“No justice, Milwaukee will have no fun:” Black Panthers demand changes to economic conditions
Posted: May 22, 2019 5:13 AM CDT
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – The Black Panthers made their presence known in Milwaukee on Tuesday by demonstrating at the Summerfest offices.
The Black Panthers say they will stage disruptions and disturbances at Milwaukee’s summer events unless the economic conditions in the city change.
“We have people coming in from other cities, other states to join us in this,” One person said. “Milwaukee, if you don’t come up with a comprehensive economic development plan for the black and brown community and put it into play, you shall have no peace.”
The group specifically mentioned Summerfest, the State Fair, ethnic festivals and Jazz in the Park as potential places to demonstrate.
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Yep-here we go. Gimme gimme gimme because of my skin color. I can say from experience that because of affirmative action it was hard to get a job as a Firefighter or Police Officer back when I was going through the process. Many good and qualified candidates didn’t get hired because they were white- they had a quota to fill you see. If you want to get a good job then graduate high school-go to college or a tech school (minority’s have a better chance at getting school grants) and stay out of trouble. I have friends of all colors and the ones that followed those simple rules are doing good-the ones that didn’t are struggling....white and black/brown. I know a few guys at PPG - one day a young black man that was a newer employee told the older guys at lunch that the “black workers” were planning on causing trouble with the management.....getting things changed and the best part was that they couldn’t do shit about it because if they did the workers would claim discrimination. So instead of doing the jobs they were hired for at a good wage they were gonna use their color to make their jobs easier. The real sad part was that they were already causing problems from failure to do their jobs while this other kid that was working his ass off and asking the older guys everything he could to learn from their years of experience starts getting called Uncle Tom from his fellow blacks-just because he wanted to work and learn. There is no white privilege -only laziness and it comes in every color.
The brown community??...is he talking about the Hispanic community??...i never hear any complaints from them about economic issues... but then again they work...they work hard...they do what ever is asked of them and dont complain or dont talk back
Please stop embarrassing me white people and take the time to research systemmatic racism..
Here's an idea. Have the black and brown communities stop voting Democrat. The city has been run by the same political party for over a century. The party that claims to support minority groups so much, yet still minority groups are less important than a choo choo train in downtown. SMH
What is it with black people feeling entitled enough to make DEMANDs? No one owes anyone anything in life especially based solely on skin color, if they want economic change they need to work hard for it like everyone else not expect their wants to be handed to them on threats of harassment & violence
Replying to midnightmaiden2000:
"Everybody" didn't have to work hard for it when systems were in place to give "others" economic advantages over the black and brown communities. Don’t be dumb to the facts: research our struggle to understand why this is needed. Seek knowledge to UNDERSTAND before judging. Comments like yours convey the ideology that align with the systems that are in place to hold our black and brown communities back.
"Everybody" didn't have to work hard for it when systems were in place to give "others" economic advantages over the black and brown communities. Don’t be dumb to the facts: research our struggle to understand why this is needed. Seek knowledge to UNDERSTAND before judging. Comments like yours convey the ideology that align with the systems that are in place to hold our black and brown communities back.
What are these systems you speak of? I am interested to learn how there are still specific systems in place to hold back minority groups. I know at one point in our nation's history there were tragic laws in place, specifically aimed at oppressing minorities. Those laws have with much resistance from southern Democrats at the time, have been overturned and the pendulum has swung entirely the other direction. Laws are now in place to give minorities preferential status when applying to universities, or jobs, etc... So I am ignorant to the current systems in place designed to hold back minority groups. I honestly would like to learn about them and help fight against this injustice
From a legal standpoint, those laws aren't still in place but that doesn't mean that the execution of the ideology doesn't still exist. There's ripple effects from those laws and that era that are still very dominant in society and even though it may seem like minorities have preferential status... we don't. If that was the case, there would be no reason for us to need an economic development plan. Minorities are still nearly four (4) times more likely to be unemployed compared to white Americans in Wisconsin although there is an increase in the amount of minorities with college degrees.
To give you an example of the ripple effect of these laws we can examine redlining practices that occurred in Milwaukee. The Home Owners Loan Corporation was a government backed agency that would develop maps of city's housing and color coded those maps to indicate the level of investment risk for banks. Im not going to go into full detail but this ultimately caused segregation within our city and even though these practices were "overturned" due to the civil rights movement, they still have ripple effects today. The city is still segregated just like it was back then primarily because when people of color try to rent/buy homes in white communities, many minorities face discrimination especially if they try to move into predominantly white neighborhoods. In addition housing correlates with education, so our black and brown communities don't have the same access to books, and educational programs compared to white Americans in Milwaukee County and this put us at a disadvantage in many different ways.
You stated,"[...] I am ignorant to the current systems in place designed to hold back minority groups. I honestly would like to learn about them and help fight against this injustice." Im glad that you want to do something about it. We need more people like this (regardless of their race). But at the same time, being ignorant is a choice. I can point you in the right direction of what to research (the links below are a good starting point) but I can't give you all the answers because I don't know all the answers myself. But the main point I want to make is that the ideology still exist (I have experienced it on multiple occasions and I'm only 22) and to sum this all up: here's a quote from Leah Foltman and Malia Jones from UW Applied Population Labs, " The effects of racist practices did not disappear as a result of laws prohibiting discrimination [...] Even if racism completely stopped in policy and interpersonal terms, continued disparities in outcomes would persist because of the deep imprint of this historical policy".
The Black-White Unemployment Gap
https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2018/03/29/wisconsin-budget-the-black-white-unemployment-gap/
Milwaukee County Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis. Will More Cities Follow Suit?
https://www.theroot.com/milwaukee-county-declares-racism-a-public-health-crisis-1834917218
How Redlining Continues To Shape Racial Segregation In Milwaukee
https://www.wiscontext.org/how-redlining-continues-shape-racial-segregation-milwaukee
7 Ways We Know Systemic Racism Is Real
https://www.benjerry.com/home/whats-new/2016/systemic-racism-is-real
To give you an example of the ripple effect of these laws we can examine redlining practices that occurred in Milwaukee. The Home Owners Loan Corporation was a government backed agency that would develop maps of city's housing and color coded those maps to indicate the level of investment risk for banks. Im not going to go into full detail but this ultimately caused segregation within our city and even though these practices were "overturned" due to the civil rights movement, they still have ripple effects today. The city is still segregated just like it was back then primarily because when people of color try to rent/buy homes in white communities, many minorities face discrimination especially if they try to move into predominantly white neighborhoods. In addition housing correlates with education, so our black and brown communities don't have the same access to books, and educational programs compared to white Americans in Milwaukee County and this put us at a disadvantage in many different ways.
You stated,"[...] I am ignorant to the current systems in place designed to hold back minority groups. I honestly would like to learn about them and help fight against this injustice." Im glad that you want to do something about it. We need more people like this (regardless of their race). But at the same time, being ignorant is a choice. I can point you in the right direction of what to research (the links below are a good starting point) but I can't give you all the answers because I don't know all the answers myself. But the main point I want to make is that the ideology still exist (I have experienced it on multiple occasions and I'm only 22) and to sum this all up: here's a quote from Leah Foltman and Malia Jones from UW Applied Population Labs, " The effects of racist practices did not disappear as a result of laws prohibiting discrimination [...] Even if racism completely stopped in policy and interpersonal terms, continued disparities in outcomes would persist because of the deep imprint of this historical policy".
The Black-White Unemployment Gap
https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2018/03/29/wisconsin-budget-the-black-white-unemployment-gap/
Milwaukee County Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis. Will More Cities Follow Suit?
https://www.theroot.com/milwaukee-county-declares-racism-a-public-health-crisis-1834917218
How Redlining Continues To Shape Racial Segregation In Milwaukee
https://www.wiscontext.org/how-redlining-continues-shape-racial-segregation-milwaukee
7 Ways We Know Systemic Racism Is Real
https://www.benjerry.com/home/whats-new/2016/systemic-racism-is-real
You talk foolishness. Trump has produced the lowest unemployment rate for both blacks and Hispanics than there has ever been. Go out and get a job, pull yourselves up by your bootstraps and WORK. I don't want to hear any of this "White Privilege BS", EVER. I saw a much better qualified white man lose out on a gravy job to a black man simply because he was black. So have your little temper tantrums. Most decent people are moving out of Milwaukee because it's turned into one big ghetto.
I almost didn't respond to you just because your comment is flawed in so many ways. But let me point out a few things:
First, you said, "Trump has produced the lowest unemployment rate for both blacks and hispanics than there has ever been." While this has occurred during the time Trump was in office, he's not the reason why this number has decreased. The unemployment rate has been on a steady decline for all US citizens since, approximately, 2011. However, it's still important to notice that the black and hispanic unemployment rates are still nearly double the unemployment rate of white Americans. Furthermore, mentioning what Trump "has done" for America has little to do with Milwaukee needing an economic development plan for the black and brown communities (especially if you want to base it off of the US unemployment rates). Milwaukee's unemployment rate was about 9.9% in 2018 for blacks and hispanic and that is 50% higher than the national average unemployment rate for blacks and hispanics, which was about 6.6% in 2018. The economic development plan is a specific issue for Milwaukee, so using national stats and partially correct statements (that are misleading) do not work or prove your point.
Second, you stated, "Go out and get a job, pull yourselves up by your bootstraps and WORK." I own 2 companies at the age of 22. I work my a** off and I am BLACK. Generalizing and stereotyping also do not prove your point. Not all blacks and hispanics go through the same daily routines and a lot of blacks and hispanics do WORK. However, many of the companies that blacks and hispanics are working for do not pay much and many of these same companies do not have any upward mobility for blacks and hispanics. Do you think minimum wage is enough to pay for housing, utilities, food, and take care of children? This is the situation for many of the people in the black and hispanic communities.
Third, you stated, "I don't want to hear any of this "White Privilege BS", EVER. I saw a much better qualified white man lose out on a gravy job to a black man simply because he was black." Maybe there was some bias on your behalf on determining who was the better candidate. And even if there wasn't any bias, do you believe that it is reasonable to overlook everything else that is happening in Milwaukee and the US because of this one experience that you have had? Because of this one instance, systematic racism and white privilege doesn't exist?
LAST BUT DEFINITELY NOT LEAST, you said, "Most decent people are moving out of Milwaukee because it's turned into one big ghetto." Who are these "most decent people" you speak of? I know you'll try to play it off and act like you're not prejudice but we all know what you meant with this last statement. And the facts would back up that most blacks and hispanics aren't the ones moving out of Milwaukee because "its turned into one big ghetto." Especially because many blacks and hispanics are struggling to make it out of the ghettos that they already live in. In addition, this last statement that you made further proves that legal systematic racism had ripple effects that are still prevalent in today's society.
Racism, prejudice, white privilege, and social inequality are all hidden underlying elements of your entire comment. Many people want to act like they aren't prejudice when they are. But it's not your fault; these are learned behaviors and could even be considered traditions in some families.
You feel this way about blacks and hispanics because you don't understand what we have went through and what we are still going through. You see it everyday, but many people overlook it because it doesn't effect them or apply to them. Nobody can force you to do research to get a better understanding of why this economic development plan is needed, but I really hope that you take it upon yourself to do something to change your flawed view upon blacks and hispanics.
AP FACT CHECK: Trump on unemployment for blacks, Latinos
https://www.apnews.com/e1afa3f19a054540a7c34ca193bdd9ae
The Black-White Unemployment Gap
https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2018/03/29/wisconsin-budget-the-black-white-unemployment-gap/
First, you said, "Trump has produced the lowest unemployment rate for both blacks and hispanics than there has ever been." While this has occurred during the time Trump was in office, he's not the reason why this number has decreased. The unemployment rate has been on a steady decline for all US citizens since, approximately, 2011. However, it's still important to notice that the black and hispanic unemployment rates are still nearly double the unemployment rate of white Americans. Furthermore, mentioning what Trump "has done" for America has little to do with Milwaukee needing an economic development plan for the black and brown communities (especially if you want to base it off of the US unemployment rates). Milwaukee's unemployment rate was about 9.9% in 2018 for blacks and hispanic and that is 50% higher than the national average unemployment rate for blacks and hispanics, which was about 6.6% in 2018. The economic development plan is a specific issue for Milwaukee, so using national stats and partially correct statements (that are misleading) do not work or prove your point.
Second, you stated, "Go out and get a job, pull yourselves up by your bootstraps and WORK." I own 2 companies at the age of 22. I work my a** off and I am BLACK. Generalizing and stereotyping also do not prove your point. Not all blacks and hispanics go through the same daily routines and a lot of blacks and hispanics do WORK. However, many of the companies that blacks and hispanics are working for do not pay much and many of these same companies do not have any upward mobility for blacks and hispanics. Do you think minimum wage is enough to pay for housing, utilities, food, and take care of children? This is the situation for many of the people in the black and hispanic communities.
Third, you stated, "I don't want to hear any of this "White Privilege BS", EVER. I saw a much better qualified white man lose out on a gravy job to a black man simply because he was black." Maybe there was some bias on your behalf on determining who was the better candidate. And even if there wasn't any bias, do you believe that it is reasonable to overlook everything else that is happening in Milwaukee and the US because of this one experience that you have had? Because of this one instance, systematic racism and white privilege doesn't exist?
LAST BUT DEFINITELY NOT LEAST, you said, "Most decent people are moving out of Milwaukee because it's turned into one big ghetto." Who are these "most decent people" you speak of? I know you'll try to play it off and act like you're not prejudice but we all know what you meant with this last statement. And the facts would back up that most blacks and hispanics aren't the ones moving out of Milwaukee because "its turned into one big ghetto." Especially because many blacks and hispanics are struggling to make it out of the ghettos that they already live in. In addition, this last statement that you made further proves that legal systematic racism had ripple effects that are still prevalent in today's society.
Racism, prejudice, white privilege, and social inequality are all hidden underlying elements of your entire comment. Many people want to act like they aren't prejudice when they are. But it's not your fault; these are learned behaviors and could even be considered traditions in some families.
You feel this way about blacks and hispanics because you don't understand what we have went through and what we are still going through. You see it everyday, but many people overlook it because it doesn't effect them or apply to them. Nobody can force you to do research to get a better understanding of why this economic development plan is needed, but I really hope that you take it upon yourself to do something to change your flawed view upon blacks and hispanics.
AP FACT CHECK: Trump on unemployment for blacks, Latinos
https://www.apnews.com/e1afa3f19a054540a7c34ca193bdd9ae
The Black-White Unemployment Gap
https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2018/03/29/wisconsin-budget-the-black-white-unemployment-gap/
