BULK RATE www.communityjournal.net 25 Cents U.S. POSTAGE PAID VOL.XL Number 17 November 25, 2015 MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN PERMIT NO. 4668 The Milwaukee

OMMUNITYOMMUNITYWISCONSIN’S LARGEST AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPEROUROURNALNAL Thanksgiving Comes Early for Many in Our Community! SCISTER J C J A free dinner, health screenings, and give- MHSI holds free Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway SPEAK... aways...and meeting Milwaukee Bucks Guard Jer- ryd Bayless were the order of the day for residents Lena’s Food SPEAK from the community who attended Milwaukee Market Health Services, Inc. (MHSI) Thanksgiving Dinner LORD! Giveaway Tuesday at the MLK Heritage Health Cen- Addresses ter, 2555 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. This was recent issues “GIVING THANKS!” the fifth year the Thanksgiving Di nner Giveaway NO REGRETS courtesy of Bayless and his foundation. Also spon- and continues We are living in a soring and/or participating with good and medical time where evil is exams at the the event were Molina Healthcare, to serve the amongst us and PKSD Law Firm, JD Logistics Inc., Feeding America community the devil is slither- and Wal-Mart. Since its humble incep- ing through our “The primary objective of the Thanksgiving Din- homes, neighbor- ner Giveaway and health screening is to provide ac- tion over 50 years ago on hoods, cities, cess to health care services and supply a nutritious North Avenue in the heart states and out- holiday dinner,” says Pamela Clark, corporate com- side countries. munications specialist for MHSI. “The Thanksgiving of the Black community, Participants in the MHSI’s Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway. Milwaukee Bucks Point Dinner Giveaway provides an opportunity for our Lena’s Food Market has employees and collaborating partners to give back We need to Love more and allow Guard Jerryd Bayless (fifth from the left) donated 900 turkeys through his founda- strived to provide quality GOD in...we make up our plans to the community we serve.”--Kemp photo but GOD is the director. If we tion, the Jerryd Bayless Foundation. service to its customers. allow GOD Upon learning of the isolated inci- dent that occurred at the Teutonia lo- in HE will direct us through our Thanksgiving feast at Harambee Community Center cation Lena’s Food Market owners trials and tribulations. Following and manage- HIS lead… we will make the right ment have “Lena’s decisions and have NO RE- pulled and de- GRETS. stroyed any and Food all affected Market I lost my Mom and Best Friend products, thor- last month. I was her caregiver oughly cleaned owners with NO REGRETS. and sanitized and the area, sealed Happy Birthday Mom and may off entry points manage- you Rest in Peace...11/23/1923. and ramped up ment have existing pest Let's Live, Love and Laugh more prevention and pulled and with NO REGRETS. control policies. Tara R. Pulley Ald. Milele Coggs invited residents to the WestCare Wisconsin Harambee CommUNITY Thanksgiving Feast Monday at destroyed the Harambee Community and Involvement Center, 335 W. Wright St. Harambee community members took advantage It is our con- “Always Keeping It Real” tinued commit- any and all of the invitation to celebrate the holiday season with each other and the WestCare staff.--Photo by Yvonne Kemp ment to serve affected our customers OPPORTUNITIES and community products, Another chance to get to know Voice of the as we have andthoroughly my mother…She’s coming this as our parents year for Thanks- Fatherless Child did before us. cleaned giving. We are a much and needed institu- Another year to joins forces with tion for many sanitized commune and people who are break bread with businesses and the area, limited by their my sister friend sealed off since third grade. faith-based lack of trans- portation and on entry Another round of donations of community to a fixed income. time and tithing of money to Lena’s Food points and Voice of the Fatherless Child Founder those that are less fortunate than Market cur- ramped up bring two Monte Mabra holding an ecstatic 2-year- rently employs myself. old Faeth as he and volunteers prepare more than 100 existing to decorate her family’s home. Another blessing to be a blessing families some people. We will pest and meet someone at their need. Phillip Malames, the store continue to pro- manager at the Port Wash- early Christmas vide an option prevention Another reason for the season to ington Road Home Depot for affordable and simply praise the most High for brings in the Christmas groceries in His mercy and His favor. tree for one of two fami- Joy! M i l w a u k e e control lies that received an early which is policies.” Give and it shall be given unto Christmas thanks to the plagued by you… home project store and never before seen food deserts in Sonya M. Bowman Voice of the Fatherless much of the city. “It Is What It Is” Child. “I believe that the Martin’s will do what is needed to rectify any issues Home Depot’s A.J. Tralor lend- NO REASONS NECESSARY Voice of the Fatherless and continue to serve the commu- ing a helping hand... As I live my purpose...I thank Child, an organization that nity.” stated Ald Ashanti Hamilton of you. works with at-risk youth, Milwaukee’s 1st Aldermanic District As I walk in my The Home Depot, and An- where Lena’s Foods Teutonia store in truth...I thank you. them Blue Cross and Blue centrally located. While the area is As I appreciate Shield, kicked off Christmas currently undergoing some much those around early by once again deco- needed road construction, it is still me...I thank you. rating a selected family’s one of the areas with the highest As I work to be of home for the holiday, com- number of vacant/abandoned build- service...I thank plete with a decorated tree ings. you. and lights decorating the These things occurring at the same As I seek to make life better for outside of the house, gifts time that temperatures drop as winter Faeth and her family with volunteers from Home Depot, Anthem others...I thank you. for the children and gift ...as is Pastor D.J. Hines of approaches creates a perfect storm Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and Christian Faith Church. As I ask for acceptance...I thank cards for the parents. Christian Faith Church. for unwanted intruders. you. Also helping with the ef- response was great. of Alfredo Bautista, the 10- $25,000 reward to the first per- “We want the best for our cus- As I expect a miracle...I thank fort this year was Christian Another first-timer is An- year-old who was shot earlier son to provide information tomers and our community, and we you. Faith Church and its “iGive” them Blue Cross and Blue this year while asleep in bed. that leads to the arrest of will work hard to keep them happy” As I request forgiveness for not program. Christian Faith was those involved in the fatal said Greg Martin, one of the owners thanking you sooner...I truly Sheild, whose representative, Other sponsors involved in represented by Pastor D.J. shooting. of Lena’s. Thank You! Wendy Collins, helped deco- the effort are Steinhafals Fur- Hines. Ten other families will get “We are not just a family owned Zelda Corona-Vision Repre- rate. niture Stores and Hupy & This is the first year Voice of this gift of joy and giving dur- sents Faith! The organiazation, church Abraham Law Firm. business, we are part of the commu- the Fatherless Child and and businesses also brought The head of the law firm, ing the holiday season. --Pho- nity. We look forward to serving dur- “iGive” joined forces and the Christmas cheer to the family Michael Hupy, is offering a tos by Yvonne Kemp ing the Holiday Season and beyond.” PTOSHA DAVIS: JOHNNY L. MARTHA LOVE: JONATHAN PULSE OF THE COMMUNITY “No, I am not sur- THOMAS:“I be- “I’m disappointed “O.J. SPEED” Question and Photos by Yvonne Kemp prised at his com- lieve we (the commu- with the sheriff’s com- HUGHES:“In my ments. The sheriff is nity) waste too much ments. Black Lives do opinion, Sheriff Clarke merely setting himself valuable time speak- Matter, Clarke!” is too far removed QUESTION OF THE WEEK: for a national plat- ing of Sheriff Clarke. I from the Black com- Recently, Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke made negative form. He aspires to would rather support munity to have a valid comments about the “Black Lives Matter” movement, comparing its run for higher office and cultivate these view of the state of the organizers to terrorists, adding there hasn’t been any “police brutal- and appears to believe young civil rights ac- Black community, or ‘All Press is Good Press.’ His comments don’t tivists from Mizzou (nick name for Missouri) police brutality. No, his comments have not ity” since the 1960. Do these comments change your opinion of our merit an intelligent response because they to Black Lives Matter.” changed my opinion of him because I have sheriff? Why or why not? are incognizable.” always felt he is part of the problem.” The Milwaukee Community Journal November 25, 2015 Page 2 Black community and political leaders pack King Drive THETHEPULSEPULSE establishment to help launch political movement The WHO•WHAT•WHERE• WHEN of YOUR Community! Formerly the 4W Community Happenings PERSPECTIVESPERSPECTIVES

A new community political action group and initiative called “Our Power, Our Future, Milwaukee (OPOF-MKE) held a launch event last week at the Skybox Sports Bar on historic MLK Drive. The venue was filled to capacity as political, business, voters and government leaders came together to hear the vision of the group, which is to take back political power, and strengthen the economic viability for the Black community. Pictured above are some ot the event’s participants (left to right): Ald. Russell Stamper, II, Nation of Islam Milwaukee chapter leader, Student Minister William Muham- mad, Dana World-Patterson, chair of the Human Trafficking Task Force, Mark Wade, one of the main organizers of the OPOF organization, long-time community activist Martha Love, Activist and Poet Kwabena Antoine Nixon, partially hidden behind State Sen. Nikiya Harris Dodd, African American Community groups team-up to give Chamber of Commerce Presdient/CEO Dr. Eve Hall, and Ald. Milele Coggs. --Photo by Yvonne Kemp men in community a “Clean Slate”! Clean Slate Milwaukee and The Fatherhood Initiative presented a “Check Yourself” Child support 101 child support services for men in the community faced with that dilemma and other is- sues related to employment and finance, at the Hillside Family Resource Center, 1452 N. 7th St. The services offered covered Driver’s License Recovery, credit card help, expungement of criminal records, and personal responsibility. Thought the event focused on men, it was free and open to the public. Pic- tured above are four of the key participants in the event (left to right): Alphonzo Watkins of the “Wake Up” program dealing with personal responsibility; Dell Williams, co-director of the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative (MFI); Dennis Walton, MFI co- director; and Shanyell McCloud, executive director of Clean Slate Milwaukee. Senator Taylor to hold

DecemberWisconsin state Sen. Lena listening Taylor sessions (4th District) has scheduled a “Let’s Talk” listening session for Decem- ber 9, at 5:30 p.m., at her Milwau- kee senate district office, located at 2602 W. Silver Spring Drive. Resi- dents and constituents are encour- aged to bring their questions, concerns and issues to the meet- ing. The Senator will be holding two other sessions called “Coffee with the Senator.” The first will be at the Colectivo Coffee House Dec. 7, at 8:30 a.m., at Bayshore Mall, 5735 Sen. Taylor N. Bayshore Drive, in Glendale; and Dec. 15 starting at 8:30 a.m., at Coffee Makes You Black, 2803 N. Teutonia Ave. For more information, contact Sen. Taylor’s office at 414-342- 7176. Culver’s of West Milwaukee Partners with St Rose's Food Pantry to Help Families in Need Culver’s of West Milwaukee will be collecting non-perishable food items for St Rose's Food Pantry beginning now through Thanksgiving. The restaurant’s goal is to collect enough food to feed people in the community. Guests who drop off 3 or more non-perishables through the drive thru window from 12pm- 3pm on Thanksgiving Day will receive a coupon for a free pint. "We are continuing our tradition of caring by supporting St Rose's Food Pantry. Their good work throughout the year makes a difference every day in the greater Mil- waukee area," says franchise owner Mike Busalacchi, Culver’s of West Milwaukee. Culver's of West Milwaukee is excited to have the opportunity to assist in helping St. Rose' Food Pantry stock their shelves during the holiday season. We are collecting non-perishables for St. Rose's Food Pantry and ask for your help to make this a suc- cessful food drive. With every donation of 3 or more items through our drive thru win- dow on Thanksgiving Day from 12pm-3pm, a coupon for a free pint of your choosing will be given. Please take a few moments from your day to give others reasons to be thankful too and receive a pint of custard as a thank you from our West Milwaukee restaurant. The Milwaukee Community Journal November 25, 2015 Page 3 “THE GIFT AT THANKSGIVING” By Linda M. Jackson To all of the families who have lost someone PERSPECTIVESPERSPECTIVES in 2015, no money in the world can replace Sometimes is is hard to see goodness and possibility and peace and joy in the midst of the whathas happened. storm.HAPPY Unemployment and under-employment THANKSGIVING! continues to plague our community at the same time that the stock market is experiencing unprecedented increases. Confusion abounds! LOVE IS THE KEY. Presidential hopefuls are spewing divergent mixed-messages, deportation, antiimmigration,elimination of the Black Lives Matter Movement, fiscal support for increased I LOOK AT THE NEWS AND I SEE THINGS IN A DIF- police-presence, fears of terrorism on the US homeland, support of France in the aftermath of the horrific destruction last week, and continuous critique of President Obama’s refusal to es- FERENT WAY THAN OTHERS. calate US foot-patrols in Iraq and Syria. These issues overload our national news-stories. The desire to build an interna- So to all of our families who have lost loved tional coalition to focus on ISIS is upper-most in our MCJ EDITORIAL ones in 2015, I remind you. minds as we prepare to MCJ EDITORIAL gather for Thanksgiving with family and friends. And we pray for protection of our US soil. LOVE IS THE KEY. It is important that we continue to see the United States, with all of its divergent views, as truly a country of immigrants and divergent cultures; and a country that has embraced differ- STAY STRONG AND PRAY ences yet common constitutional regards for freedom of religions, protests, speech and the pursuit of liberty and happiness. STAY PEACEFUL AND HUMBLE Symbolized by the Statute of Liberty, given to the United States by France, the statute says: “ Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teaming tempest shore. Send these, the homeless tossed to AND SMILE AND LOVE.....STAY SAFE IN THESE me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door”. We strive to make real these promises, as the Black Lives Matter movement tweaks the meaning of equality and forces us to make real the inher- STREETS ent fundamentals that make America the America we all love. So as we gather let us rise above the rhetoric and stand firm on the things we hold dear...our LOVE IS THE KEY....ACROSS THE STREET.....ACROSS families, our neighborhoods, our communities, our freedoms and our nation. As we thank God for health, and food, an d shelter, and even our distractions; let us thank God for our country.... OUR COUNTRY....ACROSS THE WORLD. And may God bless America...Land of the Free. Stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above. From the mountains to the prairies, to the oceans bright with LOVE IS THE KEY. foam. God bless America, my home sweet home. God bless America, my home sweet home! May God bless you and your family.....Happy Thanksgiving! Supporters of Milwaukee County District Attorney Candidate Verona Swanigan set record straight on relationshipTo The Editor: with Vel Phillips On November 15, Daniel Bice LETTERLETTER TOTO THETHE EDITOREDITOR wrote an article where he stated that “Many political insiders believe It is her goal to reduce crime in leader cannot do what is best for the that, given the right candidate, Mil- Milwaukee County by 20 percent, overall safety and growth of the en- waukee County District Attorney and she will work tirelessly to do tire community. John Chisholm could be defeated in just that. The District Attorney must be fo- next year’s election;” which was the Attorney Swanigan was a Bilin- cused on the major issues in the only true statement that was made gual Probation and Parole officer in community such as the high murder in this article without him exagger- Milwaukee, has worked for La rate, poor relations between the ating or fabricating the truth. Causa/Wraparound, and has man- Milwaukee police department and Verona Swanigan is in fact the aged employees as a supervisor for the community, car thefts, armed perfect candidate to become the a faith-based nonprofit that worked robberies, rolling drug houses, and Photo from thegrio.com new District Attorney of Milwaukee with at-risk youth, sex trafficking issues of racial tension. I aim to County. victims, and gang members. protect this community to the point Attorney Swanigan looks up to Attorney Swanigan is licensed to that we are no longer listed on the and honors Vel Philips, and was in- practice law in five states, and Most Dangerous Cities in America Stop the Oppression fluenced by a conversation with Vel therefore brings a new perspective list, which occurred during our cur- Philips discussing her history to run to the justice system with innova- rent leader’s watch. “ Olympics: We can for office. tive ideas and fiscally responsible Attorney Swanigan does not have OPINIONOPINION Attorney Swanigan has never plans that shall reduce crime. any physical impairment or illness grieve Paris and made any report that Vel Philips By Blue Telusma, Attorney Swanigan has analyzed that will prohibit her from preform- courtesy of thegrio.com; was helping her in her efforts to run the community needs, and has used ing the duties and obligations of care about Black First posted on that site November 16 for office as stated by Mr. Bice, and her experience, Juris Doctorate and being the Milwaukee County Dis- “DISTRACTION! DISTRACTION! DISTRAC- based on the hard work and pioneer- Master’s degree in Forensic Psy- trict At torney. TION!” someone else posted in cap locks I found so of- ing efforts that Vel Phillips has chology, and her understanding of Daniel Bice fabricated multiple tragedies too fensive, I unfollowed them on sight. made in Milwaukee and Wisconsin, the challenges in the community statements saying that Attorney Friday evening, as I headed home from the movies, I looked down at my phone and noticed a smattering of And without even thinking about it, I texted my friend, Attorney Swanigan has only stated where she was born and raised to Swanigan made the statement dur- “Ok, so who peed in everyone’s Koolaid this morning?” that she looks at Vel Phillips as an develop 5 effective programs that ing a conversation with him, which #PrayersForParis status updates on my timeline. Thinking nothing of it, I did a quick Google search to It seems like while I slept, 70% of my social media inspiration for living a life of a job will reduce crime and recidivism. was entirely false. timeline had a secret town hall meeting where they all de- well done. “I have stepped into this race As with many Americans, Attor- see what was going on. As I read the news stories and saw the videos of the cided that Paris wasn’t a place that deserved our sympa- Attorney Verona Swanigan be- knowing that my opposition is ney Swanigan has previously had thy. Instead, it was apparently decreed that thanks to all lieves in giving back and protecting known for slinging mud and trying health issues, which were resolved gruesome and coordinated attacks, my blood ran cold. This all happened in Paris? Terrorists were murdering the antics the French government has pulled over the cen- the community, and has worked her to dig up dirt, but I also entered this with dietary changes, exercise, and turies — and because many Americans associate that entire life in fields where she could race knowing that a vindictive medication. people all over the same Paris I’d planned to return to this month? country with whiteness and privilege — if you showed do just that. Attorney Swanigan was previ- any shred of human compassion to those murdered or ously diagnosed with migraine “That could’ve been me,” I whispered to myself with a heavy heart. If I hadn’t cancelled my trip due to another traumatized in the Paris attacks, you were not just an idiot THE headaches that caused symptoms — but also not “woke.” THE that made it diff icult for her to work commitment, that could have very well been me. I rode the rest of the way home in a stunned silence. Immediately, I found myself annoyed and wishing I for a short period of time, but it is could throw my laptop out the window. MILWAUKEEMILWAUKEE offensive that a man in 2015 would As soon as I walked through the door, I turned on the news and watched everything I could. Parisians and fel- How could this many people be that narrow-minded? attempt to twist the words and ac- It was like some sort of temporary insanity had taken COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY tions of a woman to try to insinuate low Americans alike spoke of their near death experi- ences in shocking detail. Several ex-pats waved to the over folks whose varied opinions and views I usually re- that she is crazy or mentally im- spected. And from what I heard from a few other weirded paired based upon a physical condi- screen, assuring their friends and family they’d made it JOURNALJOURNAL out ok. That evening, my mother called me frantic, beg- out friends, that sentiment was spreading all over the in- Published twice weekly, tion. ternet like a cold blooded chain letter, “If you don’t write Wednesday & Friday Is Daniel Bice still in the dark ging me to stay in the country and not travel abroad for a while. at least three posts saying you don’t care about Paris — ages? Have we reverted back to the your black card and your American citizenship will be re- 3612 North Martin Luther days when women were put under I had been having a wonderful week up until then. But I went to bed covered in a blanket of sadness and relief voked. #Hotep #Pyramids #StayWoke” King Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212 electric shock when sexist men re- If this is what “woke” looks like, I must be sound fused to understand their health is- acutely aware of how my postponed vacation may have Phone: 414-265-5300 (Advertising and Administration) • 414-265-6647 saved my life. asleep then. (Editorial) • Website: communityjournal.net • Email: Editorial@communi- sues? We do all know that it’s possible to be upset about mul- tyjournal.net/[email protected] Attorney Swanigan has never had The next morning, I logged onto Facebook to see what updates had surfaced. I expected words of love for the tiple human tragedies at once, right? How did showing MCJ STAFF: Billing Dept./Publisher’s brain surgery at Mayo Clinic as Mr. victims and intelligent think pieces reminding us all not basic kindness turn into an affront to the black commu- Patricia O’Flynn -Pattillo Admin. Assist. Bice indicates or been diagnosed as to blame Muslims for the acts of an extreme minority. My nity? Publisher, CEO Colleen Newsom, having a mental illness. timeline is super intelligent and socially conscious, so this For example, I can be sad about Paris, advocate for Robert J. Thomas Classified Advertising In fact, in July 2015, Attorney is just par for the course when something really bad hap- Black Lives Matter, and be annoyed the lady who does Assoc. Publisher Jimmy V. Johnson, Swanigan was honored to be named pens. my eyebrows is off today… all at the same time. And I’m Todd Thomas, Vice Pres. Sales Rep. one of the Top Forty African Ameri- But instead, I was taken aback to see a barrage of angry guessing most other folks can multi-task as well. Mikel Holt, Assoc. Publisher CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: can Attorneys Under Forty in the posts condemning anyone mourning the terrorist attacks. To those who got bitten by the anti-compassion virus Thomas E. Mitchell, Jr., Richard G. Carter, Fr. Carl United States by the National Bar Scrolled further down, more wagging fingers of condem- this weekend, I have one question. Editor Diederichs, Rev. Joe McLin Association, and was awarded the nation. Went to Twitter, same thing. What is the true intention of all these Oppression Teretha Martin, Technical PHOTOGRAPHER: NBA Presidential Honor Award for “Why ya’ll tripping over Paris when we getting beat in Olympics posts where one set of tragedy victims is pitted Consultant/Webmaster Yvonne Kemp her work in drafting legislation, lob- Ferguson?” one post asked. against the other like a broke man’s rendition of ‘The Opinion and comments expressed on the Perspectives page do not nec- bying, and conducting research. Hunger Games’? essarily reflect the views of the publisher or management of the MCJ. Let- Further, her mother who won the “So ya’ll don’t care about #Mizzou anymore just be- ters and “other perspectives” are accepted but may be edited for content cause a bunch of white people got attacked?”another What exactly is your point? Assuming you all have and length. (continued on page 5) mused. (continued on page 7) The Milwaukee Community Journal November 25, 2015 Page 4 RELIGIONRELIGION

St.Members Mark of the AME St. Mark church AME Church’s auxillary Geraldine Bradfordholds Women’s Annual Missionary Bazaar Society pose with vendors at their Annual Fall Bazaar, which took place this past Saturday. The event featured 19 local vendors who offered a variety of unique and creative products in- cluding homemade soaps and spa products, homemade jams and jellies, made-to-order greeting cards and scrapbooking kits, cosmetics, jewelry, purses, Christmas decorations, crotched items and an author with her books. The bazaar also offered an array of delicious baked items, food, photos with Santa, informational sessions and a thrift shop. A portion of the proceeds are used to support local, national and international Women’s Missionary Society projects.--Photo by Yvonne Kemp "The picture is getting increasingly bleak," said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Washington, D.C.- U.S. Muslims face based Council on American-Islamic Relations. "There's been an accumulation of anti-Islamic rhetoric in our lives backlash after and that I think has triggered these overt acts of violence and vandalism." Paris attacks He said the rise in the level of anti-Muslim sentiment Article courtesy of the Associated Press via is reflected by some GOP presidential candidates, gover- nors and others speaking out in opposition to the U.S. ac- “The Rundown” cepting more Syrian refugees. Muslims around the U.S. are facing backlash, including Hooper said the council is seeing an increase in anti- vandalism to mosques and Islamic centers, hate-filled Muslim incidents since Friday's attacks in Paris that killed phone and online messages and threats of violence. 129 people and wounded more than 350. Advocacy leaders say they have come to expect some Muslim leaders also have reported recent vandalism, anti-Muslim sentiment following such attacks, but they threats and other hate crimes targeting mosques in Ne- now see a spike that seems notable, stirred by anti-Mus- braska, Florida, Texas, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, lim sentiment in the media. Ohio, New York and other states. The Milwaukee Community Journal November 25, 2015 Page 5 After hard loss to Pacers, Bucks come roaring back to (continuedLetter from page To 3) The Editor Presidential Award for Educators from President Clinton, is healthy, work- MCJMCJ SPORTSSPORTS beat the Detroit Pistons at the BC ing for a university, and very supportive of her daughters desires to im- prove Milwaukee County. It is obscenely offensive for Mr. Bice to have attempted to describe her mother in a negative light as well. Bice made an arrogant and sexist attempt to question her health, but you cannot question her ability to lead the District Attorney’s office in a manner that will build new relationships, bring in new technology, develop effec- tive programs, and thereby reduce crime in Milwaukee County. The question of Attorney Swanigan’s health has been answered, but the question of what effective efforts have the current District Attorney per- formed still stands. Bice attempts to minimize the problems at the District Attorney’s office by focusing on the “long running John Doe investigations”, “the handling of the Hamilton case,” and “others involving Milwaukee police. However, he fails to mention as the Milwaukee Journal has mentioned in the past issues such as criminal case evidence missing as a result of a fail- ure to have a back-up system. Giannis Antetokounmpo Spencer Dinwidde The Journal described that “As of February, all recordings made after and Andre Drummond. around John Henson. Jan. 2, 2015, were accessible, but recordings made before then were not available.” Further, there have been multiple concerns with the District Attorney’s office of high risk criminals bailing out on no or minimal bail without any supervision or conditions of bail. For example, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on August 11, 2015 that a defendant accused of a double killing and wounding three oth- ers in Milwaukee was allowed to sign himself out on bail, despite the grow- ing problem of the murder rate in Milwaukee County. In another case, on October 14, 2015 the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel re- ported that a 15 year old boy was raped by gun point in Brown Deer, and then had twenty dollars thrown at him to keep his silence, but the defendant Riverside student signs was allowed to bail out with no real conditions to protect the community or the young man for a mere $5000 dollars. These are the things that Attorney Swanigan as your Milwaukee County letter of intent with District Attorney plans to change in order to effectively to protect everyone in Milwaukee County. University of Wisconsin Accordingly, a vote for Verona Swanigan for District Attorney is a vote Milwaukee Community Journal Account towards safety, security, and crime prevention. --This letter was drafter and authorized by “Friends of Swanigan,” Treasurer Eddie V. Anthony, Greg Monroe[15] Representative Jimmy Johnson’S first Dated 11/19/2015 cousin, former Milwaukee Madison-Mar- and Aron Baynes. Jerryd Bayless[19] quette Basketball Player Kevin Johnson’s over Aron Baynes. daughter, Alona Johnson, a Senior guard with Milwaukee Riverside University (she “Hard work was a freshman player of that school’s state championship team) recently signed beats talent a letter of intent to attend UW-Madison when talent and play with their women’s basketball team.Pictured above, from left to right: doesn’t Mother (Kenyatta Johnson), Alona John- work hard.” son, and Father (Kevin Johnson) --Tim Notke The Milwaukee Community Journal November 25, 2015 Page 6 WCTC, there’s a place for them in than 200 showed up. and life.” higher education.” Following that experience, a Seeing role models who are like Schools and organizations from group of UWM faculty, academic them is just as important to the all over southeastern Wisconsin staff and community leaders youth attending the summit as the and northern Illinois will bring in formed the African American Male presentations are, Williams added. young men from their communities Initiative (AAMI), which organizes “They see staff members, but also for a day of workshops and presen- the now-annual Black Male Youth- leaders from the Urban Forum, the tations on topics ranging from Milwaukee Summit. The summit NAACP, Northwestern Mutual, higher education to career opportu- drew 300 participants in 2013; business leaders, politicians, the nities to money management. The around 1,000 young men are ex- black Greek fraternities, profes- YOUTH & EDUCATION theme this year is Knowledge + pected to attend this year. “We will sionals from the trades like Power + Perseverance = Success. have a lot of energy in the build- plumbers and electricians.” “We want to open these young ing,” Williams said. Listening to what the young men UW-Milwaukee Panther Basketball men’s eyes to what they can aspire Teachers, mentors and leaders have to say and discussing the is- Team Coach Rob Jeter address to and introduce them to role mod- from community organizations also sues important to them is a summit els who are men of achievement at get a chance to meet and network priority, but organizers also want to young Black males at the Summit. Y&E the university and in the commu- with colleagues in between presen- focus on solutions, Williams said. Y&E nity,” added Williams, who also is tations and sessions focused on ev- Schools like Chicago’s Urban an associate professor in the School idence-based research on programs Academy, which serves young of Education at UWM. that can help young black men suc- black men from low-income areas, The event grew out of a 2012 ceed despite poverty, racism and have a 100-percent graduation rate meeting, called “Saving Black other obstacles. for the past three years, demonstrat- Boys,” that Williams organized in “We know the environment that ing what is possible. response to the need for community many of them come from, but we “These young men have the en- discussion on the challenges facing want to help them learn how to ma- ergy to succeed beyond belief. We young African-American men. neuver within that environment and need to make sure our expectations That event, which gave the young succeed,” Williams explained. “We of them are high enough. We can men a chance to make their voices want to help them look at their set the bar high, but with guidance heard, was expected to attract strengths and develop skills that and support, they can surprise us — around 50 people. Instead, more will carry them through education and themselves.”

Black Male Youth-Milwaukee Summit shows options for young Black men Talking is fine, but ac- tions are even more im- portant. That’s why hope, aspira- tions and options for young black men are on the agenda of the annual Black Male Youth-Milwaukee Summit at UWM, Dec. 15-16. The event will bring approxi- mately 400 African-American mid- dle and high school students and their teachers and mentors to UWM. Tuesday’s sessions are Scene from the Black Male Youth-Milwaukee Summit at UWM. geared to the middle school groups; ture of these young men, said Gary summit. “We want to make clear Wednesday’s to high school stu- Williams, director of the Black that these young men have options dents. Cultural Center at UWM and one and opportunities, whether they Education is important to the fu- of the coordinators of the 2015 come to UWM or MATC or

Place your Classifieds with us!!! Your Milwaukee Community Journal!!! Call 265-5300!! Stop the Oppression Olympics: We can grieve Paris and care about Black tragedies too (continued from page 3) Ya’ll have made me good and tired this weekend! sucks. one. If you want to share knowledge and provide historical and political context Too bad it didn’t happen in Ferguson though. Because if there is anyone who knows about the disparities between how to this news story, that is wonderful and totally your right. However, as some- When does it end? the world treats first world folks versus those of us from developing countries one who was supposed to physically be in Paris this week — I don’t have the When is the loss of a life allowed to universally be seen as a bad thing with- (i.e. “third world”) — it’s me. France very specifically did some super foul luxury of seeing this as just a “media distraction” that happened to an abstract out us all clamoring to take away its merit? How is this different from what things to my people in Haiti. Deeply messed up things that we’re still paying enemy. we complain about what white supremacists are doing? They think some lives for. My countrymen’s heartache at the hands of the French government is leg- Had I stuck to my plans, I could have been injured over there, while people matter more than others. And according to some of your posts — many of endary. on Facebook tried to tell my loved ones that my trauma didn’t count because you are (perhaps unintentionally) implying the same thing. And yet I can still be like, “Damn, innocent humans dying is sad.” I wasn’t smart enough to get attacked on American soil. The true irony of all this is: using #PrayersForParis and this moment of There is no conflict of interest there. And be clear, there are a ton of black I see no integrity in that stance. grief as an excuse to undermine that tragedy and talk about other stuff… isn’t folks in Paris. So again — NO CONFLICT. If Black Lives Matter, I would Did any of you posting those scathing posts about the “sillyness” of our that different from yelling “ALL Lives Matter,” during a “Black Lives Matter” hope that includes even the ones with foreign passports. Oui? grief ever stop to think about what it would feel like if someone you cared rally. Now don’t get me wrong, I get where the general frustration stems from. about got blown up at a concert hall by extremists? The same argument applies. Making someone else’s tragedy about you is There is a real inequity that needs to be addressed here. So if you want to Probably not. never a good look. Telling someone they don’t have the right to their pain is side-eye the mainstream media for showing a clear tragedy bias, that’s justi- And in that glaring oversight lies the biggest flaw of playing Oppression never a good look. Pitting victims against other victims just to win an argu- fied. Olympics; it ironically causes people who claim to want social justice and ment (say it with me now) — IS NEVER A GOOD LOOK. There are many other less esteemed countries who experience bloodshed equality to create a counter caste system where the lives of all oppressed peo- Be mad at the system. Be mad at corrupt governments, corporations, or every day — who don’t get even half the coverage France has gotten the last ple are judged solely on the “weight” of their struggles — therefore margin- even the media for their blatantly inequitable coverage. 48 hours. There are places equally deserving of flag filters on Facebook and alizing everyone even further. But as people, real flesh and blood people dealing with the horror of the global outcry who are met with silence. The Oppression Olympics semi-finals usually sound like: last few days, show some humanity and let them grieve. We can all agree that is wrong. Oh you’re a woman? That sucks. But not as bad as being a black woman Author’s Note: Putting things in perspective is not Oppression Olympics. But attacking your timeline (you know — your friends) for acknowledging though. For those who have done that — without casting judgment on others for show- the loss of a human life doesn’t make you conscious. It just makes you look Oh you’re a black woman. That sucks. But not as bad as being a black les- ing compassion — I applaud you. To those who haven’t managed to show that self-righteous and judgmental. We’re all adults here, and those snarky, “Let bian though. level of restraint, I have a piece of advice: before you check anyone else, make me tell you why we’re dumb for caring about France” posts are exhausting. Oh you’re a black lesbian who witnessed a mass murder in Paris? That sure you’re not mimicking the behavior of your oppressor.

Place your Classifieds with us!!! Your Milwaukee Community Journal!!! Call 265-5300!! The Milwaukee Community Journal November 25, 2015 Page 8