Doubling Down

Just when you thought you have heard it all, more comes out… and it is not good.  At times it has us all shaking our heads in disbelief that a statement has been made that is as far from the truth as all get out.  And even when confronted with the truth, they insist that what was said is what they are going to stay with.  For some of them there is no walking it back or a change of heart from their earliest opinion.  And even when pressed as time goes by, they become more tenacious, zealous or resolute in their position.  Sadly, this is where much of our 21^st century of politics and civic discourse have come to. 

Today, it appears that more people who are running for some sort of public office are more interested in playing to their base of supporters then trying to appeal to a much boarder base of American voters.  Instead of working on addressing the issues that concern most residents, people would rather “play the game of politics” than finding solutions to everyday problems.   It is no wonder that so many people have lost faith in our modern day political system and with the people who are representing them at various levels of government.  

In some communities, residents are sick and tired of the politics as usual and are looking for candidates who are listening to solve local needs for better jobs, better schools, more health services and economic opportunities.  Local residents are not interested in who gets the credit from working on their problems, they are only interested in knowing that their issues are being worked on.

No matter how any of us see it, cut it or feel about it, each of our communities deserve better support than what they are getting.  Residents who feel that they are locked out of the process must remain actively engaged in holding those in office more accountable.  And as the old saying goes… “If you keep on doing what you are doing, then you will keep on getting what you are getting.”  It’s time for a change and we should learn how to take our stand and demand better.     

Missing The Point?

Nothing is more liberating than learning the truth about something that has been portrayed as something totally different.  It is shocking at first, hard to digest or get your mind wrapped around the idea of what you have learned.  But as time passes and more details emerge, a light of reason appears and what now stand are only the facts and they speak for themselves.  With this “new revelation” of news we see that so many people who once jumped at the chance to react negatively, have now grown silent and faded away.  

    

It is quiet incredible that so many people get caught up in the emotions of an event, that they don’t see or think things through.  This just does not occur at the grass root level of our society, it also occurs at each level of our political system, government and private sector.  This is the inability to “see the forest for the trees.” Sometimes we get too involved in the details of a problem and not able to look at the situation as a whole.  In other words, we are so close to the situation that we can’t see a way out or listen to other ideas.  Remarkably, there is always a need to take a step back and gain some perspective.

Of course there are others who simply do not care about gaining some perspective or involving others in the process to find the best way forward. They are only interested in getting things done their way or the highway.  They work to find ways to circumvent the system, leave others out of the loop or to go at it alone.  Their interest is always a personal agenda and believe they have the right to do what they do.    

But what is so troubling about it all, is the fact that so much is at stake when other lives are affected.  For nothing good can come from decisions done in a vacuum and when there is a disregard of input from other stakeholders. What is needed these days are people with interpersonal skills that not only listen, understand, but also see what is possible.        

Connecting The Dots

It is easier to point to a particular problem after a negative event occurs that takes us all by surprise.  But after sometime and thought, we soon come to realize that some indicators or signs where missed early on.  And if those indicators or signs could have been identified earlier, perhaps a meaningful solution could have been found.    What make it so challenging in finding a solution is not knowing what to look for,  false assumptions, miscalculations, lack of cultural awareness, lack of vision or limited listening skills.     

       

Regardless of how we see or feel about it, what is occurring all across America these days with the easy access to guns, legal and illegal drugs is greatly impacting our way of life.  And when you add this new normal to the mixture that includes poverty, mental illness, food deserts, lead in water pipes, cancer, unemployment, disabilities, PTSD, AIDS, racism, trauma and domestic violence, then what we are experiencing is just the beginning of more to come.    

In one way or another, many researchers and community leaders are aware that many of the ills of our society are linked together.  Sometimes the links are clear, due to testing of what an individual has ingested, while others links can only be determined by looking through a social, economic or culture lens.  In many situations the links are similar due to the outcomes and what happen.  While other situations vary from one case to another, but each case helps us to better understand what people are dealing with and how they are coping. 

I know that is easy to point a finger at this or that as an underlying cause to an event.  Of course that would not help us to fully understand the situation or issues at hand.  However, when an event occurs, it should give us clues and alert us of what we should be on the lookout for.  Each event may be isolated, but does not mean that it will not happen again.  The event may be one of kind, it may happen on your watch, but each event serves as a wakeup call to what just happen and if we are wise in our pursuit for answers we have to connect the dots and follow where they go.   

Causality

We will be hard press to look at 2016 in Milwaukee as just an average year in the city.  A year that began with great promise and potential, especially considering the new innovations, business startups, expanded growth and new construction projects.  It certainly has been a busy year so far in those terms, but what started out as a great year has also uncovered a growing list of underlining social and community issues.  

        

On one hand we see buildings rising from the ground that are reshaping the Milwaukee skyline.  We see new enterprises, partnerships, ribbon cuttings and the expansion of highways and bypasses in and around the city that are helping to make it easier and safer to travel.  In addition, we see the new bold construction initiatives of suburban communities that are simply capturing the minds of a new generation.  Some of these projects include new housing, schools and shopping squares. 

    

However, on the other hand it is clear that some things have not changed at all.  It is just not the riot that resulted in businesses being lost, a neighborhood shaken, an increasing number of drug overdoses, ongoing gun violence, high unemployment of young black men and youth, limited access to health care and growing poverty.  Some of these things have been going on for decades.  And for a new generation that has been greatly impacted by recent events and who are now feeling the effects of the long term flawed policies of the pass as well as a lack of vision.  

    

The shame of it all is that some of these effects can be prevented if only the root causes are addressed in time.  We also know that when there is little to no work done in prevention, something will happen sooner or later that will get our full attention.  It is within these unique moments that there is a need to look and deal with real causes before they turn into events that can get out of sight and out of mind.  For it is one process that creates an opening for another process and it is that process that can cause more damage in the long run and that leads to unthinkable outcomes.  

Scratching The Surface

Each and every day, something occurs that grips our attention and keeps us on the edge of our seats in wanting to know more about how and why something happen?  And this summer in Milwaukee has done just that.   For many of us, witnessing a riot that burned businesses in one neighborhood, looting, throwing bricks and confronting police are nothing new for an older generation who lived through the late 1960’s and martial law. 

However, it is a new experience for a younger generation that has been greatly impacted by a growing level of gun violence, drug use, terrorism, high incarceration rates for people of color and unemployment.  Besides that, there was a rise in the number of homicides in August that has not been seen in 25 years and now a call for more law enforcement.  Well the picture is clear that something is wrong and what we have been doing is not working.    

Over the years, most of us have also learned that the first step to take after a particular situation or event occurs is to not rush to judgement or conclusions.  The reason for this position is simple; what we are first told too often is not the whole story, but a snap-shot in time of what happen. And as things begin to play out or investigated, more details emerge and that alone can change or alert the way we see things.  Of course, if it can be caught on video, then things can change quickly.              

Today, we are only beginning to see the power of being able to reach beyond what we see or do only a fraction of what is possible.  The real test is to move beyond the superficial details and move beyond our simple understanding of what is happening, but to begin to delving into the depths of what is going on.  We need to learn more about the root causes and long term impact of poverty, conflict, mental health, trauma, drug use, and lead in water pipes, sub-standard housing, no health insurance and racism.  And if no one else is looking into these pressing issues, then it is up to us to find the answers for ourselves.  

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.