MCJ May 13, 2015 Edition

COMMUNITY VOL. XXXIX Number 41 May 13, 2015

The Milwaukee

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RECOGNIZING EXEMPLARY TEACHERS!

Flanked by Mistresses of Ceremony TaTiana Cash of Channel Four (far left) and Tyrene Jackson (far right) of WJMR/Jammin’ 98.3, Milwaukee Public Schools Sup. Dr. Darienne Dirver greets the award winning teachers during the 13th annual Teacher of the Year gala at the Wisconsin Center, downtown.

PULSE OF THE Black teachers organization holds 13th annual “Teacher of the Year” gala COMMUNITY Educators from more than MPS Sup. Driver and

Photos and question

by Yvonne Kemp

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

During the recently held MMABSE teacher recognition gala, we asked four educators: “Why is being a teacher more important today than it was 10 years ago?”

CONNIE MILLET (MORSE-MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL): “Young people An MMABSE official need positive addresses gathering at adults to be in their the Wisconsin Center. lives more than ever (before). Good teachers are vital because children spend so much time at school and they need those positive influences.”

ALISA NELSON (HENRY DAVID THOREAU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL): “Teaching is as important today as it was 10 years ago. Even though society is changing, our students still need to possess academic skills and life skills to survive. They must learn to adapt and apply their knowledge to the environment in which they live.”

JOHNNY PARKER (BRADLEY TECH HIGH SCHOOL): “Teaching is more important than 10 years ago because demands are greater as it relates to job readiness skills, academic and people (soft) skills. We need teachers who are ready and willing to go beyond the call of duty to assist our youth to be college/career ready!”

LEON GROCE (AUDUBON): “The needs of our children have changed over the past decade. Many of the children are in need of support systems that go beyond the classroom. However, the resources are limited once you leave the school. This creates more of an urgency to prepare our children for success in all facets of life, including job readiness, social skills, and financial literacy. Our children are truly looking for guidance and reassurance that success is an attainable goal.

We as educators must support their dreams even when they can’t see them.

Educators are the “everyday heroes!”

Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Tony Evers.

MMABSE officials after another successful teacher recognition event.

115 schools in Milwaukee and the suburbs were honored Saturday as the Metropolitan Milwaukee Alliance of Black School Educators (MMABSE) hosted its 13th annual Teacher Recognition Gala.

The event was held at the Wisconsin Center, downtown. The gala was the culminating local event for the national observance of Teacher Appreciation Week, which ran from May 4 to May 8.

Teachers were recognized from Milwaukee Public Schools, the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District, the Brown Deer School District, the Shorewood School District and the Mequon-Thiensville School District.

Stephanie Zollicoffer, president of MMABSE, said the teachers recognized were “exemplary” educators who teach from the heart with courage; who express hopefulness even during times of challenge.

“We commend them for their outstanding efforts to close achievement gaps and to ensure that all students realize their goals, dreams and aspirations.”

Zollicoffer added that no other Wisconsin organization has honored so many teachers. As of 2014, MMABSE has bestowed the honor on more than 1,200 educators. (Photos

by Yvonne Kemp)

MPS Board President responds to plan to take over district schools Compiled by MCJ Staff

Milwaukee Board of School Directors President Michael Bonds called a plan released by two suburban Wisconsin Republican legislators to turn over the Milwaukee Public Schools’ (MPS) lowest performing schools to Milwaukee County “seriously flawed,” adding it will do “nothing for education reform.”

Both Bonds and MPS Superintendent Darienne Driver expressed skepticism that the so-called “turnaround district” will do anything to improve outcomes for students, and Michael Bonds voiced concern the plan solely focuses on MPS as opposed to including schools across all sectors in the City of Milwaukee that need to improve student achievement.

The “turnaround district” plan, officially called the “Opportunity Schools and Partnership Program (OSPP),” is a proposal by Alberta Darling, a state senator representing River Hills; and Dale Kooyenga, a state representative representing Brookfield.

The OSPP would be run by a commissioner appointed by the Milwaukee County Executive and serve an “at-will” term. Though County Executive Chris Abele reportedly said he did not seek the proposed legislation, he would accept the responsibility.

The OSPP commissioner would operate independently from the MPS board with parallel authority to the board. According to the OSPP brief, the commissioner would be free of all state and local regulations except for safety, health, special education, and non-discrimination laws.

There are reportedly 55 MPS schools that more than likely would be under the governance of the OSPP commissioner. These schools received “fails to meet expectations” ratings on the latest round of state performance report cards and would be eligible for a change in governance. In many of the schools, more than 90% of children are reportedly not reading on grade level and less than three out of four attend school regularly.

Teachers in the troubled schools taken over by a private/voucher entity would reportedly have to re-apply for their jobs. If they were hired, they would have to waive their right to be represented by the teachers’ union.

Both Darling and Kooyenga reportedly stated they were not trying to undermine Superintendent Driver. They believe the plan would help the superintendent by allowing other parties to try a fresh approach in the district’s most challenged schools.

But board President Bonds rejected that reasoning, reportedly saying the OSPP could contribute to the demise of MPS. District supporters reportedly believe the proposal is nothing more than a cloaked attempt to privatize the

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Showered with Praise!

Milwaukee Brewers Catcher Martin Maldonado (unseen in the photo) was mobbed by his teammates after his game winning walk off homerun to beat their arch rival Chicago Cubs 3-2 at Miller Park. The win clinched the first series win for the Brew Crew.

(Photo by Yvonne Kemp)

MEN MEN Repair, Rebuild EMPOWERING MEN MEN and Maintain

By Dr. Ramel Smith “The Blaquesmith”

“I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes, but I laugh, and eat well and grow strong. Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table when company comes. Nobody’ll dare say to me, “eat in the kitchen,” then. Besides, they’ll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed. I, too, sing America.”

These words were written in 1925, by Langston Hughes, when he was 23. He understood the current zeitgeist of the time, but fully believed that the “darker brothers” of American society would be welcomed at the table of unity-- soon. Fast forward to 1998 and another poet, DMX,

penned these words because the darker brothers had yet to be given a place at that table.

“Y’all been eatin’ long enough, now stop being greedy. Just keep it real partner, give to the needy. Grips is touching, so don’t make me wait f**k around and bite you and snatch the plate.”

The juxtaposition of these words illustrate the transition of the docile, meek and patient attitudes of a youthful generation filled with hope to the rambunctious energy that have created a frustrated and cynical demographic that manifests its hurts and pain in an outwardly aggressive and violent manner.

Family, although society would have us think there is a major difference between

Hughes and DMX, there is not. Our youth today possess the same power and talent that fueled the Harlem Renaissance and Civil Rights Movements.

I have had the opportunity to speak with many males, young and old, who have made mistakes.

Our focus should be first on prevention; but, it has to encapsulate a redemptive component that helps to create second chances and opportunities.

Many of our current professors, politicians, preachers are former criminals, gang bangers, drug dealers, and pimps. I say that to say this, even good people make mistakes and can transform.

What we need are people willing to support grass root programs that will pro-

vide the education and opportunity for our men to utilize their powers for good and not evil.

Last summer a young man was killed in the community of 17th and North Avenue. Instead of doing nothing, The Walnut Way project opened up the doors of a former drug house to the young men on the block to express their hurt and pain.

In addition to a safe place to vent about the loss of a friend, speakers from the community were brought in to teach life skills, help provide a light of hope, and show concern and support. I was blessed to be allowed to participate in this summer program.

The capstone of the project was an overnight camping trip. Many of these city

Dr. Ramel Smith

kids were hesitant to go in the woods.

Many of the parents had to keep a watchful eye to make sure the protectors were not undercover predators. Many of the adults were nervous about the elements in the woods and how the young men would adapt to this change of scenery.

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The Milwaukee Community Journal May 13, 2015 Page 2

PERSPECTIVES SIGNIFYIN’

By Mikel Kweku Osei Holt

One of the most enlightening experiences during my tenure as a special mentor at a MPS high school last year occurred a day after a student asked me for the 10th time in a five day week to lend him money for lunch.

Several teachers and an assistant principal had “warned” me about this kid, explaining he was a super con man who, if he really applied his talents, could be a politician some day.

I nonetheless had fallen prey to his skills and had previously given him dollar after dollar with the hope that a solid meal would better enable him to absorb the teaching that was taking place at the school.

But enough was enough, I said to myself on this particular day, so instead of providing him the usual one dollar, I gave him the equivalent of his favorite rapper (that’s 50 Cents for y’all who are slow) and instructed him to return to my office the next morning when I would solve his financial problems once and for all.

Whether out of respect, curiosity or confusion, the kid showed up at the appointed time. Without so much as a hello, I immediately had him sit in my seat and focus his attention on the computer screen where I had brought up a site for an arts internship.

(Ironically, I learned about the paid internship while reading the school newspaper. Apparently, only a handful of teachers and a fewer number of students read the newspaper, which explains one of the reasons for widespread ignorance at the school about social activities, support systems and job opportunities.)

“The Bible says you can feed someone for a day and they will be hungry tomorrow, or you can teach them how to fish and they can survive a lifetime,” I said paraphrasing and adding to scripture.

“I’m going to teach you how to fish,” I said succinctly.

“I don’t like water and even if I did, I can’t go fishing because I ain’t got no license,” he said a look of amazement on his face. “I ain’t even got no fishing pole or boat.”

Holding back the laughter that was building up within me, I explained to him the premise of my parable was that I was going to help him get a job; to make him independent so he wouldn’t have to ask people for money.

That wasn’t good enough, and for several minutes I had to convince him that he did indeed qualify for the internship, could in fact do the job, and it would not interfere with his roaming the school hallways when he should be in class.

Moreover, I explained, he could take some of the financial strain off his mother, and gain important skills that would enhance his virgin resume.

What happened several minutes later as he filled out the on-line application not only stunned me, but also forced me to re-

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

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I freed a

thousand slaves. I could have freed more if only they knew they --Harriet Tubman, who rethe most national votes to be the were slaves.” ceived first woman on American currency.

The Black Nuclear Family: The Crisis Continues

assess my assumptions about public education and the root cause of Black failure in the public school system.

Midway through the application process, the 16-year-old student asked if he could use my telephone. I agreed after he explained he needed to ask his mother a question. The question he asked her: “Mama, what is that dude’s name you say is my father?”

To say I was taken aback by his words would be an understatement, although I didn’t respond in any way so as to alert him to my surprise and anxiety.

In many respects, the young “manchild” was typical of a majority of male students in MPS. Seventy percent are low income and come from single parent households.

Unless there is intervention or a mother who wears a cape and works part time saving the world from mutants and interstellar criminals, approximately half will drop out of school.

Over 60% will have contact with law enforcement before or after they become “sperm donors” and continue the vicious cycle.

Most prominent among those statistics is their family status. And while most of the boys will have limited guidance by their part-time fathers, the young man in question is left on Gilligan’s Island because he apparently doesn’t even know who is father is!

Can you imagine that scenario? Can you fathom the harm done to this young man’s psyche because he enters the most crucial and defining years of his life without a father providing him with the tools to survive, prosper and contribute to the village?

I have said it repeatedly, and I’ll continue to shout from the highest mountain or garbage pile until we take the earplugs out of our ears and the blinders off our eyes: “The preemptive crisis facing Black America today is the destruction, decline and self-fulfilling prophesy of the Black nuclear family.”

And a few inches behind that negative social phenomenon is our forgotten, stolen or abandoned African culture.

I have not ventured from that position on the root causes of our social condition, or on the importance of Black nuclear families since I first mentioned it in this column nearly four decades ago.

And while none can deny the validity of my hypothesis, there are those who perpetrate the prolongation of our unique plight.

Count among them (our, your and the) government, social services agencies with a vested interest in maintaining the crippling status quo---i.e. poverty pimps-Black and White, Republican and Democrats, and some feminist groups like the Welfare Warriors, whose director once told me that there are no good men, and women are better off without them.

And I know you’ve heard some naive

THE MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY JOURNAL

The Milwaukee Community Journal May 13, 2015 Page 3

sisters who seem serious when they utter the ridiculous and idiotic sentence: “I’m the mother and father.” Or worse still, “I can teach him how to be a man.”

For the record, even the best mother in the world can’t teach a boy to be a man, if for no other reason than the fact that she isn’t a man. She can teach him to be polite, to be a good Christian, and to excel in school and life.

But she can’t take him through the male rites of passage. God didn’t design the

system that way.

The centerpiece of West African culture (that’s where most of us were stolen from) is the nuclear family and commune. And it is not coincidence that all life originated from Africa and that it is home to the first man and woman. That also explains why Africans are God’s chosen, and thus the originators of science, math, law and astrology.

Adopting an Africentric foundation doesn’t mean you have to wear a dashiki

everyday, put a bone in your nose or learn Swahili (which I actually did as my mandated foreign language course in college).

But if we merely adopted the seven principals of Kwanzaa, or followed the basic customs, tradition and culture of West Africa including a love for the one God, strong nuclear families and communal existence, we wouldn’t be in the predicament we’re in today.

Chances are we wouldn’t have to worry about racism. Instead we would be focus-

ing our energies on community development, cooperative economics and strengthening our faith in God. Maybe then God would listen to us when we prayed.

And if nothing else, reestablishing the link to the Motherland we started in the 1970s (and for a variety of reasons abandoned in the 1990s) would mean we wouldn’t have a young brother who doesn’t know who is father is.

Hotep.

I will always remember where I was and what I was doing on Friday, May 1, 2015 (approximately 11 a.m. EST) when State Attorney for Baltimore, Marilyn Mosby, held a press conference to announce her findings on the investigation of the suspicious death of Freddie Gray while in the police custody.

After having only one hour of sleep, I drove from Milwaukee to Chicago to take a very early flight from Chicago to Philadelphia to attend the funeral of my brother-in-law (my only sister’s husband of 41 years).

Needless to say, he was a big part of our family. I’ve known him for more than two thirds of my life. Everything went as planned: I got to the church

just in time to attend the viewing with the funeral to immediately follow.

I was experiencing a ton of mixed emotions and was extremely concerned about my sister’s state of mind (obviously this was new to all of us).

After catching a cab from the airport to pick up my own car, immediately after starting the car, the CNN satellite radio commentator began to blast that a report on the situation occurring in Baltimore was imminent. I was all ears and listened eagerly hoping that the announcement would come before I reached the church.

I arrived at the church around the same time that the press conference began. It was something about her voice, her articulation of the facts,

which was different than any press conference I’ve heard before.

I was not familiar with Ms. Mosby and didn’t know anything about her. It was only while I listened that I became aware that she is an African American.

The fact that she is African American didn’t really matter to me because I’ve seen some of our African American elected officials act worse than white elected officials when it comes down to fighting for issues and concerns that threaten the Black community, and there is no greater institution that has oppressed the Black community than the American justice system (i.e. police, courts, prisons, etc.).

I sat in my car waiting to hear the decision, which I believed it would be the same old thing (nothing) concerning

unarmed Black men who are killed by white police officers.

Even when the evidence is overwhelming, the police are hardly ever charged. It is clear that America does not now nor has never valued Black lives. If you know differently, l stand ready to discuss this with you. While I didn’t have any faith in the system, as the press conference continued, I knew this wasn’t going to be the same old thing. She would be different.

Throughout the press conference she stated that she heard the protestors call of “no justice, no peace.” She stated that she would handle justice and called on the people for peace.

Ms. Mosby made me so proud because she did what very few, if any, District Attorneys over the past 135 years have been able to do, which is to bring to justice police officers for the unlawful murder of unarmed Black men.

On this historical day, this great lady announced that six Baltimore police officers will face charges in the death of Freddie Gray.

While this unexpected announcement brought cheers from the protesters (I was cheering as well in my car), the police union and other whites called the indictment politically motivated (are these people serious?).

The announcement left no doubt about what she thinks happened on April 12th when Gray was arrested.

The 25-year-old died, she said, after suffering "a severe and critical neck injury" while being transported "handcuffed, shackled by his feet and unrestrained" inside a police van. Not only did she rule that the arrest was unlawful, she stated that it’s against police policy to transport a prisoner without proper restraints such as a seat belt.

While this case has a long way to go, finally the wheels of justice have begun to turn - not just for Freddie Gray, but for the thousands of murdered unarmed Black men that have never received justice. Ms. Mosby is clearly a BLACK elected official.

I must make a clear and profound distinction between being an African American elected official versus being a Black elected official.

There is a big difference. As the Black revolutionary, Huey P. Newton, once stated: “Every Negro has the potential to become Black.”

That potential is exercised when you contribute to the self-determination of your own Black people. I restate that quote by saying that every African

Where is the Black leadership? We Witnessed Black Leadership in Baltimore Last Week

Did the Black community create its own demise and foster an abandoned surplus population of Black men?

By Taki S. Raton

Phillip Jackson, founder and head of the Chicago based Black Star initiative is quoted as positioning that when Black men were released from slavery in 1865, “they became blacksmiths, bricklayers, carpenters, merchants, teachers, doctors, lawyers, farmers, ranchers, cooks, soldiers and more. They built houses, towns, communities, businesses, families, schools, universities, institutions and futures.”

Dr. Booker T. Coleman in Hidden Colors 1 notes that at the end of our enslavement during the ten years of Reconstruction between 1865 and 1877 that “Black folk were going out, going to school, graduating becoming doctors and lawyers.

“They were speaking Greek and Latin better than people who taught Greek and Latin. They were becoming Senators; they were becoming Congressman; they were becoming part of the world arena.

“Europeans got scared…They would start to pass laws where segregation was going to exist because they don’t want the Africans/Blacks to be able to take the jobs that are going to be fueled by capitalism.”

Mirroring both Jackson and Coleman’s, point, Dr. Claude Anderson says in one of his videos that, “Right after 1865’s Emancipation Proclamation and well into the 1900’s, Black people collectively were the fastest growing educated population inAmerica. As a group, we would have been the most skilled competitive in a free open market.”

Black people in a sense of the phrase actually experienced a “Golden Age” between 1865 and 1964. Dr. Kevin Cosby, President of Simmons College in Louisville, Kentucky would assert that the period between 1865 and 1954 was a “Golden Era” for BlackAmericans, definitely not because of acquiring opportunities with White people, but because of our own self-defined and self-assertive effort towards institution building, defiance, self-empowerment, self-respect and community growth and development.

This “Golden Era” in Cosby’s mind would begin to find itself on a slow road to extinction following the passage of Brown vs. Board marking both the social integration of Black people intoWhite folks economic and educational area followed by the legal dismantling of segregation

with the Civil Rights Bill of 1964.

Founded in 1879 by William J. Simmons, Simmons College by the way was one of the preeminent private colleges in the South. It was one of the few Black colleges founded by an African American, with a full African American faculty and named after a Black man. It had its own Law School, Medical School, Liberal Arts College, and Seminary.

During this “Golden Era,” Black people would use our education, our mastery of skills, professions and build families, communities, institutions and our own intact Black economy.

Such preeminence, self-respect, self-pride, our acquired skill sets and education on all levels and in all arenas of human endeavor during this “Golden Era” brought about what Bro. Anthony Greg Muhammad describes in early Washington, D.C. during the “Failure of Integration” panel discussion on April 3, 2015 at Howard University - the successful economic self sufficient Shaw U Street area in Washington prior to integration as one example of Black community growth and development during segregation.

According to Muhammad, there were two Black owned steamboat companies, a host of Black own grocery stores, funeral companies, the Adams Oil and Gas Development Company, Capital Savings Bank, two Black owned insurance companies, 11 Black owned employment agencies, Black owned newspapers, over 3000 Black families owned their own homes in the Shaw U district and students in the all-Black school scored higher than their White counterparts on city wide academic achievement test.

“And this is all a result of Black businesses, Black economics and Black life in one area,” said Muhammad at the Howard gathering. “As we were denied attendance to White schools, we created an outstanding self-sufficient educational system that attracted from all over the country great teachers and Black families for their children to attend these schools,” he adds.

He further revealed also that Howard University then became the intellectual center for Black America. The likes of Langston Hughes, Alain LeRoy Locke, and Duke Ellington, all made Shaw U Street their home.

And to a point of note relative to the focus of this writing, just think, if there were 11 Black owned employment agencies in this one U Street Black section back then, there must have been an overwhelming number of jobs for Black people, Black men and Black youth in particular.

From Washington to Durham during this “Golden Era,” Dr. Claude Anderson, author of “PowerNomics,” says that his family in North Carolina had part ownership in a Black bus line. “We had the biggest bus line in the state and the only bus line in the country for Black people. We had over 500 buses that serviced not only Black neighborhoods, but White neighborhoods as well.”

Durham had two Black owned cab companies – the Harris and the Camel City Cab companies. There were Black owned theaters, specifically, he says, the Black owned Lafayette and the Lincoln theaters with

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Prosecutor: No charges against white officer who killed Tony Robinson Article courtesy of WITI Ch. 6/FoxNow.com MADISON (WITI) — The attorney for the family of Tony Robinson, along with Tony Robinson’s uncle and grandmother addressed the media in Madison on Tuesday afternoon, May 12th following Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne’s announcement NO criminal charges would be filed in connection with Robinson’s death. Robinson’s grandmother said her grandson was “set up” — an accusation neither she nor the attorney for the Robinson family elaborated on.

19-year-old Tony Robinson was shot and killed by Madison Police Officer Matt Kenny on March 6th — at an apartment home on Williamson Street.

“The loss this family has experienced is almost impossible to put into words,” Jon Loevy, the attorney for the Robinson family said.

Loevy said following Ozanne’s deci-

sion not to criminally charge Kenny in this case, he and the family have “a number of unanswered questions.”

Ozanne said Tuesday Robinson was shot seven times by Kenny after Kenny responded to the apartment home at 1125 Williamson Street. This, after three 911 calls came in on March 6th prior to Kenny’s arrival at the home.

The first 911 call came in at 6:28 from a friend of Tony Robinson and a resident at 1125 Williamson Street, who reported Robinson was “tweaking” — chasing everyone, saying Robinson was being “really outrageous right now.” The caller said he and his girlfriend were “scared.” It was reported that it was not believed Robinson was armed. The caller said Robinson had “jumped in front of a car, but he didn’t appear to be hurt.”

Robinson was chasing the caller as they

drove off, the caller said. The caller reported Robinson had punched another friend prior to the 911 call. The caller said “everyone left, things are really bad” — saying “Tony is going crazy. He took shrooms or some type of drugs.” The caller said “Tony is acting insane right now.”

The second 911 call came in at 6:31 p.m. The caller reported a man was attacking pedestrians and had punched the caller in the face. It happened across from the gas station on Williamson Street.

The third 911 call came in at 6:32 p.m.

The caller was at the gas station across from the apartment home and reported Robinson was “acting kind of crazy.” The caller reported Robinson had “tried to choke” the caller, and the caller said Robinson had tried to assault two people on the sidewalk. Robinson was reportedly

Tony Robinson roaming around, blocking traffic. He was then seen trying to break into 1125 Williamson Street.

These 911 callers were interviewed, and they confirmed the information from the 911 calls, Ozanne said.

RELIGION

The Milwaukee Community Journal May 13, 2015 Page 4

Church of God in Christ Sends Help to Nepal in Wake of Earthquake

A street of near collapsed traditional houses in Sankhu, on the outskirts of Kathmandu on May 4, 2015. (Danish Siddiqui—Reuters) MEMPHIS, Tenn/Christian Newswire/ -- ground to help the people of Nepal in some of the hardest areas." He further states, "We are going to the outlying The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) In- hit areas that are closer to the epicenter and tough to reach ternational Missions President, Bishop places to help those with considerable less resources and aide."

Vincent Mathews, Jr. will take a team to C.E. Blake Ministries, Inc. is making a Ten Thousand Nepal to assist in the hardest hit areas of Dollar gift to COGIC Charities to assist in the alleviation the recent earthquake. of this and other tragedies around the world. Bishop The media reports that more than 7,000 people have Blake says, "I want to challenge COGIC members, leaddied and more than 11,000 injured after one of the worst ers and churches to give generously to support this efnatural disasters to hit Nepal. Amid continuing after- fort." shocks, people are sleeping outside and are in desperate Your contribution will be used to provide food, water need of 500,000 tents. and medical resources to those impacted by this disaster The Church of God in Christ is sending Bishop Vincent in Nepal and in other places around the world where Mathews, Jr. to answer the call for much needed medical poverty and disaster have diminished the level and quality supplies, water purification tablets, tents and much more. of human life.

Bishop Mathews and a Missions delegation will land this Help COGIC Help Nepal. For online donations, log week in Kathmandu with a medical doctor to assist in any onto www.cogic.org. Your donations are tax deductible way they can. and will greatly assist the men and women of Nepal.

Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. states, "The If you would like to donate by mail, please write to: Church of God in Christ is sending a team to assist our Church of God in Christ brothers and sisters in Nepal. Our COGIC congregation "HELP COGIC HELP NEPAL" and the thousands in the area affected by this disaster are World Headquarters in desperate need of our help."

930 Mason Street Bishop Mathews says, "After seeing the devastation of Memphis, TN 38126 the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, Presiding Bishop Charles Please make checks payable to COGIC Charities DisE. Blake, Sr. felt it vital that we put some boots on the aster Fund.

BREAD IN THE WILDERNESS

By Fr. Carl Diederichs, All Saints Catholic Church

Some of the challanges facing today’s Church is self-inflicted

The “Church,” over the centuries has viewed the “world” in many different ways: For many, even today, they would see the church as wanting to control the world, politically.

They would see the world as a “theocracy” in which their religious views would dominate the society.

On the other hand, there are those, even today, who want the church to withdraw from the world and its politics and live a tranquil life away from the issues of the day.

This view can often portray itself as being above “dirty” politics. They are fond of calling politicians corrupt.

Martin Luther King spoke about this issue and came down on the side of seeing the church as an active participant in the life of the world.

King saw the church as a prophetic voice in a world that is corrupted and geared toward the success of the wealthy and white members of the society.

The church, for King, was to work for change with a vision of a just world in which color and class didn’t matter and all God’s children received the same treatment.

Many in the church don’t agree, even today. We need only to look around and see whether or not the church is engaged in the fundamental fight for racial and social justice. I think we can pretty much agree that it is missing in action.

As King put it, “All too often the religious community has been a tail light instead of a head light.”

And this reality flies in the face of

our biblical vision of the people of God in the world. At the heart of the biblical message is a vision of God who loves the world and wants its healing and transformation.

King spent his adult life working for the transformation of society. He spoke about racism, segregation and poverty and how this was against the very nature of God. Today it seems like our religious leaders are not leading. How long has it been since our own church has spoken forcefully about Milwaukee’s racial segregation?

How long has it been since our religious leaders spoke about the violence and needless death on the streets of the central city? How long has it been since our religious leaders addressed the economic disparity so obvious and so sinful?

I know that the Church in Milwaukee is mostly a “tail light.” The ravages of poverty and racism ought to be the central focus of our church and it is not.

I sometimes say that Pope Francis can’t stop speaking about social justice and others can’t seem to start.

The challenge is for all of us to engage in the struggle for racial and social justice without counting the cost.

Our role is to make this city a reflection of the “culture of God.” “I will search for the lost and bring back the strays…but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.” (Ezekiel 34: 16).

HOPE ChristianHigh School scholarsachieve 100% college acceptance for fourth consecutive year

For the fourth consecutive year, 100 percent of HOPE Christian High School’s graduating seniors have been accepted to college.

To date, the 34 seniors scheduled to graduate in June 2015 have received 119 college acceptance letters. That number is expected to increase as graduation approaches, along with the scholarship and financial aid dollars awarded to these students.

“It’s incredible to see this group of seniors continue what has become an annual tradition here at HOPE Christian High School: 100 percent college acceptance,” says Tom Schalmo, principal of HOPE Christian High School. “ They are proving what’s possible here in the city of Milwaukee – that a rigorous academic program accompanied by high expectations leads to success for each of every student. We are so proud of the class of 2015.”

HOPE Christian High School offers a comprehensive college preparatory program designed to ensure that all graduating students are prepared to attend and be successful in a post-secondary school. The program includes a curriculum aligned to the ACT College Readiness Standards, data-driven academic results and college seminar courses.

As a result of this rigorous preparation, the current seniors have attained an average ACT score that outperforms the city,

state and national averages for African American students.

Senior scholars will celebrate this milestone at HOPE Christian High School’s 3rd Annual Senior Signing Day on Friday, May 29. Similar to the typical signing day for athletes, this event will give each HOPE senior the opportunity to announce the college of their choice in front of their families, peers, faculty, and community supporters.

Invitations to the 2015 Senior Signing Day will be issued as the date approaches and details are finalized. Questions about the event may be directed to Rotonda Smith, Community Relations Director, at 414.233.3422 or rotonda.smith@hopeschools.org.

HOPE Christian High School is part of HOPE Christian Schools, a network of six schools serving nearly 2,000 students in central-city Milwaukee and Racine. Schools in the HOPE network focus on “3 C’s” – Christ, College and Character.

HOPE scholars in K4-12th grades receive a values-based education that develops knowledge and cultivates character – the fundamental traits they need to become inspirations to their families, leaders in their communities, and successes in the workplace.

For more information, visit www.hope-schools.org.

Calvary to sponsor a “Shop ‘til’ You Drop!” outing to Chicago

Join the ladies (and men...and families....and friends) of Calvary Baptist Church and other community churches to shop for themselves and others on Clark Street in Chicago, Ross’ Department Store and the Chicago Fashion Outlet.

Calvary is located at 2959 N. Teutonia Ave. The shopping spree will take place Saturday, June 13. Shoppers will depart from the Calvary parking lot at 8 a.m. Refreshments will be available on the bus, but shoppers will be responsible for their own lunch and dinner. Shoppers will return to Calvary at approximately 9 p.m.

The cost of the outing is $30 per person. This includes transportation and refreshments on the bus. Payments MUST be received by June 5, 2015. You may choose to mail payment to Calvary Baptist Church to the attention of Sheila Bradley, 2959 N. Teutonia, Mil., WI 53206.

No refunds!!! Do not wait to make your payment. If you do not plan to attend the trip, PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP! Please make checks payable to Calvary Church (for shopping trip). The west secure church parking lot may be used to park your car until our return.

For more information, contact Cynthia Hutchins, Sheila Knox, Bama Grice or Jenelle Elder-Green.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR FATH-BASED COMMUNITY

Least of These Ministries to hold fundraiser banquet

Least of These Ministries will be holding a benefit banquet to help support its mission Sunday, June 28, at 4 p.m., at the Raddison Hotel, 7065 N. Port Washington Rd.The banquet will celebrate Dr. Nathaniel Stampley’s 29th trip to the Motherland.

He and the ministry will be traveling to Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

The focus of the mission will be spiritual, educational and economical. Dr. Stamply is the president of Least of These Ministries, a 501c(3) non-profit religious organization.ticket prices are $40 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. African attire is desired but not required. For tickets, contact Least of These International Ministries at 414264-2727, or 414-374-5292. Or email the organization at leastofthese2003@yahoo.com

Dr. Lisa Adams-Qualls will be traveling to Ghana with Dr. Nathaniel Stampley and The Least of These Ministries Mission Team in September. Donations are now being accepted. To send donations or to inquire about the mission of The Least of Theses Ministries, call Evangelist Margaret Adams, 414-554-3888.

MPS Board President responds to plan to take over district schools

(continued from page 1) city’s public school system.

“This plan removes decision-making from the democratically-elected school board and newly-appointed MPS Superintendent, Dr. Driver,” Bonds said in a statement.

“This comes at a time when MPS is making significant progress in the areas of financial stability, academics and community outreach.”

Said Driver: “This plan seems to focus more on closing public schools and reopening them as private or charter schools instead of focusing on improving achievement and the challenges our students face.”

Bonds noted the state has done this before when it created the voucher program. “That’s the state’s first ‘turnaround district’ and after 20 years, it remains an academic failure for students.”

The board president noted a Public Policy Forum report last December in which it reported that voucher schools are the lowest-performing sector of schools in Milwaukee.

In communities where recovery districts have been

tried, they have not yielded the results that students deserve and communities were promised.

In New Orleans, nearly every school was taken over, but only four of those schools are above state average.

There have been lawsuits and court settlements after failures with special education.

Michigan may now be on the hook for millions of dollars of the Detroit school district’s debt after schools were taken away there.

The Kooyenga/Darling plan provides indefinite oversight to a non-educator, the Milwaukee County executive, at a time when Milwaukee County is facing significant problems of its own.

A Public Policy Forum report showed that MPS is in better financial condition than Milwaukee County,” Bonds stated.

Bonds also expressed concern the plan would allow for MPS schools and facilities to be turned over to voucher schools and charter schools.

Schools with substantial improvement plans—driven by local community input—could be forced to scrap those plans and start from square one with a charter or private school operator that isn’t required to have local ties.

“I do believe in accountability for our schools,” stated Driver. We have a responsibility to provide a strong public education, but our schools and students need the support of all of our stakeholders to be successful. Our students are counting on it.”

Sources for this story: MPS Press statement and the Journal Sentinel.

The Milwaukee Community Journal May 13, 2015 Page 5

Y&E

The Milwaukee Community Journal May 13, 2015 Page 6

YOUTH&EDUCATION

SUPERVISOR MARTIN WEDDLE SAYS PARKS CHESS PROGRAM SET FOR SUMMER

Weddle, a Former State Chess Champion, Says Program Will Engage Inner City Youths

Supervisor Martin Weddle, a former state chess champion, said today that a Milwaukee County Youth Chess Program will be ready for implementation this summer thanks to 6-0 approval from the County Board’s Parks, Energy and Environment Committee.

The measure now goes to the full County Board on May 21, and Weddle said he was confident of final approval.

The program targets youths in kindergarten through eighth grade (K-8), to include chess instruction, coaching and accessible equipment for the purpose of learning the game and skills of chess with the potential of competitive participation in tournaments.

“This is an exciting development for inner city youths and families alike,” Weddle said. “Chess is an excellent self-esteem builder and studies show participation in chess correlated with higher math and reading test scores.

Stock photo courtesy of Google Chess builds mental stamina and is an excellent alternative for those who cannot engage in athletics.

It also helps develop skills such as logic and critical thinking. Chess improved my quality of life and I believe it will serve our inner city youths well in their lives.”

Weddle said registration for the program would begin soon on the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation website, www.wisconsinscholasticchess.org Weddle, who also thanked the Milwaukee Public Market for donating a $5,000 matching grant toward creating the program, said further alternative funding could be available soon.

Sup. Khalif Rainey, a co-sponsor of the measure to create the program, said it would offer important intellectual opportunities for inner city youths who might not have alternative activities that develop the mind.

Weddle and Rainey agree that the program will provide a positive outlet for youths to engage in and keep their mental focus sharp during summer recess.

“Studies show that chess can expand the mind and help youths with their academic pursuits,” Rainey said. “This is an important step toward giving inner city youths an activity that can actually improve their critical thinking skills, and I applaud Supervisor Weddle for sponsoring this measure. I am excited for the youths who will soon have the opportunity to play this fascinating game.”

KALEIDOSCOPE

The Milwaukee Community Journal May 13, 2015 Page 7

the MCJ lifestyle & entertainment section

SISTA SPEAK...

SPEAK LORD!

BCDI Book Give-A-Way at McDonald’s

"WHAT WOULD GO DO?" God Would…

The Black Child Development Institute (BCDI) of Milwaukee recently sponsored a book give-a-way for children at the McDonald’s restaurant on 76th and Good Hope. Participants were also asked to sign a pledge to read to their children. They also recieved two tickets to a Gospel Concert on May 15 here in Milwaukee. Wanda Montgomery (far left), the executive director of BCDI chats with three youths who received free books (left to right): Faith Campbell, 15; Michael Campbell, Jr., 9; Miquanus Dorsey, 11; and their dad, Michael Campbell, Sr. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)

Outstanding Milwaukee May community events to attend, support and enroll! By Taki S. Raton

“WAR ON BLACK MALES” AT COMMUNITY BRAINSTORMING “Is There a War on Black Males?” will be the focus discussion at the Community Brainstorming Conference Breakfast Forum for this month on May 16, 2015 at Saint Matthew A.M.E. Church, 2944 North 9th Street.

The social breakfast hour will begin at 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Panel presentations will begin at 9 a.m. with questions and discussions from 10 to 11 a.m.

Panel members include Wisconsin ACLU Executive Director Chris Ahmuty; Rob Biko Bake, Ph.D., Hands Up United, Ferguson, Mo. advisor; Nation of Islam, Mosque No. 3 Minister William Muhammad, and Springfield College adjunct professor and area community newspaper contributing writer Taki S. Raton.

Vice Chair, the Hon. Russell W. Stamper Sr. will serve as moderator. Dr. Pamela Malone is Chairwoman of the Community Brainstorming. Please visit their web site for additional information at www.communitybrainstorming.org. The event is free and open to the public.

MALCOLM X HONORED The Black National Defenders and the Heal the Hood MKE presents “Respect the X – The Life and Times of Malcolm X” on Sunday, May 17 at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center, 3020 West Viliet Street, from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Yusef Bunchy Shakur from Detroit, Michigan will deliver the keynote address. Spoken word, African drumming, vendors, food and a martial arts demonstration will additionally be featured.

“HEAL THE HOOD BLOCK PARTY” PLANNED The Fourth Annual Heal the Hood Block Party will be held at 9th and Ring Street on Saturday, May 24 from 12 to 5 p.m.

How to Expunge a Criminal Record

Many criminal offenders view a Felony as a branded form of a Scarlet Letter. A person’s prior criminal record limits their job opportunities and affects their community standing.

Wisconsin does offer a method to expunge a criminal record, however expungement is offered in limited circumstances.

Wisconsin law authorizes expungement to individuals under the age of 25 who have been convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony where

Sponsored by United Way, the campaign this year “has been kicked up a notch” according to event organizer Ajamou Butler. “We will be feeding 500 people for free,” he adds.

Entertainment will include the Wisconsin Teen Poetry Slam, African drumming, live jazz and spoken word. A keynote address will be delivered by Student Minister Abel Muhammad of the Nation of Islam.

The Children’s Corner will highlight a bounce house, face painting and double dutch. More than 30 vendors from job and health agencies will be available to also include bakery, accessories and cultural fashion sales booths.

Additional sponsors list Children’s Hospital, Running Rebels, UNOS Health Services and Transcending Salon and Spa. Free haircuts will also be provided during the course of the event.

SUMMER AFRICAN DANCE CLASSES AT UW-M Summer African Dance Classes with Prof. Fern Caulker Bronson will begin May 26, 2015 for four weeks to June 18.

Sessions will be held at UW-Milwaukee’s Mitchell Hall, room 256, from 1 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. Monday through Thursdays.

Sponsored by the Peck School of the Arts Dance Department, UWM students can sign up for 3 credits under the GER Arts & Cultural Diversity course number 122-801. Interested community members are invited to purchase a voucher ticket for classes through the UWM Peck School of the Arts Box Office.

Body tunings, African culture, research and composition are all inclusive in the 4 week class offering. All dance levels are welcome to participate.

Bronson is Department Head of Performance & Choreography for the African Diaspora Track in the Peck School of the Arts Department of Dance, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. She is also Founder and Artistic Director of the Ko-Thi Dance Company founded and created 46 years ago in 1969. or additional details on the summer dance session, please contact Ferne Bronson at (414) 229-5232 or reach her by email at fyb@uwm.edu. Information on Ko-Thi Dance Company can be obtained by calling (414) 273-0676, through email at kkothi@aol.com or on their web site at ko-thi.org.

ASK A LAWYER!

By Atty. Anthony Jackson the maximum period of imprisonment is six years or less.

In order for the criminal offender to have their record expunged he or she must successfully complete the sentence.

This privilege to expunge a criminal record must be brought up by a defendant’s attorney during the sen-

Give His coat to a thief that had already stolen a coat from another Tithe His last five dollars…Knowing that the harvest will be ten fold Pray for those that hate on Him Buy a meal for a beggar Take no acts of vengeance Never gossip nor backbite Never do a kindness because He expects that in return Cast His net out into the deep and let it down for a catch Not despair in times of trouble Trust when His doubts seem strong Not keep repeating negative outcomes Expect for you and I to do all of the aforementioned with adamant belief Sonya M. Bowman “It Is What It Is”

TEACH ME

How can I learn to laugh when I want to cry?

How can I want to sing when I want to scream?

How can I take time to dream when I can't even sleep?

How can I forgive when I continue to hold-on?

How can I play when all I think about is work?

How can I fly when I barely can walk?

How can I understand when I am misunderstood?

How can I show vulnerability when I always needs to fight?

How can I find peace when I am so tormented...

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7) - God rewards faith and that is what He asked of you.

All things comes through HIM! Zelda Corona Vision Represents Faith!

tencing hearing, otherwise you waive this privilege.

The court and all parties will look at the nature of the case, including a person’s character, prior criminal history, and the seriousness of the charges to determine whether a defendant is an appropriate candidate to have a record expunged.

Although your record may be expunged at a later date, you will still have to disclose your prior conviction on a job application.

Of course, you can now indicate to the employer your record is expunged based on successfully completing the conditions mandated by the court.

Attorney Anthony Jackson practices criminal defense, personal injury, and landlord-tenant law. His office is located at 6045 N. Green Bay Rd., Glendale, WI 53209. You can contact him to schedule a consultation at (414) 704-5680.

Honoring Black Men-We are getting great response to” Dedicated to Black Men That Got Black Men’s Fronts.” There are many Black men in this city that is recognizing the contributions of their fathers and grandfathers to helping put their lives on the right path.

And, there are many Black men recognizing Black men that have moved on to the world of our ancestors that played major roles in their lives.

Don’t miss this opportunity to highlight these Black men especially if they are still alive.

By Tony Courtney Contact me at 374-2364 if you are interested. This page will appear in the Milwaukee Community Journal Newspaper in the 1st or 2nd edition of the paper prior to Father’s Day. Cost is $25.00 per name.

Respect the X – This is an event that you don’t want to miss. We will be celebrating the life and times of one of our most powerful and intellectual ancestors, MALCOLM X. The guest speaker will be well respected businessman, activist and author Yusuf Bunchy Shakur from Detroit, Michigan.

There will be live music, food, African Dance and Martial Arts Demonstration. This event is Free and is hosted by Brother Heal the Hood Godisgood. This event will be held at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center 3020 W. Vliet St. Milwaukee, WI. Saturday, May 17, 2015 from Noon to 5PM. Stress Free for Life – Do not dismiss mind over matter healing. Many people dismiss the power of prayer in helping to heal. Get a copy of this book today and learn about how healing the brain can lead to helping heal the entire body. Order your copy today by calling 718-469-3199. Cost of book is only $29.95 includes shipping and handling.

FROM THE BLACK

Hupy and Abraham, S.C Teams Up with FOX Sports Wisconsin to Present Local Charity Challenge

The personal injury law firm Hupy and Abraham, S.C. has joined forces with FOX Sports Wisconsin for the “Vote for your MVP” online charity challenge. Three local nonprofit organizations: The American Heart Association of Wisconsin, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and Fisher House Wisconsin are competing against each other for the coveted position of Most Valuable Player (MVP) charity as voted on by Wisconsin sports fans throughout baseball season.

Each organization will receive a monetary donation from the firm at the end of the summer, but the organization with the most votes received by September 30, will be declared “MVP” and will be presented with the largest donation from Hupy and Abraham, S.C. The public is able to vote for their charity of choice by visitingwww.foxsportswisconsin.com/supports. This is the first time FOX Sports Wisconsin has teamed up with a client on a community focused, fan engagement campaign.

Additionally, Hupy and Abraham, S.C. is participating in the Milwaukee Brewers T-Shirt giveaway on Friday, June 12, 2015. An exclusive Milwaukee Brewers shirt will be distributed to all fans in attendance, and the firm will sponsor that evening’s game. For more information about Hupy and Abraham, S.C., visit www.hupy.com.

The Milwaukee Community Journal May 13, 2015 Page 8

Where is the Black leadership?

(continued from page 3)

American (racial designation only) has the potential to become Black (conscious freedom fighter) if they are willing to use every capacity at their disposal to protect and empower Black people. Unfortunately, while there are many African American elected officials, there are very few “Black” elected officials. What’s really sad is that too many of them think they are at the top of their game, yet they can’t point to one gain that they stood together on to deliver to the Black community. Many are delusional as to why they are even in office. If African American elected officials aren’t working together to fight against a culture, climate, and an institutional and structural way of life that OPPRESSES Black people at every level from the time they are born until the time they die, then they can’t be elevated to the description of being Black. Therefore, the millions of our ancestors who sacrificed their dignity, their person, and their lives to see the day that African Americans would be in elected office only to see how they behave today, can only be turning over in their graves.

The “caucusing” of African American elected officials becomes so critical because in most cases, due to the massive economic disadvantage that Black people face in this country and in cities like Milwaukee, political power is the only thing

Black community create its own demise? (continued from page 3)

chains nationwide. There was a Black owned film company in Jacksonville, Florida called Norman Productions and Black owned studios in Chicago and in Hollywood under the banner of “Hollywood Productions” where Black owned western and romantic films were made.

He adds in his 2010 DVD, “Vision Beyond the Dream” that we owned our own film distribution system and “employed our own Black workers.”

By the 1940’s also in Durham, more than 150 businesses flourished and were owned by African Americans. Among such establishments were cafes/restaurants, movie theaters, barbershops, boarding houses, pressing shops, grocery stores, funeral parlors, the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, Banker’s Fire Insurance Company, Mutual Building and Loan Association, Union Insurance and Realty Company, The Durham Realty and Insurance Company, the Royal Knight Savings & Loan Association, the Mortgage Company of Durham.

Robert R. Johnson in his work, “Wake Up Black America-You’re Sleepwalking Back into Slavery,” recounts how he was raised in the small town of Natchez, Mississippi. Natchez had a Black business district in the main section of the downtown area.

He describes that there were Black doctors, lawyers, restaurants, nightclubs, soda fountains, barbershops, beauty/nail shops, gambling joints, five funeral homes and Black lottery.

“These businesses provided income for many families and kept money moving around this small Black community,” he says.

“As a young kid,” he adds, “I worked for a Black grocery store owner.

His business was about one block from my home. I also worked for my uncle, who was one of the first Black licensed plumbers in the South, and I was taught the business.”

Back then, he writes, most of the restaurants, barbershops, beauty shops, taverns, grocery stores, clothing stores, hotels, shoe shine parlors, night clubs and medical practices in our community were owned and operated by Black people.

“There were also Black carpenters, plumbers and painters who had

available to them and even that has limitations. Black political power is further weakened because of the twisted politics that many of our African American elected officials practice. Instead of using whatever leverage they might have by forming a real caucus, they are so divided that their collective power is negated. I say this because too many of them have not understood the sole reason that they are in office, which is to advance the selfdetermination of their own people. For many it’s a good job. Yes, they have an obligation to all of the constituents within their district, but they should also know that they have a higher commitment and obligation to the struggles of Black people. They might be republicans or democrats in name but their real identity is being Black (conscious).

When will African American elected officials become Black elected officials and represent the Black community? I believe that the average Black person who goes into a voting booth and votes for an African American believes this is what they’re getting. If the Black community only knew that African American elected officials fight against each other more than they fight others (it’s sad but true).

Who speaks for the Black community nationally or in Milwaukee? When it’s time to negotiate on behalf of the Black community (i.e. major economic projects), who represents Black people? Is it Rev. Al Sharpton? Is it Minister Louis Farrakhan? Is it President Obama? Is it the NAACP? Is it the Urban League?

businesses. These businesses provided hundreds, maybe even thousands of jobs for people of the community.

The business owners also lived in these neighborhoods where they were role models for Black kids,” recalls Johnson.

In brief, Cosby, Muhammad, Anderson, and Johnson are all in agreement that the integration wave literally killed all that we had. We did several things wrong, just to cite the Anderson model. We began to slow down the building of our own businesses and allow other people (the “liberal left) to come in and open businesses in our communities. Even though we worked for them, the money was not circulating among us as earlier from Black hand-to-Black hand.

Brown vs. Board in 1954 was utterly disastrous to the proud legacy of Black-on-Black education and social development of African American children and youth that was enjoyed over the 89 years from 1865 to 1954. This is why Cosby ends his timeline of the Black “Golden Age” at 1954.

By mid-60 with the passage of the 1964 Bill of Rights outlawing legal segregation, Blacks going into the 70’s with the advent of integration mandates were leaving all of our communities and businesses behind in droves.

Muhammad says it best as he describes what happened to Washington’s U Street under integration: “Free choice replaced a community of necessity.” He said, the area around U Street began to change. The Black residence dispersed. There was no more commitment to sustain Black businesses, no more concentration to maintain a positive and cultivated Black life.

Personal individualized selections and opportunities won over the needs, welfare and concern of the collective and there was no giving back. As a result of integration, says Muhammad, the dispersal of the Black community trickled down throughout the U Street community in every way. The Black power base moved elsewhere and the community began to decay. Poverty soon took the place of affluence and crime and drugs followed poverty.

No longer are we employing ourselves. The Black middle class that was able to move out actually abandoned the masses in the Black community.

All of our standards of excellence, expectations and personal modeling broke down and no longer were in existence, collectively speaking. As we move into the mid-80’s our preeminent Black standards for our peo-

Repair, Rebuild and Maintain

(continued from page 1) Family, it was an amazing experience for all. The young men had to canoe one hour to the campsite—yes they complained—but in that hour they went from novice rowers to young men who had learned how to skillfully maneuver an apparatus they have never touched.

Our food was cooked over a fire we created. We built tents together. We had real talk over a bonfire.

We hiked together. When the torrential rainstorm came and forced us into the cabin, the young men collectively moved as a single unit to secure the safety of the property and each individual.

The next morning we cooked breakfast cowboy style and headed back to Milwaukee. On our return to the neighborhood, the block was waiting to hear the horror stories and ready to say “I told you so!” To the contrary, the young men spoke glowingly about their new experience and how they would want to do it again.

This is not a happy story with a happy ending, family. The joy and pride I felt about our excursion was swallowed by the stories of another shooting and the reality of what awaited these young men on these streets upon our return. These young men were filled with talent but few viable opportunities to maximize their potential.

And, I felt as though I abandoned them.

Many of our programs are for a season.

Many of the people who help do so for

duel reasons, compassion and compensation.

We empower for moments and tease the youth with possibilities then snatch the funding from programs or put prescribed time-limits on these programs.

Well what’s next for these youth when the flickering light on their candle of hope is blown away? We see the answer every day on the internet, radio and television.

Before I was Dr. Smith, I was that kid who made mistakes and poor decisions.

Those mistakes and poor decisions made me a statistic within the Wisconsin correctional system and almost changed the trajectory of my life.

What if, when I was going through my transition I was discarded as another thug with wasted potential? What if, people like James Beckum, Cynthia Gallant and Quiller Harris never fed into the spirit of a 23 year-old kid at the proverbial crossroads of his life?

Well, I am glad I never had to find out.

I am even more proud that I made the above, and many more individuals, never regret helping me.

A decade later, when I worked in the prison, I would purposely change my clothing apparel from day to day. Some days, I would wear a business suit, but other days I would wear a designer blue jean outfit with Timberland boots.

One day, a staff member told me I should dress like a doctor and not one of

the inmates. I told her—in my sarcastically nice voice—“whatever I wear is automatically the clothing of a doctor, and maybe some of these inmates who look like me have the potential to be a doctor like me, too. Can you help them become a “book” that people misjudge by their cover?”

Family, I will stress again, we have to be willing to step outside our circles of comfort and provide a level of care that requires great financial and time commitments. And, please understand we can all mentor and empower others in some way.

Something is always better than nothing, beloved.

No form of help is too small or little.

And know, when you do something for someone else, the feeling you get in return is so overwhelmingly powerful to your spirit. In helping others, we are saving ourselves and our community one person at a time.

The older I get, the more the words of my Momma Daisy resonate in my ears… “the best way to heal yourself is to help others!”

Let’s write a new song full of the hope that we create for the present and future generations. I am not waiting in the kitchen anymore, but I’m not robbing someone because they will not share what is rightfully mine.

Then what will we do? We are going to build our own house, on the land our ancestors built, then make and cook our own food. Who is willing to help repair, rebuild and maintain our village?

Selah. Ashe The BLAQUESMITH

Who is it? Or is it the African American elected officials? It definitely should be the elected officials if tax dollars are going to be used.

Unfortunately, Blacks have no national leader and locally, in Milwaukee, the Black community is also leaderless. I likened the Black community to a human body that walks around with no head. Yes, Blacks have people who are doing good things (this is not an indictment against those who are trying to fight back and continue the struggle). The problem is that the needle isn’t moving (our problems are growing). The issues the Black community faces are unmeasurable and off the chart (many of the disparities have nearly a 50 points differential) and require a coordination of systems that only real collective leadership and BLACK elected officials can pull together. The fact is, we have a multitude of people claiming to be leaders, but not working together, which is tantamount to having no leader at all. How is it that many Black leaders are unable to mount any real and sustained campaign to come together (functional and survival unity) and challenge the multitude of very serious issues facing the Black community? Given the current socioeconomic condition coupled with the history that Blacks have faced in this country, having leadership is not some option it’s an absolutely necessity.

Rahim Islam is a National Speaker and Writer, Convener of Philadelphia Community of Leaders, and President/CEO of Universal Companies, a community development and education management company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA.

ple, and for our children in particular, were nearly completely gone by 1987.

There is no longer a Cultural Buffer Zone or a Cultural Immune System where our self-pride, self-identity and self-respect psychologically and mentally protected us from the outside onslaught of racism and White supremacy. What White folks felt about us during this “Golden Era” for example did not matter one bit. We actually felt that we were better!

So now here in 2015, we have an abandoned population of Black men collectively with nowhere to go, nothing to do and no one to become; a surplus population of Black people that are no longer needed in America’s economy.

As Jackson commented on December 22, 2010 in BlackNews.com, “What will America do with 36 million Black Americans now that there is no more cotton to pick?” Citing stats, the highest American city jobless rate at that time was Detroit (59.5%) followed by Milwaukee (53.3%); Buffalo at 52.3%; Cleveland, 52.3%,; Chicago 50.3%, and Pittsburg also at 50.3%.

Jackson concluded that America has now “gotten out of the Black people business” as the Black man – in this instance – has been abandoned both by his own community and now by the system.

As if things could not get any worse, Black Enterprise on May 8, 2015 reports that “1.5 Black Men Missing.” For every 100 Black women, ages 25 to 54 in the United States, there are only 83 Black men. And even with this 83, one has to discount those Black men in growing numbers who are homosexual, on drugs or who may be, for whatever reason, unemployed or unemployable.

The report reveals that Black men are “missing from everyday life” in New York, Chicago and throughout the South. With an African American population of at least 10,000, there are only 60 Black men for every

100 Black women in Chicago, for example.

And of the 1.5 missing Black men in the prime-age years, imprisonment rates account for nearly 600,000. Black men in their 20s and early 30s without a high school diploma, according to published accounts, are more likely to end up behind bars than in the workforce with an incarceration rate of 49 percent.

The point of this writing is that the Black community has openly participated in its own demise and disintegration by its decision and behavior to integrate. No other community of people has ever left its own to be equal to, accepted by and included in the world of another culture.

As Cosby says, the Black community “went from segregation to de-segregation to integration to disintegration.” We actually “undid” and destroyed more in 25 years all of what it took 89 years of build up from 1865 to 1954 using Cosby’s model or the 99 years from 1865 to 1964 using the Anderson, Johnson and Muhammad models.

And yes, there are many, many other factors involved in the dismantling of the Black community from the 1970’s into 2015 and the demise of Black manhood. But the point here is that we did not have none of these issues at the present depths from 1865 to 1954 and well into 1964 that we have today in 2015.

But one thing is for sure, we need to go back into our own history and look at what we had and how we built and established our communities as a model for our uplift and stop pointing the finger at racism and White supremacy. We are only under this “attack” because we are now vulnerable and unprotected – by our own.

As Dr. Cosby says in the conclusion of his interview with Dr. Boyce Watkins on the “Failure of Integration,” “Unless we are respectable and unless we value ourselves and see our own self worth, we will be unable to rebuild our own community.”

The Milwaukee Community Journal May 13, 2015 Page 9

Summer Welding Certificate Program to be Offered at MATC’s Mequon Campus

Photos from one of 13 construction sites of brand new single-fmaily homes by Habitat for Humanity and volunteers, some of whom will be living in the homes. The new homeowners help with the construction of their homes. (Photos provided by Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity)

MILWAUKEE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY KICKS OFF 2015 BUILD SEASON

A crew of more than 150 volunteers will come together in the Washington Park neighborhood this week to launch Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity’s 31st year of building homes, community and hope at the annual “Blitz Build.” During this May Build, Habitat will focus on the 2100 block of North 38th Street—adding three owner-occupied houses to a block that is already home to 15 Habitat families, and boosting the homeownership rate to nearly 90 percent.

Students from Pewaukee High School will join a group of experienced UPS volunteers serving as mentors to the students as they build together on the build site. Students will get firsthand experience outside of the classroom in basic carpentry, framing, drywall and masonry. Students got involved with Habitat for Humanity in 2012 upon the recommendation of a UPS Employee, and long time Habitat

volunteer, Dan Guendert, who envisioned a mentoring program for the students on the Habitat job sites.

The students, primarily juniors and seniors, participate in the build as part of Pewaukee High School’s “Home Construction” Class. Partnering with Habitat for Humanity allows the students to apply their curriculum, while serving the school’s mission of citizenship.

“It’s an experience these kids would have otherwise not been exposed to,” remarks Pewaukee High School principal Marty Van Hulle, “These students are given an opportunity to apply real work skills learned in the classroom, benefiting their education and the community.”

For the past 30 years, Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity and its corps of dedicated volunteers has partnered with low-income families to build homes and stabilize communities. In 2013, the organization launched a Neighborhood Revitalization strategy, and is now concentrating its work in Washington Park to make a significant, sustainable impact on the neighborhood’s housing conditions and property values.

Through the Neighborhood Revitalization,Milwaukee Habitat has expanded its programs beyond new construction to include affordable home repairs and rehabs, and community development projects.

The goal of building community as well as homes can be seen in the projects scheduled for the Build Season:

• New Construction: Milwaukee Habitat will frame 13 brand new single-family homes, supported by partnerships with Joy Global, Sargento Foods, We Energies, Elmbrook Church, Catholic Financial Life, A.O. Smith Corporation, First Weber and Johnson Controls and MGIC. • Complete Rehab: Volunteers will begin the work of turning 5 city-owned vacant foreclosures into safe, decent, affordable houses and continue throughout the summer from support received from Potawatomi Community Foundation, Lowes, Town Bank, Associated Bank.

While Milwaukee Habitat has broadened its focus to neighborhood revitalization, the organization’s core mission remains to provide affordable housing opportunities for hardworking families. In 2015, the organization will serve more than 40 families, while constructing new homes and rehabbing city-owned abandoned foreclosures.

Over 1000 individuals representing businesses and organizations will help Habitat build homes, communities and hope throughout their 2015 build season. If you would like more information about how your business/organization can support Habitat’s mission through sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, please contact: Karen Von Rueden Development & Marketing Director Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity 414-316-5609 kvonrueden@milwaukeehabitat.org

An entry-level Welding Certificate Program will be offered from May 26-July 24 at the new welding laboratory at Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Mequon Campus, 5555 W. Highland Road.

The cost of the courses will be covered by a U.S. Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) Grant as part of a "Making the Future" project to develop, expand and improve advanced manufacturing career pathways.

Classes will be held during the daytime or during late afternoon/early evening, depending up which time is most convenient for the majority of applicants. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

The certificate includes classes in “Gas Metal ARC Welding Practices,” “Blueprint Reading for Welders,” “Welding Trades Mathematics,” “Academic Math Support” and a Manufacturing Skills Certification (MSSC) Safety Class. Students must take all five classes. Some of the courses can be applied to MATC’s welding technical diploma program.

Space is limited. For more information, please contact Christine Woda at (414) 297-6402, wodac@matc.edu; or Elan Namath at (414) 297-6655, namathe@matc.edu.

Wisconsin’s largest technical college and the most diverse twoyear institution in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. Approximately 50,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community.

The college offers 200 academic programs; nearly 400 transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees; and a Pre-College Education division that assists people to complete high school, prepare for college or enter the workforce. Overwhelmingly, MATC leading to bachelor’s degrees; and a Pre-College Education division that assists people to complete high school, prepare for college or enter the workforce. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin.

The college is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission, the national standard for academics and student services.

The Milwaukee Community Journal May 13, 2015 Page 10