Where Do We Go From Here?

It been a long hot summer already and with a few more weeks to go... it is our hope and prayers that it’s does not get any hotter.  And in the light of recent events, it is clear that Milwaukee is just like so many other major cities in America that needs a lot of attention and its needed it now.  From what has already occurred it is clear that a lot of elected officials are not in tune, plugged-in or connected as they should be to what is happening on the grass root level.  Those of us, who work, live and play on the grass root level, it’s a different ballgame.  We are keenly aware of what happening, who’s who, what’s what and what’s going down. 

Sadly, what too often is missing in grass root communities are the people who serve as connectors, organizers and advocates.  They speak the language and know firsthand of the pain, suffering and trauma that goes on each and every day.  They know people by their first names, their families and history.  In addition, they make themselves available when called upon, to fill gaps and to listen to those who have no voice.  They are people persons and are proud to be called a neighbor and friend.

When unique moments of tension, unrest and riots arise in communities, they serve as a wake-up call.  More importantly they provide an opportunity in which to connect or reconnect with others for a greater cause.  With each of these events, regardless of specifics; helps us to pause, to take a step back and reevaluate what happen, why it happen and to find ways to keep it from happening in the near future.  Each occurrence also provide us with a window of opportunity to begin a new dialog, to share our stories of faith, hope, and peace and to demonstrate some goodwill.   

     

During these unsettling times, it is not easy to look beyond what has happen and to see the bigger picture of what is possible.  These times are filled with pain, confusion, fear and uncertainty.  But these times are also filled with our ability to rise above our limitations and to overcome our weaknesses.  It is also a time to build some new bridges of understanding and to allow our belief in the common good of all people to shine through.  

Gold Star Families

I know that there are no major holidays coming soon in which to pay tribute to those who are on or have served on active duty, in the reserves or National Guard.   But, I believe when an opportunity presents itself, we should take a moment or so to reflect upon what it means to serve in any branch of the US military.  It is clear that our great nation owes a deep gratitude to all those men and women who have help to keep the values of America first and foremost.  Our gratitude should go even deeper when we consider those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in support of those freedoms. 

Since the beginning and even now nothing can adequately prepare a family when the news comes that a loved one has died while serving the country and nothing can erase the pain caused by that loss.  Certainly, nothing will ever give a family the comfort and peace they seek, for their journey is a search for meaning and understanding.  And “…on behalf of a grateful nation, please accept this flag as symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”   

Nearly 100 years ago, during World War I (July 28, 1914 – November 11, 1918) something different took place when a servicemen was killed in combat; a gold star was placed over a service flag blue star.  The Gold Star signified the family’s pride in the loved one’s sacrifice rather than the mourning of their personal loss.  In reflection, many Gold Star families wear a Gold Star lapel pin to signify their pride.  The lapel pin displays a Gold Star with a purple background surrounded by a gold wreath.  Today, the National Gold Star Family Registry notes on its website that 472,045 fallen service members have been registered by relatives.

But the Gold Star program is more, it has been designed to help ease the burden of families through a number of ways including reaching out to families, providing information on available resources, benefits, a sympathetic ear, and connecting them to other Gold Star families who live in the area.  In addition, many businesses and companies help to support Gold Star activities.  This unique program also helps to raise awareness thought events, memorials, or to establish a foundation in the memory of a lost service member.  And the best way to support a Gold Star family is to remember and honor their fallen hero.  

Running ON Empty

The long summer of our discontent continues playing out each week with new levels of gun violence, more demonstrations and the public outcry for peace, justice and gun control.  The issues are mounting due to the recent disturbing and questionable tactics of police that left two black men dead, with both events being caught on cell phone video and shared on social media.  Additionally, the wounding and killing of several police officers is also adding fuel to an already burning fire on race relations in America.  In addition, the unsettling rhetoric of those running for public office, racist groups and those with personal agendas are making things more complicated.

   

With so much occurring each day it is hard to find a path forward that works and that leads to a solution that garner support and by in.  For a new and younger generation, what is happening is shocking and unbelievable.  It seems foreign with many of them having a difficult time coping and understanding what it all means.  For many older African Americans, the current issues are alarming and outrageous, but are reflective of what occurred during the 1960’s that included the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X; the Vietnam War, countless marches, voting rights, housing rights, Kent State shooting, beginning of head start and urban riots.  

   

What is being seen on the surface is just the tip of the iceberg; however these recent events are sheading new light on some old underlining issues.  And to be truthful about it, many of these issues have always been with us.  However, these recent events have brought a sense of urgency on how to restore the loss of trust between residents and local law enforcement and the Criminal Justice system.  This is a tall order to be sure, but not as impossible as some my believe it to be.  

The issues are real, the events are real, and the people are real.  In the larger narrative, unless we make the investment to look deeper and to go deeper into these issues, then things will only remain the same.  But in the wider view, the more we dig into those issues, the more will come to the surface and that is where we will see the healing.  If we want to change our world, we must seek for the solutions regardless of the cost involved.               

Finding Our Way Through

It’s been a rough year already in terms of gun violence in America and its only July.  At this rate most major cities across America will surpass historical records on gun deaths. With each passing day some kind of gun violence event captures the news headlines and before long the event has gone “viral” on social media.  Getting any kind of positive media coverage on any notable program is hard when there is an event that involves a weapon, especially a gun.  As one person recently cited “if it bleeds, it leads.”   

In the wake of so must recent domestic violence many elected officials, activists, religious leaders and good citizens are at a lost on what is occurring in their communities.  Some suggest that as a nation we are at a “tipping point” on gun violence and gun ownership.  Trying to get a handle on underlying issues or to just begin to understand what is going on is a perplexing endeavor.  Of course every community is different; share some similarities, but the challenges on how to deal with gun right laws, drug abuse and mental illness are not unique to any community alone.  We are all sharing in this struggle.

The current wave of unexpected gun violence is “rocking our world,” to say the least.  For a new generation of African Americans this stuff is altering the way they are seeing things.  In the view of some of us who are older, this is nothing new; we have been here and seen this before.  The legacy of our American experience is full of examples of oppression, injustice, racism, abuse, slavery, intolerance and driving while being Black.  We know we have come a long way and yet believe much more work is required to make America better and safer.       

In light of what is going on, there is always a way forward, there is always hope, if we can only see it and search for it.  Just like our forefathers and mothers who believed that better days were coming even with so many issues unresolved, the race is still not finished.  I know if our ancestors can find a way out and to deal with the issues, to vote, to march, to boycott, to protest, to dialog, to run for public office, to own a business, to train, to teach, to preach, and to reach, then we too can help impact change.  And regardless of how we see it, solving many of these complex and connected issues are a tall order and require some level heads, prayer and some common sense.  

Looking for a Way In

“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” is a quote that is gaining considerable interest as more residents seek to become more engaged in helping their community to become better and stronger.  However, a number of residents find it difficult to help when they are not included in the decision making process.  Some residents see a system that is broken, policies off track and major decisions being made without any public input.  Still others feel left out of the entire picture until something bizarre occurs and then those in charge begin to ask for their help.  In the words of one resident...“Why ask for my help in a time of crisis, when my voice does not count when there is no crisis?”

Most concern residents want to be engaged when issues are being discussed that affect them and their community.  They resent when decisions are being made by people who do not live where they live, experience what they experienced, nor look like them.  For some it is the loss of trust, while some see race as a key factor.  Still others feel that a lot is being discussed behind closed doors, through side bars and at private lunches and dinners. All the while decisions are being made without any input from those who are going to be impacted.  

As we all know, too many of our communities are facing huge challenges and one solution does not fit them all.  Trying to find solutions that work on surreal problems is a job all by itself.  There is no single method or pathway to achieve success when dealing with an issue, but perhaps with more seats at the table anything is possible. And as the beat of challenging issues goes on for most neighborhoods, so does the number of opportunities to get involve open up. 
  

I know it is a tall order trying to keep all residents informed and engaged on a number of issues that are affecting their quality life.  And no matter how much information is shared on a consistence basic, social media, news feeds and email, it perhaps will never be good enough to please everyone.  This leads to only one conclusion, people must feel valued or important enough to be given an invitation to sit at the table when it matters the most, during good and bad times.  Just remember, that at some tables the seating is limited... so bring a chair. 

Looking for a Way UP

It seems as it will never end... all the senseless violence, crime, drug use and the indifference people are showing in the wake of more of the same old stuff each week.  It appears if we have lost our way or will in solving problems and getting things done for the good of society and future generations.  I know that a lot has changed within our great nation and more change is on its way, but the solutions we seek and so rightly deserve are in our hands; however we must have the courage to act upon our values and use some sound judgement. 

To all those who have never lost anyone to gun violence, drug use, mental illness, lived in an urban war zone, worked in a hostile environment, grew up in a dysfunctional family or served in the US military... then it is impossible to clearly understand what it means to be on the front lines or in the trenches of society when it matters the most.  As my late grandmother would say...“seeing is the believing, but experience is the knowing.”  In other words, if you have not seen or gone through something that has altered your life, then trying to judge other people who have to live with the reality of what is happening; then you are simply out of sight and out of mind. 


What people who live in urban America really need and that will make the greatest difference in their lives is not a hand out...but a hand up.  The helping hand they seek is the one that enables them to take control of their communities, begin to take the next step in opening a business, to clear the hurdle towards meaningful employment, build bridges to strengthen relationships with neighbors or to climb the ladder of corporate America.  It is to enable people to pull themselves up by seeing that they too can make it regardless of where they come from and the color of their skin.  It is to know that the situation that has them trapped caused by circumstances, a lack of opportunities and resources are obstacles that can be overcome.  So, can you lend me a hand?                 

Looking For A Way Out

The blight of the working poor continues to be under-reported by all media outlets.  But we all know that they exist even if we pretend not to notice.  The working poor are those who get up every morning and go to work regardless of their living conditions.  They have to go to work at jobs that in most cases do not pay anything close to a livable wage and perhaps just above minimum wage.  To make ends meet or get close to meeting, they work a second, third and sometimes a fourth part-time job, plus a side “hustle” to stay afloat or to just keep treading water.  Their daily “grind” includes long weeks, long hours, no time off, bad diets and a lack of sleep.  

What is so puzzling about their story and the reality of most people who continue to live in some of the most challenging neighborhoods in urban America is the fact that they believe that “better days are possible.” For many of them this is home and they have learned how to deal with the reality of a “rough” neighborhood and to escape is nearly impossible.  I know it hard to believe that people want to still live in these “little Beirut’s” and honestly believe that change is possible.  And yes! Some see these communities of boarded up houses, car jacking’s, gang violence, drug dealing, food deserts and slum lords as having an upside to them.    

Of course, there are a number of theories behind what is occurring in urban America. One such notion is that people are behind the madness of what is transpiring in urban America and are conspiring to undermine its possible resurgence.  Some also hold the idea that some people are seeking to benefit financially from an “urban America collapse,” by buying up all the boarded-up houses, empty buildings and vacant lots for economic redevelopment.  And yet there are others who see when “new housing” comes back to a particular neighborhood, the cost to live in the “new” is beyond their reach.  In some odd way people are feeling betrayed and want to blame city officials, business owners and community leaders for what is happening. 
       
However, improving the lives of the “working poor” should get our full attention in this 21^st century.  For improving their lives can also improve the conditions on the ground in the community and turning urban America around would be easier.  This is no laughing matter and from a difference point of view, the “working poor” is urban America’s best kept secret.  All that is needed is to help those that are on the bottom of the economic scale to become stronger by improving their earning potential.  Now that will be a story worth writing about and to witness.