Alderman McGee

Unfortunately, the recent shallow article that has become more common than I would care to admit in the Post’s editorial section does not surprise me. The ill-informed and certainly biased article, joining the “let’s bash Michael McGee Jr. choir,” may get past UWM students that know very little about the history of Milwaukee and have no stake in our city. However, Mr. Loper, people like myself that are well aware of the name Leon Todd and the plight of the McGee family in the context of this city believe that people deserve another perspective.

While you chose to glorify Leon Todd for his work on the Milwaukee school board by paraphrasing what was written in a recent MKE article, it’s apparent that you are not very enlightened about what the particulars of that time period were with regards to MPS. First, during this time, the fight for desegregation in MPS was very strong but seeing little results other than one-way bussing of black children to white schools. The magnet school program was largely created to attract white students to those schools that were traditionally attended by black students. Anybody can look at the state of MPS today and conclude that such a goal was hardly achieved. So, while your spin that improving schools for everyone could never be a bad thing, there are many people that have valid reasons for disagreeing with Todd’s positions on education, especially concerning Afrocentrism. It would be wise to dig a little deeper next time before acting like you know something that you apparently do not.

As far as McGee and your desire to follow the mis-leaders and paint him as nothing but a criminal, you should also further examine the good he has done. And you should know that for someone as ill-informed as you have presented yourself to be, it is an insult to us 6th district residents for you to tell us what is best for us. At this point it is of no consequence whether McGee is guilty or not. The fact is that the city of Milwaukee’s historically racist and discriminating justice department is mistreating him. As you rightly pointed out corruption and politics go hand in hand and McGee is certainly no exception. However, in the past few years Milwaukee has seen a number of politicians go to jail but they, unlike McGee, all received bail and got their day in court before being convicted. It is no surprise that he is being treated as he is since the powers that be in Milwaukee have been itching for a reason to make examples out of him and his father for standing up to things like police brutality and institutionalized racism. These are real problems that you trivialize through some fictitious persona “The Man,” without giving attention to what “The Man” represents.

Perhaps you have not thought of this, but McGee has some very progressive qualities. His gun buy back program in the inner city of Milwaukee was a huge success. In addition, while I do not dispute the notion that McGee has some very serious flaws, his efforts brought much needed attention to the problem of police brutality in our city. You may not want to admit this but if it wasn’t for the marches and rallies organized by McGee, Frank Jude would have been added to the list of the vast number of people brutalized by the MPD and never investigated. You should know that in the entire tenure of our last District Attorney a police officer was never even put on the stand in a police brutality case, much less convicted. And let’s not forget that Milwaukee courts thought it was just to let an all white jury decide the fate of those crooked cops – just another example of how “The Man” can be very real. As bad as those cops beat Jude they deserved bail but McGee does not? What’s wrong with this picture? McGee, until found guilty, should be awarded the same treatment that our constitution guarantees to every citizen of this country.

James Sokolowski
Well Informed Milwaukee Native

The Feats of Feminism

March is Women's History Month. This is a time in which we are supposed to celebrate the women that have paved the way for our lives. March should be a month in which female heroes, such as Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Margaret Sanger, and Rosa Parks, are celebrated and honored.

Unfortunately, the students and faculty here at UWM seem to have forgotten about those women that came before us. Aside from a few small events on campus, there have not been any celebrations of these often forgotten histories. As a generation that has idly reaped the benefits of those that fought before us, it is easy to take our rights for granted.

While criticizing Hillary Clinton for any number of reasons, it is easy to forget that she could make history as the FIRST woman ever to be a presidential nominee. It is even easier to forget that she wouldn't even have been permitted to vote less than 100 years ago, much less run.

While writing pieces about the "evils" of abortion, or arguing the morality of this procedure, it is easy to forget that just 35 years ago legislation was passed to protect hundreds of women from death, caused by illegal abortions. It is even easier to forget that before the battle was about abortion, it was about securing the simple right to birth control. In fact, single women were granted this right 36 years ago, and minors only 32!

While criticizing feminism, and perpetuating outdated stereotypes, it is easy to forget that UWM would not exist had it not been for the feminist founders of the Milwaukee Downer College. It is even easier to forget that as recently as 1972 women were finally guaranteed the right to a public education equal to that of male students.

Feminists fight for the equality of all people. We dream of a world in which men and women can raise healthy, happy families when they wish; where children can aspire to a strong education and fulfilling career outside of a constricting gender schema; and where equality can finally exist, regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation or religion, in policy as well as practice.

Today, many are left uneducated on the work of feminists past and present. For those of you hoping to learn a bit more about what feminism has accomplished, VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood is hosting an event entitled "The Feats of Feminism," on April 2nd, in the Union Ballroom. This event will begin at 6:30pm, and will feature lectures by prominent women from UWM and the greater Milwaukee area. This is a time for celebration of women and all that we have earned. Join VOX in doing just that.

For more information, you can email us at uwmvox@yahoo.com, or stop by our office in Union room 384.

Thank you,
Kathy Waligora
VOX co-chair

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