COMMUNITY VOL. XXXIX Number 40 May 6, 2015
The Milwaukee
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MPS Senior Alethia Tilfor one of two state students named Presidential Scholars
W I S C O N S I N ’ S L A R G E S T A F R I C A N A M E R I C A N N E W S PA P E R
Compiled by MCJ Staff
Alethia M. Tilford, a senior at Milwaukee Public Schools’ Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High School, is one of two Wisconsin students to be among 141 of the nations high school seniors named 2015 Presidential Scholars. The other Wisconsin student is Nicholas V. Ngo of De Pere High School. Tilford and Ngo were two of nine Wisconsin students in the running for the award, considered the nation's highest honor for graduating high school seniors, which recognizes their educational, artistic, and civic accomplisments. Alford and Ngo will travel to Washington, D.C. for recognition activities, including a ceremony at the White House on June 21, where they will receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion. Teachers, who the scholars named as being most inspiring and challenging, will also be honored at the ceremony. Tilford named Stacy Knetter, her high school biology teacher, as her most influential teacher. Ngo named Becky Hawley, a high school English teacher. The educators will receive Teacher Recognition Awards from the U.S. Department of Education. Created in 1964, the program honors some of the nation's most distinguished high school students. Of the nation's 3.3 million graduating seniors, only 4,300 are candidates for the award, based upon exceptional performance on the ACT or SAT college admissions test, and just 565 students earn the right to be considered semifinalists.
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PULSE OF THE COMMUNITY
KICKING OFF THE “REAL” BASEBALL SEASON!
Parade launches the 2015 season for the legendary Little League baseball progam located in the heart of the Central City!
The Beckum Stapleton Little League kicked off another season of baseball with a parade that started at King Drive and Burleigh and continued to Brown Street where the ballpark bearing Mr. Beckum’s name is located. This year, 150 young boys and girls will be involved in playing “America’s Past-time.” The parade was sponsored by Andrew Cheverolet. Its owner Andrew Schlesinger presented Mr. Beckum a check for $500 to support the baseball program. Players will also be wearing a patch with the letters “JRB” which are the initials of Jimmie Ruth Beckum, the wife of Mr. Beckum, who died recently. (Photos by Yvonne Kemp)
Photos and question by Yvonne Kemp
QUESTION OF THE WEEK: “What is one of your most memorable moments with your mother?”
TUCKER JONES: “My memorable moment? When I used to work in the garden with my mother. She loved roses. She could grow a rose out of any kind of dirt. When I see a rose, it always reminds me of my mother.”
ARICKA EVANS: “When I was a little girl around the age of four or five, I was in kindergarten where we had only a half day of school. So every week, my mom would dress me up in a dress before my older brothers came home from schol and we would go to Red Lobster. She would tell me not to tell my brothers. But as soon as they got home and asked me if I wanted something to eat, I would say: ‘No, mom took me to Red Lobster.’”
MEN MEN The School System: EMPOWERING MEN MEN Old School, New School, By Dr. Ramel Smith “The Blaquesmith”
The past few weeks we have discussed some of the difficulties and failures of our current school system. We stated that children are given a “Hobson’s Choice” (take it or leave it option) when it comes to the school system. It is a cookie cutter approach that was most effective a half of century ago. Secondly, we discussed that if children were truly going to be successful, we needed to make a lifetime investment in all of our children’s education; and, this investment should encompass a womb to the tomb type of care and supervision. Our thesis this week will focus on interventions that can be effective during the formative school years. There is a quote, commonly attributed to Albert Einstein, which states “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability
to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Some scholars challenge he is the originator of this quote, I only care the words are so very true. In 2004, I worked at Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility. This institution housed young males between the ages of 1624 who were incarcerated in the Wisconsin Department of Correction. The most amazing phenomenon I witnessed at this institution was the number of males who were completing their High School Equivalency Diploma. These were the same males who were labeled with emotional and learning disabilities, had chronic issues with attendance, and eventually dropped out because of their disdain for their educational experience? Yet, these same young men, when put into an environment where their peers motivated them to do well and had little other distrac-
tions around not only earned their HSED, but often became tutors for those following in their academic footsteps. Why the change? Two words: Hope and Motivation. These young men saw their peers having success and were motivated to achieve that same success. They learned their failure in school was more about a lack of effort than lack of ability. The only catch to this story is that when the young men were released, they still carried the cruel branding of the letter “F” on their person. Well, what if we could replicate this educational success before they committed a felony. When I drive down Fon du Lac Avenue and look at the old Jackie Robinson school, I see a new beautiful senior living community where an abandoned building had become an eye sore and unnecessary financial strain on the MPS budget.
What if we combined the RYOCF and Robinson models and created a boarding house system. This is not a new idea and the boarding house school has proven to be successful. Sadly, most boarding schools cost a tremendous amount of money. We mentioned the fiscal increase needed to begin this revolution, why not allocate funds proactively from inmates to students? We can create a school model that can help to rectify a multitude of problems that exist within our community. For example, MPS has a serious problem with homelessness and children under CHIPS and JIPS orders (children and juveniles in need of protective services). With a school open in this capacity, we could house individuals or families; even more, we could provide those families and other community members with employment opportunities inside the school/home
MELVIN RABON: “My mother taught me my ABC’s at the age of three. I couldn’t pronounce it, but I could spell it. My mother was an advocate of education. My mother made sure all nine of us (her children) got a college education.” SHEILA CARTER: “A memorable moment for me would be my mom helping me get through college. College isn’t easy or cheap. I remember all the time I felt that I couldn’t get through college, especially with children. But my mom encouraged me to work hard to get my education. She went as far as missing work to help me with the children so I could study for school. In Dec. of 2014 I graduated from Mt. Mary University. Mom never realized that besides God, I would have never got through college without her love and support. My mother, Alice Stokes, means the world to me. She is more than just a mother to me, she is my best friend.”
True School
in which they reside. Second, this would help to ensure children had multiple quality meals in the day. Third, it would provide adequate supervision after school for students to complete homework. Fourth, neighboring business companies and community organizations could adopt the school to help develop other life skills. Fifth, educators could be granted free rent to live there to help supplement their salaries. Lastly, children could have a space that is nurturing and protective for 24 hours a day. This scenario would not be optimal for every student, but it opens the door to start thinking about additional educational options that have proven to be effective but failed to be replicated or just makes plain common sense. Here is a list of proposed changes: • Does every school have to be 1st shift? Can we have 2nd shift schools for the student who parents work second shift or who brain just works better in the afternoon? In a
Dr. Ramel Smith
boarding school situation, classes could be assigned similar to colleges and universities. • Year round schools. The empirical evi-
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The Milwaukee Community Journal May 6, 2015 Page 2
Mother takes charge of son at Baltimore melee – as a parent should!
Toya Graham lays into her son Michael after seeing him with the protesters. (Both photos courtesy of CBS NEWS)
mother is going through. I don’t want to lose my son to the streets.” The mother admits that her son is not a perfect boy, “No he’s not. But he’s mine.” Her first reaction when she saw the video clip of her hitting her teenage son and dragging him home from the riots, she said: “My pastor is going to kill me.” But her pastor, Jamal Bryant, is quoted as saying in Inside Edition that “Toya was mom of the year.” She was hailed as a “hero” on several Twitter postings and labeled by media accounts as “Mother of the Year.” By Taki S. Raton The Baltimore Police Commissioner This writer was shockingly Anthony Butts said in a Salon post amazed at the negative press and the that “We need more moms like you.” less than favorable facebook reHer reply on CBS was that “I don’t sponses to the April 27, 2015 reaclike a hero. My intention was to feel tion of mother Toya Graham when get my son home and have him be she saw her 16-year-old son Michael safe. I knew the whole thing was not carrying a rock in his hand among the safe.” crowd at the Monday’s protest In an April 29 posting of writers against the Baltimore police. Evan Bleier and Louise Boyle in DaiShe was caught on camera, pulling lymail.com, she said that the night her son out of the protest and literally before the riots, her son told her that whacking him upside the head, a lot of his high school student pulling off his ski mask and dragging friends were planning to meet up at him home from the melee activity on the Mondawmin Mall on Monday afthe streets as rioters were reportedly Toya Graham ternoon, the day of Gray’s funeral. clashing with police, looting stores She warned him not to go to the mall. and destroying vehicles. that Monday, mom was at a doctor’s appointment On “I just lost it,” she told CBS “This Morning” on with her eldest daughter when she heard that schools had Wednesday, April 29. Graham adds that “I recognized those baggy sweat- been let out early and people were gathering at the mall, pants and we made eye contact. I was saying, ‘how dare also reported as a main area transportation hub. Bleier and Boyle report that she left the office immeyou do this?’” diately to go find her son. Upon her arrival, Graham beShe poignantly revealed to the interviewer: “That’s my came very concern noting the police and helicopters in son and at the end of the day, I don’t want him to be a the area. Freddie Gray. I can’t imagine what Freddie Gray’s (continued on page 8)
PERSPECTIVES
Suggested new online “dating sites” to help us deal with our community’s issues
Attesting to America’s new social norm, there seems to be a growing number of dating sites targeting every ethnicity and occupation. Watch television enough and you’ll see a dating site for Whites, Colored and Black folks, Asians and Hispanics. There’s even a web site for midgets (little people), and, I discovered on a cable channel late one night, a site for farmers. That’s right, farmers, i.e. rednecks (which isn’t an ethnic slur, but denotes someone who gets tanned on the back of their necks from working in the fields all day.) If you think about it, the bevy of dating sites not only attests to a new mechanism to join people of similar interests (and heights if you consider the mid...I mean, little people site) together, but also a realization that those traits are second to racial compatibility. In a nutshell, advertising to link people of similar races could lead to the solidification of America’s racial divide. But hold on, I’m not going there. While many of my columns deal with racial issues, this isn’t one of them. Instead, my focus is on the dating sites you don’t hear about, but which would be popular and necessary for individuals whose cultural, or socioeconomic status are outside the societal norm. Such as: A “Father’s choice” dating site would be appropriate, particularly in the Black community where teen pregnancy is a major concern of everyone but the pregnant teen’s sperm donor. The site would provide the father with background information on their daughters’ boyfriend, in addition to introducing prospective men/boys who the father could match up with their daughters as a positive alternative. Another benefit would be that the fathers could research the background of their daughter’s boyfriend, getting important information like whether they use drugs, have any babies they neither father or feed, and if they have a criminal record. Fathers would also be able to find out if the boy/man wears boxers or briefs, if he uses the ’n’ word as a noun or adjective (either way it’s a negative and reveals a lack of self esteem and cultural pride) and comes from a Black nuclear family. Without sounding prejudicial, a young man from a Black nuclear family is statistically more likely to appreciate education, possess a strong cultural foundation, and attend church.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “THERE IS
The Milwaukee Community Journal May 6, 2015 Page 3
NO WAY TO BE A PERFECT MOTHER, AND A MILLION WAYS TO BE A GOOD ONE!” --AUTHOR UNKNOWN
SIGNIFYIN’ By Mikel Kweku Osei Holt
And it speaks volumes that the overwhelming majority of Black prison inmates are illiterate and come from impoverished single family households. Unfortunately, a marketing plan for the site would have to start from the premise that over 50% of Black Milwaukee households are headed by a poor Black woman, who double as the father, bread-winner, cook, disciplinarian, and security guard. That’s too much for one person A “Golddiggers/Sugardaddy/Momma” site. You probably will have to find a more “conventional” title like “generational liaison,” but that’s secondary to the basic premise of the site. Think of all the time that will be saved by women looking for an older “boyfriend.” (Generally, older brothers are more willing to “buy” or “rent” a “girlfriend” knowing they will enjoy the ride that ends he gets tired or the women find greener, or younger, pastures. The same holds true for Cougars, who want a younger, “trainable” man...without the drama. These type of relationships generally work well for the young studs who don’t want to work, or who have an appreciation for a more mature woman who doesn’t come with “baby/daddy drama,” inhibitions or financial constraints (that means women who have plenty of dough and knows what she wants). If you establish a “Sugar Daddy” site, you’ll probably have to start a “Reformed Black Cougar/Sugar Daddy” dating site for those who say “been there, done that,” and now are looking for a lasting relationship with someone of similar age and intelligence. In other words, when the Cougar and Sugar Daddy get tired of the ride with the young boy/girlfriend, they can turn to each other and live out their lives in a mature relationships, And don’t worry about the “Gold Diggers.” They will always find easy prey because older folks will always calculate the cost of following traditional dating mores versus having their cake and….you can finish that sentence. A “Gangsta dating site”: Hopefully, the punks and punkettes will restrict their dating activities to each other and we can keep tabs on them. If all goes well, they will give each other diseases,
shoot each other, or end up writing to each other from their respective prison cells A “Neckbone site” would be very popular, given that a significant percentage of our community fits that definition. According to the article “Neckbonology,” written by your’s truly two decades ago, a Neckbone is a person of questionable moral character, an individual whose conduct and self degrading personality fuels a lifestyle that is the foundation for a culture of poverty, criminality and social dysfunctionality. In that tribe are women with six and seven children by as many men, and men who are at best sperm donors with no compulsion to raise their children. You know you’re a Neckbone if you spend your welfare check on a pair of name-brand tennis shoes for your six-year-old manchild, or on a birthday party for your 18-month-old-baby and then have to beg, borrow and steal to pay the rent and purchase food. A male Neckbone drives a $200 car with $1,000 rims, steals from his family and friends to purchase drugs, and smiles into the camera at the bank he is robbing. Male Neckbones also include felons with guns looking to terrorize our community, drug dealers with no regard for the long term ramifications of their actions and the car jackers who have plagued our city. I could go on and on, but you probably get my point In fact if you don’t read this article because you’re one of those brothers and sisters who only read menus and the back of cereal boxes, chances are you’re a Neckbone And Neckbones deserve each other, and thus the need for a dating site…. (I chose the neckbone analogy because the actual piece of meat provides a vivid comparison to its human counterpart. A neckbone, for those who don’t eat pork, is a part of the pig that butchers and slave owners use to throw away. Black folks made a meal of the sharp edged bone that along with little meat contained gristle and fat. You can put hot sauce on a Neckbone to dress it up (think of it as the equavilant of putting lipstick on a...uh...pig), but it’s still a Neckbone. Finally, I would like to see “An Interracial dating site”: Obviously this goes against the philosophy and sociocultural premise of most existing sites, which seems focused on racial and ethnic purity. But an interracial site would go a long ways toward closing the racial divide. And, as I said many years ago, racism and bigotry will only end when all Americans are “high-yellow/fair skinned, with slanted eyes and rhythm." Hotep.
Give the People What They Want; We Want Freedom, Justice and Equality: Part 2
In my previous article, I try to recapture the spirit of one of many of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff “message” songs. The song I choose was “Give the People What They Want” which was performed by the O’Jays. The song ultimately went number one on the R&B Charts in 1975. A theme in the song stated that “You got to give the people what they want and the people want freedom, justice and equality.” Black people, like all other people, want and deserve freedom, justice, and equality. Following sometimes bad leadership, our community has never chased nor demanded “economic equity.” Blacks have chased and demanded social equity not knowing that social equity can’t be achieved in America without economic equity. At the end of the day, no matter how you slice it, it is the economic benefits that America refuses to share with Blacks because, to do so, white America would have to acknowledge the significant role that Black people played in helping America become the rich superpower it is today. America’s wealth and power is directly tied to the American institution of slavery which enslaved millions of Blacks for nearly 350 years and now its lethal “legacy” continues to wreak havoc on the Black community today. America owes a real economic debt to the Black community. In part one of this article I tried to make the point that one of the reasons freedom, justice and equality has been so elusive for Blacks is because America and its multitude of institutions was built on the backs of enslaved Blacks. Simply stated, America was built on the hate and the brutality against Black people. America was built on the economics of slavery which has afforded generations of whites a significant competitive and economic advantage over the “so-called” freed Blacks – real freedom is economic freedom. Whites amassed an economic fortune (wealth) and knowledge (institutional know how) and left this inheritance, economic benefit, and a climate and culture of power and real privilege to their children; while Blacks were coming
THE MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY JOURNAL Published twice weekly, Wednesday & Friday
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out of physical slavery in absolute and total poverty, emotionally and physiologically battered and bruised, and completely ignorant as to the “ownership” of America and it’s capitalistic ways. Blacks were told to compete and millions of its children inherited generational poverty. In spite of this unforgivable economic position that Blacks faced after emancipation, Blacks would make real progress in nearly every area (i.e. literacy attainment, education, land ownership, small business development, functional community life, etc.),but this progress was met with a vicious and terroristic adaptation of slavery and oppression in the form of the Ku Klux Klan and Jim Crow laws. Blacks responded with a civil rights fight that would consume them for nearly 60 years, which ultimately placed Blacks further behind economically. While the terror enacted on Blacks post-slavery rivaled that of the terror enacted against Blacks during slavery, one of the most potent ramifications of that period was the devalue and suppression of their political freedom. Not having both economic and political freedom was extremely damaging to the “infant” Black community. While Blacks might have won the civil rights battle, it continues to lose the economic war (this needle hasn’t moved since emancipation). Since the 1960’s, as a result of hundred years of chattel slavery and structural and institutional racism, Blacks have continued to lose ground in nearly every category with positive demographics decreasing and nearly every negative demographic increasing and now ballooning out of control. Because we live in a capitalistic society, resources, money and wealth all
Before Mayweather-Pacquiao, gritty boxing movies knocked us out! Remember when…
“He’s fast, but he can’t keep up with you, Charley. If you keep pouring it on, he’ll go down. I know he will…” Canada Lee, “Body and Soul” (1947) By Richard G. Carter James Earl Like millions of Americans, Jones in the I was transfixed watching movie, “The Floyd (Money) Mayweather Great White in his unanimous decision win over Manny Pacquiao in Hope.” last weekend’s mega-milliondollar-fight for the undisputed welterweight title. Floyd again proved that he is a master boxer.
As a long-time aficionado of “The Sweet Science,” I’ve been privileged over the years to interview some noted boxing champions here and in New York. Included were Charles “Sonny” Liston, Muhammad Ali, Floyd Patterson, Jose Torres and Gerald McClellan. I count Milwaukee’s Leroy Allen, the late Orville “Bubby” Pitts and promoter-extraordinaire Don King among my treasured friends. In addition, Pitts and King were my entertaining, outspoken guests on WNOV’s “CarterMcGee Report” in 1994-95. All that said, it’s worth recalling some of the gritty movies about boxing preceding the Mayweather-Pacquiao bout. Many pulled no punches in presenting the seamy, slice-of-life reality of big-time and small-time pugilism. Following are my favorite 14: “Body and Soul” (1947) -- John Garfield, Lili Palmer, Canada Lee and William Conrad at their acting peak. The climactic fight scene was filmed on roller skates by James Wong Howe, as the crowd goes completely silent. Lee was outstanding as an aging, Black ex-boxer who dies while training Garfield. “Champion” (1949) -- Kirk Douglas, Ruth Roman, Arthur Kennedy, Mar-
matter in determining how far you go as both an individual and as a group, and the Black community has very little. Since emancipation, the Black community hasn’t been a formidable foe in the economic race, given how we started and the fight for civil rights, while needed, distracted Blacks from doing what it must do to challenge the economics of America. Sure we had every right to focus our attention on addressing civil rights because having two laws (one for whites and one for Blacks) is absolutely not fair especially when the law is supposed to be colorblind. Unfortunately, when many of the civil rights gains were achieved, we went to sleep and took our eyes off the prize and now many of us chase social equity not realizing that social equity will never be achieved without economic equity (i.e. a dog that chases his tail). Blacks continue in the economic struggle because there is no slavery like economic slavery and there is no freedom like economic freedom. Now that we know that the real freedom that we need is economic freedom, how should we view justice. Let’s unpack justice and if applied correctly, what it would mean for the Black community today. Justice, in its broadest context is the attainment of that which is just underlying several perspectives (i.e. moral, law, equity, and fairness). What is fair and what is equitable? After emancipation, every American system was legally, morally, and physically blocked to Blacks in America. For the most part, from 1865 Blacks lived in
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ilyn Maxwell and Paul Stewart were astounding in this film classic. Nominated for six Academy Awards, including Douglas -- as doomed middleweight champ Midge Kelly -- and Kennedy, as his long-suffering, crippled brother. “The Set-Up” (1949) -- Inspired by Joseph Moncure March's narrative poem and filmed in real-time -- exposing the fight game’s sleazy underbelly. Robert Ryan is a washed-up pug whose pride refuses to let him take a dive in a meaningless under-card bout. Audrey Totter and James Edwards excel in supporting roles. Realism abounds. “The Joe Louis Story” (1953) -- Real life boxer Coley Wallace -- a remarkable Joe Louis look-alike -- played the legendary Brown Bomber to perfection. He was ably supported by fine Black actors, including Hilda Simms, John Marriott, Evelyn Ellis, Dots Johnson, P. Jay Sidney and James Edwards as Jack “Chappie“ Blackburn. “The Harder They Fall” (1956) -- Corruption reigned in Budd Schulberg’s take on Primo Carnera’s phony rise to heavyweight prominence in the 1930s -- and his merciless beating by Max Baer, who plays himself. Humphrey Bogart is an ex-sportswriter hyping the hoax, Rod Steiger a smarmy promoter and ex-champ Jersey Joe Walcott is a trainer. “Requiem for a Heavyweight” (1962) -- Anthony Quinn took the gritty role created by Jack Palance on live TV’s “Playhouse 90.” Also starring Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney and Julie Harris -- and a young Cassius Clay, later to become Muhammad Ali. “The Great White Hope” (1970) -The sensational race-based story of controversial Black heavyweight champ Jack Johnson (called Jack Jefferson in the movie). Bravura work by James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander earned Oscar nominations for each. “Fat City” (1972) -- John Huston’s look into the seedy world of second-rate boxers, with Stacy Keach as a broken-down pug. Wonderful support is provided by a young Jeff Bridges, Oscarnominated Susan Tyrrell and boxers Curtis Cokes and Sixto Rodriguez. “Raging Bull” (1980) -- Martin Scorsese’s homage to middleweight champ Jake LaMotta -- with Oscar winner Robert DeNiro physically transforming himself. Joe Pesci was great as DeNiro’s brother and Scorsese included lots of memorable Black doo-wop music. “Don King: Only in America” (1997) -- Ving Rhames’ uncanny performance as the flamboyant promoter magically recalled my interviews of King for the New York Daily News (1988) and on Milwaukee’s “Carter-McGee Report” (1994). Terrific insight into the slimy machinations of how, and why, major championship fights are arranged. “Rocky Marciano” (1999) -- Jon Favreau as the undefeated heavyweight king and George C. Scott as his father, are spot-on. Tony Lo Bianco is scary (continued on page 5)
RELIGION
The Milwaukee Community Journal May 6, 2015 Page 4
“A Change Is Gonna’ (Has To ) Come”
Will The Black Church Survive The Death of “Christendom” (Part I)
A Reorientation of the Black Church’s Mission By Rev. Derrick D. Rogers
Rev. Derrick D. Rogers
Christians in Milwaukee’s black community long to be faithful followers of our radical Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. However, many confide that they no longer find themselves able to fit into what they feel is a bland, unsavory straitjacket of a church that yearns to return to the days when “everybody” used to “go to church” and Christian black family values reigned. My brothers and sisters express a reluctance to remain in the safe modes of current church and they share a desire to live expansive, engaged Christian lives in this world without having to abandon themselves to the oppressive values of contemporary society. There are local black Christians who feel themselves prepared to jump the black church ship but don’t want to be left adrift in city and a world where white supremacy, consumerism, materialism, greed and apathy toss them about endlessly. These brothers and sisters live with the nagging tension of being at home neither in “the world” nor in the church as they, their parents, grandparents and ancestors knew it. In essence, it seems the church in our community is still hoping and praying that the ground will shift back and American society will once again embrace the values that it once
shared with the Christian community. If we are to ever truly transform our reality as a people, the black church must accept a critical realization that often goes unspoken: The epoch of history that shaped the contemporary church has suffered a near fatal crash. That epoch is known as the era of Christendom. “Christendom” is the name given to the religious culture that has dominated Western/American Society since the fourth century. Awakened by the Roman emperor Constantine, it was a cultural phenomenon that resulted when Christianity was established as the official imperial religion, moving it from being a marginalized, subversive, and persecuted movement to being the only official religion in the empire. Where as followers of Jesus at one time had met secretly in homes and underground catacombs, now they were given some of the finest temples and meeting places in the empire. By the middle ages, the coziness of church and state had become the pillar of western culture and Christendom had developed its own distinct identity. Christendom had become the metanarrative (the overarching story that claims to contain truth applicable to all people at all time in a culture) far an entire epoch. And although the Christendom story no longer defines western culture, it remains the primary definer of the self-understanding of the black church and all churches in general.
It is instructive for contemporary black Christians to know that the Christendom metanarrative defined not only the church and state but the individuals and social structures in its orbit of influence. Members of this society were assumed to be Christian by birth rather than by choice and Christianity became an official part of the established culture of the empire. The net effect over the entire Christendom epoch was that our beloved Christianity moved from being a dynamic, revolutionary, social and spiritual movement to being a static religious institution. Whether non-denominational, Missionary Baptist, C.O.G.I.C., Apostolic or otherwise, much of what our community’s Black Christians currently experience within the culture of the black church evolved within the era of Christendom. Taken as a sociopolitical reality, Christendom has been on the decline for the last 250 years –so much so that contemporary Western culture is new often referred to as “post-Christendom”. American society appears to be “over Christendom but ostensibly our black church as failed to grasp this reality and to evolve accordingly. In the black community we have continued to build churches and designed worship and mission for an era that has slipped from under us. Church attendance continues to decline in America and our urban areas and at best individual congregations have are encouraged to continue their
THE FAITH OF OUR MOTHERS
walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Just like young Timothy, children should first hear about God from the home. The following tips are provided to parents to help them develop traditions in the “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is home that place the family’s priority and attention on in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and the Lord: thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee • Make prayer a priority in your home. also.”-2 Timothy 1:5 • Teach your children songs about Jesus. Reading Acts 16:1 we learn that the Apostle Paul • Take your children to Sunday School each week and came to Derbe and Lystra and there was a disciple there then throughout the week talk to them about the Sunday named Timothy who was the son of a woman named School lesson. Eunice, who was a Jewess. Lois, • Talk frequently about Christ, the Timothy’s grandmother, appears to stories in the Bible about Christ and have been the first convert to Chriswhat Christ has done in your life tianity. She undoubtedly instructed and in the lives of others. These stoher daughter Eunice, and both ries of faith will encourage children brought up Timothy in the Christian of all ages. faith; so that he had a general • Make memorization of Scripknowledge of it before he met with tures a priority. Scripture memorizaPaul at Lystra. tion will help children in their It is evident that Lois and Eunice Christian walk. made loving God a priority in their • Read the Bible regularly to your lives and that is what they taught children; but be sure to read the young Timothy. Bible by yourself so that your chilAfter Timothy met Paul, it apdren can see you reading the Bible. pears the Apostle Paul was instruBeing a mother is a noble calling. mental in the conversion of Moms remember you have great inTimothy’s heart to God. fluence in the lives of your chilTimothy was brought up in the dren!! Just like young Timothy’s fear of the Lord which was truly a grandmother was also an example in blessing. Later, the religious instruchis life, let us not forget our beloved tions Timothy received from Paul By Rev. Judith T. Lester, grandmothers this Mother’s Day: was an advantage of infinite worth B.Min., M.Th. and value to Timothy’s ministry. While we honor all our mothers The faith that was in Timothy was first in his grandwith words of love and praise. mother and in his mother. They were an example of While we tell about their goodness faith to him. and their kind and loving ways. We s h o u l d a l s o t h i n k o f G r a n d m a , They taught him the Scripture. They prayed with him she's a mother too, you see.... and encouraged him to pray for himself and others. F o r she mothered my dear mother Mothers and grandmothers are still needed to spend as my mother mothers me. valuable time with their children and grandchildren -Author Unknown talking to them about God’s Word. Moses encouraged HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6:4-9: The writer does not assume responsibility in any way for “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and readers’ efforts to apply or utilize information or recommenwith all your soul and with all your strength. These dations made in these articles, as they may not be necessarily commandments that I give you today are to be on your appropriate for every situation to which they may refer. If you hearts. Impress them on your children. would like to contact Rev. Lester, write to her c/o P.O. Box Talk about them when you sit at home and when you 121, Brookfield, WI. 53008.
BIBLICAL COUNSELING FOR TODAY’S CHRISTIAN FAMILY
In Loving Memory
(continued on page 5) )
Ernestine O’Bee, Founder
Quality Service... a tenured tradition sincere concern at your time of need.
Offering pre-need, at need and after-care services to families in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and other communities throughout our state.
Rogers, Nancy M. Age 80 yrs. April 29, 2015. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 6 at 1PM. Visitation Wednesday 12 Noon until time of services at: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Northern, Naomi Age 82 yrs. April 30, 2015. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 5 at 1PM. Visitation Tuesday 12 Noon until time of services at;
Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Kearney, Moses M. Age 60 yrs. April 23, 2015. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 8 at 6PM at: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Smaglick, Donna L. Age 62 yrs. April 27, 2015. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 6 at 11AM. Visitation Wednesday 10AM until time of services at:
Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Hall, Claretha M. Age 85 yrs. April 26, 2015. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 5 at 11AM at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church 1717 W. Meinecke Ave. Visitation Tuesday 10AM at the CHURCH until time of services. The family is served by: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
J.C. Frazier, Funeral Director
Blanks, Roosevelt Jr. Age 76 yrs. April 28, 2015. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 6 at 11AM at Bethel Baptist Church 2030 W. North Ave. Visitation Wednesday 10AM at the Church until time of services. The family is served by: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Adams, Edward L. Age 54 yrs. April 28, 2015. Beloved father of Carmen Cadotte and Romond Jackson. Loving son of Bernice Adams. Brother of Johnny Adams, Dorothy Adams, Alice Adams, Debora Adams, Sondra(Rick)Barnett, Vincent (Valecia) Adams and Marcus(Sheila)Adams. Also survived by 3 grandchildren and a host of other loving relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 5 at 12 Noon at St. Paul Worship Center 2661 N. 53rd St. Visitation Tuesday 10AM at the CHURCH until time of services. The family is served by:
Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Green, Reginald S. Sr. Age 58 years. May 1, 2015. Beloved husband of Sharon (Walker) Green. Loving father of Perry II (Monique) Green, and Reginald Green Jr. Protective brother of Yvonne (Andrew) Hopgood, Valerie (Arthur) Lee, Anita (Samuel) Johnson, Rae Green, Shawn Green and Mary (Hoyt) Mahaley. Also survived by a host of other loving relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 8, 2015, 11AM at New Testament Church of Milwaukee, 10201 W. Bradley Rd. Milwaukee, WI. In state Friday 9AM at the CHURCH until time of services. The family is served by: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Families served by:
Northwest Funeral Chapel O’Bee, Ford & Frazier
Milwaukee 6630 W. Hampton Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53218 Telephone: (414) 462-6020 Fax: (414) 462-9937
Racine 800 Barker St. Racine, WI 53402 Telephone: (262) 637-6400 Fax: (262) 637-6416
Will The Black Church REMEMBER WHEN... Survive The Death of “Christendom” (Part I)
(continued from page 4) practice of corporate worship. During the Christendom era the church confused the gospel with Western culture far too much. Rather than be sent out (missional), it called people to come in. Rather than disciple Christ-like change agents, it developed powerful institutions. Rather yielding to the spirit, it yielded to neo-liberal, capitalistic, and militaristic forces. As a result, the church (including the black church) is experiencing a sharp and dramatic deterioration in its actual influence and impact on Western society and black community. Juxtaposition of Christendom and post-Christendom realities could serve as critical revelation for the black church in the Milwaukee community and may assist in the orientation of church mission: • During Christendom, the Christian’s story and churches were central, but in post Christendom they are marginalized. • During Christendom, Christians enjoyed many “privileges”, but in post-Christendom, we are merely one community among many communities in a pluralistic society. • During Christendom, Christians felt at home in our American culture shaped by the Christian metanarrative, but in post-Christendom we are aliens, exiles, and pilgrims in a culture where we no longer feel at home. Many in our beloved black church would maintain that this entire dynamic is a secularized “trick of the enemy” and a sign of the “end times”. However, I personally welcome the transition that is occurring. Christendom originated as a result of the unfortunate marriage of empire to faith in the 4th century and has been perpetuated by our church ever since. For me, the good news is that the death of Christendom (Post-Christendom) removes the final props that supported a passive, mainstream version of Christianity. This was an expression of Christianity highlighted by a “feel good Sunday Christian” phenomenon where regular church attendance appears to have very little effect on the values, priorities, or lifestyles black folk express Monday to Saturday. This version was a facade, a way for folks in the church to either be narcotized into non-agency or appear to be fine, prosperous citizens without allowing the true claims and teaching of Jesus to bite meaningfully in everyday life. In this new post Christendom era Christians are placed on the margins, the black church will be concussed out of complacency. We should be compelled to rediscover church as it was intended: a radical subversive, compassionate, liberating community on a mission for Jesus.
“Awakened by the Roman emperor Constantine, Christendom was a cultural phenomenon that resulted when Christianity was established as the official imperial religion, moving it from being a marginalized, subversive, and persecuted movement to being the only official religion in the empire.”
(continued from page 3) as gangster Frankie Carbo and Duane Davis makes viewers cry as the great Joe Louis -- who Marciano KO’d. “Undisputed” (2002) -- Bullying, massive heavyweight champion Ving Rhames is sent to prison for rape. He squares-off in a big-money bout with smaller, muscled-up prison champ Wesley Snipes
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Week 2015 kicks off this weekend
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Week, which was officially designated as a city event in legislation sponsored by Ald. Milele A. Coggs in 2013, kicks off this weekend. "The month of May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and here in Milwaukee we take great pride in setting the standard for American motorcycle culture," Alderwoman Coggs said. "That standard includes making sure individual riders are using defensive and safe riding techniques, but it also requires the attention of every motorist on the road." The legislation establishing the event was approved following the death of Vinencia Dawson, who was killed in a motorcycle crash on June 30, 2013. Family and friends of Ms. Dawson testified before a Council committee and were in attendance at the Common Council meeting when it was adopted. The Dawson family will be honored (along with Alderwoman Coggs) during the “Brewtown Rumble at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 17 at The Brewery (former Pabst Brewing Co. complex). The city's official designation for the event runs from Monday, May 4 through Friday, May 8, but local organizers have so far scheduled events that will take place on SATURDAY, · SAFETY DAY will be held at Southeast Sales (Honda-Kawasaki-KTM), 6930 N. 76th St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. · BIKE BLESSING – Kingdom Warriors Riders for Christ, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 1170 W. Windlake Ave. (Desatar Ministry). Both events are open to the public.
IMPORTANT NOTICE!...
Effective Monday, May 18, 2015, our new office location will be: Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, Inc. 728 N. James Lovell Street3rd Floor, North Suite, Milwaukee, WI 53233 Please note that all phone numbers will remain unchanged.
The Milwaukee Community Journal May 6, 2015 Page 5
-- a convicted murderer. Brutal and unforgiving. “Cinderella Man” (2005) -- The brooding Russell Crowe is fine as late-blooming, 1930s heavyweight champ, James J. Braddock -- a struggling dock worker during the Depression. Supported by Paul Giammati, as his trainer-manager, and Rene Zellweger. “Phantom Punch” (2009) -- This searing, truelife tale is named for Muhammad Ali’s love-tap that “knocked out” fearsome, ill-fated heavyweight
king Charles “Sonny” Liston in 1965. The Brawny Ving Rhames, as Liston -- whom I interviewed in 1962 for the weekly Milwaukee Star -- effectively brought him back to life. As a lifelong boxing fan, my sentiments were echoed in 1949’s “Champion” by Paul Stewart.” To wit: “I can’t help myself. I just like to see a couple of good boys in action.” Milwaukee native Richard G. Carter is a freelance columnist
Y&E
The Milwaukee Community Journal May 6, 2015 Page 6
YOUTH&EDUCATION
Eighth grade Social Studies students from Universal Academy for the College Bound (UACB) /Renaissance Campus (formerly Webster Middle School) got a first hand taste in exericising their civic duty recently as they staged a peaceful demonstration/march outside on the Academy grounds. The demonstration focused on the recent surge in violence in Milwaukee’s streets. The protest was complete with appropriate signs and chants, media attention, and help from community leaders. The students were joined by Rahim Islam (in overcoat and cap wearing sunglasses) President/CEO of Universal Companies, the parent company of UACB. Next to Islam is Chris Conley, the eighth grade Social Studies teacher who devised the idea of the demonstration as a lesson in peaceful protest, demonstrations and freedom of speech. Four students who participated in the demonstration also appeared on Rahim’s WNOV 860 AM radio show. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
Dr. Driver helps kick off Teacher Appreciation Week in Milwaukee Public Schools
As Milwaukee Public Schools marked the start of Teacher Appreciation Week, Superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver visited Craig Montessori School Monday to deliver her message of appreciation in person. Dr. Driver, who began her career as an elementary school teacher, spoke with staff at their regular meeting before the school day starts. She also visited classrooms and encouraged students to thank the educators who make a difference in their lives. The event was one of a number of Teacher Appreciation Week events around the district, including video and email messages from Dr. Driver for all schools, certificates of appreciation for every teacher and digital billboards courtesy of Lamar Advertising and Clear Channel. Activities at the school level include sharing area discounts and promotions that MPS has arranged with local retailers and cultural organizations, "Thank A Teacher" signs to be shared for use by students and families, and Tumblr MPS Sup. Darienne Driver shakes the hand of a teacher at Craig postings by students and families.--Article courMontessori School after she delivered a speech in recognition tesy of Tony Tagliavia of MPS of Teacher Appreciation Week in the district’s schools.
MPS Senior Alethia Tilfor one of two state students named Presidential Scholars
(continued from page 1) Since its inception, the program has recognized almost 7,000 of the nation’s top-performing students. Candidates were invited to complete an application that includes essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports and transcripts and an independent national committee of educators selected the semifinalists. The 2015 Presidential Scholars were chosen from a pool of candidates determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by Chief State School Officers or the National YoungArts Foundation's nationwide
YoungArts competition. Candidates were evaluated on the basis of their academic success, essays, artistic excellence, community service, leadership skills, and commitment to high ideals. Members of the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars made the final selection of Presidential Scholars. The 51st class of U.S. Presidential Scholars is comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 at-large recipients and 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
Concordia University of Wisconsin ranks in the top 50 by Best Colleges Online
MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin was recently ranked by Best Colleges Online in their article titled 50 Most Affordable Online Colleges with High Graduation Rates 2015. In the article, Concordia was ranked as the 49th best online college in the nation for affordable degrees and high graduation rates. “We are delighted for this recognition because it signifies our firm commitment to student success,” said Bernard Bull, assistant vice president of Academics for Continuing and Distance Education. “That involves providing an affordable, high-impact education and supporting students from the moment we meet them to graduation and beyond.” According to Joy Warner, editor of Best Colleges Online, their website is designed to provide high quality, well-researched information to students who are looking to choose among the best online education programs. For this particular article, colleges were ranked by accreditation information, graduation rates, and net prices to determine the most affordable and successful schools. For more information on Concordia’s online programs and learning opportunities, visit http://online.cuw.edu/. Founded in 1881, Concordia University Wisconsin’s main campus is located on 200 acres of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline at 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon. The University and its 10 educational centers and classroom locations are home to 8,161 undergraduate and graduate, traditional, as well as non-traditional
students from 46 states and 28 foreign countries. The University offers more than 70 undergraduate majors, 14 master’s degree programs, and doctoral degrees in Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, and Nursing Practice. The University also offers a variety of adult learning opportunities. The University is affiliated with
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and is a member of the Concordia University System, a nationwide network of colleges and universities. For more information on Concordia University Wisconsin, contact the University at (262) 243-4300 or visit their website at www.cuw.edu.
KALEIDOSCOPE the MCJ lifestyle & entertainment section
Officials, students gather in support of “Denim Day”
City, school, and health officials and students came together Wednesday, April 19 to kick-off “Denim Day” in Milwaukee. “Denim Day” is an international observance that supports survivors of sexual assualt and challenge misconceptions that surround assualt. This years Denim Day Milwaukee was co-chaired by Mayor Tom Barrett and MPS Superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver. This year, the focus was on youth and sexual assualt awareness. Pictured above are participants in the news conference held in the rotunda at City Hall (left to right): Erin Perkins of the Milwaukee Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assualt; Rose Hennessy of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assualt; Julie Rothwell, United Way; Ruth Tucker, American Indian Task Force; Mayor Barrett, Travon Haynes, a junior at Vincent High School; Mark Huber, Aurora Health; Joych Gillum, a senior at Bradley Tech; Ald. and Common Council President Michael Murphy, Sup. Driver, Dr. Mary Esser of MPS, Bevan Baker, City of Milwaukee Health commissioner; and City Treasurer Spencer Coggs. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp) Sonya Bowman
Zelda Corona
Tara Pulley
Sister Speak!...
Speak Lord!
AWAKENING A powerful shift is taking place in the world today. It’s been happening gradually but the pace has accelerated. You feel it and you know it, but some
of us want to remain asleep and act as if we don’t know. We need to start remembering who we are and whose we are. We must now awaken and start the craft of our work, which is why we were put here in the first place. This earth and all its folly… this materialistic life… is but a blink of the eye as time holds no relativity for God. You see… a blink of His eye could be the span of seven years. Let us awaken from this deep earth
sleep and rise up into our mission to educate those not enlightened to Him and the life of the hereafter. I am calling out to star children and light workers alike. The time has arrived to heal the world with our gifts. Obedience is a must for us because we know who we are. Sonya M. Bowman “It Is What It Is”
FAITH DICTATES TIMING We can become blind to our purpose because we are afraid of failure. We are fearful of losing and we are uncomfortable with the emotion that defeat brings. What if I told you that the demise of your current existence today, will bring new birth tomorrow – Victory, Power and Joy? All we need to remember is His word. In Mathew 24:20 God said I am with you always! Hebrews 13:5 He declared that He will never leave you!
Death could not hold Jesus down. God spoke, and his word is bond – All we have to do is believe in His word by trusting Him, knowing that He never fails, and understanding that He may not come when you what Him, but He is always right on time. Zelda Corona Vision Represents Faith! NEW BEGINNING April showers bring May flowers...this is a New Beginning
Spring brings the colorful rainbows in the sky…this is a New Beginning Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection of God... His is a New Beginning
Clearing the clutter in our lives...this is a New Beginning
Believing and having faith in God...this is a New Beginning New Beginning… let's think about it. Tara R Pulley Keeping It Real
The Milwaukee Community Journal May 6, 2015 Page 7
The School System:
The Milwaukee Community Journal May 6, 2015 Page 8
Old School, New School, True School (continued from page 1)
dence has consistently shown us that the amount of information lost over the summer vacation is a lost we do need to accept or continue. What business continues a practice that they know will create a preventable lost? • We need to rebuild the parent-school relationship. Every successful school has a successful parent base. The child has to understand that this dyad is working in unison. Communication at parent conferences and electronic devices are good, but not enough to build an authentic relationship. • The psychology community cannot define what intelligence is, but yet we allow schools to narrow it down to a single academic entity. We must think beyond the three R’s. We must understand that all students are gifted and smart; and, it is our job to allow that creativity to grow and flourish. Every school does not need desks and chalkboards. Let’s fit the students and not make them fit our system. • We need to give academic credit for sports. Sports is not an extra-curricular activity. It is an advanced version of gym—and we do give grades for gym. We remove sports from children who do not do well academically; but, that makes as much sense as removing a math class from someone who does not read well. According to Dr. Howard Gardner, a proponent of multiple intelligences, states athletic ability is a form of kinesthetic intelligence. • In the same tenor, it is educational heresy to not have the full spectrum of “the arts” in every school. • When it comes to Pre-Service programs, we need to actively recruit and retain students of color into the educational profession. • Secondly, we need to make sure that all teachers can relate to their students, regardless of gender, race, SES or any other separating demographic. Educators must understand the dynamics of love and caring, just as much as curriculum and instruction. • Lastly, we must give real emotional and financial resources to those who work in the field, so they will remain in the field and remain working in a high capacity. • Other professionals should be allowed to teach specific subjects in their area of expertise. They can be paid as adjuncts or their time can be donated by their company. • Every high school student should be given the opportunity to earn credits in a work environment outside of the school building. • The axiom is true, we are what we eat. Therefore, the schools must revisit the dietary needs of the students. The FDA should be ashamed and embarrassed about what is allowed in our schools and supermarkets. • At least one state school should be totally free for any student who wants to continue their education beyond high school. • Politicians (or their assistant) need to visit every school in their jurisdiction. Family, this is not an exhaustive list by far. The old school system—in parts-- may work for some, where the new school will always want to be cutting edge and on the precipice of something revolutionary. At the end of the day, we need a system that appreciates and inspires the genius in the mind of all of our students. It’s not about hating the old school or fearing the new school, it’s just about being real and down with the true school! We don’t just want to not leave students behind, we want to push all learners ahead! Ashe. Selah. The BLAQUESMITH
Give the People What They Want; We Want Freedom, Justice and Equality: Part 2
(continued from page 3) segregated and contained areas where they experienced extreme levels of racism. Blacks were denied equal access to the multitude of American systems offered to whites. Today Blacks suffer from institutional racism and structural racism. Although there were no physical walls built to contain Black people, the extreme racial pressures of forced segregation were enough to further economically weaken an already economic weak group. I wrote several articles on urban renewal and urban removal and one of the key points that I try to make is that the foundation for this phenomenon is the lack of real estate ownership. Going back nearly 100 years, Blacks didn’t own much of the homes that they resided in and there were a number of orchestrated efforts to restrict wealth creation via real estate. There was the overwhelming loan rejections (Blacks were not able to get mortgages). There was the overwhelming number of canceled insurance policies (Blacks were not able to get homeowner’s insurance a requisite for a mortgage). If justice was real for Black people – this wouldn’t be happening. Is this fair? Is this moral? Is this justice? Having a job that pays a living wage and includes benefits has been
the cornerstone for wealth creation in America. If that cornerstone is compromised, reduced, and/or removed, it fundamentally economically cripples the stabilization of the family, which is needed to promote and support the growth of its children. If you ask most successful entrepreneurs who and what they attribute their success to most will say their parents. This usually means family structure that is supported by economic stability (job). Like previous times, Black men between 18 and 35 (husband age) are experiencing unemployment at astronomical levels (i.e. 30-50 percent). In Philadelphia, I remember the fight for getting Blacks in government jobs (i.e. police, fire fighters, teachers, etc.). This is not some foreign concept especially when you consider that Blacks contribute to the resources (pay taxes) but weren’t represented. Why should these be fights in a “free” society? Why is it that Blacks
are still the “last hired and the first fired.” Blacks, for the most part, occupied the remedial and entry level jobs and most, if not all of the management jobs were orchestrated to have only whites. The professional positions were absolutely skewed to if not eliminate Black’s having the opportunity or at least minimize their role and participation. One of the greatest architects, Julian Able, had to have his works registered under a white architect. We have countless stories of writers and composers, inventors, etc. Even American sports weren’t integrated until the 1950’s and 1960’s – prior to that, owners refused to hire Blacks. This was across every business sector and even today, you find it very hard to see meaningful Black representation in the CEO suite of big business. We all recognize the racist system that was in place pre-1960 that ac-
counted for most of these atrocious outcomes but let’s look today. If you take the top 5,000 corporations with each having 10 key managers and decision makers you will have 50,000 positions – Blacks make up approximately 0.5 percent (EST 250). What system is in place today that is producing these types of numbers? I say injustice is prevalent that is guided and molded by what has built America – racism. The fact of the matter is that justice in every system has been elusive and remains so today. Is this fair? Is this moral? Is this justice? Many say that Blacks should create businesses and hire their own people. During segregation, when Blacks did respond to the economic boycotts that were being waged against them by white American institutions, they opened and operated their own businesses. During segregation, Blacks had movie theaters, banks, insurance (continued from page 9)
The Sports Page
PHOTO OP
BUCKS FALL SHORT OF HISTORY AND ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFFS BY BULLS
PHOTOS BY BILL TENNESSEN AND KIM ROBINSON
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GivethePeople What They Want, Part 2
The Milwaukee Community Journal May 6, 2015 Page 9
(continued from page 8) companies, food markets, radio stations and newspapers, and many other businesses that supplied the needs of the community. In fact, a few weeks ago I came across a businessman who operated his own Black airlines in the 1940’s and 1950’s with 100 flights weekly. However, all these businesses need capital . This is a process, and where you start matters. That wasn’t enough that Black entrepreneurs were under-capitalized (Blacks had/have no meaningful wealth a requirement for capital), they also suffered from the injustices of having two sets of criteria for participating in business – for Black people, the threshold for underwriting were nearly impossible to meet. Even today, the bank underwriting criteria is different for Blacks and whites (its outward appearance is fair but its internal operations are lethal). These injustices were carried out for no other reason but that the owners, caretakers and managers of these institutions were following the wishes of racist. Is this fair? Is this moral? Is this justice? Also during this segregation, education was hijacked and underfunded causing a long and constant fight for justice in the education system. In fact, I hear people say that the new civil rights are education which I disagree - civil rights will always be about economic rights. The fact of the matter is that, every aspect of education has been a fight. The business side of education (i.e. contracted services, teachers, administrators, etc.) to the delivery of education content (i.e. rites of passage, Black history, Black Infusion, Black culture, etc.). In addition for many municipalities, funding for public education was based on real estate taxes and real estate values. So if the values were low in your area you had less to work with than those who lived in areas where the real estate values were high (we’ve written extensively how racist and discrimination policies have artificially kept real estate values down). Black schools couldn’t compete with white schools because they fundamentally had more resources. The education opportunity gap can be seen in the “prison” like high rise buildings that sometimes housed 1500 – 3000 students in the inner city for Black children versus sprawling campuses well groom campuses with all of the physical amenities (i.e. gyms, recreational fields, performing arts, auditoriums, etc.) that would have 1000 students. Whites who never relocated to the suburbs in lived in the urban cities but in primarily white neighborhoods that were not part of the economic campaigned waged against the Black community; therefore, these cities had to offer “public” education to their children by creating “special admit” and magnet schools that students got in because their parents were politically connected and/or their children tested above other children – this inequity can also be seen in what some term has the significant advantage that wealthier children have over children born into poverty starting with birth through early childhood education. In addition, whites that live in these cities also can afford to send their children to private schools that bypass altogether public education. Black children have always been treated unfairly in the education system. Is this fair? Is this moral? Is this justice? If you examine the judicial system you’ll find glaring inadequacies that plague us today. We’ve had a court and police system that never protected Black people primarily from white racist aimed at harming and/or killing us .Today we’ve adopted terms like “Black lives matters.” Why? For too long Black lives haven’t matter. It didn’t matter to the tens of thousands of Black men that were hung in public. It didn’t matter when entire Black towns were pillaged and destroyed by white racists. It didn’t matter when white police would kill our Black youth and the court systems would defend their actions. Many of these people were judges, police officers in the day and KKK members at night. The judicial system has created an environment and culture that even today, Blacks don’t trust the police. I remember my first arrest the officer beat me to a pulp – when I got before the judge I was charged with resisting arrest and assault and battery against an officer. That was my first wakeup call that the world wasn’t fair. How many Black men have experience this – tens of thousands. How much police abuse, and the ultimate protection by the courts, has been waged against the Black community by historically white police officers. It’s not hard to understand the “no snitch” code that exists in the Black community when it comes to the police. It’s not that the Black community is dumb or stupid – it’s been years and years of abuse by the hands of White police that is in Black people’s psyche today. Even when clear evidence is shown like in the Rodney King case, these White officers are found to be innocent and they become heroes in the police brotherhood. Today, there have been 10-14 high profile murders of unarmed Black youth by white police officers and only one has been charged with a crime. The abuse and racism is not only on the criminal side of the judicial system. From the arrest, prosecution, sentencing, imprisonment, execution, and the re-entry loaded with built-in racism that makes achieving justice literally impossible for Black people, especially Black men. I haven’t discussed family court and the injustices that are carried out daily against Black children, mothers, and families. All of these issues and more undermined the economic viability of the Black community. Is this fair? Is this moral? Is this justice? Many of the above injustices that are being conducted by institutions have Black people in them and even leading them. That doesn’t change anything. Like all institutions, they become self-protecting and are driven by the majority and our historical past. Many of the injustices have the same sting yet we say that things have changed. I contend that the people have changed but the systems, the institutions have not. The legacy of the American institution of slavery is alive and thriving through many other institutions. America was built on slavery and brutality against Black people – that’s why today, freedom justice and equality for Black people is so elusive. It’s clear that Blacks don’t have freedom (economic freedom) and justice (structural racism) and next week I will address the issue of equality. 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. Follow Rahim Islam on FaceBook(Rahim Islam) & Twitter (@RahimIslamUC)
The Milwaukee Community Journal May 6, 2015 Page 10