Keep It Movin

Another week has come and gone and the challenges of urban America continue to grow.  Many of these challenges are well documented by the media and have become conversations at town hall meetings, community centers, Faith Based organizations and at houses of faith.  The solutions to these growing issues have so far resulted in a few if any noteworthy outcomes.  Needless to say, more work needs to be done and more people need to become actively engaged in the overall process to find answers. 

There are a number of ways in which to view what is happening in urban America.  On one hand, these growing challenges include high rates of poverty, increasing gun and domestic violence, a growing drug trade, expanding urban food deserts, limited access to health care, and lack of affordable quality housing and finding a livable wage job.   On another hand these growing challenges require additional social and governmental services to manage and deal with each unique crisis.  This in turn has created jobs in the areas of human services, social work, law enforcement, mental health and health care. 

Yet on another hand these growing challenges have create an illuminating cultural awareness that seemly looks the other way, ignores the “bad and ugly” and only focuses on things, programs, construction projects and initiatives that help bring out the best of the city.  This is not an uncommon attitude or position to have in terms of how people want their city to be perceived by others, big business, future conferences and for major sporting events.    

To be clear about it, we all desire that our urban city be seen in a positive light and as a city on the move, with things to do, place’s to go, exciting entertainment, sports, promising careers and wonderful people.  In addition, we all want the very best for ourselves, family, neighbors and community.  However, the truth is just as hard to face and to deal with when we know that so much of what we desire for a certain aspect of our city is not going to happen anytime soon.  In the true light of indifference and complex views in perceptions of what is a “great city,” we will always struggle to find a direction that fits.   Regardless of what is happening around us, we “cannot stop” moving forward.  What do you think?              

Dr. Andrew Calhoun, can be contacted at andrewiiicalhoun@gmail.com, and Facebook.   You can hear Dr. Calhoun each Sunday at Grace Fellowship Church, 3879 N. Port Washington Rd. Milwaukee 414-688-4964.