African American
Posted inNeighbor Spotlight

Neighbor Spotlight • Vikki Porter

by Currents Staff

Story and Photo by Suzanne Zipperer
People come to community service and activism in different ways. For many, it’s the idealism of youth tied with a strong ego that tells you that you can change the world. Others face an obstacle or tragedy that defines their mission – a loved one killed by a drunk driver; their child is challenged with a disability; a visit to a landfill opens their eyes. 

Posted inNeighborhood News

A Call for Federal Investigation of MPD

by Currents Staff

By George Martin

How can we talk about torture at Abu Gharib and not talk about police brutality right here at home? Having been to Iraq and lived in Milwaukee, there are too many similarities. Peace Action WI has joined with the NAACP, MICAH, ACLU and other community organizations in working together for a federal investigation of our Milwaukee Police Department MPD) and institutional change.

Posted inNeighborhood News

WI Assembly District 10 – Up for grabs!

by RWCurrents

Open and transparent democracy is missing in action. Redistricting is  required every 10 years after the  census to assure  equal  representation  for  state  assembly  and senate  districts.  Since Republicans control the state senate, assembly and governor’s  office, they  took  advantage of the situation to draw lines  favorable to their  party without public  input  or  consultation  with  Democrats  in the  legislature. Republicans  say  the Democrats would have done  the  same.

 

Posted inEditorials

Opinion – Can We All Get Along?

by Ellen Warren

by Ellen C. Warren 

Rodney King died a couple weeks ago. At 47 years of age. Anyone over 12 probably remembers Mr. King. Beaten to a pulp by L.A. policemen, whose acquittal from charges sparked riots in Los Angeles. Rodney King, whose simple question, “Can we all get along?” lives on, still unsatisfactorily answered. Would he have lived longer without the beating? More to the point, would he have lived longer if he hadn’t been born black?

Welcome to Milwaukee! In 2005 The Black Commentator chose the 10 Worst States in the U.S. to be Black. Guess who topped the list? In their words, “Wisconsin, and in particular the Milwaukee area justly merit the invidious distinction of the worst place in the nation to be black.” The deciding factor, because it so profoundly affects the entire community, was the percentage of the black population that is incarcerated. In 2005 that number was just over 4%. Four or five out of every hundred black Wisconsinites held in jail or prison!