The Triple Nickles

There are a lot stories from World War II that get most of the headlines these days including Pearl Harbor, D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, Midway, Coral Sea, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and the dropping of the Atomic Bombs on  Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  During each of these major events of that war there were a number military units, ships and personal stories that are highlighted in which much of the war is told through.  But there were other (Black, Native and Japanese American) military units and personal stories that most of us have never heard of that also played a vital role during WWII.    

Some of us know of the role of the Tuskegee Airmen and the Indian Code Talkers, but what about the 555^th Parachute Infantry Battalion, nicknamed the “Triple Nickles”?  Well you are not alone.  This unit was a 20-member “colored test platoon” from the 92^nd Infantry (Buffalo) Division.  It was born within an army that was still segregated and had traditionally relegated Blacks to menial jobs and programmed them for failure.  However, the 555^th Parachute Infantry Battalion, or “Triple Nickles,” succeeded in becoming the nation’s first All-Black parachute infantry test platoon, company and battalion from 1943-45.   

One of the most notable operations that the 555^th perform came in 1945 when a request came from the U.S. Forest Service to fight blazing forest fires in the American Northwest.  It was also important to know that the Japanese were at that floating incendiary devices attached to balloons across the Pacific Ocean, which took advantage of the jet stream’s easterly flow and would perhaps land in the Northwest.  In addition, the unit was to confront a new dimension in warfare involving the use of biological agents that could destroy woodlands and crops.  Because of their skill and abilities they became history’s first military “Smoker Jumpers.”  During their assignment in the northwest they answered 36 fire calls with more than 1,200 individual jumps during the summer of 1945.  


A major element in their success was that, unlike other Black infantry units commanded by White officers, this unique army unit commanding structure was entirely Black.  As time when alone, these pioneers blazed new trails for countless black soldiers to follow.  The 555^th also helped in the formation of other Battalions, Airborne Infantry Regiments and Special Forces.  The truly amazing part of their story was how they as black soldiers had gone from riding in the back of trucks, buses, used “colored” toilets and drinking fountains in rail-road stations, sit in segregated sections of theaters, and go out of their way to avoid confrontation with racist police to a military unit that kept the Northwest forest fires in check and was called by General Ben Lear as “one of the finest groups of soldiers he had ever seen.”  Now that is some history.   

Staying Afloat

Maybe I missed something, didn’t get that email, heard the special breaking news report or just did not quite understand what some people are saying about progress in urban America.  I just don’t know what they see, heard, what they have come to believe or been drinking.  I know about the new construction ventures, expanding businesses, mergers, innovations, new technologies and breakthroughs.  And I get that and appreciate the forward movement and thinking.  Somehow or in some way, what I am seeing and what others are seeing or omitting are two different things. 

But this is one thing I know for sure; urban America has a long way to go in order to make a comeback or to reinvent itself from those famous glory days during the “golden era of industry and manufacturing.”  This is not just occurring here in Milwaukee, but throughout every urban center in America that was built upon having a large labor force in mass manufacturing.  With that era gone, urban America also loss livable wage jobs, businesses and educational training centers.  And now those days are but distance memories that have left so much of America in shambles with hollowed out cities and ghost towns. 

Those days are gone and shall never return, but the lingering long term effects and the transition from an industrial base economy to technology driven economy continue to leave an entire aging generation behind, in the dust or underwater.  Just trying to keep up with so many advances is a job all to itself.   In so many places from urban America to rural towns, people have suffered a lot of setbacks, pain, depression, displacement and instability.  But they have remained hopeful. 


Trying to keep true to the core values of the American Dream, that is based upon the belief that by working hard you can make your dreams come true.  However, with each passing day, not only are baby boomers having a hard time in dealing with these changes, but that the next generation is struggling as well.  What is so amazing today is that even in the midst of living in the harsh reality of rough neighborhoods in urban America, people have learned how to adapt and stay afloat.  Of course this is not as simple as it sounds, but people have learned how to tread and bail water out of their boat situation. 

Changing The Conversation

Even with this political season now in full stride, a number of issues have been put on the back burner or just pushed aside for a later time.  However, through the eyes of many of us, life as we have always experienced continues unabated.  This includes gun violence, drug abuse, homelessness and high unemployment in the inner city.  The issues and challenges most communities were facing before this election season started continue to march forward without anything being done to address them or at best slow things down.  

Even with so much attention being given to the political process and who is running for office, some neighborhoods have been taking action and doing something to improve their relationships with local law enforcement.  One such initiative has been the ‘Police and Resident Listening Circles’ that are being held in the Harambee, Metcalfe Park and Amani neighborhoods. These listening circles are being facilitated by the Zeidler Center with funding from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Racial Equality and Inclusion Grant. 

A design team consisting of residents, youth, police and Zeidler Center facilitators began planning the spring listening circles during the winter of 2015.  A total of three (3) listening circles are being held this spring and three additional ones are scheduled for this coming fall.  Each listening circle session includes local residents, youth as well police officers who are assigned from the local police precinct and who cover those neighborhoods.  During each listening circle session a number of questions are asked of all participants in which to respond.  At the end of each listening circle, participants are asked to fill out an evaluation and make any additional comments. 


These listening circles are designed with three goals, including: (1) listen deeply to each other and speak from the heart; (2) build relationships and trust and; (3) brainstorm ways to strengthen and support the community together.  At the heart and beyond these goals, other initiatives, recommendations, and ideas will be created by the residents and officers brainstorming together, and be led by the participants themselves.  So far, so good and this is without media coverage.  Here is a “bright idea” instead of us focusing on what people are saying outside of our communities, we just need to sit down and listen to those who live, work, play and worship in our neighborhoods.  What do you think?  I am listening!

Closing the Gaps

It was the Irish playwright and Nobel Prize recipient in Literature, George Bernard Shaw (1865-1950) who said “some men see things and say ‘Why?’ But I dream of things that never were and say “why not?’  This is a quote that is reflective and celebrates visionary and idealistic thinking. With this thought in mind, there is a shortage of “visionaries” today who are willing to work on solving many of the lingering historical and generational problems of our modern society.

This critical shortage of “visionaries” is showing up all over America. So much is going on these days that it is hard to keep up with the stockpile of issues that have become the norm, lead stories on cable and satellite stations, spotlighted on talk radio and 24 hour news cycles.  Many of these pressing issues mirror state and national trends. Some of these issues include opioid abuse, expanding poverty, gruesome slayings, gang violence, homelessness, mental health, public unrest, political corruption, sexual assaults, wealth gap and poor housing. 

Of course, Milwaukee is not alone in the growing list of issues that are emerging each and every day.  If fact, Milwaukee tops the list in many categories of major challenges and includes being listed as one of the top ten most dangerous places to live.  Milwaukee is also leading the way in the number of African American youth being suspended from high school, high infant mortality rates, and the highest percentage of African American men being incarcerated in state prisons.  These realities are also affecting those living in suburban and sprawling rural communities.  The sure impact of these issues are eating away at the core value of feeling safe, expressing religious faith, and perusing one’s dream while a resident of the most power country in the World. 


Without a doubt, it appears that what is missing today are those “visionaries” to come forth and help close the gaps in our society.  They see things differently, imaging the possible and are willing to work with others beyond the color line, socioeconomic status and religious beliefs.  They just want to get the work done, regardless of who gets the credit or the pat on the back.  They are there for the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.  To work on those social ills and to help us see what is possible.  The gaps are real, opportunities abound... but “visionaries” are few.

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.”