Streetvibes November 15-30 Edition

Men Fight, Women Suffer Page 8 Politics as Punishment Page 3

Artists as Activists Page 16

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N o v. 1 5 - 3 0 , 2 0 0 9 • A d v o c a t i n g J u s t i c e , B u i l d i n g C o m m u n i t y • I s s u e 1 6 5

Metropole Tenants Tell 3CDC:Hell No, We Won’t Go Residents vow to resist displacement

By Gregory Flannery Editor

are the ones upholding the law. Today it’s a different story. How does it feel to have the power?” enants at the Metropole Blocking tenants’ advocates from Apartments downtown the earlier meeting is part of a comtook over a Nov. 5 meeting plaint filed with HUD by the Legal called by the Cincinnati Center City Aid Society of Cincinnati. The comDevelopment Corp. (3CDC), which plaint accuses 3CDC of housing dishas bought the building and plans to crimination, deception and other force them out. violations of law.

The takeover, orThe Homeless ganized by the staff “They’re trying to kick you out Coalition has been of the Greater Cinorganizing tenants because of who you are. cinnati Coalition for three months, They don’t need for the Homeless warning them that another hotel downtown. and the Metropole 3CDC planned to They think you don’t fit.”

Tenants Associabuy the building - Rickell L. Howard, tion, came one day and convert it to Legal Aid attorney after Cincinnati a boutique hotel.

Police officers pre3CDC – a nonvented the Homeless Coalition from profit development group partly attending a 3CDC meeting with ten- funded by the city of Cincinnati – ants. acquired the property last week for Because the Metropole houses $6.25 million. low-income people under a con“3CDC has purchased your home tract with the U.S. Department of and they desire to make your home Housing and Urban Development into hotel rooms for tourists,” Spring (HUD), tenants have a right to have said. “They think you don’t fit in with advocates present at meetings with the entertainment district. For three landlords, according to Josh Spring, months they asked us not to talk to executive director of the Homeless you, but we did.”

Coalition.

“Yesterday the police department ‘How would you like it?’ kept the advocates and the lawyers out,” Spring told the tenants. “The 3CDC had called a tenants’ meettenants have taken over the meet- ing for 4 p.m. Nov. 5. But at 3 p.m. the ing now. The truth is you have a legal See Metropole, p. 4 right to have advocates here, so we

T

The Metropole Apartments are located across from the Aronoff Center on Walnut Street. Developers want to turn the building into a boutique hotel, displacing the 200 low-income tenants who live in the building.

Photo by Bill Haigh.

Women Have the Right to Safety Immigration status shouldn’t allow abuse to continue

By Samantha Groark Contributing Writer

velop resources entirely in Spanish for Cincinnati’s growing Hispanic population. ienes derechos y proThe number of Hispanic residents tección,” writer Lorena is growing at an incredible rate, more Mora-Mowry told the than doubling since 1990 and now audience Nov. 5 at totaling 30,000 to a screening of Do40,000, accordmestic Violence in “Tienes derechos y protección.” ing to Su Casa, a the Hispanic ComCatholic Chari- Lorena Mora-Mowry munity, presented ties organization. by the Alliance for The numbers are Immigrant Women. expected to climb even higher over “You have rights and protection.” the next five years.

The film examines the problem of Theresa Singleton, the protection domestic violence and the commu- from abuse director at YWCA of Cinnity resources available to those who cinnati, said the movie was created have been affected by it. Presented to raise awareness about domestic in Spanish with English subtitles, the film is part of a campaign to deSee Women, p. 6

“T

Lorena Mora-Mowry spoke at the screening of Domestic Violence in the Hispanic Community. Photo by Natalie Hager.

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The Vibe

By The Numbers

1 in 5

the ratio of African Americans executed after being tried by all-white juries (see page 11).

5

the age of some of the 27 million slaves in the world (see page 11).

3

the number of governors who have vetoed single-payer health plans in their states (see page 10).

40

million the number of new customers insurance companies will have if the Senate’s health-care plan becomes law (see page 9).

40,000

the estimated Hispanic population in Greater Cincinnati (see page 1).

6

the number of Cincinnati Police officers at the site of the Metropole Apartments during a tenants’ meeting (see page 1).

51,000

the number of prisoners held by the state of Ohio (see page 3).

130,000

the number of refugees in camps in Darfur, Sudan (see page 8).

3

the number of endorsed Democrats elected Nov. 3 to Cincinnati City Council (see page 2).

1

the number of formerly endorsed Democrats elected (see page 2).

STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009

StreetWise

By Gregory Flannery Editor

West Bank? Over-the-Rhine? What’s the Difference?

Oppression of poor people in one part of the world often bears a remarkable similarity to oppression of poor people in other parts of the world. That’s the insightful conclusion that Nancy Paraskevopoulos reached after touring Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Viewing the settlements, she thought something seemed familiar: Why, yes, the settlements reminded her of 3CDC, the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. Paraskevopoulos wrote her account for the University of Cincinnati’s News Record, an article headlined, “Expansion Abroad Similar to 3CDC.” Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine are a complex issue, but even its ally, the United States, agrees that they are an impediment to the peace process. Less complicated is 3CDC’s plan to throw out more low-income residents to make room for upscale developments (see story on page 1). Here is what Paraskevopoulos had to say: “The first (settlement) we saw was Nof Zion, which reminded me of gentrified townhouses in my city’s neighborhood, Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine. The settlement, built by and advertised to wealthy Jewish internationals, illustrates a clear view of Jerusalem, the City of David and Mount Zion. Similarly, prefabricated communities in Over-the- Rhine are built by and advertised to wealthy, white suburbanites. Cincinnati Center City Development Corp.’s projects here, the ones with 3CDC signs out front, like Nof Zion, boast of development, historical significance and security.

“More importantly, they both lack even simple recognition of the communities they are overtaking and ousting. A block away from the aforementioned Over-the-Rhine complex is a predominantly black ghetto. The valley across which residents of Nof Zion might view important cultural and religious sites houses a Palestinian community, which Nof Zion cuts off from other Palestinian communities in the West Bank. As my ICAHD representative put it, these development industries “manipulate the view to create this myopia. You see what you want to.”

Council Elections Presage Struggle for Fairness If you thought it’s been hard to get the city of Cincinnati to adequately support human services in recent years, you haven’t seen anything yet. The Nov. 3 election for city council returned Charterite Chris Bortz to office; he’s the mastermind behind council’s plan to use zoning regulations to limit social-services agencies in Over-the-Rhine. Also re-elected was Jeff Berding, whom the Democrats had endorsed, then un-endorsed because of his refusal to support the demand for budget concessions from the Fraternal Order of Police. Perhaps most troubling of all, however, is the return of former Councilman Charlie Winburn, a member of the troglodyte wing of the Republican Party.

When the votes were tallied, the winners were four Democrats – or three, depending on whether Berding qualifies: Cecil Thomas, Laure Quinlivan and Laketa Cole. Quinlivan, a former TV news reporter, took the seat of the progressive Democrat Greg Harris. The Republicans have three members on council: Winburn, Chris Monzel and Leslie Ghiz. The Charter Party has two members: Bortz and Roxanne Qualls, who scored the most votes.

That kind of lineup makes it all the more important to pass a charter amendment requiring the city to allocate 1.5 percent of its general fund to human services. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless hopes to launch that initiative soon.

Faced with a well financed campaign supported by virtually every politician in town, voters denied themselves the opportunity to vote on the streetcar plan. The defeated charter amendment was a grassroots effort by the Cincinnati Chapter of the National Association of Colored People and other groups to impede the Streetcars That Will Save Our City. Cincinnati plans to spend about $200 million on a six-mile streetcar line, certain that streetcars are just what people are waiting for before moving to Over-the-Rhine. City council members convinced voters that letting them decide on such a boondoggle really wasn’t in their best interest.

The election results weren’t without good news. The tax levy for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County won approval. So did levies for the Hamilton County Department of Developmental Disabilities and the Cincinnati Public Schools. Voters also approved a measure, backed by Cincinnati Progressive Action – that will require a referendum before city council can sell the Cincinnati Water Works.

Oh, yeah. Mayor Mark Mallory won re-election, beating Republican challenger Dr. Brad Wenstrup, perhaps best remembered for saying he felt safer in Iraq than in Cincinnati. While serving with U.S. occupation forces in Iraq, he worked at Abu Ghraib prison, notorious for the torture of Iraqi prisoners. Wenstrup was never implicated in those atrocities.

Can’t Decide How to Help? Oh, Pshaw!

Winter rapidly approaches. For homeless people, that means increased risk of sickness and death. Tala’s Distant Treasures, in Crestview Hills Mall is planning to help. The store announced last week that it will donate to the Homeless Coalition 5 percent of its revenue from the sale of shawls. Furthermore, anyone who donates a used shawl at the store will receive a $5 discount off the cost of a new one. Tala’s will then donate the used shawls for distribution to homeless people. Here’s a holiday shoppint tip: Buy a shawl at Tala’s.

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, Samantha Groark, 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, Steven Paul Lansky Photography/Artwork Aimie Willhoite, Lynne Ausman, Jeni Jenkins, Anthony Williams, Bill Haigh, Clarissa Peppers Proofreaders Jennifer Blalock Lynn Baker Jeremey Flannery 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.

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STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009

Local News

The Politics of Punishment

3

Too many prisoners?

Try changing the laws

By Jeremy Flannery Contributing Writer

P

aroled convicts in Ohio aren’t guaranteed the right to appeal wrongful convictions through DNA tests. That right is guaranteed only to people who are still incarcerated, according to Mark Godsey, director of the Ohio Innocence Project.

That is the reason Robert McClendon avoided parole while serving 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit, Godsey says: McClendon wanted DNA testing to exonerate him – and to do that, he had to stay behind bars.

McClendon was released last year after being officially exonerated by the state. The Ohio Innocence Project has helped exonerate seven other people from wrongful convictions since starting in 2005, Godsey says.

Preventing wrongful convictions was one of the three issues at a Nov. 4 forum on reforming Ohio’s correctional policies. Representatives of the Ohio Innocence Project, the Ohio Justice and Policy Center and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio proposed solutions to prevent wrongful convictions, provide employment opportunities to released convicts and reduce the number of incarcerated low-level offenders.

The Urban League of Greater Cincinnait hosted a forum on “Lock ‘em Up Politics.” Photo by Clarissa Peppers.

who cannot find employment are more likely to commit other crimes in order to survive, JohnsonGrove said.

“One of the things to reduce excessive expenditure with locking people up and policing – because we have so many people just cycling through the justice system – is to interrupt that cycle with some form of productive work,” he said.

OJPC also proposes that prisons issue a “certificate of good conduct” to show that a former inmate ‘Interrupt the cycle’ is recommended for consideration of employment due to good conduct and hard work. OJPC also proGodsey proposed changes in policing and use of poses that Ohio establish an “employment access evidence to prevent wrongful convictions. Seventy- certificate” to remove state laws prohibiting people five percent of wrongful convictions in Ohio arise with certain criminal records from obtaining jobs from eyewitness misidentifiwith the state or licenses to work cations, he said. Police should in certain types of businesses. change suspect lineups for eye- “This great democracy of ours “We’re trying to crack open the witnesses to sequential displays, incarcerates more people than door so people can have a shot,” showing one suspect at a time, any other nation in the world.” JohnsonGrove said. instead of showing all suspects OJPC also proposes new in- Gary Daniels, ACLU of Ohio at once, he said says. The officentives to private companies cer involved in lineups shouldn’t for hiring released convicts. The know who the suspects are or the crime they’re sus- incentives include statutory protection from neglipected of; that would prevent them from prejudic- gent-hiring lawsuits for hiring people with criminal ing the witnesses, according to Godsey. records, coupled with regulation of business-insurPolice should videotape arrests for homicide ance premiums to ensure businesses are not finanand sexual assault from the reading of the Miranda cially penalized for hiring such people, Johnsonrights until the end of interrogations in order to Grove said. The state could also establish bonds to prevent false confessions, Godsey said. protect employers from damages incurred by such The state of Ohio should store all DNA obtained employees and offer business tax credits for hiring from suspects and convicts, he said. Ohio has no released felons, he said. laws requiring the preservation of DNA samples used in court, which can lead to the destruction ‘Smart on crime’ of DNA samples once prisoners are released. This eliminates the opportunity for released convicts to Gary Daniels, associate director of the American exonerate themselves and help the state find the Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, proposed diversion actual offenders, Godsey said. programs as an alternative to incarceration for lowSteven JohnsonGrove of the Ohio Justice and level offenses. He urged support for Senate Bill 22, Policy Center (OJPC) addressed the employment which would: needs of released prisoners. OJPC wants the state • increase the number of days prisoners can earn to establish a “certificate of rehabilitation” for retoward early release, leased convicts to have the right to obtain state jobs • reduce the disparities between penalties for and to provide more incentives to private compacrack and powder cocaine, nies to hire former offenders. Released prisoners • eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for

Gary Daniels, Stephen JohnsonGrove and Mark Godsey want reform of Ohio criminal laws.

Photo by Clarissa Peppers.

many low-level drug crimes, increase the use of diversion programs for lowlevel drug offenders and nonpayment of child support and • raise the threshold for incarceration for theft, vandalism or corrupt activity from $750 to $1,000.

“We need to figure out who we’re mad at and who really needs to be locked up,” Daniels said. “Right now we continue to lock up too many people we’re just mad at.”

Incarcerating people for nonpayment of child support harms the offender, the custodial parent and the children, according to Daniels. If a person is incarcerated for nonpayment of child support, not only can he or she no longer earn an income while incarcerated, the offender faces the stigma from a conviction when applying for work after being released, he said.

The disparity of punishment between crackcocaine and powder-cocaine infractions is an Ohio version of Jim Crow laws, Daniels said. While there is no chemical disparity between the two physical forms of cocaine, Ohio law demands higher punishments for crack-cocaine infractions. Daniels said crack cocaine is more widely used by Americans with dark skin, while Americans with light skin tend to use powder cocaine.

Daniels noted that the United States holds over 2 million people in prison, while China has over 1 million prisoners. Politicians and the public should work toward being “smart on crime” instead of being “tough on crime” before policing and prison budget needs bankrupt the state’s 2010 budget, Daniels said.

“This great democracy of ours incarcerates more people than any other nation in the world,” he said.

“In Ohio, we just can’t afford to do that anymore, because if we continue to do so, we are going to end up with a state budget that deals only with Medicaid, education and prisons.”

Terry Collins, director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC), says he supports Senate Bill 22 as a good first step toward stabilizing and reducing the prison population in Ohio. Over 50 percent of incarcerated offenders serve less than 12 months, he says. Eliminating mandatory minimum sentencing for low-level offenders would give judges more leeway to divert such offenders into community programs instead of being incarcerated, he says.

“We believe that if some people are given the opportunity to keep their families together or are unemployed, rather than taking them out of the community, let’s make them active citizens so they’re working and paying taxes into the community instead of being a tax burden on the state by sitting in prison,” Collins says.

The state of Ohio currently imprisons about 51,000 people in a system designed to incarcerate 38,665, according to ODRC. The department estimates the prison population will increase by about 600 every year through 2018 unless more diversion programs are instituted.

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Local News

STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009

Metropole: Hell No, We Won’t Go Continued from page 1

Homeless Coalition and the Metro- Asked if he worked for 3CDC, he pole Tenants Association carefully again said, “No.” Spring later inexecuted a pre-emptive strike. House troduced – or outed – him as Adam rules allow visitors in the Metropole Gelter, development director for only by invitation of residents. Jeff 3CDC. Eaton, a member of the tenants’ assoWhen the man stalked off, Spring ciation, told the addressed the desk clerk that tenants. he had seven “The tenants have taken over the “They want visitors: Spring; meeting now. The truth is you have to take your Rob Goeller, a legal right to have advocates here, home and turn civil-rights coit into a hotel so we are the ones upholding the ordinator for law. Today it’s a different story. How for tourists,” the Homeless he said. “They does it feel to have the power?”

Coalition; Bon- Josh Spring, homeless coalition didn’t ask you. nie Neumeier, Some of you director of the have lived here Peaslee Neighover 20 years. borhood Center; three journalists; Do you think that you are cattle to and a Legal Aid lawyer. be herded around the city?”

The group went to the Metropole The crowd answered, “No!” ballroom, where the activists posted “So what are you going to do signs listing their demands and ar- about it?” Spring said. “Are you goranged chairs in a circle. Dozens of ing to fight for your housing?” residents began filing into the ball“Yes!” the tenants answered. room – a full hour before 3CDC’s Several tenants then spoke. scheduled meeting, an indication “If we don’t stick up for ourthat the takeover had been planned selves, it’s going to affect our lives in advance. and other people’s lives,” said RobAs the meeting was about to start, a ert Wavra. “A lot of people have man huddled with Spring and Goeller used this building to get started or and asked them to let 3CDC proceed re-started because it didn’t charge a with its own meeting. lot for rent.”

“We’ll tell them the information Wavra introduced an argument they do need,” the man said. that would be repeated by Spring Spring refused to back down. and the Legal Aid attorneys: 3CDC “You’ve had plenty of opportunity,” wants to evict the residents because Spring said. “You low-income people haven’t talked don’t fit into 3CDC’s “This is legal advice: Don’t to the tenants. plans for the downThis is a tenants’ town entertainment move. If you move, you won’t meeting now. You district. get what you’re entitled to. If should take the you give in to the lies and false “They don’t think low seat and hear you deserve to be promises of the new owners, what the tenants close to the bus you’re going to get ripped off. have to say.”

What the owners of this building routes,” Wavra said.

“Fine,” the “They don’t think are trying to do is cleanse man said. “Then you deserve to be downtown of people like you. we won’t have a close to Fountain They want rich white people.” meeting.”

Square. We’ve got - John Schrider, The man to stand up for ourLegal Aid attorney walked away. selves and for the When a reporter people coming beasked for his name, the man said, hind us. If we let this go, it’s gone for “No.” Asked if he were with Metropole good.” management, the man said, “No.” Another resident, Tracy Hall, said

Adam Gelter of 3CDC at first denied he worked for 3CDC. Photos by Clarissa Peppers. the federally subsidized apartments in a jacket came to you and said, ‘You at the Metropole helped have to move and we’ve her change her life. been planning it for “For 12 years I was “They don’t think you months,’ ” Hall said. homeless,” she said. “If it deserve to be close The Brickstone reprewasn’t for the Metropole, I sentative replied, “We’re to the bus routes. would not have had a sec- They don’t think you not putting anyone out ond chance. Yes, there are deserve to be close on the streets. I’m just some stains on the carpet to Fountain Square. here to do a job.” and some things need to Like Gelter – the We’ve got to stand be repainted, but big deal.

3CDC employee who up for ourselves By moving in here, I’ve denied that he was with and for the people been able to attend colcoming behind us. 3CDC – the woman lege and get a job and get If we let this go, it’s wouldn’t give her name. a second chance.”

A Cincinnati Police gone for good.”

Hall addressed a womofficer entered the ball- Robert Wavra, an from Brickstone Proproom but didn’t interMetropole tenant erties, the management fere with the meeting. company hired by 3CDC Three police officers to help residents find other housing.

See Metropole, p. 5 “How would you like it if someone

Residents joining the Metropole Tenants Association to save their homes from being converted into a boutique hotel. Photos by Clarissa Peppers.

STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009

Local News

Metropole: Hell No, We Won’t Go

5

Continued from page 1

with Brickstone or 3CDC while the HUD complaint is pendwere stationed in the lobby and two cops on horse- ing. No residents can be forced back were in front of the Metropole during the to move for the next year, the meeting, according to Lynne Ausman, administra- homeless advocates said. tive coordinator for the Homeless Coalition.

“This is legal advice: Don’t “3CDC and Brickstone have called the police,” move,” Schrider said. “If you move, you won’t get what you’re Spring told the tenants. “They’re afraid of you.” entitled to. If you give in to the lies and false promises of the ‘You don’t fit’ new owners, you’re going to get In the ballroom, the Metropole Tenants Associa- ripped off. What the owners of this building are trying to do tion posted a list of demands for 3CDC: “1. Renovate our homes here to the same level as is cleanse downtown of people like you. They want rich white your condos. people.”

“2. We will stay a community.

Schrider’s colleague at Legal “3. Metropole must stay affordable housing.

“4. Laws must be made to prevent this (loss of af- Aid, Rickell L. Howard, echoed his assertion: 3CDC wants poor fordable housing).”

HUD regulations require relocation assistance people out of the downtown from 3CDC now that it has purchased the Metro- entertainment district.

“They’re trying to kick you pole. But Spring, Goeller and John Schrider, attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Cincinnati, urged out because of who you are,” tenants not to move and not to sign any agreements Howard said. “They don’t need another hotel downtown. They John Schrider of the Legal Aid Society represents the Metropole think you don’t Tenants Association. Legal Aid filed a complaint with the U.S. fit.”

Department of Housing and Urban Development claiming that 3CDC After nearly has violated federal fair housing laws. two hours Spring introduced Gelter of 3CDC and Steve Smith of the Mod- he said. “We don’t want anyone to sign anything.” el Group – parent company of Brick“You did yesterday!” a man in the crowd yelled. stone Properties – to the tenants.

Other members of the crowd demanded that “Adam Gelter’s here,” Spring said. Gelter and Smith stand in the center of the room “He’s the one who said he didn’t want so all tenants could hear them. The two men comto listen to you.” plied.

Gelter apologized for “the confu“We intend to work within the rules,” Smith said. sion of the letter” 3CDC had earlier “We will do things as HUD stipulates they must be sent tenants. done.”

“We don’t want anyone to move,” But if there were any doubts about 3CDC’s intentions, Smith made them clear, ignoring the demand that the tenants be allowed to stay. He instead told the tenants something that was never in dispute: The tenants can move whenever they want.

“If people want to move out of the Metropole, that’s their right,” Smith said.

“Our job is to make sure people don’t fall through the cracks and become homeless.”

That was a curious assertion by the very company whose job it is to rid the Metropole of its low-income tenants.

Throughout the meeting Bonnie Neumeier, a longtime advocate for homeless people, led tenants in updated versions of traditional civil-rights songs: “The Metropole’s our home. We shall not be moved. … Tenants united, we shall not be moved.”

3CDC called a tenant meeting after it purchased the Metropole Apartments on Walnut Street. Residents, along No one from 3CDC sang along. with advocates and the Legal Aid Society, organized prior to the meeting to tell 3CDC that they will not be removed from their homes. Photos by Clarissa Peppers.

Mary

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STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009

Local News

Women Have the Right to Safety Continued from page 1

violence and reach out to Latin American women who believe they have no rights because of their immigration status. The makers of the movie hope to help Latin American women understand they are entitled under law to get help, that everyone has the right to feel safe whether they are “illegal” or not.

‘End the fear’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

One in three women suffers from domestic violence, acOne in three women cording to the Latino Alliance to Eliminate Domestic Viosuffers from domestic violence, according to the lence. Additionally, the fear Latino Alliance to Eliminate of being deported is a barrier faced by 64 percent of Latinas Domestic Violence. Additionally, the fear of being when seeking help.

“The main barriers faced by deported is a barrier faced Latin American women sufby 64 percent of Latinas The audience learned about the prevelance of domestic violence in Latin American families. fering from domestic violence when seeking help.

Photo by Natalie Hager. are language and fear of police and immigration,” MoraMowry said. “They are afraid that, if they accuse their husband or partner, they might be deported.” judicial process, according to Laboy. The other 90 percent become There are many reasons why battered women are afraid to call for afraid during the process and withdraw, ultimately recommitting to help, but Latin American women face unique barriers once they de- a continual cycle of abuse. cide they can no longer handle the abuse.

“We have to end the fear,” said Padre Jorge Ochoa, pastor of San You aren’t alone Carlos Borromeo Hispanic Church. “We have to break down the barriers – for example, not knowing the language, being unable to comHispanic women suffering abuse, whether physical or verbal, municate.” should keep in mind that support is available from churches, organiUniversal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 6: “Everyone has the zations that offer shelter and the Alliance of Immigrant Women. right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.”

“One thing that Latina women need to know is that they are not “In the United States, we, as citizens and whoever lives here, alone,” Mora-Mowry said. “There are peowhether we are citizens or not, have papers or not, we have many le- ple who will help you.” gal rights. …We have the right to live in peace, to live and to be safe Many Latin American women have “We are not immigration. We in our home, not to have to suffer violence, for example,” said Adolfo found protection with various groups don’t care about your papers.

Olivas, a member of the Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio. throughout Cincinnati, such as the YWCA If you are being physically or He advised Latin American women who are being abused to “call Battered Women’s Shelter. verbally abused, you should “I had a great opportunity there,” one the police, because the laws in the U.S.A. are made in such a way that call the police and we will people who are victims of abuse, if they call the police, will have pro- woman said at the film screening. “They assist you. Victims don’t ever helped a great deal. It’s a wonderful place, tection. They will not be deported.” need papers.”

Cincinnati Police Officer Jose Laboy spoke about his experience a safe place for battered women. … They - Officer Jose Laboy never abandoned me.” working with domestic violence calls in the Hispanic community.

Recovering from physical and psycho“We are not immigration,” he said. “We don’t care about your papers. If you are being physically or verbally abused, you should call logical abuse, she stayed at the shelter with her two children while the YWCA helped her find a place to stay and a job. They also helped the police and we will assist you. Victims don’t ever need papers.”

Laboy said that, in the case of undocumented offenders, deporta- with her immigration status and referred her to free legal counsel. She tion becomes a possibility if charges are filed. For many Latin Ameri- ultimately got legal residency for herself and her children. She said can women, the fear of their spouses being deported is often more many women are often afraid to make the decision to leave an abuterrifying than being deported themselves. The loss of their husbands sive relationship.

“There are women who have given up on their lives,” she said. presents a whole new level of abuse: poverty, homelessness, depresMany Latin Americans grow up familiar with domestic violence. sion, isolation, loneliness. They could essentially be left with nothing to provide for themselves or for their children. There have also been The goal of the organizations presenting the movie is a new age of cases where deported spouses have returned to harass them or have respect in the family and community. Domestic violence does not just occur in the Hispanic community; it is a reality faced by women of all harassed their families in their native country.

Only 10 percent of victims carry charges all the way through the races.

Persons who want to show Domestic Violence in the Hispanic Community to their community or organization can call Sophia Kostoff, coordinator for the Alliance for Immigrant Women, at 513-361-2150.

Persons who need help dealing with domestic violence can contact: • • • •

Cincinnati Police Officer Jose Laboy (left) and Padre Jorge Ochoa, pastor of San Carlos Borromeo Hispanic Church, spoke with the audience about their experiences working with victims of domestic violence.

the YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter at 513-872-9259 or (toll-free) 888)-872-9259; Women Helping Women, which offers court and law enforcement advocacy and support groups, at 513361-5610; Su Casa, which offers information and referral, health promotion and literacy education, at 513 761-1588; and the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, which offers help securing protection orders, resolving custody disputes, representation in divorce proceeding and assisting battered women in working toward legal residency. The number is 513-241-9400 or (toll-free) 800582-2682.

STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009

Sports

Bengals Are for Real This Time

7

Ignore the skeptic behind the curtain

By B. Clifton Burke Contributing Writer

fense is a new blueprint for Marvin Lewis’s Bengals,” they all agreed. team, but it’s starting to cash in. This year’s That is the underlying reason why the roster is made up of men who are only con- Vegas wizard and everyone else can’t, or eep within a bunker under a non- cerned about the meetings, practices and won’t, believe in them; they first must prove descript casino in Las Vegas, an games of today – not about the graveyard they can handle winning. The term “menold sports wizard scans his yel- of the past or the big tal toughness” is used low, glassy eyes across dozens of television stage of the future. They when defining the screens and creates point spreads based on appear disciplined and Some fans grumble about the intangibles that are what he sees. Apparently, he wasn't all that prepared on game days, believed to make up conservative stubbornness of impressed from Cincinnati's first seven and the coaches have championship teams, Marvin and his staff, but the games and declared the Bengals a three- etched out and stuck man’s unwavering determination and a pervasive doubt point home underdog against the Ravens in with game plans that to manage the team his way has exists in the minds of Week 9. This despite the fact that Cincinnati work. many football freaks created a sense of consistency owned a better record, was coming off of a Some fans grumble that Cincinnati has and routine for the players. bye week after dismantling Chicago and al- about the conservative what it takes upstairs. ready beat Baltimore once in the season. stubbornness of MarThis too is simply in“Same old Bengals,” he murmured to vin and his staff, but the man’s unwavering correct. himself and squashed another cigarette determination to manage the team his way Look at what they have already overbutt into his ashtray. has created a sense of consistency and rou- come: a fluke loss to Denver to open the This man, like the rest of the sports tine for the players. As a result, this group season, four straight come-from-behind world, is wrong about that and has been all goes about their business like daily laborers wins, a tsunami in Samoa and the death of season. rather than well-paid superstars. It’s exactly Mike Zimmer’s wife, Vikki. They have been Once again the Bengals proved it by shov- how Marvin wants it; you come to work ev- doubted in nearly every step of the way this ing Baltimore out of town bruised and beat- ery day just like everyone else. season, yet people remain surprised when en. After the win, NFL Network anchorman Bengal teams of the past had issues deal- they achieve any success at all.

Rich Eisen asked Deon ing with success. In 2005 I don’t expect the skeptics to be swayed Sanders why the Bengals no one was used to them until the Bengals win the Super Bowl. Even are so good all of a sudden. I don’t expect the skeptics to winning; the fans, the me- the notion of that possibility causes the All of a sudden? Cincinnati be swayed until the Bengals dia and the players them- wizard to roll his old eyes and snigger. wouldn’t have a 6-2 record selves all hopped on the “That’ll be the day,” he says to the telewin the Super Bowl. if wins and success were super-bandwagon. Noth- vision screen that displays the score of anany kind of recent develing seemed impossible in other Bengals win. “I might have to find a opment. those days; every week was magical. Then new job if that happens.”

No, sir, the Bengals are for real and it’s life reminded us yet again that there is no Las Vegas is now accepting resumes for about time the world starts seeing them such thing as magic and obliterated Carson an open sports-wizard position. that way. The old formula of winning the Palmer’s knee to prove the point. The world Visit mojokong.blogspot.com.

AFC North with rushing yards and run de- looked around and shrugged, “Same old

D

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8

Issues

STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009

Men Fight, and the Women Suffer War is an equal-opportunity destroyer

By Vicky C. McDonald Contributing Writer

W

omen are the forgotten victims of war: That was the theme of an Oct. 28 forum at Xavier University.

The program, part of the Xavier University Women’s Center’s weekly “Thinking Outside the LunchBox” series, featured Vince Costello of the American Red Cross and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Costello showed Women Fleeing War, a film about how different women have been affected by conflict in various parts of the world. The movie discussed women in cities, in refugee camps and in villages.

Women have fled to the capital city of Bogotá, Colombia, as a result of that country’s decadeslong civil war. Many women, who feel it is not safe to go back to their farms, have family members who are missing. ICRC gives basic needs to help assist these disA displaced woman uses a water pump to fill her containers at the water point in Zam Zam IDP camp in Al Fasher, placed women, but unfortunately northern Darfur March 12, 2009. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (SUDAN SOCIETY). their resources are limited. The women get assistance to buy basic essentials instead of working the land to get what they need. These women live the crops, their husbands. Women in these camps assistant to care for her nine children. She wants to in fear because they are alone, many with young rely on aid organizations. Every 30-35 days food make sure her children are educated to guarantee children and limited skills to obtain a job. aid arrives. Some women must sell what’s given to their safety and have them work in offices.

The village of Gorlu, Liberia, has also been suf- them for other essentials.

“Women are taking on roles that are not normalfering from civil war. Families that Due to the vast numbers of refu- ly a part of their culture,” Costello said. at one time lived close together gees, women in Darfur are forced to Costello said that if people want to help, it can Displacement camps in go outside the safety of the camps be something as simple as holding forums such as have been separated by the conflict. Food is exchanged for labor, Darfur, Sudan, hold up to to collect wood, and in the process the one at the Women’s Center. Educated about the but some families do not have men many have been raped and accosted. plight of these women, people can then choose to 130,000 people. to do this exchange. The ICRC supDue to social stigma, women often be involved by donating time or money to the Red plies food for men working to build do not reveal when this happens be- Cross, he said. houses for the widowed women. cause their culture believes that they should have For more information about the “Thinking OutDisplacement camps in Darfur, Sudan, hold up somehow been able to prevent rape. side the LunchBox” series, visit xavier.edu/womento 130,000 people. Women who live there have self“Women without escorts are targeted because scenter. made tents to hold families. Many have fled to these they are looked at as being vulnerable within their “The lunch box series is an informal structure camps because their villages have been attacked. population,” Costello said. “Oppression occurs be- where anything is up for discussion and dialogue,” Many times these women don’t know which armed cause women are not allowed to be educated.” said student assistant Tara Immel. groups had attacked them.

A former housewife in the film, whose husband Everything they knew is gone; their way of life, was killed, has been forced to work as a builder’s

Letter to the Editor To the editor: I read your paper through and through every issue. It has become a really fascinating publication, as it speaks of a wide variety of subjects and (I hope) views.

I’m a newly located merchant on Vine Street, although the Little Mahatma is going into its 21st year in business.

In the 1970s I was a public-

health nurse on 12th Street for the Cincinnati Health Department. I’m a modest but loyal supporter of the Drop Inn Center. I am white, I don’t want the streetcars and many would consider me as one of those “gentrifiers.”

An old local resident came in today and said, “Thank God people are taking care of this area. It’s about time.”

I’m saying all this because

! ? t a h W

the “us and them” philosophy gets no one what they want.

Historically, it is the premise on which all wars have been fought. Can’t we evolve to allow everyone to be what they are?

Jim Tarbell is no saint (see “Gigantic Insult? Towering Tribute?” in edition of Nov. 1-14). Do you know any? But he has worked his butt off for this city and the only elected

official to stand amid the chaos of the riots.

Buddy Gray worked tirelessly for a just cause and often threw the baby out with the bath water. He was so angry he bit the hand of those trying to help him often. He probably has a special place in heaven for champions of just causes.

I was interviewed twice by the Miami students and was

really surprised by the loaded questions. It was not unbiased at all. It was a real “us and them” survey. I am very interested in all that goes on around me in Over-the-Rhine.

It’s a wonderful, soulful place, and I’ve risked everything I own to be part of it.

With all best wishes, keep up the good work -Gloria McConnaghy

Peace, in the sense of absence of war, is of little value to someone who is dying of hunger or cold. It will not remove the pain of torture inflicted on a prisoner of conscience. It does not comfort those who have lost their loved ones in floods caused by senseless deforestation in a neighboring country. Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free. – The Dalai Lama

y a S _____________________

STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009

Film Review

Race Can Be a Big Hairy Deal Chris Rock takes on the root of the problem

By Vicky C. McDonald Contributing Writer

G

ood Hair is a documentary that explores the relationship of the African-American woman’s identity and her hair and the multi-billion dollar industry that surrounds it.

Chris Rock takes on this task when his young daughter asks him why she doesn’t have good hair. Rock’s worldwide journey to discovering the answers about AfricanAmerican women’s hair starts in Atlanta, where the Bronner Brothers Hair Show is taking place. This big event is the cornerstone for black women’s hair, with vendors of top-of-the-line hair products marketed for the African-American community, capped off with an elaborate hairstyling competition.

At the event, Rock finds that a vast majority of the booths at the hair show are Asian-

run and white-owned, supplying products while only two rows among a vast warehouse of booths are owned by African-American entrepreneurs. Rock questions who really owns the market for black women’s hair and why black women feel it is so important to maintain a certain look.

Rock runs across tales of women who would sooner pay thousands of dollars for a weave than pay rent. With the constant deluge of marketing strategies taking place, it might come as no surprise that Americans, in general, spend beyond their means to maintain a high level of beauty as defined by those marketing strategies.

However, Good Hair goes beyond everyday media and suggests that black women endeavor to be more like white women and use hair as a means to achieve this goal.

It is suggested that AfricanAmerican women want their hair to be straight, flowing and bouncy with a look of the lighter the better, as would be found on a white woman’s head.

It’s more than just a marketing campaign that plac-

es these thoughts into the minds of black women. Unfortunately, the dichotomy of race is prevalent even in a time when an African-American man is president. Society forces black women to appear a certain way so that they will be accepted into a career or relationship with other races.

In the film, comedian Paul Mooney is quoted, “If your hair is relaxed, then white people are relaxed. If your hair is nappy, then they’re not happy.”

Hair is just one of many social stigmas facing AfricanAmerican women, starting at an early age as women contact their pediatricians to see if it is OK to place a chemical known to burn the scalp on a 2-year-old child’s head.

Even teens of the same cultural background implore a peer to change her hair so as to become more socially acceptable.

On the surface, the film seems to spend too much time on the battle of the hairstylist. However, if the audience gets to the root of the battle, we see that it has become less about the hair and more about the flair.

The competition becomes

diluted, as showmanship is what brings about the winner – and not so much about how hair is cut. It has played into America’s technique of marketing, where the idea of hair has become more important than hair itself. The

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film is enlightening to those who might not understand African-American culture. It is witty, insightful and for all ethnicities, genders and ages.

Humana: Inhumane?

Reform rally decries insurance abuses

By Katy Heins Contributing Writer

A

crowd of 30 supporters of health-care reform gathered Oct. 20 in front of Humana Inc. offices in Cincinnati. With signs saying, “Big Insurance, Sick of It” and “Health Care for America Now,” supporters sought to make the point that large insurance companies, such as Humana, are using premiums to pay for lobbying efforts to stop health-care reform.

“Humana denied basic care for my daughter,” Kristen Barker told the crowd.

“My daughter began having seizures when she was 3 years old,” Barker said. “These seizures caused her to lose developmental abilities. Her doctors said she needed a variety of therapies, including physical therapy. At that time I thought I was lucky. These basic therapies were covered in my Humana plan. But then Humana denied her physical therapy. During this trying time of working for answers to my daughter’s seizures, I had to fight their denials. I even won their own grievance process to cover her physical therapy. But to this day Humana has never paid.”

Big insurance companies have a lot to gain from the

version of health-care re- most conservative healthform passed last month by care plan proposed by the the Senate Finance Commit- Senate Finance Committee. That bill would mandate tee as not good enough all Americans for insurto get insurance comance coverage During this trying time of panies. The through prir e p o r t ’s working for answers to vate insurance my daughter’s seizures, I m e t h o d c o m p a n i e s had to fight their denials. ology was – but without quickly adequate afdiscredfordability measures. That ited and the report was would mean a total of 40 mil- regarded as the industry’s lion new customers for insur- attempt to pressure Conance companies. The legis- gress to do their will. lation would also establish Proponents of healthfines for citizens who don’t care reform were angered buy insurance. by this latest move by inAnother speaker at the ral- surance companies to inly, Pam Franklin of the AMOS fluence the debate – not Project, spoke about the de- for the good of all, but for nial of health-care coverage their own financial gain. due to her pre-existing condiAs a senior citizen covtion, high blood pressure. She ered by Humana, Mary said that it is interesting that Causey of the Contact many African Americans are Center spoke about the unable to get health insur- company’s bureaucracy. ance, as nearly 50 percent of She said she is confused African Americans have high by the different co-pays for blood pressure. doctor visits, hospital visits “Being African American and prescriptions. seems to be a pre-existing “The United States is the condition,” Franklin said. richest country in the world, “Where will they stop? Next but still doesn’t provide health they’ll say, ‘You’re ugly - de- care for its citizens,” Causey nied!’ ” said. “I’ve worked all my life The insurance compa- and paid my dues. No one nies’ lobbying arm, American should be denied the peace Health Insurance Plans, came of mind of health coverage.” out earlier last month with a Pastor Troy Jackson of the report that decried even the AMOS Project compared the

Kristen Barker. Photo by Katy Heins. state of health care to a car with its “Check Engine” light on and spewing smoke.

“Health care has had its ‘Check Engine’ light on since the ’70’s,” he said. “It’s been emitting smoke for the last few decades. It is time to get health care fixed.”

Franklin summed up the feeling of the crowd.

“We want Rep. Driehaus to side with us, the people, and not with Big Insurance and

their greed,” she said.

After the rally, a small delegation visited Congressman Steve Driehaus’s office and asked his staff to not let the insurance company drive a wedge between him and his constituents. Those gathered reiterated their support for a public health-insurance plan and asked that Driehaus vote for a plan that includes a robust public option.

10

STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009

Local News

After the Health Insurance Bill?

Single-payer activists promise to continue their fight

By Suhith Wickrema Contributing Writer

T

he U.S. House of Representatives passed a historic health-insurance reform bill Nov. 7.

In anticipation of the bill’s passage, about 30 people interested in health-care reform gathered Oct. 27 at First Unitarian Church in Avondale for a forum sponsored

by Cincinnati Progressive Action, the Single Payer Action Network, the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center and the Cincinnati Beacon.

The featured speaker was Milton Fisk, professor emeritus of philosophy at Indiana University.

Fisk gave an analysis of the hazards relying on for-profit health insurance companies to provide for health care. He pointed to the “coincidence of interest between insurance companies and providers to increase premiums” and rates. Most insurance compa-

nies invest the premiums, because premiums are not used right away. The more money an insurance company has, the more money it has to invest.

Health-care providers want to charge more for their services so they can expand and have a larger percentage of the market, according to Fisk.

In return, insurance companies increase their premiums.

This cycle contributes to the high cost of health care.

Fisk called health care a “public good – a public good being something that everybody wants for everybody else in the society.” Other examples of a public good are fire stations, schools and police departments.

The health-insurance reform bill passed by the U.S. House will keep the for-profit insurance companies intact, not solving the problem of the high cost of health insurance.

“What do we do the day after Obama signs that health-

care bill?” Fisk asked.

Bob Park, a member of the Single Payer Action Network, reminded the audience that the state legislatures of California, Massachusetts and Vermont passed single-payer health-care bills, but the governors of those states vetoed them.

Another forum participant, who introduced himself as Nathan, reminded the audience that Medicare is a singlepayer system and Medicare’s overhead cost is only three percent. The overhead cost of for-profit insurance companies runs about 15 percent.

Most of the questions and comments from the audience were about how to get a single-payer health-care system implemented. Fisk pointed out that single-payer healthcare advocacy has been going on since the Roosevelt administration. He urged the audience to work with renewed energy to continue healthcare reform the day after the president signs a bill.

Milton Fisk says health care shouldn't rely on for-profit insurance companies. Photo by Doris Burton.

For more information about the single player campaign in Ohio, visit spanohio.org.

“Here’s to Our Health” Happy Hour Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery 1410 Main Street

Thursday, December 3, 2009 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Meet some of Community Shares’ healthcare groups Sip some wine and grab a snack

$5 suggested donation at the door will support the mission of Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati.

If you have questions please contact Mary Beth King at 513-475-0475 or king@cintishares.org Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati is a partnership of 27 local nonprofit organizations building social and economic equity and a health environment in Greater Cincinnati.

YPShares is for young professionals who strive to engage and inspire the next generation of community supporters to become passionately committed to causes that promote social and economic equity and a healthy environment.

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Call 513-421-7803 x11 to learn about Streetvibes subscriptions

STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009

11

Issues

Capital Punishment: A Race Issue Race figures predominantly in the death penalty

By Samantha Groark Contributing Writer

P

eople are executed in the United States because of race. Decades of investigation point to a strong link between racism and the cruelest form of punishment: the death sentence. Such a relationship suggests that racism, one of America’s oldest traits, still has the ability to determine a person’s life or death.

Even before the birth of the United States, African slaves in the newly founded colonies were struggling for justice. And even when slavery was eventually abolished in 1865, African Americans continued to face racial discrimination. While slavery is no longer authorized and many more African Americans enjoy some of the same privileges as whites, it is clear that African Americans still suffer from the pains of racism – and this is most obvious in the criminal-justice system.

“There is no question about how much the race of the victim influences the decision to sentence death,” said the Rev. Carroll Pickett at an Oct. 25 forum at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church.

Pickett, who spent 15 years as a death house chaplain in Texas, is the acclaimed author of Within these Walls, a memoir about the dark world of Death Row.

The color of death Dozens of death-penalty opponents gathered to hear Pickett speak. The event was part of the Day of Witness Against the Death Penalty sponsored by Presbyterian Action Against the Death Penalty. The Presbyterian Church, along with every other major religious sector, has declared its opposition to the death penalty, according to Pickett.

His talk focused on the racial discrimination prevalent in death-penalty cases and how often this leads to innocent people being put to death.

His most powerful claim is that racial inequity validates the often irregular and muddled delivery of capital punishment.

“The capital punishment system, when it comes to race, doesn’t so much deal with the race of the defendant as much as the race of the victim,” Pickett said. “People who have killed one or more white people and are charged with a capital crime are more likely to be sentenced to death than those whose victims are black.”

A variety of factors, including the defendant’s race, the victim’s race and the race of the jury typically determine who receives a death sentence, he said.

At least one in five African Americans executed in the United States since 1976 were tried in front of

Rev. Carroll Pickett says he knew innocent men who were executed in Texas. Photo by Aimie Willhoite. all-white juries, according to Amnesty International. In addition, over 80 percent of people executed since 1976 were convicted of killing white victims, while people of color make up more than half of all homicide victims.

In Ohio, Andrew Welsh-Huggins, an Associated Press journalist, has spent years doing extensive social and statistical analysis on the role of race in capital sentencing. His findings were consistent with decades of similar research around the country that suggest that the death penalty is riddled with class and racial bias. In his book, No Winners Here Tonight, Welsh-Huggins describes the results.

“Under Ohio’s 1981 capital punishment law, offenders facing a death-penalty charge for killing a white person were twice as likely to go to Death Row than if they had killed a black victim,” he wrote. “In 1,081 cases in which the victim or victims were white, 193 offenders, or 17.9 percent, were sentenced to death. In 800 cases where the victim or victims were black, 68 offenders, or 8.5 percent, were sentenced to death. Moreover, in 693 cases where the victim or victims were white and the offender was white, 127 offenders, or 18.3 percent, were sentenced to death. By contrast, in 752 cases where the victim or victims were black and the offender was black, 63 offenders, or 8.4 percent, were sentenced to death.”

Rev. Carroll Pickett with Sister Alice Gerdeman spoke about the death penlty at an Oct. 25 forum at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church. Photo by Aimie Willhoite.

Innocents executed Throughout his talk, Pickett referred to Death Row inmates with whom he had formed rich friendships. He spoke of Charlie and Leonel and of the many who, he had become convinced were not only innocent but had rehabilitated and recovered from their previous ills.

“Most of these men were uneducated and immature,” Pickett said. “The majority had around a seventh-grade education. They were into drugs and alcohol and didn’t have a loving support system. In prison, with the help of counselors and seasoned inmates, I watched them mature as men. I have no doubt that many of them were mentally restored before being killed.”

One of Pickett’s other concerns is the number of innocent people who have been put to death or who are now awaiting death.

“Our former governor, George W. Bush, has said that no innocent person in Texas has been sent to death row,” Pickett said. “I simply cannot accept this. I know there have been innocent men who have been killed.”

The people who are executed aren’t the only victims of capital punishment.

“There are so many victims besides the man dying,” Pickett said. “I have seen inmates, families of the executed, families of the victims, wardens, Death Row staff, district attorneys, counselors, activists and more affected by the constant pain of putting people to death. I have seen many have nervous breakdowns and/or walk out on their jobs and even more taking heavy anti-depressants just to be able to continue work. None of this is natural.”

For support in the Cincinnati area, there are many passionate individuals dedicated to helping prisoners and their families suffering from the gloom of Death Row. Families that Matter, a group organized through the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center, is a support group for people whose loved ones are on Ohio’s Death Row. In addition, Ohioans to Stop Executions, a statewide coalition, is studying alternatives and working for a moratorium on the death penalty.

In No Winners Here Tonight, Welsh-Huggins quotes former State Sen. Richard Finan, who helped create Ohio’s death-penalty law, saying the law is “the spinach the state has to eat” and Gov. Ted Strickland calling the death penalty “the law of the land.” If Pickett is right and the capital-punishment system is a product of racism, does this mean that by accepting the death penalty, we accept racism?

Is racism legal in America?

12

Short Story

STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009

Riley and the Poet

By Steven Paul Lansky Contributing Writer

He had no interest in agents, shows, exhibits.

“Life and painting is all I have time for,” he said that night as they walked out of Ronald’s. iley and the poet were sitting in Mullane’s Café having WallingThe artist had had his coffee and roll-ups. They had talked again about ford coffee. Riley’s beard was neatly trimmed and light enough synchronicity. His fingernails were brown with the resin of synchronicity. to show a slight tobacco stain at his upper lip. The poet drank His gait was even as the police cruisers’ motors. They walked eight blocks his coffee with cream, savoring the buzz, the fragrance, the bean juice up Main Street laughing large at the joke they were playing on society. that seeded his thoughts, conversation, even making his Camel bullets “We’re the real artists, poet!” Riley shouted to the boarded up buildings. and Galouise unfiltered black tobacco sing within him like a message “It’s our city, our night.” from somewhere beyond coincidence. The welfare artist, Riley, smoked The sidewalks were dry. Fall eased into winter. Arjuna, the poet, puffed Tops and Bugler roll-ups, which gave the fingers another activity between at tobacco and stumbled a bit slower. He’d had a few draughts to celebrate sips of black coffee filled with white cane sugar. Both were dressed for the leaves coming down. He envied Stone the teaching gig at Harvard and conversation, cords and shirts with collars. They shared the need for two the film deal on Can’t Stop the Rain. Arjuna had no concept of the work he brands. had yet to produce to write, publish and profit. He walked the free walk “I was rounded up once,” said the artist with the well-kept beard. of a poet in the city. What do poets think of as they walk the dirty night The poet started to reply, to ask, to mutter streets of the ghetto with their friends? They think of girls. As they age, it’s a “Huh,” but the artist was just beginning and women, man … it’s women.

“We’re the real artists, the whites of his eyes grew around his lenses.

“I wish I had a honey that would give me some money, money ain’t funpoet!” Riley shouted to the He had a small spiral flip pad and he flipped ny, and playboy bunny,” rattled the artist.

The poet scowled, “Rhyme is no good, man.” boarded-up buildings. “It’s page after page of today’s drawings of stick figures, key words, street signs, names of other “I ain’t got no money, I ain’t got no honey. Where’s the bunny?” Riley our city, our night.” people he’d seen today, snippets of conversa- made big faces showing gaps in his teeth. “I got bad teeth and no montion, where he’d seen police cruisers and van- ey.” ity plates that had caught his attention as he had walked.

Arjuna stumbled quiet and still, smoking a Galouise, dangling from a “I was picked up by the cops when I accused them of ferreting crime. long hand.

See, it’s illegal for them to ferret crime.” Riley aggressively poked a finger “This is the richest country in the world,” he said as they walked past at the black vinyl table-top, spilling a little coffee. block after block of boarded up storefronts, brown pressboard unpainted The younger man was scared a bit by the artist’s anger, emphasis and but for graffiti: ROSA SHE MY LIFE! jolting finger. The jolt caused him to push back in his seat, look around the A police cruiser rolled past slow and silent. The traffic lights flashed yelrestaurant to see if anyone had noticed the other heating up. The waitron low on a pulse. Empty 40-ouncers, dead soldiers stood on each storefront was idling at the back, the cook locked doorsill. A sad forlorn was sorting spinach for washing honking echoed over 14th Street and the busser was smoking a as Arjuna and Riley walked by the filtered ready-made and havblind vacant alley, broken green ing a beer with her. It was midglass glittered on the cobbles. afternoon and there were only “That graffiti says it all, man. two other occupied tables and She my life,” said Arjuna. And Riley and the poet were there in he thought back to college when the ether, invisible and inexothere were young girls, pretty rably present. The odor of their and nice, and clean. brands lingered as they did.

“I have a wife, and without a “Cops are allowed to stop you life. I wrote four letters to my son or check you out if you’re breakthis week,” said Riley. ing the law. I was walking across They passed Arjuna’s home. the Suspension Bridge from “The poet’s building! Yes, Covington at 4 in the morning. that’s where the Over-the-Rhine I’d been painting then gone for poet lives!” shouted Riley to the a walk. … I had my canvas on street, silent for now except for my shoulder, palette and paint the clicking of the electric traffic box on my arm. I smoked and signal boxes making their mewalked. From their car window, chanical buzz. they asked what I was doing, Arjuna had not known the oldand I kept walking. They foler man had a family. lowed me. I kept walking. They “Come home with me,” said stopped. They asked me to stop.

Riley.

I said, ‘What for?’ and they said, “Bridge.” Painting and photo by Steven Paul Lansky.

And they walked across Liber‘When a police officer asks you ty against the flashing red “Don’t to stop, you stop.’ I kept walking.

Walk” message. Both enjoyed the Well, they arrested me.” dark river of street ribboning away from them in the night.

“What for?”

Through an exterior door that Riley quickly keyed, down an alley, over “They searched me, illegally, and found a little weed. But they didn’t a wooden frame, up a creaking stair two flights, breathlessly; on one landtake me to the station. I argued all the way, and they took me to University ing a round stained glass porthole, for a moment it felt like a ship, woodHospital and put me in Rollman’s in restraints. The doctor there, the fuck- en and creaking with age. Riley’s apartment was warm, brightly lit, light ing shrink put me on some medicine.” brown, almost yellow carpet, wood furniture, table and chairs matching He spat the word out with venom. “Navane.” ladder backs. An orange striped tabby leapt onto the kitchen table chasing The younger man listened and reasoned with himself. This man was a brown cockroach playfully. on the fringe of society. He had not worked at a job in years. The poet had “Tea? Toast? I’m making eggs and bacon,” said the artist, flipping on the seen the way bartenders treated his friend. No dignity for the welfare art- gas stove, opening the 50s-style refrigerator with a heavy clunk. ist. One tender had insisted that the man should get a job.

“Toast and tea sound OK,” said the poet, trying to decide where to sit.

“He’s a leech on society,” Ned, the tender at Ronald's, had said.

Reading his body language, Riley offered, “Sit where you want … but They had coffee in silence for a moment. think about it.”

“I take medicine,” said the poet.

He began a sort of lesson for the younger man on body language; and The poet did not have his ponytail yet. He had dropped out of the uni- in the stoned mindset the poet became anxious, felt unwelcome, fear and versity after three tries. During the third try he worked at the university as a uncertainty in this man’s home annoyed him vaguely, then more so. He clerk for free tuition. After dropping out, he had quit his job. Unemployed pulled back the chair opposite the icebox, in front of the white kitchen but without welfare, he divided time between the library, research with sink. Above the water taps was a wall mural of bright swirling oranges, yelthe welfare artist … studying him, walking with him in the wee morning lows, browns; the artist had created abstract paintings right on the walls hours, sucking weed, lounging in bars and coffeehouses. One night they of his apartment. Riley’s lessons were intimidating to Arjuna as he was danced around the novel Children of Light while a copy of it sat on a chair never sure if he was learning or just being put through some agonizing in Ronald's Bar & Grill. Three fiddles, accordion, voices raised to beauty, test. He was reminded of his own father, who had often lectured, but had to loving night and hedonism. This was their answer. not been lost in the wildness of creativity like this man. The poet’s father The poet of Over-the-Rhine spent time writing his novel and learning to had attempted always to analyze and quantify creative work, as if creative use a Macintosh taking the early drafts of A Razor, A House & A Wife—The writing was a science. Arjuna avoided contact with his father. Something Three Hardest Things to Hold, from his first novel and typing them one about elders displaced Arjuna’s confidence and shook him to his core. He modern page at a time. Riley was his contemporary but painfully without distrusted his father deeply. recognition.

Arjuna imposed his larger, younger body on the room and he felt his “When they come to me I’ll already be discovered,” said the welfare art- power, his superiority over Riley. At the same time he allowed himself to ist. become the visitor on a friend’s turf. He struggled with superior and in-

R

STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009

Short Story

Riley and the Poet

13

ferior polarity and thought about talking to Riley about it then tucked it but one another. back in his mind to save for the therapist. Talking about the binary nature “Too angry,” said Riley. “You won’t attract any honey with that.” of the unconscious smacked of duality, which the spiritual knowledge Arjuna took a breath and wanted to bark at the older man. from the therapist seemed to undermine. Riley had no car.

“I feel pity for the numb fuck who takes the piss,” said Riley. “Some of “Where are your wife and son?” Arjuna asked. these do resemble van Gogh.

“The boy’s with his mother and the girl. They live in the deep South.”

Why did you stop painting?”

He volunteered almost nothing about them.

“It’s too painful a process,” Arjuna had run across the bearded man “I’ve been sending him letters about the miracle of the universe. It Arjuna whispered. at each of these monuments on several opens up like a flower and dances down the street.”

The older man came over occasions day and night. The poet was Riley’s voice took a singsong drama to it and he moved to and from the and reached a hand to the podrawn to the fountain like a moth to a poet in the kitchen with large gestures. When he grinned, his face was et’s face. His dry touch was un- flame, a convert to a temple, a seeker to huge. welcome. Arjuna pulled away. a guru, or a writer to the page.

In Riley’s living room an easel stood in the center. The floor was black “You had better go now,” he with stars painted in different sizes, swirls of color led to the bathroom said loudly. and up the walls. A storage area he had built held 60 or more canvases.

“OK, OK,” said Riley. “This is for you.”

On the mantle was a black and white rendering of the Probasco fountain He handed Arjuna two joints. Arjuna managed a half smile. Arjuna on Fountain Square. Riley, as it turned out, had painted over 16 differ- walked Riley to the door, followed him down the two flights of stairs and ent versions of the Probasco fountain, a stately Cincinnati icon on the locked the deadbolt behind the welfare artist. central square, and the beardless Lincoln Back in the apartment the poet lit up statue in Lytle Park standing in front of and quickly inhaled the marijuana. He the Taft Museum. Arjuna had run across felt horny, dizzy and sleepy. He went into the bearded man at each of these monuthe tiny cramped bathroom to brush his ments on several occasions day and night. teeth. As he ran the cold water over his The poet was drawn to the fountain like a brush, he thought about Riley and shudmoth to a flame, a convert to a temple, a dered. He wanted a woman, not this man. seeker to a guru, or a writer to the page.

He spat the white-green paste into the baThe barefoot Riley, his dirty white socks sin. A bit of blood from his gums swelled sitting on gym shoes tucked beneath a in the sink and a very shiny, dark-brown bench, brush in hand, wide thumb held cockroach appeared in the sink. For a moto the sky, measured out Lincoln with a ment Arjuna imagined he bled roaches purpose both haphazard and deliberate. from his gums.

“Why are you drawn to the monuIt was afternoon and breezy, turning ments?” asked the poet. cold. In Piatt Park the leaves were down “They have been here,” said Riley, pauson the walk and the green park benches. ing, then walking back from palette box to Pigeons swept away from their feet chuckeasel. ling.

“How long have you been here tonight?”

“Funny thing,” said Riley. “Last election asked the spirited poet. day I ate lunch in Hyde Park at a Wool“I arrived, sat for awhile. As it came to worth’s lunch counter.” night, I began. I don’t wear a watch. It’s They were walking on Eighth Street tobeen several hours. Art takes time.” ward Mullane’s Café.

“You have the head. … What is that on “Cheap laugh, Riley,” Arjuna interruptthe hill?” ed.

“The monastery in Mt. Adams,” said Ri“No, no. Serious,” said Riley. “I was buyley with a rapturous look. ing groceries next door, had borrowed the “Senor Tane.” Painting and photo by Steven Paul Lansky.

“His feet are enormous.” neighbor’s car, and I walked into WoolRiley stopped painting, rolled a Bugler. worth’s, and there he sat. The shrink. The The poet sat on the bench and pulled a shrink who put me on that gunk.”

Camel bullet from the pack, lit both men’s fags off a wooden match, flar“Shrink?” asked the poet. ing sulfur odor. The tobacco soothed them. The poet took off his shoes “Fucking shrink I told you about. When they arrested me that night on and socks. The street was quiet, lit with glowing globes. the bridge.”

Riley rubbed his well-trimmed beard with his large dry hand, then “Woolworth’s?” touched his yellow sweater.

“In a shirt and tie with loafers on. Eating soup.”

They were in Arjuna’s apartment looking at his artwork. The papers “Eating soup?” were spread at their feet on the green shag rug.

“Yeah, soup.”

“Here’s a poem about the drawings,” said the poet. He went to a note“Same one?” book and riffled through sheaves of worn pages and began to read: “He didn’t recognize me at first.”

“Not at first.”

Ashen sky blue faces peer forsaken through “No.” wired glass only ten inches square “I watched him for a minute. Walked up slow, sat down at his elbow. He fixed stolidly in massive steel looked up.”

“They searched me, illegally, painted yellow with a cool silvery “He looked up?” brushed “From his big wide bowl of steaming hot soup.” and found a little weed. But aluminum handle on the outside.

“Could have been gazpacho.” they didn’t take me to the “Hot soup.” station. I argued all the way, Piss in a cold steel vessel “Oh.” and they took me to University and hand it angrily to a steely“Then he went back to eating soup.”

Hospital and put me in eyed psychiatric technician “Did he speak?”

Rollman’s in restraints.” or nurse over a narrow space of “No.” open door when the quiet room “Eating soup?” bed is changed, quickly Riley looked over. He stopped at the curb. They crossed Race Street. antiseptic and lonely Mullane’s was empty and they sat at the corner table. Riley tipped a handThis is where my artwork rolled jacket out of his tobacco wrap. The vinyl table-top was dirty. flowered with beige, gray, black, white, “So?” asked Arjuna. then titanium white, cobalt blue, lavender, Riley flared a wooden match and a bit of tobacco flamed, dropped to and all the myriad colors within me; ash on the table. The busser came over, left a tin ashtray, cleared, then artist’s crayons, watercolors, wiped the table. brushed dipped heavily in leftover coffee “What’ll it be?” asked the busser. from the breakfast tray because coffee “Coffee,” said Riley. in here only stirs me up.

“Same,” said Arjuna.

“Cream?”

I become Vincent van Gogh for several “Yes.” days and shout at any footsteps I Before the coffee was served, the older man leaned over, mouth to the hear. I was gone for a very long time. poet’s ear.

Look at my product.

“I put one hand on the back of his head and before he could jerk his head I pushed his face bang into the bowl. Then I said, ‘Don’t ever do that Arjuna finished reading, paused in the middle of the room, under the again.’ He was sputtering.” bright incandescent lights. At 2:30 in the morning they disturbed no one

14

Annual Dinner

STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009

STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009

15

Resources

Need Help or Want to Help?

Shelter: Women and Children Central Access Point Cincinnati Union Bethel

381-SAFE 768-6907

Bethany House

557-2873

300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214

Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224

Churches Active in Northside

591-2246

Crossroad Health Center

381-2247

FreeStore/FoodBank

241-1064

Health Resource Center Homeless Mobile Health Van McMicken Dental Clinic

357-4602 352-2902 352-6363

Mental Health Access Point Mercy Franciscan at St. John

558-8888 981-5800

NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach

458-6670 977-4489

4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202

Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 3600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227

St. Vincent de Paul

1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214

562-8841

762-5660

Treatment: Men

YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter

872-9259

Charlie’s 3/4 House

784-1853

DIC Live In Program Prospect House

721-0643 921-1613

Starting Over

961-2256

Shelter: Men City Gospel Mission

1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202

241-5525

Justice Watch 241-0490 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202

Mt. Airy Shelter

661-4620

Shelter: Both Anthony House (Youth)

961-4080

Caracole (HIV/AIDS)

40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45202

1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202

Salvation Army

131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202

5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202

2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202

682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205

Treatment: Women

Other Resources Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center

241-2600 241-2563

Peaslee Neighborhood Center

621-5514

Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart

381-0111

Goodwill industries Healing Connections Mary Magdalen House

771-4800 751-0600 721-4811

People Working Cooperatively The Caring Place United Way Women Helping Women

351-7921 631-1114 211 977-5541

1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202

214 E. 14th St. Cinti, Ohio 45202

First Step Home 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206

961-4663

Treatment: Both

1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202

1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202

761-1480

AA Hotline CCAT

351-0422 381-6672

Drop Inn Center

721-0643

Joseph House (Veterans)

241-2965

Interfaith Hospitality Network Lighthouse Youth Center (Youth)

471-1100 221-3350

Hamilton County ADAS Board Recovery Health Access Center Sober Living Talbert House

946-4888 281-7422 681-0324 641-4300

Hamilton/Middletown

421-3131 569-1840 381-4242

Northern Kentucky

2728 Glendora Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45209 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202

3330 Jefferson, Cinti, Ohio 45220

Housing: CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing

721-4580 632-7149 381-1171

Tender Mercies

721-8666

Tom Geiger House Dana Transitional Bridge Services Volunteers of America

961-4555 751-0643 381-1954

114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202

Food/Clothing Lord’s Pantry OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry

621-5300 961-1983

OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206

Our Daily Bread

621-6364

St. Francis Soup Kitchen

535-2719

1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202

830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202

Advocacy Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center

1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202

Franciscan JPIC 721-4700 Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202

Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS

579-8547 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437

Health

St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry

Brighton Center

863-3184 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276

859-491-8303

799 Ann St. Newport, KY

ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY

859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717

Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless

859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226

205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011

Center for Respite Care

3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229

621-1868

Poetry Corner J.O.B.

I Am

I Am

By Anonymous

By Thomas Harris

By D.

Have you ever heard of J.O.B.?

Boy he’s hard to for me to see Every time I go where he’s supposed to be He’s always gone just ahead of me I thought I was being smart and catching him at lunch So I went to Frisch’s on a hunch But it was just like before By the time I got off the bus he was out the door Some people say he left town I don’t believe that he’s somewhere around I feel like I am on the right track I know he feels me breathing down his back So don’t be surprised if you see me And I found J.O.B. It might be hard because he moves fast But sooner or later I’ll catch his ass.

I am forgiven To be a part of Those that are Forgiven and Loved

Because God is Good and He has The power to forgive Let Him judge

I am forgiven And I believe there Is a place in heaven For those who forgive And are forgiven Because heaven is Made of love and forgiveness

I am forgiven Because I’ve built My foundation upon my Rock Who God is, not Mankind I am mankind Mankind can be forgiven I believe mankind is Not a Rock that I Believe I believe that mankind must be forgiven

I am forgiven Because I believe God made me Good but I haven’t Always been good But I want to be. Forgive me my wrongs I am forgiven

I am a son Of the Forgiver Who we must be strong in our belief I am Forgiven

I am determined and special I wonder what is my purpose I hear the thunder from my storm I see also the rainbow I want to know my ending I am determined and special I pretend not to be worried I feel like a cloud I touch like the wind I worry about my past calling up I cry about my situation I am determined and special I understand that chances are gifts I say live life to the fullest I dream about my past I try to be my best I hope to make a difference I am determined and special

16

Column

STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009

Kymber Henson: The Art of Rescue Gives voice and hope to abused children

“I

count my blessings every day because I am an artist”, says Kymber Henson. “I was given the ability and the will to create and express myself. Art is an intimate part of my life, essential for my well-being. It is like air; it helps me breathe, expand my lungs; also exhale and get the bad things out.”

Henson, a Cincinnati artist, knew from an early age that she was good at drawing and that she wanted to be an artist; she also knew that she wanted to help people. She graduated from Edgecliff College with a major in fine arts and a minor in sociology, worked as a waitress for a while, then started her own business creating handmade clothing. Her clothes were initially fashion and designoriented, later edgier incorporating painting.

In 1999 she made a jacket that proved to mean more than just esthetics. It had painted scenes from nightmares she had as a kid, including skulls, devils, snakes, scary and desolate images. It made her realize that subconsciously she was moving to a place where she had more to say. As a child, Henson had lived with abuse that she had silenced all along but also had known not to be right. Her childhood events were simmering, incubating inside her, and finally were getting out. Her art from there on became self-expression, cathartic, also geared to help others.

In her artwork Henson always seeks a strong esthetic quality.

Beauty is her way to draw viewers in, to get them closer to notice the thought-provoking and somewhat sinister content of her themes. When she discovered batik painting on egg shells, she used the technique to create an attractive but also a fragmented world that often included – at first glance hidden – words reflecting her concerns, feelings as and emotions. Her pieces deceive by their beauty, heavy in meaning and

By Saad Ghosn messages when scrutiContributing Writer nized.

Usually triggered by an issue or a problem she has, they often end up taking a universal, larger than personal, quality. I Surrender, for instance, a 3D construction piece, started from a personal situation in which she felt no recourse and having to give up. The completed piece, however, identified easily with a large proportion of individuals who, during the Bush administra-

A

rtists ctivists

“I Surrender” by Kymber Henson. Photo by Saad Ghosn.

Kymber Henson. Photo by Saad Ghosn. tion, did not stand a chance and were helpless, powerless and marginalized.

The piece consists of a naked child covered with fragmented white egg shells, implying innocence and vulnerability. The child holds in its hand a flag made of colored broken eggshells displaying the words, “I surrender”, and stands inside a box carpeted with batiked egg shells with the same words written everywhere, underlining entrapment and the inability to escape. Henson outlined the box with a soft green fabric trim, creating the feeling of a theatrical stage, thus alluding to the then prevailing oppressive social and political conditions.

Loving Arms Lift Me Up, another piece made using eggshells, depicts a standing little girl, her arms up, waiting for good people to lift her up and save her. It was triggered by Henson’s personal experience and her feeling of abandonment, but also by the hope she wanted to communicate not only to the abused children of the world but to all individuals who are trodden upon because of poverty, racism, prejudice or politics.

The theme of child abuse recurs often in Henson’s work.

“I want to raise awareness about it” she says, “but also give hope that, despite all the bad, there is always light and good at the end; otherwise one cannot live on.”

On one occasion she received a gift box with a Plexiglas lid; it served as a metaphor for all she was keeping inside her and that needed to get out. It opened new horizons and gave her energy and courage to connect more directly to her problems, to her sense of loss and isolation, and to reach a hopeful closure. She bought eight additional boxes, used each of them to tell a particular story from her past events and closed with the last one on a happy note. It was her personal statement but also her reaching out to others who might be dealing with similar issues.

Henson’s art is also a reflection of her life with its happy and tormented moments. Using batiked eggs that she painted one a day, she created, for instance, a complete 12-month calendar. The painted images became her journal, telling the stories of moments that touched her, of unexpected events she encountered, of reflective and meditative connections she established with herself.

Getting once very angry at someone she loved, she painted on canvas a series of birds, linking each to a feeling she had. In addition, she painted each bird on an egg that she encaged and displayed next to the canvas; it was her way to neutralize her own negative feelings, to get rid of them.

Social issues have always interested Henson. The best of her is usually drawn out by people she meets who are kind, generous, compassionate and who view the world in an equal and inclusive way. They resonate with her and incite her to actively perpetuate their values through what she does. She then volunteers her time for various causes, working on social, political and environmental campaigns, hoping to make a difference. These concerns and beliefs usually find their way into her art.

Art allows Henson to get in touch with herself, also to make a statement about who she is and what she believes in. It is also her means to reach out to others, to provide the light and the hope that might be needed on certain darkened days.

“Art is my rescue,” she says. “I do not want it, however, to end with me. I hope it can also serve as a rescue to others.”

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. Ghosn can be contacted at saad.ghosn@uc.edu.