The Struggle Is Real

A day never goes by in which most of us come face to face with unique experiences that require us to take a stand, make a call or lift our voices for what we believe are the right things to do.  There are a number of things in our great nation that are just so wrong; laws that need amending, support systems that need redesigning and worthwhile programs that need adquate funding.

As we have seen in this 21^st century and especailly over the past few years, much has changed.  Today, as a nation we are lock into a cycle of ongoing world wide wars, increasing community violence on all levels, more familes living in poverty, the militarization of local law enforcement, a growing disparties in health care, affordable housing, lack of mental health coverage and better schools. Lets not forget about civil rights, equal rights, women rights, wealth gap and the fact that there are more black men in prison today than were in slavery during the 1850’s.  Well, there is a lot of work that still needs to be done.     

It seems that sometimes those in charge, who’s job or responsibility is to help make things better are not clearly focused on what is most important in the lives of residents or have just allowed things to get way out of hand.  And to make matters worst, instead of admitting a mistake, they either cover things up, blame it on someone else or just ignore the situation all together.  Seeing to the needs of a growing community that is becoming more diverse each day is a situation many refuse to acknowledge or accept.  We have to come to terms with what is occuring, that things are changing and nothing can stop the momentum, progress always detates change.        

Even as a our diverse community continues to grow, we have to grow with it, meet the upcoming needs of those cultures, bring more people to the table, think outside the box and be willing to make adjustments.  Lets be real about it, everyday countless individuals and families are lock in a struggle to survive, to gain their financial independence, to overcome an addition, to find peace and the courage to move forward.  Today, many people and families are broken by their situation in life, shattered, enduring setbacks, illinesses, and ongoing trama.   Suffering, drug addition, poverty, homelessness, prejudice, crime, discrimnation, unemployment, divorce and oppression are all real.  There is never a good way to say or feel it, but if you want to make a change, you will have to fight to get it or else things will always remain the same.   What do you think?             

The Front Lines

This is not just another day at the office, you are not having a bad dream, nor is this the twilight or phantom zone and this is certainly not a figment of your imagination... it’s the front lines.  Many of us have been on the front lines for years, without even enlisting in the military or being compensated for all our efforts.  Some of us have become seasoned veterans and have learned what it takes to endure hardships, overcome being under fire and pressure.  We have learned how to dig deep into our souls and consciousness only to recognize that the fight our ancestors were fighting still continues.    

As we continue during this month in the celebration of Black History, let us not forget that many African Americans who were trailblazers and pioneers, made essential contributions to improving America for all.   They had to deal with a lot of prejudice, discrimination, and racism and... Jim Crow laws.  And as if we were not looking, many of the same tactics that were used during their days and times have reemerged through new concepts, policies and procedures.   

In the 1960’s, it’s the War on Poverty, in the 1970’s it’s the War on Drugs and of course we are still fighting wars in politics, social justice, education, housing, voting rights, women rights, children rights and for quality health care.  Let’s not forget to count the number of military wars that continue to be fought overseas in dozens of countries.  In the view of some people, many of these wars should be over, have been too costly and that the real enemy is that the American people have become too depend on support from the federal government. 

However, we call all agree, that we have a lot on our hands and to keep up with what is going on is hard and at times overwhelming.  But to be real about it, if you are really concern about the welfare of the nation, you have to be engaged and enlisted in these wars on the home front, there is no way in which to escape any of them.  These issues affect each of us and impact our lives every day, for at the end of the day and when all is said and done, we are paying for each war and the price tag continues to grow.  So, I say, put on a social helmet, get up to speed  with what is going on, step out of your comfort zone, and find someone else who has already joined the fight... more people are needed... we have a spot just for you.  What do you think?             

Selling Ourselves Short

Another Black History month is upon us and again we are looking at ways in which to celebrate the accomplishments of our ancestors, who have make a profound impact in making America what it is today.  Make no doubt about it, the contributions of African Americans throughout history continue to shape and reshape the American experience.   These contributions include many in medical science, business, education, technology, industry, music, movies, media, civil rights, inventions, politics and sports. 

Since the founding of America, many Black pioneers emerged to pave a way for a better way of living and to foster a much brighter future for upcoming generations.  Some of these notable pioneers are known as trailblazers, rising stars, heroes and champions to various causes, organizations and countless movements.  If we take a closer look at what each of these individuals accomplished during their life time, it would simply be amazing and blow our minds.  What is so remarkable about each of their stories is the fact of that many had to overcome so many obstacles and challenges along the way.   They had to deal with racism, segregation, slavery, injustice, oppression, indifference and discrimination.   However, against so many odds they persevered and left marks that continue to touch so many lives and echo the core principles of being an American. 

Sadly, many modern history books do not include all the accomplishments of African Americans.  A number of them are not even mentioned, listed in the footnotes or as references.  The reasons why vary for these exclusions including having few if any African Americans on the team of writers or editors.  Additionally, there is a lack of appreciation, limited culture intelligence, cultural bias, lack of quality research and a historical perspective to the overall contributions to African Americans in the making of America.   With the lack of inclusion, future generations will struggle to fully understand their role in which their community, culture, ethnic group, and heritage.  But African American history is much deeper, much broader, much richer and much more meaningful.   

In order to ensure that future generations of African Americans gain a better understanding of the contributions of their ancestors, community leaders, churches, and organizations must help to fill in the gaps.  Additionally, teachers in secondary and post-secondary schools must encourage students to explore their roots, show documentary films, provide lectures, hold special events, do reenactments, plays and do research on little known personalities and events.  We must remember that there is more to African American history then what we may read in one history book or another, but that history is all around us and in us.    What do you think?             

Getting This Party Started

When you though the side show in politics had stopped or slowed down on all levels... well it was only taking a brief recess... but it is back and boy are there some new sets of actors or clowns doing the same routine... talking loud, doing nothing and even using some bigger props.  And if you believed for once that people would finally get the right memo, email, read the tea leaves, see the right shrink (therapist)... then we are all in to seeing some interesting dance moves in 2015.   The only things missing are the afros, shag carpet, strobe lights and some space to form the “soul train” line.    

Each year there seems to be a lot of things on the American agenda, but it is hard to see any real progress and there are glowing reports to back that up.   The list is endless, but the major players include poverty, housing, economics, jobs, employment, workforce readiness, crime, law enforcement, health care, education, domestic violence and social services.  We have become a nation of services (public/private) that provide some kind of assistance to some kind of problem.   Just name a problem and there is some agency out there that can deal with that particular issue.  We have hundreds if not thousands of little known programs available that no one really knows about.  Of course that means those resources will never be used.  That sounds messed up...   

Amazingly, there are hundreds of reports completed each year that highlight the issues and what if any progress has been made.  Everybody wants to study the problem and things go on for years and years without a solution.   In the end, these reports are completed, placed on a bookshelf or used as doorstops along the way, mentioned during political speeches, job interviews, listed as a reference in future reports or when applying for another grant.  In the end, this is what we did, what we believed to be true, here are the results of our actions and how we can improve, if and when this opportunity comes again.      

No one told us that these and other things were included in the price tag when pursuing the American Dream.  The hidden costs of obtaining the dream are what have derailed the majority of Americans.  It seemed so simple, to own a home in a good neighborhood, work a livable wage job and your children obtaining a good education.   And because of the side shows that we will see played out in 2015, the dream will continue to be deferred.  So, I would recommend that we pray for the best, hope for some progress and close one of our eyes to a lot of bad dancing.    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 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?