early 1970’s.

Then, almost immediately after the social transformation created by the Civil Rights movements, a change in incarceration methodology transpired.

In 1983, when Corrections Corporations of America took over its first facilities in Houston, Texas, a new era of incarceration was ushered into existence.

What people often fail to recognize is how during Reagan’s first term, the start of a resurgence in private prisons occurred. Followed by the implementation of laws, such as the Anti Drug Abuse Act of 1986 requiring mandated sentences for crack cocaine sales, at the local and national level, those newly minted private prisons were fed the lives of black descendants of slavery at unprecedented rates.

Over the past several years, I have worked with Marc Levin and several other producers to create the documentary “Freeway Crack in the System” to provide the definitive story on the War on Drugs. As stated by Levin on the Daily Beast: “How did we get from the glorious battles of the Civil Rights Movement to the devastation of the crack plague? From the police crackdown on the marchers on the Selma bridge to the police killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner? From the nonviolence movement of courageous civil rights activists to the gang violence that has made homicide the number one cause of death for young black men? And finally from the impassioned eloquence of Dr. King’s “I have a dream” to the drug kingpin’s “I have a life sentence?”

The War on Drugs… “”Freeway Crack in the System”” is the story that rocked black America and led to all sorts of conspiracy theories and urban legends. It is also the story that goes to the fundamental hypocrisy and corruption of this failed War on Drugs.” A Drug Kingpin, the CIA, and Prisoners...”

This box of mass incarceration not only trapped black America but also mutated its social development. Inside of this newly minted box developed the iconization of the infamous criminal mastermind, personified by the image of Rick Ross. His persona was the epitome of the antihero, part crack, part rap and all controversial. Mass incarceration had commandeered black masculinity and returned it back to the black community as a shell of its former self.

Stacy Adams’ dress shoes became overpriced Jordans, and three-piece suits became white tees coupled with Louis Vuitton belts holding up designer jeans with empty pockets. Fueled by hip hop culture’s folklore-type messaging, the box that trapped black America was rewrapped like a present on Christmas. Draped in decadent riches, this box’s destructive innards (continued on page 13)

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.

Colleen Newsom, Classified Advertising Jimmy V. Johnson, Sales Rep. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Taki S. Raton, Richard G. Carter, Fr. Carl Diederichs, Rev. Joe McLin PHOTOGRAPHER: Yvonne Kemp

Opinion and comments expressed on the Perspectives page do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or management of the MCJ. Letters and “other perspectives” are accepted but may be edited for content

The Milwaukee Community Journal March 4, 2015 Page 3

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “IF YOU'RE WHITE AND YOU'RE

WRONG, THEN YOU'RE WRONG; IF YOU'RE BLACK AND YOU'RE WRONG, YOU'RE WRONG. PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE. BLACK, BLUE, PINK, GREEN - GOD MAKE NO RULES ABOUT COLOR; ONLY SOCIETY MAKE RULES WHERE MY PEOPLE SUFFER, AND THAT WHY WE MUST HAVE REDEMPTION AND REDEMPTION NOW.” --BOB MARLEY

How Does The American Media Depict Black People?

What is the real perception of Black people generally held by white people, and how much of this is passed down from one generation to the next?

How many negative and racist stereotypes are there of Black people and where did they come from and how do they continue?

With just a little investigation you’ll find, like I did, that these stereotypes date back to slavery and have monopolized public opinion ever since and they can be seen in every known medium that delivers content in America.

I’ve always professed I’m neither a scholar, historian, nor journalist. I view myself as a student of the struggle of Black people in America and I have a number of teachers (i.e. Frederick Douglas, Marcus Garvey, W.E.B. DuBois, Hon. Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, Rev. Leon Sullivan, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., James Baldwin and many others). All of these teachers have inspired me to see the struggle of the Black community, not only the internal challenges that the Black community faces from within, but with the goal of challenging and fighting against a racist segment of America

that continues to oppress and suppress Blacks based on their racist beliefs; there might not be physical slavery but economic slavery most definitely exist.

During my studies, I’ve come across so much information that guides my thinking and nothing is more definitive than the negative impact that nearly 300 years of chattel slavery, 75 years of Jim Crow and KKK terrorism has had on Black people, their psyche, and their current socio-economic conditions (this is not about some pity party, this is factual).

Every group has had issues including the white community. Unlike any other group that has been discriminated, oppressed and abused in America, none has experienced racism like the Black man nor is the discrimination enforced with such a viral appetite and holistic sting.

This is largely due to the idea that race in America is based on physical characteristics and skin color (YOU CAN’T HIDE YOUR BLACK SKIN), this has played an essential part in shaping American society even before the nation existed independently.

I contend that, for the atrocities of slavery and the structural and institutional racism to

UNIVERSALLY

SPEAKING

by Rahim Islam

continue, the Black man must continue is to be portrayed as sub-human or less intelligent.

This is primarily being done through the media. The perception of Black people has always been closely tied to their social status in America. Therefore, you’re enslaved because it’s a better treatment of you than to allow you to be free; you’re poor because you are lazy and your economic condition is fititng of your capacity.

The more I study, the more I learn of the massive amount of physical, psychological, and spiritual pain inflicted on Black people since being in America.

When you take all of this into consideration, you come away with a better appreciation of the resiliency of Black people, and

AS Abraham QUIET AS IT’S Lincoln’s KEPT Final Solution Lincoln and Black Colonization After Emancipation

Almost 150 years after it was proposed by Abraham Lincoln, black colonization still ranks among the most controversial and least understood policies of the Civil War. Premised upon racial separation, this By Phillip W. Magness, courtesy of movement sought to establish a dis- blogs.britannica.com tinct black nationality by removing the slave population to Liberia and “Many have argued that Lincoln’s interest the Caribbean.

It rightly strikes the modern reader in colonization as a relic of racial bigotry and mis- amounted to a political guided paternalism. Yet for the better ruse to prepare a repart of the war, the United States luctant populace for government extensively studied and the end of slavery. By even subsidized black resettlement.

The policy is naturally difficult to offering colonization reconcile with Lincoln’s popular rep- as a middle ground, so utation as the “Great Emancipator,” goes the argument, and historians have long struggled Lincoln effectively aswith how to interpret this apparent suaged the fears of aberration on the path to emancipanorthern racists and tion.

Many have argued that Lincoln’s paved the way for the interest in colonization amounted to Emancipation Proclaa political ruse to prepare a reluctant mation.” strategy, and in late January 1863 he sought out a new populace for the end of slavery.

By offering colonization as a middle ground, so goes and presumably more reliable partner with a personal the argument, Lincoln effectively assuaged the fears of visit to the British Minster to the United States, Lord northern racists and paved the way for the Emancipation Lyons.

Confined to the secrecy of diplomatic backchannels, Proclamation.

While a minority of scholars have always believed that the scheme showed little of the public splash—and concolonization accurately reflected a less flattering dimen- troversy—from the previous fall. Indeed, owing to an unsion of Lincoln’s views, this palliative or lullaby thesis fortunate loss of many of the papers from James Mitchell, carries the attractive, if unstated, implication of effec- Lincoln’s appointed administrator of the colonization protively letting the president off the hook. He never spoke gram, we know little of it from American records.

Most of the surviving documents were spirited away of colonization in public again after issuing the Proclamation on New Year’s Day 1863, suggesting a natural to London and only recently rediscovered in the UK Naevolution in thought once the act of emancipation was fi- tional Archives. But the British plans advanced far beyond what most scholars previously knew. nalized.

Throughout the spring Lincoln met with crown-backed As Sebastian Page and I show in Colonization after Emancipation, though, it appears the minority had Lin- representatives from the British West Indies colonies of coln right all along. The key to understanding his views Belize and Guiana. After affirming colonization to be his on black resettlement rests not in its effects on northern “honest desire” in a conversation with one of the colonial public opinion, where it did little more than stir up criti- land agents, he granted the British Honduras Company cism and backlash within his own Republican Party, but permission to commence recruitment of African Ameriits own evolving status as a part of Lincoln’s sometimes can emigrants in June 1863, and directed the State Department to formalize the arrangement in August. complex and contradictory anti-slavery policy.

A flurry of colonization activity in 1862 yielded a Mitchell’s Emigration Office in the Interior Department widely publicized and controversial address to an African found its charge renewed as well.

In July it dispatched John Willis Menard, a free black American delegation at the White House, an abortive attempt to settle the Chiriqui region of Panama, a contract newspaperman, on a mission to Belize to investigate the that sent 453 freedmen to a disease-ridden island off the proposed site.

In November Mitchell arranged a little-known meeting coast of Haiti, and a prominent mention in Lincoln’s secbetween Lincoln and a delegation sent by the fiery aboond annual message to Congress.

Yet it also taught Lincoln the perils of the colonization litionist preacher Henry Highland Garnet, one of the few enterprise. A $600,000 appropriation from Congress—no prominent black supporters of colonization. At the time small change in an era where the entire pre-war budget Garnet was assisting the British Honduras Company to seldom topped $60 million—drew all manner of shady recruit prospective settlers.

The Belize settlement and other “imperial” schemes land speculators and outright swindlers trying to make a negotiated through the State Department began to fall personal fortune on the government’s resettlement subapart in early 1864 for reasons that are still somewhat unsidy. certain.

One of them, Bernard Kock, effectively left the aforeBritish authorities evidently pulled the plug out of fear mentioned Haitian settlers to starve, necessitating their rescue by the Navy in 1864. (continued on page 8) These experiences prompted Lincoln to change his

you should come to the belief that if given the right toolsBlacks could really excel (I believe that there is a segment of America who fears this).

However, I’m convinced that the Black community has been harmed severely but what is more appalling is the cavalier attitude of many White Americans who treat this issues as some meaningless event that Blacks should just get over.

The trivialization of the Black holocaust is not only sinister but it’s pure ignorance (it’s just wrong).

In addition to the American institution of slavery, which was crippling in itself, every American system and institution (i.e. judicial, financial, legal, governmental, banking, business and commerce, social, medical, etc.) has been rooted in the oppression of Black people.

Even today, Blacks still have to fight for the basic rights afforded to all Americans.

What’s even more saddening is how the victim (Black community) has been made to be the villain and put in the defensive position (always having to justify and defend its status) which will never allow the truth to surface especially when the Black community is leading the effort (there you go again).

America, led by its media, has done a masterful job to paint a picture of Black inferiority and has used all of its systems and institutions to control and manipulate the inferior outcomes that they professed are associated with Black people (self-fulfilling prophecy).

This is just another example of how the victim is made to be the villain. Malcolm X once said that the American media is the most powerful institution in the world because it can make a right man wrong and a wrong man right.

The American media has portrayed Black people in very hurtful terms, which has helped laid the foundation for the continual oppression of Black people.

Many of the negative outcomes that we see today are to be expected when an entire group of people have been enslaved for nearly 300 years without any compensation (Blacks still only inheritpoverty.

What is to be expected when Blacks’ growth has been suppressed at every level , even denying civil rights and access to equal public education?

Thousands of Black people have been murdered, lynched, and terrorized for attempting to right some of these wrongs.

Blacks have been robbed of their culture and history, which has been replaced with black inferiorityand white supremacy.

With families being broken apart there was no way to transmit history from one generation to another. In protecting their children, mothers taught their children to obey, respect, and love the slave owner even at their own expense.

There are just too many issues that handicap Black people that America can’t just continue to ignore this reality.

Not to mention poverty and lack of capital, there is an overwhelming percentage of Blacks living at or near poverty and Blacks have little or no capital (some have describe having no capital in a capitalistic society like being in a hatchet fight with no hatchet).

Why is itso difficult for White America to understand and acknowledge the legacy of slavery?

This is why Black people remain so frustrated with white people; there is a deep and bitter fear and/or hate that White people have of Black people that also has its roots in the legacy of slavery (this must be reconciled).

Today, many White people say they don’t carry these prejudices but nothing could be further from the truth, how else do you explain the treatment of Black people in this country now and for such a long period of time.

In spite of the overwhelming challenges that Blacks have faced and continue to face, I still believe in the concept of America and its core principles: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of hap-

(continued on page 8)

RELIGION

The Milwaukee Community Journal March 4, 2015 Page 4

Rev. Marlan Branch Minister says the Black church must get back to its activist roots

By Thomas E. Mitchell, Jr.

The Black Christian church must reclaim its activist fervor, focus and philosophy if it is to maintain its relevancy in the lives of younger Black people for the 21st century, said a local minister new to Milwaukee and the challenges facing its Black community.

“The (Black) church must do a better job of tapping into the frustration of the Black community, especially Black men,” said Rev. Marlan D. Branch, the newly appointed pastor at River Of Life African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.

Branch illustrated his point by noting the first Christian denomination founded by Blacks started through activism.

In 1787 in Philadelphia, Richard Allen-- the founder of the AME Church--and other Black worshipers were pulled of their knees as they prayed by officials of St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church.

It was this racist action that lead Allen and others to establish the Bethel AME Church in 1794, with Allen as its first pastor.

According to AME history, Allen, a former Delaware slave, successfully sued in the Pennsylvania courts in 1807 and 1815 for the right of his congregation to exist as an independent institution, free of any interference from White Methodists.

The AME church became known for its focus on activism, fighting on behalf of the poor and weak oppressed by racism, sexism, and economic disadvantage.

Branch revealed that post-civil rights era theologian Rev. James H. Cone, the founder of Black Liberation Theology (and sees God as concerned with the poor and weak)—which has its roots in 1960s civil rights activism and draws inspiration from both Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X and the Black Power Movement—is a minister in the AME Church.

Branch touches on activism and Black Liberation Theology in the master’s thesis he is currently working on to obtain his Master of Theological Studies degree.

He is focusing on slavery and the Bible and how the Apostle Paul used the metaphor of slavery for liberating people.

Branch says what Paul says about slavery can be applied to today’s times, especially as it relates to Black people who find themselves caught up in the “New Jim Crow” system of incarceration.

In his thesis, Branch said he is focusing on the way God’s Word has been interpreted since slavery. “I’m going to touch on Black liberation theology; find liberation through Biblical text and what Paul said about slavery and obeying your master; how it (what Paul said) was used to oppress.”

Through his thesis, Branch said he wants to create a dialogue for the next generation; show them how God is about liberation, not oppression.

Born in Ackerman, Mississippi and raised in Evanston, Ill., acquired his passion for activism and putting the ideas of Rev. Cone to work through his early theological training under the guidance of Rev. Jimmy Leon Thorn of St. James AME Church on Chicago’s South Side.

Branch also worked with a community organizing group called S.O.U.L., which stands for “Southside Organizers for Unity and Liberation.

“We did a lot of good things there,” Branch recalls.

“That’s where I was exposed to community organizing and training.”

Pastoring at River Of Life AME Church since October, Branch says he’s still getting acclimated to Milwaukee’s political scene and what’s going on in the community and who is doing what as it relates to organizing so he can apply the lessons he learned with S.O.U.L. to the myriad of problems and challenges facing Black people here.

“I’m trying to let people know River Of Life is in the community. I’ve gotten to know members of my church.

Now I’m trying to get to know the community further.”

Branch said he’s followed the demonstrations on behalf of Dontre’ Hamilton, who was shot repeatedly by a Milwaukee Police officer last year and was impressed by the

WHAT’S HAPPENING...

In Your Faith-Based Community

Revival set for Peace Temple COGIC

Peace Temple Church of God In Christ will hold a two day revival, March 5 and March 6, starting at 7 a.m. Peace Temple is located at 3332 W. Lisbon Ave. (on the corner of 34th and Lisbon). Elder Ulyses Brewer is the pastor.

The theme of the revival is: “Revive Us Again!”

The revival will be conducted by Min. Tim Cole. For more information, contact Evangelist Margaret Adams at 554-3888.

Brentwood Church of Christ’s Christian Couples Ministry to hold 5th annual Black Marriage Day event March 28

Christian Couples Ministry (CCM) of the Brentwood Church of Christ will hold their 5th Annual Black Marriage Day Event on Saturday March 28, 2015 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at the church, 6425 N. 60th Street, Milwaukee, WI. The theme of the event will be Respect the Ring.

The event will include entertainment by jazz vocalist Cassandra McShepard and Evangelist Steven Thompson, Minister of the Central Church of Christ, will provide an inspirational message.

At each event, special honors are given to the most newlywed couple and the one that has been married the longest. A dessert social will be held immediately following the program.

Black Marriage Day is a national observance on the 4th

Rev. Marlan D. Branch

ABOUT REV. MARLAN D. BRANCH

• Born in Ackerman, Mississippi, the eldest of two sisters and seven brothers.

• Earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View TX. • Acknowledged call to ministery in 2004.

Preached his trial sermon at Greater St. Peters MBC where he was first ordained.

• Began his preaching ministry at Bethel AME Church.

• Ordained an Itinerant deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal church by Bishop John R. Bryant in 2008.

• Attained his Masters of Divinity degree and is curently working towards the completion of his Masters of Theological Studies with a concentration in Pauline scholarship at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., where he is a Mother Bethel Scholar and a former chair of the Garrett-Evangelical Black Seminarians.

• Appointed to his first pastorate at River Of Live AME on Oct. 12 of 2014.

• Married to his life partner in ministry, Min. Michele Watkins Branch, assistant pastor at St. Mark United Methodist Church of Chicago

high level of organization in the protest campaign.

The minister said it was good to see young adults involved in the protests. “In my mind, it’s good to be marching; but you also need to be in the offices of the aldermen at city hall.”

Branch said when he was working with S.O.U.L., they met with Chicago City Council members and corporate boards on issues such as minimum wage.

“I don’t have a “voice” here yet to be heard like that,” Branch admitted. “But it’s my goal.”

In driving through the community, Branch sees similarities between the challenges facing Black Milwaukeeans and Chicagoans.

“I see boarded up homes, then see newly rehabbed homes. I’ve heard of people’s struggles with the school system, or trying to find a job that pays what they need.

“Trying to pastor people working two to three jobs weekdays, weekends and Sundays…it’s difficult to feed them the Word and gather them together to get things done.”

Yet the challenges his members face balancing spiritual and secular responsibilities hasn’t dampened Branch’s excitement regarding his first pastoral appointment.Having already had his first Lay Service as pastor of River Of Life, Branch said the church is gearing up for other activities and observances. The church will host the “Seven Last Words of Christ” event on Good Friday, April 3. (continued on page 5)

General Baptist Convention to hold Congress of Christian Education March 9-13

The Wisconsin General Baptist State Convention Congress of Christian Education will be holding its Midwinter Session March 9 to 13, 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

The sessions will be held at two locations simultaneously. Adults involved in Christian Education for the General Baptist Convention will meet each evening at Way of the Cross MBC, 1401 W. Hadley St. The host pastor will be Rev. K. Boyd The youth and children will meet at Canaan MBC, 2975 N. 11th St. For registration and information, contact Elizabeth Hughes, State Dean of the Congress of Christian Education, at 449-9272, or 339-1879. She can also be reached by email: huhgesbrm22@att.net.

Sunday of March that celebrates marriage in the Black community.

This event is open to everyone who believes in and supports the value of marriage in the Black community; this includes singles and individuals from all cultures.

Tickets are $20 per person and $25 for two, tickets can be purchased in advance at Herb’s Hair Studio, 4800 N. Hopkins Street or at the event.

For questions, please contact Thomas & Clarene Mitchell, event organizers, at 414-736-1546 or brentwoodccm@gmail.com.

The Black Marriage Day Event Facebook event page is a source for more information as well.

Zion Hill MBC to host observance of National Black Marriage Day

Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate National Black Marriage Day Sunday, March 29, starting at 10 a.m.

Zion Hill is located at 1825 W. Hampton Ave. Rev. Dr. Russell B. Williamson is pastor.

The theme of the observance is: “The Strengths of African American Families in the 21st Century.”

The speaker will be Leonard Cratic, Jr. of Lamb of God Baptist Church. He is also the president of the Laymen Movement of the Wisconsin General Baptist State Convention. For more information, contact Jenell Williamson, 414-405-5885.

Eleventh (11th) annual relationship conference Valentine’s Day weekend event

In celebration of the past success of the “Without Distraction” relationship conference its 11th Annual event; a combination of both relationship education and entertainment has become one of Milwaukee’s best social and romantic Valentine weekend of the year.

Milwaukee has found this event to be rewarding for both singles and Married Couples. Dr. LaFayette Russell and Dr. Ingrid Durr Russell will be among the International speakers for this year event February 13th, 14th & 15th 2015. VenueCrown Plaza Milwaukee Airport: 6401 South 13th St. Milwaukee WI. 53221.

Singles are the foundation of every marriage because a good marriage starts with your singleness. Marriage brings you into a true opportunity to express your love, feelings and what you are made of.

Understanding the process and learning how to unmask your feelings is one of the basic keys to success.

Sometimes people adopt ways in their childhood development and influences

that becomes the norm; consequently the norm to them could be a negative pattern that could sabotage their relationships.

Recognizing and Identify those patterns could be the very answer to probable cause. Being realistic about yourself and having a realist view of others will help give you a solid building foundation to build on.

Together we can discoverer what areas in your life that can use some more fuel and Socializing with other singles or couples like yourself is good for everyone!

The week end event includes: Friday 6:30pm Meet/Greet Social (refreshments provided) 7pm begins with both Singles and Marriage Topics in two sessions.

Building and keeping a healthy relationship with understanding is power tools we are giving to our communities for FREE! Yes, we are making the “Relationship teaching sessions” absolutely free.

That means no cost to get this wealth of information for life.

Saturday at 11am combined Singles and Marriage session Question & Answer panel discussion. The workshops is to empower and remove all frustrations.

We will cover all areas of relationship from personal, business to finance. Each year there are numerous testimonies of this life changing event. Don’t miss the Saturday evening 7:00pm-Valentine’s Special

Eloquent Romantic Dinner Including; Live Music, clean Live Comedy, and bliss of Love in the air set just right for the occasion.

The cost is only $45 per person and couples $10 off. (Advance only). Sunday at 1pm join us the close of the weekend event.

The entire family is welcome to be apart of our special Worship service. The topic is “Kingdom Relationship.” Knowledge is powerful.”

Plain and simple we could all use some guidance to maintain or build a long lasting good relationship based on Biblical truth.

Free Registration and (no cost for the teaching sessions) .

For additional information, tickets, sales, groups, vendors, hotel overnight reservation, and other compliments please contact us 708-745-4393 or 414-520-1567 Website:WWW.withoutdistractionrelationship.com Email: ingriddurr4u@yahoo.com facebook.com/Ingrid Durr P.O. Box 170024 Glendale Wisconsin 53217.

Website: WWW.withoutdistractionrelationship.com.

Email: ingriddurr4u@yahoo.com. facebook.com/Ingrid Durr. P.O. Box 170024 Glendale Wisconsin 53217

Rev. Marlan Branch

(continued from page 4) River Of Life is also working on a “Spoken Worship” service where spoken word artists and a mime ministry will perform.

“My family ties are in the Baptist Church. My grandfather would pray with a cadence, speak with a cadence (during sermons), with passion. You really have to think about what the Word says. Everything belongs to God. We can use spoken word—rapping—to honor God.” “(The church) has to do new things to attract a younger audience,” Branch continued. “It’s like rebranding. When you think of a product, if it’s not doing well you rebrand it so it attracts consumers. “(It’s) about stepping outside of the box of doing the traditional approach.

Branch believes to reach the new generation of potential believers (and reconnect with those who have fallen by the wayside) is to get them to identify with the humanity of Christ.

“Jesus was both Devine and human,” said Branch. “We need to connect the human with the way the spirit lives within us in our daily life.

“When I read the text (of the Bible), I try to spot Jesus having a human type emotion. We have to connect our humanness with how God wants us to live our lives.”

Branch finds irony in people’s excuses about coming to church and working on their soul’s salvation, particularly one excuse.

“I hear people say, ‘I’ll come to church when I get my life together.’ But you don’t have to get your life together

“(The church) has to do new things to attract a younger audience,” Branch continued. “It’s like rebranding.

When you think of a product, if it’s not doing well you rebrand it so it attracts consumers. (It’s) about stepping outside of the box of doing the traditional approach.

in order to come to church.

“It is in church you learn how to get your life together.

I want people to understand that who you are is welcome in the church, which is supposed to lead and teach you the Word of God; help them realize God invites all. He’s a God for all people.”

Branch said the spirit leads people to what they need to be. “The church helps people work out their soul salvation through giving back to the community.

“The church is a place for the community to gather; to begin protests, to assemble (on issues impacting the community). That’s what the church is about—it’s not just for Sunday morning. That’s the bear minimum.”

The Milwaukee Community Journal March 4, 2015 Page 5

communityjournal.net

The Milwaukee Community Journal March 4, 2015 Page 6

YOUTH&EDUCATION

Ten local students received scholarships during the 30th Black Excellence Awards presented by the Milwaukee Times. The recipients are (from left to right): Chiara Sanders, Tamyra Cooper, Nyairah Abdullah, Jamea Hoover, Trentyn Shaw, Stephon Roby, Michah Childs, Destiny Dallas, Asiane Jordan, and Brittany Smith. Not pictured is an 11th recipient Richard Williams. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)

MADISON-- The deadline to register for the 2015 PEOPLE (Pre-College Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence) summer enrichment and college preparatory workshops is March 20, 2015. Students who successfully complete PEOPLE program are eligible for a tuition scholarship to attend UWMadison, but must independently apply and be admitted.

PEOPLE is a year-round learning adventure that challenges and stimulates students who are considering a college education and is UW-Madison’s most successful venture in creating opportunities for under-represented youth to attend college.

The six-year program begins in the summer after sixth grade and continues until high school graduation. The middle school program currently serves students in the Madison Metropolitan School District and Menominee Indian School District.

The program begins in high school in other parts of the state, including Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine and Kenosha.

To be selected, PEOPLE participants must be African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian American (emphasis on Southeast Asian American, Chicano/a, Puerto Rican, Latino/a, and/or economically disadvantaged. Other

By Michael Bonds, Ph.D., President, Milwaukee Board of School Directors

Scholarship winners

2015 Deadline to apply for admission to PEOPLE scholarship program is March 20

MPS Board Extends Superintendent Driver’s Contract

requirements include a minimum 2.75 grade point average in English, science, social studies, math and world language. Priority is given to students eligible for the free or reduced lunch program.

“The middle school summer workshops are designed to ensure students start thinking early about college majors and how those majors translate into careers,” says Eric Williams, Assistant Vice Provost for Diversity at UW-Madison.

“The high school-level college prep curriculum includes three years of science enrichment, math enhancement, performing arts & fine arts in preparation for applying to and attending UW-Madison. The program’s support follows each student into their college career and through earning their undergraduate degree.”

PEOPLE is one of the most successful talent development college scholarship programs in the nation, Williams said. At every stage, PEOPLE program participants benefit from being surrounded and mentored by older PEOPLE scholars and graduates as a key “reaching back” component of the program, he added.

The PEOPLE program prepares students to pursue and succeed in academic majors offered in every school and college at UW-Madison. Former PEOPLE Scholars have gone on to earn graduate degrees at UW-Madison as well as graduated from the Wisconsin Law School, he added.

The 2015 middle school session will be June 15-July 3 for sixth and seventh grade students and June 15-July 18 for 8th grade students. This year’s 29 middle school workshops include topics from chemistry, gaming, hip-hop and sound design, to human biology, computer design, law and veterinary science.

In order to enroll, students must currently be in sixth grade and attending the Madison Metropolitan, Verona Area, Middleton-Cross Plains, Sun Prairie, or Menominee Indian School District.

The 2015 high school summer workshops will be held June 21 – July 11 for 9th and 10th grade students and June 21 – July 31 for 11th grade students.

In preparation for applying to attend UW-Madison, the high school curriculum focuses on building academic skills & exposure to cultural arts for freshman and sophomores. PEOPLE provides a three-week residential program on the UW–

(continued on page 7)

As Milwaukee Public Schools moves forward with major efforts to improve student achievement, continuity of leadership is key.

That’s why I am proud to share that the Milwaukee Board of School Directors on Thursday extended the contract of MPS Superintendent Darienne B. Driver, Ed.D. Her contract, which originally ended on June 30, 2016, now runs through June 30, 2017.

Under Dr. Driver’s leadership, MPS is taking critical steps to continue to improve student outcomes with a focus on academic achievement, engaging families and the community and promoting effective and efficient operations.

The superintendent’s accomplishments include: • Developing a series of Strategic Objectives – eight big ideas – aligned to the district’s Strategic Plan and supported by the budget process. A series of White Papers is being developed to implement these ideas and listening sessions are scheduled to seek community, staff, student and parental feedback • Creating a Regional Development plan which will increase the number of seats in high-performing schools and improve capacity for high-quality community support activities MPS Sup. Driver • Re-engaging and establishing community partnerships designed to support student achievement and to develop new opportunities for students through a collective impact model, and • Providing a new focus and level of academic support for 14 Commitment Schools, which were among the lowest performing district schools on the state report card Dr. Driver, who received her doctorate from the Urban Superintendents Program at Harvard University in 2014, came to her position as superintendent after two years in Milwaukee Public Schools as Chief Innovation Officer.

In that role, she oversaw the development of the Commitment Schools program described above as well as the district’s charter schools and its GE Foundation schools.

MPS’ GE Foundation Schools are models for implementing college and career readiness standards and collaborative learning efforts that can be studied and replicated in other MPS schools.

Prior to coming to Milwaukee Public Schools, Dr. Driver served in key leadership positions in school districts including Deputy Chief – Empowerment Schools for the School District of Philadelphia.

In addition to her doctorate degree, she holds a master’s degree from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and a master’s degree in curriculum development from the University of Michigan.

The superintendent earned her undergraduate degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga. and began her career as an elementary school teacher in Detroit Public Schools.

Her leadership experience in other communities and the leadership she has shown here in Milwaukee make it clear that Dr. Driver is the right person to lead this district, our 158 schools and our 77,000-plus students as we continue to move forward and improve outcomes for all of the children whose families have entrusted them to us.

KALEIDOSCOPE

The Milwaukee Community Journal March 4, 2015 Page 7

e

t he M C J l i f e s t y l e & e n t er t ainment s ec t i on

Dr. Umar Johson spoke to a group of men about the challenges facing them during a special lecture at Milo gwaukee Area Technical College. Dr. .Johnson was in town as part of Black History Month Week at the technical college. He also lectured on the Return of Jim Crow Justice in the Age of Post Racialism. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)

h

s

BeckumStapleton Little League now signing up players for new season

The Black Health Coalition of tWisconsin is sponsoring a campaign headed up by Grandmothers and Moms to no longer buy toy guns or svideo games that promote violence.

-You can go to IAM. COLOROFCHANGE.org and sign the petition.

For more information about how to support the campaign contact the dBlack Health Coalition of Wisconsin at 933-0064.

American Legion JFK Post 479 Breakfast Fundraiser will take place Saturday, March 7, 2015 8AM-Noon at 1557 N. 29th St. (corner of 29th Galena. Tickets are $10.00. Contact Jay Suttle at 469-7393.

Community African/Afro Cuban Dance Classes with -Ina Onilu Dance Ensemble will be held every Tuesday 7:30PM at the Wisconsin African American Women’s eCenter 3020 W. Vliet St. t We are offering affordable dance classes for individuals or families interested in learning the art form of African/Afro Cuban Dance. Cost of class is $10 per participant. Group/family Rates available upon request.

See you there.

The Body and Soul Indoor Market will be held Saturday, March 7th at 3617 N. 48th St from 10AM to 4PM. You are invited to keep your money and support the community by shopping at this market located in the Sherman Park neighborhood.

This market brings together the talent and creativity of many Milwaukee Artists, food artists, crafters and more.

UW’s PEOPLE scholarship program (continued from page 6)

Madison campus that includes math, science, study skills and writing skills development; ACT preparation; workshops in the biological and physical sciences, engineering, biomedical research and health sciences; and an evening curriculum in the fine and performing arts.

From June 21 to July 31, 2015, high school juniors will focus on internship and research experiences during a six-week residential internship/research experience through placements with hospitals, media companies, local businesses and the University.

First–year seminars increase students’ understanding of themselves as young adults with valuable insights and experiences. UW–Madison faculty and public high school English teachers introduce new ways to approach and cultivate the thesis-driven writing process. Second-year seminars focus on critical thinking and literary analysis for college-level writing

FROM THE BLACK

By Tony Courtney

Check out the participating vendors on Facebook site “Body and Soul Indoor Market”.

The National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America – Milwaukee Chapter invites you to attend their weekly meeting at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center 3020 W. Vliet St. Meetings are held every Wednesday at 5:00PM to 6PM and is followed by a historical movie that informs us why we need to demand reparations.

“What Do I Do with My Life” is the topic of discussion Monday, March 9th at The Men of African Descent Men’s Circle? This event is held at The Body and Soul Healing Arts Center 3617 N. 48th St. Time 7PM – 9PM. Correction – Deadline for participation on the “Dedication to Black Women That Got Black Men’s Backs” is Monday, March 16th. Black men wanting to participate give me a call at 374-2364 or stop in at Coffee Makes You Black 2803 N. Teutonia Avenue Tuesday thru Saturday to sponsor the Black woman you want to recognize. The cost of sponsorship is $25.00 per name.

that can be applied across academic disciplines, and writing seminars focus on multicultural awareness and critical issues.

Between summer sessions, students are eligible for year-round academic support. During the school year UW-Madison faculty, staff and graduate students meet with PEOPLE participants for academic skills development, college classroom experiences, campus orientation, cultural enrichment activities, and career exploration.

On-site academic enrichment centers at four Madison high schools maximize opportunities for educational excellence. Parent and student orientation sessions provide information about preparing for, applying to, and paying for college. Campus visits assist students and families in choosing an academic and career interest area. Help with navigating the college application process is always available.

During the school year, the UW-Madison PEOPLE staff provides academic skills development and tutorial services. Students also are required to attend cohort meetings where they participate in campus orientation and cultural enrichment activities.

Following their senior high school year and graduation, students who have been admitted to UWMadison participate in an eight-week

Youth interested in playing baseball can now sign up for the Beckum-Stapleton Little League, which is celebrating its 51st year of overing baseball to boys and girls from four to 15 years of age. You can register at the Little League Office, located on 911 W. Brown St. The fee is $100 per child (which includes raffle tickets).

All parents/guardians must bring a birth certificate and three documents proving residency, or one document supporting school enrollment.

For more information, contact Cassondra Fraizer at 414-3725794 or go to beckumstapleton.com.

Opening day is Saturday, May 2, 2015.

bridge-to-college program during the summer for college credit and orientation to university life as an undergraduate. Students take rigorous university courses, earn credits toward an undergraduate degree, and interact with other students, faculty and staff.

To apply online go to: www.peopleprogram.wisc.edu.

Since 1999, participation in the UW-Madison PEOPLE program has increased from 66 high school students to over 1,300 students, ranging from second grade to the undergraduate college level. Collaborative work with the K-12 public education system and Indian Tribal Nation schools is expanding the pool of students from underrepresented groups who qualify to attend top-ranked universities. Upon graduation from high school, PEOPLE students admitted to UW-Madison who have completed the summer bridge-to-college program will be eligible for an in-state undergraduate tuition scholarship for up to four years. In order to receive the PEOPLE scholarship, students must complete the FAFSA. Although completing the PEOPLE program does not guarantee admission to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, 94 percent of students who finish PEOPLE’s pre-college program enroll in higher education.

How Does The American Media Depict Black People?

The Milwaukee Community Journal March 4, 2015 Page 8

(continued from page 3)

piness.” I also realize that, like the many great Black leaders before me, if America is to fulfill its promise, the legacy of slavery and its impact on nearly 45 million Black people must be addressed. In addition to the structural socio-economic issues that threaten Black people, the negative stereotypes regarding Black people have historical foundations created and supported by the media and help to shape public opinion about Black people and why there is not more understanding and responsibility in support of the conditions that Black people face.

As I asked in the beginning of this article; what is the real perception of Black people by white people, and how much of this is passed down from one generation to the next.

I know some Black people will say that what white people think of Black people shouldn’t matter. While I’m a do-for-self Black person, I contend it’s very important that we challenge White America about what they really think about Black people because the last time I checked, they owned it all and owning all allows you to implement your prejudices (racism).

Not all white people are racist that’s preposterous to think. But we all, Black and white, have prejudice thoughts and beliefs.

However, after nearly 400 years of entrenched negatives beliefs about Black people, what we have now is INSTITUIONAL RACISM based on a value system that fundamentally devalues Black life. There are just too many examples that this opinion is felt by many white people (i.e. failing public education in urban cities, ballooning of young Black boys in prison, Black on Black murders, 1980 & 1990 epidemic of crack, Katrina, the current AIDS epidemic, etc.).

Institutional racism allows callousness to grow and develop causing the racial divide that we currently have in this country, much of this is fueled by the media.

Starting in 1665 with the first English speaking newspaper, the media has grown to include not only newspapers, but radio, music, television and now the internet. How has and how are Blacks portrayed?

While much has change, the images and the negative stereotypes of Black peoiple in the media remains the same.

Remember, Black people were not convicted of any crime; they were not casualties of war; yet they were captured and sold and became property of their owners with no possible way of ever being freed.

The numerous state and federal laws, politicians, public opinion, religious leaders, and America capitalists upheld this institution to the fullest and watch this atrocity unfold representing the worst acts of mankind against mankind.

I believe it was the depictions; the serotypes, the bombardment of negative images of Black people that fuel this economic windfall for America.

Yes, this was about economics, but it was also about white fear and hate of Black people which was supported by the media.

What are the early stereotypes that laid the foundation for the justification for enslavement?

While there are so many stereotypes that portray Black people in such a negative light: criminal and dangerous; primitive or simpleminded; prone to drugs and addictions; lazy and shiftless; addicted to handouts and won’t work; enjoy excess versus being in control of oneself; dirty and unclean, and sex addict with no responsbility to family life (i.e. motherhood and fatherhood), none is more damaging than the portrayal of Black people

While there are so many stereotypes that portray Black people in such a negative light: criminal and dangerous; primitive or simpleminded; prone to drugs and addictions; lazy and shiftless; addicted to handouts and won’t work; enjoy excess versus being in control of oneself; dirty and unclean, and sex addict with no responsbility to family life (i.e. motherhood and fatherhood), none is more damaging than the portrayal of Black people as subhuman animals (without a soul).

as subhuman animals (without a soul).

This was perfect for the religious conservative. As long as Blacks lacked a soul, they couldn’t be considered human and it was OK to treat them like property. To achieve this, the media had to portray the home of slave Africa as barbaric and savage. African Black people were usually depicted as primitive, childlike, cannibalistic people who live in tribes, carry spears, believe in witchcraft and worship their wizard.

White colonists are depicted tricking them by selling junk in exchange for valuable things . Sometimes Black Africans are depicted as pygmies with childlike behavior so that they can be ridiculed as being similar to children. How many images of African Black people dressed in lip plates or with a bone sticking through his nasal septum or bare chested Black women with large breasts and notably fat buttocks. Even today, if you ask the average Black person what his/her thoughts of Africa are they will refer to these stereotypes.

Starting very early on within numerous publications, enslaved Blacks were portrayed in books and early newspapers as animals, mainly gorillas, this placed fear and lack of compassion for the plight of the slave.

There were numerous advertisements for the sale of slaves and/or notices of rewards for runaway slaves (these ads were the financial foundation for the growth of daily newspapers).

The bombardment of descriptions and ape like images help to sooth the conscious of the White man for what he was doing or not doing.

Crude historical depictions of Blacks as ape-like may have disappeared from mainstream US culture, but much research on this topic suggest that society was more likely to condone violence against Black because it was believe that they were animals and they were dangerous, you couldn’t appeal to a “beast,” there is only one way to handle a beast and that’s with force.

This hateful association between Blacks and monkeys or apes gave White Christians, especially slave owners, the right and justification of slavery and because they had no SOUL (no self-evident rights or freedom).

In my studies, I’ve come across so many laws that described the status of slaves as property and what was allowed and what wasn’t allowed (not much wasn’t allowed).

Most state laws allowed torture and death of the Black enslaved if that person, disobeyed, escaped, or was perceived as threat to the owner, there are a very few cases where slave-owners were charged with a crime for killing and/or maiming a slave.

When rare convictions were achieved, the penalty was a citation or some obscured and light penalty.

There were no protections for those that were enslaved (there was no judicial court or body to appeal for mercy). The only relief for slaves existed when they practice complete submission or could “trick” the slave owner to believe in such (even that wasn’t 100%).

Thousands of Black children were murdered by the wives of the slave-owners for impregnating one of his female slaves.

Those slave owners who didn’t sell those babies would rather kill the child then live the shame of seeing this bastard child on a daily basis.

The general premise for most slave laws is that the slave owner would do what’s in the best interest of his economic reality (as property you would do what you needed to keep your asset in good shape) and that was the only protection that slaves had (it rarely worked).

The general acceptance of the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin was easily twisted into a means of identifying further "evidence" of the primitive status of Blacks.

There were numerous cartoons that portrayed the connection of Black people and apes. In addition, Black men were made to be feared for their animal like (brute) strength and sexual appetite (stud).

This stereotype was promoted by White slave-owners that Black male slaves were animalistic and bestial in nature and didn’t have the capacity to have the passions, emotions, and ambitions like human beings and are wholly subservient to their sexual instinct.

This construction of the oversexed black male parlayed perfectly into notions of black bestiality and primitivism.

These types of descriptions were common place in promoting the marketability of the slave; however this cut both ways. Yes, it sold the Black man as a physical specimen able to mate with Black women and produce numbers of offspring which benefitted the slave-owner.

This phenomenon grew exponentially once the importation of Africans for slaves was abolished around 1807, American slaveowners not only had agricultural commodities to sale and trade, for some, his slave became a bigger commodity and the depictions and descriptions became more mainstay.

In my upcoming articles, I will continue to describe these stereotypes after slavery and the growth of movies and music and how they manifest themselves today.

Abraham Lincoln’s Final Solution

(continued from page 3) that their part in relocating emancipated southern “property” might draw them into the war itself.

In the United States, though, concerns about the lucrative federal colonization fund were paramount.

As he pressed for colonization abroad, Mitchell drew the ire of the War Department, which desired freedmen soldiers for the war effort.

He also butted heads with Interior Secretary John Palmer Usher for control of the fund, even accusing the latter of helping a senator to embezzle some $25,000 left over from the failed Panama venture.

A perturbed congressional committee rescinded the appropriation in July 1864.

The political wrangling took its toll on Lincoln as well, and his secretary John Hay reported the president’s frustrations with the way the funds had been spent. Lincoln, he wrote, had “sloughed off” the venture.

The colonization story did not end there, though, and Lincoln likely entertained reviving it near the war’s end.

In November 1864 he asked the attorney general for a ruling that would allow him to retain Mitchell as his “assistant or aid” on colonization despite Congress’ action.

More controversially, Lincoln met with General Benjamin F. Butler on the eve of his assassination and, according to the general, discussed reviving the Panama scheme.

Though historians have expressed their skepticism of this late date, recently discovered evidence suggests a need to take Butler’s story more seriously.

More importantly, we must recognize that Lincoln’s views on colonization were sincerely held, even if this complicates our assessment of his racial legacy.

His motive, though misguided, came from his profound personal fear

about the oppression of the freedmen at the hands of their former masters in a post-war South.

Whether he intended to pursue colonization in his second term may provoke controversy, but we must also remember that the answer to that question died with Lincoln, and unexpectedly so.

Lincoln displayed a remarkable capability for personal growth during the war, and the particulars of his approach to colonization are among the policies that evolved with him.

Knowing that this evolution was still ongoing at his death, it may be

placing an unfair burden on him to expect rigid consistency in his racial views or their final reconciliation with modern egalitarian ideals.

At minimum, the complex and human Lincoln this leaves us with is more interesting to study.

Phillip W. Magness, an Academic Program Director at George Mason University’s Institute for Humane Studies, teaches Public Administration at American University and is the coauthor of Colonization After Emancipation: Lincoln and the Movement for Black Resettlement.

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“Mister Speaker, I am proud that the Milwaukee Community Journal hails from the 4th Congressional District. It has consistently informed, analysed and entertained readers for nearly 38 years. I am pleased to give praise to Patricia O’Flynn Pattillo and her staff for providing a voice to the community and providing educational opportunities to students.

I wish them many more years of success.”

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--A segment from Cong. Gwen Moore’s remarks she made on the Congressional Record paying tribute to the Milwaukee Community Journal’s Dr. Terence N. Thomas Scholarship Annual Brunch

Our name says it all! We’re about COMMUNITY! YOUR COMMUNITY! YOUR MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY JOURNAL!

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Incarcerated Black America: Past, present and future

(continued from page 3) were hidden by million dollar Roc-A-fella record deals and the promise to make it out of the hood and escape with a rock star image.

Yet trapped inside the beautifully trimmed box was a reality of the consequence that comes with positioning a singular subgroup of young blacks in such a juxtaposed reality, the cost of which has been borne by Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, Jordan Davis and many others that were caught in the darkness of this box’s shadow.

Before the implementation of crack cocaine sentencing and the privatization of prisons in the mid 1980s, black male prison rates hovered around the range of 1,000 per 100,000. Since then, the rate has risen to numbers never seen in modern history. Fueled by changes in drug sentencing and inclusion of minor crimes, such as child support violations and driving with a suspended license, within the umbrella of imprisonable offenses the number of black males incarcerated skyrocketed. … the ratio for young black male imprisonment is around 10 percent, or about 10,000 prisoners per 100,000… During South African apartheid, one of the most horrific instances of racism the world has seen, the prison rate for black male South Africans, under immensely unfair laws, was 851 per 100,000. In America today, young black men face a rate of imprisonment effectively ten times that number. Can Black Boys Cry — Shadow of Mass Incarceration The consequences these high prison rates have had on the social development of the black family are immeasurable. Initially, you are drawn to see the irony of a group whose ancestors endured slavery and Jim Crow being funneled back into incarceration at such high rates. But the less obvious result is a massive decrease in working age black men that are actually participating in the workforce. Black America can ill afford to have a third of their working age men go to jail at some point in their life. This absence has resulted in an epidemic of broken homes and far too many black children being raised without a father. Policy makers talk as if sentencing changes will fix what was taken economically when the black community lost so many of its working age black men to the drug war. It will not; focused economic policy is needed to repair the black community.

In addition, a demand to evaluate the impact of private prisons on incarceration rates must be made.

Privatization made imprisonment a business. That business of imprisonment needed occupants, and no group felt that more readily than young black men. This model fundamentally changed the role of imprisonment in communities from one of punishment to one burdened with the complexities of economics.

In the piece 6 shocking revelations about how private prisons make money, Salon.com wrote: In a letter to 48 state governors in 2012, the largest for-profit private prison company in the US, Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), offered to buy up and operate public state prisons. In exchange, states would have to sign a 20-year contract guaranteeing a 90 percent occupancy rate throughout the term.

A government cannot know how many people will go to prison beforehand, nor can it conscionably entertain a commitment to any quota of occupancy. For there to even be a proposal of this sort reflects how much our society’s view of criminalization has changed in the years following the ramping up of the War on Drugs. Cornel West in his New York Times piece, “Dr. King Weeps from his Grave” stated, “Racism is a moral catastrophe, most graphically seen in the prison industrial complex and targeted police surveillance in black and brown ghettos rendered invisible in public discourse.” This box of mass incarceration that lies at the center of the War on Drugs has suffocated black American families with that catastrophe. If left intact, it may in the end trap all of America.

Antonio Moore is a Los Angeles based entertainment attorney with several celebrity clients. In recent years, he has worked as a producer on the documentary on the Iran Contra & Crack Cocaine Epidemic “Crack in the System” premiering on Al Jazeera Part I March 1 & Part 2 March 8. The film is scheduled to be screened March 8 at the Jubilee Film Festival and close the events in Selma, Alabama, after a historic reenactment on the Pettus Bridge.

President Barack Obama is also scheduled to give a speech in Selma the same weekend to commemorate the events of Bloody Sunday that occurred on the Edmund Pettus Bridge 50 years ago.

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