Three Way Dance: Colin Kaepernick, the Truth of ITT Tech, and the saga of the Milwaukee Unrest News Continues.

It’s a been a minute, but I’m back fresh and new with a Three Way Dance. For this, it’s all about the three things I’ve been reading about lately. As well as everyone else.

First: The saga of the kneeling, siting down during the National Anthem of Colin Kaepernick.

Yes, the same Colin Kaepernick whom was a dominate player when running the Pistol Plays with the 49ers, member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity of the Divine 9, a guy that was beating the Green Bay Packers twice, and oh, here’s something: He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. And grew up a Packers fan. Yes, Colin was a Packers Fan when Brett Favre was running the show. In the recent Preseason game between the Packers and the 49ers, there was a scene during the national anthem in which usually every stands during the playing of America’s Theme Song. However, there was only one player who did not stand, and that was Colin Kaepernick. Colin was sitting down during the anthem. And when that shot of him sitting down was shown on pics, oh guess what: You so-called Americans had to go in on him just because he didn’t stand up. Wow. Oh, when the Niners were in their next game, he kneeled. Another Niner player kneeled also. Plus one of the Seattle Seahawks, Jeremy Lane sat on the bench while the national anthem played on. Yes, as crazy as it seems, there are those who are using the sitting and kneeling thing to exercise their constitutional right to protest about the injustices about the effects of People of Color that goes on everyday.

Now let’s talk about Colin’s thing. He says and I quote: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

That was the lighting rod. Of course that many who heard that didn’t sit well with being “OVERLY PATRIOTIC” in a sense that yes it’s about the recoginition of our military who fought, served and died for our freedoms that we dance around like Pokemon Go fans in a park. I’m just kidding on the Pokemon thing!  Hey, if you like Pokemon Go, nothing against that. But what I’m saying is that the flag/anthem protest thing in athletes have been done before. Espeicially Black Athletes! Remember Mamoud Abdul-Rauf: Who was formally known as Chris Jackson before converting to Islam of the Denver Nuggets, yeah that guy. When he was with the team way back in the 90’s, he was standing during the anthem but was not looking at the flag. He was praying with his hands close to his face. And yes, there were folks were mad at him for the disrespect per se for the flag. Tommie Smith and John Carlos were famous for the Black Power Salute in 1968, but also got targeted because of their protest. Keep in mind also, that 1968 was also the year that Martin Luther King was assassinated. And segregation was still running amuck. So stuff like this is nothing new, but with those who are just now new, and being recent, you are getting a first hand education on why stuff like this happens and will appear in your textbooks. And yes, school is back.

When I was listening to the commentary about Colin Kaepernick here in Milwaukee, on the black radio stations via WNOV and other black related outlets, I’ve been hearing the callers pouring in their commentary about “Oh, Colin Kaepernick did it for all the black people in America!” “Colin Kaepernick was born in Milwaukee….” And many others. Folks in Milwaukee: I’ve mentioned this years ago when Colin was on scene with Pistol Plays, and making the Packers miss, and couldn’t win a freaking Super Bowl, what has Colin Kaepernick done for Milwaukee?  What has he done? What has Colin Kaepernick done for Wisconsin? Yes, Colin Kaepernick was born in Milwaukee, but NEVER CLAIMED Milwaukee as his home! Never! His family of course moved when he was young due to high school and college. But never claimed the city as home! The late great Gene Wilder, whom recently passed was born in Milwaukee, and went to one of my rival schools: Washington High School. And  yes there was a movie reference about Milwaukee in one of his films. What does it take to give back to Milwaukee you ask? Try volunteering in an area that you know VERY WELL in Milwaukee.  I don’t care about the schools or community centers you know because of your childhood or where you used to hang out in finding some dude /chick for a date. If you know that Church that you go to for volunteer work, or neighborhood or whatever thing you know well in Milwaukee to go to, THAT IS WHERE YOU START! You start that and build up. Real talk folks! Yes, I see the famous folks whom were Milwaukee born, raised somewhere else, but some of them do come back to give back. Eric Benet was here years ago to make an album in the same neighborbood that he grew up in Milwaukee. He even helped served food at a local McDonalds and that restaurant was jammed pack!  Tank, the R&B singer that you see on the show, Born Again Virgin on TVOne, he came back to a concert here in Milwaukee to perform. He was born here. Now I probably might in the future that I might get those “I’m sorry you were born in Milwaukee”quotes but I’m going to comment that later on in the third part of the story. But seriously folks, what has Colin Kaepernick did, was for himself. HIS constritutional right. Not for all in the black community in the country, per se!

The second dance card: The Truth of ITT Tech.

As many around  the country know, yes, school is back in session. But however, ITT Tech recently has been coming under fire about their educational concerns. The recent closing of ITT Tech around the country shocked many who have gotten started or continued with their majors is disappointing and will take their educational experience elsewhere. But I’m here to tell you that my experience began with ITT Tech, was in late 1994 when I was still a Senior at John Marshall High School. They came to the school in one of my English Classes, in talking about the classes and majors and they wanted to have some insight from the students at the time. Later on, I got a phone call from one of the recruiters from ITT, a black man if you will, to have to meet me at home for a well rounded interview with my parents. The interview went well, and also giving me an overview about ITT to have those connections with Archtietture, the Military, and many others. Later after that, the school picked me of course and I was selected to come to the school for a visit. To see the classrooms and labs. The ITT Tech thing seemed very interesting. And I got my financial aid thing set up and I had to take a test to have a fit per se in getting a spot on the campus.I flunked the first test, but passed it on the second try. After I graduated from Marshall in 1995, I had a short summer rest. Real short. When June 12th came, I started the classes right away. Yep! Sure did. I wish I had taken a year off to process my brain like Malia Obama is doing now. But in between the classes, I remember taking the Bus from 41st and Capitol to 63rd and Layton which was an hour ride listing to my CD player in all. The classes I remember were lectures and labs. Success in Learning, was one of the subjects was well known. Other classes of Drafting lectures and labs, were so-so Ok. But the harder stuff was seeing the Educational Serivces Area to see how much progress was made. Most of that, was not that great. There were times I stayed after class to catch up on classwork of the draft drawings to get the extra credits, but usually that wasn’t enough. And plus I got my first MLK Scholarship in January of 1996.

So in the summer of 1996, I withdrew from the school to go to the one Tech college I know: Milwaukee Area Technical College. When I got to the MATC Downtown Campus, I remember taking their asset tests to see where I would stand in getting that extra start. Here is the thing: I took the Basic Skills Courses for ONE Semester and passed them all. Plus also, I took the Accuplaer Test on Campus, passed that to get into the Printing and Electronic Publishing Program in 1997. And that transition of that was alot more simplified than ITT Tech. In 2004, way after I graduated from MATC in the Y2K,  I was already taking distance ed courses with UW-Stout. Plus when I was in one of the Teleconference Rooms before linking up with one of the classes at the time, there was talk about ITT Tech not being a good school. And I lend in my experience about what happened, MAINLY with Basic Entrance Qualifications that ITT didn’t have. One of my male UW-Stout classmates was at ITT one time, that in his experience, was his comment:  “ITT Tech is Full of Sh*t.” So we got one thing common on that. But yes that was my expereince that happened in 1995-1996 in Greenfield, Wisconsin.

Note to myself: I should have gone to MATC in 1995!

In the wake of the closing,  I need to ask: Should ITT Tech payback ALL THE MONEY that many were robbed of years ago? (No question is a dumb question) Especially those who withdrew years back? If anyone from ITT can read this, I WANT MY MONEY BACK! What ever was paid back then, I WANT BACK! Since you guys are closing up shop, give all the former students their free transcripts and a check. Even for those who didn’t graduate. Plus for those whom are in the struggle at ITT and having the closing of the school on you, my heartfelt sympathies. But just to let you know that your experience may have ended, but your Tech Colleges will take up the slack to help you out. For those in Milwaukee, go to MATC and finish your Associates. Or any WTCS 2 year school. If you were taking the classes for Bachelor’s Degree for ITT, I would transfer those credits to a University. Take it to any UW-School. Even UW-Stout! Yes, I said Stout. Take that! If I were you, I would consider either finishing your Education at MATC and/or a University. Manily at the University of Wisconsin whatever! It ain’t over, folks. You can begin again, but your journey is not yet broken!

Third dance on the card: The still ongoing saga of the Milwaukee Unrest.

As many of us in Milwaukee are trying to adjust to our daily lives of work, school and play, we are still dealing with the ongoing unrest that is a constant struggle we know. For all the REAL citizens whom are praying for the city from the outside, I speak as a citizen to say thank you. Keep praying for Milwaukee as well as any other city that is going through an Unrest Session that is against People of Color to go through.

First, I was reading a Op-Ed story from CNN about Milwaukee recently. But the thing was, it was coming from a former Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Journalist, Sarah Hoye. Many of us remember Sarah writing for the JS Columns way back, but what we didn’t know the most was her upbrining in the Sherman Park area. It was titled, “The Milwaukee You Don’t Know” and Sarah being the native born was on point. As I was reading her opiniion piece on the site, I was clearly amazed and shocked that she had to go through all that hate growing up. Not getting a date for the Prom or Homecoming. Being called a Nigg*r or Monkey while being hated on, and she also writes that there were those who told her that she couldn’t mount much to anything that she can accomplish and etc. Reminds me of my childhood when folks were telling me that I can’t do certain, or can’t comeback of a certain behavior problem. Isn’t that right Milwaukee Urban League’s Betty Speed and Manpower? After all, isn’t that part of Milwaukee’s problem with all the unrest of crabs in a bucket? Let’s be honest here: we still have that today! You still have black folks hating on black folks even if they were brought up in a household full of educators, and you look at a male member of the family thinking he aint sh*t. I don’t care who is reading this part, you might be that person that is doing it.And you sit behind a desk telling him this! And I’ve seen white folks do the same thing. Oh there will become a time that when your end comes, you may be BEGGING HIM to apologize or to admit of any wrong doing. Trust me, I’ve seen it and I’ve read about it. Just watch it! Later on in the article, Sarah highlights her opinion piece by these words, and I STRONGLY AGREE!

But here’s the thing: I am not sorry for being born and raised in Milwaukee.

Can anyone say “Praise the Lord!” Listen: I’ve heard folks say, I’m from the Chi, folks cheer. I’m from the MIA (or Miami), folks cheer. I’m from New York, the BK, Jersey, Philly in the house! I’m Straight outta LA or Compton, or Atlanta, and other city that folks will cheer for. Why is it that when Milwaukee is in the convo, folks had to bow their heads as being sorry?! What is this?

Am I sorry being from Milwaukee? HELL NO!

Am I sorry being born, raised, educated, worked in Milwaukee? HELL NO!

I am not sorry for being born here for any reason. Yes, Milwaukee may have punk haters who don’t give a two cents about your upbringing, like other cities in all. But there are those in Milwaukee that want to give you a chance! Even if you think you might scoot to the other cities, but there are those who will give you a chance, here! And it REALLY depends on who you know. Now some are probably are going to say, “Who in the hell in Milwaukee can help me?” Who?!

My question is: who in the hell that knows you very well in Milwaukee?

Who knows you, your family, your Alumni, your neighbors, your school where your kids play, your community center, your church, your local officer that comes by your neighborhood or church, your insurance person, your store owners, musicians, or others. Even a Funeral Director at a Funeral Home that also does communty work that YOU KNOW VERY WELL! That is what’s up. We got them here!

Even those who that volunteers or spends time tutoring your children after school, but again, it depends on who YOU KNOW! Even those who are finding jobs. Especially for city likes to take in those who have more experience than those who don’t. And those that want the skills to improve. Again it depends on who knows you! That is what it needs to figure out. Link with those who YOU KNOW that KNOWS YOU! Plain and Simple. Then from there, then you can connect with those you don’t know that expand.

Now getting back to the Unrest: I was watching a special on our local station, CBS 58 about the subject, “Milwaukee at a Crossroads”.  Before I get into the commentary, review this video from the September 7th, 2016 showing. No Commercials! It’s part 3 of the special that was aired this week.

<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/181647676″>Milwaukee at a Crossroads Part 3</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/user47145479″>CBS 58 News</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

 

The entire 1 hour special that was aired in no commericals, was centered around the subject of those losing their children and teens in gun violence in the past. The mother of the late Marcus Debak was on the special. Marcus was killed on a Milwaukee playground back in the mid 90’s. The mother knows the most, on how that a child like Marcus can be taken out with despair. The many other parents and Great-Aunts were sitting in the room with the pictures of their loved ones that they have lost. Everyone of them has a common story of how they were killed. Many of them believed that Guns weren’t the problem. It was the people behind the barrel that caused the problem. Most of us haven’t heard that in a while. And no, it was not about about having those right to bear arms things. And many of them had asked the same question about, how can something like this be stopped or preventable. I think it’s going to take an ongoing effort to have this to stop. We can create all the programs, the getting the church folks out, the jobs stuff all we want. Event the activisms. But WE NEED to stop running in circles in what we really want and just go get already!

As far as the orange fence around Sherman Park, I’m glad it’s down.  I can understand that Sheriff David Clarke had it up to increase the curfews or law and order. But it has been going on far enough. Personally, I think the County Executive had made the right call by removing it. Of course, it didn’t sit well with all wtih David Clarke, but when the judge made the ruling about the removal, that was it! Nothing more.

Milwaukee is still in progress. In order to complete this progress, the work must be done. It will take a long time, but still it must be done!

 

 

 

 

 

Breaking News: North Side of Milwaukee goes berserk. And it started with a shooting.

I was going to wait after the Olympics to blog again. But the reason for this, the Northside of Milwaukee was up in total anger with fires and tension. And to connect with social media for those of where to go and meetup and havoc. How stupid.

I had to break away from watching the Olympics in which was a historical performance, to see the ironic tension of looting, fires, deep tension and many other concerns that plagued this city. 44th and Auer is where the shootings started. A 23 year old was shot and killed in the view of the Milwaukee Police Department. And yes after that, all hell broke loose. And a weapon was stolen with 23 shots rang out. And bricks being thrown.

The hell that broke loose, also continued with bus shelters, and street lights near Sherman and Auer were damaged. The BP Gas Station in the same area where a protest happened a month ago: burned. Right near Sherman Park. Further blocks away, more fires happened at a Jet Beauty Store near 35th and Burleigh. Also a O’Reilly Auto Parts in the same area, engulfed in flames. Nearby, a BMO Harris Bank right near my old Middle School had smoke issues in the building . All of this many feel that the black community has not had no love. And the thing is, it’s a warning sign.

 

Now I know that many had to go in about Milwaukee in which like comparing this riot to a championship win. Or there are those who don’t care about the city and having this shrugging shoulders mixed with pinned up frustrating matters.For all those who think have the answers and are acting foolish, SIT DOWN and Shut up! Clearly those don’t have all the answers. I don’t give a care if you transplanted to Texas or Atlanta or the East Coast, or the West Coast or a well known international region, you’re living there now. But I’ll bet none of you never actually really care about this city known as Milwaukee!

If so, PROVE ME WRONG! Send a long distance donation to your old schools and charitable functions you left behind.

Many of you have this noting about “oh well that’s Milwaukee for you when the violence happens.” Really?! Is that what those think?  Seriously? All you have to do is go on Twitter, Facebook in all and with the negative remarks on the likes of CNN commenters saying “yeah tear down that stuff, you bunch of hoodlums!” If many of you so-called Americans say that, I consider that being unpatriotic! And many folks know it!

Now for those of us here in Milwaukee. Those of us who work, pay our taxes, contribute to our causes, we need to rise more. We need to rise up like a freaking phoenix. We can have the clergy coming out, the community leaders, the fraternity, the sorority, the employed, the unemployed, the underemployed,the neighbor that looks out, the neighborhood leaders, the hardcore activist, the conscious, the not so-conscious, the in between, the Introverted, Extroverted, Ambiverted, the Unsung Heroes, and many other categories: Rise like the Phoenix! It’s time to do it. For the police, firefighters, EMTs, your are in this as well! We pay our taxes, so your salary stays on point.

Just the other day, a day after all the burnings, I took a trip near the corner of Sherman and Burleigh and my reaction to the damage in person of the BP Gas Station was just shocked. The anger. The concern. And began to ask why this. Why would ANYONE like this would destroy a Gas Station?! Why? I went to my Nikon Camera and like everyone else, I snapped about several pictures that was like this:

 

And also, if many have not guessed it, a stream of cars on Sherman Boulevard going south and north was nearly jammed packed. The same with vehicles going East on Burleigh Street. Television Trucks of ABC7, WKOW, CNN and many others from the different parts of America came out to cover this tradgey that has sparked my home city’s unrest. Also, there folks preaching the word on Megaphones on both corners. Water was on sale on the corner where Sherman Park is along with individals giving away cupcakes and free hugs.

 

As I left the area, I driven North on 44th Street towards Auer Avenue, this was the area that the shooting began. And plus it was nearly jammed packed with cars and also residents and ministers as Salvation Army Chaplians.

The day after, I went further east to take pictures of the 7th District Milwaukee Police Station where it was roped off with Caution tape and boarded up. Also, the BMO Bank was boared up after it was struck by fire. A MetroPCS store was boared up after looting as well as a restaurant of KFC/Taco Bell was broken up with glass. Nearby an O’Reilly AutoParts store was destroyed by fire as well as a Jet Beauty Store not only looted, but also was destroyed by fire as well.

Ladies and Gentlemen of America, this was the experience that Milwaukee endured during that weekend of unrest. And like many others in the past, it was an unrest concern that never should have happened. The Sherman Park Neighborhood is a legendary neighborhood. I know so because my older sister and I used to reside in the area between the years 2000 and 2006. We resided on Grant Boulevard in a church parsonage in which was near Center Street. I used to catch the 22 MCTS bus to go either to work, school, shopping or church. Nearby, there was a barbershop where I used to go to get my haircuts. An organization called ASHA Family Services is in that area along with the Ritz Fish Market near the corner of 38th and Center, and it was and is owned by my family members. My old elementary school, 38th Street School, (now under the Milwaukee College Prep) is in that area. Washington High School, my high school’s rival is in the area. The homes in the area are almost legendary with years going back to about 100 years old. This is what I learned back then and understand now. Plus also, the Sherman Park Neighborhood is an active diverse neighborhood and still is. And plus I’m a northside born resident.

But I want to go back to this shooting. And I know that many are asking: what compelled this act of shooting that lead to this burning of several buildings, cars, houses, and others that had NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS MATTER?! We know already that Milwaukee is the well known factor of being the most hyper-segregated city in the United States. That is part of the things that goes mostly heard and widely examined in the entire state of Wisconsin. Many have this notion of leaving Milwaukee and go to places like Atlanta just to get away from the violence and racism. And also talking smack about the city in which they failed to help out. Oh trust me, we had a whole lotta folks have felt that way!  But many of us WHO ARE STILL HERE, are upholding our accountabilty of our taxes, our jobs, our way of life, and purpose of being more engaged to solve the problems of our well being. What we have expereinced here most recently, is nothing more what happened 49 years ago before I was born: when Milwaukee had the race riots of 1967 and the black community back then was going up in flames. That area is now called MLK Drive in Bronzeville. And the trauma of being in the predictament of the segregated climate still lingers even today. Not just in Milwaukee. But that same symptom also exist like racism in America’s DNA. I don’t give a crap where you are in America, that racism DNA has not gone away. Even after 240 years.

But in this era, the 23 year old Syville Smith, whom had a CCW Licence, and was armed with a stolen weapon from Waukesha, was shot to death. Nevermind the history of his life, or the crimes he may have done, his killer per se happens to appear as a officer of the Milwaukee Police Department. Many of us in Milwaukee looked at the person’s picture on Facebook. And according to a family member of the victim, it was known that they go way back to High School here in Milwaukee. Try Pulaski High School, and no disrespect to the Pulaski Rams in all. Plus W.E.B. Dubois High School in the Marshall Complex.

Other points, there are those around Milwaukee should have kept their mouths closed. One of them is Sheriff David Clarke. The reason being he kept hinting about the use of the National Guard to aid the Police Officers during the Unrest incidents. And in his own words having the gaul to blame the single mothers of Milwaukee for the incidents and and of course: Black Lives Matter. REALLY SHERIFF CLARKE?! He must be high on something to say that. And plus, Black Lives Matter or his words “Black Lies Matter” were not the reasons why some buildings in Milwaukee went up in flames. Sheriff Clarke already embarasses himself and Milwaukee County hanging out with the likes of Donald Trump. HOW DEPRESSING OF HIM! Yes he’s still the Sheriff, but in the next two years he and another guy, Scott Walker  MUST BE VOTED OUT! And part of the blame that Sheriff Clarke has his job is because of those in the Black Community voted up for him to have another  4 years. Why? Because he’s black. I think the Black Community needs to rethink their votes for Clarke. Speaking of Walker, dude had to come to a black church in Milwaukee not to far from the BP Gas Station. Let me remind Milwaukee one thing: Walker doesn’t give a da*n about Milwaukee! He doesn’t care about the Black Community, nor the needs. Remember the High Speed Rail Train that was BUILT in the Black Community? Go back to that. That was derailed by HIM due to one word: politics. Now he wants in to be supportive of the Black Community. Really Walker?! Oh please! And additional group of folks outside of the city, who don’t even in live in Milwaukee had the nerve to put the blame on President Barack Obama. Obama is not the blame for this! So stop it non-Milwaukeeans!

But of all of the folks who seemed to be in supportive the most of Milwaukee, is Mayor Tom Barrett. Call me crazy, but he is. Another is the still Wisconsin Senate Rep from the 4th District, Lena Taylor. Ashanti Hamilton, President of the Common Council, Alderman Russell Stamper II, and Alderwoman Chantia Lewis are just a few. The curfew in Milwaukee under 18 is in effect. Sherman Park closes at 6pm and roped off with orange. When it switches to the MPS Curfew starting September 1st that’s every night. And that was activated this past Sunday.

Speaking of Sunday, I was in church and during our “joys and concerns” we highlighted the concerns of the Unrest Issue. One of my millennial church members talked about the incident in which it was witnessed in person. She indicated that her younger brother was about 2 cars behind the shooter’s car going east on Burleigh near the Jet Beauty Store, and indicated that if one of those bullets hit him, he would have been gone. She also comforted an Police Officer near the Beauty Supply Store who was going though that high alertness of concern of another citizen. The last thing she said: God Bless You. And a tear was starting to roll on the Officer. I just had to tell you that because whenever I hear about church folks being all judgmental or acting hypocritical, NOT ALL OF THEM ARE LIKE THIS. And my church member is a single mother in her 20’s.And is a prayer warrior in my church under the United Methodist banner. Is she always like this? Just maybe you need to visit The New St. James Community Church UMC in Milwaukee and find out. And plus the setting of our church is in a County Park Pavilion on Milwaukee’s East Side. And the church is the first African-American United Methodist Church established in the city since 1949.

Just today, the ATF was sprung into action to survey the damages. And it was announced that a reward of $10,000 for anyone who knew what happened and also those responsible for those alleged damages. For all you snitches in Milwaukee: FESS UP! Don’t go into Stop Snitching Mode like cowards back in the day. Whenever the Federal Government comes on the scene, it’s is a huge concern. The sticks got a whole wide larger than before. This is not a game! It’s real lives were and are still at stake!

Milwaukee is 170 years old. And in the 170 years it faced open gaps of unemployment, segregation, violence, arson, race riots, shootings, festivals going in and out (African World Festival) educational values questioned and answered, underemployment of applicants/jobs, and many other concerns and factors. However in the 170 years, Milwaukee remains a underestimated city that has some good in it. We can talk about Summerfest, the Art Museum, The Pabst Theater, Riverside Theater, the newly soon to be Lakefront Gateway Area, the soon to be Northwestern Mutual Tower, the other festivals that do go past Summerfest, Garfield Days, Juneteenth Day Parades, Bronzeville Arts, riding Bublr Bikes, and soon to be construction of the New Bucks Arena and the Streetcar.

Why has Milwaukee been like this?

It’s not Chicago, Atlanta, LA, San Francisco, Seattle, Texas, Florida, and other cities and states that mostly “knows” black folks. Milwaukee as medium-sized as it is, its well known for Harley-Davidson, MillerCoors, our County Parks, and past relations with being the Beer Capital of the World, Bowling Capital of the world at one time, or known in the past for shows like Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley. Oh, did I mention that The Blues Brothers, Public Enemies, and  Transformers were filmed here? Famous Americans like Bud Selig, Eric Benet, Al Jarreau, Gene Wilder, George Tillman Jr, Charlotte Rae, Speech, Tank were all born here. The Core DJ’s a well known DJ organization is known for DJ’s around the world, but it was started in Milwaukee. Wrestling has a history here. From AWA of Da’ Crusher, to the birth of Austin 3:16. And also currently in the WWE, Austin Aries is a born resident.

Milwaukee does have a Urban Scene that is so underground that is hard to get airplay on a V100, a Jammin 98.3, KISS FM, and others. Also Milwaukee does have some support of it’s genre of Hip Hop, but the fans say that the City has haters because the lack of support. However, not all Milwaukeeans don’t listen to rap music! Some listen to Polka or other genres. But every ethnic group has their own thing.Well known here: Ray Nitti, Rusty P’s, Charles Walker Band, Element, and Coo Coo Cal just to name a few.

For radio, we know WTMJ. But I know 1290 when it was the talk of the town. WNOV as many know us the lone wolf of black radio that many folks still listen to. Plus also there are podcasts, and other radio stations like WUWM that is well known for based on UW-Milwaukee.

Milwaukee to me is misunderstood. Very misunderstood. Our education system isn’t that bad. The Milwaukee Public Schools is legendary around here and it’s the same age as the city.I am a product to call myself an MPS Alum because of the schools of 38th Street School, Jackie Robinson Middle School and John Marshall High School.Not only that, I come from a line of educators that taught in MPS in my family!  Some of our famous folks are MPS Alums also. Our Colleges of the Milwaukee Area Technical College, Mount Mary, Marquette University, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee are fully known educational institutions. I’m a product of the Milwaukee Area Technical College which I got an Associates Degree in the year 2000. The program was Printing and Electronic Publishing in which I got my hands dirty in Bindery and Offset Press.

Part of Milwaukee’s history was the tanneries. Pfister and Vogel, Albert & Trostels should ring a bell. And some of our family members used to have those good paying jobs growing up! Now the tanneries are gone, and mostly the Health Care fields are in exchange, with retail, customer service, and some manufacturing are left. Printing was also huge here. It’s still exists under the digital level, but not really enough as it once was.

Milwaukee has some strong programs here that many recognize like the Running Rebels, True Skool, and mostly now known is getting recognition: We Got This. Also part of the strong programs, does have a direct connection with local churches, community counterparts, some well known companies, and neighborhood block watch organizations.

But all in all, like any other city, Milwaukee is not alone with problems. And with the issue of this recent shooting of Syville Smith is not a stranger of gun violence period.