MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY KWANZAA BULK RATE VOL. XLI Number 22 Dec. 20, 2017 www.milwaukeecommunityjournal.com 25 Cents U.S. POSTAGE PAID MILWAUKEE, PERMIT NO. 4668

WISCONSIN’S LARGEST AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER Do Parents Understand their Te Reason for Te Season! role in the educational process? Aside from the Messiah’s birth, several organizations demonstrate the true reason for the holidays! VOFC and Home Depot again put THEBESTPRIVATE smiles on the faces of families AND CHARTER for the holidays Monte Mabra, founder of Voice of the Fatherless Child (third from right), its staff and employees from SCHOOLS IN the Home Depot on Port Washing- ton Road, put smiles on the faces of 10 families in the community with their ninth annual “Single Parent MILWAUKEE ? Christmas.” VOFC staff and Home As promised, the following is a ranking of Milwau- Depot employees go to the homes of the single parent families to deco- kee private and charter schools. The ranking is by rate their home, a Christmas tree, Niche.com, a website that helps parents discover the and pass out gifts to the families. schools and neighborhoods that are right for their Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Boston Store, Stienhafels, children. Church Women United and Hupy This school list is a continuation of our article that appeared in the Decem- and Abraham are sponsors of this ber 6 edition of the Community Journal in which we provided a similar rank- great holiday tradition. ing of Milwaukee public schools. It was our intent to give parents of school aged children knowledge of which schools would be best for their children. Earlier this month, the Department of Public Instruction provided a similar Children tell listing that served as a template for the Niche.com composit. The DPI listing is more comprehensive, and included information on schools that have shown Santa if they’ve significant academic improvement over the course of the 2016-17 school year. That information is not reflected in the following list, which is limited in been naughty or scope and does not include many private schools. Moreover, the Niche.com list is frequently not consistent with the DPI or another listing provided by nice at Mrs. the Milwaukee Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. Since we learned of the limitations and inconsistencies only moments before our print deadline, we O’Bee’s Toy decided to publish the Niche.com list as food for thought, and will publish DPI’s more comprehensive analysis in the near future. House Niche.com claims to do rigorous analysis of key statistics and reviews from Santa and Mrs. Claus were back students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. The to talk to kids to find out who has grades are based on test scores, college data, and ratings collected from been ‘naughty or nice’ during the Niche.com users to produce comprehensive rankings, report cards, and pro- year at the 4th annual “Mrs. files for every K-12 school, college, and neighborhood in the U.S. O’Bee’s Toy House” Christmas Ranking factors include SAT/ACT scores, the quality of colleges that stu- gathering at the Northwest Family dents consider, student-teacher ratio, private school ratings, and related data. Activity and Events Center. Each Statistics obtained from the U.S. Department of Education represent the child was able to select a toy and most recent data available, as self-reported by the schools. Niche also collects enjoy, with their parents, the spe- data directly from schools via their school data update form. cial treats provided by the friends Schools with an nity Prep (Pub. Sch.) of Mrs. O’Bee. A+ grade: Milwaukee Academy of Sci- University School of ence (Pub. Sch.) Holiday event Milwaukee Seeds of Health Elementary Schools with an A grade: Program (Pub. Sch.) invokes spirit of Eastbrook Academy CEO Leadership Academy Schools with an A- grade: (Pub. Sch.) neighborhood Downtown Montessori School Schools with a C- grade: Woodlands School Carmen Mid/High Northwest and family Schools with a B+ grade: Campus (Milw. Sch. Dist.) Invoking the spirit of family and Milwaukee Lutheran High St. Anthony School of Milwau- the village during the holiday sea- School kee son was the reason behind The Salam School Alliance School of Milwaukee Atkinson-Triangles Winter Fellow- Atlas Preparatory Academy (Milw. Sch. Dist.) ship at Atkinson Park, located at Clara Mohammed School Banner School of Milwaukee 10th and Atkinson Avenue, re- Whittier Elementary School Early View Academy of cently. Residents and businesses (Milw. Sch. District) Excellence gathered in heated tents, served Wisconsin Lutheran High Holy Redeemer Christian hot meals, and played games like School Academy cards, chess and dominoes. Or- Schools with a B grade: Central City Cyberschool ganizers of the event wanted to Hapa-Hmong Amer Peace (Online school, Milw.) recreate a “back-in-the-day” at- Academy K3-12 Highland Community School mosphere of neighborhood fellow- Veritas High School (Pub. (Milw. Sch. Dist.) ship.--Photos by Yvonne Kemp Sch.) Hawley Environmental School Messmer high school (Milw. Sch. Dist.) Schools with a B- grade: LaCausa Charter School (Milw. PULSE OF THE Messmer Catholic Schools (el- Sch. Dist.) PULSE OF THE “What are your ementary schools) Capitol West Academy (Pub. Bruce-Guadealupe Community Sch.) plans for the School (Pub. Sch.) Schools with a D+ grade: COMMUNITY Tenor High School (Pub. Sch.) Darrell Lynn Hines College COMMUNITY St. Joan Antida High School Preparatory Academy of Excel- Photos and question by Yvonne Kemp Christmas holiday?” Bruce-Guadalupe Community lence (Pub. Sch.) School (Pub. Sch.) Business & Economics Acad- “During this “I will be “During this “Taking food Schools with a C+ grade: emy of Milwaukee (Milw. Sch. holiday, I will meditating Christmas sea- Milwaukee College Preparatory Dist.) over to my School-36th St. Milwaukee Environment Sci- reflect on the from Decem- son, not only sister. My Honey Creek Elementary ence Academy spiritual ber 21 to will I be cele- School (Milw. Sch. Dist.) Academy (Milw. Sch. Dist.) aspects of brother is Carmen High School Science Milwaukee Math & Science January 6, brating Christ, & Technology (Milw. Sch. Dist.) Academy (Pub. Sch.) Christmas coming from Schools with a C grade: Urban Day School (Pub. Sch.) visualizing enjoying time and the cul- Spencer Tony Georgia Chicago and Ida Believers in Christ Christian Schools with a D grade: Coggs my goals for Courtney with family andHarrington Love Academy North Point Lighthouse Charter tural tenets of we are going IDEAL Charter School School (Pub. Sch.) Kwanzaa and enjoy the unity 2018 and placing them friends who would be spending ALBA-Academia de Lenguaje y Milwaukee Scholars Charter Christmas alone.” to have Christmas together.” Bellas Artes School (Pub. Sch.) of my family.” in my spirit.” Rocketship Southside Commu- King’s Academy (Pub. Sch.) The Milwaukee Community Journal December 20, 2017 Page 2 pered high school dropout who had been raised by his NEGATIVE PORTRAYALS grandmother in a housing project and had been in fre- SPORTS PHOTOP quent trouble with the law. OF SHOOTING VICTIMS Other study participants, meanwhile, were given posi- LEAD TO VICTIM tive information about the victim. In that scenario, the victim was described as a college student who grew up BLAMING in a middle-class suburb to a banker and English profes- DURHAM, N.C. -- Negative portrayal of a shooting sor. victim can lead people to blame the victim for his own Some of the “good” victims were described as black death and to sympathize with the shooter, says a new and some as white. Likewise, the “bad” shooting victims study by researchers at Duke University and Simmons included both black and white males. College. After reading positive information about a shooting After reading a negative biographical sketch about the victim, participants were more likely to recommend that victim of a fatal shooting, study participants favored the shooter be charged with first-degree or second-degree lighter sentences for the shooter, said study co-author murder. Sarah Gaither, an assistant professor of psychology at When the victim was described in negative ways, study Duke. participants were more likely to view the homicide as jus- “Reading negative information about the shooting vic- tified and to recommend a lighter sentence for the shooter. tim not only affected attitudes about the victim, it also al- This held true whether the shooting victim was black tered attitudes about the shooter,” Gaither said. “That or white. surprised us.” However, respondents recommended harsher sentences The “blame-the-victim” effect occurred regardless of when the victim and the perpetrator were of different whether the shooting victim was white or black, Gaither races -- when a white man shot a black man or a black said. man shot a white man. The new findings appear in the December issue of the The results suggest that news reports about a shooting Journal of Social Issues. victim’s biography can shape public opinion about a In the study, researchers gave participants a written ac- shooter, she added. count of a fatal shooting of an unarmed man. Some vic- “These results highlight the powerful impact that the Though the Cav’s LeBron James blocked a lay-up by the Bucks’ Matthew tims were portrayed in negative terms of the sort often media can have in reporting shooting incidents,” and sug- Dellavedova, he couldn’t duplicate the feat against Khris Middleton. gest that media reports have the potential to affect associated with black male stereotypes. On Tuesday, the Mil- Specifically, the victim was described as a quick-tem- whether a suspect gets a fair trial, the authors suggest. waukee Bucks beat the monthly housing costs by scaling back deductions Cleveland Cavaliers 119 Tax plan upends that allow them to reduce mortgage interest and to 116 before a sold out property taxes. crowd At the BMO Harris decades of And by roughly doubling the standard deduction, it reduces the incentive to buy homes by making . encouraging the far fewer homeowners eligible for preferential tax The game was back treatment. and forth with Dwayne American dream of Today, a little under half of American homes are Wade coming off the worth enough to justify itemizing mortgage inter- bench in the forth quarter homeownership est and property taxes. to take the lead 107 to Under the tax legislation, that figure would fall Article courtesy of New York Times via 105 while LeBron sat on to close to 14 percent, according to an analysis of “The Rundown” the plan by the online real estate marketplace Zil- the bench. Giannis An- For decades, the tax code has been filled low. tetokounmpo and Eric with rewards for homeownership. Tax breaks The Republican plan, in short, is tinkering with Bledsoe took over the encourage people to get into first homes and subsidies so entrenched in the social fabric that game and showed who to trade up as they get older, building a na- they have become entitlements in all but name. was the “King” on their tional mind-set that you're never quite middle "It suggests a limit in the federal government's court. class until you've qualified for a mortgage. willingness to subsidize ownership," said Edward Giannis had 27 points Glaeser, an economist at Harvard. It amounts to a vast social engineering project and Bledsoe had 26 that assumes society is better off with owners in- "It's also a reflection of just how expensive hous- stead of renters. ing has become, and how it feels problematic to be points to give the Bucks the victory. But the tax bill making its way toward final pas- using the tax code to support people buying houses Former Marquette star and Cavalier Dwayne Wade sage is upending that premise. that are this expensive or, even worse, to be en- Top two photos by Bill Ten- nessen. Photo at right by Kim prepares to go for the ball after a shot by the Bucks’ The bill will increase many homeowners' couraging housing prices to rise further." A. Robinson The Milwaukee Community Journal December 20, 2017 Page 3

MU’s Andrew Rowsey shooting over Golden Eagles’ Jamal Cain tries to get Justin Thomas of Northern Illinois. around NI’s anastasios Demogerontas. A gathering of MU greats (left to right): , jae Crowder, Dwayne Wade, and Bo Ellis.

Marquette beats Northern Illinois The beat the Northern Illinois 79-70 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, the day before the Bucks game against Cleveland. To Marquette Alums showed up to enjoy the MU game, Dwayne Wade and Jae Crowder. Both players play with the Cavaliers. The Golden Eagles’ record is now 9-1 overall. Conference play won’t begin until December 27 against Xavier at home.--Photos by Bill Tennessen The Milwaukee Community Journal December 20, 2017 Page 4 In one example, Jesus moulds clay birds and breathes life into them. A similar tale appears in the RELIGIOUS apocryphal Infancy Gospel of Thomas, second-cen- tury Christian writings about Jesus’ childhood. Akyol explores the commonality and extraordi- COMMENTARY nary historical connections, particularly among early Christians and Muslims in his book. He urges Mus- RELIGIONRELIGION lims to discover Jesus and to read the New Testa- I will be one of ment. To discover or rediscover Jesus does bring up key the many questions. How do you navigate the big elephant in the room: Is he or is he not the son of God? Muslims around Maybe it doesn’t matter. Jesus has such a signifi- cant presence in Islam, he is referred to in the Quran the world as “the Word of God” and as “One Drawn Near.” So perhaps it is enough just to say that both Muslims marking and Christians revere him and that he has a central space in the kingdom of God. Christmas The Prophet Mohammad has no place in Christi- by Aaqil Ahmed anity yet members of the Christian clergy navigate the finality of his Islamic Prophethood with ele- ments of his message about which they agree. Christmas in Bethlehem, the The Roman Catholic Bishop of Salford John Arnold recently spoke at a parade in Manchester, birthplace of Jesus, is a front England, to mark the birthday of the Prophet Mo- line in the battle hammad. Arnold’s motives may The Adult Learning Center recently graduated another class of graduates during a cere- “Jesus has have been more about building mony at St. Martin De Porres Church, 3114 N. 2nd St. Shown above are graduates and for the Holy Land. community cohesion by celebrat- Learning Center and government representative (left to right standing): Kenard Molette, Like everything in such a signifi- ing the festival of a local commu- Roxie Hickman, Mohamad Ayadi, Hope DeVougas, outreach specialist for U.S. Cong. nity but attend and celebrate he Gwen Moore; Herb Hayden, executive director of the Adult Learning Center; Jahdon this contested cant presence in did. With Christmas a few more Glass, and Helen Dahms. (Seated left to right): graduates Lydia Brown and Leasa Grant. land, nothing is Islam, he is re- shopping days away, there will be Also graduating posthumously was Lerantz Roberson.--Photo by Yvonne Kemp what it seems. silly tabloid and far-right stories ferred to in the about Muslims who stole Christ- There are Palestinians who Dr. M. L. King, Jr. mas because they hate it so much. say the birthplace is not in the Family sues retailer Quran as ‘the Recently, a British superstore got Day Justice celebrated Church of the Nativ- into a spot of bother with those ity but further down the road. Program and Word of God’ groups for including a Muslim for sale of gun used in Many academics claim this is family in their Christmas celebra- the wrong Bethlehem, the real March to King’s and as ‘One tory TV ad campaign. birthplace is under a highway. Texas church massacre For many, however, celebrating Statue Monday, What can’t be called into Drawn Near.’” Article courtesy of Reuters via “The Rundown” Christmas is less about faith and question is Muslim belief that The family of a woman and two children killed when a gunman opened January 15 more about being together as a family. Even so, it’s Jesus is a prophet and a very important one at that. fire in a rural Texas church has sued the store that sold the assault rifle used The annual Dr. Martin Luther possible that superstore was on to something. Per- in the deadliest mass murder in the state's history, lawyers said on Friday. Perhaps this clear dividing line between Islamic King, Jr. Justice Program and March haps that Muslim family was celebrating Christmas The lawsuit filed this week in a state district court in San Antonio seeks at prophethood and Christian divinity is the reason will be held on Monday, January 15, because it marks the birthday of the prophet Jesus. least $25 million from Academy Sports & Outdoors, accusing it of being neg- many non-Muslims don’t see Jesus and Islam as at 1pm at St. Francis of Assisi Either way, I will be one of the many Muslims ligent in allowing the sale of the Ruger AR-556 used to kill 26 people at Catholic Church, 1927 N. 4th St. linked. around the world marking Christmas. The bishop of Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church on Nov. 5. A program based on the 50th an- Perhaps many Muslims don’t talk about their in- Salford has shown that celebrating what we have in The retailer was not immediately available for comment and has previously niversary of Dr. King’s difficult last terpretation of the life and death of Jesus for fear of told media it conducted all the required background checks. common is better than division and misunderstand- year will be followed by a 3 block offending Christians. The suit was brought by relatives of Joann Ward, who was fatally shot along ing. I’m sure Jesus would agree. march to Dr. King's statue on M. L. This, however, is changing. Earlier this year, The with her daughters Emily Garcia and Brooke Ward. King Drive, just north of Walnut St., Aaqil Ahmed, the former head of Religion and Islamic Jesus by Mustafa Akyol was released. Now, The lawsuit claims that when the gunman, Devin Kelley, purchased the where there will be an open micro- Ethics for the BBC, is a professor of media at Karl-Josef Kuschel has written Christmas and the weapon in a San Antonio store, he entered an address in Colorado Springs on phone to reflect on Dr. King's work. Bolton University and a consultant in digital the federal Firearms Transaction Record form that needs to be completed be- Quran, in which he points to Islamic narratives The event is sponsored by the Mar- media, broadcasting and leadership. (continued on page 9) tin Luther King Justice Coalition. around Jesus that are not in the gospels. The Milwaukee Community Journal December 20, 2017 Page 5

PERSPECTIVESPERSPECTIVES

Lessons I’ll Teach My African Princess After helping my five-year-old granddaughter through her home- encounter. work over the last month, I came to the conclusion that she’s old It’s too early to have that “talk” about the birds and the bees, but I’m enough to learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa. surely going to introduce my AP to the flowers and the trees. Not just explaining what the “pretty red, black and green candles” She’s mature enough for me to further explain why I keep a couple she observes every year at our house represents, but to have a serious of dollars in the glove compartment for the panhandlers. I won’t at- conversation about the seven related principles—the Nguzo Saba-- tempt to explain how I determine which to give money to and who to and their importance to African Americans. SIGNIFYIN’SIGNIFYIN’ ignore, but, there is an intrinsic message in giving to the needy that

My “African Princess” (AP) is at the age where she can participate By Mikel Kwaku Oshi Holt hopefully will cement a foundation she can stand upon. in a karate class (which means standing in a line doing different tech- niques for 10 minute stretches without losing focus), bathe and pick Not just the texture and origins (is it true most come from Asian horse- Since she’s overheard our conversations, I guess I have to explain out her own (color coordinated) outfit, and balance a fidget spinner on hair?) And are weaves the reason Black men are no longer allowed to the difference between a president and an emperor, king or dictator. her nose while gyrating with a hoola hoop, so I know she’s mature run their fingers through those un-nappy locks? And since we’ll be on the subject of politics, I’ll plant the seeds of po- enough to learn of her heritage. My AP is old enough for me to explain why I have never brought litical independence, and my assessment that the two major parties So, there’s little doubt in my mind that she would not be receptive her or allowed in my house a “white” doll. In fact, the more she has aew simply different wings on same bird. That’s why it’s wise to walk to a series of lectures starting with why Pan African scholar and his- found favor with dolls, the more convinced I’ve become that they per- with a hat on and your mouth closed. torian Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa for us, and the significance petuate stereotypes and a chauvinistic agenda. of each of the principles. Plus, I have a problem with Black girls judging their worth solely She knows that there’s no Santa giving her presents, Christmas starts In fact, it will be fun and educational to explain the meaning and as mothers. They should aspire to be something more: a doctor, lawyer, with a “c” and not an “X”. Christmas was not only my mother’s fa- pronunciation of Umoja, Kujichaguilia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba engineer or a professional wrestler. vorite “holy” day, after Easter, but also provided an opportunity for and Imani. Brought up in an era of tablets and cell phones, my AP should be family. Dinner, fellowship and thanksgiving, that’s what it’s all about. We can then talk about communalism, and monotheism and Pan able to understand when I tell her the Christmas cards we sent out de- Africanism. clared, “Merry Christmas,” and not “happy holidays.” I already told my princess of the trait Mickey Mouse and Barak Too heavy? Hell, Jewish children come out of the womb learning Likewise, she’s of the age I now explain why I’ve told her “nigger” Obama share (it’s not derogatory) but I guess I’ll continue that con-

about their culture and history. Asian children start their educations is a curse word. We were engaged in a conversation just the other day versation by explaining there is only one race, and an equal percentage

before the seed is fertilized. Maybe that explains why they are the when she said she was embarrassed when she overheard someone near of ignorant, stupid and pathological people in each ethnic group.

more educated and disciplined people on the planet. and dear to her using that vile, contemplable word. I told her I was I’ve been telling my AP she’s pretty, that she is about to morph into

This Martian kid I know said he could fly a space ship while in di- proud of her. Correct them. Tell them she is not now, nor will she ever a beauty, thus I shall explain she truly represents the most beautiful

apers. (Actually, they don’t wear clothes, but you get my drift). be, a nigger, as a noun, adjective or verb. She is African royalty. A creatures on the planet—Black women. She’s a pretty princess. Soon

Kwanzaa is “our” holiday, although most of us don’t observe it--out princess. A descendent of the Christ, and he surely wasn’t a nigger. she will be a beautiful queen.

of ignorance and by design. It is not, nor has it ever been an alternative Five years old is a ripe development stage to start explaining the dif- Along those lines, she’s ready to hear that white ice isn’t colder, and

to Christmas, although it does have a spiritual component. And, if you ference between being a woman, and being a lady. All girls grow up of the importance of Black Nationalism--buying Black, supporting

read about the origins of the Black church in America, you will learn to be women, I’ll tell her, but not all women are ladies. Black and empowering Black.

it’s rooted in communalism, which is a centerpiece of Black vs. West- Of course, an ever-revolving moral compass will complicate this Tarzan wasn’t the king of the jungle, Jesus/Emmanuel didn’t look

ern Christianity. discussion. like Jeffrey Hunter (oops, that was probably before your time.)

I don’t expect my AP to fully comprehend what I’ll tell her, but I Back in the day we had a readily defined sense of morality, based Moreover, Christ was not His last name and God is a title not

will plant seeds of knowledge, from which wisdom sprouts. on biblical and cultural foundations. Thugs, pimps, whores (Ho or His/Her name.

I’ll also tell her that our community---another concept I’ll introduce- Hoe in Ebonics) and sluts were not terms of endearment. And having In fact, at age five, she already knows something few of you do: That f --would be better off if more—if not all---of us not only celebrated, children out of wedlock was frowned upon. the Lord’s Prayer, in Aramaic (the language of Emmanuel—Jesus was

but also understood the significance of both Kwanzaa and Christmas, Not only is promiscuity acceptable today, but marriage is on the en- His Greek name), starts off: “Ah bwoon d’bwahmaya, Neeta kadasha

which is not about some bearded white dude who looks like an over- dangered species list along with elephants, bald eagles and 14-year- schmach, Tay tay malkootha.”

weight Uncle Sam, and carries out the same mission---appeasing the old virgins. Or if you can’t speak the language of the Christ, it reads in English:

poor and assuming the role of the father. In fact, while some assume young men wearing their pants down “Father-Mother of the Kosmos, ever shimmering light of all....”

From an Africentric perspective, our impotent tribe would be em- around their ankles is related to their sexuality or callousness, lately That’s our Christmas present to you all

powered if we knew that life originated in our ancestral home— I’ve been thinking it’s a declaration that they are en route to a sexual Shem Hotep

Africa—and we were the first man (and Wombman) created by Nyame (that’s Yah or Elohim for those of you who can only see our God through a Hebrew lens). I will tell my AP we are the Chosen people, both because of our lin- Alabama’s election showed the age, and our birthright. She is a princess, not only because her Moth- erland ancestors were royalty, but because she is a direct descendent of Nyame (the West African name for God). enormity of Black women’s voting clout; For the record, Jesus the Christ was a brother. He was African, or more specifically, Nubian, or Kemetic. I don’t know his zip code, but By Sheryl Huggins Salomon his great, great grandfather was born in Kemet, which the Romans Here’s how to use It named Egypt as they were raping the land of materials, sciences and It’s no secret Alabama’s intellectual capital. Of course, I won’t stop her studies with Kwanzaa. Once I start talk- Black women voters put De- ing about the importance of the holiday for the impotent Hue-man mocrat Doug Jones over the masses, I’ll have to introduce her to racial realities. I assume at five-years-old my AP is mature enough to digest a dis- top in the narrow and unex- cussion about the races along with her collard greens and gluten free pected defeat of his Republi- corn bread. Check that. I almost fell for the trap myself. Our conversation will can opponent for the U.S. be about race, since there is only one—the human race. Senate, the infamously Instead I will lead her down a lesson trail where we will seek to an- swer the age-old question of why and when White people were in- racist, homophobic and al- vented. Was it the 15th or 16th century? If you don’t know what I’m legedly pedophilic Roy talking about, I’ll probably have to make room at the table for you. Just come armed with an open mind and the willingness to step out Moore. from under the shadow of slavery. Turning up at the polls in greater numbers than On a “lighter” side (no pun intended), we’ll also have a detailed con- their share of the general electorate, 98 percent of Black women voters (and 93 percent of Black versation about one of my favorite topics: weaves and hair extensions. men) pulled the lever for Jones, handing victory Senator elect Doug Jones poses for a selfie with a Black female supporter to the former federal prosecutor who successfully (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) imprisoned several Klansmen in the 1963 bomb- ship between Black women and the Democrats. parties have few or no Black women in leader- THETHE ing of a Birmingham Church that killed four, little In additional to being faithful voters, African- ship. More and more, Black women are running Black girls. American women have served in leadership roles for office and winning elections — with scant MILWAUKEEMILWAUKEE The thanking of Black women commenced, within the party for years. support from Democratic Party infrastructure.” particularly on Twitter. “Let me be clear: We won Two recent high-profile examples are Leah Since then, there have been subtle signs of COMMUNITY in Alabama and Virginia because #BlackWomen COMMUNITY Daughtry, twice-CEO of the Democratic National progress, says Glynda Carr, co-founder of Higher led us to victory,” tweeted Democratic National Convention Committee and Donna Brazile, the Heights, a group that co-signed the open letter and Committee chair Tom Perez. JOURNALJOURNAL former interim chair of the DNC (who has a tell- supports getting more Black women into elected “Black women are the backbone of the Demo- Published twice weekly, all book describing the 2016 Democratic nomina- office. “They’ve made investments, both in Vir- cratic Party, and we can’t take that for granted. Pe- Wednesday & Friday tion of Hillary Clinton). ginia and Alabama. They’ve hired African Amer- riod.” Yet, the voting bloc is often taken for granted ican women consultants and in leadership,” she 3612 North Martin Luther Surprisingly, there was also pushback against between elections, as NBA legend Charles notes. all the gratitude, fueled by the recognition that ac- King Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212 Barkley remarked after Jones’ victory. “It’s time Meanwhile, Black women must use the power colades alone are not enough to adequately ac- Phone: 414-265-5300 (Advertising and Administration) • 414-265-6647 for them to get off their ass and make life better of our vote strategically, says Carr. knowledge the electoral force that, improbably (Editorial) • Website: communityjournal.net • Email: Editorial@communi- for black people and people who are poor,” he “If the deep South can over-perform and organ- flipped a Senate seat that had been reliably red for tyjournal.net/[email protected] said. ize a coalition of communities of color to vote in over 25 years. MCJ STAFF: Billing Dept./Publisher’s It’s no wonder that Black women’s belief that record numbers, could we do that in Georgia, “Now that everyone is giving us the high five, Patricia O’Flynn -Pattillo Admin. Assist. the Democrats represent their interests has where next year you will have Stacey Abrams, an and patting us on the back and saying ‘Thank you, Publisher, CEO Colleen Newsom, dropped significantly in a year, from 85 percent African American on the ballot for governor?” Black women,’ for bringing this on home…I am Robert J. Thomas Classified Advertising to 74 percent, according to an Essence/Black She is one of three Black women who are de- hoping that those elected officials do not forget Assoc. Publisher Jimmy V. Johnson, Women’s Roundtable Poll conducted in July clared gubernatorial candidates, the others being that in their policymaking,” says Nina Turner, the Todd Thomas, Vice Pres. Sales Rep. 2017. Connie Johnson in Oklahoma and Maya Rockey- former Ohio State Senator who is president of Our Mikel Holt, Assoc. Publisher CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: In an open letter to DNC chair Perez back in moore Cummings in Maryland. Revolution, a progressive nonprofit billed as “the Thomas E. Mitchell, Jr., Richard G. Carter, Fr. Carl May, a coalition of Black women leaders and or- In the end, Black women can demand more by next step for Bernie Sanders’ movement.” Editor Diederichs, Rev. Joe McLin ganizations rang the alarm, saying: effectively using their electoral clout to organize “I won’t let Republicans off the hook either, but Teretha Martin, Technical PHOTOGRAPHER: “We have voted and organized our communities their networks, and hold elected officials account- … because almost 100 percent of our vote goes Consultant/Webmaster Yvonne Kemp with little support or investment from the Demo- able once they are in office, adds Carr. Opinion and comments expressed on the Perspectives page do not nec- to the Democrat, then 100 percent of our expec- cratic Party for voter mobilization efforts. “Democracy doesn’t end on Election Day.” essarily reflect the views of the publisher or management of the MCJ. Let- tations and demands need to be made on the Dem- We have shown how Black women lead, yet the Sheryl Huggins Salomon is a Brooklyn, N.Y.- ters and “other perspectives” are accepted but may be edited for content ocratic Party,” Turner added. and length. Party’s leadership from Washington to the state based editor and digital media consultant. Her comment reflects a complicated relation- The Milwaukee Community Journal December 20, 2017 Page 6 New UWM Graduates Inspire YOUTH& EDUCATION Us All UWM Chancellor Mark A. Mone YY&&An entire wEeekE went by and I began to notice just how strategic this little young lady was. She took the longest By Mark A. Mone She Never Ate time collecting her things from her desk at the end of the Chancellor, day. With any papers she needed to take home was a pop UW-Milwaukee Her Lunch at tart or breakfast bar she had saved from the morning. The teacher made it a point to offer the students the classroom leftovers. The girl would raise her hand with a number of other School and students and take whatever was there on the sink in the snack bowl. None of them were allowed to pick over food they knew they weren't going to eat. Mrs. H reminded Here's Why! them often to not take it if they don't want it. The children With the help of supportive professors and her involve- complied. The University of Wisconsin- By Bernita Bradley ment with the Black Student Union, Muslim Student As- I approached Mrs. H. after she Milwaukee hosted its 117th sociation, Student Senate and an internship with U.S. (TriceEdneyWire.com) walked the third grade students to the Rep. Gwen Moore, Ameena made it through a difficult - She was quiet, com- front door for pickup. Have you no- graduation ceremony on Sunday, time. ticed that lil C. always saves her food pleted all of her work on She completed two internships abroad, including one and takes it home? She nodded, said Dec. 17. This is where we hear in Nigeria, and said that, “UWM gave me my own voice.” time, and followed the no words, but just nodded as if she some of the most inspiring and She hopes to work with the United Nations after attending rules daily. Occasionally was waiting to see my response. graduate school. The school had rules that breakfast diverse stories of the year – Sam Gardner’s journey took him all the way from she laughed when the and lunches not eaten were supposed being home-schooled in high school to Antarctica as a other children were being to be returned to the cafeteria. Our some from our backyard and college engineering student. parent committee had addressed this silly but at playtime she He has done research on particle physics and worked issue with food service workers two others half a world away. on software engineering for neutron monitors, which took kept to herself. years prior. UWM enrolls students from 91 countries, and more him to Antarctica to implement his new design. A pleasure to have in any class- Daily trash bags full of lunches than a third of our students are people of color. We are The Department of Defense offered Sam a full-time job room, teachers would love to dupli- were being thrown away and chil- the most diverse campus in the UW System. This is not after he spent two summers interning with them. He cate her attitude towards learning. dren who were hungry, denied the only one of our greatest strengths, but also a unique and earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineer- One day during summer camp I re- opportunity to eat. (That's another valuable benefit to our students. ing and graduated with honors this month. alized that she never ate her entire Bernita Bradley story which I will share later) For More than 2,200 students walked across the com- As the first person in her family to go to college, Syd- lunch. safety reason the school had made mencement stage at the UWM Panther Arena on Sunday. ney Rein quickly learned to take advantage of opportu- She would eat the warm veggies on the side or maybe extra food available for kids to have seconds but whatever About 300 of those students were eligible to participate nities to overcome the financial and academic challenges the peaches that came as a desert but the sandwich and was left still needed to be sent back. in our Honors Convocation earlier in the month because she faced as a student. prepackaged foods she'd take off her tray and leave to the I shared with the teacher a brief reminder of how we they maintained a 3.5 grade point average the entire time Sydney started work as a resident assistant in our Nurs- side. I had seen her do this often but this day I watched fought to allow children to access extra food and for uni- they were at UWM. ing Living Learning Community and thrived. She used her closely. versal lunch. Combine these students with all others who graduated her experiences to get jobs at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Her tray was always empty when she dumped it in the She relaxed and began to share with me how she knew earlier in the year, and more than 5,500 students earned Center, first as a health unit coordinator and then as a trash so what did she do with the food? No wrappers were which students needed food in her class. To make sure their degrees from UWM in 2017. nurse extern. Aurora offered her a full-time position, and there, just the tray and empty containers from the hot the other children weren't aware of it she offered leftovers Even more remarkable than the number of graduates Sydney begins her registered nurse position after gradu- foods she ate. to everyone. are the personal journeys of our students. I’ll share just a ation. The next day I paid even closer attention as she took She explained that lil C. had a younger sister and she few of the many stories from our December graduating Ameena, Sam and Sydney are just a few examples of the food again off the tray. She looked around the room always takes food home for her as well. She also shared class. the diverse and inspiring individuals who graduate from when it was time for her table to dump their trash. She that every Friday the school announced a meeting called Ameena Yusuf, who grew up in Nigeria, suffered the UWM and go on to positively impact others in our world. quickly went over to her cubby, opened her book bag, and the backpack club an half an hour before school ends. I loss of her father while working on her bachelor’s degree They are the faces of the future that show just how pow- put a sandwich and orange inside. (continued on page 9) in global studies security. erful higher education can be. The Milwaukee Community Journal December 20, 2017 Page 7 The Milwaukee Community Journal December 20, 2017 Page 8 The Milwaukee Community Journal December 20, 2017 Page 9 She Never Ate Her Lunch at School and Here's Why! (continued from page 6) had heard this announcement but thought it to be a reading club. No, it was a group of students that teachers identified who needed addi- tional help with food. Weekly they were given a backpack full of food to take home that was donated by teachers and staff. Backpacks were used to cam- BUCKS ouflage the food so the students needs were kept confidential. The backpacks RECALL JABARI were returned on Monday morning to the office. My heart was so pleased, I was also happy for the students. PARKER FROM To think, a third grader strategically looking out for her family. I was out- done. I never said anything else about it but in every classroom I assisted in THE WISCONSIN I made a point to follow Mrs. H's lead. I reminded students not to take food they knew they wouldn't eat and offered them leftovers. HERD The next school year we began hosting monthly food drives and gave away The have re- food to anyone in the neighborhood. No questions asked. The school part- called forward Jabari Parker from nered with a fresh fruits and vegetables organization that brought prepackaged the Wisconsin Herd of the NBA food cleaned and cut in individual bags both students and staff loved them. I G League. Parker practiced on often think about this little girl and how sweet she was even more so how Monday and Tuesday with the strategic. It prompts me to never be wasteful and that others are in need. Herd at the Froedtert & the Med- This piece originally appeared on the Detroit School Talk Blog. Bernita Bradley is a mother of two, a 24-year-old son and 12-year-old ical College of Wisconsin Sports daughter. She is a long-time advocate for Detroit parents and students. Her Science Center in Milwaukee. passion is ensuring that the whole child is catered to in every village and that Parker played 51 games in the parents have a voice in the ever changing education landscape of the city. 2016-17 season and averaged 20.1 points (2nd on team), 6.2 re- bounds (3rd on team), 2.8 assists CLASSIFIEDS (4th on team) and 1.0 steals in 33.9 minutes (2nd on team) per game. He sustained a left ACL in- Construction Engineer Travaux, Inc., a subsidiary of the Housing Authority of the jury on Feb. 8 and underwent sur- gery to repair it on Feb. 14. City of Milwaukee, is seeking a Construction Project En- gineer to assist the project management group in docu- Family sues mentation, material procurement, bidding, cost control, expediting, safety, and administrative duties. Valid Driver retailer for sale of License required. Please visit our website at gun used in Texas www.hacm.org for the complete job description and ap- plication procedures. church massacre EOE/ADA (continued from page 4) fore a firearm can be sold. He obtained the weapon in Texas Construction Superintendent but it should have been sent to his Travaux, Inc., a subsidiary of the Housing Authority of the Colorado residence, where he had City of Milwaukee, is seeking a Construction Superin- been stationed with the U.S. Air tendent to manage the physical construction of assigned Force, the lawsuit said. projects. This position oversees performance of assigned "The Ruger should have never been placed in Kelley's hands in Texas," projects and field crew. Valid Driver License required. Houston Attorney Jason Webster, Please visit our website at www.hacm.org for the com- lead attorney on the case, said in a plete job description and application procedures. statement. EOE/ADA The Milwaukee Community Journal December 20, 2017 Page 10