Black Pastors make plans to GOTV

Pastors of local African American congregations and local black elected officials met tonight to layout strategy on how to inform minority voters the importance of voting in the upcoming Recall Election.

Bishop L. L. Kirby, pastor of St. Paul Church, said that he would commit to a group of 1,000 people from his church and the surrounding neighborhood getting to the poll.

Racine’s Second Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Mark Freeman pledged to the group the use of his church vans to take people from their homes to voting locations.  

Pastor Buddy Vinson, organized the meeting, and about 20 people who attended, agreed to hold a get-out-the-vote rally noon Saturday at St. Paul Church.  The State Recall Election will be held Tuesday, June 5^th.  The polls open at 7 am and remain open until 8 pm.  People do not need pictured ID in order to vote.   People can register on election day.

President Bill Clinton Adds to Building Momentum for Tom Barrett

MILWAUKEE-Following is the statement from Phil Walzak, Communications Director for Tom Barrett's campaign for Wisconsin governor, on news that President Bill Clinton will campaign Friday

 with the mayor.

"As Scott Walker grows more desperate and sees more headlines about criminal corruption, Tom Barrett continues to gain in the polls with his vision to end Wisconsin's ideological civil war and bring the state together. With polls showing Walker's narrow lead evaporating, Friday's visit by President Bill Clinton, a fellow champion for the middle class, adds to the surging momentum building around Tom going into Tuesday's historic election."

Center hire people to canvas neighborhood

Jameel Ghauri, right, recruited individuals to help his organization to get out the vote in Tuesday, June 3^rd Recall Election.  About 200 people attended a rally held at the  Bray Center on Wednesday evening, May 30, 2012.  
During the African-American Agenda: The Power of the Vote forum held at the center, more than 30 people signed up to work as nonpartisan election canvassers. 
Ghauri said that the effort to organize the African American community into a valuable voting block would not end after the recall election.

NAACP do not want you to forget to vote

Gloria Rogers says that voters’ rights and encouraging disenfranchised individuals remains an integral and essential part of the local NAACP branches as well as the national association. 

In keeping with the spirit of the importance of one person, one vote, the Racine Branch of the NAACP has launched a “Your Power, Your Decision” campaign as a constant reminder for people to get out and vote in the upcoming recall election as well as the presidential election to be held in November.

Rogers said that three of the colorful 5’X 3’ banners, design by Kenneth Lumpkin,  will be installed over the weekend at three key locations near Racine’s inner city.  “Our goal is to have signs erected in front of most inner-city churches before the end of June.  We want 100% voter participation this fall,” she explained.

For any additional information call: 262.554.4611

"D" talks about turning 50

Dyland Weather will be celebrating his 50th Birthday Party at Gerald's Smokehouse, 1500 Ann Street, Saturday June 9.  He had a chat with us on why this is a special birthday for him.

Rev. Kyles became the only living person to have been with King during the last hour of his life.

Lavaron Lumpkin, right, Front Line Leader for Humana's, greets Rev. Sammul “Billy” Kyles, an activist leader during the1960’s Civil Rights movement in Memphis, Tenn.

In 1968 Kyles helped form and lead an effort to gain community support for striking sanitation workers. The group looked to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to rally support and lead the workers' march. When the first march ended in violence, King decided there would be another peaceful march. Kyles, along with other Memphis ministers who had been organizing nightly rallies and raising money for the strike, planned a major rally to prepare for another march. The rally, held at the Mason Temple on April 3, 1968, was the meeting that King gave his now famous "mountaintop" speech, foreshadowing his own assassination.



The following day, Kyles was to host King for dinner at his home. Kyles went to the Lorraine Motel to pick up his dinner guest at 5:00 p.m. There, Kyles talked with Ralph Abernathy and King for an hour before leaving the motel for dinner at 6:00 p.m. As the two were leaving the motel, King was assassinated. Kyles and Abernathy spent the last hour of King's life with him in his hotel room.

When Abernathy passed away in 1990, Kyles became the only living person to have been with King during the last hour of his life.

Four decades later, Kyles remains in Memphis, building his ministry, Monumental Baptist Church. He also frequently speaks on his experiences with King, and gives tours at the Lorraine Motel, now refurbished into the National Civil Rights Museum.

Kyles was the keynote speaker Humana's Diversity and Inclusion Day, held Wednesday, May 23. Lumpkin is the son of Racine County Supervisor Ken Lumpkin.


View video of Rev. Kyles

Early Voting March Held

Mahlon Mitchell, a candidate for Wisconsin’s Lt. Governor, and John Lehman, a candidate for State Senator in the 21 Senatorial District, led about 300 people to Racine’s City Clerk office to vote early.   The March started at the George Bray Center, located 924 Center Street and ended on the steps of City Hall.  Mitchell and Lehman will be running in the upcoming June 5, 2012 recall election.  Mitchell, a first time candidate, will be trying to upset Wisconsin current Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch. John Lehman, a former State Senator, will be trying to regain his old seat by defeating Senator Van Wanggaard 

Carl Lasster, right, shakes the hand of Mahlon Mitchell, a candidate for Wisconsin’s Lt. Governor in the upcoming June 5, 2012 recall election. Mitchell will be trying to upset Wisconsin current Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisc

NAACP want Senator to refute mailer

Gloria Rogers, president of Racine NAACP, says she is alarmed and that racially toned mailers are being sent out by the Republican State Leadership Committee to some people who live in the  21^st Senatorial District, where 21^st State Senator Van Wanggaard and former State Senator John Lehman are participating in a Tuesday, June 5^th recall election.

Rogers said that the 6x11 two-sided mailer depict the image of a dark face African-American male with a hoodie with words “You’re not SAFE …Thanks to John Lehman,” “ Although the NAACP is politically neutral, we view the flyer as being inflammatory in nature and was meant to feed on  individuals fear of the races.”

In the aftermath of the death of  Trayvon Martin, she says the handout boarder on sending the wrong  insensitive message about the minority community. 

“Because the  postal card was distributed in a primary white area of the 21^st District only, it lend itself to race bating and fear mongering by the Republican State Leadership Committee,” Rogers explained

The civil rights organization points out that since it is obvious that the handout was distributed to aid Senator Wanggaard campaign, we are asking him to refute the advertisement and call on the Republican State Leadership Committee to stop further distributions of the handout.

Reception held for new Chief

Former Mayor Jim Smith and his wife Joyce congratulate newly appoined Racine Police Chief Art Howell at a reception given to him by his family.  About 200 friends, relatives, and co-workers attended the event held at Infusino’s Banquet Hall, Sunday, May 19.   Howell, a lifelong resident of Racine, was sworn in office Monday, April 2, 2012. Howell, 49, is the first black police chief in the state of Wisconsin.

Chief Howell pose with community activist Corrine Owens, who will soon turn 100-year old. In the 1970's Owens organized the Concern Citizen group which worked successfully to have more African Americans hired on the Racine Police Department.


See other pictures…

Members of Bucks Lounge and the Crawdad Angles Dart teams will be competing in this year’s statewide dart tournament.  Last year, the 16 year old team participated and placed in a variety of  dart throwing events. 

Team members are (back row): Larry Randell, Chanicia Tyler, and Greg McRea.  Front row: Chaute Tyler, James Roberson, Rosette Blackmon, Shanette Blackmon, and Majuandishi Forrest.  

Yolanda Ferrell became the bride of Charles McMorris during a special ceremony held at the American Legion Post 546 in Racine.  During the ceremony, Charles made a nuptial commitment to Yolanda of lifetime love before about 200 guests, Saturday, May 12, 2012.   The couple hosted a reception following the marriage ceremony at the same location.

Mitchell cruises to win in Democratic primary for Lt. Gov.

Madison firefighter Mahlon Mitchell, who helped lead protests last year against Gov. Scott Walker's anti-collective bargaining policies, defeated two opponents to win the Democratic primary for Wisconsin lieutenant governor Tuesday.
With the win, the president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin will now challenge Republican Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch in the June 5 recall election.
According to unofficial results, Mitchell defeated Milwaukee private detective Ira Robins and fake Democrat Isaac Weix. Kleefisch didn't have a primary opponent.
The lieutenant governor's job carries no official duties. However, the lieutenant governor would take over if the governor dies, leaves office early or is incapacitated.
Mitchell, 35, is a lieutenant in the Madison Fire Department, where he has worked for 15 years. He said he looks forward to getting back on the campaign trail.
"I'm going to reach all 72 counties and make sure we win this thing," Mitchell said at his victory party in Madison.
Kleefisch, appearing at a joint Walker-Kleefisch election night party in Waukesha, issued a statement saying she and Walker had "balanced the budget and laid the foundation for moving Wisconsin's economy forward" and electing Mitchell and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett would be a step backward.

Will an African-American help or hurt the Dems ticket.  Read my Neckboneolgy this week.

ACT-SO Awards 8 Medals at 2012 Competitions

L-R: Front Row: Radhiya Broughton, Jazlyn Collins, Lataisha Dismuke, and Turiya Hamilton

Back Row: Malcolm James and Thomas James)

Five gold, one silver and two bronze medals were awarded at the NAACP ACT-SO Competitions on Saturday, April 28 at the New Omega Baptist Church located at 5731 Northwestern Avenue. ACT-SO an acronym for Afro-Academic Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics provides year round competition in academics and cultural arts.  The five gold medal recipients were all juniors and seniors from Washington Park and St. Catherine High Schools.  Floyd Harmon (not pictures), a Junior at Racine Lutheran won a gold medal in Filmmaking for his documentary film entitled “Stand Your Ground: Self Preservation or a License to Kill”; Lataisha Dismuke, a Junior at Park High  won Gold in Music: Vocal/ Classical for her singing in Latin of “Ava Maria”; Thomas James, a junior at Park High won gold in Oratory using lyrics from “Never Let Me Down” by Kenye West; Jazlyn Collins, a senior at Park High School won gold in Photography for her presentation in black and white of her original work which she entitled “Peace and Hope”; and Radhiya Broughton also a seniors at Park won gold in the category of Original Essay for her essay entitled the “Death Sentence”, in which she argues for the abolishment of the cruel system. 

Other medal recipients include Malcolm James, a senior at Park High, who won a silver medal in Music: Vocal/Contemporary; Lataisha Dismuke won a bronze in Music Vocal/Contemporary and Turiya Hamilton, a Park High freshman won a bronze in Poetry.

The quality of medals awarded this year is an upgrade from those awarded last year, when one gold medal (Music: Vocal/ Contemporary), two silver medal (Music: vocal/ contemporary and Biology/Microbiology) and three bronze (Music: vocal/contemporary, Music: Instrumental Contemporary and Poetry) were awarded

The five 2012 gold medalists will compete in National ACT-SO Competition in Houston, Texas July 5-9.  The group is sponsoring a Luncheon Talent Showcase and Play, entitled “The Dred Scott Decision”  on June 8  for public viewing of their talent, the previewing of future prospective ACT-SO talent among middle and elementary school students and support of students representing Racine at National ACT-SO in July.  Ticket are $20.00 for adults and $12.00 for Youth.  Patron donations are also welcome. For tickets or more information regarding the Talent Show/ Play /Luncheon call 554-1714 after 5:00p.m., 598-9234 , one of the student participants or send email to actsoracine@sbcglobal.net .

Area residents use the King Center Computer Lab  to help them obtain their GED, and also in seek employment
King Center's GED program recieves refunding

Mattie Booker has been on the frontline for over 45 years teaching children and now she shares her message with adults about the importance of education.

Booker is an instructor at the GED Program at The Martin Luther King, Jr., Center, 1134 Dr. M. L. King Jr. Drive; “We give people wings and hope. We want them to know that they can reach their potential,” explains Booker, who is a retired teacher from Unified.

The inner-city program that helps 30 to 35 drop-out students to obtain their GED,  annually was in jeopardy of not being funded by the city  until Alderman Q.A. Shakoor II,  made a motion to restore funding of this program. He noted in the daily paper Wednesday that the GED program provides a vital service by helping to ensure that adults are in a better position to lead their community and guide their children.

The City of Racine Community Development Committee had recommended that the annual allocations for the city’s 2012 Community Development Block Grant funds be cut this year. Last year the program received $13,000 in CDBG funding in 2011.The program was saved when City Council voted 8-6 to award the program $12,000.

The King Center’s  Director James Wilson said Wednesday that if the council had not voted to restore dollars to the GED program the center would have been forced to close it door since CDBG dollars are its only funding source.

“They feel comfortable coming here,” explained Booker. She says the center is different from some of the other GED programs.  She added that the King Center is centrally located on a convenient bus route and within walking distance, which makes it easy for many students to attend classes.   These students typically go on to college, technical school, or end up advancing in various careers.  She also states that the program has many success stories that can be shared,  but preferred to allow the performance of the students to be the program best spokespersons.

    

Do you think President Obama deserves another term?

We did it once but can we do it again?  In January 2008, this country elected its first African American chief executive officer.  Four years later and on the eve of another presidential political season, questions are being asked - was he a good president?  Do you think he deserves another term?  If so, why and if not why not? Come and share your thoughts!  Also vote in the Examiner Poll on the right side of this posting.

Kevin gets Arrested. His Rights are read to him. He says he understands them, but I doubt it. Is reading the rights still necessary? It is always our right to remain silent or be free to speak. It should also be our right to be told the truth.

Actually Kevin was hanging with the wrong crowd and stealing bikes. His relative had him mock arrested to teach him a lesson. The police officers' actions escalated to cruelty and beyond the intensions of the relatives. 

Earic Golden explain why she was mved to organize Racine's Trayvon Martin March.

Former Racine Resident Comments On Neckboneolgy

Rosa McCoy Stanford: I read your article in the Examiner and found it interesting sad and true. Iam very interested in become involved in the voting process in Racine. In particular educating our community about the registering to vote, understanding the election polls. The election polls and staff can seem intimidating if you don't know your rights. I volunteered as an Head Election Judge in MN for 10 Ann believe having a black face at the poll site made people feel more welcome.

Let us hear what you have to say....  http://racineexaminer.blogspot.com/

The race for Lt. Governor is as important as any other election being held during the recalls. We have a chance to elect a true progressive and champion for workers' rights to the second highest office in the state. Mahlon Mitchell is the real Democrat in the Lt. Governor race, and is poised to defeat Rebecca Kleefisch in June. A professional firefighter, Mahlon Mitchell was a leader during the protests last spring against Governor Walker's radical anti-worker agenda and he's dedicated his entire working life to protecting Wisconsin families.