Black People are the First Wonder of the World--

"Until the Lion writes his own story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter."

---African proverb ---

Thoughts for the Week

The one thing that separates me from my dreams is my reality; you must confront your reality to live your dreams...
--Jermaine Walker

Holla-Outs

To: Michael Westmoreland. Hey, Michael just want to Holla-out at you!

Hey, Torrie Hodge and Tyson Kimble over at Silent Financial in Brookfield; just wanted to Holla at you!

Hey, Shantel Bacchus, president of the Urban League Young Professions and one of I-Witness’ favorites. I heard the Annual White Linen Evening was a smash. Sorry I could not attend but I know the party must still go on even without me, Holla!

Hey, Renee Bebeau just wanted to Holla-out at you.

Hey, Tarence Spence, musical director of Ko-Thi Dance Company. I thought I would just give the drummer a song, Holla!

Birthday Holla-Outs

Hey, Ashley in Atlanta, Georgia. Psssst, don’t tell everybody but you know, you are my favorite niece and it’s your birthday so I wanted to sing to you; "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you, Hap-py Birthday." Psssst, make sure you do not tell your cousin, Nini, you are my favorite niece, Holla!

Psssst...

Dashal Young, Community Liaison of the County Executive Scott Walker has a new job at Milwaukee County. He now works in Human Resource Department. Commissioner Hattie Daniels of Holy Redeemer COGIC will become the new Community Liaison for the County Execute and former Alderman Tom Nardelli will become Walker’s new "Chief of Staff."

Condolences

Our prayers go out to Ray Harmon and family on the recent passing of his mother, Mary Harmon.

Congratulations

To: Charles Green Jr. You know I knew you when you were still in the oven baking. Your father Charles was in the service over in Germany. After you were born, you got pretty sick and your father needed to come home to be with you and your mother, Lisa Hillman-Green. I want you to know with the help of Senator Herb Kohl’s office we brought your father home to be with you to help you get through the tough times. It was the first time in Wisconsin’s history that a "hardship case" was granted during wartime. Now you are all grown up and I hear you have made us all proud. As a graduate of Messmer High School, you now have your photo on the building because you did some good stuff there and now you are a sophomore at Columbia University in New York, you go Charles. Keep advancing that next generation, I love it! Holla!

Hey, Lieutenant Underwood over at Firehouse Engine 18 of the Red Shift. I heard you did excellent work on Holton and Nash. You know what I think of firefighters we cannot begin to pay you enough money for what y’all do and I always want all of you to know how much we appreciate you, Atten--tion Salute!

At first I thought it was an "April Fool’s Joke" when I heard that there would be public hearings held on the possible closing of the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center and the Kosciuszko Community Center. The hearings would be held to seek other ways to keep the two centers open.
Then I attended the hearing at Washington Park Senior Center and heard it with my own ears. The County budget is soon to begin and all department heads were asked to come in with a targeted budget. Well Parks Director Sue Black came back with recommendations to close both community centers. According to many, she did it as a choice to close the centers or close the park's swimming pools..
I-Witness has been to both of those centers and I know the good work that they are doing for families. These centers are lifelines to many Black children, poor and working class families.
Well Scott, in my opinion, she and all her staff that came up with this idea should be fired and perhaps you need to ride on the boat with them for even considering such non-sense
I don’t know about Sue Black, but I know you, Scott Walker, have children. To allow someone to bring something this stupid to you; you should have fired her on the spot. She definitely did not have the best interest of Milwaukee County or you but more importantly, the children of Milwaukee County in mind when she came up with this.
If you and your folks continue to advance this genocidal attempt against Black Children and their families, as well as poor and working class families ya’ll should be charged with war crimes against humanity. How does one even conceive a plan that sets out to destroy hope for generations of children and families, denying them opportunities not only to the American Dream but opportunity to a quality of life and a pursuit to happiness that all Americans are entitled to? These centers offer opportunities to children to be children to be structured, to learn, to be socialable but equally as important, they provide a safe and nurturing environment where families can united in harmony and pursue the dreams of their desires. As adults, we are all our children’s keepers.
To continue to allow your folks to attack children will seal your coffin. You have an opportunity now to be a real County Executive by displaying leadership. Not only by finding the money to keep the pools open and the two community centers, but also increase the budgets of these two community centers as well as others while restoring employment positions at the center along with a no-increase in bus fare. Find the money like you did for the museum.
I am going to help you out here. As County Executive, you go to the state and federal governing bodies along with representatives from the county board and ya’ll start fighting like hell for taxpayers and the citizenry of Milwaukee County. Go start pissing some folks off into action, telling them on behalf of over 1 million people in Milwaukee County, we demand that you take this rope off our neck and start working with us to make this a better Wisconsin for all its citizens.
Or else all the ills and suffrage of our county will all be at their front door pretty soon. Allowing human suffrage and denying quality of life basics any where especially to children is a crime and an injury to one is an injury to all humans every where. It is time you start fighting for us here in Milwaukee County for our fair share. We know you are no Muhammad Ali but Joe Frazier was not bad, so start acting like him.
Yes, Taxpayers mind when you waste their money on non-sense where they see no results for their money, but taxpayers understand and are willing to pay when they can get a big bang for their dollar and see the results for it. The Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center and the Kosciuszko Community Center produce results, big bangs and they are both worthy of even more taxpayer’s investment just like the museum.
When you allow children to be attacked in this unnatural matter evil will prevail.
Scott, leadership requires taking risks. White folks will not get mad at you for doing what is right, but keep allowing folks to lead you down the river and Blacks folks, other people of color and the working poor will bury you. You needed to hear this, enough said…

A royal wedding for a royal couple

Kwabena Antoine Nixon and Tina "Jazzi" Pulley (center) pose with their bridal party in front of the Tripoli Shrine Center, where their wedding and reception was recently held. (photo by Barbara White)

Nationally renowned poets Kwabena Antoine Nixon (the People’s Champ), the son of Patricia Warfield and grandson of Anne Mae Nixon. Tina Jazzi Pulley the daughter of Dorothy Missouri (her mom Patricia Durr who is deceased) and the granddaughter of Josie Thomas were pronounced husband and wife, before a full house of their friends and family at the Tripoli Shrine Center.
The Tripoli Shrine Center is a beautiful place of colorful ancient Islamic or Egyptian etching, a colorful water fountain sprint in the middle of the rotunda and a staircase to die for. On one side of the staircase, candles lined the stairs for the bottom to it highest peak flicking lights of love. The wedding colors were silver, black and white, a real tuxedo appearance.
The ceremony opens with Oshi Adelabu with Libation. El-Amin B. Abudullah did prayer in both Arabic and English. The families entered and a musical selection by Lorenzo Owens and Carmen Mitchell. The groom entered to cheers of "Oh, Oh, Oh" as the women called out his name I loved it! The groomsmen followed and my sistas talk about some fine looking brothas, all had on Black Tuxedos and they were too sharp, made a girl go "mmmmm," Holla!
The bridesmaids came down the stairs looking gorgeous as the groomsmen escorted them to their place. Lorenzo Owens and Carmen Mitchell sang to us again and they burned up.
The little ring bearer made his entrance known he was so cute dressed in his tuxedo trying to remember which way he was supposed to go, he was too cute.
As the bride to be entered the rotunda for all to view in her beautiful white gown, all stood and ooooh and ahhhed as she and her father, Walter Missouri, strode the rose pedal aisle to greet her future husband the People’s Champ awaiting to take her as his wife.
The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Jones. He did prayer and then he chatted with the almost couple about life and then he began by having them take hands, Jazzi went first professing her love for him beginning from the first day they met. She was followed by her groom who pledged to love her forever. The whole room is misty-eyed ya’ll, some folks are crying real tears.
The Rev. Jones with the power of the Creator pronounced the couple Husband and Wife and told the husband he could kiss the bride. Boy, through tears and joy did they do a big wet one, Holla! The newlyweds did the African tradition of jumping the broom.
The Reception was also held at the Tripoli Shrine Center, they have this gorgeous ballroom fit for a King and Queen, chandlers and all. It has a full stage with a theatre sound system and stage lights. The place was decorated in white, black and silver the chairs had black seat covers with bows.
I was seated with Brad Prvitt, Debbie Timko, Ryan Baker, Christal Johnson and Khalid and Annison Wolid. As the newlyweds were toasted by their guest. There was a family style dinner of real garlic and parley mashed potatoes with real cream and butter, baked seasoned chicken, salad and corn. There were all kinds of gourmet coffee and other drinks. After the toast, the couple began greeting their guest at each table, which looked like they would be doing that all night it was so many people.
The bride threw the boutique and yes, girls were gone wild. The People’s Champ took off the garter and he was having big fun Holla!
WNOV Radio Personality Hoooo-mer Blow starts to rock the house and the celebration began. Former Mayor Pratt though he was John Travolta, he really thought he was in his own version of Saturday Night Fever. He was a real dance machine, Holla!
Hey, Kwabena and Jazzi, the wedding was beautiful and the two of you make a wonderful couple. I had a good time. I say to the both of you always follow your heart, follow it like you would the brightest star in the sky, because it’s your Creator guiding you now. Let blessings continue to fall on your head as if rain drops. Congratulations.

Welcome Back Chief Holton

Fire Chief Douglas Holton (center) stands with his supporters during his recent welcom home reception. (photo by Barbara White)

The Milwaukee Brotherhood of Firefighters, Dewayne Smoots, Steve Stricklin, Jeff Johnson, Jeff Quezaire, County Supervisor Toni Clark and Michelle Allison of Community Connections hosted a Welcome Back and Congratulations to Douglas Holton, the First African American Chief Of the Milwaukee Fire Department at Soche’ Milwaukee.
Friends, fellow firefighters joined the new Chief in his formula reintroduction to the city of Milwaukee in his new role. State Senator Spencer Coggs, Fire Fighters Union President Local 215 Bobbie Webber, State Rep. Barbara Toles, Rosemary Smitty, Lonnie Smith, Redonna Rogers, Sharon Robinson, liaison for the mayor, Freida Johnson, Common Council President Willie Hines, Shantel Bacchus, Bathena Webber and Sheila Ashley of HUD all turned out to welcome and congratulate him.
There was great fun prepared by Chef Dion and Staff as well as lots of laughter and chatter.
The Chief was joined by his wife Josie, who he thanked and told her: "now I have brought you back home." Bama Grice, Una Van Duvall, Stephanie Findley and Deputy Chief Peggy Jones were in the house now.
There was a short greeting of the guest and Chief Holton shared a few words with us. "I thank all of you and it’s good to be back home. I didn’t get here alone," he said, "JJ-Jeff of Engine 9, Oshi Adelabu, Bobbie Webber stood the trials for the opportunity I have now."
He continues, "I cannot do it alone so let us work hard; I am willing to work with everyone. Thank you so much."
Hey Chief Holton, the citizens of Milwaukee truly wish you the best. As our New Chief your experience and leadership will make our city a safer place. Wishing you the best in your new endeavor.

And It’s Out the Park

With a full count of 3/2, the seven times MVP of the San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds is now the new Home run king of baseball with 756 home runs breaking the record of Henry Aaron who has 755.
Bonds, who has been under the public eye for alleged use of steroids, which are considered enhancers to make one perform better, has not really received a good welcoming.
Baseball Commissioner Bud Seglic as well as the former home run king Henry Aaron has been a bit cool on the Barry Bonds situation.
Bonds has not been convicted of any use of steroids, so we must give a person a presumption of innocence.
I-Witness truly understands the feelings of Henry Aaron. In his hay day he had to deal with staying a live; folks wanted to kill him because he was a Black man about to break Babe Ruth’s home run record. There were many things he as a Black man had to endure to become the home run king. In addition, to watch your record broken under such clouded non-sense I can see it.
Henry let me say, and again I do understand the difference in what you had to go through. Whether Bonds used steroids or not, you know and I know, one, he had to see the ball and two he had to hit it and he did both. Therefore, the talent was there. He is not a 7-time MVP for nothing.
Let’s work on the assumption of his innocence and celebrate the man. You were a trailblazer, for it takes nothing from you. You did your job well. You were courageous enough to set the pace, enduring all the racism thrown at you, but you made them call you the Home Run King.

Go Tiger, Go Tiger, Go...

Tiger Woods wins it all the Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship.
He is bad. In a come from behind stance, Tiger showed the world why he is No. 1. You Go Tiger!

Fabulous 50s
Alicia Jackson celebrates her fabulous birthday in style

Alicia Jackson (center) poses with her husband, Warner, and her daughter, Krissy, during her all-white 50th birthday extravaganza. (photo by Barbara White)

Ok ya’ll … I’ve been to the parties where women turned the new age, but I have not been to one like this. Recently there was an Oprah Winfrey-style birthday party all the way.
Alicia Jackson celebrated her birthday in grand style. Ride with me. Imagine a 7-acre back yard beautifully decorated, tables covered with white cloth linen with bows, flicking candles, fresh cut huge white roses graced every table, a fully lit stage, with burning torches every where.
Two bars, one solely for Martinis that were served in flashing light martini glasses. In addition a patio deck filled with those beautiful white roses, the sound of music every where, along with all your friends and family dressed in white linen there to celebrate you on your 50th birthday. It was simply elegant.
Well it was Alicia’s 50th birthday and her husband threw her a gala she will never forget. It was a who’s who with many of Alicia’s friends and family celebrating with her.
Folks were really having a great time sipping martinis with names like Love and Appleness, Lemon Drop Fiftini, Blue Raspberry Mo Better Blues and the X-Rated Aliciatini. Marica Goins of Bartending on Wheels, was our sever.
Wine and Roses catered the food, there was chicken, shrimp kasabobs, pork and beef tenderloin, shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon, shrimp, and chicken gumbos it was a major spread.
Alicia received numerous gifts, but the best one was from her daughter Krissy who appears in People Magazine as a model posing as Presidential Candidate Giuliani’s Girls in New York. She surprised her mom on television on Fox News 6. As Krissy was being interviewed on television she said: "Hi Mom I am right down the street I came home to surprise you for your birthday. Alicia was too surprised as she watched her daughter on TV."
It was a good time. Her husband, Warner Jackson and one of several hosts Linda Sowell brought Alicia to the stage. Tamara Stewart sang a special birthday tribute to Alicia. Warner said that putting the party together with the other hosts felt like he had four wives, all of them telling him what to do. There was a champagne toast to the woman of the hour, then everyone lit up their firework sprinklers lighting up the back yard like the 4 of July, in honor of the birthday girl; she was outdone.
The party was on, folks were on the deck in the back yard doing the slide to "Do yo thang" it was a party.
All the guest were sent home with a gift from Alicia, in a gift bag filled with many gifts, a small bottle of champagne, mini bottles of different alcoholic beverages, a CD of Alicia’s favorite Ol’ School Music with her picture on it and of course, the lighted Martini glasses. I loved it!
Hey, Alicia ya’ll almost had me singing the "Star Spangle Banner!" I know you will forever remember the day when you turned the new age, grown and sassy, Happy Birthday, wishing you a hundred more.

The Allison 5th Family Reunion

Hip-Hop Queens Carol, Michelle, and Jr. Hip-Hop Queen Jailyn Allison joined their family for the Fifth Allison Family Reunion at Dineen Park. It was a Family reunion, the children were playing with the geese at the lagoon, playing games, and the elders were catching up on the latest of family happenings and doing my favorite subject eating watermelon and all sorts of foods.
Aunt Lula and Aunt Janice were in the back under the shade cooling out with the triplets, three boys all looking just alike they were gorgeous.
Of course, there is no family gathering with dominoes; yes, all the red shirts were waiting their turn to be the dominoes, kings or queens.
They had the family chart of the Allison’s on the wall so you could chart whom you belonged to, of course, I-Witness was there and I found out I was adapted by my Aunts Lula and Janice, Holla!
It is always a joy to see children have fun, being able to run free and simply be children and then to see families having a good time especially jocking over the dominoes.
To all the Allison’s, I had a good time, thanks for making me a part of the family.

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