Sleeping on a public bench
while poor and black can get
one shot and killed in Milwaukee

Some new research based on a five year update of census data has Milwaukee as the second poorest city in the USA, behind Detroit at number one. We were number four just a few years ago. We are moving up in the wrong direction.

All the emails and letters I have sent to leaders and staff of the St. Vincent de Paul Society about how money ‘donated’ to poor’ was not being used for members serving those in need has only brought me personal character attacks, suspension from the Society, marginalization. The message has been ignored.

Why do I continue? I do miss making home visit to persons in needs as Vincentians but, sadly, there are many other works of mercy I can do.

A statement I read from the book of Proverbs keeps coming to mind. “Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.” (Proverbs 31: 8–9) Major faiths, including my own, have a teaching where we are obliged to speak out for the voiceless. My Christian faith says that at Baptism we are marked with this duty. So how I can be silent in the face of injustice and how can the SVDP staff and leaders continue to attack me only so they can avoid the message?

Tonight at the Milwaukee Police and Fire Commission again failed to set a date for the hearing for the reinstatement of the policeman who shot Dontre Hamilton 14 times in Red Arrow Park last April. The officer was fired for not following procedure in the incident but was acquitted by the District Attorney of all charges. The Fire and Police Commission keep postponing the date for his reinstatement hearing and tonight the commission were not allowed to continue business till a date is sent. They choose to adjourn the meeting.

In the news tonight the police chief said how wrong we were in disturbing the meeting but nothing about the long delay in the hearing for reinstatement. Attack the messenger and ignore the message.

All this leads to a basic question that I cannot get a handle on. What can we do when we are a ‘voice for the voiceless’ and speak out only to find the message ignored and us the messengers marginalized. Do you keep speaking out as I feel I must do? Or do you join the silent that do not like it but do not speak out.

Both poverty in Milwaukee and being a voice to voiceless are moving up in the wrong direction.

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