Streetvibes Oct. 15-31, 2009 Edition

Local Politics Heats Up Library Tax Levy Pages 4-7 Page 9 Mayoral Debate and Candiate Surveys

STREETVIBES

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Oct. 15-31, 2009 • Advocating Justice, Building Community • Issue 163

There’s No Place Like This Box Shantytowns return because they’re still needed

the global number of slum dwellers will increase to about 2 billion in the next 30 years if no concrete action is taken. Organizers hope that awareness can make a difference.

“Overall, I hope people come to realize that homelessness may be closer than they think-- in fact, it's right in their back yard, and we should do whatever we can to help,” Gorman says.

By Pat Clifford Contributing Writer Students at Xavier University (XU) are planning this year’s Shantytown, set to take place on the campus from Oct. 18-22. Organizers expect to have at least 30 shanties and more than 150 students participating. The theme this year is finding ways to assist homeless youth.

“We chose this focus because we want to bring the issue home to our campus,” says Justina Gorman, a senior. “The 18-to-24 year old demographic is something the students here can relate to.”

Slums and shantytowns are a global reality. The United Nations reported in 2001 that 924 million people, or 31.6 per cent of the world’s urban population, lived in slums. Obviously,

‘Wake up!’

Xavier University students attended the Housing Now! march in Washintgon, D.C. in 1989. Photo by Pat Clifford. these areas are not usually located in America’s institutions of higher learning. That juxtaposition is part of the point.

The Shantytown schedule is filled

with a variety of meals, films and other opportunities to build awareness. A campus group, Artists for Others, will perform a skit written for the event.

Sadly, the UN report warned that

This year marks Shantytown’s 20th anniversary. I know because I was a senior at XU in October 1989. Technotronic’s “Pump Up the Jam” was on the boom box (sharing the charts with Milli Vanilli). George H.W. Bush started his presidential term amid a self-proclaimed “peaceful, prosperous time.”

But many of us who had been volunteering at local shelters and food pantries saw another side to the story.

See Box, p. 14

All Dolled Up and Nowhere To Go

Braiding Miss Daisy: Promoting compassion or profiting from homelessness?

By David Heitfield Contributing Writer

Mattel's American Girl doll line.

(Although her popularity and limited edition status suggests t's about time someone you will pay much more: As I started cashing in on write this, she is selling for $230 homelessness. After a dis- on amazon.com). appointing box office, I was afraid American Girl corporate marthe efforts of The Soloist would keting (via palmbeachpost.com) go for naught – I was expecting explains their cosmology, enat least a homeless clothing line, visioning a kinder world where because fedoras are becoming homeless people provide benevcool again – but, olent wisdom as one of my for white folk, p e r f o r m a n c e Gwen’s father walked out on taking over the reviews once of her family. Then her mother province accurately stat- lost her job. Now she and her old black folk: ed, I just lack a mother are forced to live in a “Our singugood corporate lar goal with car in the middle of winter. vision. these stories Meet Gwen is to help girls Thompson: She wears a white find their inner star by becomeyelet lace dress with embroi- ing kind, compassionate and lovdered accents, a pink head- ing people who make a positive band sweeping back her blond and meaningful difference in the hair and matching sandals. See, world around them.”

Gwen's father walked out on her Well, sure. Let’s teach their litfamily. Then her mother lost her tle inner stars that men are asshjob. Now she and her mother are oles, women are helpless victims, forced to live in a car in the mid- social problems are commodities dle of winter. and the only thing that can make But thanks to the redemptive you happy in life is buying usepowers of capitalism, you can less crap, just like mommy does buy the 18-inch-high cold and to fill the void of her inner black hungry cherub for your child to hole. play with for a mere $95, part of The praise of the doll on the

I

American Girl website is universal: “I love my Gwen doll. I was hesitant at first as the advertising showed her as a hippy-ish character and I was afraid her hair would always look like it did in the picture. … I was rather disappointed by the lack of items for Gwen ...”

“I brought my little girl to American Girl to celebrate her fourth birthday and to spend some one-on-one time together! We had a wonderful day. … I think the simplicity of Gwen's white dress and her long hair won over my daughter in the end. She brushes her hair and plays makebelieve with Gwen. What a special gift for her birthday!”

“Gwen is a beautiful doll. My daughter saved her allowance for eight months to get her.”

“I didn't want to regret not getting her, so I got her, and I'm not disappointed!!!”

“I just purchased this doll a few months ago for my granddaughter. She loves it and plays with it for hours! She even made a house in the corner for Gwen.”

“American Girl dolls are great for our kids, it's not just a doll. It is about morals as well.”

Gwen, $95. Irony value: Priceless.

Photo courtesy of Mattel Inc.

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The Vibe

By The Numbers

1960

StreetSense

No One Could Wake Adam, No One Ever Will

By Marilyn K. Schirmer Contributing Writer

the year students at Miami University trained to register African-American voters in the South (see page 16).

Drug addiction and its devastating consequences can occur anywhere, even in the pastoral setting and safety of my country home. I’ve changed some names and omitted others to protect privacy.

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The next to last time I saw Adam was on my living room floor. A team of paramedics was working over him. I watched helplessly as they repeatedly injected his heart while alternately trying to shock him back to life.

the number of words in the title of Steven Lansky’s new book (see page 13).

1.5

the percentage of the city’s general fund that the Homeless Coalition wants devoted to humanservices funding (see page 4).

7

the number of C-sections at the Creation Museum (see page 8).

95

the percentage of wealth in the United States controlled by 1 percent of the population (see page 12).

230

My daughter had known Adam since high school. And while their life paths often led them apart, when they reconnected, it was absolute. They were kindred spirits.

Adam had a keen sense of humor, was adorably cute, musically talented and had an unshakeable addiction to heroin. I knew of all his attributes except the last.

Adam was always welcome in my home. My daughter and Adam would sit up all night talking, playing music and laughing. I could hear them all the way into my living room.

I remember finding out that he did body piercings. I’d always wanted my nose pierced. Afraid that he would make fun of this old lady, I asked if he’d do my nose. He laughed and replied, “Why sure!” There was no judgment.

Only once in my life had I felt sure I was in the presence of someone on heroin. I was at a rally in Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine. Under the trees, away from the main gathering, sat an emaciated young man with stringy blonde hair. He clearly was not participating in the rally; he could barely walk.

I couldn’t help but glance over at him from time to time. My heart was breaking as I watched him pee in full view of everyone; he didn’t know what he was doing. After a time, he lay down under a tree and nodded off. As the skies opened and it started raining, some kind soul thought to cover him with a jacket.

So for me, the “real” drugs, the dangerous ones, were confined to the city.

That last February night, Adam came in smiling as he greeted me. I offered him dinner and he said, “Maybe later.” He and my daughter disappeared into her room.

Sometime later he went into our bathroom. He was there a long time. If we’d only known he was shooting up, we would’ve broken down the door and the end of this story would be very different. My daughter kept knocking on the bathroom door, laughing and saying, “You need some help in there?” He finally came out and still we were clueless.

Zero, zip, nada

Early the next morning, my daughter enlisted my help to awaken Adam because he was due at work in an hour. We laughed as we shook his shoulders and jumped on the bed. My daughter told me that he was notoriously difficult to wake up. Even this seemed normal to me. After all, I had had a son with the same attitude toward greeting the day.

924

the number, in millions, of people across the world living in slums (see page 1).

.38

the caliber of a pistol involved in a drug deal on Short Burnet (see page 10).

12

the number of citycouncil candidates who didn’t complete a Streetvibes questionnaire (see page 4).

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

So how did he get caught up in the allure of heroin? There is no way for me to know. I’ve never done this. But years ago I warned my daughter that, in my limited experience, heroin was an insidious master, that to try it once seemed a sure snare, a one-way ticket to hell.

the cost, in dollars of a “homeless doll” on amazon. com (see page 1).

the number of times Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County has asked for a tax levy in the past 156 years (see page 3).

STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009

After a time, we became concerned that he would get into trouble at work, so we called his girlfriend. She assured us, “Yep, he is impossible to get out of bed.”

Daughter and I sat on the couch, taking a break and wondering what to do. Louder than the TV came a strange sound. We didn’t – couldn’t – recognize the sound for what it was, Adam’s death gasp. Daughter said, “Oh, that’s just my TV.” A couple minutes later daughter went into her bedroom. I heard her scream, “Oh my God! He’s turning blue!” Blood turning to ice, heart rising yet sinking, my mind hardly able to obey, I somehow ordered my daughter to call 911.

While my daughter tried to follow the operator’s CPR directions over the phone, I could only shake and pray and watch for the help that was so terribly slow in coming. Finally, finally, they arrived; and as the paramedics worked, all I could do was sit on the couch and sob. All I could focus on was the tattoo inked across his stomach, under his belly button, “D.O.A.” Daughter was screaming, “Adam, wake up! Adam, don’t do this to me.”

Editor Gregory Flannery Art Director Lynne Ausman Vendor Coordinator Jeni Jenkins Contributing Writers Lew Moores, Dave Scharfenberger, Margo Pierce, Paul Kopp, Jeremy Flannery, Michael Henson, David Heitfield, Kelissa Hieber, Josh Flannery, Stephanie Dunlap, Saad Ghosn, lea Ottenheimer, Ariana Shahandeh, Amanda Wolfe, Dan LaBotz, Mark Payne Photography/Artwork Aimie Willhoite, Lynne Ausman, George Ellis, Jeni Jenkins, Anthony Williams, Berta Lambert 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:

But he did do it. He was gone.

I later found out that Adam had really tried to overcome his addiction; he’d left his old friends behind and moved back home. He’d gone through extensive rehab. He’d been clean for a year.

Adam’s family, unable to deal with the wrenching loss, blamed us and especially blamed my daughter. I understood this. Hadn’t I lost my own son when he was exactly Adam’s age?

“Why did you wait so long to call 911?” was the father’s anguished question. How could I explain? I told him that the whole time we thought he was asleep. He’d been breathing and even snoring. I spared him the horror of the death rattle that is burned into my daughter’s and my own memory – a memory we would be happy to spend a lifetime without.

The last time I saw Adam was in the funeral home, lying in a casket. All the lives touched by Adam in his short, mostly joyous, years will never be the same.

STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009

Local News

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Cincinnati’s Public Library at Risk One of the nation’s best library systems requests first tax levy ever

By Jeremy Flannery Contributing Writer The Main Branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County was the busiest main-branch library in the nation in 2008, with a circulation of more than 4 million items, according to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). In 2008 “We’ve made all the Hennen’s American Public Library cuts we can make ranked without jeopardizing Ratings the library system our services to the community. If the tax as 10th in the nalevy fails, the library tion for the third consecutive year. will have to make In 2008, about more cuts that will be devastating to the 15.7 million items were borrowed community.” from the Cincin- William J. Moran nati Public Library, an increase of about 750,000 borrows from 2007. The library’s Web site received about 87.3 million online visits, a 23 percent increase from 2007.

While the local library boasts record circulation for last year, it is facing about a $16 million budget deficit for

2010. A 1.0-mill property tax levy for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County’s operating expenses will be on the ballot for the first time in the library’s 156-year history. If Issue 7 passes Nov. 3, it will cost 10 cents per $100 of valuation, to meet the library’s expected $16 million budget deficit of 2010.

The county’s library system operates on a $45 million annual budget, with 90 percent of the funds provided by the state of Ohio, according to William ‘Book Fountain’ by Cincinnati sculptor Michael Frasca. The fountain features water J. Moran, a 13-year li- flowing over a stack of books and represents the free flow of information and ideas brary board member through printed word. Photo by Maria Campolongo. and head of its financing and auditing. The only lo- cember, he says.

2010, administer budget cuts cal funds for the library come “We’ve made all the cuts we now and wait one more year from fees and donations, as can make without jeopardiz- to request a tax levy from the For more the library system is the only ing our services to the com- county for its operating budinformation metropolitan library system munity,” Moran says. “We’re get. about the in Ohio that doesn’t receive squeaking by this year, using Voters have various other Public Library city or county tax dollars, he all of our savings and revenue, proposed tax levies to conof Cincinnati says. If voters reject the tax but we’ll be completely de- sider within their districts and and Hamilton levy, the library system might pleted by the end of this year. throughout the county this County, need to shut down about half If the tax levy fails, the library year, according to Tom Brinkvisit www. of all its services by early De- will have to make more cuts man, one of COAST’s foundcincinnati library.org that will be devastating to ers. the community.”

“The risk is this will break The state of Ohio has the bank of too many taxcut about 28 percent of payers and they will come the library’s funding since out and vote no to some if 2001, about 19 percent of it not all of these items,” Brinkin 2008 alone, according to man writes. “Voters will have the library’s Web site. The to weigh the public disaster library system has elimi- should so many good pronated 20 percent of its staff grams fail against the very positions and cut 10 per- personal disaster should their cent of its total operating personal budgets be swamped hours per week since 2001 with over one half-billion dolto balance the funding lars in taxes.” cuts. The library has also Brinkman suggests that the cancelled or postponed library system raises all of its all current capital projects current fees, begin charging and renovations and post- $1 per audio-visual item borponed or reduced its staff’s rowed, tightens the restricwage raises. tions of access for cardholdIn 2008, “We have such a won- ers with overdue charges and 15.7 million derful library system,” Mo- close nine branch libraries items were ran says. “It’s heavily used with the lowest of circulation. borrowed by all walks of life and Issue 7 might not halt all from the provides great services to possible cuts for the library’s Public the community, especially 2010 budget if state funding Library of during hard economic drops again next year, Moran Cincinnati times when people need says. and computer and Internet ac“It depends on the state,” Hamilton cess to get resumes out if he says. “If the state revenue County. they can’t afford that ac- stays the same, we won’t have cess at home. The library is to make any additional cuts. also a safe haven for good But if the state revenue dekids and good parents who creases, some cuts will still want their kids to be able need to be made.” to do their homework and The library has not yet made stay off the streets while any official proposals for spethey’re at work. So it’s a cific budget cuts, Moran says. latchkey system for fami- The board of trustees will be lies as well.” considering budget cuts and Citizens Opposed to adjustments in November and Additional Spending and begin administering them in Taxes (COAST) urges vot- December if the tax levy fails, ers to reject the tax levy. he says.

The organization suggests “Right now, we’re hoping it through its sample ballot won’t come to that,” Moran that the county library sys- says. tem adjusts its funding for

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STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009

Local News

Burning Questions, Tepid Replies Most candidates ignore ‘Streetvibes’ questionnaire

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ineteen candidates are vying for nine seats on Cincinnati City Council in the Nov. 3 election.

The candidates can be grouped according to party affiliation, according to status as incumbents or challengers or by other criteria. We’re going to group them, however, according to those who answered the Streetvibes questionnaire and those who didn’t.

Streetvibes sent a list of eight questions to all 19 candidates, asking them to reply by Oct. 5. Seven candidates responded, and their answers are below. The seven are Tony Fischer, Bernadette Watson, Nicholas Hollan, Laure Quinlivan, Jeff Berding, Laketa Cole and Anitra Brockman.

The candidates who didn’t reply by the deadline are Kevin Flynn, Lamarque Ward, Charlie Winburn, Wendell Young, George Zamary Amy Murray, Chris Bortz, Greg Harris, Chris Monzel, Roxanne Qualls, Cecil Thomas and Leslie Ghiz.

------ Gregory Flannery Following are the questions Streetvibes asked candidates: 1. The primary cause of homelessness in the United States and in Cincinnati is a lack of affordable housing. If elected, would you address this need in Cincinnati and if so, what are some potential ideas/solutions?

2. Would you support an initiative in Cincinnati to change the definition of a hate crime to include attacks on homeless individuals?

3. In cities across the country, laws criminalize behavior by homeless people that is necessary for survival. Examples include storing property, sleeping, camping, eating, sitting, drinking and urinating in public. Cincinnati even enacted a food-sharing restriction in public parks. Where do you stand on the issue of criminalization of homelessness?

4. In Cincinnati there are not enough family shelters to meet the needs of the community. Family homelessness is an increasing problem, especially considering the unemployment rate and the foreclosure crisis that affect renters and owners equally. What solutions do you propose that would help families experiencing homelessness?

5. Do you support keeping the Drop Inn Center at its present location so long as the agency chooses to remain there? Why or why not?

6. Do you support a charter amendment allocating 1.5 percent of the city’s general fund to human-services spending? Why or why not?

7. What are your top three priorities for Cincinnati?

8. What is your opinion on the status of affordable housing in Cincinnati? What policy change, if any, would you implement if elected?

Jeff Berding

For more information on Jeff Berding, visit www.jeffberding.com

1. Cincinnati has a plentiful housing stock, especially rental housing, and Cincinnati needs programs to place residents in those properties, especially foreclosed and abandoned homes.

2. Yes. 3. The city of Cincinnati provides substantial funding to homeless services, and to the extent that such laws encourage homeless individuals to seek help in those shelters to end the cycle of homelessness, I will support them.

Homelessness itself is not a crime, but public urination and public intoxication have negative impacts on our city, and I support criminalization of those acts.

“We have a seriously challenged 4. I’ve done my best to keep families in their homes with the United Way’s budget, and we are struggling to 2-1-1 counseling hotline and voted for the Homeless to Homes Plan and provide core city services.” would also welcome an increased focus on homeless families.

5. The Drop Inn Center leadership indicated in a letter to Council earlier this year that they would be willing to relocate, and I would definitely support that move. Over-the-Rhine is bustling, and with the acceptance regulations at the Drop Inn Center and its proximity to Music Hall and the new School of the Creative and Performing Arts, the center is no longer a good match for a neighborhood on the move.

6. No, I don’t support this charter amendment. We have a seriously challenged budget, and we are struggling to provide core city services. Making any kind of commitment for funding is a bad idea given the current circumstances, and the potential for continued budget deficits. The state of California’s budget crisis shows the severe negative consequences of budget by referendum.

7. My top three priorities are public safety (keeping more cops and firefighters on the streets), economic development (bringing more jobs into the city) and foreclosure prevention/neighborhood vitality.

8. There is a large stock of housing available, and I support the provision of affordable housing to Cincinnati residents. I would support a program using foreclosed and abandoned homes for short-term affordable housing units, especially in partnership with local community development corporations.

Bernadette Watson 1. We have 52 neighborhoods, and in Cincinnati we must learn to understand the meaning of what we want our neighborhoods to be and if we want to be inclusive and allow mixed housing throughout this city. I will work to bring Cincinnati together as one Cincinnati.

2. Hate crimes against any individual should be punished to the extent of the law. We must work with the court system and provide proper representation for individuals who hate crimes are directed because they are homeless individuals.

3. Homelessness does not constitute being a criminal. It is about survival, and we must work to assist people in understanding this does not necessarily mean that being homeless does not have to be a permanent situation and work to provide solutions for those who want assistance. There must be some restrictions because of public cleanliness and safety for all.

“Hate crimes against any individual 4.

Efforts need to be focused on assisting families to assist with eliminating the problems that create homelessness and work with human-servicshould be punished to the extent of the law. We must work with the es agencies with assisting, but to also assist families around the social challenges and situations that create the need. court system and provide proper We must look at the feasibility of best serving the Drop Inn Center representation for individuals who 5. hate crimes are directed because population. The location is not an issue for me. Accessibility is the key to make sure those needing this facility are in a position to utilize the services they are homeless individuals.” that the center provides. I believe we need to look at the services and how best this population is being served. How we should think about providing a better way of life for many of the individuals and families that are facing/dealing with homelessness.

6. Budget allocations must be looked at realistically when it comes to human services. Measures and outcomes of the services that are provided through human-services organizations that receive city funding. Accountability of the effect these services have on the population being served. Be creative and find additional resources during a time when the city is facing large deficits and trying to continue to provide the public services elected officials are responsible for to all citizens of the city. Collaboration among human-services organizations must become a key factor in assisting our homeless population and people needing services during this economic crisis cities are facing across the country.

7. Health/safety; employment opportunity; business and neighborhood development.

8. I believe affordable housing is available, and elected officials must be informed as to the actual amount of affordable housing available in the city. As our population needs grow, for affordable housing it is important to make sure we are meeting the needs of our citizens. Policy possibly needs to be reviewed, and I am willing to work to ensure we are in compliance with the policy/legislation in place.

For more information on Bernadette Watson, visit www.bernadettewatson.com

See Questions, p. 5

STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009

Local News

Burning Questions, Tepid Replies

5

Continued from page 4

Laure Quinlivan

For more information on Laure Quinlivan, visit www.lqreportingtoyou.com

1. Yes, I think it’s important as we develop downtown and Over-the-Rhine and all our neighborhoods that we strive for diverse mixed-income neighborhoods that include affordable housing. If we get to move forward with the streetcar plan, I would support efforts to ensure affordable housing remains in the neighborhood. Portland did this with success when their streetcar investment created vibrant neighborhoods like the Pearl District.

2. Yes. 3. My position is we need to work with leaders in the Homeless Coalition on “If we get to move forward with solutions to these issues. Together, I’m sure we can come up with creative solutions that benefit the homeless population and the general public. the streetcar plan, I would support 4. I think Citylink will be a great resource for families experiencing temporary efforts to ensure affordable housing homelessness, given its focus is to remove obstacles that prevent people from remains in the neighborhood.” being productive citizens. Furthermore, Citylink is not asking for any taxpayer funding, but will be supported through private donations and citizen volunteers from churches around Cincinnati.

5. I hope we can work together for a long-term solution/location for the Drop Inn Center. I know that Pat Clifford and other Homeless Coalition leaders are working to improve the shelter and decrease the number of transients who use the shelter but refuse to register as “residents.” I’ve also witnessed and reported on the numerous problems caused by some shelter clients who hang out drinking and violating laws in Washington Park, which should be a park that’s safe and welcoming for all of us.

6. I don’t support it as a charter amendment, but I do value human services in our city and believe we should continue funding the services with demonstrated and measurable results.

7. Watch over taxpayer money and make government open, accountable and responsive to citizens. Attract jobs to Cincinnati by better promoting the city to the rest of the world, bringing streetcars. Promote “Green” Cincinnati with bike paths, alternative energy, recycling, urban farms and “green collar” jobs of the future.

8. I think we should require and incentivize developers to include affording housing (and green space) in their developments, especially if city money is involved.

1. This has been a problem that has plagued Cincinnati for a long time. I believe that finding ways to encourage redevelopment in the central city can go a long way in curbing the issue of affordable housing. That's why I've consistently supported the utilization of local, state and federal funds to redevelop low-income housing. I also voted to support the Homeless to Homes plan.

2. Yes. Economic status is a constitutionally protected class, and I believe that homelessness can, therefore, be included in hate-crimes legislation.

3. I find efforts to criminalize (or even tax, as has been recently suggested) homelessness pretty absurd. It makes no sense to "double penalize" some“Economic status is a constitutionally one for being homeless. We need to take a pro-active approach with efforts to prevent homelessness from occurring in the first place. protected class, and I believe that 4. I believe that prevention is the best approach to dealing with homelesshomelessness can, therefore, be included in hate-crimes legislation.” ness. I think we can direct more of our Community Development Block Grant money toward short-term family housing and look at things like foreclosureprevention to help alleviate burdens on families.

5. Yes – the city shouldn't be in the business of telling private entities where they can or cannot operate.

6. Yes, I do and have signed a motion to that effect (see document #200800808). I believe human services are critical for our city.

7. My top three priorities are increasing neighborhood/economic development, attracting and keeping jobs in the city of Cincinnati and youth. I have been focused on these issues by creating the Neighborhood Business District Support Fund, working to attract 3,800 new jobs since 2007, saving the jobs of 902 city employees and providing $1.5 million for youth job development.

8. I think we've made some positive steps in bringing affordable housing in Cincinnati, but we have a long way to go. I think we should bring our $1 lottery house, which would encourage development and help the status of providing affordable housing.

Laketa Cole

For more information on Laketa Cole, visit www.laketacole.com

Nicholas Hollan

For more information on Nicholas Hollan, visit www.nicholashollan.com

1. I believe that housing is a human right and we as a society have an obligation that all housing is safe and clean.

One solution that has merit is supporting a Housing First model to provide a continuum of care with an end goal of independent living. This program should work in conjunction with job training and continuing education to provide people with the tools necessary to become self-sufficient.

2. Any crime that is targeted against a specific group is a hate crime, and I would support legislation to classify crimes against the homeless as such.

“I believe that housing is a human right 3. Local government should strive to not punish the homeless but rath- and we as a society have an obligation er serve as the voice for those individuals who far too often can’t speak that all housing is safe and clean.” for themselves. I will endeavor to strike a balance between basic human survival and acceptable public behavior.

4. The city must work in collaboration with social-service organizations to address the immediate need of family homelessness. The ultimate aspiration is to provide the support necessary for at-risk families to overcome complex challenges that often include substance abuse, domestic violence and mental-health issues. By working proactively, we can diminish the number of families’ currently experiencing homelessness.

5. This issue boils down to how the city can provide for the safety of students and neighboring residents while simultaneously providing emergency care for individuals seeking shelter. If a strategy was implemented to help ensure that the Drop Inn Center remained a good neighbor in the community, then I would support keeping it at its current location.

6. As the current community outreach and disaster services coordinator for the American Red Cross and a former development professional for United Way of Greater Cincinnati, I strongly support the city funding at 1.5 percent.

7. Promote pre-natal care to lower our region's deplorable infant mortality rate. Support the police on the street and implement job training and education programs. Revitalize neighborhoods by working with each community to create a long term, strategic vision.

8. Studies indicate that more than 30 percent of household income should not be spent on housing. The city should strive to ensure through building code inspectors that a minimum level of quality exists so that all Cincinnati residents reside in clean, safe and decent housing.

See Questions, p. 6

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Local News

STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009

Burning Questions, Tepid Replies Continued from page 5

Tony Fischer 1. Cincinnati can help address the lack of affordable housing by improving public transit. Creating a real market for housing that does not require an individual or family to own a car will make a real difference both in increasing the type of housing offered by the housing market (which is largely driven by private investment) and will at the same time allow for families and individuals to greatly reduce the portion of their income they must currently devote to transportation and shift it to housing and other essentials. I believe that the city can best affect the market for affordable housing through improvements in public transit.

2. I would be more than willing to consider that proposed change.

3. While I am unequivocally against the criminalization of homelessness, many of those behaviors listed above are clearly anti-social and cannot be tolerated. Ultimately, the question of homelessness is a question of responsibility for the problem. For too long, society has been “The question of the physical content to lay responsibility at the door of our nation's major cities, allowing individuals to avoid having to help by simply moving across local political boundary lines. location of the Drop Inn Center is less relevant than This is the primary reason why the underlying causes of homelessness are unable to be addressed, because those who can afford to help are able to avoid any responsibilthe question of whether or not it is effectively fulfilling its ity simply by moving out of the city. Until this legal loophole is confronted (though in the meantime, attracting new middle class residents to the city to increase the tax mission of service.” base can help alleviate the problem), the underlying causes of homelessness will continue.

4. This is a major problem that I look forward to working on when I am elected to Cincinnati City Council.

5. The question of the physical location of the Drop Inn Center is less relevant than the question of whether or not it is effectively fulfilling its mission of service.

6. I do not support governance by referendum or mandatory set-asides. That has led to the state of California to systemic failure and I fear it would do the same in Cincinnati. However, that does not mean human services funding at the current level is not necessary. These distinctions are important.

7. My top three priorities for Cincinnati are keeping the city safe and clean, revitalizing neighborhood business districts and strengthening the local economy.

8. As I said in my answer to question 1, I believe that the best way Cincinnati can increase the amount of affordable housing is by making significant improvements in public transit. The ability of the city to direct effect the type and quality of housing that is offered by what a market that is largely privately funded is quite limited. But transportation is a market that is largely government funded. If Cincinnati makes wise investments in public transit that encourage the ease of convenience of lifestyles that do not require the amount of private expenditure on transportation that our current car-centric system does, then I believe the market for affordable housing will open up significantly.

For more information on Tony Fischer, visit www.votetonyfischer.com

ELECTION DAY is November 3, 2009. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Anitra Brockman

For more information on Anitra Brockman, visit www.whoisbrockman.com

For information about voting in Hamilton County, Ohio, visit www. votehamiltoncounty.org

1. I will most definitely address the need of lack of affordable housing in Cincinnati. In my opinion, providing affordable housing in Cincinnati is vital. Although there are many stipulations and criteria surrounding qualifying for homeownership, I believe that the “American Dream” should still be affordable and made available for all in Cincinnati. We must ensure that we are providing residents with the necessary resources to be responsible homeowners and tenants. The city should partner with local businesses and promote “affordable housing workshops” that include topics such as financial planning, foreclosure prevention, risk management and more.

2. Absolutely! Yes, I would support an initiative in Cincinnati to change the definition of a hate crime to include homeless individuals. All persons shall be created equal in accordance to the Civil Rights Act with it is neither acceptable nor tolerable for our city to discriminate against – no exceptions.

3. I can definitely tell that, with the current economic crisis, homelessness in Cincinnati seems to be increasing.

There obviously is not enough adequate shelter space for the homeless in Cincinnati, and that is a serious problem.

I believe that as a city we must provide adequate resources to provide homeless individuals with an opportunity to seek a safe place to sleep and an opportunity to regain some form of stability. We must partner with social-service agencies to provide resources such as treatment programs, housing options, transportation assistance and jobreadiness skills to homeless individuals. I do not believe that criminalization is the solution to getting rid of homelessness.

4. I propose a few solutions to assist families who may be experiencing homelessness in Cincinnati. First, I would propose the city consider providing an affordable-housing seminar or workshop. Some topics that can be discussed for families could be how to avoid foreclosure or financial planning. We must provide community outreach and have resources readily available for families. We must understand that many people are losing their jobs within Cincinnati or some have lost a loved one, and we must provide sufficient resources and support to these individuals and families “The status of affordable so that they have an opportunity to regain stability. housing in Cincinnati is 5. While I realize that relocating the Drop Inn Center will cause a tremendous something that requires some hardship on several homeless individuals, I do not support keeping the Drop Inn immediate attention and action.”

Center at its present location. With youth development being one of my platform focus areas, and the new School for Creative and Performing Arts being built nearby, the city’s primary focus should be to ensure that we are providing a safe environment for the youth. Also, I understand that the Drop Inn Center is a huge resource for the homeless so I would support relocating it somewhere else within the city.

6. I do support a charter amendment allocating 1.5 percent of the city’s general fund to human services spending.

I believe that a city’s responsibility regarding “human services” or “social programs” is vital. Human services or “social programs” should be established as a resource to provide essentials such as health, food, shelter, job placement assistance, counseling, and safety to those who are least able to assist themselves. There are individuals who are less capable of caring for themselves due to extenuating circumstances such as job loss, homelessness, disability, veteran, single-parent households, death of spouse or primary caregiver, etc. Being a single mother of three has not been easy for me, and I could not have made it as far as I have in my life without the support of human-services programs over the years. I have worked hard all of my life and received an education, but needed services to supplement my sole income such as WIC and daycare assistance. There are so many other residents in Cincinnati with similar situations that need the same assistance. While I believe that “human services” are necessary, I also believe that there must be accountability in the programs and the people utilizing the services. I think that the major issue is that there are people in Cincinnati who may have never had to utilize human-services programs before, and therefore are reluctant to stand by and support human-services programs. Also, there is this misconception about the people who utilize human-services programs that they are the cause of other problems in the city such as violence and drugs, etc. I am in support of human-services agencies that are in place to help those individuals who are making an effort versus just “milking” the system. The city must be willing to support See Questions, p. 7 the human-services agencies such as the YWCA, Talbert House, FreeStore/FoodBank,

STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009

7

Local News

Streetcar Enlivens Mayoral Debate Cuts in bus service were not discussed

For more information on Dr. Brad Wenstrup’s campaign, visit www. bradwenstrup.com

By Dave Scharfenberger Contributing Writer

W

hat began as an informal civic discussion between mayoral candidates soon heated up once candidates opened the floor for ques-

tions.

The discussion between Democratic incumbent Mark Mallory and Brad Wenstrup, Republican, was Sept. 24 at Christ Church Cathedral.

After the two candidates’ presentations, a question was addressed to Wenstrup: “I didn’t hear your position on the streetcar.” Wenstrup said that he was against the streetcar proposal.

“Not a good time,” he said.

With the current state of the economy, he said that this isn’t the time to invest almost $200 million in a streetcar project. Wenstrup called for more study of the idea before the city makes this kind of investment. He called for more efforts to increase other forms of transportation, including light rail.

Mallory, on the other hand, openly promoted the streetcar proposal.

“The streetcar is about how you approach the future,” he said. “We have to figure out how to invest in the future.”

Rail transportation has always created economic development, Mallory said. He promoted modern streetcars as a way of bringing economic development to downtown and Over-the-Rhine.

Both candidates opened the forum by talking about their positive qualities and reasons for running for office. Wenstrup listed his service to the community as a physician and his service as an Army reservist in Iraq. He

Mayor Mark Mallory addresses the audience during a debate at Christ Church Cathedral. Photo by Bill Haigh.

Democratic incumbent Mark Mallory, left, and Brad Wenstrup, Republican, debated the proposed streetcars, on Sept. 24 at Christ Church Cathedral.

Photo by Bill Haigh. said his reasons for running for mayor are to serve the community and work on the issues of safety, supporting businesses and budgetary restraint.

Mallory said he is running for a second four-year term to bring a new type of leadership. He listed the accomplishments that have occurred under his administration, including improved safety, economic development, youth jobs and the neighborhood enhancement program.

Several other issues were raised during the forum ranging from the dangers of lead paint in Over-the-Rhine to the greening of the city and the environment.

Mallory promoted his efforts to increase recycling and other conservation programs. Wenstrup said that he supports some of these efforts, although he voiced opposition to the City’s recent Environmental Justice Ordinance. The ordinance, recently passed by city council, gives communities input in the process of approving the location of new businesses or expansion of existing business that could affect the air quality.

Still, some left the forum with questions unasked and unanswered. Christopher Smitherman, president of the Cincinnati Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said he was concerned about proposed cuts in the Metro bus service by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority.

“I wanted to ask them, ‘Where are you going to get the money to make up the $16 million shortfall in our Metro bus system?” said Smitherman, who believes that SORTA should not be cutting public transportation at a time when residents need the bus system to get to work.

With more forums scheduled, voters will hopefully get opportunities to get their questions answered.

For more information on Mayor Mark Mallory’s campaign, visit www.facebook. com/mayormallory

Burning Questions, Tepid Replies Continued from page 6

Anitra Brockman Women Helping Women, etc.; that provide its residents with the resources required to get their lives back on track.

7. Youth development: The youth in Cincinnati do not have an active voice. The youth are not given the opportunity to actively express their opinions or views on important issues. If elected to City Council, I would like to implement a Cincinnati Youth Council. The Cincinnati Youth Council will allow youth ages 1225 an opportunity to identify key issues relating to them and address these issues with key decision-makers in the community. We need to start developing strong minds for Cincinnati’s future now. Public safety: I have a vision for the city of Cincinnati to be one of the safest and most united communities in Ohio. That cannot happen unless we work together to support public safety. If elected to city council, my focus will be to apply myself to support what is working in terms of public safety and really challenge the status quo on crime and response time.

I would like to see our 52 communities stand united against

crime, and I stand in support of protecting the jobs of the fire and police departments who protect our lives every day. “If we can’t be safe, we can’t be anything in Cincinnati.” Economic development: We need to make it easy and empower our residents so that entrepreneurial spirit can rise up in this community to reduce blight and transform Cincinnati. If elected to city council, I will encourage and support the growth of minority- and women-owned businesses.

8. In my opinion, the status of affordable housing in Cincinnati is something that requires some immediate attention and action. A long-term commitment, especially from elected officials, is required to take on the housing issue in Cincinnati. I would propose to implement a comprehensive plan to not only increase the availability of affordable housing, but also preserve affordable housing for Cincinnati residents. Also, I would like to see the city promote and encourage stability when it comes to home ownership and property rental in Cincinnati.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in the candidate survey are not to be perceived as an endorsement or reflecting the views of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, which publishes Streetvibes.

8

Local News

STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009

Yes, it’s Creative but Is it Science?

Two writers learn about C-sections, faith

the fossil record purported by modern science.

LO: On the façade of a dirty brick wall, like a city JF: I wasn’t sick the day they taught the fossil record building, a sign poses the question, “What happens purported by modern science in Catholic school. when “Scripture (is) abandoned in the culture”?

LO: Another sign instructs visitors that these two Around a sharp corner is another façade of a brick

By Lea Ottenheimer and Josh Flannery different views are in conflict with each other. The wall, covered with graffiti and plastered with scraps Contributing Writers human view follows modern science while God’s of newspaper and magazine headings and articles view follows the word of the Bible, which claims the about same-sex marriage, evolution, wars and Lea Ottenheimer (LO): In this article I attempt to earth was formed 4,350 years ago. abortion.

JF: Remember that number. objectively study the Creation Museum and what it JF: I was wondering how long it was going to LO: A TV near the ceiling in teaches about creationism. take to throw homophobia at Josh Flannery (JF): And I shall interject from time one room has a short video that us. They didn’t seem too keen on An exhibit about the Garden separation of church and state loops over and over. The video to time to mock this absurd idea.

LO: Many other articles have offered opinions, says that, because all we know or a woman’s decisions about of Eden features statues of but I would rather present neutral observations and about dinosaurs and the fossil her own body. Hmm, doesn’t that all different sorts of animals record comes from incomplete allow readers to come to their own conclusions. sound a bit like some of the terfrolicking together peacefully, JF: To be honest, L. Ron Hubbard was a bit more clues unearthed by scientists, including dinosaurs, along with rorist states we’re all supposed to “different scientists can reach imaginative. be quaking about?

Adam and Eve LO: Approaching the entrance to the museum, I different conclusions depending LO: The next section is a think I was surprised to see statues of dinosaurs. I on their starting assumptions.” If long, narrow, winding room must have picked up the false notion somewhere a person’s “starting assumptions” are based on the where window frames and shutters are constructed that dinosaurs didn’t figure into the theory of cre- scientific tradition, their conclusions will be differ- around TV screens showing videos of people who ent from a person whose “starting assumptions” are supposed to be inside the houses we are lookationism.

JF: We didn’t make it to the petting zoo, but I’m are based on what the Bible says. ing into. The first window shows two teenage boys JF: Real science doesn’t assume. It takes facts that looking at porn on the Internet and smoking pot. told, however, that they don’t have dinosaurs there.

LO: Just outside the entrance to the main exhibit have been proven by preceding scientists to build JF: For this part, the museum probably did some is a large colored sign that illustrates the “7 C’s in upon. Assumptions create flawed experiments. actual research because that is exactly what teenage LO: The next room has writing all over the walls, kids do.

God’s Eternal Plan”: Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross, Consummation. large and small stenciled letters in bright colors: LO: In the next scene, a teenage girl freaks out Each C represents a length of time in history during “Same Facts, but Different Views … Why?” … “Dif- about finding herself pregnant. which a significant event in the Bible is said to have ferent Views of Dinosaurs because of Different JF: She’s always got the option of getting an aborStarting Points.” … “Descartes: ‘I think, therefore I tion. taken place. am’.” … “God: ‘I AM THAT I AM.’ ” JF: I was sick that day in Catholic school.

LO: The next scene shows two women gossipJF: ‘Wanting another Nutter-Butter peanut butter ing about their pastor’s wife while one’s husband LO: This is offered as an alternative timeline to sandwich cookie, I am.’ lounges on a couch drinking beer, eating pizza and LO: A diagram illustrates the watching TV. argument that “Human Reason” JF: Now beer, pizza, and television are detrimental holds an opposing position to to our society?

“God’s Word.” Many diagrams LO: The “Time Tunnel” is a long, straight walkshow how these two “starting way through a tunnel of black with tiny sparkling assumptions” have different ex- lights and a sign that says we are journeying back planations for how the natural to the dawn of creation 6,000 years ago. world was formed: Opposing JF: Remember that number you were told to keep the “Evolution Tree” used to il- in mind a while back? How is it that there is a 1,650lustrate how different species year gap between the beginning of creation and the evolved over millennia is the making of the earth? Didn’t it take only six days – or “Creation Orchard,” where all is it possible someone is picking and choosing which species came into being just as parts of the Bible to interpret literally to validate they are. “Human Reason” claims their opinion? To tell the truth, nowhere in the Bible the physical surface of the earth does it say creation happened 6,000 years ago. That was formed by ongoing process- was an idea created by James Ussher in 1654. es, whereas “God’s Word” claims LO: The tunnel leads to a small theater showing a it was formed by Noah’s flood. video that begins reciting the first words of Genesis “Slow Processes” vs. “Rapid Pro- and ending after the sixth day of creation. cesses.” “Human Reason” claims JF: Then God had a kegger! that “the present is the key to the LO: The first of the C-sections is Creation. A sign past,” whereas “God’s Word is the reiterates the theory that, because everything is key to the past, present and fu- such an intricate process with such exact ingrediture. … God’s intervention at key ents that it must have been created all at once. periods of history explains most JF: How come the Bible never mentions dinosaurs of the world we see today.” then? You’d think a big lizard would somehow be In another room, a TV plays worth noting, seeing how men wrote the Bible and a video about William Jennings men love dinosaurs.

Bryan’s struggle in the 1920s to LO: An exhibit about the Garden of Eden features have creationism taught in Amer- statues of all different sorts of animals frolicking toican schools instead of Darwin’s gether peacefully, including dinosaurs, along with theory of evolution. The video Adam and Eve. Plaques along the walkway sport goes on to suggest that it was quotations from Genesis about the Garden of Eden Darwin’s theories being taught and God’s command to Adam and Eve not to eat widely that spawned Hitler’s eu- from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. At the genics programs. end of the section, as a scene of Adam and Eve sit JF: Many states in the United in a jungle pool, a large red snake stretches out on a States had eugenics laws on the tree-limb. The snake has a spiked, dragon-like head books by this time, and some of and an evil grin.

Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden near the Tree of Knowledge the defendants at the Nuremberg JF: He has an uncanny resemblance to Dick of Good and Evil (fruit is not an apple, as the Bible doesn’t specify a trials cited the U.S. eugenics laws Cheney. type of fruit. The Creation Museum uses a berry-type fruit, grown in as their inspiration and defense clusters like grapes). Photo courtesy of The Creation Museum.

See Museum, p. 13 for the Holocaust.

! ? t a h Say W

We’ve got to take back the ideal of justice, we’ve got to take back this principle of human dignity. We’ve got to take it back from vengeance, from hatred, we’ve got to say: look, we’re all in this together. We are human beings.

– David Kaczynski

_____________________

STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009

Local News

Recycling for Fellow Brothers Prospect House gives addicts a new way of living

9

By Kelissa Hieber Contributing Writer

S

ubstance abuse is nothing to be taken lightly; so many have been lost to their addiction, never to return to their former lives. Addiction has claimed the most affluent to the poorest of the poor.

Around 2.7 million people in the United States are addicted to some sort of drug, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Many of these people wind up in the prison system. Drug offenders make up around a quarter of all prisoners in this country, with a high rate of returning to their addiction once out of jail.

Prospect House is the oldest residential treatment center in southwest Ohio, providing a successful option for men faced with the crippling cycle of addiction. Founded in 1970 by the Rev. John Loyatt, Prospect House has continued to grow.

David Logan, director of the agency, joined its board in 1980. Logan says the house “provides a highly structured program for those who have lost the structure of their daily lives.”

Participants have to go “Changing your mind about who through an application you are takes a lot of courage.” process and must prove - David Logan they have the desire to change their lives in a positive way.

Phase one, which lasts for two months, consists of group therapy in the morning, individual therapy later on and Alcoholics David Logan, executive director of Prospect House. Prospect House is the oldest Anonymous meetings in the evening. There residential treament center in southwest Ohio. Photo by Aimie Willhoite. are several specialized groups to help people have a better support system while trying to beat their addiction. Examples include the Black Support Group, Life After Bars and the After Nam group, which has recently been expanded to house to support the residents. Other efforts to help the those who have returned from the U.S. wars in Iraq and men get back on their feet are the tutoring programs and Afghanistan.

GED prep for those who wish to further their education.

The program attempts to have the men not feel alone, Men who reach phase two often help to tutor other resiFor more as all the counselors are recovering addicts, and many who dents. Some have jobs, some are going to school and some information, visit have successfully completed the program return to the residents have even completed their masters’ degrees www.prospectwhile in the program. Prospect House tries to provide house.org/ a variety of outlets for the men in the program. They have various sports teams, and they have attended every opera for the past five years. Once residents have completed phase one, they have to present what they want to do after they complete phase two; often this will be going back to school or getting a job. The house will do everything it can to help the residents reach these goals.

Around 200 men are treated per year, with a success factor of 64 percent completing the 90-day program.

The house likes to keep tract of former residents to see how they progress. Between 1990 and 2008, 68 percent of for- “I hope I can live to see a day mer residents have remained sober, acwhere people care enough cording to Prospect House. Committing about their fellow brothers to a program like this is no easy task; as they do an aluminum can many addicts feel they have a love affair – we care enough to recycle with their addictions and standing up to them.People deserve a defeat this love is very challenging. second chance, too.”

“Changing your mind about who you - David Logan are takes a lot of courage,” Logan says.

As Prospect House has grown, it has purchased several of the surrounding houses. Around 30 men live in the Parish House while they complete phases one and two. The surrounding houses are for those who have received more privileges and often have a job or are attending some sort of school. Many who have completed the program live or are trying to find houses within a one-mile radius of the Parish House.

These alumni receive the support of the house whenever they need but also can be role models for the new guys in the program.

Prospect House not only works to help residents build a better life while in the program; they also stay connected while residents battle with the difficult task of transitioning back to normal daily life.

“I hope I can live to see a day where people care enough about their fellow brothers as they do an aluminum can – we care enough to recycle them,” Logan says. “People deserve a second chance, too.”

10

STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009

Short Story

SBS: The Short Burnet Soldiers

By Michael Henson Contributing Writer

F

rom the steps where they sat, sheltered from the street lamps, the two young men could see clearly in all four directions. They were posted at the crossing of two streets. Behind them, a sidewalk led up to an apartment building with broken plaster facings. The building was set back from the street and did not block their view. To one side, a large maple tree with a trunk thick as a barrel. To the other, a honeysuckle bush in full bloom. These protected them from certain eyes on the street. But by craning around the one or the other, they could easily watch the traffic on the east-west street, and by turning back and looking forward, could watch the traffic on the north-south street. They could always know what was coming.

The east-west street was McGregor. The north-south street was Burnet – called here Short Burnet because it dead-ended two blocks down and did not hook up with Long Burnet, which strode for over a mile past hospitals, mansions, apartment complexes, a big hotel and the zoo. Past that mile, flanked with shops and ragged buildings, Long Burnet stopped itself in the blazing heart of the ghetto. But this was Short Burnet, tucked away between two deadends and lined with nice old houses, just now beginning to turn.

The sidewalk in front of the two young men and the stop sign just a few feet away and the trunk of the barrel-thick maple tree were marked, just like the wall of the apartment building and even the surface of the streets themselves, with various slogans spray-painted in black: Each of the young men was tall, and very dark; each of them had long, graceful limbs stroked by long, sleek muscles that shone in the lamplight like the coats of horses. Their limbs were so long and so slender that, gathered on the

Short Burnet S B S Home of the Short Burnet Soldiers steps, they seemed to be a collection of lances.

People walked past every few minutes. “Wassup,” one might say. Another might say nothing at all and pass without looking. Still others crossed the street to avoid them.

The smell of honeysuckle was heady and tended to make them drowsy, as did the cigar that they passed between them. Later, they would take another cigar, slit it open, gut it and repack it with marijuana. And then they would chill, and relax. But for now, they were kept alert by the need to watch the street constantly and by the cars which either sped along about their business or slowed to check out the young men in theirs.

* * * * * A car passed slowly down Burnet, headed south. It was a boxy, sensible make.

Though it was late, the driver, a white man, still wore his carefully knotted tie.

The lamplight glanced off his glasses so that, for a moment, he had the dazed look of a beetle kicked up into the light from under a stump.

One of the young men looked away with a sneer. The other stared at the driver with a calm, fixed stare. He made his stare as obvious as possible by pivoting with the motion of the car and by concentrating in his eyes and brows all the contempt he could muster.

The driver looked away. He looked confused for a moment, then pulled over to the curb where it was darkest.

The young man who had stared him to the curb watched as his companion rose with a soft laugh, trotted into the street to the sensible, boxy car, talked briefly to the driver, then returned, folding out and counting dollar bills. He returned to the perch at the top of the steps still laughing softly.

“He bought two twenties, man.”

“Just two?”

“He say he tryin to slow down.”

“He be back.”

“He a buster.” That was their word for someone in a tie and a sensible car.

“He a dope fiend and a buster.”

* * * * * Andre, the one who stared the man to the corner, was the smaller and younger of the two, though not by much. He was leaner in the jaw and longer in the eye. He and his companion, Robert, checked the approaches in turns. Robert Photos

by Aimie Willhoite.

made a short glance in each direction, then looked back to count his money or to examine the coal of his cigar. In his turn, André looked slowly down the eastwest line, then craned back and leaned forward to check the north-south line.

Each time he followed the line out to its furthest point, gazed into it a moment and turned in the other direction. Between them, in syncopation and without a word passing, they covered the street.

***** Andre heard, or rather felt, the car before he saw it. The pulse of the speakers was palpable all down the long line of Short Burnet. He felt it first as a light pressure at the back of his scalp, slow and regular as a heartbeat. He turned and stared southward down Short Burnet. A hundred yards to the south, the street dipped downhill and so, for a moment, he saw nothing, but he felt the pulse begin to beat across his cheekbone. Gradually, as he expected, a car came over the rise and into view and the sounds of the speakers came clear: a heavy bass line that, as it reached the houses nearby, put a nervous shimmer to the windows.

DOOMpapaDOOMpapaDOOMpapaDOOMpapaDOOM It was a green BMW with gold trim and it approached slowly.

“It’s that dude,” he said to his companion.

“That downtown dude?” Robert did not turn to look.

Andre watched his companion closely as he toked slowly on his cigar, looked to see that it was burnt to the tip and flicked it out into the street. He laughed again softly.

Andre did not laugh. He tried to frame his face as a stolid mask. He tried to breathe slow and steady.

The green BMW slowed for the stop sign, turned east onto McGregor and rolled slowly past the two young men. The car was just a dozen steps away. But the two young men saw only dim shapes behind its tinted windows.

Andre saw that his companion gazed straight and steady into the windows of the car and that he had settled himself into the stone of the steps as if he had become stone.

He did the same and even stared the BMW down the street to where it turned and disappeared.

“What he want?” he asked his companion when the car was gone.

Robert shrugged. “He gone tell us if he want us to know.”

He looked slowly to the east-west corners and to the north-south corners, then reached into his pocket for another slim cigar.

Several minutes passed before they heard the downtown car again. A pickup truck rattled west up McGregor, slowed in front of them, turned right onto Burnet, stopped and cut off its lights. It was Andre’s turn to score. His companion checked again the east-west and north-south corners as he stood and crossed the street to the darkened truck.

“What’s up?” the driver called.

He was white, with a mustache and longish hair. And a tattoo on the arm that rested against the truck door.

“Depends on what you got for me,” Andre responded.

He knew this white man and did not trust him.

“How’s your buddy over there?” He nodded over to the steps where, after quick glances north and south, east and west, Robert was watching them both.

“He all right,” he told the white man. “He all right.”

“Yeah,” the white man said. “He’s all right. I guess he’s lettin’ you take care of business tonight.”

The young man shrugged. If he don’t want to deal with me, he thought, he don’t have to deal.

“So wassup, man. You want to get busy or what?”

“Yeah,” said the white man. “I want to get busy.”

“So wassup?”

“Check it out.” The white man nodded back toward the bed of his truck.

The young man looked, but did not move.

“Go ahead, man, check it out.”

A large, dark tarp covered something big and square like a piece of furniture.

“Naw, man. This ain’t it.”

“Just look, man. You can’t knock it til you see what’s up.”

“What I wanta look in your …”

“Just take a look, man. If you don’t want to talk, then I’ll go on.”

He looked over to Robert on the steps; he was shaking his head and grin-

See Soldiers, p. 11

STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009

Short Story

SBS: The Short Burnet Soldiers

11

Continued from page 10 ning. He stepped to the back of the truck, grabbed a corner of the tarp, raised it, and saw the wide, blank eye of a television.

“It’s wide-screen, cable-ready, got a remote. It’s almost new. Look at it.

There’s not a scratch on it.”

Andre shook his head again.

“What do you think? That ought to be worth a hundred dollars.”

“So go get a hundred and we talk.”

He threw down the tarp.

“Come on, man. You could be watchin’ ESPN. I can show you how to bootleg cable.”

“Fuck you and your fuckin TV.” He stepped back from the truck and cradled his heart in his hands. “What the fuck you talking about? I got my own motherfuckin’ TV. Wide-screen nothin’. I got a bigger TV than that. You can take this shit on out of here.” His voice was rising, enough that he would draw certain eyes from the buildings around, but the fury had him. “You want to talk to me,” he shouted, “you get me some money.

Cash. Green money. I want to see some cheese, motherfucker.”

He turned his back on the white man and his television and the white man started off with his darkened truck down the dark of Short Burnet.

Dope fiend fool, he thought. Butterhead. He had decided dope fiends were fools who would sell their mothers. He looked across to the steps where his companion was grinning and, he knew, chuckling softly. The man would be back. He would find somewhere to unload the television for 50, 40, or even 10. And he would be back. The young man felt a small thrill of power, squared his shoulders and stepped back into the street.

But as he stepped across the patch of spray-painted slogans on McGregor, he felt again the heartbeat pressure against his cheekbones and heard again the heartbeat sound of the speakers.

DOOMpaDOOMpapaDOOMpaDOOM And the sound seized every nerve.

* * * * * You know you doin’ wrong out there, Andre’s mother challenged him, over and over. Night after night she demanded, Why you want to hang on that corner night and day. You know you doin’ wrong. Over and over she lamented, So many young men getting’ killed. And I just know you gonna be one.

His father, each time he visited, sat through the long rain of words and did not move a muscle in his face. He did not move from the table where he had crossed his thick arms, except to shift his eye to her as she spoke.

And to say, briefly, She right. You got no call to be on that corner.

* * * * * Twice more the green and gold car swung around. Each time Andre felt the heartbeat pressure in his forehead and cheekbones. Each time he heard the pulse of the bass line as the car slowed for the stop sign and cruised slowly past. Each time the people in the car were no more than shadows behind the tinted glass.

The next time, as the car approached, he was in the shadows, dealing with a pair of brothers in from the suburbs. He felt the pressure at his back and shoulders, then heard, DOOMpaDOOMpaDOOMpapaDOOM He settled with the brothers quickly – they dealt out a quick, cool hundred – and moved quickly, without seeming to hurry, across the street to his position at the top of the steps. He did not need to hurry, for the green car did not cross them for several more seconds, several more beats of the heartbeat pressure that he felt in his forehead and cheekbones.

This time, the car pulled right to the curb and this time the car did not roll past. This time, the car stopped right in front of them.

He glanced to his companion, careful not to turn his face, careful only to flicker an eye to the left, just to see. His companion grinned slightly; a slim wrinkle, just to this side, rose in his lip.

He knew his companion was strapped; he had a .38 holstered in leather under his shirt. He himself did not have even a knife. Unconsciously, he moved his hands back and forth between his knees.

The near window of the green car ran down with a hum and a man of maybe 30 looked out. His brows were thick and black, his hair cropped close, and his jaws pitted with the scars of acne. He leaned his right elbow on the door and placed his left hand over it. A gold bracelet on the arm and a gold ring on the hand shone in the lamplight. Behind him, the driver leaned forward to watch. His hands were crossed on top of the steering wheel.

The tinted rear window remained closed. The young man thought he saw a shadow move behind the glass.

“Wassup, my brothers,” said the man with the scars.

“Just chillin’,” said his companion.

The man with the scars leaned back and said into the car, “He say they just chillin’.”

The driver, still leaning forward, nodded. From behind the tinted glass, Andre could see dim, shadowed movement in the back seat.

The man looked back to them.

“So you just chillin’, young brothers. That’s good. But you wouldn’t be out here tryin’ to turn a little trade?”

“Depends on what you want to trade,” said his companion, still with

the wrinkled grin.

The man with the scars pulled back and created a look of manufactured shock.

“He think we want to trade,” he said to the shadow. “These young brothers out here servin’, think we butterheads.”

The driver was smiling at this, and the shadow moved back in his seat.

“No, young brothers. We ain’t lookin’ for nobody to sling us no dope.

We just want to ask y’all some questions.”

Robert had shifted himself so that his knees were spread wide, each elbow rested on a knee, his left hand dangled low, and his right hand rested open in front of his heart. He looked relaxed and natural, but that way, Andre knew, his companion’s hand was close to the handle of his pistol.

Would the man in the car know that?

Andre pulled his own hands from between his knees and placed each hand at his side. It was all he could do. His companion stared at the car with his hand before his heart. He shrugged and indicated he was ready for the scarred man’s questions.

“Now where you pick up what y’all servin’?”

“Ain’t nobody said we servin’.”

The scarred man glanced back to the shadow, but ignored the claim.

“We been talkin’ to a runner, see. And he be lookin’ all roughed up and he ain’t got no money and he ain’t got no product. So we say, ‘Wassup, young brother?’ And he say, ‘Couple young brothers from up on the hill come down, caught him, beat him down, and took his shit. Now what you think of that?”

“That’s deep,” said Robert. “Shouldn’t nobody do like that.”

“Said it was a couple tall, slender, long-legged brothers,” the man said.

“Like y’all.”

He raised his thick brows, as if the thought had just occurred to him.

Andre rubbed his hands on his legs. He noticed that the scarred man had pulled his hands away from the door.

“We don’t play that,” said his companion.

“I hope not, cause a couple young brothers like y’all could get hurt.”

He nodded toward the driver. The driver nodded back, and when the man turned back to the window, he swung out a nickel-plated pistol.

Robert pulled his own, but the man with the scars had been faster.

“Hold on, young brother,” the man said, and Robert stopped with the pistol half-drawn from his shirt.

Andre stared, helpless and immobile. The man’s gun shone in the lamplight, white as ash. The blood drummed in his temple. He scrambled in his mind for something that could save them. Could he leap fast enough to snatch the pistol? Were there more? What about the shadow in the back seat? Robert was frozen, fixed as stone, with the half-drawn pistol still within the fold of his shirt.

Am I gonna die now? Andre thought. Momma? He sucked in his breath.

Suddenly, the awful moment was over. A blanket of light swept over them all. And all of them looked aside. The white man with the truck had turned back onto Short Burnet. Having swung his headlights across them all, he parked in the shadow. The driver of the green car jammed it into gear and the car screeched like an animal suddenly wounded. The car shot down to the corner, turned and disappeared.

Neither of the young men moved for another long moment. The white man waited with his truck humming in the dark. The shrouded television was gone.

It was not the young man’s turn, but Robert did not seem ready to move.

So Andre checked quickly, leaning forward and back to check the northsouth line and the east-west line and, wiping his hands on the sides of his jeans, made his face into a stolid and stony mask and swallowed down the tremors he feared would fill his voice.

Once he settled with the white man in the pickup truck, he started back to the steps. His face was still cased in a stolid and stony mask and would remain so. He had locked down the tremors in his voice and they would not emerge again. He saw that the wrinkled and superior smile of his companion was gone and that his face was grim and heavy as sand.

He saw with contempt that the hands of his friend were trembling.

12

Film Review

STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009

A Sub-Prime Kind of Romance Michael Moore raises the alert level to orange

By David Heitfield Contributing Writer

Although the movie doesn’t mention it, this is exactly the basis of the “too big to fail” reasoning about socializing losses in the financial sector.

We bailed out Wall Street because we had no choice (according to this view, anyway) – failure for the ultra-wealthy means failure for everyone.

The movie fails to mention

name names or place blame or identify prescriptive measures – indeed, Moore’s asichael Moore sault on “capitalism” doesn’t was promoting seem that far from President his new movie, Bush’s assault on “terrorism.”

Capitalism: A Love Story, on It’s rather vague, but if you alBill Maher’s show, Real Time, low yourself to just sit back when the host took issue with and get caught up in the emothe premise of Moore's movtion and fear, maybe you’ll ie: Capitalism is not evil, Maagree with him that there are her insisted. It just evil people out needs a little lovin’. there who want At the end of the in- As you leave the theater after watching this two- to kill you so they terview, he snidely hour-plus mishmash, you can’t help but think to can cash in on the wished Moore suc- yourself that you just watched a major film with insurance. cess in becoming a major distribution in a suburban theater where Capitalism: A extremely rich off you paid $10 for popcorn and a Pepsi with the Love Story says his new movie. Oh, message that capitalism is evil, and it hits you – much more about that droll, ironic we have become so powerless, so entrenched the state of the Bill.

American Left in our plutonomy, that that message is not I understood the than it does about viewed as a threat any more. issue better after capitalism. The I saw the movie.

Maher interview Moore does pronounce capi- that the memo also pointed was instructive: Maher, the talism evil and suggests it be to other nations develop- devout atheist, could never replaced with “democracy,” ing into a plutonomy, such condone the pronouncement but the basis of his judgment as Canada, Great Britain and of “evil” based on a cosmolis none other than the Catho- even China. Moore thinks ogy (organized religion) that lic Church. He asks a couple the root of our political inac- he sees as even more evil. of priests in Michigan if capi- tion in the face of this devel- One huge rift of the Left in talism is evil, they say it is, he opment is that people think America is that conflicting shows a funny montage of they can become part of that worldview: a kind of Vatican Jesus telling a sick person he 1 percent elite; and his hope II, liberal Paul Tillich-type cannot heal him because of is that, as people wake up to Christianity, in which we shall a pre-existing condition, and the fact that they never will, be judged by how we treat the off we go. the people will revolt. least among us (the Moore The movie doesn’t so much But I’m not convinced view); versus a sort of earthadvance an argument as pres- even Moore believes that. To worshiping paganism that ent a montage of the evils of his credit, he places the bail- extols the virtues of a vegan our culture – airplane pilots out pretty squarely on the lifestyle and believes protectmaking $17,000; people be- shoulders of the Democrats ing Mother Earth is our most ing kicked out of their homes in Congress. He also shows compelling morality (the Maand jobs; P&G buying “dead President Obama’s election, her view). peasants” insurance on their with people cheering and These views are, it seems to workers, so they can cash crying and reveling in Ho- me, incompatible: the Maher in big in case of premature penchange, and then points folk believe the Christians are death; Citigroup's infamous out Goldman-Sachs became idiots who believe in invisible 2005 memo proclaiming the Obama’s biggest campaign men in the sky; the Moore folk United States a plutonomy. contributor. The message is believe the pagans are idiots In a plutonomy, a shrinking not so subtle: Even the good who simply replaced a belief number of people control a guys with a popular mandate in God with a belief in Earth, majority of wealth– in Amer- are bought and paid for. bestowing magical characterica, the top 1 percent hold Moore is not trying to be istics on trees and animals. more wealth than the aggre- bipartisan so much as trying In line with post-Enlightgate bottom 95 percent – so to reach a slightly broader enment Christian theology, that the health of the entire audience – no teabaggers Moore romanticizes a past economy depends upon the were harmed during film- that I don't believe ever quite fortunes of that small elite. ing. But that means failing to existed: He talks of growing up

M

Buddy Gray speaking with Michael Moore about homelessness and affordable housing in1996. Photo by Jimmy Heath.

in a union household in Flint, their Escalades through Forwhere everyone was pretty est Park. much happy and school was And that’s why I don't think paid for and people worked people are ready to do anyand owned houses and lived thing about the system: One, the American dream. as long as there are homeless I’m about the same age as people to spit on or gays or Michael, I grew people of color to up in a union hate on or a new He talks of growing household McMansion in a just a couple gated community up in a union hundred miles to buy, you'll alhousehold in Flint, south of Flint, where everyone was ways have value and I don’t in your life, repretty much happy remember it gardless of how and school was that way. What far you are from paid for and people I remember the top 1 percent. worked and owned were resent- houses and lived the Two, we live in ful, pissed-off a time when all American dream. mothers who politics and mespent most dia – including of their time Moore – pander watching soap operas and to the middle class, the most hating the fact they had no intellectually vapid and morsocial cache, let alone career ally bereft segment of our options. I remember fathers demographic. Three, espeworking third shift and some- cially on the left, there is just times weeks without a day off no consensus on our moral who were too tired and disen- authority, or even if there is franchised from factory work any. Hell, on the left, you can’t to spend any time with their even get consensus between families. Both generally hated City Beat and Streetvibes. their lives. I remember beans And the final irony, the one and cornbread when Dad the smug Maher has right: was on strike; I remember his As you leave the theater after two heart attacks at work; I watching this two-hour-plus remember the pent-up anger mishmash, you can’t help but and resentment that some- think to yourself that you just times led to violence (and no, watched a major film with a there was no alcohol in our major distribution in a subhouse). I remember a popular urban theater where you paid culture that made fun of all $10 for popcorn and a Pepsi of it: From the Kinks’ “A Well with the message that capitalRespected Man” to the Mon- ism is evil, and it hits you – we kees’ “Pleasant Valley Sun- have become so powerless, so day.” My older brother and I entrenched in our plutononever, ever had any desire to my, that that message is not work in a factory, even if that viewed as a threat any more. option were available.

It’s as hollow as the terrorism And much of that stems alert levels. Had Moore made from another aspect of Amer- a movie saying the middle ican culture that I don’t think class has shit for brains and Moore has quite right: It’s not our best option is anarchy – the desire to be in the top 1 a message in which I like to percent that motivates Amer- think post-Enlightenment icans; it’s the desire to simply Jesus would have been well be better than you. The peo- pleased – well, I don’t think ple who live in West Chester the Weinstein Group would might envy those who live in have produced that movie, Amberley Village, but you can because no one who would bet they always smile in smug see it would pay $10 for popself-satisfaction when driving corn and a Pepsi.

STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009

Candidate Interview

13

Dew to Others as They Due to You Lansky’s poetry of the streets and the mind

By Amanda Wolfe Contributing Writer Steven Paul Lansky’s new book of poetry, Eleven Word Title for Confessional Political Poetry Originally Composed for Radio, is a frank account of a personal journey inexplicably intertwined with the struggle of a community.

Opening with poems concerned with vastly different subject matter, such as a pizza deliveryman receiving a parking ticket; the violent death of Nathaniel Jones at the hands of Cincinnati Police in 2003 and a harsh critique of George W. Bush’s policies, Lansky’s book serves as a reminder that these kinds of subjects are not as different nor as isolated as they might seem.

It is most notably in “Red Mark” that the book begins to combine the political with the personal. The speaker in this poem, having received a dose of anti-psychotic medication, is arrested and mistreated – not in the same violent manner as Nathaniel

Steven Paul Lansky. Photo by Maria Campolongo.

Jones, but in a way that links the two nonetheless. He is “cuffed, locked in a room. / To sleep off my thorazine. / A rite of passage. / From citizen to criminal.” Lansky’s language here invites the reader into this unjust world as he asks, “Do you know your name?

Do you / have ID? / Are you marked like me?”

Even “Socks,” which begins with a harmless enough scene, does not allow the reader a rest. We are shown abandoned socks on the ground, and we follow the speaker to the nearest convenience store for a bag to retrieve them. Finally, though, after this bizarre situation, Lansky strikes us with the fi-

nal lines of the poem: “The buses have progressively more people on / board as it gets later. I can see black faces in the lit / interiors. It is too early for the white workers to be / on the bus going downtown from College Hill.”

White socks on the ground, black faces on the bus—what connections is the reader to make of these images? It’s difficult to articulate, but leaves the reader with an uneasy feeling, similar to this poem’s speaker who is “afraid of (the socks’) wet karma.” This ambiguity is a particular strength of Lansky’s writing. The poems that do not make explicit judgments but instead portray poignant scenes are the

most forceful of this collection.

Another talent of Lansky’s that shines in this book is his ability to distort words, to break a seemingly innocuous word into pieces that completely shift its meaning. This is most evident in the clever “Kaddish to allen,” one of the most outstanding pieces in Eleven Word Title.

Written three days after the death of poet Allen Ginsberg, this poem is a tribute and lament that reaches beyond Ginsberg himself. By deconstructing Ginsberg’s mother’s name, Naomi, Lansky creates his own hypnotic mantra: “Naomi, no home me, me no home, no we, no we know no home. / Home me, homey don’t know no home Naomi.”

From “lobotomy” Lansky derives “Me low bottom me, low bottom, bottom low” and LSD becomes “long slow day, long slow death.” These examples on their own could be perceived as gimmicky, but within the context of the poem, they truly illuminate the struggles of a family with mental illness and the desperation, that “rage of a generation, the rage against madness,” that comes with it.

Lansky’s book continues with poems touching candidly on war, segregation, hallucination. The music of

poetry persists throughout all of these and culminates in the collection’s final poem, “Insomnia.”

“Judge poetry not unlike moist dew / on grassland,” Lansky writes. “Pardon. / But, was there grass in Overthe-Rhine / enough to reach sample dew? / Do as you must, old doer.” This, another unsettling ending, leaves the reader with the question of whether grass/poetry/beauty can thrive in an environment such as OTR, and with the challenge of making that decision for himself. But Lansky himself has proven that this can indeed be the case with this honest portrayal of the need for social justice, tolerance and peace. Eleven Word Title leaves its reader desiring the life of Sadie the street dog, from “Wild Turkeys” who “went from cement sidewalks, / busted glass, parking meters, gas eating cars, / and car tires rotting on street corners, / to a life full of shit chasing wild turkeys.”

Steven Paul Lansky will give a reading at InkTank, 1311 Main St. at 7 p.m. Oct. 30. He will be showing Tomato Tomahto, reading from the new book, and serving food, wine and dirty lemonade. Admission is $2.

Yes, it’s Creative but Is it Science?

Continued from page 8 LO: The section called “Corruption” has pictures of war, famine, drug addiction and other awful things.

JF: But it fails to mention broccoli.

LO: A sign tells how God had an idea of how to fix the problems Adam and Eve caused: “He replaced the fig leaves with clothes made by animal skins.”

JF: The first hand-medowns.

LO: The next section includes life-size scenes of primitive people wearing animal skins and involved in various pre-historic village activities. Plaques tell what existed before “Adam’s Sin” and what existed after.

JF: We Catholics know it was really Eve’s fault but Adam took responsibility, as a man always does.

LO: Before “Adam’s Sin” there was no venom, no death, no disease, no carnivores.

These are the explanations for why some animals became carnivorous: “Changed diet – the diet of some animals merely changed. Revealed information – the potential for meat eating was placed into the original creation, but not revealed until after the Curse.”

JF: So there’s a self-destruct sequence, eh?

LO: One sign asks, “Where did Cain get his wife?” It goes on to explain that incest was an unfortunate necessity for Adam and Eve’s children but that fact reinforces creationism’s position that all humans are related to each other, no matter what race or culture they belong to.

JF: How touching after the display of homophobia just a few rooms ago.

LO: Rooms full of diagrams, pictures and charts offer proof of the impact that Noah’s flood had on geological and biological conditions on the Earth.

The fourth C age is Confusion.

JF: You mean that’s not what the whole museum was?

LO: Pictures show Babel and its fall. A sign proclaims, “Babel explains our differences.” Just past the doorway leading out of this section is a large banner depicting the final three C’s—Christ, Cross, Consummation, ending in the movie The Last Adam, the finale.

JF: Oh, thank Science!

LO: The movie begins with an older white man fondling a T-Rex tooth and talking about how the Bible supports all the

facts illustrated in the exhibit.

JF: And by that, he means without giving any scientific proof.

LO: He goes on to give a synopsis of Christianity and its tenets.

Actors playing Mary and a Roman soldier tell about how things really went.

JF: It was eerily like what they showed us in religion class at The museum is located on 49 beautifully landscaped acres, with a mile of Catholic school, nature trails. Photo courtesy of Creation Museum. except Catholic school taught religion in religion class, not pseudoscience.

I could present without any up to fail at any sort of scienLO: Two young blond- opinionated commentary or tific field in both school and haired girls in the next row judgments. I do not offer any career. got bored after the first five conclusion. minutes and began squirmJF: Here’s mine, though.

My suggestion: Take your ing in their seats and tug- This way of thinking has the $20 and burn it. You’d at least ging on their parents’ sleeves, potential to hamper human- save yourself some time and whining about wanting to go ity’s ability to learn the na- gas money. Better yet, send to the petting zoo and the gift ture of the universe and the it to me. My favorite charshop. physical world around us. I ity is always accepting doJF: No amount of whining overheard two pairs of par- nations. Make checks out to could convince Lea to let me ents telling their children that Cause Against Social Harm, go to the petting zoo. the earth is only thousands of or C.A.S.H. LO: So there you have it. years old – not billions. Telling As accurate a description as kids things like that sets them

14

STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009

Local News

There’s No Place Like This Box Continued from page 1

Some of us had just recently seen Spike Lee’s 1988 film, The Rev. Ben Urmston, along School Daze. In it, Laurence with MiMi Chamberlin (who Fishburne’s character, Dap, is now execuorganizes a tive director s h a n t y t ow n of ChurchAfter sleeping outdoors on the cames Active in pus of “Misfor five nights, students Northside) sion College” boarded a full bus to led Dorothy to urge diWashington to join Day House – a hundreds from Cincinnati vestment in campus proSouth Africa. and thousands from gram devoted The movie across the country to social jushighlights demanding housing as tice and volDap and the a right and an end to unteerism. socially achomelessness.

For me, the tive shanty house bedwellers who came a link to an experience sought to confront a student that felt more “real” than body made up of “wannabes” campus life. The previous preoccupied with trivial vaniyear a group of XU students, ties. The prominent closing including me, engineered an scene of the movie featured informal summer internship. Dap, rising at sunrise, stirring For three months we lived in a sleepy campus with the reOver-the-Rhine and hung out peated cry, “Wake Up!” at local agencies like the Drop This was our feeling. We Inn Center, ReSTOC and Pea- would stage a shantytown to slee Neighborhood Center. wake up XU. We also witnessed firsthand the decade’s spike in Berding and Springer homelessness. Many grassroots agencies were springing Some in the administraup, trying very hard with little tion were quite leery about or no resources to respond student safety, unseemly conto an impossible economic duct and potential damage to situation. The activists were the XU Mall. Our group also sounding a warning call. And grappled with amassing the in the meantime, Milli Van- large quantity of cardboard illi kept playing on the boom needed, food, logistics, publicity – and let’s not forget the box.

Earlier that year the Na- bus to Washington.

That week was cool, no tional Coalition for the Homeless called for a large march rain, but very windy. More on Washington, D.C., to call than one shanty was not to for increased federal involve- be up to the task. A couple ment to address the growing roofs blew off during the homeless crisis. What later night. But despite the flimsy came to be known as the cardboard, the event had a Housing Now! March was a strength because of its clarmassive undertaking, espe- ity. It gained momentum as it cially in Cincinnati. XU stu- went along. The week started dents alone had committed with a cross-campus collaboto filling a bus. Ten additional ration. A group of College busses were to be filled by lo- Democrats from Miami (led cal Homeless Coalition mem- by current City Councilman bers and other organizations. Jeff Berding) added a shanty To help meet our goal, we of their own. Visitors included looked to plan an event that civil rights leader Rev. Mauwould both call attention to rice McCrackin, Drop Inn Cincinnati’s own growing Center founder Buddy Gray homeless problem as well as and then-Councilman Pete generate excitement around Strauss.

The media highlight was a this national march.

The first Xavier University Shantytown was in 1989. The annual Shantytown is still held on the Xavier Mall. Photo by Pat Clifford. feature story on Channel 5 – complete with a closing commentary by Jerry Springer, ending, of course, with “Take care of yourself – and each other.”

Then it was over. The shanties were dismantled on Thursday, and we were off to Washington on Friday. After sleeping outdoors for five nights, students boarded a full bus to Washington to join hundreds from Cincinnati and thousands from across the country demanding

housing as a right and an end to homelessness.

As I began my work the next year at the Drop Inn Center, I was aware that shantytowns continued. Over the years, many universities and local high schools have organized shantytowns. Last fall the Mayerson Service Learning Program helped over 450 students from 18 local high schools stage a coordinated Shantytown, believed to be the largest multi-school Shantytown in the country.

And 20 years later, the goal remains raising awareness of those for whom homelessness is neither voluntary nor temporary.

We never envisioned the Homeless Shantytown as an ongoing event. Now, as director of the largest shelter in the region, I am proud that teens and young adults in Cincinnati still feel called to bring awareness to the suffering of those that are homeless.

In this lies the key to ending homelessness.

STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 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)

2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202

682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205

Treatment: Women First Step Home 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206

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

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

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 Center for Respite Care

3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229

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

Brighton Center

799 Ann St. Newport, KY

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

859-491-8303

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Creative Writing

Serfication - a.k.a. I am One With the Land By the Mad Poet

I am tired, old, and poor, I line up twice in soup kitchens for more.

Can you see that I am down but not out, Why must I get the fuck out?

I am one with the land, You must seriously reconsider your plan.

Please grant me more time to pay, I am currently learning the right way.

By simply taking it day by day, I know what they say.

I am society’s so-called ill, Lost my job, can’t pay the bills.

No matter what the sun always shines, Today I opposed a sip of wine.

Instead I drank cold lemonade, Things not perfect, but soon I’ll have it made.

My pain is sometimes un-bearing, Upscale society is so uncaring.

A smile gets me through the pain, I do this even in the rain.

The community is growing and expanding, I am taking vocational classes through understanding.

The poor cannot compete with the riches, Does Darwin’s theory mean I must sleep in ditches?

Is your community redevelopment approved by God, Or should I march and scream a Christian Jihad?

Unnecessary causalities is so unkind, What happened to no man left behind?

Can you see that I am down but not out, Why must I get the fuck out?

I am one with the land, You must seriously reconsider your plan.

16

Column

STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009

Painting to the Point of Truth Scott Donaldson speaks through his art

“Art has always been part of my life,” says Scott Donaldson. “I failed second-grade reading because I spent all my time drawing.

Art is my expression, my communication. It gives me an outlook on my life and on life in general.”

A visual artist, Donaldson graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, Minn., with a bachelor’s degree in studio and theatre arts and from the University of Minnesota with a master’s degree in theatre arts.

Donaldson had a longstanding interest in theatre. As a child he mounted plays in his backyard for the neighborhood. In college in the early 1970s he worked with David Olsen and the Cherry Creek Theatre to develop shows that involved the community. After graduating from college he worked for five years as a set designer for the Kalamazoo Civic Players, then for 15 years as an exhibit designer for various museums, including the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati.

Donaldson also did his studio art all along – landscapes in the beginning, later more socially engaged paintings, with a sense of black humor reminiscent of the theater he likes.

His social and political interests and liberal views started at an early age, working on George McGovern’s presidential campaign when he was 18, then getting involved in the political and sociallybased experimental underground theatre of the early 1970s.

When he first arrived in Cincinnati, Donaldson participated in Ahimsa, a show on non-violence. His piece in the show, A Beautiful World, represented a figure of Buddha facing the violence of the city. He cut a hole and put a light inside the piece, a reference to his belief that light has to come from within and that peace is only possible through a as deeper understanding of the inner being and a peaceful self.

By Saad Ghosn In 2005 Donaldson reContributing Writer ceived an individual artist’s grant from the city of Cincinnati to visually interpret stories of the Underground Railroad in modern times.

Boxed, a drawing from the series, represents a black woman hiding in a confined space; Donaldson meant it as a modern allegory for how we cut ourselves off from the richness of the world by our fears, prejudices and obsessions. In Hide and Seek, two men hide in the dark among trees; they depict the fearful hider with whom we sympathize and the frightening seeker, whether a government agent or a criminal, from whom we fear ambush. This series served also as a statement about slavery and its history.

Donaldson then became involved with the Artworks summer teen program, designing and facilitating the painting of neighborhood murals. He remembers, while painting a mural for the Melville school building, the intricate involvement of the community in its progress and the pride at seeing portraits of different kids and

A

rtists ctivists

‘George Carlin,’ acrylic painting on canvas by Scott Donaldson.

Photo by Scott Donaldson.

Scott Donaldson paints to promote his values. Photo by Bill Howes.

members of the community being displayed.

“It gave identity to these people” Donaldson says, “Nobody had done this before for them.”

In designing the murals, Donaldson always involves the community, bringing it together and giving it a voice. He also often inserts in his murals symbols with a message. A Camp Washington mural, for instance, includes, next to a picture of George Washington in a dress, a picture of a cow, reference to the cow that escaped from the Camp Washington slaughterhouse and ran free for 12 days. Donaldson wanted it as a symbol of freedom and courage.

In 2009 Donaldson had a portrait show of celebrities he selected because they made a statement through their lives or had personal integrity. He painted them in a realistic but twisted way, using an odd color scheme; this often revealed something hidden or intriguing about them. A new series In designing the murals, Donaldson of portraits includes, for instance, always involves the community, Oppenheimer, because of his guilt bringing it together and giving it a feeling at having facilitated the crevoice. He also often inserts in his ation of the atomic bomb and of how murals symbols with a message. he lived afterwards trying to limit its further use. Donaldson painted him with gold eyes, the color of enlightenment; and a rust background, the color of remorse. He also included Helen Keller, who, despite losing her sight, overcame her limitations and spoke up.

The portrait of George Carlin is in homage to the man who never gave in and always pushed the envelope of free speech. Carlin, a stand-up comedian, always said the truth. He was audacious and anti-establishment. Donaldson painted his face blue-grey, related to his recent death; his piercing uncompromising eyes gold for knowledge; and his beard fiery red in reference to his outspoken mind.

Over the past years Donaldson participated regularly in SOS ART, a yearly art show of sociopolitical expressions for peace and justice. His pieces in the show generally communicated his critical views of what hinders peace in our society, also his messages for a better world. American Happiness, his 2007 painting, was in reaction to the Virginia Tech shooting and about America’s love of guns and violence and our inability to pass effective gun laws.

In addition to his personal art, Donaldson still does exhibit designs. He is designing the permanent display of “The Freedom Summer” exhibit at Miami University. The exhibit will document the story of individuals who, in the summer of 1960, trained at Miami University in order to go south to register black voters, at the risk of their own lives. Carlyle Brown, an African-American playwright who teaches at Miami University and whose plays are an unapologetic avocation for justice and equality, will write the story.

Donaldson’s works, be it his paintings or his exhibit designs, always reflect who he is, what he believes and the values he cherishes. His themes are universal, always in favor of integrity, freedom and justice.

“I am true to my heart” he says. “I paint to the point of truth I see, and I am not afraid of saying what I think. Of course, I am not interested in getting in a fight, but one thing is certain: I will not back down from what I believe.”

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.