A New Agenda

The annual “State of the Union” address has always been something that most Americans pay a lot of attention to, especially when there is a lot at stake for the nation and the world.  Over the past six years the “State of the Union” addresses have been more closely watched since President Barack Obama (the first Black President) has been in office.  In particular his addresses have been more scrutinize than other former US Presidents and many believe it is because he is Black. 

Regardless of what others think or believe; our nation is in a far better place than when President Obama was first elected in 2008. It has been quite remarkable, the stock market has doubled to all-time highs, we are out of combat roles in two countries, over 10 million more Americans can now afford health insurance, the economy is coming back, unemployment is coming down, graduation rates are improving, immigration reform, the housing market is rebounding and we now lead the world in oil production, natural gas and renewable energy.  Of course this is only the short list of his accomplishments.

Many people have considerable differences with President Obama and some of that is expected and some of it does not make any sense.  Every President will have distractors, doubters, haters and opposition.  It comes with the territory and many see it as more about the political process than being personal.  In the case of President Obama, I believe it is more of the ladder, it is personal, and its deep and it is about “race.”   However, President Obama keeps on going and moving forward and working for all Americans regardless of their culture, ethnic group, faith, race or creed.  His primary agenda as he believe is... “to protest the best interests of all Americans.”   

During the “State of the Union” address this year, President Obama laid out a bold and new agenda for the nation as he declared the "state of the union strong."  In so many ways he covered it all or what he sees as the most glaring issues facing most Americans and the nation.  These included rising taxes on the rich, racial tensions, income inequality, making community college education free and developing safeguards against cyber-attacks.   Well as expected that ruffles the feathers of a lot of people, who have other intensions and want to take the nation into another direction all together. Well, until I hear another plan that is far better than what the President laid out, then this is the new road map.   What do you think?            

Dr. Andrew Calhoun, can be contacted at andrewiiicalhoun@gmail.com, Twitter #AC53, and Facebook.   You can hear Dr. Calhoun each Sunday at Grace Fellowship Church, 3879 N. Port Washington Rd. Milwaukee 414-265-5546.  

A New Selma

The recent opening of the major motion picture “Selma” has enabled a new generation to take a stroll back into history to one of the most significant events of the Civil Rights Movement in America.   It was Sunday, March 7, 1965, when nearly 600 hundred people began a fifty-four mile march from Selma to the state capital of Montgomery.  This event was a part of the Selma Voting Rights Movement and was planned to commemorate the shooting death of Jimmie Lee Jackson, who was shot just three week earlier by a state trooper while he was trying to protect his mother at a civil rights demonstration.  

It was on this peaceful march from Selma to Montgomery in which the demonstrators were attached and brutally assaulted after they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge by state troopers and deputies.  What happen next was unbelievable and was caught by photographers and journalists as they were reporting on this event to the nation and the world.  That Sunday became known as “Bloody Sunday.”  Because of what occurred on that Sunday, more people came to Selma and joined the march.  Seeking judicial relief and help from the White House, day by day more pressure was building for intervention.  On March 17, the judge granted a restraining order that would allow the demonstrators to continue their march to Montgomery.   Over 2000 federalized National Guard, FBI and US Marshalls were assigned to provide protection for the demonstrators as they continued on their journey.  On March 25, 1965, well over 25,000 people stood before the state capitol in Montgomery, with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking.      

As a director consequence of the events that occurred during this March to Selma, President Johnson was able to call the Congress back into session and passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, in which guarantees every American Twenty-one and over the right to register and vote.  And because of that and within four years the number of blacks eligible to vote rose from 23 to 61 percent. 

 

When you think about it, what started out as a simple demonstration and marching 54 miles by a group of about 600 people, turned into some far greater, more meaningful and became a lightning rod for the movement and helped to pass Landmark legislation.  This coming March will be the 50^th Anniversary of that historical march and boy has things changed in Selma, AL since then.  There is no problem crossing that bridge today!  We can all learn something from Selma.  What do you think?            

 Dr. Andrew Calhoun, can be contacted at andrewiiicalhoun@gmail.com, Twitter #AC53, and Facebook.   You can hear Dr. Calhoun each Sunday at Grace Fellowship Church, 3879 N. Port Washington Rd. Milwaukee 414-265-5546.  

Just One More Thing

Don’t look now... we are picking up where we left off in 2014 in Milwaukee... more gun violence in our community.   For most of us as we witness a turnaround in the economy, stock markets rising to new heights, gas prices coming down, troops coming home, more Americans getting health insurance, more assistance being given towards keeping people in their homes... we all were hoping for the best and praying for a sharp reduction in crime as well.   That was my hopes and I am sure I was not alone.  But here we are and already people have been shot and killed in homes, cars and on the street... and they are were Black. 

 Recently, I reviewed the crime statistics in Milwaukee since 2005 and many things stood out... 926 homicides and over 4000 non-fatal shootings over the past 10 years.  Yes!  When you see the chart, your eyes, head and heart will begin to hurt.  This tells me that nearly 5000 families have also been affected, traumatize and also have become victims in a vicious cycle that seems to never end.   However, the more glaring stat that stands out is that nearly 80% in each category, the victim and the suspect were Black.   

And when you add it all up, the persistent Black on Black crime is unacceptable.  Life is hard enough as it is to just make it, find a livable wage job, affordable housing, get an education... but to continue down this path of community self-destruction through gun violence is beyond and defy common sense or logistic.  The varied opinions, endless debates over what is good for the community; by so many who chose to look the other way, others who will not discuss it and some who just give lip service...  is also a matter of grave concern.   

 

What will it take to change the situation, environment, minds and hearts of those who see no way out but to resolve their issues through the only means possible is a mystery?   Is it because of a lack of education, feelings of hopelessness, desperation, poverty, mental health, no jobs, rejection, drug use, depression, oppression, left behind, and racism ... or have we just lost our way in the New Jim Crow.   Can it be that we as a nation have lost our moral compass and have created a culture that only benefits the rich while taking more from the poor?   Have we found it acceptable to have a permanent underclass of citizens that are always kept from reaching the ladders of opportunity or have the ability meet the rising bar of expectations?  The issues are very complex, hard to put your hands around... but each day the beat goes on, on and on.   And you know what, Milwaukee is not alone.    What do you think?            

A New Narrative

Wow!!! 2015 is here and has begun in earnest.  It’s the beginning of a new day, a time to make some New Year resolutions, lose some weight, find a new job, set some goals, improve oneself by taking a few courses, learn a trade, retire, worry less, take a needed vacation or just enjoy life more.   Regardless of what will be your experiences in this New Year, this year will be different for all of us, for we are not the same persons we  were last year. 

One major factor is our development comes from the impact of those events and things that affected us so greatly in 2014.   Those occurrences became a part of our social consciousness and that alone has altered our perspectives, hopes and dreams for 2015.  We all have been changed and challenged by things in 2014, some were good, some were so-so and others have been difficult to comprehend, to say the least. Each of us has a list, counted them twice and prayed about them countless times.  

Last year was something else and we can surely expect that this year will be full of surprises as well.  Many things changed and will continue to evolve as the year progresses simply because we do not know what the future holds.  Will we experience that breakthrough we long for, obtain that degree or training skill needed to move to a better paying job, find success in a new venture that puts us into another socioeconomic level and provides some financial relief to pay off some debts?  Whatever the outcomes, we hope for the best, live through whatever comes and look for better days.             

It’s time for some new words of wisdom, a new manuscript, or some good stuff from the past that has always provided guidance and reasoning for the future.   In the times and era in which we live today, what you say, do and believe in matters.  Saying or doing something that reflects a narrow, shallow or negative way of thinking is not going to work.  My mother use to say...“be careful of what you say for those same words can come back to haunt and bite you.”  Or perhaps the words of Reinhold Niebuhr, a noted theologian, who wrote the “Serenity Prayer” works.   “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”  What do you think?            

Dr. Andrew Calhoun, can be contacted at andrewiiicalhoun@gmail.com, Twitter #AC53, and Facebook.   You can hear Dr. Calhoun each Sunday at Grace Fellowship Church, 3879 N. Port Washington Rd. Milwaukee 414-265-5546.  

A Christmas Wish

It been quite a year so far, some days have been inspiring, some average, and while others have been days that no one would ever hope to come.  On one hand, we have witnessed breakthroughs in medicine, research, science, exploration, athletics, and extraordinary human endeavors.  Additionally, we have seen the rebound of various exchange markets to new all-time highs, expansion of health care for families, reinvestment in housing, increase business, new products, job creation and social reforms. 

However, on the other hand there have been days in which our hearts have been sadden by so many underling  issues that continue to go unaddressed because of political posturing and indifference.  This includes more families living in poverty, lack of job training, underemployment, high incarceration rates among people of color, increased crime, escalation in gun violence, limits on immigration and drug use.  The entire list of issues that need addressing is alarming and are all worthy of more attention.         

It will be interesting to see where 2014 ranks among other years in the 21^st Century.  Will it be a year measured by what was gained, accomplishments, loses or by what we continued to avoid?  Only time will tell.  What I can say about this year is that it has been quite a journey of unbelievable highs and lows.  From economic growth and advances in science and industry to the spread of worldwide terrorism, new diseases, the use of deadly force by law enforcement of unarmed people, increased public protests, political unrest, expanding wealth gap, and the search for a meaningful dialog about race in America.  This year has been some ride of raw emotions, critical thinking, and flashbacks with historical footnotes.           

But as this holiday season draws to an end, it’s my hope that each of us wish for better days, change of hearts, sober thinking and true peace in our neighborhoods, cities, and nation and around the world.   It will take all of us to make a difference in the upcoming New Year so that the mistakes of 2014 are not repeated and more progress can be made on all fronts.  No Christmas season is complete unless we take the time to remember those who are less fortunate and find ways to become engaged in making life better for all.  We truly live in a land of opportunity and blessings.   What do you think?            

Dr. Andrew Calhoun, can be contacted at andrewiiicalhoun@gmail.com, Twitter #AC53, and Facebook.   You can hear Dr. Calhoun each Sunday at Grace Fellowship Church, 3879 N. Port Washington Rd. Milwaukee 414-265-5546.  

Taking A Stand

It is remarkable to witness the emergence of numerous non-violence protests all across America.  Some could say that these are throwback concepts or “old school” from the days and times of the civil rights movements of the 1960’s and beyond.  Nevertheless, it is a welcome site to see such things in real time through the use of various media outlets and through social media.   In so many ways the ability to see things unfold in real time without being there is helping us to transform our families, schools, neighborhoods, nation and world. 

The rise in recent protests and more has ignited a passion in all of us that things have to change.  There is no more room for the “status quo” or same as usual practice which allows for some sort of lethal response being used to a perceived criminal behavior or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  This movement is growing and has become multicultural at its base and is spreading like wild fire throughout America.  In addition, this movement is gaining new levels of foot soldiers that cross all socioeconomic barriers, including professional and college sport teams.  These new waves of advocates are letting their voices be heard through wearing t-shirts, donations, demonstrations and social media.   

What gives us considerable hope is that these new movements are helping us to review policies, practices and various laws in serious ways.   It is also helping us to identify gaps and breakdowns in systems.   Additionally, it is helping to ensure transparency, which will allow for significant changes to be made.   In addition, it is creating a new level of community engagement and bringing new partners to the table for open discussions in solving some of our community more complex problems of unemployment, affordable housing, homelessness, mental health care and poverty.   
          
In the end and I hope that we each take the opportunity to join in with some of these moments, for our great democracy and its core values of freedom, fairness and justice hang in the balance.  Our nation can only rise up to its true potential when its citizens truly participate in making America a place where everyone has a voice.   And taking a stand with the right values and a clear moral compass is what makes all the difference in the world.  What do you think?            

Dr. Andrew Calhoun, can be contacted at andrewiiicalhoun@gmail.com, Twitter #AC53, Facebook, or call 414-571-5015.  You can hear Dr. Calhoun each Sunday at Grace Fellowship Church, 3879 N. Port Washington Rd. Milwaukee 414-265-5546.  

Finding A Way Forward

A lot of people did not see this coming... a new and younger generation rising and picking up the cause of free speech and active protest in the wake of so many things going awry.  Today more and more people are letting their voices be heard and marching for various causes.  Some of the things that have people upset are the ongoing and endless debate about immigration, voter suppression tactics, minimum wage increases, equal pay for equal work, affordable housing and now... community policing.  

The recent series of shootings by police, a choke hold and the use of deadly force that was caught on camera are sounding the alarm.  And to make matters worse, no criminal indictments.  This new generation is not going to stand around and take this without people and a system being held accountable.  They see a system that is broken; police militarization and a growing culture of indifference among those who are sworn to protect and serve the communities of color.     

These recent events have exposed the underling reality of what prejudice looks and feels like, especially towards Blacks and people of color in general; Black men and boys in particular.  I know we have our own issues of Black on Black crime and that needs to be addressed as well.  But the treatment by those in law enforcement and being paid to do so... should be better and needs to improve.  

Many of us know that policing is a tough job and there are times in which things can get lost in the fog of situations, reactions and emotions.  To be fair, our community needs effective policing, but there are limits to everything.  Additionally, these recent events have uncovered that a number of rules of law and processes have become outdated and additional training standards need to be put into place that reflect good bearing, discipline and multiculturalism.  

However, I see those issues as well as other issues connected to a number of failures in our society, and... we need to work on them too.  There is a need to improve our community with better paying jobs, reduce homelessness, more affordable housing and reducing the high levels of poverty.  And perhaps we will see a lesser need for expanded policing.  What do you think?