The Story that Caught my I...
A look at the Jena Six Crusade
It was history repeating itself all over again. A call was placed all over the nation to Black activists to embark upon Jena, Louisiana to call for fairness and equal justice regarding the charging of six Black teens with attempted murder for the alleged beating of a White teen.
The arrest of the Black youth has sparked national outage even by the President of the United States George Bush.
The racial tension stems from the hanging of nooses from a tree that was deemed a White student only tree. Black students asked the principal of the school if they could sit under the tree and the principal granted them permission.
The next day white rope nooses were hanged from inside the tree, sparking protest and rising racial tension among not only the students but also the town of Jena. The principal expelled the students who did it, but the school board overturned the explosion opting for only a three-day suspension.
In the meantime, a fight broke out between six Black male students and a White male student and the Black students who are now known as the Jena 6 were charged with attempted murder, the charges have since been reduced. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the conviction of Mychal Bell, who went to trial. Bell was convicted by an all White jury, and faced serving 22 years. Bell remains in jail with Judge J.P. Mauffray citing him as a danger to society, based on him having a prior violent record. Judge J.P. Mauffray admits his error in his decision because juvenile records are supposed to remain sealed and Bell was only 16 at the time.
Black people all over the nation were called on to wear black in solidarity with the Jena 6 and the thousands of activists that came from all across the nation to Jena to protest the "Lynching by Law" of the Jena 6.
Here it is again: "if you’re White, you’re all right; if you’re Black, get back."
I know it must be sad for many of you to think that in the year 2007, we continue to see that race does matter. The sad part of all of this is that many of us still, when we grow up, want to be White people. So, we turn our heads at the subtle hints of racism until it escalates and attacks our children.
Yes, the young men should have used a different means to express their outrage, but this society needs to understand that seeing nooses and being treated less than human being brings up bad memories for Black people. The mire fact that the students had to ask the principal if it was alright for them to sit under the tree says a whole lot about Jena and what they think of Black people.
Yes, these young men should be punished for poor judgment and that punishment should be under the direction of the school administrator, the principal and how he sees fit to handle it for not only the Jena 6, but the other White students as well. One of the greatest punishments for the White students--as well as the Jena 6--is that the White students be sentenced to organize and lead the march to get all charges dropped against the Jena 6.
Black people: let’s get conscious here. The "Blacker" and more colored this country gets, the more racial tension we are going to experience. In Jena, they are trying to use the laws they used one time in this country to deny Black people freedom of movement; deny us the right to read, vote and work for equal wages. It has been less then 60 years since we have been allowed to vote and allegedly have equal education to provide us equal opportunity in this country. Well in the words of the late Tyrone Davis, "this country is turning back the hands of time."
I-Witness thanks the Reverend Al Sharpton, the Reverend Jesse Jackson and all the freedom fighters nationwide as well as those who wore Black in Solidarity to say in one voice: Never, Never, Never Again. Atten--tion Salute!
2007 NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick addressed audience with inspiring message to evoke change, rejuvenate love for today’s youngsters
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick
The mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick addressed the audience during the recent 2007 NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner. As keynote speaker of the dinner, themed "Power of Measure," Kilpatrick left the audience uplifted, rejuvenated and ready for change. (photo by Barbara White)
The Milwaukee Branch NAACP hosted its 2007 Freedom Fund Dinner with a theme of "Power Beyond Measure" at the Midwest Center.
In 1924, the Milwaukee branch of the NAACP was formed to address the issues of segregation, lack of quality housing and other issues surrounding discrimination and racism.
As with all organizations it is the small few with vision to bring the big picture together, thus the few has sparked many to keep the presence of the NAACP active in the city of Milwaukee for more than 83 years.
It was a "who’s who" event and of course, the women looked gorgeous in their beautiful sparkling dresses. And the men ... well you know it: Black tied and looking handsome.
I-Witness was seated at the "Milwaukee Community Journal" table with her colleagues and guests: Eddie and Teretha Martin, Kenneth and Sharon Pitter-Jones and Catherine Tribble. Our server was Brittany; she was very attentive.
The Reverend Roosevelt Savage, pastor of Greater Spring Hill Missionary Baptist Church, performed the opening prayer. Faithe Colas, publisher of the "Milwaukee Courier" and co-host of "Black Nouveau" television show, was the Mistress of Ceremonies. The NAACP Youth Council then entered in processional along with the color guard to post the colors.
We all sang the "Star Spangled Banner" and the Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
Jerry Ann Hamilton-president of the Milwaukee Branch of the NAACP welcomed us by saying: "We celebrate with our friends and we celebrate our victories. And without you, we can’t do what we do, and I thank you."
Chaz Hamilton, Wisconsin State Youth Council president, shared bright words with us, giving us much hope for the future.
Frank Humphrey, NAACP National Board Member, talked of the upcoming 2008 elections and stated that the NAACP will speak to power. Additionally, he touched on the Jena 6 in Jena, Louisiana with a special appeal that we must support them. He thanked Hamilton for committing an additional $5,000 to the national branch.
NAACP State President Tom White, Mayor Tom Barrett, Senator Lena Taylor, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Tim Mahone representing Governor Doyle and Hattie Daniels-Russ representing County Executive Scott Walker all thanked and congratulated the NAACP.
Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler, County Board Chairman Lee Holloway, Supervisors Beth Coggs-Jones, Toni Clark, Willie Johnson and State Representatives Polly Williams and Barbara Toles as well as Alderman Michael Shields of Racine, Wisconsin (who has been re-elected) were some of the dignitaries and politicians in attendance.
Justin Knox, National Convention ACT-SO Competition 2007 Silver Medalist, entertained us with a classical performance.
The Reverend John K. Patterson, pastor of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, performed the invocation, while Tony Neal and his band entertained us during dinner. They are really good.
Hamilton returned to thank all the sponsors whose representatives shared a few words with us. The NAACP also presented their Power Beyond Measure Award to Thelma Sias, who was unable to attend, but Judge Maxine White accepted on her behalf. Judge White articulate words of appreciation that we all know that would make Thelma proud. Alfonso Lambert was the recipient of the NAACP WEB Dubois Award for all his hard work and volunteerism.
Senator Lena Taylor did the introduction of the keynote speaker, the Honorable Kwame Kilpatrick, mayor of the City of Detroit. As the mayor stood up to a stand ovation Tony Neal and Company sang "Wind beneath my Wings."
As the youngest mayor in the nation of any large American city, the Honorable Kilpatrick is the 60th mayor of the Auto Capitol, which has seen some bad times, as have many cities with major Black populations.
Kilpatrick--a former Detroit state representative, educator, Alpha Phi Alpha and, as Senator Taylor kept reminding us of, the son of a congresswoman, a husband and father of four--is showing the world that "Yes, We Can, Can." He, in his first term, is bringing Detroit back to a cursor and bow, a new renaissance. In his first term, he has recruited over 70 new businesses to Detroit, implemented a $2 billion redevelopment of Detroit’s Riverfront, which includes business, retail, residential units and the largest urban state park. He has shown great skill at bringing coalitions together by to preserve $45 million for hospitals serving low-income people.
Kilpatrick thanked everyone and paid tribute to Congresswoman Moore who works with his mom in the Congress.
He shared with us that how we use our power is important, as he brought up the Jena 6 and the racist attitudes that seem to be rising. "We must begin to exercise the seven habits of highly effective people," he said.
He also carried us through our history in this country: beginning in the 1600s when we arrived like dogs in a ship to the 1700s when we were on the plantation system and met the original terrorist in this country. He went on throughout the centuries, sharing with us the plight and growth of African Americans, as a people. He went on to say that now that the 21st Century has come, we need an "ahh ha moment," as no revolution has ever taken place without young people in front of it. Another ahh ha moment.
As he neared the end of his speech, he shared a very interesting and important story; one that summed his message for the evening. He shared with us an experience with a roommate in college.
He started by saying that he wasn’t the greatest student and that in high school, he only had a 2.2 grade point average. All he wanted to do was play football. He was a social butterfly and thought he was "the stuff" when he got to the Florida A&M campus ... until he met the football team, and particularly one player on the team: Tim Green.
He and Tim didn’t quite hit it off so well. He asked the coach, who was assigning rooms, not to put him in the room with Green, only to find that the coach did the exact opposite and put the two together.
After rooming together, he found that Green was a very focused person. Instead of following Kilpatrick, who had pictures of women and sports figures on his wall, Green aligned his wall with a calendar of when and how long he would study. When Kilpatrick would ask Green to party, Green would refuse.
It wasn’t until Kilpatrick accompanied Green to his grandmother’s funeral that he got the full understanding of him. Green came from a town of 150 people; a town where he was the first person in the history of the town--Barney, Georgia--to ever go to college and the first to ever graduate from high school.
Kilpatrick said that Green told him: "now you see why I do not party. The hopes and dreams of all those people are on my shoulders and if I fail, the whole town would die."
Green shared with Kilpatrick that though he didn’t come from a small town, he was in the same situation and was a fool for not recognizing that. After hearing that message from Green, Kilpatrick said he graduated with honors from college and law school.
"The entire hopes and dreams of those who live on our blocks depend on us. And if you fail at your responsibility, they too fail. I came to share that with you," he said.
In closing, he talked of his own children and shared cute stories about them.
In one anecdote, he shared that one day he tore up a newspaper and told his children to put it back together. After five minutes, the children were done and when asked how they’d finished so fast. He said his son told him that the other side of the newspaper had a picture of children on it and when they put the children’s faces back together, they were able to put the newspaper together.
Kilpatrick said: "When we put the children together, the whole world comes together. It is time to put the children back together. Thank you." Everyone in the house was on his or her feet in a standing ovation.
Hey, NAACP: I had a great time, the evening as well as your keynote speaker was very inspiring. Eighty-three years ago, the NAACP and others were passed on a fight to slay a monster called racism and to gain human rights for all human kind. While the monster has not been killed yet, it is getting weaker thanks to your efforts and all others that believe in freedom.
Men Commissioned to Develop Ministries
The men of Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ hosted its annual men’s day celebration, where they all praised and rejoiced in the Name of the Lord. (photo by Barbara White)
Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ hosted its Annual Men’s Day Celebration, titled: "Men Commissioned to Develop Ministries" held at Holy Redeemer. Bishop Sedgwick Daniels, the establishmentarian and Brother Ayinde Gary, chairman.
Men’s Day is celebrated at many churches once a year to display the works of the men who have labored as faithful stewardships all year. It is the men who lead in the call of the needs of the church. Yes, they do the work but they also have to exhibit respectful behavior not only to themselves but also to all they encounter.
It was a full house at Holy Redeemer; it was a day that as soon as you walked through the door you felt the smile of the Creator sparkling, showing the souls of all. The church was the brightest I have ever seen it. Something was different and it was yet to be revealed.
On this Sunday, the service was dedicated to the men and they were like sparkling light in their nice suits or whatever they chose to wear.
The worship leaders entered as the congregation sang how they were feeling in their welcome, followed by the commencing of the program. Kwame Kilpatrick, the mayor of Detroit, and a representative from W.H. Brady Company stopped by briefly to fellowship.
The Ministry of Music brought the Warriors to put a song in our hearts. There was the Intercessory Prayer of Faith, as Brother Gaulien (Gee) Smith became the Voice of Hospitality. We heard the Announcements as well as the Ministry of Music enchanting us with the Male Chorus. Brother Divontae Young gave us Tribute as the Ministry of Giving followed with God’s Tithe and Offering. Again, the Male Chorus serenaded us in the spirit of the angels and we soon heard the Voice of the Bishop.
Then there was the Word of God, in two parts. First, the Reverend Ron Owens of Louisville, Kentucky carried us there. He talked of the love and miracles of God and when Jesus came to raise Lazarus from the dead. He states: "What do I do when it looks like Jesus ain’t coming and it gets bad, then worse. In spite of how bad it gets, I have to praise God because something is going to happen."
There was the call to discipleship and the Reverend Owens urged: "Men reconnect with you, your wives and children to move from dilemma to deliverance. Yesterday is plaguing us, but God says today you can be free." He invited men to come up.
He asked if there are any men who want to be rid of yesterday: child abuse, sexual assault; "any pain of yesterday that we want to be rid of Jesus is able."
I-Witness saw the miracle, y’all over 200 Black men came forward. Elders, young men, little boys some with flowing tears, hands rose surrendering to the Creator asking for inner peace in their lives. I saw the miracle: Black men wanting to give love as well as being loved and respected as men it brought tears of joy to my eyes.
Bishop Daniels then introduced the Chairman’s Circle of Men--those who have donated $500 or more--and the Bishops Circle of Men--those who have donated $1,000 or more. The Bishop thanked them and gifted them with a certificate and a Mother of Pearl Black Onyx Pen. The Bishop’s Circle also received the world, really a beautiful globe.
Every man received a certificate of appreciation. He said this year the men raised over $100,000 with the Bishop himself giving $10,000; there was applause all over the church.
Bishop then asked every man to come forward so he could show his appreciation to them. Watching the men made your heart beam. Then the men had a few more surprises stored.
We were all going to take a walk as the Bishop asked the drummers to give him a beat. The drummers began and everyone followed the drummers and the Bishop out the door. We walked over nine blocks, crossing railroad tracks. It was as if we were on a freedom march as we headed to an old W.H. Brady building that has been gifted to Holy Redeemer.
Red ribbon crossed the doors of the new building that will now be called the Mother Kathryn Daniels Youth Empowerment Initiative. It is here that young people will learn the trades, plumbing, carpentry, and construction. It will serve as a youth employment center as well.
The young people will reconstruct the building as they learn the skills of the trades, I loved it! It brought tears to my eyes, I saw another miracle and it was not even Monday yet. Holla! I want y’all to know the Bishop walked those nine blocks right along with every one else, over 300 people took that walk.
Okay so you think we are done, no there was the walk back to the church as Bishop unveiled another miracle. Bishop Daniels began to talk about the state of health regarding Black people; he talked of how we have to start taking better care of ourselves.
He thanked the many members who worked on this project. Just as the Youth Empowerment Initiative doors were covered in red ribbon a new set of doors were too covered. With scissors in hand, the Bishop chanted, "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost," as he cut the ribbon, opening the door for all to see the new fitness center. There were treadmills, weight machines, bikes anything you need to start getting in shape to live a better life. Folks just ooooh and ahhhed.
The fitness center will be open to seniors and physically challenged during the day but every one is welcome to come. Afterwards there were refreshments.
Hey, Bishop Daniels, "I believe in Miracles, Yahooooo, Miracles" and I know you are out here on faith. It was a wonderful service. I was so proud of the men in the church who are not afraid of work, to dream and to pray.
Every time I come to Holy Redeemer, Jesus shows me a miracle, in the words of your congregation, God is the Glory for the things he has done and we thank God. Atten--tion Salute.
Breakfast for sons and dads
Area fathers were all smiles during a recent "Breakfast with Dad" held at New Concepts. (photo by Barbara White)
The Fatherhood Initiative under, the direction of Albert Holmes, hosted its annual "Breakfast with Dad" at New Concepts. If you have ever gone to the Father and Son Breakfast, you are in for a treat. They laid it out: country sausage gravy with hot biscuits, eggs, bacon, French toast, smothered potatoes, chicken, fresh and tree fruit, cereal, the best coffee and every kind of Sunny Delight juice you can name. Holla!
The Father’s Initiative is the oldest organization to work with fathers in the city of Milwaukee. They are about re-connecting fathers with their families, assisting with employment issues, the courts, and child support.
Today, the men and their sons had breakfast and attended workshops on their different interest. Dr. David Pate, associate professor of Social Work at UW-Milwaukee, presented health issues. He is doing a focus group on men’s health, and moving around the city he has found so far that men do not have access to health care.
Commissioner Cedric Cornwell of Milwaukee Circuit Courts assisted the men with their driver’s license issues, DeAngela M. Ellis of Legal Action of Wisconsin; Inc. assisted the men with any legal advice on child custody and other legal problems. Lisa Marks, executive director of Milwaukee Child Support Enforcement helped the men to meet their obligations.
While it is called Breakfast with Dad, it is a family affair where moms also came to have breakfast with their sons. The Breakfast with Dad has now been instituted as a monthly breakfast where it will be hosted in different parts of the city with different demographics to also take a closer look at the issues of health for men.
Many people attended the breakfast for different reasons.
Beverly and her son Demare Lacy attended the breakfast. Demare is 19-years-old. Mom states, "I was invited and being a single mom, I wanted to attend this breakfast with my son."
Jowann Alexander states he came because he is tired and wants to gain access to better resources. "I have tried all there is on the streets. I have been to jail all of it. I am here to get a better chance at life. I have three children 6-, 13-, and 14-years-old; I have been with them from birth. I am here for whatever resources they can offer, I want it.
"Today is the first time I have seen light at the end of the tunnel and I have not seen any light in years," he said. I almost cried because I could feel him.
Seeing these guys at the Father Initiative and Albert Holmes, who is very passionate and committed to making a difference in the lives of fathers and their families, is heart warming. Of course, I-Witness loved the fellowship and that the men cooked and all she had to do was eat, Holla!
Hey, Albert thank you, for the wonderful breakfast. You know you know how to cook some stuff, Holla! More so I know you know how to love somebody once they reach for your hand, you do not turn them a loose until they tell you. That is what soldiers do guide, defend and protect. Atten--tion Salute! |
