Tak ONEe FRE E
VOLUME 2 NUMBER 20
NOVEMBER 1-15, 2012
RACINE, WISCONSIN
insider@wi.net
She’s not your typical Republican candidate
Turn to Stevens page 6
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Turn Medicare to page 3 3
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At an early age, Pam Stevens decided because of her upbringing that she was going to stay away from politics. “My father was a precinct captain in Chicago for most of my childhood, so I grew up in the political world, which is one of the reasons I said I would never be involved in politics because of all the drama associated with it,” Stevens said. Today, that’s just not the case. Although Wisconsin State Senate District 22 hopeful Pam Stevens said politics was not on her to-do list growing up, her family’s involvement in the community still managed to influence and inspire her. “It took me years to figure out that God was preparing me for the very thing I shied away from,” Stevens said. “Watching and listening to my father, I learned that the elected officials worked for me – the citizen – and that it was up to me – the citizen – to make sure they remembered that.” Stevens said she comes from a family of community activists so the draw to politics was inevitable. “My mom was a Union Teamster Steward for 20 years, and my grandmother was very active in her community in Mound Bayou, Mississippi as well as Chicago when she moved there,” Stevens said. She added that her uncle is a former state representative in Illinois. Throwing her hat in the Senate ring Stevens served on the Kenosha Unified School Board in several capacities, including president, for nearly a
Upper photo: Gloria Rogers and Mary Totero, a member of “Turn Up The Vote,” register a voter on the corner of Taylor Ave. and 16th Street. The group has been canvasing that corner and the Workforce Development Center for the past months. Left photo: Cassandra Willis, 18, a Gateway student signs a gaint card that calls for politicians to keep their hands off Medicare and Medicaid.
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Your Vote is Our Voice City with the lowest voter turnout. These “Nobody will ever are the same neighdeprive the American peoborhoods where most ple of the right to vote of us live and go to except the American people school. We will eduthemselves, and the only cate people on their way they could do this is by rights at the polls, not voting.” This quote was how to register, spoken by Franklin D. where their polling Roosevelt, and we agree. place is, and offer Every year for over eight rides for those who years, the students of Youth need them. This past Empowered in the Struggle election we knocked (YES) have organized a on over 8,000 doors, youth-led Get Out the Vote and it made a differcampaign here in Racine. ence. The youth and Our message is simple: overall voter turnout when you vote, consider went up. This is just your future. As a 17-yearthe beginning; we old student at Horlick High want to increase the School, the reason why I number of people in participate in Racine who vote the Get Out each year. We recthe Vote every ommend that you election is vote early if you can because vot– just head down to ing not only Bryanna Scott, left, wrote the commentary and is a senior at Horlick High School and has been a leader with Youth City Hall on a weekgives us a voice, but it Empowered in the Struggle (YES) for three years. YES is the student arm of Voces de la Frontera. day now through makes us all equal. Since I November 2, 8amam underage and I can’t 4:55pm. You can vote, I have taken the liberty also vote early on to exercise my first amendof this country. Suppression in our history mented will affect us over our entire lifeSaturday, October 27 between 8amment right of freedom of speech, to go times. So we ask our neighbors to vote has led to repercussions in the turnout of 2:00pm. If you need a free ride, you can encourage others who can vote to go and because we have faith in our community, young people, women, and people of call RIC at 262-635-9532. cast a vote for me. and hope in the future. We trust that our color. The group with the lowest turnout On November 6th, Election Day, watch Voter suppression has been a part of communities will turn out to vote and repoverall is youth, and that fact troubles us for us on your block! We hope that you as American history for as long as this counresent our unheard voice. as students. The votes that are being cast our community will represent our voice, try has been established. The only group This Election Day in Racine we will go will affect our future and our children’s and vote. of people who have always held the right door to door with hundreds of young volfutures more than anyone’s. The politito vote are the white, landowning, males unteers again, focusing on the half of the cians put in place, and the policies imple-
GUEST COMMENTARY
You Can Tell A Lot About A Person By The Sign They Put In Their Yard You can tell a lot about someone based on the political signs they display in their
Kenneth Lumpkin
Y NECKBONEOLOG front yard. And sometimes you can learn things from the signs that they don’t display. Alderman James Kaplan is a good example of this. You never see the political signs of his fellow Republicans in his yard when he himself is running for elec-
tion, but they’re openly displayed in the years when he’s not. He’s not running in this election and his yard is filled with Republican campaign posters. Does he have some concern that the voters in the 4th Aldermanic District (which is comprised of 65% minorities) will be less supportive of his candidacy if he openly displays his Republican allegiance? That seems to reveal a distrust of the voters is District 4, as if they would mindlessly vote against a candidate who is openly Republican. Now, historically, over the last 4 decades, the “minority vote” has gone strongly in favor of Democratic candidates, and with good reason. The Democrats have been staunch supporters of the social safety net programs that many minorities have had to rely on while struggling through the frustrations of less than equal opportunities. While we appreciate and are inspired by the message of self-determination and personal responsibility that is a favorite slogan of the Republicans, the social programs that support minorities (and an even larger number of disenfranchised whites) remain necessary until the goal of equal opportunity is attained. Let’s discuss that topic of equal opportunity for a moment. Regular readers of this paper are now aware of the racial discrimination that has been working behind the scenes in this city. That discrimination is particularly evident, and documented, in the matter of city issued liquor licenses.
Let me be clear, I do not and never have condoned unruly or anti-social behavior that compromises public safety. That is not the issue. The issue is whether all establishments holding liquor licenses in Racine have been treated equally. That can only be answered with a resounding NO! The forced closing of 14 minority owned taverns in less than 7 years, while white owned establishments with worse public safety records remain open without restrictions, speaks for itself. Beyond being taverns and bars, these are locally owned and operated, legal business enterprises. As such, they are “business opportunities” and the unequal regulation of these businesses opportunities thus represents a denial of equal opportunity. Let’s return to Alderman Kaplan for a moment. What has been his role pertaining to minority owned tavern businesses? It turns out that he has been an active member of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee of the Racine City Council. And that is the committee that has aggressively pursued closure of these minority owned businesses. In the meantime, we now hear that Republican County Sheriff, Christopher Schmaling, has come out with a public endorsement of Republican Mitt Romney for President. We also hear and read reports coming in from all over the country this year of Republican efforts to suppress voting among people they would expect to vote Democratic, and it appears
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that our Sheriff must have gotten the message. In past elections, other Sheriff’s have cooperated with the local NAACP’s effort to register inmates who are eligible to vote in elections. As many as 80 eligible voters have been allowed to exercise their constitutional right (and citizen obligation) to vote through this process. Republican Sheriff Schmaling has barred the NAACP from entering the jail to do this. His response is that he has addressed the issue by hanging up some signs informing detainees to contact the jailer if they want to vote. Only one voter has been registered under this plan. If Republicans seriously believe that they have the best policies for all citizens, why do they often conceal their Republican allegiance, and now attempt to discourage or prevent some citizens from voting? I take this as a sign that their words do not match their intentions.
Medicare from page 1 An emergency ambulance crossing Wisconsin to save the two whistle stop at the Bray Center Thursday October 25. About 150 others also signed the cards. The 2000-mile journey across Wisconsin was intended to alerting communities of the life-and-death impact of the Medicare and Medicaid changes proposed in the House budget written by Congrassman Paul Ryan
Racial attitudes remain from 2008, factor in presidential election Racial attitudes may play a greater role in the 2012 election that it did when President Obama first won in 2008. A new poll by the Associated Press shows that racism has actually increased since the last presidential election and could impact Obama’s chances of keeping the White House. According to The Hill, 51 percent of those polled explicitly expressed negative racial attitudes towards blacks, higher than the 48 percent who did in 2008. Analysis of the survey by AP showed that Obama could lose as many as 5 percentage points of the popular vote because of anti-black attitudes. It also showed that he could gain three points from people who have positive racial attitudes toward blacks, resulting in a net loss of two percentage points, according to AP. Racial attitudes in the presidential race Two points could easily win or lose the election between Obama and his challenger Mitt Romney. According to daily tracking polls, Romney and Obama are currently tied with 48 percent of the popular vote. “As much as we’d hope the impact of race would decline over time … it appears the impact of anti-black sentiment on voting is about the same as it was four years ago,” Jon Krosnick, a Stanford University professor who worked with AP to develop the survey, told the Christian Science Monitor. The newspaper reports that many African Americans are upset with what they see as blatant racism directed towards the president, pointing to things like cartoons or political posters that mock Obama as a monkey or lynch him in effigy. “Part of it is growing polarization within American society,” Fredrick Harris, director of the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University, told the CS Monitor. “The last Democrat in the White House said we had to have a national discussion about race. There’s been total silence around issues of race with this president. But, as you see, whether there is silence, or an elevation of the discussion of race, you still have polarization. It will take more generations, I suspect, before we eliminate these deep feelings.” Former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu was criticized this week for his suggestion that Colin Powell endorsed Obama because of his race.
Gardner Celebrates 60th Birthday with friends Al Gardner, an outspoken community leader, is surrounded by his brothers and sisters at his 60th Birthday Party, held at Gerald’s Steakhouse, located on the corner of Washington Ave. and Ann St. recently. The event drew close to 170 indivual wellwishers from throughtout the country. Another Beginning Band, shown below, played hits from the 70s and 80s for Gardner’s guests. Gardner fought against the Youth Offender Correctional Pirson being built on Memorial Drive, and fought for Racine First, a policy of Racine residents having first choice for jobs on public improvement projects. He was also a strong advocate for the Corrine Reid-Owens project, which would have redeveloped the plot of land near-by the Corrine Reid-Owens Transit Center on State Street.
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Latoya Fields, Reniyah Bunch, and Rosetta Bunch, pose for a three generation portrait at Walgreen’s Annual Halloween Photo Shoot, Saturday, October 28, at the Walgreen’s store located at 1920 Douglas Avenue. Reniyah, 3, was dressed as Princess Fiona from “Shrek”, a 2001 American computer-animated fantasy comedy film produced by DreamWorks. Kenneth Lumpkin, a professional photographer, takes the studio quality photos each Easter, Halloween, and Christmas.
Obama
from page 1
in several capacities, including president, for nearly a decade. “I decided to take a break from public service, but when I saw all the partisan fighting going on in Madison, my blood boiled. And I knew it was time to make that difference or stop complaining,” Stevens said. So Stevens, a busy single working mother of five has thrown her hat into the Senate race against Democratic Senator Bob Wirch in the Nov. 6 election. Her philosophy Stevens expressed her political views as being based on renowned American social reformer/statesman Frederick Douglass’ philosophy. Douglass was a key figure in the abolitionist movement in the 1800s. “I am a Frederick Douglass Republican, which is very different from the current Republican Party,” Stevens said. “I believe in the same principals Frederick Douglass believed in and the same principals the Republican Party was founded on.” Stevens elaborated on her platform stating that, “First and foremost, I believe in God. I believe in life, I believe in the constitution, I believe in limited government, and I believe in personal responsibility! I do not believe in the Country Club Republican, and I am anti-establishment. When I am elected, I will bring jobs to the cities of Kenosha/Racine, Somers and Mount Pleasant.” She added, “I will make sure our streets do not become like Chicago and Milwaukee. I will make sure parents have choices for their children so that we bridge the achievement gap. I will be a true elected official to the people and bring some civility and respect back to Madison.” Stevens summed it up by saying she is about results not political parties. “I have a favorite quote, ‘Don’t dismiss a good idea because you don’t like the source,’” Stevens said. “This is what it boils down to.”
Racine Insider News 262.822.1331
The Racine Insider News is a community based newspaper published in Racine, Wisconsin. The newspaper covers a variety of events that highlight lifestyles in the AfricanAmerican communities in Southeastern Wisconsin. The Insider News Wisconsin is a free publication, printed on the 1st and 15th of each month and is distributed in over 100 locations. All inquiries about advertisement or news should be made five to seven days before the 1st and 15th of each month.
Office: 262-672-3195 For advertisement: Lisa Wilder-920.475.8481 Photo coverage of your event: 262.822.1331 Located: 3001 Douglas, Avenue • Racine, Wisconsin
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To Hold Election
Quinn/Lawson shares wedding vows before friends and family Nikita Lawson the daughter of Wondella Stacy and John Lawson , became the bride of Quinn Days, the son of Brenda Days and Anthony Days. The Bridesmaids & Groomsmen were Cornetta Stacy and Austin Wray, Stacy Johnson and Desmond Martin and Omar Young, Tracey Minley and Kyle King, and Crystal Zaehler and James Mathews. The Flowergirl was Liyah Lynn Lawson and the bide was escorted by David Johnson. Pastor Ernest Garrison officiated the wedding that was held on Saturday, October 20, 2012, at Wayman AME Church, 424 N. Memorial Drive in Racine.
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Voting for officers of the Racine Branch NAACP will take place on November 10, 2012 at the John Bryant Community Center. Current members of the Racine Branch, who have been members for at least the past 30 days (Since Oct. 10, 2012) are eligible to vote. To expedite the process of determining voting eligibility, members are asked to present their membership card for verification. The poll will be open from 9:00a.m. – 1:00p.m. To date, confirmed Candidates for Office are: for President: Lawrence Terry and Gloria Rogers; 1st Vice President: Donnie Snow; Secretary: Julian Jones; Assistant Treasurer: Ann Kirkwood; and Executive Committee Members at Large: Orven Brown, Beverly Hicks, Maggie Cobb, Pearline W. Terry, Mae Ellis, Earnest J. Garrison, Janet Mitchell. Efforts are currently being made to verify the eligibility of other candidates. The final slate will be confirmed and posted at the Dr. John Bryant Community Center by Thursday before the election, and will be also be submitted to Racine’s daily newspaper and online newspapers for publication.
CHURCH DIRECTORY ZOE OUTREACH Ministries Jane Cremer Foundation holds cancer awereness event at Roma Lodge Hilder Brown, Coordnator for the Jane Cremer Foundation Outrech project, Dr. Craig Emmitt Cole of Gunderson Lutheran Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, and Darryl Cremer, who started the Foundation in honor of his wife, hosted the annual event, which is intended to bring awareness to how cancer can impact the black woman. The event entitled: “Multiple Myeloma and You. Get the Facts!” drew and audance of more than 250 people at Roma Lodge, 7130 Spring Street, Thursday, October 18. Below photo: Members of the entire audience particpate in light exercises that the instructor said was good for everyone, but especially cancer patients. Dr. Cole discussed the symptoms and treatment of this cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow.
Pastor Tommie Knuckles
2130 Racine Street Racine, WI 619-3027
Melvin Hargove Pastor Sunday School - 8:45 a.m. Sunday Worship Service - 10:00 a.m. Sunday NA Meeting 6:30 PM Community Dinner 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Wednesday: Midweek Worship 6:15 a.m.- 8:15 p.m. Thursday NA Meeting 6:00 PM
SearcHing TOgeTHer MiSSiOnarY BapTiST cHurcH Rev. Willie Riley, Senior Pastor 262.633.4421
christian Tabernacle Baptist church 1201 Center Street Racine, Wis. 53403 (262) 880-6521 Come Worship with us at: Sunday Worship Service 11:00 AM Bible Study Wednesday 6:00 Pm - 8:00 PM
Pastor Joseph L. & First Lady Thomas
New Brighter Day Baptist Church 1225 25th Ave., Kenosha, WI
262-552-8090
825 21st Street • Racine Sunday School Worship Service Mid Morning Worship Service Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study Wednesday Dinner p.m. Wednesday Evening Bible Study Saturday Morning Prayer
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9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 noon 5:30-6:30 6:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m.
Joseph L. Thomas, Pastor Sunday School - 9:00 a.m. - Sunday Worship Service - 10:30 a.m. Tuesday Prayer Service - 6:00 p.m. Bible Study - Tuesday 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
CHURCH DIRECTORY ST. PAUL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
1120 Grand Ave. Racine, Wis.
262-632-1467 www.stpmbc.org
Bishop Lawrence L.
KIRBY Senior Pastor
Christian Faith Fellowship Church Racine, Wisconsin Pastors Willie & Patricia Scott
The key note speaker for the Racine/Kenosha Black Nurses Association hosting of “Sickle Cell and Your Health” was Dr. Betty S. Pace M.D. The event was held at Wheaton All Saints Health Pavilion Auditorium on Friday October 19, 2012. Dr. Pace is the first recipient of the Francis J. Tedesco Distinguished Chair in Pediatric Hematology Oncology at the Georgia Health Sciences University. Dr. Pace presented the latest research on the cure for sickle cell disease. Dr. Pace maintains an active research laboratory and training program and is fully engaged as a member of the Georgia Health Sciences University Sickle Cell Disease Research Center. Dr. Pace served as the Chief Medical Officer for the National Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. and Edited a major textbook, “Renaissance of Sickle Cell Disease Research in the Genome Era” in 2007. Dr. Pace has also been recognized by Popular Science as one of the Top Ten Brilliant Scientists in America.
Sunday School 9:15 AM Sunday Worship Service 7:45 AM & 10:40 AM Wednesday Prayer & Bible Class 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM Dinner - 5:30 PM
Greater Mt. Eagle Baptist Church “A God Glorifying, Christ Centered, Spirit-Filled Church”
Rev. Keith Evans Pastor
Sunday School • 9:00 AM Sunday Worship Service • 10:45 AM Bible Study (Wed.) • 6:00 PM Word of Life (Youth Program) (Thur..) • 6:30 PM
262-631-0196 9:00am - Sunday School 10:00am - Sunday Service at Gilmore Middle School Midweek service Tuesday at 6:30pm at other location: call for more information 631-0196 PO Box085576 • Racine, WI 53408
Trinity United Missionary Baptist Church 306-5th Street, Racine, WI 262.635.1994 email: tumbcc@ameritech.net Rev. Buddy Vinson Senior Pastor
Sunday School - 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Prayer Service - (Wed.) 5:00 PM Bible Class & Prayer (Wed.) - 6:00 PM
Let people know about your church services 262.822.1331 1326 State Street 632-4146 Page 13 Racine Insider News, September 15-30, 2012
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