Folks: it is now time to archive the year 2019. Its time that the year of the Pig is to be archived in the Pig Pen. But of course, the living examples of voting, racism, protesting, and yet many others will linger on. We’ll know, it’s about time that the year of 2019, is now over. But before that happens of dropping balls and popping corks: lets us review the year that was.
So now, in that case, it’s time for the Traditional Stephen’s Spot Annual Review blog of 2019! It’s time to review, summarize and learn from the year has gone by very efficiently.
The Good Nationally:
Most recently on December 31st, 2019: The Dow Jones ended the year at 28,538.44 .
The Affordable Care Act got new folks to sign up for the insurance. Just like last year, despite the thought of losing its mandate. But many still sign up to get registered.
The Washington Nationals won a World Series Title. Their 1st actually.
The Toronto Raptors won their first NBA Championship.
For the NFL: Yep, you guessed it, the New England Patriots won the Superbowl.
Barack and Michelle Obama are still admired.
For the NCAA Men’s Basketball: Virginia.
For the NCAA’s Women’s Basketball: Baylor.
For the WNBA: Washington Mystics.
For the USA Soccer – The Women’s Team won the Championship.
Yet on TV Again: How To Get Away With Murder, Empire, The Haves and Have Nots, and Blackish still dominate. Note: Empire’s season currently will be the last.
On YouTube Red: Cobra Kai Season 2. Also BOTH 2 seasons are available on DVD.
Game of Thrones ends after 8 Seasons on HBO.
What was also good: “Live In front of a Studio Audience”. The Jeffersons, All In The Family, and Good Times were revived for the new era with the same scripts from yesteryear.
Roland Martin’s Daily Digital Show, “Roland Martin Unfiltered” continues to fuel the minds of many who have been misused or intellectually lied to. Especially among African-Americans.
Black Lightning had a STRONGER Season 2 going into Season 3.
Yet again, the Hallmark Christmas specials came back for it’s 10th year. With black leading cast roles!
Motorola brought back the Razr Phones in a whole new way.
WWE Raw and Smackdown Live were stellar in 2019. Ranging from the Women’s Division rising up again, NXT, and also PPV’s of the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania. Plus the Greatest Royal Rumble and Super Showdown. Best feature ALL YEAR: Kofi Kingston wins the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania 35 becoming the first Ghanaian Wrestler in the company history to become champion. (also in the same year of the 400th Anniversary of the Transatlantic Slave Trade)
For the first time in 18 years since 2001, the WWE has a competitor on a weekly basis: AEW Wrestling. And the show competes on TNT going neck to neck versus NXT. AEW’s new show is called Dynamite, and it comes on Wednesday Nights. This is now called the “Wednesday Night Wars”.
Milestones in 2019:
Restaurants like Captain D’s and Wendy’s both celebrated 50 years.
Nintendo – believe it or not, celebrated 130 years. It really started out as a playing card company in 1889.
The United Methodist Women overall as a organization celebrated 150 of ministry in the UMC.
GAP turned 50 this year.
Woodstock and Stonewall, the uprising of the LGBT movement also observed 50 years.
MasterCard turned 40.
Adidas turned 70.
Like Batman, Marvel is also 80.
Fiat, the mini-cars that is gaining some popularity, reached 120 years.
The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary both turned 100 years old.
The Moon Landing of Apollo 11 commemorated 50 years.
The NFL turned 100 years old this year that began on a Thursday with the Old School Rivals of the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. And speaking of that, both teams have now played 200 Games total in their old school gangster battles. Currently, the Packers lead the all time series of 99-96-6.
The College Football Squad of the NCAA and the MLB both celebrated 150 years. With that, the teams also donned Throwback Jerseys that commemorated the past successes and appreciation of the schools and leagues.
A painful reminder why Slavery is a problem: August marked 400 years of the Transatlantic Slave Trade of 1619 to Jamestown, Virgina.
WWE Smackdown Live surpassed 20 years in the air. Plus made the move to Fox.
The Simpsons turned 30 years old. And their “Tree-house of Horror” Halloween show this year reached #666.
SNL celebrated their 45th Anniversary. Plus after a 35 year absence, Eddie Murphy returns as a guest host!
For the DC Comics: Batman is now 80. Created by Bob Kane in 1939.
Throwback Movies like No Holds Barred, Batman, Indiana Jones & the last Crusade all turned 30 years old.
Mortal Kombat 11 made its way onto the systems, including the Nintendo Switch.
Old School Hip Hop/R&B Albums like Prince’s Batman Soundtrack from 1989 turns 30.
Old School Hip-Hop/Rap and R&B hits like Me Myself and I, Going Back to Cali, Life Is…Too Short, We Got Our Own Thang, The Sounds of Science, Cha Cha Cha, and Rhythm Nation from 1989 all celebrated 30 years .
Mary J. Blige celebrated 25 years of My Life. Old school joint.
Throwback Album joints like Slim Shady, Da Rockwilder, Still D.R.E. Vivrant Thing, Wild Wild West (Will Smith’s Version) Smooth with Santana/Rob Thomas all had hits from 20 years ago.
Singles like Can’t Stop Me, We Made You, D.O.A. Run This Town, On To The Next One, Gangsta Love, all turned 10.
HOT NEWS: 45 is impeached!
For the Movies (my only picks I should say):
Shaft
Rambo: Last Blood
Terminator: Dark Fate
Ma
Black and Blue
Black Christmas
Captain Marvel
The Lion King
Aladdin
Joker
Avengers: Endgame
Hobbs and Shaw
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
When the BET Awards this year happened the most: Mary J. Blige was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. Tyler Perry receiving the Ultimate Icon Award, and the late Nipsey Hussle was given honor of the Humanitarian Award.
DirecTV Now becomes AT&T Now and again, heated up this year again.
The Cord Cutters of Roku, Amazon FireTV continues to have an interest of those ditching high priced cable and satellite!
BET has expanded to the Live Streaming Arena. BET+
For the music: Well not that much but I’ll take this: Gary Clark Jr – This Land
Ciara – Beauty Marks
The Black Keys – Let’s Rock
Lil Nas X – Old Town Road w/ Billy Ray Cyrus
Khalid -Free Spirit
Anderson Paak – Ventura
DJ Khaled – Father of Asahd
Chaka Khan – Hello Happiness
Logic – Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Yuna – Black Marquee
Mary J Blige – Know
Missy Elliott – Iconology
Well known to retire nationally:
CC Sabathia, Marques Johnson, John Kuhn, Jordy Nelson, Tom Joyner, Andrew Luck, Rob Gronkowski, Doug Baldwin, Dwyane Wade, Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, Kris Humpries, Noelle Quinn, Lindsey Whale, Darren Collison, and Ichiro Suzuki.
The Nintendo Switch still made a surge in sales. Even for the Nintendo Switch Lite.
The Pageants have been on watch, but it took 5 black women from 5 countries to win them ALL!
Old School Consoles like the Sega Genesis have made their way back to the Plug In TV sections of the country.
TRADE ALERT NATIONALLY: Since Tom Joyner is retired, Rickey Smiley and his show will be taking over.
For the NFL: Jalen Ramsey, Emmanual Sanders and Mohamed Sanu found new homes in the NFL in blockbuster trades.
Straight Outta Wisconsin in a good way:
Tony Evers becomes the 46th Governor of Wisconsin, while Mandela Barnes is sworn in as the state’s 45th Lt. Governor.
According to the recent reports, the unemployment rate around Wisconsin is hovering at 3.3%. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For the Wisconsin Badgers Football team: The team has a few downs and mostly ups. Well mostly, ups in this. The team finished 10-3 overall in the 2019 Season. Winnings were best against Michigan, Nebraska, Michigan State, and yes, Minnesota. Plus claiming the Big Ten West Title and not the Big Ten Championship vs Ohio State. Jonathan Taylor becomes the latest Badger to finish with his Second Doak Award. Also, after his missed season which was a disaster, Quintez Cephus was reinstated after he was found NOT GUILTY of FALSE Sexual Charges. And had a monster year since coming back to the Badgers. And recently qualified for a bowl game, a ROSE BOWL game to challenge Oregon in a Rose Bowl Rematch from 2012.
Milwaukee Police Department goes after Reckless Drivers in the Hot Spot Zones of the city. Just like last year. AGAIN.
For the Green Bay Packers: quite a turn around! They hired Matt Lafleur as the new HC, got some new talent mostly on Defense from ZaDarius Smith, Preston Smith, and Rashan Gray. Aaron Rodgers was finding his groove, Aaron Jones was having a monster year along with Jamaal Williams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard. Plus, the Special Teams were stellar. And as of now, their record stood at 13-3 in the regular season, in which they won the NFC North Title for the first time in two seasons, and secured the Number 2 Seed in the NFL Playoffs, which is a Bye.
The Good Locally
The Light The Hoan Campaign had reached it’s halfway point which might be at its finishing point by the DNC Convention in 2020.
Black Milwaukeeans and Wisconsinites: Black Arts Fest MKE returned for the second year in row.
Milwaukee Public Schools started classes early like August, again.
American Family Insurance along with the Milwaukee Brewers and private investors in Milwaukee, saved the Lakefront Fireworks that highlights the 3rd of July tradition.
The Milwaukee Streetcar celebrated one year in November after months of disdain and false commentary.
Candy Cane Lane in the suburbs reached a milestone moment of it’s 35 years of glowing the neighborhoods on Milwaukee’s South Side. Plus it’s for a good cause for the MACC Fund vs Childhood Cancer.
The Milwaukee Brewers almost finished the season with a good note. They finished the season at 89-73, 2nd in the NL Central. They were competing in the Wildcard Series against the Washington National whom they lost to. Which is the same team that won the World Series. Plus the team unveiled a new logo and design of colors of Navy Blue and Yellow to signify the 50th Anniversary of the team’s founding for 2020. The Brewers new logo, is actually an update of the old ball/glove look that was popular in the late 70’s and most of the 80’s.
After it’s first year, The Fiserv Forum becomes a hit. While conversely, the Bradley Center was officially demolished.
The E-Scooters of Bird and Lime were reactivated after provisions had to be in place via the State of Wisconsin.
The Milwaukee Bucks had a strong season this year earlier finishing 58 wins, 24 losses. Ending up in the 2nd seed in the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs as a runner-up vs the Toronto Raptors. Also Coach Mike Budenhozer became the Coach of the Year. And yes, Giannis won the MVP of the year. Plus the team earned a Central Division Banner after a 18 year drought. So far, this season they have over 30 games and had a streak of winning 18 games.
Homeless Veterans in Milwaukee will be able to settle into Tiny-Homes real soon to get off the streets.
The Bublr Bikes still expanded. Again!
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will defend his seat in the 2020 Election for a fifth term verses contenders Ald. Tony Zilenski, and Senator Lena Taylor, whom also previously accepted the race opportunity. Also, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Able will not seek another term but contenders like David Crowley have accepted to run in the 2020 Election.
Amazon will build a plant in Oak Creek by 2021. As we know.
The Grand Avenue Mall is still getting a makeover.
The ongoing construction of the Old Warner Grand Theater (or the Grand Theater to the current heads) is coming along that will become the new home of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
The BMO Harris Tower is under construction in Downtown Milwaukee. And to add, it’s nearly complete.
Milwaukee County: Sheriff Earnell Lucas was sworn in to lead the Department.
Well known to retire locally: Sally Severson of Channel 12 slowly this year was edging towards retirement after nearly 30 years in the news media of weather. Jim Stingl of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had worked for the company for 33 years.
Also celebrated milestones locally: Baird celebrated 100 years, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin (or now known as Children’s Wisconsin Hospital celebrated 125 years of Health, my home church: The New St. James Community Church UMC celebrated 70 years of Praising God, as the first African-American United Methodist Church established in Milwaukee. And Perkins Restaurant in the Metro Milwaukee Area, was honored in the 50 years of business/service since 1969.
Hold Up: Those that left professions locally: Beverly Taylor formally of Fox 6 resigned earlier this year to focus on new endeavors. More recently, she is now on a different platform called 411 Live.
The Bad Nationally
Racism struck again in America. And it has not been nice.
Most of the Black Republicans were not very vocal against the 45.
The Mueller Report ended due to “facts” of the lying of 45 via Wikileaks.
The Senate Republicans of course support 45 of his antics and decisions.
School and Church Shootings in America had ties to Mass shootings this year over 400 in total.
Alex Trebek of “Jeopardy!” announced he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Not just him, but also Congressman John Lewis was recently diagnosed with the same condition.
Matthew Knowles, Beyonce and Solange’s Father was recently diagnosed and free from Breast Cancer.
Stabbings in New York around Hanukkah, 2019.
Many of the Caucasian Americans had false accusations of Black folks ranging from barbecuing, shopping, entering their place of residence, jobs, campaigns and many other constructive ideas and objectives. And now, that might be against the law.
The state of Black Hair on Black Women remained a suspect of those who hate it.
Several members of the 45 Administration were fired or resigned despite the position of power. The usual happened again.
Bill Cosby – formally known as America’s Favorite Dad, recent fired off vs Eddie Murphy after his appearance on SNL on December 21st.
Families are still separated near the U.S. Mexico Border.
The 45 Administration just recent signed into law regarding creating a Space Force.
Blackface still remains a racist concept. Especially among white students on PWI Campuses.
In addition to the officers killed in Milwaukee, other officers in different parts of the Country also passed on in and off duty. Slightly higher than 2017.
Hurricane Dorian.
The United Methodist Church’s General Conference had made one of the worst moves in terms of not allowing the LGBT to serve or to partake in a regular style worship service based on their lifestyle, etc. However some have stepped up and were fighting back against the conservatism of the members and groups that opposed it. The fight still lingers.
Despite of the Dow Jones being up in normal ranges, many felt it has not favored everyone in the country.
The Democrats had been on survival mode mostly against each other in the debates and contenders like Kamala Harris, Beto O’Rourke have dropped out. Plus also the contenders still struggle and trying to find a way to appease to the African-American base.
Kanye West meeting with Joel Osteen after his debut album of Jesus is King. Then many realized that it was sketchy and weird after his recently encounters with 45.
The ongoing talk of 45’s Wall.
The Bad Locally
Racism, of course, struck Wisconsin. Not just in Milwaukee.
For the first time in nearly 56 years, the Milwaukee Veterans Parade was altered due to lack of funding support.
This year back in the summer, former WRRD Host of the Forum Sherwin Hughes announced his farewell from Talk Radio. And not only that the station he previous worked at was not very nice and racist. Keep in mind this was a LEFT WING PROGRESSIVE RADIO STATION! However, most recently he returned to his own organization, “Leaders for a Better Community” and has been on the radio as a guest to talk about his viewpoints on the climate of politics in Milwaukee. Sherwin’s last day on the radio was September 10th.
A little controversial decision via the Wisconsin GOP in their meddling in regarding the honoring of African Americans in the state, which concerned former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick. But….The City of Milwaukee honored him in response. Later on in the year, another member of the Wisconsin GOP, Rep. Scott Allen wanted to have white figures to be added to the Black History Resolution for 2020. But the black politicians like Sen. Lena Taylor commented that in her words: “Once again we have a non-black state legislator deciding who should be honored in the state legislature’s 2020 Black History Month resolution,” she said. “Without consulting black state legislators, Rep. Scott Allen, at 4pm on a Friday, before the Christmas break, issues a Black History month resolution. This is an insult and disgraceful.” via DailyKaos.com
For the second time in two years, two more Police Officers from the Milwaukee Police Department were killed off and on duty.
A tried attempt to acquire more federal funds for the Milwaukee Streetcar fell short in trying to expand the Vel Philips Avenue area to the Fiserv Forum.
Foxconn still remained in question about the legality of access to jobs and government.
By the numbers: The number of homicides in Milwaukee was at 102.
Opioids in the rural areas were mostly a problem and it remains a dilemma to this day.
Like last year, the unlikely viewpoint of White Women and some men calling the police on African-Americans due to being civilized and doing constructive aspects. Even jobs. Such as : Barbecuing While Black, Campaigning While Black, Working While Black, and Volunteering While Black.
Voter Suppression was unleashed harshly in several states. Especially among elderly black folks. And to add, names on the voter rolls began to be purged.
Blackfaces. Yep, even in Wisconsin!
The Ugly Locally
As much as everyone likes the University of Wisconsin, the Homecoming Video featuring most of white student population was pulled that had reminders of the University’s checkered past of racism. And many of the black and minority students called out the school’s racism angles including UW Senior, Payton Wade.
The state was informed that approximately 200,000 citizens names might be “purged” due to moving or not updating their voter stats.
The State of Wisconsin ordered the Homeless near the Marquette Interchange (aka Tent City) to be removed due to health and safety concerns.
Plus is that not even ugly enough for 2019: One of our hotels in Milwaukee, the Comfort Suites on Park Place does not want any Milwaukee Citizens in 30 miles settling in to their hotel. Even one of our Alderwomen Chantia Lewis was denied access to stay. But our local Milwaukee Black Panthers protested that place in the result of their actions.
We Speak their names – last toast to those that passed on in 2019.
Mean Gene Okerlund
Diahann Carroll
Luke Perry
Ashley Massaro
Congressman Elijah Cummings
Bart Starr
Toni Morrison
Doris Day
Eddie Money
Grumpy the Cat
Rip Torn
Lee Mendelson
Don Imus
Mama Cax
Danny Aiello
Phillip McKeon
John Whitherspoon
Carol Spinney
Juice WRLD
René Auberjonois
Peter Fonda
Valerie Harper
Peggy Lipton
Robert Forester
John Singleton
Carol Channing
Cameron Boyce
Beth Chapman
Ric Ocasek
Peter Tork
Tim Conway
Katherine Helmond
Max Wright
Gloria Vanderbilt
Nipsey Hussle
Rob Garrison
Cokie Roberts
Kristoff St. John
Walter Mercado
Art Neville
Clark Gable III
Dr. John
And to those that passed on in Milwaukee in 2019:
Tracey Smith
Quanita “Tay” Jackson
Sonya Collins
Matthew Rittner (Milwaukee Police Department)
Kou Her (Milwaukee Police Department)
John Hetland (Racine Police Department)
Final Take:
And the final analysis of my point of view: Well this has been a year of blogging. I’ve tried my best to fill in as much as I can, but the thing is all hasn’t been that bad. If many took the chance, I do this on the Stephen’s Spot Facebook Page and Twitter Page to extend the news and viewpoints to gain more twists and turns to get the gears going. Of course the old stuff mattered. But what does matter IS THE NEW! I’ve talked about topics that mainly affect the concerns and needs of the people. And if you’re one of the online folks that jumped aboard, well you’re on time. Kind of late, but……
Now I must say this. If you the audience no matter where you’re from and if you checked out this blog beforehand or just now tuning in, thank you. Yes, this blog site has reached over 1,000 plus posts and over 25,000 hits. But likewise, there is so much to unpack. Ideas like health, finance, employment, gender rights of Men and Women, introversion, Voting, my city of Milwaukee, religion, social media false postings and opinions, and other avenues to explore. Even as a black man in America, I too must write my stories because nobody else can the way I do.
Knowing that yes, writing blog posts was and is, definitely hard work! It’s not easy at times, but when it’s on your mind to know and summarize of what’s going on in your community, that is when you get your mind jogging and get to work.
1,000+ posts are good. But the best is still YET to come!
Attention Reckless Drivers: your time is up. All that crazy driving you’re doing is a waste of time and constant anti-safety among our citizens and recently: our kids.
This is the part where I will get seriously fired up when I read this and partially, the safety of our folks.
It really bothers me that I had to read and hear about pathetic drivers like you are causing all this mess in the streets with you wanna be Grand Theft Auto driving and making drivers a nightmare of your antics. And probably you’re the main reasons why I’ve been blown at for leaving my garage, lane change properly and Oh, I have to park on the street and not come out of my DRIVEWAY because of you @$$$$$ed dummies!
Yeah your driving instructors told you to drive safely but did you listen? Excuse my French, HELL NO! Why because you’re dumb, uneducated and don’t have no f___ing respect for anyone that shares the road like you. But oh no! It had to be about you. It had to be about you being first which many of you don’t even care being last. Oh yeah the cops are watching for speeders and tracking you with the speed guns from their squad cars and motorcycles. But is that enough? I’m going to say nope! Because many of you will go back out and do it again to impress your boys and some dumb broad or boys you recently met. Yeah, I said it! And you females, you are in this too. Don’t blink!
If the judges in Milwaukee County were to handle lifetime bans on driver’s licenses to you reckless drivers that would be a solution. Period. Oh yeah you might be like this negro is crazy. Don’t be surprised! If that were to happen, you all get mad at citizens like me to make the decision. But you need to be mad at yourselves for making the wrong decisions. You need to be mad at those driving instructors that you ignored just to get the licence. If this is a way to judge, then guess what, it is. By your actions and your conscience. Oh yeah, welcome to the real world with cameras installed on the cars and trucks.
So don’t be surprised if that happens. Not just for our kids but for grown folks that have to catch the bus or ride-sharing just to go to work or school.
Your fault. Not mine! Be fairly warned. Your free time of reckless driving is coming to an end.
Before you read my commentary: watch this footage from Roland Martin Unfiltered.
Did you understand all of this? What does it remind you of? Think about all those times when your so-called friends, co-Workers, and others looked at your gear had to make comments like, why you got on this, or what’s up with those shoes. If anyone is like 45 and under and part of an era where that talk was going on you know what I’m talking about. I can relate to the commentary of this from Roland Martin’s new show, and yes you can view it anytime online you want. Unlike cable and/or Satellite you have to pay for it. But this was so related because many of us can go though the jones just because they got this and they the same ones looking fly are making fun of you because you don’t have it. From Elementary School to High School even guys like me had to succumb to getting from Pro Wings to Nikes in a matter of years.
I’m saying this because one it’s the truth. And two, many of us in the community, especially in the Black Community have this problem of what folks do and don’t have and it’s almost a picking contest. I really need to ask, what was and is the point in all of this?! What’s the point? Is it trying to fit in, or being in a clique, or just to make a impression on a girl/guy? What is the real problem?! Most of my teen life and childhood I couldn’t hang with it and got sucked in. But now as an adult I really need to ask this now, what is or was the point? Yeah I’m 41 years old and most of my clothes shopping isn’t like the 90’s anymore. The game has changed. But despite of the game being changed up, it seems that I thought that particular part should have stayed in high school. But, I was so wrong. Even grown folks can be foolish at times (no matter the age) that getting all materialistic will win a popularity contest, but it won’t!
And the point of the matter is, this is why part of this generation is messed up in the head. It’s not the younger folks fault. Blame the grown ups! That is what it’s about. It’s the fault of the grown folks because they’ve seen this kind of blueprint and the kids just modeled after it. If anyone had to recall, the parents whom had to work hard to provide either living or deccased, we the grown folks nation of now Generation X didn’t listen then, but after seeing all this, we have to begin to understand.
For all the idiots preaching this to the kids now, congrats: you’ve played yourselves. All those times folks were saying, why those cars, why that headphones, why this, why that. Many of us working folks DO NOT have the time nor the patience to see who got what. So he has a nice motorcycle with the jet engine frame. GOD BLESS HIM! She has the new Nike pumps for the date night. God Bless Her! So what! I’m not trying to compete with them! The only person I’m competing is the reflection on the mirror everyday. Me.
That is your real competition. Everyday when you wake up and ask, what’s next?
And for all those doing this bickering, you don’t pay no rent, or bills in that person’s house! You don’t know their story, but why do you still trip about their livelihood?
Now I can talk. After all the mess. Most recently, our so-called President 45 had to question about folks who come to our country from poor countries. What has that set up a firestorm you asked? Dude had the nerve to ask this ridiculous question which is not so surprising:
“Why are we having all these people from sh*thole countries come here?”
CALLOUT: What kind of Ish is that?!
I know that had to be the most ridiculous question ever! Make that racist! It’s so ridiculous that many feared that it was deemed racist. Why are many are so shocked about the statement? We all knew what we expected. Getting a crazy man like 45 into office being jealous about Obama’s success in 8 years. Let’s be real America, the hate is real. Matter of fact, the hate has always been real. It’s been real since slavery, since apartheid, since the wars fought, politics formed up and many other things that got the jealousy of the attitude that sparked. We know!
I thought AMERICA was supposed to be the “Land of Opportunity”.
I thought AMERICA was supposed to be this country where folks can actually come here and settle for new dreams.
I thought AMERICA was supposed to have this moniker of welcoming frontiers! BUT after what 45 said about Africa and Haiti being SH*THOLE Countries, I’ll bet those in Africa and Haiti had that feeling like, “this is what America thinks about us”. To our African and Haiti neighbors, NOT ALL AMERICANS think like this. AT ALL. Many of us got neighbors, church members, lawyers, doctors, teachers, scientists, construction workers and supervisors, communications, pastors, bishops, nurses, and countless other occupations that we know very well. Why is that so hard to understand?
Chris Rock back in 2004 described this in his comedy at the time called Never Scared:
Now if you swam here from some sh*tty country that didn’t allow you Bubblicious, you too are American cos you overcame obstacles and made sacrifices to actually get here. You are a true American, OK? You really are. Don’t let nobody tell you no different.
I hope that many in TrumpLand 45 repeats this AGAIN with conviction. Even though that many of you won’t. Now you probably are saying, “why hasn’t Chris Rock said this recently? “UM……again this was said WAY BACK in 2004! The very same 2004 that many AGAIN that gave George W. Bush the chair for his misconstructed 2nd Term! Yeah you Bush Backers know it. Every pre-first Generation Immigrant American, even if you came from Africa and Haiti, you know the real deal why you chose this country to come to. Maybe you came because of Education, Jobs, or to bring something new to the table in order to have that great opportunity to thrive. Of course yes, you have done it, and in some essence still want to do. But we all know that the biggest mistake we did in November of 2016 is picking this dude Trump to lead our nation. That was and is now, a slap in the face! We can only blame us, matter of fact we blame the 50% of us who chose him over Hillary Clinton. Now personally, Hillary was the favorite (WITH EXPERIENCE) that should have been in the chair right now. OF COURSE, she also was denied of being this concern about the 1994 Crime Bill and many others that see negative. People, we need to stop. If this past election has not taught us anything, I don’t know what has.
Like Chris Rock said in 2004, don’t let nobody tell you no different. Don’t let this comment about your native lands of Africa and Haiti being well “Sh*thole Countries” all because it’s looked poor on paper. Many of you had to withstand the poor situations to rise up from that. I’ve heard stories here in America about Americans GROWING UP from NOTHING. And there are those whom became business owners, teachers, lawyers, doctors, even also Public Service and many others. We heard many time that America is the Greatest Country on Earth. A shiny beacon on the hill and many others. And yes there are times America gets caught in evil situations that should have not been in. It’s the truth. And does that make that a “Sh*thole Country?”
We better watch our words. Matter of fact, 45 needs to stop tweeting his!
Also, I should ask: Is America still that thing call a “melting pot?”
Ok: this is what I want to write. I’m going to go hardcore with the topics at hand and I will not hold back.
The first of the two takes is the most recent mess that I have ever heard and see. Take a look:
This is the part where I’m going into pop off mode. First of all. If I were one of these dudes fathers, there will be BUTTS SPANKED! Who on Earth do these dudes think they are allowing this man, this disabled man drown like that and not helping the guy? What is up with that?! Like seriously. For all you hyper political folks about this being a Democratic or Independent or Republican base thing, TAKE YOUR POLICTICAL CRAP OUT OF THIS! This is NOT the time for it! At all! If these boys were my sons, I would be embarrassed and mad as HELL because to allowing this man to die and not helping out. The TV’s, Game systems, Social Media and other things they like, will be GONE and nothing but clothes and shoes will be in the rooms. Oh, that door they locked up, OFF!
Also as far as the parents of these young men, they need to be locked up. Like seriously, locked up. Why would any child allow this disabled man to die? FOR TEN MINUTES?! And I KNOW that the morals of these parents should be shameful to the point. Oh don’t blame the white man on this one.
CALLOUT: Black Community, THIS IS OUR FAULT! Where’s all the melanin popping stuff now?
We need “melanin responsibility” to act right in our communities! They say all the time, what is wrong with our young black men acting like this? Well who’s raising them?! Who is raising these boys that allow them to smoke weed and not helping out the person? And now these boys are facing charges just because they didn’t report this to the authorities and yes, there might be signs of protecting them and marching. Look, forget the marching on this. They better sleep with one eye open.
I’m calling this right now. All that fun time is coming to an end. And I’ll bet many have watched this footage and will go hard on these boys for the next phases.
Speaking of next phases: Boy Scouts, you have been scared. Literally.
I know many of you have held the values of your traditions in terms of the words: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
Think about those words again. You honestly think that #45 evokes those qualities? Oh please! Yes, you didn’t invite him to the Jamboree to talk politics. You should have invited him to talk to the kids and to instill positive values into them. But NO. He had to go talk about his idea of stripping away Obamacare, Building that stupid wall, and oh, “Making America Great Again.” All that mess. And many of fans booed that Obama didn’t show up in person to the Jamboree during his time, but he sent his substitutes to talk to the young men. Oh: for you Obama haters in 45 land, the 44th President was at a time a member of the Indonesian Scout Association which is equivalent of being a Cub Scout. Let that sink in. Don’t go start all that googling mess to prove my point.
I think after this so- called speech to defer the country, the Boy Scouts should not invite 45 back. EVER! He is proving already that he cannot shoot out POSITIVE vibes about anyone! Let’s be honest, here! He ain’t right. For all you Trump (oops 45 land Supporters) that still like him in all, I dare anyone to step him like a man or woman and tell him he needs to stop tweeting and show up.
For most of us in Milwaukee County, Sheriff David Clarke had overstep too many times. We know what they are. And apparently we know it’s not just him parading around in the cowboys hat or being a supporter of #45. This recent act in the Milwaukee County Jail in which another prisoner was deceased and also there an act of villainy in which the water in the prisoner’s cell was turned off completely. This is an act of that miscarriage. I’m telling this because it’s happened before. Go back to 2016. Please.
This recent act has had the county and the city buzzing. The prisoner, Terrill Thomas was the inmate that had lot of attention of this situation including black media of News One. And not only that, our own black media was all over this.
What was the real reason why Terill Thomas was given no fluids during his prison stay?!
I am asking that for those of us that again, voted up for Clarke are we satisfied with his job now? After him going on Fox News and most recently on Milwaukee Black Radio that in attempt to hid his real cover per se, I must ask again is Sheriff David Clarke worthy enough for his job?
Let’s be honest, yes we watched over and over about the inmate’s news about him not getting any water of any reason, and the mixed emotions of prisoners in the County Jail not getting enough protection or treatment per se in 2016, the words are already on the wall. Let’s be honest again: Clarke is not right. And many have asked Walker to remove him from the Sheriff’s chair immediately. But of course, Walker says that it’s up to the Milwaukee County Voters to make that decision.
Which brings me to this: Earnell Lucas. A former MPD Officer of 25 years of experience plus a former MLB Security Supervisor now wants to run against Clarke. Plus he is already getting noticed that he could be the man that can take on Clarke in 2018.
So yes, this is what I think that Clarke should go to the unemployment line. And Milwaukee County: time to come correct.
You may have seen this on Facebook. Or any other outlet. Many of us who have posted this stat are taking real stands of what we see in our U.S. Government. And the center of it is number 45. No, I’m not going to use the name, but we know who he is. But however as far as all that “Making America Great Again” in all: NOPE. Time to rally against the thought that many who supported “45” and having his attitude against immigrants, blacks, Mexicans, and many other things that are not like him is just is. Yes, it’s like a call to activism.
WAKE UP!
This is where I stand. To me, FB (or this blog post) is a useful vehicle for connecting with old friends and keeping up with family, but it is also a place for my passion and activism. I believe and respect all opinions, even if they don’t agree with mine, so we can all use FB (or this blog post)to vent.
I believe that our 45th President, his power hungry cronies, and the majority of Republicans in Congress are a real and active threat to me, my way of life, and all the people I love. Some people are saying that we should give Trump a chance, that we should “work together” with him because he won the election and he is “everyone’s president.”
This is my response:
•I will not forget how badly he and so many others treated former President Barack Obama for 8 years…
•I will not “work together” to privatize Medicare, cut Social Security and Medicaid.
•I will not “work together” to build a wall.
•I will not “work together” to persecute Muslims.
•I will not “work together” to shut out refugees from other countries.
•I will not “work together” to lower taxes on the 1% and increase taxes on the middle class and poor.
•I will not “work together” to help Trump use the Presidency to line his pockets and those of his family and cronies.
•I will not “work together” to weaken and demolish environmental protection.
•I will not “work together” to sell American lands, especially National Parks, to companies which then despoil those lands.
•I will not “work together” to enable the killing of whole species of animals just because they are predators, or inconvenient for a few, or because some people want to get their thrills killing them.
•I will not “work together” to remove civil rights from anyone.
•I will not “work together” to alienate countries that have been our allies for as long as I have been alive.
•I will not “work together” to slash funding for education.
•I will not “work together” to take basic assistance from people who are at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder.
•I will not “work together” to get rid of common sense regulations on guns.
•I will not “work together” to eliminate the minimum wage.
•I will not “work together” to support so-called “Right To Work” laws, or undermine, weaken or destroy Unions in any way.
•I will not “work together” to suppress scientific research, be it on climate change, fracking, or any other issue where a majority of scientists agree that Trump and his supporters are wrong on the facts.
•I will not “work together” to criminalize abortion or restrict health care for women.
•I will not “work together” to increase the number of nations that have nuclear weapons.
•I will not “work together” to put even more “big money” into politics.
•I will not “work together” to violate the Geneva Convention.
•I will not “work together” to give the Ku Klux Klan, the Nazi Party and white supremacists a seat at the table, or to normalize their hatred.
•I will not “work together” to deny health care to people who need it.
•I will not “work together” to deny medical coverage to people on the basis of a “pre-existing condition.”
•I will not “work together” to increase voter suppression.
•I will not “work together” to normalize tyranny.
I will not “work together” to eliminate or reduce ethical oversite at any level of government.
•I will not “work together” with anyone who is, or admires, tyrants and dictators.
•I will not support anyone that thinks its OK to put a pipeline to transport oil on Sacred Ground for Native Americans. And, it would run under the Missouri River, which provides drinking water for millions of people. An accident waiting to happen.
This is my line, and I am drawing it.
•I will stand for honesty, love, respect for all living beings, and for the beating heart that is the center of Life itself.
•I will use my voice and my hands, to reach out to the uninformed, and to anyone who will LISTEN:
That “winning”, “being great again”, “rich” or even “beautiful” is nothing… When others are sacrificed to glorify its existence.
If you agree feel free to copy and re-post (this results in larger numbers of people seeing a post), and if you want, sign your name below ours. Also, if we have left anything out, feel free to add it to this list.
Signed:
Me. And anyone else that wants in to really save the honor of this Country the right way.
I’m going to hard on the blog. This time I’m calling it “The Rant.” What that means is I’m going to find a ridiculous story, meme, picture, or social media post and talk smack about here. I feel that it’s time in the Trump era that since the wrong way folks like to ruin good things, it’s time that it’s to call a spade a spade.
Now for all the professional folks, I want you to look at this:
Now if your name has a MD on LinkedIn that written a Facebook Post per se, time to find a new doctor. So the “Trump era” wants maids and bring back slaves? Really?! I think it’s time that those in the professional world needs to be examined carefully when trying to friend those whom are in professional services.This is exactly what it entails in the mood of the country. Now many are probably going to say, “Oh Stephen black people make ridiculous postings all the time. Why don’t you write about them instead of the white folks like this one?” Warning shot:this is about anyone who plays a fool online making ridiculous statements like this, and they are supposed to be professionals?
Let me say this now: If I see a posting I think is ridiculously wrong like this one, you darn right I’m going to say something about it. And the reason being for a thing called accountability. Get the minds right!
No matter what the topic is, it’s go time. I said I wasn’t playing around, but today: playtime is over. Put away the toys and old blog stories. The game is still on.
2019: Under Review.
Posted: December 30, 2019 in African American Stories and Viewpoints, African-American Introversion Bliss, Annual Review, B1G Football, Black America, Black Empowerment, Black History Month Viewpoints, Black Issues, Black Milwaukee, Calling those out to be accountable!, Celebrations, Community Concerns, Controversial Factors, Crime, Health and Wellness, Local News and Politics, Michelle Obama, Milwaukee African American Commentary, Myths and Truths, New Year Beginnings, New Year's Eve, News and politics, President Barack Obama, Revolutionary and Conscious, The Rant, The Rant of Stephen's Spot, Wisconsin African American CommentaryTags: 2019, Annual Review, Milwaukee, The Bad, The Good, The Ugly, United States, Wisconsin, Year in Review, Year of the Pig
Folks: it is now time to archive the year 2019. Its time that the year of the Pig is to be archived in the Pig Pen. But of course, the living examples of voting, racism, protesting, and yet many others will linger on. We’ll know, it’s about time that the year of 2019, is now over. But before that happens of dropping balls and popping corks: lets us review the year that was.
So now, in that case, it’s time for the Traditional Stephen’s Spot Annual Review blog of 2019! It’s time to review, summarize and learn from the year has gone by very efficiently.
The Good Nationally:
Most recently on December 31st, 2019: The Dow Jones ended the year at 28,538.44 .
The Affordable Care Act got new folks to sign up for the insurance. Just like last year, despite the thought of losing its mandate. But many still sign up to get registered.
The Washington Nationals won a World Series Title. Their 1st actually.
The Toronto Raptors won their first NBA Championship.
For the NFL: Yep, you guessed it, the New England Patriots won the Superbowl.
Barack and Michelle Obama are still admired.
For the NCAA Men’s Basketball: Virginia.
For the NCAA’s Women’s Basketball: Baylor.
For the WNBA: Washington Mystics.
For the USA Soccer – The Women’s Team won the Championship.
Yet on TV Again: How To Get Away With Murder, Empire, The Haves and Have Nots, and Blackish still dominate. Note: Empire’s season currently will be the last.
On YouTube Red: Cobra Kai Season 2. Also BOTH 2 seasons are available on DVD.
Game of Thrones ends after 8 Seasons on HBO.
What was also good: “Live In front of a Studio Audience”. The Jeffersons, All In The Family, and Good Times were revived for the new era with the same scripts from yesteryear.
Roland Martin’s Daily Digital Show, “Roland Martin Unfiltered” continues to fuel the minds of many who have been misused or intellectually lied to. Especially among African-Americans.
Black Lightning had a STRONGER Season 2 going into Season 3.
Yet again, the Hallmark Christmas specials came back for it’s 10th year. With black leading cast roles!
Motorola brought back the Razr Phones in a whole new way.
WWE Raw and Smackdown Live were stellar in 2019. Ranging from the Women’s Division rising up again, NXT, and also PPV’s of the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania. Plus the Greatest Royal Rumble and Super Showdown. Best feature ALL YEAR: Kofi Kingston wins the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania 35 becoming the first Ghanaian Wrestler in the company history to become champion. (also in the same year of the 400th Anniversary of the Transatlantic Slave Trade)
For the first time in 18 years since 2001, the WWE has a competitor on a weekly basis: AEW Wrestling. And the show competes on TNT going neck to neck versus NXT. AEW’s new show is called Dynamite, and it comes on Wednesday Nights. This is now called the “Wednesday Night Wars”.
Milestones in 2019:
Restaurants like Captain D’s and Wendy’s both celebrated 50 years.
Nintendo – believe it or not, celebrated 130 years. It really started out as a playing card company in 1889.
The United Methodist Women overall as a organization celebrated 150 of ministry in the UMC.
GAP turned 50 this year.
Woodstock and Stonewall, the uprising of the LGBT movement also observed 50 years.
MasterCard turned 40.
Adidas turned 70.
Like Batman, Marvel is also 80.
Fiat, the mini-cars that is gaining some popularity, reached 120 years.
The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary both turned 100 years old.
The Moon Landing of Apollo 11 commemorated 50 years.
The NFL turned 100 years old this year that began on a Thursday with the Old School Rivals of the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. And speaking of that, both teams have now played 200 Games total in their old school gangster battles. Currently, the Packers lead the all time series of 99-96-6.
The College Football Squad of the NCAA and the MLB both celebrated 150 years. With that, the teams also donned Throwback Jerseys that commemorated the past successes and appreciation of the schools and leagues.
A painful reminder why Slavery is a problem: August marked 400 years of the Transatlantic Slave Trade of 1619 to Jamestown, Virgina.
WWE Smackdown Live surpassed 20 years in the air. Plus made the move to Fox.
The Simpsons turned 30 years old. And their “Tree-house of Horror” Halloween show this year reached #666.
SNL celebrated their 45th Anniversary. Plus after a 35 year absence, Eddie Murphy returns as a guest host!
For the DC Comics: Batman is now 80. Created by Bob Kane in 1939.
Throwback Movies like No Holds Barred, Batman, Indiana Jones & the last Crusade all turned 30 years old.
Mortal Kombat 11 made its way onto the systems, including the Nintendo Switch.
Old School Hip Hop/R&B Albums like Prince’s Batman Soundtrack from 1989 turns 30.
Old School Hip-Hop/Rap and R&B hits like Me Myself and I, Going Back to Cali, Life Is…Too Short, We Got Our Own Thang, The Sounds of Science, Cha Cha Cha, and Rhythm Nation from 1989 all celebrated 30 years .
Mary J. Blige celebrated 25 years of My Life. Old school joint.
Throwback Album joints like Slim Shady, Da Rockwilder, Still D.R.E. Vivrant Thing, Wild Wild West (Will Smith’s Version) Smooth with Santana/Rob Thomas all had hits from 20 years ago.
Singles like Can’t Stop Me, We Made You, D.O.A. Run This Town, On To The Next One, Gangsta Love, all turned 10.
HOT NEWS: 45 is impeached!
For the Movies (my only picks I should say):
Shaft
Rambo: Last Blood
Terminator: Dark Fate
Ma
Black and Blue
Black Christmas
Captain Marvel
The Lion King
Aladdin
Joker
Avengers: Endgame
Hobbs and Shaw
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
When the BET Awards this year happened the most: Mary J. Blige was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. Tyler Perry receiving the Ultimate Icon Award, and the late Nipsey Hussle was given honor of the Humanitarian Award.
DirecTV Now becomes AT&T Now and again, heated up this year again.
The Cord Cutters of Roku, Amazon FireTV continues to have an interest of those ditching high priced cable and satellite!
BET has expanded to the Live Streaming Arena. BET+
For the music: Well not that much but I’ll take this:
Gary Clark Jr – This Land
Ciara – Beauty Marks
The Black Keys – Let’s Rock
Lil Nas X – Old Town Road w/ Billy Ray Cyrus
Khalid -Free Spirit
Anderson Paak – Ventura
DJ Khaled – Father of Asahd
Chaka Khan – Hello Happiness
Logic – Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Yuna – Black Marquee
Mary J Blige – Know
Missy Elliott – Iconology
Well known to retire nationally:
CC Sabathia, Marques Johnson, John Kuhn, Jordy Nelson, Tom Joyner, Andrew Luck, Rob Gronkowski, Doug Baldwin, Dwyane Wade, Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, Kris Humpries, Noelle Quinn, Lindsey Whale, Darren Collison, and Ichiro Suzuki.
The Nintendo Switch still made a surge in sales. Even for the Nintendo Switch Lite.
The Pageants have been on watch, but it took 5 black women from 5 countries to win them ALL!
Old School Consoles like the Sega Genesis have made their way back to the Plug In TV sections of the country.
TRADE ALERT NATIONALLY: Since Tom Joyner is retired, Rickey Smiley and his show will be taking over.
For the NFL: Jalen Ramsey, Emmanual Sanders and Mohamed Sanu found new homes in the NFL in blockbuster trades.
Straight Outta Wisconsin in a good way:
Tony Evers becomes the 46th Governor of Wisconsin, while Mandela Barnes is sworn in as the state’s 45th Lt. Governor.
According to the recent reports, the unemployment rate around Wisconsin is hovering at 3.3%. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For the Wisconsin Badgers Football team: The team has a few downs and mostly ups. Well mostly, ups in this. The team finished 10-3 overall in the 2019 Season. Winnings were best against Michigan, Nebraska, Michigan State, and yes, Minnesota. Plus claiming the Big Ten West Title and not the Big Ten Championship vs Ohio State. Jonathan Taylor becomes the latest Badger to finish with his Second Doak Award. Also, after his missed season which was a disaster, Quintez Cephus was reinstated after he was found NOT GUILTY of FALSE Sexual Charges. And had a monster year since coming back to the Badgers. And recently qualified for a bowl game, a ROSE BOWL game to challenge Oregon in a Rose Bowl Rematch from 2012.
Milwaukee Police Department goes after Reckless Drivers in the Hot Spot Zones of the city. Just like last year. AGAIN.
For the Green Bay Packers: quite a turn around! They hired Matt Lafleur as the new HC, got some new talent mostly on Defense from ZaDarius Smith, Preston Smith, and Rashan Gray. Aaron Rodgers was finding his groove, Aaron Jones was having a monster year along with Jamaal Williams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard. Plus, the Special Teams were stellar. And as of now, their record stood at 13-3 in the regular season, in which they won the NFC North Title for the first time in two seasons, and secured the Number 2 Seed in the NFL Playoffs, which is a Bye.
The Good Locally
The Light The Hoan Campaign had reached it’s halfway point which might be at its finishing point by the DNC Convention in 2020.
Black Milwaukeeans and Wisconsinites: Black Arts Fest MKE returned for the second year in row.
Milwaukee Public Schools started classes early like August, again.
American Family Insurance along with the Milwaukee Brewers and private investors in Milwaukee, saved the Lakefront Fireworks that highlights the 3rd of July tradition.
The Milwaukee Streetcar celebrated one year in November after months of disdain and false commentary.
Candy Cane Lane in the suburbs reached a milestone moment of it’s 35 years of glowing the neighborhoods on Milwaukee’s South Side. Plus it’s for a good cause for the MACC Fund vs Childhood Cancer.
The Milwaukee Brewers almost finished the season with a good note. They finished the season at 89-73, 2nd in the NL Central. They were competing in the Wildcard Series against the Washington National whom they lost to. Which is the same team that won the World Series. Plus the team unveiled a new logo and design of colors of Navy Blue and Yellow to signify the 50th Anniversary of the team’s founding for 2020. The Brewers new logo, is actually an update of the old ball/glove look that was popular in the late 70’s and most of the 80’s.
After it’s first year, The Fiserv Forum becomes a hit. While conversely, the Bradley Center was officially demolished.
The E-Scooters of Bird and Lime were reactivated after provisions had to be in place via the State of Wisconsin.
The Milwaukee Bucks had a strong season this year earlier finishing 58 wins, 24 losses. Ending up in the 2nd seed in the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs as a runner-up vs the Toronto Raptors. Also Coach Mike Budenhozer became the Coach of the Year. And yes, Giannis won the MVP of the year. Plus the team earned a Central Division Banner after a 18 year drought. So far, this season they have over 30 games and had a streak of winning 18 games.
Homeless Veterans in Milwaukee will be able to settle into Tiny-Homes real soon to get off the streets.
The Bublr Bikes still expanded. Again!
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will defend his seat in the 2020 Election for a fifth term verses contenders Ald. Tony Zilenski, and Senator Lena Taylor, whom also previously accepted the race opportunity. Also, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Able will not seek another term but contenders like David Crowley have accepted to run in the 2020 Election.
Amazon will build a plant in Oak Creek by 2021. As we know.
The Grand Avenue Mall is still getting a makeover.
The ongoing construction of the Old Warner Grand Theater (or the Grand Theater to the current heads) is coming along that will become the new home of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
The BMO Harris Tower is under construction in Downtown Milwaukee. And to add, it’s nearly complete.
Milwaukee County: Sheriff Earnell Lucas was sworn in to lead the Department.
Well known to retire locally: Sally Severson of Channel 12 slowly this year was edging towards retirement after nearly 30 years in the news media of weather. Jim Stingl of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had worked for the company for 33 years.
Also celebrated milestones locally: Baird celebrated 100 years, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin (or now known as Children’s Wisconsin Hospital celebrated 125 years of Health, my home church: The New St. James Community Church UMC celebrated 70 years of Praising God, as the first African-American United Methodist Church established in Milwaukee. And Perkins Restaurant in the Metro Milwaukee Area, was honored in the 50 years of business/service since 1969.
Hold Up: Those that left professions locally: Beverly Taylor formally of Fox 6 resigned earlier this year to focus on new endeavors. More recently, she is now on a different platform called 411 Live.
The Bad Nationally
Racism struck again in America. And it has not been nice.
Most of the Black Republicans were not very vocal against the 45.
The Mueller Report ended due to “facts” of the lying of 45 via Wikileaks.
The Senate Republicans of course support 45 of his antics and decisions.
School and Church Shootings in America had ties to Mass shootings this year over 400 in total.
Alex Trebek of “Jeopardy!” announced he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Not just him, but also Congressman John Lewis was recently diagnosed with the same condition.
Matthew Knowles, Beyonce and Solange’s Father was recently diagnosed and free from Breast Cancer.
Stabbings in New York around Hanukkah, 2019.
Many of the Caucasian Americans had false accusations of Black folks ranging from barbecuing, shopping, entering their place of residence, jobs, campaigns and many other constructive ideas and objectives. And now, that might be against the law.
The state of Black Hair on Black Women remained a suspect of those who hate it.
Several members of the 45 Administration were fired or resigned despite the position of power. The usual happened again.
Bill Cosby – formally known as America’s Favorite Dad, recent fired off vs Eddie Murphy after his appearance on SNL on December 21st.
Families are still separated near the U.S. Mexico Border.
The 45 Administration just recent signed into law regarding creating a Space Force.
Blackface still remains a racist concept. Especially among white students on PWI Campuses.
In addition to the officers killed in Milwaukee, other officers in different parts of the Country also passed on in and off duty. Slightly higher than 2017.
Hurricane Dorian.
The United Methodist Church’s General Conference had made one of the worst moves in terms of not allowing the LGBT to serve or to partake in a regular style worship service based on their lifestyle, etc. However some have stepped up and were fighting back against the conservatism of the members and groups that opposed it. The fight still lingers.
Despite of the Dow Jones being up in normal ranges, many felt it has not favored everyone in the country.
The Democrats had been on survival mode mostly against each other in the debates and contenders like Kamala Harris, Beto O’Rourke have dropped out. Plus also the contenders still struggle and trying to find a way to appease to the African-American base.
Kanye West meeting with Joel Osteen after his debut album of Jesus is King. Then many realized that it was sketchy and weird after his recently encounters with 45.
The ongoing talk of 45’s Wall.
The Bad Locally
Racism, of course, struck Wisconsin. Not just in Milwaukee.
For the first time in nearly 56 years, the Milwaukee Veterans Parade was altered due to lack of funding support.
This year back in the summer, former WRRD Host of the Forum Sherwin Hughes announced his farewell from Talk Radio. And not only that the station he previous worked at was not very nice and racist. Keep in mind this was a LEFT WING PROGRESSIVE RADIO STATION! However, most recently he returned to his own organization, “Leaders for a Better Community” and has been on the radio as a guest to talk about his viewpoints on the climate of politics in Milwaukee. Sherwin’s last day on the radio was September 10th.
A little controversial decision via the Wisconsin GOP in their meddling in regarding the honoring of African Americans in the state, which concerned former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick. But….The City of Milwaukee honored him in response. Later on in the year, another member of the Wisconsin GOP, Rep. Scott Allen wanted to have white figures to be added to the Black History Resolution for 2020. But the black politicians like Sen. Lena Taylor commented that in her words: “Once again we have a non-black state legislator deciding who should be honored in the state legislature’s 2020 Black History Month resolution,” she said. “Without consulting black state legislators, Rep. Scott Allen, at 4pm on a Friday, before the Christmas break, issues a Black History month resolution. This is an insult and disgraceful.” via DailyKaos.com
For the second time in two years, two more Police Officers from the Milwaukee Police Department were killed off and on duty.
A tried attempt to acquire more federal funds for the Milwaukee Streetcar fell short in trying to expand the Vel Philips Avenue area to the Fiserv Forum.
Foxconn still remained in question about the legality of access to jobs and government.
By the numbers: The number of homicides in Milwaukee was at 102.
Opioids in the rural areas were mostly a problem and it remains a dilemma to this day.
Like last year, the unlikely viewpoint of White Women and some men calling the police on African-Americans due to being civilized and doing constructive aspects. Even jobs. Such as : Barbecuing While Black, Campaigning While Black, Working While Black, and Volunteering While Black.
Voter Suppression was unleashed harshly in several states. Especially among elderly black folks. And to add, names on the voter rolls began to be purged.
Blackfaces. Yep, even in Wisconsin!
The Ugly Locally
As much as everyone likes the University of Wisconsin, the Homecoming Video featuring most of white student population was pulled that had reminders of the University’s checkered past of racism. And many of the black and minority students called out the school’s racism angles including UW Senior, Payton Wade.
The state was informed that approximately 200,000 citizens names might be “purged” due to moving or not updating their voter stats.
The State of Wisconsin ordered the Homeless near the Marquette Interchange (aka Tent City) to be removed due to health and safety concerns.
Plus is that not even ugly enough for 2019: One of our hotels in Milwaukee, the Comfort Suites on Park Place does not want any Milwaukee Citizens in 30 miles settling in to their hotel. Even one of our Alderwomen Chantia Lewis was denied access to stay. But our local Milwaukee Black Panthers protested that place in the result of their actions.
We Speak their names – last toast to those that passed on in 2019.
Mean Gene Okerlund
Diahann Carroll
Luke Perry
Ashley Massaro
Congressman Elijah Cummings
Bart Starr
Toni Morrison
Doris Day
Eddie Money
Grumpy the Cat
Rip Torn
Lee Mendelson
Don Imus
Mama Cax
Danny Aiello
Phillip McKeon
John Whitherspoon
Carol Spinney
Juice WRLD
René Auberjonois
Peter Fonda
Valerie Harper
Peggy Lipton
Robert Forester
John Singleton
Carol Channing
Cameron Boyce
Beth Chapman
Ric Ocasek
Peter Tork
Tim Conway
Katherine Helmond
Max Wright
Gloria Vanderbilt
Nipsey Hussle
Rob Garrison
Cokie Roberts
Kristoff St. John
Walter Mercado
Art Neville
Clark Gable III
Dr. John
And to those that passed on in Milwaukee in 2019:
Tracey Smith
Quanita “Tay” Jackson
Sonya Collins
Matthew Rittner (Milwaukee Police Department)
Kou Her (Milwaukee Police Department)
John Hetland (Racine Police Department)
Final Take:
And the final analysis of my point of view: Well this has been a year of blogging. I’ve tried my best to fill in as much as I can, but the thing is all hasn’t been that bad. If many took the chance, I do this on the Stephen’s Spot Facebook Page and Twitter Page to extend the news and viewpoints to gain more twists and turns to get the gears going. Of course the old stuff mattered. But what does matter IS THE NEW! I’ve talked about topics that mainly affect the concerns and needs of the people. And if you’re one of the online folks that jumped aboard, well you’re on time. Kind of late, but……
Now I must say this. If you the audience no matter where you’re from and if you checked out this blog beforehand or just now tuning in, thank you. Yes, this blog site has reached over 1,000 plus posts and over 25,000 hits. But likewise, there is so much to unpack. Ideas like health, finance, employment, gender rights of Men and Women, introversion, Voting, my city of Milwaukee, religion, social media false postings and opinions, and other avenues to explore. Even as a black man in America, I too must write my stories because nobody else can the way I do.
Knowing that yes, writing blog posts was and is, definitely hard work! It’s not easy at times, but when it’s on your mind to know and summarize of what’s going on in your community, that is when you get your mind jogging and get to work.
1,000+ posts are good. But the best is still YET to come!
Happy New Year!
2020 IS NEXT.