The Story that Caught My I...
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Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson was arrested at a demonstration after he refused to move from the entrance of Chuck's Gun Shop in Riverdale, a Chicago suburb. He along with other community activists have been protesting outside the shop for weeks after a 16-year-old honor student was shot down on a city bus. The young man was not the intended target. Jackson, who says the gunshop being so close to Chicago gives gang members and other criminals easy access to firearms. Jackson as well as Rev. Michael Pfleger, a Catholic priest, are calling for stricter gun laws. Jackson is charged with one count of criminal trespass to property. You are the father! 
Eddie Murphy and Melanie (Scary Spice) Brown
Hey, Eddie da, da, its over! The DNA test results are in and you are the father. So let’s do the right thing now. Actor-Comedian Eddie Murphy and singer Melanie Brown of the British pop group Spice Girl are parents to a beautiful daughter named Angel Iris Murphy Brown. It amazes me currently; folks have to keep going through this. Murphy went 9 months denying he was the father and as a woman, I know Melanie had to be stressed out doing the pregnancy, which was not good for the baby because he was denying the baby. If adults are going to engage in sex, both of you knew what to do not to get pregnant. Eddie you knew when you were not wrapped up what could happen, so quit crying. Melanie, you knew what could happen also and it makes me think you wanted it to happen for various reasons. The Big Black Rapist 
Colleen Contrino
When WISN12 showed Colleen Contrino, who claimed a tall Black man raped her, fear set into folks in the area. They began to talk of buying guns for protection of their women and to protect themselves from a big tall Black man who was going around raping White women. Contrino has since recanted her story and is about to be charged for obstructing an officer. She states that she lied because she was cheating on her fiancee and she wanted some attention. So she created this story of a stereotyped, generic description of a Black man and said he raped her. Yes, she has recanted but let us think of that night for all Black men who were in the area. How many of them were stopped not so much because they fit the description but because they were Black, you see when a crime happens and they say it was a Black man, it does not matter what the description is all Black men are indicted. Police in Ohio 
Officer Bobby Cutts, Jr.
We waited for about a week before Officer Bobby Cutts Jr. a police officer in Canton, Ohio was arrested accused of killing the mother of one of his children, Jessie Davis who was also pregnant with what was believed to be his child. It was sad to know that a man could possibly kill anybody in front of someone but then to do it in front of your own child is savage. I will go with a person is innocent until proven guilty and I will give Cutts that but if true what a coward. This was so sad my heart and prayers, go out to both families and all of Cutts children especially he and Jessie’s little son who now does not have a mother or father.
Top Ladies of Distinction honor today’s fathers during brunch 
Top Ladies of Distinction recently celebrated Fathers and Mentors at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center. (photo by Barbara White)
The Top Ladies of Distinction (TLOD) presents "Celebrating Fathers and Mentors" Brunch at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center. TLOD is an international professional and humanitarian organization of more than 4000 dedicated and concerned women representing a mélange of talents, skills and resources. Since its founding, the objectives have been to expand to include not only a focus on the youth group, Top Teen of America but to also improve the status of women, service to seniors, community beautification and community partnerships. Lady Cheryl Buckhanan is the Milwaukee Chapter President. While they are committed to mentoring youth and have done a phenomenal job, they wanted to recognize the contributions and the influence of the male perspective on our youth. I loved that all the women are referred to as Lady and then their names they were all dressed in Black with a Kente’ cloth sash. Sixty-five men were honored at the first Annual Brunch for the heroes unsung. Imagine being up dressed in gorgeous attire to attend a brunch to celebrate Beautiful Black Men in tie and suits. I-Witness was the guest of both Catherine Miles and Sheila Parrish-Spence. I was seated with Mildred Harpole and my new grandmother Mardree White, (Reuben Harpole’s Mom), Margaret Broom, Gloria Harpole-Taylor, Mary Blimie and Lady Dorothy Buckhanan. We have a good time marveling the men who looked so handsome. We were greeted by, Lady Dedra Y.A. Edwards who was event co-chair and presiding, The "Honor Guard" Teens Lamar Davis, Mardez Prewitt, Christopher Stone and Kyle Wallace. Teen Christopher Stone is another very talented young man a student at Milwaukee Lutheran High School, had lead role in the production of "Smothering Fries" wants to be a veterinarian and study film and theatre’ he has an excellent attitude. There was the recognition of salutes to TLOD by all levels of government then the entrance of the dais and the processional of Fathers and Mentors. Reuben Harpole did libation followed by chapter president Lady Cheryl Buckhanan. The men of the TLOD are referred to as "Lords" that are generally the husbands of the TLOD. Lord Earl Hill continued the greetings sharing with us who the "Lords" were, he encouraged all to view this event as a service that we are ready for at this time. Elder Chuck Holloway, Ph.D. blessed us with the invocation and grace. Breakfast was served and raffle drawing was hosted by Lords Conray Hobson and Tylan Canady and door prizes Lady Clarice Green. Lady Catherine Miles, event chair gave us the vision of the event, then teen Jonathan Spence, who is an excellent violist and one of I-Witness’ favorites, dazzled the audience with a musical selection. He was awesome; he needs to have an evening with the Milwaukee Symphony. Lady Dorothy Buckhanan did the presentation of the honorees. As the Lady introduced each, one they all provided a statement on fatherhood and you could see and feel the traditions of fatherhood and manhood in their words our past, present and what we need to expect in the future. The men reminded you of your father, your favorite uncle, brother, husband, son and in some cases your grandfather and they stood with such pride. Rev. Little stated the importance of fathers being in the life of their children. Everyone in the village is responsible for raising all the children in the village. He gave example of the role of a father. Mother eagles kick their babies out when they began to move around but when a father eagle sees that the baby is not ready yet, he flies down, swoops it up, and brings it back to the nest to continue nurturing, so it takes a village. He continues with A Litany of Thanksgiving and Commitment was recited by Rev. /Dr. Willie T. Little as the lead with all guests to sanction. Lady Edwards did the acknowledgements and closing remarks and William Rogers, Ph.D. set forth the charge. In the charge, he states: "100 years from now it will not matter what kind of house you live in, it is what is important in the life of a child. We often ask the question what’s the matter with our children, no the questions what’s the matter with us, what have we done to make a difference, ones life is not determined by what has happen to us but how we react to it. The greatest discovery in life is knowing that nothing is too hard for God..." It was a wonderful morning, good fellowship that filled the room with hope as daughters, wives, sons and mothers greeted that special man in their life with hugs, congratulation and eyes that beamed with pride. "Dance with My Father" by Luther Van Dross filled the air. Hey, TLOD it was a very nice acknowledgement of the men in our community that want us to know they are still here in the village still trying to do their part to build strong families and .villages. It was a good time.
I-Witness’ favorite men conquer their fears, learn to swim
Facing their fear head on, I-Witness’ favorite men, Gaulien "Gee" Smith (left) and DeMarco Morgan (right) challenged one another to learn to swim. Facing their fears isn’t all work, there some play involved. Above, they strike a pose after taking a swim in the pool. (photo by Barbara White)
Well I hung-out with my two favorite guys, WISN12 Co-Anchor and Reporter DeMarco Morgan and Gaulien ‘Gee’ "Mr. Wonderful" Smith of Gee’s Clippers, we hung out at Brown’s Ham House for a bit to eat. Moreover, to be updated on the segment that DeMarco did on conquering fears. I thought it was pretty good featured that he did on WISN12 because we all have fears that perhaps we need to challenge ourselves on. DeMarco decided he was going to learn how to swim and Mr. Wonderful (Gee) challenged himself to learn how to swim also. Both have swimming instructors who have worked with them. Well I decided that I was going to see their progress. I joined them at the YMCA to watch them swim. Okay I am not rollin' on the floor, Holla! DeMarco and Gee are hilarious. I joined them at poolside and watched them do their thing, I am not cracking up y’all, no I am not laughing, Holla! I watched my two favorites, one can float on top of the water and the other can swim under the water, so they are making progress. I am not laughing at my boos and y’all need to quit, Holla! I am writing this not to laugh at Mr. Wonderful and DeMarco but to congratulate them on daring to conquer something they feared and were afraid to try. The lesson in this is you can either stay frighten of things in life or you can challenge yourself to do the things you felt you could never do. While I am rolling on the floor at them, they are too funny Holla, I know should they keep trying. Ultimately they will learn to swim and be able to move on to the next thing but equally as important I know they will always get the most out of life because they aren’t afraid to try new things. The world is full of opportunities but if you never try to do things, you dream due to fear look at how much life you will not live or joy you will not feel. So find your fears and conquer them. Thanks DeMarco for having the vision to believe you can. You too, Mr. Wonderful. You two know you had me Rollin' on the floor, Holla!
Honoring yesterday’s baseball heroes Milwaukee Brewers, Holy Redeemer COGIC pay tribute to players of the Negro League 
Arthur Hamilton and W. James "Jim" Cobbin take a moment to view a special tribute to their baseball career in the Negro League during the tribute game recently held at Miller Park. (Photo by Barbara White)
It was a day of honor at the Mother Kathryn Daniels Conference Center at Holy Redeemer Church of God in Christ because two more players of Yesterday’s Negro League were inducted into the Yesterday’s Day Negro League Wall of Fame. HR Communication Director Billy Young was the Master of Ceremonies, Darrien Daniels led us in prayer. Young welcomed everyone giving the history of the MKDCC’s Wall of Fame. He thanked Bishop Daniels. "MKDCC and the Milwaukee Community are honored to be a part of this celebration of the Brewers and the players we remember your labor. Let us not forget out of sight out of mind. One thousand children look at this wall and see your joy and pain, to each of you how honored we are and thank you," Young said. Milwaukee Brewers V.P. Rick Schlesinger made his acknowledgements and saluted the two players Arthur Hamilton and W. James "Jim" Cobbin on their induction in to the hall of fame. There was a Wall of Fame Video Retrospective on the history of the Negro League. Dennis Biddle did the Introduction of the 2007 Inductees he gave honor to all mighty God. "I’m honored to have with me some of the greatest players that ever lived but didn’t have the opportunity to play in the major leagues because of racism," Biddle said. He talked of having dinner with Bishop Daniels and talking about the Negro League and the Bishop told him he wanted the Negro League Hall of Fame to be at HR. He thanked the Bishop. Biddle has written a book on the Negro Baseball League giving detailed accounts of it history. Biddle introduced all the players from the Negro League that attended and he then introduced the first inductee. Arthur Hamilton played on two teams the Indianapolis Clowns and Detroit Stars. He received All-Star recognition during his final season, he was a starting catcher and hit a game tying home run to help the West All-Star team to a 5-4 win in what was the final Negro League All-Star game to be played at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Hamilton thanked the Lord because the Lord has been good to him. "I never thought I would see anything like this. I can stand here and tell that to you all day," Hamilton said as everyone laughed. ‘The Lord has been good to me and I would do it again, something I really loved to do." He continued: "God Bless me to hit a little bit and I thank the Lord for being here because he has been good to me. Pray that I get stronger in the Lord, Thank you." Today, Hamilton is heavily involved in community activities and is a strong supporter of the Durkeville Historical Society, the site of the old Durkee Field, which is called James P. Small Park. Durkee Field was where Hank Aaron played his home games when he was with the Jacksonville Braves. W. James "Jim" Cobbin also played on two teams the New York Black Yankees and the Indianapolis Clowns. Cobbin a versatile player played third base, shortstop and center field. He tallied a .317 lifetime batting average with 38 home runs and was a major threat with 49 total stolen bases in 59 attempts. "This is wonderful thing; it is really wonderful day, a long time coming," Cobbin said. Today he is the Vice President and Treasurer of the Yesterday’s Negro League Baseball Players Foundation. A foundation developed to raise recognition and attempt to provide medical benefits and retirement assistance to former Negro League players. It was a beautiful celebration and to see all of those players who traveled to celebrate with their fellow colleagues, Hamilton and Cobbin. A reception followed the ceremony. As the players chatted with folks, and autographed hats and books, you could literally, see them in action back in the day, running, stealing bases, smiling, catching, dancing, just showing out and hitting the home runs telling America, you don’t have to accept me now but history will never let you forget me. In celebration and community outreach, the Milwaukee Brewers will throw free parties at different sites like the Boys and Girls Clubs, where they will serve beverages, hot dogs and potato chips. A group of Brewers players will attend each block party as well as manager Ned Yost, Bernie Brewer, the Racing Sausages and the team's radio and TV personalities will be involved. Other entertainment, including clowns and interactive games will be offered also. The events will be open to the public but are intended for residents of the neighborhood. Tribute Game Our day did not end there we all headed to Miller Park with the inductee’s where the Milwaukee Brewers are going to play the Kansas City Royals and in salute to Yesterday’s Negro League and the Hamilton and Cobbin the inductees both teams were going to play the game in the Retro Negro League Uniforms. The uniforms will be auctioned to raise money for the Negro League here in Milwaukee and Kansas. It was a big day over 41,000 fans turned out to see the gave and the Milwaukee Brewers who are in first place in their division. All the players from the Negro League were seated on the field at home plate with other dignitaries County Board Chairman Lee Holloway who presented them with a proclamation, Judges Valerie Hill, Derrick Mosley, and Maxine White, Common Council President Willie Hines, Alderman Joe Davis, Tim Mahoney of the Governors office. The ceremony began with a video presentation of the history of the Negro Players and the league. As well as a bit of history on the two inductees Arthur Hamilton and W. James "Jim" Cobbin on the big screen telling their story before over 41,000 fans. The inductees were seated near the pitchers' mound where Milwaukee Brewers V.P. Rick Schlesinger recognized their achievements and presented them with an award. Two of the Brewers players then joined the two inductees and they threw out the first pitch. The Holy Redeemer Choir then rocked the stadium with the National Anthem and I mean they rocked it, look out Whitney Houston they are bad. All were lead to their seats to enjoy the game there to celebrate with the Inductee’s were Mac Weddle-Northcott, retired fire fighter Oshi, 98.3 Radio Personality Andrea’ Williams, Tracy Golden, Roundy’s Public Relation Vivian King, Wallace White, my favorite girls Linda Sowell and Lynn Spranger. Congratulations to the Yesterday’s Negro League and its two new inductees Hamilton and Cobbin, the Milwaukee Brewers but more important thank you Bishop Daniels and Holy Redeemer for preserving the history of the Negro League to keep showing our children that in history, we did matter, we do matter and no one can ever take that away. I had a great time.
Taking an initiative with men’s health 
Individuals representing area barbershops, health initiatives and the Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare and the American Cancer Society recently met at the Radisson Hotel to discuss prostate cancer and preventive healthcare. (photo Barbara White)
The Barbershop Men’s Health Initiative and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare hosted a special Father’s Day Dinner at the Radisson Hotel for men and their families to share information on one of the deadliest killers of Black men: Prostate Cancer. Many barbershops throughout the city of Milwaukee assisted in helping to educate Black men who are four times more likely to die from prostate cancer than any other race of men. The lead barbershop owners who promote early detection and medical check ups as part of good health prevention are one of I-Witness’ favorites Ray Bufford of Ray’s Clippers, Clarence Kelly of Admiracior Barber and Beauty Salon and Sid Fumbanks. These men along with many other barbershop owners have volunteered many hours to educate Black men who come through their shops on the dangers of prostate cancer and not having annual check ups. The program opened with the welcome and a nice healthy dinner. The guys and I chatted a bit and then listen to the presentation by Dr. Janice Polk who is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician with an interest in wellness and prevention who talked on the importance of early detection of prostate cancer. It was an interesting presentation, good static info, proper diet which needs to include more fruits and veggies but I thought the actual information regarding the prostate diseases sort of scared the men a bit more than educate and those at the table shared those feelings with me as well. I-Witness just thought they could have found another way to deliver the information and still get good results. Yes, give the real facts on the disease because it gives men options and empowers, but make sure that you keep bringing the message home: there is something that can be done to perhaps prevent prostate cancer. For instance, men should have annual visits to the doctor will at least give one a fighting chance if detected early. Talk about the research and new treatments being discovered daily in combating this horrible disease, rather then focusing on after you get it. Perhaps one of the things they really needed to talk about is the aspect of sex and the prostate as Denora Wallace brought out. All in all Dr. Janice Polk put good information out, it was just too harsh and what you don’t want to happen is have men pretending to listen to you and tune you out when you can be saving lives through preventive measures. On the program was a survivor panel where men who have prostate problems talked a bit about it. There was a question and answer session and a wrap up with a drawing where men received very nice Father’s Day gifts. What I really loved about this event was the daughters, mothers, aunts and sisters who all came out to be with their favorite guy on his day. Hey, Ray, Sid, Barbershop Men’s Health Initiative, Dr. Polk, and the Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Centers; you’re doing some good things out here. I have lost family members to this deadly disease, so I truly appreciate and applaud your efforts to empower Black men with information that can save their lives.
-30- About Prostate Cancer... No one knows where prostate cancers come from, but it begins in men around 50 years old, although, it has been found in men younger. Men have a gland called the prostate it is a walnut-sized organ in men located just below the bladder. It has two sections with a thin protective layer on the outside. The prostate gland main function is to help the creation of semen. Semen is the fluid that helps protect the sperm when a man has sex. A healthy prostate is important to a man in having good sexual function, and their ability to have children. It also is very important in the development of the male sex organs. There are three major prostate diseases. The enlargement of the Prostate, Prostatitis and Prostate cancer. An enlarged Prostate is a condition that is not cancerous, but it can cause uncomfortable urinary symptom and diminish the quality of your life. Symptoms include: Getting up to urinate two or more times a night, frequent urge to urinate, difficulty emptying your bladder and urination that starts and stops. The second kind is called Prostatitis here is where the prostate becomes inflamed and it affects men of all ages. Some of the signs and symptoms that you may have prostatitis: fever and chills, pressure in the area between your hips, pain in the area just above or next to the penis, pain during urination and pain or discomfort before or during ejaculation. If you have any of these symptoms, go and see a doctor showing these symptoms may require treatment with antibiotics. Lastly, if you have prostate cancer you may have many of the symptoms of the other two. Therefore, you must see a doctor to determine if you have the cancer. Prostate cancer is where cells grow out of control inside your body. These cells attack and destroy the prostate but equally as important if not detected early the cancer can spread to other parts of the body, like your bladder, colon, rectum, and bones. Practicing preventive healthcare having annual check ups, which includes regular blood tests and physical exams can help detect prostate cancer at its earliest stages thus saving your life.
You can touch I-Witness at o IwitnessMCJ@aol.com o Milwaukee Community Journal o 3612 North Martin Luther King Dr. o Milwaukee, WI 53212 o (414) 265-5300 o (414) 463-8590-fax o www.communityjournal.net |
