MCJ May 14, 2014 Edition

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Milwaukee community leaders joined together withAT&T and the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) pro-gram recently to announce a $30,000 AT&T contributionthat has expanded the JAG program to add an AlternativeEducation component and reach at-risk high school stu-dents in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS).Administered by the Milwaukee Area Workforce In-

vestment Board (MAWIB), Milwaukee’s JAG programis a longstanding, successful model for helping youngpeople stay in school through graduation, pursue postsec-ondary education and secure quality entry-level jobs lead-

ing to career advancement opportunities.MAWIB has received $30,000 in funding, as part of a

$1 million national contribution from AT&T, to allow thenonprofit to expand JAG’s high school graduation pro-gram within MPS. JAG reaches a wide-range of youngpeople. AT&T’s contribution has expanded the program to

reach 25 students who dropped out and want to return toschool to obtain their GED, HSED or high schooldiploma. This is the first time JAG-Milwaukee has servedthis population.The 25 students participating in the Alternative Educa-

tion component attend North Division High School, and(continued on page 3)

EmptyNesters—NowWhat?By Kathy GaillardMost parents are happy that, after having children under their roof for 18

years—with the blink of an eye— they move out and on their own. However,for some older adults, having a child move out comes with mixed feelings ofsentiment and adjustment, particularly for married couples. There is a sense of loss, anxiety and concern for the child and, at the same

time, parents must become accustomed to being alone with each other again. With a growing number of Baby Boomers, come a greater number of empty

nesters. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 36 percent of boomers say theywill downsize or move once they become Empty Nesters. In addition, more than 55 percent of Empty Nesters plan to move when

they retire, with 36 percent of those planning to move more than three hoursaway upon retirement. There is also a growing trend in American households where parents may

actually find themselves longing for an empty nest. U.S. Census Bureau sta-tistics show that the number of young men—age 25 to 34—living at homewith their parents has increased by five percent over the past six years, and

BETTY HAYES: “No. Women arethe backbone of nations, including theUSA even more so. Our histories arethe result of women birthing childrenwho will run the world.”

HAZEL LINDSEY: “No, women aretreated unfairly throughout theworld...less recognition, they work forless pay for doing the same job thatmen are doing.”

ROBERT MAYS: “No, because weas people are slow to change. But ifwe keep asking the question, maybewe can start to see a change.”

CHRISTOPHER ADELL: “There issome support in place. PresidentObama, the churches, our youth de-partments and other services. But westill have more work to do!”

Question of the Week: “In light of the kidnapping of the 260Nigerian girls, we asked four individuals at the YMCA Mother’s Day fashion showand brunch if enough progress been made as far as the status of women and girlsin this nation and around the world?”

PULSE OF THE COMMUNITY

Photos and question by Yvonne Kemp

Former Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Russell Stamper, Sr. shares a hug and a smile with hisson, Russell Stamper, II after the elder swore in the younger as the new alderman for the 15th district,during a sepcial swearing-in ceremony held in the Common Council chambers before their regular meetingTuesday morning. The council chamber was packed with well wishers and community figures who cameto witness the ceremony and congratulate Alderman Stamper, who also participated in the meeting withhis fellow alderman. He voted with his colleagues to approve a resolution condemning the kidnappingof over 200 Nigerian school girls by a terrorist group. (Photos by Yvonne Kemp)

Russell Stamper II sworn in as aldermanfor the 15th district at city hall ceremony

Courier editor-in-chiefLynda Jones-Reyes passes

Mayor Tom Barrett talks about jobs and expanded

Cease Fire Sabbath

Aprivate service was held recentlyfor Milwaukee Courier Editor-in-Chief Lynda Jones-Reyes whopassed away Saturday, May 10. Shewas 52.Jones-Reyes was the oldest daugh-

ter of Courier Publisher and WNOV860 radio station owner Jerrel Jonesand Earnestine Jones.A native of Milwaukee, Jones-

Reyes was a graduate of the Univer-sity School of Milwaukee. She alsoparticipated in the Northwestern Uni-versity Medill School of Journalism’ssummer program during high school.She went on to earn a BA in Journal-ism at Marquette University. Jones-Reyes was the editor-in-

chief of the Milwaukee CourierNewspaper. Although she achievedthe position in 2004, she was a life-long member of the Courier family.When she was three years old, her fa-ther founded the Courier. Jones-Reyes lovingly referred to

the paper as her “other sibling” andfrom the age of six could be foundthere, assisting and eventually lead-ing the staff. She was dedicated to her craft and

an active member of the Black pub-lishing community throughout hercareer.In a press statement, Cloves Camp-

bell, National Newspaper PublishersAssociation (NNPA) chairman, ex-pressed his sorrow upon hearing ofJones-Reyes’ passing on behalf of theBoard of Directors of the trade or-ganization which represents Amer-ica’s Black press. “Lynda was very active in NNPA

events and conferences up until re-cently. She was always an eager par-

Ask any Black community ob-server, activist, law enforcement of-ficer or political figure what wouldstem the epidemic of gun violence inour community and they will tell youunequivocally: “a job with a familysupporting wage.”So it doesn’t come as a surprise

that a week before Mayor Tom Bar-rett kicked off his Cease Fire weekwith Black faith-based leaders atTabernacle Community BaptistChurch, he talked about the creationof a transitional jobs program whichwould create 25 full-time positionsfor street maintenance, especially fixing potholes in city streets. There are already 75 full-time employees patching up potholes.Funding for the transitional jobs program is coming from the state and the

state Department of Children and Families TANF (Temporary Assistance forNeedy Families) grant. The city will give $283,500 in a Community Devel-opment Block Grant. The money will be given to UMOS--United MigrantOpportunity Service and the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board.The funds will allow 25 individuals to be hired for six months. The salary

for that period will be $10.10 per hour. Those 25 who will be hired will start work June 3.It’s hoped that at the end of the six months, the workers will have gained

valuable job skills and have a job history to fall back on that would drawprospective employers.“It will help people get into the career pipeline; get skills and become cer-

tified,” Barrett said during a phone interview. The mayor added the programis aimed at individuals who are aging out of the child welfare and foster caresystems, as well as those coming out of prison.“It puts them in a position to be more attractive to the private sector.”The 25 jobs are reportedly part of a total 1,000 transitional, subsidized job

initiative that is part of the new “Transform Milwaukee Jobs” program, partof Gov. Scott Walker’s “Transform Milwaukee” initiative.The cost is $8.5 million and will focus only on hiring individuals who live

in certain areas of the city.

Lynda Jones

GOLDENGOLDENYEARSYEARS

(continued on page 5)


AT&T donation to support expansion of MPS high school grad programDonation of $30,000 will help moreat-risk youth graduate high school

Standing, left to right: Dextra A. Hadnot, AT&T director of government affairs; Ralph Hollmon, Milwaukee Urban League president and CEO; Scott T. VanderSanden,AT&T Wisconsin president; Mayor Tom Barrett, John Kissinger, Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board-Chairman of Board; Hugh Herman, curriculum specialistfor Milwaukee Public Schools; Joan Ward, a contract manager with Jobs for Americas Graduates; Wylbur Holloway, Director of Youth Services for Milwaukee AreaWorkfoce Investment Board. (JAG Students seated, left to right): Reginald Williams, Washington High School; Vera Fonville, North Division High School; TakiyaEiland, North Division High School; Stacy Cooper, Washington High School; Shemar Moore, North Division High School. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)

File Photo


By Thomas E. Mitchell, Jr.

Mayor Barrett

The Milwaukee Community Journal May 14, 2014 Page 2

PP OLITICSOLITICS&& GG OVERNMENTOVERNMENTC i t y • C o u n t y • S t a t e • N a t i o n a lState Action Needed To SolveMilwaukee’s Foreclosure CrisisBy Sen. Nikiya Harris

ithout adoubt, be-coming a

homeowner isimbedded in everyfamily’s Americandream. Homeownership has be-

come a symbol of success andeconomic security in our soci-ety, but lately, it’s gottenharder and harder to turn thatdream into reality.The economic downturn in 2008 put many families into

holes too deep to climb out. Six years later, Milwaukeeis one of the many cities in the country still feeling theimpact of the crisis, as families across the city struggle toregain their footing.Last year alone, despite 5,000 Milwaukee homeowners

facing foreclosure, Republican lawmakers ignored thecries of thousands of struggling families and refused totake action to fix the housing crisis in our state.While Milwaukee has traditionally been the economic

engine that powers growth to all corners of the state, ScottWalker and his Republican colleagues haven’t given thecity, or its problems, the respect it deserves.In fact, when it comes to the housing foreclosure crisis,

Republicans have done more harm than good. In 2012,Scott Walker used more than $25 million in settlementfunds intended to assist troubled homeowners to offsethis own $143 million budget shortfall. Rather than help-ing get Milwaukee residents back on their feet, Walkerpocketed this money to bolster his own budgetary short-comings.

Republicans also ignored the hous-ing foreclosure package introducedby Representative Evan Goyke andmyself, a series of five bills thatwould have helped fix the devastat-ing problem of foreclosed and aban-doned properties in Milwaukee.Republican committee chairs did noteven entertain a public hearing onany of these bills to hear how every-day citizens’ lives are affected by theforeclosure crisis.According to a recent study by the

Haas Institute, 40% of homes in thecity of Milwaukee are still financiallyunderwater, meaning that families’homes are worth less than the mort-gages that they took out on them.

Some families are feeling the pain more than others, likethose residing in zip codes 53218 and 53209, where overhalf the homes are underwater. The crisis has transformed Milwaukee into a skeleton

of its former self. In a few short years, neighborhoods thatwere once anchored by strong families, renters, and pub-lic and private employees are now starting to echo fromthe empty buildings and streets. These abandoned and foreclosed homes are a high risk

to public safety, with our city stretched thin to beat backthe escalating violence and vandalism in areas that wereonce thriving neighborhoods. Without state action, city leaders are left with little re-

sources to help these destabilized communities and ourneighbors will continue to be left footing the bill. Partisanpolitics aside, we need to work together to find solutionsto provide relief for our struggling homeowners. We needto protect our neighbors from violence and the devastat-ing abyss of abandoned properties.Tackling big problems is never easy, but working to-

gether is the only way we can solve our economic crisisand put the American Dream back in reach.

Sen. Nikiya Harris

W


PERSPECTIVESPERSPECTIVESQUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Don’t be in such a hurry to condemn aperson because he doesn’t do what you do, or think as youthink or as fast. There was a time when you didn’t know whatyou know today.”--Malcolm X

THETHEMILWAUKEEMILWAUKEECOMMUNITYCOMMUNITYJOURNALJOURNALPublished twice weekly,Wednesday & Friday3612 North Martin LutherKing Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212Phone: 414-265-5300 (Advertising and Administration) • 414-265-6647 (Editorial) • Website: communityjournal.net • Email: [email protected]/[email protected]

Opinion and comments expressed on the Perspectives page do not nec-essarily reflect the views of the publisher or management of the MCJ. Let-ters and “other perspectives” are accepted but may be edited for contentand length.

MCJ STAFF:Patricia O’Flynn -PattilloPublisher, CEORobert J. ThomasAssoc. PublisherTodd Thomas, Vice Pres.Mikel Holt, Assoc. PublisherThomas E. Mitchell, Jr., EditorKia Marie Green, Mang. EditorTeretha Martin, Technical Consultant/WebmasterJosephine Joki, Billing Dept./Publisher’s Admin. Assist.

Colleen Newsom,Classified AdvertisingJimmy V. Johnson, Sales Rep.Joan Hollingsworth, Sales Rep.CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:Taki S. Raton,Rev. Roxanne Cardenas,Troy A. Sparks,Sports EditorPHOTOGRAPHER: Yvonne Kemp

ticipant and her personality would always light up a room.Our condolences go out to Gerald Jones’s family and the entire staff at the

Milwaukee Courier. Lynda will be sorely missed by us all.”Community Journal Publisher Patricia O’Flynn Pattillo expressed her and

the newspaper’s condolences to the Jones family. “Lynda was a committedcommunications' servant who has worked diligently to continue the legacyestablished by her father and their family. She will be missed.”Prior to her work as Editor-in-Chief at the Milwaukee Courier she resided

in Atlanta, for several years, working as the editor of the Atlanta Courier Jour-nal and a licensed realtor. She then relocated to Chicago in 1989. Duringher fifteen years in Chicago, she worked in real estate development andowned several businesses.Mrs. Jones-Reyes is survived by her loving husband, Alex Reyes; children

Alexis and Ari Reyes, all of Milwaukee, WI; parents Jerrel and EarnestineJones, Brown Deer, WI; siblings Stacey Solakian, Alexandria, VA: JerrelJones, Boston, MA; Ernest Jones, Madison, WI and Mary Ellen Jones, BrownDeer, WI; and beloved niece and nephew Eleanor Solakian and SamuelJones.--Article courtesy of Urban Media News

Courier editor-in-chiefLynda Jones-Reyes passes ((continued from page 1)

For 14 consecutive years, hundredsof parents, activists and politicianshave attended the annual Black Al-liance for Educational Options sympo-siums. While there, they join with brethren

and sisteren from dozens of cities tolearn about the plight of minorities inAmerica’s urban educational centers,strategize to increase much neededquality educational options for the na-tion’s low income students, and how tomaximize parental involvement in theacademic process. Participants also learn about innova-

tive strategies to close the achievementgap, participate in workshops tosharpen their advocacy skill sets and,for emerging leaders, to secure infor-mation on college readiness. For many repeat attendees, the sym-

posium serves as a family reunion ofsorts, as well as a venue to rechargetheir batteries for the battles that awaitthem back in their respective hometowns.The 2014 symposium was no different. Over 700 people were in attendance

for three days at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Orleans, home to one of thenation’s most encompassing charter school networks. Over the course of the three day symposium, participants heard from some of

the nation’s foremost educational leaders including Rod Paige, former U.S. Sec-retary of Education, Dr. Andre Perry, founding dean of Urban Education at Dav-enport University, and gospel star and minister Dr. Marvin Sapp, founder of theGrand Rapids Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology.Each brought a unique message to the event, offering insight on their respective

efforts to bring about quality educational opportunities to their communities, oras in the case of Paige, the nation through the No Child Left Beyond legislation.But as informative and inspirational as each of those speakers ( and dozens of

others who headlined various workshops) were, it was the words of former Mil-waukee Superintendent and Black Alliance founder Howard Fuller’s that res-onated long after the closing ceremonies.In his address, Fuller asked the impassioned audience to reflect on why they

traveled from cities near and far to attend the symposium. “I am pleased that for some of you this was your first trip to New Orleans. I

hope you enjoyed it,” he said.“I hope many of you made new friends and established new connections. I

hope you enjoyed listening to the various speakers. I hope you like being in thishotel. But, at the end of the day if you are leaving here without a renewed com-mitment to fight for our children, then either we failed you, or you failed us.” Having attended all 14 symposiums, Fuller said he leaves each event reener-

gized, having learned something new. The symposiums also reinforce the reasonshe and other members of BAEO commit themselves to the often thankless job ofsteering a national educational revolution. “So why do we come here?” Fuller asked rhetorically. “We came because to

BAEO our children are in need…they are our most precious gift from God. And

we know far too many of these pre-cious gifts are not receiving one of thethings they need to give them a shot ata decent life. That thing is a quality ed-ucation.”Attendees did not gather to “deter-

mine what the return on investment isfor helping our kids. We did not cometo this place to reassure each other thatwe are amazing and awesome.“We came here because we know

that some of our children come to us inthe 9th grade and literally cannotread!”“We came here because we know

that in so many schools in this country,the needs and interests of our childrenare secondary to the needs and interestof the adults who control those educa-tional enterprises.”The symposium is important be-

cause many educators teach in schoolsthey would never enroll their own chil-dren in, but “demand that low income

and working class families send their kids to those schools so that the staff canget paid a salary that allows them to put their own children in private schools.”While those scenarios are important, Fuller said it was his hope that those in

attendance “came because you want to be a warrior, a fighter for change onceyou leave here. “It is easy to talk about all of the issues facing our children, and wring our

hands and be all militant while you are down here. The real question is, how mil-itant are you going to be when you go back to Hartford, Milwaukee, Memphis,Louisville, Jackson and New York?“Our children don’t just need a convention in New Orleans. They need action

when you go back home. They need some of you to have grown a backbone orstrengthen your backbone while you’ve been down here in NOLA eating gumboand catfish.”Those in attendance have a responsibility to return home and look in the mirror

and be brutally honest about what we are currently doing or not doing to dig our-selves out of the educational nightmare that is the reality for so many of our chil-dren, he continued.Parents must support, love and set expectations for their children; not be their

friends, he said.Students must be willing to push themselves, and not settle for poor grades.Educators must do all in their power to push students.Clergy must provide moral leadership and elected officials need to be coura-

geous.“I am hoping more of you will leave here seeing yourselves as leaders of the

struggle for the present for our children, not just their future. They are here now.They need us now. “But our children need leaders who are not scared. We need leaders who will

speak truth to power.”Those are marching orders I can relate to.Hotep.

SIGNIFYIN’SIGNIFYIN’By Mikel Kwaku Osei Holt

“It is easy to talk about all of the issues facing ourchildren, and wring our hands and be all militant whileyou are down here. The real question is, how militantare you going to be when you go back to Hartford, Mil-waukee, Memphis, Louisville, Jackson and New York?Our children don’t just need a convention in New Or-leans. They need action when you go back home.

They need some of you to have grown a backbone orstrengthen your backbone while you’ve been downhere in NOLA eating gumbo and catfish.”--Fuller

Milwaukee alderman blasts Clipper owner for comments aboutMagic Johnson, praises Johnson for investing in our communityHaving now learned the full

story about Los AngelesClippers owner Donald Ster-ling and his remarks aboutlegendary sports icon Earvin"Magic" Johnson, I am leftstunned with utter disbelief and disgust.As Mr. Sterling rambles on with some harebrained notion

about Magic’s lack of a contribution to African Americancommunities throughout the nation, Sterling’s willful igno-rance is evident right here in Milwaukee. Mr. Johnson left alegacy in our city with his acquisition of the old CapitolCourt Mall, which he transformed into the largest retail de-velopment in the city, the Midtown Shopping Center. Anchored by the Starbucks that Magic still owns, he gave

the City of Milwaukee a gift with his vision of investment in ablighted property, and created more than 1,000 jobs with hiscatalytic development.No one can question how much Mr. Johnson's vision has

impacted the community surrounding the Midtown Shopping

Center development. Whenmany investors and brokerswere looking elsewhere for areturn on their investments,he saw value in the AfricanAmerican community and

gave the area an economic boost—and a long-term identity. Although Mr. Johnson has no equity investment in the cur-

rent development other than the legendary Starbucks, whencustomers visit the retail development, their reactions rangefrom awe to pride.I grew up as Magic Johnson dazzled the world with cham-

pionship after championship, in addition to NBA and playoffseries MVP honors. Yet he always remembered his African American and Mid-

western roots. So when a repugnant racist and bigot likeDonald Sterling tries to destroy the image of a legendaryAfrican American icon who recognized value in our city, weshould all remember that Mr. Johnson believed in us and puthis money where his heart is.

“General” Fuller gives his BAEO “warriors” their marching orders

BAEO founder Dr. Howard Fullerspeaks to attendees at recent confer-ence of education organization

FIRST PERSONFIRST PERSONBy Alderman Joe Davis, Sr.

C O M M E N T A R Y

The mayor also pointed to his “Clean and Green” program as another tran-sitional jobs avenue. Like the street repair jobs, the “Clean and Green” jobs--though seasonal--can lead to permanent employment in urban forestry andwith the Wisconsin Conservation Service (WCS).Other possible job opportunities for unemployed transitional individuals

includethe mayor noted: Neighborhood Ambassador program and garage de-construction work with community based organizations.Cease Fire Week is an expansion of Barrett’s annual Ceasefire Sabbath, in

which he calls upon Milwaukee’s clergy and faith-based leaders to promotea common message of peace and non-violence during their weekend serv-ices.The highlights for this week include a Ceasefire Community Walk Satur-

day, May 17th. The mayor, the Milwaukee Clergy Coalition and communitystakeholders will walk to bring attention to non-violence and safety for all ofMilwaukee's neighborhoods. The walk will begin at 9 a.m starting at Tabernacle Community Baptist Church, 2500 W. Medford Ave.

and concluding at the Northside YMCA, located at 1350 W. North Ave. Pre-walk warm-up exercise in the church gymnasium at 8:45 a.m. provided byNorthside YMCA.That same day, there will be a Gun Buy Back starting at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

at Tabernacle Community Baptist. It’s being sponsored by National Salvage,Miller Compressing, United Milwaukee Scrap, Midwest Forman Recycling,Master Lock and the Milwaukee Clergy Coalition.On Sunday, May 18th 10th annual Ceasefire Sabbath will be held, in which

Milwaukee's clergy and faith-based leaders are called upon to promote a com-mon message of non-violence from their respective pulpits.

Mayor Tom Barrett talks about jobs and expanded

Cease Fire Sabbath(continued from page 1)

Dean Baquet becomesexecutive editor of the New York Times

NEW YORK — The New YorkTimes on Wednesday announced thatexecutive editor Jill Abramson isbeing replaced by managing editorDean Baquet after two and a halfyears on the job.The company didn’t give a reason

for the change. Abramson and Ba-quet had both been in their currentpositions since September 2011.Baquet, 57, who would be the first

African-American to hold the news-paper’s highest editorial position, re-ceived a Pulitzer Prize forinvestigative reporting in 1988.“It is an honor to be asked to lead

the only newsroom in the countrythat is actually better than it was ageneration ago, one that approachesthe world with wonder and ambitionevery day,” Baquet said in a state-ment released by the newspaper.The move comes amid a continued

shift in the Times’ focus, and that ofthe newspaper industry overall, to-ward digital products and away fromtraditional print papers as print circu-lation and advertising revenue de-clines.

Article courtesy of the Associated Press via TheGrio.com


Dean Baquet


Wisconsin MemorialPark Hosts 2014 Memorial Day Observance WeekendBROOKFIELD, WI – The staff at Wisconsin Memorial

Park invites the public to its annual Memorial Day obser-vance weekend. All events are free. The events will beheld Saturday, May 24—Monday, May 26, 2014, at13235 W. Capitol Drive in Brookfield.Over the course of the three day weekend, a variety of

special, reflective and honorable service moments willtake place.“The cemetery will be an “Avenue of Flags.” From

Friday through Monday, there will be over 1,500 flagsflown on our grounds in honor of those who have fallenin service to our country,” says Kelly Coleman, generalmanager of Wisconsin Memorial Park.”

The weekend’s schedule of events is as follows:Saturday, May 2411 a.m. 620 WTMJ will be at the cemetery for a live

remoteHot dogs and refreshments are FREE from 11 a.m. to

1 p.m. All “donations” will benefit Operations NotAlone, a charity that uses donated funds to purchase sup-plies and nonperishable food items as well as material tomake blankets for deployed soldiers.Sunday, May 259:30 a.m. Marine Corps League’s memorial service in

the Garden of Eternal LifeMonday, May 269 a.m. – 2 p.m. War memorabilia display by Tom

Staats, historian and collector10 – 11 a.m. Fifth District VFW memorial service:

Procession in front of the Great Memorial Building ofVFW Veterans, scout troops and Civil Air Patrol11:30-11:45 a.m. Annunciation Greek Orthodox me-

morial service in the Great Memorial Building’s Chapelof the ChimesParents of Murdered Children will be selling hot dogs

RELIGIONRELIGIONRELIGIOUS QUOTE: “I am the vine; you are the

branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bearmuch fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”--John 15:5

In Loving Memory

Quality Service...a tenured tradition

sincere concern at your time of need.

Offering pre-need, at need andafter-care services to families inMilwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and

other communities throughout our state.

Services scheduled for March 19 to March 26, 2014

Hardy, Robin Y.Age 50 yrs. May 7, 2014. Funeral serv-ices will be held on Thursday 10AM atHoly Redeemer COGIC 3500 W. MotherDaniels Way. Visitation Thursday 9AMat the CHURCH until time of services.The family is served by:

Northwest Funeral ChapelO'Bee, Ford & Frazier6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020

Elder, Shirley A.Age 62 yrs. May 7, 2014. Funeral serv-ices will be held on Tuesday 1PM. Visi-tation Tuesday 12 Noon until time ofservices at:


Scales, JoannAge 63 yrs. May 13, 2014. Funeralservices will be held on Monday 11AM.Visitation Monday 10AM until time ofservices at:


Milwaukee6630 W. Hampton Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53218

Telephone: (414) 462-6020Fax: (414) 462-9937

Racine800 Barker St. Racine, WI 53402

Telephone: (262) 637-6400Fax: (262) 637-6416

Families served by:Northwest Funeral Chapel O’Bee, Ford & Frazier


Article courtesy of AllChris-tiannews.com · MAY 9, 2014

ccording toCharles Oba-diah Baldwin,founding pastorof CrossroadBaptist Church,

Pensacola, Florida, the reasonmany pastors don’t speak upabout the sinful world that welive in is because they areafraid they will lose their pop-ularity and success if they do.The former presidential nominee

in the 2008 U.S. elections for theConstitution Party went on to say thatpastors are taught while they arestudying in college or Bible seminarythat success in their ministry meanseverything. He adds that in the way they act, dress, talk and think,

most pastors fit the profile of successful CEO’s ratherthan spiritual ministers of their flock.Pastors have become so concerned with gaining the ap-

proval of their congregation that they forget to preach thatto be a Christian, one must stand up and fight for what

you believe, according to the 62-year-old preacher.The host of a daily one-hour radio program continues

that, when these successful pastors preach sermons, thereis no mention of the heroes of the Bible who stood up fortheir faith, no matter what extraordinary odds were

Are pastors afraid to criticize their congregations?


A“Pastors have become so concerned with gainingthe approval of their congregation that they forgetto preach that to be a Christian, one must stand up

and fight for what you believe...”

File Photo


the rate for women in that age group has risen bytwo percent.

This trend has labeled these 20- and 30-some-things as the Boomerang Generation for their in-clination to bounce back to mom and dad's houseafter college graduation. In some cases, the children ‘fail to launch,’ or

never even leave home. Experts point to the econ-omy as the primary reason for the trend. Statisticsreveal that there are about two million college-ed-ucated people older than 25 without jobs in theUnited States.

When couples have children who do ‘launch’many of them view the “empty nest” as a secondhoneymoon. However, the reality is that once the‘honeymoon’ phase of being empty nesters isover, many couples face challenges as they at-tempt to become reacquainted. Most Empty Nesters agree that the secret to re-

discovering or rebuilding marital relationshipsonce the children are gone is to develop commoninterests, find something to share and make the re-lationship a priority. When children are being raised in the home, the

chasm between married couples may widen be-cause the focus of activity is on the children—par-enting, being involved in their lives and activities,and all things that come with parental responsi-bilities.

Once the children are gone, one parent needs totake steps to participate in an activity that theother may already be involved with, or a couplemay jointly decide to take up an interest or hobbythat appeals to both of them such as cooking, golf-ing, bowling or volunteering. Without a commonfoundation, growing old together joyfully andgracefully can signal the death years of a mar-riage. Empty Nesters may confront challenges as they

try to reinvent their marriages. For example, atthis point in life, many couples are exhausted. They may be emotionally drained and feel dis-

connected from their spouse, and there is a ten-dency to jump in and “get busy” doing all thosethings they had been postponing to avoid facingthe challenges of this new stage of marriage.Here are some tips to help Empty Nesters

smooth the transition from married with childrento become happy and satisfied Empty Nesters: Slow down and rest. Pause, take naps or go to

bed at early. You will be better able to refocus on your mar-

riage when your life comes back into focus andyou are well rested.Recognize that this is a time of transition. Tran-

sitional times can be stressful but they also pro-vide an opportunity to redefine your relationshipand to find new fulfillment, intimacy and close-ness.

Celebrate! You graduated from the active par-enting years. Although it is normal to experiencesome sense of loss at this time of life, you cancounter those feelings by celebrating where youhave come from and enjoying the future. Havesome fun.Do not feel pressure to make immediate deci-

sions about your future until you have some per-spective. Take it slow. Unfortunately, somespouses who are disappointed with their marriagebolt right out of the relationship as soon as the lastkid leaves home. This is a time when the divorce rate soars. Get

to know each other again and re-energize your re-lationship. Once you have made it through the initial tran-

sition into the empty nest, try to focus on some ofthe long term challenges of the ‘second act’ ofyour marriage. The empty nest years of your marriage can be

a time of incredible fulfillment, no matter whatchallenges you previously faced. This is the perfect time to reinvent your rela-

tionship, renew your friendship, and create a vi-sion for the rest of your marriage. Instead of looking backward at what was

missed along the way, look forward to what canbe accomplished with the years that lie ahead.These can be the best years of your life!

(continued from page 1)

Empty Nesters—Now What?

Wisconsin Memorial Park Hosts 2014 Memorial Day Observanceat this event.Noon – 1 p.m. Brookfield Civic Chorus1 – 2 p.m. Knight Wind EnsembleThe schedule is subject to change. Please call Wisconsin Memorial Park

to confirm events at262-901-4121.Wisconsin Memorial Park is proud member of the Dignity Memorial net-

work of providers in Brookfield. The Dignity Memorial network of providershas several initiatives to honor and support our nation’s veterans and active

military. The initiatives and programs include the Veterans Planning Guide, the

Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program, educational veteransseminars and special pricing for members of veterans service organizations.The Dignity Memorial network of more than 2,000 funeral, cremation and

cemetery service providers is North America’s most trusted resource for fu-neral and memorialization services. Dignity Memorial providers offer anunmatched combination of products and locations serving families with care,integrity, respect and service excellence. For more information, visit www.WisconsinMemorialPark.com.

(continued from page 4)

against them.The author of, “Romans 13: The

True Meaning of Submission,” goeson to say that one of the main rea-sons Christians don’t make a standagainst corrupt, evil governments, isa misrepresentation of Romans 13by most of today’s clergymen.

In his book, Baldwin explains thatthe verse has been twisted out ofproportion to make most Christiansthink that they should obey the gov-ernment, even if they are makingwrong and blatantly evil decisions. He adds that it was never God’s

intention for His faithful people tofollow blindly into the acceptance of

sin and evil leaders.According to Baldwin, most pas-

tors avoid getting into political is-sues because they are afraid of thewhiplash to their successful careers. He adds that they often make up

excuses like, it is not God’s will thatthey engage in politics or that is notthe mission of the church, to avoid

being seen to be controversial or tak-ing a Biblical stand.Baldwin believes that the only

way out of this, for faithful Chris-tians, is to find a pastor who is notafraid to stand up for God and whatis right and leave the successful pas-tors to rot in their own corruption.

Are pastors afraid to criticize their congregations?(continued on page 5)


YOUTH&EDUCATIONYOUTH&EDUCATIONNew Jesuit High School Will Serve Milwaukee AreaStudents Starting Fall 2015, Stith Named PresidentThe Midwest Jesuits of the Wisconsin and

Chicago-Detroit Provinces and the Cristo Rey Net-work today announced the opening of a newCatholic, Jesuit high school to serve students inMilwaukee. The new school will be located in theSt. Florian’s school building at 1215 South 45thStreet.Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, following the

highly successful Cristo Rey Network® model, isuniting with Milwaukee community and businessleaders to provide underserved students with afaith-based, college-prep, leadership-focused edu-cation. “This new school represents a few firsts while

standing on a strong foundation of proven suc-cess,” said Jesuit Father Tom Lawler, provincial ofthe Wisconsin Province. “It is the first ministry ofthe new province of the Midwest Jesuits, it is thefirst Cristo Rey school to partner with a Jesuit uni-versity, and it is the first coeducational Jesuit sec-ondary school in Milwaukee. At the same time,Cristo Rey builds upon the 450 years of Jesuit ed-ucation worldwide and 150 years of Jesuit educa-tion in Milwaukee.”A feasibility study was conducted to determine

the need for a new high school based on the limitedquality high school options for those who can’t af-ford private school. The feasibility study processbegan in August 2012 with sponsorship from Mar-quette University’s College of Education, as wellas support from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, St.Florian’s Parish, the Jesuits, and the Cristo ReyNetwork. “As a Jesuit institution, our leadership of the fea-

sibility study signifies our support for K-12Catholic education in the Milwaukee area,” saidBill Henk, dean and professor of Marquette’s Col-lege of Education. “With the high demand for a diverse, educated

work force to build the region’s future economy,Marquette’s involvement in this important initia-tive makes perfect institutional sense.”“We have spent nearly two years conducting a

feasibility study to ensure that Cristo Rey and itsmodel are the right fit for students, their parents,and the community,” said Anne Zizzo, a trustee atMarquette University who co-chaired the feasibil-ity study committee and has been a member of thevolunteer transition board. “We are thrilled the Cristo Rey Network, Jesuits,

the business community and donors have re-

sponded to the educational need of the communityby bringing the successful Cristo Rey model toMilwaukee,” said Zizzo. “After an extensivesearch, we have named Mr. Andrew Stith the firstpresident of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Mil-waukee.” Stith, who led the Milwaukee feasibility study,

brings considerable experience as an educationalleader, having previously served as the foundingVice President for Advancement of Cristo ReyKansas City prior to his work in Milwaukee and isa Marquette University Graduate. Stith now willbe focused on preparing the school to open with aclass of freshman in the fall of 2015.“I am excited about the tremendous potential of

this new school for the young people who will at-tend. Our goal is to provide students from modestmeans with a high-quality, values-based education

rooted in the Catholic Jesuit tradition of academicexcellence and leadership development,” saidStith. The feasibility study included surveys of 466

students, 92 parents, and interviews with 100 com-munity/education leaders, all of which demon-strated overwhelming support for opening a CristoRey model school in Milwaukee. With the provensupport, a school site was selected, the minimumstart-up funding was secured, and letters of intentwere acquired from local businesses to providework-study jobs for the school’s first class of stu-dents. In April 2014, the school was approved bythe Jesuits and the Cristo Rey Network. The Cristo Rey model includes a longer school

day and year, an expectation that every studentshould go to college, and a requirement that eachstudent participate in a work-study program to gainprofessional work skills and a glimpse of potentialfuture careers at Milwaukee area companies. To date, approximately 28 companies already

have signed up to be partners in this endeavor suchas Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek, Manpower Inc.,and Robert W Baird & Company. “There is much preparation work to do in the

next year including building our enrollment, plan-ning our academic and extra-curricular programs,raising additional funds, and working with localbusinesses to secure student jobs for the work-study program,” said Stith. "Milwaukee needs a Cristo Rey school because

the students in Milwaukee's communities deservewhat I had,” said Cristina Garcia, a 2007 graduateof a Cristo Rey Jesuit High School (Chicago) and2011 graduate of Marquette University currentlystudying law at Chicago Kent University. “They deserve teachers who push them and they

deserve a job that challenges them. Students willfeel at home and families will feel involved in theirchild's education. “Milwaukee is a beautiful city with a lot to offer

and I hope that Cristo Rey can show students inMilwaukee what it has taught me about my poten-tial."Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee will

be the 29th Cristo Rey Network® school in theUnited States and will open its doors in the 2015-16 school year, with an anticipated enrollment of100 freshmen. The school will add a new freshmanclass each of the following three years, enrolling400 young men and women at capacity.

The NAACP Wisconsin State Conference of Branches will present, “1954-2014, The Changing Face of Public Education: An Education Summit for Wis-consin,” in recognition of the 60th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Educationand its pivotal role in ensuring education equity for African Americans. Arguedbefore the United States Supreme Court by then NAACP Legal Defense FundChief Counsel, and future U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall in1952, the unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision declared segregation in publicschools unconstitutional on May 14, 1954.The Education Summit will focus on the education issues Wisconsin’s children

of color are experiencing today, ranging from Expulsion & Suspension to theneeds of Gifted & Talented students. Speakers including representatives from theU.S. Department of Education, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction,as well as local School District Superintendents and other noted educators willprovide insight into the future of public education in Wisconsin. “Wisconsin’sMisplaced Priorities: The School to Prison Pipeline” will open the day, followedby a variety of concurrent of workshops targeting both Adults and Youth will bepresented throughout the day. Delivering the Keynote Address will be Dr. De-mond Means, Superintendent of the Mequon-Thiensville School District andChair of the WI State Superintendent’s Task Force on Wisconsin’s AchievementGap.This statewide event will be held at Aldrich Middle School in Beloit, Wiscon-

sin, home of Wisconsin’s oldest NAACP Branch, on Saturday, May 17, 2014 from8am – 2pm. Advance registration is recommended at www.naacpwi-edu-summit.eventbrite.com, the cost is $30 for Adults, and $10 for Youth and includeslunch for all participants.

State organization of NAACP Branchesto hold education summit May 17

Jahi Brown, a graduate ofCristo Rey Jesuit High School,talks about the advantages ofa Jesuit education and whatit’s done for him.


KALEIDOSCOPEKALEIDOSCOPEt h e M C J l i f e s t y l e & e n t e r t a i n m e n t s e c t i o n

Green SoldiersCan GreenMilwaukeeA couple of times a year, I look forward to making the

trek over to George Washington Uni-versity in partnership with Veteran’sCampaign - to instruct a class of mil-itary personnel and veterans how torun for political office. While the classroom experience is

always rich, I get the best insightafter hours relaxing and shooting thebreeze with military officers and en-listed personnel from the Pentagon,the White House, the Army, Navy,Air Force, Marines, US Coast Guard,US Army Corp of Engineers and theNational Guard.But over the past few classes, one

increasingly striking phenomenon persists and that is thehigh-level of green jobs and training soldiers of todayhave – not to mention compared to when I served overtwenty years ago.Whether constructing vital infrastructures for the safety

and stability of nations or simply understanding thatgreen value is measured by what is not lost, there is a nat-ural correlation between the expertise of military person-nel and the green needs of urban centers across the GreatLakes Region. In fact, they should roll out the welcomemats and recruit qualified returning veterans.Cities like Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati

and Cleveland along with Columbus, Toledo, Gary, Indi-anapolis and Buffalo are precious population centers thathouse the regions cultural and economic vitality. Theyremain critical to our broader, collective success address-ing shared interests. Things like public policies, energy efforts, waste man-

agement, wildlife preservation, invasive species, air qual-ity and sewer systems to name a few. Today’s soldiers understand land-use, transportation

linkages, establishing baseline standards, environmentaltargets, blight, crime and policing in an urban center.They have experience working with pollution, contami-nation, water levels, zebra mussels, agriculture, runoff

and threats to fisheries. They view disaster recovery, co-ordinated public works and timely, accurate and action-able solutions – all in a days work.Our military use an arsenal of both aging and state of

the art tools to thwart, mitigate and resolve some of thesame infrastructure, severe weather responsiveness,power generation, diesel emissions and waste manage-ment threats urban centers strain to grapple with.Soldiers are already trained to address toxic threats, re-

cycling, commercial inlands, distributed and centralizedbaseload power, retrofitting govern-ment owned vehicles, securing andpatrolling international waterwaysand border crossings. They are experienced managing

critical public structures exposed togreat pressure and large amounts ofwater like bridges, retaining walls,docks, public marinas and downtownwaterways. Milwaukee for example, could

benefit from infrastructure profes-sionals that understand building per-formance, environmentalremediation and lifecycle costing.

Those with experience increasing and restoring watertreatment capacity, constructing and deconstructing facil-ities, water management and low carbon, renewable con-struction practices.Soldiers understand strategic crossroads, synchronized

operating systems and how to align multiple campaigns(operations) in a complex, resource-constrained environ-ment. Our men and women in uniform could help city,county and state leaders further bridge those inextricableconnections between turnkey solutions, intact ecosystemsand thriving cities.Visit the National Wildlife Federation’ Great Lakes Re-

gional Center at http://www.nwf.org/Regional-Centers/Great-Lakes.aspx

US Air Force veteran Simone Lightfoot heads up RegionalUrban Initiatives for the National Wildlife Federation GreatLakes Region. She integrates the work of the NWF with the re-gions urban green efforts including air and water quality, sus-tainability, climate change, solid and hazardous waste,recycling, environmental justice, water conservation, invasivespecies, aged infrastructure, mass transit, wind energy, commu-nity college trainings and new economy jobs. Her territory in-cludes Chicago, IL; Indianapolis and Gary, IN; Milwaukee, WS,Cincinnati, Toledo, Columbus and Cleveland, OH, Detroit, MIand Buffalo, NY. She can be reached at 313.585.1052 or [email protected]

Simone Lightfoot

By Simone Lightfoot


of the 25, 64% who were previouslyat-risk to not receive a high schooldiploma or equivalent will graduatethis year.North Division’s Principal Stanley

McWilliams is a strong supporter ofthe JAG program. North DivisionSenior and Salutatorian Takiya Ei-land tells her story of overcoming theodds to receiving a college scholar-ship offer from Rust College HollySprings, Mississippi.“I am so grateful to AT&T for sup-

porting the JAG program,” saidTakiya Eiland. “Because of their sup-port, I am not only going to graduatehigh school, but also be able to pur-sue my dream of becoming a defenseattorney.”“We are thrilled to have expanded

the JAG program at North DivisionHigh School to help more studentsgraduate or return to school to earntheir GED,” said John Kissinger,MAWIB Chairman of the Board.“Through activities like mentoring,post-secondary exploration and aca-demic support, this program helpsstudents stay on track and graduatehigh school prepared for college andcareers. I want to personally congrat-ulate Ms. Eiland on her success.”Students participating in the pro-

gram receive 15 hours of on-site in-struction each week. Students areprovided with individual academictutoring, as well as assistance withinvestigating post-secondary schooloptions. Other JAG activities includejob shadowing, field trips, writing re-sumes, filling out job applications,exploring career options, mock inter-views and community service oppor-tunities.“The JAG program is a great way

to not only help more Milwaukee stu-dents graduate high school, but alsoprepare them for college and careeropportunities,” said MilwaukeeMayor Tom Barrett. “We are excitedto see this successful program ex-pand in MPS thanks to this public-private partnership.”The $30,000 AT&T donation was

announced at the JAG Career Devel-opment Conference, an annual com-petition to showcase the workreadiness skills of the JAG students.Activities include six job readinesscompetitions such as etiquette andpublic speaking, which will bejudged by representatives from Mil-waukee’s business community.“MPS is proud to continue with the

JAG Program,” said Dr. GregoryThornton, MPS Superintendent.“Connecting students to jobs is animportant part of education and theJAG Program is an important partnerin this work.”AT&T and the AT&T Foundation

have provided approximately $4 mil-lion in funding to JAG and its localaffiliates since 2008. This support ispart of AT&T Aspire, AT&T’s $350million commitment to education.With more than 1 million studentsimpacted since its launch in 2008,Aspire is one of the nation’s largestcorporate commitments focused onhelping more students graduate fromhigh school ready for college and ca-reers.“We are very proud to support

local efforts to keep our youth in highschool and prepare them for successafter graduation by helping expandthe JAG program in Milwaukee Pub-lic Schools,” said Scott T. Vander-Sanden, president of AT&TWisconsin. “As a company, AT&T iscommitted to investing in educationand helping our young people suc-ceed in academics and careers.”

AT&T donation tosupport expansion ofMPS high schoolgrad program(continued from page 1)

In its most recent quarter, theTimes Co. saw overall advertisingrevenue rise for the first time in threeyears, jumping 3 percent to $158.7million. The company’s print anddigital advertising rose comparedwith the same period a year ago.The company also added digital

subscribers and increased home-de-livery prices. At the same time, thecompany posted a small profit thatfell slightly short of Wall Street ana-lysts’ expectations.Arthur Sulzberger Jr., the newspa-

per’s publisher and chairman of itsparent company, calledBaquet the

best qualified journalist to take on thejob in the Times’ newsroom.“He is an exceptional reporter and

editor with impeccable news judg-ment who enjoys the confidence andsupport of his colleagues around theworld and across the organization,”Sulzberger said in a statement.Sulzberger added that Baquet was

closely involved with Abramson inthe Times’ digital transformationover the past six months.Baquet originally joined the Times

in 1990 as a reporter and held posi-tions including deputy metropolitaneditor and national editor. He left thepaper for the Los Angeles Times in2000, where he served as managing

editor and then editor. Baquet re-joined the Times in 2007 and wasWashington bureau chief before be-coming the managing editor for newsin September 2011.Prior to his first stint at the Times,

Baquet worked at The Chicago Trib-une and The Times Picayune in NewOrleans. While at the Tribune in1988, he and two other journalistswon the Pulitzer Prize for investiga-tive reporting, for looking into cor-ruption in the Chicago City Council.He was a finalist in the same cate-gory in 1994.Baquet succeeded her as managing

editor after she was named to the topediting spot.

Baquet(continued from page 3)



Michael Sam GetsDrafted and the NFLHas Issuesby Dave Zirin

The best Twitter joke this year was W. Kamau Bell try-ing to start the hashtag #letshaveanuanceddiscussion.Having a nuanced discussion, one tweet at a time, is onlyslightly easier than being that damn camel trying to makeit through the eye of a needle. Saturday, as the last rounds of the NFL draft played out

on multiple television channels and the names of playersscrolled across the screen, nuance was the last thing manyof us wanted to exercise. Michael Sam, the Southeastern Conference Defensive

Player of Year who told the world he was gay last Febru-ary, was going undrafted, eventually picked 249th in the

seventh and last round. This in and of itself was history.No SEC DPOY had ever gone that long before being se-lected. In fact, no SEC DPOY in the last ten years hadeven lasted past the second round.The reasons for this are on one level complicated.

Michael Sam had a terrible NFL combine. He is a“tweener” neither big enough to play defensive line norquick enough to be an every-down linebacker. He projected even before he “came out” as a mid-round

pick. But all of that being said, Michael Sam fell downdraftboards because of the slow steady drip of groupthinkthat became a flood and took over the process.

MCJ SPORTS MCJ SPORTS

Michael Sam


Michael Sam GetsDrafted and the NFLHas Issuesby Dave Zirin

The best Twitter joke this year was W. Kamau Bell try-ing to start the hashtag #letshaveanuanceddiscussion.Having a nuanced discussion, one tweet at a time, is onlyslightly easier than being that damn camel trying to makeit through the eye of a needle. Saturday, as the last rounds of the NFL draft played out

on multiple television channels and the names of playersscrolled across the screen, nuance was the last thing manyof us wanted to exercise. Michael Sam, the Southeastern Conference Defensive

Player of Year who told the world he was gay last Febru-ary, was going undrafted, eventually picked 249th in the

seventh and last round. This in and of itself was history.No SEC DPOY had ever gone that long before being se-lected. In fact, no SEC DPOY in the last ten years hadeven lasted past the second round.The reasons for this are on one level complicated.

Michael Sam had a terrible NFL combine. He is a“tweener” neither big enough to play defensive line norquick enough to be an every-down linebacker. He projected even before he “came out” as a mid-round

pick. But all of that being said, Michael Sam fell downdraftboards because of the slow steady drip of groupthinkthat became a flood and took over the process.

A public had been prepared to not view this weekendas anything historic.If Michael Sam’s sexuality’s being an inhibitor to his

draft status is not your starting point for understandingall of this, I believe you’re lost without a compass. This is not to

argue that all general managers in the NFL are homopho-bic. It’s not about what kinds of prejudice lurks in thehearts of individual executives. It’s about a systemic problem in an NFL that loathes

independent thinkers, fears political controversy, andhates “distractions.”The homophobia exists in an institution that equates

being gay with being “controversial,” or “political.” Notrealizing this is their problem, not Michael Sam’s. This is the NFL imbibing and regurgitating the same

backward logic that keeps people in the closet, scared totell their family and friends who they are, and doing hor-

rible damage to themselves and the people close to them. This is why we can talk until the cows come home

about whether Michael Sam is a “tweener” as a player,about his poor combine performance, and all the rest ofit but don’t get at the root of the issue. This is why we can praise NFL Commissioner Roger

Goodell—yes, Roger Goodell—for being out front insupporting and welcoming to Sam when he came out, butwe also need to understand what happened.As sportswriter Howard Bryant said, Michael Sam is

threatening to the institutional biases that exist in the

league precisely because he was brave enough to try andcontrol his own narrative. For a league built on idealized notions of machismo

and toughness, for a league that speaks in military jargonlike they would’ve been the first one to storm the beachesof Normandy if given half the chance, they were a profilein cowardice this weekend. They were scared.It is the same fear that you see when they announce that

they want to police and punish players for saying n____,but are scared to do anything but continue to promote aracial slur as the name of one of its teams.

It is the same fear you see when they aggressively pro-mote tackle football for kids—with ads particularly aimedat moms—during the Super Bowl while their own datacomes in at a taxi-cab meter pace about how playingtackle can cause permanent brain injury in children. It isthe same fear you see when they suspend one of their bestplayers for smoking weed.What NFL bosses want, need and crave above all else,

is control. Michael Sam represented a loss of that controlbecause he dared—I will say it again—to try to controlhis own narrative. That is the NFL’s problem, not MichaelSam’s. That has nothing to do with his forty-time at thecombine. And that, in my view, is the starting point forunderstanding why Michael Sam lasted until pick number249.

Dave Zirin is the author of Game Over: How PoliticsHas Turned the Sports World Upside Down (NewPress).

This is not to argue that all general managers in the NFL are homophobic. It’s notabout what kinds of prejudice lurks in the hearts of individual executives. It’s abouta systemic problem in an NFL that loathes independent thinkers, fears political con-

troversy, and hates “distractions.”The homophobia exists in an institution thatequates being gay with being “controversial,” or “political.” Not realizing this is

their problem, not Michael Sam’s.


Documents

MCJ May 14, 2014 Edition