Time to archive 2018. Its time the year of the dog is to be archived in the Dog House. But of course, the living examples of voting, racism, protesting, and yet many others will linger on. Well know, it’s about time that the year of 2018, 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 2018! It’s time to review, summarize and learn from the year has gone by very efficiently.
The Good Nationally:
Most recently on December 28th, 2018: The Dow Jones ended the year at 23,062.40.
The Affordable Care Act got new folks to sign up for the insurance. Just like last year, despite the thought of losing its mandate.
The Boston Red Sox won a World Series Title. Their 9th actually.
The Golden State Warriors won another NBA Championship.
For the NFL: A first for Philadelphia winning the big game: Superbowl 52, Featuring former Wisconsin Badgers RB Corey Clement.
Michelle Obama’s Book, Becoming – hot seller of 2018. And voted the most admired.
Pete Souza’s Book, Shade sold very well in the retaliation of 45’s Tweets.
Barack Obama is still admired.
The March for our Lives Rally was about the youth and anti-gun violence.
For the NCAA Men’s Basketball: Villanova.
For the NCAA’s Women’s Basketball: Notre Dame.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married.
Yet on TV Again: How To Get Away With Murder, Empire, The Haves and Have Nots, and Blackish still dominate.
On YouTube Red: Cobra Kai.
Heard that Barack Obama and Netflix might be a connectable match coming up.
Scandal ends after 7 Seasons. Great ride.
And yet, Modern Family continues to roll.
Black Lightning had a STRONG debut of Season 1.
Yet again, the Hallmark Christmas specials came back for another year. With black leading cast roles!
TGIF returns to ABC. That’s Thank Goodness it’s Funny for those not born before 1990.
WWE Raw and Smackdown Live were huge in 2018. Ranging from the Women’s Division rising up, NXT and also PVV’s of the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania. Plus the Greatest Royal Rumble. And the PPV Evolution had a strong debut for the Women’s Department.
Milestones in 2018:
Silent Night – 200 years.
The Assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were marked at 50 years.
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity and the March on Washington was summarized after 55 Years.
The ending of WWI was marked with 100 years on Veterans Day (formerly Armistice Day).
Monday Night Raw celebrated 25 years on TV and Smackdown Live surpassed 1,000 shows.
For the United Methodist Church: the biggest news that the Denomination celebrated it’s golden year of 50 since the newly created organization was founded in May of 1968.
NASA turned 60 years old this year and the Apollo 8 Mission is highlighted after 50 years of it’s Christmas Eve Space Flight. Milwaukee Native and Veteran Astronaut James Lovell was a featured speaker recently.
Also: The Jackson Family celebrated 50 years in Music combined.
Old School Movies like Die Hard, Crocodile Dundee II, Coming To America, Twins, Rambo III and Bloodsport turned 30 years old.
Old School Hip Hop/R&B Albums like Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle, Xscape’s Off the Hook and Janet Jackson’s Janet, turned 25.
Old School Hip-Hop/Rap and R&B from 1988 celebrated 30 like He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper(DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince), Tougher Than Leather (Run-D.M.C.) It Takes Two (Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock), and Lovesexxy by Prince.
Throwback Album joints like He Got Game, It’s Dark and Hell it’s Hot, Hello Nasty, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, War and Peace (vol. 1 The War Disc), Extinction Level Event all turned 20.
Singles like 4 Minutes, Take a Bow, Whatever You Like turned 10.
Black Lives Matter turned 5.
HOT NEWS: The House Democrats in Congress took over and won the majority of the seats of the November Midterms.
For the Movies (my only picks I should say):
- Black Panther
- BlacKkKlansman
- Sorry, To bother you
- Creed II
- Bohemian Rhapsody
- The Hate U Give
- Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Halloween (40th Anniversary)
- The Avengers: Infinite War
- Bumblebee
- Uncle Drew
- Ocean’s 8
- Skyscraper
- Aqua Man
- Mission: Impossible – Fallout
- Venom
- Deadpool 2
- Night School all came out this year.
When the BET Awards this year happened the most: Anita Baker was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. And, Naomi Wadler, Mamoudou Gassama, Justin Blackman, Shaun King, Anthony Borges, and James Shaw Jr. all earned the BET Humanitarian Award respectfully.
DirecTV Now heated up this year again. Unleash the cord cutters.
For the music: Well not that much but I’ll take this:
- Kendrick Lamar – Black Panther Soundtrack
- Childish Gambino – This Is America
- The Carters – 713, Black Effect, Boss
- John Legend – A Legendary Christmas
- Drake – God’s Plan
- Eminem – Venom, Fall, Not Alike, Kamikaze
- Cardi B – Be Careful
- Ella Mai – Boo’d Up
- Kane Brown – Lose It
- Jimmie Allen – County Lines
- Amerie – The Wall
- Lenny Kravitz – Low
- Jack White – Corporation; Hypermisophoniac
- Cardi B/ Bruno Mars – Finesse
- Ice Cube – Everythangs Corrupt, Can You Dig It?
Well known to retire nationally:
Joe Thomas, Kam Chancellor, James Harrison, Devin Hester, DeAngelo Hall, Stephon Marbury, Lindsay Whalen, Carson Palmer, David West, Mo Williams, Manu Ginobili, Victor Cruz, Kyle Lohse, Justice Anthony Kennedy all hung up their cleats, jerseys and robes.
The Nintendo Switch still made a surge in sales.
TRADE ALERT NATIONALLY:
Roland Martin was under contract via TVOne until the Summer of 2018. Now, he owns (OWNS) a daily digital show called, Roland Martin Unfiltered. With this show, Roland highlights the daily news topics of politics and special reports. His show is making a mark of what is missing that the major networks don’t cover nor talk about. Plus his theme song is performed by EnVogue.
Lebron James goes from Cleveland Cavs to the L.A. Lakers.
Straight Outta Wisconsin in a good way:
Tony Evers BEAT Scott Walker for the Wisconsin Governor Election. Thus also, Former State Rep Mandela Barnes becomes the first black Lt. Governor in Wisconsin’s 170th-year history. More recently, the newly Governor-Elect appointed Carolyn Stanford Taylor to be the next State Superintendent of Schools: Another FIRST For Wisconsin’s Black History.
According to the recent reports, the unemployment rate around Wisconsin is hovering under 17%. But still, a way to go.
For the Wisconsin Badgers Football team: The Team has a few downs and mostly ups. The team finished 8-5 overall in the 2018 Season. Jonathan Taylor becomes the latest Badger to finish with All-American Honors. And recently qualified for a bowl game, a Pinstripe Bowl game to defeat Miami 35-3.
Milwaukee Police Department goes after Reckless Drivers in the Hot Spot Zones of the city. Just like last year.
For the Green Bay Packers: Not so much this year. Despite a 6-9-1 record on the standings, the organization surpassed 100 Seasons in the NFL. Jimmy Graham was traded to the Packers from New Orleans. Davante Adams became a new force in the wide receiver angle for the team. Blake Martinez, Kyle Fackrell stepped up the defensive side of the team, and Aaron Rodgers signed a 100,000.000 contract for the next couple of years to keep him in the green and gold until he turns 40. (If possible)
The Good Locally
Light the Hoan. Get used saying that name, because they will “Light The Hoan!” Oh and the sample was good!
Attention Black Milwaukeeans and Wisconsinites: Black Arts Fest MKE debuts after a 5-year absence of no Arts Festival for the Black Community on the Lakefront.
The Milwaukee Public Schools welcomed back the Alumni again. For the third time at The Tripoli Shrine Center!
Here’s a shocker, Milwaukee was recently listed as one of the cities in the U.S. that you can start a business.
Milwaukee Public Schools started classes early like August, again.
The Milwaukee Streetcar debuts in November after many years of political fights.
A portion of 4th Street between St. Paul Avenue and Capitol Drive has been named after Vel Phillips.
The Milwaukee Brewers finished the season with a strong ending of 96 Wins 67 Losses, capturing the NL Central Division, and were the runner-up in the NLDS vs the LA Dodgers. Christian Yelich was chosen the NL Player of the year of 2018.
The Fiserv Forum opens its doors for business and entertainment. While conversely, the Bradley Center ends its 30-year reign.
The Milwaukee Bucks had a strong season this year earlier finishing 42 wins, 40 losses. Ending up in the 6th seed in the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs as a runner-up vs the Boston Celtics. Since moving to the new Fiserv Forum, the team got a new coach, Mike Budenhozer and as of this week ending in 2018, the team was 24-10, and in first place in the Eastern Conference.
The Bublr Bikes still expanded. Again!
Ikea debuts in Oak Creek.
Since 2016, the BMO Harris Bank was demolished after the Sherman Park Riots. The Bank has been rebuilt and also in the building of the former bank rose a Phoenix. A Sherman Phoenix!
Amazon will build a plant in Oak Creek by 2021.
The Grand Avenue Mall is getting a makeover.
The Old Warner Grand Theater (or the Grand Theater to the current heads) will become the new home of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
The BMO Harris Tower is under construction in Downtown Milwaukee.
Milwaukee County: Sheriff Earnell Lucas was voted to lead the Sheriff’s Department.
Well known to retire locally:
For the retirees in Milwaukee: Kathy Mykelby of Channel 12 retires after 38 years of Broadcasting. Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn retired after 40+ years in Law Enforcement.
Also celebrated milestones locally:
Harley-Davidson marked 115 years as a motorcycle company. And featured several attractions of bike races on Bradford Beach and many others. The race on Bradford Beach was a first for Harley in over 100 years. If those were wondering, that’s part of how Harley was noticed. Also, the traditional Harley-Davidson Parade concluded the festivities along Wisconsin Avenue.
The Harley-Davidson Museum turned 10.
The Wisconsin Black Historical Society celebrated 30 years in the black community.
50 years ago, Milwaukee had an Open Housing March that ended in 1968, following up from the year earlier. Thus starting up the Housing Laws.
Hold Up: Those that left professions locally:
Several Milwaukee TV personalities recently left their craft all over the city but now, they have decided to find new ideas in their careers. Fox 6’s Beverly Taylor and Myra Sanchick, plus Today’s TMJ 4’s Tatiana Cash have resigned from their professions. We thank them for their Milwaukee TV Broadcasting Services.
TRADE ALERT LOCALLY: In late July, a shocking announcement (via Social Media) that “The Forum” with Sherwin Hughes on 860AM WNOV was ending its 6-year reign. But several weeks later on August 13th, 2018 it was resurrected and started fresh on another station, Real Resistance Radio, 1510AM WRRD.
The Bad Nationally
Racism struck again in America.
Most of the Black Republicans were not very vocal against the 45.
School Shootings in Parkland, Florida.
45 made stingy enemies out of April D. Ryan, Yamiche Alcindor, Jemele Hill, Stacy Abrams, Andrew Gilliam, Joy-Ann Reid, and many other African-American folks that protested and commented against the so-called President. Even against Congresswoman “Auntie” Maxine Waters.
The Senate retained the position overseen by Republicans.
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.
Nigeria faced flooding issues. As well as Japan and North Korea.
Several members of the 45 Administration were fired or resigned despite the position of power.
Bill Cosby – formally known as America’s Favorite Dad, was off to jail.
California Wildfires
John Acosta of CNN gets booted from the White House after questioning 45. Then came back in due to his First Amendment Rights.
Families separated near the U.S. Mexico Border.
Larry Nassar – the now former USA Gymnastics/Michigan State Doctor goes to prison. All or most of the 175 years sentencing.
Shootings in Bakersfield, California.
Shootings in Alabama.
School Shootings in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The 45 Administration just loved Government Shutdowns.
Cambridge Anlythica and Facebook had a revealing concept of data.
The Caravan.
After the blackface topic, Megyn Kelly gets fired from NBC.
In addition to the officers killed in Milwaukee, other officers in different parts of the Country also passed on in duty. Slightly higher than 2017.
Sears Stores as many shopped for years had announced the closing of their stores. Same with Toys R Us. (But came back as “Geoffery’s Toy Box” in the grocery stores)
Indonesia was hit with a Tsunami and an EarthQuake.
Several black pastors caused a stirring meeting with 45.
Hurricane Florence.
The “Russian Bots” and their interference in the elections and social justice concerns against the United States.
Cyber attacking hit the American Newspapers.
In recent reports, Teachers are quitting at a rapid pace within the 10 month period of the year.
The UK was struck with Racism around their Black History Month Celebrations in October.
The woes of Stormy Daniels.
Christine Blasey Ford vs Brett Kavanaugh.
The Bad Locally
Racism, of course, struck Wisconsin. Not just in Milwaukee.
For the first time in 25 years: Klement Sausage lost its sponsorship via the Milwaukee Brewers.
For the first time in nearly 100 years, the Milwaukee Christmas Parade was canceled due to lack of funding support, and the family overseeing the parade had retired. Plus the singing bears were not around in the Grand Avenue Mall.
For the first time in 22 years (1996), 2 Milwaukee Police Officers were killed in the line of duty.
DRS is moving from Milwaukee to Menomonee Falls.
Boston Store, one of Milwaukee’s last surviving shopping stores, closed it’s doors permanently.
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.
FIRED COACHES: Mike McCarthy was fired from the Green Bay Packers after 13 seasons. Conversely, Jason Kidd was fired from the Milwaukee Bucks previously earlier in the year.
Foxconn remained in question about the legality of access to jobs and government.
By the numbers: The number of homicides in Milwaukee was at 101.
Opioids in the rural areas were mostly a problem and it remains a dilemma to this day.
In regarding the black pastors and 45, Bishop Darell Hines a local minister of Christian Fellowship Church also met with the enemy and not many were pleased. Especially FORMER Members and current antagonists.
The Ugly Nationally
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.
Blackfaces.
Kanye West meeting with 45. Then realizing it was a mistake.
The ongoing talk of 45’s Wall.
The VA encountered glitches for our veterans for their ongoing payments.
Draketown, Georgia and a KKK Rally.
The Ugly Locally
Before leaving office, Governor Scott Walker signs a Lame Duck bill benefiting limiting powers to the incoming governor-elect Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul.
An unlikely turn of events, the City of Milwaukee’s Election Commission was under the scrutiny of the number of absentee ballots recorded that gave the victory to Tony Evers. Who lead the scrutiny? Governor Scott Walker.
Before on speaking good terms, the Brothers of Aaron Rodgers were not on the same page.
We Speak their names – last drink to those that passed on in 2018
Billy Graham
Stan Lee
Penny Marshall
George H.W. Bush
Barbara Bush
Aretha Franklin
Roy Clark
Dynamite Kid
Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart
Brian Lawler (aka Grandmaster Sexay)
Larry “The Axe” Henning
Nikolai Volkoff
Big Van Vader
Stephen Hawking
Burt Reynolds
Sen. John McCain
Mac Miller
Stephen Hillerburg
Joe Jackson
Robin Leach
Craig Mack
Bruno Sammartino
Winnie Mandela
Ken Berry
Neil Simon
Ed Schultz
Anthony Bourdain
Kate Spade
Verne Troyer
Charlotte Rae
R. Lee Emery
Richard Overton
XXXTenaction
We speak their names – Those that Milwaukee Lost Locally
Milwaukee Police Officers Charles Irvine, Jr. and Michael Michalski.
Sandra Parks
Shannon D. Mani
Kiara Brown
Alfred Bader
Vel Phillips
And the final analysis of my point of view: I must say that as a blogger in my own right, the creative side of this writing continues to thrive my ability to communicate. The fact of the matter is, my style is very much in its zone by itself. When the announcement came to me on Thanksgiving after I written the “Be Thankful” surpassing 1,000 posts that were like……where was this going? I am now extra motivated to do this even more.
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 1,000 plus posts and over 25,000 hits. But likewise, there is so much to discuss. Ideas like health, finance, employment, my city of Milwaukee, religion, social media and other avenues to explore. Even as a black man in America, I must write my stories.
Knowing that yes, writing 1,000 plus 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!
Onward to 2019.
43.107982
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Scratching my head all this time – the still getting used to 2018…..rr 2019 year.
Posted: January 22, 2019 in African American Stories and Viewpoints, African-American Introversion Bliss, Black Empowerment, Black Milwaukee, Black stories that all should know and realize, Black Wisconsin, Commmunity Conerns, Controversial Factors, Decision Factors, Every American MUST realize!, Facebook, Facebook Viral, Health and Wellness, Holidays, Male Issues, Mental Health, Myths and Truths, New Years Day, Revolutionary and Conscious, The hands are up and no comment!, The Hypocritical Minded, The Issues, Weather, Wisconsin African American Commentary, Women IssuesTags: Annual Blog, Black Enterprise, Challenger Explosion, Federal Government Workers, Holidays, Scratching My Head All This Time, Terry Crews, The Hop, Wisconsin
With the still new year in motion, it’s already being bonkers. Of course today we are removed from the first Federal Holiday in honor of Dr. King. And yeah, New Year’s Day. But in all what has 2019 has done thus far, well not much except the inaugurations and the soon to be done 2018-19 NFL Season. And the disappointing Government Shutdown that plagued the 800,000 workers. Shameful! And like many before, I’m scratching my head again.
Black folks: what about this challenge? Can this happen?
I’m assuming that all of the Divine 9 January Founder’s Day “Days” have been accounted for?
So how’re those New Year’s Resolutions holding up? Like seriously?!
Did anyone act a fool on the King Holiday? Please say no!
So…Wisconsin, how about that new Governor Tony Evers, eh?
What will be missed about the Bradley Center? Besides the empty spot of rubble?
That one weekend in Milwaukee this actually happened on January 12th and 13th: no gunshots. Can we have every weekend or every day without no gun violence?
You know that the Milwaukee Bucks are dead serious of Basketball dominance in the East, right?
Why many conservatives want to test Cardi B? Like seriously?!
It just dawned on me. Not every music artist is “woke and conscious!!!!” Why is that possible?! And who is listening to them? – Regarding R.Kelly.
Since when did Cigna and Queen Latifah hook up for annual physical PSAs for 2019?
Of all the things wild today in Milwaukee, naming rights. Why Miller Park?
It seems that the Milwaukee Streetcar haters got excited about the vehicle being stuck in all this past week. But did they know that an incorrectly parked car caused the problem?! Stupid. And no, this is where you have to defend The Hop.
Is Killer Mike’s Trigger Warning show valuable right now on Netflix?
With now the NFL playoffs set, and Championship Sunday is clear, it either the #Rams or the same ol’ Tom Brady and the #Patriots. Who you really got? Spoiler Alert: There is a shocker.
So Gladys Knight is going to sing the National Anthem for the Super Bowl. And yes we know that the song had the Third Stanza of “No heirling or refuge for a slave” lyric. And many called her to be off-limits to black cards and cookouts. On the flip side, Gladys Knight has been on the forefront way before me, the millennials, generation z, all the so-called woke and conscious revolutionary folks, and even Colin Kaepernick and his girlfriend Nessa. So why we have to question her and her choice of singing the Anthem?! And making her sing the third stanza?! What kind of “ish” is that? Man, regardless of the decision she made and it’s none of our concern, respect the elders. I’m just saying!
Just recently, there was a Black Millionaire, named Robert F. Smith that donated to an HBCU, Morehouse College in Georgia, and many black folks on the Black Enterprise Facebook Page cried foul about this. Seriously, what is the problem?!!
Did many folks display the American Flag out on the MLK Holiday? Be honest.
You realize that January 31st will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jackie Robinson? Watch 42!
Is Kamala Harris the one we want to see as President?
Black Folks: I need us to really explain the truth about what the Black Agenda is. What is it? Why does it matter to us in regarding those we put in office?
Spike Lee at long last will be a nominated for an Oscar. Are we happy about this?
Why is the coverage of Tommy Sotomayor still alive? Dude is STRAIGHT trash!!!!
With all the #SurvivingRKelly stuff still fresh in our minds, why reopen the pandora’s box with all the stuff happened to Michael Jackson? That will not fly right. Spoiler Alert.
In all fairness, what will it retake to reopen the Government for the Federal Workers that need their checks? And to STAY OPEN? And the WALL IS NOT THE ANSWER!
In my view, the House Democrats need to go rogue and nuclear. Around the Senate, around Mitch, around 45, around the Authority of the nation’s principals to get over the shutdown and back to work. Why is this not being proposed?!
Can the Marijuana users in all be very safe after going into the stores smelling so bad?! And the same on the roads?!!
CALLOUT: For all of the African-Americans in Wisconsin: If many had complained about the lack of qualified applicants of color, which is viable so, why many of us HAD NOT APPLIED for the jobs that the Evers Administration had displayed prior to him taking office?! They were displayed online for several weeks! We complain about this and that, and when the opportunity comes up, we go on empty. And also, what’s up the black caucuses’ in Wisconsin?! Why haven’t they been used as a resource in this? No, I’m not talking about the NAACP or the National/Local Urban Leagues. I’m talking about the Black Caucuses that many don’t tap into as much in the African-American Communities. We should know!
SECOND CALLOUT: White folks, why do you have to resort being triggered when it comes to a black man or a black woman who the phrase, “my black brothers and sisters” when addressing our concern of race? Or interracial marriage? This was brought up recently!
Update on the Shutdown: it seems that the workers are getting their checks on again and working. But why only 3 weeks until February 15th?
For all of us in the Midwest, you really believe that the Polar Vortex is not a joke?
The week of January 28th will highlight the 33rd Anniversary of the Challenger Explosion of 1986. Many of us were young when that day happened. I’m talking about us Generation X folks. Just to ask, who are the fools who think that the moon landing was fake back in 1969 which that nothing to do with this at all?!
So I hear that Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching. Um….not many like valentines though. Who really does? With all the negativity of dating and folks being way too much about that one guy or girl! Or rumors.
And the FINAL QUESTION of the first Scratching My Head All The Time Blog Post of 2019: When that Covington High School student that was disrespectful just staring at the Navajo Elder on his turf, with a MAGA hat. What was his problem?! And you know that was out of bounds dealing with racism. And oh, the jury is still out on this matter after that Today show interview.
BONUS QUESTION: It seems that the hate on Terry Crews getting sexually assaulted way back when is getting a backlash. Usually from Black Men, even D.L. Hughley, and several others. When women get sexually assaulted or abused or inappropriately touched many of them and some men do go out and band together and raise hell on the dude that did the act. HOWEVER: when a Man gets sexually assaulted, no matter how long ago it was, he receives that laughing joking reaction and gets humiliated by the male audience. Folks, when this happens in our society, what is the general common ground that stuff likes this goes on almost everytime, and it doesn’t get the same amount of respect that needed to be heard? I say this every June when Men’s Health Month comes around, with all the “Men need to go to the doctors to get checked out” speeches. BUT THIS is a health matter that Men need to be aware of and tackle with a strong Health and Wellness Foundation to improve. If this issue is bad for Men, what will it mean for the young boys who are running wild and stupid (due to DNA Samples) and many of them without setting them straight because of their dads, uncles, grandfathers, male cousins, and others are LIVING FOUL?! And women who sexually assault or abuse men, don’t get off that easily. You’re in this also!