1 10 18 https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/20ea533eb460aeae4137d2c1af65d2c6.pdf 431654441a07cddb52fa2f6275224845 PDF Text Text Life on the Bloody Edge Page 12 School of the Americas Protest Page 9 STREETVIBES $1 Dec. 15-31, 2009 • Advocating Justice, Building Community • Issue 167 Knockin’ on the Food Pantry Door Bob Dylan’s Christmas CD to benefit food pantries By Bill Flanagan Street News Service Exclusive to the International Network of Street Papers. B Bob Dylan plays the harmonica at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans. REUTERS/Lee Celano. Homeless Crimes Laws and policies make necessities illegal By Vicky C. McDonald Contributing Writer A small group of Miami University students joined together Dec. 1 at Fountain Square to raise their voices against laws targeting homeless people. Legislation makes it illegal to sleep, sit or store personal belongings in public spaces in many cities where people are forced to live, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless. In Ohio, an “open container” law prevents people from possessing an open container of beer or liquor on public property. Public-in- decency laws prevent people let, a simple necessity that from urinating or defecating those who have homes take for granted. Those without in public. homes must “(It’s) important for sometimes It costs $65 per bed per people to go in public, day in the county jail in know homewhich violessness is comparison to an average lates the law. out there and of $30 a day for permanent After the first it’s not necoffense, the supportive housing. essarily their penalties in- Greater Cincinnati fault,” said Coalition for the Homeless crease with each subBrent Eysensequent ofbach, spokesman for the students. “People fense. Eysenbach said that, in are being locked up for doing everyday things we do at quasi-public places such as fast-food restaurants, homehome.” Eysenbach was referring to things such as using a toiSee Crime, p. 8 ob Dylan has at variBF: Did you take him serious times revolu- ously? tionized folk, rock, BD: Well, sure I took him country and gospel music. seriously. However, any Dylan fan who BF: But it didn’t happen. says he was not surprised How come? that Bob has reBD: He wasn’t leased an album specific. Besides, of traditional Dylan has donated there was always Christmas songs a glut of records all of his proceeds is pulling your out around that from the record, leg. Christmas time of year, and in perpetuity, to in The Heart is organizations around I didn’t see how another surprisone by me could the world to help ing move by an make any differwith hunger and artist famous ence. homelessness. for surprises. Yet BF: What was when you hear Christmas like Dylan's direct and obviously around your town when you sincere readings of “O Come were growing up? All Ye Faithful,” “Little Town BD: Well, you know, plenty Of Bethlehem” and “The First of snow, jingle bells, ChristNoel,” this unlikely exercise mas carolers going from seems of a piece with the rest house to house, sleighs in the of Dylan's work. streets, town bells ringing, From the very first, this Nativity plays – that sort of was an artist who made us thing. look at the familiar with new BF: Your family was Jewish. eyes and ears. While some As a kid did you ever feel left critics tie themselves into out of the Christmas exciteknots analyzing Dylan's mo- ment? tives, it has usually turned BD: No, not at all. out that Bob Dylan means exBF: What’s your idea of a actly what he says. Featuring good Christmas dinner? members of his touring band BD: Mashed potatoes and along with Los Lobos' David gravy, roast turkey and colHidalgo and Chess Records lard greens, turnip greens, vet Phil Upchurch, Christmas biscuit dressing, corn bread in The Heart is Dylan's cel- and cranberry sauce. ebration of family, communiBF: Have you spent any ty, faith and shared memory. Christmases overseas and And a timely celebration it is. been struck by how the holiRecognizing the worldwide day is celebrated in other problem of hunger, Dylan has countries? donated all of his proceeds BD: I was in Mexico City from the record, in perpetu- once, and they do a lot of reity, to organizations around enactment scenes of Joseph the world to help with hunger and Mary looking for a place and homelessness. to stay. BF: How do you like to spend We sat down to talk in the Waterfront Plaza Hotel in the week between Christmas Oakland on a rainy, windy, and New Year’s? BD: Doing nothing – mayOctober day. Bill Flanagan: Is recording be reflecting on things. BF: Why do you think a Christmas album something you’ve had on your mind for a Christmas has better songs than other holidays? while? BD: I don’t know. That’s a Bob Dylan: Yeah, every so often it has crossed my mind. good question. Maybe beThe idea was first brought to cause it’s so worldwide and me by Walter Yetnikoff, back everybody can relate to it in when he was President of CoSee Dylan, p. 4 lumbia Records. �2 Editorial Quite a Year for ‘Streetvibes’ By The Numbers 15 Growth, awards and occasional rejection the age of a boy serving as a drug dealer’s lookout in the woodcut, The Sentinel (see page 16) Seventh the edition of For a Better World 2010 set for publication in February 2010 (see page 7) STREETVIBES December 15- 31, 2009 By Gregory Flannery Editor I was standing outside the office when a man in a U.S. flag shirt said he planned to kill himself on Christmas Eve unless his girlfriend got out of jail within two days. She was locked up on a charge of domestic violence. A few hours later a man told me he’d gotten a job, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society had given him a voucher for a pair of work boots. He offered to buy me a sweater, thanking me for giving him some small encouragement and bus fare before his fortunes improved. That is the kind of year Streetvibes had in 2009 – some heartaches, some victories. 10 • the age at which Jacob started smoking (see page 11) Zero the number of times Bob Dylan has been to Christmas Island (see page 1) 50 the cost, in pennies, of a cup of coffee and two refills at a downtown café (see page 12) 3 the number of Streetvibes contributors who published books this year (see page 2) 6.57 the number, in millions, of people around the world who own slaves (see page 7) 150 the amount, in dollars, an abusive husband makes each week playing guitar at a club (see page 10) 173,000 the average number of workers for which a wage-theft investigator with the U.S. Labor Department is responsible (see page 6) 2…7…5 the highway St. Nick traversed while collecting bedbugs (see page 14) • • • • • • • • • • • • We were sad to see Andy Freeze leave at the start of the year. As education coordinator for the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, he managed the Streetvibes vendor program and laid out each edition of the paper. But that loss was also a gain for Streetvibes and for dozens of other street papers across the country. As the first-ever executive director of the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA), Freeze is working hard to help street papers grow and improve. When Freeze moved on, Lynne Ausman - administrative coordinator of the Homeless Coalition – began laying out each edition. She’s so good at it that I asked her to be our art director. This involved no extra pay and lots of extra work, especially after the Homeless Coalition decided to begin publishing Streetvibes bi-weekly. No extra pay – in fact, no pay at all – is what our writers, photographers and proofreaders got this year. All year long they have donated their work for free. They’re an amazing, diverse lot. Some are college students, some are homeless people, some are social workers, some are professional writers. Three of our regular contributors have published books this year: Michael Henson (They All Asked About You); Margo Pierce (Your Wills, Estates and Trusts Easily Explained); and Larry Gross (Living Out Loud). When Andy Freeze left, Jeni Jenkins took over as education coordinator and manager of the vendor program, bringing her own creativity and energy to the task. Josh Spring, executive director of the Homeless Coalition, has been very supportive. We’ve sold all copies of many editions of Streetvibes this year, thanks to the generosity of our readers and the hard work of our vendors. With the onset of cold weather, when sales usually decline, we’ve now adjusted our circulation to 3,500 every two weeks, which is about three times what we were selling in early 2008. The Street News Service has circulated worldwide several stories that first appeared in Streetvibes. We’ve introduced new columns (“Artists as Activists” and a sports column) and enjoyed continuing long-standing columns (“Hammered” and “Eight Minutes”). Twice this year Streetvibes has won awards for an article called, “We Are Their Slaves.” NASNA and the International Network of Street Papers named it the Best Feature Story of the Year. When the Denver Voice reprinted the story, its vendors were barred by a grocery chain affiliated with the issues covered in the story. Closer to home, a religious organization asked Streetvibes vendors to stay away from its annual festival because of an article it disapproved. Both articles were carried worldwide by the Street News Service, a prescient reminder that making a mark can help some people while upsetting others. Some of our vendors have been arrested for urinating in alleys at night. Wouldn’t it be nice if once – just once – a judge would tell a homeless person where she should go at night, when the public library is closed and restaurants don’t want homeless people coming in to take a piss. Public urination is a crime, all right, but the perpetrator is society at large, prosecuting poor people for doing what nature requires. One of our vendors was arrested for sleeping in an abandoned building. This, too, is a crime. Every night hundreds of people in Greater Cincinnati have to sleep in cars, on benches, on friends’ couches, on the Ohio River bank, under highway overpasses, in overcrowded shelters, in alcoves at the library, the courthouse, the cathedral, at City Hall. The crime is homelessness – not what homeless people do to stay alive. We have been fortunate to have students from Miami University, Northern Kentucky University, Xavier University, Ohio University and the College of Mount Saint Joseph contribute photography and articles to Streetvibes. A student contributor recently expressed some reservation about an assignment in Over-theRhine. Like me, she was raised to believe that Over-the-Rhine is a dangerous place, an area to be avoided. This is not an uncommon view, but nor is it insuperable. I took the student on a brief walking tour of Over-the-Rhine and tried to share what I have seen: Over-the-Rhine is a neighborhood, a place where people look out for each other. It is under assault by city policies aimed at driving out the poor and those who help them. It is under assault by people who use guns at night – cowards, all of them! In the end, I don’t know if I changed the student’s view. But that kind of thing is what I believe an editor should do. That kind of thing goes to the heart of what Streetvibes and the Homeless Coalition are about: breaking down barriers, advocating on behalf of homeless people in a society that can be in turns compassionate and cruel. For this final edition of 2009, we’re offering fewer news stories and more poems and short stories. It’s in keeping with the season when we celebrate Hanukah, Christmas, Tsongkhapa Day and Eid ul-Fitr. You, our readers, have been very kind to us this year. Thank you. In 2010 may we see a world more just, more kind, more peaceful. Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by people who are or once were homeless, in exchange for a $1 donation, Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Address: 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513.421.7803 x 12 Fax: 513.421.7813 Email: streetvibes2@ yahoo.com Website: www. cincihomeless.org Blog: streetvibes. wordpress.com Streetvibes Staff Editor Gregory Flannery Art Director Lynne Ausman Vendor Coordinator Jeni Jenkins Contributing Writers Lew Moores, Samantha Groark, Margo Pierce, Paul Kopp, Jeremy Flannery, Michael Henson, David Heitfield, Kelissa Hieber, Dan Rozier, Stephanie Dunlap, Saad Ghosn, Keara Anita Mullen, Steven Paul Lansky, Larry Gross, Eli Braun Photography/Artwork Aimie Willhoite, Lynne Ausman, Jeni Jenkins, Anthony Williams, Bill Haigh, Clarissa Peppers Proofreaders Jennifer Blalock Lynn Baker Jeremy Flannery The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati through coordination of services, public education, grassroots advocacy and Streetvibes. We are members of: �STREETVIBES December 15 - 31, 2009 3 Local News Hamilton County Hidden Treasures Integration works when neighbors work at it By Jill Span Contributing Writer West End became known as the first ghetto in Hamilton County, housing most of Cinor the past 30 years cinnati’s African Americans cities in Hamilton because they could not find County have been housing elsewhere, accordworking toward neighbor- ing to Leininger. hood integration. A Human As Cincinnati made an efResource event Nov. 21 cele- fort to replace slum housing brated those neighborhoods. in the 1930s and ’40s, a large The event began with a number of African Ameriwelcome and introduction by cans were displaced from Cheryl Meadows their homes. By of the Cincinnati the 1950s the Human Relations “A lot of this is about city was lookCommission, ing for ways to partnership and who identified build more pubbringing everyone the successfully to the table. It’s not lic housing, but integrated comneighborhoods about government munities as “hidwere still very changing den treasures.” segregated by communities, or “Whenever we race, Leininger politics; it’s about get an opportusaid. everyone in the nity to celebrate community stepping With the Fair what’s been acHousing Act of up. Be the change complished, I 1968, discrimiyou want to see.” think it’s wonnation based on -Kathy Garrison derful,” Meadows race in the sale, said. rental and fiThere were 25 communi- nancing of housing was proties recognized at the pro- hibited, which became the gram, with the honor of “gold first real step toward change. medal” status awarded to After 1970 came a sharp Riverfront/Downtown, Cor- change in the racial stability ryville and Madisonville for of integrated neighborhoods, 30 years of integrated neigh- but “as late as the early ’90s, borhoods. there were still some landCharles F. Casey Leininger lords that were openly and of the Department of History explicitly discriminating on at the University of Cincin- the basis of race,” Leininger nati led a segment on the his- said. tory of segregation in HamilToday old fears of integratton County. ed neighborhoods are far less “It’s clear to me that over prevalent than in the past, at the last 30 to 40 years there’s least in some neighborhoods, been a shift in the way people he said. think about their communi“We found that not only are ties – a positive shift,” said those traditionally integrated Leininger, who attributed the neighborhoods stabilized, progress to a change in at- but others as well,” Leininger titudes among younger gen- said. Success is about having a erations. However, “the fact that we healthy mix of racial diversity live in a society that is large- as well as socio-economic ly segregated on the basis of diversity, according to Elizabeth Brown, executive direcrace is no accident,” he said. In the late 19th century the tor of Housing Opportunities F Charles F. Casey-Leininger (seated) and Elizabeth Brown speak about the success of integrated neighborhoods. Photo by Maria Campolongo. Made Equal. “The fact is we are all welcome to live wherever we choose for whatever reason we choose,” she said. The second half of the “Hidden Treasures” program began with a short documentary on one Pennsylvania community’s quest toward a vibrant integrated neighborhood, followed by a panel on trend-setting with representatives from some of Hamilton County’s stabilized integrated neighborhoods. Tim Jeckering, president of the Northside Community Council, represented that neighborhood at the event. Northside earned a silver medal for being integrated since 1980. “If you can do pro-active things in your community that involve all people, you’ll have much more success with integration,” he said. One way Northside does this is by having an annual Fourth of July parade, Jeckering said. Maria Kreppel, chair of District A Board of Directors, spoke on behalf of the Pleasant Ridge Heights and Kennedy Heights communities. Kreppel said she and her husband moved to the edge of Pleasant Ridge in the 1970s and found it to be a wonderful place to raise their family. “Today, looking over my shoulder, our wonderful family experience was because of human geography – not physical geography,” Kreppel said. District A includes neighborhoods that have committed themselves to working in the arts, including everything from architecture to welding, she said. District A is not an ordinary arts district because artists not only work there, but also raise their families there, as well, Kreppel said. Kathy Garrison, another panel member, has lived in Madisonville for the past 48 years. She said the key to integrating neighborhoods is recognizing the importance of reaching out and latching on to those who want to get involved. “A lot of this is about partnership and bringing everyone to the table,” Garrison said. “It’s not about government changing communities, or politics; it’s about everyone in the community stepping up. Be the change you want to see.” Proclamations from Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory and the Hamilton County Commissioners declared Nov. 21 “Hidden Treasures Day.” Religious March for Health Care Faith leaders want Congress to act By Donald Washington Contributing Writer M ore than 50 “People of Faith United for Health Care Reform” gathered Nov. 24 on the steps of Christ Church Cathedral downtown to rally for health-care reform, now reaching a critical stage in Congress. The U.S. Senate began debate following its Thanksgiving break. The rally engaged people across many religious denominations. The Rev. Paula Jackson of Church of Our Saviour, Rabbi Sigma Coran of Rockdale Temple, the Rev. Elmer Martin of Brown Chapel A.M.E. and Canon Joanna Leiserson of Christ Church denied that blessing because Cathedral provided testimo- of lack of health coverage.” An open letter ny of the need for from faith leaders health-care reform. to elected officials The Rev. Damon “We have a Lynch Jr. of New moral obligation was signed by perJerusalem Baptist to families who sons of faith from Church closed out Greater Cincinare denied the rally with a fiery (health care).” nati and was made speech that chalavailable to the rally lenged the participarticipants to sign. pants to take action now to Participants marched with banners and placards to the support health care reform. “As families prepare to Cincinnati office of U.S. Sen. share a Thanksgiving meal George Voinovich to deliver this week, it is important to the letter. It was a remarkable recognize that our health is scene that generated many one of the most important on lookers from the lunchthings we say ‘thanks’ for,” time crowd downtown. This was the first action said one faith leader in attendance. “We have a moral taken by the People of Faith, obligation to families who are but more activity is to follow Religious leaders spoke out in support of health care reform Nov. 24. to secure health-care reform for individuals, families and society as a whole during this critical month. These religious leaders are partner- ing with Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage, a statewide organization building a consumer voice for health-care reform. �4 Exclusive Interview STREETVIBES December 15- 31, 2009 Bob Dylan has just completed his first Christmas CD. The profits will benefit the hungry. Photo courtesy of Columbia Records. Knockin’ on the Food Pantry Door continued from page 1 ing through the window at the congregation, hear their version of “Hey Jude.” wishing he were in there. Did any of these BF: The way you do “Winter Wonderland” their own kind of way. songs surprise you when you heard them makes me think of Gene Autry and Roy RodBF: Very often when contemporary art- played back? gers, the singing cowboys in the old movies. ists do Christmas records, they look for a BD: No, they were pretty much the same Even in John Wayne films, there’d always be new angle. John Fahey did instrumental folk going in as going out. You can already hear a scene back at the fort where an Irish band variations on holiday songs, Billy Idol did a them in your head before was playing, or the Sons of rock and roll Christmas album, Phil Specter you begin. the Pioneers were singing. “I love rhyming for rhyming put the Wall of Sound around the Christmas BF: Any Christmas Did you have a favorite sake. I think that’s an tree and the Roches did kind of a kooky left- songs you like but you did cowboy singer as a kid? field collection. You played this right down not think you could do? incredible art form.” BD: Yeah, Tex Ritter. the middle, doing classic holiday songs in BD: Not really. There BF: What about Gene - Bob Dylan traditional arrangements. Did you know go- were ones I didn’t want and Roy? ing in you wanted to play it straight? to do, but not any that I BD: Yeah, they were BD: Oh sure, there wasn’t any other way didn’t think I could do. The idea was to re- OK, but Tex Ritter was my favorite. He was to play it. These songs are part of my life, cord the best known ones. way more heavy. There was more gravity to just like folk songs. You have to play them BF: “Christmas Blues” is an old Dean Mar- him. straight, too. tin song. What attracted you to that? BF: Have you heard “Christmas on Death BF: There’s something new that hapBD: It’s just a beautiful song. Row,” the rap Christmas record? pens when your voice goes up against the BF: Stan Lynch once told me about you BD: No, I don’t think so. very smooth background singers and old- and him slipping out of a rehearsal with the BF: Do you listen to rap music? fashioned arrangements. It adds a new fla- Heartbreakers to go see Dean, Sinatra and BD: I don’t listen to rap radio stations and vor to the mix. When you do “I’ll Be Home Sammy Davis. What appealed to you about I don’t play rap songs on the jukebox, and I for Christmas,” it sounds really forlorn, like those guys? don’t go to rap shows, so, no, I guess I don’t you’re singing the song in jail and this is BD: I don’t know, maybe the camarade- listen to rap music all that much. your one phone call. Do you ever approach rie. On the other hand, I wasn’t much into BF: What do you think of rap music? singing a song like an actor? that whole scene, actually. It left a lot of BD: I love rhyming for rhyming sake. I BD: Not any more then Willie or Nat King people out. think that’s an incredible art form. Cole would. The songs BF: “Must Be Santa” is BF: There’s a lonely quality in the way you don’t require much acting. a real jumping polka. Did do “Silver Bells.” You were a young man when They kind of play them“I don’t know what my you hear a lot of polka you moved from Minnesota to New York City. selves. grandchildren think of any of bands growing up? Was Christmas very different in New York? BF: Do you try to go for BD: Yeah, I heard a few. BD: Christmas was pretty much the same my records. I don’t know if different emotions on difBF: I never heard that in New York, only more so. they’ve even heard them.” ferent takes? BF: Did it make you homesick? song before. Where did you - Bob Dylan BD: Not really. The emoBD: Not really. I didn’t think about it that hear it? tions would pretty much BD: I first heard that much. I didn’t bring the past with me when be the same on any singular take. The in- song years ago on one of those “Sing Along I came to New York. Nothing back there flections would maybe differ if we changed with Mitch” records. But this version comes would play any part in where I was going. BF: Hearing you sing “Adeste Fidelis” rethe key, and sometimes that might affect from a band called Brave Combo. Somethe emotional resonance. body sent their record to us for our radio minds me of being an altar boy at Midnight BF: When I hear your version of “Hark! show. They’re a regional band out of Texas Mass. The priests all had to lead the singing, The Herald Angels Sing,” it makes me think that takes regular songs and changes the See Dylan, p. 5 of a lonely fellow outside the church, look- way you think about them. You ought to �STREETVIBES December 15 - 31, 2009 Exclusive Interview 5 Knockin’ on the Food Pantry Door continued from page 4 you sure deliver that song like a true believer. BD: Well, I am a true believer. and it didn’t matter if they were singers or not – they belted it out. Have you BF: You know, some people will think that Bob Dylan doing a Christmas ever sung in a foreign language before? album is meant to be ironic or a put-on. This sounds to me like one of the BD: I’ve sung in French, Italian and Spanish. Over the years Columbia most sincere records you’ve ever made. Did anybody at your record comhas asked me to do records in those languages, and I recorded stuff here pany or management resist the idea? and there. None of the tracks have been released, though. It’s hard decidBD: No, it was my record company who compelled me to do it. ing whether to do a translation of one of my own songs or an original BF: Why now? song in one of those languages, which I’m BD: Well, it just came my way now, at this time. Actually, I don’t think I actually more partial to. I’ve always wanted would have been experienced enough earlier anyway. “Isn’t there enough to do some Edith Piaf songs. BF: Some critics don’t seem to know what to make of this record. irreverence in the world? BF: “La Vie en Rose”? Bloomberg News said, “Some of the songs sound ironic. Does he really BD: Yeah. That one and a couple of oth- mean “have yourself a merry little Christmas?” Is there any ironic content Who would need more? Especially at Christmas time.” ers: “Sous Le Ciel de Paris, “Pour Moi Tout in these songs? Seule” and maybe one or two more. BD: No, not at all. Critics like that are on the outside looking in. They - Bob Dylan BF: What stopped you? are definitely not fans or the audience that I play to. They would have no BD: Well, I can hear myself doing them in gut level understanding of me and my work, what I can and can’t do – the my head, but I’d need written arrangements to pull it off, and I’m not sure scope of it all. Even at this point in time they still don’t know what to make who could do that. of me. BF: Which singers do you BF: Derek Barker in the associate with Christmas? Independent compared this BD: Johnny Mathis and record with the shock of you Nat King Cole. Doris Day. going electric. So many artBF: What about Bing ists have released Christmas Crosby? records, from Bing Crosby to BD: Sure, “White ChristHuey Piano Smith. Why is it mas” was always a big a shock if you do it? song. BD: You’ll have to ask BF: I always get choked them. up at the end of “Going My BF: The Chicago Tribune Way” when the old priest’s felt this record needed more mother comes walking toirreverence. Doesn’t that ward him on Christmas miss the point? Eve and Bing watches from BD: Well, sure it does. the door of the church, then That’s an irresponsible statement anyway. Isn’t picks up his suitcase and there enough irreverence in walks off into the snow – the world? Who would need “Tura, Lura Lura” playing more? Especially at Christin the background. You can’t mas time. get any more Christmassy BF: The profits from this than that. Did movies have album are going to buy a big effect on how you saw Christmas dinners for folks the world growing up? who are having a hard time BD: I think so. I lived in financially. When I heard a small town, and movthat, I thought of the Woody ies were a window into the Guthrie song, “Pretty Boy outside world. Floyd”: “Here’s a Christmas BF: “Christmas Island” is dinner for the families on a wacky song! Santa’s going relief.” to sail in with your presents BD: Exactly, “Pretty Boy in a canoe. Where did that Bob Dylan’s Christmas CD. Photo courtesy of Columbia Records. Floyd.” “Pretty Boy grabbed come from? You ever been to the log chain and the depChristmas Island? uty grabbed his gun.” Did BD: No, I’ve never been you ever notice how Pretty there. I have no idea where Boy Floyd looks exactly like babe Ruth? the song comes from, who wrote or even if there is such a place. BF: Yeah, I have. BF: Your song, “Three Angels,” always reminds me of the holidays. Did BD: Did you ever think it could be the same guy? you ever sit down to write a Christmas song? BF: Maybe they’re interchangeable? BD: I have never done that. It’s something to think about, though. BD: Yeah, in the real world Pretty Boy would be batting clean up for the BF: You have grandchildren. What do you think they’ll make of this record? Did it occur to you making this record that years from now your Yankees and Babe Ruth would be robbing banks. BF: Yeah, and they’re both legends. grandchildren will play this album for their own kids? BD: Right. BD: I don’t know what my grandchildren think of any of my records. I BF: Why did you pick Feeding America, Crisis UK and The World Food don’t know if they’ve even heard them. Maybe the older ones. BF: You’re a lot more loyal to these melodies than you are to the melo- Programme to give the proceeds of this record to? BD: Because they get food straight to the people – no military orgadies of the songs you’ve written. Do you figure these tunes can’t be messed nization, no bureaucracy, no governments to with? deal with. BD: If you want to get to the heart of them, they can’t be, no. "I’ve sung in French, Italian BF: Do you still send out Christmas cards? BF: Your version of “The Christmas Song” is right in the pocket. You slide and Spanish. Over the BD: I haven’t for a while. into that song like you’ve been singing it all your life. You also sing the intro BF: Do you have a favorite Christmas al- years Columbia has asked (“All through the year we waited …”), which most people leave out. I don’t bum? think Nat King Cole used that intro. Why did you bring it back? me to do records in those BD: Maybe the Louvin Brothers. I like all languages, and I recorded BD: Well, I figured the guy who wrote it put it in there deliberately. It definitely creates ten- the religious Christmas albums – the ones in stuff here and there. None “I didn’t bring the past with sion, predicts what you are about to hear. Latin, the songs I sang as a kid. of the tracks have been BF: A lot of people like the secular ones. BF: I think you did drop the “goodies” on the me when I came to New released, though." BD: Religion isn’t meant for everybody. York. Nothing back there sleigh. Did something about that bother you? - Bob Dylan BF: What sort of gifts do you like to give? BD: No, not really. I don’t think I thought of would play any part in BD: I try to match the person with the gift. it until you mentioned it. I try my best to be where I was going.” BF: Are you a last-minute shopper? exact, but sometimes things just fall away. We - Bob Dylan BD: Always. probably recorded the song, got the feel right BF: Do you drop any hints about what you hope to get from your famand moved on. Most likely we didn’t even listen back, just moved on to something else. I don’t think that’s something ily? BD: Nope. Their well-being – that’s enough of a gift for me. I would have noticed anyway. BF: I know we’re out of time but I have to ask: What’s the best Christmas BF: You really give a heroic performance of “O’ Little Town of Bethlehem.” The way you do it reminds me a little of an Irish rebel song. There’s gift you ever got? BD: Let me think. Oh yeah, I think it was a sled. something almost defiant in the way you sing, “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” I don’t want to put you on the spot, but �6 STREETVIBES December 15- 31, 2009 Local News Just as Bad as Highway Robbery Wage theft is a nationwide problem Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center (CIWC). The nonprofit organization, formed in 2005, works to educate and advocate for workers’ rights. CIWC is affiliated with the By Kelissa Hieber national network, Interfaith Contributing Writer Worker Justice, which as a whole recovered over $2 milage theft is a lion dollars in unpaid wages crime that oc- in 2008. curs all across the CIWC addresses the probcountry and affects many dif- lem of wage theft by directly ferent individuals. Wage theft confronting businesses or is the illegal practice of not employers that have cheated paying workers or not paying workers out of the wages they their proper are due. The wages. organization The ways Undocumented workers are also works that wage on lawsuits often the targets of wage theft is caragainst emtheft, because employers ried out in- believe they can easily avoid ployers or clude payindividuals paying these workers. ing less than who are parminimum ticipating in wage, no payment or im- these illegal practices. proper payment for overtime The U.S. Department of Laand incomplete paychecks or bor is supposed to make sure no paychecks at all. No one that all workers get their deis immune to the possibility served wages. Unfortunately of being a wage-theft victim, the Labor Department doesn’t but certain groups are affect- have the staffing to make sure ed far more than others. Im- that no workers fall through migrants, African-American the cracks. Wage and hour workers, temporary workers investigators are responsible and low-wage workers feel for ensuring workers receive the impact of this crime the their proper pay, but in 2008 most. there was only around one Many community groups investigator for every 173,000 across the nation have workers covered under the worked to educate and fight Fair Labor Standards Act. for the rights of these workThe CIWC press conferers. Nov. 19 was the National ence began with the stories Day of Action to Stop Wage of two workers who had been Theft (see “Wage Theft: The victims of wage theft. PeForgotten crime,” issue of dro Alverado had worked for Dec. 1-14). People in 40 cit- the same employer for three ies across the nation partici- years, but on his last job he pated in this day to educate ran into problems with his and discuss what has been boss. His employer wouldn’t done and what still needs to pay him for his last job and be done on this issue. claimed he wasn’t responIn Cincinnati, the obser- sible for Alverado’s problems. vation ended with a press Alverado went to CIWC for conference hosted by the help. W Activists gather in Walnut Hills to protest wage theft. Photo by Dan Moore. “I’m here today to get justice for so many others like me,” he said. One concern discussed at the press conference is how is that legislation alone isn’t enough; adequate personnel are needed to enforce these laws. Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune was unable to attend the press conference but an assistant spoke about Portune’s work on the issue. Last month Portune created the Hamilton County Wage Theft and Worker Misclassification Task Force. Its mission is to gather information about businesses and employers who are practicing wage theft. The task force will inform local governments and the Labor Department on their findings. Once they have this comprehensive data, they can work to bring these individuals and companies to justice and work to return the wages to the workers. The next speaker at the press conference said this is not just a state-by-state issue but also a national one. Dave Solhultz, general counsel of the Kentucky Labor Cabinet, discussed the steps that agency is taking to combat these illegal practices. Solhultz said his team is aggressively working to find employers that are committing these crimes, and then works to bring them to justice. The Kentucky Labor Cabinet recently retrieved $600,000 of unpaid wages for non-documented workers in Louisville. Undocumented workers are often the targets of wage theft, because employers believe they can easily avoid paying these workers. Immigrants often work in temporary jobs and contend with language barriers, making them easy targets for opportunistic employers. Many immigrants work as day labors and answer to contractors or sub-contractors. Often these workers are paid minimum wage or less, in violation of the Davis-Bacon Act, which states these workers are entitled to the prevailing wage – a rate higher than the minimum wage, established by local government. “Our stated commitment is that your immigration status does not matter,” Solhultz said. “You are still a worker covered under out national labor laws and therefore entitled to proper pay.” Often the workers whose wages are stolen have to decide between being able to eat or having a place to sleep. About $51 is stolen from lowwage workers across the nation per week, according to some studies. Green, Angry Works for Bengals But being the Incredible Hulk might not be enough By B. Clifton Burke Contributing Writer The Bengals are steadfast in their identity. They've found a look and lifestyle that they’re comfortable with and now they can't imagine living any other way. The problem is they've made themselves into something that resembles the Incredible Hulk: a big and strong team that often appears simpleminded and predictable in its attack. Last season they were still just plain old Bruce Banner: a below-average entity unable to make a difference in the world. They got angry with all the losing and turned green. This year they came out of nowhere and slammed their way into first place and are now a near lock to make the postseason. The physi- roll the other two at home, cal domination has worked; and the same mortar-andbut as the season extends, pestle style that turned them the foes come equipped with into winners now appears too cooler superpowers and fan- routine, too mundane for the critics. They cier weapsay that, if onry, and the Bengals the BenAs frost mounts in the deep gals will freeze of winter and each win are to succeed in the have to becomes more paramount, playoffs, quickly Cincinnati will learn if simply learn how being the more brawny team they must show the to counter is enough to end up on top. world now them. that they can The concern for Cincinnati's inability win in more dynamic ways. Losing wide receiver Chris to score points and move the ball more efficiently through Henry for the year with a brothe air was heightened dur- ken forearm has had more ing the struggles the team fallout than some expected. experienced against bottom- Expensive free-agent acquifeeders Oakland, Cleveland sition, Laveranues Coles, still and Detroit. doesn't appear to have an Cincinnati lost in Oakland established role on the team; and didn't necessarily steam- and second-year receiver, Andre Caldwell, has seen his production slowed after a tremendous start of the season. The only legitimate threat in the passing game these days is Chad Ochocinco who has kept the aerial assault alive nearly single-handedly. But with Chad double-teamed so often, it's become imperative that someone else rise to the occasion and be a viable secondary option for Carson Palmer when he drops back to throw. As of late, that hasn't happened. Losing Henry hasn't been the only limitation to the offense brought on by injury. Rookie running back Bernard Scott has shown genuine flashes of becoming the quintessential change-ofpace back that the best running teams in the NFL em- ploy. With his patient running style and field vision, Scott contrasts nicely with the bruising power-backs, Cedric Benson and Larry Johnson. Since his turf-toe injury, however, the Bengals without him have resorted almost exclusively to running more basic plays up the middle, even in the face of defensive schemes set out to stop exactly that kind of play. Sitting on opposing teams and waiting for them to yell “Uncle” will work against the dregs of the league, but against the premium heavy-hitters, the Bengals will eventually be forced to catch someone by surprise and have to win with some creativity. I expect to see a slight shift See Green, p. 7 �STREETVIBES December 15 - 31, 2009 Guest Column Time to End Slavery; I Can Help 7 Chocolate bars and conversation can build a movement By Joanna Pogue Guest Columnist I bat slavery, we will never know what they could have done for the world, instead of making its clothes or chocolate perhaps. Of course, the most important reason for the combat of slavery all over the world is the feeling of empathy for our human neighbors. If we take a second and imagine the suffering of those in slavery, it is hard to not want to do something to stop it. If we put ourselves in their shoes, being beaten so much that the sores on your back cannot heal for they are being reopened everyday by a whip, we shudder at the thought. This should cause an uproar in our minds and t’s everywhere. When we get dressed, when we make lunch, when we drive to the store. It is 27 million people being used, and 6.57 million people as the users. What is this incredible force? Slavery. In the words of a former slave, slavery is “a complete hell.” It is violent, abusive, exhausting, inhumane and degrading. For all of these reasons, and because we are all humans in the world tothey like. Slavery steals life gether, it is of utter imporaway from them and replaces tance that we combat slavery it with hopes of death. around the world and in the We must begin to combat United States of America. slavery all over the world, As a human, there are so for so many reasons about many opportunities in the its inhumane style. But also world for you, and slavery because slaves have an unabolishes all hope of those. quenchable desire for freeSlaves lose basic rights that dom. If they fight for it and get everyone in the world beaten for it, then we, too, is born with. They are should fight for their freestopped from having dom. It is so important that Everyone loves chocolate, but freedom of movement, nobody knows that the blood and no one in this world misses which everyone should sweat of many hardworking slaves out on the basic right to a have, freedom of educa- went into the bar they are eating. life. It is important that we tion and a real job, and send a message to all the freedom of curiosity, people in the world that are which is the basis of all hu- in our hearts to start doing involved with buying, using man thinking. something to stop the slavery. and selling slaves. This mesCuriosity allows progress If we cannot even imagine be- sage needs to say that slavery in the world. It creates new ing in their shoes, then why will not be accepted, that evinventions and new ways should they have to be there ery single slave will be found of thinking. Through it, the in reality? They shouldn’t. and freed. People deserve economy, the government If that description does not more than a life as a slave. and the people all experience move you to start fighting This message should be sent growth in some way. When against slavery, then perhaps from every country of the slavery suppresses the curi- the thought of young kids, world, from every member of osity of 27 million individual even younger than 5 years the world community. These slaves are our people, thinkers, it is damaging the old, being enslaved will. When growth of the people of the children grow up in slavery, they were parts of our country world. One of those slaves live in slavery and die in slav- and we need to return them could have the potential to ery, they have not lived a life. to the lives they once knew. be a great scientist or a great Everyone born into the world The number of slaves today musician. If we do not com- should be able to live any way is 27 million people, higher A Call to Greater Cincinnati Poets Write for ‘For a Better World 2010’ It’s time to get your verse on. SOS Art, the annual exhibit of art on themes of peace and justice, publishes a collection of poetry each year. Saad Ghosn, who organizes SOS Art and writes the “Artists as Activists” column for Streetvibes, is now collecting submissions for For a Better World 2010, the seventh edition to date. Any poet from or connected to Greater Cincinnati may submit up to three poems related to themes of peace and justice. All submissions will be considered. The editors will be looking for quality, inclusiveness and appropriateness to the themes of peace and justice. If space becomes limited, priority will go to poets not published in previous books. The poems selected for publication will be illustrated in black and white by Greater Cincinnati artists. Poets included in the book will be invited to read their poems at SOS Art 2010. For a Better World 2010 will be released in May 2010. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 15, 2010. Send submissions as “Word” attachments or in full text By e-mail to saad.ghosn@uc.edu or On a CD to Saad Ghosn, 216 Erkenbrecher Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229. than the number of slaves during the transatlantic slave trade from Africa. As neighbors, as friends and as humans we need to take a stand against slavery before the number grows even higher. Even though I am a mere senior in high school, leaving me little authority in my local community, there are many things I can do. To start, I can do the easiest thing for me, talk with my friends and parents about the movie I just watched and ask them to watch it, too. This will build a following of the issue through chain reactions of telling my friends, who tell their friends and so on. By simply doing this I have built some awareness of the issue of slavery which has until now seemed to be forgotten. Besides doing that, as a student I can begin posting signs around the school just to raise more awareness. Also in school bringing in a speaker, possibly a former slave or active member of Free the People to the school would make a huge impression. Parents would be invited to hear the speaker, while students are required to go. To follow on the presentation a new club could be formed to raise awareness, and begin involvement in the Free the People campaign. Once the club has a solid group of members, we can begin drafting letters or setting up talks with important figures in our community. For instance, the Cincinnati Art Museum or the Contemporary Art Museum could have a display of work done about slavery, which would promote awareness to a broader range of people than we could have reached through our school. Another simple and barely noticeable task that could promote much awareness of slavery is dealing with chocolate bars. Chocolate bars could be bought or made and little slips of paper with facts about slavery still in the world today could be sold at grocery stores, movie theatres, on the street, anywhere. Everyone loves chocolate, but nobody knows that the blood and sweat of many hardworking slaves went into the bar they are eating. If people knew how their chocolate was made, maybe they would make a big deal and start raising awareness of slavery themselves. The goal would be to start making a chain reaction, where I start informing people about slavery, who then inform others, who inform others, etc. This would cause so much uproar that a movement against slavery would be hard to ignore. Excerpted from the winning entry in a high-school essay contest sponsored by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. A student at Summit Country Day High School at the time of the contest, Pogue is now a student at Ohio State University. Green and Angry Continued from page 6 in the team's offensive philosophy for the last quarter of the regular season. It's been known that in the past the Bengals have reevaluated their strategy every four games. From the outside, the changes are sometimes detectable; other times they're too subtle or simply don't materialize as they were planned. The theory makes sense: Occasionally install new plays and shift the paradigm to keep the opposition on their toes; but Marvin Lewis and his men have been a stubborn lot, especially this season, and he might not feel compelled to stray from what has clearly worked for him. Yet the next two games at Minnesota and at San Diego feature opponents that score plenty of points; and if the offense can't keep up, they may end up learning this lesson the hard way. Still, they might not have to score much after all. The defense remains the team's inner core and has been difficult to criticize all year. After Week 13, they ranked first in scoring defense, second against the run and fourth in overall yards allowed. Coordinator Mike Zimmer collected discarded pieces from the flotsam and jetsam of the NFL this off-season, and has since composed a group that works diligently and efficiently but rarely ever looks good doing it. The strong play of the cornerback tandem of Johnathon Joseph and Leon Hall has allowed Zimmer to focus on stopping the run first, and has also resulted in a handful of timely coverage sacks. They truly are a group who are far more concerned with their numbers than their names. So as frost mounts in the deep freeze of winter and each win becomes more paramount, Cincinnati will learn if simply being the more brawny team is enough to end up on top. If the passing game can somehow spring to life, then most would agree that the Bengals could match up well against anyone. As it is now, they'll have to win by being green and angry. �8 STREETVIBES December 15- 31, 2009 Local Issues Homeless Crimes continued from page 1 ing needs to be clean and safe and perceived that way.” less people are arrested for trespassHis remark merely perpetuated the ing and police are called when they idea that those without a home are just want to wash up. dangerous – even though the courtBeing caught with an open flask house provides a sense of safety for or urinating in an alley is a misde- the homeless. meanor. But homeless people with The Miami university students criminal records find distributed literature it difficult to obtain and stickers that said, employment or hous- “(It’s) important for people “I support people ing. without a home.” The to know homelessness The city should statement was creis out there and it’s not recognize the fact ated so that people necessarily their fault. that social services would not perceive People are being locked are at maximum cathose without a home up for doing everyday pacity, according to as a label, which the things we do at home.” Eysenbach. More serterm “homeless” rep- Brent Eysenbach vices, along with afresents. fordable housing, are Tom Dutton – an needed, he said. architecture professor, director of The goal for the students was to go the Miami University Center for Civic to a public place, where the home- Engagement in Over-the-Rhine and less are not allowed to sell items such a longtime advocate for poor people as Streetvibes, and spread the word – said people must take a look at the about these laws. City ordinances nature of our economy. The homeless prohibit vendors from selling Street- are turned into criminals, largely due vibes on Fountain Square. to ignorance. The city’s punitive meaEysenbach said many see homeless sures come from a deep misunderpeople as “them” or “others.” They are standing of the nature of homelessnot seen as people and therefore are ness, he said. brushed aside. In May 2007 the Greater Cincinnati Last summer the Cincinnati En- Coalition for the Homeless produced quirer reported on homeless people a study of public records that revealed sleeping – and urinating – outside the that it would actually cost the city Hamilton County Courthouse. Coun- less to create permanent supportive ty Commissioner David Pepper told housing than it would to place homethe paper, “It’s clearly unacceptable less people in jail. It costs $65 per bed for it to be used this way. The build- per day in the county jail in com- HOLIDAY SALE!!! Miami University students passed out literature and spoke with the community about the criminalization of homelessness. Photo by Ryan Wellinghoff. parison to an average of $30 a day for permanent supportive housing, the report said. “Because our system doesn’t make sure everybody has the human right of Say housing, people are forced to do their living outside, in front of everyone else, and therefore they’re criminalized,” said GCCH Executive Director Josh Spring. ! ? t a h W “If the lower classes are strong enough, or, in other words, if the lower classes can cause enough disruption in the society, the elites and more affluent may be wiling to give them concessions in order to remove this threat to the overall status quo.” - Harold R. Kerbo, Social Stratification and Inequality Refurbished G3 Mac Computers for only $39 through December! (regular price $64) Proceeds benefit Media Bridges Your local nonprofit media center Visit www.mediabridges.org or call 513-651-4171 for details, or stop by 1100 Race St. to pick one up today. _________ �STREETVIBES December 15 - 31, 2009 9 National News School of Assassins Tens of thousands want end to Torture U By Samantha Groark Contributing Writer E very third week in November, thousands of students, clergy, celebrities, politicians, human rights defenders, torture survivors, veterans and citizens gather outside the gates of Ft. Benning, Ga., to protest at the U.S. Army School of the Americas (SOA). Renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation in 2001, SOA is a 63-year-old combat-training school for soldiers in Latin America. Each year about 20,000 people gather at the gates to protest SOA’s history and its ongoing work, making it one of the longest-standing non-violent protest movements in American history. The School of the Americas has trained over 60,000 Latin American soldiers in counterinsurgency techniques, sniper training, commando and psychological warfare, military intelligence and interrogation tactics. SOA graduates have consistently used their skills to wage a war against their own peoples, often resulting in massacres of entire villages, according to School of the Americas Watch, the organization that coordinates the annual protest. Among those targeted by SOA graduates are educators, union organizers, religious workers, student leaders and others who work for the rights of the poor in Latin American countries. Hundreds of thousands of Latin Americans have been tortured, raped, assassinated, “disappeared,” massacred, and forced into refuge by SOA graduates, according to SOA Watch and other organizations. Initially established in Panama in 1946, the School of the Americas was kicked out of that country in 1984 by former Panamanian President Jorge Illueca, who said the School of the Americas was the “biggest base for destabilization in Latin America.” Since then graduates from SOA, dubbed by critics the “School of Assassins,” have been involved in political coups, massacres and assassinations in every country where they have returned after their training. The first protest in 1990 came after the Nov. 16, 1989, massacre of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her teenage daughter in El Salvador. A U.S. Congressional Task Force reported that those responsible were trained at the SOA. In 1990, SOA Watch began in a tiny apartment outside the main gate of Ft. Benning with the help of the Rev. Roy Bourgeois. SOA Watch has Protesters marched outside the gates of Ft. Benning, Georgia. Photo by Angela Gray. Protesters carry crosses at a protest against the School of the Americas. Photo by John Rehak. two goals: first, to close the School of the Americas; second, by educating the public, lobbying Congress and participating in creative, nonviolent resistance, to change U.S. foreign policy in Latin America. Nearly 300 SOA Watch protesters have collectively spent over 100 years in prison as the result of illegally “crossing the line” onto the base at Ft. Benning. This year four people committed acts “It is up to us to hold those of civil disobedience by trespassing onto Ft. responsible accountable and Benning. to push for the closing of the “This is something I feel like I have to do School of the Americas and a to stand for human rights,” said the Rev. change in US foreign policy.” Louis Vitale the night before he crossed the - The Rev. Roy Bourgeois line. Five individuals were arrested for similar acts of civil disobedience at Ft. Huachuca, Ariz., where the torture manuals used at the SOA were created. Since 1995 the Ignatian Solidarity Network has presented the annual Ignatian Family Teach-In near the gates of Ft. Benning. Jesuits, former Jesuits and lay pastoral leaders have gathered to call for the closure of the School of the Americas and to commemorate the deaths of the Jesuit martyrs and other victims of civil war and bloodshed tied to the SOA. The Teach-In includes a variety of sessions focusing on issues ranging from nonviolent strategy, successful lobbying and workshops on other social-justice and environmental issues. “It’s really great to be able to connect with people from around the country who are concerned about the same issues as I am,” said a Cincinnati woman who attended this year’s teach-in. “It’s amazing how many of us are concerned about the same things, but often have felt isolated and alone in our convictions.” Protesters from Cincinnati included high-school and university students and the Sisters of Charity. Next year the Ignatian Family Teach-In will move to Washington, D.C. The move is a change in strategy that the Ignatian Solidarity Network hopes will increase awareness and political pressure. SOA Watch says the campaign to close the School of the Americas is in a crucial phase. Despite promising comments from President Obama during his 2008 election campaign, the institution is still in operation. SOA Watch says the United States is pouring millions into failing military solutions to combat the drug problems in Mexico, and the Pentagon is moving forward with plans to use seven Colombian military bases in Colombia for offensive U.S. military operations. “It is up to us to hold those responsible accountable and to push for the closing of the School of the Americas and a change in US foreign policy,” Bourgeois said. “Too many have died and continue to suffer at the hands of graduates of this notorious institute.” Do you remember the magic of your First Book? Please consider giving the gift of reading to a low-income child in Cincinnati this holiday season. Established in 2001, First Book - Greater Cincinnati has already granted more than 45,000 books and over $60,000 to local nonprofit literacy programs serving thousands of low-income children in Greater Cincinnati. Make checks payable to “First Book - Greater Cincinnati” I Want to Bring the Magic of Books to Children Who Need Them! Please use my tax-deductible contribution to purchase books and distribute them to children who need them most. $20 (10 books) Please return your contribution to: First Book Greater Cincinnati 572 Northland Blvd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45240 Name: Address: E-mail: $40 (20 books) $80 (40 books) $100 (50 books) Other $ _______ �10 Creative Writing STREETVIBES December 15- 31, 2009 Postcards to America By Michael Henson America, I’m writing from a very far place called America, One of us is in the wrong place. America, I’m steering an eight-cylinder Conestoga down the Trail of Tears. There are no exits. America, It’s all very confusing. I’m blind and deaf and my heart is breaking but if I touch the hem of your garment, I might win the Lottery. America, The view from here is very strange. The eyes of the abandoned factories stare at me. The walls are slathered with graffiti. I can’t read a word of it, But I don’t think the news is good. Photo by Maria Campolongo. America, What’s up with these angry waves of grain? These toppled mountain majesties? These out-sourced fruited plains? America, I think the suburbs Are very close to hell. America, I can’t argue anymore. When I hear the blonde men bicker on the radio, I just want to go someplace and die. America, The rich get richer, the poor get AIDS. How does this happen? America, I don’t think I can bear the weight of your sins any longer. I’m letting Barabbas carry this cross. America, It’s all mixed up. Have you seen the pythons in the Everglades? America, You can tell the Sanhedrin Senate I’ve gone home to America. America, Is it me? Each part of you looks the same. Your elbow looks exactly like your elbow. America, You can tell the pin-stripe Goliaths I’m out in the yard with David, counting stones. Prisons Within, Prisons Without Not all have bars on the windows By Mike Henson Contributing Writer H e had known all along she was leaving – Debbie, his cousin. Even before she packed her borrowed bag and stole like a deer out of the before-dawn house and walked the dark mile out to the highway, he could see her, heavy handbag in hand, waiting at the crossing where she knew the bus’s lights would catch her, with the dew-filled wind pressing her jacket against her. And she would wave “They train these guards to use her arm slowly to stop the bus when those judo chops, to guard the its lights wrapped around her. And she would climb the steps and mumble to prisoners. And so he give her the driver where she wanted to go. And one of those judo chops right to the neck. Knocked her clean she would count out her money to him. She would hold her face down in the into the wall and she still can’t turn her head without it hurtin.” hollow of her collar. Her bruises were not yet healed. For a week he had watched her try to hide from him her plum-colored eye and her thick lip baked open like the top of a biscuit. She only talked to Granny, but he saw how she spoke without moving her bread-thick lips and he heard, without hearing what she said, the whispered, half-lisped way she puffed out her words, as if talking straight would hurt her. He had tried once to ask, “Granny, why … ” But he got a look that told him that this was one thing he was yet too young to ask. And he never would know but that he heard Granny tell the story. “She’s back with her man now,” she was telling the neighbor woman. The women were sitting, each of them, in one of the lawn chairs of the sunspilt yard. “I don’t see how she stands it. He’ll buy a little for the two younguns, milk and juice and so on, but if it weren’t for what folks give her, she wouldn't have nothin. And he goes to Athens, Ohio three nights a week to play at these clubs – they’re not just a bar, they’re regular clubs. He can pick up any old instrument and play on it.” The boy remembered the reunion at the church on the ridge: How Debbie had a way of leaning forward to people, then pulling back, on smiling, then unsmiling. Her man picked up a guitar that was leaning against a tree, passed one expert lick down the neck of it, then put it down. “She says he makes a hundred and fifty a week just off of that. But what he does with his money she don’t know, for she never sees nary a penny of it. And he makes good money at his job besides. He’s a guard, you know, at the prison in Lucasville, and he makes good money there.” Granny knew he had snuck up beside her chair, but she did not turn. She did not stop her story. “Well she tried to leave him, but he told her, if she ever did, he’d sue for takin his children from him. Well, her folks tried to get her to come home with them. They’d been givin her food and clothes for the kids, and she was studyin on comin home. But then he come home one night and accused her of havin a man in the house. “And you see, they train these guards to use those judo chops, to guard the prisoners. And so he give her one of those judo chops right to the neck. Knocked her clean into the wall and she still can’t turn her head without it hurtin. Well, after that, she was afraid to leave. Afraid he’d kill em all. “But she was afraid to stay. So she come here. Left them kids and come here. He’d beat her up and he’d run her out that night. And always before when he’d run her out, he’d let her back in. But she told herself, ‘I ain't goin back in. Not this time.’ And she run off to a friend, and they fixed her up some clothes in a bag and she come down here, where he wouldn’t think to look for her.” Granny was still face to face with the neighbor woman, but her eye had turned so that by now he knew For a week he had watched her try to hide from him her plum-colored that she was really talking to him. “He’s just the same way when he’s eye and her thick lip baked open like a guard. They give him a billy club the top of a biscuit. and even a gun and one of them electric cattle-loadin sticks – they’re illegal to use 'em on cattle but they do it – and he has to guard the big fence around the prison. And any one of them don’t like, he’ll stick ’em with that stick. Especially the colored ones.” She looked out to the line of hills where the wind was spinning a hawk. “And they all hate him. And they'll get him one day.” She shook her head and looked back to the neighbor woman. “I reckon it was bad to leave them children like that. But what could she do? She worried over ’em the whole time she was here. It was ever other word she spoke.” But he had known she would go back. In that last dark hour before daybreak, when he heard her footstep crack the warp in the floorboard outside his door, he knew it was Debbie, that she had packed her heavy bag, that she would soon be waiting with the highway wind and dew on her bruises. Michael Henson is author of Ransack, A Small Room with Trouble on My Mind, The Tao of Longing and Crow Call. �STREETVIBES December 15 - 31, 2009 11 Short Story Church Bells, a Pea Coat & a Light Jacob finds something different By Larry Gross Contributing Writer He woke up to the church bells. He counted them out loud: “One. . . two. . .three. . .four. . .five. . .six. . . seven. . . eight.” It was 8 o’clock in the morning. He didn’t know what day it was. Jacob was lying beside him on the church steps opposite Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine. He shook Jacob, shook him and shook him, but Jacob was out like a light. This was typical Jacob – always making things more difficult than they needed to be. Why couldn’t he simply wake up and get on things, behave like a normal person? Standing up, he told himself he would check on Jacob later. Looking across the street to Washington Park, he saw there was frost on the ground. It was a cold, cloudy winter morning. Suddenly, he took notice of what he was wearing. The ragged old coat that he found last month in a doorway had been replaced by a pea coat, almost exactly like the one he wore when he was a kid, back then he was 10 years old. It was navy-colored with broad lapels and a double-breasted front. The wool was heavy and it felt warm. He walked across the street to the park and sat down on one of the benches. He thought about how this could have happened. Why would someone give him a new coat? Along with Jacob, he had gotten pretty wasted the night before. They had a bottle they shared, trying to warm themselves up with alcohol before the night and its coldness set in. Maybe he had passed out. Maybe someone passing by saw he needed a better coat. Maybe someone was trying to be generous. Maybe some people are still nice. He doesn’t meet a lot of nice people anymore. Since losing everything almost 10 years ago, because of too much drinking or too many women or too much gambling or a combination of any of those three demons, people don’t respect him anymore. They ignore him when he asks for a little change. Passengers move to other seats when he rides on the bus. People look down on him because he doesn’t have a home to go to. Most don’t want to help a homeless person. Looking at the pea coat, he remembered back to his days as a kid – actually back to when he was 10. He remembered that pea coat he always wore in the winter months. Memories, distant memories filled his head. He remembered throwing snowballs with his friends at some girls while wearing his favorite winter coat. He almost laughed sitting there on that bench thinking about how those girls screamed. His hands were cold. He put them in the pockets of the pea coat. A smile came to his face when he realized gloves were inside. In the right pocket, he Washington Park. Photo by Maria Campolongo. felt something else. He pulled out a pack of Winston cigarettes. He also found a book of matches. Grateful for the luck he was having, he opened the pack of cigarettes, pulled one out and lit it. He then put on his gloves. Sitting there smoking, he liked the idea of not having to beg for cigarettes. On this day, he had his own. The church bells were ringing again. He counted. “One. . . two. . .three. . .four. . .five. . .six. . .seven. . .eight. . .nine.” The library was now open. He could use one of their restrooms, throw some cold water in his face and start the day. Starting to make his way toward downtown, he looked over at Jacob again. He was still asleep on the church steps. He would have to make his trip to the library quick. While he didn’t like Jacob all that much anymore, he knew him too well and didn’t want a cop to pick him up for loitering. He took another cigarette out of his pack and lit it. Wintons. He hadn’t smoked them since he was a kid. He had wanted to grow up early and started smoking on his 10th birthday. Walking to the library, he couldn’t help but notice people were friendlier to him, making eye contact, some saying good morning. The world seemed like a better place on this morning and while not understanding it, he was thankful for it. When he got to the library, the first thing he did was look at himself in the restroom mirror to check out his left eye. A few nights earlier, while trying to find a place to sleep; a couple guys jumped him, hit him in the eye a couple times and took off with the few bucks he had managed to beg on the street. Yesterday the eye was black and blue and badly swollen. But on this morning, the eye seemed fine. He looked to see if there were still any swelling. There wasn’t. It looked perfectly normal, as if nothing had happened. He splashed cold water in his face while remembering Jacob. Something inside told him he needed to get back to those church steps quickly. He looked at himself one last time in the mirror, mostly looking at the pea coat he was wearing. A feeling came over him, a feeling not of sadness, worry or despair but one of happiness. Walking back to Over-the-Rhine, he felt each step to be lighter than normal. People were smiling at him. One of the women who did looked almost like his mother. As he walked, he thought he could somehow put all the bad decisions and wrong turns behind him. Somehow he knew things were going to change. He heard those church bells again. “One. . . two. . .three. . .four. . .five. . .six. . .seven. . .eight. . . nine. . . ten.” As he approached Washington Park, the sun quickly came out from behind the clouds. He looked over to the church steps where Jacob had been sleeping. In front of the church, he saw an ambulance and two police cars. Two Hamilton County deputies were putting Jacob in a body bag. He again looked at the coat he was wearing, suddenly realizing the meaning of the church bells. The sun started shining brightly over the church. Picking up his pace, he was filled with excitement. He ran as quickly as he could to the light. He looked up to the heavens, knowing he was heading to a better place. Looking for the perfect gift for someone? Why not give a donation to Streetvibes in a loved one’s name? What about a Streetvibes subscription? Streetvibes is the activist newspaper, advocating justice, building community. Your gift is tax-deductible and will go to producing the paper every two weeks. Started in 1997, Streetvibes is distributed by homeless and formerly homeless vendors who purchase the paper for 25 cents and sell it for $1, keeping the 75 cent profit. Make checks payable to “Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless” I want to support Streetvibes and the vendors this holiday season. $25 Please return your contribution to: GCCH 117 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Name: Address: E-mail: $50 $100 $150 Other $ _______ �12 Short Story STREETVIBES December 15- 31, 2009 Life on the Bloody Edge By Steven Paul Lansky Contributing Writer ‘Arjuna.’ Painting and photo by Steven Paul Lansky. 1982 A wandering buck stands on the shoulder of a two-lane highway in Texas. The sun is rising behind him. Along the road a grass field stretches as far as the horizon. A chest highbarbwire fence separates the road and the acreage. Holsteins are standing in the field. Some of the cows are lying down. They are getting up, though, one or two at a time, mooing and lowing. The young man extends his thumb to the road. A brown pack rests on his shoulder. A car passes with the rubber-onfreeway sound. The man can smell the dust. Across the road are railroad tracks. Redwing blackbirds chatter behind him along the fence wire. The young man looks back on the road, swings around walking east, shielding his face from the sun with the thumbing hand, listening for another car behind. He can smell the dew on the grass. As he walks he thinks about women. What else do lonely men think about while they walk highways. 1996 A pony-tailed man walks with a woman to a restaurant downtown. She wanted to sit and sip a cola. He suggested Mullane’s Café because he can get coffee and two refills for 50 cents. She walks slowly in small steps, stops to light a cigarette from a trembling hand holding a lighter. He feels his heavy wing tips on the concrete sidewalk; thinks of walking when he was leaner, poorer, more scared. The woman is older than he is. She would gravitate to fast-food restaurants with free refills on soda. She complains about the black teenagers at the bus stops and in the fast-food places. She has been knocked down. Her friends have had purses snatched. He wants her to improve her social standing by going to the café where there is a fortune teller in the late afternoon, where there is sidewalk seating, where the mayor sometimes comes for dinner. He believes she will be safer and more secure at Mullane’s than at the fast-food restaurants. He finds it difficult to explain this to the woman. She takes pride in her participation in the mayor’s campaign. The man is trying to covertly encourage her. They sit at an outdoor table. They order beverages. He pours cream in his coffee, enjoys it. She has a cola over ice and asks him if he remembers when they first met. He is worried that she might think this is a date. A thin black man with a little facial hair approaches the table with a sketchpad. He asks if either of them would like to be sketched, a portrait, for a donation: “Say five dollars?” “Are you an artist, too?” asks the man. “My girlfriend is an artist,” he confesses, trying to hide his reserve. “Go ahead,” says the woman to the artist. “She won’t mind,” she says to her Social Worker. “I don’t know,” he says. “You don’t have to show it to her,” says the woman. There is an awkward silence. He observes that the artist is missing the temple on one side of his eyeglasses. He needs the money. “OK.” “Good,” she says and sips cola. The artist uses two different pencils. The Social Worker tries to watch him work, but knows this is distracting to the artist. When he is finished, the woman likes the sketch at once. The Social Worker observes that it is a good likeness except for the nose, which resembles the woman’s more than his own. He withholds comment, pays the fellow. After he has walked her back to the hotel, he hides the sketch in the trunk of his car. He is never able to find the sketch again. ***** Arjuna enters a downtown residential hotel across the street from the new arts center. He signs in at the desk. He goes to see one of his clients. He is a Social Worker at the same agency as his therapist. He thinks about his life. Once he needed the system to heal him. Now he needs the system for a job. He gives to others who need healing. He gets in the elevator. He walks the carpeted hallway. The day is warm and the man is dressed in khaki shorts, short sleeves and running shoes. He set the timer on his chronometer as he left the car to time the parking meter. His client is on the fifth floor. He stands in the narrow hall knocking on her door. He is impatient when she does not answer. Perhaps she is sleeping. Possibly she has gone out. He was expecting to help her straighten up for her room inspection next week. It is the last day of May, a Friday early afternoon. He does not give up easily. At the front desk he uses the telephone. Her line is busy. He returns to the elevator. He goes up to floor five. He walks the corridor with more urgency. Again he knocks. No answer. He shouts her name. Now he knows something is wrong. She would respond if she were on the phone. He goes back to the desk in the lobby. He requests assistance in opening the door to her room. Fourteen years ago to the day he had returned to Cincinnati on his bicycle to restart his life. He does not think about that. He is fully occupied with getting the maintenance man to open her room. His patience is beginning to annoy him. The door is keyed and he can see that the carpet is dirty. The security chain is on the door. The maintenance man radios on the walkie-talkie for a bolt cutter. The other maintenance man is there. They both wear gray shirts with their names on them. The man with the sandy beard reaches through the gap in the door with a screwdriver and unscrews the chain. There were two screws. Time hung on the chain. The muscles in the man's neck stand out as he unscrews. She is on the bed bleeding. The man with the walkie-talkie has the desk clerk call 911. “She's alive,” he thinks, very relieved. He can see her breathing. She is alive. Fourteen years ago he was penniless. The bicycle tires were flat. He had ridden from Columbus to Cincinnati, over 100 miles. Overnight. Just after the hitch to Santa Fe. Fourteen years and a month ago he stood on that highway, watching cows. Listening. He hangs up the phone. It rings. The police and life squad are coming. He calls his supervisor. She is distressed. Blood red and blood brown. The footprints are everywhere. She’s a pacer. She had walked that room after she had cut the crook of her elbow with a 14-inch blade. Footprints. He had paced the edge of the road 14 years before. Looking for love. The cow-herding girl. The gopis. The bathroom tile blood-red strewn. The knife lay on the edge of the blood-filled tub. The empty pill bottles lined up on the top edge of the refrigerator like fence posts. On the table the emergency sheet with the therapist’s name and doctor’s name and parents’. Her face streaked with crusted black blood. The bedding red, soaked, red, deep gashed arm at elbow the blood of paint drip depression and the fear of fear of her luck in folding the arm up to breast in bloody night clothes, unconscious, breathing, rapidly, breathing but not wakeable with a shout. Life Squad comes in. Two men. At first they seem to think that someone had done this to her. “How old is she?” See Edge, p. 13 �STREETVIBES December 15 - 31, 2009 Stort Story Life on the Bloody Edge continued from page 12 The young worker will never meet with the woman at Mullane’s Café. Fifty-one. She is fifty-one. Fourteen years ago she was 37. I am 38 now. Fourteen years ago I was 24. After the medics come the constabulary. Two mounted officers, one male, one female. Two officers from their high-tech cruisers, again both genders. Arjuna is interviewed as she is moved onto a stretcher, the gash wrapped tightly. A blond woman with blue pools for eyes that open into tomorrow; good clean fingers hold a tiny note pad and a yellow No. 2 pencil. Some questions … the pill bottles are examined for dosage, number, dates. Arjuna is lost in the eyes of this Miss and answers willingly, wantingly. The redhead from the mounted division has spurs on her boots and a sense of humor. Arjuna is impressed with his desire to keep his eyes in the pools. He reflects on how mystifying her presence is in the room where he had sat previously on the brown sofa, or at the tiny kitchen table, the lingering odor of cigarette smoke in his nostrils more pungent than the dust on the highway those 14 years ago. The uniforms are so blue, collars so white, pins of brass, and black shoes, boots with spurs; always back to the pools with the dilated black open pupils. The voice calm, reassuring, melodic. Arjuna wants to linger with these uniforms, feels comfort in their pacing, so much more secure than those of the missing client. His own pacing somewhere between the officious and the bloody unsteady footprints. He walks the corridor with more urgency. Again he knocks. No answer. He shouts her name. Now he knows something is wrong. ***** Sunday morning at the hospital Arjuna went to her bedside. Machines with lights and numbers flanked her. The room was glass and curtains. She opened swollen eyelids, a tube on her tongue and several in each arm. Her head looked puffed, inflated then partially let down; one eye stared off and didn’t track, the other bloodshot and milky looked at him with a flicker of recognition. She reached for his hand with hers and squeezed weakly. 13 “Do you recognize me?” “Arjuna,” she slurred, nodded once, a small gesture. He stood at the steel bed rail and watched her breathe. Black dried blood streaked her enlarged head, matted dark hair. They hadn’t had a chance to clean her up in two days. He felt very bad and very relieved. His pulse ran in his ears. He talked to her a little, He wants her to improve her said her name, glad to see her and scared. social standing by going to the Then he stood waiting for a thought or the café where there is a fortune moment to end; listened to her gurgling teller in the late afternoon, breath. When he left, he thought about where there is sidewalk other things. seating, where the mayor Arjuna meets her at the crisis center in sometimes comes for dinner. the city, but not downtown, where she is staying after the hospital before moving back to her fifth-floor room. A chaotic place, there are many ill clients sitting, smoking, milling. The doorways are wide to admit wheelchairs. Arjuna speaks privately with a staff member about her, both before and after he meets with her. Arjuna wants her in group housing. Not likely to happen. “I’ll never pull a stunt like that again,” she says. They walk to a fast-food restaurant, less scary perhaps because they are not “downtown.” He orders orange juice at the counter and she follows. They sit to talk under the bright lights in the seats that don’t move because they are attached to the tables and the floor. She cries, readily, freely grieving her father, a loss of long standing. She thanks Arjuna for finding her. He is nervous, curious about how it felt to be “gone,” near death. He doesn’t dare ask her but he wants to know. The knife edge of life can be explored among the living when life is that miserable. She suggests they walk. They make their way slowly around a large block, nearly half-a-mile, taking small steps. She cries; misses her father. “He was told he was schizophrenic just before he died.” The Social Worker, Arjuna, is glad she is alive. He is finished visiting her. Steven Paul Lansky teaches creative writing at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Lansky’s published works include ‘The Citizen,’ ‘Jack Acid’ and ‘Main St.’ Are you interested in helping with Streetvibes? Are you a proofreader, writer, poet, artist or photographer? If so, contact Greg Flannery 513.421.7803 x 12 or email streetvibes2@yahoo.com Go Ahead: Ask a Vendor Invitation to a dialogue with our readers Streetvibes vendors see a lot that you might not. For example, some can describe what goes on in an abandoned building at night when they sleep there. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to stand on a street corner selling newspapers? That’s hardly a common occupation anymore. How much money do Streetvibes vendors make – and what do they do with it? Do they have other jobs? If you have questions, some of our vendors would like to answer them. “Go Ahead: Ask a Vendor” will be an occasional feature, with questions submitted by readers and answered by Streetvibes vendors. You may direct your question to a specific vendor or we’ll invite one to respond. Only include your name if you want to. Send questions to streetvibes2@yahoo.com Or to Streetvibes, 117 E. 12th St. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. Go ahead. Ask. �14 Poetry Page STREETVIBES December 15- 31, 2009 What Happens When We Die? Pacifist Question By Spencer Ledyard By Jeremy Flannery Let's come right out and say it, Dispense with all the ironies and say, “I have always been able to depend on the unkindness of strangers.” I don't need to blanch the truth. Their underpinnings of unpleasantness are lifebreath; Their cantilevers of demure distaste hang Cartoon pianos by frayed roping, And the smallest comment by an outsider can act as a knife. I hear Mason Jennings crying in his song, “The Field.” It is written from the perspective of a parent Whose son died in the desert – at war for what, he asks. He sings, "”I don't want no victory/ I just want you back.” He chants this, his voice rising into the ethereal insanity of song. The leaves shake at the crescendo. I shiver at the wind. Where is there no animosity for the unknown Besides in the fantasy world of the idealist? Where are the valleys and mountaintops Festooned with wreaths of people holding hands, Black to white to Indian to Pakistani, To every racial dissenter to every community deserter; Where are the speeches of the King? Where are the lovers of life, unabashed by its universality? John imagined there were no countries; he asked if I could. About national boundaries, Vonnegut opined, “I can't believe that they mark the end Or the beginning of anything of real concern to the human soul. Virtues and vices, pleasures and pains Cross boundaries at will.” Is there somewhere the pacifist who, in the radiation of heart, melts The lead of bullets, emits enough heat to beat swords into plowshares? The trees are black and red today. The ants are battling And the streetlight haloes the autumn maple leaves against the night. For Greg Flannery We see God as omnipotent, caritas plena, Yet abuse "His Word" to condemn whom we despise? How did religions become conventions for hate and self-righteousness to be justified? Is there a Heaven that's so exclusive? Whose mortal insinuations engaged us to start this fight? If faith is hope, why are spirits so broken? ...a belligerent concept that begs the question: why? Isn’t it a tragic waste of life to fight over what happens when we die? Believing out of fear of the afterlife is no faith I accept to live by. But with guidance under, yes I do wonder if there is judgment waiting for me when I die. But life is a gift and I'm focusing efforts upon Earth. Who truly knows if we live a second time? So much violence inflicted upon “infidels”: Crusades and Jihads preach blasphemy cries, claiming throughout history that faith is just cause to commit unjust acts upon Humankind! No perfect theism. No “holy glory.” A selfish, vengeful god is a fool's conjured lie. If God is Love, why fear She will destroy us? Is it a sin to stop and question why? Happy Christmas to All By Adeline Rose 'Twas the night before Christmas, and St. Nick was pissed So Skyline came off of his long Christmas list St. Nick he wanted more soup for the poor A 3-way, a 5-way some chili, no more. For the hungry of 'Nati, the poor and the weak The homeless, the lonely who live on the streets So St. Nick made other plans this fine year And called on his reindeer to get up to gear. “Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen! On Comet! On Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen!" Sacks full of specials he put on his sleigh Photo by Maria Campolongo. And hazmat containers a suit and array To do this most specialist job of the year A job, Oh so special, he grinned ear-to-ear. The creepies he carried avenging the crime CEO sacks of the nastiest kind He made the loop round the 2..7..5 Piled to the ceiling, he lined up the sacks Dropping presents and candies and goodies inside Ready to go to attack, to attack. He ate the cookies and the milk that was left Collecting the creepies he everywhere met. He opened the sacks and they ran with a jitter Trillions and zillions of brown, creepy critters You know the creepies that crawl in your bed He thought the bags empty and then there were That wait till you sleep, then it's time to be fed more That munch on your skin and you never can find Bed bugs and bed bugs and bed bugs galore. Well, Nick found them now and it's Skyline time! From Cincy and Colerain and Blue Ash they're Kev's the last stop, St. Nick did he climb yours Up and down trips of the one thousand kind From Indy and Eastgate and Newport and more Through soot, dust and ashes, the awfulest trips From Norwood, Wyoming and too Lincoln Heights For someone as old and as mad as St. Nick. Communally we have been in one big fight. The bugs filled the stockings and then ate the mouse Creatures now stirring, Oh filling the house They covered the children and buried their beds They ate off their feet and the locks on their heads. Then there's Ma in her 'kerchief and Kev in his cap,' Throw a bushel on them for a fine midnight snack Too sleepy to waken, too sleepy to find The creepiest critters, the awfulest kind. So Cincy be grateful, so Cincy be glad All of your bed bugs are now stored at Kev's You serve the hungry and you serve the poor In thanksgiving for St. Nick and bed bugs no more. You see, bed bugs and hunger are not unalike Both are sure a community's fight So Loveland, and Beechmont, Mt. Healthy it's yours Mt. Lookout, and Clifton and Reading and more. Nick laying his finger aside of his nose He flicked off a bed bug, up the chimney he rose He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a tug And thought about those that he once dearly loved. St. Nick did return to that cold, old North Pole He cooked up some Skyline, a lonely old soul But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight: “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good bite!” Check out the Streetvibes blog @ streetvibes.wordpress.com �STREETVIBES December 15 - 31, 2009 15 Resources Need Help or Want to Help? Shelter: Women and Children Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 Central Access Point Cincinnati Union Bethel 381-SAFE 768-6907 557-2873 241-1064 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 3600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 St. Vincent de Paul 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Treatment: Men 872-9259 Charlie’s 3/4 House Shelter: Men DIC Live In Program Prospect House 241-5525 961-2256 Treatment: Women First Step Home 961-4663 961-4080 761-1480 721-0643 Joseph House (Veterans) 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 351-0422 381-6672 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 241-2965 471-1100 221-3350 Hamilton County ADAS Board Recovery Health Access Center Sober Living Talbert House Hamilton/Middletown 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 Northern Kentucky Advocacy 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 961-4555 751-0643 381-1954 Food/Clothing Lord’s Pantry OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 621-5300 961-1983 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Francis Soup Kitchen Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 351-7921 631-1114 211 977-5541 Franciscan JPIC 721-4700 Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry Brighton Center 863-3184 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 859-491-8303 799 Ann St. Newport, KY 579-8547 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 Health ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Center for Respite Care 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 535-2719 Poetry Corner Christmas, Inner City By Murray Bodo, OFM It’s the night before Christmas And police patrol cars are Keeping their slow watch by night. A teenage mother cradles Her baby against the cold. The streets are silent and dark When suddenly three angels Break through the dark, their voices High and sweet with “Silent Night,” Their parents hovering near. The young mother stops and listens, The small angels sing bravely. Suddenly light illumines Our inner city lot where All is still, patrol cars stop, And God’s a baby again. People Working Cooperatively The Caring Place United Way Women Helping Women 946-4888 281-7422 681-0324 641-4300 Housing: Tom Geiger House Dana Transitional Bridge Services Volunteers of America 771-4800 751-0600 721-4811 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 3330 Jefferson, Cinti, Ohio 45220 Tender Mercies 381-0111 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 AA Hotline CCAT 2728 Glendora Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45209 CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing 621-5514 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Goodwill industries Healing Connections Mary Magdalen House Treatment: Both Interfaith Hospitality Network Lighthouse Youth Center (Youth) 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 661-4620 241-2600 241-2563 214 E. 14th St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Drop Inn Center Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center Peaslee Neighborhood Center Shelter: Both Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 458-6670 977-4489 Other Resources 721-0643 921-1613 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Anthony House (Youth) 558-8888 981-5800 784-1853 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Starting Over 1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Justice Watch 241-0490 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Shelter Mental Health Access Point Mercy Franciscan at St. John NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 City Gospel Mission 357-4602 352-2902 352-6363 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 762-5660 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter Health Resource Center Homeless Mobile Health Van McMicken Dental Clinic 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45202 562-8841 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 Salvation Army 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Bethany House FreeStore/FoodBank Crossroad Health Center Photo by Maria Campolongo. Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 �16 Column STREETVIBES December 15- 31, 2009 From Malcolm X to Mountain Dew Thom Shaw’s woodcuts depict urban life’s hopes and hazards T hom Shaw took interest in making art in second grade when he was 6 years old. He overheard conversations among his teachers about two of his classmates gifted at drawing and who were given tuition for art school. He wanted to emulate them and started drawing. He soon proved very good at it and was sent as well to art school – initially the art museum, then Walnut Hills High School’s summer program. In college, he attended the Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC) and graduated, majoring in printmaking. The immediacy of woodcuts, close in many ways to drawing, and the boldness of black and white prints interested him from the start; this medium later became his artistic signature. As a child, Shaw’s drawings were innocent, based mainly on what he would watch on TV, heroes like Batman and Superman. At AAC he learned to draw from what he saw; his drawings were academic, often based on the human body. Social commentaries first appeared in his works during his senior year in college, triggered then by the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. Tom Shaw. Photo by Saad Ghosn. After graduating from AAC, Shaw worked for a while as a graphic designer for Cincinnati Bell. His work during that period was non-representational, corporate-like, abstract large-scale The prints he made then led to a series he titled the “Malcolm X collage assemblages and color paintings. Even though it sold well, it Paradox.” They were exhibited in 1991 downtown Cincinnati. To his was not filling the void in surprise, they were very well received, finding an immediate echo in his soul and did not feel Over-the-Rhine residents who strongly identified with them. Shaw honest. had carved a gang icon which, irrespective of ethnicity or color, repreIn 1986 he became sented the many ills of society, the broken down family, the loneliness acquainted with Ger- of youth, the addiction to drugs as an escape, the resort to violence to man Expressionism and prove oneself. as the works of Kathe KollHis images were quite graphic, showing killings, prostitution and witz, Leonard Baskin and drug dependence. In one, a pregnant woman with a baby stroller is on George Grosz. Influenced her knees performing fellatio on a wealthy man in order to get money By Saad Ghosn by their imagery and its and buy drugs. Many dealt with drive-by shootings, often resulting in Contributing Writer content, he started mak- accidental injuries such as children being killed, in the name of busiing large woodcuts with ness as usual. One depicted a man at a bus stop shot just for his gym social themes that incor- shoes to be used as a trophy and proof of gang loyalty. porated the ills of his community. At the same time he happened to The Sentinel, a woodcut from the series, portrays a 15-year-old boy witness a gang fight, the members of which were wearing T-shirts de- serving as a watchdog, looking out to make sure no intruder was appicting the late Malcolm X. He found the association intriguing, Mal- proaching the gang’s headquarters hideout. The boy, however, is encolm X in his mind being a promoter of unity and good relationship, tirely oblivious of the danger awaiting him, portrayed in the print by a and not of destructive fighting. pistol behind him, and that could terminate his life. His pride at being Shaw decided to learn more about gang life, its roots and how it assigned the responsibility overshadowed his concern for death; he reflected the problems of society. He embarked on interviewing gang would do anything for his new gang family, one that makes him feel members, inquiring about their life and thinking, collecting at the valuable and trusted. same time a visual repertory of their stories for his own work. Shaw’s work at the time was often criticized as being derogatory to the black man, confirming the media notion that he was a menace to society. Shaw disagrees. “If at any time my images had negroid features, it was specifically to depict the negative effects society imparted on African-American males with whom I identify,” he says. “I wanted to show the black man as a victim, a target of the many societal ills; I wanted to raise awareness about his condition.” In 1994 Shaw was asked to show his enlarging Malcolm X Paradox series at the studio museum of Harlem in New York City and a year later at the Cincinnati Art Museum. In 1995 he also had a show at the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, titled, “Hegemony: the Hidden Fury.” It consisted of woodcuts, murals and videos, all dealing with domestic violence. Social commentaries kept abounding in his works. His series “Zombies,” for instance, dealt with the lack of education and the illiteracy of youth. It pointed to family challenges, to kids not being fed properly before going to school, to kids lacking parental guidance and supervision; it was meant as a call to action for a serious and threatening problem facing society. In the past few years Shaw’s works focused more on himself and his health problems. He had suffered for many years from diabetes that affected severely his heart and kidneys, resulting in various surgeries and hospitalizations. He incorporated his health issues with his other concerns, wanting to share them visually with those who might be experiencing the same. His woodcut Stress Test represents Shaw with testing wires connected to his skin and heart, also with a Mountain Dew can, a forbidden drink in view of his condition. It alludes metaphorically to the bad choices he had made and to their serious health ramifications. Art is life for Shaw. It keeps him young and challenges him; it allows him also to challenge and sometimes confront the viewer. “Artwork can be controversial,” he says, “but we artists are ambassadors of truth, ambassadors of the human experience. We try to ‘The Sentinel,’ woodcut print by Thom Shaw. make sense of a world gone astray, and thus have an impact on people Photo by Saad Ghosn. whether we intend it or not.” A rtists ctivists Artists as Activists is a regular column highlighting Greater Cincinnati artists who use art as a vehicle for change. Saad Ghosn is the founder of SOS Art. Ghosn can be contacted at ghosn@uc.edu. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2009 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource December 15-31, 2009 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Knockin’ on the Food Pantry Door Pg 2: Quite a Year for ‘Streetvibes’ Pg 3: Hamilton County Hidden Treasures Pg 4: Knockin’ on the Food Pantry Door Continued Pg 5: Knockin’ on the Food Pantry Door Continued Pg 6: Just as Bad as Highway Robbery Pg 7: Time to End Slavery; I Can Help Pg 8: Homeless Crimes Pg 9: School of Assassins Pg 10: Arts & Poetry Pg 11: Church Bells, a Pea Coat & a Light Pg 12: Life on the Bloody Edge Pg 13: Life on the Bloody Edge Continued Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Resources Pg 16: From Malcolm X to Mountain Dew Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 15-31, 2009 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Gregory Flannery Lynne Ausman Jeni Jenkins Lew Moores Samantha Groark Margo Pierce Paul Kopp Jeremy Flannery Michael Henson David Heitfield Kelissa Hieber Dan Rozier Stephanie Dunlap Saad Ghosn Keara Anita Mullen Steven Paul Lansky Larry Gross Eli Braun Aimie Willhoite Jeni Jenkins Anthony Williams Bill Haigh Clarissa Peppers Jennifer Blalock Lynn Baker Jeremy Flannery Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Aimie Willhoite Anthony Williams Arts & Poetry Bengals Bill Haigh Bob Dylan Clarissa Peppers Congress Dan Rozier David Heitfield Eli Braun Food Pantry Gregory Flannery Hamilton County Hate Crimes health care Homeless Crimes Jeni Jenkins Jennifer Blalock Jeremy Flannery Keara Anita Mullen Kelissa Hieber Larry Gross Lew Moores Lynn Baker Lynne Ausman Malcom X Margo Pierce Michael Henson Paul Kopp Prison Protests Saad Ghosn Samantha Groark Slavery SOA Stephanie Dunlap Steven Paul Lansky Thom Shaw Wage https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/18b0f06650eefd6c536a841092244733.pdf a52b4eb6dd9175014286bdcf8b437811 PDF Text Text The Men Who Stare at Goats Film Review Youth Outreach Page 8 Page 5 Artists as Activists Page 16 STREETVIBES $1 Dec. 1-14, 2009 • Advocating Justice, Building Community • Issue 166 Hope for Chronically Homeless Jimmy Heath House starts with ‘housing first’ By Keara anita Mullen Contributing Writer O ver-the-Rhine Com­ munity Housing (OTRCH) celebrated the groundbreaking Nov. 12 of Jimmy Heath House, Cincinna­ ti’s first permanent supportivehousing project. Named in honor of the late former editor of Streetvibes, Jim­ my Heath House introduces the nationally recognized “Housing First” model as part of OTRCH’s efforts and mission to “build and sustain a diverse neighbor­ hood that values and benefits low-income residents.” About 1,685 chronically homeless people live in Hamil­ ton County, according to 2008 statistics from the Hamilton County Homeless Management Information System. Studies See Homeless, p. 7 The architectural sketch of Jimmy Heath House on Odeon Street in Over-the-Rhine. Jimmy Heath House is set to open in September 2010. Drawing courtesy of Over-the-Rhine Community Housing. Cincinnati Oracle Appears in India Buddhist guru visits new monastery By GreGory Flannery editor cate Shar Gaden Monastery, made up of monks who left the larger monastery in order to continue honoring Dorje uten Lama, head of a Tibetan Shugden. A wall separates the two insti­ Buddhist monastery in Cincin­ tutions. nati and leader Kuten Lama, abbot of of a lineage at odds with Gaden Samdrupling Mon­ the Dalai Lama, last Kuten lama is an oracle, astery in Colerain Town­ month helped inaugu­ ship, led a group of about channeling the spirit of rate a breakaway monas­ a dozen U.S. followers to Dorje Shugden, a deity tery in south India. the dedication ceremony. banned by the Dalai Kuten Lama is an ora­ Lama. Devotees believe While there he performed cle, channeling the spirit an invocation. Tibetan Dorje Shugden is a of Dorje Shugden, a de­ Buddhists believe that, “wisdom Buddha” and ity banned by the Dalai protector, while the Dalai during an invocation, Lama. Devotees believe Lama has declared him Dorje Shugden takes over Dorje Shugden is a “wis­ Kuten Lama’s body, using an evil spirit. dom Buddha” and pro­ him to convey enlightened tector, while the Dalai instruction. Lama has declared him an evil spirit. Though the practice is ancient, the Following the Dalai Lama’s ban, Gaden monks who preserve it are not without Shartse Monastery in Mundgod, India, or­ media savvy. Shar Gaden Monastery has dered its monks to sign pledges renounc­ a Facebook page and posted a photo­ ing Dorje Shugden. Monks who refused graph of the invocation. were shunned and denied food and other During the trance, Kuten Lama wield­ necessities – a policy enforced in Tibetan ed a sword, symbolizing the “wrathful Buddhist monasteries throughout India. compassion” of Dorje Shugden, severing Last month Kuten Lama helped dedi­ ignorance and egoism. K Kuten Lama performs an invocation in India. Photo by Shar Gaden Monastery. �2 The Vibe By The Numbers 11,000 the number of women and girls helped by Talbert House every year (see page 3) 18th the century in which Goya created a painting that inspired Matt Reed (see page 16) 1861 the year the city of Wyoming was founded (see page 13) 25 the number of housing units that will make up Jimmy Heath House (see page 1) $80 billion the estimated loss to the U.S. economy if employment of undocumented workers were further restricted (see page 6) $775,000 the annual cost per soldier of the U.S. war on Afghanistan (see page 13) 96 the age of Over-the- Rhine Kitchen’s longest serving volunteer (see page 11) 4 the height, in stories, of the Jim Tarbell mural at Vine Street and Central Parkway (see page 9) 1,162 the number of homeless people served by street outreach programs in Hamilton County (see page 5) 1 the number of times the head of the Army’s Intelligence and Security tried to run through a wall (see page 12) StreetWise By GreGory Flannery editor Remember the Suffering of Prisoners While many of us gathered for family feasts on Thanksgiving, many others were unable, some because they have no homes or no food. Others were unable to celebrate with loved ones because they were held in cages. Streetvibes recently received a letter from a woman at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville. She asked that her name not be used. “There is so much food that gets thrown away,” she wrote. “We are not allowed to opt out of something being put on our tray. Another thing is the rule here that we cannot take anything from our tray back to our room. Often this place pays a (corrections officer). to check our pockets; and if we do try to take a piece of bread back to our rooms and they check us, the C.O.s make us throw the food away and may punish us. I realize rules are rules but that’s a dumb rule that costs taxpayers money.” Health Care is a Matter of Justice Most faith traditions urge people to be generous toward the poor and suffering at this time of year. But charity is just one expression of faith. A more useful one is solidarity in the cause of justice. People of Faith United for Health Care Reform marched Nov. 24 to the Cincinnati office of U.S. Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio), presenting an open letter calling for health-care reform. “As people of faith, we want to assure that 1 in 6 children and non-elderly adults will no lon­ ger have to live sicker and risk dying younger because they cannot get needed health care,” the letter said. “Medical care will no longer be the cause of financial ruin for families, institu­ tions, businesses and governments. All people must have the health care they need regardless of their income or the state of their health. “The 45,000 annual deaths due to lack of needed health care, as noted in the recent Harvard report, are a profound reminder about how important it is to make comprehensive and com­ passionate reform happen this year. This tragic and needless loss of human life is evidence that we as a nation have lost our moral courage and our faith-inspired call to care for everyone as a brother and sister.” Among the people signing the letter were the Rev. Damon Lynch Jr., the Rev. Thomas E. Bre­ identhal, the Rev. Sharon Dittmar, the Rev. Paula Jackson, Dean James A. Diamond, the Rev. Elmer Martin, Bishop E. Lynn Brown and the Rev. Joanna Leiserson. Tell Strickland to Stop Killing People Distressing though it is that in 2009 tens of millions of Americans lack access to health care, even more disturbing is the purposes to which some medical technology is put – namely, the deliberate killing of human beings. After a series of botched executions, the state of Ohio is now set to try a new method for poisoning condemned prisoners. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio is asking citizens to contact Gov. Ted Strickland and urge him to stop state-sanctioned murder. “In light of overwhelming problems with past executions, the state announced new lethal in­ jection procedures … (that) have never been used in any other state and are largely untested,” the ACLU says. “The state plans to implement these unproven procedures as soon as possible. There are currently seven men scheduled to be executed in the next seven months, with the first date rapidly approaching on Dec. 8. “By rushing to implement these experimental new procedures, the risk is greater than ever that something may go wrong in the execution chamber. These procedures do little to remedy the problems Romell Broom experienced during his botched execution. Also, they do not ad­ dress the reality that Ohio’s execution team is ill-equipped and unqualified to perform these complex medical procedures.” While you’re shopping and decorating for the holidays, please take a few minutes to contact Strickland at 614-466-3555 with this message: “Ohio's death penalty system is fundamentally broken. Please put a halt to all executions now.” Sweeping the Poor from Their Homes Not all government activity is quite so pernicious. Some is just silly, except when seen in the context of its larger goals. Thus the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) is accepting registration for the 2010 Fountain Square Broomball League. Yes, your tax dollars at work. It’s worth remembering that, while 3CDC is turning Fountain Square into a playground, less than two blocks away it’s preparing to force out 200 low-income residents of the Metropole Apartments. The city-subsidized 3CDC wants to convert the building into a boutique hotel. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless urges people to contact Steve Leeper, CEO of 3CDC, and urge him to back off. Write sleeper@3cdc.org and tell him to let the residents of the Metropole keep their homes. STREETVIBES December 1 - 14, 2009 Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by people who are or once were homeless, in exchange for a $1 donation, Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Address: 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513.421.7803 x 12 Fax: 513.421.7813 Email: streetvibes2@ yahoo.com Website: www. cincihomeless.org Blog: streetvibes. wordpress.com Streetvibes Staff Editor Gregory Flannery Art Director Lynne Ausman Vendor Coordinator Jeni Jenkins Contributing Writers Lew Moores, Samantha Groark, Margo Pierce, Paul Kopp, Jeremy Flannery, Michael Henson, David Heitfield, Kelissa Hieber, Dan Rozier, Stephanie Dunlap, Saad Ghosn, Keara Anita Mullen, Ariana Shahandeh, Larry Gross, Eli Braun Photography/Artwork Aimie Willhoite, Lynne Ausman, Jeni Jenkins, Anthony Williams, Bill Haigh, Clarissa Peppers Proofreaders Jennifer Blalock Lynn Baker Jeremy Flannery The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati through coordination of services, public education, grassroots advocacy and Streetvibes. We are members of: �STREETVIBES December 1 - 14, 2009 8 By MarGo Pierce Contributing Writer A n addiction is an addiction and so all we need to do is get people into treatment when they hit rock bottom and they will get clean or sober. Right? Wrong. Women in particular must deal with a myriad of issues that could easily be dismissed as extraneous by a program that focuses only on getting the drugs out of a person’s system and teaching her to, “Just say no.” At Talbert House, this means assisting women in a variety of settings with getting the necessities of life for them and their children – shelter, food, mental-health services – so they can focus on overcoming their addiction for good. Cathy Jo Veroni, Talbert House’s director of Women’s and Court Services, oversees a halfway house for women; Pathways, a communitybased treatment program for women with misdemeanor or felony convictions; and a jailbased chemical-dependency program. The Rewards Jail Intervention program uses “gender-responsive techniques” to assess and treat female addicts, including education and intensive discharge planning that addresses chemical dependency, mental health, prostitution and other criminal behavior. These are proven drug rehabilitation methods that respond to the specific needs of women; it isn’t a men’s program with pink paperwork. “We know that women are very relational,” Veroni says. “In other words, relationships are really important to them, and the kinds of relationships that they’re in dictate a lot of the behaviors and the choices that they make. The other thing about women that’s really different about men in treatment is women are very verbal. They need to talk, and they need to talk about their feelings. Men tend to need to talk about how they think. They’ll continue to talk with you, they’ll debate with you. They’re there with you as long as you’re there with them … and on their side.” During that talking, lots of issues arise because women aren’t solely defined by their 3 Column M I N U T E S O pe ni ng a D o o r For female addicts out in the cold, Talbert House opens a door addiction, Veroni says. “The other thing that we have to touch on is the fact that most of them are parents,” she says. “When they walk in the front door, they want somebody to know that they’re worried about their kids. They want to tell somebody what it is they need to do for their children. “Financially, most of our women are living at a poverty level, so housing and food are major concerns that we need to address right away.” Most of the women Ve­ roni works with come to her through the legal system. Fre­ quently they have a charge of possession or using drugs and maybe something else related to their addiction that supports their habit, such as theft or prostitution. “Typically our women have been through trauma at some point in their life – many of them physical or sexual abuse as children by family mem­ bers; women are typically abused by family members, people they know,” Veroni says. “If you’ve been abused by someone in a trusted rela­ tionship, it’s more emotionally damaging, so we get a lot of mental illness symptoms as a result of that. “Consequently, the rela­ tionship choices they make aren’t healthy; they get into adult relationships that are also abusive. Almost all wom­ en who’ve engaged in prostitution have received some form of abuse.” In the midst of all that turmoil and dealing with what society has deemed inappropriate, these women live, love, laugh and really aren’t all that different from anyone else. “It’s the humanness in them that I find very easy to relate to,” Veroni says. “I don’t have a drug addiction. I’ve never been arrested … but just the way they view the world, their experiences, their spot in the community, is real close to mine. “They don’t love their children any less than I love my children. They don’t love their parents any less. Their friends are just as important to them. They’re just as sensitive – their feelings are hurt just as easily as mine are.” Unfortunately, most people see the addiction without bothering to acknowledge the person. Cathy Jo Veroni, Talbert House’s director of Women’s and Court Services, oversees a halfway house for women. Photo by Aimie Willhoite. “It’s gotten better over the years, but I certainly think that something all drug addicts deal with is the stigma associated with, ‘They’re bad people,’ ‘There’s something wrong with them.’ Women deal with that a bit more because women are supposed to be at home taking care of their children,” Veroni says. “They’re supposed to be the homemaker; and when they’re not, it’s looked upon with more shame than men.” A significant part of transforming that way of seeing themselves and their old behaviors is a cognitive-therapy approach called Truthought. It’s a way to help women identify thinking barriers, such as a refusal to admit fears as a way to avoid embarrassment, and provides examples of how to replace them with “responsible thinking steps,” such as admitting fears and trusting others to help. The Truthought pocket-sized bro- chure resides in many wallets and purses throughout Hamilton County, serving as a quick reminder, according to Veroni. Meeting women where they’re at with their fear, worry and addiction is what these female-centric programs are about, with absolutely no judgmentalism allowed. “It’s really an unconditional regard,” Veroni says. “We don’t want them to feel ‘less than’ even if they’ve made bad choices before they got to us or after they’ve left us. Not everybody gets it the first time. “Our intention is to always be there for them, for there to be an open door,” she says. “That’s our main message to the women – even if they’re not ready for treatment, and some of them are court-ordered … if we can just have a positive relationship with them, when they are ready, they’ll remember, ‘Oh, (this person) was nice to me even when I wasn’t in a good place.’ And so when they come back, we welcome them with open arms.” In 2008, Pathways served 350 women, and approxi­ mately 450 women were served through Rewards Jail Intervention. Talbert House assists approximately 11,000 women and girls every year with outpatient services, adolescents’ programs, com­ munity groups and welfareto-work job readiness assis­ tance. The newest initiative is a mentoring program for women recovering from addiction. For emergency care, call the crisis hotline at 513-281-2273. If you think you or someone you know has a problem with drugs or alcohol, call Adult Services at 513-641-4300 or Adolescent Outpatient at 513321-8286 so they can receive unconditional support. Many people work hard to make a difference for the less privileged in the Queen City. “Eight Minutes” is an opportunity to learn who those people are and what motivates them to be a positive influence. �4 STREETVIBES December 1 - 14, 2009 Local News Demanding Justice from Chiquita Company convicted of funding right-wing terror group By SaMantha GroarK Contributing Writer of dollars to the United SelfDefense Forces of Colombia, known by the Spanish acro­ hen investors nym AUC. George Washingarrived Nov. 16 ton University’s National Sefor a meeting at curity Archive describes AUC Chiquita, protesters stood as an “illegal right-wing antioutside company headquar- guerrilla group tied to many ters downtown in defense of of the country’s most noto­ those who have been affected rious civilian massacres.” by the company’s support of The U.S. State Department right-wing terrordeclared the AUC a ists in Colombia. terrorist organizaTwo human “We are here tion in 2001. rights groups – because Chiquita The protesters 8th Day Center gathered to demand has committed for Justice and justice for Colombihuman rights Witness for Peace ans who have been violations” – protested in - Sam Pettinichi harmed by Chiq­ an effort to hold uita’s economic and executives acpolitical policies, countable for the company’s according to Candice Cama­ payments to terrorist groups, rgo, an organizer for Witness payments the groups say led for Peace. to the murders of thousands Union leader Gerrardo of poor laborers in the re- Tajamarca, who has witgion. nessed terrorist activity allegChiquita is the only U.S. edly tied to Chiquita, spoke to corporation ever to plead the protesters. guilty to violating the U.S. “We are here so people can Anti-Terrorism Act. Carl H. see the truth about who got Lindner Jr., the billionaire rich off these murders,” he Cincinnati businessman, was said. “Chiquita does not reCEO of Chiquita from 1984 gret making these payments to 2001. During his leader- and refuses to give compenship, Chiquita executives sation to its victims. Chiquita paid hundreds of thousands does not regret paying terror- W Protestors gathered to demand justice for Colombians who have been harmed by Chiquita’s economic and political policies. Photo by Clarissa Peppers. ists to threaten its workers and their communities. They are still guilty.” In March 2007, Chiquita pleaded guilty to paying the AUC more than $1.7 million during a six-year period, from 1997-2004. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Chiquita will pay a $25 million criminal fine to the U.S. government over five years. In accepting the fines, the prosecution agreed not to name or prosecute the executives involved in ordering the payments. None of the money will go to victims or their families. In addition to 8th Day Center for Justice and Witness for Peace activists, several Xavier University students attended. “We are here because Chiquita has committed human rights violations,” said Sam Pettinichi, president of Xavier University Students for Economic Justice. “This is particularly important to us as students at Xavier because former CEO Carl Lindner has been a major donor to our university.” Art and Culture of Over-the-Rhine SCPA students explore neighborhood in pictures and words By olivia haMilton Contributing Writer ates art-education programs for youth and adults designed to foster community engage­ eginning in Au- ment. gust, 21 juniors and SCPA students began seniors from the the New Voices program by School for Creative and Per- learning basic photographic forming Arts engaged in a composition and technique. photography and The class met with writing program community leadthat sought to The dialogue that ers such as Bonnie connect them to resulted gave Neumeier of the the community of SCPA and the Peaslee Neighbor­ Over-the-Rhine in Drop Inn Center hood Center , Kelly new and meaningLeon of 3CDC and the chance ful ways. Jeni Jenkins of the to develop Students were Cincin­ cross-cultural Greater encouraged to understanding nati Coalition for form and express the Homeless to that could their own opinhave a positive gather information ions about issues impact on the about the comaffecting the comcommunity of munity that they munity as they un- Over-the-Rhine. could incorporate dertook a variety of into their art. Stuphotography and dents also toured writing assignments. Working Washington Park and learned with diverse institutions such about the history of the area. as the Drop Inn Center and Finally, students went out the Cincinnati Center City into the neighborhood and Development Corp. (3CDC), began photographing. students sought to broaden After touring the Drop Inn their understanding of the Center and learning about its community in which their mission, students began to new school will be located as work collaboratively with the of fall 2010. residents of the center who The class, called “New were involved in an ongoing Voices,” is produced by Prai- creative-writing group. The rie Inc., a non-profit organi- students began by listening zation in Northside that cre- to the residents read some B An image created by a student in the New Voices program. Photo by Asia. of their writing and in turn shared their photography with the residents. In later weeks students produced portraits of residents, and both groups engaged one another in an artistic collaboration using writing and photographic images. “We are: What this world has made us. What made me different in life. No better than what we think ourselves to be,” wrote Adrian, an SCPA student, and Calvin, a resident. The dialogue that resulted gave SCPA and the Drop Inn Center the chance to develop cross-cultural understanding that could have a positive impact on the community of Over-the-Rhine. Images and writing from the program can be viewed on the New Voices Web site, cincinnatinewvoices.com. The opening reception of the New Voices work will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8 at the Miami University Center for Community Engagement, 1300 Vine St. The show will remain open from 2-5 p.m. the remainder of that week and through the following week. �STREETVIBES December 1 - 14, 2009 Local News To Get Youth Off the Streets 5 Youth outreach workers distribute necessities and offer hope By valerie FeSSler Contributing Writer T hree times a week Lea Drury and Nelson Troché drive a beige van marked “Lighthouse Youth Services” through the city of Cincinnati, passing out basic essentials such as food and water to homeless young adults. They are outreach and caseworkers for Anthony House, a dropin center for people, especially those who are homeless, ages 18­ 24. Anthony House provides food, clothing, showers, basic medi­ cal care, laundry facilities, social-service referrals, anonymous HIV testing, pregnancy testing, birth certificates and identifica­ tion, mail service, Internet access and housing assistance. But rather than wait for homeless youth to come to Anthony House, Drury, 31, and Troché, 32, go in search of them. They pass out sandwiches, water, condoms and harm-reduction kits, hop­ ing to make homeless youth safer in their life decisions. It is un­ realistic to believe prostitution will disappear from the city in the near future or that all drug use will cease, but educating homeless youth and giving them the tools to be safe is one step in the right direction. Troché and Drury approach people on the street when distrib­ uting items, asking, “Do you know anyone that is homeless who needs help?” Many often respond by saying, “Yeah, that’s me” or “I know someone who is.” Troché says they use this approach in order to not offend anyone and because sometimes it is difficult to distinguish who is homeless. Over time, the outreach workers learn where various homeless youth hang out, such as on the banks of the Ohio River. Drury began volunteering for Lighthouse Youth Services because she is interested in social justice and wanted to be a full-time case­ worker. She has been working full-time with Lighthouse for three years. Troché has been working as a full-time caseworker for more Anthony House is a daytime, drop-in shelter for homeless youth. Photo by Aimie Willhoite. Leah Drury and Nelson Troché, outreach workers at Lighthouse Youth Services, offer help and necessities to homeless youth hanging out at the library. Photo by Aimie Willhoite. than a year. He has a background in HIV work and community work with lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people. Many young adults face homelessness because they are booted out of the foster-care system at age 18 with no place to go, no job skills, no rental history for landlords and sometimes with no highschool diploma. Others are raised in broken homes where violence and drugs might be all they know. Some suffer from mental illness and end up on the streets. “The most challenging part of my job is that they are just kids,” Troché says. “At the end of the day, I do good work by helping to give them the basics.” The youth who visit Anthony House are greeted with open arms. Caseworkers build relationships with their clients in order to teach homeless young adults the basic necessities of life. Through the transitional-living program, casework­ ers help homeless young adults move from the streets into apartments and help them find jobs. During a recent van ride, Drury and Troché stopped at a Kroger store to pick up fried chicken and side dishes in order to feed the youth at Anthony House. The first level of Anthony House contains several comput­ ers, a couch, a kitchen, tables, a shower and laundry facili­ ties. The next level holds office space and desks for outreach and caseworkers, along with a nurse’s station. The upper­ most level serves as a pantry for food and storage of donated clothes for the homeless. Drury says she has learned the necessity of knowing when to stop working. “I have learned not to bring my work home,” she says. “It is not helpful to my clients to be up all night worrying, because I am ineffective the next day.” In Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 1,162 men, women and children were served by street outreach programs in 2008, according to the Homeless Management Information System’s annual report. Anthony House recently extended its operation from 10 hours per week to five hours per day. It is now open from 1-6 p.m. weekdays. The outreach and caseworkers hope that one day Anthony House will be a 24-hour facility where beds and overnight services will be available. 1128 Walnut St Pizza by the Slice Become a Fan of Streetvibes on Facebook Tues and Thurs Buffet($7.00)-11AM-2PM Wed-Thur-Fri-Sat 9PM-3AM http://www.facebook.com/streetvibescincinnati �6 STREETVIBES December 1 - 14, 2009 Local News Wage Theft:The Forgotten Crime Workers organizing; new law proposed By eli Braun Contributing Writer L ow-wage workers and supporters gathered Nov. 19 in loca­ tions across Cincinnati to condemn wage theft – the illegal underpayment or non-payment of wages. The events organized by the Cincinnati Interfaith Workers’ Cen­ ter were replicated in over 40 cities across the country to commem­ orate the National Day of Action to Stop Wage Theft. Wage theft is a national crime wave robbing millions of workers of billions of dollars. On busy intersections, activists passed out educational fliers and held signs saying, “Thou shall not steal. Stop wage theft now.” The group could be seen at 5 a.m. in Walnut Hills, 1 p.m. in Carthage and 4 p.m. downtown. ‘End the robbery’ “The goal is to draw attention to wage theft in our communi­ ties,” said organizer Dan Moore of the Cincinnati Interfaith Work­ ers’ Center. “We need to connect workers to resources to end the robbery of working families and educate Cincinnatians that these violations cannot stand.” Low-wage workers are cheated of an aver­ age $51 per week out of $339 in weekly earn­ 1 in 4 were paid less ings, according to a recent study of workers in than the legally required New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The minimum wage, and 3 out report, “Broken Laws, Unprotected Workers: of 4 who worked overtime Violations of Employment and Labor Laws in America’s Cities,” was authored by scholars at hours were not paid the legally required overtime. several university and non-profit institutions. Among the workers surveyed, 1 in 4 were More than 2 out of 3 experienced at least one paid less than the legally required minimum pay-related violation in the wage, and 3 out of 4 who worked overtime hours were not paid the legally required over­ week before the study. time. More than 2 out of 3 experienced at least one pay-related violation in the week before the study. “We estimate that workers lose an average of $2,634 annually due to workplace violations, out of total earnings of $17,616,” the authors concluded. Employers were creative in stealing workers’ wages: promising higher wages but paying only the minimum, paying less than mini­ mum wage, not paying for all hours worked, misclassifying workers as exempt from overtime pay, deducting transportation or equip­ ment “fees,” stealing tips, misclassifying workers as independent contractors or simply not paying workers at all. Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune has formed a new Wage Theft and Worker Misclassification Task Force, which will attempt to quantify the impact of these violations. These violations impact not only the workers themselves, but every taxpayer as well. As many as 92,500 Ohio workers were mis­ classified in 2005, according to the county resolution authorizing the new task force. Misclassifications ultimately deprived the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation of $103 million in premiums and the Department of Revenue of $36 million in lost taxes. Legislation is moving at the state level to help rectify abuses. In Pedro Alverado speaks during a press conference to mark the Na­ tional Day of Action to Stop Wage Theft. Photo by Dan Moore. November, State Sen. Sue Morano introduced the Wage Protec­ tion Act (S.B. 212), which would empower the state commerce de­ partment to investigate complaints beyond minimum wage. Ohio is one of only five states that does not investigate disputes when workers have already received the minimum. On the national level, U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Cal.) intro­ duced the Wage Theft Prevention Act (H.R. 3303), which begins the statute of limitations from the date an employer is notified of an investigation instead of the date of the alleged theft. Under current law, delays in pursuing lost wages, often at no fault of the workers, can result in permanent loss of back pay. Workers’ victories Client-based advocacy happens daily at the Cincinnati Inter­ faith Workers’ Center (CIWC), headquartered in Over-the-Rhine. Since its founding in 2005, the small organization has taken over 500 wage-theft reports and helped recover over $500,000 in unpaid wages. Last month CIWC assisted a group of 357 mostly AfricanAmerican day laborers win a $75,000 settlement against Laborworks and Schwans/Red Baron Pizza. The settlement will pay workers’ wages that were never paid or were decep­ tively withheld for “transportation fees.” CIWC assists in numerous individual cases, including, for example, a Cincinnati landscaper who was robbed of $30,000 when his employer refused to pay overtime wages. The land­ scaper had worked a year’s worth of 80-hour weeks, which of­ ten kept him away from his wife and children. Cincinnati resident Frazier Kidd spoke at the CIWC press conference marking the National Day of Action to Stop Wage Theft. He explained his struggle after being cheated of prom­ ised wages and CIWC intervention. “I had to make decisions on whether to pay rent or buy food,” he said. Day laborers and the CIWC recently succeeded in raising wages from below minimum wage to $10.90 an hour for near­ ly 50 trash-sorters at Rumpke Recycling. “This change allowed hard-working employees to move out of shelters,” says CIWC Executive Director Don Sherman. “CIWC is devoted to empowering workers to challenge dan­ gerous working conditions and to protect their hard-earned pay. Immigrant and low-wage workers are standing up against Activists gather at 5 a.m. in Walnut Hills to reach out to immigrant and low-wage employers that unfairly make their money on the backs of workers. Photo by Dan Moore. working people.” �STREETVIBES December 1 - 14, 2009 Local News Hope for Chronically Homeless continued FroM PaGe 7 1 show that chronically homeless people are often caught in a cycle that keeps them alternating between the streets and shelters, with jails and hospitals usually not far behind – an expensive and de­ structive cycle for the individuals themselves as well as the com­ munity. The Housing First model creates structured, supportive housing that gives homeless people a permanent residence. The approach is a rapid re-housing method that serves as an alternative to emer­ gency shelters and transitional living arrangements, decreasing the time that individuals remain homeless. Housing First is based on the belief that people are more responsive to in­ terventions and social services after they are in their Housing First is own housing, rather than in a temporary or transi­ based on the belief tional limbo. With permanent residency established, oncethat people are more responsive to homeless people can begin to reclaim their lives and confidence, which is often lost in the seemingly endinterventions and social services after less cycle that traps many individuals. With a focus on they are in their own self-reliance, Housing First residences provide crisis housing, rather than intervention to address immediate needs in order to in a temporary or transition people to stability. In addition to housing, transitional limbo. the model includes an individualized and structured plan of action and a support system, building skills to keep people in housing. Jimmy Heath House will actually consist of six buildings on Odeon Street. The 25-unit residence will be monitored, with only one entry to the facility and a front-desk staff with surveillance, but OTRCH encourages a balance of making sure that residents will have freedom to move toward independence. The hope is that common areas will draw residents out of their private rooms and into interpersonal relationships with other tenants. This peer-sup­ port network can be beneficial to creating a healthy community and encouraging positive steps toward larger goals. Residents will have access to a part-time clinician, a case man­ ager and a service coordinator, though they are not required to use these services. Each resident will have a case manager and will be encouraged to utilize supportive services, but as long as house rules are followed and rent is paid, the residents will be responsible for their own decision-making. Jimmy Heath House will partner with neighborhood services such as the Elm Street Heath Clinic, the Alcoholism Council of the Cincinnati Area, the Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Service, Health Care for the Homeless, the FreeStore FoodBank’s direct rent program, Consumer Credit Counseling Services and the Homeless Individuals Partnership Program. These services, as well as many other resources in the community, will provide the resi­ dents with a support system intended to help them achieve their goals, end the cycle of homelessness and support capable, contrib­ uting citizens in the community. Jimmy Heath House is scheduled to open in autumn 2010. Each resident will be screened, with help from organizations such as the Drop Inn Center. Residents will not have to leave the facility if they follow the house rules, but can work with caseworkers to find their own future housing if that is what they want. Heath, a photographer and community activist, died in 2007. He Jimmy Heath was the editor of Streetvibes until his death in December 2007. Photo by Jim Montgomery arrived homeless in Over-the-Rhine in 1995, eventually finding his way to the Drop Inn Center. He wrote that there he found hope and recovery, a new direction for his life and inspiration for his photography. After Heath graduated from the Drop Inn Center's Live-in Recovery Program, the late Buddy Gray – leader of the movement to create solutions These services, as well as many for homelessness in Cincinnati other resources in the community, – encouraged his involvement will provide the residents with a in the Over-the-Rhine commusupport system intended to help them nity and his use of the camera as achieve their goals, end the cycle of a tool for documentation. homelessness and support capable, Heath attempted to dispel contributing citizens in the community. myths and negative stereotypes associated with Over-the-Rhine. He depicted everyday life in an affirming way, showing the beauty of the people and places in his community, while at the same time documenting the struggles and the reality that many, such as the future residents of the house named after him, face on a daily ba­ sis. Don’t Grow Your Playoff Beard Yet Bengals relaxed against the easy foe By B. cliFton BurKe Contributing Writer I n Week 10, the Cincin­ nati Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers for the second time in 2009 and the golden-brick road to the Playoffs opened up before them. Fans and pundits fi­ nally opened their eyes and agreed that, despite a dismal team history, the Bengals were a contender this season after all. The team was proud and the city elated. Then Cincinnati lost to the Oakland Raiders the following week and instantly fell back to the ranks of mere mortals yet again. If pressed to find a weak­ ness on this Bengal team, one might point to the pattern of letdown efforts they have produced following landmark wins this season. The first example of this trend came in an overtime win to the Cleveland Browns after Cincinnati's first win against Pittsburgh. A win is a win, but the game should not have come down to a field goal in the final seconds of overtime – a kick that some believed never actually went through the uprights. Then the Houston Texans caught Cincinnati by surprise and beat them in Week 6 after the emotional win against the Ravens in Baltimore. Most re­ cently, the Bengals handed Oakland a win by coughing up two fourth-quarter fumbles in a late-game meltdown. It's easy to forget that these teams are made up of human beings who are bound to ex­ perience stretches of physi­ cal fatigue and adrenaline dumps, but not even that excuse holds up in the NFL. Marvin Lewis likes to point out to his team that whoever they play that week gets paid to win football games, too, and if his team is unable to take the task seriously, they will fail. The situation was ripe for a setback. After five straight divisional wins and gaining a foothold atop the AFC North, the upcoming stretch of Oak­ land on the road, followed by two home games against the Browns and Detroit Lions, must have seemed like ap­ proaching the intersection of Easy Street and Playoff Way for the Bengals. Had they cruised through those three games, the people of Cincin­ nati could have comfortably begun to grow their playoff beards. But after the Oakland debacle, the razor remains on the sink. Letting up against lesser opposition isn't the worst characteristic a team can posses, but it's something the great ones have learned to avoid. The Bengals are a dis­ ciplined, well-coached team that out-muscles the toughest but relaxes against the softest of foes. The conundrum is proof that the coaches have a few more lessons to pound into the players' heads before January. The Raiders provid­ ed the valuable lesson that stresses: If you keep a team in the game long enough, they will fight back and put them­ selves into a position to beat you. Carson Palmer has said that his team is not yet good enough to win the Super Bowl; if they can learn to take their competition seriously, no matter what the record, they will be that much closer to doing just that. �8 STREETVIBES December 1 - 14, 2009 Issues Immigration Benefits Americans The road to poverty is paved with good interventions By denniS nicholS Contributing Writer T he past three decades in America have seen pretty near a consensus emerge that immigration is a drag on the economy, especially illegal immigration. That consensus is mostly wrong, according to a recent study by a well-known foundation. Various advocates have compiled data to buttress their ar­ guments that illegals are a pox on society and toxic to prosper­ ity, never mind that the influx coincided with record national prosperity and ended when jobs became scarce. A Google search Nov. 14 on the terms “illegal” and “immi­ gration” and “costs” turned up 3.06 million hits. The first three were these: • “Illegal Immigration Costs California $10.5 Bil­ lion Annually” (http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/ Latin American demonstrators at the U.S. Capitol. REUTERS/Jose Luis Magana. immigrationnaturalizatio/a/caillegals.htm). Excerpt: “A new study from the Federation for American Im­ migration Reform (FAIR) examines the costs of educa­ tion, health care and incarceration of illegal aliens and concludes that counters that allege costs of more than $800 billion resulting from il­ the costs to Californians is $10.5 billion per year.” legal immigration. It looks like Bill O’Reilly sounds. The introduction • “Cost of Illegal Immigrants” (FactCheck.org). Excerpt: “Q: Do illegal runs to more than 2,500 words, and its paragraphs average 364 words. immigrants cost $338.3 billion dollars a year? More than the Iraq war? A: A chain e-mail that makes this claim is loaded with errors and mis­ Fear wins votes leading assertions. Published studies vary widely but put the cost to government at a small fraction of that total. … The Urban Institute put Move down the list of hits, and you can find a few dissenting views, but the the net national cost at $1.9 billion in 1992; a Rice University professor, pattern is clear. The people posting this material are generally agreed: Immi­ whose work the Urban Institute criticized, said it was $19.3 billion in gration hurts. 1993.” Are they right? Or is the general agreement that immigrants are a burden • “Immigration Counters.com – Live Counters, News, Resources, Facts” one of those things that everybody knows, but just isn’t so? Excerpt? Not going to try. The Web site’s sulfurous home page features One reason we have so little objective information about the effects of im­ seven flashing links in red text and 12 – count them, 12 – numeric migration is that there’s so little demand for good research. Illegal immigrants aren’t a voting constituency, and candidates for office can usually do bet­ ter by raising fears than by suggesting contrary notions. And neither can­ didates nor bigots need research studies to talk like Lou Dobbs. Xenopho­ bia has been a winning tactic since at least the time of Xenophon. But some useful research is available. Much of it is advocacy, similar to economic studies done for hire at the University of Cincinnati, such as the one telling Cincinnatians what a great investment the stadiums would be. But even the advocacy studies can be useful, and some of the work is honest research by first-rate scholars. A pair of recent reports cast some light on the subject. The Immigration Policy Center has published “New Americans in The Buckeye State: The Political and Economic Power of Immigrants, Latinos and Asians in Ohio.” It falls into the category of advocacy. The Immigra­ tion Policy Center is part of the American Immigration Council, which supports the interests of immigrants. That’s fine, but it’s not impartial. This brief report summarizes the growing importance of immigrants, legal and illegal, in Ohio’s economy and civil life. It notes, for example, that “39.6 percent of Ohio’s foreign-born population age 25 and older had a bachelor’s or higher degree in 2007, compared to 23.3 percent of native- HOLIDAY SALE!!! See Immigration, p. 10 Refurbished G3 Mac Computers for only $39 through December! (regular price $64) Proceeds benefit Media Bridges Your local nonprofit media center Visit www.mediabridges.org or call 513-651-4171 for details, or stop by 1100 Race St. to pick one up today. Say ! ? t a h W “If the lower classes are strong enough, or, in other words, if the lower classes can cause enough disruption in the society, the elites and more affluent may be wiling to give them concessions in order to remove this threat to the overall status quo.” - Harold R. Kerbo, Social Stratification and Inequality _________ �STREETVIBES December 1 - 14, 2009 Reader’s Input ‘Just Another Brick in the Wall’ 9 We don’t need no gen-tri-fi-ca-tion By GreGory Flannery editor R esidents of Over-the-Rhine and Streetvibes readers have plenty to say about the four-story mural of Jim Tarbell at Vine Street and Central Parkway. More than 100 people have submitted cartoon “balloons” voicing what they imagine the humongous Tarbell would be saying. Artworks, a non-profit arts organization, placed the mural of the former vice mayor at a key entry point to Over-the-Rhine without soliciting input from the neighborhood. In a joint community engagement project, Streetvibes joined students from Miami University, Northern Kentucky University and Chatfield College in circulating photos of the mural with cartoon bubbles for residents and readers to fill in. Most of the comments received so far allude to Tarbell’s support for the kind of economic development that equates with gentrification – displacing poor people to make room for wealthier people; his opposition to the Drop Inn Center; and his disdain for the late Buddy Gray, its founder. Some comments refer to Tarbell’s costume, reminiscent of the late “Peanut Jim,” an elderly man famous for selling peanuts in downtown Cincinnati. Some of the comments are reproduced here. The college students hope to present all the cartoon bubbles in a public exhibit. ? m ? s y i c lit t? ust ul a “This way to the “R qua men . J utif e ce at a ethnic cleansing.” n I pla th s be ” s ind hi e. i D m f t ur t , o c r y l e d ve al it d e u !” N at rch B , ad k a y o e b lo H “ my t o g e’s n o e e h m t o “S carry ’s to e man t i h .” w n e d bur “For I wi my next ll ma ke a trick, home ll th less peop e disa le ppe ar!” “I am kind of a big “Welcom thee to deal.” that caRhine, a pl Overfor ace n be pean bought uts.” r u o d y is n i e m all th .” “H l p ey, Bu eo es, way p u box o a ddy, o c y a n g you sp “If ndow ould wi rty w us mo are re e v o p Vine? ” “Gentrif ication i s a myt Lalalala. h. I can’t hear yo u.” “Ec abs on here o o s s m a Inn lute ic m who p , have a l l a “I don’t hate poor “May osper nd help Ce ly. B ix? r p , e a nte ut Y thriv od time o the people. Just take d o o g t r w th es, really fellow man incinnati.” C mo ill h e D your problems your less b d o r G ve.” ave op . same elsewhere.” to �10 STREETVIBES December 1 - 14, 2009 National Issues Immigration Benefits Americans continued FroM PaGe 8 • born persons age 25 and older.” That’s interesting, and it’s important, but it does not refer to Mexi­ can drywall installers and lawn-care workers. The Immigration Policy Center has other, more extensive research data and reports available. Nevertheless, the organization has a mis­ sion, and we can reasonably expect its beliefs and commitments to inform its priorities and its conclusions. Remember this: The most profound bias in any research is not the slant, but the choice of what to study. Legalization helps everyone The Cato Institute has published a research report titled, “Restric­ tion or Legalization? Measuring the Economic Benefits of Immigra­ tion Reform.” The Cato Institute is what most “The past three decades in America have people will call conser­ vative – very conserva­ seen pretty near a consensus emerge that tive – although the insti­ immigration is a drag on the economy, especially illegal immigration. That consensus tute disputes the term. Its Web site explana­ is mostly wrong.” tion leans towards the term “libertarianism” or “market liberalism.” Not everybody likes the Cato Institute, but it’s a respected founda­ tion. Here’s the center-left Wikipedia on Cato: “The Cato Institute is a pro-free market, right wing think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. … The Cato Institute is non-partisan, and its scholars’ views are not consistently aligned with either major political party. … During the 2008 U.S. presidential election, Cato scholars criticized both ma­ jor-party candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama.” The last phrase was for Wikipedia users who forgot who ran for president last year. Cato commissioned Australian academics Peter B. Dixon and Maureen T. Rimmer to conduct the study. “Peter Dixon is the Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor and Maureen Rimmer is a Se­ nior Research Fellow at the Centre of Policy Studies at Monash Uni­ versity in Australia,” the report says. It explains their research model in more detail than most lay readers would require. (See www.cato. org/pub_display.php?pub_id=10438/print.) Dixon and Rimmer calculated the effect on the U.S. economy of seven different policy approaches. The scenarios were: 1. Tighter border enforcement. 2. Tighter internal enforcement. 3. Liberalized entry, assuming no change in immigrant char­ acteristics. 4. Liberalized entry with increased worker mix. 5. Liberalized entry with increased worker skills. 6. Liberalized entry with visa charge to neutralize immigration change. 7. Liberalized entry with visa charge to maximize economic benefits. They calculated six effects of the policies: • Direct effect: The change in U.S. gross domestic output di­ rectly attributable to illegal immigrants or guest workers, minus the change in the cost to the economy of employing them. • Occupation-mix effect: Restricting immigration opens up opportunities for U.S. workers in low-skill, low pay jobs, but at the same time makes the economy smaller, curtailing higher-skilled occupations with higher pay. Capital effect: Changes in the supply of labor affect capital formation and its ownership, foreign or domestic. • U.S. employment effect: Equilibrium unemployment is higher in low-skill jobs, so changes in the occupation mix will change long-term aggregate employment beyond that quantified in the occupation-mix effect for the current pe­ riod. • Public-expenditure effect: The change in the cost of schools, hospitals, police services and other public services. • Macro-price effect: The change in domestic and foreigntrade prices that would result from the change in the labor supply. • Here is the meat of their conclusions: • Border enforcement hurts average households. Approach 1, tighter border enforcement, would significantly dam­ age the economic interests of U.S. households. The loss to the U.S. economy to effect a 28.6 percent reduction in the employment of illegals by 2019 is forecast at 0.55 percent of GDP, or $80 billion an­ nually in today’s economy. One class benefiting from tighter border security would be the il­ legal immigrants who remained, as the worker shortage would drive up their wages, according to the study. According to the report, employment of illegal immigrants would grow from about 7.3 million in the base year of 2005 to about 12.4 million in 2019, a growth rate of 3.8 percent annually. Restricting growth to about 1 percent would result in a 2019 figure of about 8.8 million, a 28.6 percent decrease. With liberalized entry, workers could enter a broader range of occu­ pations, and they would be more stable and more apt to seek train­ ing for higher-level skills, according to Dixon and Rimmer. • Liberalized entry means more for everybody. The assumption of liberalized entry with increased worker skills yielded a forecast of 1.19 percent increase in GDP, or $170 billion an­ nually at today’s level. Computations with a visa tax produced simi­ lar results. The weakest forecast us­ ing a policy of liberalized “One reason we have so little objective entry was still an increase information about the effects of immigration in GDP of 0.57 percent, a is that there’s so little demand for good change about the same research. Illegal immigrants aren’t a voting size as with tighter border constituency, and candidates for office can security, but in the oppousually do better by raising fears.” site direction. The report says that public expenditures rise with immigration, legal or illegal, but that accounting does not consider taxes paid by the immigrants, produc­ tive output in the economy and increases accruing to U.S. house­ holds. “This study finds that increased enforcement and reduced lowskilled immigration have a significant negative impact on the income of U.S. households. Modest savings in public expenditures would be more than offset by losses in economic output and job opportuni­ ties for more-skilled American workers,” the report says. “Our anal­ ysis shows that the major ingredient in good policy is legalization. This would eliminate smugglers’ fees and other costs faced by ille­ gal immigrants. It would also allow immigrants (now guest workers rather than illegals) to have higher productivity. Both effects create a surplus gain for the economy by raising the value of immigrant labor relative to the wage necessary to attract it. This surplus can then be extracted for the benefit of U.S. households.” Dennis Nichols is an old journalist who has lived in Cincinnati since FDR was president. A Christian, conservative and Republican, he wrote this article because the editor of Streetvibes asked him to. Do you remember the magic of your First Book? Please consider giving the gift of reading to a low-income child in Cincinnati this holiday season. Established in 2001, First Book - Greater Cincinnati has already granted more than 45,000 books and over $60,000 to local nonprofit literacy programs serving thousands of low-income children in Greater Cincinnati. Make checks payable to “First Book - Greater Cincinnati” I Want to Bring the Magic of Books to Children Who Need Them! Please use my tax-deductible contribution to purchase books and distribute them to children who need them most. $20 (10 books) Please return your contribution to: First Book - Greater Cincinnati 572 Northland Blvd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45240 Name: Address: E-mail: $40 (20 books) $80 (40 books) $100 (50 books) Other $ _______ �STREETVIBES December 1 - 14, 2009 11 Community News Happy 96th Birthday to ‘Mr. Bill’ Still volunteering after 33 years 1 By vicKy c. Mcdonald Contributing Writer father said the man whom police killed in Chicago was not his son, claiming the gangster had undergone cosmetic surgery. incinnati’s oldest soup kitchen Nov. Kenny recalls when Over-the-Rhine was a 15 celebrated the birthday of a vol­ quiet area and the biggest problem was unteer who has given more than bootlegging. three decades of dedicated service. Dave Angevine, former manager of William M. Kenny, affectionate­ Over-the-Rhine Kitchen, ly known as Mr. Bill, celebrated his where he worked for five years, 96th birthday at Over-the-Rhine says Kenny is a great friend and Kenny recalls Kitchen, where he has volunteered very dedicated. Kenny volun­ when Over-thefor 33 years. Kenny says he doesn’t Rhine was a quiet teers even on days when there believe in retirement; he believes is heavy snow, according to area and the it’s not healthy. Angevine. Two years ago, when biggest problem “We sit down, we get stiff,” he was bootlegging. there was a snowstorm so bad says. that the city all but shut down, Therefore, when it was time Kenny showed up to work. for him to retire in 1976, Kenny began volun­ Over-the-Rhine Kitchen was the only soup teering at the Over-the-Rhine Kitchen, which kitchen serving that day, and people were opened that same year. grateful through the next week. “He’s the inspiration that gets us up every­ “Mr. Bill is an inspiration,” says Melody day,” says Executive Director Patricia Wakim. Byrom, who runs Walnut Hill Kitchen Pan­ Kenny has always had her back, Wakim try, which is affiliated with Over-the-Rhine says, even when she first started nine years Kitchen. “He keeps us going everyday. He ago and was “greener than grass.” The culture giggles at me all the time because not ev­ of the soup kitchen was different from what erything will go well.” she was used to, and Kenny was instrumental Kenny was born Nov. 18, 1913, the sec­ in guiding her, Wakim says. ond child in a family of 10 brothers and Kenny is a humble man, according to his sisters in Paris, Ky. He was married and has friend, Gwen Angevine, who says he has a two daughters. Before volunteering at the “wealth of knowledge, though (it’s) hard to soup kitchen he worked in tobacco fields, pull it out of him.” breaking horses, was a hotel valet, served Kenny sometimes reminisces about the as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1941­ days of notorious mobsters. He recalls seeing 46 and was a car finisher. He resides at the Al Capone and remembers that John Dillinger’s YMCA. C William Kenny, 96, has volunteered at Over-the-Rhine Kitchen for 33 years. Photo by Maria Campolongo. STREETVIBES Vendor Mary Only purchase Streetvibes from BADGED vendors. Vendors wear their WHITE badges while they sell the paper. aFFordaBle rateS etvibes? tre nS rested in Advert Inte isin gi Many SizeS (full page, 1/2 page, 1/4 page, 1/8 page) BlacK & White and color availaBle diScountS For nonProFitS Contact Lynne at 513-421-7803 ext. 11 or lynneausman@cincihomeless.org for more information. �12 Film Review STREETVIBES December 1 - 14, 2009 Being All That They Can Believe “I do not believe that the free press is free anymore. It’s very expensive.” -Ret. Gen. Albert Stubblebine III By david heitField Contributing Writer W hat motivates you to get up in the morning when you no longer have anything to believe in? That's the question facing Bob Wilton, the fo­ cal character of The Men Who Stare at Goats, a journalist in Ann Arbor, Mich., whose wife has left him for the paper's one-armed editor. His answer is to go to Kuwait to become a combat journalist, looking for a way into Iraq. “I was on a mission even if I didn't know what kind of mission it was,” he says. Ultimately, what he finds isn’t what he was looking for, but hell, it's better than believing in nothing. Men Who Stare, as it was abbreviated at the multiplex, is a surprisingly topical fiction that winks upfront: “More of this is true than you The New Age philosophy would believe.” Again, isn’t a fringe philosophy, with the beliefs. In Kulimited to its place and time. wait, Wilton (Ewan McGregor) meets Lyn It’s the pervasive view of the Cassady (George Clooney), whom he sees American mainstream. as his ticket into Iraq. Cassady, a self-de­ scribed Jedi warrior, breaks up clouds with his mind as he drives through the desert, telling Wilton the back story of the creation of “psychic spies” – who could, among other mind games, stop a goat's heart by staring at it -- known as the New Earth Army. You see, the Russians had heard a rumor started by the French that the Americans were doing psychic research, so the Russians started doing psychic research, so now the Americans had to pre­ vent a psychic research gap. As ponytailed new-ager Bill Django (Jeff Bridges) sells the idea of the New Earth Army, “We'll be the first superpower to have superpowers!” As the movie points out, this all came down during the Ronald Reagan Highway era, be­ cause he believed in Star Wars and astrology and a strong military and, of course, American Exceptionalism. Men Who Stare shifts between flashbacks of the founding of the New Earth Army and its ultimate, demythologized version led by non-believer Larry Hooper (Kevin Spacey) in Iraq in 2003, who is trying to find a way to win the unconventional war on terror. The movie is hilarious, and the performances are perfectly dead­ pan, with perhaps the exception of McGregor, who, as a veteran of the bad Star Wars movies, seems mostly to have been cast for the innate joke on Jedi warriors. It was “inspired” by Jon Ronson's 2004 nonfiction book of the same name, which also inspired a BBC documentary about those crazy American Army people. It’s too easy to watch this as a very broad satire of what happens when you let a group of hippie New Age freaks into the military. Satire is at its best when it reflects not on its target so much as its context. And that’s where I think Men Who Stare works better than most recent “satires.” And that’s because the New Age philosophy isn’t a fringe philosophy, limited to its place and time. It’s the per­ vasive view of the American mainstream. At one point Clooney asks McGregor if he’s always felt different or as an out­ sider – such was proof that he was a Jedi. It’s too easy to watch this as After returning home from watching a very broad satire of what this movie, I lazily happened upon Joel happens when you let a group of Osteen, telling his megachurch that, if hippie New Age freaks into the they feel like they don't have a meaning, military. Satire is at its best when well, you can manifest your meaning it reflects not on its target so and its subsequent success by coming much as its context. to God. As I watched Clooney breaking up clouds with his mind, I wondered how this was different from any Oprah episode or PBS fundraiser telling well-educated middle-class people that they can manifest their desires simply by focusing on them. The question isn’t whether you believe the bullshit. The question is to what degree you believe it. In a post­ modern world where the truth is irrelevant, the only thing that matters is what you believe. The Creation Museum is not the story of Christian paleontology; it’s a shining monument to postmodernism. And how is the story in Men Who Stare so much more fantastic than asking our boys in the volunteer army, who mostly have high school diplomas and have not exactly been exposed to the best social skills, to con­ duct a counterinsurgency in Afghanistan, where they are tasked with changing an entire culture or three? We train them to be soldiers, and then ask them to act like Richard Leakey on a mission from God? If you choose to believe that the psychic arts were first looked into by the Soviets – and there is at least some evidence that they used subliminal messages on their own troops to cut down on drunkenness – then you must also be struck by when these techniques were em­ ployed: during their losing war with Afghanistan. Ronson talks to Ret. Maj. Gen. Albert Stubblebine in the book (who’s quoted at the top of this article), who reportedly did try to run through his wall at least once, in 1983 (the movie begins with a fictional major gener­ al trying to run through a wall). A West Point graduate, Stubblebine was the head of the Army’s Intelligence and Security from 1981-84 and is a member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame. He seems to have his biggest following now with the 9/11 conspiracy theorists, as he insists there is no evidence that a plane crashed into the Pentagon on that day. See Believe, p. 13 �STREETVIBES December 1 - 14, 2009 13 Guest Column Suburbs Have Their Own Problems A meditation on the dark side of apparent tranquility By Paul KoPP Contributing Writer have received overwhelming support from residents who say their punishment was too ast month four Wyo- harsh and that they should be ming city employ- reinstated. ees lost their jobs for I grew up in Wyoming, drinking alcohol while work- and since I left, I haven’t ofing at city events. The Cincin- ten looked back on the time I nati Enquirer reported that spent there. I might not have in August the even read this workers drank story except while working It is supposed to be safer for the fact that at a drive-in than a big city, have better it happened in movie, a teen schools, fewer people, big Wyoming. It dance and a houses with pristinely cut made me think staff appreabout the way front lawns, etc. ciation party, things work in all of which suburbs. were at the city‘s pool and The idea of a suburban recreation center. town always seemed simple Several off-duty underage enough to me: It is supposed lifeguards were also suspect- to be safer than a big city, ed of drinking at a staff ap- have better schools, fewpreciation party but the city er people, big houses with was unable to identify them. pristinely cut front lawns, etc. Three of the ex-employees In what ways does a small city have filed a lawsuit against like Wyoming strive for such Wyoming, alleging that, perfection? In order to propamong other things, City erly construct a perspective Manager Bob Harrison has to further discuss the issue condoned and participated of the fired city workers, it is in city events where drink- necessary to provide a brief ing took place. At various city summary of the city‘s begincouncil meetings since the nings and demographics. incident, the ex-employees Wyoming has been around L for a while. Its roots go all the way back to 1861, when it was founded by Robert Reily, a prominent local resident of the area and a former infantryman in the Civil War. Wyoming’s current population is just over 8,000 people, and its total area is just over three miles. The population is about 87 percent white, with just over 9 percent AfricanAmerican, 1 percent Asian, 1 percent Hispanic and 1 percent other races. Wyoming’s sense of community seems more deeply engrained than in other suburbs I have visited. Other suburbs feel like a collection of upper-middle-class families lucky enough to have good homes but not necessarily a town-specific mentality. Growing up in Wyoming, it sometimes felt the city was surrounded by an imaginary force field, that nobody knew where anywhere else was. But no one wanted to go anywhere else, because this was the best place you could be. Though the city tries to protect itself from such negative elements as drugs and All They Believe continued FroM PaGe 12 And, apparently, there is a Lt. Col. Jim Channon, who originally proposed the First Earth Battalion, to use yoga and meditation and pri­ mal screaming to achieve battle readiness. Channon envisioned an army that an­ swered to the planet over the nation-state. Channon’s ideas were well received in part be­ cause of our failure in Viet­ nam and Channon’s obser­ vation that our soldiers were basically good people who did not want to kill anyone (a line also noted in the movie). It was through his grandiose optimism that Channon al­ legedly came up with the underage drinking, it can- right to fire someone who not eradicate them entirely. exhibits inappropriate beInstead there is a subculture havior, but not if the same created. Denial that it exists behavior is accepted among can become more harmful to other individuals within the everyone involved. same circle. Wyoming Every city seems to base has problems its identity on Growing up in Wyoming, unique to itexcellence in it sometimes felt the city self. Of course, education, was surrounded by an someone who public safety, lives in Overimaginary force field, and landscap- that nobody knew where the-Rhine has ing. Due to anywhere else was. But to worry about its small size, different things no one wanted to go the collec- anywhere else, because than a person tive mindset this was the best place in Wyoming. amongst longThe problems you could be. time residents of the inner is insular. Excelcity are more lence can mean many things, immediate, in the sense that but in Wyoming it sometimes they exist in plain view. Crime seems based on the image of a and poverty directly influence place so squeaky clean that it the well-being of the people. exists separately from the rest Though the ideological issues of the region. One result is an of a small suburban town are intensified focus on smaller not so immediate, they are infractions by members of worthy of examination due to the community – in this case, the subtlety with which they employees of the city of Wyo- reflect the problems of their ming. community. When the city employees were caught drinking, the incident threatened to tarnish the city’s image. It might be To the Editor To the editor: most popular marketing slo­ gan in the Army’s history: “Be all that you can be.” You can find out much more on the Internet. For example, if you take the words “stare” and “goats,” you'll come up with “Stargate” with the “OS” left over, which stands for the Occult Sciences division of the CIA, which reportedly in­ vestigated “remote viewing” from the mid-’70s through the 1990s. That’s why the fictional approach of Men Who Stare works so perfectly. The truth is irrelevant today. In a cul­ ture where most everyone feels somewhat disenfran­ chised, you too might be a Jedi warrior, or find success through Christ, or manifest your dreams, or even elect Sarah Palin president. All that matters is what you are will­ ing to believe. Don't believe me? The two long commercials before this anti-war satire were from the U.S. Air Force (where play­ ing with satellites in the sky looks a lot like playing a video game) and the National Guard (where "hero" was sung as people in camouflage car­ ried muddy people around). We've shot past irony and moved straight into stupid. Recently I saw the video, Rethink Afghanistan, where I learned that it costs us taxpayers $775,000 per year for each soldier. Here’s another statistic to blow your mind: So far we have spent more than $231 billion in Afghanistan alone. We are all concerned about the carnage in both Afghani­ stan and Iraq. Many of us are guiltily aware that we need to do something. So let me ask you: If you were in charge, is this how you would spend our tax dollars? In the past, many non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) have been working to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan. They do so by helping to build schools, hiring and training teachers, building clinics and staffing them. Unemployment is at 40 percent in Afghanistan, and many Afghans join the Taliban so as to have an income. NGO’s can help create jobs. Wouldn’t it be better to spend our money in humane, peaceful ways than through war? It’s time for all of us to accept the role we play in war when we do nothing. We all need to contact our president and mem­ bers of Congress and let them know that we do not support the destruction wrought by war. If peaceful demonstrations are what is needed, then we must demonstrate. In Cincinnati, Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center is organizing for peace. They can be reached at 513-579-8547and www.ijpc-cincinnati.org. We are Americans. We are kind, humane, generous. Let’s start to act that way once again. Judy Cirillo, member of Women in Black To the editor: In response to Gloria McConnaghy’s letter to the editor (is­ sue of Nov. 15-30), I was born in Over-the-Rhine and lived there for 50 years and was a patient at the 12th Street Clinic. I was a friend of Buddy (Gray) and fought against the wealthy displacing the poor from low-income housing in Over-theRhine, standing side by side with Buddy, Bonnie (Neumeier) and others. My God is a loving God, not one that takes housing from the poor for a high-end shop for greed of the almighty dollar. Sonny Williams Clifton �14 Annual Dinner STREETVIBES December 1 - 14, 2009 �STREETVIBES December 1 - 14, 2009 15 Resources Need Help or Want to Help? Shelter: Women and Children Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 Central Access Point Cincinnati Union Bethel 381-SAFE 768-6907 557-2873 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 241-1064 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 3600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 St. Vincent de Paul 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 681-2365 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Treatment: Men 872-9259 Charlie’s 3/4 House Shelter: Men DIC Live In Program Prospect House 241-5525 961-2256 Treatment: Women First Step Home 961-4663 961-4080 761-1480 721-0643 Joseph House (Veterans) 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 351-0422 381-6672 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 241-2965 471-1100 221-3350 Hamilton County ADAS Board Recovery Health Access Center Sober Living Talbert House Hamilton/Middletown 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 Northern Kentucky Advocacy 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 961-4555 751-0643 381-1954 Food/Clothing Lord’s Pantry OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 621-5300 961-1983 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Francis Soup Kitchen People Working Cooperatively The Caring Place United Way Women Helping Women 946-4888 281-7422 681-0324 641-4300 Housing: Tom Geiger House Dana Transitional Bridge Services Volunteers of America 771-4800 751-0600 721-4811 351-7921 631-1114 211 977-5541 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 3330 Jefferson, Cinti, Ohio 45220 Tender Mercies 381-0111 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 AA Hotline CCAT 2728 Glendora Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45209 CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing 621-5514 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Goodwill industries Healing Connections Mary Magdalen House Treatment: Both Interfaith Hospitality Network Lighthouse Youth Center (Youth) 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 661-4620 241-2600 241-2563 214 E. 14th St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Drop Inn Center Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center Peaslee Neighborhood Center Shelter: Both Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 458-6670 977-4489 Other Resources 721-0643 921-1613 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Anthony House (Youth) 558-8888 981-5800 784-1853 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Starting Over 1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Justice Watch 241-0490 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Shelter Mental Health Access Point Mercy Franciscan at St. John NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 City Gospel Mission 357-4602 352-2902 352-6363 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 762-5660 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter Health Resource Center Homeless Mobile Health Van McMicken Dental Clinic 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45202 562-8841 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 Salvation Army 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Bethany House FreeStore/FoodBank Crossroad Health Center Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless Brighton Center 863-3184 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 859-491-8303 799 Ann St. Newport, KY 721-4700 421-7803 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry 579-8547 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 Health ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Center for Respite Care 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 535-2719 Poetry Corner The Ground You Rest On By liSa Marie carBert Dirt on your cheeks, lint in your pockets, hunger in your belly, shame in your mind. A day’s beg for coins to the dollar. Thirsty for life, hungry for change, your circumstance is un-guiding. Eyes pass you, minds pretend you aren't there, the week lingers on you, your path is clear. A meal for today and maybe not one for tomorrow, nothing to claim but what you hold in your pockets. The ground you occupy is America's, but they say you’re homeless. Grateful for a quarter, blessed for a bill, you feel you're at your rope’s end. You’re a mother, a father, a sister, a brother, a friend. The mistakes you've made coincide with your condition, or maybe life has just dealt you bad cards, the world, full of your kin, turn their cheeks the other way, and I ask... If we all believe that we derive from Adam and Eve, then why are we so easily deceived into believing the contrary? Aren't our brothers and sisters our responsi­ bility? You have a growling pain in this great land of opportunities, we can lift buildings and build dreams, but you’re falling with nothing but the pave­ ment to catch you. You rely on catchy cardboard words, but pressed white collars and fancy heels don’t always acknowledge worn jeans, I see it every day. But God has connected me with you. From sun up to sun down our bellies are empty simultaneously. Humbling for me, we are the same. Your hope is spooned to you everyday out of the pots and pans of those giving bless­ ings. When the thirst of the summer heat is urging me to drink up all of my nutritional opportu­ nities, I think of you. Where will your next meal come from? Does the world really care? Homeless... laid off, Homeless... divorced, Homeless... run away, Homeless... abused, Homeless... mentally incapable. Homeless... not heartless. God has inspired me to not forget our ances­ tries, the same earthly womb bore us all, and our creator planted the seeds that rooted you and I, the same. So I'll give my change, smiles, blessings, non­ perishables, and time. Not forgetting you are a part of I, The ground you rest on is America's, but they say you’re homeless, I say you're God's! �16 Column STREETVIBES December 1 - 14, 2009 Reason Awakens from Deep Sleep Matt Reed uses art to teach ethics A s a child, Matt Reed was very much into com­ ic books. His parents would buy them for him before he could even read. He would draw from them again and again. They were his first intro­ duction to art, also his first love in art. Born in Toledo, Reed, a visual artist, moved to Cin­ cinnati in his senior year of high school. He attended Columbus College of Art and Design and majored in illustration. He soon realized, however, that his real love was teaching; he enrolled at the University of Cin­ cinnati, obtained a teaching certificate and since then has taught art in high school and middle school. Reed has also been doing his own art all along, mostly detailed drawings influenced by his illustra­ tion training. His art usually expresses his interests and concerns, his political views and his obsessions, all mixed and mashed together. “It is a blend,” he says, “one that comes from within and finds its way out. Art is also my escape from reality into a newly imagined world. It helps me communi­ cate and make a statement.” Reed has been political all his life, growing up in a family where both parents were politically minded Matt Reed. Photo by Saad Ghosn. and where politics was regularly discussed. Different from his fa­ ther, who is conservative tion.” right-wing, Reed is pro­ At the bottom of his drawing, several silhouettes mimic an evo­ gressive and leftist, influ­ lution scene and progress from a caveman into increasingly refined enced early on by the po­ gunmen. The message is that we’re evolving into more sophisticat­ litical messages of punk ed and more efficient killers. In the middle, a mound of skulls is as rock bands. Social and surrounded by comic book-inspired panels depicting explosions; political issues concern and at the top, a soldier standing on a tank is approached by a sui­ him and transpire into cide bomber who blows up everything. The drawing links increases By Saad GhoSn his art. His satirical draw- in violence to current politics to death and questions the wisdom Contributing Writer ing You Will Be Recycled, and rationale of waging unending wars in the pursuit of peace. for instance, is about the His pen and ink drawing, Reason Is Still Sleeping, is a take on The environment and people Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters, in which Goya reacts to the vio­ who refuse to recycle. Reed ironically points out that the Earth will lent events of the late 18th century – wars, the Spanish Inquisition, recycle them whether they like it or not. etc.. The drawing represents, in the midst of explosions and de­ There Is No Peace in Retreat is based on a direct quotation of struction, a woman smiling happily, embracing in her arms a large then-President George W. Bush regarding the Iraq War. Reed found bomb, her young child standing by her. It was Reed’s assertion that the statement arrogant; it reflected in his mind how the adminis­ mankind’s reason is lacking, also his expression of outrage at the tration was conducting its foreign policy relying mainly on might Iraq war, a war in he sees as based on greed and lies. and war, rarely conducive to peace. In addition to his personal art, Reed also uses his teaching to “As a strategy, retreat does not necessarily equal defeat or cow­ convey his values and beliefs and to trigger thinking in the fresh ardice” Reed says, “Sometimes withdrawal is simply the best op- and avid minds of his students; he does this, however, always cau­ tious not to impose his own views. Teaching is for him a type of activism in which one shows students how to interact with others, treat others with respect and tolerance, react appropriately to a difficult situation, develop social skills, appreciate the diversity of things. Reed thus does not only teach the techniques and skills of art but also works on building the character of his students, opening their minds and hearts to various important issues. He uses recycling paper in the classroom as a model and a trigger for environmental concerns. Discussing and deciding with his students what is ac­ ceptable and what is not when it comes to conduct, he helps them set ethical norms for their own behavior. Exploring the social or political content of artists’ work, he leads students into reflecting about the issues addressed, at the same time challenging them and empowering them to use their creativity and art to express their own concerns and beliefs. He recently used Keith Haring’s works as a trigger for a class show, Haring’s art being simple, straightforward and still full of messages. Not infrequently, in addition to visual art, Reed resorts to poems, texts, stories and events to interpellate his students and open their eyes. With the changes brought by the new administration, Reed’s outlook on the world is more hopeful. He is still concerned, how­ ever, by the persistent and powerful control big businesses exert over politics, often at the expense of the people. He will continue to use his own art and his teaching to address big issues such as war, environment, equality, freedom, choices in life, etc. but he would like to do it now in a more positive way, to be able to offer viable alternatives instead of simply being critical. “Art is a very important tool for change” Reed says, “It uses and triggers imagination, which is unfortunately undervalued in our so­ ciety. Imagination, however, is badly needed to recreate the world. The world does not have to be the way it is. We have to imagine something better; focus on something new for the good of every­ one and the survival of our planet.” A rtists ctivists There Is No Peace in Retreat, ink drawing by Matt Reed. Photo by Matt Reed. Artists as Activists is a regular column highlighting Greater Cincinnati artists who use art as a vehicle for change. Saad Ghosn is the founder of SOS Art. Ghosn can be contacted at saad.ghosn@uc.edu. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2009 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource December 1-14, 2009 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Hope for Chronically Homeless Cincinnati Oracle Appears in India Pg 2: The Vibe Pg 3: Eight Minutes Opening a Door Pg 4: Demanding Justice form Chiquita Art and Culture of Over-the-Rhine Pg 5: To Get Youth Off the Streets Pg 6: Wage Theft: The Forgotten Crime Pg 7: Hope for Chronically Homeless Pg 8: Immigration Benefits Americans Pg 9: ‘Just Another Brick in the Wall’ Pg 10: Immigration Benefits Americans Pg 11: Happy 96th Birthday to ‘Mr. Bill’ Pg 12: Being All That They Can Believe Pg 13: Suburbs Have Their Own Problems Pg 14: Annual Dinner Pg 15: Resources Pg 16: Reason Awakens from Deep Sleep Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 1-14, 2009 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Gregory Flannery Lynne Ausman Jeni Jenkins Lew Moores Samantha Groark Margo Pierce Paul Kopp Jeremy Flannery Michael Henson David Heitfield Kelissa Hieber Dan Rozier Stephanie Dunlap Saad Ghosn Keara Anita Mullen Ariana Shahandeh Larry Gross Eli Braun Aimie Willhoite Jeni Jenkins Anthony Williams Bill Haigh Clarissa Peppers Jennifer Blalock Lynn Baker Jeremy Flannery Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF addiction Aimie Willhoite Annual Dinner Anthony Williams Ariana Shahandeh Bengals Bill Haigh Chiuita Cincinnati Clarissa Peppers Dan Rozier David Heitfield Eli Braun Gentrification immigration India Jeni Jenkins Jennifer Blalock Jeremy Flannery Jimmy Heath Keara Anita Mullen Kelissa Hieber Larry Gross Lew Moores Lynn Baker Lynne Ausman Margo Pierce Matt Reed Meditation Michael Henson Mr. Bill Over-the-Rhine Paul Kopp poverty Saad Ghosn Samantha Groark SCPA Stephanie Dunlap Suburbs Tags Gregory Flannery Talbert House Wages Youth https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/7dea3fc106838ba75b21cbfc3e82b314.pdf 0711f540bf775be16bce0f3d411d85c5 PDF Text Text Men Fight, Women Suffer Page 8 Politics as Punishment Page 3 Artists as Activists Page 16 STREETVIBES $1 N o v. 1 5 - 3 0 , 2 0 0 9 • A d v o c a t i n g J u s t i c e , B u i l d i n g C o m m u n i t y • I s s u e 1 6 5 Metropole Tenants Tell 3CDC:Hell No,We Won’t Go Residents vow to resist displacement By GreGory Flannery Editor are the ones upholding the law. To­ day it’s a different story. How does it feel to have the power?” enants at the Metropole Blocking tenants’ advocates from Apartments downtown the earlier meeting is part of a com­ took over a Nov. 5 meeting plaint filed with HUD by the Legal called by the Cincinnati Center City Aid Society of Cincinnati. The com­ Development Corp. (3CDC), which plaint accuses 3CDC of housing dis­ has bought the building and plans to crimination, deception and other force them out. violations of law. The takeover, or­ The Homeless ganized by the staff “They’re trying to kick you out Coalition has been of the Greater Cin­ organizing tenants because of who you are. cinnati Coalition for three months, They don’t need for the Homeless warning them that another hotel downtown. and the Metropole 3CDC planned to They think you don’t fit.” Tenants Associa­ buy the building - Rickell L. Howard, tion, came one day and convert it to Legal Aid attorney after Cincinnati a boutique hotel. Police officers pre­ 3CDC – a non­ vented the Homeless Coalition from profit development group partly attending a 3CDC meeting with ten­ funded by the city of Cincinnati – ants. acquired the property last week for Because the Metropole houses $6.25 million. low-income people under a con­ “3CDC has purchased your home tract with the U.S. Department of and they desire to make your home Housing and Urban Development into hotel rooms for tourists,” Spring (HUD), tenants have a right to have said. “They think you don’t fit in with advocates present at meetings with the entertainment district. For three landlords, according to Josh Spring, months they asked us not to talk to executive director of the Homeless you, but we did.” Coalition. “Yesterday the police department ‘How would you like it?’ kept the advocates and the lawyers out,” Spring told the tenants. “The 3CDC had called a tenants’ meet­ tenants have taken over the meet­ ing for 4 p.m. Nov. 5. But at 3 p.m. the ing now. The truth is you have a legal right to have advocates here, so we See Metropole, p. 4 T The Metropole Apartments are located across from the Aronoff Center on Walnut Street. Developers want to turn the building into a boutique hotel, displacing the 200 low-income tenants who live in the building. Photo by Bill Haigh. Women Have the Right to Safety Immigration status shouldn’t allow abuse to continue By Samantha Groark Contributing WritEr velop resources entirely in Spanish for Cincinnati’s growing Hispanic population. ienes derechos y proThe number of Hispanic residents tección,” writer Lorena is growing at an incredible rate, more Mora-Mowry told the than doubling since 1990 and now audience Nov. 5 at totaling 30,000 to a screening of Do40,000, accord­ mestic Violence in “Tienes derechos y protección.” ing to Su Casa, a the Hispanic ComCatholic Chari­ - Lorena Mora-Mowry munity, presented ties organization. by the Alliance for The numbers are Immigrant Women. expected to climb even higher over “You have rights and protection.” the next five years. The film examines the problem of Theresa Singleton, the protection domestic violence and the commu- from abuse director at YWCA of Cin­ nity resources available to those who cinnati, said the movie was created have been affected by it. Presented to raise awareness about domestic in Spanish with English subtitles, the film is part of a campaign to deSee Women, p. 6 “T Lorena Mora-Mowry spoke at the screening of Domestic Violence in the Hispanic Community. Photo by Natalie Hager. �2 The Vibe By The Numbers 1 in 5 the ratio of African Americans executed after being tried by all-white juries (see page 11). 5 the age of some of the 27 million slaves in the world (see page 11). 3 the number of governors who have vetoed single-payer health plans in their states (see page 10). 40 million the number of new customers insurance companies will have if the Senate’s health-care plan becomes law (see page 9). 40,000 the estimated Hispanic population in Greater Cincinnati (see page 1). 6 the number of Cincinnati Police officers at the site of the Metropole Apartments during a tenants’ meeting (see page 1). 51,000 the number of prisoners held by the state of Ohio (see page 3). 130,000 the number of refugees in camps in Darfur, Sudan (see page 8). 3 the number of endorsed Democrats elected Nov. 3 to Cincinnati City Council (see page 2). 1 the number of formerly endorsed Democrats elected (see page 2). STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009 StreetWise By GreGory Flannery Editor West Bank? Over-the-Rhine? What’s the Difference? Oppression of poor people in one part of the world often bears a remarkable similarity to op­ pression of poor people in other parts of the world. That’s the insightful conclusion that Nancy Paraskevopoulos reached after touring Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Viewing the settlements, she thought something seemed familiar: Why, yes, the settlements reminded her of 3CDC, the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. Paraskevopoulos wrote her ac­ count for the University of Cincinnati’s News Record, an article headlined, “Expansion Abroad Similar to 3CDC.” Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine are a complex issue, but even its ally, the United States, agrees that they are an impediment to the peace process. Less complicated is 3CDC’s plan to throw out more low-income residents to make room for upscale developments (see story on page 1). Here is what Paraskevopoulos had to say: “The first (settlement) we saw was Nof Zion, which reminded me of gentrified townhouses in my city’s neighborhood, Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine. The settlement, built by and adver­ tised to wealthy Jewish internationals, illustrates a clear view of Jerusalem, the City of David and Mount Zion. Similarly, prefabricated communities in Over-the- Rhine are built by and ad­ vertised to wealthy, white suburbanites. Cincinnati Center City Development Corp.’s projects here, the ones with 3CDC signs out front, like Nof Zion, boast of development, historical sig­ nificance and security. “More importantly, they both lack even simple recognition of the communities they are overtaking and ousting. A block away from the aforementioned Over-the-Rhine complex is a predominantly black ghetto. The valley across which residents of Nof Zion might view impor­ tant cultural and religious sites houses a Palestinian community, which Nof Zion cuts off from other Palestinian communities in the West Bank. As my ICAHD representative put it, these de­ velopment industries “manipulate the view to create this myopia. You see what you want to.” Council Elections Presage Struggle for Fairness If you thought it’s been hard to get the city of Cincinnati to adequately support human ser­ vices in recent years, you haven’t seen anything yet. The Nov. 3 election for city council returned Charterite Chris Bortz to office; he’s the mastermind behind council’s plan to use zoning regu­ lations to limit social-services agencies in Over-the-Rhine. Also re-elected was Jeff Berding, whom the Democrats had endorsed, then un-endorsed because of his refusal to support the demand for budget concessions from the Fraternal Order of Police. Perhaps most troubling of all, however, is the return of former Councilman Charlie Winburn, a member of the troglodyte wing of the Republican Party. When the votes were tallied, the winners were four Democrats – or three, depending on whether Berding qualifies: Cecil Thomas, Laure Quinlivan and Laketa Cole. Quinlivan, a for­ mer TV news reporter, took the seat of the progressive Democrat Greg Harris. The Republicans have three members on council: Winburn, Chris Monzel and Leslie Ghiz. The Charter Party has two members: Bortz and Roxanne Qualls, who scored the most votes. That kind of lineup makes it all the more important to pass a charter amendment requiring the city to allocate 1.5 percent of its general fund to human services. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless hopes to launch that initiative soon. Faced with a well financed campaign supported by virtually every politician in town, voters denied themselves the opportunity to vote on the streetcar plan. The defeated charter amend­ ment was a grassroots effort by the Cincinnati Chapter of the National Association of Colored People and other groups to impede the Streetcars That Will Save Our City. Cincinnati plans to spend about $200 million on a six-mile streetcar line, certain that streetcars are just what people are waiting for before moving to Over-the-Rhine. City council members convinced vot­ ers that letting them decide on such a boondoggle really wasn’t in their best interest. The election results weren’t without good news. The tax levy for the Public Library of Cincin­ nati and Hamilton County won approval. So did levies for the Hamilton County Department of Developmental Disabilities and the Cincinnati Public Schools. Voters also approved a measure, backed by Cincinnati Progressive Action – that will require a referendum before city council can sell the Cincinnati Water Works. Oh, yeah. Mayor Mark Mallory won re-election, beating Republican challenger Dr. Brad Wenstrup, perhaps best remembered for saying he felt safer in Iraq than in Cincinnati. While serving with U.S. occupation forces in Iraq, he worked at Abu Ghraib prison, notorious for the torture of Iraqi prisoners. Wenstrup was never implicated in those atrocities. Can’t Decide How to Help? Oh, Pshaw! Winter rapidly approaches. For homeless people, that means increased risk of sickness and death. Tala’s Distant Treasures, in Crestview Hills Mall is planning to help. The store an­ nounced last week that it will donate to the Homeless Coalition 5 percent of its revenue from the sale of shawls. Furthermore, anyone who donates a used shawl at the store will receive a $5 discount off the cost of a new one. Tala’s will then donate the used shawls for distribution to homeless people. Here’s a holiday shoppint tip: Buy a shawl at Tala’s. Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by people who are or once were homeless, in exchange for a $1 donation, Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Address: 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513.421.7803 x 12 Fax: 513.421.7813 Email: streetvibes2@ yahoo.com Website: www. cincihomeless.org Blog: streetvibes. wordpress.com Streetvibes Staff Editor Gregory Flannery Art Director Lynne Ausman Vendor Coordinator Jeni Jenkins Contributing Writers Lew Moores, Samantha Groark, Margo Pierce, Paul Kopp, Jeremy Flannery, Michael Henson, David Heitfield, Kelissa Hieber, Dan Rozier, Stephanie Dunlap, Saad Ghosn, Keara Anita Mullen, Ariana Shahandeh, Larry Gross, Steven Paul Lansky Photography/Artwork Aimie Willhoite, Lynne Ausman, Jeni Jenkins, Anthony Williams, Bill Haigh, Clarissa Peppers Proofreaders Jennifer Blalock Lynn Baker Jeremey Flannery The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati through coordination of services, public education, grassroots advocacy and Streetvibes. We are members of: �STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009 Local News The Politics of Punishment 3 Too many prisoners? Try changing the laws By Jeremy Flannery Contributing WritEr P aroled convicts in Ohio aren’t guaranteed the right to appeal wrongful convictions through DNA tests. That right is guaran­ teed only to people who are still incarcerated, ac­ cording to Mark Godsey, director of the Ohio Inno­ cence Project. That is the reason Robert McClendon avoided parole while serving 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit, Godsey says: McClendon wanted DNA testing to exonerate him – and to do that, he had to stay behind bars. McClendon was released last year after being officially exonerated by the state. The Ohio Inno­ cence Project has helped exonerate seven other people from wrongful convictions since starting in 2005, Godsey says. Preventing wrongful convictions was one of the three issues at a Nov. 4 forum on reforming Ohio’s correctional policies. Representatives of the Ohio Innocence Project, the Ohio Justice and Policy Center and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio proposed solutions to prevent wrongful con­ victions, provide employment opportunities to re­ leased convicts and reduce the number of incarcer­ ated low-level offenders. The Urban League of Greater Cincinnait hosted a forum on “Lock ‘em Up Politics.” Photo by Clarissa Peppers. who cannot find employment are more likely to commit other crimes in order to survive, JohnsonGrove said. “One of the things to reduce excessive expendi­ ture with locking people up and policing – because we have so many people just cycling through the justice system – is to interrupt that cycle with some form of productive work,” he said. OJPC also proposes that prisons issue a “certifi­ cate of good conduct” to show that a former inmate ‘Interrupt the cycle’ is recommended for consideration of employment due to good conduct and hard work. OJPC also pro­ Godsey proposed changes in policing and use of poses that Ohio establish an “employment access evidence to prevent wrongful convictions. Seventy- certificate” to remove state laws prohibiting people five percent of wrongful convictions in Ohio arise with certain criminal records from obtaining jobs from eyewitness misidentifi­ with the state or licenses to work cations, he said. Police should in certain types of businesses. change suspect lineups for eye­ “This great democracy of ours “We’re trying to crack open the witnesses to sequential displays, incarcerates more people than door so people can have a shot,” showing one suspect at a time, any other nation in the world.” JohnsonGrove said. instead of showing all suspects OJPC also proposes new in­ - Gary Daniels, ACLU of Ohio at once, he said says. The offi­ centives to private companies cer involved in lineups shouldn’t for hiring released convicts. The know who the suspects are or the crime they’re sus­ incentives include statutory protection from negli­ pected of; that would prevent them from prejudic­ gent-hiring lawsuits for hiring people with criminal ing the witnesses, according to Godsey. records, coupled with regulation of business-insur­ Police should videotape arrests for homicide ance premiums to ensure businesses are not finan­ and sexual assault from the reading of the Miranda cially penalized for hiring such people, Johnsonrights until the end of interrogations in order to Grove said. The state could also establish bonds to prevent false confessions, Godsey said. protect employers from damages incurred by such The state of Ohio should store all DNA obtained employees and offer business tax credits for hiring from suspects and convicts, he said. Ohio has no released felons, he said. laws requiring the preservation of DNA samples used in court, which can lead to the destruction ‘Smart on crime’ of DNA samples once prisoners are released. This eliminates the opportunity for released convicts to Gary Daniels, associate director of the American exonerate themselves and help the state find the Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, proposed diversion actual offenders, Godsey said. programs as an alternative to incarceration for lowSteven JohnsonGrove of the Ohio Justice and level offenses. He urged support for Senate Bill 22, Policy Center (OJPC) addressed the employment which would: needs of released prisoners. OJPC wants the state • increase the number of days prisoners can earn to establish a “certificate of rehabilitation” for re­ toward early release, leased convicts to have the right to obtain state jobs • reduce the disparities between penalties for and to provide more incentives to private compa­ crack and powder cocaine, nies to hire former offenders. Released prisoners • eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for Gary Daniels, Stephen JohnsonGrove and Mark Godsey want reform of Ohio criminal laws. Photo by Clarissa Peppers. many low-level drug crimes, increase the use of diversion programs for lowlevel drug offenders and nonpayment of child support and • raise the threshold for incarceration for theft, vandalism or corrupt activity from $750 to $1,000. “We need to figure out who we’re mad at and who really needs to be locked up,” Daniels said. “Right now we continue to lock up too many people we’re just mad at.” Incarcerating people for nonpayment of child support harms the offender, the custodial parent and the children, according to Daniels. If a person is incarcerated for nonpayment of child support, not only can he or she no longer earn an income while incarcerated, the offender faces the stigma from a conviction when applying for work after be­ ing released, he said. The disparity of punishment between crackcocaine and powder-cocaine infractions is an Ohio version of Jim Crow laws, Daniels said. While there is no chemical disparity between the two physical forms of cocaine, Ohio law demands higher pun­ ishments for crack-cocaine infractions. Daniels said crack cocaine is more widely used by Ameri­ cans with dark skin, while Americans with light skin tend to use powder cocaine. Daniels noted that the United States holds over 2 million people in prison, while China has over 1 million prisoners. Politicians and the public should work toward being “smart on crime” instead of be­ ing “tough on crime” before policing and prison budget needs bankrupt the state’s 2010 budget, Daniels said. “This great democracy of ours incarcerates more people than any other nation in the world,” he said. “In Ohio, we just can’t afford to do that anymore, because if we continue to do so, we are going to end up with a state budget that deals only with Medic­ aid, education and prisons.” Terry Collins, director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC), says he supports Senate Bill 22 as a good first step toward stabilizing and reducing the prison population in Ohio. Over 50 percent of incarcerated offenders serve less than 12 months, he says. Eliminating mandatory minimum sentencing for low-level of­ fenders would give judges more leeway to divert such offenders into community programs instead of being incarcerated, he says. “We believe that if some people are given the op­ portunity to keep their families together or are un­ employed, rather than taking them out of the com­ munity, let’s make them active citizens so they’re working and paying taxes into the community in­ stead of being a tax burden on the state by sitting in prison,” Collins says. The state of Ohio currently imprisons about 51,000 people in a system designed to incarcerate 38,665, according to ODRC. The department esti­ mates the prison population will increase by about 600 every year through 2018 unless more diversion programs are instituted. • �4 Local News STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009 Metropole: Hell No,We Won’t Go Continued from page 1 Homeless Coalition and the Metro- Asked if he worked for 3CDC, he pole Tenants Association carefully again said, “No.” Spring later in­ executed a pre-emptive strike. House troduced – or outed – him as Adam rules allow visitors in the Metropole Gelter, development director for only by invitation of residents. Jeff 3CDC. Eaton, a member of the tenants’ asso­ When the man stalked off, Spring ciation, told the addressed the desk clerk that tenants. he had seven “The tenants have taken over the “They want visitors: Spring; meeting now. The truth is you have to take your Rob Goeller, a legal right to have advocates here, home and turn civil-rights co­ it into a hotel so we are the ones upholding the ordinator for law. Today it’s a different story. How for tourists,” the Homeless he said. “They does it feel to have the power?” Coalition; Bon­ - Josh Spring, homeless coalition didn’t ask you. nie Neumeier, Some of you director of the have lived here Peaslee Neigh­ over 20 years. borhood Center; three journalists; Do you think that you are cattle to and a Legal Aid lawyer. be herded around the city?” The group went to the Metropole The crowd answered, “No!” ballroom, where the activists posted “So what are you going to do signs listing their demands and ar­ about it?” Spring said. “Are you go­ ranged chairs in a circle. Dozens of ing to fight for your housing?” residents began filing into the ball­ “Yes!” the tenants answered. room – a full hour before 3CDC’s Several tenants then spoke. scheduled meeting, an indication “If we don’t stick up for our­ that the takeover had been planned selves, it’s going to affect our lives in advance. and other people’s lives,” said Rob­ As the meeting was about to start, a ert Wavra. “A lot of people have man huddled with Spring and Goeller used this building to get started or and asked them to let 3CDC proceed re-started because it didn’t charge a with its own meeting. lot for rent.” “We’ll tell them the information Wavra introduced an argument they do need,” the man said. that would be repeated by Spring Spring refused to back down. and the Legal Aid attorneys: 3CDC “You’ve had plenty of opportunity,” wants to evict the residents because Spring said. “You low-income people haven’t talked don’t fit into 3CDC’s to the tenants. “This is legal advice: Don’t plans for the down­ This is a tenants’ town entertainment move. If you move, you won’t meeting now. You district. get what you’re entitled to. If should take the you give in to the lies and false “They don’t think low seat and hear you deserve to be promises of the new owners, what the tenants close to the bus you’re going to get ripped off. have to say.” What the owners of this building routes,” Wavra said. “Fine,” the “They don’t think are trying to do is cleanse man said. “Then you deserve to be downtown of people like you. we won’t have a close to Fountain They want rich white people.” meeting.” Square. We’ve got - John Schrider, The man to stand up for ourLegal Aid attorney walked away. selves and for the When a reporter people coming beasked for his name, the man said, hind us. If we let this go, it’s gone for “No.” Asked if he were with Metropole good.” management, the man said, “No.” Another resident, Tracy Hall, said Adam Gelter of 3CDC at first denied he worked for 3CDC. Photos by Clarissa Peppers. the federally subsidized apartments in a jacket came to you and said, ‘You at the Metropole helped have to move and we’ve her change her life. been planning it for “For 12 years I was “They don’t think you months,’ ” Hall said. homeless,” she said. “If it deserve to be close The Brickstone repre­ wasn’t for the Metropole, I sentative replied, “We’re to the bus routes. would not have had a sec­ They don’t think you not putting anyone out ond chance. Yes, there are deserve to be close on the streets. I’m just some stains on the carpet to Fountain Square. here to do a job.” and some things need to Like Gelter – the We’ve got to stand be repainted, but big deal. 3CDC employee who up for ourselves By moving in here, I’ve denied that he was with and for the people been able to attend col­ coming behind us. 3CDC – the woman lege and get a job and get If we let this go, it’s wouldn’t give her name. a second chance.” A Cincinnati Police gone for good.” Hall addressed a wom­ officer entered the ball- Robert Wavra, an from Brickstone Proproom but didn’t inter­ Metropole tenant erties, the management fere with the meeting. company hired by 3CDC Three police officers to help residents find other housing. “How would you like it if someone See Metropole, p. 5 Residents joining the Metropole Tenants Association to save their homes from being converted into a boutique hotel. Photos by Clarissa Peppers. �STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009 5 Local News Metropole: Hell No,We Won’t Go Continued from page 1 with Brickstone or 3CDC while the HUD complaint is pend­ were stationed in the lobby and two cops on horse­ ing. No residents can be forced back were in front of the Metropole during the to move for the next year, the meeting, according to Lynne Ausman, administra­ homeless advocates said. tive coordinator for the Homeless Coalition. “This is legal advice: Don’t “3CDC and Brickstone have called the police,” move,” Schrider said. “If you Spring told the tenants. “They’re afraid of you.” move, you won’t get what you’re entitled to. If you give in to the ‘You don’t fit’ lies and false promises of the new owners, you’re going to get In the ballroom, the Metropole Tenants Associa­ ripped off. What the owners of tion posted a list of demands for 3CDC: this building are trying to do “1. Renovate our homes here to the same level as is cleanse downtown of people your condos. like you. They want rich white “2. We will stay a community. people.” “3. Metropole must stay affordable housing. Schrider’s colleague at Legal “4. Laws must be made to prevent this (loss of af­ Aid, Rickell L. Howard, echoed fordable housing).” his assertion: 3CDC wants poor HUD regulations require relocation assistance people out of the downtown from 3CDC now that it has purchased the Metro- entertainment district. pole. But Spring, Goeller and John Schrider, attor­ “They’re trying to kick you ney with the Legal Aid Society of Cincinnati, urged out because of who you are,” tenants not to move and not to sign any agreements Howard said. “They don’t need another hotel downtown. They John Schrider of the Legal Aid Society represents the Metropole think you don’t Tenants Association. Legal Aid filed a complaint with the U.S. fit.” Department of Housing and Urban Development claiming that 3CDC After nearly has violated federal fair housing laws. two hours Spring introduced Gelter of 3CDC and Steve Smith of the Mod­ he said. “We don’t want anyone to sign anything.” el Group – parent company of Brick“You did yesterday!” a man in the crowd yelled. stone Properties – to the tenants. Other members of the crowd demanded that “Adam Gelter’s here,” Spring said. Gelter and Smith stand in the center of the room “He’s the one who said he didn’t want so all tenants could hear them. The two men com­ to listen to you.” plied. Gelter apologized for “the confu­ “We intend to work within the rules,” Smith said. sion of the letter” 3CDC had earlier “We will do things as HUD stipulates they must be sent tenants. done.” “We don’t want anyone to move,” But if there were any doubts about 3CDC’s inten­ tions, Smith made them clear, ignoring the demand that the tenants be allowed to stay. He instead told the tenants some­ thing that was never in dispute: The ten­ ants can move whenever they want. “If people want to move out of the Metropole, that’s their right,” Smith said. “Our job is to make sure people don’t fall through the cracks and become home­ less.” That was a curious assertion by the very company whose job it is to rid the Metropole of its low-income tenants. Throughout the meeting Bonnie Neumeier, a longtime advocate for homeless people, led tenants in updated versions of traditional civil-rights songs: “The Metropole’s our home. We shall not be moved. … Tenants united, we shall not be moved.” 3CDC called a tenant meeting after it purchased the Metropole Apartments on Walnut Street. Residents, along No one from 3CDC sang along. with advocates and the Legal Aid Society, organized prior to the meeting to tell 3CDC that they will not be removed from their homes. Photos by Clarissa Peppers. Mary Only purchase Streetvibes from BADGED vendors. Vendors wear their WHITE badges while they sell the paper. aFFordaBle rateS etvibes? tre nS STREETVIBES Vendor rested in Advert Inte isin gi many SizeS (full page, 1/2 page, 1/4 page, 1/8 page) Black & White and color availaBle diScountS For nonproFitS Contact Lynne at 513-421-7803 ext. 11 or lynneausman@cincihomeless.org for more information. �6 Local News STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009 Women Have the Right to Safety Continued from page 1 violence and reach out to Latin American women who believe they have no rights because of their im­ migration status. The makers of the movie hope to help Latin American women understand they are entitled under law to get help, that everyone has the right to feel safe whether they are “illegal” or not. ‘End the fear’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” One in three women suffers from domestic violence, acOne in three women cording to the Latino Alliance to Eliminate Domestic Vio­ suffers from domestic violence, according to the lence. Additionally, the fear Latino Alliance to Eliminate of being deported is a barrier faced by 64 percent of Latinas Domestic Violence. Additionally, the fear of being when seeking help. “The main barriers faced by deported is a barrier faced Latin American women suf­ by 64 percent of Latinas fering from domestic violence The audience learned about the prevelance of domestic violence in Latin American families. when seeking help. Photo by Natalie Hager. are language and fear of po­ lice and immigration,” Mora- Mowry said. “They are afraid that, if they accuse their husband or partner, they might be deported.” judicial process, according to Laboy. The other 90 percent become There are many reasons why battered women are afraid to call for afraid during the process and withdraw, ultimately recommitting to help, but Latin American women face unique barriers once they de­ a continual cycle of abuse. cide they can no longer handle the abuse. “We have to end the fear,” said Padre Jorge Ochoa, pastor of San You aren’t alone Carlos Borromeo Hispanic Church. “We have to break down the bar­ riers – for example, not knowing the language, being unable to com­ Hispanic women suffering abuse, whether physical or verbal, municate.” should keep in mind that support is available from churches, organi­ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 6: “Everyone has the zations that offer shelter and the Alliance of Immigrant Women. right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.” “One thing that Latina women need to know is that they are not “In the United States, we, as citizens and whoever lives here, alone,” Mora-Mowry said. “There are peo­ whether we are citizens or not, have papers or not, we have many le­ ple who will help you.” gal rights. …We have the right to live in peace, to live and to be safe Many Latin American women have “We are not immigration. We in our home, not to have to suffer violence, for example,” said Adolfo found protection with various groups don’t care about your papers. Olivas, a member of the Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio. throughout Cincinnati, such as the YWCA If you are being physically or He advised Latin American women who are being abused to “call Battered Women’s Shelter. verbally abused, you should the police, because the laws in the U.S.A. are made in such a way that “I had a great opportunity there,” one call the police and we will people who are victims of abuse, if they call the police, will have pro­ woman said at the film screening. “They assist you. Victims don’t ever tection. They will not be deported.” helped a great deal. It’s a wonderful place, need papers.” Cincinnati Police Officer Jose Laboy spoke about his experience a safe place for battered women. … They - Officer Jose Laboy working with domestic violence calls in the Hispanic community. never abandoned me.” “We are not immigration,” he said. “We don’t care about your pa­ Recovering from physical and psycho­ pers. If you are being physically or verbally abused, you should call logical abuse, she stayed at the shelter with her two children while the police and we will assist you. Victims don’t ever need papers.” the YWCA helped her find a place to stay and a job. They also helped Laboy said that, in the case of undocumented offenders, deporta­ with her immigration status and referred her to free legal counsel. She tion becomes a possibility if charges are filed. For many Latin Ameri­ ultimately got legal residency for herself and her children. She said can women, the fear of their spouses being deported is often more many women are often afraid to make the decision to leave an abu­ terrifying than being deported themselves. The loss of their husbands sive relationship. presents a whole new level of abuse: poverty, homelessness, depres­ “There are women who have given up on their lives,” she said. sion, isolation, loneliness. They could essentially be left with nothing Many Latin Americans grow up familiar with domestic violence. to provide for themselves or for their children. There have also been The goal of the organizations presenting the movie is a new age of cases where deported spouses have returned to harass them or have respect in the family and community. Domestic violence does not just harassed their families in their native country. occur in the Hispanic community; it is a reality faced by women of all Only 10 percent of victims carry charges all the way through the races. Persons who want to show Domestic Violence in the Hispanic Community to their community or organization can call Sophia Kostoff, coordinator for the Alliance for Immi­ grant Women, at 513-361-2150. Persons who need help dealing with domestic violence can contact: • • • • Cincinnati Police Officer Jose Laboy (left) and Padre Jorge Ochoa, pastor of San Carlos Borromeo Hispanic Church, spoke with the audience about their experiences working with victims of domestic violence. the YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter at 513-872-9259 or (toll-free) 888)-872-9259; Women Helping Women, which offers court and law enforcement advocacy and support groups, at 513­ 361-5610; Su Casa, which offers information and referral, health promotion and literacy education, at 513 761-1588; and the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, which of­ fers help securing protection orders, resolving custody disputes, representation in divorce proceeding and as­ sisting battered women in working toward legal resi­ dency. The number is 513-241-9400 or (toll-free) 800­ 582-2682. �STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009 Sports Bengals Are for Real This Time 7 Ignore the skeptic behind the curtain By B. cliFton Burke Contributing WritEr fense is a new blueprint for Marvin Lewis’s Bengals,” they all agreed. team, but it’s starting to cash in. This year’s That is the underlying reason why the roster is made up of men who are only con­ Vegas wizard and everyone else can’t, or eep within a bunker under a non­ cerned about the meetings, practices and won’t, believe in them; they first must prove descript casino in Las Vegas, an games of today – not about the graveyard they can handle winning. The term “men­ old sports wizard scans his yel­ of the past or the big tal toughness” is used low, glassy eyes across dozens of television stage of the future. They when defining the screens and creates point spreads based on appear disciplined and Some fans grumble about the intangibles that are what he sees. Apparently, he wasn't all that prepared on game days, believed to make up conservative stubbornness of impressed from Cincinnati's first seven and the coaches have championship teams, Marvin and his staff, but the games and declared the Bengals a three- etched out and stuck man’s unwavering determination and a pervasive doubt point home underdog against the Ravens in with game plans that to manage the team his way has exists in the minds of Week 9. This despite the fact that Cincinnati work. many football freaks created a sense of consistency owned a better record, was coming off of a Some fans grumble that Cincinnati has and routine for the players. bye week after dismantling Chicago and al­ about the conservative what it takes upstairs. ready beat Baltimore once in the season. stubbornness of Mar­ This too is simply in­ “Same old Bengals,” he murmured to vin and his staff, but the man’s unwavering correct. himself and squashed another cigarette determination to manage the team his way Look at what they have already over­ butt into his ashtray. has created a sense of consistency and rou­ come: a fluke loss to Denver to open the This man, like the rest of the sports tine for the players. As a result, this group season, four straight come-from-behind world, is wrong about that and has been all goes about their business like daily laborers wins, a tsunami in Samoa and the death of season. rather than well-paid superstars. It’s exactly Mike Zimmer’s wife, Vikki. They have been Once again the Bengals proved it by shov­ how Marvin wants it; you come to work ev­ doubted in nearly every step of the way this ing Baltimore out of town bruised and beat­ ery day just like everyone else. season, yet people remain surprised when en. After the win, NFL Network anchorman Bengal teams of the past had issues deal­ they achieve any success at all. Rich Eisen asked Deon ing with success. In 2005 I don’t expect the skeptics to be swayed Sanders why the Bengals no one was used to them until the Bengals win the Super Bowl. Even are so good all of a sudden. I don’t expect the skeptics to winning; the fans, the me­ the notion of that possibility causes the All of a sudden? Cincinnati be swayed until the Bengals dia and the players them­ wizard to roll his old eyes and snigger. wouldn’t have a 6-2 record selves all hopped on the “That’ll be the day,” he says to the tele­ win the Super Bowl. if wins and success were super-bandwagon. Noth­ vision screen that displays the score of an­ any kind of recent devel­ ing seemed impossible in other Bengals win. “I might have to find a opment. those days; every week was magical. Then new job if that happens.” No, sir, the Bengals are for real and it’s life reminded us yet again that there is no Las Vegas is now accepting resumes for about time the world starts seeing them such thing as magic and obliterated Carson an open sports-wizard position. that way. The old formula of winning the Palmer’s knee to prove the point. The world Visit mojokong.blogspot.com. AFC North with rushing yards and run de­ looked around and shrugged, “Same old D If you experience... Poor sleep Irritability High Energy Racing Thoughts Mood Swings and/or Periods of Depression You might be eligible to receive an FDA-approved medication and MRI scan as part of a research study at the University of Cincinnati. Please contact Michelle at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine at (513)558-5393 Participants will be compensated for time and travel ~ All inquiries will be kept confidential ~ �8 Issues STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009 Men Fight, and the Women Suffer War is an equal-opportunity destroyer By vicky c. mcdonald Contributing WritEr W omen are the forgot­ ten victims of war: That was the theme of an Oct. 28 forum at Xavier Univer­ sity. The program, part of the Xavi­ er University Women’s Center’s weekly “Thinking Outside the LunchBox” series, featured Vince Costello of the American Red Cross and International Commit­ tee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Costello showed Women Fleeing War, a film about how differ­ ent women have been affected by conflict in various parts of the world. The movie discussed wom­ en in cities, in refugee camps and in villages. Women have fled to the capi­ tal city of Bogotá, Colombia, as a result of that country’s decadeslong civil war. Many women, who feel it is not safe to go back to their farms, have family members who are missing. ICRC gives ba­ sic needs to help assist these dis­ A displaced woman uses a water pump to fill her containers at the water point in Zam Zam IDP camp in Al Fasher, placed women, but unfortunately northern Darfur March 12, 2009. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (SUDAN SOCIETY). their resources are limited. The women get assistance to buy ba­ sic essentials instead of working the land to get what they need. These women live the crops, their husbands. Women in these camps assistant to care for her nine children. She wants to in fear because they are alone, many with young rely on aid organizations. Every 30-35 days food make sure her children are educated to guarantee children and limited skills to obtain a job. aid arrives. Some women must sell what’s given to their safety and have them work in offices. The village of Gorlu, Liberia, has also been suf- them for other essentials. “Women are taking on roles that are not normal­ fering from civil war. Families that Due to the vast numbers of refu- ly a part of their culture,” Costello said. at one time lived close together gees, women in Darfur are forced to Costello said that if people want to help, it can have been separated by the conDisplacement camps in go outside the safety of the camps be something as simple as holding forums such as flict. Food is exchanged for labor, Darfur, Sudan, hold up to to collect wood, and in the process the one at the Women’s Center. Educated about the but some families do not have men many have been raped and accosted. plight of these women, people can then choose to 130,000 people. to do this exchange. The ICRC supDue to social stigma, women often be involved by donating time or money to the Red plies food for men working to build do not reveal when this happens be- Cross, he said. houses for the widowed women. cause their culture believes that they should have For more information about the “Thinking OutDisplacement camps in Darfur, Sudan, hold up somehow been able to prevent rape. side the LunchBox” series, visit xavier.edu/women­ to 130,000 people. Women who live there have self“Women without escorts are targeted because scenter. made tents to hold families. Many have fled to these they are looked at as being vulnerable within their “The lunch box series is an informal structure camps because their villages have been attacked. population,” Costello said. “Oppression occurs be- where anything is up for discussion and dialogue,” Many times these women don’t know which armed cause women are not allowed to be educated.” said student assistant Tara Immel. groups had attacked them. A former housewife in the film, whose husband Everything they knew is gone; their way of life, was killed, has been forced to work as a builder’s Letter to the Editor To the editor: I read your paper through and through every issue. It has become a really fascinat­ ing publication, as it speaks of a wide variety of subjects and (I hope) views. I’m a newly located mer­ chant on Vine Street, although the Little Mahatma is going into its 21st year in business. In the 1970s I was a public- health nurse on 12th Street for the Cincinnati Health De­ partment. I’m a modest but loyal supporter of the Drop Inn Center. I am white, I don’t want the streetcars and many would consider me as one of those “gentrifiers.” An old local resident came in today and said, “Thank God people are taking care of this area. It’s about time.” I’m saying all this because ! ? t a h W the “us and them” philosophy gets no one what they want. Historically, it is the premise on which all wars have been fought. Can’t we evolve to al­ low everyone to be what they are? Jim Tarbell is no saint (see “Gigantic Insult? Towering Tribute?” in edition of Nov. 1-14). Do you know any? But he has worked his butt off for this city and the only elected official to stand amid the cha­ os of the riots. Buddy Gray worked tire­ lessly for a just cause and of­ ten threw the baby out with the bath water. He was so an­ gry he bit the hand of those trying to help him often. He probably has a special place in heaven for champions of just causes. I was interviewed twice by the Miami students and was really surprised by the loaded questions. It was not unbi­ ased at all. It was a real “us and them” survey. I am very interested in all that goes on around me in Over-the-Rhine. It’s a wonderful, soulful place, and I’ve risked everything I own to be part of it. With all best wishes, keep up the good work -Gloria McConnaghy Peace, in the sense of absence of war, is of little value to someone who is dying of hunger or cold. It will not remove the pain of torture inflicted on a prisoner of conscience. It does not comfort those who have lost their loved ones in floods caused by senseless deforestation in a neighboring country. Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free. – The Dalai Lama y a S _____________________ �STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009 Film Review Race Can Be a Big Hairy Deal Chris Rock takes on the root of the problem By vicky c. mcdonald Contributing WritEr G ood Hair is a docu­ mentary that ex­ plores the relation­ ship of the African-American woman’s identity and her hair and the multi-billion dollar industry that surrounds it. Chris Rock takes on this task when his young daugh­ ter asks him why she doesn’t have good hair. Rock’s world­ wide journey to discovering the answers about AfricanAmerican women’s hair starts in Atlanta, where the Bron­ ner Brothers Hair Show is taking place. This big event is the cornerstone for black women’s hair, with vendors of top-of-the-line hair prod­ ucts marketed for the Afri­ can-American community, capped off with an elaborate hairstyling competition. At the event, Rock finds that a vast majority of the booths at the hair show are Asian- run and white-owned, sup­ plying products while only two rows among a vast ware­ house of booths are owned by African-American entrepre­ neurs. Rock questions who really owns the market for black women’s hair and why black women feel it is so im­ portant to maintain a certain look. Rock runs across tales of women who would sooner pay thousands of dollars for a weave than pay rent. With the constant deluge of mar­ keting strategies taking place, it might come as no surprise that Americans, in general, spend beyond their means to maintain a high level of beauty as defined by those marketing strategies. However, Good Hair goes beyond everyday media and suggests that black women endeavor to be more like white women and use hair as a means to achieve this goal. It is suggested that AfricanAmerican women want their hair to be straight, flowing and bouncy with a look of the lighter the better, as would be found on a white woman’s head. It’s more than just a mar­ keting campaign that plac­ es these thoughts into the minds of black women. Un­ fortunately, the dichotomy of race is prevalent even in a time when an African-Ameri­ can man is president. Society forces black women to appear a certain way so that they will be accepted into a career or relationship with other races. In the film, comedian Paul Mooney is quoted, “If your hair is relaxed, then white people are relaxed. If your hair is nappy, then they’re not happy.” Hair is just one of many social stigmas facing AfricanAmerican women, starting at an early age as women con­ tact their pediatricians to see if it is OK to place a chemi­ cal known to burn the scalp on a 2-year-old child’s head. Even teens of the same cul­ tural background implore a peer to change her hair so as to become more socially ac­ ceptable. On the surface, the film seems to spend too much time on the battle of the hairstylist. However, if the audience gets to the root of the battle, we see that it has become less about the hair and more about the flair. The competition becomes diluted, as showmanship is what brings about the winner – and not so much about how hair is cut. It has played into America’s technique of marketing, where the idea of hair has become more im­ portant than hair itself. The 9 film is enlightening to those who might not understand African-American culture. It is witty, insightful and for all ethnicities, genders and ages. Humana: Inhumane? Reform rally decries insurance abuses By katy heinS Contributing WritEr A crowd of 30 supporters of health-care reform gathered Oct. 20 in front of Humana Inc. offices in Cincinnati. With signs saying, “Big Insurance, Sick of It” and “Health Care for America Now,” supporters sought to make the point that large insurance companies, such as Humana, are using premiums to pay for lobbying efforts to stop health-care reform. “Humana denied basic care for my daughter,” Kristen Barker told the crowd. “My daughter began having seizures when she was 3 years old,” Barker said. “These seizures caused her to lose developmental abilities. Her doctors said she needed a variety of therapies, including physical therapy. At that time I thought I was lucky. These basic therapies were covered in my Humana plan. But then Humana denied her physical therapy. During this trying time of working for answers to my daughter’s seizures, I had to fight their denials. I even won their own grievance process to cover her physical therapy. But to this day Humana has never paid.” Big insurance companies have a lot to gain from the version of health-care re- most conservative healthform passed last month by care plan proposed by the the Senate Finance Commit- Senate Finance Committee. That bill would mandate tee as not good enough all Americans for insur­ to get insurance com­ ance coverage During this trying time of panies. The through prir e p o r t ’s working for answers to vate insurance my daughter’s seizures, I m e t h o d ­ c o m p a n i e s had to fight their denials. ology was – but without quickly adequate afdiscred­ fordability measures. That ited and the report was would mean a total of 40 mil- regarded as the industry’s lion new customers for insur- attempt to pressure Con­ ance companies. The legis- gress to do their will. lation would also establish Proponents of health­ fines for citizens who don’t care reform were angered buy insurance. by this latest move by inAnother speaker at the ral- surance companies to in­ ly, Pam Franklin of the AMOS fluence the debate – not Project, spoke about the de- for the good of all, but for nial of health-care coverage their own financial gain. due to her pre-existing condiAs a senior citizen cov­ tion, high blood pressure. She ered by Humana, Mary said that it is interesting that Causey of the Contact many African Americans are Center spoke about the unable to get health insur- company’s bureaucracy. ance, as nearly 50 percent of She said she is confused African Americans have high by the different co-pays for blood pressure. doctor visits, hospital visits “Being African American and prescriptions. seems to be a pre-existing “The United States is the condition,” Franklin said. richest country in the world, “Where will they stop? Next but still doesn’t provide health they’ll say, ‘You’re ugly - de- care for its citizens,” Causey nied!’ ” said. “I’ve worked all my life The insurance compa- and paid my dues. No one nies’ lobbying arm, American should be denied the peace Health Insurance Plans, came of mind of health coverage.” out earlier last month with a Pastor Troy Jackson of the report that decried even the AMOS Project compared the Kristen Barker. Photo by Katy Heins. state of health care to a car with its “Check Engine” light on and spewing smoke. “Health care has had its ‘Check Engine’ light on since the ’70’s,” he said. “It’s been emitting smoke for the last few decades. It is time to get health care fixed.” Franklin summed up the feeling of the crowd. “We want Rep. Driehaus to side with us, the people, and not with Big Insurance and their greed,” she said. After the rally, a small del­ egation visited Congressman Steve Driehaus’s office and asked his staff to not let the insurance company drive a wedge between him and his constituents. Those gathered reiterated their support for a public health-insurance plan and asked that Driehaus vote for a plan that includes a ro­ bust public option. �10 STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009 Local News After the Health Insurance Bill? Single-payer activists promise to continue their fight By Suhith Wickrema Contributing WritEr T he U.S. House of Representatives passed a historic health-insurance reform bill Nov. 7. In anticipation of the bill’s passage, about 30 people interested in health-care re­ form gathered Oct. 27 at First Unitarian Church in Avondale for a forum sponsored by Cincinnati Progressive Ac­ tion, the Single Payer Action Network, the Intercommu­ nity Justice and Peace Center and the Cincinnati Beacon. The featured speaker was Milton Fisk, professor emeri­ tus of philosophy at Indiana University. Fisk gave an analysis of the hazards relying on for-profit health insurance companies to provide for health care. He pointed to the “coincidence of interest between insurance companies and providers to increase premiums” and rates. Most insurance compa­ nies invest the premiums, be­ cause premiums are not used right away. The more money an insurance company has, the more money it has to in­ vest. Health-care providers want to charge more for their ser­ vices so they can expand and have a larger percentage of the market, according to Fisk. In return, insurance compa­ nies increase their premiums. This cycle contributes to the high cost of health care. Fisk called health care a “public good – a public good being something that every­ body wants for everybody else in the society.” Other ex­ amples of a public good are fire stations, schools and po­ lice departments. The health-insurance re­ form bill passed by the U.S. House will keep the for-profit insurance companies intact, not solving the problem of the high cost of health insur­ ance. “What do we do the day af­ ter Obama signs that health­ care bill?” Fisk asked. Bob Park, a member of the Single Payer Action Network, reminded the audience that the state legislatures of Cali­ fornia, Massachusetts and Vermont passed single-payer health-care bills, but the gov­ ernors of those states vetoed them. Another forum participant, who introduced himself as Nathan, reminded the audi­ ence that Medicare is a singlepayer system and Medicare’s overhead cost is only three percent. The overhead cost of for-profit insurance compa­ nies runs about 15 percent. Most of the questions and comments from the audience were about how to get a sin­ gle-payer health-care system implemented. Fisk pointed out that single-payer health­ care advocacy has been going on since the Roosevelt admin­ istration. He urged the audi­ ence to work with renewed energy to continue health­ care reform the day after the president signs a bill. Milton Fisk says health care shouldn't rely on for-profit insurance companies. Photo by Doris Burton. For more information about the single player campaign in Ohio, visit spanohio.org. “Here’s to Our Health” Happy Hour Art Beyond BoundAries GAllery 1410 Main Street Thursday, December 3, 2009 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Meet some of Community Shares’ healthcare groups Sip some wine and grab a snack $5 suggested donation at the door will support the mission of Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati. If you have questions please contact Mary Beth King at 513-475-0475 or king@cintishares.org Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati is a partnership of 27 local nonprofit organizations building social and economic equity and a health environment in Greater Cincinnati. YPShares is for young professionals who strive to engage and inspire the next generation of community supporters to become passionately committed to causes that promote social and economic equity and a healthy environment. 103 William H. Taft Road • PH: 513-475-0475 • FAX: 513-487-4262 • www.cintishares.org Call 513-421-7803 x11 to learn about Streetvibes subscriptions �STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009 11 Issues Capital Punishment: A Race Issue Race figures predominantly in the death penalty By Samantha Groark Contributing WritEr P eople are executed in the United States because of race. Decades of investigation point to a strong link between racism and the cruelest form of punishment: the death sen­ tence. Such a relationship suggests that racism, one of America’s oldest traits, still has the ability to determine a person’s life or death. Even before the birth of the United States, Af­ rican slaves in the newly founded colonies were struggling for justice. And even when slavery was eventually abolished in 1865, African Americans continued to face racial discrimination. While slav­ ery is no longer authorized and many more African Americans enjoy some of the same privileges as whites, it is clear that African Americans still suffer from the pains of racism – and this is most obvious in the criminal-justice system. “There is no question about how much the race of the victim influences the decision to sentence death,” said the Rev. Carroll Pickett at an Oct. 25 fo­ rum at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church. Pickett, who spent 15 years as a death house chaplain in Texas, is the acclaimed author of With­ in these Walls, a memoir about the dark world of Death Row. The color of death Dozens of death-penalty opponents gathered to hear Pickett speak. The event was part of the Day of Witness Against the Death Penalty sponsored by Presbyterian Action Against the Death Penalty. The Presbyterian Church, along with every other major religious sector, has declared its opposition to the death penalty, according to Pickett. His talk focused on the racial discrimination prevalent in death-penalty cases and how often this leads to innocent people being put to death. His most powerful claim is that racial inequity vali­ dates the often irregular and muddled delivery of capital punishment. “The capital punishment system, when it comes to race, doesn’t so much deal with the race of the defendant as much as the race of the victim,” Pick­ ett said. “People who have killed one or more white people and are charged with a capital crime are more likely to be sentenced to death than those whose victims are black.” A variety of factors, including the defendant’s race, the victim’s race and the race of the jury typi­ cally determine who receives a death sentence, he said. At least one in five African Americans executed in the United States since 1976 were tried in front of Rev. Carroll Pickett says he knew innocent men who were executed in Texas. Photo by Aimie Willhoite. all-white juries, according to Amnesty Internation­ al. In addition, over 80 percent of people executed since 1976 were convicted of killing white victims, while people of color make up more than half of all homicide victims. In Ohio, Andrew Welsh-Huggins, an Associated Press journalist, has spent years doing extensive social and statistical analysis on the role of race in capital sentencing. His findings were consistent with decades of similar research around the coun­ try that suggest that the death penalty is riddled with class and racial bias. In his book, No Winners Here Tonight, Welsh-Huggins describes the results. “Under Ohio’s 1981 capital punishment law, of­ fenders facing a death-penalty charge for killing a white person were twice as likely to go to Death Row than if they had killed a black victim,” he wrote. “In 1,081 cases in which the victim or victims were white, 193 offenders, or 17.9 percent, were sentenced to death. In 800 cases where the victim or victims were black, 68 offenders, or 8.5 percent, were sentenced to death. Moreover, in 693 cases where the victim or victims were white and the of­ fender was white, 127 offenders, or 18.3 percent, were sentenced to death. By contrast, in 752 cases where the victim or victims were black and the of­ fender was black, 63 offenders, or 8.4 percent, were sentenced to death.” Rev. Carroll Pickett with Sister Alice Gerdeman spoke about the death penlty at an Oct. 25 forum at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church. Photo by Aimie Willhoite. Innocents executed Throughout his talk, Pickett referred to Death Row inmates with whom he had formed rich friendships. He spoke of Charlie and Leonel and of the many who, he had become convinced were not only innocent but had rehabilitated and recovered from their previous ills. “Most of these men were uneducated and im­ mature,” Pickett said. “The majority had around a seventh-grade education. They were into drugs and alcohol and didn’t have a loving support system. In prison, with the help of counselors and seasoned inmates, I watched them mature as men. I have no doubt that many of them were mentally restored before being killed.” One of Pickett’s other concerns is the number of innocent people who have been put to death or who are now awaiting death. “Our former governor, George W. Bush, has said that no innocent person in Texas has been sent to death row,” Pickett said. “I simply cannot accept this. I know there have been innocent men who have been killed.” The people who are executed aren’t the only vic­ tims of capital punishment. “There are so many victims besides the man dy­ ing,” Pickett said. “I have seen inmates, families of the executed, families of the victims, wardens, Death Row staff, district attorneys, counselors, ac­ tivists and more affected by the constant pain of putting people to death. I have seen many have nervous breakdowns and/or walk out on their jobs and even more taking heavy anti-depressants just to be able to continue work. None of this is natu­ ral.” For support in the Cincinnati area, there are many passionate individuals dedicated to help­ ing prisoners and their families suffering from the gloom of Death Row. Families that Matter, a group organized through the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center, is a support group for people whose loved ones are on Ohio’s Death Row. In addition, Ohioans to Stop Executions, a statewide coalition, is studying alternatives and working for a morato­ rium on the death penalty. In No Winners Here Tonight, Welsh-Huggins quotes former State Sen. Richard Finan, who helped create Ohio’s death-penalty law, saying the law is “the spinach the state has to eat” and Gov. Ted Strickland calling the death penalty “the law of the land.” If Pickett is right and the capital-punishment system is a product of racism, does this mean that by accepting the death penalty, we accept racism? Is racism legal in America? �12 Short Story STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009 Riley and the Poet By Steven paul lanSky Contributing WritEr He had no interest in agents, shows, exhibits. “Life and painting is all I have time for,” he said that night as they walked out of Ronald’s. iley and the poet were sitting in Mullane’s Café having WallingThe artist had had his coffee and roll-ups. They had talked again about ford coffee. Riley’s beard was neatly trimmed and light enough synchronicity. His fingernails were brown with the resin of synchronicity. to show a slight tobacco stain at his upper lip. The poet drank His gait was even as the police cruisers’ motors. They walked eight blocks his coffee with cream, savoring the buzz, the fragrance, the bean juice up Main Street laughing large at the joke they were playing on society. that seeded his thoughts, conversation, even making his Camel bullets “We’re the real artists, poet!” Riley shouted to the boarded up buildings. and Galouise unfiltered black tobacco sing within him like a message “It’s our city, our night.” from somewhere beyond coincidence. The welfare artist, Riley, smoked The sidewalks were dry. Fall eased into winter. Arjuna, the poet, puffed Tops and Bugler roll-ups, which gave the fingers another activity between at tobacco and stumbled a bit slower. He’d had a few draughts to celebrate sips of black coffee filled with white cane sugar. Both were dressed for the leaves coming down. He envied Stone the teaching gig at Harvard and conversation, cords and shirts with collars. They shared the need for two the film deal on Can’t Stop the Rain. Arjuna had no concept of the work he brands. had yet to produce to write, publish and profit. He walked the free walk “I was rounded up once,” said the artist with the well-kept beard. of a poet in the city. What do poets think of as they walk the dirty night The poet started to reply, to ask, to mutter streets of the ghetto with their friends? They think of girls. As they age, it’s a “Huh,” but the artist was just beginning and women, man … it’s women. “We’re the real artists, the whites of his eyes grew around his lenses. “I wish I had a honey that would give me some money, money ain’t fun­ poet!” Riley shouted to the He had a small spiral flip pad and he flipped ny, and playboy bunny,” rattled the artist. The poet scowled, “Rhyme is no good, man.” boarded-up buildings. “It’s page after page of today’s drawings of stick figures, key words, street signs, names of other “I ain’t got no money, I ain’t got no honey. Where’s the bunny?” Riley our city, our night.” people he’d seen today, snippets of conversa­ made big faces showing gaps in his teeth. “I got bad teeth and no mon­ tion, where he’d seen police cruisers and van­ ey.” ity plates that had caught his attention as he had walked. Arjuna stumbled quiet and still, smoking a Galouise, dangling from a “I was picked up by the cops when I accused them of ferreting crime. long hand. See, it’s illegal for them to ferret crime.” Riley aggressively poked a finger “This is the richest country in the world,” he said as they walked past at the black vinyl table-top, spilling a little coffee. block after block of boarded up storefronts, brown pressboard unpainted The younger man was scared a bit by the artist’s anger, emphasis and but for graffiti: ROSA SHE MY LIFE! jolting finger. The jolt caused him to push back in his seat, look around the A police cruiser rolled past slow and silent. The traffic lights flashed yel­ restaurant to see if anyone had noticed the other heating up. The waitron low on a pulse. Empty 40-ouncers, dead soldiers stood on each storefront was idling at the back, the cook locked doorsill. A sad forlorn was sorting spinach for washing honking echoed over 14th Street and the busser was smoking a as Arjuna and Riley walked by the filtered ready-made and hav­ blind vacant alley, broken green ing a beer with her. It was midglass glittered on the cobbles. afternoon and there were only “That graffiti says it all, man. two other occupied tables and She my life,” said Arjuna. And Riley and the poet were there in he thought back to college when the ether, invisible and inexo­ there were young girls, pretty rably present. The odor of their and nice, and clean. brands lingered as they did. “I have a wife, and without a “Cops are allowed to stop you life. I wrote four letters to my son or check you out if you’re break­ this week,” said Riley. ing the law. I was walking across They passed Arjuna’s home. the Suspension Bridge from “The poet’s building! Yes, Covington at 4 in the morning. that’s where the Over-the-Rhine I’d been painting then gone for poet lives!” shouted Riley to the a walk. … I had my canvas on street, silent for now except for my shoulder, palette and paint the clicking of the electric traffic box on my arm. I smoked and signal boxes making their me­ walked. From their car window, chanical buzz. they asked what I was doing, Arjuna had not known the old­ and I kept walking. They fol­ er man had a family. “Come home with me,” said lowed me. I kept walking. They Riley. stopped. They asked me to stop. And they walked across Liber­ I said, ‘What for?’ and they said, “Bridge.” Painting and photo by Steven Paul Lansky. ty against the flashing red “Don’t ‘When a police officer asks you Walk” message. Both enjoyed the to stop, you stop.’ I kept walking. dark river of street ribboning away from them in the night. Well, they arrested me.” Through an exterior door that Riley quickly keyed, down an alley, over “What for?” “They searched me, illegally, and found a little weed. But they didn’t a wooden frame, up a creaking stair two flights, breathlessly; on one land­ take me to the station. I argued all the way, and they took me to University ing a round stained glass porthole, for a moment it felt like a ship, wood­ en and creaking with age. Riley’s apartment was warm, brightly lit, light Hospital and put me in Rollman’s in restraints. The doctor there, the fuck­ brown, almost yellow carpet, wood furniture, table and chairs matching ing shrink put me on some medicine.” ladder backs. An orange striped tabby leapt onto the kitchen table chasing He spat the word out with venom. “Navane.” The younger man listened and reasoned with himself. This man was a brown cockroach playfully. “Tea? Toast? I’m making eggs and bacon,” said the artist, flipping on the on the fringe of society. He had not worked at a job in years. The poet had gas stove, opening the 50s-style refrigerator with a heavy clunk. seen the way bartenders treated his friend. No dignity for the welfare art­ “Toast and tea sound OK,” said the poet, trying to decide where to sit. ist. One tender had insisted that the man should get a job. Reading his body language, Riley offered, “Sit where you want … but “He’s a leech on society,” Ned, the tender at Ronald's, had said. think about it.” They had coffee in silence for a moment. He began a sort of lesson for the younger man on body language; and “I take medicine,” said the poet. in the stoned mindset the poet became anxious, felt unwelcome, fear and The poet did not have his ponytail yet. He had dropped out of the uni­ versity after three tries. During the third try he worked at the university as a uncertainty in this man’s home annoyed him vaguely, then more so. He clerk for free tuition. After dropping out, he had quit his job. Unemployed pulled back the chair opposite the icebox, in front of the white kitchen but without welfare, he divided time between the library, research with sink. Above the water taps was a wall mural of bright swirling oranges, yel­ the welfare artist … studying him, walking with him in the wee morning lows, browns; the artist had created abstract paintings right on the walls hours, sucking weed, lounging in bars and coffeehouses. One night they of his apartment. Riley’s lessons were intimidating to Arjuna as he was danced around the novel Children of Light while a copy of it sat on a chair never sure if he was learning or just being put through some agonizing in Ronald's Bar & Grill. Three fiddles, accordion, voices raised to beauty, test. He was reminded of his own father, who had often lectured, but had not been lost in the wildness of creativity like this man. The poet’s father to loving night and hedonism. This was their answer. The poet of Over-the-Rhine spent time writing his novel and learning to had attempted always to analyze and quantify creative work, as if creative use a Macintosh taking the early drafts of A Razor, A House & A Wife—The writing was a science. Arjuna avoided contact with his father. Something Three Hardest Things to Hold, from his first novel and typing them one about elders displaced Arjuna’s confidence and shook him to his core. He modern page at a time. Riley was his contemporary but painfully without distrusted his father deeply. Arjuna imposed his larger, younger body on the room and he felt his recognition. power, his superiority over Riley. At the same time he allowed himself to “When they come to me I’ll already be discovered,” said the welfare art­ become the visitor on a friend’s turf. He struggled with superior and in­ ist. R �STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009 Short Story Riley and the Poet 13 ferior polarity and thought about talking to Riley about it then tucked it but one another. back in his mind to save for the therapist. Talking about the binary nature “Too angry,” said Riley. “You won’t attract any honey with that.” of the unconscious smacked of duality, which the spiritual knowledge Arjuna took a breath and wanted to bark at the older man. from the therapist seemed to undermine. Riley had no car. “I feel pity for the numb fuck who takes the piss,” said Riley. “Some of “Where are your wife and son?” Arjuna asked. these do resemble van Gogh. “The boy’s with his mother and the girl. They live in the deep South.” Why did you stop painting?” He volunteered almost nothing about them. “It’s too painful a process,” Arjuna had run across the bearded man “I’ve been sending him letters about the miracle of the universe. It Arjuna whispered. at each of these monuments on several opens up like a flower and dances down the street.” The older man came over occasions day and night. The poet was Riley’s voice took a singsong drama to it and he moved to and from the and reached a hand to the podrawn to the fountain like a moth to a poet in the kitchen with large gestures. When he grinned, his face was et’s face. His dry touch was un- flame, a convert to a temple, a seeker to huge. welcome. Arjuna pulled away. a guru, or a writer to the page. In Riley’s living room an easel stood in the center. The floor was black “You had better go now,” he with stars painted in different sizes, swirls of color led to the bathroom said loudly. and up the walls. A storage area he had built held 60 or more canvases. “OK, OK,” said Riley. “This is for you.” On the mantle was a black and white rendering of the Probasco fountain He handed Arjuna two joints. Arjuna managed a half smile. Arjuna on Fountain Square. Riley, as it turned out, had painted over 16 differ­ walked Riley to the door, followed him down the two flights of stairs and ent versions of the Probasco fountain, a stately Cincinnati icon on the locked the deadbolt behind the welfare artist. central square, and the beardless Lincoln Back in the apartment the poet lit up statue in Lytle Park standing in front of and quickly inhaled the marijuana. He the Taft Museum. Arjuna had run across felt horny, dizzy and sleepy. He went into the bearded man at each of these monu­ the tiny cramped bathroom to brush his ments on several occasions day and night. teeth. As he ran the cold water over his The poet was drawn to the fountain like a brush, he thought about Riley and shud­ moth to a flame, a convert to a temple, a dered. He wanted a woman, not this man. seeker to a guru, or a writer to the page. He spat the white-green paste into the ba­ The barefoot Riley, his dirty white socks sin. A bit of blood from his gums swelled sitting on gym shoes tucked beneath a in the sink and a very shiny, dark-brown bench, brush in hand, wide thumb held cockroach appeared in the sink. For a mo­ to the sky, measured out Lincoln with a ment Arjuna imagined he bled roaches purpose both haphazard and deliberate. from his gums. “Why are you drawn to the monu­ It was afternoon and breezy, turning ments?” asked the poet. cold. In Piatt Park the leaves were down “They have been here,” said Riley, paus­ on the walk and the green park benches. ing, then walking back from palette box to Pigeons swept away from their feet chuck­ easel. ling. “How long have you been here tonight?” “Funny thing,” said Riley. “Last election asked the spirited poet. day I ate lunch in Hyde Park at a Wool­ “I arrived, sat for awhile. As it came to worth’s lunch counter.” night, I began. I don’t wear a watch. It’s They were walking on Eighth Street to­ been several hours. Art takes time.” ward Mullane’s Café. “You have the head. … What is that on “Cheap laugh, Riley,” Arjuna interrupt­ the hill?” ed. “The monastery in Mt. Adams,” said Ri­ “No, no. Serious,” said Riley. “I was buy­ ley with a rapturous look. ing groceries next door, had borrowed the “His feet are enormous.” “Senor Tane.” Painting and photo by Steven Paul Lansky. neighbor’s car, and I walked into Wool­ Riley stopped painting, rolled a Bugler. worth’s, and there he sat. The shrink. The The poet sat on the bench and pulled a shrink who put me on that gunk.” Camel bullet from the pack, lit both men’s fags off a wooden match, flar­ “Shrink?” asked the poet. ing sulfur odor. The tobacco soothed them. The poet took off his shoes “Fucking shrink I told you about. When they arrested me that night on and socks. The street was quiet, lit with glowing globes. the bridge.” Riley rubbed his well-trimmed beard with his large dry hand, then “Woolworth’s?” touched his yellow sweater. “In a shirt and tie with loafers on. Eating soup.” They were in Arjuna’s apartment looking at his artwork. The papers “Eating soup?” were spread at their feet on the green shag rug. “Yeah, soup.” “Here’s a poem about the drawings,” said the poet. He went to a note­ “Same one?” book and riffled through sheaves of worn pages and began to read: “He didn’t recognize me at first.” “Not at first.” Ashen sky blue faces peer forsaken through “No.” wired glass only ten inches square “I watched him for a minute. Walked up slow, sat down at his elbow. He fixed stolidly in massive steel looked up.” “They searched me, illegally, painted yellow with a cool silvery “He looked up?” brushed “From his big wide bowl of steaming hot soup.” and found a little weed. But aluminum handle on the outside. “Could have been gazpacho.” they didn’t take me to the “Hot soup.” station. I argued all the way, Piss in a cold steel vessel “Oh.” and they took me to University and hand it angrily to a steely­ “Then he went back to eating soup.” Hospital and put me in eyed psychiatric technician “Did he speak?” Rollman’s in restraints.” or nurse over a narrow space of “No.” open door when the quiet room “Eating soup?” bed is changed, quickly Riley looked over. He stopped at the curb. They crossed Race Street. antiseptic and lonely Mullane’s was empty and they sat at the corner table. Riley tipped a handThis is where my artwork rolled jacket out of his tobacco wrap. The vinyl table-top was dirty. flowered with beige, gray, black, white, “So?” asked Arjuna. then titanium white, cobalt blue, lavender, Riley flared a wooden match and a bit of tobacco flamed, dropped to and all the myriad colors within me; ash on the table. The busser came over, left a tin ashtray, cleared, then artist’s crayons, watercolors, wiped the table. brushed dipped heavily in leftover coffee “What’ll it be?” asked the busser. from the breakfast tray because coffee “Coffee,” said Riley. in here only stirs me up. “Same,” said Arjuna. “Cream?” I become Vincent van Gogh for several “Yes.” days and shout at any footsteps I Before the coffee was served, the older man leaned over, mouth to the hear. I was gone for a very long time. poet’s ear. Look at my product. “I put one hand on the back of his head and before he could jerk his head I pushed his face bang into the bowl. Then I said, ‘Don’t ever do that Arjuna finished reading, paused in the middle of the room, under the again.’ He was sputtering.” bright incandescent lights. At 2:30 in the morning they disturbed no one �14 Annual Dinner STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009 �STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009 15 Resources Need Help or Want to Help? Shelter: Women and Children Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 Central Access Point Cincinnati Union Bethel 381-SAFE 768-6907 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Bethany House 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 Salvation Army 557-2873 681-2365 FreeStore/FoodBank 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 241-1064 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 3600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 St. Vincent de Paul 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Treatment: Men 872-9259 Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 City Gospel Mission 721-0643 921-1613 DIC Live In Program Prospect House 241-5525 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Starting Over 1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 961-2256 Justice Watch 241-0490 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 Treatment: Women Mt. Airy Shelter First Step Home 961-4663 961-4080 761-1480 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Joseph House (Veterans) 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 351-0422 381-6672 241-2965 471-1100 221-3350 Hamilton County ADAS Board Recovery Health Access Center Sober Living Talbert House 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tom Geiger House Dana Transitional Bridge Services Volunteers of America 721-8666 961-4555 751-0643 381-1954 Food/Clothing Lord’s Pantry OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 621-5300 961-1983 Hamilton/Middletown 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 Northern Kentucky 721-4700 421-7803 ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Francis Soup Kitchen Advocacy Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS 579-8547 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 Health OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Our Daily Bread 381-0111 771-4800 751-0600 721-4811 351-7921 631-1114 211 977-5541 People Working Cooperatively The Caring Place United Way Women Helping Women 946-4888 281-7422 681-0324 641-4300 Housing: Tender Mercies 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 3330 Jefferson, Cinti, Ohio 45220 CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing 621-5514 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) Interfaith Hospitality Network Lighthouse Youth Center (Youth) 241-2600 241-2563 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Goodwill industries Healing Connections Mary Magdalen House Treatment: Both AA Hotline CCAT 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 661-4620 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 Other Resources 214 E. 14th St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Shelter: Both 2728 Glendora Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45209 458-6670 977-4489 NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach Peaslee Neighborhood Center 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Anthony House (Youth) 558-8888 981-5800 Mental Health Access Point Mercy Franciscan at St. John 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 762-5660 Shelter: Men 357-4602 352-2902 352-6363 Health Resource Center Homeless Mobile Health Van McMicken Dental Clinic 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45202 562-8841 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 381-2247 Crossroad Health Center 621-6364 863-3184 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry 859-491-8303 Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 621-1868 Center for Respite Care 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 535-2719 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless Poetry Corner J.O.B. I Am I Am By anonymouS By thomaS harriS By d. Have you ever heard of J.O.B.? Boy he’s hard to for me to see Every time I go where he’s supposed to be He’s always gone just ahead of me I thought I was being smart and catching him at lunch So I went to Frisch’s on a hunch But it was just like before By the time I got off the bus he was out the door Some people say he left town I don’t believe that he’s somewhere around I feel like I am on the right track I know he feels me breathing down his back So don’t be surprised if you see me And I found J.O.B. It might be hard because he moves fast But sooner or later I’ll catch his ass. I am forgiven To be a part of Those that are Forgiven and Loved Because God is Good and He has The power to forgive Let Him judge I am forgiven And I believe there Is a place in heaven For those who forgive And are forgiven Because heaven is Made of love and forgiveness I am forgiven Because I’ve built My foundation upon my Rock Who God is, not Mankind I am mankind Mankind can be forgiven I believe mankind is Not a Rock that I Believe I believe that mankind must be forgiven I am forgiven Because I believe God made me Good but I haven’t Always been good But I want to be. Forgive me my wrongs I am forgiven I am a son Of the Forgiver Who we must be strong in our belief I am Forgiven I am determined and special I wonder what is my purpose I hear the thunder from my storm I see also the rainbow I want to know my ending I am determined and special I pretend not to be worried I feel like a cloud I touch like the wind I worry about my past calling up I cry about my situation I am determined and special I understand that chances are gifts I say live life to the fullest I dream about my past I try to be my best I hope to make a difference I am determined and special �16 Column STREETVIBES November 15 - 30, 2009 Kymber Henson:The Art of Rescue Gives voice and hope to abused children “I count my blessings every day because I am an artist”, says Kymber Henson. “I was given the ability and the will to create and express myself. Art is an intimate part of my life, essential for my well-being. It is like air; it helps me breathe, expand my lungs; also exhale and get the bad things out.” Henson, a Cincinnati artist, knew from an early age that she was good at drawing and that she wanted to be an artist; she also knew that she wanted to help people. She graduated from Edgecliff College with a major in fine arts and a minor in sociology, worked as a waitress for a while, then started her own business creating handmade clothing. Her clothes were initially fashion and designoriented, later edgier incorporating painting. In 1999 she made a jacket that proved to mean more than just esthetics. It had painted scenes from nightmares she had as a kid, including skulls, devils, snakes, scary and desolate images. It made her realize that subconsciously she was moving to a place where she had more to say. As a child, Henson had lived with abuse that she had silenced all along but also had known not to be right. Her childhood events were simmering, incubating inside her, and fi­ nally were getting out. Her art from there on became self-expres­ sion, cathartic, also geared to help others. In her artwork Henson always seeks a strong esthetic quality. Beauty is her way to draw viewers in, to get them closer to no­ tice the thought-provoking and somewhat sinister content of her themes. When she discovered batik painting on egg shells, she used the technique to create an attractive but also a frag­ mented world that often included – at first glance hidden – words reflect­ ing her concerns, feelings as and emotions. Her pieces deceive by their beauty, heavy in meaning and By Saad GhoSn messages when scrutiContributing WritEr nized. Usually triggered by an issue or a problem she has, they often end up taking a universal, larger than personal, quality. I Surrender, for instance, a 3D construction piece, started from a personal situation in which she felt no recourse and having to give up. The completed piece, however, identified easily with a large proportion of individuals who, during the Bush administra- A rtists ctivists “I Surrender” by Kymber Henson. Photo by Saad Ghosn. Kymber Henson. Photo by Saad Ghosn. tion, did not stand a chance and were helpless, powerless and mar­ ginalized. The piece consists of a naked child covered with fragmented white egg shells, implying innocence and vulnerability. The child holds in its hand a flag made of colored broken eggshells display­ ing the words, “I surrender”, and stands inside a box carpeted with batiked egg shells with the same words written everywhere, under­ lining entrapment and the inability to escape. Henson outlined the box with a soft green fabric trim, creating the feeling of a theatri­ cal stage, thus alluding to the then prevailing oppressive social and political conditions. Loving Arms Lift Me Up, another piece made using eggshells, depicts a standing little girl, her arms up, waiting for good people to lift her up and save her. It was triggered by Henson’s personal experience and her feeling of abandonment, but also by the hope she wanted to communicate not only to the abused children of the world but to all individuals who are trodden upon because of pov­ erty, racism, prejudice or politics. The theme of child abuse recurs often in Henson’s work. “I want to raise awareness about it” she says, “but also give hope that, despite all the bad, there is always light and good at the end; otherwise one cannot live on.” On one occasion she received a gift box with a Plexiglas lid; it served as a metaphor for all she was keeping inside her and that needed to get out. It opened new horizons and gave her energy and courage to connect more directly to her problems, to her sense of loss and isolation, and to reach a hopeful closure. She bought eight additional boxes, used each of them to tell a particular story from her past events and closed with the last one on a happy note. It was her personal statement but also her reaching out to others who might be dealing with similar issues. Henson’s art is also a reflection of her life with its happy and tormented moments. Using batiked eggs that she painted one a day, she created, for instance, a complete 12-month calendar. The painted images became her journal, telling the stories of moments that touched her, of unexpected events she encountered, of reflec­ tive and meditative connections she established with herself. Getting once very angry at someone she loved, she painted on canvas a series of birds, linking each to a feeling she had. In ad­ dition, she painted each bird on an egg that she encaged and dis­ played next to the canvas; it was her way to neutralize her own negative feelings, to get rid of them. Social issues have always interested Henson. The best of her is usually drawn out by people she meets who are kind, generous, compassionate and who view the world in an equal and inclusive way. They resonate with her and incite her to actively perpetuate their values through what she does. She then volunteers her time for various causes, working on social, political and environmental campaigns, hoping to make a difference. These concerns and be­ liefs usually find their way into her art. Art allows Henson to get in touch with herself, also to make a statement about who she is and what she believes in. It is also her means to reach out to others, to provide the light and the hope that might be needed on certain darkened days. “Art is my rescue,” she says. “I do not want it, however, to end with me. I hope it can also serve as a rescue to others.” Artists as Activists is a regular column highlighting Greater Cincinnati artists who use art as a vehicle for change. Saad Ghosn is the founder of SOS Art. Ghosn can be contacted at saad.ghosn@uc.edu. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2009 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource November 15-30, 2009 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Metropole Tenants Tell 3CDC: Hell No, We Won’t Go Women Have the Right to Safety Pg 2: The Vibe Pg 3: The Politics of Punishment Pg 4: Metropole: Hell No, We Won’t Go Continued Pg 5: Metropole: Hell No, We Won’t Go Continued Pg 6: Women Have the Right to Safety Pg 7: Bengals Are for Real This Time Pg 8: Men Fight, and the Women Suffer Pg 9: Race Can Be a Big Hairy Deal Pg 10: After the Health Insurance Bill? Pg 11: Capital Punishment: A race Issue Pg 12: Riley and the Poet Pg 13: Riley and the Poet Pg 14: Annual Dinner Pg 15: Resources Pg 16: Kymber Henson: The Art of Rescue Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource November 15-30, 2009 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Gregory Flannery Lynne Ausman Jeni Jenkins Lew Moores Samantha Groark Margo Pierce Paul Kopp Jeremy Flannery Michael Henson David Heitfield Kelissa Hieber Dan Rozier Stephanie Dunlap Saad Ghosn Keara Anita Mullen Ariana Shahandeh Larry Gross Steven Paul Lansky Aimie Willhoite Jeni Jenkins Anthony Williams Bill Haigh, larissa Peppers Jennifer Blalock Lynn Baker Jeremey Flannery Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF 3CDC Activists Aimie Willhoite Annual Dinner Anthony Williams Ariana Shahandeh Bengals Bill Haigh Chris Rock Dan Rozier David Heitfield Death Penalty Gregory Flannery Health Insurance Bill Humana immigration Jeni Jenkins Jennifer Blalock Jeremey Flannery Jeremy Flannery Keara Anita Mullen Kelissa Hieber Kymber Henson larissa Peppers Larry Gross Lew Moores Lynn Baker Lynne Ausman Margo Pierce Metropole Michael Henson Paul Kopp politics Race reform Saad Ghosn Samantha Groark Stephanie Dunlap Steven Paul Lansky War https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/24a68c6092ed137c31b6719f47c52595.pdf c781ad5c3d97a96d7809d15ef0033b1a PDF Text Text 36 C R O S S W O R S U 37 D O K U D P A G 38 A N D E 12 STREETVIBES $1 N o v. 1 - 1 4 , 2 0 0 9 • A d v o c a t i n g J u s t i c e , B u i l d i n g C o m m u n i t y • I s s u e 1 6 4 Gigantic Insult? Towering Tribute? Neighbors have a chance to have a say By GreGory Flannery Editor J im Tarbell has always loved Over-the-Rhine – its architecture, its history and especially its economic potential. Open to question is whether he loves the people – many of them poor, many of them African-American, some of them homeless – who live in Over-the-Rhine. An ardent foe of the Drop Inn Center and its founder, Buddy Gray, who was assassinated in 1996, Tarbell was seen by many residents as an advocate of gentrification – that is, pushing poor people out of the neighborhood to make room for moneyed interests. Now ArtWorks, a non-profit arts organization, has either graced or defaced the neighborhood with a huge mural depicting the former member of Cincinnati City Council. The mural, on the side of a building at Vine Street and Central Parkway, shows Tarbell in his Mr. Peanut costume, tipping a top hat. Residents of the neighborhood weren’t asked their opinions before ArtWorks painted the mural, an inescapable sight – or blight – at a key entry point. But now several groups are trying to gauge community opinion. Readers can fill in the cartoon balloon in the photo above to give their opinions. What would you imagine Tarbell saying to the people of Overthe-Rhine? This is a joint community engagement project of students from Miami University, Northern Kentucky University and Streetvibes to ascertain how people make sense of the mural at Vine and Central Parkway. Fill in the balloon and mail it to Streetvibes, 117 E. 12th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. We’ll publish some of the more interesting responses. Please keep the comments political; personal attacks won’t be printed. Fill in the bubble and send it back to us at 117 E. 12th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. Photo by Michael Haddy. Dead Men Walking in Ohio Sister Helen Prejean continues to fight capital punishment By Paul KoPP Contributing WritEr M ost debates about capital punishment are narrowed to a choice between an approach from either the Old Testament or the New Testament: Do we take an eye for an eye or turn the other cheek? Last month Sister Helen Prejean, a notable advocate for the abolition of the death penalty spoke at Xavier University. Prejean is best known for her book, Dead Man Walking, which inspired the Oscar-winning film of the same name. The book was an account of her experience in Louisiana as spiritual advisor to Death Row inmate Elmo Patrick Sonnier, whom she accompanied to his execution in the electric chair in 1984. Prejean, 70, is a Roman Catholic sister of the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille. She began her work with Death Row inmates in 1981. She is now working for the Death Penalty Discourse Network in New Orleans, and travels the Like Ohio, California poisons condemned prisoners. Shown here is the death chamber at San Quentin Prison. Photo by REUTERS/Ho New. world meeting with prisoners and speaking out against capital punishment. She talks about her intimate experiences dealing with Death Row inmates and their families, as well as the families of murder victims, in the hope of further- See Ohio, p. 7 �2 The Vibe By The Numbers 10 the percent of an office’s earnings that David W. made in commission before becoming homeless (see page 10). 5 the number of exhibits hosted by Art Beyond Boundaries each year (see page 12). 15 the size of the first class held by Women Writing for (a) Change (see page 16). 10.9 the number of infants per 1,000 who die in Hamilton County before their first birthday (see page 6). 6.7 the number of infants per 1,000 who die in the United States before their first birthday (see page 6). 32 the number of people executed by the state of Ohio since 1999 (see page 1). 23 the number of years the Rev. Mark Schmieder worked as a prison chaplain (see page 5). 12.9 the percentage of unemployment in Middletown (see page 13). 15 the number of years after Gene Mays’s drug conviction that he was still denied a city job (see page 4). 1973 the year Mike returned from the Vietnam War (see page 11). StreetWise By GreGory Flannery Editor Plodding Along – the Democratic Way Election Day is Nov. 3. State and local ballot issues could lead to the official sanctioning of casino gambling, closing libraries, promoting the growth of factory farming and cutting support for programs that help people who have mental retardation. It’s true: Letting citizens vote is a risky business. That’s what seems to be the point of the effort by Cincinnatians for Progress to defeat Issue 9. The proposed city charter amendment would require voters’ approval of rail projects funded by the city of Cincinnati, including the Streetcars That Will Save Our City. That’s a $200 million plan to build some six miles of a streetcar line from downtown to Clifton. Cincinnatians for Progress argues that requiring voter approval would impede progress. Progress, mind you, is streetcars – an outdated, though quaint, mode of transportation that Cincinnati abandoned 58 years ago. Skepticism – and citizens’ consent – is exactly what is called for. Distrust any organization and especially any politician who tells you that referendums are a bad idea. City Won’t Freeze Out Homeless People The city of Cincinnati’s Cold Shelter will stay open this winter, thanks to intense lobbying by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and a grant of $12,000 from Duke Energy. The shelter, housed at the Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center, opens when the temperature drops to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Last year the shelter opened on the 23 coldest nights of the winter. Anywhere from 75 to 140 people used the shelter each of those nights, according to Josh Spring, executive director of the Homeless Coalition. The operation cost $10 million last year. The cold shelter’s continued operation is good news – a lifesaver, Spring says. Of course, the bad news is that the city considered closing it at all. That kind of thinking is part of a larger struggle to preserve social-services funding by the city of Cincinnati, a perennial battle for agencies that provide essential services to the most vulnerable people in our midst. The Homeless Coalition and its supporters attended city council’s Finance Committee hearing Oct. 26, the beginning of yet another round by council members who want to cut human-services funding to better pay for streetcars and other foolishness portrayed as economic development. That’s why the Homeless Coalition hopes to soon ask voters to pass a charter amendment that would set aside 1.5 percent of the city’s general fund for human services. Now that would be progress for Cincinnati. Tell the Governor to Stop The botched execution of Romell Brown – the inmate who was poked with needles for two hours in a futile effort to poison him – has highlighted the cruelty of capital punishment (see story on page 1). The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio is calling on everyone who supports an end to this madness to call on Gov. Ted Strickland to declare a moratorium on executions in the state. Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a candidate for the U.S. Senate endorses the moratorium. Contact Strickland at (614) 466-3555, or governor.info@governor. ohio.gov and tell him, “Ohio’s death-penalty system is fundamentally broken. Please put a halt to all executions now.” Good News in Health Care As conservatives and insurance companies once more block meaningful reform in health care in the United States – and Democrats once more blow another golden opportunity to provide universal access to health care – it’s worth remembering that important efforts by local individuals and organizations are making a difference. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has given Hugh “Trey” Daly III, a senior attorney who focuses on health care issues at the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, its Community Health Leaders Award. He is one of 10 Americans who received the honor for 2009 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Daly has worked to ensure that thousands of low-income and sick people living in southwest Ohio have access to health care, especially under the Medicaid program. He brokered an agreement to use local government funds to provide as many as 60,000 low-income individuals with discounted hospital care. His efforts have also prompted local hospitals to end abusive and aggressive debt-collection practices against patients who cannot afford to pay. “Our overarching mission at Legal Aid is to help people get out of poverty, and having inadequate health care helps to keep people mired in poverty,” Daly says. The Center for Respite Care, founded in 2003 to provide quality medical care to homeless people who need a safe place to heal and assistance in breaking the cycle of homelessness, has received a $140,000 commitment from University Hospital for this year. The Center for Respite Care provides services to those who are homeless and sick with nowhere else to recover from illness, injury or hospitalization. Having a warm bed, three meals a day, nursing care and transportation to medical appointments greatly reduces repeat hospitalizations and emergencyroom visits. A stay at the Center allows these men and women to heal rather than to get sicker. At the same time, the Center for Respite Care works to help clients deal with the root causes of their homelessness. Over 75 percent of clients are discharged to permanent housing or a treatment program, not back to the streets or shelters. STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by people who are or once were homeless, in exchange for a $1 donation, Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Address: 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513.421.7803 x 12 Fax: 513.421.7813 Email: streetvibes2@ yahoo.com Website: www. cincihomeless.org Blog: streetvibes. wordpress.com Streetvibes Staff Editor Gregory Flannery Art Director Lynne Ausman Vendor Coordinator Jeni Jenkins Contributing Writers Lew Moores, Valerie Fessler, Margo Pierce, Paul Kopp, Jeremy Flannery, Michael Henson, David Heitfield, Kelissa Hieber, Dan Rozier, Stephanie Dunlap, Saad Ghosn, Keara Anita Mullen, Ariana Shahandeh, Larry Gross, Nicholas Hoesl, Mark Payne Photography/Artwork Aimie Willhoite, Lynne Ausman, Jeni Jenkins, Anthony Williams, Berta Lambert, Clarissa Peppers Proofreaders Jennifer Blalock Lynn Baker The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati through coordination of services, public education, grassroots advocacy and Streetvibes. We are members of: �STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 8 Column M I N U T E S 3 Br e a ki ng a Ta b o o Giving hope to Hispanic victims of domestic violence By MarGo Pierce Contributing WritEr T heir grandmothers were battered. They watched their mothers being hit by their fathers. So many Latinas – women of Hispanic descent – see domestic violence as a part of marriage, according to Lorena Mora-Mowry. An activist in Cincinnati’s Hispanic community and a journalist who regularly reports on domestic-violence issues for local papers, Mora-Mowry is on a mission to educate women about what she calls the “solution to the problem of domestic violence.” “Domestic violence is not only a Latina issue. It’s an issue that all homes in the United States and the world are facing,” she says. “As a woman, I want to tell them we have to take control and find solutions. “The solution is to educate yourself about what is available. There is always a solution to a problem. The Latinas of today are connecting and educating ourselves more, and we want to take advantage of all the services and resources that are available to make our lives better. That’s important for all of us.” As part of an ongoing public-awareness camIt can be particularly paign surrounding issues related to domestic difficult for Hispanic women to acknowledge violence in the Hispanic and talk about domestic community, the YWCA and Alliance for Immiviolence with family and friends because of grant Women (AIW) will entrenched cultural and present a screening of Domestic Violence in the religious beliefs. Hispanic Community. The film examines “the problem of domestic violence and the community resources available to those who have been affected by it.” Mora-Mowry appears in the video, speaking in support of Latinas struggling in relationships with violent men. “Because I’ve been involved in the community so long, (people) know me and respect me. My articles appear in the local newspapers,” she says. “So if I would be supporting a cause, I need to be giving my opinion about why we have to find solutions to a problem. “Before I’m a journalist, I’m a Latina. I have a sense of helplessness when I see a lot of women that suffer domestic violence, and I will do my best to connect them to resources. They need to understand … (that) they have control of their lives.” It can be particularly difficult for Hispanic women to acknowledge and talk about domestic violence with family and friends because of entrenched cultural and religious beliefs. Marriage is for life, and a woman is supposed to take the bad with the good. Family, above all else, is the most important thing; to even consider breaking up a family, let alone ending a marriage, is taboo. “We value family but we have to understand that our children cannot continue this cycle of violence,” Mora-Mowry says. “We need to understand what it means to be in power and in control. If in a relationship … somebody is controlling too much, it’s abuse – physical abuse, sexual abuse. Lorena Mora-Mowry says Latinas must confront domestic violence in their community. Photo courtesy of Lorena Mora-Mowry. “They’re afraid to even talk with their family because the family (will) pressure them, ‘No, it’s OK. Men are like that. My grandmother was like that. My mother suffered like that.’ “(Violence) is a behavior that (men) learn, so we can change it. We can create this awareness that it’s possible to change your life. Also, it’s important to eliminate the taboo that there is no solution in the marriage. That’s the most difficult challenge … to see that there’s always a (way) to find solutions.” In addition to her Web site, www.mujerlatinatoday.com, a vehicle she uses to develop awareness about domestic violence, MoraMowry collaborated with the AIW and others at the beginning of this campaign to find ways to reach Latina women who weren’t being effectively served. “There’s a lot of resources available in the United States … available locally, nationally but usually the brochure is just a translation of something that is already in English,” she says. “People, they don’t read it, they don’t just pick it up at the community-based organization or the doctor but they never read it. “This opportunity to create an awareness campaign about the resources and services available for the Latina and Hispanics about domestic violence was wonderful. We picked up all the brochures about domestic violence locally, nationally, state-wide; and we did focus groups with Latinas from the Greater Cincinnati area – Latinas from Mexico, Guatemala, South America, Bolivia, Peru.” The result was feedback on culturally relevant language, situational examples, pictures and other elements of the materials that Latinas could connect with and relate to. Brochures, posters, newspaper advertisements, radio spots and pre-printed grocery store bags have been educating Cincinnati’s Hispanic community about domestic violence. “What we decided with the brochure was to create (a list of) the good and the bad of a relationship,” Mora-Mowry says. Another critical point communicated in all the materials is that victims of domestic violence are not alone and therefore don’t have to continue to suffer in silence. “As Latinas, we suffer a lot of isolation and depression and a low self-esteem and that is easy for us to be a target for domestic violence. We don’t have the support of the families to feel that we can survive, that we can go and take the next step,” Mora-Mowry says. “When they decide to take the chance, to take the opportunity to make a plan, they (are) not alone. We are Latinas and we are Americans, too, and we want to create something better for our children. We are voiceless in Cincinnati. We need to be heard. “I will continue to write about domestic violence because it’s something we face every single day. Domestic violence exists – not only in the Latino community. Domestic violence exists in all the communities – white, African-American, Latino. The Latinas are taking control, want to learn and want to connect and educate themselves to find solutions; and thanks to the YWCA, the public awareness campaign is … helping us.” Domestic Violence in the Hispanic Community, in Spanish with English subtitles, will be screened at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5 in Room 118 at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Parking is available in the Deaconess Hospital garage. A panel discussion follows the premier. Many people work hard to make a difference for the less privileged in the Queen City. “Eight Minutes” is an opportunity to learn who those people are and what motivates them to be a positive influence. �4 Local News STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 Importance of a Second Chance County urges city to drop ban on hiring former felons 1 By Keara anita Mullen Contributing WritEr T he Hamilton County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution Sept. 9 that states, “It is the policy of Hamilton County that individuals who have paid their debt to society and who are rehabilitated should be afforded every opportunity to become assimilated back into the community as responsible and productive members of society.” The resolution was drafted with the assistance of the Ohio Justice & Policy Center (OJPC), which hailed its passage as a “victory for rehabilitated people with old criminal records.” OJPC has been working on this issue since 2007, calling for an end to the city of Cincinnati’s blanket and seemingly arbitrary ban on hiring former felony offenders. The effort began as a lawsuit on behalf of Gene Mays, who was denied employment “It is the policy of Hamilton with the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) based solely on a County that individuals 15-year-old drug conviction, dewho have paid their debt spite having stellar qualifications to society and who are for the electrician assistant’s porehabilitated should be sition for which he applied. Repafforded every opportunity resented by OJPC, Mays has an to become assimilated back into the community as appeal pending before the Ohio Supreme Court. responsible and productive The Metropolitan Sewer District is members of society.” - Hamilton County Resolution unique in that it is a hybrid department, with both county and city jurisdiction. The city of Cincinnati oversees human resources for MSD. The county’s resolution requests the city not to enforce what has been interpreted as a blind policy barring applicants and employees with felony records from working for MSD. “The Hamilton County Commissioners showed some true leadership, ” says attorney Stephen JohnsonGrove of OJPC’s Second Chance Project, who helped draft the resolution. “Not only should the city of Cincinnati take notice of this, but other cities and counties across Ohio would do well to allow rehabilitated people with old criminal records to more fully contribute to their local economies. Responsibly allowing people with criminal records into the work- The dispute over the city’s ban on hiring former felony offenders started when Gene Mays was denied employment for a 15-yearold drug conviction. Photo by Calvin Chen. Stephen JohnsonGrove, attorney at the Ohio Justice and Policy Center, has been working with Hamilton County and the city of Cincinnati to end the city’s practice of not hiring former offenders. Photo by Clarissa Peppers. force would be a financial and public-safety boon for the whole community.” JohnsonGrove has researched 12 to 14 cities and counties that have revised their hiring practices and have done away with blanket policies pertaining to criminal records as a disqualification for employment. These jurisdictions range in size, population, geographical region, demographics and political climate. Each one has tailored its policies to its loOJPC has so far met with cal realities, though none have completely silence on the part of the opened the door to all applicants with city of Cincinnati. There has criminal records. The hiring policies have not been any movement developed factors for consideration for an on this call for reform for otherwise qualified applicant with a crimiover a year, and the lack of nal record, including the nature and gravity communication on the part of of the crime, number of convictions, period city leadership has created a of rehabilitation, relevance of offense to the deadlock for any substantive job in question, time since and age at movement on this issue. time of offense, etc. The idea is to put forth smarter hiring policies, with more intelligent and intuitive standards to guide discretion about considering old records. JohnsonGrove has summarized the reforms made by these other jurisdictions to fit the city of Cincinnati, saying they don’t involve compromising high standards of qualifications and references for employees. OJPC has so far met with silence on the part of the city of Cincinnati. There has not been any movement on this call for reform for over a year, and the lack of communication on the part of city leadership has created a deadlock for any substantive movement on this issue. The city should join a growing number of cities that are opening employment opportunities to people with criminal records, according to OJPC. The city’s leadership would encourage more employers to hire former offenders, giving those individuals the opportunity to “Not only should the city be contributing members of the commuof Cincinnati take notice nity. of this, but other cities David Singleton, executive director of and counties across Ohio OJPC, says the Gene Mays case “exempliwould do well to allow fies what has become a national probrehabilitated people with lem: tough-on-crime rhetoric that leads old criminal records to to counterproductive barriers to employmore fully contribute to ment and re-entry.” their local economies.” Representatives of OJPC traveled Oct. - Stephen JohnsonGrove 20 to Washington, D.C., to lead a discussion on employment restrictions and criminal records with policymakers, legal scholars and advocates from around the country. The event was called, “Lessons from Gene’s Story: Redemption, Rehabilitation and Removing the Barriers to Re-entry.” This national exposure will add to the pressure on city leadership to support this movement that promotes the rehabilitation and re-integration of former offenders. �STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 5 Local News Working to Set the Captives Free Rev. Mark Schmieder dedicates himself to prisoners and the poor Kelissa HieBer Contributing WritEr must write down the goals they wish to accomplish. Most spend their days here are some individu- working or searching for als who inspire you to jobs. Once they start to take up or revitalize the earn money, they have to call to help fellow human be- save 65 percent of their ings. The Rev. Mark Schmieder is income so they can start a man who has devoted his life to to build a more stable futhe service of others. ture. Schmieder has tried to help The Catholic Worker and guide the House is a less fortunate drugand in a variety It is always easier to ignore alcohol-free of ways. Two environthe cries of others; if you particularly inment, and acknowledge the pain of teresting ones others you might be forced former adare his leaderdicts must to do something about it. ship of the St. attend at Not only has Schmieder Francis/St. Joleast two listened to the voices of seph Catholic the impoverished, he has Alcoholics Worker House Anonymous devoted his life to doing and the 23 or Narcotics something about it. years he spent Anonymous as a chaplain meetings a at Lebanon Correctional Institu- week. The staff are all fortion. mer addicts, were once His involvement with pris- homeless or were in jail; oners came by chance; he had they provide support and been looking for an opening in hope that things can get an inner-city church. When there better. were none available, he began his The house considers itwork at the prison. While work- self a hand-up not a handing there, he started educational down, not just feeding programs and group meetings so and clothing the poor but the prisoners could see the value working with these men of themselves and others. Dur- to give them the tools to ing his time with the prison he succeed. They have a 37.6 The Rev. Mark Schmieder is on the board of St. Francis/St. Joseph Catholic became friends with Jim Mullen, percent rate of success for Worker House. Photo courtesy of The Rev. Mark Schmieder. who then was in charge of the individuals moving into Catholic Worker House. transitional or permanent Schmieder was intrigued by housing. The Catholic the Catholic Worker movement, Worker House wants to stop the Support is key when anyone feel empowering. Success can be which has centers that support revolving door of homelessness is trying to rebuild his life. The scary for some residents; it is eashomeless people all across the na- with certain inhouse tries to be ier to go back to what is familiar tion. The Catholic Worker Move- dividuals cycling like a family unit: and comfortable. The staff helps ment has been around since the through the sysSchmieder was intrigued When you see to quell this anxiety because they Great Depression and has helped tem again and others struggling were there once, but they continby the Catholic Worker many to get back on their feet. again. with the same ued on their path and now they movement, which has “The Catholic Worker MoveThe reason thing you are, it are in a far better place. centers that support ment is about not judging peo- Schmieder be- homeless people all across makes you stron“When you give a person a ple,” Schmieder says. “Everyone lieves this system ger and helps to chance and listen to them, then the nation. The Catholic deserves to be treated on the succeeds is that build a spiritual you’re telling them they are worth Worker Movement has grounds of basic human dignity. the staff has the bond. The sup- something,” Schmieder says. been around since the There are no outcasts. We are all expectation that Great Depression and has port of the staff It is always easier to ignore the part of the kingdom of God.” people can better helped many to get back and the residents cries of others; if you acknowledge In 1990 Schmieder took over their lives. is essential be- the pain of others you might be on their feet. the leadership of the home. For “If you expect cause success forced to do something about it. up to 60 days the Catholic Worker nothing out of has been few and Not only has Schmieder listened House houses 16 men who are someone, they will do nothing,” far between for these men, and to the voices of the impoverished, looking to better their lives. When he says. “We work off expecta- many no longer remember what he has devoted his life to doing applying for placement, residents tions around here.” success feels like. Support can something about it. T STREETVIBES Vendor Mary Only purchase Streetvibes from BADGED vendors. Vendors wear their WHITE badges while they sell the paper. Cleo’s Joke Corner What kind of a show do ducks like to watch? Duck-u-mentaries. �6 Local News STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 Candidates Support Health Clinics Local health-care crisis is focus of candidate forum By Dan rozier Contributing WritEr T he future of Greater Cincinnati is in real and immediate peril: In Hamilton County, the infant-mortality rate – the number of deaths for infants before their first birthday – is a staggering 10.9 per 1,000. To put that number in perspective, compare it to the national rate of 6.7. “Bottom line: this community In recent months, it’s easy to forget that health needs to decide what qualifies care is just as much a loas a basic service. It would cal issue as it is a national be irresponsible not only to one. the children, but to everyone Considered the best in Cincinnati, to say that, just because it isn’t a police car or a barometer of a community’s health, Cincinnati’s fire truck, it can go.” -Councilwoman Roxanne Qualls infant mortality rate is an indicator that the city’s free health clinics not only Members of the public listen to a forum on health care. Photo by Maria Campolongo. need to be maintained, but expanded upon. At an Oct. 13 forum on Cincinnati’s health-care system, hosted by the Greater Cincinnati Health Acwill almost certainly rise. cess Project, candidates for city council fielded questions about Councilman Greg Harris said it would be “pennywise and initiatives needed to curb the local infant-mortality rate. pound-foolish” to cut funding to the city’s health clinics. “Bottom line: this community needs to decide what qualifies The primary care centers’ operating budget is $11.7 million, as a basic service,” said City Councilwoman Roxanne Qualls. “It with about half, or $5.9 million, paid by Cincinnati taxpayers and would be irresponsible not only to the children, but to everyone the remaining $5.8 million generated by other revenue. Each dolin Cincinnati, to say that, just because it isn’t a police car or a fire lar that comes out of the taxpayer’s wallet generates an additiontruck, it can go.” al $1.12 in contracts, grants and other revenue. Moreover, when Cincinnati is one of only three cities that provide health ser- one considers how vices to citizens even if they can’t afford it; San Francisco and many emergency-room Philadelphia are the other two. It is this type of progress that, if visits are averted when “The general funds we receive from the city, the expanded upon, could put Cincinnati years ahead in terms of people use the clinics, $19 million, has been cut by $2.2 million since public health. the savings is roughly the end of 2008. If such cuts continue, it may “It’s time this city had an honest conversation about how much $508 per visit. be difficult for the Cincinnati Health Department health care means to us,” said council candidate Bernadette Wat“The health centers to operate all of its current programs.” son. and the health depart-Rocky Merz, health department spokesman The city of Cincinnati operates two dental facilities and five ment as a whole is fiprimary-care centers whose services cover everything from nancially sound,” says pharmaceutical needs to OB/GYN and administers the federally Rocky Merz, spokesman for the health department. “However, funded Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, which pro- the general funds we receive from the city, the $19 million, has vides basic nutritional support. The clinics’ services are utilized been cut by $2.2 million since the end of 2008. If such cuts conby 31,000 patients a year, 59 percent of whom are uninsured. tinue, it may be difficult for the Cincinnati Health Department to Given the current economic state, the level of uninsured patients operate all of its current programs.” I Am By calvin I am what I am. I wonder all the time. I hear voices all around me. I see people in a slumber. I want the world in my hand. I am what I am. Poetry Corner A Season for Every Holiday I Am By Joe PresswooD I am smart and honest I wonder how life is going to be without drugs I hear voices in the dark I see birds flying in the moonlight I want a life drug-free I am smart and honest By cHelsea ostrow I pretend what people want me to believe. I feel like an eagle in the sky I touch everyone around me I worry about the alienation all around me I cry about people’s pain I am what I am I understand that God loves me I say that I believe in the truth I dream that the world is at hand I try to be that eagle in the sky I hope the alienation will cease to be I am what I am Boom! My ear fell off. The loose ends made me cringe. I'll sew my legs together Then rip my arms apart, and hope they will go with the chicken. The roast beef is dry and the pickles parched my mouth. Zesty peanut butter scorched my tongue. Where is the open bar? Next to the closed fridge. Can I have your id? I pretend to be rich I feel the cold inside my body I touch the sky I worry about my addiction I cry at the very thought of death I am smart and honest I understand life after life is over I say who cares I dream of life after death I try to work hard at everything I hope that I can make change I am smart and honest If you like what you read, but don’t live in the Cincinnati area, you can subscribe to Streetvibes. Call us at 513-421-7803 x 12 to learn more about subscribing to Streetvibes. �STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 7 Local News Dead Men Walking in Ohio Prisons Continued from page 1 ing the public’s knowledge of the process of capital punishment. “The journey that I try to help people with is first to stand with others in outrage when innocents have been ripped out of our lives by these very violent crimes,” Prejean says. A link to slavery begin, and where she feels they should end, the basis of her message is that taking one life for another is not justice, and it does not bring peace to the families of the victims. It only causes them more grief, she says. Execution is the highest form of punishment in a justice system and culture that have lost touch with humanity, opponents say. “When I witnessed that first execution, I came out of the prison and threw up,” she says. “That’s why I wrote the book. People are never going to see this, so we are going to have to bring them closer to it.” Most people haven’t thought deeply about the issue because it’s something that doesn’t concern most people, she says. She also finds that, in general, once people have a more profound understanding of how the death penalty actually works, they are more ‘Becoming more perceptive to its shortcomuncomfortable’ ings. When Prejean talks Capital punishment beabout the death penalty came part of Ohio law in in the United States, she is 1803. In 1972 the U.S. Suquick to note that underpreme Court declared the standing the context of the Sister Prejean has been working with Death Row inmates death penalty unconstitusociety which it came from since 1981. Photo courtesy of Grant-Guerrero Photography. tional, outlawing the practice is very important. across the country. In subse“You have to connect it quent years, state legislatures directly with homelessness passed death-penalty laws in America, people without that have been upheld by the health care,” she says. “You have to connect it with all the systemic Supreme Court. things that are wrong, that don’t allow so many people to particiOhio lawmakers enacted the state’s new capital punishment pate fully in American life.” statute in 1981. However the state did not resume executions until Her reasoning focuses not only on the moral argument against 1999. In 1991 then-Gov. Dick Celeste commutated death sentences execution, but also on inequalities within the political, racial and against eight men social climates that keep the system in place. and women. Since “Can you picture a prosecutor getting on 1999 Ohio has exe“When I witnessed that first execution, I came out the evening news and saying, ‘Ladies and cuted 32 people by of the prison and threw up,” she says. “That’s why I “Can you picture a prosecutor gentlemen, one of our valuable citizens lethal injection. wrote the book. People are never going to see this, was killed last night, a homeless man in Ohio’s use of the so we are going to have to bring them closer to it.” getting on the evening the street, and we are outraged about this. death penalty has news and saying, ‘Ladies – Sister Helen Prejean We are going to seek the ultimate penalty recently received and gentlemen, one of our for the ones who killed this valuable citi- nationwide news valuable citizens was killed zen.’ You know you will never hear that,” coverage due to the botched execution of Romell Broom. Over a last night, a homeless man Prejean says. period of two hours the executioners failed to find a suitable vein in the street, and we are Politicians and prosecutors utilize the in Broom’s arm, and Gov. Ted Strickland halted the execution. A outraged about this. We are idea of capital punishment as a campaign hearing in federal court on Nov. 30th could decide whether the going to seek the ultimate penalty for the ones who killed tool to show they are tough on crime, ac- state will try a second time to execute Broom. cording to Prejean. Concerns about the qualifications of the technicians carrying this valuable citizen.’ You “It is 95 percent about political symbol- out lethal injections have become magnified by the Broom case. know you will never hear that.” ism than it is an actual effective way to de- Though guards are trained to administer the poison, some critics – Sister Helen Prejean ter crime,” she says. say they lack the medical knowledge to do it properly. Dr. Jonathan Racism, she adds, is also a major factor. Groner, professor of clinical surgery at the Ohio State College of “Eighty percent of executions are taking place in states where Medicine, told the Cleveland Scene, “Ohio is caught in a ‘Hipposlavery was most present,” she says. “The places where people of cratic paradox.’ Those most qualified to help the state in execucolor live is where the death penalty is going to be most opera- tions – doctors, nurses, practicing EMTs – are forbidden from taktive.” ing part in executions by codes of ethic and state boards,” he says. Though she knows where the problems with the death penalty Broom’s was the first Ohio execution called off while in progress, though two other executions over the past four years have been delayed due to similar complications. The incident has also brought further public attention to the moral issue. Ohioans to Stop Executions (OSTE) issued a statement saying, “No amount of adjustment to the death penalty process can achieve an outcome absent of pain and suffering for victims' family members, witnesses, corrections workers and the condemned inmate.” OSTE, founded in 1987, works to educate the public about executions. “People don’t know a lot about the death penalty,” says Renee Berlon, southern Ohio organizer for OSTE. “The state is split right now. People are becoming more uncomfortable with it.” Aside from the moral issue of capital punishment are matters of practicality. The death penalty, as practiced in the United States, is a long and expensive process, stretching over an average 10 years, Berlon says. A recent study by the Death Penalty Information Center acknowledged that it’s difficult to gauge how much a death sentence costs, but estimated $30 million per execution. Berlon says most northern states aren’t executing. Ohio has 135 inmates on Death Row. Kentucky has 35 on Death Row; Texas has 350. �8 STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 Local News Got Underwear? Not All Do Brief Relief will help homeless people in need of necessities By GreGory Flannery Editor P eople don’t much think about underwear or socks until they don’t have them. Among the many other hardships that homeless people must endure, they often need underwear or socks. People who donate packages of women’s, men’s or children’s underwear or socks Nov. 7 at Brief Relief will in return receive music, art and the opportunity to help others. The purpose of the event is twofold, according to Corey Tucker, one of the organizers. The first purpose is obvious: to provide covering for homeless people’s feet and asses. The second purpose is to get people to think about homelessness. “The whole idea is to create awareness about homelessness and how we can help out our neighbors who might be in trouble,” he says. Brief Relief, hosted by John Wesley United Methodist Church, will feature visual arts, spoken-word performances and Christian bands, gospel choirs, bluegrass and other entertainment, Tucker says. “It’s going to be a pretty big span of entertainment and arts,” he says. “We want to entertain people and have a good discussion.” Social-service agencies invited to participate include Power Inspires Progress, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, One Way Farm, the Drop Inn Center, Ink Tank, Visionaries and Voices, Interfaith Hospitality Network and Hamilton Living Waters, according to Tucker. “People who attend can find out how they can part“The whole idea is to create awareness ner with agencies that help about homelessness and how we can help out,” he says. “Maybe you out our neighbors who might be in trouble.” have some lumber or a car or money that you want to - Corey Tucker donate.” The idea for Brief Relief came from a minister at Nash Trinity United Methodist Church in Over-theRhine, where Tucker performed at services. “I’m just a guy who’s concerned,” he says. “I used to go to Nash Trinity, and every time I would see people who needed help. It started weighing on me. I knew there was something more I could do than just give them music.” With your help, Tucker will give them underwear and socks. Brief Relief is from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at John Wesley United Methodist Church, 1927 West Kemper Road, Springfield Township. Vendor Artwork By Anthony WilliAms BertA’s Art Corner “Backlight,” Burnet Woods, Clifton Avenue Photo by Berta Lambert. “This is the duty of our generation as we enter the twenty-first century – solidarity with the weak, the persecuted, the lonely, the sick and those in despair. It is expressed by the desire to give a noble and humanizing meaning to a community in which all members will define themselves not by their own identity but by that of others.” – Elie Wiesel ! ? t a h W Say _____________________ �STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 Annual Dinner 9 �10 Guest Column STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 Blue Dogs and Howler Monkeys Town hall full of noise but no bloodshed By nicHolas Hoesl Contributing WritEr T he “dog days” have passed – and the summer of our discontent. In early August my wife tagged along to the famous New England version of town hall meetings, a dynamic example of “democracy in action,” in Cincinnati’s First Unitarian Church. U.S. Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Cincinnati) opened the discussion by explaining the various health-care bills before Congress, only to be rudely cut off by a chorus of disgruntled howlers in the back of the church. Their opening salvo was, “Tell the truth,” followed by expletives and profanities unheard of in a house of worship. This brought back the sound and fury of the red howler monkeys I heard when visiting the Amazon rainforest. It now appeared that these mad monkeys were also hanging from trees and raining down their vitriolic barbs as drunks hell-bent in drowning out the guest speaker. The church was a jungle. Driehaus said, “We’ve got the best medical system in the world if you can afford to pay for it.” He was bombarded with, “Oh, give me a break” and “What a lie.” Then the chorus chimed in with their “monkey see, monkey do.” Most of the crowd wanted an honest discussion. I thought of throwing them a banana. No, make that a monkey wrench. Did the tales of woe wag the dog? The object of this monkey business was to rattle the Rep, but he remained cool, even when cursed. Perhaps he remembered Harry Truman’s adage: “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” A guy next to me wondered if they were all rabid Republicans. And how many RINOs (red in name only)? Some wore tea-bagger shirts. They seemed ready to throw their tea – and Driehaus – into the Ohio River. Others wore Right to Life messages. The opposite camp called them “barking dogmatists,” for they claimed to be more pro-life than the congressman. This lead to the catcall, “A man’s best friend is his dogma.” Another professed that he was neither “a bleeding-heart liberal, nor a flame- throwing conservative.” Compare that to CNN’s Lou Dobbs, calling his critics “limp-minded, lily-livered lefty lemmings.” Those who objected to this dog and pony show did not return the insults, nor did they offer the “kiss of peace.” They were more apt to reply, “What planet are you on?” And “Isn’t it time for your medication?” After the first police officer showed his face, Driehaus wrapped up the meeting and thanked everyone for coming. My last look as we headed out the door was a ring of people five deep surrounding the lectern with three more police next to Driehaus as protection. The pit bulls had arrived. Could the canine corps be far behind? The boisterous brickbats were out of the belfry and into the street. In the parking lot, I asked what people thought. “That was more noise than a thousand Rush Limblogs. … They never threw him a bone; they came to Howler monkey. Photo by Derek Ramsey. pick his bones. … The Jerry Springer Show could have picked up a few pointers. … The monkeys would not get off his over their shoulders. Around here, if someone back. … I never saw more crap slung since Pete yelled out, “AK-47,” another would have yelled Rose told off Marge Schott’s dog for fouling up “Bingo!” Nicholas Riverfront Stadium. I thought politicians had Later I read that Driehaus walked out of Hoesl is a all the hot air. … Didn’t we nail him?” the building with his 13-year-old daughter pharmacist Not to be outdone, an elderly nun from the to face more protesters. Some were shouting and author Sisters of Charity remarked, “I never taught his home address, which Driehaus deemed “a of Laughter: any of my students such behavior.” veiled threat toward the safety of myself and The Drug Yet things could have been worse, compared my family.” of Choice. to other town halls. Our shout-fest did not lead When I was yapping with others, my wife was to fisticuffs, lost fingers, Hitler caricatures, talk sitting in the locked car, waiting patiently and of death panels or pulling the plug on Grand- wishing, “Let’s get out of here before someone ma, keeping Medicare government-free and lobs a grenade.” As for me, the next time I want labeling the same people communists and to meet a bunch of monkeys, mad or merry, I’ll fascists. No one was slinging an assault rifle go to the zoo. From Apartment to Tent and Back One man’s tale fice, where I worked, and the owner of the company saw of recovery something in me. They made wasn’t coming easily. I started to drink again, thinking it would ease the pain. But the me a manager. money was runBy DaviD w. That was just ning out fast. Contributing WritEr over two years When out That’s when I moved into a tent. It was just before ago. Thanksgiving last year. I stayed in the tent through looking for a et me first start by At the same job, I saw people the rain, mud, snow, cold – you name it. saying that there were time they had holding signs times I used to drink – plans for me to that said they and drink a lot. I could never move to Cincinnati and take Columbus office was the best were homeless. They were hold a job, a place to live, rela- over the office here. I really of the six offices. My bonuses actually getting money from tionships; the list goes on and had my work cut out for me. were also good. I saved mon- other people. I decided to on. One day I searched for The old manager let the office ey. My only expenses were do the same thing. I made help and received it; my life go to hell. When I got to Cin- food and personal items. enough that I could drink changed. Here is my story. cinnati, the owner put me up Christmas was approach- every day and night. Once Soon after I quit drinking, I in a suite not too far from the ing, and I wanted to return to in awhile I would buy somewas out to find a job. Looking office. As time went on I start- Cleveland to be with friends thing to eat, but my priorthrough paper after paper, I ed to make decent money. and family. I transferred back ity was drinking. Eventually, I saw an ad for a telemarketOn Friday and Saturday to Cleveland through the lost the apartment. ing position, which I never nights some of us would go holidays. After the holidays I That’s when I moved into a had done before. I thought, out after work. In just a short transferred back to Cincinna- tent. It was just before Thanks“What the hell, call anyway!” time I was starting to drink ti. I don’t know why, but one giving last year. I stayed in So I did. I got an interview the again. day the owner cut my pay to 3 the tent through the rain, very same day and also got the The owner of the company percent and didn’t pay for my mud, snow, cold – you name job. In a short time I was pro- knew about my past, but he motel anymore. I quit on the it. I thought I had it made as moted to assistant manager. believed I needed a break. I spot, gave my keys to the as- long I had something to drink At that time I moved into an was transferred back to the sistant manager and walked and maybe a little to eat. At apartment. That was quite an Cleveland office. I quit drink- out. that time I was still holding a accomplishment for me. And ing again before it got out of For a while everything was sign, but in a different locaI wanted to go further. hand. Then a big break came OK. I rented an apartment in tion. The people who helped After a few months the for me. I was transferring to Cincinnati. Luckily I still had me the most were those who manger of the Cleveland of- Columbus to manage the money saved. But another job gave me food or took me to L main office. As a manager, I was making 10 percent of whatever the office made. The eat. Afterwards, it seemed they always gave me a couple of dollars because they knew I needed a drink. One day I knew this was not the way I really wanted to live. So I sought help. I told myself, “Help is out there if I look for it.” Today I am in a recovery program. I count my blessings: I never have to live in a tent again, unless I want to. Every day when I wake up, I make a decision not to live like that. Just one day at a time. The best advice I can give is that if you want a better life, seek help and believe in God. He will open all kinds of doors for you. Let people help you see the beginning of a new life. Here is something I like to remember: “I am what I am today because of what I believed about myself yesterday. And I will be tomorrow what I believe about myself today.” Do the best you can today and have an even better tomorrow. �STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 Guest Column Someplace That Isn’t Home ‘I killed a lot of people’ By larry Gross Contributing WritEr I ’ve known Mike for awhile now; met him on Sixth Street downtown one winter, probably about three years ago. He always carries a small cardboard sign along with a paper cup. Written on that sign he holds up, in red crayon, is one word: “Vet.” Regardless of the weather or the seasons, Mike is always wearing the same thing – a long-sleeved camouflage shirt with matching pants and a green cap. In the cold months, I wish he owned a coat. In the warmer weather, I wish he would take a shower. Some of his teeth are gone in front. His graying long beard needs trimming badly. So does his hair. His eyes are brown and he’s always quick with a smile when he sees me. He’s come to know I’m at least good for a buck or two. If he’s a con artist, and there are plenty of them downtown, then he has me totally fooled. I believe him when he tells me he’s a Vietnam veteran. Mike’s not from here. He hails from West Virginia. When he got out of “I couldn’t go back, needed the service, when he got out of Vietnam, he never went back home. to go someplace that isn’t “I killed a lot of people over there in Nam,” home,” he said. “I killed people – not something to Mike told me once, “killed them in the name go home and brag about.” of my country. I killed a woman once, by accident, but I killed her. I don’t know what she - Mike was doing with those soldiers. “I couldn’t go back, needed to go someplace that isn’t home,” he said. “I killed people – not something to go home and brag about.” I never press him for details as to why he’s one of the vets who fell through the cracks as far as getting help with dealing with his emotional scars from the war. I’m figuring Mike and I are around the same age, but while he had to go to war, I didn’t. I got lucky. The draft ended in 1973 and I escaped having to go to Vietnam pretty much by a year, but I have 11 a few friends who had to make the trip, who had to kill people. Like Mike, they had to handle the death they saw around them and the death they caused. Like Mike, they had to come to terms with the killing they did – but unlike Mike, they went back home. They had family and friends who helped them deal with their private hell. Why didn’t Mike? Why didn’t he turn to The draft ended in 1973 someone for help? So far I haven’t asked those and I escaped having to questions. So far I haven’t had the nerve. go to Vietnam pretty much He tells me he got out of the service in by a year, but I have a few 1976. Since then, he’s traveled around a lot, friends who had to make the been to California, Arizona, Texas and Michi- trip, who had to kill people. gan, taking odd jobs while staying in cheap hotels. Now, getting older, his legs are bothering him. He’s thinking Cincinnati is where he’ll stay. “People are OK here,” Mike told me once. “The cops leave me alone if I don’t stand in one place for too long.” Sometimes when I see him, he seems happy. Recently he told me he got enough money together to stay at the Dennison Hotel downtown. The Dennison is a single-room occupancy type of place. It’s not known for being very nice, but Mike seemed pleased about being there. Maybe it’s a place to hang his green cap. Other times when I see Mike, he seems depressed. Once when I put a dollar in his cup, he had tears in his eyes, unable to speak. So much of the time, I feel bad for him. I don’t want to intrude, but there are more questions I want to ask him. Does he miss West Virginia? How come he didn’t turn to family and friends to help him deal with his Vietnam experience? Does he have family and friends still there? How does he feel about the soldiers that will come home from Iraq or Afghanistan? Does he think of their private hell? When he has tears in his eyes, when he’s unable to speak, is it because of the past? Is he thinking of the soldiers he killed in Vietnam? Is he thinking of that woman? I don’t know if I’ll ask any of these questions. I’m probably like everybody else. Maybe putting a dollar in his cup is simply good enough. After all, I’m helping a war veteran. It’s easy. After handing over a buck, I can walk away. Vendor Profile Moving on and Moving Forward Raynard Jones is a natural salesman By GreGory Flannery Editor S treetvibes vendor Raynard Jones has a smile that’s hard to forget. It’s the kind of smile born of long struggle – and he isn’t finished yet. With 12 years’ experience selling the paper, Jones has worked to overcome a difficult childhood and an adulthood marred by missteps. Born and raised on Pleasant Street in Over-the-Rhine, he has lived in Avondale the past two years. “I came from a dysfunctional family, where there was abuse in the family,” he says.” I ran away from home and stayed with my grandparents.” Jones’s grandfather was a carpenter, and he taught his grandson. “I’ve got a few skills under my belt – carpentry, painting, running a buffer,” Jones says. But his biggest asset is a knack for sales. In past years he has worked in telemarketing. “They say I have the gift of gab,” Jones says. “I’m pretty good with sales.” That talent helped him when he was recovering from addiction, with the help of Cincinnati Restoration Church, known by many people as the group that sells M&Ms and peanuts on street corners. In 1999-2000, Jones stayed at the Drop Inn Center. “Before then I was homeless,” he says.” I had just come home from being incarcerated.” In 2006 Streetvibes named Jones “Vendor of the Year,” and he spoke at the annual dinner of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, which published the street paper. “I’m so grateful to the newspaper,” he says.” It helped me out tremendously. I believe in the paper. I believe in the staff. They’re just marvelous. I like meeting people. I’m a people person. If I can sell M&Ms and peanuts for the ministry, I can sure sell Streetvibes. I’m excited about the paper. It helped me out of a whole bunch of jams – meeting people, job opportunities.” Despite past difficulties, Jones, 45, likes to talk about the positive aspects of his life. “I have a significant other,” he says. “I have a pit bull named Purple Haze and a gray cat named Buddha. I love listening to R&B. I like old movies. I like picnicking and long walks in the park. I like getting in touch with nature – camping and fishing.” A student at Integration of Knowledge and Resources for Occupational Needs (IKRON), where he takes classes on computers, anger management and other subjects, Jones has goals for the future. “I want to obtain my GED, where I can be able to get a better job one day,” he says. “I’d like to one day have my own business, something preferably in sales or a little storefront. But right now I understand you’ve got to crawl before you can walk.” Raynard Jones, Streetvibes vendor, was vendor of the year in 2006. Photo by Jeni Jenkins. Call 513-421-7803 x11 to learn about Streetvibes subscriptions �12 Community News STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 Find Beauty that Defies Disability Gallery reaches out to artists long ignored 1 By valerie Fessler Contributing WritEr director because he had a “desire to really make the effort meaningful”. “These artists need a way to show their n celebration of National Disabil- work and be taken seriously,” Bolden says. ity Awareness Month, an art gallery “Artists with disabilities are stereotyped.” in Over-the-Rhine unveiled a new With its hardwood floors, white walls exhibit Oct. 2. Art Beyond Boundaries is and black ceiling decorated with planets showing “Turning a New Leaf” through and stars, Art Beyond Boundaries’ invitNov. 13. ing atmosphere welcomes Established in 2005, Art anyone interested in deBeyond Boundaries ofArt Beyond Boundaries veloping their skills as an fers programs and services artist. Paintings, ceramic is a “mainstream, that reach out to people and clay sculptures, paper professional exhibition with disabilities, children, collages and several othvenue for artists with art supporters and other er pieces line the gallery disabilities.” community members. Volwalls, each telling a differ-Jymi Bolden unteers teach art classes ent story. throughout the year in orThe biggest challenge der to help artists express themselves and Bolden faces is being confronted with introduce them to different artistic me- taking such a diverse body of work from dia. various artists and making it into one coThe gallery offers growth and profes- hesive exhibit. There are assorted levels of sional development to people who pre- development and accomplishments that viously have not had access to this kind range from novice to professional. Stuof venue. Artists learn the importance of dents from local colleges and universities deadlines and presentation of their piec- volunteer and intern at the gallery in ores. These skills provide many disabled der to help make the exhibits possible. artists with real world experience. “I want Art Beyond Boundaries to grow Jymi Bolden, gallery director, describes its reputation and integrity for the sake Art Beyond Boundaries as a “mainstream, of the artists and people we serve in the professional exhibition venue for artists community,” Bolden says. with disabilities.” Bolden began volunThe gallery holds about five shows a teering for the organization from the be- year, each lasting about six weeks. The art ginning and took over as director when on display in the exhibits are for sale, with the gallery moved into its current loca- 70 percent of the profits going to the arttion, 1410 Main St. With a background in ists and 30 percent going to the gallery for photography, he says he became gallery upkeep. I Jymi Bolden, gallery director at Art Beyond Boundaries. Photo by Bill Haigh. To plan a visit to the gallery or to receive more information, visit www.artbeyondboundaries.org. Puzzles Crossword Sudoku across 1. Stays 4. Brand 8. Ottoman Empire (7,6) 13. Lots 14. Shut in 15. Minor role 16. Stay too long 18. Lascivious 19. Ruptured 21. Female name 23. As well 27. Thoroughfare 31. Swordsman 33. Resort lake 34. Tall palm tree 35. Piece of news 36. Security operative (5,8) 37. Cold-shoulder 38. Contraction of need not Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 through 9. Down 2. Harsh 3. Installment 5. Lure 6. Sand and cement 7. To do with religious study 9. City in central New York 10. Recognized 11. Troublesome person 12. Knowledgeable about 17. Yeah 20. Owns 22. Thing 24. Spiking 25. Polluted air 26. Expression of discomfort 28. Curse 29. Mild warning 30. Website 32. Helicopter feature The fundamental goal of a Sudoku puzzle is to use the provided numbers, or givens, to discover which numbers logically fill in the empty squares. The only rule of Sudoku is that each of the nine rows, each of the nine columns, and each of the nine 3x3 subsections must contain all of the numbers from one to nine, and each number consequently can occur in each row, column and subsection only once. �STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 Candidate Interview 13 Post-Obama Political Aspirations A candidate for Middletown City Council campaigns for change By ariana sHaHanDeH Contributing WritEr A .J. Smith, a 20-year-old candidate for the 2nd Ward seat on Middletown City Council, is taking what he learned on the grassroots campaign trail with Barack Obama in 2008 to run his own campaign for change, pitching “Fresh Ideas and Fresh Thoughts.” What was your first political experience? It was back in 2004, during the presidential elections with John Kerry and the infamous George Bush. I knew that in four years I was going to be 18 years old and an eligible voter. So I was really worried about the war and direction in which the country was going, and I’m thinking, “I’m gonna be 18 and it’s gonna be time to sign up for the draft and George Bush is in office; somebody just kill me.” You know? It was pretty bad. So I told my parents – and my parents are not very politically active – I just told them, “I’m worried about this. I want you guys to go out and vote for John Kerry.” And that was it. I never took an interest in student government or High School Democrats or High School Republicans or anything. It was just...I wanted them to vote just for John Kerry so we could “Middletown had the highest unemployment give George Bush a run for rate in the county at 12.9 percent. We have his money, because I’m some of the poorest schools in the state. We thinking, “This guy is runhave been rated by Forbes magazine as one ning our country straight into the ground. It’s time of the Ten Fastest Dying Cities in the U.S. We have one of the 10 fastest-dying malls in for something different.” What are the top things the U.S. Our home foreclosures are topped with Cuyahoga County and Franklin County - that you want to change? Public safety. We need we are only the city of Middletown.” more police on the street. I - A.J. Smith, live in the 2nd Ward, born candidate for Middletown city council and raised, been here my whole life. That’s where your African Americans are at, your low income Caucasians, Latinos; that’s where you have your Appalachian community at. The 2nd Ward is essentially where Middletown started. (Council) has kind of redlined the 2nd Ward. It’s absolutely bizarre. It’s not a problem to current council. We have guns in our community. I know individuals that have been in situations where the police were needed, and the police did not (promptly) show up because they may not have thought it was important. Council people running right now think that the city provides entirely too much police and fire resources to the 2nd Ward because of the types of residents that we have. Frankly, I think that is racist. I think that it is wholeheartedly racist. I had a friend of mine who was in a domestic-violence altercation a few months ago. He calls me and says, “Hey, A.J., I’m done with this mess. I’m ready to move out; come help me.” I go over and try to help him pack up his stuff. I go in the house and this girl is beating the mess out of him. I call the police. A.J. Smith is a candidate for Middletown City Council. Photo courtesy of A.J. Smith. Ring ring. “Hi, Mr. Police Officer, this is Andrew Smith, I need you guys at this location ASAP. There is a domestic-violence altercation going on, and it’s going to escalate if you don’t get there.” “OK, sir, we’ll get there as soon as possible.” Ten minutes later, ring ring. “Hi, Mr. Police Officer, this is A.J. Smith again. The domestic altercation has escalated; she’s grabbed his hammer. If you don’t get here soon, it’s going to continue to escalate.” Ten minutes later, ring ring. “Hi, Mr. Police Officer, this is A.J. Smith again.” It would have been different if I called and said that a white man is getting his tail beat – they would have responded (snap of fingers) that quickly. You think that is the attitude of council? I do, I do. Cause it doesn’t make any sense why we are still the status quo. Why hasn’t it changed? Middletown had the highest unemployment rate in the county at 12.9 percent. We have some of the poorest schools in the state. We have been rated by Forbes magazine as one of the Ten Fastest Dying Cities in the U.S. We have one of the 10 fastest-dying malls in the U.S. Our home foreclosures are topped with Cuyahoga County and Franklin County - we are only the city of Middletown. If you don’t get someone else elected to city council, with just a little bit of common sense, then it’s going to stay the same. You talked a lot about Middletown’s assets in your community and economic development priorities. What are Middletown's greatest assets? I think our greatest assets in the 2nd Ward specifically are the community center. It’s the only community center in the city. We have the Dream Center. It’s the only soup kitchen in city, where anybody, regardless of race or socioeconomic background, can come and get a free meal Editor’s note: any time of the day, doesn’t matter. We have the Health The opinions Center in the 2nd Ward, which is, of course, partnered expressed in with the city’s health department, and the county folks the candidate that serve a group of individuals that can’t necessarily go interview out to the East End or go to the hospital and be treated are not to be at the drop of a dime. Pretty low cost, pretty fair cost, acperceived tually. We passed a bond issue in ’05 or ’06; we built six as an or seven brand new elementary schools, state-of-the-art endorsement facilities, green technology, everything. So Middletown or reflecting does have a lot to celebrate to a certain extent. It’s just a the views of matter of celebrating it. We don’t ever hear about it. the Greater How do you want to be remembered? Cincinnati As a change agent, someone who changed someone’s Coalition for life for the better … a leader in the community; someone the Homeless, that was able to help individuals change their quality of which life and standard of living. That’s all, nothing more, nothpublishes ing less. Streetvibes. �14 STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 Guest Column Happy Anniversary – or Something Remembering what we lost and realizing what remains By elizaBetH HeatH Contributing WritEr Today is my anniversary. Three years. It is a day of fun, going out to dinner, maybe a movie or dancing. Instead my husband and I sit in a room watching television – the room that we sleep in and share with three children that are not our own. We are living with my husband’s niece, her three children and her boyfriend. We had to move in here after we lost everything. It’s shocking that after years of working hard and striving to make a good comfortable life for yourself and your family, it can all be gone in a few short months. Both of us lost our jobs – our good jobs with nice salaries, benefits, vacation time, sick days, 401K, all the things that make a job a good one that you want to keep. After we lost our jobs, things only got worse. Unable to pay our bills, I got behind on my child support, so my driver’s license got suspended. My mother said she would help by driving me around to various places to fill out applications. I finally got a job waiting tables. I was so happy. Maybe I could turn things around after all. I could get caught up on bills and get my driver’s license back. My mother said that she would drive me back and forth to work until I was able to get my license back. I had to pay into my child support for a month before they would take the holder off my license. On the second day of my new job, my mother had my brother send a text message to my But despite how bad cell phone letting me know that she could not take me to work, so I drove myself with no driver’s lithings have gotten cense, no insurance and expired plates. I got pulled and everything that has happened, we still over right across the street from my new place of have each other. We employment. I was charged with driving under suspension and still have hope. got a ticket for expired plates. My car got towed, and I got fired. I borrowed money to get my car out of impoundment. When I got back home, the electricity was shut off, and there was an eviction notice taped to our door. We had a month to get caught up on rent or leave. I kept looking for work, but I had no luck. We lost our home. I sold my car. We had no money whatsoever. We were on the verge of being homeless. We had nowhere to go. I asked my mother if we could stay with her till we got back on our feet. She lives in a nice four-bedroom, two-bath house located within walking distance to many places I could work. She had room for us. She said, “No.” My husband’s niece made room for us in her small apartment. So here we are, in a small apart- Both of us lost our jobs ment with too many people. I finally got a job, one – our good jobs with that pays minimum wage. It’s barely enough to pay nice salaries, benefits, my child support, let alone save any money so we vacation time, sick can get on our feet, get our own place and a vedays, 401K, all the hicle. things that make a job We miss our home so much. We had a threea good one that you bedroom house right on the Great Miami River. want to keep. One bedroom was used just for my husband’s tools. He was able to work on anything he needed or wanted to. Another bedroom was used for my stereo, speakers and guitar. Every room had its own decor. Fish and frogs in the bathroom. Cookbooks stacked up in the kitchen. A pool in the backyard. Flowers growing everywhere. A big patio with a nice patio table, matching umbrella and lounge chairs. Bookshelves in the living room. Paintings and drawings hanging on the walls. Everything gone. What didn’t get left behind was sold in a yard sale. To make matters worse, living here is like being in jail. There is constant tension. We have no privacy. When watching television, everyone around gets louder and louder until the television can no longer be heard. I get up in the morning and clean, only for it to be trashed again a couple hours later. Today, our anniversary is not as happy as it should be. We sit in the room that we share, wondering if things will ever change for the better, looking back at how wonderful our last anniversary was. But despite how bad things have gotten and everything that has happened, we still have each other. We still have hope. I am grateful that there is at least someone out there who cares enough not to let us live on the street. And I believe that like all other bad things that happen to good people, this, too, shall pass. Become a Fan of Streetvibes on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/streetvibescincinnati aFForDaBle rates etvibes? tre nS sted in Adve e r e t rtis In ing i Many sizes (full page, 1/2 page, 1/4 page, 1/8 page) BlacK & wHilte anD color availaBle Discounts For nonProFits Contact Lynne at 513-421-7803 ext. 11 or lynneausman@cincihomeless.org for more information. �STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 15 Resources Need Help or Want to Help? Shelter: Women and Children Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 Central Access Point Cincinnati Union Bethel 381-SAFE 768-6907 557-2873 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 241-1064 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 3600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 St. Vincent de Paul 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 681-2365 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Treatment: Men 872-9259 Charlie’s 3/4 House Shelter: Men DIC Live In Program Prospect House 241-5525 961-2256 Treatment: Women First Step Home 961-4663 961-4080 761-1480 721-0643 Joseph House (Veterans) 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 351-0422 381-6672 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 241-2965 471-1100 221-3350 Hamilton County ADAS Board Recovery Health Access Center Sober Living Talbert House Hamilton/Middletown 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 Northern Kentucky Advocacy 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 961-4555 751-0643 381-1954 Food/Clothing Lord’s Pantry OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 621-5300 961-1983 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Francis Soup Kitchen People Working Cooperatively The Caring Place United Way Women Helping Women 946-4888 281-7422 681-0324 641-4300 Housing: Tom Geiger House Dana Transitional Bridge Services Volunteers of America 771-4800 751-0600 721-4811 351-7921 631-1114 211 977-5541 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 3330 Jefferson, Cinti, Ohio 45220 Tender Mercies 381-0111 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 AA Hotline CCAT 2728 Glendora Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45209 CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing 621-5514 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Goodwill industries Healing Connections Mary Magdalen House Treatment: Both Interfaith Hospitality Network Lighthouse Youth Center (Youth) 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 661-4620 241-2600 241-2563 214 E. 14th St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Drop Inn Center Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center Peaslee Neighborhood Center Shelter: Both Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 458-6670 977-4489 Other Resources 721-0643 921-1613 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Anthony House (Youth) 558-8888 981-5800 784-1853 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Starting Over 1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Justice Watch 241-0490 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Shelter Mental Health Access Point Mercy Franciscan at St. John NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 City Gospel Mission 357-4602 352-2902 352-6363 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 762-5660 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter Health Resource Center Homeless Mobile Health Van McMicken Dental Clinic 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45202 562-8841 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 Salvation Army 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Bethany House FreeStore/FoodBank Crossroad Health Center Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 721-4700 421-7803 579-8547 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 Health Center for Respite Care Brighton Center 863-3184 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 859-491-8303 799 Ann St. Newport, KY 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 535-2719 Puzzle Solutions Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 �16 Column STREETVIBES November 1 - 15, 2009 Translating a Word into the World Mary Pierce Brosmer: helping women to find their own voices 1 “Heartstory of childbed marriagebed sickbed deathbed so many sheets stained by pleasure and pain then bleached pale and hung in the sun to fade… Mystory of women’s lives… all too often, packed away in a chest without hope.” – Mary Pierce Brosmer, “History, Herstory” Mary Pierce Brosmer, a Cincinnati writer and poet, is the founder of Women Writing for (a) Change (WWF(a)C), an organization that uses writing to empower women and help them find their voices. Born in a working-class family to a first-generation Italian mother and coalminer father, she grew up in Crawford County, Ohio, studied theater and music, but majored in literature Mary Pierce Brosmer founded Women Writing for (a) Change. Photo by Bill Howes. because she “loved to read.” Her parents exposed her very early on to reading; they bought her a set of the classics at her birth, and her fa- voted herself entirely to what became her new her organization. In addition to the classes for ther, an avid reader, would tell her, as a child, organization. adult and young women, WWF(a)C has prostories about various literary characters. BroThe WWF(a)C agenda has since remained moted and used its approach in classrooms, smer favored historical novels but also books the same, to create, through writing, a space prisons, radio and Internet programs and reabout women’s lives, biographies that gave her for every person, in particular women, to find treats with specialty professionals. In 2004 the a sense of who she might be. their voices and assert themselves. Writing, organization created the Feminist Leadership Women’s identities, their roles and place usually triggered in a class by a reading, a topic Academy to train and teach others how to use in society have or a prompt, would its practices in various settings. preoccupied her serve as a tool to That’s how Brosmer would like now to all along. Her own get in touch with spend her own time. She instituted “Consultmother, an articuoneself, self-reflect, ing for (a) Change,” a business that offers her late person, made it reach for truth, feel services to empower, though writing, diverse only to sixth grade free and most im- groups, most recently health-care givers and as and neglected her portant, connect girls in the Baltimore City juvenile justice sysown needs in order to others and build tem, helping them move from the personal, to to keep the family community. the technical, to the political and vice versa. together. Her voice By saaD GHosn Despite her heavy “Instead of being an activist feminist going was often silent in Contributing WritEr involvement with out, I used writing to make a place in which the presence of a her new organiza- we practice feminism as I understand it and verbal and domition and the time believe in it, an active liberation of women, neering husband. Over the years she lost her demand it placed on her, Brosmer continued and therefore of men and children, by bringspark and slipped into depression. with her own writing. Her prose often related ing out the feminine more fully,” she says. This is when Brosmer resorted to writing; to the growth of the WWF(a)C community, “This is transformation of consciousness. My it became her outlet and an important part of reflecting on its practices, sharing what she approach has a universal intention; it can apher expression. She started a journal, a means learned with others. She has just completed a ply to any individual, group of individuals, or to define and assert herself; and wrote po- book documenting her journey; she wrote it as situation.” ems about family connections, motherhood, a legacy for women and for her organization; the light and darkness of life, the paradox of also as a place of rest and reflection where she silence and voice. Silence, she felt, was nec- and others can meet, exchange and contribCancer Poem: a Liberal Lament essary for any voice to listen to itself, grow ute. and be heard; and women, “the mules of the Women Writing For (a) Change, a Guide By Mary Pierce BrosMer world,” she says, quoting Alice Walker, did not for Creative Transformation was published have it because their lives were usually so full by Notre Dame University Press last month. These days I am jumpy, with other people’s needs. Crafted as both pragmatic and spiritual, it ineven my dreams are lumpy In graduate school, one of Brosmer’s teach- cludes poetry, journal entries, essays, reflecwith the faces, the voices ers discovered her poems and invited her to tions, dreams and writing exercises. of all the satisfied people read. This was an empowering experience, Brosmer’s poetry also abounded all along, one that also connected her to others, par- published in various journals and feminine surely you've seen them- ticularly women who like her were searching periodicals. Her topics naturally pertained to that rush of genial cells, for themselves and for their space in a male- womanhood and women’s role in the world, eating and multiplying, dominated world. but also to family, politics, wars and society. converging on malls. After obtaining her master of arts degree in Her satirical poem, “Cancer Poem, a Liberal literature, Brosmer continued to teach high- Lament,” was triggered by the comment of an See how they flourish school English, waiting for her son to gradu- acquaintance and of many who in exit polls and thrive: blissfully blind, ate from high school before she could move to said they had voted for Bush because uncheerful and benign. New Hampshire to pursue a doctorate degree der Republicans they had more money. This in the teaching of writing. evoked to her the robotic nature of people; It may be unwise, One night she had a dream that proved de- the generalized, conscienceless and mindless politically incorrect even, cisive: She was in a room with many women growth of commercial malls, spreading like to use cancer as metaphor, sitting around a table covered with a lace ta- cancer, and the decaying materialistic values but God! how I fear them: blecloth; all were writing, telling their truth, of society. especially as it relates to their sexual abuse Writing remains an essential tool for Brosall the happy consumers, and oppression. She felt terrified, woke up and mer. as they gather in solid wrote the first brochure for WWF(a)C. This “I use it to translate the word into the world,” prosperous tumors, was in 1991; 15 women joined the first class. she says. shop for the best buys, The next semester she quit her teaching job, This surely applies to her, but also to all the grow malignant, and metastasize. abandoned her graduate school plans and de- activities she has been pioneering through A rtists ctivists Artists as Activists is a regular column highlighting Greater Cincinnati artists who use art as a vehicle for change. Saad Ghosn is the founder of SOS Art. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2009 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource November 1-14, 2009 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Gigantic Insult? Towering Tribute? Pg 2: The Vibe Pg 3: Eight Minutes Breaking a Taboo Pg 4: Importance of a Second Chance Pg 5: Working to Set the Captives Free Pg 6: Candidates Support Health Clinics Pg 7: Dead Men Walking in Ohio Prisons Pg 8: Got Underwear? Not All Do Pg 9: Annual Dinner Pg 10: Blue Dogs and Howler Monkeys From Apartment to Tent and Back Pg 11: Someplace That Isn’t Home Moving on and Moving Forward Pg 12: Find Beauty that Defies Disability Pg 13: Post-Obama Political Aspirations Pg 14: Happy Anniversary-Or Something Pg 15: Resources Pg 16: Translating a Word into the World Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource November 1-14, 2009 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Gregory Flannery Lynne Ausman Jeni Jenkins Lew Moores Valerie Fessler Margo Pierce Paul Kopp Jeremy Flannery Michael Henson David Heitfield Kelissa Hieber Dan Rozier Stephanie Dunlap Saad Ghosn Keara Anita Mullen Ariana Shahandeh Larry Gross Nicholas Hoesl Mark Payne Aimie Willhoite Lynne Ausman Jeni Jenkins Anthony Williams Berta Lambert Clarissa Peppers Jennifer Blalock Lynn Baker Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Aimie Willhoite Annual Dinner Anthony Williams Ariana Shahandeh Barack Obama Berta Lambert campaign city council Clarissa Peppers Dan Rozier David Heitfield Felons Gregory Flannery health care Health Clinics Jeni Jenkins Jennifer Blalock Jeremy Flannery Keara Anita Mullen Kelissa Hieber Larry Gross Lew Moores Lynn Baker Lynne Ausman Margo Pierce Mark Payne Michael Henson Middletown Nicholas Hoesl Ohio Paul Kopp Prisons Rev. Mark Schmieder Saad Ghosn Sister Helen Prejean Stephanie Dunlap Town Hall Valerie Fessler https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/b6b084e57d41ced854f476cbbc75669c.pdf f5822a2a7029429bfb6bec845b97505f PDF Text Text Local Politics Heats Up Library Tax Levy Pages 4-7 Page 9 Mayoral Debate and Candiate Surveys STREETVIBES $1 Oct. 15-31, 2009 • Advocating Justice, Building Community • Issue 163 There’s No Place Like This Box Shantytowns return because they’re still needed the global number of slum dwellers will increase to about 2 billion in the next 30 years if no concrete action is taken. Organizers hope that aware­ ness can make a difference. “Overall, I hope people come to re­ alize that homelessness may be closer than they think-- in fact, it's right in their back yard, and we should do whatever we can to help,” Gorman says. By Pat Clifford Contributing Writer Students at Xavier University (XU) are planning this year’s Shantytown, set to take place on the campus from Oct. 18-22. Organizers expect to have at least 30 shanties and more than 150 students participating. The theme this year is finding ways to assist homeless youth. “We chose this focus because we want to bring the issue home to our campus,” says Justina Gorman, a se­ nior. “The 18-to-24 year old demo­ graphic is something the students here can relate to.” Slums and shantytowns are a glob­ al reality. The United Nations report­ ed in 2001 that 924 million people, or 31.6 per cent of the world’s urban population, lived in slums. Obviously, ‘Wake up!’ Xavier University students attended the Housing Now! march in Washintgon, D.C. in 1989. Photo by Pat Clifford. these areas are not usually located in America’s institutions of higher learn­ ing. That juxtaposition is part of the point. The Shantytown schedule is filled with a variety of meals, films and oth­ er opportunities to build awareness. A campus group, Artists for Others, will perform a skit written for the event. Sadly, the UN report warned that This year marks Shantytown’s 20th anniversary. I know because I was a senior at XU in October 1989. Tech­ notronic’s “Pump Up the Jam” was on the boom box (sharing the charts with Milli Vanilli). George H.W. Bush started his presidential term amid a self-proclaimed “peaceful, prosper­ ous time.” But many of us who had been vol­ unteering at local shelters and food pantries saw another side to the story. See Box, p. 14 All Dolled Up and Nowhere To Go Braiding Miss Daisy: Promoting compassion or profiting from homelessness? By david Heitfield Contributing Writer Mattel's American Girl doll line. (Although her popularity and limited edition status suggests t's about time someone you will pay much more: As I started cashing in on write this, she is selling for $230 homelessness. After a dis- on amazon.com). appointing box office, I was afraid American Girl corporate marthe efforts of The Soloist would keting (via palmbeachpost.com) go for naught – I was expecting explains their cosmology, enat least a homeless clothing line, visioning a kinder world where because fedoras are becoming homeless people provide benevcool again – but, olent wisdom as one of my for white folk, p e r f o r m a n c e Gwen’s father walked out on taking over the reviews once of her family. Then her mother province accurately stat- lost her job. Now she and her old black folk: ed, I just lack a mother are forced to live in a “Our singugood corporate lar goal with car in the middle of winter. vision. these stories Meet Gwen is to help girls Thompson: She wears a white find their inner star by becomeyelet lace dress with embroi- ing kind, compassionate and lovdered accents, a pink head- ing people who make a positive band sweeping back her blond and meaningful difference in the hair and matching sandals. See, world around them.” Gwen's father walked out on her Well, sure. Let’s teach their litfamily. Then her mother lost her tle inner stars that men are asshjob. Now she and her mother are oles, women are helpless victims, forced to live in a car in the mid- social problems are commodities dle of winter. and the only thing that can make But thanks to the redemptive you happy in life is buying usepowers of capitalism, you can less crap, just like mommy does buy the 18-inch-high cold and to fill the void of her inner black hungry cherub for your child to hole. play with for a mere $95, part of The praise of the doll on the I American Girl website is universal: “I love my Gwen doll. I was hesitant at first as the advertising showed her as a hippy-ish character and I was afraid her hair would always look like it did in the picture. … I was rather disap­ pointed by the lack of items for Gwen ...” “I brought my little girl to American Girl to celebrate her fourth birthday and to spend some one-on-one time togeth­ er! We had a wonderful day. … I think the simplicity of Gwen's white dress and her long hair won over my daughter in the end. She brushes her hair and plays makebelieve with Gwen. What a special gift for her birthday!” “Gwen is a beautiful doll. My daughter saved her allowance for eight months to get her.” “I didn't want to regret not getting her, so I got her, and I'm not disappointed!!!” “I just purchased this doll a few months ago for my granddaugh­ ter. She loves it and plays with it for hours! She even made a house in the corner for Gwen.” “American Girl dolls are great for our kids, it's not just a doll. It is about morals as well.” Gwen, $95. Irony value: Priceless. Photo courtesy of Mattel Inc. �2 The Vibe By The Numbers 1960 the year students at Miami University trained to register African-American voters in the South (see page 16). 11 the number of words in the title of Steven Lansky’s new book (see page 13). 1.5 the percentage of the city’s general fund that the Homeless Coalition wants devoted to human- services funding (see page 4). 7 the number of C-sections at the Creation Museum (see page 8). 95 the percentage of wealth in the United States controlled by 1 percent of the population (see page 12). 230 StreetSense No One Could Wake Adam, No One Ever Will 1 By Marilyn K. SCHirMer Contributing Writer Drug addiction and its devastating consequences can occur anywhere, even in the pastoral setting and safety of my country home. I’ve changed some names and omitted others to protect privacy. The next to last time I saw Adam was on my living room floor. A team of paramedics was working over him. I watched helplessly as they repeatedly injected his heart while alternately trying to shock him back to life. My daughter had known Adam since high school. And while their life paths often led them apart, when they reconnected, it was absolute. They were kindred spirits. Adam had a keen sense of humor, was adorably cute, musically talented and had an un­ shakeable addiction to heroin. I knew of all his attributes except the last. Adam was always welcome in my home. My daughter and Adam would sit up all night talk­ ing, playing music and laughing. I could hear them all the way into my living room. I remember finding out that he did body piercings. I’d always wanted my nose pierced. Afraid that he would make fun of this old lady, I asked if he’d do my nose. He laughed and replied, “Why sure!” There was no judgment. Only once in my life had I felt sure I was in the presence of someone on heroin. I was at a rally in Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine. Under the trees, away from the main gathering, sat an emaciated young man with stringy blonde hair. He clearly was not participating in the rally; he could barely walk. I couldn’t help but glance over at him from time to time. My heart was breaking as I watched him pee in full view of everyone; he didn’t know what he was doing. After a time, he lay down under a tree and nodded off. As the skies opened and it started raining, some kind soul thought to cover him with a jacket. So for me, the “real” drugs, the dangerous ones, were confined to the city. That last February night, Adam came in smiling as he greeted me. I offered him dinner and he said, “Maybe later.” He and my daughter disappeared into her room. Sometime later he went into our bathroom. He was there a long time. If we’d only known he was shooting up, we would’ve broken down the door and the end of this story would be very different. My daughter kept knocking on the bathroom door, laughing and saying, “You need some help in there?” He finally came out and still we were clueless. Zero, zip, nada Early the next morning, my daughter enlisted my help to awaken Adam because he was due at work in an hour. We laughed as we shook his shoulders and jumped on the bed. My daughter told me that he was notoriously difficult to wake up. Even this seemed normal to me. After all, I had had a son with the same attitude toward greeting the day. 924 the number, in millions, of people across the world living in slums (see page 1). .38 the caliber of a pistol involved in a drug deal on Short Burnet (see page 10). 12 the number of city- council candidates who didn’t complete a Streetvibes questionnaire (see page 4). Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by people who are or once were homeless, in exchange for a $1 donation, Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Address: 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513.421.7803 x 12 Fax: 513.421.7813 Email: streetvibes2@ yahoo.com Website: www. cincihomeless.org Blog: streetvibes. wordpress.com Streetvibes Staff So how did he get caught up in the allure of heroin? There is no way for me to know. I’ve never done this. But years ago I warned my daughter that, in my limited experience, heroin was an insidious master, that to try it once seemed a sure snare, a one-way ticket to hell. the cost, in dollars of a “homeless doll” on amazon. com (see page 1). the number of times Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County has asked for a tax levy in the past 156 years (see page 3). STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009 After a time, we became concerned that he would get into trouble at work, so we called his girlfriend. She assured us, “Yep, he is impossible to get out of bed.” Daughter and I sat on the couch, taking a break and wondering what to do. Louder than the TV came a strange sound. We didn’t – couldn’t – recognize the sound for what it was, Adam’s death gasp. Daughter said, “Oh, that’s just my TV.” A couple minutes later daughter went into her bedroom. I heard her scream, “Oh my God! He’s turning blue!” Blood turning to ice, heart rising yet sinking, my mind hardly able to obey, I somehow ordered my daughter to call 911. While my daughter tried to follow the operator’s CPR directions over the phone, I could only shake and pray and watch for the help that was so terribly slow in coming. Finally, finally, they arrived; and as the paramedics worked, all I could do was sit on the couch and sob. All I could focus on was the tattoo inked across his stomach, under his belly button, “D.O.A.” Daughter was screaming, “Adam, wake up! Adam, don’t do this to me.” Editor Gregory Flannery Art Director Lynne Ausman Vendor Coordinator Jeni Jenkins Contributing Writers Lew Moores, Dave Scharfenberger, Margo Pierce, Paul Kopp, Jeremy Flannery, Michael Henson, David Heitfield, Kelissa Hieber, Josh Flannery, Stephanie Dunlap, Saad Ghosn, lea Ottenheimer, Ariana Shahandeh, Amanda Wolfe, Dan LaBotz, Mark Payne Photography/Artwork Aimie Willhoite, Lynne Ausman, George Ellis, Jeni Jenkins, Anthony Williams, Berta Lambert Proofreaders Jennifer Blalock Lynn Baker The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati through coordination of services, public education, grassroots advocacy and Streetvibes. We are members of: But he did do it. He was gone. I later found out that Adam had really tried to overcome his addiction; he’d left his old friends behind and moved back home. He’d gone through extensive rehab. He’d been clean for a year. Adam’s family, unable to deal with the wrenching loss, blamed us and especially blamed my daughter. I understood this. Hadn’t I lost my own son when he was exactly Adam’s age? “Why did you wait so long to call 911?” was the father’s anguished question. How could I ex­ plain? I told him that the whole time we thought he was asleep. He’d been breathing and even snoring. I spared him the horror of the death rattle that is burned into my daughter’s and my own memory – a memory we would be happy to spend a lifetime without. The last time I saw Adam was in the funeral home, lying in a casket. All the lives touched by Adam in his short, mostly joyous, years will never be the same. �STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009 Local News 3 Cincinnati’s Public Library at Risk One of the nation’s best library systems requests first tax levy ever By JereMy flannery Contributing Writer The Main Branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County was the busiest main-branch library in the nation in 2008, with a circulation of more than 4 million items, according to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). In 2008 “We’ve made all the Hennen’s Ameri­ can Public Library cuts we can make ranked without jeopardizing Ratings the library system our services to the community. If the tax as 10th in the na­ levy fails, the library tion for the third consecutive year. will have to make In 2008, about more cuts that will be devastating to the 15.7 million items were borrowed community.” from the Cincin­ - William J. Moran nati Public Li­ brary, an increase of about 750,000 borrows from 2007. The library’s Web site received about 87.3 million online visits, a 23 percent increase from 2007. While the local library boasts record circulation for last year, it is facing about a $16 million budget deficit for 2010. A 1.0-mill property tax levy for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County’s operating expenses will be on the ballot for the first time in the library’s 156-year history. If Issue 7 passes Nov. 3, it will cost 10 cents per $100 of valuation, to meet the library’s expected $16 million budget defi­ cit of 2010. The county’s library system operates on a $45 million annual budget, with 90 percent of the funds provided by the state of Ohio, according to William ‘Book Fountain’ by Cincinnati sculptor Michael Frasca. The fountain features water J. Moran, a 13-year li­ flowing over a stack of books and represents the free flow of information and ideas brary board member through printed word. Photo by Maria Campolongo. and head of its financ­ ing and auditing. The only lo­ cember, he says. 2010, administer budget cuts cal funds for the library come “We’ve made all the cuts we now and wait one more year from fees and donations, as can make without jeopardiz­ to request a tax levy from the For more the library system is the only ing our services to the com- county for its operating budinformation metropolitan library system munity,” Moran says. “We’re get. about the in Ohio that doesn’t receive squeaking by this year, using Voters have various other Public Library city or county tax dollars, he all of our savings and revenue, proposed tax levies to conof Cincinnati says. If voters reject the tax but we’ll be completely de­ sider within their districts and and Hamilton levy, the library system might pleted by the end of this year. throughout the county this County, need to shut down about half If the tax levy fails, the library year, according to Tom Brinkvisit www. of all its services by early De- will have to make more cuts man, one of COAST’s found­ cincinnati that will be devastating to ers. library.org the community.” “The risk is this will break The state of Ohio has the bank of too many taxcut about 28 percent of payers and they will come the library’s funding since out and vote no to some if 2001, about 19 percent of it not all of these items,” Brinkin 2008 alone, according to man writes. “Voters will have the library’s Web site. The to weigh the public disaster library system has elimi­ should so many good pro­ nated 20 percent of its staff grams fail against the very positions and cut 10 per- personal disaster should their cent of its total operating personal budgets be swamped hours per week since 2001 with over one half-billion dol­ to balance the funding lars in taxes.” cuts. The library has also Brinkman suggests that the cancelled or postponed library system raises all of its all current capital projects current fees, begin charging and renovations and post­ $1 per audio-visual item bor­ poned or reduced its staff’s rowed, tightens the restric­ wage raises. tions of access for cardhold­ “We have such a won­ ers with overdue charges and In 2008, derful library system,” Mo- close nine branch libraries 15.7 million ran says. “It’s heavily used with the lowest of circulation. items were by all walks of life and Issue 7 might not halt all borrowed provides great services to possible cuts for the library’s from the the community, especially 2010 budget if state funding Public during hard economic drops again next year, Moran Library of times when people need says. Cincinnati computer and Internet ac­ “It depends on the state,” and cess to get resumes out if he says. “If the state revenue Hamilton they can’t afford that ac- stays the same, we won’t have County. cess at home. The library is to make any additional cuts. also a safe haven for good But if the state revenue de­ kids and good parents who creases, some cuts will still want their kids to be able need to be made.” to do their homework and The library has not yet made stay off the streets while any official proposals for spe­ they’re at work. So it’s a cific budget cuts, Moran says. latchkey system for fami- The board of trustees will be lies as well.” considering budget cuts and Citizens Opposed to adjustments in November and Additional Spending and begin administering them in Taxes (COAST) urges vot- December if the tax levy fails, ers to reject the tax levy. he says. The organization suggests “Right now, we’re hoping it through its sample ballot won’t come to that,” Moran that the county library sys- says. tem adjusts its funding for �4 STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009 Local News Burning Questions,Tepid Replies Most candidates ignore ‘Streetvibes’ questionnaire N ineteen candidates are vying for nine seats on Cincinnati City Council in the Nov. 3 election. The candidates can be grouped according to party affiliation, according to status as incumbents or challengers or by other criteria. We’re going to group them, however, according to those who answered the Streetvibes questionnaire and those who didn’t. Streetvibes sent a list of eight questions to all 19 candidates, asking them to reply by Oct. 5. Seven candidates responded, and their answers are below. The seven are Tony Fischer, Bernadette Watson, Nicholas Hollan, Laure Quinlivan, Jeff Berding, Laketa Cole and Anitra Brockman. The candidates who didn’t reply by the deadline are Kevin Flynn, Lamarque Ward, Charlie Winburn, Wendell Young, George Zamary Amy Murray, Chris Bortz, Greg Harris, Chris Monzel, Roxanne Qualls, Cecil Thomas and Leslie Ghiz. ------ Gregory Flannery Following are the questions Streetvibes asked candidates: 1. The primary cause of homelessness in the United States and in Cincinnati is a lack of affordable housing. If elected, would you address this need in Cincinnati and if so, what are some potential ideas/solutions? 2. Would you support an initiative in Cincinnati to change the definition of a hate crime to include attacks on homeless individuals? 3. In cities across the country, laws criminalize behavior by homeless people that is necessary for survival. Examples include storing property, sleeping, camping, eating, sitting, drinking and urinating in public. Cin­ cinnati even enacted a food-sharing restriction in public parks. Where do you stand on the issue of criminalization of homelessness? 4. In Cincinnati there are not enough family shelters to meet the needs of the community. Family homelessness is an increasing problem, especially considering the unemployment rate and the foreclosure crisis that affect renters and owners equally. What solutions do you propose that would help families experiencing homelessness? 5. Do you support keeping the Drop Inn Center at its present location so long as the agency chooses to remain there? Why or why not? 6. Do you support a charter amendment allocating 1.5 percent of the city’s general fund to human-services spending? Why or why not? 7. What are your top three priorities for Cincinnati? 8. What is your opinion on the status of affordable housing in Cincin­ nati? What policy change, if any, would you implement if elected? Jeff Berding For more information on Jeff Berding, visit www.jeffberding.com 1. Cincinnati has a plentiful housing stock, especially rental housing, and Cincinnati needs programs to place resi­ dents in those properties, especially foreclosed and abandoned homes. 2. Yes. 3. The city of Cincinnati provides substantial funding to homeless services, and to the extent that such laws en­ courage homeless individuals to seek help in those shelters to end the cycle of homelessness, I will support them. Homelessness itself is not a crime, but public urination and public intoxi­ cation have negative impacts on our city, and I support criminalization of those acts. “We have a seriously challenged 4. I’ve done my best to keep families in their homes with the United Way’s budget, and we are struggling to 2-1-1 counseling hotline and voted for the Homeless to Homes Plan and provide core city services.” would also welcome an increased focus on homeless families. 5. The Drop Inn Center leadership indicated in a letter to Council earlier this year that they would be willing to relocate, and I would definitely support that move. Over-the-Rhine is bustling, and with the acceptance regulations at the Drop Inn Center and its proximity to Music Hall and the new School of the Creative and Performing Arts, the center is no longer a good match for a neighborhood on the move. 6. No, I don’t support this charter amendment. We have a seriously challenged budget, and we are struggling to provide core city services. Making any kind of commitment for funding is a bad idea given the current circumstances, and the potential for continued budget deficits. The state of California’s budget crisis shows the severe negative con­ sequences of budget by referendum. 7. My top three priorities are public safety (keeping more cops and firefighters on the streets), economic develop­ ment (bringing more jobs into the city) and foreclosure prevention/neighborhood vitality. 8. There is a large stock of housing available, and I support the provision of affordable housing to Cincinnati resi­ dents. I would support a program using foreclosed and abandoned homes for short-term affordable housing units, especially in partnership with local community development corporations. Bernadette Watson 1. We have 52 neighborhoods, and in Cincinnati we must learn to understand the meaning of what we want our neighborhoods to be and if we want to be inclusive and allow mixed housing throughout this city. I will work to bring Cincinnati together as one Cincinnati. 2. Hate crimes against any individual should be punished to the extent of the law. We must work with the court system and provide proper representation for individuals who hate crimes are directed because they are homeless individuals. 3. Homelessness does not constitute being a criminal. It is about survival, and we must work to assist people in understanding this does not necessarily mean that being homeless does not have to be a permanent situation and work to provide solutions for those who want assistance. There must be some restrictions because of public cleanliness and safety for all. “Hate crimes against any individual 4. Efforts need to be focused on assisting families to assist with elimi­ nating the problems that create homelessness and work with human-servic­ should be punished to the extent of the law. We must work with the es agencies with assisting, but to also assist families around the social chal­ lenges and situations that create the need. court system and provide proper We must look at the feasibility of best serving the Drop Inn Center representation for individuals who 5. hate crimes are directed because population. The location is not an issue for me. Accessibility is the key to make sure those needing this facility are in a position to utilize the services they are homeless individuals.” that the center provides. I believe we need to look at the services and how best this population is being served. How we should think about providing a better way of life for many of the individuals and families that are facing/dealing with homelessness. 6. Budget allocations must be looked at realistically when it comes to human services. Measures and outcomes of the services that are provided through human-services organizations that receive city funding. Accountability of the effect these services have on the population being served. Be creative and find additional resources during a time when the city is facing large deficits and trying to continue to provide the public services elected officials are responsible for to all citizens of the city. Collaboration among human-services organizations must become a key factor in assisting our homeless population and people needing services during this economic crisis cities are facing across the country. 7. Health/safety; employment opportunity; business and neighborhood development. 8. I believe affordable housing is available, and elected officials must be informed as to the actual amount of af­ fordable housing available in the city. As our population needs grow, for affordable housing it is important to make sure we are meeting the needs of our citizens. Policy possibly needs to be reviewed, and I am willing to work to ensure we are in compliance with the policy/legislation in place. For more information on Bernadette Watson, visit www.bernadettewatson.com See Questions, p. 5 �STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009 Local News Burning Questions,Tepid Replies 5 Continued from page 4 Laure Quinlivan 1 For more information on Laure Quinlivan, visit www.lqreportingtoyou.com 1. Yes, I think it’s important as we develop downtown and Over-the-Rhine and all our neighborhoods that we strive for diverse mixed-income neighborhoods that include affordable housing. If we get to move forward with the street­ car plan, I would support efforts to ensure affordable housing remains in the neighborhood. Portland did this with success when their streetcar investment created vibrant neighborhoods like the Pearl District. 2. Yes. 3. My position is we need to work with leaders in the Homeless Coalition on solutions to these issues. Together, I’m sure we can come up with creative solu“If we get to move forward with tions that benefit the homeless population and the general public. the streetcar plan, I would support 4. I think Citylink will be a great resource for families experiencing temporary efforts to ensure affordable housing homelessness, given its focus is to remove obstacles that prevent people from remains in the neighborhood.” being productive citizens. Furthermore, Citylink is not asking for any taxpayer funding, but will be supported through private donations and citizen volun­ teers from churches around Cincinnati. 5. I hope we can work together for a long-term solution/location for the Drop Inn Center. I know that Pat Clifford and other Homeless Coalition leaders are working to improve the shelter and decrease the number of transients who use the shelter but refuse to register as “residents.” I’ve also witnessed and reported on the numerous problems caused by some shelter clients who hang out drinking and violating laws in Washington Park, which should be a park that’s safe and welcoming for all of us. 6. I don’t support it as a charter amendment, but I do value human services in our city and believe we should con­ tinue funding the services with demonstrated and measurable results. 7. Watch over taxpayer money and make government open, accountable and responsive to citizens. Attract jobs to Cincinnati by better promoting the city to the rest of the world, bringing streetcars. Promote “Green” Cincinnati with bike paths, alternative energy, recycling, urban farms and “green collar” jobs of the future. 8. I think we should require and incentivize developers to include affording housing (and green space) in their de­ velopments, especially if city money is involved. 1. This has been a problem that has plagued Cincinnati for a long time. I believe that finding ways to encourage redevelopment in the central city can go a long way in curbing the issue of affordable housing. That's why I've con­ sistently supported the utilization of local, state and federal funds to redevelop low-income housing. I also voted to support the Homeless to Homes plan. 2. Yes. Economic status is a constitutionally protected class, and I believe that homelessness can, therefore, be in­ cluded in hate-crimes legislation. 3. I find efforts to criminalize (or even tax, as has been recently suggested) homelessness pretty absurd. It makes no sense to "double penalize" some­ “Economic status is a constitutionally one for being homeless. We need to take a pro-active approach with efforts to prevent homelessness from occurring in the first place. protected class, and I believe that 4. I believe that prevention is the best approach to dealing with homelesshomelessness can, therefore, be included in hate-crimes legislation.” ness. I think we can direct more of our Community Development Block Grant money toward short-term family housing and look at things like foreclosure- prevention to help alleviate burdens on families. 5. Yes – the city shouldn't be in the business of telling private entities where they can or cannot operate. 6. Yes, I do and have signed a motion to that effect (see document #200800808). I believe human services are critical for our city. 7. My top three priorities are increasing neighborhood/economic development, attracting and keeping jobs in the city of Cincinnati and youth. I have been focused on these issues by creating the Neighborhood Business District Support Fund, working to attract 3,800 new jobs since 2007, saving the jobs of 902 city employees and providing $1.5 million for youth job development. 8. I think we've made some positive steps in bringing affordable housing in Cincinnati, but we have a long way to go. I think we should bring our $1 lottery house, which would encourage development and help the status of provid­ ing affordable housing. Laketa Cole For more information on Laketa Cole, visit www.laketacole.com Nicholas Hollan For more information on Nicholas Hollan, visit www.nicholashollan.com 1. I believe that housing is a human right and we as a society have an obligation that all housing is safe and clean. One solution that has merit is supporting a Housing First model to provide a continuum of care with an end goal of independent living. This program should work in conjunction with job training and continuing education to provide people with the tools necessary to become self-sufficient. 2. Any crime that is targeted against a specific group is a hate crime, and I would support legislation to classify crimes against the homeless as such. “I believe that housing is a human right 3. Local government should strive to not punish the homeless but rath- and we as a society have an obligation er serve as the voice for those individuals who far too often can’t speak that all housing is safe and clean.” for themselves. I will endeavor to strike a balance between basic human survival and acceptable public behavior. 4. The city must work in collaboration with social-service organizations to address the immediate need of family homelessness. The ultimate aspiration is to provide the support necessary for at-risk families to overcome complex challenges that often include substance abuse, domestic violence and mental-health issues. By working proac­ tively, we can diminish the number of families’ currently experiencing homelessness. 5. This issue boils down to how the city can provide for the safety of students and neighboring residents while simultaneously providing emergency care for individuals seeking shelter. If a strategy was implemented to help ensure that the Drop Inn Center remained a good neighbor in the community, then I would support keeping it at its current location. 6. As the current community outreach and disaster services coordinator for the American Red Cross and a former development professional for United Way of Greater Cincinnati, I strongly support the city funding at 1.5 percent. 7. Promote pre-natal care to lower our region's deplorable infant mortality rate. Support the police on the street and implement job training and education programs. Revitalize neighborhoods by working with each community to create a long term, strategic vision. 8. Studies indicate that more than 30 percent of household income should not be spent on housing. The city should strive to ensure through building code inspectors that a minimum level of quality exists so that all Cincin­ nati residents reside in clean, safe and decent housing. See Questions, p. 6 �6 Local News STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009 Burning Questions,Tepid Replies Continued from page 5 Tony Fischer 1 1. Cincinnati can help address the lack of affordable housing by improving public transit. Creating a real market for housing that does not require an individual or family to own a car will make a real difference both in increasing the type of housing offered by the housing market (which is largely driven by private investment) and will at the same time allow for families and individuals to greatly reduce the portion of their income they must currently devote to transportation and shift it to housing and other essentials. I believe that the city can best affect the market for afford­ able housing through improvements in public transit. 2. I would be more than willing to consider that proposed change. 3. While I am unequivocally against the criminalization of homelessness, many of those behaviors listed above are clearly anti-social and cannot be tolerated. Ultimately, the question of homeless­ ness is a question of responsibility for the problem. For too long, society has been “The question of the physical content to lay responsibility at the door of our nation's major cities, allowing indi­ viduals to avoid having to help by simply moving across local political boundary lines. location of the Drop Inn Center is less relevant than This is the primary reason why the underlying causes of homelessness are unable to be addressed, because those who can afford to help are able to avoid any responsibil­ the question of whether or not it is effectively fulfilling its ity simply by moving out of the city. Until this legal loophole is confronted (though in the meantime, attracting new middle class residents to the city to increase the tax mission of service.” base can help alleviate the problem), the underlying causes of homelessness will con­ tinue. 4. This is a major problem that I look forward to working on when I am elected to Cincinnati City Council. 5. The question of the physical location of the Drop Inn Center is less relevant than the question of whether or not it is effectively fulfilling its mission of service. 6. I do not support governance by referendum or mandatory set-asides. That has led to the state of California to systemic failure and I fear it would do the same in Cincinnati. However, that does not mean human services funding at the current level is not necessary. These distinctions are important. 7. My top three priorities for Cincinnati are keeping the city safe and clean, revitalizing neighborhood business districts and strengthening the local economy. 8. As I said in my answer to question 1, I believe that the best way Cincinnati can increase the amount of affordable housing is by making significant improvements in public transit. The ability of the city to direct effect the type and quality of housing that is offered by what a market that is largely privately funded is quite limited. But transportation is a market that is largely government funded. If Cincinnati makes wise investments in public transit that encourage the ease of convenience of lifestyles that do not require the amount of private expenditure on transportation that our current car-centric system does, then I believe the market for affordable housing will open up significantly. For more information on Tony Fischer, visit www.votetonyfischer.com ELECTION DAY is November 3, 2009. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Anitra Brockman For more information on Anitra Brockman, visit www.whoisbrockman.com For information about voting in Hamilton County, Ohio, visit www. votehamiltoncounty.org 1. I will most definitely address the need of lack of affordable housing in Cincinnati. In my opinion, providing af­ fordable housing in Cincinnati is vital. Although there are many stipulations and criteria surrounding qualifying for homeownership, I believe that the “American Dream” should still be affordable and made available for all in Cincin­ nati. We must ensure that we are providing residents with the necessary resources to be responsible homeowners and tenants. The city should partner with local businesses and promote “affordable housing workshops” that in­ clude topics such as financial planning, foreclosure prevention, risk management and more. 2. Absolutely! Yes, I would support an initiative in Cincinnati to change the definition of a hate crime to include homeless individuals. All persons shall be created equal in accordance to the Civil Rights Act with it is neither ac­ ceptable nor tolerable for our city to discriminate against – no exceptions. 3. I can definitely tell that, with the current economic crisis, homelessness in Cincinnati seems to be increasing. There obviously is not enough adequate shelter space for the homeless in Cincinnati, and that is a serious problem. I believe that as a city we must provide adequate resources to provide homeless individuals with an opportunity to seek a safe place to sleep and an opportunity to regain some form of stability. We must partner with social-service agencies to provide resources such as treatment programs, housing options, transportation assistance and jobreadiness skills to homeless individuals. I do not believe that criminalization is the solution to getting rid of home­ lessness. 4. I propose a few solutions to assist families who may be experiencing homelessness in Cincinnati. First, I would propose the city consider providing an affordable-housing seminar or workshop. Some topics that can be discussed for families could be how to avoid foreclosure or financial planning. We must provide community outreach and have resources readily available for families. We must understand that many peo­ ple are losing their jobs within Cincinnati or some have lost a loved one, and we must provide sufficient resources and support to these individuals and families “The status of affordable so that they have an opportunity to regain stability. housing in Cincinnati is 5. While I realize that relocating the Drop Inn Center will cause a tremendous something that requires some hardship on several homeless individuals, I do not support keeping the Drop Inn immediate attention and action.” Center at its present location. With youth development being one of my platform focus areas, and the new School for Creative and Performing Arts being built nearby, the city’s primary focus should be to ensure that we are providing a safe environment for the youth. Also, I understand that the Drop Inn Center is a huge resource for the homeless so I would support relocating it somewhere else within the city. 6. I do support a charter amendment allocating 1.5 percent of the city’s general fund to human services spending. I believe that a city’s responsibility regarding “human services” or “social programs” is vital. Human services or “so­ cial programs” should be established as a resource to provide essentials such as health, food, shelter, job placement assistance, counseling, and safety to those who are least able to assist themselves. There are individuals who are less capable of caring for themselves due to extenuating circumstances such as job loss, homelessness, disability, veteran, single-parent households, death of spouse or primary caregiver, etc. Being a single mother of three has not been easy for me, and I could not have made it as far as I have in my life without the support of human-services programs over the years. I have worked hard all of my life and received an education, but needed services to supple­ ment my sole income such as WIC and daycare assistance. There are so many other residents in Cincinnati with similar situations that need the same assistance. While I believe that “human services” are necessary, I also believe that there must be accountability in the programs and the people utilizing the services. I think that the major is­ sue is that there are people in Cincinnati who may have never had to utilize human-services programs before, and therefore are reluctant to stand by and support human-services programs. Also, there is this misconception about the people who utilize human-services programs that they are the cause of other problems in the city such as vio­ lence and drugs, etc. I am in support of human-services agencies that are in place to help those individuals who are making an effort versus just “milking” the system. The city must be willing to support the human-services agencies such as the YWCA, Talbert House, FreeStore/FoodBank, See Questions, p. 7 �STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009 7 Local News Streetcar Enlivens Mayoral Debate Cuts in bus service were not discussed For more information on Dr. Brad Wenstrup’s campaign, visit www. bradwenstrup.com By dave SCHarfenBerger Contributing Writer W hat began as an informal civic discussion be­ tween mayoral candidates soon heated up once candidates opened the floor for ques­ tions. The discussion between Democratic incumbent Mark Mallory and Brad Wenstrup, Republican, was Sept. 24 at Christ Church Cathedral. After the two candidates’ presentations, a question was addressed to Wenstrup: “I didn’t hear your position on the streetcar.” Wenstrup said that he was against the streetcar proposal. “Not a good time,” he said. With the current state of the economy, he said that this isn’t the time to invest almost $200 million in a streetcar project. Wenstrup called for more study of the idea be­ fore the city makes this kind of investment. He called for more efforts to increase other forms of transportation, including light rail. Mallory, on the other hand, openly promoted the streetcar proposal. “The streetcar is about how you approach the future,” he said. “We have to figure out how to invest in the fu­ ture.” Rail transportation has always created economic de­ velopment, Mallory said. He promoted modern street­ cars as a way of bringing economic development to downtown and Over-the-Rhine. Both candidates opened the forum by talking about their positive qualities and reasons for running for of­ fice. Wenstrup listed his service to the community as a physician and his service as an Army reservist in Iraq. He Mayor Mark Mallory addresses the audience during a debate at Christ Church Cathedral. Photo by Bill Haigh. Democratic incumbent Mark Mallory, left, and Brad Wenstrup, Republican, debated the proposed streetcars, on Sept. 24 at Christ Church Cathedral. Photo by Bill Haigh. said his reasons for running for mayor are to serve the community and work on the issues of safety, supporting businesses and budgetary restraint. Mallory said he is running for a second four-year term to bring a new type of leadership. He listed the accom­ plishments that have occurred under his administra­ tion, including improved safety, economic development, youth jobs and the neighborhood enhancement pro­ gram. Several other issues were raised during the forum rang­ ing from the dangers of lead paint in Over-the-Rhine to the greening of the city and the environment. Mallory promoted his efforts to increase recycling and other conservation programs. Wenstrup said that he supports some of these efforts, although he voiced op­ position to the City’s recent Environmental Justice Or­ dinance. The ordinance, recently passed by city council, gives communities input in the process of approving the location of new businesses or expansion of existing busi­ ness that could affect the air quality. Still, some left the forum with questions unasked and unanswered. Christopher Smitherman, president of the Cincinnati Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said he was concerned about proposed cuts in the Metro bus service by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority. “I wanted to ask them, ‘Where are you going to get the money to make up the $16 million shortfall in our Metro bus system?” said Smitherman, who believes that SORTA should not be cutting public transportation at a time when residents need the bus system to get to work. With more forums scheduled, voters will hopefully get opportunities to get their questions answered. For more information on Mayor Mark Mallory’s campaign, visit www.facebook. com/mayormallory Burning Questions,Tepid Replies Continued from page 6 Anitra Brockman Women Helping Women, etc.; that provide its residents with the resources required to get their lives back on track. 7. Youth development: The youth in Cincinnati do not have an active voice. The youth are not given the opportunity to actively express their opinions or views on important issues. If elected to City Council, I would like to implement a Cincinnati Youth Council. The Cincinnati Youth Council will allow youth ages 12­ 25 an opportunity to identify key issues relating to them and address these issues with key decision-makers in the commu­ nity. We need to start developing strong minds for Cincinnati’s future now. Public safety: I have a vision for the city of Cincin­ nati to be one of the safest and most united communities in Ohio. That cannot happen unless we work together to support public safety. If elected to city council, my focus will be to ap­ ply myself to support what is working in terms of public safety and really challenge the status quo on crime and response time. I would like to see our 52 communities stand united against crime, and I stand in support of protecting the jobs of the fire and police departments who protect our lives every day. “If we can’t be safe, we can’t be anything in Cincinnati.” Economic de­ velopment: We need to make it easy and empower our residents so that entrepreneurial spirit can rise up in this community to reduce blight and transform Cincinnati. If elected to city coun­ cil, I will encourage and support the growth of minority- and women-owned businesses. 8. In my opinion, the status of affordable housing in Cincin­ nati is something that requires some immediate attention and action. A long-term commitment, especially from elected offi­ cials, is required to take on the housing issue in Cincinnati. I would propose to implement a comprehensive plan to not only increase the availability of affordable housing, but also preserve affordable housing for Cincinnati residents. Also, I would like to see the city promote and encourage stability when it comes to home ownership and property rental in Cincinnati. Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in the candidate survey are not to be perceived as an endorsement or reflecting the views of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, which publishes Streetvibes. �8 Local News STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009 Yes, it’s Creative but Is it Science? Two writers learn about C-sections, faith the fossil record purported by modern science. LO: On the façade of a dirty brick wall, like a city JF: I wasn’t sick the day they taught the fossil record building, a sign poses the question, “What happens purported by modern science in Catholic school. when “Scripture (is) abandoned in the culture”? LO: Another sign instructs visitors that these two Around a sharp corner is another façade of a brick By lea ottenHeiMer and JoSH flannery different views are in conflict with each other. The wall, covered with graffiti and plastered with scraps Contributing Writers human view follows modern science while God’s of newspaper and magazine headings and articles view follows the word of the Bible, which claims the about same-sex marriage, evolution, wars and Lea Ottenheimer (LO): In this article I attempt to earth was formed 4,350 years ago. abortion. objectively study the Creation Museum and what it JF: Remember that number. JF: I was wondering how long it was going to teaches about creationism. LO: A TV near the ceiling in take to throw homophobia at Josh Flannery (JF): And I shall interject from time one room has a short video that us. They didn’t seem too keen on An exhibit about the Garden separation of church and state to time to mock this absurd idea. loops over and over. The video LO: Many other articles have offered opinions, says that, because all we know or a woman’s decisions about of Eden features statues of but I would rather present neutral observations and about dinosaurs and the fossil her own body. Hmm, doesn’t that all different sorts of animals allow readers to come to their own conclusions. record comes from incomplete sound a bit like some of the terfrolicking together peacefully, JF: To be honest, L. Ron Hubbard was a bit more clues unearthed by scientists, including dinosaurs, along with rorist states we’re all supposed to imaginative. “different scientists can reach be quaking about? Adam and Eve LO: Approaching the entrance to the museum, I different conclusions depending LO: The next section is a think I was surprised to see statues of dinosaurs. I on their starting assumptions.” If long, narrow, winding room must have picked up the false notion somewhere a person’s “starting assumptions” are based on the where window frames and shutters are constructed that dinosaurs didn’t figure into the theory of cre­ scientific tradition, their conclusions will be differ­ around TV screens showing videos of people who ationism. ent from a person whose “starting assumptions” are supposed to be inside the houses we are look­ JF: We didn’t make it to the petting zoo, but I’m are based on what the Bible says. ing into. The first window shows two teenage boys told, however, that they don’t have dinosaurs there. JF: Real science doesn’t assume. It takes facts that looking at porn on the Internet and smoking pot. LO: Just outside the entrance to the main exhibit have been proven by preceding scientists to build JF: For this part, the museum probably did some is a large colored sign that illustrates the “7 C’s in upon. Assumptions create flawed experiments. actual research because that is exactly what teenage God’s Eternal Plan”: Creation, Corruption, Catas­ LO: The next room has writing all over the walls, kids do. trophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross, Consummation. large and small stenciled letters in bright colors: LO: In the next scene, a teenage girl freaks out Each C represents a length of time in history during “Same Facts, but Different Views … Why?” … “Dif­ about finding herself pregnant. which a significant event in the Bible is said to have ferent Views of Dinosaurs because of Different JF: She’s always got the option of getting an abortaken place. Starting Points.” … “Descartes: ‘I think, therefore I tion. JF: I was sick that day in Catholic school. am’.” … “God: ‘I AM THAT I AM.’ ” LO: The next scene shows two women gossip­ LO: This is offered as an alternative timeline to JF: ‘Wanting another Nutter-Butter peanut butter ing about their pastor’s wife while one’s husband sandwich cookie, I am.’ lounges on a couch drinking beer, eating pizza and LO: A diagram illustrates the watching TV. argument that “Human Reason” JF: Now beer, pizza, and television are detrimental holds an opposing position to to our society? “God’s Word.” Many diagrams LO: The “Time Tunnel” is a long, straight walk­ show how these two “starting way through a tunnel of black with tiny sparkling assumptions” have different ex­ lights and a sign that says we are journeying back planations for how the natural to the dawn of creation 6,000 years ago. world was formed: Opposing JF: Remember that number you were told to keep the “Evolution Tree” used to il­ in mind a while back? How is it that there is a 1,650lustrate how different species year gap between the beginning of creation and the evolved over millennia is the making of the earth? Didn’t it take only six days – or “Creation Orchard,” where all is it possible someone is picking and choosing which species came into being just as parts of the Bible to interpret literally to validate they are. “Human Reason” claims their opinion? To tell the truth, nowhere in the Bible the physical surface of the earth does it say creation happened 6,000 years ago. That was formed by ongoing process­ was an idea created by James Ussher in 1654. es, whereas “God’s Word” claims LO: The tunnel leads to a small theater showing a it was formed by Noah’s flood. video that begins reciting the first words of Genesis “Slow Processes” vs. “Rapid Pro­ and ending after the sixth day of creation. cesses.” “Human Reason” claims JF: Then God had a kegger! that “the present is the key to the LO: The first of the C-sections is Creation. A sign past,” whereas “God’s Word is the reiterates the theory that, because everything is key to the past, present and fu­ such an intricate process with such exact ingredi­ ture. … God’s intervention at key ents that it must have been created all at once. periods of history explains most JF: How come the Bible never mentions dinosaurs of the world we see today.” then? You’d think a big lizard would somehow be In another room, a TV plays worth noting, seeing how men wrote the Bible and a video about William Jennings men love dinosaurs. Bryan’s struggle in the 1920s to LO: An exhibit about the Garden of Eden features have creationism taught in Amer­ statues of all different sorts of animals frolicking to­ ican schools instead of Darwin’s gether peacefully, including dinosaurs, along with theory of evolution. The video Adam and Eve. Plaques along the walkway sport goes on to suggest that it was quotations from Genesis about the Garden of Eden Darwin’s theories being taught and God’s command to Adam and Eve not to eat widely that spawned Hitler’s eu­ from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. At the genics programs. end of the section, as a scene of Adam and Eve sit JF: Many states in the United in a jungle pool, a large red snake stretches out on a States had eugenics laws on the tree-limb. The snake has a spiked, dragon-like head books by this time, and some of and an evil grin. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden near the Tree of Knowledge the defendants at the Nuremberg JF: He has an uncanny resemblance to Dick of Good and Evil (fruit is not an apple, as the Bible doesn’t specify a trials cited the U.S. eugenics laws Cheney. type of fruit. The Creation Museum uses a berry-type fruit, grown in as their inspiration and defense clusters like grapes). Photo courtesy of The Creation Museum. for the Holocaust. See Museum, p. 13 ! ? t a h Say W We’ve got to take back the ideal of justice, we’ve got to take back this principle of human dignity. We’ve got to take it back from vengeance, from hatred, we’ve got to say: look, we’re all in this together. We are human beings. – David Kaczynski _____________________ �STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009 Local News Recycling for Fellow Brothers Prospect House gives addicts a new way of living 1 9 By KeliSSa HieBer Contributing Writer S ubstance abuse is nothing to be tak­ en lightly; so many have been lost to their addiction, never to return to their former lives. Addiction has claimed the most affluent to the poorest of the poor. Around 2.7 million people in the United States are addicted to some sort of drug, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Many of these people wind up in the prison system. Drug offenders make up around a quarter of all prisoners in this country, with a high rate of returning to their addiction once out of jail. Prospect House is the oldest residential treatment center in southwest Ohio, provid­ ing a successful option for men faced with the crippling cycle of addiction. Founded in 1970 by the Rev. John Loyatt, Prospect House has continued to grow. David Logan, director of the agency, joined its board in 1980. Logan says the house “pro­ vides a highly structured program for those who have lost the struc­ ture of their daily lives.” “Changing your mind about who Participants have to go through an application you are takes a lot of courage.” process and must prove - David Logan they have the desire to change their lives in a positive way. Phase one, which lasts for two months, consists of group therapy in the morning, individual therapy later on and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the evening. There David Logan, executive director of Prospect House. Prospect House is the oldest are several specialized groups to help people residential treament center in southwest Ohio. Photo by Aimie Willhoite. have a better support system while trying to beat their addiction. Examples include the Black Support Group, Life After Bars and the After Nam group, which has recently been expanded to house to support the residents. Other efforts to help the those who have returned from the U.S. wars in Iraq and men get back on their feet are the tutoring programs and Afghanistan. GED prep for those who wish to further their education. The program attempts to have the men not feel alone, Men who reach phase two often help to tutor other resi­ For more as all the counselors are recovering addicts, and many who dents. Some have jobs, some are going to school and some information, visit have successfully completed the program return to the residents have even completed their masters’ degrees www.prospectwhile in the program. Prospect House tries to provide house.org/ a variety of outlets for the men in the program. They have various sports teams, and they have attended ev­ ery opera for the past five years. Once residents have completed phase one, they have to present what they want to do after they complete phase two; often this will be going back to school or getting a job. The house will do everything it can to help the residents reach these goals. Around 200 men are treated per year, with a success factor of 64 percent completing the 90-day program. The house likes to keep tract of former residents to see how they progress. Be­ tween 1990 and 2008, 68 percent of for­ “I hope I can live to see a day mer residents have remained sober, ac­ where people care enough cording to Prospect House. Committing about their fellow brothers to a program like this is no easy task; as they do an aluminum can many addicts feel they have a love affair – we care enough to recycle with their addictions and standing up to them.People deserve a defeat this love is very challenging. second chance, too.” “Changing your mind about who you - David Logan are takes a lot of courage,” Logan says. As Prospect House has grown, it has purchased several of the surrounding houses. Around 30 men live in the Parish House while they complete phases one and two. The surrounding houses are for those who have received more privileges and often have a job or are attending some sort of school. Many who have completed the program live or are trying to find houses within a one-mile radius of the Parish House. These alumni receive the support of the house when­ ever they need but also can be role models for the new guys in the program. Prospect House not only works to help residents build a better life while in the program; they also stay connected while residents battle with the difficult task of transitioning back to normal daily life. “I hope I can live to see a day where people care enough about their fellow brothers as they do an alu­ minum can – we care enough to recycle them,” Logan says. “People deserve a second chance, too.” �10 STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009 Short Story SBS:The Short Burnet Soldiers By MiCHael HenSon Contributing Writer F rom the steps where they sat, sheltered from the street lamps, the two young men could see clearly in all four directions. They were posted at the crossing of two streets. Behind them, a sidewalk led up to an apart­ ment building with broken plaster facings. The building was set back from the street and did not block their view. To one side, a large maple tree with a trunk thick as a barrel. To the other, a honeysuckle bush in full bloom. These pro­ tected them from certain eyes on the street. But by craning around the one or the other, they could easily watch the traffic on the east-west street, and by turning back and looking forward, could watch the traffic on the north-south street. They could always know what was coming. The east-west street was McGregor. The north-south street was Burnet – called here Short Burnet because it dead-ended two blocks down and did not hook up with Long Burnet, which strode for over a mile past hospitals, man­ sions, apartment complexes, a big hotel and the zoo. Past that mile, flanked with shops and ragged buildings, Long Burnet stopped itself in the blazing heart of the ghetto. But this was Short Burnet, tucked away between two deadends and lined with nice old houses, just now beginning to turn. The sidewalk in front of the two young men and the stop sign just a few feet away and the trunk of the barrel-thick maple tree were marked, just like the wall of the apartment building and even the surface of the streets themselves, with various slogans spray-painted in black: Each of the young men was tall, and very dark; each of them had long, grace­ ful limbs stroked by long, sleek muscles that shone in the lamplight like the coats of horses. Their limbs were so long and so slender that, gathered on the Short Burnet S B S Home of the Short Burnet Soldiers steps, they seemed to be a collection of lances. People walked past every few minutes. “Wassup,” one might say. Another might say nothing at all and pass without looking. Still others crossed the street to avoid them. The smell of honeysuckle was heady and tended to make them drowsy, as did the cigar that they passed between them. Later, they would take another ci­ gar, slit it open, gut it and repack it with marijuana. And then they would chill, and relax. But for now, they were kept alert by the need to watch the street con­ stantly and by the cars which either sped along about their business or slowed to check out the young men in theirs. * * * * * A car passed slowly down Burnet, headed south. It was a boxy, sensible make. Though it was late, the driver, a white man, still wore his carefully knotted tie. The lamplight glanced off his glasses so that, for a moment, he had the dazed look of a beetle kicked up into the light from under a stump. One of the young men looked away with a sneer. The other stared at the driver with a calm, fixed stare. He made his stare as obvious as possible by piv­ oting with the motion of the car and by concentrating in his eyes and brows all the contempt he could muster. The driver looked away. He looked confused for a moment, then pulled over to the curb where it was darkest. The young man who had stared him to the curb watched as his companion rose with a soft laugh, trotted into the street to the sensible, boxy car, talked briefly to the driver, then returned, folding out and counting dollar bills. He returned to the perch at the top of the steps still laughing softly. “He bought two twenties, man.” “Just two?” “He say he tryin to slow down.” “He be back.” “He a buster.” That was their word for someone in a tie and a sensible car. “He a dope fiend and a buster.” * * * * * Andre, the one who stared the man to the corner, was the smaller and young­ er of the two, though not by much. He was leaner in the jaw and longer in the eye. He and his companion, Robert, checked the approaches in turns. Robert Photos by Aimie Willhoite. made a short glance in each direction, then looked back to count his money or to examine the coal of his cigar. In his turn, André looked slowly down the eastwest line, then craned back and leaned forward to check the north-south line. Each time he followed the line out to its furthest point, gazed into it a moment and turned in the other direction. Between them, in syncopation and without a word passing, they covered the street. ***** Andre heard, or rather felt, the car before he saw it. The pulse of the speak­ ers was palpable all down the long line of Short Burnet. He felt it first as a light pressure at the back of his scalp, slow and regular as a heartbeat. He turned and stared southward down Short Burnet. A hundred yards to the south, the street dipped downhill and so, for a moment, he saw nothing, but he felt the pulse begin to beat across his cheekbone. Gradually, as he expected, a car came over the rise and into view and the sounds of the speakers came clear: a heavy bass line that, as it reached the houses nearby, put a nervous shimmer to the windows. DOOMpapaDOOMpapaDOOMpapaDOOMpapaDOOM It was a green BMW with gold trim and it approached slowly. “It’s that dude,” he said to his companion. “That downtown dude?” Robert did not turn to look. Andre watched his companion closely as he toked slowly on his cigar, looked to see that it was burnt to the tip and flicked it out into the street. He laughed again softly. Andre did not laugh. He tried to frame his face as a stolid mask. He tried to breathe slow and steady. The green BMW slowed for the stop sign, turned east onto McGregor and rolled slowly past the two young men. The car was just a dozen steps away. But the two young men saw only dim shapes behind its tinted windows. Andre saw that his companion gazed straight and steady into the windows of the car and that he had settled himself into the stone of the steps as if he had become stone. He did the same and even stared the BMW down the street to where it turned and disappeared. “What he want?” he asked his companion when the car was gone. Robert shrugged. “He gone tell us if he want us to know.” He looked slowly to the east-west corners and to the north-south corners, then reached into his pocket for another slim cigar. Several minutes passed before they heard the downtown car again. A pickup truck rattled west up McGregor, slowed in front of them, turned right onto Burnet, stopped and cut off its lights. It was Andre’s turn to score. His companion checked again the east-west and north-south corners as he stood and crossed the street to the darkened truck. “What’s up?” the driver called. He was white, with a mustache and longish hair. And a tattoo on the arm that rested against the truck door. “Depends on what you got for me,” Andre responded. He knew this white man and did not trust him. “How’s your buddy over there?” He nodded over to the steps where, after quick glances north and south, east and west, Robert was watching them both. “He all right,” he told the white man. “He all right.” “Yeah,” the white man said. “He’s all right. I guess he’s lettin’ you take care of business tonight.” The young man shrugged. If he don’t want to deal with me, he thought, he don’t have to deal. “So wassup, man. You want to get busy or what?” “Yeah,” said the white man. “I want to get busy.” “So wassup?” “Check it out.” The white man nodded back toward the bed of his truck. The young man looked, but did not move. “Go ahead, man, check it out.” A large, dark tarp covered something big and square like a piece of furni­ ture. “Naw, man. This ain’t it.” “Just look, man. You can’t knock it til you see what’s up.” “What I wanta look in your …” “Just take a look, man. If you don’t want to talk, then I’ll go on.” He looked over to Robert on the steps; he was shaking his head and grin- See Soldiers, p. 11 �STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009 Short Story SBS:The Short Burnet Soldiers 11 Continued from page 10 ning. He stepped to the back of the truck, grabbed a corner of the tarp, raised it, and saw the wide, blank eye of a television. “It’s wide-screen, cable-ready, got a remote. It’s almost new. Look at it. There’s not a scratch on it.” Andre shook his head again. “What do you think? That ought to be worth a hundred dollars.” “So go get a hundred and we talk.” He threw down the tarp. “Come on, man. You could be watchin’ ESPN. I can show you how to bootleg cable.” “Fuck you and your fuckin TV.” He stepped back from the truck and cradled his heart in his hands. “What the fuck you talking about? I got my own motherfuckin’ TV. Wide-screen nothin’. I got a bigger TV than that. You can take this shit on out of here.” His voice was rising, enough that he would draw certain eyes from the buildings around, but the fury had him. “You want to talk to me,” he shouted, “you get me some money. Cash. Green money. I want to see some cheese, motherfucker.” He turned his back on the white man and his television and the white man started off with his darkened truck down the dark of Short Burnet. Dope fiend fool, he thought. Butterhead. He had decided dope fiends were fools who would sell their mothers. He looked across to the steps where his companion was grinning and, he knew, chuckling softly. The man would be back. He would find somewhere to unload the television for 50, 40, or even 10. And he would be back. The young man felt a small thrill of power, squared his shoulders and stepped back into the street. But as he stepped across the patch of spray-painted slogans on McGregor, he felt again the heartbeat pressure against his cheekbones and heard again the heartbeat sound of the speakers. DOOMpaDOOMpapaDOOMpaDOOM And the sound seized every nerve. * * * * * You know you doin’ wrong out there, Andre’s mother challenged him, over and over. Night after night she demanded, Why you want to hang on that corner night and day. You know you doin’ wrong. Over and over she lamented, So many young men getting’ killed. And I just know you gonna be one. His father, each time he visited, sat through the long rain of words and did not move a muscle in his face. He did not move from the table where he had crossed his thick arms, except to shift his eye to her as she spoke. And to say, briefly, She right. You got no call to be on that corner. * * * * * Twice more the green and gold car swung around. Each time Andre felt the heartbeat pressure in his forehead and cheekbones. Each time he heard the pulse of the bass line as the car slowed for the stop sign and cruised slowly past. Each time the people in the car were no more than shadows behind the tinted glass. The next time, as the car approached, he was in the shadows, dealing with a pair of brothers in from the suburbs. He felt the pressure at his back and shoulders, then heard, DOOMpaDOOMpaDOOMpapaDOOM He settled with the brothers quickly – they dealt out a quick, cool hun­ dred – and moved quickly, without seeming to hurry, across the street to his position at the top of the steps. He did not need to hurry, for the green car did not cross them for several more seconds, several more beats of the heartbeat pressure that he felt in his forehead and cheekbones. This time, the car pulled right to the curb and this time the car did not roll past. This time, the car stopped right in front of them. He glanced to his companion, careful not to turn his face, careful only to flicker an eye to the left, just to see. His companion grinned slightly; a slim wrinkle, just to this side, rose in his lip. He knew his companion was strapped; he had a .38 holstered in leather under his shirt. He himself did not have even a knife. Unconsciously, he moved his hands back and forth between his knees. The near window of the green car ran down with a hum and a man of maybe 30 looked out. His brows were thick and black, his hair cropped close, and his jaws pitted with the scars of acne. He leaned his right el­ bow on the door and placed his left hand over it. A gold bracelet on the arm and a gold ring on the hand shone in the lamplight. Behind him, the driver leaned forward to watch. His hands were crossed on top of the steering wheel. The tinted rear window remained closed. The young man thought he saw a shadow move behind the glass. “Wassup, my brothers,” said the man with the scars. “Just chillin’,” said his companion. The man with the scars leaned back and said into the car, “He say they just chillin’.” The driver, still leaning forward, nodded. From behind the tinted glass, Andre could see dim, shadowed movement in the back seat. The man looked back to them. “So you just chillin’, young brothers. That’s good. But you wouldn’t be out here tryin’ to turn a little trade?” “Depends on what you want to trade,” said his companion, still with the wrinkled grin. The man with the scars pulled back and created a look of manufac­ tured shock. “He think we want to trade,” he said to the shadow. “These young brothers out here servin’, think we butterheads.” The driver was smiling at this, and the shadow moved back in his seat. “No, young brothers. We ain’t lookin’ for nobody to sling us no dope. We just want to ask y’all some questions.” Robert had shifted himself so that his knees were spread wide, each el­ bow rested on a knee, his left hand dangled low, and his right hand rested open in front of his heart. He looked relaxed and natural, but that way, Andre knew, his companion’s hand was close to the handle of his pistol. Would the man in the car know that? Andre pulled his own hands from between his knees and placed each hand at his side. It was all he could do. His companion stared at the car with his hand before his heart. He shrugged and indicated he was ready for the scarred man’s questions. “Now where you pick up what y’all servin’?” “Ain’t nobody said we servin’.” The scarred man glanced back to the shadow, but ignored the claim. “We been talkin’ to a runner, see. And he be lookin’ all roughed up and he ain’t got no money and he ain’t got no product. So we say, ‘Wassup, young brother?’ And he say, ‘Couple young brothers from up on the hill come down, caught him, beat him down, and took his shit. Now what you think of that?” “That’s deep,” said Robert. “Shouldn’t nobody do like that.” “Said it was a couple tall, slender, long-legged brothers,” the man said. “Like y’all.” He raised his thick brows, as if the thought had just occurred to him. Andre rubbed his hands on his legs. He noticed that the scarred man had pulled his hands away from the door. “We don’t play that,” said his companion. “I hope not, cause a couple young brothers like y’all could get hurt.” He nodded toward the driver. The driver nodded back, and when the man turned back to the window, he swung out a nickel-plated pistol. Robert pulled his own, but the man with the scars had been faster. “Hold on, young brother,” the man said, and Robert stopped with the pistol half-drawn from his shirt. Andre stared, helpless and immobile. The man’s gun shone in the lamp­ light, white as ash. The blood drummed in his temple. He scrambled in his mind for something that could save them. Could he leap fast enough to snatch the pistol? Were there more? What about the shadow in the back seat? Robert was frozen, fixed as stone, with the half-drawn pistol still within the fold of his shirt. Am I gonna die now? Andre thought. Momma? He sucked in his breath. Suddenly, the awful moment was over. A blanket of light swept over them all. And all of them looked aside. The white man with the truck had turned back onto Short Burnet. Having swung his headlights across them all, he parked in the shadow. The driver of the green car jammed it into gear and the car screeched like an animal suddenly wounded. The car shot down to the corner, turned and disappeared. Neither of the young men moved for another long moment. The white man waited with his truck humming in the dark. The shrouded television was gone. It was not the young man’s turn, but Robert did not seem ready to move. So Andre checked quickly, leaning forward and back to check the northsouth line and the east-west line and, wiping his hands on the sides of his jeans, made his face into a stolid and stony mask and swallowed down the tremors he feared would fill his voice. Once he settled with the white man in the pickup truck, he started back to the steps. His face was still cased in a stolid and stony mask and would remain so. He had locked down the tremors in his voice and they would not emerge again. He saw that the wrinkled and superior smile of his companion was gone and that his face was grim and heavy as sand. He saw with contempt that the hands of his friend were trembling. �12 Film Review STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009 A Sub-Prime Kind of Romance Michael Moore raises the alert level to orange By david Heitfield Contributing Writer name names or place blame or identify prescriptive mea­ sures – indeed, Moore’s as­ ichael Moore sault on “capitalism” doesn’t was promoting seem that far from President his new movie, Bush’s assault on “terrorism.” Capitalism: A Love Story, on It’s rather vague, but if you alBill Maher’s show, Real Time, low yourself to just sit back when the host took issue with and get caught up in the emo­ the premise of Moore's movtion and fear, maybe you’ll ie: Capitalism is not evil, Maagree with him that there are her insisted. It just evil people out needs a little lovin’. there who want At the end of the in- As you leave the theater after watching this two- to kill you so they terview, he snidely hour-plus mishmash, you can’t help but think to can cash in on the wished Moore suc- yourself that you just watched a major film with insurance. cess in becoming a major distribution in a suburban theater where Capitalism: A extremely rich off you paid $10 for popcorn and a Pepsi with the Love Story says his new movie. Oh, message that capitalism is evil, and it hits you – much more about that droll, ironic we have become so powerless, so entrenched the state of the Bill. American Left in our plutonomy, that that message is not I understood the than it does about viewed as a threat any more. issue better after capitalism. The I saw the movie. Maher interview Moore does pronounce capi- that the memo also pointed was instructive: Maher, the talism evil and suggests it be to other nations develop- devout atheist, could never replaced with “democracy,” ing into a plutonomy, such condone the pronouncement but the basis of his judgment as Canada, Great Britain and of “evil” based on a cosmolis none other than the Catho- even China. Moore thinks ogy (organized religion) that lic Church. He asks a couple the root of our political inac- he sees as even more evil. of priests in Michigan if capi- tion in the face of this devel- One huge rift of the Left in talism is evil, they say it is, he opment is that people think America is that conflicting shows a funny montage of they can become part of that worldview: a kind of Vatican Jesus telling a sick person he 1 percent elite; and his hope II, liberal Paul Tillich-type cannot heal him because of is that, as people wake up to Christianity, in which we shall a pre-existing condition, and the fact that they never will, be judged by how we treat the off we go. the people will revolt. least among us (the Moore The movie doesn’t so much But I’m not convinced view); versus a sort of earthadvance an argument as pres- even Moore believes that. To worshiping paganism that ent a montage of the evils of his credit, he places the bail- extols the virtues of a vegan our culture – airplane pilots out pretty squarely on the lifestyle and believes protectmaking $17,000; people be- shoulders of the Democrats ing Mother Earth is our most ing kicked out of their homes in Congress. He also shows compelling morality (the Maand jobs; P&G buying “dead President Obama’s election, her view). peasants” insurance on their with people cheering and These views are, it seems to workers, so they can cash crying and reveling in Ho- me, incompatible: the Maher in big in case of premature penchange, and then points folk believe the Christians are death; Citigroup's infamous out Goldman-Sachs became idiots who believe in invisible 2005 memo proclaiming the Obama’s biggest campaign men in the sky; the Moore folk United States a plutonomy. contributor. The message is believe the pagans are idiots In a plutonomy, a shrinking not so subtle: Even the good who simply replaced a belief number of people control a guys with a popular mandate in God with a belief in Earth, majority of wealth– in Amer- are bought and paid for. bestowing magical characterica, the top 1 percent hold Moore is not trying to be istics on trees and animals. more wealth than the aggre- bipartisan so much as trying In line with post-Enlightgate bottom 95 percent – so to reach a slightly broader enment Christian theology, that the health of the entire audience – no teabaggers Moore romanticizes a past economy depends upon the were harmed during film- that I don't believe ever quite fortunes of that small elite. ing. But that means failing to existed: He talks of growing up M Although the movie doesn’t mention it, this is exactly the basis of the “too big to fail” reasoning about socializing losses in the financial sector. We bailed out Wall Street because we had no choice (according to this view, anyway) – failure for the ultra-wealthy means failure for everyone. The movie fails to mention Buddy Gray speaking with Michael Moore about homelessness and affordable housing in1996. Photo by Jimmy Heath. in a union household in Flint, their Escalades through For­ where everyone was pretty est Park. much happy and school was And that’s why I don't think paid for and people worked people are ready to do anyand owned houses and lived thing about the system: One, the American dream. as long as there are homeless I’m about the same age as people to spit on or gays or Michael, I grew people of color to up in a union hate on or a new household He talks of growing McMansion in a just a couple gated community up in a union hundred miles to buy, you'll al­ household in Flint, south of Flint, where everyone was ways have value and I don’t in your life, repretty much happy remember it gardless of how and school was that way. What far you are from paid for and people I remember the top 1 percent. worked and owned were resent- houses and lived the Two, we live in ful, pissed-off a time when all American dream. mothers who politics and mespent most dia – including of their time Moore – pander watching soap operas and to the middle class, the most hating the fact they had no intellectually vapid and mor­ social cache, let alone career ally bereft segment of our options. I remember fathers demographic. Three, espeworking third shift and some- cially on the left, there is just times weeks without a day off no consensus on our moral who were too tired and disen- authority, or even if there is franchised from factory work any. Hell, on the left, you can’t to spend any time with their even get consensus between families. Both generally hated City Beat and Streetvibes. their lives. I remember beans And the final irony, the one and cornbread when Dad the smug Maher has right: was on strike; I remember his As you leave the theater after two heart attacks at work; I watching this two-hour-plus remember the pent-up anger mishmash, you can’t help but and resentment that some- think to yourself that you just times led to violence (and no, watched a major film with a there was no alcohol in our major distribution in a subhouse). I remember a popular urban theater where you paid culture that made fun of all $10 for popcorn and a Pepsi of it: From the Kinks’ “A Well with the message that capitalRespected Man” to the Mon- ism is evil, and it hits you – we kees’ “Pleasant Valley Sun- have become so powerless, so day.” My older brother and I entrenched in our plutono­ never, ever had any desire to my, that that message is not work in a factory, even if that viewed as a threat any more. option were available. It’s as hollow as the terrorism And much of that stems alert levels. Had Moore made from another aspect of Amer- a movie saying the middle ican culture that I don’t think class has shit for brains and Moore has quite right: It’s not our best option is anarchy – the desire to be in the top 1 a message in which I like to percent that motivates Amer- think post-Enlightenment icans; it’s the desire to simply Jesus would have been well be better than you. The peo- pleased – well, I don’t think ple who live in West Chester the Weinstein Group would might envy those who live in have produced that movie, Amberley Village, but you can because no one who would bet they always smile in smug see it would pay $10 for pop­ self-satisfaction when driving corn and a Pepsi. �STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009 Candidate Interview 13 Dew to Others as They Due to You Lansky’s poetry of the streets and the mind By aManda Wolfe Contributing Writer Steven Paul Lansky’s new book of poetry, Eleven Word Title for Confessional Political Poetry Originally Composed for Radio, is a frank account of a personal journey inexplicably intertwined with the struggle of a community. Opening with poems concerned with vastly different subject matter, such as a pizza deliveryman receiving a parking ticket; the violent death of Nathaniel Jones at the hands of Cincinnati Police in 2003 and a harsh critique of George W. Bush’s policies, Lansky’s book serves as a reminder that these kinds of subjects are not as different nor as isolated as they might seem. It is most notably in “Red Mark” that the book begins to combine the political with the personal. The speaker in this poem, having received a dose of anti-psychotic medication, is arrested and mistreated – not in the same violent manner as Nathaniel Steven Paul Lansky. Photo by Maria Campolongo. Jones, but in a way that links the two nonetheless. He is “cuffed, locked in a room. / To sleep off my thorazine. / A rite of passage. / From citizen to criminal.” Lansky’s language here invites the reader into this unjust world as he asks, “Do you know your name? Do you / have ID? / Are you marked like me?” Even “Socks,” which begins with a harmless enough scene, does not allow the reader a rest. We are shown abandoned socks on the ground, and we follow the speaker to the nearest convenience store for a bag to retrieve them. Finally, though, after this bizarre situation, Lansky strikes us with the fi- nal lines of the poem: “The buses have progressively more people on / board as it gets later. I can see black faces in the lit / interiors. It is too early for the white workers to be / on the bus going downtown from College Hill.” White socks on the ground, black faces on the bus—what connections is the reader to make of these images? It’s difficult to articulate, but leaves the reader with an uneasy feeling, similar to this poem’s speaker who is “afraid of (the socks’) wet karma.” This ambiguity is a particular strength of Lansky’s writing. The poems that do not make explicit judgments but instead portray poignant scenes are the most forceful of this collection. Another talent of Lansky’s that shines in this book is his ability to distort words, to break a seemingly innocuous word into pieces that completely shift its meaning. This is most evident in the clever “Kaddish to allen,” one of the most outstanding pieces in Eleven Word Title. Written three days after the death of poet Allen Ginsberg, this poem is a tribute and lament that reaches beyond Ginsberg himself. By deconstructing Ginsberg’s mother’s name, Naomi, Lansky creates his own hypnotic mantra: “Naomi, no home me, me no home, no we, no we know no home. / Home me, homey don’t know no home Naomi.” From “lobotomy” Lansky derives “Me low bottom me, low bottom, bottom low” and LSD becomes “long slow day, long slow death.” These examples on their own could be perceived as gimmicky, but within the context of the poem, they truly illuminate the struggles of a family with mental illness and the desperation, that “rage of a generation, the rage against madness,” that comes with it. Lansky’s book continues with poems touching candidly on war, segregation, hallucination. The music of poetry persists throughout all of these and culminates in the collection’s final poem, “Insomnia.” “Judge poetry not unlike moist dew / on grassland,” Lansky writes. “Pardon. / But, was there grass in Overthe-Rhine / enough to reach sample dew? / Do as you must, old doer.” This, another unsettling ending, leaves the reader with the question of whether grass/poetry/beauty can thrive in an environment such as OTR, and with the challenge of making that de­ cision for himself. But Lansky himself has proven that this can indeed be the case with this honest portrayal of the need for social justice, toler­ ance and peace. Eleven Word Title leaves its reader desir­ ing the life of Sadie the street dog, from “Wild Turkeys” who “went from cement side­ walks, / busted glass, park­ ing meters, gas eating cars, / and car tires rotting on street corners, / to a life full of shit chasing wild turkeys.” Steven Paul Lansky will give a reading at InkTank, 1311 Main St. at 7 p.m. Oct. 30. He will be showing Tomato Tomahto, reading from the new book, and serving food, wine and dirty lemonade. Admission is $2. Yes, it’s Creative but Is it Science? Continued from page 8 LO: The section called “Corruption” has pictures of war, famine, drug addiction and other awful things. JF: But it fails to mention broccoli. LO: A sign tells how God had an idea of how to fix the problems Adam and Eve caused: “He replaced the fig leaves with clothes made by animal skins.” JF: The first hand-medowns. LO: The next section includes life-size scenes of primitive people wearing animal skins and involved in various pre-historic village activities. Plaques tell what existed before “Adam’s Sin” and what existed after. JF:We Catholics know it was really Eve’s fault but Adam took responsibility, as a man always does. LO: Before “Adam’s Sin” there was no venom, no death, no disease, no carnivores. These are the explanations for why some animals became carnivorous: “Changed diet – the diet of some animals merely changed. Revealed information – the potential for meat eating was placed into the original creation, but not revealed until after the Curse.” JF: So there’s a self-destruct sequence, eh? LO: One sign asks, “Where did Cain get his wife?” It goes on to explain that incest was an unfortunate necessity for Adam and Eve’s children but that fact reinforces creationism’s position that all humans are related to each other, no matter what race or culture they belong to. JF: How touching after the display of homophobia just a few rooms ago. LO: Rooms full of diagrams, pictures and charts offer proof of the impact that Noah’s flood had on geological and biological conditions on the Earth. The fourth C age is Confusion. JF:You mean that’s not what the whole museum was? LO: Pictures show Babel and its fall. A sign proclaims, “Babel explains our differences.” Just past the doorway leading out of this section is a large banner depicting the final three C’s—Christ, Cross, Consummation, ending in the movie The Last Adam, the finale. JF: Oh, thank Science! LO: The movie begins with an older white man fondling a T-Rex tooth and talking about how the Bible supports all the facts illustrated in the exhibit. JF: And by that, he means without giving any scientific proof. LO: He goes on to give a synopsis of Christianity and its tenets. Actors playing Mary and a Roman soldier tell about how things re­ ally went. JF: It was eerily like what they showed us in religion class at Catholic school, The museum is located on 49 beautifully landscaped acres, with a mile of except Catholic nature trails. Photo courtesy of Creation Museum. school taught religion in religion class, not pseudoscience. I could present without any up to fail at any sort of scienLO: Two young blond- opinionated commentary or tific field in both school and haired girls in the next row judgments. I do not offer any career. got bored after the first five conclusion. minutes and began squirmJF: Here’s mine, though. My suggestion: Take your ing in their seats and tug- This way of thinking has the $20 and burn it. You’d at least ging on their parents’ sleeves, potential to hamper human- save yourself some time and whining about wanting to go ity’s ability to learn the na- gas money. Better yet, send to the petting zoo and the gift ture of the universe and the it to me. My favorite charshop. physical world around us. I ity is always accepting doJF: No amount of whining overheard two pairs of par- nations. Make checks out to could convince Lea to let me ents telling their children that Cause Against Social Harm, go to the petting zoo. the earth is only thousands of or C.A.S.H. LO: So there you have it. years old – not billions. Telling As accurate a description as kids things like that sets them �14 STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009 Local News There’s No Place Like This Box Continued from page 1 Some of us had just recent­ ly seen Spike Lee’s 1988 film, The Rev. Ben Urmston, along School Daze. In it, Laurence with MiMi Chamberlin (who Fishburne’s character, Dap, is now execu­ organizes a tive director s h a n t y t ow n of Church­ After sleeping outdoors on the cam­ es Active in pus of “Mis­ for five nights, students Northside) sion College” boarded a full bus to led Dorothy to urge di­ Washington to join Day House – a hundreds from Cincinnati vestment in campus pro­ South Africa. and thousands from gram devoted The movie across the country to social jus­ demanding housing as h i g h l i g h t s tice and vol­ Dap and the a right and an end to unteerism. socially ac­ homelessness. For me, the tive shanty house be­ dwellers who came a link to an experience sought to confront a student that felt more “real” than body made up of “wannabes” campus life. The previous preoccupied with trivial vani­ year a group of XU students, ties. The prominent closing including me, engineered an scene of the movie featured informal summer internship. Dap, rising at sunrise, stirring For three months we lived in a sleepy campus with the re­ Over-the-Rhine and hung out peated cry, “Wake Up!” at local agencies like the Drop This was our feeling. We Inn Center, ReSTOC and Pea­ would stage a shantytown to slee Neighborhood Center. wake up XU. We also witnessed first­ hand the decade’s spike in Berding and Springer homelessness. Many grass­ roots agencies were springing Some in the administra­ up, trying very hard with little tion were quite leery about or no resources to respond student safety, unseemly con­ to an impossible economic duct and potential damage to situation. The activists were the XU Mall. Our group also sounding a warning call. And grappled with amassing the in the meantime, Milli Van­ large quantity of cardboard illi kept playing on the boom needed, food, logistics, pub­ box. licity – and let’s not forget the Earlier that year the Na­ bus to Washington. tional Coalition for the Home­ That week was cool, no less called for a large march rain, but very windy. More on Washington, D.C., to call than one shanty was not to for increased federal involve­ be up to the task. A couple ment to address the growing roofs blew off during the homeless crisis. What later night. But despite the flimsy came to be known as the cardboard, the event had a Housing Now! March was a strength because of its clar­ massive undertaking, espe­ ity. It gained momentum as it cially in Cincinnati. XU stu­ went along. The week started dents alone had committed with a cross-campus collabo­ to filling a bus. Ten additional ration. A group of College busses were to be filled by lo­ Democrats from Miami (led cal Homeless Coalition mem­ by current City Councilman bers and other organizations. Jeff Berding) added a shanty To help meet our goal, we of their own. Visitors included looked to plan an event that civil rights leader Rev. Mau­ would both call attention to rice McCrackin, Drop Inn Cincinnati’s own growing Center founder Buddy Gray homeless problem as well as and then-Councilman Pete generate excitement around Strauss. this national march. The media highlight was a The first Xavier University Shantytown was in 1989. The annual Shantytown is still held on the Xavier Mall. Photo by Pat Clifford. feature story on Channel 5 – complete with a closing com­ mentary by Jerry Springer, ending, of course, with “Take care of yourself – and each other.” Then it was over. The shan­ ties were dismantled on Thursday, and we were off to Washington on Friday. Af­ ter sleeping outdoors for five nights, students boarded a full bus to Washington to join hundreds from Cincinnati and thousands from across the country demanding housing as a right and an end to homelessness. As I began my work the next year at the Drop Inn Center, I was aware that shantytowns continued. Over the years, many universities and lo­ cal high schools have orga­ nized shantytowns. Last fall the Mayerson Service Learn­ ing Program helped over 450 students from 18 local high schools stage a coordinat­ ed Shantytown, believed to be the largest multi-school Shantytown in the country. And 20 years later, the goal remains raising awareness of those for whom homeless­ ness is neither voluntary nor temporary. We never envisioned the Homeless Shantytown as an ongoing event. Now, as direc­ tor of the largest shelter in the region, I am proud that teens and young adults in Cincin­ nati still feel called to bring awareness to the suffering of those that are homeless. In this lies the key to ending homelessness. �STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009 15 Resources Need Help or Want to Help? Shelter: Women and Children Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 Central Access Point Cincinnati Union Bethel 381-SAFE 768-6907 557-2873 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 241-1064 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 3600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 St. Vincent de Paul 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 681-2365 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Treatment: Men 872-9259 Charlie’s 3/4 House Shelter: Men DIC Live In Program Prospect House 241-5525 961-2256 Treatment: Women First Step Home 961-4663 961-4080 761-1480 721-0643 Joseph House (Veterans) 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 351-0422 381-6672 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 241-2965 471-1100 221-3350 Hamilton County ADAS Board Recovery Health Access Center Sober Living Talbert House Hamilton/Middletown 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 Northern Kentucky Advocacy 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 961-4555 751-0643 381-1954 Food/Clothing Lord’s Pantry OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 621-5300 961-1983 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Francis Soup Kitchen People Working Cooperatively The Caring Place United Way Women Helping Women 946-4888 281-7422 681-0324 641-4300 Housing: Tom Geiger House Dana Transitional Bridge Services Volunteers of America 771-4800 751-0600 721-4811 351-7921 631-1114 211 977-5541 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 3330 Jefferson, Cinti, Ohio 45220 Tender Mercies 381-0111 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 AA Hotline CCAT 2728 Glendora Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45209 CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing 621-5514 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Goodwill industries Healing Connections Mary Magdalen House Treatment: Both Interfaith Hospitality Network Lighthouse Youth Center (Youth) 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 661-4620 241-2600 241-2563 214 E. 14th St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Drop Inn Center Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center Peaslee Neighborhood Center Shelter: Both Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 458-6670 977-4489 Other Resources 721-0643 921-1613 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Anthony House (Youth) 558-8888 981-5800 784-1853 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Starting Over 1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Justice Watch 241-0490 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Shelter Mental Health Access Point Mercy Franciscan at St. John NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 City Gospel Mission 357-4602 352-2902 352-6363 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 762-5660 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter Health Resource Center Homeless Mobile Health Van McMicken Dental Clinic 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45202 562-8841 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 Salvation Army 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Bethany House FreeStore/FoodBank Crossroad Health Center Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 721-4700 421-7803 579-8547 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 Health Center for Respite Care Brighton Center 863-3184 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 859-491-8303 799 Ann St. Newport, KY 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 535-2719 Creative Writing Serfication - a.k.a. I am One With the Land By tHe Mad Poet I am tired, old, and poor, I line up twice in soup kitchens for more. Can you see that I am down but not out, Why must I get the fuck out? I am one with the land, You must seriously reconsider your plan. Please grant me more time to pay, I am currently learning the right way. By simply taking it day by day, I know what they say. I am society’s so-called ill, Lost my job, can’t pay the bills. No matter what the sun always shines, Today I opposed a sip of wine. Instead I drank cold lemonade, Things not perfect, but soon I’ll have it made. My pain is sometimes un-bearing, Upscale society is so uncaring. A smile gets me through the pain, I do this even in the rain. The community is growing and expanding, I am taking vocational classes through understand­ ing. The poor cannot compete with the riches, Does Darwin’s theory mean I must sleep in ditch­ es? Is your community redevelopment approved by God, Or should I march and scream a Christian Jihad? Unnecessary causalities is so unkind, What happened to no man left behind? Can you see that I am down but not out, Why must I get the fuck out? I am one with the land, You must seriously reconsider your plan. �16 Column STREETVIBES October 15 - 31, 2009 Painting to the Point of Truth Scott Donaldson speaks through his art “Art has always been part of my life,” says Scott Donaldson. “I failed second-grade reading because I spent all my time drawing. Art is my expression, my communication. It gives me an outlook on my life and on life in general.” A visual artist, Donaldson graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, Minn., with a bachelor’s degree in studio and theatre arts and from the University of Minnesota with a master’s degree in theatre arts. Donaldson had a longstanding interest in theatre. As a child he mounted plays in his backyard for the neighborhood. In college in the early 1970s he worked with David Olsen and the Cherry Creek Theatre to develop shows that involved the community. After grad­ uating from college he worked for five years as a set designer for the Kalamazoo Civic Players, then for 15 years as an exhibit designer for various museums, including the National Underground Rail­ road Freedom Center in Cincinnati. Donaldson also did his studio art all along – landscapes in the beginning, later more socially engaged paintings, with a sense of black humor reminiscent of the theater he likes. His social and political interests and liberal views started at an early age, working on George McGovern’s presidential campaign when he was 18, then getting involved in the political and sociallybased experimental underground theatre of the early 1970s. When he first arrived in Cincinnati, Donaldson participated in Ahimsa, a show on non-violence. His piece in the show, A Beautiful World, represented a figure of Buddha facing the violence of the city. He cut a hole and put a light inside the piece, a reference to his belief that light has to come from within and that peace is only possible through a as deeper understanding of the inner being and a peaceful self. By Saad gHoSn In 2005 Donaldson reContributing Writer ceived an individual art­ ist’s grant from the city of Cincinnati to visually interpret stories of the Underground Railroad in modern times. Boxed, a drawing from the series, represents a black woman hid­ ing in a confined space; Donaldson meant it as a modern allegory for how we cut ourselves off from the richness of the world by our fears, prejudices and obsessions. In Hide and Seek, two men hide in the dark among trees; they depict the fearful hider with whom we sympathize and the frightening seeker, whether a government agent or a criminal, from whom we fear ambush. This series served also as a statement about slavery and its history. Donaldson then became involved with the Artworks summer teen program, designing and facilitating the painting of neighbor­ hood murals. He remembers, while painting a mural for the Mel­ ville school building, the intricate involvement of the community in its progress and the pride at seeing portraits of different kids and A rtists ctivists ‘George Carlin,’ acrylic painting on canvas by Scott Donaldson. Photo by Scott Donaldson. Scott Donaldson paints to promote his values. Photo by Bill Howes. members of the community being displayed. “It gave identity to these people” Donaldson says, “Nobody had done this before for them.” In designing the murals, Donaldson always involves the commu­ nity, bringing it together and giving it a voice. He also often inserts in his murals symbols with a message. A Camp Washington mural, for instance, includes, next to a picture of George Washington in a dress, a picture of a cow, reference to the cow that escaped from the Camp Washington slaughterhouse and ran free for 12 days. Don­ aldson wanted it as a symbol of freedom and courage. In 2009 Donaldson had a portrait show of celebrities he se­ lected because they made a statement through their lives or had personal integrity. He painted them in a realistic but twisted way, using an odd color scheme; this of­ ten revealed something hidden or intriguing about them. A new series In designing the murals, Donaldson of portraits includes, for instance, always involves the community, Oppenheimer, because of his guilt bringing it together and giving it a feeling at having facilitated the crevoice. He also often inserts in his ation of the atomic bomb and of how murals symbols with a message. he lived afterwards trying to limit its further use. Donaldson painted him with gold eyes, the color of enlightenment; and a rust background, the color of remorse. He also included Helen Keller, who, despite losing her sight, overcame her limitations and spoke up. The portrait of George Carlin is in homage to the man who never gave in and always pushed the envelope of free speech. Carlin, a stand-up comedian, always said the truth. He was audacious and anti-establishment. Donaldson painted his face blue-grey, re­ lated to his recent death; his piercing uncompromising eyes gold for knowledge; and his beard fiery red in reference to his outspoken mind. Over the past years Donaldson participated regularly in SOS ART, a yearly art show of sociopolitical expressions for peace and justice. His pieces in the show generally communicated his critical views of what hinders peace in our society, also his messages for a better world. American Happiness, his 2007 painting, was in reaction to the Virginia Tech shooting and about America’s love of guns and violence and our inability to pass effective gun laws. In addition to his personal art, Donaldson still does ex­ hibit designs. He is designing the permanent display of “The Freedom Summer” exhibit at Miami University. The exhibit will document the story of individuals who, in the summer of 1960, trained at Miami University in order to go south to regis­ ter black voters, at the risk of their own lives. Carlyle Brown, an African-American playwright who teaches at Miami University and whose plays are an unapologetic avocation for justice and equality, will write the story. Donaldson’s works, be it his paintings or his exhibit designs, always reflect who he is, what he believes and the values he cherishes. His themes are universal, always in favor of integ­ rity, freedom and justice. “I am true to my heart” he says. “I paint to the point of truth I see, and I am not afraid of saying what I think. Of course, I am not interested in getting in a fight, but one thing is certain: I will not back down from what I believe.” Artists as Activists is a regular column highlighting Greater Cincinnati artists who use art as a vehicle for change. Saad Ghosn is the founder of SOS Art. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2009 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource October 15-31, 2009 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: There’s No Place Like This Box All Dolled Up and Nowhere to Go Pg 2: The Vibe Pg 3: Cincinnati’s Public Library at Risk Pg 4: Burning Questions, Tepid Replies Pg 5: Burning Questions, Tepid Replies Continued Pg 6: Burning Questions, Tepid Replies Continued Pg 7: Streetcar Enlivens Mayoral Debate Pg 8: Yes, It’s Creative but is it Science? Pg 9: Recycling for Fellow Brothers Pg 10: SBS: The Short Burnet Soldiers Pg 11: SBS: The Short Burnet Soldiers Continued Pg 12: A Sub-Prime Kind of Romance Pg 13: Drew to Others as They Due to You Pg 14: There’s No Place Like This Box Continued Pg 15: Resources Pg 16: Painting to the Point of Truth Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 15-31, 2009 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Gregory Flannery Lynne Ausman Jeni Jenkins Lew Moores Dave Scharfenberger Margo Pierce Paul Kopp Jeremy Flannery Michael Henson David Heitfield Kelissa Hieber Josh Flannery Stephanie Dunlap Saad Ghosn lea Ottenheimer Ariana Shahandeh Amanda Wolfe Dan LaBotz Mark Payne Aimie Willhoite George Ellis Jeni Jenkins Anthony Williams Berta Lambert Jennifer Blalock Lynn Baker Type The nature or genre of the resource PDF Activists Aimie Willhoite Amanda Wolfe Anthony Williams Ariana Shahandeh Berta Lambert Braiding Miss Daisy Burning Questions Cincinnati Cincinnati Public Library Dan LaBotz Dave Scharfenberger David Heitfield Election George Ellis Gregory Flannery Jeni Jenkins Jennifer Blalock Jeremy Flannery Josh Flannery Kelissa Hieber Lea Ottenheimer Lew Moores Lynn Baker Lynne Ausman Margo Pierce Mark Payne Michael Henson Michael Moore Paul Kopp Poetry Saad Ghosn Scott Donaldson Soldiers Stephanie Dunlap Steven Paul Lansky Streetcar Tax Levy https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/ad8d08fc6e9d2058dfa4f6edfe948492.pdf 379887362666d2e3c4f3287f109700d9 PDF Text Text American Journal of Public Health reports 37 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans Disabled and Proud - page 8 Storyteller Runs page 13 ... page 5 STREETVIBES $1 October 1 -15, 2009 • Advocating Justice, Building Community • Issue 162 CMHA Chief Denies Racism Charges Files suit against civil-rights lawyer over challenge to voucher policy By Mark Payne Contributing Writer A defamation lawsuit against attorney Bob Newman is the latest blow taken in his battle with Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority Chair Arnold Barnett. The suit, filed in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, accuses Newman of defaming Barnett in a CMHA Chair Arnold complaint Barnett calls himself filed with the ‘the new sheriff.’ United States Photo by Lynne Department Ausman. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The fight began when Newman filed a complaint on behalf of three African-American women who have had difficulties with the Housing Choice Voucher program, which provides housing to low-income residents. The complaint against CMHA and Barnett, accuses the agency of housing discrimination based on race. CMHA has 400 to 500 Housing Choice Vouchers that aren’t being issued even though approximately 10,000 people are on a waiting list for them, according to Newman’s complaint. About 90 percent of the people on the waiting list are African Americans, Newman says. “There is a huge demand for them, and they’re not getting them into the hands of people that need them,” he says. Newman’s complaint says CMHA has “adopted policies and practices which unreasonably interfere with providing vouchers to eligible persons.” At issue is the “work preference” policy, which requires CMHA to go through the waiting list and find employed people before moving on to unemployed people. The CMHA board voted to remove the policy, but reinstated it at Barnett’s request. “I am the new sheriff in town,” Barnett said shortly after his election as board chair, according to the complaint filed by Newman. Shortly after his election, Barnett also proposed the “Enforcement Campaign,” which would evict voucher-holding residents for “loud music and foul language.” In retaliation for the Aug. 18 complaint by Newman, Barnett told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he had called the executive director of CMHA and told him to buy as much property as possible in Newman’s neighborhood, according to a followup complaint by Newman. The Enquirer quoted Barnett saying, “I told our director to go see if we can buy any property in his neighborhood. … If (Newman) likes it so much, let’s give him a few.” Barnett’s comments violate Title VI of the Civil Right Act, which states, “The threat of the use of Section 8 vouchers or other public-housing units or resources to inflict a hoped injury on one who has filed a Fair Housing complaint with HUD is a violation of Title VI,” Newman’s complaint says. Newman seeks to have Barnett removed because he believes his threats are a violation of the mission of CMHA. In a statement to CMHA, Elizabeth Brown, president of Affordable Housing Advocates, said Barnett should step down if he doesn’t support CMHA’s mission. “Recent public comments by Arnold Barnett, the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of CMHA, have sparked a sense of outrage among our members,” Brown said. “He not only has insulted all the families living in CMHA housing, but has undermined the credibility of the authority in its program decisions and business operations.” Barnett, a republican activist in Green Township, owns an advertising agency. He did not return a reporter’s calls seeking comments. Keep Struggling – but Carefully Homeless Coalition remembers and recommits By Gregory Flannery Editor T he good news is the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is still active after 25 years. The bad news is the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) is still active after 25 years. Last month GCCH held its annual meeting at Church of the Redeemer in Hyde Park. Josh Spring, executive director of the coalition, spelled out the mixed blessing that its anniversary represents. “How should this note hit us? Should this excite us or sadden us or a mixture thereof?” he said. “I believe, at its core, this note should deeply sadden us. For 25 years now there has been a grand need for the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. The truth is that when the coalition was founded, the founders did not dream it would still be needed 25 years later.” Tracing the origins of contemporary American homelessness to cuts in social-services spending during the Reagan administration, Spring lamented the fact that GCCH still has work to do. “Years later after exponentially more cuts and loss of affordable housing, we Staffers from social-service agencies enjoy a potluck at the annual meeting of the Greater are still here,” he said. Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Photo by Rob Goeller. “We are still here and we are still fighting old battles – bat- ti City Council to use zoning regula- Metropole Apartments against a plan tles such as the ones in 2009, which tions to restrict social-services agen- to turn their low-income housing should never have to be fought. We cies from locating in Over-the-Rhine, into a commercial hotel to serve the are fighting for the realization of basic • convincing council to restore downtown entertainment district, humanity for all.” $700,000 in funding for social-servic• defeating an effort to impose Given the fact that homelessness es agencies, a tax on panhandlers, persists, Spring detailed the work that • working to keep homeless• coordinating efforts to keep a GCCH has done in Cincinnati in the ness as a priority in the city’s social- cold-weather shelter open and past year: services funding, • Resisting efforts by Cincinna• organizing tenants at the See Struggling, p. 5 �2 The Vibe By The Numbers 37 the percentage of veterans from U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with mentalhealth diagnoses (see page 5). 10,000 the number of people waiting for housing vouchers in Cincinnati (see page 1). 567 the number of affordablehousing units provided by Over-the-Rhine Community Housing (see page 9). 14 the longest number of years Laure Quinlivan has lived in one place (see page 13). 25 the number of years since the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless was founded (see page 1). 30 the number of decorative trash cans created by the Vine Street Murals and Can-paign (see page 16). 12 years the age of a child whose teachers wrote her off as “brain dead” (see page 3). 2 lbs. 4 oz. Dominique Booker’s weight at birth (see page 13). 2.5 million the number of Americans affected by bipolar disorder (see page 10). 3 months the age of a child recently killed in Overthe-Rhine (see page 14). 20 the average number of copies of Streetvibes sold by Mary Mueller in a day (see page 6). StreetWise By Gregory Flannery Editor Banned by the Buddhists Homeless people who sell street papers such as Streetvibes aren’t always welcome. Earlier this year a Kroger Co. subsidiary banned vendors selling an edition of the Denver VOICE containing a reprint from Streetvibes. Now a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Cincinnati has asked Streetvibes vendors to stay away. An article in the Sept. 15 edition (“Rejoicing Against Oppression”) reported on a conflict between the Dalai Lama and Gaden Samdrupling Buddhist Monastery in Cincinnati. When the monastery presented Tibet Fest last month, the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, which hosted the event, agreed to allow Streetvibes vendors to sell the paper and even offered to provide a table and chairs – a welcome kindness to vendors who are used to standing outside in the heat or the cold or the rain, trying to sell the paper to make a few dollars for a meal. But Gaden Samdrupling Buddhist Monastery asked Streetvibes not to send vendors to Tibet Fest, saying that their presence would endanger the life of Kuten Lama, abbot of the monastery. No evidence was presented. The monastery even asked Streetvibes not to have vendors sell the paper on the sidewalk during Tibet Fest. If our vendors aren’t welcome on private property, they aren’t welcome. Homeless people are used to that kind of treatment, but it’s disconcerting that a Buddhist monastery would treat them so. The sidewalk in front of the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, however, is public property. But no vendors sold Streetvibes there during the festival. One vendor, Riccardo Taylor, said that he would stay away out of respect for the Tibetans. We are glad to report that no harm befell Kuten Lama as a result – although it makes no sense to us. Death, Be Not Proud What a bloody inconvenience: The state of Ohio spent two hours trying to poison Romell Broom, and it still didn’t work, leading the governor to postpone his execution and resulting in a lot of legal botherment from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio. Broom was scheduled to be poisoned – the official term is “lethal injection” – on Sept. 15. But the killers – the official term is “executioners” – had trouble finding a viable vein. For two excruciating hours they had a man strapped down, waiting to die, jabbing him with a needle. After 120 minutes of this torture, Gov. Ted Strickland finally issued a one-week reprieve, evidently hoping that Broom’s health will improve to the point that he can be killed in a more expeditious manner. The ACLU’s involvement fortunately brought about a longer delay, with a hearing scheduled Sept. 28 in federal court in Columbus. In addition to litigation, the Ohio Chapter of the ACLU appealed to human decency, calling for a moratorium on murder by the state of Ohio – the official term is “capital punishment” – following the botched poisoning. “This follows two other botched executions in Ohio, beginning with Joseph L. Clark in May 2006 and Christopher Newton in May 2007,” said a statement issued by ACLU of Ohio. “Both of these executions were eventually completed despite officials struggling to find viable veins on the men.” Whatever the outcome of the case in federal court, remember that people are slowly, painfully being tortured to death in your name. Then do something to stop it. Kill, Then Get Educated Another socially acceptable form of killing is soldiering – the official term is “military service.” A national magazine that caters to the U.S. armed forces has placed Cincinnati State Technical and Community College on its list of “Military Friendly Schools’’ for 2010. The magazine, G.I. Jobs, said Cincinnati State is among the top 15 percent of all colleges, universities and trade schools in meeting the needs of military veterans. The publication said the designation recognizes such criteria as full-time counselors for veterans, policies that protect the academic standing of soldiers called to active duty, networking opportunities and other campus events geared specifically toward veterans. “We have worked hard for years to make our campus and our programs accessible to the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform,’’ said Cincinnati State President John Henderson, who is a military veteran. “Wearing our nation’s uniform” officially means soldiering – not federal jobs that involve uniforms such as park rangers, postal workers or other jobs that don’t involve the killing of human beings. It’s Good When Dopey Policies Fail But human progress advances in spite of ourselves. Consider this small example: Marijuana arrests in the United States have dropped for the first time since 2002, according to the FBI. Across the country in 2008, cops made 847,863 arrests on marijuana charges – 89 percent of which were for simple possession, more arrests for marijuana possession than for all violent crimes combined. An American was arrested on marijuana charges every 37 seconds. But that number was down from 872,000 marijuana arrests in 2007. “This slight dip in the number of marijuana arrests provides a small amount of relief to the tens of millions of American marijuana consumers who have been under attack by their own government for decades,” says Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project. “It's time to stop wasting billions of tax dollars criminalizing responsible Americans for using a substance that's safer than alcohol and to put an end to policies that simply hand this massive consumer market to unregulated criminals.” STREETVIBES October 1 - 15, 2009 Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by people who are or once were homeless, in exchange for a $1 donation, Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Address: 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513.421.7803 x 12 Fax: 513.421.7813 Email: streetvibes2@ yahoo.com Website: www. cincihomeless.org Blog: streetvibes. wordpress.com Streetvibes Staff Editor Gregory Flannery Art Director Lynne Ausman Vendor Coordinator Jeni Jenkins Contributing Writers Lew Moores, Dave Scharfenberger, Margo Pierce, Paul Kopp, Jeremy Flannery, Michael Henson, David Heitfield, Larry Gross, Stephanie Dunlap, Saad Ghosn, Elizabeth Heath, Ariana Shahandeh, Riccardo Taylor, Dan Rozier, Eli Braun, Mark Payne Photography/Artwork Aimie Willhoite, Lynne Ausman, George Ellis, Rob Goeller, Anthony Williams, Berta Lambert Proofreader Jennifer Blalock The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati through coordination of services, public education, grassroots advocacy and Streetvibes. We are members of: �STREETVIBES October 1 - 15, 2009 8 By Margo Pierce Contributing Writer Column M I N U T E S 3 with Sandpaper Unconventional tutoring helps kids achieve conventional success might jump they’re spelling words. I’ve seen kids go from Ds and Fs to As and Bs overnight because they started jumping their spelling words. If a child is tactile, we use tactile techniques like writing on sandpaper or writing in rice or using sidewalk chalk on a bumpy surface. Pair that tactile ability with language arts, and they can learn.” more testing provided the answer. “He had a psychomotor Writing spelling words on problem,” Wihl says. “Most sandpaper or using a nubby children can see what people surface and chunky sidewalkare doing and replicate it, but chalk are not the usual ways he could not, so he had to kids learn how to write or spell have the muscles stimulated words. That’s a problem, acin order to learn how to move cording to Linda Wihl, foundhis mouth to make a particuer and volunteer coordinator lar sound. Once he was in that for the Alternative Learning sensory experience of learnProgram. ing speech, Children he learned to learn in “Every child is intelligent in his or her own way. If speak much d i f f e r e n t we pair that type of intelligence with their language more quickways, she arts, we can bridge the gap between academic ly.” says. Some achievement for children raised in low-income Wihl, then learn better households … if we use their intelligence.” the executive with visual - Linda Wihl director of teaching the Winton techniques Place Youth – using colors and pictures Wihl learned all this be- Center, started learning about – while others learn better cause her own child struggled sensory learning. Studying through hearing. But the use with trying to speak. techniques and methods that of music or sounds isn’t go“When my son was little, were helping her son, she saw ing to work as effectively for a he had a severe articulation the opportunity to help those child who is a kinetic learner delay, a speech problem,” children in her after-school – learning through touching she says. “We’re on the way tutoring programs. or other forms of movement. to the doctor’s office for his “I’m realizing that a lot When a child’s style of learn- 18-month visit and he started of what he was experiencing doesn’t match that used screaming at me, these same ing was the same thing that in a classroom setting, she vocalizations over and over the majority of low-income can be called “brain dead” or again. And I’m thinking he kids experience because they too stupid to learn. This hap- knows what he’s saying but have a certain type of intelpens a lot with low-income I have no clue … and I don’t ligence that they can take in children, according to Wihl. get it. I tried to talk to the doc- information but they didn’t “Every child is intelligent in tor about it. She kept saying I have the expressive ability,” his or her own way,” she says. was a pushy, working mom she says. “What I started do“If we pair that type of intel- who just was just trying to ing as I began learning these ligence with their language apply my work principles to sensory techniques is applyarts, we can bridge the gap my children and that didn’t ing those with the kids at the youth center. between academic achieve- work.” “For example I had a ment for children raised in After entering a traditional low-income households … if speech-therapy program, 12-year-old whose teachers we use their intelligence. however, her son made great kept telling me, ‘She’s brain “For example, if a child is strides in learning and was dead. We’ve written her off. kinetic, they’re really good at able to write notes to her. He She’s never going to be able to moving, athletic, then they still wasn’t able to talk, but learn.’ But I saw this spark in Tank Johnson, volunteer tutor, reading to kindergarten students. Linda Wihl is seated on the floor with the children. Photo courtesy of Alternative Learning Program. Linda Wihl is helping students succeed by allowing them to learn in a way that suits their personalities. Photo courtesy of Alternative Learning Program. her, and I said that’s not true. I kept working with her where she was at.” Add the efforts of sensorylearning tutors, and Wihl’s suspicions were confirmed: The teachers were wrong. “She had gone to school every day of her life but she still didn’t know the sounds of the alphabet when we started with her,” Wihl says. “Once we started the sensory stuff … within six months she was reading.” This kind of success was repeated over and over again and inspired Wihl to take sensory tutoring into the Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS). Begun in her neighborhood school of Winton Place, the in-school tutoring continues at Winton Hills Academy. Volunteers learn the sensorylearning techniques and pair up with children for one-onone assistance. Some members of the Woman’s City Club learned about the Alternative Learning Program through a presentation Wihl made and soon became its chief source of tutors. The club also encouraged Wihl to expand the program to include Rothenberg Preparatory Academy. “Every child we take in is below grade level when we start with them, and for the last two years every child leaving the program has been at or above grade-level in their language arts skills,” Wihl says. In 2008, 30 children benefitted from this unique program, but space makes reaching more children diffi- cult. New CPS buildings and educational programs are attracting more students to the public schools that were only built to serve current capacity. “In 2009 it looks like it’s going to be 27 (students) … because we’re having trouble finding spaces in the schools,” Wihl says. “Winton Hills, even when the new school opened a few years ago, was already overcrowded. So the room that was designed for our tutoring space has a class in it.” But the obstacles don’t compare to the positive results. “I used to work with a teacher trainer who said, ‘It may seem like a really tiny difference right now between this child and the child you didn’t work with. But when you make that tiny difference right now … when you intervene with a child in reading at kindergarten level, their life is different.’ They don’t experience the frustration and develop negative coping skills,” Wihl says. “There’s all kinds of statistics that show the relationship between the jail population and illiteracy and all kinds of related problems.” Even though she’s been able to find the tutors she needs when she needs them, Wihl is always ready to talk to anyone who wants to help her kids. If you’re just curious and want to learn more about, be prepared; her enthusiasm is contagious. Contact Linda Wihl via WihlLin@ cpsboe.k12.oh.us. Many people work hard to make a difference for the less privileged in the Queen City. “Eight Minutes” is an opportunity to learn who those people are and what motivates them to be a positive influence. �4 Community News STREETVIBES October 1 - 15, 2009 Coffee, Culture and Conversation Downtown shops offer a variety of experiences aren’t very conducive to sitting and relaxing but it has a few little tables, some of which are outside. Facing the entrance is an ice cream freezer. Posters for plays and concerts line the windows facing the street, and work By Paul Kopp by local artist is on display Contributing Writer and for sale. The staff all seem to be involved in the have grown to very much arts and it’s easy to strike up appreciate the idea of a conversation. a local cof“Musician, artfee shop over the ist, actor, jouryears. It is a place They seem the nalist: Everybody where people gathonly places who works here er to warm their indoors where is involved in the bodies and minds loitering is arts in some way,” in the morning. A acceptable: says barista Julia place where someAs long as Johanan. times one can sit you buy a Workers from and be alone to ei- drink, you can the various ofther work or simply sit as long as fices in the buildcalm down and reyou like. ing stop by for a lax after a long day. quick cup and to They seem the only chat up the staff. places indoors where loiter- If there isn’t a long line or ing is acceptable: As long as it’s later in the day, they’ll talk you buy a drink, you can sit as much as you want. As the as long as you like. They are 9-5 crowd lines up, at Joe’s it also perfect for meeting with seems the staff knows everyfriends or colleagues in an body’s name. Johanan says environment that, unlike a the most popular beverage bar or restaurant, caters more is either a caramel latte or to the idea of culture as a vital a “carmello,” created by the part of society. store, which consists of half Cincinnati has plenty of coffee, half steamed milk, coffee shops, each offering its caramel syrup and whipped own unique approach, with cream. These drinks seem to the variety offering choices match the mood of the place: for any mood, time of day or high energy. Lookout Joe’s state of mind. Here are a few also sells bagels from Bruegthat stand out downtown: ger’s and muffins, cookies and other pastries made by Art and conversation Dana’s Delights. I Lookout Joe’s Coffee on Seventh Street is nestled in the corner of the first floor of the Federated Building. Its small size and busy location Unexpected quiet Though it’s part of the largest chain of coffee shops in the world, Starbuck’s Café de Paris is on Garfield Place near Vine Street. Photo by Paul Kopp. at Fourth and Vine streets seems to have more character than others. The coffee, tea and assorted breakfast foods and pastries might taste the same as any other Starbuck’s, but the atmosphere is different. The lighting in the store is dim; and aside from the morning rush, it often seems empty during the day. This gives it a mostly quiet vibe. There are plenty of places to sit, mostly small two-seat tables lining the windows facing Vine Street. The shop also has a few tables outside. Yet not many people sit and hang out there. It’s a part of downtown that is primarily corporate. If you want to get away from a crowd and have some time to yourself, it’s a good place to stop. Starbuck’s is open till 11 p.m., which makes it stand out among other downtown coffee shops, according to barista Kristina Roach. So who is in Starbucks at 9 p.m.? It’s usually people working diligently on their laptops or stopping in for a cup of coffee after dinner or an event on Fountain Square. On the benches just outside the store is often a small group of homeless people; depending on the weather, they might go inside to warm up. The pumpkin spice latte is the store’s most popular drink. “People call all year round to see when we will be getting it in,” Roach says. The large nook The Coffee Emporium is on Central Parkway between Walnut and Clay streets. Photo by Lynne Ausman. With its combination of kitsch décor and large cafeteriastyle layout, the Coffee Emporium on Central Parkway is can be whatever you want it to be: a place to stop to have a simVive la différence ple lunch, to study, to have Café De Paris is on Garfield a meeting or just sit on one of the comfortable couches Place, just a few steps away and take in the artsy scenery. from Vine Street. Although When you first walk in, the far from France, the café is as large size of the place is the close to Paris as you can get in first thing you might notice. Cincinnati. Inside the café is Depending on where you sit, a diner-style countertop with it could either seem like a caf- stools and several mediumsize tables. There eteria or a cozy are also tables nook in someone’s home. The On the benches outside, which various seating just outside the seem to be most popular. Though configurations store is often a mostly a lunch make repeat visits small group of for more interesting, homeless people; destination downtown’s more because it seems depending on there is always the weather, they refined business be a new place to might go inside to types, the shop also makes a great sit, a new vantage warm up. café au lait. point from which Café De Paris to see things. In general, the environment is always seems busy in the afvery earthy, laid back in a nat- ternoon; but in the mornings ural way, as if it would be easy there are seldom more than to leisurely hang out there all one or two people there. The day, unlike other coffee shops atmosphere exudes a unique sense of calm, almost as if the downtown. Coffee Emporium offers people passing outside exist a wide range of coffees and in a different world. The staff usually consists teas from all over the world, which they brew themselves of the owner, Reda Ouahidy, and are on display. Co -Man- and a cook preparing for the ager Sierra Laumer says one lunchtime rush. The café’s of the most popular drinks is breakfast and lunch menus New Orleans-style cold brew offer a wide range of salads and sandwiches, which stand Toddy. “We serve it with a little bit out among other downof cream,” she says. “It’s just a town restaurants for their uniquely European sensireally strong cup of coffee.” The lunch menu is quite bilities and fresh ingredients. large. It includes soups from Salads range from a homeMyra’s in Clifton, muffins made hummus plate to the from What’s for Dinner? in Salade de Chavignon, which O’Bryonville and a large se- includes fresh greens, tomalection of sandwiches, rang- toes and cucumbers. It comes ing from hot grilled paninis with baguette slices topped such as the turkey and swiss with toasted goat cheese. to cold sandwiches such as Ouahidy says the most poputhe hummus and gouda. Lau- lar food item is the Café de mer says Mayor Mark Mal- Paris, a sandwich with chicklory is often there. If there is a en, brie, lettuce, tomato and business trying to tap into the sprouts. A radio plays mainnew vision of Over-the-Rhine stream American rock, which as a neighborhood for young is an interesting juxtaposition professionals and artsy types, to the European atmosphere the Coffee Emporium might they might be striving for, but somehow it works. be it. �STREETVIBES October 1 - 15, 2009 5 National News Off the Battlefield, War Keeps Killing Veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan show high rates of mental illness By Eli Braun Contributing Writer T he White House’s decision on whether to raise U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan happens to come during Mental Illness Awareness Week – this year, October 4-10. Congress designated the national commemoration in 1990 to educate the public on the importance of behavioral health care. As these two events overlap, one might ask: How do wars impact the soldiers who fight them? Answer: Not well. An astounding 37 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans Keep Struggling – but Carefully (Continued from p. 1) • advocating on behalf of a homeless man harassed by two commercial real-estate developers. Kenny Havens, case manager at the Drop Inn Center was keynote speaker for the annual meeting. He urged GCCH’s member agencies and their staffs to be vigilant against the hazards of the professionalization of compassion: “You can serve the poor but also make sure you get health insurance, make sure you get a really good wage and have really clear boundaries. It seems a lot to ask for but also very selfish.” He harked back to Buddy Gray and other founders of GCCH, when modern American homelessness was a new phenomenon. “There was a strong, fierce passion. There was a willingness to give all that they have,” Havens said. “They were champions of the poor but not only ‘for the poor’ but also alongside them as friends.” Spring urged the member agencies that make up the coalition to remember its original mission and to work to make the coalition’s existence irrelevant. “It is not enough for us to struggle, keep what we have and figure out how to work around this homeless-creating and sustaining system,” he said. “It is not enough to jump over this homelesscreating and sustaining system. … We must continue to fight to house the individuals and families we know and we must figure out what each of us is supposed to be doing to systematically end homelessness. Together as a coalition-movement, we must completely eradicate homelessness, we must pull it up by its roots, and hit with a final death-blow.” For more information on GCCH visit our web site at www. cincihomeless.org entering U.S. Veterans Affairs hospitals between 2002 and 2008 received mental-health diagnoses, according to a new study of 290,000 veterans in the American Journal of Public Health. More than one 1 in five (22 percent) were diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is four to seven times the rate of PTSD before the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Almost one in five (17 percent) were diagnosed with depression. Some veterans were diagnosed with both or other conditions. The study found that those with greater combat exposure were more likely to suffer from PTSD. Across the United States, communities have struggled to meet the needs of their returning veterans. One particularly well researched investigation by the Colorado Springs Gazette, found a sharp rise in violent crime among Iraq War veterans. Their study was entitled, “The Hell of War Comes Home.” In one example from the Colorado unit, Anthony Marquez “used a stun gun to repeatedly shock a small-time drug dealer in Widefield over an ounce of marijuana, then shot him through the heart.” Since 2006, 10 members of Marquez’s 3,500-soldier unit have been arrested for murder, attempted murder, or manslaughter. The article notes that, while young men demographically have the highest murder rate in the United States, the brigade’s murder rate was 20 times higher than young men generally. Marquez later attributed his unstable behavior to the horrors of war. He explained that, if soldiers were hit by an improvised explosive device (IED), they would aim machine guns and grenade launchers in every direction and “just light the whole area up. If anyone was around, that was their fault. We smoked ’em.” Obviously, reducing violence would be the surest way to prevent PTSD. Beyond that, regular mental health screenings for returning veterans would “help overcome a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ climate that surrounds stigmatized mental illness,” according to another study in the American Journal of Public Health. Everyone would undergo an evaluation as a matter of protocol. The U.S. military has also recommended changes, including “enhanced reintegration support” for soldiers. In Colorado, Fort Carson’s 126page report on the violence among some veterans highlighted the need to protect soldiers who seek out behavioral health from “humiliation or belittlement.” After the violence, the military base doubled the number of behavioral-health counselors. The Colorado Springs Gazette reported that the base “tightened regulations to the point where a soldier visiting an Army doctor for any reason, even a sprained ankle, can’t leave without a mental-health evaluation.” Advocates hoped that awarding the Purple Heart to soldiers suffering from PTSD might “normalize” the illness, but the Pentagon decided in January 2009 to reserve the Purple Heart for physical injuries. As we figure out how to care for people coping with the “deadly echoes” of exploding grenades, perhaps we ought to start counting the domestic victims of these injured soldiers among the casualties of war. Poetry Corner Thinking of God By Tyresa Hall When I think of God, I don’t see an idol. When I think of God, I think of survival. God is the pure water I need to drink. God is the fresh air I need to breathe. There is not a being that governs all things When I think of God When I think of God, I feel at ease. When I think of God, I think of peace. God is the moon we expect to beam. God is the stars that guide our dreams. I see the teacher of everlasting serenity When I think of God. When I think of God, I become inspired. When I think of God, I want to reach higher. God is the Earth, She’s the mother to all life. God is relief so the soul can take flight. “In God’s name,” it’s pointless to pick a fight. For love is all God. Questions of Endurance By Tyresa Hall I sit and force my mind to explore, To go into realms I’ve never been before. I feel a chill when my feet hit the floor. What can I endure? Some souls search for the cure For true love that has been scorn. Others just choose to ignore. Some things are hard to endure. Colors fade as we mourn Over the melodies that have been born. But life is a game, and Time’s keeping score. How much more must I endure? �6 STREETVIBES October 1 - 15, 2009 Vendor Voice Street Life, My Life By Riccardo Taylor Streetvibes Vendor Ok, so we know what we are doing. The dollar bill is our objective, so, we need a hustle. Standing on a corner with a sign and a cup is too slow for me, so, I arm myself with Streetvibes. It’s an usually see some action. Strangers passing by when they stop to interact, it’s usuome of you may really looking to cop. “Drugs, member my past writor perhaps a ‘girl.’” Either of ings under the title these spell trouble for the Street Life. If not, then let us stranger. If they don’t know become acquainted. you, you subStreet Life is my acject yourself to count of the reality of “The money, huh, the money? It’s robbery or asstreet people. It is my always short, a few dollars, yet it makes sault. Yet, more outlet for the expres- you feel good. The idea that I’ve earned often than not sions of the frustra- these few dollars provokes the thought you come out tions, setbacks, and that I have a social worth.” ok. hopelessness that - Riccardo Taylor Well, we are those who live this life on our stroll. endure. The accounts A stop by the of life are real. The exposure investment. I buy the papers park can be alluring. People is on me the believability is (one quarter per paper), then laughing, talking, passing a on you. its work time. I have to stand 40 oz. from one to another, So let’s take a stroll. Gen- and represent both the paper everybody trying to drink erally, I walk by myself. How- and myself. more than the others. Of ever, since we are walking the The money, huh, the course after a few 40’s there same way, let’s walk together. money? It’s always short, a is going to be arguments, The importance is you few dollars, yet it makes you maybe a scuttle, if nothing have to know who you are feel good. The idea that I’ve else enough screaming and walking with, what your ob- earned these few dollars pro- hollering to send you on your jectives are, and the objec- vokes the thought that I have way. Leaving the park you see tives of the other person. a social worth. individuals sleeping off the Now that we have an unYeah, let’s stroll. I’ve got my drink on benches or near the derstanding, don’t ask ques- few dollars, so, I’m spending. trees. Yeah, the trees, that’s tions, nor expose your hand If I have the money, I do the where you have to relieve about what you are doing. talking. If you have the mon- yourself of all the beer. So be We step on the block, at- ey, I listen! careful where you lay! tuned to the happenings. The For many street people Cigarettes and a beer; we movement, the sounds, the walk and talk. The sidewalk this is all they have to do. All streets, a way of life. Con- isn’t easy. Television, radio, the frustrations of not havtrary to common belief there nor the press can sort the re- ing enough money, or a place is respect for in this way of ality of just what went down. to go and relax is relieved life; honor amongst the least, (Suckers and fools are prey. through hanging in the park, if you will. Yet, and still, there Get in the street, somebody engaging in whatever small are the gray spots; some peo- is going to benefit if you don’t pleasures the crowd is engaging in. ple you cannot trust, some know what you are doing.) I can’t spend much time situations where you have to If you watch across the be on guard, but, all in all it is street where you see a group here. You try to hold on to a a norm. of young guys gathered you’ll dollar or two for later in the S Riccardo Taylor. Photo by Aimie Willhoite. day. Although I made a few dollars selling Streetvibes, cigarettes and a beer leaves me a little short. I know I’ll need some money to eat and perhaps bus fare to get where I’ll need to be to find work, or to get a hustle on. So we walk, taking in the sights and sounds of the street. The days are fast; before you can really accomplish anything that enhances your situation, night is upon you and it’s time you find refuge until tomorrow. So, we part now until the next time. I’ll have to review what I saw today, since everyday has its own revelations. There is something that I saw or experienced that will be essential tomorrow when I get up and about. No two days are ever the same, so close attention to what occurs gives me one up on my survival for the day yet to come. Hey, I’ll see you later, but be sure you see me again and we’ll see the street in Street Life. Dancer, Student and ‘Streetvibes’ Vendor Mary Mueller likes working with people By Gregory Flannery Editor M ary Mueller enjoys jobs that involve working with the public. She was a go-go dancer in Newport for 15 years. She used to be a model for the Cincinnati Art Academy. She has worked as a waitress, as a housekeeper and taught pre-school children. “I love children,” she says. “They look at you like you’re God. When they ask you a question, they’re amazed that you know the answer.” Today Mueller sells Streetvibes. “I like talking to people,” she says. “I always try to make them laugh. When people say no, I try not to take it to heart. I know a lot of them are living paycheck to paycheck like me. Everybody has a bad hair day.” Mueller says she sells about 20 copies a day, supplementing the small amount she receives from Supplemental Security Income because of bipolar disorder. Mueller, who has a 28-yearold son in western Hills, was once homeless. “I broke up with a boyfriend and stayed at the Drop Inn CenMary Mueller can be found selling ‘Streetvibes’ at Seventh and Vine ter until I saved streets, near Skyline Chili. Photo by Lynne Ausman. up enough to get myself an apartment,” she Mueller, 48, would know. streets, near Skyline Chili. “It’s great at 12 o’clock be- says. She has also worked as a coscause everybody’s going to Now a resident of Overmetologist. the-Rhine, Mueller grew up “I have a beauty tip for all lunch,” she says. Mueller infuses her sales in Delhi Township, attending those women out there: Use eggs to mask your face,” she pitch with pleasantness for St. Teresa School, Seton High says. “It gets all the debris out harried office workers, hawk- School, Oak Hills High School and Cincinnati State Colof your skin and tightens up ing the paper in rhyme. your pores.” “For one buckaroo,” she lege. She dismisses popular Mueller likes to sell Street- says, “I’ll sell a Streetvibes to perceptions of the neighborhood where she now lives. vibes at Seventh and Vine you.’ “They say Over-the-Rhine is a bad place to live but I don’t think so,” she says. “It’s so convenient. There are stores everywhere. Downtown is the place to be.” But moving out of homelessness isn’t enough for Mueller. She is a student at Southwestern College, where she is training to become a massage therapist. She has one more year of classes before taking Ohio’s licensing exam. “I’m just a struggling student,” Mueller says. “You’re never too old to learn. You have to believe in yourself. You’re only as smart as you think you are.” She has already mastered the art of selling the benefits of medical massage. “It increases your circulation and body tone,” she says. “It can ease pain and relieve leg cramps.” When Mueller isn’t studying or selling Streetvibes, she has hobbies. “I love to sew,” she says. “I love to dance. I always have music on when I study. Music seems to make things better.” �STREETVIBES October 1 - 15, 2009 7 Issues Suicide Donuts and TV Stereotypes Stigma about mental illness is killing people C.A. MacConnell is a Cincinnati freelance journalist. By C.A. MacConnell Contributing Writer E ach time I tell my story, here’s what happens: I lose friends, jobs and acquaintances. Throw dating out the window, too. After I lose a job, some others won’t want to hire me. Not because of my job performance, stability, personality or education, but because of my diagnosis alone – the two words – bipolar disorder. As if, through writing and speaking about brain disorders, I have committed a crime. Which I haven’t. My record is clean. And I am clean. I’ve been sober for almost 12 years. People have doubted that, too. As I write this, I know that I face the possibility of overwhelming judgment. Soon. Anxiety sets in, then insomnia, then exhaustion. Not symptoms from my illness, but from the effects of stigma. I know the reality – that being open about my diagnosis and my honest experience with societal stigma will soon dramatically affect my life. It has happened in the past. And I know it could happen again. Damn, I’m tired. Tired from the fight. The fight against stigma. Bipolar disorder is a medical brain disorder, not a character flaw: “We now know that mental health disorders have a biological basis and can be treated like any other health condition. Even so, we still have a long way to go to overcome the many misconceptions, fears and biases people have about mental health, and the stigma these attitudes create.” (www.mayoclinic.com) Bipolar people have a neurochemical difference in their brains. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) writes, “Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are different from the normal ups and downs. …Like diabetes or heart disease, bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person's life.” I am not psycho, crazy, nuts. I am intelligent, devoted, sincere, and I thankfully have a supportive family. I work hard, pay my bills. I have a master’s degree. But every time I speak, I put myself at risk. Over the years I have traveled throughout Ohio, speaking on behalf of those with brain disorders. I have met with state representatives. I have spoken at universities, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and countless other organizations. I appeared on the Channel 9 News. I put my Paid Advertisements Make Our Earth Happy Hour face with it. One in five die Some say that brain disorders are not real diseases, but a crutch. Some say it’s solely an environmental, food or stress-related reaction. Sometimes these things can trigger a relapse, as with any chronic illness; but the source is brain chemistry, and it requires medical treatment. Others say it does not exist. The “all in your head” approach. Why would I make it up? So that I could enjoy criticism, lack of employment and loss? Right, I’m making up something so that I can endure years of pain and suffering and later be slammed for being honest? I’m making it up so that I can deal with extensive periods of medication trials and errors, numerous side effects and go in debt because of medical bills? Right, it would make sense that I would make this up. Ridiculous. “Bipolar disorder affects more than 2.5 million adult Americans every year. …As many as one in five patients with bipolar disorder completes suicide,” according to the NIMH. There are other brain disorders. My grandfather had Alzheimer’s disease, for example. Both are chronic, lifelong, lifethreatening illnesses of the brain. Yet with See Suicide, p. 10 Judge Mark Painter says Thank You To the people of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, who elected me as a judge in 1983, 1989, 1994, 2000, and 2006, always with more than 70% of the vote. Park + Vine I appreciate the trust you have placed in me and have tried to justify it these 27+ years. 1109 Vine Street at Central Parkway Thursday, October 15, 2009 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. As I move to my new position as the only American on the United Nations Appeals Tribunal, I will continue to judge each case strictly on its merits. But Sue Ann and I are not leaving town. Home will be where it has always been - right here in River City. Meet some of Community Shares’ environmental groups Sip some wine, grab a snack and shop local 10% of all purchases and the $5 suggested donation at the door will support the mission of Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati. Judge Painter’s Highlights: • • If you have questions please contact Mary Beth King at 513-475-0475 or king@cintishares.org • Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati is a partnership of 27 local nonprofit organizations building social and economic equity and a health environment in Greater Cincinnati. YPShares is for young professionals who strive to engage and inspire the next generation of community supporters to become passionately committed to causes that promote social and economic equity and a healthy environment. • • • Service on Court of Appeals 1995-2009, Municipal Court 1982-1995. More than 400 nationally published decisions. Judge Painter is one of the most-published judges ever. Once case named one of six best in the nation for 2005. Over 230 seminars teaching lawyers and judges DUI law, appellate practice, and plain-language legal writing. Six books, including, Ohio DUI Law, Ohio Appellate Practice, The Legal Writer: 40 Rules for the Art of Legal Writing, William Howard Taft: President and Chief Justice, and Write Well: 25 Easy Rules to Improve Your Business and Professional Writing. Adjunct Professor of Law at UC for 21 years. Named Chesley Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law for 2008. More than 140 published articles, including a monthly column on plain English legal writing in Lawyers USA newspaper. www.judgepainter.org 103 William H. Taft Road • PH: 513-475-0475 • FAX: 513-487-4262 • www.cintishares.org Paid for by the Judge Painter Cte., Paul Gaffney, CPA, Treas., 11275 Springdale Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio Interested in advertising? Contact Lynne at 513-421-7803 x11. We have great rates and discounts for nonprofits. �8 STREETVIBES October 1 - 15, 2009 Local News They’re Just Disabilities, Not Definitions Starfire U students tell their stories F irst, a confession: I went to Starfire U not expecting very much. I’d been invited to listen to students’ speeches and critique them. I came away amazed at what I’d seen and heard. Starfire U is a post-secondary educational program for young adults with Down syndrome, autism and other disabilities. It combines the Starfire Council’s expertise in advancing socialization with traditional special-education techniques. I arrived with prejudices about the ability of people with these disabilities to articulate their feelings, thoughts and needs. They quickly shattered my prejudices – so much so that I asked the students to let Streetvibes publish their speeches. They do a far better job explaining than I could. Following is what they had to say. – Gregory Flannery, editor Kathleen Sheil: ‘I’m Proud’ Steven Anderson: ‘Give Them a Chance’ I am an advocate. Being an advocate, I teach others to respect people with disabilities. I am Steven Anderson, and I have autism, which is a disorder that affects the brain. Some people with autism might have a difficult time completing certain tasks. Other people with autism, like me, have difficulty fitting in and making new friends. Before arriving at Starfire, I was bullied at certain times in my life because of my disability. I used to feel like an outsider but at Starfire U, I have learned to build new friendships and that I can focus on my abilities instead of my challenges. While at Starfire, I met my three best friends: Nikki, Jovan and Matt. Starfire also offers evening and weekend programs for teens and adults who might have trouble making friends. I’m just like you. I like to read, watch movies, especially my favorite horror movie, which is Resident Evil. I like to spend time with my family. I like to volunteer at my church, and I am an assistant reader at Sunday worship services at First Lutheran Church. My greatest accomplishment was reaching the decision that I was tired of being left out and feeling like I was being treated differently because of my disability. In conclusion, you should support people with disabilities because, if you give them a chance, you’ll find out they might be just like you. Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Kathleen Sheil. I am here to talk to you about my life. I have two sisters and two brothers. I am a good friend and a good listener. I love my life, and I have a good heart. For high school, I went to Anderson and I had a lot of friends that went there. I also had gone to Turpin High School. When I was in school I was a cheerleader. I am on a swim team. I am on a bowling team as well. I love to talk to a group of people. I am on a soccer team. I am a part of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati. I also do Leaders in Action, which is an advocacy group at the Hamilton County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. I used to work in food service and I am now with Starfire U. I also am learning how to live on my own at a place called LADD. I have many goals. My biggest goal is to be travel-trained by Metro, so that I can do some of my activities with my friends independently. I also want to get married some day, but I am not rushing anything! At Starfire U, I am part of the Ambassador’s Club, where we talk about how to be professional and how to represent ourselves. I am very proud that I have a lot of friends, and very proud of myself because I do a lot of great things. Oh by the way, I have Down syndrome, and I am proud of it. Jeremy White: New friends My name is Jeremy White, and I attend Starfire U. While at Starfire, I was doing the bike club. It gave me the opportunity to ride in the MS 150 Bike Ride. The ride was 150 miles long, and I finished. After the first ride, my bike got damaged and I had to borrow someone’s bike to finish the race. That was a lot of fun, and I am glad I had the chance to be in the ride. I am also good at pool, bowling and love to play games. I like video games and board games and really enjoy playing checkers. I live in Cincinnati and like the Reds. I like to eat at Frisch’s and order grilled cheese. I like coming to Starfire and going out, and it has given me the chance to make new friends. (Continued on p. 13) ! ? t a h W “Human rights are what reason requires and conscience demands. They are us and we are them. Human rights are rights that any person has as a human being. We are all human beings; we are all deserving of human rights. One cannot be true without the other.” -- Kofi Annan former Secretary-General of the United Nations ay S _____________________ �STREETVIBES October 1 - 15, 2009 Local News Housing, Stability, Then Sobriety 9 Jimmy Heath House will provide housing and services to chronically homeless By Dan Rozier Contributing Writer housing. Thirty percent of the agency’s revenue comes from federal, state and local government funding, in addition to private donations. OTRCH has employed a full-circle initiative in which properties dents be substance-free, the 25-unit Jimmy Heath House makes housing the top priorStay positive: That’s the ity. Rather than people going motto of Over-the-Rhine from shelter to shelter, the Community Housing hope is that the stability that (OTRCH), a non-profit corcomes with a permanent resporation that provides idence will translate into affordable housing and getting sober. commercial spaces in 110 “Our primary mission is to However, the “Housing buildings, containing a provide affordable housing First” method is sometotal of 567 units, grantin OTR – play a good role in what controversial in ing over 1,200 residents the communities and provide that it appears counternot only a roof over their affordable housing. Even intuitive to some because head, but stability in their commercial spaces, we try to residents are allowed to lives. get businesses that will serve continue to abuse subOTRCH is the product everyone in the community.” stances. Founded in 1992 of the 2006 union between - Sarah Allen by Dr. Sam Tsemberis as ReSTOC and Over-thepart of the Pathways to Rhine Housing Network. Housing program in New “Our primary mission is to are developed, maintained York City, the Housing First provide affordable housing and staffed with social work- model has been employed by in OTR – play a good role in ers to provide residents with similar organizations across the communities and pro- stable living. the country and emphasizes vide affordable housing,” OTRCH’s newest project, suitable, affordable housing says OTRCH Project Manager named for the late photog- as a basic human right. Sarah Allan. “Even commer- rapher, activist, and OverOTRCH plans to have full cial spaces, we try to get busi- the-Rhine resident, Jimmy support psychiatric and nesses that will serve every- Heath, will be on Odeon counseling services with the one in the community.” Street. The project takes af- help of the Elm Street Clinic One of the businesses sup- fordable housing a step fur- and Greater Cincinnati Beported by OTRCH, Choices ther by addressing an often- havioral Health, AlcoholCafé, was founded by Mike ignored group: those who are ism Council, and Healthcare Rogers, an OTRCH resident. constantly homeless because for the Homeless so that the The coffeehouse provides a their addiction to drugs or al- translation of sustainable comfortable gathering place cohol thwarts efforts toward housing to sustainable living for Over-the-Rhine residents. stability. is as smooth as possible. But it doesn’t stop with the While many affordable-liv“We have encountered development of affordable ing projects require the resi- some roadblocks, but we are Sarah Allen, project manager at Over-the-Rhine Community Housing hopes to begin construction of Jimmy Heath House in October 2009. Photo by Lynne Ausman. hoping to get construction of the Jimmy Heath House going by the end of October,” Allan says. “It will be support hous- ing for chronically homeless. This model has been used and proven around the country.” �10 Issues STREETVIBES October 1 - 15, 2009 Suicide Donuts and TV Stereotypes (Continued from p. 7) mental disorders, often the public reaction is completely different. I daily see Websites, Facebook quizzes and groups, TV shows, MySpace blogs –and on and on – either representing a brain disorder as scary or treating it lightly. This morning I talked with a woman What if it was called “Chemo whose son was Donuts?” That would cause diagnosed bian outrage. “MS Donuts?” polar after his And what if the names of the death. After? He donuts poked fun at these was afraid to illnesses? People would be reach out, due running in there with protest to stigma. Then signs. it was too late. I hear these stories constantly. Some of my friends have died because of this. Gone, dead. Due to stigma, sick people are afraid to seek help. Or they think treatment doesn’t work. So the next time you see a man or woman sleeping on the street, For more take a closer look. He/she could be sufinformation fering from an untreated medical illness. about the Exactly like me. I’m just lucky enough to stigma have support and medical help. Is that associated with brain fair? disorders, bipolar disorder, visit www. mayoclinic. com. Photo from “Psycho Donuts” web site. Misdiagnosis happens When patients enter a psychiatrist’s office and are dishonest about their sobriety, their behavior might mimic that of a bipolar individual. So they might get misdiagnosed. But in my case, my symptoms appeared full-force at one year of sobriety and got much worse by two years of sobriety, not better. It struck with classic timing – early twenties – a common case for bipolar individuals. My symptoms were real signs of brain dysfunction and had nothing to do with laziness or withdrawal. Are others misdiagnosed? Yes. In a July 29, 2009 issue of Science Daily, results of a recent study at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University showed that “patients who had been over-diag- nosed with bipolar disorder were more frequently diagnosed with major depressive disorder, antisocial personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and eating and impulse disorders.” This can happen due to many factors that depend on a patient’s symptoms, honesty, history with substance abuse, environment and more. Doctors are only at the baby stages of research. In bipolar individuals, the brain is wired differently, according to Jon-Kar Zubieta, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry and radiology at the U-M Health System. “Now we must expand and apply this knowledge to give them a treatment strategy based on solid science, not on the current method of trial and error,” he writes. “We should also work to find an exact genetic origin and to relate those genetic origins to what is happening in the brain.” Doctors get a bad rep. But these misdiagnoses, these facts, are thrown into the limelight to promote stigma. Instead of glorifying mistakes and discouraging treatment, we desperately need support for research, funding for advocacy and education. Many doctors are right. Dead on. Problem is, by the time people get there, due to roadblocks of societal negativity, they’re often unwilling or so sick that it makes treatment utterly difficult. The correct diagnosis can take time. Individuals with bipolar disorder face up to 10 years of coping with symptoms before getting an accurate diagnosis, according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. First, I was diagnosed with clinical depression. Then schizoaffective disorder. Then a general psychotic disorder. It took two years before they correctly diagnosed me as bipolar, and by then I was in a suicidal, comatose depression. With better understanding and more support from society in general, I might’ve avoided having such a traumatic episode. I am unbelievably lucky to be alive. Jokes can kill I am not psycho, crazy, nuts. I am intelligent, devoted, sincere, and I thankfully have a supportive family. I work hard, pay my bills. I have a master’s degree. My last episode was in 2005, when one of my medications stopped working, and we had to adjust the treatment plan. That took a while. Treatment for any chronic illness often takes a while. It takes time and unbelievable strength. When people are diagnosed with other chronic illnesses, the mass public shows genuine support. They have benefit shows, fundraisers. There is an enormous level of empathy. People with mental disorders get this response instead: In Campbell, Calif., is a new company called, “Psycho Donuts.” Its Web site says, “Psycho Donuts has taken donuts to the next demented level. …Psycho Donuts has taken the neighborhood donut and put it on medication, and given it shock treatment. …Even if you’re not certifiably insane yourself, you’ll still find a handful of donuts from the past.” A few of their donut choices are called, “Bipolar,” “Manic Malt” and “Psycho.” What if it was called “Chemo Donuts?” That would cause an outrage. “MS Donuts?” And what if the names of the donuts poked fun at these illnesses? People would be running in there with protest signs. Extremely abundant promotional tools such as this serve as great fodder for stigma; they need to be addressed with extreme seriousness. Stigma is deadly. Yet as of today, according to an America Online poll on Psycho Donuts, 60 percent of people think the “theme is appropriate.” Really? Tell that to the mother I know whose schizophrenic son committed suicide. Tell that to all of the countless people I know whose loved ones died due to the affects of stigma and lack of treatment. My illness is a scary joke? It’s OK for people to commit suicide as long as we have our donuts? It’s OK for some kid to end up in the psych ward again, as long as we have our Facebook fun? It’s OK for me to get abused at work, as long as the abuser’s clients keep rolling in? It’s OK for us to get scared at Halloween haunted houses when someone jumps out at us wearing a straight jacket, because it’s funny-scary, right? I’ve seen someone in a padded room. It is not funny at all. Go visit the top floors in hospitals, the psych wards. Yes, the top, top floors. We are still hidden there. And those are not funny either. My depression was so low in 1999 that medications couldn’t touch it. Shock treatments are actually called electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), because that’s what it is – therapeutic. Yet countless movies depict it as horrifying. I was under anesthetic. I felt no pain. The doctor was professional and kind. I had posttraumatic stress because of stigma, not because of the treatments. ECTs are commonly used today to treat severe depression and psychosis. This treatment literally saved my life. Every I could sit back and quietly time they are dehide it, but then I think about picted as painful, the countless people with no degrading, terri- support and no shot at getting fying or severely well. So if I can be a voice for strange, it deters others with brain disorders, I desperately sick will. people from getting the help they need. Many more lives could be saved if it weren’t for these harrowing representations. And yet we have to poke fun at brain disorders, don’t we? We have to have Halloween fun, TV scares, Internet groups and movies directed at making brain disorders into a freak show? All the while, people are dying. Is this 2009? ’Cause it sure feels like we’re stuck in the dark ages on this one. And I’m begging people to come out and see the light. I watch crime shows. As a writer, I’m very interested in the storytelling methods, the dialogue and the subtle clues. But here’s an idea: How about, every now and then, writers make one of the detectives have an illness, rather than the murderer? How about the detective gets sick, finds treatment and gets betFor more ter? Show that treatment works for once. information What if, on one show, a sick criminal about the found treatment and recovered? What if National the person started helping police, helpAlliance ing other criminals, becoming successon Mental ful, all while still managing an illness Illness, visit with successful treatment? www.nami. Sure, some people with brain disororg. ders are criminals. Some people without brain disorders are criminals. Some of my friends with brain disorders are highly successful professors, doctors, artists and more. Others are unemployed and struggling. Some are geniuses. They are all over the map, just like everyone else. So let’s show it like it is. How about on TV we see doctors, lawyers, comedians and police officers with brain disorders, because in the real world, this is the case. Not only would this be freeing for those with brain disorders, but it would also be fresh creatively. I want to see writers embrace both sides – the ones who get See Suicide, p. 11 �STREETVIBES October 1 - 15, 2009 11 Issues Suicide Donuts and TV Stereotypes (Continued from p. 10) sick, and the ones who get better. Because in life, many people do get better. Let me write for one of your shows, kill the stereotypes and make it real. I have seen the sickest of the sick recover, but, as Mental Health “Due to stigma, the typical Works explains, reaction encountered by “Due to stigsomeone with a mental ma, the typical illness (and his or her reaction enfamily members) is fear and countered by rejection.” someone with – Mental Health Works a mental illness (and his or her family members) is fear and rejection. Some have been denied adequate housing, loans, health insurance and jobs due to their history of mental illness. The stigma attached to mental illness is so pervasive that people who suspect that they might be mentally ill are unwilling to seek help for fear of what others may think.” ‘Imagining it’ For more information about the symptoms of bipolar disorder, http://www. nimh.nih. gov. Work. People with brain disorders get situations such as this. Once I lost my job due to a relapse. Fatigued, stressed and anxious, I knew that my medications needed adjustment. Daily growing more ill, I was terrified to tell anyone, because I had known severe consequences with revealing my illness to past employers. I did tell my boss that I needed a break. No break. Afraid to reveal my diagnosis, I got worse. I needed medical help, but instead I had to “tough it out,” keep my mouth shut, and then it was too late. I became incredibly sick and ended up in the emergency room soon after. Telling the boss is seen as so risky that “the vast majority” of workers with mental illness still hide their condition, according to Professor Marjorie Baldwin, an economist with the School of Health Management and Policy at the W.P. Carey School of Business and co-author of the study, “Perceived vs. Measured Stigma Against Workers with Mental Illness.” What if I could’ve said, “I need to see my doctor, change my meds and then I will be back full force.” I might’ve kept the job and avoided the relapse. I might’ve avoided a suicide attempt and a horrifying stay in a highly abusive psych ward that caused me to have flashbacks for years. I might’ve avoided a severely long recovery period during which I had to relearn how to read and write. Next job. I worked there for five years, and I worked hard. I loved the place, and many of the clients were like family to me. My illness never affected my work. During that time I only missed one or two days for the flu. No one knew about my medical history until I released a local cover story revealing my bipolar diagnosis, and the raw truths I’d faced. And then… Soon after, a man started harassing me at the workplace. He then e-mailed me creepy, sexual messages. All day long. He repeatedly showed up outside of my apartment building. It was clear to all those at work that this man was not well, and I knew I was in danger. I asked my boss to ban the stalker from the workplace, and my boss responded, “Are you sure you’re not imagining it?” My boss mentioned my bipolar article. After many years he suddenly doubted my level of competence, although I’d always been utterly professional and com- pletely competent. It wasn’t until I took the stalker’s e-mails to the police that my boss finally believed me and banned the man from the workplace. Later, a coworker had the same problem with a different man. She told the same boss, who didn’t question her at all. The boss got right on it and talked to the man, who didn’t return. While with me, there was a long period of doubt and embarrassment, with her, there was immediate support and action taken. Then one coworker began to abuse me regularly. Criticizing and degrading me, she constantly cut me down, bringing up highly personal issues and my illness in front of clients. Thinking back to the stalker situation, knowing I would be doubted, I kept my mouth shut and did my job. I never retaliated. I never talked negatively about the person. But finally, after a year of consistent abuse, I confronted the coworker directly. I simply asked the person to stop criticizing me in front of clients and to stop bringing up my personal issues at work. The response: “You just don’t understand my criticism because you’re too spaced out on medication.” Actually, I’m very sharp, smart and quick-witted. I told her this. In fact, I remember unbelievable detail. School was always easy. When I talk, sometimes I pause, but that’s because I think before I speak. That’s because I am sensitive, and I care about people, not because of medication. I finally told the owners, but the abuse got worse. Then, one owner was considering giving me an opportunity. I was excited. It had taken me years to work for it. But the abusive coworker talked to the owner on the phone, brought up my illness, and slammed my character in front of clients and coworkers. Again, my illness had never affected my job. The only reason people knew about it was because of the article I’d written. In reality, this person was furious that I might progress at work. Other coworkers saw it all happen. Although disagreeing with the way they treated me, no one spoke up or defended me. I had a meeting with one owner. I said, “Out of the five years I’ve worked here, and the nine years I have known you all, my illness has never affected my work life in any way, shape or form.” The owner completely agreed with me but did not fire the person. No consequences at all. The owners did nothing. On the Mental Health Works Website, there is a note to employers: “If you hear other employees discussing the details of the individual’s illness, you need to talk to the other employees and let them know it is inappropriate. If these conversations reveal discriminatory attitudes or could be seen to constitute harassment, appropriate disciplinary measures should be taken.” I had no choice. I left. Really, it was a forced exit. Who could take that constant abuse? They said they would call me if there was a change, if the abusive coworker left. That person finally left, but they never called me. So whether I reveal it or not, either way, I’m pretty well screwed. Gratefully, I had a lot of outside support after leaving. I have been well, happy and thriving for a long time. I work my hardest at living life and staying well. I work damn hard. Do some people run around ill without seeking help? Sure. Many times they can’t afford it. Or stigma scares them off. And some flat-out don’t want to get well. But it makes it crushingly difficult to get and stay well, considering the walls we face. Quiet no more For more People with lifelong, chronic illnessinformaes relapse. It’s part of the disease, and tion about there is no cure. But when we relapse, the harm we get scorned, abused, condemned caused by and attacked. There should be encourthe stigma agement and understanding for people of mental with brain disorders when they relapse, illness, visit not criticism, name-calling and general http://www. denigration encouraged by stigma. mentalIf I take my medications, go to therahealthpy and honestly tell the doctor how I’m works.ca feeling, keeping tabs on my medications, I have a good shot at staying well. Many people can get and stay well. But without critical support, it is nearly impossible. What if someone with diabetes was heading to the hospital for a checkup, and on the way, a crowd of people scorned and criticized her for being crazy? These are the hard truths we face. Treatment works. NAMI writes, “While there is no cure for bipolar disorder, it is a treatable and manageable illness. After an accurate diagnosis, most people can achieve an optimal level of wellness. Medication is an essential element of successful treatment for people with bipolar disorder.” I am incredibly high functioning, and for the most part, the only reason people know about my illness is because of my advocacy work. Sure, I could sit back and quietly hide it, but then I think about the countless people with no support and no shot at getting well. So if I can be a voice for others with brain disorders, I will. And if I have to lose jobs, friends, boyfriends, and experience insomnia because of it, so be it. It’s too important. I can’t sit back and be quiet anymore. I might have a brain disorder, but that’s not all there is to me. I am a writer, a teacher, a friend, a daughWe have to have Halloween ter, a sister. I am spiritual, fun, TV scares, Internet groups intensely cre- and movies directed at making brain disorders into a freak ative, thoughtshow? All the while, people ful and unique. I are dying. like horses, crisp fall air, seeing live bands, cool sneakers, slick words, photographs and paintings that make your heart sing. I laugh and cry and hope. Damn, I dream. When thunderstorms come, I sit outside, just to feel and hear the rain for all its worth. I am a complex woman who wears baggy jeans; and through all of the fear, I know that this fight has given me more strength than I ever could’ve imagined. Every day I am well, I am utterly grateful. So to those people in California, good luck with your donut venture, but know this: Because of the stigma that you are promoting, people are dying every day. Stigma is bullshit. We all deserve the chance to get better. And stay better. And live and work and be treated as multifaceted human beings. We deserve support – financially, physically, medically, mentally, spiritually. We deserve respect. And care. We deserve love. We deserve to be loved. We deserve to be treated with dignity. �12 STREETVIBES October 1 - 15, 2009 Puzzle Become a Fan of Streetvibes on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/streetvibescincinnati Acrostic Puzzle 1 E 2 18 K 19 35 C 53 P 54 72 H 90 J 91 109 C 3 B 4 B 5 E 6 E P H 20 F 21 I 22 36 D 37 K 38 C 39 C 55 H 56 A 57 73 P 74 K 75 H 92 I 93 B 94 I 95 K R 110 J 111 F 112 E 113 I C 7 B 8 C 9 M 10 H 11 K 12 A 13 G 28 K 29 B 30 K 31 N 46 O 47 G 48 65 C 66 J 83 F 84 23 D 24 B 25 I 26 H 27 A D 40 N 41 D 42 I 43 H 44 N R 58 F 59 P 60 C 61 C 62 K 63 K 64 H 76 G 77 L 78 P 79 K 80 F 81 R 96 D 97 J 98 I 99 J 100 E 101 N 102 D I 115 F 116 C 132 B 125 E 126 J 127 C 128 L 129 141 I 142 N 143 H 144 O 145 F 146 114 . D 130 E 131 M I 147 , F 148 L 149 G 150 Q . 45 B 82 117 D 118 , 133 C 151 C 152 B 134 B 14 D 15 A 16 O 17 32 C 33 D 34 A 49 O 50 P 51 N 52 E H 67 B 68 C 69 D J 71 R C 85 H 86 I 87 89 E , H I J 88 70 C B 103 M 104 P 105 G 106 119 E 120 K 121 O 122 C 123 J 124 K B 135 A 136 C 137 D 138 L 139 I 140 K 153 A 154 Q 155 I 156 I 107 Q 108 I 157 D 158 I L . An acrostic puzzle consists of two parts: (1) a hidden quote, laid out in crossword puzzle format, with each letter assigned a number and (2) a series of clues, with each letter in every clue's answer corresponding to a specific letter in the hidden quote. As each clue is answered, more and more letters are completed in the hidden quote, until eventually all clues are answered and the entire quote is revealed. Additionally, in this puzzle, the first letter of each correct answer to clues a) through k) spell out the speaker of this quotation’s First and Last Name. A) B) Former host of the Tonight Show. [two words] ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 153 15 27 56 12 34 135 ABC TV comedy from 1977 to 1981. [three words] Hint: begin with the number of Cincinnati City Council Members minus one ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 152 3 64 7 67 132 4 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 118 134 24 93 88 29 C) Ernest Hemingway novel and famous line from John Donne. [five words] ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 38 8 32 65 2 35 133 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 136 127 17 151 68 61 122 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 116 54 60 84 6 D) Other name of 1964 Mississippi Summer Project. [two words] ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 39 69 102 157 36 96 23 137 129 ___ ___ ___ ___ 14 117 33 41 E) Someone generous to wait staff. [two words] ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 119 5 130 1 100 52 89 112 125 By Puzzled Progressive F) Treatise by Euclid, or the period table of the ________. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 20 80 83 111 115 145 147 58 G) Reimburse ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 105 149 76 47 13 H) Sentence of capital punishemnet, ardently advocated by Simon Leis. [two words] ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 72 75 91 10 19 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 55 26 43 66 85 143 31 I) Not science, but what some Creation Museum fans want taught instead of Evolution. [two words] ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 21 25 98 141 156 114 155 146 106 48 94 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 158 42 113 86 139 92 J) Disgust and sickens, or what pornography does to Simon Leis ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 87 70 97 82 90 110 126 123 99 K) Dental feature of David Letterman. [four words] ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 140 124 79 62 63 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 11 37 95 18 120 30 28 74 L) Adobe, or popular TV medical drama on Fox ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 148 128 138 108 77 M) Basic question for reporters, or English rock band The _________. ___ ___ ___ 9 131 103 N) Hate, dislike intensely. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 101 40 44 51 142 45 O) Not thin, or what some might call the speaker of this puzzle’s quote. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 49 46 144 121 16 P) “It tolls ______ ______” (End of line from John Donne in Clue C above). [two words] ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 104 78 22 73 50 53 59 Q) Not night, or actress, singer Doris ____. ___ ___ ___ 107 154 150 R) Basic physical unit of heredity, or dancer, actor ______ Kelly. ___ ___ ___ ___ 109 57 71 81 Solutions on Page 15 �STREETVIBES October 1 - 15, 2009 13 Candidate Interview Storyteller Runs for City Council Former TV reporter Laure Quinlivan hits campaign trail, now as a candidate By Ariana Shahandeh Contributing Writer L aure Quinlivan, a former reporter at WCPO (Channel 9) is a Democratic candidate for Cincinnati City Council. She spoke with Streetvibes about panhandling, political ambitions and misinformation. How do you feel about (Jeff Birding’s) proposal about cracking down on panhandling? I think that's ridiculous. I would not support trying to get panhandlers a license. … The problem with panhandling is it turns off a lot of people who come downtown. It scares a lot of people, especially people who don't come downtown very often. Since I've done so much work in Over-the-Rhine, where I've been walking up and down Vine Street and Main Street and forever and on a lot of streets where my friends wouldn’t walk, it doesn't scare me. But I do understand their fear. How do you feel about criticism of Mayor Mark Mallory for visiting other cities to view their streetcar systems? I think people who criticize Mallory for taking trips to other cities to see best practices are very petty. He is our mayor, and he should be going to other cities to look at best practices. He should be taking trips to our sister cities and building the alliances and bridges that will eventually bring us business. Would they criticize the CEO of a company for travel when he goes to other branches and Former TV reporter Laure Quinlivan is running for Cincinnati City Council. Photo from Quinlivan campaign. also goes to his competitors? No. It's what you do when you are the leader of an organization. I think it's good. Crosstalk about the prestige of a political position… I think a lot of people in politics are attracted for that reason – not everyone, but a lot of people have dreams of becoming this and that. Me? I'm running because I just want to see some things get done in the city where I live and where I'm raising my kids, where I've chosen to stay. When I left Channel 9 at the end of '07, I had a job of- fers all over the place in other states. I just didn't want to go. I've made this my home. This is the longest I've ever lived anywhere: 14 years. That's why I didn't try to get another job somewhere else. I have no political ambition beyond city council, so it doesn't matter to me. What are a couple of specific projects you'd like ideally to put into action as soon as you can? The streetcar is a big push; I want to do everything I can to help sell that to the public. I interviewed the mayor of Portland. I interviewed the people who ride the streetcars there: “Why do you ride the streetcars? What are your thoughts?” So I'm putting together an in-depth report just like I would if I was on the I Team and I was assigned to do it, so that I can put it on my Web site and help educate people about the streetcar issue. The other thing that I hope that I can do something about is the blight issue with vacant buildings. That is just a constant refrain with neighbors and people – these va- cant buildings that, you know are kind of the eyesore of the neighborhood, and they attract drug dealers and prostitutes and all that. It's so hard to get those out of the hands of bad building owners. So here's my idea: to have a vacant building coordinator (whose) job (is) to systematically turn over bad buildings to new owners. That’s a best practice I learned from Columbus. (In) our city, it's no one person's job, it's no one person's department. It helps to have one person, someone who is the vacant buildings person. They get in touch with that owner. Sometimes it’s really hard to get in touch with the owner. I feel like that's a worthwhile position to fund since it's such a problem. I think everyone would be thrilled if they knew who to call to help them with the vacant buildings. What is something that you think the Cincinnati citizenry wakes up believing every day that isn’t true? Downtown is unsafe. Overthe-Rhine is just for poor people. We don't have anything going on here. I think those are some common misperceptions. That's part of the reason I think I can be effective on city council, because I am a reporter; I am a storyteller. I do have this comparison having lived elsewhere. And I do appreciate what we have, and part of it is just getting that message out in a better way. We haven't been very successful in promoting our city. Obviously we are not doing a good job in telling our story. Editor’s Note: This is part of a series of interviews with candidates for Cincinnati City Council. The opinions expressed here are not to be perceived as an endorsement or reflecting the views of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, which publishes Streetvibes. They’re Just Disabilities, Not Definitions (Continued from p. 8) Joe Brumm: ‘Listen to Me’ One thing you will find out about me is that I’m a talker. I like to ask people questions. I want to know about people that I meet. I have a brother named Johnny. He goes to Notre Dame. I have two loving parents, and I’m a pool shark. I’m also good at bowling. I often bowl strikes. I went to Purcell Marian High School, where I loved learning from my teachers. On my free time I eat at my favorite restaurants: Gold Star, Zip’s and Arthur’s. I also go online and check out Facebook. My favorite music is country. Brooks and Dunn are the best. “Only In America” is my favorite song. I just started Starfire U. I have made some new friends. I like Starfire because I get to talk to people. I want people to listen to me, because I have great things to say. I want to be the best Joe Brumm that I can be. Dominique Booker: ‘Stand for Something’ When I was born, you could fit me in the palm of your hands. My name is Dominique Booker and I am here to talk about some of the disabilities that I have and how I learned to deal with them on a daily basis. All of my disabilities started when I was born. I was born blind in my left eye which means that I can’t see anything in that one eye. The reason why I can’t see in that eye is because my retina didn’t attach to my pupil. I was born premature, which means that I was born very early and a lot of my major organs were underdeveloped. I weighed 2 lbs. and 4 oz. The doctors told my mother that I wasn’t going to make it because I was born so early. Another one of my disabilities is that I have asthma, which means that it’s hard to breathe sometimes if I do certain activities or if there’s a change in the weather. Since I was born so early, I had to stay in the hospital for nine months because of the complications that I had. During those nine months I had to learn how to walk and learn because the nurses taught me how to walk and talk. When I finally got out of the hospital, I was 1 year old. Now, I’m 22 years old, I’m an Oak Hills High School graduate, and I live a normal, happy life, only I just have challenges that I face every day. My goal is to live on my own and have a career in medical Assisting. One of my quotes is: “Stand for something, or you will fall for anything.” �14 STREETVIBES October 1 - 15, 2009 Reader’s Views To the Editor There are a couple reasons that I'm writing you today. Both of them are from the Sept. 1-14 2009 edition of Streetvibes. First, the better reason is the article by Riccardo Taylor, a guy who seems like, if it wasn't for some unknown calamity in his life, he'd be a drug counselor or professor somewhere instead of a Streetvibes vendor. His article on homelessness effecting specific groups of people like the elderly, the very young and uneducated puts a more human face on this issue. Most homeless people I see, but don't know personally, are raging drug addicts. They come to my neighborhood in Northside to buy and sell drugs. I know this because I've been around drugs most of my adult life. Anyone that is staring blankly glued to a bench, wildly screaming to themselves or barely being able to cross a street or drive a car through an intersection are not exactly the “Just Say No” crowd. They are on either crack or coke or looking to get some. It's the truth. The rest I see sleeping downtown outside the Netherlands hotel and it's like looking at grim death in the face. I was homeless when I was a young man, a few times, and so was my ex-girlfriend. She moved all the way to New Orleans before coming back home but neither one of us had to sleep in the streets. We relied on new friends and the cramped comfort of our cars. We both have gotten college educations since then (I worked my way through for six years) and a series of jobs to make sure we never have to really on strangers or meth heads named "Kaos" or "Jabba" for a place to sleep at night. So, living through the experience wasn't for nothing. Neither one of us were drug addicts. We were strong-headed people that didn't see things our parents’ way starting at a very early age. Secondly, the article entitled "Stop Snitching, for Justice's Sake" by Suhith Wickrema is the most irresponsible act of journalism I have ever seen in Cincinnati. The article should been titled "Stop Lying to Yourself". The article tells of James Duane's lecture topic of Eddie Joe Lloyd, who was arrested for murder but doesn't say who testified against him. This was probably due to a witness's false testimony – as many cases do. I was locked up due to false testimony by a crazy girlfriend. I have been unraveling her lies for years because the prosecutor's office failed to examine her "evidence" in the form of a forged e-mail they didn't even bother to verify. But even though she could also be seen as a "snitch" what she really was is a liar. Also, to further illustrate the real problem, I bring to your attention the Noele Washington case in Over-the-Rhine. Her accused killer, Mark Pickens alleged raped her the day before he killed her and killed two babies. This tragedy could have been stopped if her ex-boyfriend cooperated with the police after he was allegedly shot and nearly killed by Pickens. In other words, if he had "snitched" a 19-year-old woman, a 3-month-old baby, and a 9-year-old little girl would still be alive today. All it would have taken was man swallowing his pride going against popular opinion. That's a very small price to pay to save three innocent lives, isn't it? This article seems like a written contract with drug dealers to allow them to kill people like Noele Washington. That is irresponsible and unacceptable. Your decision to print this article greatly disappoints me and it dishonors people like Noele. Are they cows to be killed and whose memory is disgraced by silent, fearful conspiracies? Sorry to go out on a sad note but snitching and lying to a prosecutor's office, whose job is finding the truth, are two different issues. Remaining silent and enabling murderers to kill babies is immoral and borders on insane. Reader Survey Dear Readers, Over the last year, we have worked hard to improve the content, design and overall program of Streetvibes. We would greatly appreciate you taking the time to fill out this brief reader survey. We value your feedback and opinions. Please return your survey to 117 E. 12th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. You may also e-mail your responses to streetvibeslayout@gmail.com. If you have other information or comments please feel free to let us know when you return your survey. Thank you, Gregory Flannery Editor Why do you buy Streetvibes? Where do you buy Streetvibes? What do you like most about Streetvibes? What do you like least about Streetvibes? What would you like to see in Streetvibes that isn’t in the paper now? Paul Schmitt Cincinnati Gender: (circle) Age: (circle) Income: (circle) Male Under 18 40 – 49 Less than $10,000 Female 19 – 29 50 – 59 $10,000 - $14,999 30 – 39 60 + $15,000 - $24,999 Cleo’s Joke Corner $25,000 - $34,999 Race: (circle all that apply) African American/ Black $35,000 - $49,999 Pacific Islander $50,000 - $69,999 White $70,000 and above Asian Lois Lane asked Superman to meet her at the ice-cream parlor. He asked why. She said, “Look, I am a reporter. I need a really good scoop.” Why didn’t they play cards on Noah’s Ark? Because he was standing on the deck. Hispanic Other: _____________________ Don’t forget to send us your survey. 117 E. 12th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 or streetvibeslayout@gmail.com �STREETVIBES October 1 - 15, 2009 15 Resources Need Help or Want to Help? Shelter: Women and Children Churches Active in Northside 381-SAFE 768-6907 Central Access Point Cincinnati Union Bethel 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 557-2873 Bethany House 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 Salvation Army 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 3600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 Crossroad Health Center 241-1064 Health Resource Center Homeless Mobile Health Van McMicken Dental Clinic 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Mental Health Access Point Mercy Franciscan at St. John 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 784-1853 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 DIC Live In Program Prospect House 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Starting Over Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center 961-2256 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 961-4663 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Goodwill industries Healing Connections Mary Magdalen House 961-4080 2728 Glendora Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45209 Treatment: Both 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 351-0422 381-6672 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 AA Hotline CCAT Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 471-1100 221-3350 Hamilton County ADAS Board Recovery Health Access Center Sober Living Talbert House 946-4888 281-7422 681-0324 641-4300 Hamilton/Middletown 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 Northern Kentucky 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Interfaith Hospitality Network Lighthouse Youth Center (Youth) 3330 Jefferson, Cinti, Ohio 45220 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 People Working Cooperatively The Caring Place United Way Women Helping Women St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry Housing: 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 721-8666 Tender Mercies 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 961-4555 751-0643 381-1954 Tom Geiger House Dana Transitional Bridge Services Volunteers of America Food/Clothing 621-5300 961-1983 Lord’s Pantry OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 771-4800 751-0600 721-4811 351-7921 631-1114 211 977-5541 863-3184 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Center for Respite Care 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 535-2719 St. Francis Soup Kitchen ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 579-8547 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 381-0111 859-491-8303 799 Ann St. Newport, KY Franciscan JPIC 721-4700 Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS Brighton Center Health 621-6364 Our Daily Bread Advocacy 241-2600 241-2563 621-5514 214 E. 14th St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Treatment: Women 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 558-8888 981-5800 Other Resources 721-0643 921-1613 Peaslee Neighborhood Center First Step Home 357-4602 352-2902 352-6363 458-6670 977-4489 NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach Shelter: Both Anthony House (Youth) 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 562-8841 St. Vincent de Paul Charlie’s 3/4 House 661-4620 591-2246 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 872-9259 Justice Watch 241-0490 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Shelter 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Treatment: Men 241-5525 1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 FreeStore/FoodBank 762-5660 Shelter: Men City Gospel Mission 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 621-1868 Puzzle Solution T H I S T H E I R D I F P L T A G O E O D E R E A) B) C) D) S I S H O W T M O N E Y E R E N T E S E L L I N H E P E O P L E N U T S O U T S I A M E S . L E T T H O U G T I N G J ay Leno E ight is enough F or whom the bell tolls F reedom summer F E) F) G) H) I) J) K) H , T H B ig tipper E lements R eplay D eath penalty I ntelligent design N auseates G ap in his teeth I E . T , Y E Y T H E H A N W A E G S M A K ’ R E N T H E P T E R L L I N G Y E A N P D E O F R E D S M E B E C L E A O T S U G G J A L E D . M B L) M) N) O) P) Q) R) H House Who Detest Thick For thee Day Gene N E I Cincinnati City Council Member Jeff Berding referring to panhandlers speaking to news media, 7/17/2009. �16 STREETVIBES October 1 - 15, 2009 Column Collaborating, Creating, Changing Jan Brown Checco’s art is about spirit and community Until her mother’s death in 1987, Jan Brown Checco, a successful 2D artist, illustrator and graphic designer, used her art primarily as a commodity, mainly for commercial purposes; this is what her conservative parents expected her to do in order to earn a living. “When my mother died, I suddenly realized that my biological clock was ticking and that I needed to start expressing myself, to make a statement through my visual art” she says. “It was as if I gave myself permission to move in a different, more personal direction without having to justify why. My mother had a tragic death from terminal cancer; to survive my own despair, I began grieving through my art.” Brown Checco could only express her unspeakable pain in images. At the same time she was raising two daughters and pushing against prevailing anti-feminist ideas in the Bible. Her art became increasingly focused on her family, parenting, womanhood and indirectly herself. It was cathartic and therapeutic and helped her move on. “If you’re so formally removed from the art you’re making that it is not helping you, lifting you up, resolving something you cannot understand, then it is a pity,” she says. “For me, this is a fundamental function of art.” In 1987 Brown Checco came across Joseph Campbell’s views of how philosophy, religion, art history and cultures are interwoven. It led her to a different appreciation of spirituality and discovery of the Tao and Buddhism, which started manifesting itself in her art. Brown Checco has been making art as long as she can recall, finger painting at age 4 at her grandmother’s kitchen table. An art career was a natural path for her. She attended Miami University, then the Art Acadas emy of Cincinnati for her bachelor’s degree in fine arts; and the University By Saad Ghosn of Cincinnati College of Contributing Writer Design, Architecture, Art and Planning for her master’s degree. She is a painter and a sculptor versatile in many media and techniques. Over the past 15 years Checco has been using her design and management skills to create community-based art projects and cultural exchanges. Her aim is to strengthen artists’ collaborative abilities, give voice to individuals who otherwise are not heard, educate, inspire and facilitate communication. In 1993 she founded “Art in the Square,” a visual arts festival aimed at bringing the region’s talents of out of their studios to connect with the public. In 2005 she created the “Vine Street Murals and Can-paign” in Over the Rhine, a five-month project employing local children. These were the first public murals to appear downtown, accompanied by 30 colorful trash cans. In 1999 Brown Checco started facilitating artistic and cultural exchanges between Cincinnati and its Sister Cities, arranging for Cincinnati artists to present their work in Munich and for Munich artists to come to Cincinnati. In 2002 she invited master ceramic artists from each sister city to come to Cincinnati to create art for A rtists ctivists ‘Balance,’ a ceramic work, is inspired by the Confucian Li. Photo by Saad Ghosn. Jan Brown Checco is both an artist and arts organizer. Photo by Bill Howes. the pavilion in Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park. In 2004 she organized an exchange including nine artists from Cincinnati and nine from Munich. The artists created drawings that were reproduced and given to participating artists from the other city. They were allowed to do whatever they wanted to the drawings to create their own new works. The same formula was repeated in 2007, including artists from Cincinnati, Munich and Liuzhou, China. The hundreds of original drawings and resulting redraws were exhibited in each of the sister cities. The project received an award from Sister Cities International for Innovation in the Arts and Culture. Brown Checco has been the lead designer for three Butterfly Shows at Krohn Conservatory, interpreting the cultures of China, India and next year, Japan. She is also art administrator for “The Black Brigade Monument,” the first piece of sculpture in the “Finding your authentic self, new Cincinnati Riverfront Park, playing your role in community scheduled for dedication in 2011. and being helpful, having The monument will tell the story a righteous motive, being of the company of black volunresponsible and responsive – I teers who, during the Civil War, try to live my life and what I organized to defend Cincinnati consider in my art.” from Confederate attack. - Jan Brown Checco She is also organizing the production of 145 pieces of art for a new building for special-need patients at Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Many of the works will be by patients and volunteers. Brown Checco’s art reflects her social and political views, her philosophy of life and her spiritual connectedness to nature and to her family. “For me, activism is about the essence of reality as pure activity, especially spiritual activity,” she says. “I practice it when I work in the garden, when I play with my grandchild, and also when I do my own visual art or am engaged in visual art projects with different people and demands. All end up being connected; it is seamless to me.” Thanks to visiting Chinese teachers she has hosted, Brown Checco learned about Taoism and Confucianism. Her ceramic piece, Balance, is a reflection on the Confucian Li (Code of Ethics), the equivalent of our 10 Commandments. The code consists of eight principles which, if practiced, are thought to lead to balance and harmony. The artwork includes two small ceramic figures, one representing “Excess,” bending under a burden, and the other “Lack,” looking at symbolic empty hands instead of at the things one has. Its message pertains to compulsive consumerism and greed and the need for a simpler, grateful and reflective life. “Finding your authentic self, playing your role in community and being helpful, having a righteous motive, being responsible and responsive – these are the things that should matter,” Brown Checco says. “They do matter to me, and that’s how I try to live my life and what I consider in my art.” Artists as Activists is a regular column highlighting Greater Cincinnati artists who use art as a vehicle for change. Saad Ghosn is the founder of SOS Art. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2009 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource October 1-15, 2009 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: CMHA Chief Denies Racism Charges Keep Struggling- But Carefully Pg 2: The Vibe Pg 3: Eight Minutes with Sandpaper Pg 4: Coffee, Culture and Conversation Pg 5: Off the Battlefield, War Keeps Killing Pg 6: Street Life, My Life Dancer, Student and ‘Streetvibes’ Vendor Pg 7: Suicide Donuts and TV Stereotypes Pg 8: They’re Just Disabilities, Not Definitions Pg 9: Housing, Stability, Then Sobriety Pg 10: Suicide Donuts and TV Stereotypes Continued Pg 11: Suicide Donuts and TV Stereotypes Continued Pg 12: Puzzle Pg 13: Storyteller Runs for City Council Pg 14: Reader’s Views Pg 15: Resources Pg 16: Collaborating, Creating, Changing Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 1-15, 2009 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Gregory Flannery Lynne Ausman Jeni Jenkins Lew Moores Dave Scharfenberger Margo Pierce Paul Kopp Jeremy Flannery Michael Henson David Heitfield Larry Gross Stephanie Dunlap Saad Ghosn Elizabeth Heath Ariana Shahandeh Riccardo Taylor Dan Rozier Eli Braun Mark Payne Aimie Willhoite George Ellis Rob Goeller Anthony Williams Berta Lambert Jennifer Blalock Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Activists Afghanistan Aimie Willhoite Anthony Williams Ariana Shahandeh Art Berta Lambert Café de Paris city council CMHA Dan Rozier Dancer Dave Scharfenberger David Heitfield Eli Braun Elizabeth Heath GCCH George Ellis Gregory Flannery housing Ira Jan Brown Checco Jeni Jenkins Jennifer Blalock Jeremy Flannery Jimmy Heath House Larry Gross Laure Quinlivan Lew Moores Lynne Ausman Margo Pierce Mark Payne mental illness Michael Henson Paul Kopp Racism Riccardo Taylor Rob Goeller Saad Ghosn Starfire U Stephanie Dunlap Students veterans Vine Street War https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/617c73e9692237cf65a3c7b2cab112a1.pdf 9aeb4b90d85b0ff6092fac21c6aa3463 PDF Text Text Artists as Activists Page 16 Vendor Profile Page 7 STREETVIBES $1 Sept. 15-30, 2009 • Advocating Justice, Building Community • Issue 161 Rejoicing Against Oppression Tibet Fest: Food, art and an unusual resistance By GreGory Flannery editor Here’s a quick test: What comes to mind when you hear the word “Tibet”? • The Chinese genocide against a small country; • The Dalai Lama, apostle of nonviolence; • An idiosyncratic Buddhist philosophy; or • Momos, spicy Tibetan dumplings. New statues of Buddhas at GSL Monastery were handmade in Nepal, according to Jamyang Lama. All four are correct answers Photo by Margo Pierce. but momos are the most straightforward. Filled with stops for a sandwich at Quizbeef or with potatoes, momos no’s restaurant on Colerain are one of the most popular Avenue. features of Tibet Fest, which “A lot of times when peoreturns this weekend to the ple see us, they become very Clifton Cultural Arts Center. curious, especially in the The other three phenom- Midwest,” he says. “A lot of ena are also my friends part of the in California program but Driven into exile by and the East are at least as the Chinese invasion Coast cannot complex as and brutal occupation believe I’m the makeup of the past 50 years, living in Indiof any other Tibetan culture has ana or Ohio. political or found a refuge in Their image By Mark Payne spiritual culCincinnati and in is a cornfield, Contributing Writer ture – and Bloomington, Ind. and I’m sitting given Tibet’s there. I tell More than 200 residents of centuries of them people the Metropole Apartments, isolation, probably more so. in Indiana and Ohio are very many of them reliant on fedDriven into exile by the wonderful people, accepting eral housing assistance, could Chinese invasion and bru- people.” soon be forced out to make tal occupation of the past 50 More than a few people in way for a new hotel in downyears, Tibetan culture has Cincinnati and Bloomington town Cincinnati’s entertainfound a refuge in Cincinnati have gone beyond accep- ment block. and in Bloomington, Ind. tance, pursuing the Buddhist The apartment building at The American Midwest path and seeking to preserve 609 Walnut St. has been put seems an unlikely setting Tibetan culture. Tibet Fest up for a transfer of physical for such an exotic tradition 2009 is both an ethnic cel- assets by Showe Manage– with its mixture of sword- ebration and an opportunity ment. wielding, bare-fanged deities to help an oppressed people. “All that means is the buildand nonviolent philosophy Proceeds from Tibet Fest will ing would have a new owner,” of compassion toward all support the construction of a says James Cunningham, sentient beings. Even Tibet- new monastery and Tibetan Cincinnati field office direcans think so, according to Heritage Center in Colerain tor for the U.S. Department The Metropole apartments are located on Walnut Jamyang Lama, a resident Township. of Housing and Urban DevelStreet across from the Aronoff Center and next to monk at Gaden Samdrupling opment (HUD). popular bars and nightclubs. Photo by Bill Haigh. Monastery in Cincinnati, The Illegal Buddha But it means more than sponsor of Tibet Fest. He also that. The building sits be- velopment Corp. (3CDC), ac- who said he was leading the serves at a sister monastery Jamyang Lama has never tween the Contemporary cording to Rob Goeller, civil Metropole project. Gelter in Bloomington. been to Tibet. Arts Center and Bootsy’s, Jeff rights outreach coordinator said 3CDC wants to buy the Dressed in maroon robes, “It’s one of my hopes to go Ruby’s new restaurant, mak- for the Greater Cincinnati Metropole, turn it into a combreaking into Tibetan or there someday,” he says. ing it attractive real estate for Coalition for the Homeless. mercial hotel, then hand it Hindi or Urdu when his cell Born in Nepal to Tibetan developers. The group interGoeller says he spoke over to a company called phone rings, Jamyang Lama ested in buying the building with Adam Gelter, developcan’t escape notice when he See Oppression, p. 8 is Cincinnati Center City De- ment manager for 3CDC, See 3CDC, p. 6 3CDC Strikes Again Hotel plan could force out hundreds of people �2 The Vibe By The Numbers 31 StreetWise Yes, We Can Again I have to admit that in recent months I’ve been feeling a bit jaded. People are talking, and frankly the conversation is quite sour, particularly when it comes to President Barack Obama – name calling; back-stabbing; political snowballing. He has been referred to as a Nazi, a socialist and a communist czar. The persistent negative dialogue has had me feeling disillusioned, and I’ve been losing hope. Then on Sept. 7 I attended the largest Labor Day Picnic in the country. I’d never been to a picnic put on by the AFL-CIO or any event organized by a labor union, so I didn’t know what to expect. the number of “statement drawings” created by Jimi Jones during the 2001 Uprising in Over-the-Rhine (see page 16.) 709 the number of women and children who stayed at the YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter last year (see page 3.) 9 million the value, in dollars, of an acre of land in downtown Cincinnati (see page 4.) 8 or 10 the number of people blocking Mike Henson’s view on a New York subway (see page 10.) 208 the number of residents at the Metropole Apartments who might lose their homes (see page 1.) 10 the cost, in dollars, of a Tibetan feast (see page 1.) 2.3 million the number of prisoners in the United States (see page 11.) STREETVIBES September 15 - 30, 2009 A casual conversation with a colleague at work had resulted in tickets for my two children and me. My children were thrilled. By the time we arrived at Coney Island, their unrestrained energy was fueling my anxiety. Photo by Jeni Jenkins. I anticipated long lines, angry mobs of gun-toting antiObamites and men in black suits whispering into translucent earpieces while each of us endured a full-body cavity search. Instead we were welcomed at the gates by a covey of neighborly volunteers from various unions. We proceeded through a series of checkpoints until finally arriving at security, where officers briefly patted us down and sent us in. I was pleased that my children had the opportunity to see him. My level of hope had been slowly decreasing, my vision was blurred and I was questioning my confidence in Obama. But, he fired me up and now I am ready to go again. (By Jeni Jenkins) Let a Thousand Outhouses Bloom Our readers are a generous lot. In recent months we’ve reported on the lack of public toilets in downtown Cincinnati, which leads some homeless people to relieve themselves in alleys or near the Hamilton County Courthouse, sometimes leading to arrest and sometimes leading to asinine commentary by the likes of Bill Cunningham, right-wing talk-show agitator on WLW (700 AM). In response, two readers have contacted the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, which publishes Streetvibes, offering to pay for the rental of port-a-lets downtown. Wouldn’t it be a fine and beautiful thing to have the Bill Cunningham Memorial Outhouse downtown? But here’s the problem. Where to put the edifice? The Homeless Coalition doesn’t have property to house the Cunningham Outhouse. What to do? Gentle readers, if you own property downtown and would like to help homeless people, let us know. Homeless people would be grateful, public sanitation would improve, and Bill Cunningham would be honored in the manner he so richly deserves, wipe by wipe. (By Gregory Flannery) Buy Your Own Damn Ticket The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Aug. 21 that another right-wing talk-show host, Sean Hannity, had effectively banned the news media from his America-first extravaganza at Timberwolf Amphitheatre. It’s a load of crap, though. The Sean Hannity Freedom Concert featured nationalist music by Billy Ray Cyrus, Charlie Daniels, Lee Greenwood and speeches by Hannity and others. “However, most media outlets – except Fox News – have been excluded from covering the event by Hannity's organizers,” the Enquirer reported. 4 While it’s true that Fox News is a leading cause of right-wing nuts reaching large audiences, it’s not true that Hannity barred other news media from covering his political vaudeville act. Here’s how these things work. News reporters call organizers of public events and ask for admission to a press booth. This is special seating, sometimes offering access to telephones or Internet connections, sometimes including free food, sometimes (and a favorite of journalists) including free drinks. Some event organizers say no. But there is nothing to stop reporters from buying tickets and sitting in the crowd with everyone else. I didn’t go to the Sean Hannity Freedom Concert. But I bet ushers didn’t ask guests, “Are you now or have you ever been a member of the news media other than Fox News?” If anyone can prove me wrong, I’ll wash the Bill Cunningham Memorial Outhouse every day for a week. (By Gregory Flannery) the number of stops on a social-service scavenger hunt (see page 6.) Address: 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513.421.7803 x 12 Fax: 513.421.7813 Email: streetvibes2@ yahoo.com Website: www. cincihomeless.org Blog: streetvibes. wordpress.com Streetvibes Staff We sat on the edge of our seats as we waited for Obama to make his appearance. He immediately asked two crucial questions: “Are you fired up? Are you ready to go?” As he spoke, I could feel my political energies recharging. He was direct, charismatic and conversational, as if chatting with old friends. He reminded me why I’d supported him for President during the primaries. Tears welled up in my eyes as I heard him speak about issues of poverty and class. It was the first time in my life that I saw a politician who understood the plight of the poor in this country, someone who knew change was unavoidable and who was ready to take the reins. 2 the number of Streetvibes readers who have offered to help provide port-a-lets for homeless people downtown (see page 2.) Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by people who are or once were homeless, in exchange for a $1 donation, Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Was Ann Coulter in Town? A vigilant driver noticed a “suspicious bag” on a Metro bus at the transit agency’s Queensgate garage Sept. 2, according to Metro. Police and fire personnel responded to the scene and found that the bag contained “only clothing.” The media alert from Metro did not explain what constitutes a “suspicious bag.” (By Gregory Flannery) Editor Gregory Flannery Art Director Lynne Ausman Vendor Coordinator Jeni Jenkins Contributing Writers Lew Moores, Dave Scharfenberger, Margo Pierce, Paul Kopp, Jeremy Flannery, Michael Henson, David Heitfield, Kelissa Hieber, Larry Gross, Stephanie Dunlap, Saad Ghosn, Elizabeth Heath, Ariana Shahandeh, Jennifer Blalock, Dan LaBotz, Mark Payne Photography/Artwork Aimie Willhoite, Lynne Ausman, George Ellis, Jeni Jenkins, Anthony Williams, Berta Lambert Proofreader Jennifer Blalock The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati through coordination of services, public education, grassroots advocacy and Streetvibes. We are members of: �STREETVIBES September 15 - 30, 2009 Local News 3 Eight Minutes Seeking Shelter One woman's work helps hundreds in need of a safe-haven By MarGo Pierce Contributing Writer The location of the YWCA Battered Women's Shelter is confidential. No men are allowed. Security is the number one priority. All this because “domestic violence is real,” according to Stacey Hall, the shelter director. “Our facility is a safe-haven for women and children who are leaving situations of violence in their homes, so we make sure the facility is safe,” she says. “We have to make sure that it’s private and confidential. We have to make sure that it’s comfortMore than 800 women and children were served YWCA of Greater Cincinnati’s Battered Women’s able and welcoming and that Shelter last year. Photo courtesy of YWCA. it can feel as much like home as much as possible during homes or is being abused by what their cy and their YWCA, as well as in the com“Women who make their stay.” their partner or they’re not educational, ability to munity at large, so they can the brave decision to The capacity of the shel- sure what’s going on (or) they f i n a n c i a l , m a x i m i z e make their goals.” ter is 65 people and it’s been just know they have an issue long-term so- leave their lives as they their learnOn top of all that is the full since the beginning of the and they want to talk it out, cial services know it after situations ing dur- practical work of operating a of violence often are year. That translates into a lot ask questions, get informa- needs are going school home away from home. looking at starting over, hours.” of women seeking shelter ev- tion, the hotline is available ing to be. “We are part of the Famery year. for that as well.” “We also so that means we have But when ily Shelter Partnership, so we to build services that “In 2008 we served 709 When a woman calls to look at what it comes to work very closely with them, can be supportive.” women and children, and seek shelter, she’s told to go to kids go the parents, making sure that as a group – Stacey Hall about 75 more women and a specific location, where she through (and) there’s a shelters serving families can children we served more than will be picked up. This pro- not only what dizzying ar- really maximize resources for once during the year,” Hall cess ensures that the woman they’ve experay of issues families around housing so says. “We know one of the dy- gets to a safe location once rienced at home. It's a rocky that require more help than they can get back into housnamics of domestic violence she’s left the violent situation transition from violence in the a few classes could possibly ing really quickly,” Hall says. is that it sometimes takes a and the address of the shelter house to a shelter situation to address. For many, it begins But no matter what she’s few times of trying to leave to is kept confidential; the driv- trying to get back to a normal with their children. doing, expanding awareness make the permanent break er knows where the shelter kid routine with school and “Kids who stay in shelters about domestic violence and from the relationship.” is and gets the woman there, after school activities.” are entitled to stay in their why shelters exist is a big part That’s why the advocates free of charge. As the shelter’s director, home school if they want to. of Hall’s job. who staff the YWCA DomesOnce she arrives – alone or Hall makes sure “services are Some moms and kids want to “Women in the community tic Violence Hotline (513-872- with children – the work of delivered in the best way pos- do that, so that involves do- need a place where they can 9259 or 888-872-9259) are building a new life begins. sible.” That means organizing ing safety planning with the go and be safe from violence,” willing to and offering a school around what’s going she says. “As bad as the econlisten, offer host of activi- on,” Hall says. omy is, bad economy does i n f o r m a - “Bad economy does not cause partners to batter ties. For kids, “We do in-house support- not cause partners to batter tion and get – the bad economy creates increased barriers that’s pretty ive groups, primarily peer – the bad economy creates a woman for both perpetrators and victims of domestic straightfor- groups, so women can pro- increased barriers for both connected violence in terms of moving beyond the violence. ward. vide support to each other perpetrators and victims of to the help But violence is a behavioral choice that people “We pro- around what’s going on in domestic violence in terms of she needs. make.” – Stacey Hall vide activities their lives and the reality of moving beyond the violence. Services for kids, ev- the shelter. Women who need But violence is a behavioral are availerything from more intensive, one-on-one choice that people make.” able to anyone experiencing “Women who make the recreational stuff – open play counseling we refer to WomIf you or someone you know violence in the home – men, brave decision to leave their time, game time, craft time – en Helping Women. needs assistance or just somethe elderly, handicapped and lives as they know it after sit- to groups that are more edu“Our primary service is one to talk to who won’t be same-sex partners – and shel- uations of violence often are cational and quasi-therapeu- case management, where judgmental, call the YWCA ter will be provided in what- looking at starting over, so that tic in nature, such as reading women work one-on-one Domestic Violence Hotline ever location is best. means we have to build ser- time that maybe focuses on with a case manager and lay at 513-872-9259 or 888-872But every shelter stay be- vices that can be supportive,” talking about feelings, an art out a plan for all of the differ- 9259. The YWCA is a member gins with a call to the hotline. Hall says. “We provide them activity that focuses on talk- ent things they need to work of the Greater Cincinnati Co“You have to call the hotline information and options in ing about the family. on. Then part of what the alition for the Homeless. in order to get into shelter,” all the areas of their life from “We also bring lots of part- case manager does is connect Hall says. “But in addition support around the domestic ners on-site to work with them to resources within the to accessing shelter, we also violence itself and any legal kids. We’re getting ready to provide information about issues that have arisen out have America Reads volunMany people work hard to make a difference for the other resources in the com- of the domestic violence, to teers start; they’ll be working less privileged in the Queen City. “Eight Minutes” is an munity, and it’s a resource targeted case management with pre-school age kids up opportunity to learn who those people are and what just to talk. If someone is ex- that looks at what their hous- through the age of 12 and do motivates them to be a positive influence. periencing violence in their ing needs are going to be, tutoring that supports litera- �4 Community News STREETVIBES September 15 - 30, 2009 Cheap Parking, High Rent Tommy Didn’t Have to Die Parking prevents affordable housing Does reform listen to sick people? By nathan Wessel Contributing Writer than most realize. Parking uses space that could be used for something else: If a building There is an almost impossibly easy has an underground garage, it gives way to stimulate new, creative and up a basement. Land used for parking affordable development in Cincin- could be used for parks, for schools, nati. It would cost the city nothing. In etc. In most cases, it just would be fact, it would save money while at the used for the rest of the building. Most same time increasing tax revenues. It construction would take place on would allow for the afsmaller lots, and buildfordable redevelopment ings would be bigger if of vacant lots and buildParking not for the parking reings. It would create a requirements have quirement. denser, more walkable, an enormous effect In economics, this is more environmentally on urban life and called an “opportunity friendly city that is more life everywhere in cost.” When two things attractive to young prothis country, and can't be done at the fessionals. It would yet almost no one same time, and one is stimulate the creation ever gives them foregone in favor of the of affordable housing any thought. other, the lost potential and other affordable returns from the unbuilding space, easing used option are a real homelessness and unemployment. cost. To give an example, if you have So what is this grand scheme? I can $1,000 and you buy stock with it, you condense it to one sentence: Elimi- no longer have the option of keeping nate parking requirements. Parking that money in the bank and gaining requirements have an enormous ef- interest. The amount you would have fect on urban life and life everywhere gained in interest, but now cannot, is in this country, and yet almost no one the opportunity cost. If the opportuever gives them any thought. nity cost is greater than the benefit of Parking is something that urban the option pursued (if the amount of planners first stuck their noses into interest would have been more than in the 1950s. Since then, most Ameri- the gain on the stocks), then it would can cities have required that a certain have been better to invest in the other number of parking spaces be includ- option. If a piece of land is used for ed in any new development and even a parking lot, it cannot be used for provided for old buildings, if they are something that could yield much put to new use. The requirement is higher returns, such as an office or generally designed to satisfy the peak an apartment. When land is valuable, demand for free parking on the busi- this cost is extremely high, and parkest day of the year. What this means ing is a poor use of land. is that almost all new development is There is another cost that is a funcrequired to have more parking on-site tion of the simple fact that parking than would be used on Black Friday if takes up space: Excess parking causes all parking were free – too much park- suburban sprawl by requiring that ing. things be more spread out. A lot of people stop their train of Parking is more expensive to conthought at that point: “What harm is struct and maintain than you might a bunch of parking that goes unused? suspect. An asphalt parking lot in Better than not having enough, isn't far-flung suburban areas can cost as it?” “little” as $2,000 per space. In places There are two main problems with where land is more valuable – places requiring too much parking, though. where people actually live – parking is The first problem is that parking takes drastically more expensive. Once land up space. The second is that it is very is valuable enough – when the opporexpensive to build and maintain park- tunity cost is high – parking garages ing. This sounds simple at first glance, but the costs of parking are far higher See Parking, p. 5 Much of the parking downtown is only fully utilized during Reds and Bengals games. Parking construction can cost over $12,000 per spot. By elizaBeth heath Contributing Writer Like most girls, my first job was babysitting, I lived in a small town, so I already knew the children I would be watching. I looked forward to a night away from my parents and four siblings. I could control the remote! Little did I know the energetic blonde boy, Tommy, and his darker haired sister, Amber, were wild and uncontrollable. I chased them all over the house as they got into everything. Finally, after hours of running around and yelling, "No!" that Amber Thomas Monte Rieff. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Heath. fell asleep. Tommy and I laid on the couch in the living very visible. He had one in his neck, room to watch television. two in his chest, one in his groin area I woke when their mother came and one under his armpit. Things got home. Tommy was lying next to me serious. He was no longer pushed and had wet himself. When his mom aside as though he were drug-seekbegan to yell at him he, of course, ing. The hospital admitted him. blamed me. For some reason she beHe stayed there for over a week as lieved him. She told me to leave and the hospital did biopsies and ran a I never babysat Amber and Tommy series of painful tests. The tests came again. Living in the small town as we back: Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Stage did, we saw each other on a daily ba- four – end stage. It was wrong that it sis. Amber was only a couple of years had gotten that bad. All it would have younger than I. We became close taken was someone to listen to him, friends. Tommy, her little brother, was someone to look past his unkempt good friends with my little brothers. appearance and that tattoo. Amber and I both had a child at a The doctors gave Tommy, my young age. We drifted apart. I became friend, my brother, six months to live. closer friends with Tommy than I ever He was 24 years old. Doctors from evhad before. Tommy was around all of ery hospital he went to gave him premy late teen years and well into adult- scription after prescription. The medhood. He was there when I got mar- icine was not meant to help him fight ried. My husband off the cancer, but and Tommy were just ease the pain. It good friends. He stayed there for over was extremely difTheir parents got a week as the hospital ficult for everyone divorced. Amber was did biopsies and ran a involved. We barely already out of the series of painful tests. talked about it at house, but Tommy The tests came back: all. So many times I was not. He was left Hodgkin’s lymphoma. wanted to hold him on his own. All he had Stage four – end stage. close and tell him evleft was his friends. erything would be all All of us did what we right. Tommy didn't could to help Tommy. like that "mushy" stuff, so we all kept Tommy got sick. It took a long time it cool, spending time with him, givbefore anyone realized just how sick ing him a hard time, making him he was. Tommy would go to the hos- laugh, just like we always had. pital a lot. Nurses and doctors would Tommy fought long and hard for look at him, give him some antibiot- three years. He never let the doctors ics and send him home. He was very tell him when it was his time. He was unkempt. He had long hair and some- over 27 when he passed away. All of us thing of a beard that looked more like friends of Tommy think that, if somehe just had not bothered to shave in one had taken the time to listen to a month. I am pretty sure the word Tommy, he might still be around to"Freak" tattooed on his arm did not day, but he is gone and all we can do help the situation. is make sure no one else gets treated A group of us friends finally talked that way. him into going back to the emergency In loving memory of Thomas Monroom. He felt so bad that it didn’t take te Rieff; Oct. 27, 1981-Feb. 13, 2009 much convincing. This time was different. The lumps on his body were �STREETVIBES September 15 - 30, 2009 Community News Cheap Parking and High Rent spaces. One can only imagine the cost; they don't seem must be built. to have released it, and you Land in downtown Cincin- might be able to guess why. nati, for example, is worth But the point of this is not as much as just to shock $9 million per you with high acre. Obviously An apartment numbers. Dea surface park- complex that might velopers with ing lot has too be considered deep pockets high an opporaffordable is not spend an enortunity cost to quite so affordable mous amount be a good idea when the city on any numwhen land is requires you to tack ber of things. that highly val$20,000 onto each The point is to ued. Parking is apartment’s cost. d e m o n s t ra t e still required the high bardowntown, rier to entry for though, and so people must anyone who wants to build make more efficient use of anything on a small parcel space. downtown or in any of CinThe largest parking ga- cinnati's older neighborrages can cost as “little” as hoods. $12,000 to $15,000 for each Parking requirements can space, but a more realistic make development as much figure is $20,000 to $35,000. as twice as expensive. Office Costs are especially high for buildings that were cheaper to underground garages. The construct could employ more one planned for Washing- people and pay them better. ton Park in Over-the-Rhine An apartment complex that by 3CDC will provide 500 might be considered affordspaces on two subterranean able is not quite so affordable levels at a cost of $18 million. when the city requires you to That works out to $36,000 tack $20,000 onto each apartper parking space just for the ment's cost. There are whole cost of construction. The new households making less than tower downtown, Queen City that in a year. Would you want Square, is building 11 floors to spend a year working to afof below-ground parking, ford a parking space that you digging down more than 100 aren't using? feet, creating 2,350 parking Developers don't want to 5 (continued from page 4) Vast concrete wastelands (parking lots) are often vacant. Using the land for affordable housing and office space could ease homelessness and unemployment. Photo by Nathan Wessel. pay for it either. In a recent survey by the Urban Land Institute, developers were asked what they thought of their municipalities’ parking requirements. Over 70 percent considered the required parking to be a substantial burden on development, with 65 percent saying they would reduce the amount of parking in their projects if they could. The only people who conceivably benefit from a minimum parking requirement are people who drive and get to park more cheaply and easily than they would if they had to pay the actual cost of their decisions. Drivers are being directly subsidized by developers and tenants, while transit and other vital public services go underfunded. This distorts the market toward automobile use and away from public transit, a service desperately needed by many people experiencing poverty or who are just trying to live more lightly on the earth. Eliminating parking would do nothing to developers or tenants that they didn't already want to do. It would simply allow those of us who are unable to (or do not wish to) pay for parking to live and work in cheaper, more plentiful and more enjoyable spaces. Cincinnati's parking requirements can be found in Chapter 1425 of the city's municipal code. Remember That New Year’s Day By larry Gross Contributing Writer He pleaded with me to untie him. Both my father’s hands and feet were strapped to the bed frame to keep him from hurting himself and others. He was in the hospital because earlier that morning he had threatened to kill my mother. I looked at the anger in his wild eyes. In disbelief as to his state of mind, I shook my head “no.” There was no untying this person. This could not possibly be my father, yet it was. The events of that morning started with a phone call. It was my mother telling me my father had suddenly turned violent and that an ambulance was taking him to St. Francis-St. George hospital. This was on New Year’s Day 1997. I don’t remember the details as to why my father was being sent to Cincinnati. Both he and my mother lived in Vevay, Ind. What I do remember is my mother was afraid and had to get away from him. She and my younger brother would arrive in Cincinnati later that night. It was up to me to be the family member at the hospital. As I approached the hos- pital room, I could hear my father yelling profanities at the nurses tying him to the bed. When he first saw me, he yelled at the top of his lungs, “Larry, run for your life!” My father had Alzheimer’s disease, diagnosed with the illness a few years earlier. My mother took care of him as best she could in their home in Vevay, but now things were suddenly changing. The illness was progressing. The nurses must have given him some medication. He gradually became calmer and the profanities stopped. I watched my father go to sleep. Throughout the rest of the morning he would doze, then suddenly wake up trying to free himself from the straps. If he knew I were there, he didn’t let on, and I kept silent, drinking coffee in a chair, watching him. I didn’t know what to do. When he slept, I would sometimes go outside and smoke cigarettes, thinking of the past and thinking about how hard he worked all his life. Because of his work – because of his goddamn work – he never took the time to get to know me. He was always, always, too busy. In retirement, things changed. Yes, he wanted some kind of relationship. He wanted to talk and be together, but for me, it was too late. I resented the fact that now that his life had slowed down, he could work me into his schedule. What was the point? But while pacing outside that hospital smoking, I started thinking I should have reached out to him and not been so proud. If I had talked to him, maybe I could have had a better understanding as to why he was so difficult to know. In the afternoon, my father was calmer but living in the past. He talked about working his farm, the catfish in his lake and about all the Chevrolets he had owned. He also talked about Jerry. “I haven’t seen Jerry in so long. Have you talked to Jerry lately? When is Jerry coming home?” I lied to my father when he would ask those questions. I told him Jerry, my twin brother, was doing fine and asked about him all the time. I told my father that Jerry would be coming home soon. This brought comfort to him and made him relax more, but Jerry was never coming home. He had died in September 1994. Like my father, I’ve never considered myself a religious person, yet on that afternoon maybe he was trying to find God. He wanted me to sing, “How Great Thou Art” to him. Surprisingly, I knew most of the words and I did my best to sing the song on key. I think I sang it three times. Each time I would watch tears stream down my father’s face. Nurses would come in at various times to see how my father was doing, giving him more medication every four hours or so. I don’t think he needed it. Whatever prompted the violence early that morning was gone. In the late afternoon, while he was yet again dozing, I got up from the hospital chair and removed the straps from his hands and feet. I laid his arms at his side. When the sun started going down, my mother and younger brother arrived at St. Francis-St. George Hospital. We talked for a while, but not a lot. For the past several hours my world had consisted of my father and strangely, I found myself not wanting to be taken out of it. Now with them there, that world was gone. I stayed for a few more minutes, said goodbye to my father and went home. Late that night, with a shot glass and a bottle of vodka, I sat at my dining room table drinking and thinking. On the first day of 1997, probably for the first time in my life, I spent the entire day with my father. Somehow it was scary, but real. I didn’t regret it. I thought of my twin brother and about lying, saying Jerry would be coming home soon. I did it to bring peace. My father could never really accept the fact that Jerry was gone. At this point, why hurt him with a sad reality? He was remembering and loving the past. I thought of his future. No doubt, my mother could no longer take care of him at home and he would be put in a nursing home. His dementia would get worse and the violent behavior could return again. In essence, his life was already over. Taking another shot of vodka, I shook my head and erased the uncertainty of the future out of my mind. At least on that Sunday, at least on that particular day in early 1997, I started to feel some compassion and closeness to my father. The future would somehow take care of itself. �6 Community News STREETVIBES September 15 - 30, 2009 Exploring Activism in the City Students document the justice struggle in Over-the-Rhine By Jeni Jenkins Staff Writer The main theme of the three-day program was “Documenting the Urban Landscape,” using a photo journal project. Students were immersed into an urban environment that most, living line, including such topics as power, poverty, stereotypes and human rights. In July more than two dozOther activities included en gifted ninth- and 10tha presentation by the Voice grade students participated of the Homeless Speakin Miami University’s first ers Bureau, an imaginary B the Change (U trip in which stuWish 2 C) Summer dents considered Honors Institute, The overall mission was to provide what it would be an outreach and students with an experience of like to slowly have engagement opmeaningful social-justice education their basic needs portunity with the that will motivate them to become stripped away from Greater Cincinactive in the fight to end poverty and them, as well as nati Coalition for homelessness. “Shelter Seekers,” the Homeless. in which the parNancy Hoffticipants acted as mann of the Lifelong Learn- in suburban and rural areas staffers at a homeless shelter ing office at Miami University throughout Ohio, were un- and decided who could have sought to create a partnership familiar with. Each student a bed for the night and who with non-profit groups that received a disposable camera must be turned away. focuses on social-justice work and a handmade journal to Another component of with low-income individuals. use as they explored Over- the program was shadowing Among the participants were the-Rhine. Streetvibes vendors Grady Peaslee Neighborhood CenTheir first assignment was Cook, Riccardo Taylor and ter, Over-the-Rhine Com- a scavenger hunt. Teams Tommy Thompson as they munity Housing, Over-the- of students were given the sold the paper in downtown Rhine Center for Community names of four social-service Cincinnati. The students Engagement and the Oxford agencies dispersed through- observed the interactions Community Arts Center. out the neighborhood and betweens vendors and the The overall mission was assigned to find them, with- public, taking photos and to provide students with an out an address or directions, making notes for their photo experience of meaningful and report back about the journals. social-justice education that services provided. Each stuOn the final day students will motivate them to become dent took photographs and compiled their photos and active in the fight to end pov- wrote about they saw. A list of decoupaged their journals erty and homelessness. 12 themes served as a guide- with images and text from Students speaking with Riccardo Taylor and Grady Cook, ‘Streetvibes’ vendors and members of the “Voice of the Homeless” Speaker’s Bureau. Photo by Jeni Jenkins. magazines and old copies of Streetvibes. The program ended with “Be the Change You Wish to See,” explaining the goals of advocacy and activism and arming each student with a list of 10 things they can do to change the world locally, nationally and globally. “The presentations created by students and program evaluations indicate their experiences with the coalition had a profound impact on their thinking and awareness of issues related to home- lessness,” Hoffmann says. “Stereotypes were broken as knowledge was gained, and students left the program with a strong desire to be advocates within their own community in the fight against homelessness.” One student wrote in her evaluation of the program, “This experience changed my life.” Individuals or groups interested in the Homeless Coalition’s education program can call 513-421-7803, ext. 14. Will 3CDC Strike Again? (continued from page 1) Model Management, accord- vouchers,” Goeller says. Goeller is working with ing to Goeller. But moving the vouchers residents. He and attorney When asked for an inter- from the Metropole would Rickell Howard of the Cincinview, Gelter nati Legal declined, sayAid Society ing he would Showe Management wants to opt out of its organized “get in trouble” housing assistance payments (HAP) contract a meeting if he spoke to with HUD when it sells the Metropole. The to inform the press. Kelly contract helps pay rent for low-income the tenLeon, spokesresidents who qualify for vouchers. ants about woman for the possible 3CDC, also forced relodeclined comment, saying mean the residents would cation. Tenants have formed it was “premature to make a have to reapply for them. For the Metropole Tenants Assostatement.” some, the possibility of hav- ciation. The city of Cincinnati hired ing to reapply could mean Goeller says residents 3CDC for redevelopment that they might not get re-ap- should stay put. projects in Over-the-Rhine proved for the vouchers. Metropole resident Charles that have displaced low-in“If somebody qualifies for Mcafee says he enjoys living come residents. a voucher now, when they get downtown. But he said havShowe Management wants up to move, there’s no guar- ing to move would be more to opt out of its housing as- antee they will qualify for that than inconvenient. sistance payments (HAP) voucher,” Goeller says. “There “It would really hurt me,” contract with HUD when it are certain things you could he says. “Number one, I don’t sells the Metropole, Goeller have on your record. … There have any family here in Cinsays. The contract helps pay could be something that cinnati. I would be homeless rent for low-income residents happened 15 years ago, like and I would sink through the who qualify for vouchers. a past-due (rent payment), cracks. I don’t have anywhere The vouchers wouldn’t dis- but you have been living in to go.” appear, even if the Metropole the Metropole for 20 years. As of August, 208 of the 230 evicted all of its residents. You’ve long forgotten about apartments at the Metropole “Somehow Model Man- this, and when you get up to were occupied, according to agement has this specific le- move, they say ‘No, you don’t HUD. gal ability to move these HAP qualify for a voucher.’” Metropole resident Charles Mcafee says he enjoys living downtown. Photo by Mark Payne. Want more Streetvibes? Check out the StreetvibeS blog http://streetvibes.wordpress.com �STREETVIBES September 15 - 30, 2009 International News Worldwide Vendor Spotlight By street neWs service I actually have a vested interest in what I’m selling, and I “I was born in Vancouver, like talking to people, so it’s a but I was educated in the great avenue for me to comStates and I’ve travelled the municate and tell people States and Canada a lot,” says what’s going on with me and William Dawson, a vendor for the city. Megaphone, a street newspa“I think homelessness per in Vancouver, British Co- in this city needs to be adlumbia. “I came back home dressed. When they’re spendto spend the rest ing the amount of my years in Vanof money they’re couver. “Selling spending on the “I used to own the paper Olympics, that an ATM company, gives me the money should also but a bad series opportunity go towards homeof events – a bad to deal with lessness. They marriage, basipeople onecould take care of it cally – happened on-one in the with the amount of and I lost my com- public. I’m not money they spend pany and ended pan-handling, on the Olympics up homeless in the alone.” east end. “Future plans? “About six years ago I got Wow, I’m nearing retirement myself on disability, but that age, so I want to be happy wasn’t quite enough. I heard and comfortable and that’s about Megaphone from an- about it. other person who was sell“The thing about Canada ing it, and they were making is that people here are a formoney. I thought selling the giving group. They’re willpaper was quite easy and fun, ing to give people a second so I started, too. It’s a means to chance, and this is my secsubsidize my income – have a ond chance – getting my act little extra spending cash. together again – and by hav“Selling the paper gives me ing this extra revenue source, the opportunity to deal with I’m able to live a little better, people one-on-one in the eat a little better, and it gives public. I’m not pan-handling, me self esteem.” William Dawson, vendor at Vancouver’s ‘Megaphone.’ Photo by Amy Juschka. What I want my customers to know about me is that I’m a worthwhile person and I’d like to have the opportunity to make something of myself and this is the start of it.” SNS Exclusive © Street News Service: www.street-papers.org 7 �8 Local News STREETVIBES September 15 - 30, 2009 Rejoicing Against Oppression (continued from page 1) exiles, he entered a monastery in none at all, according to Jamyang India at age 16. In 1997 he moved Lama. to the United States, becoming a But separating Buddhism from citizen earlier this year. Tibetan culture is virtually imposJamyang Lama teaches “Intro- sible, as even he acknowledges. duction to Buddhism” at Gaden The very language of Tibet was Samdrupling (GSL) Monastery. He created in order to convey subtlealso serves as translator for Kuten ties of Buddhist teaching, a point Lama, abbot of GSL and its sister made at various times – and for monastery in Bloomington. Kuten utterly different reasons – by both Lama, also born to TiKuten Lama and the betan exiles, has likelate Chinese dictawise never been to TiTibet Fest 2009 tor Mao Zedong. bet and is also a new is both an ethnic “In general, it is U.S. citizen. celebration and true: The culture of “I believe in the an opportunity to Tibet and Buddhist values of this coun- help an oppressed principles – there try,” Jamyang Lama people. is no separation besays. “This country tween these two,” has given us a lot. This Jamyang Lama says. country protects all the people's “The Tibetan culture is based on individual human rights. I believe Buddhist teachings, which is nonin the values of this country and violence, compassion, loving and appreciate its hospitality. Here caring for all living beings.” you have people from all over the Those ideals are worth rememworld with different cultures and bering when viewing the icodifferent wisdoms. That is the nography of Tibetan Buddhism, beauty of this country.” which honors many Buddhas, or And yet. enlightened beings, not only the “Definitely there is some dif- historical figure known in the West ference between the Tibetan cul- as “The Buddha.” Tibet Fest will ture and the Western culture,” he display some of GSL Monastery’s says. “The West has a very strong thankas, highly stylized paintings emphasis on individualism and of Buddhas – some conspicuous materialism. In the East, there is for their gentle mien, some seemmore emphasizing of family and ingly savage in aspect. spirituality.” Consider the case of Dorje The eight-acre compound of Shugden, depicted with a curved GSL Monastery is an oasis of calm sword in one hand and a human less than a mile from the non- heart in the other, sitting atop a stop traffic and retail hyperactiv- snow lion trampling a naked man. ity of Colerain Avenue. No signs Dorje Shugden is revered at GSL point the way. Nor is Tibet Fest an Monastery as Dharmapala – proeffort to convert people to Bud- tector of the dharma, or teachings dhism. The festival can be equally of the Buddhas. Dorje Shugden is enjoyed by people of any faith or the most controversial and least Chinese dictator Mao Zedong invaded Tibet, forcing the Dalai Lama into exile. Photo by REUTERS/Shunsuke Akatsuka Kuten Lama teaches a Buddhist tradition suppressed by the Dalai Lama. Photo by Margo Pierce. understood Buddha in the West. resistance to Chinese rule. (Have He is also the very reason for GSL you ever heard of a Tibetan terrorist?) monastery’s existence. But though his popular image is The Dalai Lama won’t be stopping by Tibet Fest, just as he didn’t one of gentleness and toleration, attend the 10th anniversary of the Dalai Lama has been unyieldthe monastery in Bloomington ing in his determination to suppress a certain last year. The Dalai Lama lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, is intent on But though his popular s u p p r e s s - image is one of gentleness namely the one ing devopreserved by and toleration, the Dalai tion to Dorje Lama has been unyielding GSL Monastery. Shugden – a For devotees of in his determination to story that suppress a certain lineage Dorje Shugden, can’t be fully the Dalai Lama’s of Tibetan Buddhism. understood behavior mirrors the oppression without a detailed recitation of the finer points that he suffered at the hands of of modern Tibetan politics and Chinese communists: a violation of religious freedom sometimes ancient Buddhist practice. This is the short version: In marred by deadly violence. A certain irony attends this 1996 the Dalai Lama ordered Tibetans to stop the practice of hon- dispute. Dorje Shugden is what’s oring Dorje Shugden. Monks who known in Tibetan Buddhism as refuse have been denied food and a wrathful protector: His sword severs ignorance and desirous atexpelled from their monasteries. In response, Kuten Lama tachment. The violence is purely helped found the Dorje Shugden symbolic, according to Jamyang Society, established to support Lama. But followers of Dorje monks, nuns and lay people who Shugden have experienced a vioremain faithful to the “illegal Bud- lence that is much more tangible. The intensity of what might dha” (see shugdensociety.info). The Dorje Shugden Society, based seem an arcane doctrinal disin India, sent Kuten Lama and pute briefly caught the attention Jamyang Lama to Bloomington to of the New York Times and other start a new monastery. GSL Mon- Western media last year when the Dalai Lama spoke in New York. astery in Cincinnati began later. The crowd leaving his speech reA surprising acted angrily to the small group oppressor of Dorje Shugden supporters protesting outside. Police ordered The Dalai Lama, the best- the protesters onto a bus, saying known Tibetan in the West, is a they couldn’t protect the dissentrecipient of the Nobel Peace Prize ers from the Dalai Lama’s fans, for his insistence on nonviolent according to attorney Lisa Farns- See Oppression, p. 9 �STREETVIBES September 15 - 30, 2009 Local News Rejoicing Against Oppression (continued from page 8) The Dalai Lama’s suppression of Dorje Shugden has caused hardship around the world. Photo by REUTERS/Parth Sanyal (INDIA EDUCATION SOCIETY RELIGION) worth, a law professor at Indiana est of ethnic minorities, but he is University. renowned in parts of Asia, where “The Tibetans have this un- he is often invited to teach. When questioned devotion to the Da- some of his Cincinnati disciples lai Lama, so when someone tells accompanied him on a pilgrimthem the Dalai Lama has banned age to Mongolia two years ago, this practice and that this practice they were agog at the reception is harmful to the Dalai Lama, they he received, comparing it to the become warriors,” Farnsworth status accorded rock stars in this says. country. In Tibetan exile villages Kuten Lama is a title, not a name; throughout India, shops owned it means “physical base.” Kuten by Dorje Shugden practitioners Lama is an oracle. He channels are boycotted and devotees are the presence of Dorje Shugden, shunned, Farnsworth says. The entering a trance in order to give controversy has enlightened insplit the famous struction to the Gaden Shartse faithful. Kuten Lama speaks Monastery. DeThat puts his in a soft voice about nied food and life in danger, acthe need to practice other aid, huncording to some compassion to all dreds of monks of his followers. living beings. He have formed Farnsworth, who urges students to a new monasregard misfortune as a has traveled with tery, where they Lama, blessing and to honor Kuten can honor Dorsays armed oppressors as great je Shugden in teachers. He has talked bodyguards acpeace. about vicious beatings company him in “They’re bribIndia and Monhe received as a child ing people,” monk and how grateful golia. Both sides Farnsworth says. view Kuten Lama he is to his teachers. “They’ve offered as a vital link to money to monks the tradition of to give up the practice. Those who Dorje Shugden, and some would refuse are ostracized.” like to eliminate that link, FarnsAfter more than a decade of try- worth says. ing to get the Dalai Lama to drop “If they get rid of the oracle, they the ban, the Dorje Shugden Soci- get rid of our opportunity to speak ety filed suit against him and the to Dorje Shugden,” she says. Tibetan Government in Exile. The case is scheduled for a hearing in ‘You should rejoice’ Delhi, India, this month. The case has garnered little atKuten Lama doesn’t publicly tention in the West. So have the criticize the Dalai Lama, seldom attacks on monks and nuns who speaks in public about the controdefy the Dalai Lama’s ban. The versy and rarely gives interviews. Western Shugden Society in Lon- This story is not one of those rare don has documented the violence occasions. (see westernshugdensociety. In teachings at GSL Monastery, org/en). Prominent monks who Kuten Lama has said that humilencouraged devotion to Dorje ity is a sign of spiritual progress. Shugden have died under unusu- While his students prostrate to al circumstances. him, Kuten Lama often says that “We’re just trying to figure out he is no one special. In Cincinhow to survive and how to help nati, he spends much of his time the Tibetans in India,” Farnsworth doing the physical labor associsays. ated with building a monastery Survival is not a far-away issue. – painting, digging trenches for Kuten Lama might not yet be well electrical lines, shoveling snow, known in Cincinnati, where Tibet- loading furniture onto a pickup ans constitute perhaps the small- truck at a yard sale raising funds for the construction project. In a founding of GSL Monastery in recent edition of the monastery’s Cincinnati, which led to the celnewsletter, one student described ebration of Tibet Fest 2009 this seeing Kuten Lama cutting grass weekend at the Clifton Cultural with scissors after he’d first ar- Arts Center. rived in Bloomington, unable to The festival will benefit a traafford a lawn mower. dition that Jamyang Lama says Kuten Lama speaks in a soft is in danger of being destroyed. voice about the need to practice But don’t expect gloom or pleas compassion to all for help. Jamyang living beings. He Lama is known for urges students “The Tibetans have his ready laugh, to regard misforthis unquestioned and Kuten Lama is tune as a blessing devotion to the Dalai often quoted sayand to honor opLama, so when ing, “You should pressors as great someone tells them the rejoice, though.” teachers. He has Dalai Lama has banned Tibet Fest will be talked about vithis practice and that a time for special cious beatings this practice is harmful food, captivating he received as a to the Dalai Lama, they art, children’s acchild monk and become warriors.” tivities, a Tibetan how grateful he is - Lisa Farnsworth bazaar and music. to his teachers. “We will try to It is in that present a kind of sense that some Dorje Shugden miniature experience of Tibet,” devotees say the Dalai Lama has Jamyang Lama says. “People will done them a great service. be able to experience the sounds “The practice of Dorje Shugden and sights of Tibet. With the ecowasn’t very well known until the nomic problems, many people Dalai Lama banned it,” Farns- cannot travel outside the country. worth says. “Without his help, it We’re trying to bring something of might have gone extinct.” Tibet to Cincinnati without a perThe Dalai Lama’s ban, for ex- son having to travel.” ample, led to the formation of the No physical travel, that is. That Dorje Shugden Society, which led doesn’t mean the experience won’t to the founding of the monastery be otherworldly all the same. in Bloomington, which led to the Tibet Fest Schedule Tibet Fest is Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19 and 20, at Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 3711 Clifton Ave. From 11 a.m.–5 p.m. both days visitors can enjoy a display of Tibetan artifacts, a photo exhibit showcasing life in a Buddhist monastery in India, a Tibetan bazaar and a creativity room, where participants can create a piece of art from natural objects. Special events include a film, talks by monks and art programs for children: Saturday, Sept. 19 11 a.m., Buddhist healing ceremony 2 p.m., “Buddhism in a Nutshell” 4 p.m. – Ecology and Life in Art for Kids 5 p.m. – A showing of Himalaya, set in caravan time as villagers trek for days across the mountains with laden yaks to trade their salt for grain. Sunday, Sept. 20 11 a.m., “Tibetan Tradition of Art, Food and Life” 2 p.m., “The Art of Joyful Living” 3 p.m., “Buddhism and Ecology” 6 p.m. – Taste of Tibet, featuring traditional delicacies made by Tibetan monks. RSVP required. A donation of $10 is suggested for each talk and for Taste of Tibet. For more information or to RSVP for Taste of Tibet, call GSL Monastery at 513-385-7116. For directions to Clifton Cultural Arts Center, call 513-497-2860. All event proceeds support the building project of Gaden Samdrupling Buddhist Monastery and the Tibetan Heritage Center. 9 �10 Column STREETVIBES September 15 - 30, 2009 Buskers, Beggars, Stories Untold Parsing the morality of kindness to strangers I like to think of the New York subway as a place of study and contempla--Bing! tion, a kind of mobile monastery, and all the passengers are Trappist monks at Then she says, “It’s just a little change to you, but a meal to me. Any little bit prayer. Hardly anyone speaks, even if they are with a companion. Some people of change you got will help.” read or listen to headphones, but nearly all sit quietly, their eyes lowered, as if She’s a busker, too, it turns out. But she doesn’t have what the Mexicans have. in meditation. They looked professional; she looks thrown together. In spite of the heat, she There are exceptions. Couples talk with one another. People shout into cell wears an insulated vest. Her sticks do not look like drum sticks. They look like phones. Beggars and buskers come through. sawed-off pieces of broomstick. Her rhymes are lame. Buskers, if you’re unfamiliar with the term, are street performers – break “It ain’t no joke, dancers, poets, jugglers, clowns, but mostly musicians. At several stops, I could I’m mighty broke.” hear drummers at work. At a stop in Queens, I raised my eye from my book to TaDum TaDum Tadada dada Dum see a full-size, stand-up bass sail past. When I look up, a trio of Mexican musiBing! cians has set up in the middle of the car. They are in white shirts, white cowMore rhymes, more chants and more beats, but still no takers, so finally, she boy hats, bolo ties, and black jeans, very professional-looking and, it turns out, gets up and directs herself to the passengers one by one: “Anything you can very good musicians. The bass player and the guitarist play and sing in perfect spare, folks, just a little change.” harmony while the third walks up and down the car with a basket. The people in the car turn away; they shrink back from her as if she’s disGracias, gracias, song’s over, but before the three can move on, a group of eased. teenage Israeli tourists wants their pictures takShe might well be, for as she passes, I see that she is more than en with the musicians. Pictures taken, thanks slight. She is gaunt, anorexic crackhead gaunt. And there’s that and smiles all around, and the bass player tucks vest; it’s August in New York City and the humidity is at wet dishthe bass under his arm and the musicians move rag level, but she’s wearing an insulated vest. And it’s dirty; it has on to the next car. gone velvet with grime. Her arms, her emaciated skin-and-bone By Michael henson The next day I’m riding the F Train from the arms, are covered in sores that might be needle marks or they Bronx – did I tell you my daughter has an exmight be lesions. hibit in the Bronx Museum? As I say, I’m coming I give her a dollar. She thanks me at a mumble, but continues back from the Bronx at rush hour and a woman enters the car from the Union in her more public voice, “A little bit of change, if you please, I need to eat.” Square Station and drops immediately to her knees. She’s slight in build, bushy No one asks to have his picture taken with her. hair, probably Hispanic, though it’s hard to tell; there are eight or 10 people in the way. She pulls out two red sticks and begins to chant, ***** “Got a little entertainment before your arrival. “It’s just something I do, for my survival.” The woman in the vest might present herself as a busker, but the people Then she lays a beat down on the floor of the subway car. take her as just a beggar. The busker provides a service, and if you have some Ta Dum. change and if you have the time, and if you feel you appreciate the artistry in Tadada dada Dum. the middle of your trip on the subway or down the sidewalk, you toss a quarter She hits the pole nearest her – in the basket. And that feels right, for the busker is a professional. But the beggar is just a beggar. He or she might have a story to tell and you might even believe it. Some tell their story in just a few words on a sign: “Will work for food” or “Unemployed, please help.” Still others sit with their signs outside the ballpark and wait. They stare past you and mumble thanks if you drop something in their basket. No one asks to take their pictures. Most people just steer past them; most people assume these men and women are just trying to collect enough for their next drink or their next hit. And maybe they are. For every now and then, one of them will say, “I ain’t gonna lie to you, I need a drink.” In Montreal, I once saw a kid raise a sign that said, “Je besoin d’un joint.” You don’t need a lot of French to know what he needed. It must work, because, like the others, they keep doing it. I almost always give to a busker and I almost never give to a beggar. I justify it on the notion that I don’t want to enable the addictive behavior that has set the person begging. The busker is an artist, the beggar is just a beggar. We assume he’s a liar or he’s lazy or he’s sick. The busker, we imagine, goes home and practices his art. The beggar, we assume, takes his change to the bar or the crack house. We welcome the busker, but we recoil from the beggar. But every story is more complicated than what we see on the street. I can never know the story of the woman in her dirty vest, but I am sure she has her story to tell and it will not fit our comfortable categories. She does what she does for her survival. ammered H Michael Henson is author of Ransack, A Small Room with Trouble on My Mind, The Tao of Longing and Crow Call. This column is part of a monthly series on poverty and addiction. Interested in volunteering with Streetvibes? Contact Greg Flannery at 513-421-7803 x 12 or by e-mail at streetvibes2@yahoo.com �STREETVIBES September 15 - 30, 2009 11 Local News Ex-Prisoners, Supporters See Red Web zine gives inmates a voice and promotes transformation By kelissa hieBer Contributing Writer carceration and turned their lives around. Hillard believed these stories needed to be Jeff Hillard has never been heard by the outside world, one of the 2,310,984 inmates he says. currently imprisoned in the Red! is not about prisonUnited States. He has never ers biding their time to get had to deal with the daily out and repeat the same acpains of prison tions that landed life and the stigma them in prison in that comes with Red! is not the first place. The being a prisoner. about prisoners zine is for the othFor the last eight biding their time er kind of prisonyears, however, to get out and er. It not only conthis English pro- repeat the same tains stories from fessor at the Colactions that current and forlege of Mount St. landed them in mer inmates who Joseph has been prison in the had a transformamentoring and first place. The tive experience teaching inmates. zine is for the while in jail; it also How does other kind of contains columns someone like Hil- prisoner. It not by writers such as lard get involved only contains Paulette Lewis, a with this kind of stories from gang intervention work? The path current and specialist, who is began almost by former inmates in the front line chance in 2001 who had a trying to turn peowhen a friend in- transformative ples lives around vited Hillard to experience before they wind a poetry circle at while in jail. up in prison. Lebanon CorrecOne particutional Institution. larly inspiring It was the first time he’d ever story is about a former gang been in a prison, and the tal- member named “G” who ent of a few men touched never thought he would live him. to be 21. He had intense anAs time went on Hillard ger problems and constantly began to help a friend cor- got into fights. G had a very respond with inmates. That’s unstable childhood, which when he “started hearing and had been a major factor in his knowing stories of people violence. Despite this, Lewis who had turned their lives saw something bigger and around in prison … and I better and through much efrealized that no one’s telling fort gained his trust and suptheir stories,” he says port. In 2005 an idea came to “I am proud to say that G. Hillard in a dream, and two did not become a statistic,” years he launched Red! The Lewis says. “Instead, he beBreakthrough Zine (www.red- came the first in his family to webzine.org). Hillard created graduate high school and go the Web site because he had on to college. He is now 20 been touched by the stories years old and has a daughter, of individuals who had made a wonderful job where he has something out of their in- been promoted, coaches Pee y a S h W ! ? at Jeff Hillard is the founder of Red! Photo by Don Denney. Wee football and has even been featured on the evening news and local newspapers for his achievements. I feel blessed to know him and still have him as a significant part of my life and my work.” Lewis came from a background completely different from G’s. But when you show that you care for someone, she says, that transcends such differences as color, gender and class. Christine Grote writes for Red! on all sorts of topics related to incarceration and about programs that help former inmates stay out of prison. The zine includes artwork by inmates, updates on programs for prisoners and lots of inspirational stories. “We want readers to see that there is hope for inmates and that good things can happen,” Hillard says. Red! is now moving to an international focus with upcoming articles on transformative work in the Philippines, Russia and Rwanda. Red! is also gaining readership, with Internet hits growing from 3,000 per month to 21,000. Hillard says he has received letters from readers who reconnected with family members in prison after reading inmates’ essays. That kind of response goes to the heart of the zine’s purpose, Hillard says. Many write about finding God or something larger than themselves while behind bars. Other essays, such as a recent piece by Michael Varela, challenge readers to question stereotypes. “The cop who falsified his reports has committed a grievous wrong to me,” Varela wrote. “Why are his standards and my standards held in such different light? The answers to this question lie within each of us, and only our will and desire to change this and other areas of life will promulgate change. So, the next time you look at that person and put him or her into that ‘category,’ ask yourself, ‘Am I making an educated decision or using inference?’ ” Red! is ultimately about people who aren’t as different from us as we might think: Anyone could end up in jail if a few circumstances were different. Their stories remind readers that society shouldn’t give up on prisoners and that their voices deserve to be heard. We have grown literally afraid to be poor. We despise anyone who elects to be poor in order to simplify and save his inner life. If he does not join the general scramble and pant with the money-making street, we deem him spiritless and lacking in ambition. We have lost the power even of imagining what the ancient idealization of poverty could have meant: the liberation from material attachments, the unbribed soul, the manlier indifference, the paying our way by what we are or do and not by what we have, the right to fling away our life at any moment irresponsibly, --- the more athletic trim, in short, the moral fighting shape. . . it is certain that the fear of poverty among the educated classes is the worst moral disease from which our civilization suffers. _____________________ -- William James (1842-1910), The Varieties of Religious Experience �12 Vendor Voice Drama Queen By Mack russell sr. StreetvibeS vendor On the outside in-between caught up wit a drama queen, she said she love me … NOT! But I believe I love her more. My feelings R too deep to continue so I must close da door. I wanted her in my life. I wanted her 4 my wife but she loves the drama she receives from the chump who are controlling her life. Low self-esteem, on the wrong seem, chasing a dream. I can’t turn my feelings and emotions off But I can’t stand da pain. Nor can I stand by and watch someone Be a prisoner in their own house While I stand in da rain. But if she like it, I love it. I just can’t keep playin da role Because she know who loves her And who wants to control. Emotions are not predictable To know what one will feel inside For emotions will keep you thrown off Taking you on a ride. But now I recognize Being on da outside and in between I got no-mo time 4 this drama queen. Remembering Roz. STREETVIBES September 15 - 30, 2009 Bless Me, Peaceful Father Paradise By GeorGe herrell StreetvibeS vendor Bless Me, Father, Help me to grow. Don’t let me go astray. Through your divine wisdom, help me to know Your way to judgment day. I have no need of riches. My treasures come through you. Through life’s pitfalls and ditches, Help me know what to do. Lead me to those whom I may help And those who might help me. With a love and understanding that is heartfelt, Open my eyes to see. And in those times I’m tempted, Forgive me should I fail. Make me from Satan’s grasp exempted, On angel’s wings to sail. By Josh Mcconnell StreetvibeS vendor Sitting, watching the world pass by as he lies upon the sands of time taking in every aspect of his world, breathing every breath, listening to the sounds of the ocean listening to its rhythm, channeling only its currents. The birds are singing a beautiful love song. They let him know that he’s at peace. He wears the melody. It makes him feel like a king and the song of the birds and the ocean’s play are for him. He shows his gratitude by continuing to lie upon those sands, the sands of peaceful paradise, the sands of a particular world he wishes he could live in forever as it slips away with the waves. Sitting, watching, waiting for another opportunity. Sitting, wishing that world would come back again and free him once more. He continues to sit, wondering where that world went to and if it’s ever going to return. Who Said It? Puzzle Match the name on the right with the quote on the left. (some more than once) 1 1. “It would force them [panhandlers] to educate the public who might be willing to give them money, how much money we're already giving in tax dollars to support the homeless." Cincinnati Council Member Jeff Berding 2. “If I can’t put a sign on a sheriff’s vehicle that says support the new jail, trying to get this tax levy passed, there’s something wrong there.” 3. “Streetcars must be a part of Cincinnati’s future and we will fight to make it happen. While we work on big issues such as the Streetcar, we must also ensure that individuals have the opportunity to realize their dreams.” Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory 4. “Will somebody tell the mayor and city councilmembers that they do not have the money for a choo-choo train?” 5. “And if this goes to the ballot and were to lose I have no doubt that the sheriff will sue to get the facility if we did not just go ahead and fund the facility anyway.” Cincinnati Polic Chief Tom Streicher 6. “<...> and the most regressive kind of tax at that - a sales tax - paid by children and the poor alike” 7. “We have been recognized as one of the best-dressed law enforcement agencies in the country.” Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune 8. “I want the community to know is that we have worked extremely hard to build strong relationships between our city of Cincinnati and police and it’s this kind of incident that lets us know that we still have a lot of work to do.” 9. “I’m a very disciplined person. I do things by the numbers. I’m up at 3:00 a.m., at the gym at 4:00, go to bed between 7:00-8:30 p.m., then start another day. I haven’t paid for a shoeshine since my days in the corps. I still spit shine my shoes to this day.” Cincinnati NAACP President Chris Smitherman 10. “Even though it’s ugly, even though it looks terrible, when I compare it to our policies, I don’t see anything wrong there. You are trying to protect yourself and overcome resistance. He is unarmed, but that doesn’t mean he can’t hurt you.” Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis By The Puzzled Progressive Solutions on Page 15 �STREETVIBES September 15 - 30, 2009 13 Candidate Interview Developing Deeper Connections Wendell Young wants to strengthen the basics and build the ‘thrills’ Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here are not to be perceived as an endorsement or reflecting the views of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, which publishes Streetvibes. By ariana shahandeh Contributing Writer beautiful. Another promise that I would like to make: I Wendell Young, a former would love for us to find Cincinnati Police officer and a way to give the children teacher at Aiken High School, what I was given when I also served in the U.S. Air was small – a connection Force. Now a Democratic to Cincinnati that makes candidate for Cincinnati City them proud, that makes Council, he says he was en- them want to live here, couraged beginning in child- that makes them want to hood to value community in- tell everybody about their volvement. city, that makes them want Q: Are you making any to show off their city. That’s promises as a candidate for the Cincinnati I grew up city council? in, and that Cincinnati still The first promise I will exists. make is that I will do my levQ: What were some el best to make sure that we things that encouraged maintain the services Cin- that sense of pride in Cincinnati has come to expect. I cinnati? believe that basics come first. When I was a kid, it was We’re going to keep our streets not uncommon for the clean. We’re going to clean up entire elementary school our trash. We’re going to pro- to get loaded on the buses vide police and fire service; and go to the symphony. we’re going to provide ambu- We got loaded on the buslance service. We’re going to es and we went to Krohn Wendell Young. Photo by Ariana Shahandeh. make sure that there’s water. Conservatory; we looked We’re going to take care of our all over Eden Park. We took world can you grow up and as developed as others where infrastructure; we’re going to tours of Cincinnati and we feel that you are a connected it could perhaps be relocated. take care of our saw the famous to a part of something that There may be a neighborstreets, we’re golandmarks. And you don’t know anything hood or two that would want ing to take care My connection to we were always about? the Drop Inn Center and welof our bridges. Cincinnati is not told over and Q: What do you think about come it. When we talk about We're going to just the street I live over and over the idea of closing the Drop Inn a Drop Inn Center and other take care of our on. It’s the people again that these Center in Over-the-Rhine? social-service agencies, perneighborhoods. here; it’s the places were here From what I know of the haps there are neighborhoods That’s what I memories I have; and that it was Drop Inn Center, it does good (that) want them. think people exit’s the greatness our job to pre- work. Does it have to be loI’d be willing to work to pect everyone that I know this serve them. And cated in Over-the-Rhine to save programs that work. to do. city possesses. many of us be- be effective? I’m not so sure. Programs that don’t work, I I also want to And it’s the things lieve it; I’m not If we’re going to revitalize the don’t want to fund. Because deliver on some that I know we the only one of neighborhood, we have to be I think we need to be smart of the thrills, becan continue to that generation honest about what people with taxpayer dollars. I don’t cause there are do and the things that feels that want and what they don’t have infinite knowledge of things that we I know we can be way. want. In my opinion, the the Drop Inn Center, but I get from our tax innovative about. Today, in Drop Inn Center can be relo- have been told that they do money I want to many cases, cated. great work; that they actually make sure we children don’t Q:Where would you suggest help people. That’s the kind have. We have to have arts. A have that advantage. There it be relocated? of agency I would work with lot of people think that’s ex- are many children who go to I don’t want to suggest to find a way to make it work pendable; I don’t. You can’t school all their lives in Cincin- anybody’s neighborhood, in a neighborhood that wants just have a city, and that’s it. nati and don’t know too much because I think that neigh- it. Drive around Cincinnati and about this town, outside their borhoods should have a lot Q: What are your thoughts look at what you see. You see neighborhood and the school of input. But I will say that on the city’s neighborhoods? things that make Cincinnati that they go to. How in the there are areas of our city not I want to work on revital- STREETVIBES Vendor become a Fan of Streetvibes on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/streetvibescincinnati Mary izing our neighborhoods so that all neighborhoods can have really great business districts. We’ve got neighborhoods in our city where people don’t have grocery stores, dry cleaners – things that in other neighborhoods you take for granted. We don’t have enough small businesses. I want to find ways to give them the opportunity to come to under-served neighborhoods and provide those services. We do it for big businesses, so if it’s a matter of tax breaks, then I’m for that. We also have to provide for small businesses the same opportunities we provide for big business. In Cincinnati, people are very involved in their neighborhoods, and we’re proud of our neighborhoods. When you say you’re from Cincinnati, you’re also going to say, “I’m from Hyde Park, from Avondale, from West End.” We identify by neighborhood. We’re proud of this city. I don’t know any Cincinnatian who has ever come home from any other place and sees Cincinnati from I-75 – I don’t know anyone from Cincinnati who doesn’t think that’s one of the most beautiful sights they’ve ever seen. My connection to Cincinnati is not just the street I live on. It’s the people here; it’s the memories I have; it’s the greatness that I know this city possesses. And it’s the things that I know we can continue to do and the things I know we can be innovative about. That helps Cincinnati be great, that keeps Cincinnati being great. I want to be a part of that. This is part of a series of interviews with candidates for Cincinnati City Council. Only purchase Streetvibes from BADGED vendors. Vendors wear their WHITE badges while they sell the paper. �14 STREETVIBES September 15 - 30, 2009 Creative Writing To Protect and Serve and Stuff Never give a mouthy suspect a break By hannah roBerts Contributing Writer A wise man once told me that the day I graduated from the police academy would be the hardest day of my life, and it sure was. It started out awesomely. My whole family came over for cake and cornhole, and my brother-in-law, the smartest guy I know and a damn good cop to boot, was the most excited. He gave me a smack on the ass that still hurts a little, but in a good way. Everybody smiled, even my mom, and she said how proud Daddy would be that I did so good on my physical exams. I’m still not sure how I did 10 push-ups in a row, but I know that God and everybody wants to see me in them blues, so I guess I just bit the bullet as they say – no pun intended! My first night on the job has been no picnic, though, I’ll tell ya that much. Riding with Officer Schmidt was total hell! First off, we responded to a call about a house party that was way out of control. When we pulled up to the scene, we were confronted by anywhere from two to three male suspects who looked way older than their IDs said they were. Total fakes – we get that all the time. You should have seen the way they were sitting and looking at us, too, it was very aggressively. But when you have a job to do, a strange calm comes over you. It’s hard to explain. Following Schmidt’s lead, I began questioning the suspects. Like Schmidt said, it was clear from the get-go that they were going to be uncooperative. I like that word, “get-go.” One kid reached in his pocket, but you don’t know if it’s for a gun or what, so Schmidt yelled, “Cuff him!” and so I gave him my forearm, which he said tasted like cat hair. Little smartass. This is what you deal with on the job. No one wants a tragedy on their hands – am I right? Policing can be dangerous - and annoying. Photo by Lynne Ausman. Being the smart cop he is, Schmidt decided not to arrest those punks — or their dipshit dad who came out hollering at us to get our hands off his kid—so we let everyone go with a warning, but we made it clear that if we had to come back there would be hell to pay. We drove around for what seemed like forever, and then Schmidt said he wasn’t really hungry so we better go check out Route 9 because Tuesday nights are big for drunk drivers and we got a quota to meet. We sat in this really cool hiding spot and Schmidt said to watch the radar gun and nudge him if things got “hot.” I kept an eye out for a good while, but I got pretty tired, too, and ended up dozing off for a little bit. It’s crazy how the late-night beat can catch up with you! Before I knew it, we were being radioed and Schmidt was gunning it to- Lost Cause By lea drury Contributing Writer The last time I saw Hank he was shivering like a wet dog in the biting Seattle sunshine muttering something about having left his jacket, on a park bench in Juneau. I hadn’t seen him in weeks. He’d been talking about visiting his folks up North somewhere, the night we started zipping our sleeping bags together against the old church rooftop on Harvard Avenue, under blue tarps and our own low-hanging swirling fits of gray lament – the Northern Subatomic Tonic. Release. And where we lay our heads he told me he’d be thumbing his way across Canada soon. Singing, livin' it up with the charmed Canadian truck drivers, smoking Export A cigarettes. He had a way of making bad coffee and lukewarm, table-scored biscuits-n-gravy sound like the Volunteers Day Thanksgiving at Broadway Street Youth Center. He asked if I wanted to go with him, promising me his dad was “the finest damned Eskimo you’ll ever meet!“ – besides him, of course. But we knew I wouldn't. “Maybe if we see the Kick Doctor,” I'd say, staring where the black tar and shingles took their split off the rooftop. I sit here with my legs folded in front a teal blue Lazboy hand-me-down, looking back at the two of us sitting on the curb outside the Red Apple, eating grapes and kiwis and chocolate chip granola bars. Hank. What a character. What a mess! He was a train wreck of a mess. I wonder what might have happened to him. The truth is Hank was just another lost cause, like me. ward Newport. There was a situation at some bar—shit was really going down and officers needed backup. From the “get-go,” I knew things were going to get interesting. First rule of the job: Stay focused no matter what. It was hard because this bar was inside a mall, and what with the soothing music and twinkly lights, it was easy to become distracted – and sleepy. But I relied on the skills I’d learned in the academy to stay alert. As we approached the scene, we saw three suspects sitting handcuffed against the wall. From the mean looks on their faces, it was clear that they were the type of girls who think it’s funny to laugh at a guy for accidentally getting a boner in gym class. The arresting officer confirmed our suspicions and told us that the detainees had only moments earlier engaged in openly hostile facial expressions Gone By roB Goeller Staff Writer Gone is my place to go. No place to rest, Nowhere to call home. Behold the talking heads, “You piss and shit On government steps!” The doors and toilets’r closed Did you not hear? I’ve no place to go! “Heathens and bums, get gone! This is justice, You piss and shit on!” No, dear friend, you don’t know. It’s injustice Filling your flared nose. as well as loud speaking. I knew right away that we were looking at 30 minutes of paperwork, minimum. As I approached the prisoners, one called out, “Don’t you think this is a little unnecessary?” After taking a moment to consult my new employee handbook, I issued the recommended response: “Sit down and shut up unless you want to go to jail.” Despite the handbook’s assurance that this warning is effective in 90 percent of altercations, the female subjects began to assault me, slinging violent and incomprehensible remarks containing words like “democracy” and “constitutionality.” I tell you, these drunk sluts will say anything to get out of a sticky situation. Man, oh, man! A quick glance at the handbook yielded no appropriate rebuttal, so I turned to Officer Schmidt for help. He pointed out, as any seasoned officer would, “You’re the one with the gun, dumbass.” I swear I’m such a douche bag sometimes! OMG, have you ever held a gun? I’ll tell ya, those things are super heavy, and when you point them at someone, it’s just like on TV: They shut up. ************** It’s nice to be home. I finally get a chance to reflect on my day. Between you and me, I’m still not sure how this police thing goes — on the one hand it seems silly to arrest people unless they, like, hurt someone or call your mom a bad name. And filling out paperwork is soooo boring! But here’s the thing, you know, this city is not going to protect itself. You give someone an inch and, by God, they will take a mile. Schmidt told me that I have a few things to learn about the job. He says only idiots shoot themselves in the dick, and that makes a lot of sense, you know? He’s a helluva cop. I can’t wait for tomorrow. Tell Me By Jelisa huMMons Contributing Writer Tell me how you free and ya freedom been took, y’all livin like drug dealers, murders, rapist and crooks. U gotta watch ya back on every city street. Come on now tell me: How is dat free! We not even safe ta be around da police takin advantage of a girl up on Hennessey and I ain’t sayin all police is bad but its more crooked den good. Yea I kno its real sad and ery body glad we gotta black president. Yea George Bush gone but I haven seen a change yet. It’s not da prez, it’s da top power, all da stuff da put us through like we been through hell fires and we ain doin nothin about it the problem gettin worse, as the days go by there become more and more corpse. But y’all probably thinkin wat could we do about it. We jus one in a million but you will be astounded, ta realize wat we can do. One man wit help changed racism, we can too, change what we want to change into wat we want, change their wrongs into rights and our rights into songs. Give da media some truth and let em keep it at dat, not switch it around we want all our right facts. �STREETVIBES September 15 - 30, 2009 15 Resources Need Help or Want to Help? Shelter: Women and Children Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 Central Access Point Cincinnati Union Bethel 381-SAFE 768-6907 557-2873 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 241-1064 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 3600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 St. Vincent de Paul 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 681-2365 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Treatment: Men 872-9259 Charlie’s 3/4 House Shelter: Men DIC Live In Program Prospect House 241-5525 961-2256 Treatment: Women First Step Home 961-4663 961-4080 761-1480 721-0643 Joseph House (Veterans) 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 351-0422 381-6672 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 241-2965 471-1100 221-3350 Hamilton County ADAS Board Recovery Health Access Center Sober Living Talbert House Hamilton/Middletown 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 Northern Kentucky Advocacy 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 961-4555 751-0643 381-1954 Food/Clothing Lord’s Pantry OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 621-5300 961-1983 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Francis Soup Kitchen People Working Cooperatively The Caring Place United Way Women Helping Women 946-4888 281-7422 681-0324 641-4300 Housing: Tom Geiger House Dana Transitional Bridge Services Volunteers of America 771-4800 751-0600 721-4811 351-7921 631-1114 211 977-5541 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 3330 Jefferson, Cinti, Ohio 45220 Tender Mercies 381-0111 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 AA Hotline CCAT 2728 Glendora Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45209 CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing 621-5514 Goodwill industries Healing Connections Mary Magdalen House Treatment: Both Interfaith Hospitality Network Lighthouse Youth Center (Youth) 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 661-4620 241-2600 241-2563 214 E. 14th St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Drop Inn Center Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center Peaslee Neighborhood Center Shelter: Both Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 458-6670 977-4489 Other Resources 721-0643 921-1613 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Anthony House (Youth) 558-8888 981-5800 784-1853 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Starting Over 1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Justice Watch 241-0490 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Shelter Mental Health Access Point Mercy Franciscan at St. John NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 City Gospel Mission 357-4602 352-2902 352-6363 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 762-5660 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter Health Resource Center Homeless Mobile Health Van McMicken Dental Clinic 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45202 562-8841 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 Salvation Army 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Bethany House FreeStore/FoodBank Crossroad Health Center Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 721-4700 421-7803 579-8547 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 Health Center for Respite Care Brighton Center 863-3184 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 859-491-8303 799 Ann St. Newport, KY 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 535-2719 Puzzle Solution 1. Cincinnati City Council member Jeff Berding, proposing taxing panhandlers’ collections and requiring them to display information about begging (a proposal he later withdrew), reported by WLWT on 7/15/2009 2. Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis, I-Team Report, WCPO, 9/13/2007, as reported in CityBeat, 9/19/2007 3. Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory in his State of the City Address, 2/25/2009 4. Christopher Smitherman, President of the Cincinnati NAACP, via media release 7/1/2009, posted on www. naacpcincinnati.org. 5. Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune explaining why he supported a sales tax to build a new jail, in a guest column in the Cincinnati Beacon, 5/21/2007. 6. Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune, explaining why he did not support a sales tax to build a new jail, in a guest column in the Cincinnati Beacon, 6/06/2006. 7. Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis in an interview with Richard Helmes of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 10/18/2005. 8. Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher stating his opinion that an officer used excessive force when tasing the daughter of a city councilperson, as reported by WCPO 8/24/09. 9. Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis in an interview with Richard Helmes of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 10/18/2005. 10. Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher referring to watching the video of six officers subduing Nathaniel Jones (who died) as reported in the Cincinnati Enquirer, Dec. 5, 2003. Scoring 1-3 right you haven’t been in Cincinnati very long 4-6 right you’re an optimistic sort 7-9 right you’ve been paying attention 10 right are you in an elected position in local government? Anyone run against you last November? �16 Column STREETVIBES September 15 - 30, 2009 Riotous Art Beats Violent Protests Jimi Jones paints to challenge injustice Jimi Jones was 10 years old when he first experienced the power of art. He grew up in Boll Weevil Hill in the mountains of Western North Carolina and moved North with his parents when he was 10. There, due to his background and his particular use of the English language, the school he attended thought that he lacked intelligence and assigned him to the lowest group of his section. Silent, attentive and perceptive, young Jimi started drawing. He used the strength of his artistic language and its symbols to communicate and overcome his barriers. He quickly asserted himself, excelled and moved to the top group of his class. Jones is a Cincinnati artist of Cherokee and African- American descent. He initially trained and worked in engineering at General Electric. He then attended the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning and worked as a graphic designer, art director and display manager of international shows for Procter and Gamble. That job gave him the opportunity to travel the world and experience major galleries and museums. Jones draws and paints. His art usually expresses personal, philosophical, social and political concerns. “In the beginning I was more interested in the crafts and skills of Jimi Jones sees art as having more impact than violent protest. Photo by Saad Ghosn. art,” he says. “Growing up in poor Apin your approach, you can have long-lasting historic impact on palachia, I very early on other people. A story well told will still be used by generations to experienced poverty and come and they will learn from it; the same for a powerful painting as what it meant on a daily or sculpture. That’s to me the strength and the art of art.” basis; also discriminaMany of Jones’s paintings deal with injustice, be it civil war, tion, not only based on slavery, discrimination, oppression. Many comment on religion By saad Ghosn race, but also on the part and injustice and on how often they go hand in hand. In the Name Contributing Writer of the country you’re Of, a large horizontal painting, showcases injustice from different from, on your accent and standpoints: a person being lynched while people watch and are your use of the language. being entertained and Hitler being glorified for efficiently killing My social awakening, however, did not enter my art until I experi- other human beings. enced firsthand riots in Cincinnati and saw how badly the police A recurrent theme in Jones’s paintings is the proliferation of wars was treating people. and their destructive power. He uses every chance he gets to un“I felt the urge to do something, to join the rally, to put an end cover the veil of secrecy about war, the military-industrial complex to discrimination. … My older age prevented me from keeping up and its hidden profit motives. with the young rioters. Instead, I stayed up the entire night and did Night Watch, based on a Rembrandt painting of the same name, 31 statement drawings, then a big painting out of them. That’s how depicts U.S. soldiers taking on a much more violent and risky role it started. … I needed a way to vent my frustration without bring- in a conflict they did not plan for. The painting also addresses the ing harm to myself and my family in a moment of rage.” Palestine/Israel conflict, showing a 12-year-old Arab girl holding Since then, Jones has been using his drawings and paintings to flowers and a 12-year-old Jewish boy, standing side by side and communicate his ideas and feelings, his beliefs, to get his outrage looking straight ahead. It is Jones’s message for the youth of these out and to organize it in a way to move others. He fights his battles countries to become the engine of peace and stop the violence. through art. Jones says he hesitated to represent the two kids looking at each “If you want to do something violent, it is very quick and over,” other and communicating because he knows that, by the time he says. “The result may last longer but not your participation in they become adults, they’ll have lost their fresh and unadulterated it. On the contrary, if you’re thoughtful, constructive and creative outlook. Due to its religious and tribal roots, the Palestine/Israel conflict represents a significant global danger that, if not resolved, could spread, he says. In addition to serving as a vehicle for his ideas and beliefs, art connects Jones to his past, to history, to people and to life in general. “Art to me is more than just painting images,” he says. “It is a way of life, a way to understand the world that one may not have control over. It helps me create my own world. I live through my paintings; they help me organize my random thoughts and share them and myself with others. Art then takes a bigger role than just catharsis or cleansing; it becomes historic.” Jones draws and paints from his heart, exposing himself and what he stands for to the viewers with whom he wants to connect. It is his way to include others in his life, to move them, to rally them for a better world. A rtists ctivists ‘Night Watch,’ oil painting on canvas. Photo by Jimi Jones. Artists as Activists is a regular column highlighting Greater Cincinnati artists who use art as a vehicle for change. Saad Ghosn is the founder of SOS Art. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2009 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 15-30, 2009 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Rejoicing Against Oppression Pg 2: The Vibe Pg 3: Eight Minutes Seeking Shelter Pg 4: Cheap Parking, High Rent Tommy Didn’t Have to Die Pg 5: Cheap Parking and High Rent Remember That New Year’s Day Pg 6: Exploring Activism in the City Will 3CDC Strike Again? Pg 7: Worldwide Vendor Spotlight Pg 8: Rejoicing Against Oppression Pg 9: Rejoicing Against Oppression Pg 10: Buskers, Beggars, Stories Untold Pg 11: Ex-Prisoners, Supporters See Red Pg 12: Drama Queen Pg 13: Developing Deeper Connections Pg 14: To Protect and Serve and Stuff Pg 15: Resources Pg 16: Riotous Art Beats Violent Protests Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 15-30, 2009 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Gregory Flannery Lynne Ausman Jeni Jenkins Lew Moores Dave Scharfenberger Margo Pierce Paul Kopp Jeremy Flannery Michael Henson David Heitfield Kelissa Hieber Larry Gross Stephanie Dunlap Saad Ghosn Elizabeth Heath Ariana Shahandeh Jennifer Blalock Dan LaBotz Mark Payne Aimie Willhoite George Ellis Jeni Jenkins Anthony Williams Berta Lambert Jennifer Blalock Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF 3CDC Activism Activists Aimie Willhoite Anthony Williams Ariana Shahandeh Art Berta Lambert Dan LaBotz Dave Scharfenberger David Heitfield Elizabeth Heath George Ellis Gregory Flannery International news Jeni Jenkins Jennifer Blalock Jeremy Flannery Kelissa Hieber Larry Gross Lew Moores Lynne Ausman Margo Pierce Mark Payne Michael Henson New Years Oppression Over-the-Rhine Paul Kopp Prisoners Protests reform Saad Ghosn Stephanie Dunlap Students Wendell Young https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/b1806fd7c58d699cc7405d5c6b8ac869.pdf 53789886e2e1c27b2055ed3f82eecc4d PDF Text Text No to Socialism Page 11 Vendor Profile Page 12 Artists as Activists Page 16 STREETVIBES $1 Sept. 1-14, 2009 • Advocating Justice, Building Community • Issue 160 Slavery Exists in Cincinnati Today Ignorance about human trafficking leaves victims in bondage By Margo Pierce Contributing Writer A critical stop on the Un­ derground Railroad dur­ ing the time of plantation slavery, Cincinnati boasts a storied past as a gateway to freedom for thousands of Af­ ricans held in bondage. But today Cincinnati – the home of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, an institution designed to teach the lessons from the past about slavery and other vio­ lations of individual freedom – is “relatively unprepared to deal effectively with human trafficking in the Midwest.” This assessment comes from the center’s Greater Cincinnati Human Traffick­ ing Report. “Based on the findings from this report, it is evident that human trafficking is an issue that needs to be further addressed in Greater Cincin­ nati through public aware­ ness and technical training for first responders, through the organization and ad­ vancement of efforts to crim­ inalize human trafficking in Ohio and by learning from the programs that other cit­ ies and states have effectively implemented to address hu­ man trafficking,” the report says. Volunteers interviewed 137 people from Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana between July 2007 and February 2008. Attorneys, government offi­ cials, health-care providers, interpreters, judges, law en­ forcement, pastors, report­ ers, social workers and vic­ tims’ advocates responded to a series of questions about slavery in Cincinnati, and 41 percent said they or their organizations have encoun­ tered victims of trafficking in the past five years. “Law enforcement officers, judges, attorneys and social- See Slavery, p. 3 Media and law enforcement can miss human trafficking when they see prostitution. Photo by Kay Chernush. Knocking Down Doors Literacy Center West helps dropouts find jobs 1 By ranjit rege Contributing Writer The stone walls of Literacy Center West, tucked away in Price Hill, are somewhat de­ ceiving, looking as though they keep people out. But in fact the agency’s mission is to include people in “a commu­ nity in which citizens improve their lives through education and economic opportunity.” The agency offers individ­ ualized preparation for highschool dropouts who want to take Ohio’s General Educa­ tional Development (G.E.D.) test but also provides literacy and job-readiness training, all free of charge. Instead of large classes, Literacy Center West (LCW) uses one-on-one lessons tailored to students’ needs. To pass a G.E.D. test, a stu­ dent must score higher than Students at Literacy Center West are given the tools to complete their G.E.D and to find employment. Photo by Bill Haigh. 60 percent of graduating highschool seniors in five subject areas: science, mathematics, social studies, reading and writing. Most employers and colleges recognize the G.E.D. as an equivalent to a high school diploma. Next Level, an LCW pro­ gram for people ages 19 to 21 who have acquired their G.E.D. certificates, offers jobreadiness training and job placement. The program has been successful in spite of the recession, according to Stephanie Dunlap, assistant director of Literacy Center West. “There has been no down­ turn in hiring for our stu­ dents,” she says. But the recession has meant “a lot more people coming through,” including many “who didn’t need help in the past,” Dunlap says. Advancement opportunities have been affected by the recession, but the program’s goal is to get a student’s “foot in the door,” she says. See Doors, p. 7 �2 The Vibe By The Numbers 17 How many years Eddie Joe Lloyd spent in prison before being exonerated (see page 4.) 43,000 The increase in persons in homeless families between 2007 and 2008 (see page 7.) 91 The percentage of professionals in Cincinnati who have heard of humantrafficking situations (see page 1.) 40 The percent who said they are familiar with federal laws on human trafficking (see page 1.) 138 The number of Cincinnati Police officers facing layoffs (see page 8.) 1,000 The amount per day, in euros, that Amazon. com pays because of its shipping policy in France (see page 10.) 144 How many days Sean Swain spent in “the hole” during a five-month period (see page 4.) 2 The number of copies a police officer buys from Streetvibes vendor Terry Ranson each week (see page 12.) 400 The number of students served annually by Literacy Center West (see page 1.) 381-1171 The phone number to call to get more information about Over-the-Rhine Community Housing’s annual fundraiser (see page 9.) StreetSense STREETVIBES September 1 - 14, 2009 By Larry gross Contributing Writer Roofied: Nothing funny about date rape Are you enjoying the new “Dear Maija” column in CityBeat? I don’t know if this is truly an advice column, satire or something tongue-in-cheek. In the July 1 column, a letter to Maija caught my attention. The letter was from “Rock and a Burny Place,” asking advice about living with herpes and how to get a date. Maija did a lot of joking about STDs and thought all of them were funny, except for AIDS. I’m glad she didn’t think that was funny, because my twin brother died from it. Toward the end of her advice, Maija had this to say: “Even if you don’t find the right guy with herpes, there’s a 50 percent chance you’ll get roofied. Either way you get laid.” Roofied: It’s been many years since I’ve heard this word. I’m going to tell you a story that hap­ pened over 20 years ago. Names, places and some facts have been changed to protect innocent people. This was back in my accounting-manager days for a Cincinnati manufacturing firm. One of those I was supervising was the receptionist, who had given her two-week notice. I asked the people in human resources to put an ad in the paper for the position, but it turned out some­ one inside the company was interested. Ellen was looking to leave the inventory department. When I interviewed her for the job, she said she liked greeting people and answering the phone and no longer wanted to deal with numbers, which was a big part of her job in working with her boss, Don. She came across friendly and likeable and I needed a receptionist. I hired her. A couple weeks after Ellen started the job, a female friend of mine, a co-worker, came into my office and closed the door. She told me a rumor she’d heard about Ellen. My friend talked to Ellen about it and confirmed it to be true. On a date with her then-boss Don, Ellen had gone to his place and had drinks. Don appar­ ently put something in her drink – a sedative, a date-rape drug. After Don roofied Ellen and took her clothes off, he took advantage of her. Then, with a Polaroid camera, he took photos of her naked body. These photos, four in total, were copied then distributed to the men working in the inven­ tory department. My female co-worker, telling me this nightmarish story, was outraged. She wanted me, as Ellen’s new boss, to do something about it. A day later, in a closed-door discussion, Ellen, in tears, said it was true. This was the real rea­ son she wanted to leave the inventory job. She had been humiliated and embarrassed. I went to human resources with this story, but they could do nothing without proof. I went to Don, the cockroach in the inventory department. He denied everything. I went to the three guys who worked for him. They didn’t want to get involved, didn’t want to get in trouble or fired by Don. The only thing I knew to do was play on their decency and professionalism. I also wasn’t above making them feel guilty for their silence about such a repulsive act. Ellen was going through a divorce. She had two small children she was trying to raise by herself. How could they look at nude photos of a young mother and think it’s funny? How could they not see how wrong this was? Finally, after five weeks of badgering, one of the guys folded. We went to the human resources department. Don’s employee had copies of those Polaroid photos. Within one hour, the inven­ tory manager was fired and escorted out of the building. Ellen could have prosecuted Don, but because of her children, didn’t want to press charges and have her name in the papers. She wanted to move on. Others at the company wouldn’t let that happen. Like Maija’s column, some treated this as a joke. Others thought of Ellen as “loose” or some­ one to look down on. One idiot told me she thought Ellen had wanted it to happen. Finally, in an effort to put it behind her, Ellen left the company and the city. Looking for a new beginning, she and her kids packed up everything and moved to Virginia. That’s where they still are. We talk a few times a year. Ellen and her family are doing fine. She lived through her nightmare – and that’s exactly what it was. That’s why the “flip” approach in Maija’s CityBeat column about being roofied leaves me a bit cold. I’m not trying to rip apart my colleague, Maija. You see, I write for CityBeat, too. It’s her col­ umn, and she can write whatever she wants. She’s young. I’m not. Maybe I’m being uptight on this subject, but I can’t forget. Being roofied happened to someone I know. 20 years ago this almost destroyed a friend’s life. I still can’t bring myself to think this is funny. Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by people who are or once were homeless, in exchange for a $1 donation, Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Address: 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513.421.7803 x 12 Fax: 513.421.7813 Email: streetvibes2@ yahoo.com Website: www. cincihomeless.org Blog: streetvibes. wordpress.com Streetvibes Staff Editor Gregory Flannery Art Director Lynne Ausman Vendor Coordinator Jeni Jenkins Contributing Writers Lew Moores, Dave Scharfenberger, Margo Pierce, Paul Kopp, Jeremy Flannery, Michael Henson, David Heitfield, Alecia Lott, Larry Gross, Stephanie Dunlap, Saad Ghosn, Will Kirschner, Ariana Shahandeh, Jennifer Blalock, Dan LaBotz, Ranjit Rege Photography/Artwork Aimie Willhoite, Lynne Ausman, George Ellis, Jeni Jenkins, Rev. Joe Folzenlogen, Jim Montgomery, Anthony Williams, Berta Lambert Proofreader Jennifer Blalock The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati through coordination of services, public education, grassroots advocacy and Streetvibes. We are members of: �STREETVIBES September 1 - 14, 2009 Local News 3 Slavery Exists in Cincinnati Today (continued from page 1) service providers all acknowl­ edge that human trafficking exists, but there is little spe­ cific law they can draw upon to stop the crime locally, and even less public knowledge of the issue,” the report says. Cops don’t know The report breaks down the penalties and elements of anti-trafficking laws in the Tri-State and summarizes the federal Trafficking Victim’s Protection Act (TVPA). The report then considers how only 40 percent of the profes­ sional respondents could be aware of anti-trafficking laws at the federal level and only 20 percent could identify the existence of state laws against modern day slavery, given that 91 percent said that they or their organizations have heard of human-trafficking cases. “The survey results showed a surprising lack of aware­ ness and knowledge of the issue of human trafficking, even among those most likely to encounter it,” the report says. “The general population in Cincinnati, therefore, is very likely to be even less aware. Although many survey respondents stated that they did not know the level of public awareness, a vast majority (77 percent) said that the general public’s knowledge of trafficking is only poor or fair. This comports with oth­ er studies that have shown that the general public lacks awareness of the issue.” The ignorance of “first responders,” the people in professions most likely to respond to an incident in­ volving a victim of human trafficking, underscores why, according to the U.S. government, less than 1 percent of trafficking cases are solved, compared to a 70 percent success rate in solv­ ing murder cases. “While training on the law is important for all groups, it is particularly important when it comes to fighting community leaders to “sup- The Department of Justice human trafficking due to the port necessary training for has reported, however, that city’s geographic location,” law enforcement and medi- since 2000, ‘prosecutions un­ the report says. “Cincinnati cal professionals” and urges der the TVPA have increased abuts Kentucky and Indiana, “state, city and community six-fold.’ ” allowing traffickers to eas- officials to enact comprehenWhat the report doesn’t ily move across state and city sive laws so that local law en- include is the fact that the borders where the laws and forcement officials can pros- OPAA proposed the new law regulations on human traf- ecute, prevent and protect because it opposed the more ficking differ.” victims of human trafficking.” comprehensive legislation The report’s authors missed But the authors fail to make that the report says is needan opportunity to encourage the strong argument neces- ed. strong leadership on this is- sary to back up these recom“Due to its recent passage, sue and build collaborative mendations. A case in point is Ohio’s new anti-trafficking relationships that can lead their assessment of the Ohio law has yet to be applied,” to ending slavery in Ohio. human-trafficking legislation the report says. “However, its The report instead gives local enacted earlier this year. convoluted definition of hu­ cops an excuse for not doing The original legislation man trafficking, requirement more to utilize local and fed- proposed in Ohio was based of a pattern of corrupt activi­ eral resources. on the “model law” drafted ty and lack of labor trafficking The authors go on to wring for states to use in support provisions suggest the Ohio their hands over law will be somefor those groups most likely the state of awarewhat more limited to encounter trafficking vic- ness in the medi“It is evident that human than the TVPA or tims first,” the report says. “A cal community. trafficking is an issue that laws passed by majority of respondents (57 “The group just needs to be further addressed in other states. Just percent) said they believed behind law enGreater Cincinnati through public as importantly, the that law enforcement is most forcement considawareness and technical training new law does not likely to be the first to en- ered to encounter for first responders, through the provide for lawcounter trafficking victims. trafficking first is organization and advancement enforcement trainIf law enforcement is indeed medical profesof efforts to criminalize human ing, agency reporta first-responder, they must sionals. … This is trafficking in Ohio and by learning ing or services for be knowledgeable and well- troubling because from the programs that other victims.” trained on the issue. 77 percent of medcities and states have effectively Glossing over the “Yet 48 percent of law-en- ical professionals implemented.” fact that the pros­ forcement respondents said surveyed said they - Greater Cincinnati Human ecutors who claim that local law enforcement in had only a poor Trafficking Report to need effective the Greater Cincinnati area or fair knowledge legislation are the has only a poor or fair knowl- of trafficking,” the same people who edge of human trafficking. report says. “Clearly, train- of the TPVA – per the report’s effectively killed that same …In fact, 68 percent of law ing on human trafficking is recommendation – but the legislation is a disservice to enforcement survey partici- necessary for all groups sur- report fails to make the point the report’s own stated goals. pants rated their own knowl- veyed and acutely necessary that this would be a second The report includes a reedge of trafficking as poor or for potential first-responders attempt at passage because source list, a thoughtful fair.” such as law enforcement and “the executive director of the analysis of news reports on Despite this data, the re- medical professionals.” Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys incidents of human traffick­ port appears to capitulate to Association (OPAA), when ing that aren’t identified as the social norm of not critiProsecutors get a pass asked about the previously modern day slavery and a cizing cops. proposed anti-trafficking rather comprehensive sum­ “In Cincinnati, law enforceThe study makes two rec- laws, commented that, ‘We mary of legislation at the ment has a unique difficulty ommendations encouraging have all the laws we need.’ national and state level. The report proves what many in the field have been saying for years: People don’t know To report a concern about a possible situation of trafficking, call the that slavery is alive and well Trafficking Information and Referral Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. The in the United States. But this following are some red flags often exhibited by human trafficking victims: important data can’t be al­ lowed to override the facts • Minors under 18 providing commercial sex that this is a complicated • Unable to speak English or the language of the host country issue that calls into ques­ • Having no personal identification or lacking control of one’s own tion the effectiveness of the documents institutions supposedly de­ • Having few or no personal possessions or financial records signed to help the most vul­ • Lack of pocket money or control of one’s own money nerable in our society. • Confusion about where they are (city, state, or country) Slavery – the buying, sell­ • Being unable to freely leave worksite or residence without fear of ing and owning of human reprisal beings – is a despicable act, • Living and/or sleeping in their working environment according to our history and • Isolation from family, friends or ethnic community our laws. Unfortunately, the • Minors not attending school Freedom Center’s report • Having excessively long working hours or odd tasks at odd hours lacks the fortitude required • Appearing to be fearful, submissive, anxious, tense, nervous or to acknowledge that hu­ restless manity has failed to eradi­ • Appearing anxious or nervous around “interpreter” or “family member” cate this practice and the • Reliance on one person to speak for all the individuals sense of urgency required to • Signs of physical abuse, neglect, torture and emotional abuse change that fact. The Great­ • Signs of poor health and hygiene er Cincinnati Human Traf­ • Signs of branding to show ownership by trafficker ficking Report is an impor­ • Signs of physical restraint, confinement and control tant step forward that can • Having an escort at all times when in public be seen as a springboard for • Inability to make decisions on own without fear or approval further action, or its mean­ • Rehearsed stories ing can be lost to the com­ placency of “better than Source: End Slavery Cincinnati Rescue & Restore Coalition nothing” before turning our attention elsewhere. �4 Community News STREETVIBES September 1 - 14, 2009 Trapped: Solitary Confinement Instead of treatment, it’s torture 1 By eLi Braun Contributing Writer During his 70 days of soli­ tary confinement at Toledo Correctional Institution, Sean Swain spent 23 hours a day locked in his cell. He spent the 24th hour, his only oppor­ tunity for social interaction and “recreation,” being stripsearched, including a “visual body-cavity search.” By comparison, inmates in “general population” spend 11 hours a day locked in their cells. Solitary confinement crip­ ples prisoners’ capacity for social interaction and can exacerbate or even cause mental-health crises. The rise of solitary-confinement units at U.S. prisons indicates a disturbing trend, especially for prisoners suffering from mental illness or drug abuse. Studies find that solitary con­ finement is not just ineffec­ tive at promoting good be­ havior, but is a full-fledged form of torture, breaking down the healthy and further enfeebling the ill. Since 1991, Swain, now 49, has been sent to solitary confinement “seven or eight times,” including a 144-day stint from May to October 2003. Most recently, he vio­ lated rules by “encourage(ing) prisoners to partake in a 30­ day work stoppage,” accord­ ing to the official conduct report. During his 70 days in isola­ tion, Swain didn’t know when he would be returned to gen­ eral population. He remains in prison. “Cage without a curtain” Swain details the condi­ tions in solitary confinement, also known as “segregation.” “The tube lighting in seg­ regation cells is never shut off,” Swain says. “Insects were breeding in the mops, which had not been exchanged for months. Those same insectinfested mops were provided to us for cell-cleaning.” As he cleaned, insects would swarm around the cell’s lighting fixture. Prisoners in solitary confinement had ac­ cess to showers and recre­ ation only Monday to Friday. Weekends were spent entirely locked in, though Swain be­ lieves that policy might have changed. At times he lacked ‘Captive’ by Todd (Hyung-Rae) Tarselli. Photo courtesy of American Journal of Public Health. soap and toothpaste. In his final week in segregation, the cellblock ran out of toilet pa­ per, he says. Reports from Ohio’s Cor­ rectional Institution Inspec­ tion Committee (CIIC) and correspondence with other prisoners confirm unsanitary conditions at some prisons. “Their behavior is destined to deteriorate under those conditions. Then their poor behavior is used to justify why they should be there.” – Shirley Pope The CIIC is authorized by the Ohio Legislature to regularly inspect prisons and provide oversight. For showers, “I was issued a single state towel upon en­ 36 C R O S S W O R S U 37 tering segregation” and never had the opportunity “to ex­ change it for clean,” Swain says. But he considered him­ self fortunate to have been issued a towel at all, as some inmates in segregation never got one. “Or maybe I wasn’t so lucky, since I ended up with bacte­ D O K U ria and fungus on my feet,” he says. Prisoners who didn’t re­ ceive towels instead used bed sheets. The shower stall was “a D P A G 38 A N E 12 cage without a curtain,” Swain says. Even though pris­ oners tried to arrange their clothing across the shower bars for privacy, prisoners were subject to public view. Some mentally disturbed prisoners, informally labeled “serial jackers,” would watch through the bars of their cells “as if enjoying a personal peep-show.” The water would last ap­ proximately five to 10 min­ utes, then stop without warn­ ing for 10 minutes. “If someone has soap on his face or in her eyes, he must stand naked and wet for 10 minutes. … In some of the showers, hitting the button before the 10-minute wait­ ing duration resets the timer and causes the 10-minute duration to start over,” Swain says. Isolation cells might no longer be strictly isolated. Due to overcrowd­ ing, some prisons now double-bunk their segregation cells. Some prison­ ers spend 23 hours D a day locked in with another person, in a cell designed for single occupancy. System-wide, the Ohio De­ partment of Rehabilitation and Corrections operates at 134 percent of capacity, with 11 of the 32 institutions op­ erating above 150 percent ca­ pacity. According to one CIIC report, “One had to stand side­ ways to walk through the rows of bunk beds.” Overcrowding might also result in long waits “for those in segregation who are being transferred to other prisons, all due to the need to wait for an open bed,” the CIIC reported. The result, it appears, is ex­ tended periods of isolation. Swain attributes the length of his 144-day-term in isolation in 2003 not to the severity of his infraction but to the wait for an open bed. ‘The hole’ by any other name Although he spent 23 hours a day alone in his cell, in an­ other sense, Swain wasn’t See Solitary, p. 5 �STREETVIBES September 1 - 14, 2009 Community News Trapped: Solitary Confinement 5 (continued from page 4) alone. ter an alleged infraction, an Some 25,000 U.S. prisoners inmate might first be placed reside in solitary confinement in “security control” for one at “supermax prisons.” An ad- to 15 days while an investiga­ ditional 50,000 to 80,000 pris­ tion unfolds. If deemed guilty, oners reside in restrictive and the inmate might spend an isolated “segregation” or “spe­ additional one to 15 days in cial housing” units at non-su­ “disciplinary control,” which permax prisons, according to can be extended to 30 days a recent New Yorker article. for subsequent infractions. In Ohio at mid-year 2007, An inmate can be referred 1,869 men and 90 women to “local control” for up to lived in isolation, whether six months if his presence in through formal segregation general population is a se­ or security levels 4 or 5, ac­ curity threat or if he’s “failed cording to the American Cor­ to adjust to general popularectional Association. It’s not tion.” known how many prisoners “Those criteria are broad reside in soland subject itary con­ to wide interfinement at Cruelly, segregation p re t a t i o n ,” some point disproportionately says Shirley during their houses those Pope, execu­ stay. prisoners least tive director Souther n able to endure of the CIIC. Ohio Cor­ the psychological If an inmate’s rectional Faimpact of isolation. own secu­ cility in Lu­ rity is threatcasville and ened, he Ohio State can be kept Penitentiary in solitary in Youngstown can hold pris­ confinement in local control oners in lockdown for years even though he might not be at a time, including for their the cause of the potential disentire sentences. turbance. Prison administrators and After “local control,” an incorrectional officers refer to mate can be transferred to 4B, the various forms of these a long-term lockdown where 23-hour-a-day cells as “ad- some people spend years in ministrative segregation.” extreme isolation. These lockPrisoners prefer a less euphe­ down units aren’t technically mistic name: “the hole” or “the considered “segregation,” as box.” Besides those names, prisoners in 4B aren’t being there are several others. Af­ punished for particular in- fractions. But it’s “segregation pounding; who yelled from caught with illegal substancunder a different name, the cell to cell or screamed inco­ es. But solitary confinement same conditions, the same herently at all hours.” does nothing to mitigate or lockdown,” Pope says. Prisoners suffered sleep heal their addiction. A report Unlike segregation units, deprivation from the con- by Human Rights Watch held 4B units that New York don’t have State was in­ regular menAfter 10 days, solitary flicting cruel, tal-health confinement was seriously detrimental to inhuman rounds. Pope prisoners’ well-being. and degradis concerned – Commission on Safety and Abuse in ing treatment that men­ America’s Prisons by isolating tally ill pris­ drug offendoners in 4B ers while also aren’t properly cared for. The stant noise. denying them treatment dur­ CIIC recently identified 218 Many suicide attempts ing lock-up. mentally ill prisoners in 4B at happen in segregation units. “I’ve had 15, 16 drug tickSouthern Ohio Correctional Inmates attempt to hang ets, no assaults or anything Facility in Lucasville, “in spite themselves with sheets, over- like that,” said Peter G., a of the known mental-health dose with stockpiled medica­ prisoner quoted in the re­ deterioration stemming from tions or cut themselves with port. “I’ve never been in a long-term isolation.” blades from safety razors. treatment program. Now I’m Cruelly, segregation dis­ in the box till 2012. I’m a drug ‘Psychological proportionately houses those addict. If you know I’m a drug warfare’ prisoners least able to endure addict, why are you putting the psychological impact of me in a box?” “It is widely accepted isolation. Advocates point Ohio offers some sub­ among mental-health profes­ out that the mentally ill rarely stance-abuse treatment to sionals that long-term isola­ belong in prison in the first those in isolation, with protion of the mentally ill results place, much less in solitary grams varying by institution, in deterioration, not recov­ confinement. according to CIIC. ery,” the CIIC noted in a 2008 The mentally ill might be Advocates question the report. targeted under the “failure segregation of drug offenders Nevertheless, the mentally to adjust” criterion and then in the first place. To the extent ill seem propelled toward sent to punitive solitary units their infraction stems from solitary confinement, which for behavioral problems re- an underlying addiction, they Swain calls “psychological lated to their illness. Mentally should be treated instead of warfare.” ill state prisoners are nearly punished. Swain says he was sur­ twice as likely to physically or Some administrators, say rounded by people “who verbally assault staff or other solitary confinement reduces attempted suicide, some prisoners, according to a 2006 violence and helps main­ multiple times; who threw study by the U.S. Department tain order. But the bipartisan feces and food; who engaged of Justice. Commission on Safety and in rattling their doors and The solution is not to stiff- Abuse in America’s Prisons en penalties. For mentally ill found the very opposite. “feces throwers” at Southern “The increasing use of Ohio Correctional Facility, the high-security segregation is CIIC reported that “prosecu­ counter-productive, often tion for harassment does lit- causing violence inside fa­ tle if anything in deterrence.” cilities and contributing to Instead, state prisons should recidivism after release,” the improve mental-health ser­ commission said. vices. The bipartisan Council The commission called for of State Governments found ending long-term isolation in that inadequacies in mental- U.S. prisons. It determined health services “can lead to that after 10 days, solitary inmate-on-staff assaults, in- confinement was seriously mate-on-inmate assaults and detrimental to prisoners’ other use-of-force incidents.” well-being. Meanwhile, for the menSome administrators tally ill in solitary confine- maintain that they have no ment, their health deterio­ alternative to locking dan­ rates, their behavior worsens gerous prisoners in solitary and their security level rises. units. But correctional poliThey might be transferred to cies in other nations under­ higher-security institutions. mine that claim. The British “If they had a mental health provide their most dangerous advocate, that might not hap- prisoners with opportuni­ pen,” Pope says. “They re­ ties for work, education and quire therapeutic interven­ programming intended to in­ tions before they’re bumped crease social skills, according up in security status and end to The New Yorker. up at Lucasville.” “The use of isolation not In a sense, the mentally ill only escalates the inmate’s are trapped. sense of alienation, but also “Their behavior is destined further serves to remove the to deteriorate under those individual from proper staff conditions,” Pope says. “Then supervision,” the CIIC found. their poor behavior is used to Experts and observers justify why they should be agree that long-term isolation there.” undermines safety. It drives Unsurprisingly, many drug even the healthy insane. In offenders continue to abuse Ohio’s prison, it’s past time to A solitary confinement cell in Alcatraz Prison. Photo by Laura Padgett. substances during their in- end this practice and choose carceration. They can be sent therapy over torture. to segregation after they’re �6 STREETVIBES September 1 - 14, 2009 Book Review The Ego Tunnel and the Dumbass There's something about Mary that ain't quite right By DaviD HeitfieLD Contributing Writer We live in an age of naive realism. Your brain lies to you, quite purposefully. You are a dumbass who willingly flaunts your dumbassedness from the moment you arise to the moment you go into the mini-death state we call “sleep.” Ignorance just isn't bliss – ignorance is life as we know it. Thomas Metzinger tells the story of Mary, a fictional character in a thesis known as the Knowledge Argument, which (crudely speaking) stands for the idea that you can't know something until you've walked a mile in its shoes. First-person knowl­ edge (or phenomenal knowl­ edge or subjective knowl­ edge) is some thing that must be accounted for, a source of information that cannot be measured physically, i.e., sci­ entifically. Mary, as the story cred­ ited to Australian philoso­ pher Frank Jackson goes, is a brilliant brain scientist who learns everything there is to know about color – how we process color, how we see color, what color represents, all the physical properties in­ volved in color. Mary learns all this while being deprived of color– she's in a cave or a room with a monochrome monitor on her computer and a black-and-white TV. So, the question is, once Mary learns everything about color, but then steps outside and experiences color for the first time, does she learn any­ thing new? Jackson's original answer, which he has since recanted, was yes – she ob­ viously has new information about reality now that she has subjectively experienced “color” for the first time, proving there is something to color besides the physical properties of color. Metzinger, a German phi- Thomas Metzinger, author of ‘The Ego Tunnel.’ Photo courtesy of Johannes Gutenberg University. losopher, not only answers with an emphatic “no” – the subjective experience just makes Mary another self-deluded dumbass – but claims self doesn't really exist. Duh! What makes The Ego Tunnel so fascinating, then, is for those of us who are not philosophers or brain scientists; What makes ‘The Ego Tunnel’ so fascinating, then, is for those of us who are not philosophers or brain scientists; we get an understanding of just how far-reaching are the implications of the current science. that there is now almost universal support for his answer among brain scientists. In fact, the most famous review of Metzinger's new book, The Ego Tunnel: The Science of the Mind and the Myth of the Self, complains that Metzinger is simply rehashing old ideas that are now well-settled. Like, of course we know the STREETVIBES Vendor Mary we get an understanding of just how far-reaching are the implications of the current science. Metzinger says he wrote The Ego Tunnel for a lay audience – it's the dumbass version of his 2003 work, Being No One. Although you should be warned, while misanthropists should find it delicious, others might have trouble Only purchase Streetvibes from BADGED vendors. Vendors wear their WHITE badges while they sell the paper. wading through Metzinger's experiences you had when still waters. I have no doubt you were younger, causing an you'd be rewarded for the ef- epiphany, might have been fort, though. closer to the truth than you To wit: Metzinger is fond of think. Those times when you saying no one is feel lost or de­ ever born, and pressed or need no one ever dies. to find yourself? This is because This is because Good instincts, the ‘self’ is not the “self” is not a all. You're a a thing, but a thing, but a produmbass, and process. cess: It is a selfyour attempts to make your­ model that has evolved to make sense of the self feel better about being world around you. Whether a dumbass should feel pro­ the sense it makes is liter­ foundly disappointing and ally true or not is beside the false. I now have hope that point. Because this self-mod­ someday soon all people with el is necessarily transparent high self-esteem will be put to you, “you” are essentially to death. The meek will in­ a system that constantly con­ herit the earth after all; and fuses itself with its own self- man! they're gonna be pissed model. off when they do. Metzinger proposes sev­ Metzinger is a leader in the eral ways of making his coun­ emerging neuroethics field, terintuitive ideas more con­ and the last part of his book crete, including just noticing might be the most urgent to that the process of “waking read, in which he sees a very up” in the morning is literally near future where our rap­ your brain looking for its self- idly expanding knowledge of model mask, lucid dreaming neuroscience collides with and studies involving people capitalism, resulting in peo­ who “feel” limbs they have ple seeking altered states of lost. You can even do an ex­ consciousness, be it through periment at home with the LSD-like drugs or simply help of another person and brain stimulation that results an artificial hand: Put your in spiritual or other-worldly arm on a table and cover it experiences. Ethics itself will up with a box, with the false evolve from concerning what arm sitting on the table next is “correct actions” to what is to it. Have someone stimu­ “correct consciousness,” with late both your arm (under the powerful implications in all box, so you can't see it) and spheres of culture, and it's an the fake arm at the same time. issue we need to start think­ You look at the fake arm being ing about now. While “dignity” is a loaded stroked. After about a minute, while your weird friend term, Metzinger offers as keeps stroking the fake arm, good a definition as any: “the you will continue to “feel” the unconditional will to selfstimulation from your real knowledge, veracity, and fac­ arm, even though it is no lon­ ing the facts. Dignity is the re­ ger being touched, making fusal to humiliate oneself by you feel like a dumbass. simply looking the other way Astronauts lose their sense or escaping to some meta­ of “up” and “down” in space, physical Disneyland.” Some­ and only get reoriented after what paradoxically, Metzing­ a fellow astronaut taps the er argues that, as our sense bottom of the foot so he re- of “self” transforms, our so­ orients to what is “down” – to cietal goal “should always be Metzinger, proving that the to maximize the autonomy of “self” is purely contextual, or the citizenry.” This includes virtual. the moral imperative that The implications of this we “should not increase the are profound when you think overall amount of conscious about it. For instance, how suffering in the universe un­ much of good mental health less we have compelling rea­ today is associated with a sons to do so.” Lest some of this – “no self” “strong sense of self”? May­ be there is something to the and “do no harm” – sound idea that the crazy people are vaguely Buddhist, the book the sane ones. Losing your ends by predicting that our sense of self or having low greatest theoretical challenge self-esteem might be con­ we will have to face is whether textually bad today, but that and how intellectual honesty all might change in 50 years, and spirituality can ever be so that (just as you long sus­ reconciled. It is a question for pected, admit it) your SUV- the future, but one can't help driving, church-going, ca- but think Metzinger's answer reer-climbing neighbor is the would be the same answer he delusional one. Those drug gave to Mary. Check out the Streetvibes blog @ streetvibes.wordpress.com �STREETVIBES September 1 - 14, 2009 7 Local News Knocking Down Doors to Success (continued from page 1) 1 Dunlap says the students “teach me so much” and that the environment is “a lot of fun. We’re always laughing and joking around with each other.” That doesn’t mean the work is endlessly upbeat, however. “There are a lot of sad sto­ ries, some of which don’t end,” Dunlap says. “There’s only so much we can do. … We can provide a positive at­ mosphere for three hours a day, but then (some students) return to a negative atmo­ sphere.” Two recurring issues the center’s students face are homelessness and child care. Some young adults are tran­ sients – sleeping on other peo­ ple’s couches – and roughly 75 percent are parents. Others face more subtle but equally powerful hindrances. “What do you do when your own family is saying, ‘Why are you trying to be bet­ ter than us?’ ” Dunlap says. Another issue the teachers face is convincing some stu­ dents that the path offered by the center is beneficial, “particularly drug offenders. There’s a lot of money to be made out there, but it’s illegal and very dangerous,” Dunlap says. Convincing disadvantaged students to take an entry-lev­ el job to work up to a higher paying one when it seems employers are turning them away isn’t easy. “We’re here to show them it isn’t difficult to find work – we’ll knock down the doors for them,” Dunlap says. Nor does failing the G.E.D. test the first time mean stu­ dents can’t be helped. “The students will get worn out before we will,” Dunlap says. She cites a Camp Washing­ ton student who didn’t pass until his fifth try. “There isn’t really anyone LCW can’t help,” she says. “Well, they just can’t be rich.” The center serves people who live at or below the pov­ erty level who read at the fourth-grade reading level or above. Those below that level Students at Literacy Center West studying for the G.E.D. test. Photo by Bill Haigh. are referred to the Literacy Network of Greater Cincin­ nati. Literacy Center West serves over 400 people a year. The agency is funded by a mix of government contracts, grants, fundraisers and pri­ vate donations. Literacy Center West is at 3015 Phillips Ave. and also offers programs at Camp Washington Community School and downtown for people on probation and under court orders to attend. For more information, call 513-244-5062. Homeless Families Finish First Report shows startling trend in growth of homelessness By jereMy fLannery Contributing Writer While suburban and rural areas are fac­ ing dramatic increases in homelessness among individuals and families, home­ Families are the rising demographic fall­ lessness continues to disproportionately ing into homelessness in the United States, impact metropolitan areas. One out of five according to the U.S. Department of Hous­ homeless persons in the United States were ing and Urban Development (HUD). in Los Angeles, New York City or Detroit The agency’s 2008 Annual Homeless­ during the point-in-time count on Jan. 1, ness Assessment Report to Congress, re­ 2008. The report shows that homelessness is leased in July, says that between 2007 and concentrated in major cities such as Las Ve­ 2008 “the number of homeless individuals gas, where 91 percent of Nevada’s homeless was fairly stable,” with a decrease of about population live; Phoenix, with 60 percent of 7,500, “while homelessness among persons Arizona’s homeless population; and Phila­ in families increased by about 43,000, or 9 delphia, with 50 percent of Pennsylvania’s percent.” homeless population. HUD defines families as consisting of at The most common demographic of shel­ least one parent 18 years or older and one tered homeless people are individual male child under 18. Women under 30 years of members of racial minorities older than 31 age without male partners and with a child years, and two-fifths of them suffer from 5 years or younger make up the majority of a disability, the report says. About 124,135 homeless families, the report says. homeless persons were chronically home­ The assessment acknowledges that its re­ less, or homeless for at least one year, ac­ porting period ended “just as the economic cording to the report’s January 2008 pointrecession was accelerating,” so estimates of in-time estimate. The number remained the number of homeless families might be relatively unchanged from the 2007 esti­ more dismal today. mate, the report says. Georgine Getty, the executive director of The 2008 assessment says more homeless the Interfaith Hospitality Network, which Georgine Getty with ‘Streetvibes’ vendor Mark Shears. Getty individuals now are people with relatively assists homeless families, says the reces­ is executive director of Interfaith Hospitality Network. high needs. The number of people enter­ sion has created more first-time homeless Photo by Andy Freeze. ing homeless shelters in 2008 increasingly people. came from prisons or hospitals or reported “We are starting to notice more and more suffering disabilities, the report says. Such first-time homeless people because of the economy and people losing their people are either physically restricted from the type of labor they can perform jobs and having to foreclose on their homes,” she says. “I spoke to one guy, and or denied employment due to their criminal records. Also, about 13 percent he said at first his hours were cut and then he was laid off, and so he lost his of the sheltered homeless during the 2008 count were U.S. military veterans, home. We are experiencing greater lengths of stays in shelters because no one and their numbers are expected to increase during the 2009 count, the report is able to find work because of the economy.” says. The Interfaith Hospitality Network assists about 110 homeless families per HUD is adding new counts to assess chronic homelessness among former year, and two-thirds of the people assisted by the organization are children, prisoners and the disabled, along with the Iraq War and Afghanistan War vet­ Getty says. erans returning without a home. The 2009 Annual Homelessness Assessment HUD’s homelessness assessment says 1.6 million people nationwide, or 1 Report will also measure the success of the American Recovery and Reinvest­ out of 190 people, used homeless shelters or transitional housing programs ment Act of 2009, which allocated $1.5 billion for a Homelessness Prevention between October 2007 and September 2008. Twenty percent of them were chil­ Fund. dren, the report says. �8 Local News STREETVIBES September 1 - 14, 2009 City Layoffs Cause a Fury But maybe the cops won’t be missed By PauL KoPP Contributing Writer 5 meeting, Mayor Mark Mal­ lory denied council members the opportunity to discuss Impending budget deficits the layoffs. Council members for the city of Cincinnati will Leslie Ghiz and Chris Monzel lead to the loss of hundreds then called a special council of city jobs this month. A plan meeting the following night proposed by City Manager at the Duke Energy Center. Milton Dohoney contains 319 The mood at the meeting layoffs, including 138 police was tense, and the large conofficers. ference hall was filled. Some The job cuts, prompted by people held protest signs; projected deficits of $28 mil- one said, “Mallory’s leaderlion this year and $40 million ship is as bad as is his pitchor more for 2010, are sched- ing” – a reference to his cer­ ule to take effect Sept. 6. emonial first pitch at a Reds In an Aug. 5 memo to the game, which was mocked on mayor and city council, Do- national TV. honey called the layoffs “gutSharon Lewis of Westwood, wrenching” but necessary. wearing a large campaign With 80 percent of the city’s button supporting Coun­ expenses going to personnel cilwoman Leslie Ghiz, sug­ costs, trying to close the defi- gested eliminating “duplicate cit gap leaves few options, he social services” jobs. She said said. to Mallory, “The only “You have to other op“It is very clear that have a body­ tion would be the layoffs can be guard, so we new money prevented if the need police.” coming from bargaining units The comment somewhere to agree to six furlough p r o m p t e d cover the exdays, and in some loud applause penses,” Doinstances (waive) from the audihoney said. “At the cost-of-living ence. this point our increase, but those Police offiexpenses exdiscussions are still cers and supceed our revongoing.” porters told enue.” - Councilwoman council that The city Roxanne Qualls laying off 138 hasn’t faced will make the this type of city less safe. budget crisis since the ear“Just wait until these cuts ly 1980s. While the budget are made,” said Kim Evans, a crunch reflects the national member of Citizens on Patrol. recession, Councilwoman "The drug dealers and prostiRoxanne Qualls says some tutes are saying they are gocouncil decisions exacerbat- ing to run this city.” ed the problem. For example, But Dohoney and Police police and fire budgets have Chief Tom Streicher Jr. have gone up 37.1 percent since said that the number of of2000, including 6 percent in- ficers assigned to neighborcreases in personnel costs, hood patrols won’t change. she says. Though council spent a Cincinnati’s financial prob- large part of the meeting lislems aren’t unique, according tening to comments from the to Meg Olberding, spokes- public, Chris Smitherman, woman for the city manager. president of the Cincinnati “ABC News reported that Chapter of the National Assoover 69 cities across the coun- ciation for the Advancement try are seeking concessions of Colored People and an outor furloughs for their employ- spoken critic of city policies, ees,” she says. “The city bud- says the meeting was only a get is based on the private- platform for council to prosector economy, and it is not mote their own agendas. going well. This is part of the “The selfishness in calleconomic process that hap- ing the emergency meeting pens with government.” is not to show that they care what the public thinks,” SmiProstitutes’ therman says. “It’s really to power grab? wash their hands of the city manager's layoff recommenDohoney’s plan sparked a dations because he is not an public outcry. Amid booing elected official, but it's an by a crowd at council’s Aug. election year for council.” ! ? t a h W y a Council members Bortz and Crowley discuss the city’s budget with aides at an August 5 meeting. City Council held several special public hearings regarding the city’s budget. Photo by George Ellis. Vice Mayor David Crowley manager and said he has to city administration are nego­ says some of his colleagues keep these 138 officers. Some tiating with unions to try to see an opportunity for dema- people will say that there are save some jobs. goguery. other places in the police de“It is very clear that the “(The police oflayoffs can be pre­ ficers at the spevented if the barcial meeting) were “The fact is that Streicher has not come gaining units agree a ready-made au- forward to the manager and said he has to six furlough dience for a po- to keep these 138 officers. ... To the best days, and in some sition that says, of my knowledge he has not come forth instances (waive) ‘I’ll keep your job and said he is willing to cut anything the cost-of-living no matter what.’ else. I think (Streicher) is saying, ‘All increase, but those Well, the ‘no matright, they’re going to take them away discussions are ter what’ is comfrom me, we’ll lose them.’ ” still ongoing,” she ing back to bite us - Vice Mayor David Crowley says. in the ass,” CrowThe layoffs will ley says. “While it go into effect Sept. may be good political staging partment that (Streicher) can 6, so the decisions must be to make those type of com- cut from, and if he did make made by then, Qualls says. ments, it’s not realistic, it’s those cuts, he would be able Olberding says she doesn’t not right and it’s misleading.” to keep some of the officers. think the city manager’s of­ To the best of my knowledge fice will find a way to save The chief isn’t he has not come forth and those jobs. complaining said he is willing to cut any“The 138 police officers thing else. I think (Streicher) have received their notices, Crowley is referring to a is saying, ‘All right, they’re go- and barring any action, their faction on council who want ing to take them away from jobs will be eliminated on to find a way to prevent any me, we’ll lose them.’ ” Sept. 6,” she says. police layoffs while also not Streicher didn’t respond to Berding and Councilman increasing taxes. The group a request for an interview. Greg Harris agreed to phone includes Ghiz, Monzel, Jeff Streicher doesn’t seem to interviews but didn’t call, Berding and Christopher perceive the police layoffs as didn’t return messages and Bortz. Both Crowley and a threat to public safety, ac- didn’t answer e-mails from a Qualls say they have yet to cording to Qualls. reporter. Council members hear any plan from the fac“The number of police of- Laketa Cole, Bortz, Ghiz, and tion. ficers that are scheduled to be Monzel didn’t respond to in“I think it is an absolutely laid off is the exact number terview requests via e-mail. ridiculous position,” Crow- that council has added since An assistant to Councilman ley says. “I don’t understand 2000, which Chief Streicher Cecil Thomas said Thomas it. There’s a lot of politics in has publicly said in the past was on vacation. this. The fact is that Streicher he did not need,” Qualls says. has not come forward to the Qualls says Mallory and the “People are only mean when they are threatened... and that’s what our culture does. That’s what our economy does. Even people who have jobs in our economy are threatened, because they worry about losing them. And when you get threatened, you start looking out only for yourself. You start making money a god. It is all part of this culture.” - Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom S _____________________ �STREETVIBES September 1 - 14, 2009 9 Film Review Bombs Without, Explosives Within ‘The Hurt Locker’ is about the volatility of character By WiLLiaM KirscHner Contributing Writer Anthony Mackie) and Spec. Owen Elridge (Brian Ger­ aghty), whose safety depends “War is a drug,” said for­ on their ability to work to­ mer New York Times reporter gether. Chris Hedges. In The Hurt Their personal issues, how­ Locker, Staff ever, make it Sgt. William hard for them to James, played The most work together. by Jeremy Ren­ surprising thing The combina­ nar, is a fullabout the movie tion of an adren­ blown addict. is that, rather than aline junkie, a The film fol­ focus on the larger man who fears lows Bravo Co., political issues of death is around an explosive- the war, it focuses every corner ordnance dis­ on the character and an overly posal squad in of the soldiers cautious soldier Baghdad, Iraq fighting it. with nothing to in 2004. Direc­ go home to cre­ tor Kathryn ates a volatile Bigelow (Point Break) shows squad dynamic. it’s not a job for the faint of The movie doesn’t disap­ heart. The squad has to get point when it comes to the ac­ up close with improvised ex­ tion sequences. A long sniper plosive devices (IEDS), which duel leaves fans on the edges have been the trademark of their seats for what feels weapon of the insurgency in like an hour. Whenever Bra­ Iraq. vo Co. is disarming a bomb, The most surprising thing you’ll find yourself holding about the movie is that, rath­ your breath. er than focus on the larger What makes the action se­ political issues of the war, it quences so good is the sus­ focuses on the character of pense created by the lulls in the soldiers fighting it. Bravo action. When Bravo Co. is dis­ Co. is comprised of a three arming a bomb, they have to man team, including James, deal with the fact that anyone Sgt. J.T. Seaborn (played by around them could be trying to kill them. A man in civil­ ian clothes with a cell phone could detonate the bomb and kill them. The Hurt Locker doesn’t spared viewers any of the gore, and the end result of an IED is one of the goriest things you’ll ever see. Rennar's performance is superb. He goes through the full range of emotions from cocksure bomb disarmer to crying in the shower with his clothes on. Rennar’s charac­ ter is the most believable and the most unique action movie character I’ve ever seen. His bravado seems so real, but the movie reveals his very hu­ man side when he leaves the compound to try and find the killer of a young Iraqi boy. This movie is testosteronepacked. A perfect example is the time the squad spends behind the wire in the com­ pound. Drinking and wres­ tling in their time off quickly turns into a test to see who the “ultimate man” is. But like the rest of the movie, Bigelow turns the scene on its head. Hand-held camera shots create a shaky, gritty feel that works surprisingly well. The angles of the shots are in­ novative, often coming from the top or side to give you a different view of the action. Barry Ackroyd, director of photography, does an amaz­ ing job making the most of the Jordanian location, creat­ ing an interesting and believ­ able set. The movie is exhilarating at some points, depressing at others but doesn't have a boring moment. Don’t go to see the The Hurt Locker look­ ing for lighthearted summer fun but rather an interesting character study. �10 STREETVIBES September 1 - 14, 2009 Creative Writing Short Story A Series of Photographs A story told in images By MicHaeL Henson Contributing Writer A series of black-and-white photographs: set on the streets of a city. The streets are background, not in focus. But in each picture we discern a gray haze of old brick and old, cut stone. In some of the pictures, windows mirror the streets and the people who pass on them. In corners or in the distance, we see cars and buses. These are busy, daylight streets. They throb with poverty; they shimmer with human density. In the light around them, there is a hint of the sea. These photographs are all of the same person, a woman. In some, she appears to be almost a child. In others, she seems to be very old, very hard. She might be from these streets; she might have her home in some other place. Anything made clear in one picture is undone and redefined in the next. Her eyes in one look clear as water; in another, dark, swollen, eva­ sive. Below each eye is a thin gray moon. Bruises? Worry? Days without sleep? Drugs? Could we give those dark places a name or a history? She wears a pea coat. So the weather was cool when the pic­ tures were taken. But it was not winter. Some of the people walk by in light jackets. No one hunkers his shoulders against the hawk of a wind. No one blows into her hands for warmth. Something in the light says November. The light sandy grays in the walls and sidewalks contrast with her pea coat and the dark moons under her eyes. She stands at or near the center of each photograph, a clear darkness, painfully sharp against the background of streets, staircases, gangs of people, sign­ boards. In one picture, she leans back against a blank, brick wall. Her eyes gaze off camera, her dark hair falls loose to her shoul­ ders, her mouth is slightly open. Her tongue just touches her teeth as if she had just lost the word she would have spoken. Her hands at her sides are flattened against the wall. The pea coat is buttoned. Heavy, it makes her dark, breastless, a bell. Another: A torso shot. Still the same pea coat. Still the same streets surrounding. She stands against a wall covered with tattered bills and posters. Her face turns to her shoulder. Her eyes are cast to her left, and down. Her collar is open and we see the muscle and shadow in her neck. Her skin is smooth as stone, shadowed in the cheeks and eyes. Her long dark hair trails back, pulled perhaps by the wind; several strands and wisps go where they will. But for the coat with its dark, fraying collar and but for the dark and undisciplined wisp of hair that crosses her cheek, she could be taken for a museum marble. But the eyes are not the passive eyes of the museum woman. The brows cinch together in a knot. The eyes are sharp and determined; they brood and pierce. Another: she is wearing a wide, Kansas-girl straw hat. It frames her face like a ball of sun. Her face is open in a wide sunflower smile. The smile brings up the hollows under her eyes into wrinkles like an old woman or like a small child squinting into the light. The wall, her face, and her hands are full of light. Light dances under the hat. Light dances even against the darkness of her eyes. Her eager shoulders lean for­ ward. Her hands are folded around a coffee mug. The picture carries a sound of laughter. Another: The hat is gone; she embraces a child. Her arms cross the little girl’s back. The girl’s face is half-buried in the pea coat. The woman’s hair is tousled, roped-up, thick. One hank has fallen across her face and partially obscures it. But we still see her worried eyes. The gray moons are gone. Her brows, very black, flex together. Her lashes, very black, hang low. Her hair stretches across the face of the child like a raven’s broken wing. The action is not clear: Has she embraced the child? Has she staggered and fallen against her? Another: Alone: Freeze-frame: in profile: hatless, head back, her hair strung back over her shoulders. She holds a bottle of cheap wine aimed like a pistol to her mouth. Poetry La Raza Park By Lea Drury Under the Potrero Bridge I sleep beside Benny, Sprout and Bakkus and the French Canadian girls from Quebec. We were. We were with the ants and rats, near rabid homebums and FTRA – their death camps guarding us like bulldogs. And End: Less: Ly: pez automotives spill past the Cesar Chavez off-ramp, all lit-up like a drive-in, a movie screen, lights dancing a hummingbird’s frenzy: our Tent City. Sometimes the men in rubber. Armor the ones who found pleasure in salting slugs came. Like stealth black ooze over our Great wall – fondling their pistols in anticipation. They remember me that night. It was me penetrating them saying, “I Am a human. Being. I am your little Sister.” They were silent. A moment of silence. Cuba’s jaw was broken. Just. Like the Nortenos, I thought, no better were their own ways of demanding respect. Gentrification - a.k.a. Get the Fuck Out! By Dana Divine Out with the tired, old, poor, we want something easy on the eyes. How about a nice café, Maybe some upscale clothing shops. The people need better living conditions, I’m for some new condos (market rate of course!) Why don’t these people get their shit together, Pull themselves up from their bootstraps? Turn that frown upside down, make those lemons into lemonade. Try getting a goddamn job, make a contribution to society. This community is growing, expanding, we’re trying to rebuild and reinvent. We don’t want to kick people to the curb, maybe they can just scoot out of the way. Let’s not allow anyone to slow us down, change must be painless and quick. This world is forever changing, Only the strongest can keep up, it’s a Darwinian thing, the survival of the richest. There is no progress without casualties, it’s the American way by God! Nearly Lacerated by a Weed Whacker By D. H. KerBy Destitute, hungry, thirsty, With no bed to sleep in, Sleeping in streets Patrolled by soldiers Under martial law, Days after a coup d’état, Expecting money from my mother Through Western Union, Which refused to cooperate with me, Though Amy Goodman has reported That it cooperates with the CIA, I became, As I think anyone would under those cir­ cumstances, Obstreperous and even a little bellicose. Finally deciding that the Western Union office would not Be persuaded that I was to be funded, I lay down in front of the building, Intending to sleep there as a form of pro­ test. Here came the gardener with the weed whacker, Closer, closer and closer to my prostrate Body, clearly threatening to lacerate me; Ultimately, he drove me off. �STREETVIBES September 1 - 14, 2009 11 Vendor Voice I Tell of Two Cities More homeless in Atlanta, but more help in Cincinnati 1 By riccarDo tayLor StreetvibeS venDor nizations. Yet I am sure Atlanta’s city government is not as committed money-wise to their homeless population as Cincinnati. And as far as having voice in a political sense, there is only silence in the city of Atlanta. Homeless people in both cities depend greatly on individuals and organizations, i.e. churches, non-profit hu- with a larger homeless pop­ ulation that can be understood. However, I find that I believe most are aware Atlanta's shelters are less of the national homeless accommodating and less problems in America. And of attractive. Most are highly course it would be easy to be­ unsanitary compared to lieve that the larger the city, Cincinnati even that leaves the more people there would a lot to be desired. Cincin­ be in that situation. There­ nati has one-up on Atlanta fore, one would assume that in that area. Still, there are the larger the city, the more some in Atlanta in which resources there minimal comfort are for the home­ can be obtained. less right? Well, I Homeless people in both cities Generally, Atlan­ don't know what depend greatly on individuals and ta’s shelters are on the national sta­ organizations, i.e. churches, non-profit a first-come firsttistics are, but I humanitarian groups, etc.; and in street served basis, with can tell you my terms, these types of organizations are closing time at 7 personal experi­ a blessing for Atlanta’s misfortunate. pm. One is out be­ ence in two cities Cincinnati has more places that have tween 4 and 6 a.m., that face home­ full meal service than Atlanta. depending on the less problems. shelter, and in the This is not streets until admit­ meant to be an in-depth re­ manitarian groups, etc. and ting time, which is around port on the conditions or in street terms, these types of 4 p.m. There are no day a claim to know the exact organizations are a blessing centers in Atlanta. One has numbers of individuals who for Atlanta's misfortunate. to indulge in the universal are homeless. However, it is Cincinnati has more places ritual of street people – to meant to be an overview of that have full meal service keep on moving. the essential differences in than Atlanta. There are more Cincinnati has a public the way the homeless prob­ shelters in Atlanta but many bath house where home­ lem is dealt with in the cities do not either feed or offer less people can take care of Atlanta and Cincinnati. even a simple bowl of soup. of their hygienic needs My experiences with street This is in contrast to Cincin­ and change clothes. The life and homelessness in At­ nati, where one can get two shelters in both cities of­ Riccardo Taylor is a veteran vendor. Photo by Aimie Willhoite. lanta and Cincinnati are not full-course meals daily. Oth­ fer bathing facilities, but so much in the difference in erwise, private food sources clothing is a bit harder to its adherents as it is the com­ in Atlanta are churches and come by in Atlanta. The clos­ people simply cannot, such For those of our community munity responses to the situ­ individuals who pass out bag est thing to a public bath­ as the mentally ill, drug and faced with homelessness, ations, particularly within the lunches from their vehicles. house is the Gateway, a 24­ alcohol addicts, children and there are a few things we can local government. In Cincin­ On weekends, one must hour resource center. the elderly. When a commu­ be thankful for. I cannot give nati, I have seen few local stand in the many downstairs Many more of the home­ nity is faced with such a real­ a whole lot of praise for city demonstrations directed at parking lots where neighbors less in Atlanta sleep on the ity, then the government that government in enactments the local governments, such come to feed the people. streets than in Cincinnati. should be the first supporter, to ease the life of the home­ as marches and protests over Of course there are a few Of course, there are more of the first voice, the first lead in less, yet I know that we have the treatment of the home­ more feeding places in At­ them, but percentage-wise, working for a solution – and fewer enactments against us less as compared to Atlanta. lanta, but for the most part there are more sleeping on if not for the homeless, then than those in Atlanta. The In the year I spent in Atlanta they are inaccessible to many the streets as well. I suppose, never against. churches in both cities de­ from 2005-6, I witnessed three of the people who need them in part, it is the conditions, Cincinnati is blessed to serve praise, but what I be­ major events of protest by the or open only on particular rules and policies of Atlanta's have a homeless coalition lieve is the most distinguish­ homeless that were directed days. I do have a lot of praise shelters that make them less that is active and resourceful ing and optimal difference at the city government. It is for the churches for their part appealing than those in Cin­ in the fight to bring equality is our homeless coalition – a my opinion that the home­ in feeding the people. It's cinnati. Whatever the reason amongst its citizenry. Atlan­ group of concerned citizens less plight is one that Atlan­ just my observation that in might be, Atlanta has more tans in the same predica­ and organizations who care ta's city government tries to Cincinnati you have a better cardboard shantytowns than ment have no outside voice, and get involved to make a ignore for the most part. I can chance of obtaining a regu­ Cincinnati. they have no coalition and difference. say that one particular entity, lar balanced diet if you are I believe that an individual find themselves often at the Gateway Resource Center, homeless. should be responsible for mercy of political whims or is backed somewhat by City Again, Atlanta has more his own welfare, yet many the graces of some church or Hall with several other orga­ shelters than Cincinnati, and instances show that some other religious organization. No to Socialism, No to Right Wing But that’s not at stake in health-care reform By jennifer BLaLocK Contributing Writer As the conversation about universal health coverage heats up, the word “social­ ism” is being tossed about like a contagious disease to be avoided. Do you believe that America could embrace socialism? Would greater gov­ ernment involvement to pro­ vide health insurance to all citizens lead us down a slip­ pery slope into socialism? When I see protesters holding signs saying, “No to Socialism,” I wonder what they’re saying “no” to. What do they mean by “socialism”? Men and women at town halls across the country are visibly shaking with emotion and anger, fearful that our coun­ try will succumb to it. The American Heritage Dictionary of Cultural Literacy defines socialism as “an eco­ nomic system in which the production and distribution of goods are controlled sub­ stantially by the government rather than by private enter­ prise and in which coopera­ tion rather than competition guides economic activity.” There is a wide variety or continuum of socialist beliefs and practices ranging from tolerating capitalism to more strict “communist” versions that abolish private enter­ prise. The definition doesn’t clearly delineate the differ­ ences between socialism and free enterprise – it begs the question: How much govern­ ment control, cooperation or competition should guide economic activity? What is “substantial” or too much control? In America, we’re not a 100 percent laissez-faIre, free en­ terprise system – we’ve been debating the pros and cons of government control since the inception of our republic. For the protesters and conserva­ tive commentators, their un­ derlying issue seems to be the standard “big government vs. small government” argument wrapped in a fear-laced pack­ age implying that, if we don’t get it right, down the slippery slope we’ll go, falling into plague-infested waters with the implication that social­ ism will destroy the fabric of our nation. I lived in France for eight years, was married to a Frenchman and learned through experience and ob­ servation how socialism de­ fines and influences a society. France isn’t officially a so­ cialist country; it’s a republic with close ties to the birth of socialism and a strong social­ ist party (the Parti Socialiste). See Socialism, p. 14 �12 Vendor Profile STREETVIBES September 1 - 14, 2009 Generous Patrons by the YMCA Some ‘Streetvibes’ customers buy more than one copy By jereMy fLannery Contributing Writer Streetvibes vendor Tyrone “Terry” Ranson boasts about some of his generous custom­ ers. A Cincinnati Police officer from District One buys a copy from Ranson twice a week. A customer at the YMCA buys seven or eight copies of the same issue on different days. “He’ll say, ‘Hey Terry, let me get another copy of Streetvibes,’ Ranson says. “So I’ll say, ‘You already bought three,’ and he’ll say, ‘OK, I’ll just give it to someone else.’ ” Ranson sells Streetvibes to pay rent, bills and buy gro­ ceries, he says. “Sales are slowly picking up,” he says. “I’m making my way to paying rent on time along with getting groceries and other necessities.” Ranson also sells the news­ paper to regain the commer­ cial towing license he lost in 2005. He has been a vendor for almost a year and usually sells at the YMCA on Central Parkway to various regular customers. “You get to meet a lot of people through selling,” Ranson says. “That’s what I like most about it – meeting people and making friends. You’ll meet people that’ll talk to you for five or 10 minutes, and people that just don’t want to talk. Some people you just Terry Ranson uses his ‘Streetvibes’ earnings to pay rent and buy groceries. Photo by Bill Haigh. got to feel your way around them. There will be people that’ll give you $5 for one paper or people that’ll buy a bunch at once.” Ranson was homeless for three years and stayed at the Drop-Inn Center until Octo- ber 2008, he says. He moved into his apartment in Overthe-Rhine in November. “Being at the Drop-Inn Center was tough because there were set times – when it was time to eat, when it was time to watch TV and Crossword when it was time to sleep,” he says. “You would have to go outside for certain activities like smoking a cigarette, of course, or to go to the Med Van. But, you know, it’s better than nothing.” Ranson, 54, has lived in Cincinnati all his life and has been sober for 21 years, he says. He has two granddaugh­ ters whom he visits whenever possible. He also tries to help other vendors through emo­ tional difficulties when he can, he says. Sudoku across 1. Stays 4. Brand 8. Ottoman Empire (7,6) 13. Lots 14. Shut in 15. Minor role 16. Stay too long 18. Lascivious 19. Ruptured 21. Female name 23. As well 27. Thoroughfare 31. Swordsman 33. Resort lake 34. Tall palm tree 35. Piece of news 36. Security operative (5,8) 37. Cold-shoulder 38. Contraction of need not Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 through 9. DoWn 2. Harsh 3. Installment 5. Lure 6. Sand and cement 7. To do with religious study 9. City in central New York 10. Recognized 11. Troublesome person 12. Knowledgeable about 17. Yeah 20. Owns 22. Thing 24. Spiking 25. Polluted air 26. Expression of discomfort 28. Curse 29. Mild warning 30. Website 32. Helicopter feature The fundamental goal of a Sudoku puzzle is to use the provid­ ed numbers, or givens, to discover which numbers logically fill in the empty squares. The only rule of Sudoku is that each of the nine rows, each of the nine columns, and each of the nine 3x3 subsections must contain all of the numbers from one to nine, and each number consequently can occur in each row, column and subsection only once. Solutions on Page 15 �STREETVIBES September 1 - 14, 2009 13 Editorial Stop Snitching, for Justice’s Sake How over incarceration contributed to the stop-snitching movement By suHitH WicKreMa Contributing Writer Paul Butler, a former federal prosecutor, in his book, Let’s Get Free, writes, “Sometimes Earlier this year my daugh­ the most patriotic act is not ter, Angela and her boyfriend to help the police.” bought a house in Roselawn. Of course, there are people At a belated Fathers Day who support Angela’s phi­ brunch, Angela losophy, including shared that she had Hamilton Coun­ wanted to call the In 1975 ty Coroner, Dr. police on the “dope the annual O’dell Owens. A boys” hanging incarceration few years ago Ow­ around the street rate in this ens arrived at the corner. Her boy­ country scene of a drive-by friend protested. was about shooting in North He said that calling 110 people Fairmount. About the police would be for every 200 neighbors had snitching. 100,000 in the gathered. No wit­ I was impressed population. nesses were step­ with him, a firstToday it is ping forward to year law student. 751. help the police. I was somewhat Owens stood in surprised at An­ front of the crowd gela. Was this evidence that and bellowed, “Who’s going her MBA had more influence to stand up?” on her than my parenting? I In a 60 Minutes interview mused that, even in the best about snitching, Geoffrey of circumstances stepfathers Canada, a social activist and have limited influence on CEO of the Harlem Children’s their step kids, and consoled Zone, lamented, “When I was myself. growing up, kids used to talk Angela’s boyfriend was in about snitching. It never ex­ good company. James Duane, tended as a cultural norm a law professor at Regent Law outside the gangsters. It was School, in a public lecture ti­ not for regular citizens. It is tled, “Don’t Talk to the Police,” now a cultural norm that is states, “I will never talk to any being preached in poor com­ police officer under any cir­ munities.” cumstances.” Duane tells the How did not snitching go story of Eddie Joe Lloyd, who from being a code among had written to the police, criminals to a norm among suggesting how to solve sev­ some law-abiding citizens? eral murders. Lloyd was con­ What changed from the time victed of committing one of Canada was growing up in those murders. After spend­ the 1960s and early 1970s to ing 17 years in prison, DNA now? evidence exonerated him. One reason might be the Interested in volunteering with Streetvibes? Contact Greg Flannery at 513-421-7803 x 12 or by e-mail at streetvibes2@ yahoo.com over-use of incarceration and its ineffectiveness. In 1975 the annual incarceration rate in this country was about 110 people for every 100,000 in the population. Today it is 751. The National Crime Victimization Survey reports stable rates of violent crimes since 1973. We have locked up more and more people over the past 30 years. However, we have not seen a reduction in the number of crime vic­ tims. This is ample evidence that our criminal justice sys­ tem is broken. Prison enthusiasts argue that harsh prison sentenc­ es and mass incarceration act as deterrence to people committing crimes: “If we increase the cost of commit­ ting a crime, people will stop committing crimes.” This was New York Gov. Nelson Rocke­ feller’s thinking in 1973 when he enacted the harsh manda­ tory laws against drug deal­ ers and users. This was the same thinking by U.S. House Speaker Tip O’Neill in 1986 when he supported harsher sentences for crack-cocaine dealers and users compared to sentences for users and dealers of powder cocaine. The problem with this theory is that criminals don’t do a cost-benefit analysis before committing a crime. Over-policing and exces­ sive incarceration of drug dealers might even contribute to more young people getting involved in the drug trade. As long as there is a stable demand for drugs, there will be enterprising young people willing to meet this demand. When the police arrest a drug dealer, there will be another to take his place. Criminolo­ gists call this the “replace­ ment effect.” Most inmates in state prisons tend to come from a handful of neighborhoods. This means that, in certain neighborhoods, almost all the residents might know someone who is in prison or has been in prison. At the same time people in these neighborhoods have not ex­ perienced a reduction in vic­ timization. Life experience has taught them that talking to the police does not help. Residents in high-crime areas do not need statistical data or criminological concepts to know that the current crimi­ nal justice policy is not work­ ing. So why cooperate with a broken system? Why talk to the police? Not talking to the police has become an act of passive resistance. “All men recognize the right of revolution – that is, the right to refuse allegiance to, and to resist, the govern­ ment when its tyranny or its inefficiency are great and unendurable.”- Henry David Thoreau “We got over two million motherfuckers locked up. Stop snitchin’”- Hip-hop art­ ist Ice Cube With more than two mil­ lion of my fellow citizens in prisons, I see the act of not cooperating with the police as an act of civil disobedi­ ence. I hope you join me. �14 STREETVIBES September 1 - 14, 2009 Local News No to Socialism (continued from page 11) Reader Survey Dear Readers, Over the last year, we have worked hard to improve the content, design and overall program of Streetvibes. We would greatly appreciate you taking the time to fill out this brief reader survey. We value your feedback and opinions. Please return your survey to 117 E. 12th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. You may also e-mail your responses to streetvibeslayout@gmail.com. If you have other information or comments please feel free to let us know when you return your survey. Thank you, Gregory Flannery Editor People tape posters featuring altered photos of President Barack Obama to a table at a town hall in California. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok The French enjoy health care for ev- example, when I shared the idea that eryone, decent job security and state- in America the quality of a school is paid education but businesses also normally determined by the wealth endure a high degree of regulation, of a neighborhood or city, my French which I believe diminishes competi- friends were shocked and disgusted. tion and entrepreneurism. For them, money should never deterBased on my experience, I, too, say mine the opportunity to have a qual­ “no” to socialism but don’t feel the ity education. least bit threatened by it as we debate Thanks to our history, we’re allabout health-care reform. First, it’s not a “manifest destiny” and the “American dreaded disease – it has merits for the dream” – an ideology that is our greatpeople it serves; it is congruent with est export. Have you ever heard of the their value system. Second, in Ameri- French dream? How about the Dutch ca, our culture would never embrace dream? The possibility of the Ameri­ the ideology or values that support can dream is deeply embedded in our socialist governments. collective consciousness, and I beSocialism is broadly defined as an lieve it vaccinates us from becoming “economic system” but from a prac- a socialist nation. tical perspective, I argue that socialFrance has an excellent health-care ist practices thrive in a country like system but also has significant conFrance because it’s a system of gov- trols over commerce. For example, the ernment that French governmakes sense ment decides the to the people. For socialism to work, hours of business When viewed there has to be a greater operation, who within their hisvalue placed on equality can be open on torical and culand fraternity than on the Sunday or when tural context, it’s individualism that is so a store can have no mystery that prevalent in the States. a sale. Amazon. the French culcom in France ture readily emwas sued by the braces their brand of socialism. French Booksellers Union for offering The modern French Republic free shipping to customers because emerged after the bloody French it created an “unfair” advantage and Revolution (1789-1799), which deci- Amazon chose to pay 1,000 euros a mated the longstanding monarchy. day rather than change its policy. The founding principles are “Liberty, Those who are not realizing the Equality and Fraternity.” In 19th- American dream, who are underem­ century Europe, socialist philosophy ployed, uninsured and falling through emerged in part in reaction to the the social safety net might yearn for a perceived ills of the Industrial Revo- more responsive, empathetic or so­ lution – it threatened their primary cialist government but I don’t think values. we could ever emulate the European The founding principles of our re- models. One needs to appreciate the public are “Life, Liberty and the Pur- complex weave of inner values, histo­ suit of Happiness.” There is a huge ry and cultural context. For every perdifference between America’s history ceived advantage of the French brand – fighting off colonialism, creating of socialism, I could provide many a federation of 50 states, building a examples of how the system does not market system – and a country like work (for me, an American). France. We, too, reacted to industrialWould a public option that would ism by creating regulations and laws provide health insurance to everyone such as the Child Labor Act; but we lead us down the road to socialism? didn’t adopt socialism. I don’t think so. Debating the adBelieve me, we don’t think or oper- vantages and disadvantages of govate like French people. We might val- ernment control is productive and ue similar ideas (i.e., family is prima- essential but when the threat of so­ ry, wine is good) but our cultural DNA cialism is used to incite fear, the abil­ circulating is markedly different. For ity to substantively debate the issues socialism to work, there has to be a disappears. I say “no” to vitriolic fear greater value placed on equality and tactics. fraternity than on the individualism that is so prevalent in the States. For Why do you buy Streetvibes? Where do you buy Streetvibes? What do you like most about Streetvibes? What do you like least about Streetvibes? What would you like to see in Streetvibes that isn’t in the paper now? Gender: (circle) Age: (circle) Income: (circle) Male Under 18 40 – 49 Less than $10,000 Female 19 – 29 50 – 59 $10,000 - $14,999 30 – 39 60 + $15,000 - $24,999 $25,000 - $34,999 Race: (circle all that apply) African American/ Black $35,000 - $49,999 Pacific Islander $50,000 - $69,999 White $70,000 and above Asian Hispanic Other: _____________________ Don’t forget to send us your survey. 117 E. 12th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 or streetvibeslayout@gmail.com �STREETVIBES September 1 - 14, 2009 15 Resources Need Help or Want to Help? Shelter: Women and Children Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 FreeStore/FoodBank 241-1064 Health Resource Center Homeless Mobile Health Van McMicken Dental Clinic 357-4602 352-2902 352-6363 Mental Health Access Point Mercy Franciscan at St. John 558-8888 981-5800 NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach 458-6670 977-4489 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 Central Access Point Cincinnati Union Bethel 381-SAFE 768-6907 Bethany House 557-2873 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 Salvation Army 762-5660 Treatment: Men 872-9259 Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 DIC Live In Program Prospect House 721-0643 921-1613 Starting Over 961-2256 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter Shelter: Men City Gospel Mission 1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 241-5525 Justice Watch 241-0490 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Mt. Airy Shelter 661-4620 Shelter: Both 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 3600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 St. Vincent de Paul 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 562-8841 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45202 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Other Resources Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center 241-2600 241-2563 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 Goodwill industries Healing Connections Mary Magdalen House 771-4800 751-0600 721-4811 People Working Cooperatively The Caring Place United Way Women Helping Women 351-7921 631-1114 211 977-5541 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 214 E. 14th St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Treatment: Women First Step Home 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 961-4663 Treatment: Both 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Anthony House (Youth) 961-4080 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 AA Hotline CCAT Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 Interfaith Hospitality Network Lighthouse Youth Center (Youth) 471-1100 221-3350 Hamilton County ADAS Board Recovery Health Access Center Sober Living Talbert House 946-4888 281-7422 681-0324 641-4300 Hamilton/Middletown Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 Northern Kentucky Brighton Center 859-491-8303 Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 721-4700 421-7803 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS 579-8547 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 2728 Glendora Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45209 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 3330 Jefferson, Cinti, Ohio 45220 Housing: CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 Tender Mercies 721-8666 Tom Geiger House Dana Transitional Bridge Services Volunteers of America 961-4555 751-0643 381-1954 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Food/Clothing Lord’s Pantry OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 621-5300 961-1983 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 St. Francis Soup Kitchen 535-2719 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 351-0422 381-6672 Advocacy 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Health Center for Respite Care 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry 799 Ann St. Newport, KY 863-3184 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 621-1868 Puzzle Solutions �16 Column STREETVIBES September 1 - 14, 2009 Using Art to Build Understanding Jeff Casto’s work documents and focuses on the spiritual dimension 1 “I grew up in a small town in rural West Virginia,” says Jeff Casto. “Art was not part of my daily existence there, however, and as early as I can remember, I had a kind of exotic attraction to art; and whenever offered in grade or high school, I really absorbed it and wanted more and more of it.” Casto, who holds a bachelor of fine arts de­ gree in painting from the Art Academy of Cincinnati and a master of fine arts degree from the University of Cincin­ nati, creates constructed 3-D paintings and sculptures with found objects – discarded material, scraps and re­ cycled junk parts. His pieces are a metaphor for his gen­ eral approach to art, recreating his own world in order to communicate his views and messages. Casto’s work addresses a variety of social, political, en­ vironmental and personal topics, often in a metaphor­ ic, poetic and whimsical way. When addressing racism, sexism and homophobia, for instance, he constructed a six-foot-tall sculpture representing a giant skyscraper, a metaphor for an isolating tower, with slang, slurs and derogatory words on its walls and a large heart made of stone inside it. Some viewers reacted negatively to the words, prompting thinking and awareness of reality. His social interest started as a child seeing a lot of un­ fairness even in the most privileged places. When he first came to Cin­ cinnati for col­ lege, Casto was shocked to see a man sleeping in a car for sev­ as eral days. He later realized that this wasn’t By Dr. saaD gHosn an isolated in- Contributing Writer stance and that ‘Folly of the Fearful,’ by Jeff Casto. Photo by Saad Ghosn. many people in the city didn’t have homes. He encountered poverty in many places and became in­ creasingly aware of the many social and political problems facing Casto based Folly of the Fearful on Aesop’s fable, “The Bald Man society. and the Flies,” in which a man attacked by flies hurts his head by Creating powerful images with a strong visual impact, Casto uses swatting at them. Casto saw an analogy between the moral of the his art to tell a story, to communicate and move the viewer. Art is an fable and the might-oriented, fear-based, military answer to the soessential and important part of his daily life, cathartic in its making, called threat of “terrorism.” Instead of intelligently analyzing and but also communicative of his concerns, hopes and fears. He wants addressing the root causes of the problem, Bush’s response was his art to make a statement and trigger change. based on fear and overuse of power –detrimental and self-injuri­ “I want my art to express messages with relevance today and to­ ous, as proven in the Iraq war. morrow, a human relevance, things that keep resonating a hundred To convey his message, Casto con­ years from now,” he says. “I want my art to bring about a greater structed his piece like a home interior. understanding of our world and contribute to its betterment.” He used an inverted exterior window “My dream is to live in a harmonious, Casto’s construction painting, Folly of the Fearful, was a response frame as an allegory for a world turned peaceful and just to the fear-mongering climate following the September 2001 ter­ upside-down and put in its center, society where negative rorist attacks and what he thought was the short-sightedness and constructed from discarded objects, issues would not need self righteousness of the Bush administration’s reaction. the large figure of a frightened metallic to be addressed in cowboy surrounded and art.” - Jeff Casto attacked by mosqui­ toes and flies. The man stands tall, displaying his strength, much bigger than his opponents; but in reality, very vulnerable, not knowing how to deal with them; he ends up hurting himself more. In the background, Casto added a clock, a metaphor for fleeting time and a reminder of the need for a quick change in approach. “My dream is to live in a harmonious, peaceful and just society where negative issues would not need to be addressed in art,” he says. “Art then, in­ stead of fighting the material, would address, docu­ ment and focus on the spiritual, on what I consider is the real important dimension of humankind.” Casto’s art is an intricate component of his daily living, reflecting his views and his philosophy of life. To paraphrase Andre Maurois, the renowned French novelist, it is his “effort to create beside the real world a more human world.” A rtists ctivists Jeff Casto. Photo by Bill Howes. Artists as Activists is a regular column highlighting Greater Cincinnati artists whose work focuses on political and social issues. Dr. Saad Ghosn is the director of pathology and laboratory medicine at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2009 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 1-14, 2009 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Slavery Exists in Cincinnati Today Pg 2: The Vibe Pg 3: Slavery Exists in Cincinnati Today Pg 4: Trapped: Solitary Confinement Pg 5: Trapped: Solitary Confinement Continued Pg 6: The Ego Tunnel and the Dumbass Pg 7: Homeless Families Finish First Pg 8: City Layoffs Cause a Fury Pg 9: Bombs Without, Explosives Within Pg 10: Arts & Poetry Pg 11: I Tell of Two Cities Pg 12: Generous Patrons by the YMCA Pg 13: Stop Snitching, for Justice’s Sake Pg 14: No to Socialism Continued Pg 15: Resources Pg 16: Using Art to Build Understanding Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 1-14, 2009 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Gregory Flannery Lynne Ausman Jeni Jenkins Lew Moores Dave Scharfenberger Margo Pierce Paul Kopp, Jeremy Flannery Michael Henson David Heitfield Alecia Lott Larry Gross Stephanie Dunlap Saad Ghosn Will Kirschner Ariana Shahandeh Jennifer Blalock Dan LaBotz Ranjit Rege Aimie Willhoite George Ellis Jeni Jenkins Rev. Joe Folzenlogen Jim Montgomery Anthony Williams Berta Lambert Jennifer Blalock Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Activists Aimie Willhoite Alecia Lott Anthony Williams Ariana Shahandeh Art Arts & Poetry Atlanta Berta Lambert Cincinnati Dan LaBotz Dave Scharfenberger David Heitfield George Ellis Gregory Flannery Human Trafficking Incarceration Jeff Casto Jeni Jenkins Jennifer Blalock Jeremy Flannery Jim Montgomery Larry Gross Lew Moores Lynne Ausman Margo Pierce Michael Henson Paul Kopp Ranjit Rege Rev. Joe Folzenlogen Saad Ghosn Slavery Socialism Solitary Confinement Stephanie Dunlap Streetvibes Will Kirschner YMCA https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/eeb603a892a23f4b0cc230dfdf524623.pdf 74fe47996510ea6dd1ff9324deef5276 PDF Text Text Hope, Health Care, Sloppy Joes School Bored Page 6 ‘Homeless’ Millionaire Page 10 Page 3 STREETVIBES $1 August 15-31, 2009 • Advocating Justice, Building Community • Issue 159 Celebrating This Thing We Do Street-paper conference shares ideas for improvement and growth 1 ‘Streetvibes’ staff and volunteers along with representatives from 20 other street papers in North America attended the 2009 NASNA Conference in Denver, Colo. Photo courtesy of NASNA. Staff report Denver, Colo. – The North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) held its annual conference July 30-Aug. 2 at the University of Denver. Forty-two people from 18 different organiza­ tions attended. The conference, hosted by the Denver VOICE, was both a celebration of the burgeoning street-paper very poor and movement “It is very gratifying to have this story the wider pub­ and an op­ recognized in this way because it goes lic by helping portunity for to the very heart of what we do – we who people to un­ participants work for street newspapers and care about derstand the to share ideas people who are homeless, marginalized, issues and the for improving disenfranchised and so often despised.” personal sto­ their editorial - Gregory Flannery ries of those content, ven­ on the lowest dor programs rung of the and fundraising. ing the conversation around economic ladder,” said Andy “Street newspapers across poverty and homelessness by Freeze, executive director of North America are chang­ building a bridge between the NASNA. Freeze is the former education coordinator for the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. The coalition, which pub­ lishes Streetvibes, sent four staff members and contrib­ uting writer Margo Pierce to the conference. Pierce, a 2009 Peter Jennings Fellow, was one of two presenters at a workshop on the theme, “The See Celebrate, p. 9 First the Banks, Now the Rest of Us Federal Reserve officials hear victims of housing crisis By Dave ScharfenBerger Contributing Writer Last year, in a plan de­ signed by the Department of Treasury and the Federal Reserve, the federal govern­ ment, bailed out major banks in this country. Yet home fore­ closures are still rising and communities are reporting more vacant properties Federal Reserve officials came to Cincinnati July 21 for a meeting sponsored by Work­ ing in Neighborhoods (WIN) and Communities United for Action. Community leaders and homeowners packed the room to get answers about their mortgages and the va­ cant houses that blight their neighborhoods. Mary Bridges of Kennedy Heights was one of the resi­ dents who went to the hear­ ing looking for answers. When she and her husband refinanced their home several years ago, they ended up with an adjustable-rate mortgage. Her mortgage payment has jumped from $824 to $1,500 a month. Last year her husband died, and Bridges lost her job. She is now facing foreclosure and is asking for a plan to help her keep the home where she has lived for 19 years “I think that my mortgage company can do better,” she said at the hearing. “I like my home and my neighborhood. There has to be some hope out there. I cannot get my mortgage company to work with me.” Bridges was one of many who attended the meeting with Fed officials to tell their stories of the horrors of lend­ ing practices and the effects of foreclosures. Others complained about the number of foreclosed, vacant properties in their neighborhood. “The house next door to me is vacant,” said Pat Hendricks of North College Hill. “Behind me is a vacant house. Two doors up from me is vacant, the corner house is vacant and the house around the See Banks, p. 5 Marilyn Evans, executive director of CUFA, talks to Federal Reserve officials about expanding the Community Reinvestment Act. Photo by Rev. Joe Fozenlogen. �2 The Vibe By The Numbers Streetwise By gregory flannery editor 8,000 the number of police hours spent enforcing the city’s marijuana ordinance (See page 13.) 10 the number of community meetings called by the Federal Reserve (See page 1.) 6,373 Freecycle’s Cincinnati membership (See page 8.) 13 the number of years Jason Haap has been teaching (See page 6.) 300 the size of Grailville’s acreage (See page 14.) 6 the size in ounces of terrorist toothpaste (See page 2.) 18 the number of years Anthony volunteered at the Over-the-Rhine Kitchen (See page 4.) 175 the number of vendors selling the Denver VOICE (See page 5.) 116:8 James Brown’s favorite verse in Psalms (See page 6.) 6 the hour at which Dan La Botz had breakfast in Sacramento (See page 11.) 1989 the year Rick Barnes started working in downtown Denver. (See page 2.) Keeping Us Safe from Terrorist Toothpaste I was packing a six-ounce tube of Close Up toothpaste when I tried to board a flight at Day­ ton International Airport July 30. But the vigilant staff of the U.S. Department of Fatherland Se­ curity was on to me. They knew exactly what I was up to, and they disarmed me. Lest we forget, we live under an orange terrorism alert; and no liquids, aerosols or gels in quantities greater than three ounces may be transported in carry-on luggage on commercial airlines. It is well established that terrorists need at least four ounces of toothpaste to take down a jetliner. Five people from Streetvibes attended the annual conference of the North American Street Newspaper Association in Denver, and our experiences with airline security point to the inan­ ity of the rules that now govern air travel: • One of my colleagues forgot that she had a canister of pepper spray in her carry-on bag. The X-ray machine at the Dayton Airport failed to detect it. All her dentifrices, however, were within the rules, and we landed safely. • Another colleague had illegal contact-lens solution in her carry-on bag. Bad enough that it was a four-ounce container. More shocking still was the fact that she had placed the liquid in a gallon-size plastic bag, even though the rules clearly specify quart-size bags. Fatherland Security, however, waved her right onto the plane. • In May, I boarded a plane in Cincinnati, stopped in the Detroit International Airport, then in Amsterdam on my way to Bergen, Norway. The flight home took me the same route. At each checkpoint, I took from my pants pocket a Zippo lighter given me by my son several years ago. No problem. In Dayton, however, Fatherland Security decided that the very same lighter was as dangerous as my toothpaste and confiscated it. When I asked if I could retrieve the keepsake upon my return from Denver, I was informed that I had lost it forever. That little business of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – no person shall “be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law” – seems to have fallen by the wayside. Not to worry, though. Another colleague, a savvier traveler than I, told me how to fool the system. Having bought a disposable lighter in Denver, I stuck it inside a shoe in my carry-on bag. The X-ray machine in Denver didn’t catch it. Using this method, I could have bought a huge tube of toothpaste and smuggled it home, but I made my point by not brushing my teeth for several days. I figured the Fatherland Security staff had earned the bad breath to which I exposed them before boarding the flight home. The Streets – and the Law – Are Unforgiving In recent weeks two Streetvibes vendors encountered the cruel reality of homelessness in Cincinnati. One man found himself in need of a toilet late one night. With no public facilities available, he did what any human being would do: he urinated in an alley. Cincinnati Police caught him, cited him and he had to pay a $104 fine. Streetvibes vendors make 75 cents for each copy of Streetvibes that they sell. This infraction meant he had to sell 138 copies of the paper just to relieve himself. Kenneth Stonitsch had a more serious run-in with the law. He was sleeping on the third floor of an abandoned building on Wade Street when the police showed up July 24. “They were trying to get my attention but I couldn’t hear them,” Stonitsch says. “I’m almost deaf, and I was on the third floor. The next thing I knew, I woke up and a dog was in the room. There were four cops in there. They said something, and the dog bit me several times on the right leg. I was in pain pretty bad. All they had to do was tell me to get up and leave. They didn’t have to put the dog on me. It was pretty painful – humiliating, too.” Next thing he knew, Stonitsch was facing a felony charge of burglary and the prospect of a prison sentence. “You’re going to put a felony on me for being homeless?” he says. “Now I’m looking at one to five years in the penitentiary.” A Hamilton County grand jury fortunately saw the issue in a different light, passing over the burglary charge and indicting him instead on the misdemeanor charge of trespassing. The case is still pending. Letter To The Editor To the editor: I was shocked recently on a Sunday in July after coming back from a Poor People’s Confer­ ence in Louisville and needing an emergency bathroom stop because of a stomach virus. My friend John drove me to the Drop Inn Center after getting back to Cincinnati, and a staff person that afternoon refused to allow me to use the bathroom at the Drop. I barely made it to the White castle on Central Parkway to use their bathroom, and thanks to John. I am in complete support that agencies and businesses should allow people to use the bathroom with dignity. Right on, Lynne Ausman! (See “Justice, Toilets and Bill Cunningham,” issue of Aug. 1-14.) A Former Homeless Person in Cincinnati (Editor’s note: The Drop Inn Center now requires all non-resident visitors to show identification. This could explain the writer’s difficulty during his visit.) STREETVIBES August 15 - 31, 2009 Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by people who are or once were homeless, in exchange for a $1 donation, Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Address: 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513.421.7803 x 12 Fax: 513.421.7813 Email: streetvibes2@ yahoo.com Website: www. cincihomeless.org Blog: streetvibes. wordpress.com Streetvibes Staff Editor Gregory Flannery Art Director Lynne Ausman Vendor Coordinator Jeni Jenkins Contributing Writers Lew Moores, Dave Scharfenberger, Margo Pierce, Paul Kopp, Jeremy Flannery, Michael Henson, David Heitfield, Alecia Lott, Larry Gross, Stephanie Dunlap, Angela Pancella, Will Kirschner, Ariana Shahandeh, Elizabeth Heath, Dan LaBotz, Jason Haap Photography/Artwork Aimie Willhoite, Lynne Ausman, George Ellis, Jeni Jenkins, Rev. Joe Folzenlogen, Jim Montgomery, Anthony Williams, Berta Lambert Proofreaders Jennifer Blalock Ranjit Rege The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati through coordination of services, public education, grassroots advocacy and Streetvibes. We are members of: �STREETVIBES August 15 - 31, 2009 Column 3 Eight Minutes with a ‘Homeless’ Millionaire How a finance guy befriended the homeless and gave them a newspaper and hope By Margo pierce Contributing Writer were politicians, and Barnes was appalled. “All of these city ordinance started getting passed about no feedings, can’t sleep out, to urinate in public was a sex of­ fence. At the same time Mayor (John W.) Hickenlooper won an award – all mayors nation­ wide were up for it – for his homeless campaign. The first thing that came to my mind was the hypocrisy: He wins this award and they’re pass­ ing all these ordinances that make it illegal to be home­ less. The amount of hypoc­ risy is just disgusting. People going to church every Sunday but not practicing what’s be­ ing preached to them – I just wonder if people go to church and hear anything. “About 80 percent of the panhandlers were wheelchair-bound. What I found out was that these were all people on disability, but that disability doesn’t pay your bills. When you’re on dis­ ability, you can make other income; but if your other in­ come exceeds a certain level, then you lose your disability. It’s a crock, a catch 22.” Barnes was fired up and happy to support the original Denver VOICE with a month­ ly donation when the paper fell on hard times. But after 10 years, the paper closed its doors in 2006. Described as “a grassroots newspaper cre­ ated in large part by homeless people for homeless people” by the paper’s Web site, the Denver VOICE got a second chance from Barnes, who took it over in 2007. The guy holding the door wore a yellow baseball cap with a cowboy riding a horse stitched on it, a lime-green T-shirt, cargo shorts and flipflops. People were trickling in and he just stood there, hold­ ing the door. It was a beauti­ ful Saturday afternoon and he was in no hurry. He seemed content to stand there all day if asked. There was no hint of arrogance or impatience, the tell-tale signs most people equate with a millionaire, and I had no idea I just walked past the man who rescued the Denver VOICE from oblivion. Rick Barnes is the guy oth­ ers will hold the door for in hopes of getting a few mo­ ments of his time. As the pres­ ident and CEO of six financial companies hired by likes of Merrill Lynch and Citi Group Rick Barnes is the publisher of the Denver VOICE and on the board of the North to sell some of their “mort­ American Street Newspaper Association. Photo by Lynne Ausman. gage platforms,” he’s the kind of man who could easily ig­ City Hall hasn’t panned out can get by having a homeless tion, I don’t believe people nore the homeless woman in the way he anticipated. The paper versus just handing out have to be taught to take care the wheelchair on the corner new Denver VOICE, which put 20s all day long on the street of their neighbor, especially in favor of the eager suits fol­ out its first edition in August corner, the impact on the if somebody is really, really, lowing in his wake. But he 2007, focuses on arts and hu­ consequences are so much really fortunate,” he said. “So doesn’t. man-interest better.” why does somebody who’s “I’m born features that With the rise of laws tar­ really, really fortunate have and raised “I’m the type of guy who will throw 20s out to aren’t printed geting homeless people, it’s to be taught that they should in Denver, a panhandler. I don’t care if they go shoot it. I a n y w h e r e difficult to understand how take care of the guy that’s less so I have don’t care if they go drink it. I don’t care if they else, but not a person in a business that fortunate? That part will al­ w o rk e d go eat it or go buy a pair of socks, whatever.” a c t i v i s m . trades heavily on reputation ways confuse me. downtown - Rick Barnes That’s OK would take the risk of getting “Looking at it from a pure since 1989,” with Barnes involved with such an un­ business perspective, I think he said. “I’m because the popular cause. Barnes offered I can completely remove my­ the type of guy who will throw “I get this paper … then it economic impact for the a simple explanation. self from any contributions 20s out to a panhandler. I dawned on me that I didn’t vendors is where he sees the “Because it’s right,” he said. to the paper after the 36th don’t care if they go shoot it. know one person that had biggest bang for his philan­ “In my heart I feel like you’re month. I don’t care if they go drink it. any journalism background,” thropic buck. supposed to take care of the “To me that seems like a I don’t care if they go eat it or he said. “I had no idea how “In the month of August homeless, and you’re sup­ pretty simple model; if peo­ go buy a pair of socks, what­ to secure funding for it, and 2008, the Democratic Nation­ posed to take care of the poor ple can’t find beauty in that ever. From a spiritual per­ the answer is there is no way. al Convention was in Denver and you’re supposed to feed model from a business per­ spective, I felt like it was none There’s no one out there that … we sold 17,000 copies,” he the hungry and you’re sup­ spective, then you can’t find of my business. If somebody wants to back a paper for the said. “And this is when I start­ posed to clothe the naked. I beauty in a field of flowers. was asking for help, I’d extend homeless. I wasn’t in a posi­ ed looking for feedback. Most just believe it.” You can’t tell me that the city a helping hand. tion to afford it, so I borrowed vendors average $2 a paper. Barnes is convinced others of Cincinnati doesn’t have “After a while I’d just stop $50,000 from my 401K. That That’s $35,000 that we just know what’s right, too. any one of 50,000 people who and talk with them. Some of was the seed capital. And then put into the poor communi­ “Do you believe that people could cough up that money them became friends and I all of a sudden my businesses ty’s pockets. have to be taught that hunger and never even miss it.” helped some of them to get started booming. I never once “The last three consecutive is a crime? With that ques­ into housing. Sometimes, if thought about giving home­ months we’ve sold between they were in a jam, I’d help less people a job through this 16,000 and 17,000 papers, so them out of a jam. But all of project – my main intention we’ve been putting between Many people work hard to make a difference for the less privileged in the Queen City. “Eight Minutes” is an a sudden all of my friends was always to be an activist $30,000 and $35,000 into opportunity to learn who those people are and what started disappearing because and to challenge head on the the pockets of the poor and motivates them to be a positive influence. they were getting run off.” city government.” homeless community. I’m a Those doing the chasing His intention to take on businessman; the mileage I �4 Community News STREETVIBES August 15 - 31, 2009 Walking and Imaginary Chats & Smoking Real Compassion A few random encounters Soup kitchen offers unexpected opportunities By angela pancella Contributing Writer Smokers have a community of their own that is centered around their ‘cancer sticks.’ Photo by George Ellis. By larry groSS Contributing Writer Take a cigarette out of your pack, light it, then take a walk in downtown Cincinnati. You might have a few odd encounters and experiences along the way. I’ve seen this guy for years downtown, mostly on Race Street. He’s older and of­ ten well dressed. He’s come to know I’m a smoker and whenever I pass him, without fail, he asks for a cigarette – sometimes two. Lately, when he asks for two, I tell him he’s lucky that he’s getting one. This woman I pass on Vine Street on occasion could be a prostitute. Smiling, she’ll ask for a smoke and a light. As I light her cigarette, she usually puts her arms down my back, stroking it. If she were pret­ tier, I might want to take this to another level. When I think this, I often wonder what that says about me. The other day, while walk­ ing down Elm Street, a home­ less man asked for one of my Camel Lights. In a plastic bag, he had a pair of shoes he wanted to sell me for only five bucks. They weren’t bad look­ ing shoes, but they weren’t my size. Coming out of the down­ town library one day, a man in a wheelchair asked me for a cigarette. After he took it, he had a question: “Do insects sleep?” It was a good ques­ tion, and I didn’t have an an­ swer. When I got home, I did a Google search. You can do the same. In front of the CVS Phar­ macy on Seventh Street, a young woman walking down the sidewalk, laughing and talking with another young woman, saw me smoking and said, “Hey, dad, give me a cig­ arette.” “I’m not your dad,” I replied as I kept walking. Her approach to “asking” pissed me off. Another time, also in front of CVS, a young woman wanted a smoke. After I lit it for her, she looked at me and said, “Oh, I love your hair!” The next day I got a haircut. There’s a homeless man who’s usually standing on the corner of Sixth and Main. He’s always holding a cardboard sign that’s too faded for me to read. He always has a back­ pack planted next to him on the sidewalk, with an old pa­ perback book on top. I always stop, give him a cigarette and a buck if I have it and we talk for a little bit about what he’s reading. He’s always anxious to fill me in, sometimes want­ ing to talk too long about his book. I sometimes want to ask him what went wrong, why is he homeless, but so far I haven’t. Once I was at Government Square, smoking and pac­ ing, waiting for a bus to take me to Clifton. When the bus pulled up, my cigarette was only about half smoked, but I decided to drop it on the cement at my feet and put it out. A guy runs up to me and says, “Hey, hey! I’ll finish it for you.” Some weeks back, a guy stopped me on Eighth Street wanting a cigarette. After I gave it to him, he then want­ ed money to help out with bus fare. I gave him a dollar. He then waned to know if I had a car and could take him across the river to Newport. I told the guy I was busing it. It occurred to me to ask him if he had any household chores he wanted me to do, but I kept my mouth shut. Standing at the corner of Sixth and Vine, waiting for the light to change so I could cross the street, an older woman was standing with me. I was smoking. She looked at me in disgust and started waving her arms around, signaling that the cigarette smoke was bothering her. Proud of my­ self, I resisted the temptation to put the cigarette out. As the old bag crossed the street, I thought to myself, “What a bitch.” I was also proud of myself that I didn’t say those words out loud. See what you’re missing? If you’re not walking and smok­ ing, try it. Pat Wakim is executive di­ rector of the Over-the-Rhine Kitchen and the Walnut Hills Kitchen and Pantry. For about 18 years a gentleman named Anthony offered his assis­ tance at the Over-the-Rhine Kitchen as volunteers and staff prepared noon meals at this, the oldest soup kitchen in Cincinnati. “He passed away recently, God rest his soul,” Wakim says. “He was schizophrenic. He was often talking to sev­ eral people at the same time. When volunteers came, I would explain to them, ‘Now, he’s going to talk to himself, but he’s harmless.’ ” One day Wakim and An­ thony were working by them­ selves. As was his custom, Anthony was carrying on conversations. Wakim wasn’t listening all that closely until she heard him say, “She’s all right. She has a good heart.” “Are you talking about me to somebody?” Wakim asked. He wouldn't answer directly; Anthony, who recently passed away, was he just laughed as Wakim a longtime volunteer at the Over-the-Rhine mock-warned, “You bet­ Kitchen. Photo courtesy of Over-the-Rhine ter not be talking about me and Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry. again” Few situations are compa­ Hills and opened a kitchen cause I was supposed to rable in value to overhearing and pantry there. He also make amends. Nothing was someone talk about you to founded Tom Geiger Guest right, and then I came in and the voices in his head. But House, now a number of learned that it’s not all about at places like the Over-the- houses offering transitional me. I enjoyed being tested to Rhine Kitchen, these situ­ and permanent housing for get things done quickly. I just ations become learned to come the norm of dayout of myself.’ to-day life, not Few situations are comparable in value If the kids are the exception. to overhearing someone talk about you lucky, they do get And now there is to the voices in his head. But at places a lot out of it.” an opportunity like the Over-the-Rhine Kitchen, these As will the perto step into this situations become the norm of day-toson who will be world: Wakim is day life, not the exception. manager at the on the lookout for Over-the-Rhine a new manager at Kitchen. The the kitchen; the current man­ battered and homeless wom­ atmosphere is established ager is retiring. en and children or homeless at the door, where staff and The Over-the-Rhine Kitch­ individuals and families with volunteers welcome guests en is easy to spot on Vine disabilities. Geiger, now de­ and tell them, “Thank you Street across from St. Francis ceased, was a volunteer in for coming.” Wakim, who is Seraph Church; it's the build­ the earliest days who lived in Lebanese, says the culture of ing with cornucopias painted the back room of the kitchen. hospitality in her heritage in­ on the doors. Local author The place is still often called spires her to welcome guests and professor Rev. Thomas “Tom’s Kitchen.” “just as if my mother was wel­ Bokenkotter founded it in “A staff of five runs three fa­ coming them into her home 1976 with the help of his cilities,” Wakim says. “It takes to eat.” mother Gertrude and with all of us to make this happen, “The people are the fo­ his sisters helping to cook the and the volunteers are the key cus,” she says. “We get a lot meals. to everything. We get volun­ of elderly folks here. They’re Inspired by a visit to Doro­ teers when somebody gets a just looking for a good smile. thy Day’s House of Hospitality tug on their heart from above, (They'll tell us,) ‘Show your in New York City, Bokenkotter and they can get involved teeth!’ ” came back asking, “Who is with the meals, with painting The new manager will have helping the poor in Cincin­ a wall, with building some­ to have “a heart for the poor,” nati?” Once Over-the-Rhine thing. ... We’ve had so many Wakim says. “If you don’t, it’s Kitchen was established, Bo­ young people. One young not going to be worth it. But kenkotter saw the great need man wrote us the nicest let­ it’s the best job you could that also existed in Walnut ter. He said, ‘I came in be- ever have.” Applicants can contact Wakim at aposervice@juno.com or 513-961-1983. �STREETVIBES August 15 - 31, 2009 Community News Street Papers Grow Across USA Circulation keeps growing as larger newspapers struggle By april DuDaSh Contributing Writer Three men with three diffi­ cult pasts stand in the streets. One didn’t have enough mon­ ey to pay rent, and he couldn’t afford to find a place to sleep at night. A second struggled to find housing while he received money for his disabil­ ity, but it wasn’t enough to get by. The third has been homeless for nearly five years. He was in a crash on his Harley, tore up his shoulder and destroyed his ability to find decent work. Despite having different stories, these men all share a similar struggle with homelessness, and they have all found work as vendors selling street newspapers. Street newspapers, which provide an income for homeless people and spread awareness of homelessness, are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. The papers publish news articles, poetry and advice, and vendors who are homeless or formerly homeless make a profit by selling them in the streets. “I’m not homeless no more,” says Carlos Valdez, a vendor for the Denver VOICE. “I feel like I can contribute because they’ve done a lot for me.” Staff members of street papers hope to provide opportunities and resources to vendors so they can find housing and income. Dale Harbour, a 52-year-old vendor with the Denver VOICE, has been homeless for about five years Many cities in North America have street newspapers. Photo by Lynne Ausman. after losing his job due to in- Cincinnati, Ohio. “We’ve sold Flannery’s 28 years of jourjuries from a motorcycle ac- out two months in a row and nalism experience has shaped cident. had to increase our print run. Streetvibes into a publication “I do well enough to get by It’s really unusual in that a lot that focuses on civil rights for now,” he says. “I feel some- of newspapers are going out and pinpoints poverty issues where I’ve got to keep going, of business right now.” and success stories. and it’s a day-by-day thing A year ago, Flannery says, “This little street newspamost of the time. Eventually, Streetvibes printed 5,000 cop- per put out by a small nonI’ll recover from it all.” ies per month and sold out profit exemplifies what I Street newsthink journalism papers genis really about, erally rely on “This little street newspaper put out telling the stosubscriptions, by a small non-profit exemplifies what ries of everyday grants or donaI think journalism is really about, tellpeople and their tions to keep ing the stories of everyday people and struggles and publishing. At a their struggles and their successes in a their successes majority of the world that can often be very cruel.” in a world that papers, vendors - Gregory Flannery can often be very pay 25 cents for cruel,” Flannery an issue and sell says. it for $1. They keep what they of papers. It has now begun The paper has published earn. bi-weekly publishing, print- stories that reveal the exing 4,000 copies every two ploitation of Puerto Rican Rising circulation weeks. workers when they arrive to “A lot of the success in the Cincinnati as well as the city Despite the struggling U.S. paper is due to generosity,” council’s motives to drive economy, street newspapers he says. “People know the homeless people out of the have been thriving. The num- vendors are homeless. They downtown area. ber of papers sold has in- buy the paper just as an act “When you’ve got nothcreased across the nation. of kindness. I’m hoping that ing at all and you’re desper“It’s been pretty astonish- people are now starting to ate just to survive, it can be a ing, really,” says Greg Flan- buy the paper because they pretty cruel world,” Flannery nery, editor of Streetvibes in want to read it.” says, “especially in Cincin- 5 nati.” Other newspapers are also triumphing during the economic crisis. Vendors of the Denver VOICE sold 3,000 newspapers in January, and they were selling up to 16,000 only three months later. “Our vendor numbers have gone up, and I think that’s a direct correlation to the economy,” says Gretchen Crowe, vendor program director for the Denver VOICE. The paper has about 175 vendors selling the paper each month. Street Speech in Columbus, Ohio, was selling about 600 papers in August 2008. Now, the paper is selling around 4,000 copies per month, according to Shea Davis, Ameri­ Corps VISTA and Street Speech coordinator. “Most of them (the home­ less vendors) really believe in the mission of the paper and they want to get the word out,” Davis says. “They’re happy to feel that they have a voice in the media and that they have a way to share their stories.” Street Speech has given the homeless new opportunities, such as jobs in the communi­ ty. A local restaurant was hir­ ing, and the owner decided to employ one of their vendors, Davis says. “The owner had seen him standing out there in terrible weather,” she says. “He just saw his perseverance and dedication and work ethic and realized he would be a great employee to have.” All of these street news­ papers are members of the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA), an organization that supports self-sustaining street news­ papers around the country. About 25 U.S. street papers are members. “The news, the informa­ See Papers, p. 10 First the Banks, Now the Rest of Us (Continued from page 1) 1 corner is vacant. These vacant properties are in a constant state of deterioration and I feel like no one cares how my neighborhood is affected.” “We told the Federal Reserve that they needed to hear from homeowners and community leaders who were feeling the effects of foreclosures,” said Marilyn Evans, executive director of Communities United For Action (CUFA). “We know that they are hearing from the banks, but they also need to hear from us. We told them they needed to expand and modernize the Community Reinvestment Act and the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act.” The meeting in Cincinnati was one of 10 meetings that Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke agreed to hold around the country. Representing the Fed were Joseph Firschein, assistant director and com­ munity affairs officer, and Anna Alvarez Boyd, asso­ ciate director of analysis and communications. If Federal Reserve officials wanted stories, they heard plenty in Cincinnati. “Your stories really put a face on what this crisis is about,” Boyd said. She and Firschein promised to take the stories and issues raised by WIN and CUFA back to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. “When you’re talking to us, you’re really talking to them,” Boyd said. Other public officials who attended were State Rep. Denise Driehaus, Hamilton County Commis­ sioner David Pepper and Cincinnati City Council members Roxanne Qualls and Cecil Thomas. Also in attendance were representatives from U.S. Bank, Fifth Third Bank, PNC Bank and Spirit of America. The recommendations that community leaders presented were: • updating the Community Reinvestment Act and the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act to in­ clude all mortgage institutions; • access to good mortgage loan products, in­ cluding 30 year fixed rates, without prepay­ ment penalties, yield-spread premiums and high closing costs; • requiring lenders to make affordability modi­ fications to loans or to prove why they can’t; • maintaining vacant properties and encour­ aging lenders to give or sell them at reduced prices to neighborhood development corpo­ rations; • and developing banking fees and small loan products to provide an alternative to preda­ tory lending. WIN and CUFA representatives along with Na­ tional Peoples’ Action plan to meet with Bernanke at the conclusion of the 10 meetings to discuss the results of the hearings and possible action to ad­ dress issues raised. CUFA President Roger Davis is looking for re­ sults. “They saw and heard what is going on because of foreclosures and how people are hurting,” he said. “Now we will see what the Federal Reserve will do.” �6 STREETVIBES August 15 - 31, 2009 Guest Column No Media Buzz for Textbooks But the school-board race affects all of us Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here are not to be perceived as an endorsement or reflecting the views of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, which publishes Streetvibes. By JaSon haap guest Columnist board seem nearly invisible. The candidates pull fewer campaign stunts and so end up with less news coverage. News readers talk less. The buzz doesn't generate. Can­ didates spend less money on races. All this means less vis­ ibility. Still, this year, the Hamil­ ton County GOP has decided to turn the school board race into a partisan affair – endors­ ing candidates and a plat­ form opposed both to school levies, as well as what they call the bad leadership of the Democrats they say have oc­ cupied the board for too long. Given the state of the econ­ omy, I'd bet the Republicans Is that the school board or the school bored? Do you pay attention to the school board race? I'm going out on a limb and guess you do not. I know I've never given the school board much thought – at least not until recently. The political landscape is so flooded with controversies ev­ erywhere: Maybe you've been debating Obama's health care plan with friends over coffee Jason Haap is running for Cincinnati School Board. Photo courtesy of or beer; maybe you have an Jason Haap Campaign. opinion on Strickland's plan for education reform; maybe Public Schools’ (CPS) budget ties already issued endorse­ protected by the pyramidal you've been writing City Hall is unstable. If faced with cuts, ments before I pulled my first power structure that shields as they have threatened once what kinds of policies should petition. I want more people the interests of those at the again to the district to pay attention to the race, top. If the district must cut, cut human adopt to put and I want to advance policy the people at the top can dic­ services If ever the district must make cuts to services kids first? concepts that protect our stu­ tate cuts from on high, taking first. that affect kids, those cuts should be reflected How can we dents and our schools from things away from kids – such But at proportionally in the budgets of the high-paid make sure divisive partisanship. I have as busing or extracurricular the level administrators who make such decisions. the interests ideas that can work, ground­ activities or arts and music of critical of students ed in the actual roles and re­ programs. But nothing re­ mass – in are placed sponsibilities of the school quires these decision-makers terms of what gets covered by are banking on the general ahead of partisan games and board – and my hallmark to share in the cuts them­ the daily papers, the televised population not wanting to political showmanship? plan is something I call “Pro­ selves! That's why I want to news, the frenzy of bloggers think about tax increases. That's why I entered the portional Cuts.” adopt a policy for “Proporcommenting on hot items Board members have al­ race, even though the ticket Typically, high-paid cen­ See Media, p. 7 – races like those for school ready claimed the Cincinnati is full and both major par- tral-office administrators are Stay Motivated, Keep Selling ‘Streetvibes’ vendor is also a community volunteer By JereMy flannery Contributing Writer Motivation must be diffi­ cult to find when you’re un­ employed and homeless. But James Brown is now neither. He has stable housing in Bud­ dy’s Place at 1300 Vine St. and sells Streetvibes to earn an income while seeking steady employment. “It’s the first time I have my own place in a long time,” he says. Brown has been unem­ ployed from a steady job since January 2008. Though he has been applying for work, he has been denied employment prospects because of his past drug convictions, he says. Brown, 38, moved to Cin­ cinnati from Detroit, Mich., with his wife in 2002 when she was hired at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. While in Detroit, Brown worked part time for the Chrysler Corp. “(Cincinnati) is slower than Detroit,” Brown says. “Cin­ cinnati could do better things with its construction and vendor for three months and the police. They need to give most often sells the newspa­ people second chances with per around 13th Street and felonies to get jobs and stay Vine streets. off the streets selling drugs. “I sell to businesses around Change the negative into a there and to people walking positive.” by on the street,” he says. “I Brown stayed at the Drop have a lot of regular customInn Center from October 2008 ers there now, and they seem to February to really 2009 and love the pa­ would like “It’s a blessing to per. I do get to return wake up every day some good there to and be motivated sales. I volunteer. to live life and keep even made “I used going, because you $20 after to sell ciga­ don’t know what might a couple rettes and happen tomorrow.” of hours washing - James Brown once. But, bottles at you know, the Dropthere are Inn Center – that’s how I some people that just walk made my living,” he says. “I’d right past you. like to go back and volunteer “It’s amazing how the pa­ there to help the people there per gets people to come back to get up and get motivated to to the vendors. People say find work and have hope. It’s a the articles are good and it blessing to wake up every day tells the truth about home­ and be motivated to live life lessness. People talk about and keep going, because you homelessness, but you don’t don’t know what might hap­ really know it without the pen tomorrow. They need to firsthand experience. Streethelp people who are really ill vibes could do more articles and help people get a change on homelessness, and I know of clothes.” they’re doing that now, but it Brown volunteers for Our would be great to see more of Daily Bread, a food and hos­ it because it’s important.” pitality ministry in Over-theBrown says he attends Rhine, assisting the organiza­ church on Sundays to keep tion with mailings, he says. himself motivated. He would He has been a Streetvibes also like to write poems for James Brown has been a Streetvibes vendor for three months. Photo by George Ellis. Streetvibes, he says. He quotes Psalm 116:8 from the Bible: “He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.” Brown says the passage inspires and motivates him. “It’s a passage about life and helps keep me going,” he says. �STREETVIBES August 15 - 31, 2009 Local News Dear Uncle Jimmy, My Friend 7 Remembering an editor who turned his life around visit with my mom, she would try to bite me. You would yell at her but it wouldn’t do any good. I asked you what D.D. meant and you said, laugh­ ing, “Dumb Dog.” Your brown eyes lit up when you laughed, and your laughter was conta­ gious. By elizaBeth heath I never knew you were an Contributing Writer alcoholic until later on in my life. I always wondered why I'm sitting here trying to we didn’t see you much any­ write something for Street- more. You became a distant vibes, but all I can do is think relative. You spent less and about you. Send me some­ less time with us and more thing, Jimmy. Send me some­ and more time drinking. I thing good. This might be the missed you. I tried to find you. only time I None of our get to see my family knew words in print. You picked me where you I do it for you, up out of the car were. in memory of and spun me I was 17 you, a man I around before when you put loved so much pulling me close yourself in but barely and squeezing me. the hospital. knew. “My little Bethie,” You tried to Most of my you said. drink yourself memories of to death at you are when I Aunt Janeen’s was a child. I remember your house. The first time I came black TransAm with T-tops. I to the hospital to see you, think you had the first mobile you slept the whole time. The phone ever made. You came second time you cussed at all to visit us when you first got of us and told us to get out. it. None of us did. The third time You yelled to my mom, I came to visit, when I walked “Hey, Jane, come check out into your room, you said, “My my mobile phone!” I ran out little Bethie,” with tears in the door as fast as I could, your eyes. I just hugged you right past you and into your as tightly as I could. It had car to check out the mobile been so long since I saw you. phone. I had never seen any­ You didn’t remember me be­ thing like it before. I picked ing there before that day. The up this thing that was bigger drinking had taken its toll on than my head. It was attached you. You looked older than to a black box about triple the you were. You looked like an size of the actual phone. old man lying in that hospital You picked me up out of bed. It made me so sad. the car and spun me around After you got out of the before pulling me close and hospital you went right back squeezing me. “My little to drinking. None of us saw Bethie,” you said. I giggled you once again. You stayed and squirmed until you put away for years. Why did you me down and went on to talk do that, Jimmy? Was it the and laugh with my mom, booze? Was it shame? Did my your sister. mom keep you away? I asked We would go to Grandpa’s about you all the time, and all to visit. I remember you be­ I ever got was, “I don’t know.” ing there a lot, you and your You didn’t get to see my beau­ poodle named D.D. I didn’t tiful daughter. You didn't like that dog. She was mean know that, despite my diffi­ to me. Every time I came to cult life and getting pregnant Jimmy Heath was the editor of Streetvibes until his death in December 2007. Photo by Jim Montgomery when I was still a child myself, I finished high school and went on to college. There was so much of my life I wanted you to be a part of. I missed your warm brown eyes, sweet smile and contagious laugh­ ter. I missed you spinning me around before the big hug. The next time I saw you, you were in the hospital again. You had not been drinking in years, but it still made you sick. I walked into the room and straight to your bedside. I leaned over and whispered in your ear, “I love No Media Buzz tional Cuts.” It's a simple concept: If ever the district must make cuts to services that affect kids, those cuts should be reflected proportionally in the budgets of the high-paid administrators who make such decisions. In other words, these administrators should never be able to take away from kids without also taking away from themselves. I've discovered this concept has broad appeal across the political spectrum. When the Green Party endorsed me, they liked the concept. As I've been out on the street collect- ing signatures, everyone with whom I’ve spoken said they liked the idea. My Republican friends and my Democratic friends like the idea. It rings with the independents, too. I believe this is a commonsense solution for uncommon economic times. It might not solve all our economic woes, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. OK, so I guess it won't generate the same kind of buzz as Jeff Berding’s disgusting campaign stunt when he wanted to require our most desperate citizens to pay a “panhandling tax,” while forcing them you, Jimmy.” I fully expected to hear, “I love you, too, my little Bethie.” I heard nothing. I felt like a child again, like I always did in your presence. You had the ability to make me feel that way although I was almost 30. All I could do was cry. Your warm eyes and sweet smile are only in my mind now. You are gone and I don’t have any answers to why you stopped coming around. You were a great man, Jimmy. You did good in the world. You helped people. You left me feeling like I missed out and wishing I would have known you better. I still see your warm eyes and sweet smile. Every day I will always remember you fondly, my sweet uncle Jim­ my: your laughter, your hugs, your amazing ability to turn your life around. I wish I could have spent more time with you as an adult, but I know you are watching over me. Smiling as I write. I love you. I miss you. Jimmy Heath, former editor of Streetvibes, died in 2007. (continued from page 6) 1 to hold city-issued signs stating how much money the city spends on human services. That sounds more like North Korea than Cincinnati, but unfortunately is the kind of thing that gets public attention on a large scale. Nevertheless, we must continue to advocate for our schools, and one way to do so is to raise the general awareness of the school-board race. School-board members can make decisions concerning the acquisition of materials and approving courses of study. On the one hand, it sounds like boring stuff. How excited can anyone get over the prospect of approving textbook purchases? But if you are a parent or a prospective parent and know about the long lines and waiting lists at certain magnet-school programs, then maybe you should think about what kinds of new programs the district adopts. The school board has the abil­ ity to direct the district in such regards. I love that CPS has Montessori programs in some magnet schools. I’d like to see more creativity, like a Waldorf-methods public high school, for example. The edu­ cational establishment has grown increasingly aware of the Waldorf method over re­ cent years, and the growing research is persuasive. Would changes like this improve our system and by extension our city? I think so, and that’s why I'm running. I have new ideas that are not just sound bites, but the kinds of things upon which the board could actually act. I live in Mt. Airy with my wife of 10 years and our two sons. I have been teaching for 13 years, and my platform arises from those experiences. �8 STREETVIBES August 15 - 31, 2009 Local News Don’t Dump it; Freecyle it Sharing unwanted items helps to save the environment By paul Kopp Contributing Writer Green and frugal This rule is indicative of the initial idea behind Freecyle. Freecyle has three groups Rather than operating as a Sometimes it seems that, in Cincinnati, corresponding forum for people to get free in our consumer-based cul- to the city’s neighborhoods: stuff, Freecyle is at its core an ture, we have forgotten how west side, east side and cen- environmental and humani­ to share. People seem to be tral. The central group, which tarian effort. constantly buying new items includes areas within the city Frequently offered items to replace older ones, and of- limits, has 6,373 members. include baby and children’s ten those things end up in the Don Freeland, one of the accessories, clothing, furni­ garbage when someone else group’s five moderators, says ture and household items. could still use them. the membership has nearly The central Cincinnati group Now there is a doesn’t allow system that might pets to be postoffer a solution, “The majority of people offer items that ed, because helping people others need. It keeps them out of our animals aren’t share while at the landfill, and it is a deterrent to more something same time benespending for those items. However, that would go fiting themselves it also points out our obsession with into a landfill, and the environ‘new.’ Many people offer items that and including ment as well. are working well, serviceable and in them wouldn’t Freecyle.org is good condition just because they are fit with the a non-profit comredecorating, or are bored with the item. group’s goals. munity network At least those items are getting used to The decision that was created the end of their life span, and that’s an on whether to as a forum for important function of Freecycle.” include pets people to give and - Laura Hasenstab is decided rereceive things for gionally. free. Founded in In Cincin2003 in Tempe, Ariz., to pro- doubled in the five years nati, two different cultures mote waste reduction and since he joined. make up the city‘s Freecyle lessen desert-landfill usage, it Freeland, who lives in base, according to Kim Dye, has quickly become an inter- Hamilton, found out about the Central Cincinnati modnational movement. the group through word of erator. There are now 3,500 mouth. As a moderator, one “There is a green group Freecycle groups throughout of his duties is to review new and a frugal group, and they the world, administered by members’ posts to make sure have kind of come together,” local volunteers from each they understand and are fol- she says. group’s area. Membership is lowing the guidelines. Because society is becomfree. Each group has an on“One of the things that we ing greener in general, people line forum for posting items are very particular about is have become more conscienthat members want to give that the subject lines of the tious about putting things in away and items they’d like postings are consistent,” the landfills, Dye says. They, to receive. No money is in- Freeland says. “These would along with people who can’t volved, and each group has be ‘wanted,’ ‘taken,’ ‘offer,’ afford to buy new things, moderators to make sure that ‘received,’ ” he says. need to save money or want members follow the group’s Another key rule is that to help someone in need, are guidelines. there must be a 2-to-1 ratio of finding Freecyle a simple so“offer” to “wanted” postings. lution. “Some people are more on the environmental side, some feel it’s right to give things away to those who have the need for it and some are just out there because they want to get something for free,” Freeland says. “It’s a pretty wide spectrum, but the majority of people are probably a combination of all of those. Nobody does it for any one specific reason.” Jess O’Rourke, a nurse who has been a member for two years, gives examples. “I cleaned out my friend’s basement last year, and he told me to just throw everything away,” O’Rourke says. “Instead, I used Freecyle, and nothing was thrown away at all, at least by me. That was a lot of stuff! When I moved, I really needed moving boxes. I put up a ‘wanted’ post and I received moving boxes galore, packing paper, bubble wrap, etc. When I was done with them, I used Freecyle for everything I had received. It was great.” Help for non-profits Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless acquired two boxes of old editions of ‘Time’ magazine from Freecycle, to be used by high school students in creating photo books documenting urban poverty and social justice issues. Photo by Lynne Ausman. ! ? t a h W y a Most participants arrange to pick up items at the donor’s home, usually left on a front porch. That way participants don’t have to worry about scheduling conflicts. “When I go to pick something up, it always gives me that Christmas feeling, to have a little gift with your name on it,” Freeland says. Using Freecyle is beneficial for families who have no way to take items somewhere to donate, Dye says. Non-profit organiza­ tions have also made use of Freecycle. Dye, who is the hu­ man-resources manager for a non-profit agency that works with inner-city youth in the Cincinnati Public Schools, says she has received expen­ sive graphing calculators for students through Freecyle. Organizations that donate items are also able to receive a receipt for tax purposes. Laura Hasenstab, a Freecyle member and retired high­ school English and specialeducation teacher, says the movement says both good and bad things about society: “The majority of people offer items that others need,” she says. “It keeps them out of our landfill, and it is a de­ terrent to more spending for those items. However, it also points out our obsession with ‘new.’ Many people offer items that are working well, serviceable and in good condition just because they are redecorating, or are bored with the item. At least those items are getting used to the end of their life span, and that's an important function of Freecycle.” Though the group’s mem­ bership seems to be steadily growing Dye thinks there is still much work to be done. “If you are driving down the street and still see things sitting out for the trash, then we’ve not done our job good,” she says. “As long as you see useable things on the curb, the group has not got its mission out to people yet.” “Overcoming poverty is not a question of charity. It is an act of justice.” - Nelson Mandela S _____________________ �STREETVIBES August 15 - 31, 2009 Community News Celebrating This Thing We Do 9 (Continued from page 1) Challenges of Advocacy Journalism without Preaching to the Choir.” The workshop featured a spirited discussion on jour­ nalistic ethics and practice. A highlight of the conference was the second annual North American Street Paper Awards. Streetvibes Editor Gregory Flan­ nery received the Best Feature Story Award for “We Are Their Slaves,” published in 2008, which documented the exploita­ tion of Latino workers in Greater Cincinnati. “It is very gratifying to have this story recognized in this way because it goes to the very heart of what we do – we who work for street newspapers and care about people who are home­ less, marginalized, disenfranchised and so often despised,” Flannery said. The story included information about the maltreatment of workers at a meatpacking plant that processes pork for the Kroger Co. When the Denver VOICE reprinted the story ear­ lier this year, its vendors were barred from selling the paper at King Soopers stores, a subsidiary of Kroger. Other awards were: • Best Interview – “Revolution,” by Israel Bayer of Street Roots, Portland, Ore.; • Best Series – “The Man Who Stood on the Bridge,” Real Change, Seattle, Wash.; • Best Vendor Essay – “Welcome Home – A Transitional Tale,” The Contributor, Nashville, Tenn.; • Best Cover Design – What’s Up Magazine, St. Louis, Mo.; and • Most Improved Newspaper – Street Sights, Providence, R.I. NASNA, launched in 1997, now has 27 member organiza­ tions in 14 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. NAS­ NA members have a combined monthly circulation of over 287,000, according to Freeze. The organization is likely to con­ tinue growing. Among the participants at the conference was Amanda Faith Moore, who is about to begin publishing Toledo Streets. “Street newspapers have for the most part avoided drops in circulation as other print media have seen,” Freeze said. “In fact, street newspapers are bucking the trends and are increas­ ing circulation, increasing the frequency of publication and being recognized for their quality content.” For more reports on the NASNA conference and the street-paper movement, see “Eight Minutes with a ‘Homeless’ Millionaire” on page 3 and “Street Papers USA” on page 5. Andy Freeze (left), executive director of NASNA, with Gregory Flannery, editor of Streetvibes. Streetvibes won NASNA’s “Best Feature Story” award for Flannery’s article ‘We Are Their Slaves’ about exploited Puerto Rican workers in suburban Cincinnati. Photo by Lynne Ausman. Vendors’ Artwork Artwork By Anthony Williams Berta’s Art Corner Photo by Berta Lambert “Ronald McDonald and My Shadow,” South Fairmount, Cincinnati, Ohio �10 Community News STREETVIBES August 15 - 31, 2009 Street Papers Grow Across USA (Continued from page 5) tion that is being covered by our papers, is not being cov­ ered by other media outlets,” says Andy Freeze, NASNA’s executive director. Street newspapers gen­ erally focus on poverty and homelessness, Freeze says, whereas big media outlets tend to focus on these issues only when triggered by a larg­ er event. The content and location of a newspaper can also affect the amount of papers sold. “If you have a quality prod­ uct, people will buy a quality product,” Freeze says. “What makes some cities more suc­ cessful than others is a large downtown and a large walk­ ing population.” The business model of street newspapers, allow­ ing the homeless or former­ ly homeless to sell copies, makes people feel “empow­ ered,” he says. “They are their own boss,” Freeze says. “They can choose their own hours.” ‘Changed their mind’ Other papers have a dif­ ferent approach. Making Change, a street paper in Santa Monica, Calif., relies on homeless or formerly home­ less individuals to publish is­ sues. “We haven’t published reg­ ularly and that’s because I’m not homeless and I’m not the voice of homelessness,” said Moira LaMountain, business manager of Making Change. “Unless the newspaper is published by someone who’s homeless or formerly home­ less, it doesn’t get published.” A street newspaper gives the homeless credibility and a sense of validation by hav­ ing them take part in a busi­ ness, according to Jennafer Yellowhorse, editor of Making Change. She also can relate to the people she has worked with. “I started the paper in the back of my truck when I was living in my truck,” she says. Besides continuously look­ ing for contributors and vol­ unteers, some papers have to work with a tight monthly budget. “We don’t know month to month if that money is go­ ing to be there,” says Tasha French, director of The Contributor in Nashville. “My im­ mediate goal is that we get our non-profit status and get some grants so that this pa­ per is sustainable. This paper becomes sustainable where it’s going to stay around, re­ gardless of whether $100 is there or not.” Papers also take the time to train vendors before they sell in the streets. Training includes teaching policies on etiquette, showing vendors where they can sell and ex­ plaining how to interact with police officers. One of the main goals for street newspapers is to stim­ ulate conversations between vendors and pedestrians. “There are some people that walk right by you and act like you’re a ghost, that you don’t exist,” says Valdez, the vendor with the Denver VOICE. Many people, however, have walked by and have giv­ en him multiple donations, he says “I hear from customers where they didn’t want to give this person a chance,” says French, of The Contributor. “Once they read the pa­ per, they changed their mind about this whole interaction. Those are huge moments.” About once a month, French hears from a cus­ tomer about how the paper positively changed his or her cynical opinion of the home­ less vendor. That simple interaction is sometimes considered more important than actually read­ ing the content of the news­ paper. Tom Wills, director of vending for The Contributor, says that whether people read the paper or not, they get the experience of conversing with a homeless person. “You really can’t get to know homelessness without getting to know homeless people,” Wills says. “You can’t really get to know poverty if you don’t know someone ex­ periencing it or experiencing it yourself.” People who volunteer at street papers also tend to volunteer at local homeless coalitions and shelters. Pam Cordray, who works at the Salt Lake City Mission, is also working to put together the first issues of the Salt Lake Street News. She hopes that people will treat homeless people in Salt Lake City dif­ ferently once this paper is published. “They treat them (the homeless) less than human,” she says. “That breaks my heart, too. People are people. We are all God’s children.” Hope, Health Care, Sloppy Joes Anthony House helps homeless youths find homes By Will KirSchner Contributing Writer Six teenagers sit in the liv­ ing room of a home chatting, browsing Facebook and eating sloppy Joes. What breaks the normality is when Tom Curran, who manages Antho­ ny House, a drop-in center for homeless teens and young adults, enters the room and tells the teens that the clinic upstairs will offer free HIV tests. Kevin Finn of the Health Resource Center of Cincin­ nati founded Anthony House seven years ago. It serves as a place for homeless young people, up to the age of 24, to hang out, have their medical needs taken care of and get a warm meal. Six years ago it came under the auspices of Lighthouse Youth Services. Anthony House serves young people who are “couch-surfing,” traveling between the homes of friends and sleeping indoors when they can, sometimes squatting in abandoned houses. These young adults often go uncounted in surveys of homeless people. Among the services provided by Anthony house is providing homeless certificates. These cards, which certify that a person has spent the night at an emergency shelter, allows the holder to apply for transitional and permanent housing. Anthony House helps create a support system for these Tom Curran, manager of Anthony House. Photo by Jeni Jenkins. young adults. “They do not know how to get up with an alarm everyday necessarily,” Curran says. “They do not know how to do their own laundry a lot of times. We have to go over those life skills. They do not know how to make a budget or plan for a savings account.” Anthony House uses a variety of methods to help homeless young people. One is harm-reduction services. These include bleach kits and condoms. Bleach kits allow users of intravenous drugs, who might not have the re- sources to get their own needles, to clean a needle and share it. “We understand that people are making mistakes and people are choosing to continue their use and continue to have sex for that matter,” Curran says. “The idea behind that is in the future they will come to us to get these kits, and then when they are ready to move on with their lives and do something different, they will know who to come to.” Anthony House also provides laundry facilities and access to the Internet. Though its clients are homeless, the says. He was also robbed of Internet plays a large part in the $500 needed for rent, he their lives. By giving them a says. tool to network with friends Anthony’s experience and family, it allows them to points to the fact that homecoordinate with whatever lessness can affect anyone, support system they might even a college graduate. He still have in is a graduate place. It also of Ohio State allows them to “They have a lot University search online of hope, which with a degree for job openis a lot of time in psychology ings. different from the and a minor Anthony homeless adult in journalism. House uses the population. They His experiInternet to atstill have a lot ences led him tract homeless of friends and to advocate young people acquaintances. A for homeand inform lot of that is the less youths. them of what imperviousness He is now the is going on at of youth.” president of the house or - Tom Curran the Cincinnati where their chapter of the outreach vans Youth Empow­ will be. The agency’s Web site erment Program and credits includes the events that are Anthony House with helping going on that day. him get back on his feet. The Anthony (a pseudonym), Youth Empowerment Pro­ now too old for the services gram, or YEP, is a statewide provided by Anthony House, council of homeless youths became homeless as the re- ages 12 to 21 that advocates sult of a bad decision and a for all children. series of unfortunate events. Curran says the biggest He decided to allow some difference between homepeople he describes as “crack less young people and older heads” to stay in his place for homeless adults is their dif30 days. They took advantage ferent perspectives. of his hospitality and used “They have a lot of hope, his house for questionable which is a lot of time differactivities, he says. At the end ent from the homeless adult of the month, he put their be- population,” he says. “They longings out onto the street, still have a lot of friends and except for their valuable acquaintances. A lot of that electronics. When Anthony is the imperviousness of returned home, his guests youth.” had called the police, and he was charged with robbery, he �STREETVIBES August 15 - 31, 2009 Editorial The Iraq War Still Goes On, Now With Corporate Sponsorship 11 So does homelessness in U.S. cities By Dan la Botz Contributing Writer and religion, robbery of the land, famine and starvation, exploitation of labor, massacres and more masIn early June I flew to Sacramento sacres of the Irish by the English and for an interview with the Argentine the struggle to build a movement to Discovery Channel. They’re doing resist and fight back. a documentary on César Chávez, After a good night’s sleep, I awoke, about whom I wrote a biography. It still on Cincinnati time, at 5:30 a.m., was on their dime, and I thought it had breakfast at 6:00, and by 7:00 had would be fun, though it turned out gone for a walk down to the bridge to be less entertaining than I had near where the American River joins expected. The flight home became the Sacramento River. A few fishera series of delays and missed conmen were out on the river. It was a nections leading me on a circuitous beautiful morning. Walking along the journey from Sacramento, to San river, I passed here and there homeFrancisco, to Chicago, and finally less men, wrapped in their blankets home to Cincinnati a day later than and still asleep. Sacramento, you I expected. But it was, in the end, may remember, achieved some noeducational. I learned on this trip toriety recently for its Hooverville — that not only does the war goes on, we should say Bushville, I suppose but so does the corporate sponsor­ — a tent city of the homeless. After ship. the national news media featured As I boarded the United flight the village, California Governor Arfrom Cincinnati to Chicago, I no­ nold Schwarzenegger and Sacra­ ticed four rather serious looking mento Mayor Kevin Johnson took young men with short-cropped hair quick action to provide temporary dressed in military camouflage uni­ shelter for the homeless. forms. I always feel like going up Well, that was then and now many and saying, “Don’t let them send of them are back sleeping out-of­ you there.” I was, however, unpre­ doors, some down by the river walk pared to offer them the name of a where the bicyclists and joggers pass local anti-war counselor of consci­ them, ignoring or unaware of the entious objectors, and they looked human bundles in the bushes along worried enough as it was without the path. me haranguing them. I continued to walk down the bank I was not the only one who had of the Sacramento River for a mile or noticed them. When the plane land- President Obama ordered that Stephen Colbert’s head be shaved while he was in so to the California State Railroad ed in Chicago, the captain came on Iraq entertaining active-duty soldiers. Museum, where a few of the doand told the passengers, “We want cents were busy polishing up one of to thanks the troops on board for advertisement encouraged tipplers In the lobby was a display of Af- the locomotives, getting ready for the their service to our country” and for to “Raise a glass” in support of the rican art, and a poster announced day’s series of short railroad tours. Be­ “defending our freedoms.” Perhaps a troops. Some inside were already rais- that June was dedicated to gay and hind the museum loomed up the old third of the plane applauded vigorous- ing glasses well before lunch, though lesbian rights, and buildings, some of them ly, though I don’t know if both of those made dating back to the 1860s, of others eiit was patrio- me think about the Well, that the Sacramento Locomo­ ther didn’t Had it not been for the Africantism that mo- impact of the movewas then and tive Works of the Southern hear or igAmerican civil rights movement tivated them. ments whose most now many Pacific Railroad. Once the nored the and the Mexican-American farm Some had public figures were of them are largest industrial complex c a p t a i n ’s workers movement, we might that perma- Martin Luther King, back sleeping in the West, employing encomium. never have had the anti-war, nent sunburn Jr. and César Chávez. out-of-doors, 7,000 people — and even as I have to women’s or GLBTQ movements. p r o d u c e d Had it not been for the some down late as the 1950s more than say — naby the fierce African-American civil by the river 4,000 people labored there ïve as this glare of a rights movement and walk where — today it is a collection might sound — that I was somewhat whiskey bottle. the Mexican-American the bicyclists of enormous abandoned surprised by the captain’s remarks. Later while waiting at the termi- farm workers moveand joggers buildings awaiting some Hadn’t we had a national election just nal gate with its ubiquitous televi- ment, we might never pass them, post-modern future. eight months ago, which was a kind of sion screens and inescapable noise, have had the anti-war, ignoring or If you are walking along referendum on the war? Hadn’t much I noticed CNN broadcasting the cer- women’s or GLBTQ unaware of the river, just after you pass of the public expressed its opposition emonies commemorating the D-Day movements. the human the museum, you come to to the war, and among those who vot- landing in Europe. Commentators Well, the crew of half bundles in the Old Sacramento, some hised weren’t there many who knew quite naturally linked the allied landing to a dozen 20-something bushes along toric buildings preserved well that our troops abroad don’t fight other American wars and “heroes.” I Argentines met up with the path. to create a typical town “defending our freedoms,” but on the wondered, are the guys in New Jer- me and under the glare of the old West for tourcontrary carry out a mission aimed at sey or Nebraska or wherever they are of their lights and the ists, its wooden sidewalks taking away the freedom of others? watching the screens and playing prompting of the young interviewer, leading to mock nineteenth century No. The war goes on. Obama con- with the joystick that commands the we made the tape. I went back to the shops filled with twenty-first century tinues the war in Iraq and promises drone also "heroes"? hotel and got back into the book I’m cuisine and what passes out there for to leave tens of thousands of troops reading. I like memoirs and this has a haute couture. I stop to watch what there as an occupying army if the conThe Sacramento River long title: Rossa’s Recollections, 1838 to looks like a scene out of a 1930s mov­ flict should ever end. He has also sent 1898; Childhood, Boyhood, Manhood; ie, a man in uniform, either a sheriff and the homeless more troops to Afghanistan. And he Customs, Habits and Manners of the or park ranger, I’m not sure which, sends U.S. drones to bomb Pakistan. Let me make a kind of aside here Irish People; Erinach and Sassenach— brings a bindlestiff, sand still in his The war goes on and on. And though from my discussion of the war to Catholic and Protestant—Englishman eyes, into the donut shop and buys a few months ago it seemed the touch on another issue. In Sacra- and Irishman—English Religion— him a cup of coffee. American public had turned against mento, after checking into my hotel, Irish Plunder; Social Life and Prison the war, the corporations continued I took a cab to the Sacramento Pub- Life; The Fenian Movement; Travels in Obama’s clown to produce commercials for it at every lic Library where the interview was to Ireland, England, Scotland and Ameropportunity. be done in the beautiful Sacramento ica by O’Donovan Rossa (1898). The next morning I read student I walked through the Chicago air- Room, a classic reference and reading The story of the Irish reads like the essays — quite good the lot of them port to catch the flight to Sacramen- room saved from the old library when story of the Guatemalans: foreign conto, passing a bar where a Jim Beam it was remodeled. quest, suppression of the language See War, p. 12 �12 Editorial STREETVIBES August 15 - 31, 2009 The Iraq War Still Goes On (continued from page 11) — and then in the afternoon go out to the airport to catch my plane to Denver. The board says, “delayed,” so my itinerary is changed to San Francisco, then to Chicago, where finally I ar­ rive near midnight to be put up at the Doubletree Hotel (the one where they give you the chocolate chip cookie with your room key). At the registration desk there is a sign on the counter ask­ ing us to “Support Our Troops.” I sleep restlessly for five hours, shower, dress and leave my room just as a man is dropping a copy of USA Today on the threshold. Going downstairs to wait for the shuttle, I read the headline: “Live from Iraq: co­ median Colbert delivers laughs to American troops.” Speaking to a crowd of 300 U.S. servicemen and women, Colbert tells them, “By the power vested in me by basic cable, I officially declare we have won the Iraq war!” General Ray Odierno tells him that his declaration of victory might be premature. When the general notices that Colbert’s hair is too long, President Obama appears on the big screen TV and tells the general to give him a haircut, which he does. Colbert, whose show car­ ried out a scathing criticism of Bush, has now, it appears, be­ come Obama’s clown. In the end, the trip to Sacramento to do the interview was probably not worth the time and effort — except for the beau­ tiful river walk — but it was educational. I learned that the war goes on in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and via drone bombers in Pak­ istan, with commercials from United Airlines and Jim Beam, and from CNN, the Comedy Network, and the Doubletree Ho­ tel. I also learned that even in today's America, occasionally a man in uniform will buy a cup of coffee for a fellow without a job or a home. Dan La Botz is a Cincinnati-based writer, teacher and activist. Read the Streetvibes blog for stories between issues at streetvibes.wordpress.com Crossword Sudoku acroSS 1. Examine thoroughly 4. Brushes 6. Inhabitant of Saudi Arabia 9. Self-confidence 10. Overturn 11. On the top 15. Become firm 16. Clenched hand 19. Easy stride 20. Social insects 21. Irish county 22. Friendship 23. Synchronize 25. Female name 27. Bouquet 28. Soft food for infants 30. Three at cards 31. Island in the Bay of Naples 33. Irregularly operated court 34. Rigid 35. Approaches 36. Destroy by immersion DoWn 1. Pertaining to the post office 2. Son of Isaac and Rebekah 3. Former county in SE England 4. Grime 5. Perfumes Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 through 9. 7. Serpents 8. Musical composition for two 12. Capital of Japan 13. Unfolds 14. Male name 16. Lacking brightness 17. Bury 18. Genre 23. Oral 24. U.S. gangster 26. California town 28. Whittle 29. Career golfers 31. Felines 32. Chilled The fundamental goal of a Sudoku puzzle is to use the provid­ ed numbers, or givens, to discover which numbers logically fill in the empty squares. The only rule of Sudoku is that each of the nine rows, each of the nine columns, and each of the nine 3x3 subsections must contain all of the numbers from one to nine, and each number consequently can occur in each row, column and subsection only once. Solutions on Page 15 �STREETVIBES August 15 - 31, 2009 Local News Teacher, Parent, Independent 13 Anitra Brockman wants to make a difference on city council By ariana ShahanDeh Contributing Writer Anitra Brockman, a teach­ er at Southwestern College, is running for Cincinnati City Council as an Independent candidate. She recently sat down for an interview with Streetvibes. Q: What inspired your decision to run? Brockman: I see that there are so many people in the community that need as­ sistance, whether it’s single parents or veterans or di­ vorced or widowed. There are so many residents that need help. It’s really funny. My friend and I were on our Anitra Brockman is running for Cincinnati City Council. way to a meeting and we were Photo courtesy of the Anitra Brockman Campaign. just talking about running for council, and I said, “I think I’ll are very intelligent and very ber that has theft felony and wait.” She said, “Well, we are capable, but they can’t (get they can’t get a job. What’s driving right past the board hired) because of that blem­ frustrating is that I know that of elections. We can go right ish on their record. So I’d like family member can do excel­ in.” Something possessed me to implement a program sim­ lent in the workforce, so I’m to get out of the car definitely in sup­ and I went in, and port of programs once I did it I was I’m definitely in support of programs that help get peo­ like, “Oh Goodness, that help get people get geared in ple get geared in did I just do that?” I the right direction so that they can the right direc­ don’t have a political start making a livable wage and get tion so that they background, but I’m back on their feet. can start making willing to represent a livable wage the residents of the and get back on city and make a difference in ilar to Mayor Mallory’s Young their feet. the community. Professionals Program for exQ: In an interview with the Q: Are you making any felons to get them the train­ Cincinnati Beacon, you dispromises right now? ing and skills they need (for) cussed the city’s marijuana Brockman: I’m not coming a successful rehabilitation. ordinance. What led to your right out and saying when I Q: Streetvibes has published modified response? get into office I’m going to do pieces profiling the struggles Brockman: Well, I say now this. What I’m doing instead former sex offenders experi- take it off the books until we is outlining some things ence through rehabilitation, come up with something bet­ that I would like to see take how they are labeled and ter. My previous position was place. For example, I’d like they don’t really get to move “Keep it on the books but to promote a second-chance on. What is your position on come up with something bet­ program for non-violent ex- that? ter.” I knew it wasn’t working, felons. That’s something that Brockman: I support any but I don’t think at that time I deal with at Southwestern initiative that helps people I was prepared to say, “Take College. A lot of the students succeed. You know, I realize it off the books,” because I’m had one or two incidents in that people make mistakes, completely anti-drugs. I was life that were non-violent and I support helping anyone very strong on that position and it blemished their record, that is trying to better them­ initially. Then when I met with so they can’t get a job. They selves. I have a family mem­ (Paul Green) from Prioritize Only purchase Streetvibes from BADGED vendors. Vendors wear their WHITE badges while they sell the paper. Cincinnati, he brought sta- I put education on the back tistics to me showing that the burner. (Brockman is now police are actaking cours­ tually spendes online for ing triple the her doctor“My senior year time making ate.) It’s just in high school, we arrests. So a struggle stayed in a hotel 8,000 hours every day to or motel.” of the police make ends - Anitra Brockman force time are (meet) with spent makmy kids. I’m ing arrests. The ordinance paycheck to paycheck; I’m doesn’t let them say, “I’m just not going to hide that. going to give you a ticket.” Q: How do you want to be (Officers) have to write the remembered? ticket, take them in and book Brockman: I’d like to be rethem. So it essentially takes membered as someone who about an hour to get back on is genuine, someone who patrol. That’s just too much, makes an effort to support especially with the budget the residents and the city. I cuts. I don’t see the city justi- just want people to say, “She’s fied in spending the money one of us. She’s not someone for an ordinance that really who thinks she’s better than isn’t generating any revenue us.” I love Cincinnati, and I for the city, and we are cut- just want to see it flourish. I ting 200 plus police jobs. want to see people come back Q: In previous interviews, to Cincinnati. I want to see you mention you’ve been people walking in Over-the­ through some struggles. What Rhine. We had our Stop the were some of those circum- Violence rally in Washington stances? Park and a lot of my friends Brockman: I lived in a two- were like, “I don’t know if parent household. My father I’m coming.” I said, “That’s had a gambling issue so we your choice; I’m not chang­ moved around a lot. My se- ing the location.” The reason nior year in high school, we I wanted to have it there was stayed in a hotel or motel to show people I don’t care (due to foreclosure). My mom where you are from. I don’t wanted me to go to a private care what your background high school, but (we) couldn’t is, what your color is. I wasn’t afford it, so I ended up work- raised like that. ... That’s what ing at the convent with the makes it so great ... living in nuns. Being a single parent the United States. … a lot of people think that Q: You’re trying so hard not you made the choice. I didn’t to be corny. choose overnight to become Brockman: I am! I just want a single parent. But the one people to know that I’m not thing that I think I can relate running for any type of perto with some of the residents sonal gain. I’m not running in the city that may be sin- for a power trip or anything gle parents as well (is) that I like that. I’m running because struggled with trying to figure I want to make a difference. I out what I wanted to do with really do. my life. Once I had kids, I Editor’s Note: This is part just said I need to work, don’t of a series of interviews with need to do anything else but candidates for Cincinnati City work and take care of my kids. Council. Interested in volunteering with Streetvibes? Contact Greg Flannery at 513-421-7803 x 12 or by e-mail at streetvibes2@ yahoo.com �14 What’s Happenin’ STREETVIBES August 15 - 31, 2009 neW eventS garden Volunteer day Learn about gardening while volunteering Saturday, Aug. 29, at Grailville, a retreat and program center on an organic farm in Loveland. Learn vari­ ous aspects of growing vegetables that you can apply in your own backyard. Participants will plant fall crops and clean garlic with expert gardener Mary Lu Lageman. The program is from 9 a.m.-noon. Grailville Garden Volunteer days are the last Saturday of each month through October. Volunteers work in Grailville’s kitchen and herb gardens. To reserve a spot or for more infor­ mation, call 513-683-2340 or visit www.grailville.org. Cleo’s Joke Corner neW outlet for Visual artists Visual artists seeking experience working with live figure models can en­ hance their craft in a comfortable creative environment at the Northside Art District, 4015 Cherry Street, Studio 451. Artists working in sketching and painting can work with other artists seeking to take their talents to a new level. Classes meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Additional days or spe­ cial sessions can be arranged. Guided instruction for students new to figure drawing is available. For fee schedules and other information, contact Car­ men at 513-205-8673 or 513-931-4355. Do you know why criminals do not like the subject of grammar? They don’t like to complete their prison sentences. a Weekend of integral eCology Grailville Retreat and Program Center in Loveland, in collaboration with Imago and the Michigan Grail, hosts Sustaining Spirit/Sustaining Earth: A Weekend of Integral Ecology from Aug. 21-23. Activities include medita­ tion and reflective inquiry, group-process work, inspiration from cuttingedge ecological movements, open-space conversations to help move theory into action and opportunities to explore Grailville’s 300 acres of woodlands, pastures and organic gardens. Tuition is $300 for single occupancy, $250 for double occupancy and $200 for commuters. Limited scholarships are available. Contact 513-683-2340 or visit www.grailville.org for more infor­ mation. Healing emotions: bridging east and West Gaden Samdrupling Buddhist Monastery hosts a conversation between a Buddhist monk and a western psychiatrist to explore the integration of East and West in emotional healing. The program is at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, with a suggested donation of $10. The monastery is at 3046 Pavlova Drive, Col­ erain Township. The suggested donation is $10. For more information, call 513-385-7116. out of tHe attiC art sale Do you have a piece of artwork that you don't have the right spot for and just can't throw away? Donate your unwanted art to Clifton’s “Out of the Attic” art sale. This event for rescued art will be Sept. 26th and 27th at the Clif­ ton Cultural Arts Center. Donations, which are tax-deductible, will benefit the center and the Clifton Community Fund. Donations can be dropped off from noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays and other times by appointment at the arts center, 3711 Clifton Ave. For more information, call Jinny Berten 513-961-6762 or Mary Schwetschenau t 513-348-8226. musiC Grammy-Award Winning Charles Ford Singers. August 23. 4pm. at St. Mark Christian Fellowship 820 Ezzard Charles Dr. art Green Spaces: Small Garden Communities of Dresden, Germa­ ny. Photographys by Ardine Nelson. Weston Art Gallery. Through August 30. Trace: Recent Sculpture and Drawings by Carmel Buckley. Weston Art Gallery. Through August 30. ongoing eventS tuesdays Acoustic Lunch Series. Piatt Park. 11:45am-1:45pm. 2nd tuesdays Cincinnati-Ohioans to Stop Execution Meeting. IJPC Peaslee Center (215 E. 14th Street, OTR). 7-8pm. 3rd Wednesdays IJPC General Peace Committee. Peaslee Neighborhood Center. 7-9pm. 1st tHursdays Benefits Rights Advocacy Group. Contact Center (1212 Vine St. OTR). Noon-1:30pm. Northern Kentucky Peace and Justice Group. Mother of God Church (119 W. 6th St. Covington). 7pm. 2nd tHursdays CeaseFire Cincinnati. Church of the Living God (430 Forest Ave). 9:30am. Become a Fan of Streetvibes on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/streetvibescincinnati �STREETVIBES August 15 - 31, 2009 15 Resources Need Help or Want to Help? Shelter: Women and Children Central Access Point Cincinnati Union Bethel 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Bethany House 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 Salvation Army 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter Churches Active in Northside 381-SAFE 768-6907 557-2873 681-2365 1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 3600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 St. Vincent de Paul 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Charlie’s 3/4 House 661-4620 Crossroad Health Center 241-1064 Health Resource Center Homeless Mobile Health Van McMicken Dental Clinic 562-8841 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 DIC Live In Program Prospect House 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Starting Over 784-1853 721-0643 921-1613 961-2256 2728 Glendora Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45209 961-4080 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Mental Health Access Point Mercy Franciscan at St. John First Step Home 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 961-4663 Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 351-0422 381-6672 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 AA Hotline CCAT Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 471-1100 221-3350 Hamilton County ADAS Board Recovery Health Access Center Sober Living Talbert House 946-4888 281-7422 681-0324 641-4300 Hamilton/Middletown 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 Northern Kentucky 721-4700 421-7803 ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Interfaith Hospitality Network Lighthouse Youth Center (Youth) 3330 Jefferson, Cinti, Ohio 45220 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Housing: CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tender Mercies 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tom Geiger House Dana Transitional Bridge Services Volunteers of America 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 721-8666 961-4555 751-0643 381-1954 Food/Clothing Lord’s Pantry OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 621-5300 961-1983 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Our Daily Bread 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Francis Soup Kitchen 621-6364 535-2719 Advocacy Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS 579-8547 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY 381-0111 771-4800 751-0600 721-4811 351-7921 631-1114 211 977-5541 863-3184 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 859-491-8303 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Health Center for Respite Care People Working Cooperatively The Caring Place United Way Women Helping Women 241-2600 241-2563 621-5514 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart Goodwill industries Healing Connections Mary Magdalen House Treatment: Both 558-8888 981-5800 Other Resources 214 E. 14th St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Treatment: Women 357-4602 352-2902 352-6363 458-6670 977-4489 NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach Peaslee Neighborhood Center Shelter: Both Anthony House (Youth) 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 872-9259 241-5525 591-2246 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 Treatment: Men Justice Watch 241-0490 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Shelter FreeStore/FoodBank 762-5660 Shelter: Men City Gospel Mission 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 621-1868 Puzzle Solutions Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 �16 Double Take STREETVIBES August 15 - 31, 2009 What time was this special session of Cincinnati City Council? ‘Streetvibes’ Needs Your Help As print media production across the county continues to decrease, Streetvibes is thriving. In the past year we have sold out of copies four times and in­ creased our print run from 4,000 copies to 6,000 copies. Most recently, we have become a bi-weekly publication (formerly monthly). We are purchasing 4,000 copies every two weeks on the first and 15th of every month! One might assume that we are making these changes to meet the demands of our readers, and frankly, that’s part of it. But mostly, we are making these changes to provide our vendors – individuals who have been or are homeless – with a product that will not only sell, but will sell well. A product that they can be proud of, a product that will help them make ends meet each month – or rather every two weeks. Perhaps the greatest public success for Streetvibes this year was winning the International Network of Street Newspapers’ Best Feature Story, award fol­ lowed by a similar award from the North American Street Newspaper Associa­ tion. The winning article was an investigative piece about the exploitation of Puerto Rican workers in Cincinnati. The article helped to spark an FBI investi­ gation of illegal labor practices and justice for workers who deserve better. This is the kind of story Streetvibes tries to tell – people struggling against poverty and oppression, community groups organizing against injustice. Streetvibes is the activist newspaper, advocating justice, building community. Then there are also the daily successes: The vendor who just passed his/ her personal best in monthly sales. The new vendors who are so excited to begin selling because they know that the money they earn will truly be earned through honest, hard work. The veteran vendor who successfully recruited a new vendor and help to train him/her. The vendor who got a job at a local busi­ ness making slightly above minimum wage because the manager saw his/her work ethic while selling Streetvibes. Ultimately, Streetvibes would not be successful without our vendors, the writers and photographers who donate so much of their time and talents to Streetvibes, and you, our supporters and readers. Your support has made these changes and successes possible. Here’s what you can do: • $50 to cover the cost of orientation and material for new vendors. (Includes a one-hour orientation, badge, 10 papers to get the new ven­ dor started and ongoing support and guidance) • $150 to cover the cost of delivery of one edition from the printer • $250 to cover the internal production costs. (Includes large format paper, toner, CDs, software and other computer equipment and maintenance) • $500 to pay for the cost of printing one issue • $1,500 to pay all production costs for two issues • $5,000 to purchase Streetvibes bags and/or T-shirts to give to our vendors. Please consider giving to Streetvibes. All donations are tax-deductible. 75 cents of all paper sales goes directly to the vendor who sold you the pa­ per. Vendors purchase the paper from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless for 25 cents. Please make checks payable to “Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless,” 117 E. 12th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. You can also donate online at http://www.cincihomeless.org � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2009 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource August 15-31, 2009 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Celebrating This Thing We Do First the Banks, Now the Rest of Us Pg 2: The Vibe Pg 3: Eight Minutes with a ‘Homeless’ Millionaire Pg 4: Walking and Smoking Imaginary Chats & Real Compassion Pg 5: Street Papers Grow Across USA Pg 6: No Media Buzz for Textbooks Pg 7: Dear Uncle Jimmy, My Friend Pg 8: Don’t Dump It; Freecycle It Pg 9: Celebrating This Thing We Do Pg 10: Street Papers Grow Across USA Pg 11: The Ira War Still Goes On, How with Corporate Sponsorship Pg 12: The Iraq War Still Goes On Pg 13: Teacher, Parent, Independent Pg 14: What’s Happenin’ Pg 15: Resources Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 15-31, 2009 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Gregory Flannery Lynne Ausman Jeni Jenkins Lew Moores Dave Scharfenberger Margo Pierce Paul Kopp Jeremy Flannery Michael Henson David Heitfield Alecia Lott Larry Gross Stephanie Dunlap Angela Pancella Will Kirschner Ariana Shahandeh Elizabeth Heath Dan LaBotz Jason Haap Aimie Willhoite George Ellis Jeni Jenkins Rev. Joe Folzenlogen Jim Montgomery Anthony Williams Berta Lambert Jennifer Blalock Ranjit Rege Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Aimie Willhoite Alecia Lott Angela Pancella Anitra Brockman Anthony House Anthony Williams Ariana Shahandeh Berta Lambert Cincinnati city council Dan LaBotz Dave Scharfenberger David Heitfield Elizabeth Heath Environment Federal Reserve George Ellis Gregory Flannery health care Iraq Jason Haap Jeni Jenkins Jennifer Blalock Jeremy Flannery Jim Montgomery Jimmy Heath Larry Gross Lew Moores Lynne Ausman Margo Pierce Media Michael Henson Paul Kopp Ranjit Rege Rev. Joe Folzenlogen School Board Soup Kitchen Stephanie Dunlap Street Paper Conference street papers War Will Kirschner https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/89ca41f70292dce45fcb08d9f9f6c8fa.pdf 721abd9f3750c73273cc99fdd3251821 PDF Text Text Vendor Profile Page 13 Cheap Caskets Page 8 Film Review Page 9 STREETVIBES $1 August 1 - 14, 2009 • Advocating Justice, Building Community • Issue 158 Insane Budgeting Decisions Budget cuts imperil community mental health By Eli Braun Contributing Writer H undreds of advocates ral­ lied June 24 at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus to protest proposed budget cuts to community mental health and substance abuse services. “Treatment works, people recover,” said their placards. “Behavioral health care IS health care.” But when Ohio lawmakers passed the 2010-2011 budget July 13 after weeks of negoti­ ations, funding for communi­ ty mental-health and addiction services took a substantial hit. For fiscal year 2010, the Ohio Department of Mental Health lost nearly $78.5 mil­ lion compared to 2009 funding levels. The Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addic­ tion Services lost approxi­ mately $10 million. Funding levels for fiscal year 2011 are similar. The cuts will primarily af­ fect community-based men- See Budget, p. 4 Advocates and clients rallied at the Ohio Statehouse for mental-health funding. Photo courtesy of Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities. Art for Hard Times No New Deal but a reawakened solidarity By Pat Clifford Contributing Writer political art. Hazelwood is the curator of an exhibit called “Hobos to Street People: Artrowing unemployment, ists’ Responses to Homelesstent cities and foreclo- ness from the New Deal to sures ... One starts to wonder the Present,” on display at the if it is 1929, California not 2009. Historical “It’s an ironic Is it enough Society in image to use, to make San Francissince what the you hum a co through shopping cart few bars of August 15. initially stood for “Brother, Can This exhibit was the basket of You Spare brings toplenty, of American a Dime?” gether the abundance, even Some powork of visuper-abundance.” litically ensual artists - Art Hazelwood gaged artists dealing with believe it’s poverty and time to do a homelesswhole lot more. ness in the hopes of encouragCalifornia-based artist and ing this type of work now and printmaker Art Hazelwood in the future. thinks that the conditions deThis past year has seen a mand a resurgence of relevant, presidential administration G that professes a new era of federal responsibil­ ity. Major programs to stimulate the economy and shore up the financial industry are being rolled out. Is this a new New Deal? Not quite. Re­ member, the Third Street Corridor, 1998 by Christine Hanlon. New Deal Photo courtesy of M. Lee Stone Fine Prints, San Jose, CA. not only inFair Labor Standards Act, and The new shopping cart cluded public works projects the National Labor Relations such as the Work Projects Ad- Act, which molded the busiThe old New Deal also cul­ ministration and the Civilian ness environment for years to tivated a cadre of significant Conservation Corps, but also come. artists. Starting in 1933 artists a host of legislation such as the Social Security Act, the See Art, p. 5 �2 The Vibe By The Numbers Streetwise By GrEGory flannEry editor 4 the number of Florida cities that made the “Ten Meanest Cities” list (see page 8.) Panhandling Discouraged, Pandering OK TV stations need ratings, and politicians need votes. This explains the flurry of attacks on poor and homeless people in various forums in Cincinnati in recent weeks. It started the number of dollars with a July 9 report on WKRC-TV (Channel 12) highlighting the fact that homeless per month it would cost people sleep outside the Hamilton County Courthouse and that, because the building is to establish the Bill closed at night, they urinate and defecate on the courthouse grounds. By the tone of the Cunningham Memorial coverage, you’d have thought some godless communist had strategically squatted Outhouse over Old Glory and taken a dump. (see page 12.) News media are social animals, usually traveling in packs, and so five days later the Cincinnati Enquirer picked up on the theme set by Channel 12, saying, “Streams of urine runs from the walls down the cracks of the sidewalk.” Oh, the horror! That same day Bill Cunningham of WLW (700 AM), never one to miss an opportunity to stir an ugly mob, described the behavior of the homeless campers at the courthouse as “peeing on the sym­ the percentage drop in bol of justice.” (See “Justice, Toilets and Bill Cunningham,” page 12.) federal funding for low- Even County Commissioner David Pepper, often a source of reason in matters of com­ income housing between plex social policy, couldn’t help himself, telling the Enquirer, “It’s clearly unacceptable 1976 and 2007 for (the courthouse area) to be used this way. The building needs to be clean and safe and (see page 3.) perceived that way.” Never mind that safety was never an issue. Never mind that the building isn’t involved; it’s locked at night. What is worth noting is the fact that Pepper is positioning himself for election to statewide office next year. the cost, in dollars, of a Josh Spring, executive director of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, plain burial box criticized Channel 12’s report and the ugly response it generated. Media reports casting (see page 8.) courthouse employees and visitors as the victims of the publicly expressed bodily needs of the approximately three dozen people forced to sleep outside the courthouse utterly missed the point, he said. “It is shameful that Channel 12 reported this story in this manner,” Spring said. “The victims in this situation are the 35 people who are forced to be homeless. The system has the Metacritic score for failed them, and they no longer have a place to call home.” Brüno (see page 9.) 85 56 500 54 Why Not Work Together? But one mustn’t generalize about politicians any more than any other group. It seems they can learn. Consider the case of Cincinnati City Councilman Jeff Berding, who made the year Leonard a splash July 15 with the noxious suggestion that panhandlers be forced to register with Jackson started selling the city, pay earnings tax on their gleanings and carry signs advertising how much (as if Streetvibes it were a lot) that the city spends to help homeless people. (see page 13.) Berding was apparently ignorant of the fact that city council has already tried requiring panhandlers to carry city licenses, which it abandoned in 2007 in order to settle a lawsuit in federal court. (See “The Crime of Being Poor,” page 8.) His proposal brought a swift response the next day from Gary Daniels, associate direc­ tor of the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio. the code number that “The city simply cannot randomly force a person to display a sign of their choosing or made Dmitri’s fellow prevent them from carrying their own sign,” he said. “In addition, charging a fee and re­ Soviets think he’d been quiring registration to panhandle will limit those who are unable to pay the fee or secure drinking one of the limited number of available permits. The effect of this legislation would likely (see page 6.) only exacerbate the plight of the homeless and silence this community further.” Spring, executive director of the Homeless Coalition, convinced Berding to drop the proposal. They’ve agreed to cooperate to find ways to actually do something to elimi­ nate the need for panhandling. million, the daily “I let Mr. Berding know that the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless will amount, in dollars, spent fight such a license to the end but is more than willing and is in fact eager to collaborate by the health industry to on real, lasting and homeless-ending solutions,” Spring said. “We discussed the need for lobby Congress more outreach workers to duplicate and multiply the success we have been experienc­ (see page 11.) ing, we discussed the placement of donation boxes with attached literature about what homelessness is, how we can solve it and make available resources for people who are homeless to pick up and use to get connected to solutions. The only way panhandling can end is if people no longer have a need to panhandle. We are making this happen for many and we can, through collaboration, make this happen for more and more people. In the the year the federal end, GCCH will pull together a small team of people who do outreach and GCCH will Public Works of Art lead a collaborative effort including both the outreach group and Mr. Berding to create Project began lasting and positive change relative to panhandling for all involved in our city.” (see page 1.) 1997 41 1.3 1933 STREETVIBES August 1 - 14, 2009 Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by people who are or once were homeless, in exchange for a $1 donation, Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Address: 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513.421.7803 x 12 Fax: 513.421.7813 Email: streetvibes2@ yahoo.com Website: www. cincihomeless.org Blog: streetvibes. wordpress.com Streetvibes Staff Editor Gregory Flannery Art Director Lynne Ausman Contributing Writers Lew Moores, Margo Pierce, Paul Kopp, Jeremy Flannery, Michael Henson, David Heitfield, Alecia Lott, Larry Gross, Stephanie Dunlap, Georgine Getty, Angela Pancella, Paul Miller, Will Kirschner Photography/Artwork Andrew Anderson, Aimie Willhoite, Lynne Ausman Proofreaders Jennifer Blalock Ranjit Rege The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati through coordination of services, public education, grassroots advocacy and Streetvibes. We are members of: �STREETVIBES August 1 - 14, 2009 Column Eight Minutes with a 3 Many people work hard to make a difference for the less privileged in the Queen City. “Eight Minutes” is an opportunity to learn who those people are and what motivates them to be a positive influence. ‘Nest Filler’ How one woman helps young adults pushed out of the nest too soon By MarGo PiErCE Contributing Writer How many 18-year-olds do you know who, having graduated from high school, find an apartment, land a full-time job, get to work on time every day, pay their rent, keep their refrigerator stocked and have aspirations of going to college? How many stay off drugs and out of jail and do all of that alone, with no parent or guardian to help? Lea Drury knows quite a few young adults who accomplish all of this but they start out homeless before they accomplish all the rest. A case manager for Lighthouse Youth Services, Drury works with homeless people aged 24 and younger. “I’ve had a lot of clients that I have given resources and they have followed through … and managed to get themselves into an apartment,” she says. “I’m just really there to guide them, give them resources. Survival skills are also helpful … just knowing how to live from day-to-day, like knowing where the soup kitchens are … living in an abandoned building without any electricity, where are they going to go to get a flashlight?” Referring to the determination, follow-through and timeliness as the “assets” that help young adults leave homelessness, Drury says the desire to succeed is what inspires them to accept assistance. “By the time they come to me, they’re pretty determined to do it, to help themselves,” she says. Drury meets a lot of her clients where they live - on the streets. “We provide case management for anybody 18-24 that’s homeless and whatever falls into that category – people with mental health, chemical dependency, displaced or pushed out of the nest on their 18th birthday. Half of my week I spend on the streets doing outreach for the entire community, walking around handing out condoms, sandwiches, socks – just basic survival gear.” After several casual conversations and building up some trust, Drury is able to learn which kids are ready and able to move beyond merely sur­ viving. There are many who need that assistance. The 2008 Homeless Management Infor­ mation System Annual Data Report notes that 1,317 of the 8,372 registered homeless people in Cincinnati are 18-30 years old. Many young adults who are homeless are former foster children, left without help after turning 18. “There are lots of people that are homeless (aged) 18­ 24, absolutely,” Drury says. “What I come across most fre­ quently are people who were in state custody. People in state custody when they turn 18 or 19 … (are) released or termi­ nated – they’re just kind of pushed out. The problem with that is young people have not learned self-sufficiency skills and don’t really know how to live independently. They’re released from state custody and end up in a shelter in a very short period of time.” One key reason is a lack of available and affordable hous­ ing. “One of the biggest prob­ lems that I have found is that it’s hard to get into housing,” Drury says. “It’s hard to get an 18- or 19-year-old into an apartment because a lot of landlords have had bad ex­ periences with young people. And low-income housing is challenging because a lot of the low-income people won’t even take anybody un­ til they’re 21. There’s a very small amount of low-income housing that will take people under the age of 21 … (and) the waiting lists are so long. “Because housing resources are so limited, and that’s usually the number one objective for the group that I work with, I say upfront, ‘Your options are I can put you on this wait­ ing list and we can just sit and wait and hope that your name gets called eventually or you can be proactive about this and … if you’re willing to work, you can do this job-training program.’ This is very chal­ lenging when you don’t have a place to lay your head.” The lack of housing isn’t surprising when taking into account how thoroughly the federal government has gutted housing assistance to those Lea Drury, case manager at Lighthouse Youth Services. Photo by Lynne Ausman. trapped in poverty. Federal funding for low-income housing fell 56 percent from 1976 to 2007, according to “Changing Laws, Changing Lives,” the 2007 Annual Report on Homelessness and Poverty by the National Law Center. “In 1976, federal housing funding was $87 billion, and 435,362 new affordable units were built,” the report says. “In 2007, funding had fallen to $38 billion, and zero new housing units were built.” Drury lists the kinds of difficulties most people don’t consider when handing out the dismissive “get a job” advice so frequently dispensed by those who have no experience with homelessness: no alarm clock to make sure you get up on time; no place to take a shower; no place to safely store clean clothes; no phone number with voicemail for potential employers to call to schedule an interview or a permanent address to use when filling out a W-2 once a job is offered. A lack of resources is one of the biggest hurdles she faces. “We need more shelter beds,” she says. “We need to be able to more quickly access mental-health services and chemical dependency services. The city could use another medical de-tox center other than Cathouse (the Center for Chemical Addictions Treatment).” The Mental Health Access Point has a two- to three-week wait time for appointments. “I have clients that need a lot more help,” Drury says. “Clients that have mentalhealth issues and maybe need to be in a group home or need to be in some sort of quick access program – I’m literally going everywhere with them until they’re stabilized.” Those with less severe mental health concerns are referred to Centerpoint Health for therapy appointments, but those take two to three months to get. Every person age 18-24 has challenges to overcome, and the systems in place to help them are also dealing with hurdles, but that’s not going to stop Drury. “We need more, just more,” Drury says. “But I think it’s always going to be that way.” �STREETVIBES August 1 - 14, 2009 Community News 4 Insane Budgeting (continued from page 1) tal-health services, as state psychiatric hospitals operate on a fixed budget. The community mental-health system covers supportive housing, medications, illness self-management, case management, counseling, diagnostic assessments, crisis intervention and crisis residential services. It provides treatment in less restrictive settings and at lower costs than psychiatric hospitals and emergency rooms. The budget leaves just $183.7 million for community mental-health services after state hospitals take their cut. That’s $23.3 million less than the $207 million in fiscal year 2009. The budget totaled $50.5 billion, about $2 billion less than the previous biennial budget. ‘Brink of collapse’ Advocates, providers and people with mental illness emphasize that Ohioans with mental illness have a right to community-based mentalhealth treatment. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 10 years ago in Olmstead v. L.C. that mental illness is a protected disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. In this historic pronouncement for civil rights, the court held that the unnecessary segregation and institutionalization of the mentally ill constitutes unlaw- ful discrimination. It directed about human beings and famistates to develop strong com- lies that can have productive munity-based lives with mental-health the right services to health care. Significant cuts to complement These are community-based institutional our family mental-health placements members, services undermine for the menneighbors Ohio’s obligation to tally ill. and friends support community In the who need days before help – integration, as the budget they are mandated by the passed, the the most Supreme Court. Center for vulnerable Community citizens.” Solutions, an People Ohio advocacy and research who do not receive sufficient group, warned that cuts to the care in the community often community mental-health sys- show up in other systems. tem would leave many Ohio- Many land in jails, prisons, ans without access to treat- homeless shelters or other setment, with potentially dire tings less conducive to recovconsequences. Their report ery. was titled, “Proposed Funding The criminal justice system Levels Push Community Men- has become the new asylum. tal Health System to Brink of A 2009 study in the journal Collapse.” Psychiatric Services found Significant cuts to commu- that 14.5 percent of men and nity-based mental-health ser- 31 percent of women in lovices undermine Ohio’s obli- cal jails suffered from serious gation to support community mental illness. Those rates are integration, as mandated by three to six times higher than the Supreme Court. rates in the general populaHealth-care advocates tion. In Hamilton County in warned that cuts would come 2008, 40.1 percent of the adult at a heavy price. homeless population were “Behavioral health care mentally ill, according to the has been historically under- Partnership Center. funded in Ohio, but these pro“If we expect people to reposed cuts would put lives in cover, we have to put in them danger,” said Cheri L. Walter, in a recovery environment,” CEO of the Ohio Association said Gloria Walker, chair of County Behavioral Health and acting director of Urban Authorities. “We are talking Greater Cincinnati Network on Mental Illness, a chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. If communitybased services aren’t funded, she said, people will get sicker, and some will die. Pay now or pay later Inadequate community funding will result in increased use of emergency rooms and hospitalization, both of which carry large price-tags. Ohio’s Coalition for Healthy Communities sent an open letter to Gov. Ted Strickland two weeks before the budget passed. “Reducing funding to behavioral health services does not save taxpayer dollars,” the letter said. “In fact, the opposite is true. The choice is simple. Ohio can invest an average $7,400 per person on treatment for mental illness and $1,600 for addiction treatment at the community level. Or we can spend $25,000 per adult and $79,000 per juvenile in our state correctional facilities, $1,600 per day on avoidable emergency room visits or $18,000 a year for every child in foster care. Or we can add to the list of avoidable deaths.” Does the 2010-2011 budget meet our legal and societal obligations? Fewer people will receive community-based mentalhealth care in the next two years. Without treatment, more people will end up homeless or in jail, marginalized for lit- tering, trespassing, loitering or other petty offenses that begin as symptoms of untreated mental illness. In an essay – “Why Are So Many Americans in Prison?” – economist and social critic Glenn Loury wrote, “When we hold a person responsible for his or her conduct – by establishing laws, investing in their enforcement, and consigning some persons to pris­ ons – we need also to think about whether we have done our share in ensuring that each person faces a decent set of opportunities for a good life. We need to ask whether we as a society have fulfilled our collective responsibility to ensure fair conditions for each person.” Budget allocations regarding community mental-health services have real-world im­ pact in the lives of Ohioans. Advocates like Susan, an Ohioan and parent of a mentally ill child (who asked that her last name be withheld) ar­ gue that neither homelessness nor criminal activity is inevi­ table. “There is so much commu­ nity outrage when a severely mentally ill person commits a crime,” she says, “but few resources to help them dayto-day so a crime doesn’t get committed.” Healing a Nation How much is universal health care worth? By Will KirsChnEr Contributing Writer Forty-six million people in the United States lacked health insurance as of 2007, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2008 Ohio Fam­ ily Health Survey counted 1.3 million uninsured in this state. The numbers will have certainly risen with the cur­ rent economic crisis and the increase in unemployment. Almost everyone believes that there is a problem with the in­ surance system, and proposed solutions are myriad. President Obama has brought the issue to the fore­ front with his plan to reform health care. His proposal in­ cludes an option for all people to get health care while allow­ ing those who already have it to keep what they choose. The plan wouldn’t tax people making less than $350,000 a year. Families making over $1 million a year would pay a surcharge based on adjusted gross income, including capi­ tal gains and dividends. Some businesses would face ad­ ditional taxes. A preliminary analysis by the Congressional Budget Office said Obama’s plan would cost more than $1 trillion over 10 years and re­ duce the number of uninsured by nearly 37 million. Eight years ago six people met in a union office in Cleve­ land and formed the Single Payer Universal Health Care Organizing Committee, later changed to the Single Payer Action Network Ohio (SPAN Ohio). The group’s objective is to have the state guarantee health care for all Ohioans, regard­ less of income. Unlike other plans, this system would get rid of all private health insur­ ance and put the government in charge – the “single payer.” This system is more common­ ly known as universal health care. ‘Waited too long’ SPAN Ohio wants passage of the Health Care for All Ohioans Act, which would create a single payer system in Ohio, seeing it as a precedent for other states to follow. His­ torically, issues such as wom­ en’s suffrage and child labor laws began at the state level. Carolyn Park, a member of the Cincinnati chapter of SPAN Ohio, believes this change should be immediate rather than gradual. But she says Obama’s plan is a step in the right direction. Park says her experience in the health-care industry moti­ vated her to join SPAN Ohio. She worked as a pharmacy technician in Detroit. She is now a paraprofessional in the one,” Rucknagel says. Cincinnati Public Schools. One of the biggest problems “I just saw the need that with the current system is that people have,” uninsured peo­ Park says. “I ple can’t get saw the prob­ health care and SPAN Ohio lems they had they end up in believes with paying for the emergency switching their prescrip­ room, he says. to a single tions and all “By the time health-care the problems many people bureaucracy that go along go to the emer­ will lower the with health gency room money spent care, the high or see about a on the complex prices.” situation, they bureaucracy of Retired Dr. have waited health care. Don Ruckna­ too long,” he gel has been says. “When it in the medical is caught at an field since 1952. An emeritus earlier stage, there could have professor of pediatrics and in­ been a much better outcome at ternal medicine at Children’s a much better price, and that’s Hospital of Cincinnati, he is a what preventative medicine is member of SPAN Ohio’s ex­ all about.” ecutive board. Rucknagel has a good ex­ “It has always incensed me ample of how having so many that the richest nation cannot uninsured harms the system. pay for health care for every- See Healing, p. 7 �STREETVIBES August 1 - 14, 2009 Art Review Art for Hard Times 5 (continued from page 1) Breadline, 1935 by Iver Rose. Photo courtesy of M. Lee Stone Fine Prints, San Jose, Calf. were employed by the Public Works of Art Project. This effort was eventually subsumed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to engage artists in printmaking, public murals and documentary photography. Many artists rose to prominence in this era, including Dorthea Lange and Walker Evans. Unfor­ tunately for the Tri-State, 80 percent of WPA art commissions in Ohio went to the Cleveland area. The most prominent in Cincinnati are the murals in Lunken Airport by William Harry Gothard. But the WPA was not just about employing artists, of course. It was also about molding public opinion in support of the New Deal. “Roosevelt and those running the WPA were trying to get public support be­ hind the New Deal to justify all they were building,” says Paul Boden, director of the Western Regional Advocacy Project. Political art is increasingly important, according to Hazelwood. “It brings a message and speaks to people who are in the struggle,” he says. “An image can be powerful in giving support to those people. That is no small thing in itself.” Many of the works included in the exhibit are posters meant to be used in organizing campaigns. These are important tools, Boden says. “That’s what people put on their wall,” he says. Even so, artists sometimes lapse into caricature or stereotype when they are trying to represent a class of people. When it comes to homeless people, that often means tragic or “pathetic” images meant to pull on the viewer’s heart­ strings. “I think this partly is due to lack of a political framework for the artists to work in,” Hazelwood says. “They don’t really know the issues. In many cases, homelessness is an issue that has not been connected to the mainstream left movements. Artists don’t know how to think about it, so they go for the easy pathos, which is what people see thrown at them from the aid agencies. Empow­ erment is a difficult image to portray unless you know the issues.” This becomes problematic for Boden. “You’re not going to hire bums and yokels to build your public school or pay them prevailing wage,” he says. “It’s hard to do that if you’re defining everyone who’s homeless as chronically dysfunctional.” Hazelwood notes that one recurring image in the exhibit is that of a shopping cart. “It’s an ironic image to use, since what the shopping cart initially stood for was the basket of plenty, of American abundance, even super-abundance,” he says. This image of abundance is turned on its head, providing a critique to the type of society that leaves large numbers of its citizens living on the street. al government nowadays. “Government has got­ ten out of the business “Artists today are more altogether,” Hazelwood likely to take an activist role says. “The artists emagainst the government’s ployed by different fedlack of action. Artists who eral agencies in the Dedo get involved are often pression served different connected through homeless functions but they were rights organizations.” - Art employed, and that did Hazelwood two things. It gave them solidarity, and it allowed them to look to the gov­ ernment programs in a positive light.” This solidarity must be formed in other ways. “Now artists are divided from each other by competition, from solidarity with issues of poverty, in many cases by wealth, and from any sense that the govern­ ment is helping by the reality of the lack of government action,” Hazelwood says. “As a result, artists today are more likely to take an activist role against the government’s lack of action. Artists who do get involved are often connected through homeless rights organizations.” Despite these difficulties, Boden feels an urgent need to connect serious art­ ists to the struggle for economic equality. “We need to start identifying issues and give those messages to serious artists,” he says. “When the artwork is serious, it’s amazing how much it resonates.” Although more related to street art than to the legacy of the New Deal, Shep­ ard Fairey’s iconic poster of Barack Obama effectively joined contemporary art to a political program at the highest levels. However, those who are being portrayed must be the ones to frame the debate. One might wonder, with all the baggage the term “homeless” implies, is it time to reconsider the term itself? Just as the term “hobo” has become antiquated, in the future will the term “homeless” mark the poverty of a particular historic moment? “I believe that terms of identification have to come from the people they refer to,” Hazelwood says. “If people who are homeless feel the need to choose a name that describes them in a more empowering way, that is great. Taking own­ ership of your name is important.” The new Okies Though the spending associated with World War II is widely credited with lifting the country out of the Great Depression, the New Deal programs provided a safety net for the poor. This safety net was gradually dismantled throughout the past two decades. Boden has fought this roll back, committing over 20 years of his life to activism on behalf of the poor and homeless. “A couple of years ago we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the New Deal,” he says. “Back then the issue was with the aggressive anti-Okie laws. You know: ‘If you’re looking for a job, don’t stop here.’ Now we would call them ‘anti­ homeless’ laws.” Is there a current generation of new New Deal artists working hard to docu­ ment inequality and promote systemic change? One shouldn’t look to the feder­ Brother Can You Spare A Dime, 1933/36 by Albert Potter. Photo courtesy of M. Lee Stone Fine Prints, San Jose, Calif. �Issues 6 Warm Beer and Cold War STREETVIBES August 1 - 14, 2009 In South Korea, exploitation was a way of life for U.S. military By david hEitfiEld Contributing Writer “LBJ,” after our 36th presi- shoes shined and uniforms dent: “One toke, and you go pressed and hung – six days on welfare state.” One of my a week. My houseboy would [Editor's note: This is the favorite idioms expressed a maybe once a month ask me second part of a series in which long passage for a favor – the author recalls his experi- of time as milk or ciga­ Clinton is a ences as a Korean linguist in “when the tirettes usually. “funny lady” who the U.S. Navy 30 years ago, ger smoked Otherwise, is “by no means in an attempt to address the cigarettes.” he was a pro, intelligent,” conservative White Guilt that W h e n as reliable as according to a results in the need to cease- drinking with mallard rape. North Korean lessly Support Our Troops, a group of The bars spokesperson last even though they mostly have Koreans, we were segre­ week. “Sometimes no idea who these troops are would order gated by race she looks like a or what they are doing.] several botand were filled primary schoolgirl I never thought I'd say this, tles of beer with “busi­ and sometimes a but Secretary of State Hillary at a time for ness women” pensioner going Clinton and I share something each person. – they would shopping.” in common: We've both been When I menget really mad called names by the North Ko- tioned that if you called reans. said custom them prostiClinton is a “funny lady” resulted in drinking a lot of tutes – who were not just trywho is “by no means intel- warm beer, I was told, “Yes, it ing to sell nightly fun, but most ligent,” according to a North is a stupid custom, but it is our were hoping to land a “yobo.” Korean spokesperson last custom, and do you know of A yobo would live with you at week. “Sometimes she looks any customs that are not stu- rack rates starting around $200 like a primary schoolgirl and pid?” You could call someone monthly and upwards. Many sometimes a pensioner going a sonovabitch, a number 10 marriages started with yobo shopping.” sonovabitch, or a number 18 relationships. The bar segreNow, before you reach an sonofabitch, but if you called gation assisted the business epiphany that the North Ko- someone, say, a number 15 woman who wanted to make rean News Agency works in sonovabitch, you'd be laughed a little extra money when her concert with Rush Limbaugh at for being illiterate. The yobo went on a deployment: and the Republican National ultimate bar-fighting insult If she found her yobo in a Committee, you should know roughly translated to “your white bar, she'd hit the black that the People’s Republic of mother has 100 pubic hairs.” bars; and vice versa. Since the Korea likes to insult all Amersegregation extended to most icans, not just the liberals. social relationships as well as Love and other American values the bar, there was little chance Some of my recent favorites: President George Bush was of the yobo getting caught. “a hooligan bereft of any perWhen I think of my time in The business women were sonality of a human being” and the country, I often think of memorable not just because of “a half-baked man in terms of how we were often awakened the pathetic situation in which morality” who looks like “a in the morning by a ringing we were of course complicit chicken soaked in the rain.” bell, which meant there was – heck, they could be thrown Vice President Dick Cheney animal fornication going on. in jail if they were found to be was “a mentally deranged “Duck fuck! Duck fuck!” Mr. skipping out on their weekly person” who was “hated as the Han would scream, laugh- required checks for venereal most cruel monster and blood- ing and getting his little bar disease – but because of their thirsty beast as he drenched area ready for the day if any- hard sell. At least, that's what various parts of the world in one wanted to start eating or I'll never forget. “American blood.” Secwomen are all retary of Deselfish and only A college woman I befriended from fense Donald think of themYonsei University (who would never Rumsfeld selves. Korean dare date an American) told me it’s a was “a powoman will take good idea to marry a Korean business litical dwarf, good care of you; woman, because even if she’s a human scum American wom­ drug-addled alcoholic who slept with or hysteric” an will cheat on thousands of men, that’s still better and a “huyou and cry and than what any self-absorbed American man butcher scream and take female has to offer. and fascist all your money.” tyrant who This was a line puts an ogre you heard from to shame.” drinking or playing cards. Mr. every Korean business wom­ While stationed at Camp Han had one of the better jobs an, even the ones who were Humphreys in a small base on base – I think we paid him not directly involved in the sex town about an hour south of around $50 a week, plus gen- trade. Even a college woman I Seoul called Anjong-ni, just erous tips. befriended from Yonsei Uni­ outside Pyongtaek, I soon beBy contrast, my houseboy versity (who would never dare came impressed that Korean worked for $20 a month and date an American) told me it's people were hard-working, a little black market action. a good idea to marry a Korekind, and had a rather wick- (Of course, he had several an business woman, because ed sense of humor, which I clients, so he did make more even if she's a drug-addled presumed was built through than $100 a month for his la- alcoholic who slept with thou5,000 years of mostly being bor.) What did you get for $20 sands of men, that's still better conquered by other nations. a month? Your living quarters than what any self-absorbed When one Korean described were cleaned, your laundry American female has to offer. some good pot, he called it done and folded away, your A group of construction workers walk away after paying their respects to a statue of Kim Il-Sung in Pyongyang. Photo by REUTERS/Reinhard Kraus. The big ROK candy mountain how Americans had broken up families during the war and continued to keep them apart. I spent a month on the DMZ Just learning about North Korea was itself a lesson on a “goodwill mission” with in the Cold War. The Great the Republic of Korea (ROK) Leader Kim Il-Sung, father of Army when one of the loud­ identi­ speakers the current dying fied me, and it Dear Leader Kim Five-yearwas damn scary. Jong-Il, was heold children There have been a roically revered were armed number of people to an extent simand learned killed on the DMZ ply unimaginable to recite since the end of the to most people. the antiwar in 1953, perStories of his exAmerican haps the most griz­ ploits during the catechism. zly being the “Axe Korean War were Murder Incident” fantastical, and in 1976, when two museums were Americans were axed to death dedicated to the atrocities of Americans during the war. after trying to chop down a Five-year-old children were poplar tree that was obstruct­ armed and learned to recite the ing a checkpoint. The complexities of the anti-American catechism. The newspapers had front-page relationship between Ameri­ news only about the Great can servicemen and Koreans Leader getting congratulations is too deep to adequately de­ from one world leader or an- scribe in this article. For inother. If the newspaper carried stance, the Kwangju Incident, a picture of the Great Leader, in which a 2007 movie, May it was against the law to throw 18, recounts, took place in the paper away – you had to 1980. Initially, students protesting the closing of Chon­ burn it, like a tattered flag. In a country of limited food nam University were attacked and transportation, the first by the military using bayo­ two cars of each commuter nets, and over the next several train would be filled daily with days some 100,000 Koreans fresh flowers adorning a large came out to protest. The army portrait of the Great Leader. used paratroopers, machine There were loudspeakers guns and, as some witnesses on the demilitarized zone said, tanks to quell the unrest, (DMZ), continually broad- and civilians formed militias casting propaganda messages and got their own machine to South Korean troops about See Beer, p. 7 �STREETVIBES August 1 - 14, 2009 Local News Healing a Nation “Say a person has a strep throat and they start worry­ ing,” he says. “Well, they don’t have a doctor to go to, so they go to the emergency room. Just checking yourself in an emergency room can cost $500 before a doctor or nurse even lays an eyeball on you.” The U.S. Chamber of Com­ merce opposes any steps to­ ward more government in­ volvement in health care. It argues, as do most groups, that the insurance system needs to be restructured to elimi­ nate unnecessary spending. The American Medical As­ sociation estimates that waste due to inefficient health-care claims processing, payment and reconciliation could be anywhere from $21 billion to $210 billion. SPAN Ohio believes switch­ ing to a single health-care bureaucracy will lower the money spent on the complex bureaucracy of health care. Although retired, Ruck­ nagel still spends one day a week working at the Adult Sickle Cell Center at Univer­ sity Hospital. He often has to spend upwards of an hour (continued from page 4) on the phone with insurance companies explaining the ne­ cessity of a more expensive medication compared to a cheaper, less effective alterna­ tive, he says. ‘Take your pick’ The biggest question in health-care reform is where the money will come from. SPAN Ohio’s plan includes an income-tax increase of 6.2 percent for people making over $94,200 a year. People making over $200,000 would pay an additional five percent of their gross income. A tax on business would cost 3 percent of gross receipts and up to 3.85 percent on payrolls. Opponents of various pro­ posals object to the way the taxation is set up. “We believe that marketdriven health reforms are the best approach to reducing costs, promoting efficiency, wellness, and quality of care,” says a U.S. Chamber of Com­ merce statement on the health care plan pending in the U.S. Senate. “Using convoluted subsidies, employer mandates and legal structures to force Warm Beer and Cold War (continued from page 6) guns to fight the army. The “official” casualty toll was 144 civilians, four police and 22 army troops. The movie put the casualty toll at 207 deaths, almost 2,400 wounded and nearly 1,000 missing, al­ though it says those numbers are also in dispute and could be higher. The popular theory was that the South Korean govern­ ment had an agreement with U.S. forces that they could not move nor fire upon anyone without the express consent of the U.S. Command. Hence, we Americans were ultimately to blame for the massacre. It was later confirmed that the United States had authorized the retaking of Kwangju by the South Korean Army to restore order, but who authorized the first order to fire on and beat civilians is still unanswered. Anyway, a fellow sailor and I were going to spend a month on this mountain with the ROK Army to help them with their English, while we worked on our conversation­ al Korean. (Needless to say, their English was far better 7 than our Korean.) When we first arrived, a young officer started kicking the shit out of everything in a show of force, demanding our unquestioned obedience in all things. My partner freaked out over this; I was pretty confident the of­ ficer was smart enough to know that laying a finger on an American meant the end of his career. Still, I recall mak­ ing radio contact with some people in Seoul that night, and the next day the lieutenant was our bestest buddy, and stayed that way for the next month, although he made no secret of the fact he hated us. For a month we slept in an open barracks with no privacy, ate our daily ration of fish head soup (it is just what you think it is), kimchee and rice; and then the North Koreans, having ob­ viously spotted at least one of the Americans, started calling us names over the loudspeak­ ers at night: “You have an American bastard among you! He rapes your sister! Kill him in his sleep!” So you see, Hillary got off easy. Carolyn Park, member of Cincinnati chapter of SPAN Ohio. Photo by Andrew Anderson. people into a connector and then into a public governmentrun plan fails to tackle the un­ derlying challenge of control­ ling costs, improving care and expanding coverage.” Some people are afraid of more government involve­ ment in something as personal as health care, but Rucknagel sees it as a clear choice. “So there are two institu­ tions you can trust: insurance agencies or the government,” he says. “Take your pick.” A press release by U.S. Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Cincinnati) calls for a middle path. “In addition to expanding access and reducing costs for families, I believe any mean­ ingful reform must ensure that patients cannot be denied cov­ erage because of pre-existing conditions and that individu­ als won’t have to worry about losing coverage if they change jobs,” the statement says. “At the same time we need to en­ sure that protections are put in place so that small businesses are not unduly burdened by the costs of reform efforts.” Almost everyone agrees that the system in place now is ineffective. “What we have now is not working,” Park says. “People are hurting, people are suffer­ ing and people are dying.” �STREETVIBES August 1 - 14, 2009 Local News 8 Death on the Cheap Burial doesn’t have to cost so much By larry Gross Contributing Writer where an old lady in Costco has a casket in her cart and she’s pushing it through the When you walk by 722 store. They made a funny out Main St. downtown and look of it, but it stuck in my head.” in the show­ Lusain room win­ went online, dow, you’re r esearched An Internet going to see Costco and search turned up something saw that it a casket store in you don’t sells caskets, Indianapolis that see every but they have day: caskets to be shipped. had the same for sale. He didn’t casket he wanted, “Initially, want to pay and it was $1,300 I was go­ without see­ cheaper than ing to have ing the casket buying from the a wall here first. An In­ funeral home. in front and ternet search have a show­ turned up a room in the casket store back where people could see in Indianapolis that had the them,” says Eric Lusain, own­ same casket he wanted, and it er of Main St. Casket Co., “but was $1,300 cheaper than buy­ someone said, ‘No, you need ing from the funeral home. to put them in the window so Lusain started researching when people see them, they’ll the Federal Trade Commis­ remember.’ ” sion’s regulations on the sale Lusain also wants you to of caskets, which led him to remember the price of his dis­ open his store in Cincinnati. counted caskets. You can save “The FTC had to start regu­ up to 80 percent off the prices lating the business because at most funeral homes. funeral homes were price“Nowadays with things be­ fixing them along with the ing as tight as they are, people casket companies,” he says. are thinking twice,” he says. “People can buy their caskets Lusain discovered the high somewhere else, the register cost of burial last year in In­ book somewhere else and also dianapolis. the flowers. People think you “Back in September, we have to get them from the fu­ had a loved one who passed,” neral home. You don’t.” he says. “We were respon­ The FTC regulation, issued sible for the burial, and we in 1982, has become known as had to pay out-of-pocket. I the “Funeral Rule.” Most fu­ never buried anybody before, neral directors don’t educate and we got sticker shock. I their customers on the subject, had no idea that it would cost but some consumers are catch­ that much. I tried to figure out ing on, according to Lusain. ways to shave the price down. “I’ve had one funeral home I remembered some movie call me and say, ‘Why are you Eric Lusain, owner of Main St. Casket Co. in downtown Cincinnati. Photo by Andrew Anderson. taking money out of my pock­ et?’ ” he says. His store has been open for more than six months, but Lu­ sain had to wait for one of his tenants, a clothing retailer, to move. “Before the store opened, we were warehousing (cas­ kets) in the back,” he says. “People would pull up in the alley and take a look at them. We were selling them back there. It just didn’t feel right.” Lusain says business is good. His most popular cas­ ket is the Neapolitan Blue. It has a navy blue finish with light blue velvet interior in a French fold design. This cas­ ket, which also features an ad­ justable bed, goes for $999. At a funeral home, you’ll pay at least $3,050. Another popular casket is the Going Home Blue, which has a light blue crepe interior. At a funeral home, you’ll pay an average $2,635. At Main Street Casket Co., it’s yours for $799. Most of Lusain’s caskets are imported. “What a lot of people don’t know is some big casket com­ panies that are domestic are now made in Mexico,” he says. “There’s not a lot that’s truly domestic these days.” Most of Lusain’s caskets start at $999, including deliv­ ery to a funeral home. If you need to go cheaper, he’s also got boxes for $500 or even less. “Funeral homes carry them,” Lusain says, “but they won’t tell you unless you ask.” He also sells vaults that start at $499 and also offers pet caskets that start at $199. If cremation is your thing, you can pick up an urn for $135. Lusain says he doesn’t “store” caskets until the time of need, but does offer a pre­ plan set-up with a contract. He says he’s never had a custom­ er who wanted to try one on for size, but you don’t need a dead body to buy a casket. “It’s merchandise,” Lusain says. “It’s not against the law. A guy had cash, his own truck, came in, got the casket and we’re wheeling it down the street, sticking it in his truck. The guy actually had a 1961 hearse he was restoring, and he wanted to put a casket in it.” Most of Lusain’s custom­ ers have lost loved ones but he says he doesn’t see a lot of tears in his store. “When families come in here, they’re not grieving,” he says. “They’re excited. They’re saving at least two grand.” The Crime of Being Poor Discrimination against homeless people is the American way By GrEGory flannEry editor Laws that punish people for being Mormon, lesbian, African-American or deaf would never stand in the United States. But laws that punish people for being poor proliferate. “Homes Not Handcuffs” is the ninth report on the criminalization of homelessness by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. The report documents ordinances in cities across the country that make it a crime to do things that people do precisely because they are poor: panhandling, sleeping on benches and under bridges, ! ? t a h W y a relieving themselves in public. Based on research in 273 cities, the report decries the use of jail cells as housing for the poor. “Even though most cities do not provide enough affordable housing, shelter space and food to meet the need, many cities use the criminal justice system to punish people living on the street for doing things that they need to do to survive,” the report says. “Such measures often prohibit activities such as sleeping/ camping, eating, sitting and/or begging in public spaces and include criminal penalties for violation of these laws. Some cities have even enacted foodsharing restrictions that punish groups and individuals for serving homeless people. Many of these measures ap­ pear to have the purpose of moving homeless people out of sight or even out of a given city.” The Cincinnati Park Board, for example, restricts the distribution of food to poor people in Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine. Churches and groups such as Food Not Bombs sometimes flout the rule and sometimes sidestep it by setting up food stations on sidewalks near the park. A few years ago the crimi­ nalization report named Cin­ cinnati the Sixth Meanest City to Homeless People. Cincin­ nati didn’t make the cut this year. These days sunny climes seem to be especially mean to See Crime, p. 9 Words sing. They hurt. They teach. They sanctify. They were man’s first immeasurable feat of magic. They liberated us from ignorance and our barbarous past. ~ Leo Rosten S _____________________ �STREETVIBES August 1 - 14, 2009 Movie Review Getting Famoüs 9 We have met ‘Brüno,’ and he is us By david hEitfiEld Contributing Writer mistake to be made in Bruno: We have met the enemy, and it is us. The scene from Brüno that There's nothing subtle lingers with me – and how about it. Early in the movie, “staged” it was is irrelevant Brüno sets out on his quest – is not the talking penis, nor to “be famous” by setting up the swingers' club a focus group meeting where to view his new The amazing thing about the movie show idea on D­ Brüno is repeatedly slashed by list celebrities. is that, given the focus group and a female domiYou see what the the reaction of other people in natrix, nor the focus group sees the film, Cohen and Charles had near-riot caused – hell, you are to know this movie was probably by caged manthe focus group gonna bomb, and yet they made it on-man action in – and Cohen, anyway, and the distributors spent a front of a crowd quite literally, is shaking his dick that loves its hethuge amount of money promoting it. erosex. No, it's in your face. the scene of Paula Just as the focus Abdul mindlessly sitting on a spirator. group responds with disgust Mexican laborer as he is on all I've talked to people who – and they're only watch­ fours to provide her a “chair” refuse to even watch Borat ing it on a small television, in the absence of furniture. because “it just makes fun whereas you are watching it As she sits atop this poor of rednecks,” (pity the poor on a large movie screen – so man's back, Abdul earnestly Republican, who must look has been the reaction of many talks about how she “eats and to Ann Coulter and Larry the audience members and crit­ breathes” to help and be of Cable Guy for his humor) and ics. I was fully one-fourth of service to others. it turns out many people who the audience for the screening In one respect, Brüno is a like the movie agree with that I watched, and the Metacritic corrective to Sacha Baron Co­ sentiment, as if Cohen and di­ score for Brüno is a dismal 54, hen's 2006 Borat: the earlier rector Larry Charles decided compared to Borat's score of movie allowed the audience to make fun of the racism and 89. to keep some distance, watch­ bigotry of the South. I saw While I agree Borat is the ing Borat make his documen­ the satire as much more broad better movie, nothing in Borat tary while chasing his dream than that, but there's no such really surprised me, mostly girl to California. Brüno takes the same mockumentary style, without the making-a­ documentary conceit, and the result is disorienting. At the very least, you are a voyeur; more likely, you are a co-con­ because being a white male, I've seen and heard much of the overt racism and bigotry that movie took to its core (and no, it's not just in the South). Watching Brüno evoked far See Famous, p. 11 The Crime of Being Poor (continued from page 8) homeless people, with Florida and California dominating this year’s 10 Meanest Cities: Los Angeles, Calif.; St. Pe­ tersburg, Fla.; Orlando, Fla.; Atlanta, Ga.; Gainesville, Fla.; Kalamazoo, Mich.; San Francisco, Calif.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Bradenton, Fla.; and Berkeley, Calif. Cincinnati did, however, earn mention for the settle­ ment of a four-year legal bat­ tle over an ordinance requiring panhandlers to obtain licenses and for a legal challenge to state laws that prohibited a homeless sex offender from staying at the Drop Inn Center because of its proximity to a school. The case was eventu­ ally dropped because the man left the area, the report says. Because of state law, the Drop Inn Center still cannot give shelter to sex offenders, no matter how cold it is outside or how hungry they are. Thirteen cities have installed meters that resemble parking meters to accept money that people would otherwise give panhandlers. The proceeds go to agencies that help homeless people. While better than laws restricting panhandling, the meters are still a prob­ try, the response by city officials has been re­ lem, the report says. “If meter programs pression. are combined with “Since early 2007, St. campaigns telling peo­ Petersburg has passed ple not to give to people six new ordinances that asking for money, they target homeless people,” can have a detrimen­ the report says. “These tal impact on people include ordinances that outlaw panhan­ who are in dire need of assistance and can dling throughout most discourage the human of downtown, prohibit connection that occurs the storage of personal when one person gives belongings on public to another person in property and make it need,” the report says. unlawful to sleep out­ “Finally, the amount side at various loca­ of money raised by tions. In January 2007, the meters may not be the Pinellas-Pasco Pub­ significant enough to lic Defender announced make an actual impact that he would no longer on the larger issue of represent indigent peo­ poverty in any given ple arrested for violating community. municipal ordinances to The report details the protest what he called Some cities repurpose old parking increase in homeless­ excessive arrests of ness across the country meters so that potential givers can give to homeless individuals services instead of panhandlers. by the city of St. Peters­ as a result of the Bush burg.” Recession: ing in shelters rose by • Some 311,000 tenants • 33 percent in the past year. The report also highlights nationwide were evicted • Cities surveyed for the re­ constructive responses by a from rental properties in port experienced an aver­ handful of cities in the United the past year after lenders age 12 percent increase in States. foreclosed. • The city of Daytona Beach, homelessness. • Massachusetts reports that Fla., worked with service In many parts of the coun­ the number of families livproviders and business groups to set up a program that provides homeless people with jobs and hous­ ing. Participants are hired to clean up downtown and receive shelter. • The city of Cleveland con­ tracted with the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless to provide an indoor food-sharing site to groups that wish to use it. • The city of Portland, Ore., began “A Key Not a Card,” with outreach workers able to immediately offer people living on the street permanent housing. That kind of response points to the report’s chief recom­ mendation: “Instead of crimi­ nalizing homelessness, local governments, business groups and law-enforcement officials should work with homeless people, providers and advo­ cates for solutions to prevent and end homelessness,” the report says. “When cities work with homeless persons and advocate for solutions to homelessness, instead of pun­ ishing those who are homeless or poor, everyone benefits.” �Poetry 10 Only the Deaf Want to Listen STREETVIBES August 1 - 14, 2009 The poetry of Daniel Thompson By MiChaEl hEnson Contributing Writer It’s hard to imagine Cincinnati – or any other city I know of – honoring a poet like Daniel Thompson. It’s hard to imagine a city honoring a poet at all. But in Cleveland, there is a downtown street renamed for a poet who spent his life as an advocate for the homeless and the poor. It’s a short street. It’s not like they’re going to give up the naming rights to an interstate highway to a mere poet. But it’s a street, a real paved street: Daniel’s Way. And they even have a plaque installed on a wall to explain who Daniel was. In Cincinnati, the people who get to give names to streets would just as soon have the poets go away. Say what you want about Cleveland, but they have at least some of their priorities right. I first encountered the poetry of Daniel Thompson this year in May. The poet and singer Bree Zlee and the poet/publisher/bookseller Charles Potts had put together a weekend of poetry events, and I was along for the ride. This particular part of the ride took us downtown to the spot where the plaque had been installed on the street known as Daniel’s Way. May in Cleveland is not the same as May in Cincinnati, and I did not go dressed for the cold. So I shivered in a small circle of about a dozen as we read the poems of – and poems dedicated to – Daniel. Then and there I became a fan of the poetry of Daniel Thompson. Daniel was an activist for the homeless and the poor in the city of Cleveland who eventually became poet laureate of Cuyahoga County. He never published a book, but several collections of his work are floating around, including a special edition of The Homeless Grapevine, the Cleveland version of Streetvibes. Daniel seems incapable of writing a bad poem. He hits on old themes (there are, after all, no new themes), but in his work, everything is fresh, everything is sharp and clear, everything reflects in sharp detail the cruel ironies of poverty in a land of wealth. At no time does he resort to stereotype or cliché. There is no ranting, no flat ideological droning. There is only clarity of language and relentless compassion. Here are a few samples: Again A New Beatitude Walking to starlight in a dark season, I hear a new beatitude, America. Listen, Blessed are the homeless, for they shall inherit the street, the sidewalk, the bushes, the cold, cold ground, whatever falls from heaven, pennies of rain, of snow, any spare change of weather, day-old manna, the donut and the hole in the donut, the hole in the sock, in the sole of the shoe, and in the cold, cold ground, and, O, I almost forgot, America, this, too, from you, the cold eye of the stranger… you’re returning to the haunts of the lonely, the broken, on the childhood side of town. Read the signs: IGNORE ALIEN ORDERS ROAD NARROWS Till another deserves one good turn, forgetting nothing, exit on the off chance you may leap from your car in ecstasy, hunger after light, divine for water, turning over the heart’s new leaf to the dark music inside, night coming on quickly. Listen: If you were homeless you’d be home now. News From Home The dogs have turned wild… since you’ve gone, the moon, blue; and my heart in Hell has fro­ zen over…It’s Heaven. Your work is cut out for you when you return… All your calls have stopped…save the mimes; and they’re good. You can’t hear them breathe. Otherwise every­ thing’s business as usual. Only the blind want to read your poems; Only the deaf want to listen. Many thanks to Christopher Franke, a friend and poetic colleague of Daniel who shared these poems with me. 1128 Walnut St Pizza by the Slice Tues and Thurs Buffet($7.00)-11AM-2PM Wed-Thur-Fri-Sat 9PM-3AM Only purchase Streetvibes from BADGED vendors. Vendors wear their WHITE badges while they sell the paper. �STREETVIBES August 1 - 14, 2009 Editorial 11 The Struggle for National Health care – and Steve Driehaus We must act while we have the momentum By Martha stEPhEns Contributing Writer ter, for government help on the premiums – to private insurance – of people losing their jobs. No mention, though, of Driehaus’s positions on President Obama’s health plan, with its public option. And this is exactly the point, it seems – the ad’s lack of reference to the bills being debated in Congress and the public option. It is made to look like a campaign ad from himself, perhaps: “Hey! We’re telling people that everybody admires your work on healthHomeless people need nacare! We admire you and will tional health care – that's for stick by you. You don’t need sure. Sick and disabled people to back a controversial bill need it. Low-income people with a public option that atneed it. In reality, we all need tacks our industry.” it – birth to grave care, that is, A recent report has calcu­ from doctors and hospitals of lated that $1.3 million a day our choosing, government to is spent on lobbying Congress pay the bills, those who can to by the health industry. pay a premium or a health tax, For the first time in our hisas in other countries, tory, Ameri­ but according to incans are seecome. No connecing a vital and We might be on the verge of getting vociferous tion to employment. genuine reform through a strong We might be on grassroots public option in health care, where the verge of getstruggle for everyone could choose between a ting genuine reform a national Medicare-like public program and through a strong health service. private insurance. A recent poll public option in health care, where by the New everyone could York Times choose between a Medicare- Driehaus, but if you turn it and CBS found that 72 percent like public program and pri- over, the fine print on the back of Americans now believe that vate insurance. page says this: “Paid for by everyone who wants it should In the meantime the battle Pharmaceutical Research and have government insurance of with private insurance goes Manufacturers of America.” the Medicare type. We hear on. In mid-July a strange Driehaus’s offices in Cin- less and less about the dangers four-page ad on health care cinnati and Washington say of “socialized medicine.” appeared in Cincinnati mail- he had nothing to do with this But we must watch with boxes. This glossy, fold-up flier and did not know it was fierce concentration the votes brochure, full of the happy appearing. of our representatives on the faces of kids and families, Is it a dirty trick, then, bills in Congress, including mostly African-Americans, by the pharmaceutical asso- Driehaus’s votes. It was an featured Cincinnatian Steve ciation? So it seems, and we intrepid Driehaus, of course, Driehaus. hope Driehaus will publicly who slew the dragon on the “Congressman Steve Drie- renounce this ad. Deceiving west side of town last year – haus,” the ad says, “wants fliers such as this one have Steve Chabot, a Republican every Ohio child to grow up gone out, we assume, in select in the U. S. House who had healthy and happy.” It de- districts across the country, voted over 90 percent of the scribes Driehaus’s support for wherever it is felt that politi- time with George W. Bush. the expanded kids’ care pro- cians can be pressed into ser- Driehaus received a lot of gram, for Children's Hospital vice for private insurance. The help from progressive and and the Veterans Affairs Cen- real message is for Driehaus disaffected people in his dis- Getting Famoüs more personal reactions. For instance, in one scene where Brüno talks to his agent while getting an anal bleaching, I found my rube mind thinking to itself, “Really? They have stores in LA that specialize in anal bleaching? My God, we've gone to hell.” The amazing thing about the movie is that, given the fo­ cus group and the reaction of other people in the film, Co­ hen and Charles had to know this movie was probably gon­ na bomb, and yet they made it anyway, and the distributors spent a huge amount of money promoting it. That takes some guts, just as it took some guts to insult a terrorist, or to go on a stroll in the Middle East in some gay Hasidic garb until offended people start chasing him. Many of the scenes seem better a few days after view­ ing. The swingers' meeting, where Brüno was trying to turn heterosexual, seemed a little pointless as I watched it, but, given time, now strikes me as brilliant: Married peo­ ple trying to find some mean­ ing in their lives by swapping partners, demonstrating such sexual positions as “pile-driv­ er,” and yet they judge Brüno as a pervert. The mimed fel­ latio that Cohen brilliantly performs before a psychic who communicates with the dead is another scene that gets better with age. You recall the psychic looking almost embarrassed as Brüno, who All who care about this issue should call Driehaus at 513-6842723, as well as the local office of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) at 513-684-1021. Ask them to support a bill with a public option open to all, affordable to all and without private insurance. trict, including many African Americans. People sent mon­ ey, put up signs, staffed tables, got voters to the polls. Now we can ask that these favors be returned. In a meeting in Norwood in May, Driehaus was confronted by many citizens asking him to support universal care. He told them that he supported a strong public option. “We’re going to get that bill through,” he said. But at the July 4 parade in Northside, he seemed some­ what less confident that the public option would make its way. Five hundred and fifty-two unions have come on board for what is called “single-pay­ er healthcare,” in which gov­ ernment is the single payer of medical bills as in Medicare, and which many think would ensue if we win a bona fide public option. Many nurses and physicians are at the fore­ front of this struggle. Three Cincinnati physicians are among the activists in the local Single Payer Action Network; they walked with this group in the July 4 Parade and helped to give out nearly 1,000 fliers. In June, the Contact Cen­ ter held a public forum at St. Monica Church in Clifton, where people with chronic ill­ ness spoke out about their need for government insurance. Pat Clifford, executive director of the Drop Inn Center, told the group that the center insures its employees, but that when two of the staff became ill this past year, the private insurer raised the center’s premiums by 55 percent. “We don’t know what we're going to do,” Clifford said. Lynn Williams, the action leader of the Contact Cen­ ter, asked everyone present that night to get out their cell phones right then and there and call Driehaus, and people did. Will the bills in the House and Senate provide a way out of the abyss of pain the health industry has driven us into? Can we grow up and join the rest of the sentient world in providing public care for all? “The struggle for universal healthcare is the great civil rights struggle of our time,” said Senator Bernie Sand­ ers (I-Vermont) on a C-Span show in July. (continued from page 9) asks if he can give the spirit a hug, instead gives the air a great BJ, and you think, dude, you sell people on the idea that you can channel a dead person's thoughts and charge them money for it! Really, who's behavior is more em­ barrassing? Ultimately, I'm thankful that I was able to go to a theater in suburban Cincinnati and watch this film. I recall grow­ ing up here when The Exorcist came out, showing at the same theater where I watched Brü­ no, and it was slapped with an X rating here, so no one under 18 was allowed to be corrupted by a girl vomiting pea soup. We’ve come a long way to watching a grown man show his pee-pee. The best American humor has a sense of anarchy – the Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields, Mae West, Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and so on. It’s a reminder that our brains are there to make sense of the world, and in doing so it fools us as much as it enlightens us, and that our institutions are woefully inadequate social constructs that never deliver what they promise. The disturbing lesson is that we are far more alike than we are different. You can’t just look at a frat boy from the South and laugh about his stupid worldview, because his view isn't all that removed from your own. We are the world. It’s an idea Paula Ab­ dul would heartily endorse. Are you interested in helping with Streetvibes? Are you a proofreader, writer, poet, artist or photographer? If so, contact Greg Flannery 513.421.7803 x 12 or email streetvibes2@ yahoo.com �12 STREETVIBES August 1 - 14, 2009 Issues Justice, Toilets and Bill Cunningham By lynnE ausMan Staff Writer Today, I tuned into WLW via its online podcasts. I never thought the day would come I think it’s safe to say that when I willingly sat down I grew up listening to Bill to listen to Cunningham, but Cunningham. alas that day He has been has come. I a household was joining So the issue of name in the my parents for answering nahome I grew dinner; and ture’s call after up in since when I walked dark is more before I was in the door, my born. mom quickly than a probI distinctly told me that lem of respect. remember the neighbor People do not family vacahad heard want to take tions – listenCunningham care of that sort ing to WLW talking about of business in (700 AM) the the Homeless entire way. Coalition on public. WLW has one the radio. It’s of the strongest happened bebroadcasts: At fore, but today night when many regional sta- I felt the need to tune in. tions go off air, WLW would To my surprise I was mencome in clear all the way to tioned by a caller who apFlorida. This was before iP- parently wrote me a letter. I ods, so I always made sure I haven’t received this letter had enough batteries to keep yet, but I look forward to it. my personal CD player run- The caller suggested that the ning for the entire trip. Lucki- coalition put port-a-potties at ly, my dad was not completely the Hamilton County Courtwithout mercy. By the time we house for the people sleeping hit Tennessee, my brother and outside there. She stated that I could usually talk him into the portable toilets are free. listening to the Beatles, Elton Frustrated with the lack of John or Billy Joel. To this day public restrooms for homethey are three of my favorite less people, the coalition has singers/songwriters: After all, looked at purchasing a port-athey saved me from AM Talk potty. They aren’t free, by the Radio on more than one occa- way. They cost about $85 per sion. month. I plan to tell her that and the following: The only available public restrooms downtown close at 7 p.m. The bathrooms at Washington Park are closed during the winter and they close at dusk in the warmer months. Restrooms at homeless shelters are only open to shelter residents most of the time – and shelters are at capacity. So the issue of answering nature’s call after dark is more than a problem of respect. People do not want to take care of that sort of business in public. Who would? Taking a crap in an ally is potentially the most degrading and humiliating thing someone would have to go through. Have you ever used a bedpan? That’s as close as I ever want to come to shitting in the street. Some homeless people urinate outside the courthouse at night. Cunningham calls it “peeing on the symbol of justice.” What justice? Is it just that my neighbor’s dog shits in my yard everyday and my neighbor doesn’t pick it up because he assumes that, because I have dogs, I won’t mind? Is it just that businesses slam their doors in the face of people looking for an appropriate place to pee? Is it just that we turn the very activities that one must Crossword engage in to survive (sleeping, peeing, eating) into crimes? Is it just that we no longer open our doors to strangers looking for a meal? Is it just that we treat people who are sick and in need of care with disgust and disdain? Is it just that we outsource our jobs overseas and stand idle when people have no work and no money? Is it just that we are willing to allow people to pay their employees less than minimum wage? Is it just that we would rather see someone on the streets than swallow our “pull yourself up by your bootstrap” mentality and give him/her/ them a home? Is it just that we as a society stand idle as people are forced from their homes and into the streets? Frankly, we have bigger problems to worry about than people peeing and pooping near the courthouse. When we have enough affordable housing and permanent supportive housing to meet the need. When we have enough living wage employment available so no one is unwillingly unemployed. When we have the ability to prevent homelessness. When all of the children in our community have enough nutritionally balanced food to eat. When schools have adequate funding and resources to educate their students. When all students finish high school. When everyone has access to higher education. When all couples (gay or straight) are free to be together without ridicule or judgment. When there are no dogs or cats living without a loving family and home. When the neighbor’s yard is mowed. When my neighbor’s dog stops shitting in my yard. When the mosquitoes no longer bite me as I’m enjoying the great outdoors. I think you get my point. When these bigger injustic­ es are solved, I’ll worry about the fecal matter at the courthouse. I know this probably isn’t the answer you were hoping for or expecting, but I hope it answers some questions. But I’ll take this one step further. If you make a taxdeductible donation to the Homeless Coalition of $85 per month, we’ll find a place to put a porta-potty. And by the way, my name is pronounced “Lynn” – you know, like Lynne Cheney. That’s a name you recognize, right? Sudoku Across 2. In the greatest number 5. Beat up 7. Two times 8. The right-hand side 11. Navy 13. Woody plant 14. Permanent army post 15. Capital of Greece 16. Open -----­ 19. People in general 22. Scheme 23. Self-respect 24. Traditionalists 25. Tugs 26. Furnace 27. Fast aircraft Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 through 9. Down 1. Employees 2. Skinflint 3. Eight singers 4. Chair 5. Thin soup 6. Conceals 9. Part of verb to be 10. Leased 12. British astronomer 15. Chopping tool 16. Ghost 17. Sorrowful 18. Male name 19. Freshwater fish 20. Small mountains 21. Something that causes fermentation 23. Bishop of Rome The fundamental goal of a Sudoku puzzle is to use the provided numbers, or givens, to discover which numbers logically fill in the empty squares. The only rule of Sudoku is that each of the nine rows, each of the nine columns, and each of the nine 3x3 subsections must contain all of the numbers from one to nine, and each number consequently can occur in each row, column and subsection only once. Solutions on Page 15 �STREETVIBES August 1 - 14, 2009 Community News Nurse, Nun and Advocate 13 Sister Phyllis Kemper takes healing to where it’s needed By Paul MillEr Contributing Writer She wanted to be a nurse or a teacher, but Sister Phyllis Kemper, R.N. couldn’t stand the sight of blood while growing up. Soon after joining the Ursulines of Brown County, however, she helped out with the health care of the older sisters of her community. She found her calling and made the decision to become a nurse. The people of Over-the-Rhine and surrounding areas are cer­ tainly glad she did. Kemper is part of the Parish Nurse Program of TriHealth, a community partnership of Bethesda North and Good Sa­ maritan hospitals. She is one of 10 nurses and three com- munity health workers and a social worker employed in the program, which is based out of churches in nine low-income neighborhoods in Cincinnati. Kemper’s home base is St. Francis Seraph Church at Liberty and Vine Streets. At 10 a.m. every Monday you’ll find her in a small office at Our Daily Bread on Race Street, taking care of the health needs of people in Over-the-Rhine. When doing an initial assessment of health-care needs in Over-the-Rhine, Kemper found that Our Daily Bread had a space where people could see a nurse. “I was always interested in community health nursing,” she says. “I realized people were falling through the Our Daily Bread is a food and hospitality ministry at 1730 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, serving a mid-day meal for more than 500 people every weekday. To volunteer or contribute, call Joan or Kathy at 513-621-6364. Giant Leaps ‘Streetvibes’ vendor now has stable housing By JErEMy flannEry Contributing Writer Getting off the streets and into stable housing is an enormous step for a homeless person to rebound from rock bottom. Streetvibes vendor Leonard Jackson now lives in Section 8 housing in Winton Terrace after being homeless for three years, he says. “I’m not trying to brag about it,” he says. “I’m just really thankful to have it.” Jackson expressed gratitude to organizations in Cincinnati such as the Salvation Army and the Drop Inn Center that provide the homeless and disadvantaged with food, housing assistance and bus fare to seek employment. The city of Cincinnati should do more to help, he says. “The city should pay for homeless people’s rent for a year and pay for their gas and electric, too,” Jackson says. “That would give people a real chance to get themselves back together. I know some people might try to take advantage of that, maybe turn it into a dope house or something, but not everyone. If someone gives me a chance, you bet I’ll try to help myself and do what’s right.” Jackson has been a Streetvibes vendor since 1997, when the Greater Cincinnati Coali­ tion for the Homeless, which publishes the newspaper, had its office on Elm Street, he says. His route spans from Walnut and Race streets in Over-the-Rhine to Knowlton’s Corner and Chase Avenue in Northside, he says. “(Streetvibes) helps pay the bills and keeps bus fare in your pocket,” he says. “It lets people know what’s going on with the homeless, it tells the truth and it reports better than the other newspapers like the Enquirer or before with the Post, because they don’t report on these types of issues much.” Jackson says he is one of the few Streetvibes vendors who venture across the Ohio River to sell the newspaper in Cov­ ington and Newport. Patrons have told Jackson that both Kentucky cities need more vendors like him, he says. “This one lady in Cov­ ington came up to me and she gave me $25,” Jackson cracks, and I wanted to find a way to help.” For a few hours on Monday mornings since 2001, Kemper sees anywhere from four to 14 people at Our Daily Bread. She provides health education and identifies health issues. When necessary, she refers patients to health facilities for treatment, whether a hospital, a clinic or the Medical Van for the Homeless, which parks outside Our Daily Bread ev­ ery Tuesday afternoon. “The emergency room is still used as a source of prima­ ry care,” she says. “Transpor­ tation is a challenge for people to get health care outside of the neighborhood.” High blood pressure and diabetes are common ailments among the population she ministers to. “People don’t feel bad with high blood pressure,” Kem­ per says. “Unless they get it checked, it isn’t identified, and they are at high risk of a heart attack or stroke. And people can’t get or afford the medicine.” Kemper refers people to the Cincinnati Health Department or the Saint Vincent De Paul Charitable Pharmacy so they can have access to the medication they require. She also teaches them how to take their medication. “People get care and realize that they don’t have to feel bad all of the time” she says. “Some don’t remem­ Sister Phyllis Kemper. Photo by Paul Miller. ber what feeling “It’s a blessing to be here” good is like.” Kemper says. “People know Kemper visits people at I am a nurse and watch out home who can’t get out. She will go to the doctor with pa- for me. Once I was walk­ tients who can’t advocate for ing down Vine Street and a crowd had gathered around themselves. “(Many times) it’s just mak­ someone who was in medical ing the doctors instructions distress. A couple of the guys yelled, ‘Clear out of the way! understandable” she says. Kemper also collaborates Here comes the nurse.’ I am with Joyce Cue, the social blessed.” Because of her, so are the worker at Our Daily Bread, people of Over-the-Rhine. when someone needs a referral for social-service needs. Leonard Jackson, uses the money he earns from selling ‘Streetvibes’ to help pay bills and bus fare. Photo by Jeni Jenkins. says. “I asked her what that’s for and she said, ‘That’s from God.’ Then she gave me $2 for newspapers. I thanked her very much for that. That is a bless­ ing from God. Some people say they don’t care about the homeless when I’m selling. I try to tell them, ‘You might be there one day – homeless and with a fishing pole by the river struggling to survive.’ I hope not, but you never know what might happen in the future.” Jackson says Streetvibes could also do more to help its vendors by providing T-shirts so people are more aware of their presence. Vendors would also be able to replenish their stock of papers during the weekend if the office would be open for a half day on Sat­ urdays, he says. Both suggestions are under consideration, according to Lynne Ausman, administra­ tive coordinator for the Home­ less Coalition. “We are working on get­ ting T-shirts, bags, hats or something,” she says. “We’re working on the pricing or rais­ ing funds to do that, or seeing if they can be donated so it can provide them with more legit­ imacy so people don’t have to wonder, ‘Hey, who is this guy?’ The paper is about the vendors and providing for them with something, and to provide a service to the community. But it’s mostly about the ven­ dors.” Opening the office on Sat­ urdays might require resched­ uling staff hours and seeking volunteers, she says. “We only have four staff members and we all work 40 hours per week or more,” Ausman says. “We’ve thought about using volunteers, but we still need staff here. As Streetvibes and our staff grows, maybe we will be able to be open on Saturdays in the fu­ ture.” �Vendor Voice 14 Suicide STREETVIBES August 1 - 14, 2009 Cleo’s Joke Corner By MaCK l. russEll Vendor Suicide, I hate you. You take away and never give back. You make promises of false dreams, convincing those who follow you that death is better. Suicide, where did you come from? I don’t know, but I’m sure there’s a place of sheer coldness and darkness that will welcome you. Did you hear about the crime that happened to the house that was being remodeled? The showers were stalled, the curtains were held up, the doors were hung – and the windows were framed for it. Suicide, you take from people, never reaping the consequences. You kill without a cause. If pain is all you have to give, pass over, keep on keeping on. There’s no room at this hotel, no vacancies. Your kind is not welcome. Go back where you come from. Please go back. Suicide, I hate you. For my friend Ed, departed March 2007. What’s Happenin’ August Events BEnEfits: Northside Community Yard Sale. Benefits Churches Active In Northside. August 8. 9am-2pm. http://northside.net/sale for more info. MusiC: Grammy-Award Winning Charles Ford Singers. August 23. 4pm. at St. Mark Christian Fellowship 820 Ezzard Charles Dr. aCtivitiEs: Health Care Reform Informational Forum. August 3. 7pm. First Unitarian Church in Avondale. Hosted by Women’s City Club. US Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Cincinnati) will speak. Homegrown Permaculture: Water Use Workshop. “Water: Natural Resource or Commodity?” August 8. 9:30am-4pm. Reservations required. Contact 513/683-2340 or www.grailville. org. Healing Emotions: Briding East and West. August 21. 7pm. Gaden Samdrupling Buddhist Monastery hosts a conversation between a Buddhist monk and a western psychiatrist to explor the integration of East and West in emotional healing. 3046 Pavlova Drive, Colerain Township. More information at 513/385-7116. $10 donation suggested. Read the Streetvibes blog for stories between issues at streetvibes.wordpress.com Ongoing Events 2nd tuEsdays Cincinnati-Ohioans to Stop Execution Meeting. IJPC Peaslee Center (215 E. 14th Street, OTR). 7-8pm. 3rd WEdnEsdays IJPC General Peace Committee. Peaslee Neighborhood Center. 7-9pm. 1st thursdays Benefits Rights Advocacy Group. Contact Center (1212 Vine St. OTR). Noon-1:30pm. Northern Kentucky Peace and Justice Group. Mother of God Church (119 W. 6th St. Covington). 7pm. 2nd thursdays CeaseFire Cincinnati. Church of the Living God (430 Forest Ave). 9:30am. Become a Fan of Streetvibes on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/streetvibescincinnati �STREETVIBES August 1 - 14, 2009 Resources 15 Need Help or Want to Help? Our Daily Bread Shelter: Women and Children 621-6364 Health 535-2719 591-2246 Center for Respite Care 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Central Access Point Cincinnati Union Bethel 381-SAFE 768-6907 St. Francis Soup Kitchen Churches Active in Northside 557-2873 FreeStore/FoodBank 681-2365 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 762-5660 St. Vincent de Paul 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Bethany House 3600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 Salvation Army 562-8841 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter Crossroad Health Center 241-1064 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 872-9259 City Gospel Mission 241-5525 1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Justice Watch 241-0490 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 Treatment: Men Mt. Airy Shelter 661-4620 784-1853 721-0643 921-1613 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 961-2256 Treatment: Women First Step Home 961-4080 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 2728 Glendora Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45209 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 Treatment: Both 721-0643 AA Hotline CCAT 471-1100 221-3350 Joseph House (Veterans) 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 Drop Inn Center 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Interfaith Hospitality Network Lighthouse Youth Center (Youth) Housing: CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing 351-0422 381-6672 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 241-2965 Hamilton County ADAS Board Recovery Health Access Center Sober Living Talbert House 946-4888 281-7422 681-0324 641-4300 Advocacy 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tender Mercies 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tom Geiger House Dana Transitional Bridge Services Volunteers of America 961-4555 751-0643 381-1954 Food/Clothing Lord’s Pantry OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 721-4700 421-7803 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 621-5300 961-1983 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45202 558-8888 981-5800 NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach 458-6670 977-4489 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS Other Resources Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center Peaslee Neighborhood Center Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart Goodwill industries Healing Connections Mary Magdalen House People Working Cooperatively The Caring Place United Way Women Helping Women 241-2600 241-2563 621-5514 381-0111 771-4800 751-0600 721-4811 351-7921 631-1114 211 977-5541 Hamilton/Middletown 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 3330 Jefferson, Cinti, Ohio 45220 357-4602 352-2902 352-6363 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Shelter: Both Anthony House (Youth) Health Resource Center Homeless Mobile Health Van McMicken Dental Clinic 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 DIC Live In Program Prospect House Starting Over 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Mental Health Access Point Mercy Franciscan at St. John Shelter: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 579-8547 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry 863-3184 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 Northern Kentucky Brighton Center ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 859-491-8303 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 If you like what you read, but don’t live in the Cincinnati area, you can subscribe to Streetvibes. Call us at 513-421-7803 x 12 to learn more about subscribing to Streetvibes. Puzzle Solutions �16 Vendors’ Artwork Artwork by Anthony Williams STREETVIBES August 1 - 14, 2009 Berta’s Art Corner “Oasis,” Federal Reserve Bank, 150 East Fourth St., Cincinnati, Ohio Double Take “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” - John Lennon Aimie Willhoite captured the dignity and gifts of individuals in Over-the-Rhine. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2009 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource August 1–14, 2009 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Insane Budgeting Decisions Art for Hard Times Pg 2: The Vibe Pg 3: Eight Minutes with a ‘Nest Filler’ Pg 4: Insane Budgeting Healing a Nation Pg 5: Arts & Poetry Pg 6: Warm Beer and Cold War Pg 7: Healing a Nation Pg 8: Death on the Cheap Pg 9: Arts & Poetry Pg 10: Arts & Poetry Pg 11: The Struggle for National Health Care Pg 12: Justice, Toilets and Bill Cunningham Pg 13: Nurse, Nun and Advocate Giant Leaps Pg 14: Suicide Pg 15: Resources Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 1 – 14, 2009 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Gregory Flannery Lynne Ausman Lew Moores Margo Pierce Paul Kopp Jeremy Flannery Michael Henson David Heitfield Alecia Lott Larry Gross Stephanie Dunlap Georgine Getty Angela Pancella Paul Miller Will Kirschner Andrew Anderson Aimie Willhoite Jennifer Blalock Ranjit Rege Advocate Aimie Willhoite Alecia Lott Andrew Anderson Angela Pancella Arts & Poetry Bill Cunningham Budget Cuts Cold War David Heitfield Discrimination Georgine Getty Gregory Flannery Hate Crime health care Jennifer Blalock Jeremy Flannery Justice Larry Gross Lew Moores Lynne Ausman Margo Pierce mental health Michael Henson National Health Care Nun Nurse Paul Kopp Paul Miller Ranjit Rege Sister Phyllis Kemper South Korea Stephanie Dunlap Steve Driehaus U.S. Military Will Kirschner