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Gigantic Insult? Towering Tribute? Neighbors have a chance to have a say By Gregory Flannery Editor
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im Tarbell has always loved Over-the-Rhine – its architecture, its history and especially its economic potential. Open to question is whether he loves the people – many of them poor, many of them African-American, some of them homeless – who live in Over-the-Rhine. An ardent foe of the Drop Inn Center and its founder, Buddy Gray, who was assassinated in 1996, Tarbell was seen by many residents as an advocate of gentrification – that is, pushing poor people out of the neighborhood to make room for moneyed interests. Now ArtWorks, a non-profit arts organization, has either graced or defaced the neighborhood with a huge mural depicting the former member of Cincinnati City Council. The mural, on the side of a building at Vine Street and Central Parkway, shows Tarbell in his Mr. Peanut costume, tipping a top hat. Residents of the neighborhood weren’t asked their opinions before ArtWorks painted the mural, an inescapable sight – or blight – at a key entry point. But now several groups are trying to gauge community opinion. Readers can fill in the cartoon balloon in the photo above to give their opinions. What would you imagine Tarbell saying to the people of Overthe-Rhine? This is a joint community engagement project of students from Miami University, Northern Kentucky University and Streetvibes to ascertain how people make sense of the mural at Vine and Central Parkway. Fill in the balloon and mail it to Streetvibes, 117 E. 12th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. We’ll publish some of the more interesting responses. Please keep the comments political; personal attacks won’t be printed.
Fill in the bubble and send it back to us at 117 E. 12th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. Photo by Michael Haddy.
Dead Men Walking in Ohio Sister Helen Prejean continues to fight capital punishment By Paul Kopp Contributing Writer
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ost debates about capital punishment are narrowed to a choice between an approach from either the Old Testament or the New Testament: Do we take an eye for an eye or turn the other cheek? Last month Sister Helen Prejean, a notable advocate for the abolition of the death penalty spoke at Xavier University. Prejean is best known for her book, Dead Man Walking, which inspired the Oscar-winning film of the same name. The book was an account of her experience in Louisiana as spiritual advisor to Death Row inmate Elmo Patrick Sonnier, whom she accompanied to his execution in the electric chair in 1984. Prejean, 70, is a Roman Catholic sister of the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille. She began her work with Death Row inmates in 1981. She is now working for the Death Penalty Discourse Network in New Orleans, and travels the
Like Ohio, California poisons condemned prisoners. Shown here is the death chamber at San Quentin Prison. Photo by REUTERS/Ho New. world meeting with prisoners and speaking out against capital punishment. She talks about her intimate experiences dealing with Death Row inmates and
their families, as well as the families of murder victims, in the hope of further-
See Ohio, p. 7
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The Vibe
By The Numbers
10
the percent of an office’s earnings that David W. made in commission before becoming homeless (see page 10).
5
the number of exhibits hosted by Art Beyond Boundaries each year (see page 12).
15
the size of the first class held by Women Writing for (a) Change (see page 16).
10.9
the number of infants per 1,000 who die in Hamilton County before their first birthday (see page 6).
6.7
the number of infants per 1,000 who die in the United States before their first birthday (see page 6).
32
the number of people executed by the state of Ohio since 1999 (see page 1).
23
the number of years the Rev. Mark Schmieder worked as a prison chaplain (see page 5).
12.9
the percentage of unemployment in Middletown (see page 13).
15
the number of years after Gene Mays’s drug conviction that he was still denied a city job (see page 4).
1973
the year Mike returned from the Vietnam War (see page 11).
StreetWise By Gregory Flannery Editor
Plodding Along – the Democratic Way Election Day is Nov. 3. State and local ballot issues could lead to the official sanctioning of casino gambling, closing libraries, promoting the growth of factory farming and cutting support for programs that help people who have mental retardation. It’s true: Letting citizens vote is a risky business. That’s what seems to be the point of the effort by Cincinnatians for Progress to defeat Issue 9. The proposed city charter amendment would require voters’ approval of rail projects funded by the city of Cincinnati, including the Streetcars That Will Save Our City. That’s a $200 million plan to build some six miles of a streetcar line from downtown to Clifton. Cincinnatians for Progress argues that requiring voter approval would impede progress. Progress, mind you, is streetcars – an outdated, though quaint, mode of transportation that Cincinnati abandoned 58 years ago. Skepticism – and citizens’ consent – is exactly what is called for. Distrust any organization and especially any politician who tells you that referendums are a bad idea.
City Won’t Freeze Out Homeless People The city of Cincinnati’s Cold Shelter will stay open this winter, thanks to intense lobbying by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and a grant of $12,000 from Duke Energy. The shelter, housed at the Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center, opens when the temperature drops to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Last year the shelter opened on the 23 coldest nights of the winter. Anywhere from 75 to 140 people used the shelter each of those nights, according to Josh Spring, executive director of the Homeless Coalition. The operation cost $10 million last year. The cold shelter’s continued operation is good news – a lifesaver, Spring says. Of course, the bad news is that the city considered closing it at all. That kind of thinking is part of a larger struggle to preserve social-services funding by the city of Cincinnati, a perennial battle for agencies that provide essential services to the most vulnerable people in our midst. The Homeless Coalition and its supporters attended city council’s Finance Committee hearing Oct. 26, the beginning of yet another round by council members who want to cut human-services funding to better pay for streetcars and other foolishness portrayed as economic development. That’s why the Homeless Coalition hopes to soon ask voters to pass a charter amendment that would set aside 1.5 percent of the city’s general fund for human services. Now that would be progress for Cincinnati.
Tell the Governor to Stop The botched execution of Romell Brown – the inmate who was poked with needles for two hours in a futile effort to poison him – has highlighted the cruelty of capital punishment (see story on page 1). The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio is calling on everyone who supports an end to this madness to call on Gov. Ted Strickland to declare a moratorium on executions in the state. Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a candidate for the U.S. Senate endorses the moratorium. Contact Strickland at (614) 466-3555, or governor.info@governor. ohio.gov and tell him, “Ohio’s death-penalty system is fundamentally broken. Please put a halt to all executions now.”
Good News in Health Care As conservatives and insurance companies once more block meaningful reform in health care in the United States – and Democrats once more blow another golden opportunity to provide universal access to health care – it’s worth remembering that important efforts by local individuals and organizations are making a difference. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has given Hugh “Trey” Daly III, a senior attorney who focuses on health care issues at the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, its Community Health Leaders Award. He is one of 10 Americans who received the honor for 2009 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Daly has worked to ensure that thousands of low-income and sick people living in southwest Ohio have access to health care, especially under the Medicaid program. He brokered an agreement to use local government funds to provide as many as 60,000 low-income individuals with discounted hospital care. His efforts have also prompted local hospitals to end abusive and aggressive debt-collection practices against patients who cannot afford to pay. “Our overarching mission at Legal Aid is to help people get out of poverty, and having inadequate health care helps to keep people mired in poverty,” Daly says. The Center for Respite Care, founded in 2003 to provide quality medical care to homeless people who need a safe place to heal and assistance in breaking the cycle of homelessness, has received a $140,000 commitment from University Hospital for this year. The Center for Respite Care provides services to those who are homeless and sick with nowhere else to recover from illness, injury or hospitalization. Having a warm bed, three meals a day, nursing care and transportation to medical appointments greatly reduces repeat hospitalizations and emergencyroom visits. A stay at the Center allows these men and women to heal rather than to get sicker. At the same time, the Center for Respite Care works to help clients deal with the root causes of their homelessness. Over 75 percent of clients are discharged to permanent housing or a treatment program, not back to the streets or shelters.
STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by people who are or once were homeless, in exchange for a $1 donation, Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Address: 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513.421.7803 x 12 Fax: 513.421.7813 Email: streetvibes2@ yahoo.com Website: www. cincihomeless.org Blog: streetvibes. wordpress.com Streetvibes Staff Editor Gregory Flannery Art Director Lynne Ausman Vendor Coordinator Jeni Jenkins Contributing Writers Lew Moores, Valerie Fessler, Margo Pierce, Paul Kopp, Jeremy Flannery, Michael Henson, David Heitfield, Kelissa Hieber, Dan Rozier, Stephanie Dunlap, Saad Ghosn, Keara Anita Mullen, Ariana Shahandeh, Larry Gross, Nicholas Hoesl, Mark Payne Photography/Artwork Aimie Willhoite, Lynne Ausman, Jeni Jenkins, Anthony Williams, Berta Lambert, Clarissa Peppers Proofreaders Jennifer Blalock Lynn Baker The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati through coordination of services, public education, grassroots advocacy and Streetvibes. We are members of:
STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009
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Br e a ki ng a Ta b o o Giving hope to Hispanic victims of domestic violence
By Margo Pierce Contributing Writer
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heir grandmothers were battered. They watched their mothers being hit by their fathers. So many Latinas – women of Hispanic descent – see domestic violence as a part of marriage, according to Lorena Mora-Mowry. An activist in Cincinnati’s Hispanic community and a journalist who regularly reports on domestic-violence issues for local papers, Mora-Mowry is on a mission to educate women about what she calls the “solution to the problem of domestic violence.” “Domestic violence is not only a Latina issue. It’s an issue that all homes in the United States and the world are facing,” she says. “As a woman, I want to tell them we have to take control and find solutions. “The solution is to educate yourself about what is available. There is always a solution to a problem. The Latinas of today are connecting and educating ourselves more, and we want to take advantage of all the services and resources that are available to make our lives better. That’s important for all of us.” As part of an ongoing public-awareness campaign surrounding isIt can be particularly sues related to domestic difficult for Hispanic women to acknowledge violence in the Hispanic and talk about domestic community, the YWCA and Alliance for Immiviolence with family and friends because of grant Women (AIW) will entrenched cultural and present a screening of Domestic Violence in the religious beliefs. Hispanic Community. The film examines “the problem of domestic violence and the community resources available to those who have been affected by it.” Mora-Mowry appears in the video, speaking in support of Latinas struggling in relationships with violent men. “Because I’ve been involved in the community so long, (people) know me and respect me. My articles appear in the local newspapers,” she says. “So if I would be supporting a cause, I need to be giving my opinion about why we have to find solutions to a problem. “Before I’m a journalist, I’m a Latina. I have a sense of helplessness when I see a lot of women that suffer domestic violence, and I will do my best to connect them to resources. They need to understand … (that) they have control of their lives.” It can be particularly difficult for Hispanic women to acknowledge and talk about domestic violence with family and friends because of entrenched cultural and religious beliefs. Marriage is for life, and a woman is supposed to take the bad with the good. Family, above all else, is the most important thing; to even consider breaking up a family, let alone ending a marriage, is taboo. “We value family but we have to understand that our children cannot continue this cycle of violence,” Mora-Mowry says. “We need to understand what it means to be in power and in control. If in a relationship … somebody is controlling too much, it’s abuse – physical abuse, sexual abuse.
Lorena Mora-Mowry says Latinas must confront domestic violence in their community. Photo courtesy of Lorena Mora-Mowry.
“They’re afraid to even talk with their family because the family (will) pressure them, ‘No, it’s OK. Men are like that. My grandmother was like that. My mother suffered like that.’ “(Violence) is a behavior that (men) learn, so we can change it. We can create this awareness that it’s possible to change your life. Also, it’s important to eliminate the taboo that there is no solution in the marriage. That’s the most difficult challenge … to see that there’s always a (way) to find solutions.” In addition to her Web site, www.mujerlatinatoday.com, a vehicle she uses to develop awareness about domestic violence, MoraMowry collaborated with the AIW and others at the beginning of this campaign to find ways to reach Latina women who weren’t being effectively served. “There’s a lot of resources available in the United States … available locally, nationally but usually the brochure is just a translation of something that is already in English,” she says. “People, they don’t read it, they don’t just pick it up at the community-based organization or the doctor but they never read it. “This opportunity to create an awareness campaign about the resources and services available for the Latina and Hispanics about domestic violence was wonderful. We picked up all the brochures about domestic violence locally, nationally, state-wide; and we did focus groups with Latinas from the Greater Cincinnati area – Latinas from Mexico, Guatemala, South America, Bolivia, Peru.” The result was feedback on culturally relevant language, situational examples, pictures and other elements of the materials that Latinas could connect with and relate
to. Brochures, posters, newspaper advertisements, radio spots and pre-printed grocery store bags have been educating Cincinnati’s Hispanic community about domestic violence. “What we decided with the brochure was to create (a list of) the good and the bad of a relationship,” Mora-Mowry says. Another critical point communicated in all the materials is that victims of domestic violence are not alone and therefore don’t have to continue to suffer in silence. “As Latinas, we suffer a lot of isolation and depression and a low self-esteem and that is easy for us to be a target for domestic violence. We don’t have the support of the families to feel that we can survive, that we can go and take the next step,” Mora-Mowry says. “When they decide to take the chance, to take the opportunity to make a plan, they (are) not alone. We are Latinas and we are Americans, too, and we want to create something better for our children. We are voiceless in Cincinnati. We need to be heard. “I will continue to write about domestic violence because it’s something we face every single day. Domestic violence exists – not only in the Latino community. Domestic violence exists in all the communities – white, African-American, Latino. The Latinas are taking control, want to learn and want to connect and educate themselves to find solutions; and thanks to the YWCA, the public awareness campaign is … helping us.” Domestic Violence in the Hispanic Community, in Spanish with English subtitles, will be screened at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5 in Room 118 at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Parking is available in the Deaconess Hospital garage. A panel discussion follows the premier.
Many people work hard to make a difference for the less privileged in the Queen City. “Eight Minutes” is an opportunity to learn who those people are and what motivates them to be a positive influence.
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Local News
STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009
Importance of a Second Chance County urges city to drop ban on hiring former felons
By Keara Anita Mullen Contributing Writer
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he Hamilton County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution Sept. 9 that states, “It is the policy of Hamilton County that individuals who have paid their debt to society and who are rehabilitated should be afforded every opportunity to become assimilated back into the community as responsible and productive members of society.” The resolution was drafted with the assistance of the Ohio Justice & Policy Center (OJPC), which hailed its passage as a “victory for rehabilitated people with old criminal records.” OJPC has been working on this issue since 2007, calling for an end to the city of Cincinnati’s blanket and seemingly arbitrary ban on hiring former felony offenders. The effort began as a lawsuit on behalf of Gene Mays, who was denied employment “It is the policy of Hamilton with the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) based solely on a County that individuals 15-year-old drug conviction, dewho have paid their debt spite having stellar qualifications to society and who are for the electrician assistant’s porehabilitated should be sition for which he applied. Repafforded every opportunity resented by OJPC, Mays has an to become assimilated back into the community as appeal pending before the Ohio Supreme Court. responsible and productive The Metropolitan Sewer District is members of society.” - Hamilton County Resolution unique in that it is a hybrid department, with both county and city jurisdiction. The city of Cincinnati oversees human resources for MSD. The county’s resolution requests the city not to enforce what has been interpreted as a blind policy barring applicants and employees with felony records from working for MSD. “The Hamilton County Commissioners showed some true leadership, ” says attorney Stephen JohnsonGrove of OJPC’s Second Chance Project, who helped draft the resolution. “Not only should the city of Cincinnati take notice of this, but other cities and counties across Ohio would do well to allow rehabilitated people with old criminal records to more fully contribute to their local economies. Responsibly allowing people with criminal records into the work-
The dispute over the city’s ban on hiring former felony offenders started when Gene Mays was denied employment for a 15-yearold drug conviction. Photo by Calvin Chen.
Stephen JohnsonGrove, attorney at the Ohio Justice and Policy Center, has been working with Hamilton County and the city of Cincinnati to end the city’s practice of not hiring former offenders. Photo by Clarissa Peppers.
force would be a financial and public-safety boon for the whole community.” JohnsonGrove has researched 12 to 14 cities and counties that have revised their hiring practices and have done away with blanket policies pertaining to criminal records as a disqualification for employment. These jurisdictions range in size, population, geographical region, demographics and political climate. OJPC has so far met with Each one has tailored its policies to its local realities, though none have completely silence on the part of the opened the door to all applicants with city of Cincinnati. There has criminal records. The hiring policies have not been any movement developed factors for consideration for an on this call for reform for otherwise qualified applicant with a crimiover a year, and the lack of nal record, including the nature and gravity communication on the part of of the crime, number of convictions, period city leadership has created a of rehabilitation, relevance of offense to the deadlock for any substantive job in question, time since and age at movement on this issue. time of offense, etc. The idea is to put forth smarter hiring policies, with more intelligent and intuitive standards to guide discretion about considering old records. JohnsonGrove has summarized the reforms made by these other jurisdictions to fit the city of Cincinnati, saying they don’t involve compromising high standards of qualifications and references for employees. OJPC has so far met with silence on the part of the city of Cincinnati. There has not been any movement on this call for reform for over a year, and the lack of communication on the part of city leadership has created a deadlock for any substantive movement on this issue. The city should join a growing number of cities that are opening employment opportunities to people with criminal records, according to OJPC. The city’s leadership would encourage more employers to hire former offenders, giv“Not only should the city ing those individuals the opportunity to be contributing members of the commuof Cincinnati take notice nity. of this, but other cities David Singleton, executive director of and counties across Ohio OJPC, says the Gene Mays case “exempliwould do well to allow fies what has become a national probrehabilitated people with lem: tough-on-crime rhetoric that leads old criminal records to to counterproductive barriers to employmore fully contribute to ment and re-entry.” their local economies.” Representatives of OJPC traveled Oct. - Stephen JohnsonGrove 20 to Washington, D.C., to lead a discussion on employment restrictions and criminal records with policymakers, legal scholars and advocates from around the country. The event was called, “Lessons from Gene’s Story: Redemption, Rehabilitation and Removing the Barriers to Re-entry.” This national exposure will add to the pressure on city leadership to support this movement that promotes the rehabilitation and re-integration of former offenders.
STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009
5
Local News
Working to Set the Captives Free Rev. Mark Schmieder dedicates himself to prisoners and the poor Kelissa Hieber Contributing Writer
must write down the goals they wish to accomplish. Most spend their days here are some individu- working or searching for als who inspire you to jobs. Once they start to take up or revitalize the earn money, they have to call to help fellow human be- save 65 percent of their ings. The Rev. Mark Schmieder is income so they can start a man who has devoted his life to to build a more stable futhe service of others. ture. Schmieder has tried to help The Catholic Worker and guide the House is a less fortunate drugand in a variety It is always easier to ignore alcohol-free of ways. Two environthe cries of others; if you particularly inment, and acknowledge the pain of teresting ones others you might be forced former adare his leaderdicts must to do something about it. ship of the St. attend at Not only has Schmieder Francis/St. Joleast two listened to the voices of seph Catholic the impoverished, he has Alcoholics Worker House Anonymous devoted his life to doing and the 23 or Narcotics something about it. years he spent Anonymous as a chaplain meetings a at Lebanon Correctional Institu- week. The staff are all fortion. mer addicts, were once His involvement with pris- homeless or were in jail; oners came by chance; he had they provide support and been looking for an opening in hope that things can get an inner-city church. When there better. were none available, he began his The house considers itwork at the prison. While work- self a hand-up not a handing there, he started educational down, not just feeding programs and group meetings so and clothing the poor but the prisoners could see the value working with these men of themselves and others. Dur- to give them the tools to The Rev. Mark Schmieder is on the board of St. Francis/St. Joseph Catholic ing his time with the prison he succeed. They have a 37.6 Worker House. Photo courtesy of The Rev. Mark Schmieder. became friends with Jim Mullen, percent rate of success for who then was in charge of the individuals moving into Catholic Worker House. transitional or permanent Schmieder was intrigued by housing. The Catholic the Catholic Worker movement, Worker House wants to stop the Support is key when anyone feel empowering. Success can be which has centers that support revolving door of homelessness is trying to rebuild his life. The scary for some residents; it is eashomeless people all across the na- with certain inhouse tries to be ier to go back to what is familiar tion. The Catholic Worker Move- dividuals cycling like a family unit: and comfortable. The staff helps Schmieder was intrigued When you see to quell this anxiety because they ment has been around since the through the sysGreat Depression and has helped tem again and others struggling were there once, but they continby the Catholic Worker many to get back on their feet. again. with the same ued on their path and now they movement, which has “The Catholic Worker MoveThe reason thing you are, it are in a far better place. centers that support ment is about not judging peo- Schmieder be- homeless people all across makes you stron“When you give a person a ple,” Schmieder says. “Everyone lieves this system ger and helps to chance and listen to them, then the nation. The Catholic deserves to be treated on the succeeds is that build a spiritual you’re telling them they are worth Worker Movement has grounds of basic human dignity. the staff has the bond. The sup- something,” Schmieder says. been around since the There are no outcasts. We are all expectation that Great Depression and has port of the staff It is always easier to ignore the part of the kingdom of God.” people can better helped many to get back and the residents cries of others; if you acknowledge In 1990 Schmieder took over their lives. is essential be- the pain of others you might be on their feet. the leadership of the home. For “If you expect cause success forced to do something about it. up to 60 days the Catholic Worker nothing out of has been few and Not only has Schmieder listened House houses 16 men who are someone, they will do nothing,” far between for these men, and to the voices of the impoverished, looking to better their lives. When he says. “We work off expecta- many no longer remember what he has devoted his life to doing applying for placement, residents tions around here.” success feels like. Support can something about it.
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Cleo’s Joke Corner
What kind of a show do ducks like to watch?
Duck-u-mentaries.
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Local News
STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009
Candidates Support Health Clinics Local health-care crisis is focus of candidate forum By Dan Rozier Contributing Writer
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he future of Greater Cincinnati is in real and immediate peril: In Hamilton County, the infant-mortality rate – the number of deaths for infants before their first birthday – is a staggering 10.9 per 1,000. To put that number in perspective, compare it to the national rate of 6.7. “Bottom line: this community In recent months, it’s easy to forget that health needs to decide what qualifies care is just as much a loas a basic service. It would cal issue as it is a national be irresponsible not only to one. the children, but to everyone Considered the best in Cincinnati, to say that, just because it isn’t a police car or a barometer of a community’s health, Cincinnati’s fire truck, it can go.” -Councilwoman Roxanne Qualls infant mortality rate is an indicator that the city’s free health clinics not only Members of the public listen to a forum on health care. Photo by Maria Campolongo. need to be maintained, but expanded upon. At an Oct. 13 forum on Cincinnati’s health-care system, hosted by the Greater Cincinnati Health Acwill almost certainly rise. cess Project, candidates for city council fielded questions about Councilman Greg Harris said it would be “pennywise and initiatives needed to curb the local infant-mortality rate. pound-foolish” to cut funding to the city’s health clinics. “Bottom line: this community needs to decide what qualifies The primary care centers’ operating budget is $11.7 million, as a basic service,” said City Councilwoman Roxanne Qualls. “It with about half, or $5.9 million, paid by Cincinnati taxpayers and would be irresponsible not only to the children, but to everyone the remaining $5.8 million generated by other revenue. Each dolin Cincinnati, to say that, just because it isn’t a police car or a fire lar that comes out of the taxpayer’s wallet generates an additiontruck, it can go.” al $1.12 in contracts, grants and other revenue. Moreover, when Cincinnati is one of only three cities that provide health ser- one considers how vices to citizens even if they can’t afford it; San Francisco and many emergency-room Philadelphia are the other two. It is this type of progress that, if visits are averted when “The general funds we receive from the city, the expanded upon, could put Cincinnati years ahead in terms of people use the clinics, $19 million, has been cut by $2.2 million since public health. the savings is roughly the end of 2008. If such cuts continue, it may “It’s time this city had an honest conversation about how much $508 per visit. be difficult for the Cincinnati Health Department health care means to us,” said council candidate Bernadette Wat“The health centers to operate all of its current programs.” son. and the health depart-Rocky Merz, health department spokesman The city of Cincinnati operates two dental facilities and five ment as a whole is fiprimary-care centers whose services cover everything from nancially sound,” says pharmaceutical needs to OB/GYN and administers the federally Rocky Merz, spokesman for the health department. “However, funded Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, which pro- the general funds we receive from the city, the $19 million, has vides basic nutritional support. The clinics’ services are utilized been cut by $2.2 million since the end of 2008. If such cuts conby 31,000 patients a year, 59 percent of whom are uninsured. tinue, it may be difficult for the Cincinnati Health Department to Given the current economic state, the level of uninsured patients operate all of its current programs.”
I Am By Calvin I am what I am. I wonder all the time. I hear voices all around me. I see people in a slumber. I want the world in my hand. I am what I am.
Poetry Corner
A Season for Every Holiday
I Am By Joe Presswood I am smart and honest I wonder how life is going to be without drugs I hear voices in the dark I see birds flying in the moonlight I want a life drug-free I am smart and honest
By Chelsea Ostrow I pretend what people want me to believe. I feel like an eagle in the sky I touch everyone around me I worry about the alienation all around me I cry about people’s pain I am what I am I understand that God loves me I say that I believe in the truth I dream that the world is at hand I try to be that eagle in the sky I hope the alienation will cease to be I am what I am
Boom! My ear fell off. The loose ends made me cringe. I'll sew my legs together Then rip my arms apart, and hope they will go with the chicken. The roast beef is dry and the pickles parched my mouth. Zesty peanut butter scorched my tongue. Where is the open bar? Next to the closed fridge. Can I have your id?
I pretend to be rich I feel the cold inside my body I touch the sky I worry about my addiction I cry at the very thought of death I am smart and honest I understand life after life is over I say who cares I dream of life after death I try to work hard at everything I hope that I can make change I am smart and honest
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STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009
7
Local News
Dead Men Walking in Ohio Prisons Continued from page 1 ing the public’s knowledge of the process of capital punishment. “The journey that I try to help people with is first to stand with others in outrage when innocents have been ripped out of our lives by these very violent crimes,” Prejean says.
A link to slavery
begin, and where she feels they should end, the basis of her message is that taking one life for another is not justice, and it does not bring peace to the families of the victims. It only causes them more grief, she says. Execution is the highest form of punishment in a justice system and culture that have lost touch with humanity, opponents say. “When I witnessed that first execution, I came out of the prison and threw up,” she says. “That’s why I wrote the book. People are never going to see this, so we are going to have to bring them closer to it.”
Most people haven’t thought deeply about the issue because it’s something that doesn’t concern most people, she says. She also finds that, in general, once people have a more profound understanding of how the death penalty actually works, they are more ‘Becoming more perceptive to its shortcomuncomfortable’ ings. When Prejean talks Capital punishment beabout the death penalty came part of Ohio law in in the United States, she is 1803. In 1972 the U.S. Suquick to note that underpreme Court declared the standing the context of the Sister Prejean has been working with Death Row inmates death penalty unconstitusociety which it came from since 1981. Photo courtesy of Grant-Guerrero Photography. tional, outlawing the practice is very important. across the country. In subse“You have to connect it quent years, state legislatures directly with homelessness passed death-penalty laws in America, people without that have been upheld by the health care,” she says. “You have to connect it with all the systemic Supreme Court. things that are wrong, that don’t allow so many people to particiOhio lawmakers enacted the state’s new capital punishment pate fully in American life.” statute in 1981. However the state did not resume executions until Her reasoning focuses not only on the moral argument against 1999. In 1991 then-Gov. Dick Celeste commutated death sentences execution, but also on inequalities within the political, racial and against eight men social climates that keep the system in place. and women. Since “Can you picture a prosecutor getting on 1999 Ohio has exe“When I witnessed that first execution, I came out the evening news and saying, ‘Ladies and cuted 32 people by of the prison and threw up,” she says. “That’s why I “Can you picture a prosecutor gentlemen, one of our valuable citizens lethal injection. wrote the book. People are never going to see this, was killed last night, a homeless man in Ohio’s use of the so we are going to have to bring them closer to it.” getting on the evening the street, and we are outraged about this. death penalty has news and saying, ‘Ladies – Sister Helen Prejean We are going to seek the ultimate penalty recently received and gentlemen, one of our for the ones who killed this valuable citi- nationwide news valuable citizens was killed zen.’ You know you will never hear that,” coverage due to the botched execution of Romell Broom. Over a last night, a homeless man period of two hours the executioners failed to find a suitable vein Prejean says. in the street, and we are Politicians and prosecutors utilize the in Broom’s arm, and Gov. Ted Strickland halted the execution. A outraged about this. We are idea of capital punishment as a campaign hearing in federal court on Nov. 30th could decide whether the going to seek the ultimate penalty for the ones who killed tool to show they are tough on crime, ac- state will try a second time to execute Broom. Concerns about the qualifications of the technicians carrying cording to Prejean. this valuable citizen.’ You “It is 95 percent about political symbol- out lethal injections have become magnified by the Broom case. know you will never hear that.” ism than it is an actual effective way to de- Though guards are trained to administer the poison, some critics – Sister Helen Prejean say they lack the medical knowledge to do it properly. Dr. Jonathan ter crime,” she says. Racism, she adds, is also a major factor. Groner, professor of clinical surgery at the Ohio State College of “Eighty percent of executions are taking place in states where Medicine, told the Cleveland Scene, “Ohio is caught in a ‘Hipposlavery was most present,” she says. “The places where people of cratic paradox.’ Those most qualified to help the state in execucolor live is where the death penalty is going to be most opera- tions – doctors, nurses, practicing EMTs – are forbidden from taking part in executions by codes of ethic and state boards,” he says. tive.” Broom’s was the first Ohio execution called off while in progress, Though she knows where the problems with the death penalty though two other executions over the past four years have been delayed due to similar complications. The incident has also brought further public attention to the moral issue. Ohioans to Stop Executions (OSTE) issued a statement saying, “No amount of adjustment to the death penalty process can achieve an outcome absent of pain and suffering for victims' family members, witnesses, corrections workers and the condemned inmate.” OSTE, founded in 1987, works to educate the public about executions. “People don’t know a lot about the death penalty,” says Renee Berlon, southern Ohio organizer for OSTE. “The state is split right now. People are becoming more uncomfortable with it.” Aside from the moral issue of capital punishment are matters of practicality. The death penalty, as practiced in the United States, is a long and expensive process, stretching over an average 10 years, Berlon says. A recent study by the Death Penalty Information Center acknowledged that it’s difficult to gauge how much a death sentence costs, but estimated $30 million per execution. Berlon says most northern states aren’t executing. Ohio has 135 inmates on Death Row. Kentucky has 35 on Death Row; Texas has 350.
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STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009
Local News
Got Underwear? Not All Do Brief Relief will help homeless people in need of necessities By Gregory Flannery Editor
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eople don’t much think about underwear or socks until they don’t have them. Among the many other hardships that homeless people must endure, they often need underwear or socks. People who donate packages of women’s, men’s or children’s underwear or socks Nov. 7 at Brief Relief will in return receive music, art and the opportunity to help others. The purpose of the event is twofold, according to Corey Tucker, one of the organizers. The first purpose is obvious: to provide covering for homeless people’s feet and asses. The second purpose is to get people to think about homelessness. “The whole idea is to create awareness about homelessness and how we can help out our neighbors who might be in trouble,” he says. Brief Relief, hosted by John Wesley United Methodist Church, will feature visual arts, spoken-word performances and Christian bands, gospel choirs, bluegrass and other entertainment, Tucker says. “It’s going to be a pretty big span of entertainment and arts,” he says. “We want to entertain people and have a good discussion.” Social-service agencies invited to participate include Power Inspires Progress, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, One Way Farm, the Drop Inn Center, Ink Tank, Visionaries and Voices, Interfaith Hospitality Network and Hamilton Living Waters, according to Tucker. “People who attend can find out how they can partner with agencies that help “The whole idea is to create awareness about homelessness and how we can help out,” he says. “Maybe you out our neighbors who might be in trouble.” have some lumber or a car or money that you want to - Corey Tucker donate.” The idea for Brief Relief came from a minister at Nash Trinity United Methodist Church in Over-theRhine, where Tucker performed at services. “I’m just a guy who’s concerned,” he says. “I used to go to Nash Trinity, and
every time I would see people who needed help. It started weighing on me. I knew there was something more I could do than just give them music.” With your help, Tucker will give them underwear and socks. Brief Relief is from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at John Wesley United Methodist Church, 1927 West Kemper Road, Springfield Township.
Vendor Artwork By Anthony Williams
Berta’s Art Corner
“Backlight,” Burnet Woods, Clifton Avenue Photo by Berta Lambert.
“This is the duty of our generation as we enter the twenty-first century – solidarity with the weak, the persecuted, the lonely, the sick and those in despair. It is expressed by the desire to give a noble and humanizing meaning to a community in which all members will define themselves not by their own identity but by that of others.” – Elie Wiesel
! ? t a h W Say _____________________
STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009
Annual Dinner
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Guest Column
STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009
Blue Dogs and Howler Monkeys Town hall full of noise but no bloodshed By Nicholas Hoesl Contributing Writer
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he “dog days” have passed – and the summer of our discontent. In early August my wife tagged along to the famous New England version of town hall meetings, a dynamic example of “democracy in action,” in Cincinnati’s First Unitarian Church. U.S. Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Cincinnati) opened the discussion by explaining the various health-care bills before Congress, only to be rudely cut off by a chorus of disgruntled howlers in the back of the church. Their opening salvo was, “Tell the truth,” followed by expletives and profanities unheard of in a house of worship. This brought back the sound and fury of the red howler monkeys I heard when visiting the Amazon rainforest. It now appeared that these mad monkeys were also hanging from trees and raining down their vitriolic barbs as drunks hell-bent in drowning out the guest speaker. The church was a jungle. Driehaus said, “We’ve got the best medical system in the world if you can afford to pay for it.” He was bombarded with, “Oh, give me a break” and “What a lie.” Then the chorus chimed in with their “monkey see, monkey do.” Most of the crowd wanted an honest discussion. I thought of throwing them a banana. No, make that a monkey wrench. Did the tales of woe wag the dog? The object of this monkey business was to rattle the Rep, but he remained cool, even when cursed. Perhaps he remembered Harry Truman’s adage: “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” A guy next to me wondered if they were all rabid Republicans. And how many RINOs (red in name only)? Some wore tea-bagger shirts. They seemed ready to throw their tea – and Driehaus – into the Ohio River. Others wore Right to Life messages. The opposite camp called them “barking dogmatists,” for they claimed to be more pro-life than the congressman. This lead to the catcall, “A man’s
best friend is his dogma.” Another professed that he was neither “a bleeding-heart liberal, nor a flamethrowing conservative.” Compare that to CNN’s Lou Dobbs, calling his critics “limp-minded, lily-livered lefty lemmings.” Those who objected to this dog and pony show did not return the insults, nor did they offer the “kiss of peace.” They were more apt to reply, “What planet are you on?” And “Isn’t it time for your medication?” After the first police officer showed his face, Driehaus wrapped up the meeting and thanked everyone for coming. My last look as we headed out the door was a ring of people five deep surrounding the lectern with three more police next to Driehaus as protection. The pit bulls had arrived. Could the canine corps be far behind? The boisterous brickbats were out of the belfry and into the street. In the parking lot, I asked what people thought. “That was more noise than a thousand Rush Limblogs. … They never Howler monkey. Photo by Derek Ramsey. threw him a bone; they came to pick his bones. … The Jerry Springer Show could have picked up a few pointers. … The monkeys would not get off his over their shoulders. Around here, if someone back. … I never saw more crap slung since Pete yelled out, “AK-47,” another would have yelled Nicholas Rose told off Marge Schott’s dog for fouling up “Bingo!” Hoesl is a Riverfront Stadium. I thought politicians had Later I read that Driehaus walked out of all the hot air. … Didn’t we nail him?” the building with his 13-year-old daughter pharmacist Not to be outdone, an elderly nun from the to face more protesters. Some were shouting and author Sisters of Charity remarked, “I never taught his home address, which Driehaus deemed “a of Laughter: The Drug any of my students such behavior.” veiled threat toward the safety of myself and of Choice. Yet things could have been worse, compared my family.” to other town halls. Our shout-fest did not lead When I was yapping with others, my wife was to fisticuffs, lost fingers, Hitler caricatures, talk sitting in the locked car, waiting patiently and of death panels or pulling the plug on Grand- wishing, “Let’s get out of here before someone ma, keeping Medicare government-free and lobs a grenade.” As for me, the next time I want labeling the same people communists and to meet a bunch of monkeys, mad or merry, I’ll fascists. No one was slinging an assault rifle go to the zoo.
From Apartment to Tent and Back One man’s tale of recovery By David W. Contributing Writer
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et me first start by saying that there were times I used to drink – and drink a lot. I could never hold a job, a place to live, relationships; the list goes on and on. One day I searched for help and received it; my life changed. Here is my story. Soon after I quit drinking, I was out to find a job. Looking through paper after paper, I saw an ad for a telemarketing position, which I never had done before. I thought, “What the hell, call anyway!” So I did. I got an interview the very same day and also got the job. In a short time I was promoted to assistant manager. At that time I moved into an apartment. That was quite an accomplishment for me. And I wanted to go further. After a few months the manger of the Cleveland of-
fice, where I worked, and the main office. As a manager, wasn’t coming easily. I started owner of the company saw I was making 10 percent of to drink again, thinking it something in me. They made whatever the office made. The would ease the pain. But the money was runme a manager. ning out fast. That was just When out over two years That’s when I moved into a tent. It was just before ago. Thanksgiving last year. I stayed in the tent through looking for a job, I saw people At the same the rain, mud, snow, cold – you name it. holding signs time they had that said they plans for me to move to Cincinnati and take Columbus office was the best were homeless. They were over the office here. I really of the six offices. My bonuses actually getting money from had my work cut out for me. were also good. I saved mon- other people. I decided to The old manager let the office ey. My only expenses were do the same thing. I made enough that I could drink go to hell. When I got to Cin- food and personal items. Christmas was approach- every day and night. Once cinnati, the owner put me up in a suite not too far from the ing, and I wanted to return to in awhile I would buy someoffice. As time went on I start- Cleveland to be with friends thing to eat, but my priorand family. I transferred back ity was drinking. Eventually, I ed to make decent money. On Friday and Saturday to Cleveland through the lost the apartment. That’s when I moved into a nights some of us would go holidays. After the holidays I out after work. In just a short transferred back to Cincinna- tent. It was just before Thankstime I was starting to drink ti. I don’t know why, but one giving last year. I stayed in again. day the owner cut my pay to 3 the tent through the rain, The owner of the company percent and didn’t pay for my mud, snow, cold – you name knew about my past, but he motel anymore. I quit on the it. I thought I had it made as believed I needed a break. I spot, gave my keys to the as- long I had something to drink was transferred back to the sistant manager and walked and maybe a little to eat. At that time I was still holding a Cleveland office. I quit drink- out. ing again before it got out of For a while everything was sign, but in a different locahand. Then a big break came OK. I rented an apartment in tion. The people who helped for me. I was transferring to Cincinnati. Luckily I still had me the most were those who Columbus to manage the money saved. But another job gave me food or took me to
eat. Afterwards, it seemed they always gave me a couple of dollars because they knew I needed a drink. One day I knew this was not the way I really wanted to live. So I sought help. I told myself, “Help is out there if I look for it.” Today I am in a recovery program. I count my blessings: I never have to live in a tent again, unless I want to. Every day when I wake up, I make a decision not to live like that. Just one day at a time. The best advice I can give is that if you want a better life, seek help and believe in God. He will open all kinds of doors for you. Let people help you see the beginning of a new life. Here is something I like to remember: “I am what I am today because of what I believed about myself yesterday. And I will be tomorrow what I believe about myself today.” Do the best you can today and have an even better tomorrow.
STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009
Guest Column
Someplace That Isn’t Home ‘I killed a lot of people’ By Larry Gross Contributing Writer
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’ve known Mike for awhile now; met him on Sixth Street downtown one winter, probably about three years ago. He always carries a small cardboard sign along with a paper cup. Written on that sign he holds up, in red crayon, is one word: “Vet.” Regardless of the weather or the seasons, Mike is always wearing the same thing – a long-sleeved camouflage shirt with matching pants and a green cap. In the cold months, I wish he owned a coat. In the warmer weather, I wish he would take a shower. Some of his teeth are gone in front. His graying long beard needs trimming badly. So does his hair. His eyes are brown and he’s always quick with a smile when he sees me. He’s come to know I’m at least good for a buck or two. If he’s a con artist, and there are plenty of them downtown, then he has me totally fooled. I believe him when he tells me he’s a Vietnam veteran. Mike’s not from here. He hails from West Virginia. When he got out of “I couldn’t go back, needed the service, when he got out of Vietnam, he never went back home. to go someplace that isn’t “I killed a lot of people over there in Nam,” home,” he said. “I killed people – not something to Mike told me once, “killed them in the name go home and brag about.” of my country. I killed a woman once, by accident, but I killed her. I don’t know what she - Mike was doing with those soldiers. “I couldn’t go back, needed to go someplace that isn’t home,” he said. “I killed people – not something to go home and brag about.” I never press him for details as to why he’s one of the vets who fell through the cracks as far as getting help with dealing with his emotional scars from the war. I’m figuring Mike and I are around the same age, but while he had to go to war, I didn’t. I got lucky. The draft ended in 1973 and I escaped having to go to Vietnam pretty much by a year, but I have
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a few friends who had to make the trip, who had to kill people. Like Mike, they had to handle the death they saw around them and the death they caused. Like Mike, they had to come to terms with the killing they did – but unlike Mike, they went back home. They had family and friends who helped them deal with their private hell. Why didn’t Mike? Why didn’t he turn to The draft ended in 1973 someone for help? So far I haven’t asked those and I escaped having to questions. So far I haven’t had the nerve. go to Vietnam pretty much He tells me he got out of the service in by a year, but I have a few 1976. Since then, he’s traveled around a lot, friends who had to make the been to California, Arizona, Texas and Michi- trip, who had to kill people. gan, taking odd jobs while staying in cheap hotels. Now, getting older, his legs are bothering him. He’s thinking Cincinnati is where he’ll stay. “People are OK here,” Mike told me once. “The cops leave me alone if I don’t stand in one place for too long.” Sometimes when I see him, he seems happy. Recently he told me he got enough money together to stay at the Dennison Hotel downtown. The Dennison is a single-room occupancy type of place. It’s not known for being very nice, but Mike seemed pleased about being there. Maybe it’s a place to hang his green cap. Other times when I see Mike, he seems depressed. Once when I put a dollar in his cup, he had tears in his eyes, unable to speak. So much of the time, I feel bad for him. I don’t want to intrude, but there are more questions I want to ask him. Does he miss West Virginia? How come he didn’t turn to family and friends to help him deal with his Vietnam experience? Does he have family and friends still there? How does he feel about the soldiers that will come home from Iraq or Afghanistan? Does he think of their private hell? When he has tears in his eyes, when he’s unable to speak, is it because of the past? Is he thinking of the soldiers he killed in Vietnam? Is he thinking of that woman? I don’t know if I’ll ask any of these questions. I’m probably like everybody else. Maybe putting a dollar in his cup is simply good enough. After all, I’m helping a war veteran. It’s easy. After handing over a buck, I can walk away.
Vendor Profile
Moving on and Moving Forward Raynard Jones is a natural salesman By Gregory Flannery Editor
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treetvibes vendor Raynard Jones has a smile that’s hard to forget. It’s the kind of smile born of long struggle – and he isn’t finished yet. With 12 years’ experience selling the paper, Jones has worked to overcome a difficult childhood and an adulthood marred by missteps. Born and raised on Pleasant Street in Over-the-Rhine, he has lived in Avondale the past two years. “I came from a dysfunctional family, where there was abuse in the family,” he says.” I ran away from home and stayed with my grandparents.” Jones’s grandfather was a carpenter, and he taught his grandson. “I’ve got a few skills under my belt – carpentry, painting, running a buffer,” Jones says.
But his biggest asset is a knack for sales. In past years he has worked in telemarketing. “They say I have the gift of gab,” Jones says. “I’m pretty good with sales.” That talent helped him when he was recovering from addiction, with the help of Cincinnati Restoration Church, known by many people as the group that sells M&Ms and peanuts on street corners. In 1999-2000, Jones stayed at the Drop Inn Center. “Before then I was homeless,” he says.” I had just come home from being incarcerated.” In 2006 Streetvibes named Jones “Vendor of the Year,” and he spoke at the annual dinner of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, which published the street paper. “I’m so grateful to the newspaper,” he says.” It helped me out tremendously. I believe in the paper. I believe in the staff. They’re just marvelous. I like meeting people. I’m a people person. If I can sell M&Ms and peanuts for the
ministry, I can sure sell Streetvibes. I’m excited about the paper. It helped me out of a whole bunch of jams – meeting people, job opportunities.” Despite past difficulties, Jones, 45, likes to talk about the positive aspects of his life. “I have a significant other,” he says. “I have a pit bull named Purple Haze and a gray cat named Buddha. I love listening to R&B. I like old movies. I like picnicking and long walks in the park. I like getting in touch with nature – camping and fishing.” A student at Integration of Knowledge and Resources for Occupational Needs (IKRON), where he takes classes on computers, anger management and other subjects, Jones has goals for the future. “I want to obtain my GED, where I can be able to get a better job one day,” he says. “I’d like to one day have my own business, something preferably in sales or a little storefront. But right now I understand you’ve got to crawl before you can walk.”
Raynard Jones, Streetvibes vendor, was vendor of the year in 2006. Photo by Jeni Jenkins.
Call 513-421-7803 x11 to learn about Streetvibes subscriptions
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Community News
STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009
Find Beauty that Defies Disability Gallery reaches out to artists long ignored By Valerie Fessler Contributing Writer
director because he had a “desire to really make the effort meaningful”. “These artists need a way to show their n celebration of National Disabil- work and be taken seriously,” Bolden says. ity Awareness Month, an art gallery “Artists with disabilities are stereotyped.” in Over-the-Rhine unveiled a new With its hardwood floors, white walls exhibit Oct. 2. Art Beyond Boundaries is and black ceiling decorated with planets showing “Turning a New Leaf” through and stars, Art Beyond Boundaries’ invitNov. 13. ing atmosphere welcomes Established in 2005, Art anyone interested in deBeyond Boundaries ofArt Beyond Boundaries veloping their skills as an fers programs and services artist. Paintings, ceramic is a “mainstream, that reach out to people and clay sculptures, paper professional exhibition with disabilities, children, collages and several othvenue for artists with art supporters and other er pieces line the gallery disabilities.” community members. Volwalls, each telling a differ-Jymi Bolden unteers teach art classes ent story. throughout the year in orThe biggest challenge der to help artists express themselves and Bolden faces is being confronted with introduce them to different artistic me- taking such a diverse body of work from dia. various artists and making it into one coThe gallery offers growth and profes- hesive exhibit. There are assorted levels of sional development to people who pre- development and accomplishments that viously have not had access to this kind range from novice to professional. Stuof venue. Artists learn the importance of dents from local colleges and universities deadlines and presentation of their piec- volunteer and intern at the gallery in ores. These skills provide many disabled der to help make the exhibits possible. artists with real world experience. “I want Art Beyond Boundaries to grow Jymi Bolden, gallery director, describes its reputation and integrity for the sake Art Beyond Boundaries as a “mainstream, of the artists and people we serve in the professional exhibition venue for artists community,” Bolden says. with disabilities.” Bolden began volunThe gallery holds about five shows a teering for the organization from the be- year, each lasting about six weeks. The art ginning and took over as director when on display in the exhibits are for sale, with the gallery moved into its current loca- 70 percent of the profits going to the arttion, 1410 Main St. With a background in ists and 30 percent going to the gallery for photography, he says he became gallery upkeep.
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Jymi Bolden, gallery director at Art Beyond Boundaries. Photo by Bill Haigh.
To plan a visit to the gallery or to receive more information, visit www.artbeyondboundaries.org.
Puzzles Crossword
Sudoku
Across 1. Stays 4. Brand 8. Ottoman Empire (7,6) 13. Lots 14. Shut in 15. Minor role 16. Stay too long 18. Lascivious 19. Ruptured 21. Female name 23. As well 27. Thoroughfare 31. Swordsman 33. Resort lake 34. Tall palm tree 35. Piece of news 36. Security operative (5,8) 37. Cold-shoulder 38. Contraction of need not Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 through 9. Down 2. Harsh 3. Installment 5. Lure 6. Sand and cement 7. To do with religious study 9. City in central New York 10. Recognized 11. Troublesome person 12. Knowledgeable about
17. Yeah 20. Owns 22. Thing 24. Spiking 25. Polluted air 26. Expression of discomfort 28. Curse 29. Mild warning 30. Website 32. Helicopter feature
The fundamental goal of a Sudoku puzzle is to use the provided numbers, or givens, to discover which numbers logically fill in the empty squares. The only rule of Sudoku is that each of the nine rows, each of the nine columns, and each of the nine 3x3 subsections must contain all of the numbers from one to nine, and each number consequently can occur in each row, column and subsection only once.
STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009
Candidate Interview
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Post-Obama Political Aspirations A candidate for Middletown City Council campaigns for change By Ariana Shahandeh Contributing Writer
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.J. Smith, a 20-year-old candidate for the 2nd Ward seat on Middletown City Council, is taking what he learned on the grassroots campaign trail with Barack Obama in 2008 to run his own campaign for change, pitching “Fresh Ideas and Fresh Thoughts.” What was your first political experience? It was back in 2004, during the presidential elections with John Kerry and the infamous George Bush. I knew that in four years I was going to be 18 years old and an eligible voter. So I was really worried about the war and direction in which the country was going, and I’m thinking, “I’m gonna be 18 and it’s gonna be time to sign up for the draft and George Bush is in office; somebody just kill me.” You know? It was pretty bad. So I told my parents – and my parents are not very politically active – I just told them, “I’m worried about this. I want you guys to go out and vote for John Kerry.” And that was it. I never took an interest in student government or High School Democrats or High School Republicans or anything. It was just...I wanted them to vote just for John Kerry so we could “Middletown had the highest unemployment give George Bush a run for rate in the county at 12.9 percent. We have his money, because I’m some of the poorest schools in the state. We thinking, “This guy is runhave been rated by Forbes magazine as one ning our country straight into the ground. It’s time of the Ten Fastest Dying Cities in the U.S. We have one of the 10 fastest-dying malls in for something different.” What are the top things the U.S. Our home foreclosures are topped with Cuyahoga County and Franklin County - that you want to change? Public safety. We need we are only the city of Middletown.” more police on the street. I - A.J. Smith, live in the 2nd Ward, born candidate for Middletown city council and raised, been here my whole life. That’s where your African Americans are at, your low income Caucasians, Latinos; that’s where you have your Appalachian community at. The 2nd Ward is essentially where Middletown started. (Council) has kind of redlined the 2nd Ward. It’s absolutely bizarre. It’s not a problem to current council. We have guns in our community. I know individuals that have been in situations where the police were needed, and the police did not (promptly) show up because they may not have thought it was important. Council people running right now think that the city provides entirely too much police and fire resources to the 2nd Ward because of the types of residents that we have. Frankly, I think that is racist. I think that it is wholeheartedly racist. I had a friend of mine who was in a domestic-violence altercation a few months ago. He calls me and says, “Hey, A.J., I’m done with this mess. I’m ready to move out; come help me.” I go over and try to help him pack up his stuff. I go in the house and this girl is beating the mess out of him. I call the police.
A.J. Smith is a candidate for Middletown City Council. Photo courtesy of A.J. Smith.
Ring ring. “Hi, Mr. Police Officer, this is Andrew Smith, I need you guys at this location ASAP. There is a domestic-violence altercation going on, and it’s going to escalate if you don’t get there.” “OK, sir, we’ll get there as soon as possible.” Ten minutes later, ring ring. “Hi, Mr. Police Officer, this is A.J. Smith again. The domestic altercation has escalated; she’s grabbed his hammer. If you don’t get here soon, it’s going to continue to escalate.” Ten minutes later, ring ring. “Hi, Mr. Police Officer, this is A.J. Smith again.” It would have been different if I called and said that a white man is getting his tail beat – they would have responded (snap of fingers) that quickly. You think that is the attitude of council? I do, I do. Cause it doesn’t make any sense why we are still the status quo. Why hasn’t it changed? Middletown had the highest unemployment rate in the county at 12.9 percent. We have some of the poorest schools in the state. We have been rated by Forbes magazine as one of the Ten Fastest Dying Cities in the U.S. We have one of the 10 fastest-dying malls in the U.S. Our home foreclosures are topped with Cuyahoga County and Franklin County - we are only the city of Middletown. If you don’t get someone else elected to city council, with just a little bit of common sense, then it’s going to stay the same. You talked a lot about Middletown’s assets in your community and economic development priorities. What are Middletown's greatest assets? I think our greatest assets in the 2nd Ward specifically are the community center. It’s the only community center in the city. We have the Dream Center. It’s the only soup kitchen in city, where anybody, regardless of race or socioeconomic background, can come and get a free meal Editor’s note: The opinions any time of the day, doesn’t matter. We have the Health expressed in Center in the 2nd Ward, which is, of course, partnered with the city’s health department, and the county folks the candidate interview that serve a group of individuals that can’t necessarily go are not to be out to the East End or go to the hospital and be treated perceived at the drop of a dime. Pretty low cost, pretty fair cost, acas an tually. We passed a bond issue in ’05 or ’06; we built six or seven brand new elementary schools, state-of-the-art endorsement or reflecting facilities, green technology, everything. So Middletown the views of does have a lot to celebrate to a certain extent. It’s just a the Greater matter of celebrating it. We don’t ever hear about it. Cincinnati How do you want to be remembered? Coalition for As a change agent, someone who changed someone’s life for the better … a leader in the community; someone the Homeless, which that was able to help individuals change their quality of publishes life and standard of living. That’s all, nothing more, nothStreetvibes. ing less.
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STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009
Guest Column
Happy Anniversary – or Something Remembering what we lost and realizing what remains By Elizabeth Heath Contributing Writer Today is my anniversary. Three years. It is a day of fun, going out to dinner, maybe a movie or dancing. Instead my husband and I sit in a room watching television – the room that we sleep in and share with three children that are not our own. We are living with my husband’s niece, her three children and her boyfriend. We had to move in here after we lost everything. It’s shocking that after years of working hard and striving to make a good comfortable life for yourself and your family, it can all be gone in a few short months. Both of us lost our jobs – our good jobs with nice salaries, benefits, vacation time, sick days, 401K, all the things that make a job a good one that you want to keep. After we lost our jobs, things only got worse. Unable to pay our bills, I got behind on my child support, so my driver’s license got suspended. My mother said she would help by driving me around to various places to fill out applications. I finally got a job waiting tables. I was so happy. Maybe I could turn things around after all. I could get caught up on bills and get my driver’s license back. My mother said that she would drive me back and forth to work until I was able to get my license back. I had to pay into my child support for a month before they would take the holder off my license. On the second day of my new job, my mother had my brother send a text message to my But despite how bad cell phone letting me know that she could not take me to work, so I drove myself with no driver’s lithings have gotten cense, no insurance and expired plates. I got pulled and everything that has happened, we still over right across the street from my new place of have each other. We employment. I was charged with driving under suspension and still have hope. got a ticket for expired plates. My car got towed, and I got fired. I borrowed money to get my car out of impoundment. When I got back home, the electricity was shut off, and there was an eviction notice taped to our door. We had a month to get caught up on rent or leave.
I kept looking for work, but I had no luck. We lost our home. I sold my car. We had no money whatsoever. We were on the verge of being homeless. We had nowhere to go. I asked my mother if we could stay with her till we got back on our feet. She lives in a nice four-bedroom, two-bath house located within walking distance to many places I could work. She had room for us. She said, “No.” My husband’s niece made room for us in her small apartment. So here we are, in a small apart- Both of us lost our jobs ment with too many people. I finally got a job, one – our good jobs with that pays minimum wage. It’s barely enough to pay nice salaries, benefits, my child support, let alone save any money so we vacation time, sick can get on our feet, get our own place and a vedays, 401K, all the hicle. things that make a job We miss our home so much. We had a threea good one that you bedroom house right on the Great Miami River. want to keep. One bedroom was used just for my husband’s tools. He was able to work on anything he needed or wanted to. Another bedroom was used for my stereo, speakers and guitar. Every room had its own decor. Fish and frogs in the bathroom. Cookbooks stacked up in the kitchen. A pool in the backyard. Flowers growing everywhere. A big patio with a nice patio table, matching umbrella and lounge chairs. Bookshelves in the living room. Paintings and drawings hanging on the walls. Everything gone. What didn’t get left behind was sold in a yard sale. To make matters worse, living here is like being in jail. There is constant tension. We have no privacy. When watching television, everyone around gets louder and louder until the television can no longer be heard. I get up in the morning and clean, only for it to be trashed again a couple hours later. Today, our anniversary is not as happy as it should be. We sit in the room that we share, wondering if things will ever change for the better, looking back at how wonderful our last anniversary was. But despite how bad things have gotten and everything that has happened, we still have each other. We still have hope. I am grateful that there is at least someone out there who cares enough not to let us live on the street. And I believe that like all other bad things that happen to good people, this, too, shall pass.
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STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009
15
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Puzzle Solutions
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Column
STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009
Translating a Word into the World Mary Pierce Brosmer: helping women to find their own voices
“Heartstory of childbed marriagebed sickbed deathbed so many sheets stained by pleasure and pain then bleached pale and hung in the sun to fade… Mystory of women’s lives… all too often, packed away in a chest without hope.” – Mary Pierce Brosmer, “History, Herstory” Mary Pierce Brosmer, a Cincinnati writer and poet, is the founder of Women Writing for (a) Change (WWF(a)C), an organization that uses writing to empower women and help them find their voices. Born in a working-class family to a first-generation Italian mother and coalminer father, she grew up in Crawford County, Ohio, studied Mary Pierce Brosmer founded Women Writing for (a) Change. Photo by Bill Howes. theater and music, but majored in literature because she “loved to read.” Her parents exposed her very early on to reading; they bought her a set of the classics at her birth, and her fa- voted herself entirely to what became her new her organization. In addition to the classes for ther, an avid reader, would tell her, as a child, organization. adult and young women, WWF(a)C has prostories about various literary characters. BroThe WWF(a)C agenda has since remained moted and used its approach in classrooms, smer favored historical novels but also books the same, to create, through writing, a space prisons, radio and Internet programs and reabout women’s lives, biographies that gave her for every person, in particular women, to find treats with specialty professionals. In 2004 the a sense of who she might be. their voices and assert themselves. Writing, organization created the Feminist Leadership Women’s identities, their roles and place usually triggered in a class by a reading, a topic Academy to train and teach others how to use in society have or a prompt, would its practices in various settings. preoccupied her serve as a tool to That’s how Brosmer would like now to all along. Her own get in touch with spend her own time. She instituted “Consultmother, an articuoneself, self-reflect, ing for (a) Change,” a business that offers her late person, made it reach for truth, feel services to empower, though writing, diverse only to sixth grade free and most im- groups, most recently health-care givers and as and neglected her portant, connect girls in the Baltimore City juvenile justice sysown needs in order to others and build tem, helping them move from the personal, to to keep the family community. the technical, to the political and vice versa. together. Her voice By Saad Ghosn Despite her heavy “Instead of being an activist feminist going was often silent in Contributing Writer involvement with out, I used writing to make a place in which the presence of a her new organiza- we practice feminism as I understand it and verbal and domition and the time believe in it, an active liberation of women, neering husband. Over the years she lost her demand it placed on her, Brosmer continued and therefore of men and children, by bringspark and slipped into depression. with her own writing. Her prose often related ing out the feminine more fully,” she says. This is when Brosmer resorted to writing; to the growth of the WWF(a)C community, “This is transformation of consciousness. My it became her outlet and an important part of reflecting on its practices, sharing what she approach has a universal intention; it can apher expression. She started a journal, a means learned with others. She has just completed a ply to any individual, group of individuals, or to define and assert herself; and wrote po- book documenting her journey; she wrote it as situation.” ems about family connections, motherhood, a legacy for women and for her organization; the light and darkness of life, the paradox of also as a place of rest and reflection where she silence and voice. Silence, she felt, was nec- and others can meet, exchange and contribCancer Poem: a Liberal Lament essary for any voice to listen to itself, grow ute. and be heard; and women, “the mules of the By Mary Pierce Brosmer Women Writing For (a) Change, a Guide world,” she says, quoting Alice Walker, did not for Creative Transformation was published have it because their lives were usually so full by Notre Dame University Press last month. These days I am jumpy, even my dreams are lumpy with other people’s needs. Crafted as both pragmatic and spiritual, it inwith the faces, the voices In graduate school, one of Brosmer’s teach- cludes poetry, journal entries, essays, reflecof all the satisfied people ers discovered her poems and invited her to tions, dreams and writing exercises. read. This was an empowering experience, Brosmer’s poetry also abounded all along, surely you've seen themone that also connected her to others, par- published in various journals and feminine that rush of genial cells, ticularly women who like her were searching periodicals. Her topics naturally pertained to eating and multiplying, for themselves and for their space in a male- womanhood and women’s role in the world, converging on malls. dominated world. but also to family, politics, wars and society. After obtaining her master of arts degree in Her satirical poem, “Cancer Poem, a Liberal See how they flourish literature, Brosmer continued to teach high- Lament,” was triggered by the comment of an and thrive: blissfully blind, school English, waiting for her son to gradu- acquaintance and of many who in exit polls cheerful and benign. ate from high school before she could move to said they had voted for Bush because unNew Hampshire to pursue a doctorate degree der Republicans they had more money. This It may be unwise, in the teaching of writing. evoked to her the robotic nature of people; politically incorrect even, One night she had a dream that proved de- the generalized, conscienceless and mindless to use cancer as metaphor, cisive: She was in a room with many women growth of commercial malls, spreading like but God! how I fear them: sitting around a table covered with a lace ta- cancer, and the decaying materialistic values blecloth; all were writing, telling their truth, of society. all the happy consumers, especially as it relates to their sexual abuse Writing remains an essential tool for Brosas they gather in solid and oppression. She felt terrified, woke up and mer. prosperous tumors, wrote the first brochure for WWF(a)C. This “I use it to translate the word into the world,” shop for the best buys, was in 1991; 15 women joined the first class. she says. grow malignant, and metastasize. The next semester she quit her teaching job, This surely applies to her, but also to all the abandoned her graduate school plans and de- activities she has been pioneering through
A
rtists ctivists
Artists as Activists is a regular column highlighting Greater Cincinnati artists who use art as a vehicle for change. Saad Ghosn is the founder of SOS Art.