This morning I heard Michelle Alexander, the author of the book The New Jim Crow speak at a local community college. As in her book she was articulate about the mass incarceration of African American young adults which Wisconsin, Milwaukee and in particular North Central Milwaukee is at the epic center. There was a panel discussion after her talk but no questions or comments from the audience were allowed.

I noticed the local panelist talked about poverty, racial segregation, poor education, high unemployment; high incarceration rates of African- American males in Wisconsin and in Milwaukee but failed to break it down to particular section of Milwaukee, what we call North Central Milwaukee. (See M.A.P.S.). Also I was listening to hear the word ‘racism” used, an illness Milwaukee suffers from but heard it used once.

Michelle Alexander’s talk was articulate and the panel comments were enlightening except for one individual who was funny and articulate blowing his own horn but I knew how he mistreated my two African American friends who had created the community gardens on the North side. One of the panelists was especially poignant,a researcher from UWM who with her husband had blown up the dirty little secret about incarceration of African Americans in Wisconsin, Milwaukee and in particular in North Central Milwaukee. Pat and I knew the two of them a long time ago and were at their wedding. She spoke to the ‘white’ people in the crowd pleading with them to join the movement to end the massive incarceration of African Americans which Michelle Alexander called
Afterwards one of my friends in the struggle with the St. Vincent de Paul asked to me my friend from years ago. I introduced her and in her enthusiasm for the struggle which she calls “racism” asked if she could meet with her. My friend of old said she feels more comfortable behind her computer doing research did not say yes or no but said she would let her know. On the way out of the hall my research friend made the comments of how she was getting all the glory for the research but her husband did not mind or want. She also wondered how long this interest in incarceration of African Americans would last before everyone move on to the new ‘cause of the day.’ I understand her concern because we are both old enough to understand how in this day and age people jump from issue to issue, never digging them into one and taking a strong stand that means action, confrontation and conflict until there is a significant change.

I feel her concern but like her must keep on doing what we do best, researching, and speaking, taking nonviolent actions until there is a significant change. The words of the song “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round.” “I’m gonna keep on a-walkin’;, keep on a-talkin’, Walkin’ into freedom land.” Research, talks, panel discussion are great, inspiring and necessary. But without action, especially nonviolent actions, nothing will change.

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