A Personal Remembrance of Vel Phillips, Who Led the Way in So
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BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID INSIDE: ThreeVOL. XLI sistahsNumber 40 April who 25, 2018 planted thewww.milwaukeecommunityjournal.com seeds of growth in 25 Mikel Cents MILWAUKEE, Holt WISCONSIN PERMIT NO. 4668 WISCONSIN’S LARGEST AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER Waffle House hero TTIIMMEE TTOO James Shaw, left, gets a standing ova- PARTY tion after speaking PARTY during a press con- ference Sunday, AAGGAAIINN!! April 22, in Milwaukee Brewer First Nashville, Tenn. Baseman Jesus Aguilar pre- Shaw wrestled the pares to pounce on home- gun from the shoot- plate and his teammates ing suspect. Behind prepare to joyously greet Shaw is police him after his walk-off home- spokesman Don run to beat the Miami Mar- Aaron. (Wade lins at Miller Park. Aguilar Payn/The Ten- game winning homer was nessean via AP) one of two game winning homers the team hit during their homestand. The Brew- State Rep. Young repeats ers are one of the hottest teams in Major League call for tougher gun Baseball in what is still a young season.—Photo by Yvonne Kemp control measures after Waffle House shooting Praises restaurant patron James Shaw, Jr. for heroic action disarming shooter Compiled by MCJ Editorial Staff State Rep. Leon Young said Sunday’s tragic A personal remembrance multiple shooting at a Nashville Waffle House reinforces the dire need for more stringent, of Vel Phillips, who led common-sense gun control measures, includ- ing a ban on military grade semi-automatic sure every one had a good time. By Richard G. Carter In 1994 -- a year after returning from New York -- I hosted an inside-outside weapons. the way in so partymany at my Northridge Lakes apartment ways at which Vel sparkled with conver- (See our editorial on page 5) “My heroic struggle was over, but none was for spite. “The time for meaningful action on gun control legislation that aims to And then you are 60...” Burgess Meredith, “Hard sation and byplay with Howard Fuller, Annette (Polly) Williams, Larry Har- well, The Shepherd Express’s Dave Berkman; Sanders, Anderson, Michael protect our children and the public at large is long overdue,” said the repre- Contract” (1969) McGee Sr. and his wife, Penelope, and my high school pals Jesse Nixon, John sentative in a recent statement on the Givens, Gerald Payne, James Reed and Alvin Russell. restaurant shooting. Vel and Polly amused the guests with their byplay in my kitchen over how Travis Reinking was arrested after eye On a purely personal basis, I best to make a big pot of highly seasoned stew, on which everyone was to witness reports stated that he opened fire feast. with an AR-15 rifle on a Waffle House in My late mother and father -- Juanita and Sanford Carter -- always found the Nashville neighborhood of Antioch, loved being around Vel Phillips, Vel a delight when she attended a number of our often raucus family gather- killing four people and injuring four oth- ings over the years. Indeed, I almost came to accept her as a member of my ers. Reports have indicated the shootings and her vivacious sense of self- immediate family. were racially motivated. Vel’s marriage to Dale Phillips, Shortly before the shooting Reinking deprecating brother of my uncle, Paul Phillips -- parked his pickup truck in front of the Memorial endeared her especially to the restaurant for a few minutes, than went in humor. Carters, as well as to our relatives -- and opened fire. Services for Vel the Ethel Phillips, Neil Moody, Beat- Reportedly, while apparently attempt- I frequently men- rice Gee, Fernand Colin and Etna ing to reload, James Shaw, Jr. seized the tioned this to her, Phillips will be Chancellor families. moment and came out of hiding from be- From a professional standpoint, I hind a swinging door and wrestled the Rep. Leon Young and how it reminded held Saturday, had several significant encounters weapon away from Reinking and threw it over the counter. After a short scuf- over the years with Vel. One includes fle the assailant fled (naked) and was arrested Monday after a massive man- me of her great good May 5, at St. Mark her smiling broadly as I led the ques- hunt. According to the representative’s statement, an investigation is ensuing tioning during her 1986-87 appear- as to whether or not Reinking was legally in possession of a fire arm. friend -- legendary AME Church, ances before the Milwaukee Journal During a news conference with law enforcement officials and the Nashville Milwaukee news- editorial board, and several lively mayor some 12 hours after the shooting, his right hand bandaged, Shaw, an 1616 W. guest shots in 1994-95 on my top- African American, said his actions were borne of self-preservation, adding woman, the late Vel Phillips rated, controversial WNOV radio he didn’t consider himself a hero. Photo from Black America Web Atkinson Ave. program “The Carter-McGee Report” "When I grabbed the barrel of the weapon it was hot, but I didn't care. It Mattiebelle Woods. -- where she deftly responded to challenging calls from listeners. was life or death," said Shaw, a 29-year-old Nashville native. One of the best examples was at a picnic George Sanders and I hosted hon- When I occasionally would play a doo-wop record -- which was expected Waffle House CEO Walter Ehmer, who was also on hand, thanked Shaw oring Vel in the summer of 1989 at Kern Park. Among the casually dressed by many listeners -- Vel would sing along, delighting my co-host, ex-alder- for his bravery. attendees were my wife, Janice; John and Rosa Givens and their two daugh- man McGee Sr. "You don't get to meet too many heroes in life," Ehmer said before ad- ters; newsman Bill Kurtz and his wife Marge; wheelchair bound Jake Beason; In October 1958, Vel, at 34, received her first major, full-size national pub- dressing Shaw, who dabbed at tears in his eyes. "We are forever in your debt." Milwaukee Journal editorial page editor Dave Behrendt, Journal columnist licity in SEPIA magazine which, at the time, was giving EBONY a run for Shaw said that after going to a nightclub he had decided to stop with a Jay Anderson and ex-New Yorker Joe Dolan. its money. Headlined “Milwaukee’s First Woman Alderman” over my by- friend early Sunday at a Waffle House. The first one he visited was too A jaunty, 65-year-old Vel arrived wearing a short-sleeve, white tee-shirt em- line, it was accompanied by an attractive photo of her on the magazine’s crowded with overnight patrons, so he ended up going to another in blazoned “Brown Sugar” and, laughing and joking, shook every hand -- man, Nashville. woman and child -- in the happy throng. She was in her element and made (continued on page 5) (continued on page 3) Davey Nelson, a member of the family and all of those who loved Rangers and Royals. In 1973, he was tion. Brewers family since 2001 and a for- him.” an American League All-Star with His annual golf tournament has mer Major League All-Star infielder, Nelson joined the Brewers in 2001 Texas as he hit .286 with 43 stolen helped raise significant funding for passed away earlier this week after as roving minor league outfield in- bases in 142 games. the organization. BREWERS battling a long illness. structor and became the Major Born in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Nel- In lieu of flowers, donations to He was 73. League first base coach for the Brew- son graduated from Junípero Serra Open Arms Home for Children are “Davey took every opportunity to ers in 2003. High School in California. He at- suggested for those looking to honor MOURN turn a casual introduction into a life- In 2006, he moved into a broad- tended Compton Junior College for Davey’s memory. Contributions can long relationship, and his legacy will casting (FOX Sports Wisconsin ana- one year and Los Angeles State Col- be made online at openarm- live on in the positive impact he had lyst) and front office role for the lege for two years. Nelson also shome.com. on the lives of so many people,” said organization. served in the Army Reserve for six There will not be a formal memo- PASSING Brewers Chief Operating Officer Prior to joining the Brewers, Nel- years. rial service, but a private celebration Rick Schlesinger. son spent time with the White Sox, Nelson served on the board of di- of Davey’s life will be held later this “Davey’s love of life and commit- A’s, Expos and Indians in coaching rectors for Open Arms Home for spring. OF DAVEY Davey ment to helping those in need were roles. Children in South Africa, an organi- second to none, and we are so grate- A 10-year Major League veteran, zation that serves as a home to over Nelson ful for the time that we had with him. Nelson played from 1968-77 as an 50 children who are either orphaned Pulse of the Community NELSON Our thoughts and prayers are with his infielder with the Indians, Senators, or do not have a stable family situa- will return next week! The Milwaukee Commiunity Journal April 25, 2018 Page 2 8,000+ MPS Students to Perform in First-Ever All-City Arts Festival at Henry Maier Festival Park MPS, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. and Summerfest Foundation, Inc. host FREE three-day event; public invited The artistic talent of Milwaukee's kids will be on full display, bigger and better than ever on the city's lakefront, during the first ever All-City Arts Festival, which will be held May 9-11, 2018 on the south end of Henry Maier Festival Park.