Milwaukee
Milwaukee is the largest city in the state of Wisconsin and the home of America’s Black Holocaust Museum. Originally settled by German immigrants, Milwaukee became more of a melting pot during subquest immigration waves. The city was well known for manufacturing materials and beer, and local sports teams such as the Brewers still pay homage to those roots. Milwaukee’s Bronzeville neighborhood, of which America’s Black Holocaust Museum is a part, was originally settled by Germans before becoming the African-American center of the city.
Currently, Milwaukee has 1.18 more Black or African American residents than any other race. Racism is often prevalent, and Milwaukee is also known as the most segregated city in the country. The economic disparities are especially dire, with Black Milwaukeeans experiencing poverty at five times the rate of their white counterparts. Racial issues in Milwaukee made the city important in conversations about race during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Milwaukee is more politically liberal than much of Wisconsin, perhaps because of the demographics of its residents. Due to political lean, some politicians have attempted to influence politics by closing polling places in the city, much like they attempt to control elections by changing polling maps.
Nevertheless, the Black community and culture survive and even thrive in Milwaukee. The city welcomes speakers, organizations, and events recognizing and celebrating Black culture, including an annual weekly celebration of the Bronzeville neighborhood, which includes America’s Blakc History Museum. Mayor Cavalier Johnson is the city’s first Black mayor, while the city recently inducted its first Black woman as deputy fire chief.
Posts Tagged ‘Milwaukee’
Black male teachers can have a profound impact in the classroom. Unfortunately, they’re a rarity.
The story of Jarvis Ragland and his experiences as a teacher shed light on the importance of black teachers in schools.
Read More‘Another form of redlining’: Milwaukee among cities named in lawsuit against Redfin, real estate firm
A popular online real estate brokerage service has engaged in racially discriminatory practices akin to modern-day redlining in Milwaukee and other cities across the country, according to a new federal lawsuit.
Read More‘Colin In Black And White’: Netflix Series From Ava DuVernay Finds Lead In Jaden Michael
This six-episode series will “focus on Kaepernick’s formative high school years, lending meaningful insight into the acts and experiences that led him to become the activist he is today.”
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up for Justice! – Citizen-Led Commission Launches Community-Based Program For Police Reform in Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s 16-person Collaborative Community Commission, which includes members of the Latino, Black, LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities, is working with the Milwaukee Police Department to develop a policy for community policing, an approach that generally involves closer collaboration between law enforcement and the residents they serve.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – The Rich History of African American Activism in WI
While today’s demonstrations in Kenosha are distinctly modern, with activists holding Black Lives Matters signs and cellphones recording violence as it unfolds, Wisconsin’s protests for racial justice have roots starting in the 19th century.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Rally at Red Arrow Park draws crowd on DNC’s final day
The largest crowd of the week gathered at Red Arrow Park for an event to protest the Democratic National Convention and support the Black Lives Matters movement. Hundreds of masked individuals met in the downtown Milwaukee park where Dontre Hamilton was shot and killed by a Milwaukee police officer in 2014.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Voices in Union: with Reggie Jackson and Maria Hamilton
This podcast episode includes a discussion about the Black Lives Matter march from Milwaukee to Washington DC, and its realtime spotlight of police harassment and brutal public racism along the journey.
Read MoreMKE County Exec David Crowley commits his tenure to addressing inequities
Amidst the ongoing pandemic, Milwaukee County Executive David Crawley announced that he would be dedicating his tenure to “addressing the gaping inequities” across the city
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Milwaukee protesters begin march to Washington, D.C.
Milwaukee protest leader Frank Sensabaugh starts his 750 mile march with supporters to Washington, D.C.
Read MoreMilwaukee Said It First: Racism is a Public Health Crisis
The current global pandemic has renewed interest in Milwaukee’s recent decision to label racism a public health crisis.
Read More