Twenty-five thousand, five hundred (25,500) down 219,500 to go, I-Witness touching Black people all over the city of Milwaukee and the world, one event at a time.

Black people are the First Wonders of the World--We have survived and continue to survive in spite of those who wish for and work toward our demise.

Happy Birthday to Me

I-Witness will not have a formal Birthday Party on January 13 because I want to move around a bit; it is my New Year. I will be out at many of my favorite places for a little libation. You can catch me at Gene’s Supper Club, Andre’s on Garfield, Garfield 502, Jamie Lee’s, Prince Hall, Soche’ Milwaukee and the Catfish Lounge.

Birthday Holla-Outs

Alpha, Omega, the beginning and the end goats’ party and celebrate for the greatest Capricorn that ever lived Jesus Christ. Y’all know I-Witness is a Capricorn so I want to Holla-out to all the other Capricorns, It’s yo’ birthday, It’s yo’ birthday, Happy Birthday...Roll Call: Mac Weddle, Howard Fuller, John and Iris Neal, Tony and Zakia Courtney, Denise Crumble, Terry Berry, Travail Lewis, Gene Smith of Gene’s Supper Club, Leonie Keith, Vdo Varnardo, Sara Sr. and Sara Jr. Garner, (mother and daughter), Shawnta Virgil, Cynthia Smith and yours truly I-Witness.

Hey, Johnny and Mark Smith seeing how it’s your birthday too I thought I would sing to you: "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday!" Y’all know I sound just like Stevie, Holla!

Hey Shonda Cass, "it’s your birthday." Don’t forget we are having babies in 2007 as soon as I get my baby’s daddy to agree, Holla! Happy Birthday!

Holla-Out

Hey, Terrance Goodman and Nikki Byrd hope the date went well, tell your dad I said, Holla!

Chef Ian McGee, over at Soche’ Milwaukee, you know you are my favorite apprentice, Holla!

I have to give 4-year-old Davion Bowie who attends the Next Door Foundation School a Holla-Out ’cause he is too smart. I told him he was cute. He looked at me funny, then smiled and said, "the word is handsome; girls are cute." Y’all know I was rollin’ on the floor, I did not expect that. His mom is Monica Pulley and his granny is Poetess Ms. Jazzy. Hey, Davion I will know from now on girls are cute and little guys like you are too handsome, Holla! I loved it!

Yeanna Botello is a student over at the Milwaukee Spanish Immersion School and is a very blessed young lady. She has a very special relationship with her dad, Cain Botello. The two of them really bond. They both get their long braids done in the same style by the same person, I love it! Hey, Yeanna I think it is really special the closeness that you and your dad share and Cain keep showing other fathers how joyful it is to be in your children’s lives, I love it!

Hey, Roderick Toombs, I am tired of everyone saying you look like Eric Benet. I personally think you are far more handsome than Eric is and he is out here trying to look like you, Holla!

To: the family of Richard Curtis Armstead who passed this week. He is the father of Richard Armstead over at Gee’s Clippers on Fond du Lac. Hey, Richard your dad was a true Capricorn and he now can rest with the greatest Capricorn that ever lived Jesus Christ; our prayers are with you and your family, Love Ya!

Pssssst

Election Director Susan Edmond was seen roaming city hall with her replacement. It is rumored she will be leaving the post as early as next week. Most folks think she should have been gone a long time ago. After all, what experience did she have in running the election commission?

By the way, since she is leaving perhaps she and Milwaukee Police Chief Nan Hegerty can leave together. I do not think we should wait until November--pay her off and get rid of her too. It’s time for Hegerty to go now and perhaps we can get Chief Arthur Jones to apply again.

Rumor has it that 10-year R&B singer Jacob Latimore over at Elm Creative Arts School may be appearing on the "Murray Povich Show." Jacob is a true heartthrob here in Milwaukee; he makes my heart beat, Holla! Be Tuned!

Muhammad Mosque #3 of the Nation of Islam under the direction of State Representative Minister William Muhammad hosted a tribute to the Honorable Louis Farrakhan national leader of the Nation of Islam at the coffee house Coffee Makes You Black. (Inset photo) Members began their tribute to Farrakhan with a fruitful greeting of prayer. (photo by Barbara White)

Muhammad Mosque #3 of the Nation of Islam under the direction of State Representative Minister William Muhammad hosted a tribute to the Honorable Louis Farrakhan national leader of the Nation of Islam at the coffee house Coffee Makes You Black.

The tribute opened with a fruitful greeting of prayer by Brother David Muhammad who talked of peace and the human family. It was powerful.

Many in the community joined the Mosque in its tribute. Many of the sisters were there dressed in their tradition Islamic garb, looking beautiful.

Minister Muhammad and I chatted about the health of the National Minister. The Honorable Farrakhan was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate gland. The prostate, a gland found only in males, is located under the bladder and in front of the rectum. Cancer is a disease in which cells grow out of control within the body, invading and destroying tissue.

Upon being diagnosed, the Minister has committed himself to educating Black men on the disease that can sometimes become deadly if not detected early. Almost all prostate cancers are discovered in their early stages for those men who get regular medical check ups.

Research has sought out many new diagnostic and therapeutic tools, to provide support to prostate cancer patients and to provide education to the general public with the goal of increasing awareness of prostate cancer, and its management.

The Minister has established the Farrakhan Prostate Cancer Foundation where he enlisted the help of many high profile Black men like Frankie Beverly and Maze, Tavis Smiley and the Reverend Jesse Jackson to assist him in promoting awareness about the disease.

Minister Muhammad states, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan just underwent a 12-hour surgery to relive the pain he was having and to restore his strength. His family was very pleased with the results. He is under 24-hour security and is feeling much better.

The tribute to the Honorable Minister was a collection of his teachings called "Closing the Gap," a capitulation of many of the interviews done by the Minister Farrakhan. It was also a tribute to recognize our great leaders before they are gone. Because usually once they are dead the enemy will remake them and limit their existence like Dr. Martin Luther King who has been reduced to a dream to serve their purpose and he was so much more. Moreover, Malcolm X who is now being called a civil rights leader. Just as the Honorable Louis Farrakhan, they were Drum Majors, Minister Muhammad said.

The Honorable Louis Farrakhan is calling on all men to get a physical and have your prostate checked. Again, caught early prostate cancer is not a death sentence; it is a declaration of war. Early detection is important for successful treatment.

Minister Muhammad thank you for allowing me to hanging out with for a bit, Minister Farrakhan, you are in our prayers and we wish you a speedy recovery.

I-Witness thanks Oprah

I love it when people get jealous and paternalistic over other people. Oprah Winfrey, who is a multibillionaire, decided to spend $40 million of her money to open a school in South Africa and people here went crazy, trying to tell her how and where she should spend her money.

Many appeared to become really outraged when she was quoted in "Newsweek" magazine saying she was tired of the children here in America, asking her for Ipods and tennis shoes. "In South Africa, they do not ask for money or toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school," she said.

Oprah opened a school in South Africa called the Leadership Academy where she will provide more than 152 war-stricken young women educational opportunities. She states, she asked former South African President Nelson Mandela what gift she could give him, his response, "a school." Therefore, that is what she did.

Upon opening the doors to the Leadership Academy in South African, many in America began questioning why she put so much money into that country. It is interesting that all these other actors like Mia Farrow, Madonna and Angelina Joline can adopt children and build things all over the world and nothing is ever said. Then a Black person does something and folks start hating, wanting to tell him or her how to spend their money.

I wish more Black folks with money would link up with Black impoverished countries to try to provide educational and economic opportunities for the people. Equally as important, I would like to see you our readers, Oprah, Michael Jordan and any other Black person start a school of such right here in American neighborhoods as well.

Oprah stated indirectly what is really going on in our schools. We cannot blame or punish the children in this society for their desires, because we live in a society with a value system that says: "buy, buy, and buy." We as elders must reset the moral value system in our communities to make education the priority again. However, no matter, what we can never give up on the children here in this country.

Hey Oprah, you are doing a good thing in South Africa. Let us say you are the final leg for many of us who fought against Apartheid with the success of total economic sanctions against the country and a demand for the release of former South African President Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners who were jailed for being men and simply trying to be free as God granted all human beings.

So I salute you, Oprah, on behalf of a global movement for answering our call for reinvestment in South Africa, but equally as important Asante’ Sana (Thank You) for allowing us to see the fruits of freedom and our labor in our lifetime. Atten--tion Salute.

To: I-Witness, a word from a reader

It was a pleasure seeing you in Jewels the other day. I was hoping that I would have the opportunity to let you know that I read your column, and enjoy reading it. It was very nice of you to tell me that you will give me a shout-out and my grandson Travail Lewis who had the birthday party on New Year’s Eve. I have been doing the party with my 13 other grandchildren, three daughters, and husband of 40 years, every since Travail came into the world, and he is now 18 years old.

Happy birthday to you on January 13! I want to mention that one of my granddaughters, Shawnta Virgil’s birthday is on the same day as yours. She will be 15-years-old and attends Clara Mohammed School; her GPA is a 4.0. She also works through her Business class at Clara’s New Bronzeville Cafe, located on King Drive. I would like to wish you and her, a Happy, Happy birthday and many, many, more...

Truly Yours

Pamela Pyant Virgil

I-Witness responds:

Thank you, Pam it was good seeing you also. I know you are very proud of Shawnta, so am I. Happy Birthday to you, Shawnta. You know you are special, you share the same birthday as I-Witness, Holla! Seeing how you have a 4.0, you should take your report card up to Gee’s Clippers on King Drive and North Avenue where you can get your hair done as an appreciation for you challenging yourself and being the best that you know how to be. Keep advancing that next generation I love it! Happy birthday.

Looking Back

Well the New Year has arrived and I-Witness brought it in right, it was a party y’all, Holla.

As I look back on 2006, there are many bitter sweet moments, the murders that took place in our community, many mothers shed many tears, Hopefully, 2007 can bring us a new appreciation for life and the killings can stop.

Unemployment and joblessness remained at an all time high in our community. Maybe this year folks will recognize that we need real job training programs that are connected to family supporting jobs.

There were several school closings, every time I think of a school being closed it does something to me because I know inspite of what is said there is a child out there that is motivated to learn.

Things that were sweet in 2006: Alderman Mike McGee Jr., the Rapid Response Team and many others in this community stood for righteousness regarding the Frank Jude beating and refusing to let this city rest until some action was taken against the Klan officers who not only beat Jude almost to death but beat and killed other Black people.

Bishop Sedgwick Daniels for leading a caravan throughout this city calling for justice in response to the not-guilty verdict of the officers that beat Frank Jude and for making his visions of family supporting assistance a reality at Holy Redeemer.

Our community for coming together to search for Dre’ Hennings and Purvis Parker, the two missing young boys who were found in the lagoon at McGovern Park.

My "Community Journal" family for being a group of very talented and good people.

County Board Chairman Lee Holloway for resisting becoming a slave and daring to stand and fight as a man for his basic human rights even when the odds were against him.

Y’all our readers for trusting me and letting me tell your stories be it in your homes, at your party, on the streets, wherever, thanks.

It was a sweet year to meet so many good people and to share life with all the people in my life that I love and care about as well as those who love and care about me, I thank you.

However, the sweetest thing of 2006 is that the Creator has allowed me to do the things I do: show y’all, Black people at their best and I love it! I know the best is yet to come...

"In My Shoes"
The best is yet to come in 2007

This year I-Witness will introduce a new series called "In My Shoes," which will be featured twice a month. The series will entail I-Witness doing various jobs throughout the city to show the different type of job opportunities out there, what they entail, the training or educational requirements for the different types of jobs and how to prepare for or obtain the information to begin a new career.

I feel it is important for me to do this kind of series because many folks are always saying our children only want to be basketball players, rappers or rollers when they grow up. With the unemployment rate so high for non-skilled people in our community and in some cases medial skilled folks and our children living in households and neighborhoods where they see no one going to work, I feel it is a worthy and necessary series.

Of course, I-Witness doesn’t believe that all children will succumb to having no dreams at all, but I did begin a little survey this summer with children. Many of them told me they wanted to be basketball players, rappers or rollers when they grow up. Therefore, I challenged myself to try to show children as well as their parents there are many things out here to do that can be just as satisfying for them and provide them a way to take care of themselves upon becoming adults.

My first job will be at McDonalds on 60th and Silver Spring, on Friday, January 19. They call it the Hollywood McDonalds; each McDonalds has its own theme. I will work the hours 11 am-4pm. I chose this McDonalds because its owner Robert Plyes started out flipping burgers and now owns several McDonalds throughout the city of Milwaukee. I further want to showcase that starting at the bottom can be a good thing and that McDonalds’ jobs are not necessarily dead-end jobs.

"In My Shoes" will also be a way for those adults who may have never dreamed they can do something different in life or had a passion for a different kind of career but never knew how to go about taking the first steps to obtain it.

So far I have lined up many jobs where one can make a decent living, like a barber, restaurant manager, carpenter, a Bishop, a doctor, hopefully a train conductor and many other things that we are working on. I will put a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship also.

I hope that many of you will e-mail me with job suggestions.

Sometimes people do not have dreams and you have to hold their hands motivating, showing them they are worth something and can do and become whatever they choose. Therefore, if we help by showing them what is out there and they can begin to see something, one can at least think it and began to believe they can accomplish it. By "In My Shoes" providing a peek into the different types of jobs, businesses, and a few how-to-begin-guides just maybe it might make a difference.

My belief is that if we put it out there and if one somebody can benefit, it changes their life for the better. Then we will have begun a train toward success in making the world a better place. Therefore, I invite all of you to join me in this new venture of changing lives being "In My Shoes."

I-Witness & Co. at the movies

Okay y’all as you can see I-Witness has been doing the movie thing lately with some of my favorite people. Last week I went to check out "Freedom Writers" with Wyman Winston, Freida Webb and Glen Mattison. Glen drove us; he had the big car a BMW with the leather seats. BMW’s are big time on the West Coast. "We were riding slick, diamond in the back, sunroof top, digging the scene with a gangster’s lean, oh, oh, oh, gangster white walls with a TV antenna on the top..." Okay I’m back y’all thought I was in a Shaft movie, Holla!

"Freedom Writers" is a true story about a young, idealistic, "I can change the world" teacher. In small words a real teacher named Erin Gruwell, played by two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank. It is a story of triumph, faith, courage and stepping out the box to expand ones self and connect with all humans no matter where they have been or are going in life.

It is set after the Rodney King riots in Los Angels where the 23-year-old teacher enters her first class room on her first day as a teacher at Wilson High School, an affluent school in a well to do neighborhood. Looking to find students of all races who were well structured and ready to learn, Erin got quite the surprise to see young thugs, self-hate, segregation all the ills promoted by society when all human beings are not treat with equal dignity and respect. However, more importantly she had to take her blinders off and peak into the reality of the life of her students and their feelings of worthlessness and their prayer through pain to just get through the day alive.

Upon looking seeing what she had to work with Erin began to show the children she really was different and began to create a trust with them. In return, they gained a new respect for her.

The saddest things in the movie were the fights that Erin had to endure with her colleagues, who were obstructing her efforts to educate her students. Not only did she have to fight with her colleagues, but also the school board directors were not supporting her or giving her students necessary books. She was consistently told it was a waste of time to give her students anything because they could not learn and they were all losers and were simply being warehoused waiting for graveyards or jails.

Erin, not to be undone, put her marriage at risk. She was a newlywed who had to take on extra jobs to keep books and supplies in her classroom.

Erin continued to broaden the world of the children by taking them outside their box and showing them there was a whole other world out there. She introduced them to other folks’ lives through books, like the "Diary of Anne Frank," the story of a Jewish girl and her survival during the Holocaust.

Erin further encouraged the students to begin to write about their own life struggles. Thus, the students became students of the world where they wanted to learn and find their place in the world.

After the movie, I asked Wyman Winston what he thought of the movie, he stated how Erin connected with the kids after she saw that the kids were people and didn’t have to be afraid of them. She came in with an absence of fear. Contrary to most teachers who were drown with fear and appeared to cherish the idea that they did not have to do anything because their attitude was they were warehousing these children for forts or jails. In addition, they labeled the kids in the door. It was a good movie.

Freida Webb stated it was a good lesson and the challenges kids have and they carry all the burdens on their shoulders and we must show kids we care, they will then begin to open the door of opportunity verses what is going on today in schools. Moreover, always the status quo stands in the way of success creating barriers.

Joseph and Emma Butts also give me their view on the movie. Joseph stated what he found very interesting was that none of the kids’ fathers played any part at all in their lives and fathers are important in a child’s life. However, the bottom line is Erin improved their education. Emma said that you do not find many dedicated teachers and a whole bunch of folks need to see this movie including teachers. Both concurred that it was an excellent movie.

I will weigh in now. At first, I was a bit offended because I thought the movie was another White person saving Black children. Typically, it was, but it displayed and exposed so many things that we as a society need to begin to give our children and stop giving up on them. It shows how society has declared war not only on families, but also on our future ... our children--especially--if you are Black; nothing is expected of our children so they give nothing.

I thought Swank was excellent, as Erin. She showed the belief that one can change the world one person at a time if they are willing to work hard, take a risk and believe that children can learn. We must show them that they have value and that inspite of the obstacles in your life you can achieve to make a difference in the world. However, loving parents and teachers who care must teach children.

The life dynamics portrayed in this movie mimics real life to the tee. The importance of history was a strong element in the movie. Knowing who you are, where you came from and that you are not an island or the only one to endure pain says a whole lot. There were many powerful scenes like when they brought Gloria Ungar, a real Holocaust survivor in to the school as a guest speaker. She called the students her hero.

It was magnificent watching the students learn how to feel and discover life and learning how to read and write. Even the only White boy in the class who did not recognize the status quo had counted him out learned to be accepting as well as accept.

Lastly, the young drug dealer who was kicked out of his mom’s house asked to come home as a changed son. The movie kept your attention because while it was a movie, you knew real life folks who were living it.

The movie also showed how people who are destined to do good things in the world often have to give up things they love to keep the big picture of the human race going and it can become lonely for you.

It was a great movie and I encourage teachers’ unions as well as teachers to make a special effort to see this movie. I have a saying, a good teacher uses unconventional means to teach children when she truly wants to do her job and do it well, educating, preparing and challenging young minds to take their dance in the universe.

I thank Erin for her courage, her will to be and her pride at living by the creed that all teachers should teach by.

Again, Swank will be nominated for an academy. Her performance was fantastic. The supporting cast gave good performances and I expect to see more of the new comers in the future. Richard LaGravenese was the writer and director with Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, and Stacey Sher are the producers of the film. The executive producers are Hilary Swank, (Swank starred in the film as well.) Nan Morales, Tracey Durning, and Dan Levine. Mark Isham did the music score. Paramount Pictures presented the MTV Films/Double Feature Films Production.

I give "Freedom Writers" six snaps and a pop; it is an excellent movie, and a family movie that just may inspire someone you know. If you have not seen it go check it out, you will love it.

Recall Alderman McGee? Black men say no way!

Mike McGee (left) with supporters before they went to the home of a Milwaukee police officer, who allegedly assaulted a husband and wife at a George Webb Restaurant. See story on home page. (right) While protesting in front of the officer’s home, the supporters found this flier in support of McGee’s recall, to which they say: "No Way!" (photo by B. White)