Finding Some Traction

Each day we hear of great achievements occurring in science, medical research, education and technology.  These advancements are certainly creating breakthroughs in areas we never believed would happen. These changes are altering how we live our lives, both now and in the near future.  We are also hearing about other ground breaking initiatives from around the globe that are making tremendous impact in the areas of business and industry, startups, leadership, interventions and social media.  It is amazing how far we have come over the past two decades or so and it certainly will be interesting to see what will happen in the next 5-10 years. 


I find it quite fascinating to glance over the endless list of “new ideas” that are changing our world as we know it.  These “new ideas” are affecting who, what, when, where, how and why we do things.  And with each passing day, here comes another “new idea.”  Each “new idea” also brings with it some fascination about it possibility, measurable outcomes and long term impact.  Believe me, “I am all in” for new ways in which to get things done, solve lingering problems and provide a pathway to a brighter future.  But all “new ideas” are not the same, for some “new ideas” bring with them a down side.  


At first glance it may appear that things are going great, a lot of fanfare, a lot of intrigue, and a lot of excitement; but there is something missing and you can’t quite put your finger on it.  The way I see it, you have to ask the question who benefits, who loses and who is left behind with each “new idea.”  There are always “winners and losers” when change occurs.  Another thing I see missing is how can the “new idea” that begins working effectively be sustained way beyond its starting point.  


All “new ideas” bring some kind of change.  However, change for the sake of change does not always work.  Change may look good on paper, provide wonderful talking points, advance a career and can bring a fresh view to an old idea.  But change that makes a lasting impression has to include not only the person who has the idea, but also include the people it will affect.  With a new generation coming of age and rapidly assenting to prominent roles throughout our society, they have to find ways to make their “new ideas” stick and to set a new trend for us to follow.  

Pardon The Interruption

The rebuilding and sustaining of communities continue to be an ongoing battle for those living within those neighborhoods. The once promising neighborhood in which we chose to move into has since changed and many of those changes over time have been hard to bear. Neighborhoods that were seen as a sign of growth, prosperity and stability have all turned into virtual waste lands of boarded up homes, empty lots and untended yards.  The decline of many of these communities have also included losing those good neighbors and stable families that made the neighborhood such a safe and special place.

The change we seek and the change we so desperately need is all possible.  This effort requires that people living in those neighborhoods to come together and organize for the sake of the community.  This too is an ongoing struggle and it depends on whether or not people have a shared vision and passion to become involved.  Getting residents together for the good of the entire community is always a positive step to ensure the neighborhood can be rebuilt and sustained.  For all neighborhoods are a reflection of the people who live in that community. 

The one thing residents who live in these depressed communities need is support from many sources.  This includes agencies whose mission/vision is to a help residents deal with changing conditions, glaring issues and who stand ready to serve.  These residents also need the help and resources from the city and county governments to ensure that streets are maintained, street lights are working, quick response from law enforcement when needed, fire service, available health clinics, grocery stores, livable wage employment, quality schools and accessibility to public transportation. 


Most residents really appreciate when others outside their community come to assist, attend block clubs meetings and especially those who are willing to listen to their concerns.  To many of them it helps to not feel as though they are trapped in declining neighborhoods with no one caring about what is happening to them.   Regardless of what we believe about those living in urban America along the edges of society, all residents want people to not forget they are still a part of what makes the community a community. 

A Ripple Effect

It is amazing to reflect upon the number of “small things” that have played such a significant role in many of the greatest events in our history.  The list is truly unbelievable and it keeps on growing.  What is more remarkable about these “small things” is that our world as we know it today would be quite different if those thing had not occurred.   
    
Some examples of these historical “small things” that have changed our world include when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her actions on that day; even though it was something small helped to spark a city wide bus boycott and lead to a major change in public transportation policy all over the nation.  Who would have believed that during World Wars I & II, the US Military would enlist Native Americans to become radiomen or “code talkers.”  This enabled US Troops to transmit coded messages in Native American languages that could not be decoded by enemy forces. This played a key role in a number of battles that were fought and won. 
   
However, over the past decade or so we have witnessed a number of things that are affecting us greatly and continue to challenge us in terms of how we communicate, view the world, live, play and work with each other.  Some of our most daunting challenges include climate change, smart grid technology, advances in health science, communications, mass incarceration, poverty, law enforcement policy, racism, terrorism, growing foods and technical education.  Of course, we all can add to this list and more.     


And yes, we all can admit that much more needs to be done in order to correct the mistakes that are deeply rooted in our nation’s past.  With each passing day, there are opportunities for us to rebuild our communities, to restore trust in our form of government, create livable wage jobs and to continue to make America great.  For if you believe like I do, all it takes is one person with an idea, a message, a song, some hope and faith... it is all possible.  But what is truly amazing with so many “small things” is that they really turn out in the end to be the “little thing that made a big difference.”    

Where is the Beef?

I have been told that if you want to have a great meal that is both nutritious and fulfilling, you have to begin knowing how to cook the main course. All main courses of beef, fish, shell fish and pork are not all the same.  Regardless of how each is prepared; baked, roasted, barbecued, sauteed, smoked, deep fried, boiled or eaten raw, there are additional steps and ingredients required to bring out its rich favors.  To further enhance our dining pleasure, the main course requires a variety of vegetables, starches, seasonings and sauces that surely complement our dining experience.    

In 1984, the Wendy’s chain of hamburger restaurants began using a “Where is the Beef?” slogan strategy that would help distinguish it from its competitors of McDonalds and Burger King.  The focus was to call attention to the larger beef patty in Wendy’s sandwiches over these competitors.  As a result this slogan campaign proved to be quite successful and has reemerged in various ways through songs, political speeches and ads.  Since then it also became an all-purpose catch-phrase that is used to question the substance of an idea, event and even a product. 

This idea and notion about where is the “substance” is truly being tested during this political season of 2016.  The political chefs in the “kitchen” are making it hard for us to read their menus, count calories and to see the cost per item.  If the samples or our first bites are a “forerunner” of what’s to come, our future diets of getting things done for the good of the people will be hard to digest.  And before anyone buys an item, I strongly suggest that you take a seat, add up the cost and determine what menu will not give you indigestion. 


As this political season moves forward through uncharted territory, negative rhetoric and questionable racial undertones, the stakes no less are very high.  Regardless of the outcomes of this election season, let us not lose sight of what continues to occur in our neighborhoods each and every day.  These problems have not gone away and the issues are as real as they can get.  So, with the table being set, the menu is still a work in progress, let us not become disillusioned about who will win or lose... let’s see if we are at the table or on the menu.        

Can You Handle It?

The pressure is on!!! And it keeps on building as the political world that we though we once knew, is now standing on its collective head.  This election cycle certainly has a lot of people scratching their heads, gasping for air and even seeking out counseling to deal with what they are hearing, seeing and experiencing. 

With each passing day, many keep on saying this is not real, unprecedented, it will not last for long, but to their dismay... this “political circus” train keeps on making its way down the track.  This train has it all, clowns, big money, backdrops, insiders, spin doctors, push-backs, walk backs, fact checkers, the outrageous and the insane.  Not only is this train affecting the way the race for the White House is being viewed, it is also affecting countless state and local races as well.  Truly the circus has come to town.      

What is also making the 2016 elections so interesting has been the emergence of a new level of deep seated prejudice, racism and personal agendas.  In the 1975 movie Network, news anchor Howard Beale declares, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” In this movie, people everywhere go and open their windows and repeat the same catchphrase.  Then they rushed to the streets to air out their grievances.  It does not take Howard long to come to realize that the system co-opts both social and economic power to its own advantage.  In a subtle way this movie was a parable about how after all the screaming, protests and outrage, very little changed and people still lost their voice.  Even in the end, after all the drama, it was about getting better television ratings.  


Sadly, this is where we are today as life is imitating art; we are taking our generative energy, the power of the people to the streets, "We are mad as hell and we are not going to take it anymore."  This message is going across college campuses, in neighborhoods, at town-halls, debates, rallies and through social media.  We are raising our voices to be heard, taking a stand and marching to a new drummer to reflect why Black Lives Matters, to reduce gun violence, bring back livable wage jobs, keep Plan Parenthood services for all women, provide clean water to drink and to hold people accountable.  From my view, since the train is moving and headed our way, let’s keep the pressure on and maybe something really happens.         

Its Crunch Time

If you believe you have heard it or seen it all, then just wait a day or two... much more of it is on its way.  With the number of contested local, state and national races this time around, things are about to get interesting, to say the least.  Between now and Election Day there will be more debates about the issues, town-halls, rallies, robocalls and door-to-door campaigning.   

A lot is at stake and voters are eager to hear more about what can be done about the issues that matter to them.  Even here in Milwaukee, local residents are looking for more than a canned speech or empty rhetoric, they are looking for answers.  In a broader view, people want to hear more about solutions that help the community become safer and more economically vibrant. They seek solutions to reducing the high rates of incarceration of African American men and boys; improve job skill training for employment across all career pathways, reducing poverty, shrinking the number of high school dropouts and the creation of more affordable housing options.  These are all though issues to tackle, but any solutions are better than none.    
  
What is truly amazing about this election cycle is that it occurring during a generation shift, from “baby boomers” leaving the workforce to “millennials” joining the workforce in full force.  It is also a time period of changing demographic and when the nation as a whole is becoming more diverse.  And it is with this transition that a lot of the values of the previous generation are being questioned and changed.  These changes are not only affecting the values of our past, but also our heritage and national identity.   


For those of us who appreciate where we are in this moment of history, it helps to have the ability to relate to a new generation in ways that can only build stronger communities.  For those who cannot relate to this new generation and realize that a new era has begun, it may be too late to be out front in the near future.  One thing is for sure that this new generation has come to learn quickly in that change can occur through activism and voting.  This year, the pressure to win is on and the time is running out!!!            

A State of Emergency

I find it quite interesting these days that a lot of people want us to only focus on what the future will bring, to move forward and let’s not dwell on what happened in the past.  I find it even more amusing when they response to the questions about the future or moving forward.   Soon it becomes evident that the answers are empty or at best leaves you scratching your head all the while getting the runaround.     
   
What some people fail to realize is that what our future holds and our moving forward is more of what the past was full of.  If we learn nothing from the past, we are bound to repeat it.  And without a perspective of the road we have traveled, paths walked, steps taken, doors opened, setbacks, push-backs and headaches; then looking forward only gets us back to the place we started from.  It may be a different day, a new century, and even a younger generation... but it looks, sounds, fills, reads and smells the same.  And as my grandfather would say... if it walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and then it probably is a duck. 

For some people what is being said is good enough and they just buy in.  Others get tire of hearing the same old stuff over and over again and stop participating in the circles, town halls, community meetings and conversations.  And still others seem to understand the game and really know that regardless of who’s in control, it’s going to be the same-o...the same-o!  Sure, it may have a tweet here, a tuck there, a turn underneath or some new paint, but the results remain the same.   
           

And I don’t know if you realized of it or not, Milwaukee has made a number of top ten lists in recent years that are adversely affecting the city’s ability to become a place of economic growth and prosperity.  It is listed as the worst place to live for African Americans, most segregated city in America, highest in human sex trafficking and listed as the 7th  most dangerous city in America in 2015, to just name a few.  There is an urgent need to change these human-made disasters which cannot be blamed on a natural disaster or global warning.  From my view point, we qualify for a “State of Emergency” declaration.  That is what I see, how about you?